Okay, let's see if I can get this right...
As people might have discovered after reading some of my posts, I am currently working on creating a fantasy universe for a book (technically a few of them, but let's not split hairs). Rather than waste everyone's time elsewhere in the forum, I figure that one place for all of my concepts/designs/species/races/legends/characters/world-building exercises would not only allow me to stop cluttering up unrelated topics, but also help me get some criticism and assistance in fleshing out and finalizing The Rules. If I do end up going off on a tangent, I'll try to finish it in here rather than out there. I guess you could consider this a glimpse into a project that I am going to finish someday soon (hopefully). And at some point I'll get around to posting the laws towards breeding that I mentioned in my introductory thread.
Basically, this is going to be a dumping spot for concepts and random ideas that have somehow coalesced into a coherent thought capable of being shown to the world. I actually have quite a few ideas (I want to be thorough about this world), so I'm not going to be posting them all at once. And I want people to ask questions, to find flaws in my ideas, to point out something that I might have missed, and to delve deeper than I could possibly do on my own.
Also, my ideas do have a tendency of reshuffling in order to somehow make them fit better. Consider anything like that posted. Occasionally, stuff might get a little random, but I will try to answer questions as they're asked.
Um, sorry for making you read through my rambling thoughts just to get to the important stuff. Now, onto something slightly more interesting! (I hope.)
And since this is a fantasy world I'm working on, I might as well start with one of the most important topics: magic.
What is magic in my universe? In short, no one is really certain. It is known to be a kind of omnipresent energy, and it is known to be controllable by various means. The exact source of magical energy is also unknown: some mages theorize that it is somehow created or refined by life, but evidence for this is mostly circumstantial at best. A lot of higher-level magical researchers consider magical energy to simply be another aspect of the various universes, such as thermal or electrical energy: this may be closer to the right answer.
A magic-wielder, or "mage," is able to collect, absorb, and release this energy in a controlled fashion through different means. When it comes to mages, two terms that must be remembered are "wizards" and "sorcerers." A wizard is essentially a natural-born mage who inherits the capability to perform magic from their parents. A sorcerer is a mage who - through study and research and training - has achieved the ability to perform magic despite not having been born with the talent. All other types of mages - alchemist, shaman, paladin, necromancer, invoker, summoner, etc - somehow derive their energy and abilities from one of these sources.
Next, I'll hopefully talk about how spells work and more of the differences between wizards and sorcerers. And I might get into what witches and warlocks are (or at least what they are currently) and why the term "energeia" is so important.
All right, now you wolves can move in. And, um, sorry this got a little long.
Sounds interesting. I am looking forward to learn more about the universe you are working on (though I am more into sci-fi (or, rather, techno-fantasy, as I like to call it) than fantasy). So far I don't have any comments, since everything looks logical to me (and I won't try to compare it to D&D :3).
Seems good to me. I'm looking forward to see where this goes, Jay.
"Energia"? Hadn't heard that term yet.
All right, today we're going to talk about spells. Spells are the primary means of controlling magic, and are designed to shape magical energy to produce an effect of some kind. There are basically three types of spells: Arcane, Modern, and Wild.
Wild magic is basically the oldest (and technically most powerful) kind of magic. Wild magic works on the principle of belief, and how if enough people believe in something their combined mental energy acts like a rudimentary spell, focusing dormant magical energy to produce an effect of some kind. As an example of the power of belief, in our world the Bermuda Triangle might actually have a portal to another dimension. Gods and other members of the Divine race are "born" through enough believe in them, and are supported and kept alive by it. To give an example of the kind of power belief has, take our legend of "the seventh son of a seventh son shall be born a wizard." On the Discworld, this is "the eight son of an eight son shall be a wizard, while the eight son of an eighth son of an eighth son shall be a sourcerer." On the world of Terra (where this story is set), the belief is "the seventh child of a seventh child." All of these are true, for the worlds they appear on. And since they are such a big part of folklore, any child who fits the standards will inherit wizard power (except in certain rare circumstances: wait until I talk about Nicodemus Cidney). Interestingly, aside from the obvious cases of stories where people inherit permanent powers (7x7=wizard), most Wild magics will only work on that world, due to beliefs being different on other worlds.
Arcane spells are basically the kind of spells we're used to: they run on folklore and belief and the limited scientific knowledge of the time that they were created. They were the next step up from Wild magic, and could be considered the earliest examples of controlled spells. For example, a lot of Arcane spells perform magic through the four (or five) elements, depending on the beliefs of that particular world. They are usually performed through some kind of magic language (for Western culture on our word, spells would probably be cast in Latin or Greek, though each region would have it's own special language). Much like Wild magic, Arcane spells are fairly unique to each world they appear on, though there are a handful of similar elements across them, and sufficient examination will reveal a lot of parallels. Basically, each world's Arcane magic is unique to them, and slightly lose their effectiveness on other worlds, though a sufficiently skilled mage can "retune" them to work better.
The Modern Magic system is a bit of a misnomer. In some cases, it is far older than most Arcane magic, and the system itself might be at least 200 million years old (some species have been around longer than us: that is all I shall say for now). The reason it is referred to as the Modern magic system is because it has been designed around the laws of physics and the rules that govern reality. For example, a spell to create fire - designed around the Modern magic system - is built around the knowledge that you need oxygen, a fuel supply, and an ignition source to make a fire: a modern spell can take the place of all of those various needed elements. Rather than performing magic through various elements, most modern spells are more focused on having an elemental affinity rather than working through the elements. There are numerous advantages to these spells, including that they can be cast in any language, they can work equally well on all worlds, they are easily updated to fit new scientific understanding, and they are far safer and more controllable than other spells. As for disadvantages... I can't really think of any. It is worth noting, however, that Wild magic and Arcane magic commonly have far more power backing them up, while Modern magic doesn't really need any belief to work.
To give an idea of the difference in safety and reliability of these spells, allow me to paraphrase a comment that will be made by the aforementioned Nicodemus Cidney. Wild magic is about as reliable as an early gunpowder missile: lots of power, but difficult to focus and control and indeed the kind of control where the best you can do is point and hope that it works. Arcane magic is a bit like a cross between an early firearm and a musket or blunderbuss: the understanding of magic's mechanics has grown, and the process is a little safer, but it's still dangerous and difficult to use (to those of you who have read the Discworld, the magic that wizards and witches use is basically Arcana magic, which gives you an idea of how bad this can be). Modern magic is a 20th century semi-automatic pistol, easily reloaded and repaired, easy to aim and use, anyone can use it, and not prone to backfiring on you somehow. Incidentally, this also kinda reveals the relative complexity of the various spells.
Okay, there's some stuff about spells. I don't feel like getting into wizards/sorcerers/witches/warlocks quite yet, so I'll leave you with this for now.
As for the similarities to DnD, I actually have never played DnD in my life. Most of my exposure to DnD was through Irregular Webcomics (if you read it you know what I mean). I actually didn't learn about DnD's magic mechanics until after I had solidified the basics of magic and was starting to branch out from there. Don't worry about the coincidences, either. I'm just trying to come up with something that works, and sometimes parallels come up. The aforementioned (I use that word way too much) Nicodemus in particular got it rough... but then again he's meant to be a deconstruction of the myth of a seventh child of a seventh child, so he needed six older siblings and a vast hoard of uncles and aunts and cousins in order for his character to work: when I first came up with him a year ago I just thought it would be kind of funny if he had six older sisters instead of six older brothers (since everyone does that). Imagine my surprise when I met Jyrras. Then it got really really really weird.
As for "energeia," it's an old greek word that eventually evolved into our concept of energy. In this universe, energeia goes by many names, but the one that you would all perhaps best recognize is "chi."
And that one got a little long too. On the plus side, now that I'm writing this, it's a lot easier to see how the parts fit together. Oy, I've got a headache.
Hoooo boy. That's a huge block o' text. Odd thing is, I didn't get distracted once.
Very interesting, just one question. If Modern Magic is a lot more controlled and malleable, couldn't someone of significant power and expertise create the spell equivalent of an atomic bomb?
Or has the magic Manhatten Project yet to occure on Terra?
Quote from: Pagan on July 20, 2008, 01:56:03 PM
Hoooo boy. That's a huge block o' text. Odd thing is, I didn't get distracted once.
Very interesting, just one question. If Modern Magic is a lot more controlled and malleable, couldn't someone of significant power and expertise create the spell equivalent of an atomic bomb?
Or has the magic Manhatten Project yet to occure on Terra?
What makes you think that someone hasn't created the magical equivalent of an atomic bomb yet?
Okay, you've got a few choices. On the one hand, there are spells that have destructive power to rival an atomic weapon, but these are all high-level spells that take a long time to charge up and need a lot of magical energy. On the other hand, some magitek artifacts are capable of emitting bursts of power similar in scale to atomic weaponry. Some civilizations (on other worlds, mind you) have the technological level to construct (and use) nuclear weaponry. Merlin himself did some experiments with nuclear arsenals, one of which added an early Anti-Magic field for use against magical shields and defenses, and he has a tendency of arming his ships with them as a backup weapon (yes he's still alive: I'll get to talking about him eventually even though he never shows up - or is mentioned to have existed - on Terra). Merlin is among the magical researchers and scientists who invent the spells that everyone else uses: Merlin's ability to create up to ten spells every century is what marks him as a remarkably skilled mage. Um, the complexity of modern spells is such that it takes a lot more effort to build them. Kind of like how almost any one can create an early rocket and with the right gear you could make an early firearm in your garage, but it takes a bit more to build a modern pistol.
As for Terra's technological level, most firearms and similar weapons fall somewhere between the American Civil War and WWI since magic kind of relegated firearms to secondary status, though some inventors and scientists (Nick among them) have done some serious work on raising the overall technological level of the world, and more modern weaponry is available in cities and other such places. They do have computers (laptops and supercomputers exist, as does a version of the internet) and game systems (at about the N64 level, and Nick has built a prototype portable version of that system for the company that makes them) but they never developed nuclear weaponry or reactors (well, beyond experimental reactors, but those were never viable as a source of power): most of the world uses fossil fuels or renewable energy (wind and water, some places even use primitive solar generation techniques). Nick himself has been working on a reactor that converts magical energy to electricity (and something else...) in order to run his lab and his technology, and is currently working on the Mark IV version of his TF (Thauma Furnace) Reactor.
Ah. I was just asking about the tradeoff in Modern to Arcane and Wild magic. It kinda sounded as though Modern had a loss of force by gaining stability and control.
Another question. You keep referencing "worlds" and the way you use it makes it seem as though our world, Terra, perhaps even Discworld or Furrae exist in your universe, but in another plane or something. Almost like different territories. Got flumes?
Well, the general problem with the idea of more control is that there IS more control. Say you want to shapeshift:
Wild: Through will, you shapeshift into a form familiar to you by concentrating on the magical makeup of that form.
Arcane: By providing a general polymorph formula, you can shift with much less power and difficulty, though the spell must be modified to suit the form you wish, rather than chosen at time of casting.
Modern: You have to provide competent understanding of the DNA of the form, as well as the ability to speed the cell reproduction of the form while offsetting the age difference with time magic...
Aka, Wild magic is much better at being general with a failing at being precise, whereas Modern offers much more control over the finer details at the cost of needing to control every single detail. For a flipside example, Modern, if played with enough, could produce literally any form, while Wild would be limited to forms that already exist in the world.
In terms of Modern magic, it does lose a bit of force, but only in the sense that a baseball going ninety miles an hour hurts less than one going a hundred miles an hour. Plus, what with modern magic being slightly more focused and controlled, you can actually get that slightly-less force to hit a bit harder, if that makes sense. Sort of like shooting a baseball out of an air-cannon fired at slightly below maximum human arm strength verses someone throwing a baseball at maximum human arm strength.
Okay, three important terms are needed for the next bit. Parallel, Parasite, and Pocket. Those refer to the three types of universe that we work with. They all kind of float within something called the Abyss, which is just a fancy term for the multiverse that connects them. In order to travel between worlds, you need either a special kind of magic, the inherent physical ability to do so, a specially-designed vehicle, or you need to somehow fall into the Abyss and hope that it drops you off before you go insane. Good luck with that. The exact origins of the multiverse are unknown, but what is known is that before the multiverse came into existence you needed to use very rare and powerful magic to travel between worlds. Most people and worlds are unaware of the existence of other universes (Terra is one of the few exceptions, and travelers from other universes popping in is rare but not unheard of).
Essentially, there are thousands upon thousands of parallel universes, each with their own world (some have worlds, though these are rare (um, worlds as in planets with life)) and lifeforms, though those lifeforms tend to follow the same general designs and genes (a human from one universe can breed with a human from another universe, a dog from one universe can breed with a dog from another universe, etc etc). Due to different beliefs and stuff of that nature, the means of controlling magic differ from one world to another: also, some worlds exist in areas so high in magic that some crazy stuff can happen - like a disc-shaped world atop four giant elephants atop a giant flying space turtle or the very laws of physics can start breaking down.
A parasite universe is one that is attached to one or more parallel universes, and allows travel between them. The Faerie Kingdom is a parasite universe, Draconis is another (Draconis is the name given to what is believed to be the High Dragon's home world, or rather what's left of it). A parasite universe is basically a small-scale version of the multiverse. Incidentally, the Faerie Kingdom is the largest parasite universe in existence, since it is believe to be connected to every world that is in existence.
A pocket universe is basically what it sounds like. It's essentially a portable parasite universe that you can take with you. Bags of Holding are small pocket universes. To create your own pocket universe is a mark of exceptional skill and power, though they pop up in wild magic with some small amount of frequency. You really really do not want to mess with the Wild versions.
So, basically, yeah. Each world/universe is its own little solid part of the greater multiverse. There used to be an order of Knights whose job was to protect each universe, but they were wiped out about 9,500 years ago, and there are only a few hundred of them left. The dragons also frequently travel between worlds, as do the Faerie. Travel between worlds has steadily been dropping off, and only a handful of beings and creatures still do it. And as a joke of mine, one of my characters mentions having been to a world on the back of a turtle, but it might not be the Discworld. And for the record, I think Nicky and Jyrras would hit it off if they ever actually met. Perhaps a little too well... *hatches an idea for a cameo of some kind*
And as for you, Fragmaster01... let me think for a second. You've kind of hit on the reason why Modern magic is so complicated. And it's not like these are three completely separate and incompatible spells systems. A lot of modern spells (well, at least the older modern spells) are simply Arcane spells that were modified by mages with superior knowledge of how things fit together. Think of modern spells as specifying the generalities of older spells while also building in extra redundancies to make them safer. And much like modern engineering and physics, sometimes corners have to be cut...
As for Wild magic's multiple problems, think of the Butterfly effect in chaos theory: a butterfly flaps its wings in Peking and in New York they get rain instead of sunlight. There are so many variables in Wild Magic that at best you can make a general prediction of what will happen. This is part of the reason why scientists (and mages) like Nick don't bother with wild magic outside of the general stuff: they know that no matter what they do, they can never accurately predict what will happen. Let's continue to use Nick as an example, since he's a fairly major player. He is the seventh child of two seventh children, so by the "rules" of wild magic he should be a wizard. However, his mom Justine is a major player in being/creature relations, and has many friends on both sides of the game who have... shall we say... made sure that she'll be around for a few decades longer than she would be normally, so she's got some magic (but not much) in her veins. His dad Elian is a retired adventurer and low-rank sorcerer who has a great understanding of magic and spent a lot of time around magical energy, all of which usually leads to children inheriting some wizarding talent. But if you add the three of these together, you have stacked so many variables on top of one another that ultimately the issue of whether Nick is a wizard or comes down down to his choice in the matter, and no matter how much the "world" says he should be something it can't override his wishes. And considering that both of his parents encouraged his logical viewpoint towards the world from a young age, factored in with the fact that he knows Wild magic is a fickle thing that shouldn't be trusted, he subconsciously chose from a young age to reject those powers. Not only that, but even with his excellent understanding of magic and science, he's actually a fairly poor sorcerer who needs backup to perform anything beyond simple healing spells. Of course, he's spent so much time experimenting with magical energies that any child of his is guaranteed to inherit some skill at magic...
And... dang... I was just trying to reply to one thing and I got all of that out. I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!!!!!
Down! Do I have to get the hose?
Sounds like Wild magic was something that I was playing with in one of my worlds. I liked to thing of chance as a possible element of magic. Very random, bad things can happen as well as good. That sort of thing.
Dragons? Fae(ries)? Is that Furrae style or your own making?
And jeez... you're really making me think about settling down and making my own thread.
Quite interesting magical system, Jay. I think I'll add something more constructive a bit later.
Quote from: Pagan on July 20, 2008, 04:29:12 PM
And jeez... you're really making me think about settling down and making my own thread.
Same here. I have my own techno-fantasy setting called "Shades of Grey" (which I mentioned in my art thread a few times), so I'll probably start a thread devoted to it tomorrow. :3
Quote from: Pagan on July 20, 2008, 04:29:12 PMDragons? Fae(ries)? Is that Furrae style or your own making?
My Faeries are based off of the old European style of fairies: they're jerks and psychopaths at best. Intensely magical (and practically living Wild Magic in and of themselves, and are easily a match for the most powerful of gods), practically immortal (the only way to kill off a faerie once and for all is for it to basically commit suicide), and capable of performing deeds in a heartbeat that most magical being could never do in a lifetime. Fortunately, they have a number of weaknesses (which I'll get into later), so anyone who has access to the right knowledge and can properly plan ahead (say, a certain non-wizard adventurer named Elian "Cid" Cidney) is capable of permanently killing off a Faerie. As for the archaic spelling, I think that they'd prefer it that way, especially since it just looks cooler. Plus, they can hear you spell it "Fairy" when you say it out loud, and if there's one thing you don't want to do it's piss off a Faerie...
Actually, it's one of five things you don't want to do. I actually wrote a little poem some time ago about the things you don't want to do... (albeit, some of this is no longer canon, but it's still a catchy little nursery rhyme):
Never threaten Elven honor,
Nor insult a dwarven mother.
Never harm the human heart,
Nor a fight with a dragon start.
Unfortunately, Amber also seems to have "called" the designations for Beings and Creatures, which is unfortunate as those are so perfect that after months of trying to classify non-sentient animals, sentient animals, and expressly magical sentient animals, the best that I could come up with on my own includes two of her designations (for the record, the designations are Beasts, Beings, and Creatures). As for the dragons... that's genuinely a topic for another day. The High Dragons are basically my own design, but they've always known shapeshifting magic (how else do I explain Dragon Hybrids?) and they've always been powerful, and they've always been nigh-immortal. In fact, it is believed that High Dragons were the creators of the Modern Magic system, but there's no real way to be certain. Again, another day.
And the reason I love you guys is that you're forcing me to finally write this all out. You have no idea how long I've been trying to do that. And thanks for planning to add something, Ren.
Seeing old Faeries is awesome. I do have to agree with you on designations. Amber chose very good words there. I just wanted to clear any confusion.
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on July 20, 2008, 03:38:21 PM
Well, the general problem with the idea of more control is that there IS more control. Say you want to shapeshift:
Wild: Through will, you shapeshift into a form familiar to you by concentrating on the magical makeup of that form.
Arcane: By providing a general polymorph formula, you can shift with much less power and difficulty, though the spell must be modified to suit the form you wish, rather than chosen at time of casting.
Modern: You have to provide competent understanding of the DNA of the form, as well as the ability to speed the cell reproduction of the form while offsetting the age difference with time magic...
Okay, I'm about to disappear for three or four hours because I have to drive back home for the weekend, but this suddenly hit me and I felt the need to clarify slightly. Wild magic cannot be controlled through one person. It takes dozens, if not hundreds or thousands of people, to produce a noticeable effect. Arcane and Modern produce controllable effects, but Wild really doesn't. Now, there are some wild-magic effects that can be controlled, but the magic itself cannot be. And any form of natural shapeshifting (see Wer-folk, Lazerai, and Dragons when I get that far) have shapeshifting as a natural ability that kind of follows the pattern of Arcane magic (though there are some beings and creatures who have natural magical abilities that follow Modern magic: see Warlocks when I get that far). Wild magic is really really tricky.
Alright, you've discussed the three types of magics and universes. You once mentioned Angels and Demons in one of your nighttime ramblings. Could you describe those a bit?
I'm going to get into this eventually when I start talking about races and species, but I guess a little preview won't hurt. I'm still working on this, mind you. Hopefully I'll have it finished up by the time I post the concise/complete info.
Okay, angels and demons are cousin creature races (much like humans, elves, and dwarves are cousin being races [Anthri and a handful of other races are more like second or third cousins]). End of story. I don't care what any angel or demon says, they're descended of a common ancestor (some scientists believe that not only are they descended of a common ancestor, that common ancestor was a Demon-like species) and are practically the same species. One theory states that the two evolved in the Abyss, but to be quite blunt both of them have been around for longer than the Abyss has existed (not that they know that). Ignore stories about fallen angels: there's no such thing, those who become corrupted by power not-withstanding. Ignore stories about rebellions against gods: some angels have in fact created gods through careful manipulation of belief. Also ignore any claims to divinity: only angels or demons who have aligned themselves to members of the Divine race have any power of that sort. Aside from the wings and a few physical differences and a few differences in magical abilities, they are almost identical: they can also breed with other races, but then again so can a lot of others. If I had to sum up angels and demons in one word, it would basically be "lawful" and "chaotic" respectively. Neither race is wholly (hah, nearly wrote "holy") good or evil. A half-breed member is only considered "half-breed" until their powers really kick in somewhere in adulthood. Both races are physically powerful and have longer lives than most beings. If you have to piss one off, piss off a demon, since the demon will only kill you, while the angel might just kill you and your family.
The most apparent physical difference between an angel and a demon is their wings. I guess you can already speculate which group has which kind of wings. Demons also tend to have horns growing from their heads, though these vary in size and shape. Angels and demons (in their Creature form, at least) are also incredibly beautiful: think Greco-Roman gods, and then apply it to basically any kind of animal that the two can breed with. It is notable that both groups are incapable of hiding their wings through normal means (unlike their Lazerai cousins), and so must secure other means of blending in. Demons tend to also have sharp teeth and claws, though for the most part their claws are retractable. They are both physically fit races who are capable of matching many opponents in straight battle, and all members of the angel and demon race possess absolute mastery of one type of magic (light and dark respectively) as well as mastery of normal non-elemental magic: when it comes to being able to perform other kinds of magic (i.e. like wizards), the ratio's about the same as it is for other races. As for weaknesses... well, much like pretty much anything, hit 'em too hard with something and eventually they'll go down. Neither can use black magic for some reason (White and Black magic are different from Light and Dark magic). Few members use ?Modern magic, and prefer either Arcane or manipulating Wild magic (see the afore-mentioned manipulation of belief: incidentally, few demons care for that). Angels are manipulative, Demons are fairly straightforward. If you need one or the other on your side, go for a demon, since you know that at least they're on your side for the time being: you generally have no idea what an angel really wants.
Incidentally, as a hint to exactly how "good" angels really are, the only true instant kill spell (ala Avada Kedavra) is a light magic spell.
I'll get into much more detail when I start posting that kind of information, but in the meantime does this help out a little bit? Hopefully, I'll talk a bit more about Wizardry/Witchcraft/Sorcery/Warlockry next. After I talk about magic some more, I want to get a few breeding rules thrown out there (incidentally, a half-breed is technically called a Hybrid: Nicodemus Cydney is a Hybrid Elf/Human. Do not call a Hybrid a halfling: this is the rough equivalent of the "N" word in the world today, except worse). But before the breeding rules, I should probably get some races thrown out... I'm insane for trying to do all of this.
To think you did this because I have WABS, and wanted to give me something to do. BTW I waited too. I get points at my next Web Comic-aholics anonymous meeting.
("Hi, my name is zack, and I'm a WC-aholic" group:"Hi Zack.)
Quote from: shadowterm on July 21, 2008, 03:00:29 AM
To think you did this because I have WABS, and wanted to give me something to do. BTW I waited too. I get points at my next Web Comic-aholics anonymous meeting.
("Hi, my name is zack, and I'm a WC-aholic" group:"Hi Zack.{/i])
If it makes you feel better, I've been waiting for a point where I can't NOT write this stuff out: your WABS was enough to get me started on finally getting some constructive criticism. Basically, I've been trying to get all of this stuff out of my head and onto paper (or at least in some form) and now I'm finally doing it. Yes, all of this is in my head and scattered throughout about three or four notebooks (but those are basically hard-copy backups). And yes, that's a double negative in my first sentence, but it kind of helps the message.
I have lot lot of ideas floating around too, but none so refined. I should probably work on it more seeing as I hope to develop it into either a story or comic some time in the future. (Way, way out there in the future. See that, that tiny little speck so far off in the distance you can't see it? There's my goal.)
Shadowterm, never forget the lesson of this comic! http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php)
None of us are ever fully prepared, but at least when you dive in, you're swimming now.
Quote from: Pagan on July 21, 2008, 09:42:33 PM
Shadowterm, never forget the lesson of this comic! http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php)
None of us are ever fully prepared, but at least when you dive in, you're swimming now.
Ah, thank you for finding that. I guess you could say that I'm finally taking her advice. Go Amber.
Next up on Jairus' Fantasy World-Building and Other Insane Stuff, Witchcraft, Energeia, Mana, Techniques, and White magic vs. Black magic. Hopefully.
Quote from: Pagan on July 21, 2008, 09:42:33 PM
Shadowterm, never forget the lesson of this comic! http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_852.php)
None of us are ever fully prepared, but at least when you dive in, you're swimming now.
For the record, I'd rather make something original and of good quality then to just start making a web-comic with stick figures and no plot beyond lame video game references. Just because I said my goal was far off doesn't mean I meant in time, but rather work.
Sorry to double post, but I was writing down some of my ideas, and came up with some disturbing parallels with yours. There's no magic, but dimensional travel was a big player in the plot. I figured that if you're already doing it, I might want to come up with something else. It was going to be called Zero Fold, basically a computer would divide a mathematical expression by zero, and depending on the expression used it would tear a hole to a certain dimension. (If you've seen the pic with the house that imploded and says "I divided by zero!" at the bottom, it's like that.)
Quote from: shadowterm on July 21, 2008, 10:41:06 PMSorry to double post, but I was writing down some of my ideas, and came up with some disturbing parallels with yours. There's no magic, but dimensional travel was a big player in the plot. I figured that if you're already doing it, I might want to come up with something else. It was going to be called Zero Fold, basically a computer would divide a mathematical expression by zero, and depending on the expression used it would tear a hole to a certain dimension. (If you've seen the pic with the house that imploded and says "I divided by zero!" at the bottom, it's like that.)
Dimensional travel really isn't important anymore and yet. Keep your dimensional traveling: you don't need to drop something just because someone else used it. Your system is a bit different from my magitek drives. Besides, the traveling isn't as important as the characters making the journey and their destinations at the other end.
For the record, the main drive that allows trans-universe travel is referred to as a STAR drive (incidentally, it's inventor didn't make up an acronym for it: he thought it would be funny if people kept trying to figure out what it meant) and it basically was designed to make a "bubble" in space-time between one universe and the Abyss, and then between the Abyss and the universe you want to go to... but you still kind of have to move around in the Abyss because the Abyss translates the multi-dimensional nature of the multiverse into a 3-d concept that can actually be comprehended: it's like moving around on a map to get where you need to get. More advanced (and recent) designs - referred to as Warp cores - actually fold your location, the Abyss, and your destination into a single bubble around your ship that instantly moves you across the multiverse when it opens, though this type is far rarer.
Another system is basically like an interdimensional train station that links together multiple stations to transit you from one location to another: this is mostly designed for inter-world travel, though it can be linked up to trans-dimensional switching stations to travel to other worlds. It's a bit like long-distance calling, or even better bouncing a normal telephone signal off of a satellite to connect to a telephone system halfway across the world. However, this system has fallen into disuse, and there's not many of them left (for the record, Nick has one of the old transit crystals that he recovered and is currently reverse-engineering to make interdimensional travel easier. He's not having much luck so far).
Alternative trans-dimensional travel methods include the aforementioned parasite universes, which basically have isolated portals (like stormy areas, mountains, and old forests) that connect a parallel universe to a parasite universe and then to another parallel universe: there's really not much variety, though artificial parasite universes have been invented to make transit easier, and basically act like a switching station. Dragons prefer this method of travel.
And of course, you could just somehow randomly fall into the Abyss (or, even better, one of the Channels) and hope that you fall back out. Then again, the only way to do this is to either be a... um... just call them two very special races and forget that I mentioned them... or you could cause your world to collapse into absolute chaos and phase out of reality and become a world in a constant state of flux between existence and non-existence with those poor inhabitants and lifeforms frozen in a deep dreamless state while they are still aware of the passing of time in nonexistence... you know what, the ship or the parasite crossroads are just a better method. As for the Channels, they're basically stable "currents" or "slipstreams" within the Abyss that tie worlds together. A really skilled traveler can basically "surf" the currents of the Abyss to get where they need to go... which is why a lot of old inter-dimensional vessels actually had sail-like constructs on them: they weren't able to catch the currents any other way.
And yes, I love that "divided by zero" house.
Um, to sum up, don't worry. And don't talk to me about disturbing parallels: there are also a few disturbing parallels between me and Jyrras, so I have an idea weird parallels. And besides, aside from the Faerie Kingdom and a school or two, none of the main characters do much dimension skipping... well, not yet anyway...
Ah, bugger, I did it again. Okay, next time... the stuff I promised last time!
I actually wear a vest with tons of pockets and goggles to school, and did so before even hearing about Jyrras. Thems some creepy parallels. I've identified with a lot of characters that are geeky. Then the writer decides to make them gay, and my world turns upside down as I try to re-assure myself that a pattern isn't developing.
Quote from: shadowterm on July 22, 2008, 12:04:35 AMI actually wear a vest with tons of pockets and goggles to school, and did so before even hearing about Jyrras. Thems some creepy parallels. I've identified with a lot of characters that are geeky. Then the writer decides to make them gay, and my world turns upside down as I try to re-assure myself that a pattern isn't developing.
...
Oh God, you really do freaking understand. GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!
*looks around at all the staring people*
Um, real update next time. I promise.
"Understand?" If I didn't top you with that, I guess there really is someone out there as weird as me. Also, my favorite definition for Originality: "Not caring what other people think." It describes how I act in public so well, I should put it in my sig.
But I digress, Back to the threads topic.
Quote from: Jairus on July 21, 2008, 09:48:57 PMNext up on Jairus' Fantasy World-Building and Other Insane Stuff, Witchcraft, Energeia, Mana, Techniques, and White magic vs. Black magic. Hopefully.
Okay, if I don't post something here today, I'll feel like I let my three viewers down. And we can't have that. So the topic for today's post is Energeia, Mana, Witchcraft, and Techniques. Black magic vs. White magic will be later. Onward ho!
Okay, Energeia is essentially physical energy, and it is something that all lifeforms (and some Constructs) possess. The closest phrase in our world would be "Chi." Similar to magical energy (hereafter referred to as "mana") the amount of Energeia that a person can wield can grow and expand as they train and practice with their powers. Energeia is controlled through the art known as Witchcraft, partially named because witches are in essence crafting energy through very individual means rather than the channeling and casting of magic. While mana is released through spells, energeia is released through abilities called "techniques." Most techniques resemble - and are in fact descended from - martial arts techniques or meditation skills, which is a given that energeia needs very specific control in order to be released, and the precise mental control of martial arts and meditation is needed to properly craft energeia. Witches are able to use their energeia to influence for good or ill the energeia of others, enhance their bodies, or even release it in the form of a specialized attack. Mid-to-high-level witches are able to use energeia to manipulate magic in the environment around them, allowing them to perform magic-like attacks against opponents by controlling the various elements around them. Mid-level witches are usually only capable of controlling one element, though high-level witches can craft pretty much any element.
Witchcraft itself is very fluid and ever-changing, and in fact no two witches will have completely identical means of control, though the various schools of the craft have their own particular moves and mentalities. Just as an example, Nicodemus Cydney learned a small amount of witchcraft from his father Elian, and never had much success until he applied a logical mindset to the affair and began to achieve control of his energeia. His older sister Artemis - an adventurer like their father - uses a much more fluid dance-like style to control her energeia. Neither of these two methods really worked for the other, yet both are equally effective. The ultimate lesson of witchcraft is arguably that no two people are exactly alike.
The exact history of witchcraft is unknown, but it is believed to predate - or at least coincide with - the earliest forms of Arcane magic. Witches have existed for as long as history has been recorded, and witchcraft itself may have represented some of the earliest forms of healing abilities. Some researchers believe that witchcraft had it's origin towards the beginning of Arcane magic, and might have grown from attempts to control magic in some method. Details, unfortunately, are extremely sketchy. Pretty much every world has some form of witchcraft, even worlds that do not have much natural magic. Some individuals may even be performing witchcraft without knowing it, and certain individuals are capable of some impressive abilities without any training whatsoever. These, however, are rare, and usually only performed in life or death circumstances, if then.
It is important to note that usage of energeia disrupts the usage of mana, and vice-versa: it is believed that this is caused through the opposite types of control that both use (i.e. mana is channeled through the body from the universe, while energeia is charged and released), though the exact reasons are unknown. In short, witchcraft and wizardry/sorcery cannot be used simultaneously. This does not stop wizards/sorcerers from learning witchcraft or witches from picking up some sorcery (or might even be full wizards themselves), since one of the advantages of energeia is that it is not disrupted by anti-magic spells or effects of that nature, though it can be disrupted by dealing specific kind of damage to the body.
Much like sorcery, witchcraft is an art that anyone can learn, given time. It does take a lot of effort, and is both physically and mentally demanding. Witches usually train physically in order to amplify their abilities, and constant repetition of techniques is another training method. Again, though, methods are different for every witch.
It is through the forced combination of mana and energeia that black magic is formed: this is a topic for another post.
Next time, White magic and Black magic, followed by some special terms and artifacts and then maybe some stuff about spells themselves, rather than just some basic information. I also want to post some stuff about Nick's inventions, and at some point I have to talk about races/species and the characters. Please point out problems that you catch while they're here at the solidifying stage: it makes it easier to fix things. Thanks again!
Alright, now I certainly understand energia and the difference between it and mana (do I get a gold star?). I've a question about witchcraft though, and casting in general.
Your description of witchcraft, that it descends from martial arts made me picture Avatar-style casting: using the body and martial arts combat techniques to cast. Is that the case in Terra? Which also makes me question if there's a difference in the physical casting between witches and wizards/sorcerors-- and warlocks, as well, perhaps? Like hand/body usage, words, thought process, etc. Would make sense though, if they're using different sources and different casting methodologies.
Did that even make sense?
Oh boy. Okay, I'll try to keep this relatively short. *snrk*
Okay, first let me note that at the highest levels of magic and related skills, there is very little difference between them. High-level witches can control the world on the scale of wizards, and wizards are effortlessly able to cast powerful spells without a single word. Of course, they differ in the fine details and somewhat differ in their methodology, but to the layman's eye (and the eyes of someone who's about to get their butt handed to them), they're practically identical. Okay, now that we've got that settled...
The whole concept of energeia being controlled through martial arts is basically ripped right off of the idea of chi and physical energy being tapped into through training. The thing about techniques is that they are basically designed to help focus and release energeia in a somewhat controlled fashion. For example, it would be relatively difficult to release a burst of energy without some way of focusing it - like a punch or a kick, for example. Techniques by and large are physical moves, even if they are minor ones. No technique is voice activated, although some witches do use short phrases (Kiya! or Haiya!... something like that) to help focus the mind on the effect you want your energeia to create: the motion is the primary external focusing element. Witchcraft is very much a mental skill (in fact, it is sometimes referred to as the Art of Wisdom), and half of witchcraft isn't about fighting at all. It's basically a way of life and a way of control, and most witches rarely do more outside of healing and simple elemental techniques... mainly because they really don't need to. Much like how a lot of martial arts is knowing when to use it and when not to use it, so to does witchcraft focus on those essential skills. And witches do not "cast:" they "craft." Spells are cast, and techniques craft. Most of the physical training that witches do is to refine their control of their techniques through repetition, which makes it easier for them to perform them at a thought and motion. The ability to move is essential for all but the most powerful of witches. So, basically, witchcraft is much like martial arts (I don't know if you ever learned anything, but I did karate for a few years and most of this stuff is a little hard to explain). And yes, high-level witches do somewhat resemble the benders of Avatar, though there's a lot less focus on specific forms of martial arts for each element.
Okay, spells. Spells are cast through a number of "triggers," which are basically activation switches that make spells work. Motions, words, and thoughts are the biggest and most obvious of triggers. Thought is the most important, since a mage is essentially calling up a spell in their mind: the motion they make and the words they say are part of the activation process. Whereas witchcraft techniques basically are basically the movements themselves, for spells movement is only one of the parts of the process. For example, let us say that you knew a Wind-Melee-Attack spell (I'll talk about designations at some point) called "Wind Scar." The mental trigger is obvious, the verbal trigger is calling the spell's name out (which really just helps you focus on what spell you want to perform, since it's kind of hard for most people to be saying one thing and genuinely thinking something else), while the motion trigger would be bringing the sword down in a slash: all of these triggers help to activate the spell while you offer up some of your channeled and stored power to charge and release the spell. As mages become more powerful, they gradually lose the need to use triggers. Often the first trigger to not be used is the verbal trigger (since shouting your attacks out to an enemy trying to kill you is a big no-no), while physical triggers can only very rarely be not used. Sufficient training actually allows a mage to completely skip the mental trigger and perform a spell reflexively (a shielding spell is a very useful one to get to that point), or allow them to trigger a spell simply by performing the proper motion and wanting to do that spell (activating a flight spell by kicking off of the ground). Again, though, most mages are fairly different. Some clever mages spend time learning how to say one spell and perform another, which really confuses your opponents. There are also mages (though these are rare), who can perform a spell simply by thinking it. This is perhaps one of the most psychologically powerful weapons in a mage's arsenal - imagine facing an opponent who keeps casting magic missiles at you without a word and without moving...
As for Warlocks... in short, they are basically witches, except they use magic instead of energeia and can only perform one type of magic which they inherit like wizards from their parents and depend on sorcery to perform any other kind of magic. They're kind of complicated. I guess I'll talk about these guys before I talk about White and Black magic, if that's what you want to know a little bit more about. I'll also talk about a few more differences between sorcerers and wizards. And since it's almost 1 AM, I think that I'm going to retire.
Oh, and I guess a gold star for you. Wee.
You could have warned me that this is like crack before I started doing it too.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on July 23, 2008, 03:19:50 PM
Quote from: Jairus on July 23, 2008, 03:01:37 AM
(and some Constructs)
YAYCONSTRUCTS! :love2
Ah, so you're interested in Constructs? Basically, a Construct is an artificial being, like a Golem, Robot (a capitalized first letter indicates that it isn't simply a mechanical builder like an arm), or Homunculi (on some worlds). Familiars are technically Constructs, but they don't really count and are considered weapons/partners (more on Familiars later). On Terra, Homunculi are considered Beings, thanks to the hard work of Justine Price (currently Justine Cidney), and it is illegal to build one (the sentence is life imprisonment, since owning a Homunculus is considered slavery). On Terra, there are no laws preventing the building of Constructs, though certain types are subject to laws and regulations (Nick himself has a handful in his lab). Just ask if you want a little more info...
Are you -really- making me ask for more info? >:3 Ok...
TellmeeverythingthereistoknowaboutconstructsandImightnotslityourthroatwhileyousleep... :mwaha
If I believe I understand Tech well enough, "interested" is not the proper word. His feelings on constructs are much more potent.
I get a gold star? Yay! *Shows it off to the rest of the class in glee.*
Witches. Craft. Technigues. Wizards. Cast. Spells. Alright, I think I get that now. I'm liking your system for casting, "triggers" and such. I always believed that thought should be most important in spellcasting, not some words or hand movement. And I think I grasp the concept of crafting now, thank you for the explanation there. And sorry for distracting you from your "goal for next post." My bad.
So warlocks... craft spells?
Okay, constructs. In order, Golems, Robots, Homunculi, and Familiars.
A Golem is basically a magical robot. It can be made of almost any material (wood, metal, stone, crystal, etc.), though clay is traditionally the "correct" material. Golems take a fairly impressive amount of magical energy to create and several complicated spells to create. Golems are basically programmed from creation to fulfill a specific task, and are very difficult to "reprogram" once they've been built: you basically have to strip a Golem down to it's most fundamental programming and rebuild it. Some advanced Golems are capable of some independent thought, and a few versions can also be more easily reprogrammed. One crucial advantage that most Golems have is the ability to gradually repair themselves by taking in the correct materials from the environment around them: due to some accidents, most Golems are programmed to only collect waste materials to repair themselves. Due to the energy trapped within them to power them, Golems are capable of using a limited amount of magic, but have to have spells programmed into them.
Robots are basically technological Golems. They're usually made of metal, and utilize batteries or generators to power themselves and computerized brains. Normal robots are incapable of performing magic, though certain models are actually capable of doing so: due to their computer brains, robots of this type can learn new spells and perform them. Nick himself prefers robots in his lab, due to the relative ease of repairing and rebuilding robots. Very few robots are capable of rebuilding themselves, however. Certain units actually combine traits of Golems and Robots together, giving the best of both worlds. Robots are easier to grant "sentience" than Golems, so more Robots are granted Being status.
If you've watched Fullmetal Alchemist, you already have the basics down about Homunculi. A Homunculus is built from the same component ingredients that make up a living being of a particular species. Members of the Homunculi race are fundamentally identical to normal members of the species that they're based on. They are essentially immortal, and cannot die of old age or disease: injuries done to them heal slightly quicker than normal beings. The only guaranteed way to kill a Homunculi is to destroy the "Pulse" that drives them, which is thing that they were originally built around: usually, this is either in their head or heart, and it has to be something to focus the spells that build them. They are also capable of performing magic and techniques, and are considered sentient unless they are deliberately constructed to not be so. It takes a massive amount of magical energy to "jump-start" a Homunculus, and in the process a Homunculi actually gains a spirt/soul. On the world of Terra, thanks to the actions of Justine Price Cidney, Homunculi are considered sapient Beings, and constructing a Homunculus is illegal.
A Familiar is an AI-driven weapon that was first invented by Merlin Ydraigoch approximately 300,000 years ago. Every familiar includes an advanced and compact magical computer, that is capable of "remembering" spells and making it easier for mages to perform them. The introduction of Familiars revolutionized spell-casting, and completely leveled the playing field between wizardry and sorcery. All types of familiars incorporate some form of AI, though their level of intelligence and capability varies. There are six types of Familiar in existence: Proto, Boost, Cross, Assault, Intelligent, and Support. Ignoring the first type (which is so simple that Proto-familiars have existed for nearly as long as Arcane magic has (ie.e longer than 300,000 years)), the last three types are the most common types, and are used by basically all mages on worlds that have made contact with the High Dragons or the Knights of the Realm.
If you want a little more info about Familiars, just ask. A subtype of robots is the Frame, which is essentially a robot operated by a pilot of some kind (giant robots and their ilk, including the giant mecha-wyvern that Nick's got in his basement). Also, there is the little matter of the Dreadknights, Golem-like robots powered by souls removed from defeated opponents, of which only the most powerful member is left...
I get the feeling that I'm not going to get to Warlocks for a day or so. Don't worry about it: this is great getting it all out! And now you know why I never did drugs: the incredible rush from putting this down is greater (and healthier) than any trip!
Then mix the two, try thinking up worldrules while high! Then spend a week fixing the strange discrepancies you came up with or forgot.
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on July 23, 2008, 05:22:33 PM
Then mix the two, try thinking up worldrules while high! Then spend a week fixing the strange discrepancies you came up with or forgot.
A shot of tequila leaves me with a headache the next day, and a beer makes it hard for me to sleep. I am not going to try anything harder, thank you. Okay, any suggestions for my next post?
You can try to defend the fact that you've drank beer and tequila at 20. >:3
Quote from: shadowterm on July 23, 2008, 06:10:39 PM
You can try to defend the fact that you've drank beer and tequila at 20. >:3
Sure. I didn't purchase said alcoholic beverages, but instead drank them at my parent's house, while under their supervision. The beers were drunk during parties where most of the people in attendance were my parent's friends, most of whom have known me since I was born: in other words, I'm not going to do anything stupid. I also wasn't driving anywhere for the next twelve or so hours, and would be asleep for several hours between drinking the beers and going anywhere else. The reason I drank the shot of tequila was so that I could understand what it would taste like - and its probable effects - on a 3'8" tall forty-five pound Elf/Human Hybrid named Nicodemus. My conclusion: two of them would be enough to completely knock him out for the night and leave him with no memory of what he and his then-current girlfriend did during the night back when they were in college.
Now, anything else a little more on topic?
Yes. Respect.
Quote from: shadowterm on July 23, 2008, 06:25:18 PM
Yes. Respect.
Um, could you perhaps explain that a little more? I also just edited my previous post, so do you have questions about something more in line with the world-building?
FWIW, the effects of shots of tequila vary depending not only on your body mass, but also your genetic predisposition towards dealing with alcohol (some people's livers metabolise alcohol quickly; some do it slowly) and also how often you drink.
And then there's the being aware of the side effects and stuff, where if you realise you're getting drunk, you can balance it out, drink water, slow down, etc etc etc, and mitigate the effects somewhat. If you want.
So one shot, once, will give you some idea how a teetotaller will cope; it won't tell you much about how a habitual binge drinker will cope.
Just FYI. ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on July 23, 2008, 06:55:48 PM
FWIW, the effects of shots of tequila vary depending not only on your body mass, but also your genetic predisposition towards dealing with alcohol (some people's livers metabolise alcohol quickly; some do it slowly) and also how often you drink.
And then there's the being aware of the side effects and stuff, where if you realise you're getting drunk, you can balance it out, drink water, slow down, etc etc etc, and mitigate the effects somewhat. If you want.
So one shot, once, will give you some idea how a teetotaller will cope; it won't tell you much about how a habitual binge drinker will cope.
Just FYI. ;-]
This kid's problem was that he had never had alcohol before and (like me) didn't know his alcohol at all, aside from general information. And his family (or at least his dad's side) has a bit of a problem about handling their alcohol, meaning that - even for an Elf - he has really terrible problems with his booze. Enough so that he hasn't really touched the stuff since then, aside from a small glass of beer on occasion. Waking up on someone else's couch the night after both of you have done something that ordinarily you wouldn't have done would be enough to frighten anyone away from alcohol for a while, wouldn't you say?
Actually Boxy, should I consult you further on the negative side affects of alcohol? I already know that that tequila left me with the longest lasting headache I've ever had. That's what I get for wanting to accurately be able to describe the burn. Then again, the taste wasn't half bad. Um, anyway...
So, I guess next it's either the Dreadknights and Mordred, or Warlockry. Who wants what?
Warlocks!
Warlocks it is.
Warlocks are basically the leftovers of an ancient trans-dimensional magical war.
They were designed to essentially serve as biological weapons and act in a variety of roles. The need was felt for powerful mages now, and a solution was created for the problem. Warlockry was created through intensive genetic experimentation and gene therapy upon sometimes unwilling subjects to grant them magical powers of a very specific nature. Each warlock has a different speciality in magic: some can perform elemental magic, some healing spells, some illusions... if there is a spell type, there is (or once was) a warlock who specialized in it. One experiment even tried to create a warlock specializing in the legendary Killing Spell (the subject committed suicide). Warlocks exclusively perform magic, though they can of course learn Witchcraft techniques. Each warlock is essentially an absolute mastery of the kind of magic that has been sealed into their genes. A fire warlock could easily perform almost any fire spell imaginable with very little difficulty. An illusion warlock could effortlessly project the most realistic of illusions. A telepathy warlock could easily break through most mental barriers and pluck whatever information they wanted from someone's head. Since this talent is tied to their genes, any child of a warlock will inherit their parent's powers, whatever they are: to see what happens when two Warlocks have children, wait until I post some of the breeding rules. Warlocks tend to be organized into clans of family members who share the same trait. Whatever their field of magic is, Warlocks can easily perform at a master level - or above.
But all of this comes at a downside. Warlocks - despite technically being wizards - are unable to perform any other kind of magic. Full stop. The most powerful fire warlock in the universe cannot even perform the most simple of healing magic, and the most powerful telepathy warlock couldn't summon the fire to light a single candle. The only way for a warlock to perform magic outside of their speciality is to use sorcery, and when it comes to that they are just as strong or weak as any other being, and in fact tend to do poorer in sorcery than anyone else. Additionally, just because they can perform the magic doesn't mean that they immediately understand it: some warlocks have been driven insane because they never fully learned how to master their powers, and ended up losing control of them. It is also far easier for a warlock to lose control of their powers than any other kind of magic wielder, due to the threefold problem of the ease with witch they perform their brand of magic, the occasional lack of understanding about their powers, and a relative inability to perform any other kind of magic. Warlocks also have the additional stigma of having once been used as weapons of warfare, meaning that there are very few worlds where they are completely safe: following the completion of the war, most warlocks chose to flee to worlds that had never been touched by the war and hide there. There are only a hundred or so clans left in the multiverse.
Incidentally, it wasn't always a type of magic that was sealed in Warlocks: some of the projects endeavored to seal tremendously powerful magical creatures inside of select clans, allowing a warlock to call on the power of the creature sealed inside their bloodline and use it whenever they saw fit. The additional advantage to this was that a warlock would be able to theoretically call on a wider range of magic than a normal warlock. This faired even worse than the regular warlock clans, as many of the creatures were a little angry at having been defeated and sealed within their opponent's blood, and frequently endeavored to mentally break every single member of the clan and take control of them. One minor bonus that was not foreseen by the scientists working on the warlocks was that so long as the bloodline existed, the creature sealed into it would also continue to exist. In this way, many of the creatures sealed into these select clans also endeavored to keep their hosts alive as long as possible, and would frequently enact terrible retribution on those who tried to kill them. These clans also faired significantly worse during the war, due in part to the afore-mentioned inner creature trying to break you and the relative rarity of numbers and the greater number of battles that they fought on the front lines. To my knowledge, there is at most five of these clans left in the entire multiverse.
As a minor side note, originally Nick's mom Justine was going to be one of the few warlocks left, gifted with the spell called Spark Sight, which essentially allowed whoever used it to instantly comprehend whatever they were looking at. In Justine's case, she used this in her negotiations, while each of her children would have found a way to use it in their chosen careers (doctor, lawyers, video game programmer, adventurer/sorcerer, teacher). In Nick's case, he would have used it to instantly comprehend any machine he was looking at, thus allowing him to improve it and build his own version. This would also have explained why he needed sorcery to do magic. This idea was dropped fairly early on, and I decided that his family was just smart, and that he could focus enough on what he was working on to achieve much the same effect. I've already kind of touched on why he isn't a wizard in an earlier post.
Okay, what do you guys want to hear next?
Oog on the alcohol, I can relate there. My mom's side has horribly low tolerance to alcohol, which I picked up on. One glass is enough to make me fully s***faced. Then again, my brother can down three whole glasses of rum and only be mildly tipsy, so eh.(And before you shout underage o noes!, this was at said brother's 21st birthday with parents there etc.)
On the warlockery, I could see the warlocks falling into three different types:
The failures - Lack of control of power or lack of desire for power, causes nastiness, emo wangst, and occasional nukes of the warlock's hometown.
The overwhelmers - These guys are your generic quirky minibosses, who use their power in a manner most befitting a tank, aka working on using it to it's fullest potential and overwhelming any resistance that might come up to their power.
The manipulators - These guys, rather than focusing on the power and mana in their spells, think up neato ways to use their powers(as with a setup where they can use that one type of magic without following Magic A rules, they can figure out fun things with their powers to shock Magic A users).
Personally, I enjoy the third type a lot(I DM DnD3.5, so I spend far too much time making effectual characters). With enough time and effort, you could make warlock characters that are incredible badasses, despite being so limited in outlook(one of my favorite characters is a mage who, despite having low mana reserves and isn't very good at much else, is a master of space magic, and is one of the more notorious characters in the setting, having bested many overwhelmer types with teleportation alone, and also having worked out how to travel across dimensions(despite the huge amount of power needed)).
Alright, as for next, here's one I prolly should know, as it seems you've been doing this since before the thread, but describe the basic setting of the world, like:
General description of the world(s)
General style of races
Level of technology/magic
Notable events/things to worry about
Again, I prolly should know this, as others in the thread seem to, but might as well get put down here with the more specialized topics.
Breeding rules. I can already picture Fluffly talking about Terra races... I'm actually laughing so hard I'm crying at that thought...
Um, how about some basic information on Terra? Then some basic Race/Species information, maybe some breeding rules, and eventually White vs. Black magic.
Okay, Terra. The name alone should hint at what kind of a world it is. It's basically meant to be an Earth-like world with multiple environments and nations: think your standard video game fantasy world, and then make it a little more believable. There's a fairly wide gamut of government types, from kingdoms to empire to republics: the main story takes place in an area of loosely-linked city states and provinces that refer to themselves as the Grehzian Confederation. The world is basically "governed" by the Terran Federation, formed of representatives from each nation: it's a bit like the UN, except they've got even less power. However, most power is concentrated in the hands of the Council of Beings, a group that was formed approximately one hundred years ago (it's the year 1774 of the Old Royal Calendar) that basically is in charge of relations between all of the different races: it's less of a Council and more of a protracted argument, to be honest. Everyone basically runs themselves though, which is a side effect of the environment that they grew up in. Despite the defined borders on maps, the areas between cities and towns are dangerous due to the various Beasts and marauders that wander the wilderness. Adventurers can frequently be found out here: despite the name, they're more like mercenaries who take it upon themselves to help travelers. The borders themselves are more of a formality: only the major roadways are guarded any, since the wilds between towns and cities is less important than the towns and cities themselves. Most settlments have a barricade of some kind, and often include full-on magical barriers for additional protection. It's a much more magical world than ours, and is populated by numerous Races (rather than the two (Beasts and Beings) of our world). The technological level ranges from medieval to near-future, again thanks to the separation between areas. I've already revealed that gun and firearm tech is behind ours (approximately American Civil War/WWI level), thanks to the fact that magic is slightly more effective against the various Beasts that attack. Airplanes do not exist, but magitek airships do. Cars are fairly simple early-to-mid 20th century things. Nuclear technology was never developed, so most nations are run on either magic collection grids, fossil fuels, or low-level renewable energy farms. Again, technology has been greatly affected by the existence of magic. Terra is one of the few worlds that were lucky enough to escape the interdimensional war several thousand years ago almost unscathed (for the record, our Earth was another one). In fact, few people on Terra are even aware of the existence of other worlds out there.
The main locus of action is a place called Crater Lake, a small city built on the shore of an ancient lake that formed in a crater from a meteorite (hence the name). The place is a locus of magical energies, due to the massive amounts of belief built up around the entire area. Weather is fairly hot in summer, and snowy in winter. It is also fairly well-guarded: like most cities in Grezhia (that's the name of the territory they're in), there is always the concern of Beast attacks, especially of the Wyvern variety. Grezhia is one of the more technologically advanced groups out there, though most of the major nations have some fairly impressive tech. They have supercomputers and laptops, as well as primitive PDAs and digital watches. Video game technology is at roughly the same level as the N64. Early mobile phones have also been created, but these are fairly expensive and not many people have them yet. A version of the internet exists, though few civilians use it on a regular basis. The previously-mentioned Nicodemus is one of the people working to improve technology on the world of Terra. The town also hosts on of the various Academies that populate the work: the Academy could be considered their version of the university system, except that it also teaches magic and combat, depending on what you choose to specialize in after your second year.
As for the difference between Race/Species, well I'm still kind of working that out. The basics are this, however: everything is sorted into what will either be referred to as a Genus or a Race, while a Species is the specific area. Basically, any member of a Genus/Race can interbreed with one another, with minimal effort. Extra-Genus breeding is a lot trickier, and follows some rules that I've been working out. It is believe that magic can give a little extra push to get everything to work properly. As already mentioned, the same species from different universes can interbreed with no sweat, so it is believed that there is some really deep form of magic at work that allows diverse races to get together and produce viable offspring.
The technical term for the resulting offspring of an interspecies breeding is Hybrid, with the Hybrid's apparent species and ancestry indicated afterwards. The already discussed Nick and his older sisters are Hybrids. Nick is referred to as a Hybrid Elf/Human (he looks like an elf even though half of his genes are human) while his older sisters are each referred to as a Hybrid Human/Elf (they all look - and biologically are - human, even though half of their genes are elven). Incidentally, the term "Halfling" is about the most vile of insults you can give to a Hybrid: the equivalent on our world would be like calling someone the "N" word, if you catch my drift.
I'll use Nick as my example for the basics of inter-species breeding (I use him a lot, don't I). His mom is a human (Justine) while his dad is an elf (Elian). The general rule for interspecies breeding is that either the child's species will be that of their matching parent, or the opposite. So, between an elf and a human, either all of the girls will be human and all of the boys will be elves, or all of the girls will be elves and all of the boys will be human: to be honest, it's a fifty/fifty chance either way, even if one of the Hybrid children then bred with the same species. In the case of Justine and Elian, the first example happened: Nick's six older siblings are human females, while he himself is an Elven male (for the record, at 3'9", he's considered fairly tall for an elf - most of them fall somewhere close to 3'6" or so). Were Nick to ever settle down and get married to a human and then have a son, the exact same genetic chance as happened before will happen again: it's a fifty/fifty chance that it'll either be human or elven.
Gods above and below, I'm tired.
Please ask questions and give ideas: this breeding thing is driving me absolutely nuts! Oh, and what do you want me to discuss next... crud, still gotta do Black and White magic... oh there's so much to do.
Don't press yourself too far man. And thank you for the warlock article. And the brief breeding rules entry.
I would ask you some questions, but that might distract you from going on with white/black magic, which is definitly something I want to hear about.
Quote from: Pagan on July 24, 2008, 02:11:40 AM
Don't press yourself too far man.
Are you kidding? I haven't had this much fun since the last time I went to Disneyland! My thoughts have never been this organized! It's amazing!
Okay, White magic and Black magic...
All normal magic (Mana) is White magic. No matter what it is used for or who uses it, it is White Magic. In other words, it isn't inherently good. Nor is it inherently evil: magic is essentially a neutral force through and through, and what matters is the entity wielding it. This is magic as it is most commonly encountered, and the kind of magic that wizards, warlocks, sorcerers and magical entities use. Mana is essentially the energy of the universe.
Black magic is born from fusing Mana and Energeia. Though the two disrupt one another under normal circumstances, by using an advanced skill (that somehow falls somewhere between spell and technique) and some kind of an emotional trigger it is possible to combine the two. Black magic could be considered the fusion of the energy of the universe with your own personal energy. It is much more powerful than White magic, as well as more easily controlled: even the most difficult of spells can be performed with little relative effort. Some of the most powerful spells in the universe (such as the Resurrection spell) can only be safely performed with Black magic. Since Black magic requires Energeia to work, there are a handful of entities that cannot perform Black magic (Faeries and Gods among them). There are some Constructs (the aforementioned Dreadknights among them) that can artificially produce Energeia, and thus can perform Black magic. The name is really more indicative of how it is practically the opposite of normal magic.
All of this power comes at a few prices, however. The most obvious is that Black magic is physically draining, since it needs Energeia to work. Most mages can only use Black magic for a few minutes before they're physically exhausted, and then it takes awhile to "recharge." This time limit can of course be extended, and there are some mages who almost exclusively use Black magic.
The second price is more costly. The initial emotional trigger requires that some fairly strong emotions be used. Fear and anger are generally the easiest to use to achieve this, and by themselves are not dangerous. However, continued use of emotions like these without being sure of yourself can gradually lead to mages being corrupted by their power. Much like how Dark magic relies on some pretty "dark" areas of yourself, continual dredging of these depths in pursuit of power is exceptionally dangerous. More evil Black Mages have been created because they both refused to be more careful about the power that they had gained and were unable to keep a hold of themselves. It is important to note that White magic can corrupt someone just as much as Black magic: it's just that Black magic's super-concentrated nature combined with the means of achieving it are especially dangerous to those weak of will. Most true Black Mages eventually learn how to achieve Black magic in a serene state of mind, giving them control over themselves rather than the berserker-like states that most early Black Mages seem to get into when they're in the full grip of their power and emotions: Black Mages like this are generally those who have mastered both magic and energeia.
Three extra little notes before I leave you this evening. First, most mages at one point or another accidentally use a small amount of Black magic: despite it's relative power and despite the fact that it usually sends such mages on an attempt to gain control of such power, it is not really considered black magic, though some people are able to instinctively perform small amounts of black magic when they need it. Second, there are a number of Sorcerers who studied Witchcraft for the express purpose of gaining black magic, so they really don't factor into the previously mentioned corruption, since they're basically already like that. It is also important to note that any sufficiently strong emotion can help trigger black magic: a lot of mages have found that the emotion of love is the best trigger for two reasons. One, you are acting to protect or fight for someone, rather than just for yourself; and Two, any person that you are fighting for can help to stop you if you start to cross the line.
Note that White and Black magic are different from Light and Dark magic. I'll get to those eventually.
Okay, how's that? Any questions? Any ideas of what you want me to talk about next? What about you, techmaster-glitch? Perhaps some of Nick's inventions...
Sorry for the double post, but it's been about twenty-two hours. As I kind of insinuated in a previous post, I feel bad about myself if I don't get at least something out once a day. Today's topic: sorcerer's stones and philosopher's stones, as well as a brief discussion on subconscious limiters.
Both Sorcerer's stones and Philosopher's stones are two similar and related yet distinct artifacts. Of the two, Philosopher's stones are far rarer and far more powerful as well.
A Sorcerer's stone is essentially magical energy crystalized under the right circumstances to act as an artificial channeler of magical energy. Their name comes from the fact that they were originally invented in order to allow sorcerer's to perform magic with greater ease. In essence, a Sorcerer's stone is a conduit that can channel a set amount of magical energy at any one time, much like a wizard does naturally. Sorcerer's can use this channeled energy in order to charge up spells and spell arrays with very little effort, and in this sense they basically do what wizards normally do. Each stone has a limit to how much energy can be transferred through it at one time, and this limit is based on two things: the size of the stone and how refined it is. While the stone's size cannot really be altered once it is made (though it can be broken into smaller pieces), stones are refined through continued use: a stone that has been in use for decades or centuries is far more efficient and powerful than a brand new one. This is caused because continual usage of its power basically cuts the "grooves" that magical energy flows along a little deeper, continually making it easier to call more power through, though eventually all stones will plateau and stop increasing in power. Stones - much like mages (more on this later) - also have built in limiters, preventing overuse of their abilities: it is possible to temporarily deactivate these limiters to increase the amount of available power. It is worth noting, however, that too much use can be very bad for a sorcerer's stone, since deliberately over-extending a stone's power can actually damage or even destroy it, which partially explains the rarity of good old high-quality stones. The sorcerer's stone that Cornelius Ran'Sorato gave to Nick for his thirteenth birthday is an exceptionally rare high-quality Stone, of which there are only a handful on all of Terra. Nick himself also has a number of stones that he has created for experimental purposes, and his TF Reactor is essentially a mechanical sorcerer's stone.
A Philosopher's stone is similar to a Sorcerer's stone in that it also channels magical energy, with one noted exception: whereas a sorcerer's stone can only channel magic when a mage wills it to, a philosopher's stone is always channeling magic into itself and then storing it. A philosopher's stone is essentially the most efficient battery in existence, and is capable of storing a vast amount of magical energy within it's matrices: it is theorized that a stone has a nearly infinite storage capacity. This massive storage capacity means that a stone can release a substantial amount of power in a single burst, allowing anyone who holds a stone to perform amazing feats of magic with little or no trouble: a decent-sized stone can easily grant master-level power to even the weakest mage, and in the hands of the right wielder a philosopher's stone can channel as much power as a god or Faerie. As an additional bonus, the stone refines magical energy to the point that it is incredibly easy to use. However, there is a price for this power: the more magical energy is stored in a stone, the more unstable it becomes, until finally it releases all of the stored energy in a single explosive burst. Though the amount of power than can be stored is potentially unlimited, exterior factors ensure that the more energy is in the stone, the harder it is to keep the energy stored. The larger a philosopher's stone, the more energy it can safely store. Most stones don't suffer this problem, since they are used on a regular enough basis to prevent this buildup from happening. However, older stones that are left dormant for an extended period of time do carry this risk, and more than one ancient temple or city has been consumed by magical energies because an explorer just happened to touch a fully-charged philosopher's stone at the wrong time. Most such releases of the stone have demonstrated the power to essentially wipe cities off the face of the map, and at one time low-quality stones would be used to destroy whole fleets of vessels. Fortunately, most of the designs for philosopher's stones have been systematically destroyed, and only a handful of grimoires still contain the directions to create them (for the record, the process, is essentially a heavily modified sorcerer's stone creation ritual), and stones can actually be destroyed if sufficient force is applied to them: as of the modern day, at most two hundred philosopher's stones are left scattered through the multiverse, while maybe ten or fifteen books still contain the instructions for their creation.
As a final note, most mages have a sort of subconscious limiter on their powers (this was vaguely referenced when I talked about the sorcerer's stones earlier), that keep them from using their powers at their full limits in order to prevent themselves from being hurt by too much power (this is kind of based on how our own bodies work). While it is tricky, certain training can allow a mage to temporarily lift their own limits, increasing the amount of power available to them while at the same time causing some degree of harm. Much like how Black magic leaves a mage physically exhausted, removal of these subconscious limiters tends to drain a mage in more ways than just their magic, and can leave them vulnerable shortly after a battle. To be quite honest, this whole bit was kind of meant to "handwave" how at a crucial moment in a battle a characters can call on an inner reserve of strength and power: the truth is that they've just temporarily allowed themselves to access a bit more of their true power. This also tends to be an "on/off" thing: either the limiters are one, or they're off. And it's intentionally vaguely designed to allow a variety of ways of doing it... either that or I'm lazy.
It's funny... it's actually easier to write all of this stuff when it's 11:30 and I want to put something up before 12:00. Weird.
And after looking at some of Ren Gaulen's drawings, I'm wondering if I should sketch some of my stuff out... if I could draw, that is. Oh well.
Okay, time for today's post! Now, considering that techmaster-glitch got a little obsessed over the idea of "Constructs," I thought I'd throw him a treat and talk about a few of Nicodemus' inventions, even though we haven't really met the Hybrid Elf/Human himself yet. Obviously, a few of these are spoiler heavy, so some of them will consist of little more than "Information is classified," but I think you'll get a little hint at what Terra's resident Leonardo da Vinci has been up to for the last ten years.
Note that these are only a few of the things he's built or tinkered on over the years, and doesn't include the Transit Crystal mentioned in a prior post.
Most of Nick's inventions are based around a combination of technology and spells, though a lot of his more common inventions use pure technology to run them. He tends to build things whenever he feels bored or overwhelmed, meaning that a good portion of his stuff was never taken beyond the prototype stage.
Cal: Cal is essentially a wrist-worn computer that has two functions. One, it operates as a link to his house-computer for quick access to any of his bits of information, and also allows him to order his computer to send him any bits of hardware he might need. Two, it incorporates the Master-grade Sorcerer's stone that he was given by his friend Corey for his thirteenth birthday. Cal is essentially a mobile spell book, capable of storing spells and rituals for use by Nick when he needs them. It is in essence a Familiar, with the exception that Nick has never encountered a Familiar in his life, meaning that he has successfully recreated a piece of technology that few - if anyone - has ever invented on their own. Cal has gone through a few versions, and has been steadily getting smaller and smaller as Nick's technique improves. It is still quite large for him, though (it would fit a normal human easily, but on his lighter child-like frame it's a bit of a burden) so he rarely wears it normally.
Laboratory, Level II: Nick's primary lab, built beneath the basement of his house. The area around Crater Lake is studded with caves leftover from the meteor impact millions of years ago. When Nick was house-shopping after graduation with the money from some of his inventions, he obtained extensive geological data to find a house as close to one of the large cave systems as possible. After moving in, he broke through to the cave and got to work, recruiting a number of specially designed robots to help rebuild. Most of the rooms have been converted into modern sterile settings, with bunkers and barricades in the event of an accident. Each of the rooms serves a different purpose, and thanks to the cave's somewhat erratic flow anyone not used to it can get lost in a hurry. His main computer is buried at the heart of the complex, and is capable of running his lab and his experiments while he is away. The lab can be accessed through an elevator hidden in one of his closets, and also has a few emergency exits as well as hidden hangers for his other inventions. The lab is powered by his Mark II TF Reactor, and is completely self-sufficient and cut off from the cities power grid. Water for cooling is drawn from the lake, which also hides Skipper's hanger bay. A well-guarded larger elevator is built into his house's second garage to allow him to move most of his inventions to the outside world should the need arise. Only his best and closest friends are even aware of his lab, let alone how extensive it is: Nick's private explorations have revealed that the cave system is at least twice as large as he is using, and aside from his security devices and pumps and air-circulation, he doesn't use those parts.
SCIN: Possibly Nick's most famous invention, the Synthetic Combined Illusion Network (it's a working name, I'm going to change it) fuses an Illusion/Shapeshifting spell with an advanced computer chip control board to offer unparalleled control over illusions. They are based on old-fashioned illusion charms and jewelry, but offer more control and variety. Scins typically are designed to help creatures and beings who suffer from certain stigmas or their ilk to help hide in a society that doesn't like them, though a lot of people use them for fun. They tend to be build into watches or pieces of jewelry, and most models only include physical alteration, though more recent upgrades include alterations for clothing as well. There is actually a fad in certain cities to use Scins to give oneself certain features, such as stripes or weird eye colors, though these are low-grade ones. The advantage of the Scin is how easy it works: it is designed to actually draw a small amount of magic from the environment, and anyone can use it. Mid-range models are the ones that are designed to hide certain features, like wings and horns and claws and such, while high-range models can alter whole species (and a few top-line experimental models can add things like wings or claws to Beings that don't normally have them). Notably, since it is a shapeshifting spell, the Scin does not confer the knowledge of how to move properly: Creatures who use Scins to assume a two-legged form often spend several days getting used to the missing limbs, and vice versa. All users are reduced to using the physical abilities of their transformed form, but retain their magical capabilities. Given the potential use as a means of disguise for criminals, certain cities have laws in place to prevent citizens from owning Scins unless they obtain a license for such: usually Creatures or Beings with certain features are given Scins for free in order to help them avoid problems. More wealthy entities prefer to special order Scins built into jewelry, making it easier to prepare for a night out. Nick has also been working with Scins that manifest armor and protective clothing, but these don't work as well as the equivalents already in use. Nick himself does not use them, even though he does have a High-level Human Scin that adds a good two feet to his height...
Wolkenschneider: Literally the "Cloud Cutter," the Wolkenschneider was one of Nick's first real inventions, back when he was fourteen. "Volken" (to preserve the proper pronunciation) is an enormous five-foot long one-foot wide great sword constructed for Nick's best friend Cornelius as his nineteenth birthday present (and academy graduation gift). The sword is enchanted with a number of powerful spells, including a handful of reinforcement spells, self-sharpening spells, anti-magic enchantments, and a powerful summoning spell tied into Cornelius' blood: he - and only he - can call this sword from anywhere. More importantly, Nick also enchanted the sword with a variable anti-gravity charm that makes the sword weigh only about five pounds in its wielders hand. Notably, the spell doesn't alter the mass of the sword, meaning that it still takes a tremendous amount of strength to wield it and a quick thinker to accommodate for the difference between the apparent weight and the real mass: Corey is one of the only people who can wield it without dislocating their arms. Shortly after Corey began to actively engage in adventures, Nick also added a number of enchantments to prevent Creatures from wielding the sword. Because Corey misheard the name when Nick gave it to him, Corey calls it "Vulcan." This is not only Corey's favorite sword, it is his signature weapon, and the one he prefers to use in battle.
T(hauma) F(urnace) Reactor: The TF Reactor is arguably Nick's greatest accomplishment. The TF Reactor works by absorbing magical energy and then converting it via a form of fusion into electricity, appropriate for powering a laboratory - or even a whole city, should the need arise. Most of the technology in the reactor is loosely based off of the magic collection grids that power some cities. TF Reactors are very efficient and capable of high power output with very little waste material. As for the waste matter (referred to by Nick as an AM Particle), it is easily stored and disposed of: it has a half-life of approximately one hour when exposed to normal outside-of-the-lab conditions, can only stay stable so long as it is stored, and so far as can be determined has no ill effects on lifeforms of any kind. The name "Thauma Furnace" is derived for an old word for mage, "Thaumaturgist," which literally means "Miracle Worker." Only Nick's friends and family know about the perfected Mark II reactor and all subsequent versions. The original Mark I was constructed during his fourth year at the Academy (when he was seventeen), and was not very efficient: it was a pure proof of concept only, and was deactivated and stored away shortly after he graduated. The Mark II was designed shortly afterwards, and is currently operating at powering his lab: it is fairly large, and takes up its own room in the lab. The Mark III reactor was completed two years ago, and is used to power Skipper, Nick's mecha-wyvern: this unit is much smaller than the Mark II, and incorporates a few bits of tech that the Mark II never had. Nick is currently working on designing and building the Mark IV, and when completed it will be small enough to fit in his hands.
AM Particle: Aside from being the only known byproduct of the TF Reactors (besides electricity), knowledge on the AM Particle is strictly classified. Nick refers to any technology incorporating the AM Particle as AMP Tech, and he only has a few experimental things that incorporate it. He stores most of the AM Particles in his lab for later experimentation.
Skipper: The somewhat-whimsically named Mecha-Wyvern that Nick invented as a weapon against normal wyvern and as a safe transportation device between cities. Powered by the Mark III TF Reactor, Skipper has no real power concerns: he also incorporates a handful of sorcerers stones to provide power for the magical weapons in his system. Like all wyverns, Skipper possesses four limbs: two legs and two wing-like arms. Skipper is capable of flight and has a number of high-powered spells build into him, allowing him to throw up shields and barriers as well as launch powerful attacks against opponents. The unit's cockpit is built into the torso, which not only has enough room for a half-dozen or so people to sit comfortably, but can also eject in the event of an emergency: the entire thing can be controlled by one person. Skipper has three primary attacks, in addition to razor sharp claws and numerous smaller attacks: Flame Breath (obvious), the Magic Missile Massacre (an attack that simultaneously fires hundred of Magic Missiles at a target), and a weapon referred to as CPC that Nick once commented was capable of killing a Low Dragon in one shot and a High Dragon in three. Skipper also includes a piece of technology referred to as an AMP Field that is powered by the Mark II's waste material, though Nick has never used this outside of testing: what it does is unknown. The current Skipper is actually the Mark IV: Nick currently has designs for a Mark V on the table, while the Mark I through III's fate is unknown (he moves the power core and memory banks over to each upgrade, implying that he dismantles the old one, though he has hinted that the Mark III only needs a minor refit before it is fully functional again).
DACA: The Delta Auto-Cannon Armament is an experimental weapon that Nick has yet to use outside of his lab. Information about the DACA is classified.
ROLAND: Not much is known about Roland (currently the Mark VIII), except that Nick has been working on it on-and-off since his days in the academy. Apparently it is purely technology driven, without a hint of magical power inherent to the main design. Aside from the fact that it incorporates thought-reading circuitry and will incorporate a Mark IV TF Reactor when it is finished, nothing else is clear. It is possible that he is planning to incorporate Cal - or something like it - into Roland, but it is not certain at this time.
Caliburn: An advanced version of Cal, Caliburn would be considered a Familiar if Nick had ever encountered one. At it's core is an old magitek crystal computer that he "borrowed" from the Academy's archives: considering that it wasn't even in the database, it is highly unlikely that anyone knew it was even there. Caliburn is designed in multiple pieces to allow it to connect into a handful of different forms, including a sword, staff, gun and attack tonfa, though currently only the sword mode is functional. Caliburn incorporates what Nick calls the "Cartridge Loader System" or CaLoS, which is basically a number of battery-like cartridges stuffed with magical energy to allow for rapid-fire spell casting without draining Nick of any vital energy. It also incorporates a system that could best be described as a copilot for his body: since Nick himself is by his own admission a poor fighter, Caliburn is designed to handle fighting for him by acting as an advisor in battle and directing his body to where it needs to go. This system is still relatively untested, and Nick is still working out how it works: it seems to be an artifice of the original crystal core that Nick reverse engineered to design Caliburn's core. Caliburn - when completed - will also include a sorcerer's stone to collect magic for Nick in order to aid in the casting of spells. All in all, Caliburn could best be described as a combination of all six Familiar types, something which for 300,000 years (since the invention of the Familiar) has been considered almost impossible. The current Caliburn is the Mark X, indicating how long Nick has been working on this. He is currently hard at work on the Mark XI, but he already has a few general notes for the Mark XII.
...
I just saved this to my computer, and it came out at four pages in Times New Roman size 12. Dang, that's amazing. So, um, any questions?
"Do you ever stop?" ;-]
Quote from: Jairus on July 25, 2008, 09:57:29 PM
Now, considering that techmaster-glitch got a little obsessed over the idea of "Constructs," I thought I'd throw him a treat and talk about a few of Nicodemus' inventions
:3
I love technology. Technology makes me happy :nod (blatantly points to screename :D)
This update made me happy :)
Quote from: Jairus on July 25, 2008, 10:08:52 PM
Nope. Anything else, my dear Boxy?
The not-a-box has another proposal, from thinking of settings of my own: What would be considered "holy grails" of magic, aka things that are famous among magey circles for being extremely difficult and (as far as common knowledge is concerned) have never been done.
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on July 25, 2008, 10:18:31 PM
What would be considered "holy grails" of magic, aka things that are famous among magey circles for being extremely difficult and (as far as common knowledge is concerned) have never been done.
The "Holy Grails" of magic? Ooh, not a bad question. Okay, let's see if I can get something out of this.
The trick with this question is that these "holy grails" differ from world to world. On Terra, the Philosopher's stone is a thing of legend, and might not have even existed: on other worlds, Philosopher's stones were used a weapons of mass destruction and terror. So it's more of "what are the holy grails for each world," rather than overall. But there are some general ones.
Resurrection of the dead. That was huge. It was also one that was spread around a bunch of worlds, so this one is worthy mentioning. The Resurrection spell is quite old, and Modern magic could only add a little to it. The problem is that the amount of magic for the Resurrection spell is so massive that any mage who casts it will be killed by the spell in turn to complete the spell: it's a bit of a trade-off, and a significant flaw. Even with the assistance of Black Magic, there's about a fifty-fifty chance that it'll kill the caster as well. This problem was kind of solved at about the time sorcerer's stone were invented: a couple of high-quality stones can channel enough magic to safely resurrect an entity, though there are a few caveats. First off, you need at least one master-level stone (like the one Nick has... possible Chekov's gun there? (no, not really)), and three or more is recommended: for lower quality sorcerer's stones, you need a few more than that. You
will lose whatever stone(s) you're using when you're done, so imagine spending a decade or so perfectly refining a handful of stones just to destroy them to bring back one person. Also, you'll bring that person back as they were when they died: if someone died of old age, they'll die just as soon as you bring them back. Life-threatening and mortal wounds will be healed as well, but minor injuries and non-life-threatening ones will remain, so you'd better have someone on hand to heal those wounds. It is possible that the Philosopher's Stone was invented so that one could replace the Sorcerer's stones with something that wouldn't be destroyed by the spell and could be recharged and used again. Note that this is the major spell: there are a few minor versions (like Revive or Raise (mages aren't very good at coming up with original names)) that can bring back someone who is recently dead for less of a price, but they're not very common. Faeries and High Dragons and a few Gods are the only entities that have the kind of power to revive the dead without killing themselves, but as previously mentioned this is really only useful when someone is killed violently or at a young age: High Dragons also kind of have this "non-interference" thing going on, but most of them quietly flaunt that rule when no one is looking, and they don't get into any real trouble for it (part of the problem is that if you bring one person back, everyone else is going to want you to bring back their dead too).
Immortality. There have been so many different ways of achieving immortality that there's no way I could list all of them.
Universal panaceas were common things to desire, so called "Elixirs of life" that could heal any problem. There are general potions that can it basically any wound, elixirs that can heal diseases and such, and a few other things that work, but no all-around "heal everything and extend life indefinitely" kind of thing... at least, not commonly known. There is a sort of "elixir of life," but it requires a Philosopher's stone to be used to create it (the stone is used to refine and charge the elixir, not as an ingredient), and since there are only a few hundred stones left scattered across thousands of universes and the instructions are slowly being destroyed and most stones that are found are either destroyed or locked away where no one can use them, the likelihood of the elixir becoming wildly available is highly unlikely.
The Familiars I mentioned in a previous post were considered Holy Grails in their own time, while Nick's Caliburn - if the inventor of the Familiar finds out about it - would be it's own kind of Holy Grail for combining all six Familiar types into one weapon. For the record, the Familiar's inventor is still alive, and he would actually be glad to get to know Nick and see what he's done... especially considering that Nick is on the verge of doing something even he never did (though to be fair, he probably could have done it if he'd seen a reason to do it and devoted the time to it... he's a bit insane, to be honest).
On Terra, they actually have most of the "holy grails," if you will. High-level attack and protection spells, regeneration spells, teleportation... you name it, they've basically got it.
There is a kind of Holy Grail, but really so few people have even heard of the story that it's barely worth mentioning. There's a legend told about how buried somewhere deep within the multiverse is the heart of something that used to be a world/universe that was destroyed by its inhabitants in order to defeat some great something or other. Apparently, what's left of that world/universe is currently the multiverse. Whoever finds the heart of the multiverse Abyss could learn quite a lot about the other universes out there...
And then there's the legends about a mystical weapon that can become anything and do almost anything and that it chooses its wielder and that those who wield it have the power to destroy a world and to save it... but really everyone has legends of a weapon like that.
Does that help any?
EDIT: Is it bad that every time I find a typo I dive back in and edit it? Even if it's just a missing period?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on July 25, 2008, 10:16:23 PM
I love technology. Technology makes me happy :nod (blatantly points to screename :D)
This update made me happy :)
Did you like the "DACA?"
Twas nice and informative, I was looking to see your reasoning on the resurrection one(becuase it's almost always one in any magical setting). Perhaps you could elaborate on why the spells take so much magic? What's the general energysucking quality of it?
(The one in my setting wasn't that it took too much energy, but that the soul would have rejection issues with coming back. Trying to apply a soul to a living body created by magic would cause rejection, and applying the soul to their dead body wouldn't help, as the body is dead, and the soul pops right back out. The answer came up with in-setting was to apply the soul to an inanimate object, then have the soul use spirit magic to manipulate itself and affect the natural world. This is quite limited, as the soul has to be good with spirit magic, which isn't a very widespread subject, but was generally invented by a character in-setting for themselves, so if it works for him, that's good enough)
There's a couple of reasons for why the Resurrection spell is so difficult. You are basically pulling someone's soul back from nothingness, from the place beyond life and death. You are either creating a new body or repairing an old one. You are bringing this body back to life to the point that the soul can reenter it. The reason that the spell is easier the fresher the corpse is (think within a handful of minutes) is because the soul is still loosely tied to its body, making it easier to recombine the two. Note that a body hit by the Killing Spell needs the resurrection spell to bring that person back to life: the soul is severed so neatly from the body that Revivals or Raises will not work. There are also some curses that make it a lot harder to raise someone back from the dead. Also, if someone is Undead, Resurrection or Raise will not work: part of the definition of Undead is that their soul is still forcibly attached to their body through some unnatural means, so an Undead individual must be killed in order for it to be fully brought back. And all of this has actually been tested by scientists and mages under what basically amounts to a laboratory setting. Of course, since some scientists and mages have actually created minor gods in their labs, this really isn't all that surprising.
Incidentally, it's actually not that hard for a soul that's been ripped out of its body to get back together: all that has to happen is that both body/mind and spirit/soul have to want to be reunited, and they're come back together just fine. This is partially because the soul still contains an echo of the body/mind it once had, while the still-living body/mind still retain an echo of the soul it once had. Of course, bringing them back together is a little tricky, due to the rarity of a person who actually has enough will to keep going after their soul has been forcibly ripped from their body. This is getting into the metaphysics of these universes, so I'd rather not turn this into another two page treatise on the subject (especially since I've gotten like six or seven pages out today: that's more notes than I've ever gotten out before!).
Wow, that was one of the shortest posts I've made in this thread.
Quote from: Jairus on July 26, 2008, 12:15:58 AM
Wow, that was one of the shortest posts I've made in this thread.
Victoly!
My killing spells run the opposite, with the fact that since all it does is knock the soul out, and the body is still not quite dead, spirit magic to throw the spirit back in would fix that right up(with occasional use of defibrilator, depending on how quick you are with the soul vacuum).
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on July 26, 2008, 12:33:40 AM
My killing spells run the opposite, with the fact that since all it does is knock the soul out, and the body is still not quite dead, spirit magic to throw the spirit back in would fix that right up(with occasional use of defibrilator, depending on how quick you are with the soul vacuum).
The Killing Spell works on the very simple principle that the same knowledge that allows you to heal and protect a body also allows you to hurt it: in short, the Killing Spell is a Light magic element spell. Basically, what you're doing is shutting down every single living thing in the body simultaneously and forcing the soul out at the same time. The end result is that the person hit by it just drops dead. Of course, one minor problem of the Killing Spell is that it leaves a bit of magical residue behind, so anyone who knows about magic can tell that a spell was used to kill someone, even if they don't know which spell was used.
Also, there are spells that will kill you. A lot of them. And some of them will kill you instantly, in the same sense that having a fully-loaded gatling gun emptied into you will kill you, or having a grenade go off inside your stomach will kill you, or being hit by an artillery shell right through the head, or being next to a nuclear bomb as it goes off... well, you kind of get the point. In short, there are a lot of spells that will kill you instantly, but there is only one instant kill spell.
On another minor note, this thread is officially at three pages! Yay!
Please, people, don't forget to raise questions if you have them.
Sorry for not saying anything earlier. Whooo-boy. I've only really got two questions, and they're both about the old white/black magic topic.
So black magic is just the normal progession for wizards and sorcerers after they become strong enough in white magic? Is black magic pretty common amongst magic users?
Oh, how common are Sor. Stones? How are they made? How much more difficult is the process for a Phil. Stone?
Cool tech stuffs, but why- beside things like the TF (mark II and IV) and Cal and Caliburn- is a cannon classified?
It almost seems that any of the "holy grails" are open to anyone dedicated enough. Bringing back the dead? Tested and proved, we've even got certified methods! Immortality? Make up a new way and we still won't be impressed. Even the cure-all is open to those who really want it.
Can we see either races, especially more clarification on creatures, beings, and beasts. Or elements of magic, like light/dark, arcane and fire and stuffs.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
So black magic is just the normal progession for wizards and sorcerers after they become strong enough in white magic? Is black magic pretty common amongst magic users?
No, not really. Very few mages ever truly "learn" Black magic, for a couple of reasons. It's not as simple as learning a few techniques and then you're immediately an amazing badass Black Mage capable of tearing through Faeries with no effort. One literally has to basically be a master-level magic wielder/energeia wielder in order to pull Black magic off at all, let alone master it. The sort of Black magic that most people tap into is little more than an accident, and so few people do it that it really doesn't matter in the end. In addition, the whole "emotional trigger" thing is a stage that a lot of Black mages fail and lose themselves in. Ultimately, most people don't learn Black magic for a handful of reasons. In addition to all of that, much like the Philosopher's stone, the methods of doing it are very rare. In fact, only a handful of books and grimoires talk about how to do Black magic: it is usually passed along from master to student, in that kind of a relationship. It's a little safe that way: a master can know when their student is ready to begin learning, whereas someone might just learn Black magic from a book and not be able to handle it. So, to answer your question, Black magic is rare enough that most of the time you just hear of it in conjunction with evil mages and the like, which is unfortunate.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
Oh, how common are Sor. Stones? How are they made? How much more difficult is the process for a Phil. Stone?
Low-quality stones aren't that uncommon (is that two or three negatives in a row?). A sufficiently skilled sorcerer with a few months or a year on their hands could make one. The idea I have for how they're made it you are basically collecting and compressing magical energy over an extended period of time through a special magical array, gradually converting bits of the compressed energy into a solid state until you finally have a solid crystal tuned precisely to act as a magical conduit. The stone's size is kind of dependent on how long you let it simmer and how much energy you can compact in, combined with how efficient you're being about the whole process. There's a bit more to it than that, and the ritual is fairly complicated. Moreover, it is time consuming and takes some observation in order to get it right. Sorcerer's stones just make it easier for sorcerer's to trap magical energy to perform their spells, that's all. Nick has made at least ten in his lab, all of them created under exacting specifications to be as close to one another as possible: five are set aside for Roland's use, while each of the Skipper's uses four. The reason he could get away with this is because all of them were made under his computer's observation while he was working on more important things. Mastered stones are the rare ones, rare enough that Nick actually tried to refuse Corey's gift of one because it was far too valuable. Corey had to insist that his friend take one of the most valuable magical artifacts in all of Grehzia.
As for the Philosopher's stone... there's more to it than the stuff to make a Sorcerer's stone. A lot more. I'm fairly certain that at least one mastered sorcerer's stone is necessary to make one, and you'll need more - a lot more - to make a really good stone. That means that you have to at least make one sorcerer's stone to make one philosopher's stone, and the process of making a P. Stone is at least twice again as complicated. So, to answer the second part of your question, a lot more complicated. Also, if I remember some of the sleep-deprived notes that I wrote down in one of my notebooks, I seem to recall writing that the stone needs to "gestate" for a while... I don't quite recall what that means. Since I never show any of the characters making one, it doesn't really matter anyway.
In short, both types of stones are fairly rare. And to be blunt, Nick was a poor enough sorcerer at the academy that the only reason he passed his sorcery classes is because of his stone (it actually wasn't cheating on his part)(also, his knowledge of magic is highly advanced, so his problem is that he's bad at capturing the energy used in sorcery). The philosopher's stone is rare enough that I don't think there's even one on Terra, and the most that are in one place is three. And for the record, I don't think that Nick will ever make a Philosopher's Stone.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
Cool tech stuffs, but why- beside things like the TF (mark II and IV) and Cal and Caliburn- is a cannon classified?
Because Nick's friends know about stuff like Skipper and Cal and Caliburn and the Reactor (or learn about them shortly into the story), but the DACA and Roland and AMP Tech is still being kept under the table. Nick is a little worried about any of those three getting out (well, he's more worried about DACA getting out, because most Creatures aren't going to mess with AMP Tech and only Elves are small enough to use Roland as it's currently set up), so he keeps them under lock and key. You'll also notice that Skipper's most powerful weapon is classified: he hasn't told his friends how that works either. Besides, the DACA's small peanuts compared to Roland. There's also a few things I haven't mentioned, stuff like AMP Tech... well, let's just say that if people knew what AMP Tech was about, Nick might have a few problems on his hands. Most of the stuff that's classified are either weapons or AMP Tech.
In short, these are just a few of the things he's invented, so only a handful are "classified." Basically, anything that is a weapon is classified.
* the real reason DACA is classified is because I'm still designing it, so it isn't finalized. Three barrels or six?
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
It almost seems that any of the "holy grails" are open to anyone dedicated enough. Bringing back the dead? Tested and proved, we've even got certified methods! Immortality? Make up a new way and we still won't be impressed. Even the cure-all is open to those who really want it.
Almost. Yes, it may sound like this stuff is widely available, but you have to remember that I'm talking about the whole of the multiverse when I'm talking about this stuff, not just Terra. Hundreds, thousands of vibrant living worlds, and we're just hearing about one. Truth be told, most of this stuff isn't available on Terra: potions certainly are, but Familiars and immortality and resurrection are so rare that only a handful of people know about them (and Familiars not at all: ironic considering that they used to be to mages what lightsabers are to Jedi).
One crucial thing about bringing back the dead is that you can't force it. At a certain level, the dead person has to want to come back. Otherwise it won't work. In addition, Mastered Sorcerer's stones are at least one in a few hundred: each one usually represents decades of work to get it to that point (even though Nick has figured out a way to shortcut the process... he'd be truly terrifying if he ever went bad) so they're not exactly things you can pick up at the grocery store. The Undead don't count in this case, since an Undead by definition has a soul sealed into their body when it should have left already. Also, Phantoms don't count... I haven't mentioned Phantoms, crud. They just don't count.
As for immortality, the trick is that there are a lot of ways, but
none of them are perfect. Turn yourself into a spirit and seal yourself into the blood of a family line? When every last carrier of that trait dies, you go with them. Divide your soul into multiple parts and seal them into various unkillable monsters? Someone's going to kill the unkillable monsters and then they'll kill you. Besides, no matter how unkillable you are, there is a weakness somewhere. As far as I have figured out, only three entities in the entire universe have achieved true and total immortality, and one of them is dead. I'm not kidding. Of course, that one chose to die.
As for the true "panacea," remember that it needs the philosopher's stone to help create it. If you don't have one, tough. Potions and stuff like that are fairly specialized, and chemists good enough to make an all-around-fix-everything potion are rare. The Elixir of Life is also considered insubstantial when compared to the stone's true power: why bother mixing up a potion to fix a cancerous tumor when you can just use the stone to boost your power to the point that you can use a high-level healing spell on the tumor and fix it? Also, healing spells are fairly complicated and take up a good deal of magic, and potions are no different. In addition, there are curses and spells that can leave permanent damage and scars that can't be fixed by anything short of the Elixir itself. So the EoL can fix basically anything, but much like sorcerer's stones your not going to find it at the corner drugstore. In fact, I don't think it's been brewed for a while anywhere. Besides, the person who invented the Philosopher's stone certainly didn't need a magical life extending potion.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
Can we see either races or elements of magic? Like light/dark, arcane and fire and stuffs.
Sure. I don't quite no where to start, so I'll just start at the beginning right here...
Just kidding.
Truth be told, I'm still working out stuff about the various races. How about I talk a little more about magic?
Alright, except for the techy answers, I pretty muched guessed those. Just wanted to make sure that these were a bit more difficult and rare than they sounded. And I've only one subject that I want to discuss, the "grails."
To me, immortality is the only important one. And the idea that a cure-all potion is nigh worthless compared to a more easily accessed spell (of course, both of these would require a high level s. stone (ss? Am I really that lazy?), but still the spell's at a closer reach) is simply hilarious and I agree. What you said about resurrection sounds right to me as well. The rezzed has to want the rez. But back to important matters, most methods are imperfect? I guess for such a goal, that would be truth. Still, beggars can't be choosers, and I'll take the option avaliable.
You haven't designed the thing yet? You, the crafter of verses? Excuse my laughter, the blood from my nose, and I think I'll ask for a tissue. Just teasing! No ill will meant! Hmm... I'd say three. But it depends on how much the "bullet" would heat up the barrel and such things. Just three and the barrels might melt. On the other hand, how big are these barrels and how much does it take to rotate the thing? Six and it might be too heavy or too slow.
Something that occured to me, you've spoken of "gods and faeries" before in much the same tone. I'm guessing that since "minor gods" have been created, divinity is not omnipotence (and please tell me that stronger gods could best a faerie, if not, I lose faith). But... wild magic creates gods as well... Oh boy, my eyes are crossing. Explain if you can, the gods.
Magic? That's a good answer to me.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 04:33:01 AM
You haven't designed the thing yet? You, the crafter of verses? Excuse my laughter, the blood from my nose, and I think I'll ask for a tissue. Just teasing! No ill will meant! Hmm... I'd say three. But it depends on how much the "bullet" would heat up the barrel and such things. Just three and the barrels might melt. On the other hand, how big are these barrels and how much does it take to rotate the thing? Six and it might be too heavy or too slow.
Well, let's just say that Nick does not believe in either No Plans No Prototype No Backup (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup) or the Super Prototype (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SuperPrototype): each thing that he builds is basically a fully functioning tool or gadget. The Mark I for all of his units has long since been retired in favor of upgraded and more powerful versions, so tools and such have been updated. Roland is much sleeker and more compact than the bulky Mark I, while AMP Tech has become more efficient as time goes on: he no longer needs a belt-pack battery to run anything employing AMP Tech, since their power is self-contained.
As for the DACA, the name Delta originally came from the triangular framework used to mounted the barrels on, so it did originally have three barrels. Remember how inefficient Gatling's early designs were? Nick is working with fairly new technology: fully automatic weapons had only been out for maybe two decades at this point (and were massive things that took two people to set up and use), so the knowledge on gun barrels was there: he just took it to the next level to create a gun that could fire about 600 rounds a minute. It's got six now, but since only the barrel has really changed he doesn't
And as for why I haven't finished the DACA... because it isn't important compared to the other stuff. Let's just say that a DACA can kill pretty much anything alive, while Roland can even kill stuff that isn't.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 04:33:01 AM
Something that occured to me, you've spoken of "gods and faeries" before in much the same tone. I'm guessing that since "minor gods" have been created, divinity is not omnipotence (and please tell me that stronger gods could best a faerie, if not, I lose faith). But... wild magic creates gods as well... Oh boy, my eyes are crossing. Explain if you can, the gods.
Gods and Faeries are basically a part of wild magic in much the same way that leaves and the trunk respectively are a part of a tree. They grow from the root of their power, and are a part of it, and might even be the part that everyone sees, but there's so much more going on behind the scenes.
Okay, have you ever seen a little vortex of air when you're just out walking? It looks a bit like a minor tornado, and it's created by winds hitting in weird ways or being accidentally redirected by cars and stuff. Anyway, not important. Imagine instead that that little vortex of wind, it's a vortex of wild magic. Now imagine that that vortex might fade away to almost nothingness, but it can never truly go away. And that every time it blows past someone, it becomes a little stronger and is shaped by their belief in it. Okay, that's basically what a god is. It's a little nexus of wild magic shaped by belief into something more powerful. So every god that has ever been believe in exists to one degree or another (yes, even the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Pink Unicorn: while wild magic can be controlled through a sort of logic, it's really more like quasi-logic than anything), and is more or less how people imagine them.
So, the short answer is, gods are no better than the beings that created them. In fact, only a handful of the most powerful gods cab even migrate between different worlds and thus truly be older than the civilization that believes in them. Each god basically has the normal powers: super strength, immense magical power, immortality, the ability to bestow power upon their believers. Most gods are aware of what they are to one degree or another, and so while their believers are duking it out down on the mortal planes most gods actually have a somewhat friendly rivalry. Gods also need the continued faith of their believers, even if it's just one person who truly believes in them, to cling onto their "life." And yes, they're powerful, but there's also a certain lack of control to that power in that they can only use it as their origins see fit, if that kind of makes sense. Some gods are extremely powerful and have power rivaling Faeries, but considering that Faeries can do more to a god than a god can do to a Faerie, most gods don't try.
Okay, so what are Faeries then? Faeries are natural-born cyclones of wild magic, the trunk of the tree: so intimately tied to wild magic that they are often mistaken for it. They are powerhouses of magical energy, and can practically rewrite reality with a snap of their fingers. They don't rely on belief since they are practically a side-effect of mortals and magic existing in the same place (I've always imagined that Faeries were born from the subconscious desires of mortals for the universe to make sense, but truth be told Faeries are among the oldest races in existence, so that probably doesn't explain it). Their primary weakness in the magic department is that they really can't perform spells, and can only shape wild magic to suit their will. So, basically each Faerie's version of magic is different. Sucks to be whoever's fighting them. Oh, also, did anyone catch the little hint as to one additional weakness that Faerie's have in my previous post?
I will get into more about this (including different ways of killing a god or Faerie) when I actually get the races down.
Incidentally, that little Faerie weakness to cold iron? I've actually been nursing the idea that someone laid a curse on the entire race to give them all one weakness that any lesser race could use to protect themselves against them. I'm also nursing the idea that it was the High Dragons who did it. Now guess who I consider to be more knowledgeable about magic, and therefore the truly more powerful race?
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 04:33:01 AM
Magic? That's a good answer to me.
You got it... later. I've got to go to work today.
Okay, so it's a lot sooner than I anticipated, but I kind of realized today that there are three little things I forgot to mention. Rather than edit them in, I thought I might as well make a little mini post about it.
In regards to the TF Reactors: the Mark II and above reactors all are designed with a series of filters to keep them operating at maximum efficiency. Part of the reason that the Mark I was only successful as a proof of concept is because it A) didn't have a place to store it's waste product (the AM Particles) and B) in addition to absorbing magical energy it was also absorbing the AM Particles, which basically polluted the process. All subsequent models are capable of functioning properly under full influence of AM Particles.
In regards to Skipper: Skipper - from the Mark III onward - was designed to also include non-magical weaponry. The CPC is currently Skipper's only non-magical weapon, though Nick is planning to add in a DACA-A or two when the new unit is completed, and there are spaces in the current model for... shall we say "alternative weaponry?" It also has emergency jump-rockets built into the legs, as well as compressor-prop thrusters (their version of a jet engine: powerful, but not very efficient).
In regards to the Elixir of Life: I just want to make it clear that part of the reason that the Elixir is considered valuable is that it can heal basically anything, up to and including cursed wounds. Elian Cidney's eye, for example, could be healed by the Elixir of Life even though it was destroyed by a powerful curse.
Okay, I guess I should get my thoughts for magic in line if I want to post them sometime soon.
Ugh. Sorry to disappoint anyone expecting something about the different classes/types/elements of spells, but I'm really kind of tired tonight. I'd still feel bad not posting something (slightly ironic considering my thing about Gods/Faeries and the three little extra notes earlier), so instead I'm going to post some information about one of the characters. He's not a main character, but I've mentioned him a few times: Elian Cidney.
And yes, I shamelessly "borrowed" Amber's cast-information template. It seems to work very well and is fairly well organized, especially considering that most of my similar cast sheets are three or four pages longer than this (yes, imagine this being two or three times longer, and shudder in fear). Most of my characters will use my design (if I ever finish it), but Elian hasn't got a sheet yet, so I'll just borrow Amber's for now. Sorry Amber.
Name: Elian Cidney
Nicknames: Cid, El Cid, Der Cid, "Faeslayer," Der Blitzkrieger, The Lightning Bullet
Age: 64
Marital Status: Married
Family: Father, Mother, seven siblings (six older, one younger), Justine Price Cidney (wife), seven children (Katrina, Rosa, Margaret, Carol, Artemis, Cynthia, Nicodemus (all except Nicodemus are human))[note that all of the kid's names except Artemis and her little brother Nicodemus are liable to change]
Species: Elf
Hobbies: Adventuring, sorcery, househusband, training, video games
Hair color: Black and gray
Eye color: One brown, one white (blind in his right eye)
Most known for: killing a Faerie
Favorite food: Oranges
Favorite color: Brown
Overview
Personality: As a former Adventurer, Elian has seen it all... or at least he had until he married Justine and started a family. Elian tends to let life happen as it may: the fact that he has seven children - six of whom are at least two and a half feet taller than him - doesn't seem to phase him in the slightest. Even though he was only an adventurer for about five years, those experiences were enough that he seems quite content to fade away into the background of history and retire to help raise his family. He has attracted his fair share of enemies over his lifetime, yet at the same time he has also attracted some very powerful allies. He is quite willing to listen to all sides of an argument, and doesn't lay down his judgement until he has heard everything. He also supports his kids in their chosen careers, and seems quite proud of them for making their own choices. A word of warning: don't get him angry, as one Faerie discovered the hard way.
History: Elian was the seventh of eight children. He decided at a fairly young age to study sorcery and witchcraft and become an adventurer. He graduated from the local Academy with top marks and went on to become infamous for his skill in Wind and Lightning elemental magic, as well as being a crack shot with his chosen weapons, a pair of matched revolvers. He went by the nickname "Cid" out of respect for one of his teachers at the academy, a talented Lancer who taught him wind magic. It is somewhere in his five years of adventuring that a curse permanently blinded his right eye: he trained himself to sense the energeia of his opponents, making him more dangerous against normal Beasts, Beings, and Creatures. He retired shortly after the crowning achievement of his career: the killing of a Faerie. While the exact circumstances are unknown, one rumor holds that the Faerie was attempting to curse either Elian or a friend of Elian's: either way, the Faerie ended up dead (this is part of the reason why Elian's enemies have mostly left him and his family alone: you do not want to piss off someone who can kill a Faerie). Shortly afterwards, he met the famous (Human) Negotiator Justine Price while on a blind date that some mutual friends of theirs had set up: they were married within a few months. They currently have seven children (six human girls and one elven boy), while Elian seems to have spent the last forty years enjoying his retirement and helping raise his children.
Quirks/Fun facts:
• Elian still trains and practices daily: he is in incredible health for a man his age.
• Elian wears a leather eyepatch to cover his blind eye.
• Elian maintains his old contacts in the adventuring world, as well as his old Creature allies.
• Much like his son Nicodemus, Elian is "gifted" with a very youthful childlike appearance (to be honest, it's something that plagues most members of the Elven species). The only reasons that Elian is never mistaken for a young child - unlike his twenty-two year old son - is because of his eyepatch and the fact that he has grown a goatee and has graying hair. His son is very envious of the goatee.
• At one point as a child Elian met a figure known as the Wanderer. It is as a result of this meeting that Elian was inspired to become an adventurer. He hopes very much to meet the Wanderer again someday.
• Elian is a much better sorcerer than his son.
• Elian actually owns several matched pairs of guns, most of which are designed for one purpose or another. One of Nicodemus' earliest experiments with technology is when his Dad showed him how to clean them.
• At 3'7," he is actually the shortest member of his immediate family (Nicodemus is 3'9").
• The reason that Elian and Justine have seven children is twofold: first, they both come from large families (Justine is the youngest of seven children herself), and second, they both decided that they wanted at least one boy and one girl. It took them seven tries to finally get a boy.
* Elian is a huge video game fan.
Elian's Quote: "There is nothing a Cidney can't do!"
Okay, hope that helps hold you over until I get the magic in gear. Again, sorry for borrowing your template, Amber. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. And now I'm going to sleep. Good night.
And for the record, his last name of Cidney is in honor of Cid Highwind and all the other Cid's of Final Fantasy. He's just too short for a lance, so he had to settle for a pair of handguns. I just though Sydney was a funny name to give to Nicodemus, and then I thought, "hey, he's an inventor so maybe that last name should be named after a famous inventor." Thus "Cidney."
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 03:11:33 AM
Or elements of magic, like light/dark, arcane and fire and stuffs.
Quote from: Pagan on July 26, 2008, 04:33:01 AM
Magic? That's a good answer to me.
I really can't put this off any more, can I? It's just that a few people *coughpagancough* seem to really want to see how I treat magic, and I did promise not only to give out that info anyways, but also to try and answer questions. So, here it is: magic, spells, elements, classes... the whole shebang. Basically, you'll get what I got, what magic does, and what I need it to do. Be warned: all of this is still being worked on, and is liable to change, but most of it is basically set in stone. Given that THIS at the very least is a work in progress, I'd really like it if people asked questions, gave ideas/feedback, pointed out problems... stuff like that. Anything would be appreciated, especially since this stuff is starting to give me weird dreams. Okay, let's do it.
I just want to make it clear that I really have no idea what I'm writing here. In this case, I really am depending on feedback and questions, people. Every one of them helps me figure out what I'm doing, helps me take the next leap in logic and get the next couple of paragraphs down on digital paper.
The earliest spells were basically designed to replicate the natural abilities of Beasts and Creatures: later spells not only built on this, but added spells that had never been seen before. Fireballs, flight, super-strength and speed, enhanced sight, thought and mind reading, illusions, conjuring, teleportation, alchemy, shapeshifting... at some point, most Arcane spells (as well as Modern spells) are based on abilities that other beings found natural and normal. Later on, slightly weirder spells - such as attacks that can best be described as the magical equivalent of a laser cannon or a plasma blaster - were added, but these seem to be solely used by the Modern Magic system.
Part of my problem with nailing down a system of magic is that to a certain degree, if a character needs to do something with magic, they either know how to or they don't. If a character needs to create a free-floating ball of light to illuminate a darkened room, they can conjure up that ball of magical light. If they need a shield made of solid fire, then they can do so. Need to fly? Done. Need a healing spell? Got it. Do you need to hit a hundred targets with a hundred individual magical shells? Take aim and fire. Summon a giant cybernetic wolf loaded down with ice spells and an array of missile launchers? Get the contract with the summon clan, and you've got it. Create a full costume with a snap of your fingers? Master-level magic, but doable. A spell to temporarily make your skin as hard as diamond? It exists. Hover in midair? No one's stopping you. Breathe underwater? Learn the Aqualung spell. Seal a horrific demonic beast inside of an innocent new-born baby boy, condemning him to a childhood of shunning with few friends to help him out? Sure, you sick freak, go right ahead. Slow down time? It's high level, sure, but it's there if you need it. Create a bag of holding? Go right ahead. Telepathically rip information from your opponent's mind and leave them an amnesiac wreck on the floor of your room? It may be mind rape, but yes, you can do it. Rip someone's soul from their body and stick it into a suit of armor? Again, a little dark, but sure. Actually eat someone's soul? Yep. Unlock any door? Sure, there's a few levels to it, but they're all there. Collapse magical energy into a blade of solid magic and use it to beat the tar out of a fourteen year old? Uh-huh. A spell that can translate any language - known or unknown - into one that you understand? Okay, that one doesn't technically exist, but if you bring together a dozen or so spells you can actually get a Universal Translator effect. In short, they all exist. They might take a lot of magical energy (in fact, some take more energy than a person can safely use), but someone's probably already invented it. Everyone might not know them, but I guarantee every spell in existence is known by at least one person (and I mean that one person doesn't know all of them).
The elements that magic tends to use are Fire, Earth, Rock, Water, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Nature (poison/plants), Dark, Light, Twilight, Void, and Non (i.e. no elemental affiliation whatsoever). Spells also exist that control time and space, as well as sound and gravity, and spells for mind abilities and stuff like that. Basically, if you can understand it with physics, you can do something to it with magic: even if you can't understand something with physics, you can do it (you'll just have to cheat a little bit). Dark and Light are a lot trickier, and mostly call on the nature of magic itself, in addition to being affiliated with light and darkness.
While spells generally refuse to be easily filed, you can sort them into a couple of categories (please note that these are all temporary, and I am trying to figure out how to consolidate them... scratch that, these are all the old categories and are going to be scrapped: read anyway). Attack spells are fairly obvious: shooting spells, missile-like things, melee-enhancing attacks, wide-spread field attacks, it's in there. Protection spells include shields, barriers, domains (magical barriers that negate certain things), and healing spells (I think they'll end up in here anyway). Support spells have a few healing spells as well, and also have negative spells for use against enemies and movement spells like jumping and flight. Sealing spells seal magic inside objects or prevent things from being used: you can also seal memories, though I don't know if it's the same thing. Summon spells are obvious: think of any form of summoning you've ever seen, and you've got a good idea of what it does. Conversion spells alter something in some way, like illusions (shapeshifting's a subtype) or enchantments (adding magic to something) or transformations (magical alteration of something into another thing - it's basically a more permanent form of shapeshifting... yet somehow not) or transmutations (complete and perfect transformation of something through alchemy). Then there's the spells that I hadn't categorized when I wrote this all out, and now you're starting to understand my problem with getting this freaking mess sorted out.
On the other hand, writing all of this out has given me an idea for dividing magic into basically two categories: evocation and invocation. Evocation would be attack spells, defense spells, healing spells, movement spells, basically anything quick and dirty - really suited for combat. Invocation would be the more complicated ones, the regeneration spells, telepathy and mental spells, summoning spells, trans-dimensional travel, alchemy, illusions, transformations - more like support magic in a way. I need to think about this for a while.
Um, okay, there - in all of its disorganized glory - is what I can dredge from my mind. Please comment, discuss, ask questions: help me figure this out. You've already made me realize that the current version of DACA uses six barrels. Thanks in advance for commenting. I guess the next few posts will be me figuring out this newest idea of evocation/invocation. Already I'm getting some initial thoughts... and it shoves away all of that messy categorized stuff. Hm.
Hey, I've been asking for races and you've been saying magic. ER... Yay, magic! Alright, what to say... aside from laughing and nodding at anime and other references that I saw and some I probably missed...
Quote from: Jairus on July 28, 2008, 01:47:50 AM
Fire, Earth, Rock, Water, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Nature , Dark, Light, Twilight, Void, and Non
So these are your temporary elements? Why the need for rock if you have earth, water if you've ice, etc. What would you say is void and twilight?
I don't see how narrative causality would further complicate a magic system. If a spell doesn't obviously fall into an element, use that forum-power to make it fit into one by odd logic or even a hand wave if you have to!
As for attack, defensive, etc. that sounds like you're going above and beyond the call. It might be useful for grouping purposes (for you, the reader, and soccerers in the story), but it sounds to me like an unnecessary, if nice, addition.
And god, now I really want to post up my magic system...
hey Jairus i read alot of what you had and youve got some great ideas going for you. keep it up, and good luck.
Okay, I'm still thinking through the whole "evocation/invocation" insight from last night, so instead of posting what little I've thought about how about I make it up to Pagan by posting some information about the High Dragon race?
Again, I'm borrowing Amber's Demonology template because it just works so well. Darn you Amber for your multiple strokes of pure brilliance. I hope you get complimented today. I was going to have multiple characters (you missed out on some stuff for Dreksa and Merlin and Avalon), but I decided to use just one major figure. If you want the stuff on the other three, just ask. Anyhoo...
The High Dragon Race
General Characteristics
• Varied form, appearance, and size: varies from individual to individual
* Generally scaled
* wings
• Varied colors (clans tend to have similar schemes)
• Various magical abilities, all members have some form of breath weapon
• Skilled with spells and various types of magic
• Natural physical abilities
• Shapeshifting (natural only to Hybrids)
• Average life span: unknown
General: The High Dragon race (hereafter just called "Dragon" because that's what most people mean anyway) is likely one of the oldest and most powerful races in existence. Even the Faerie, who have members with life spans measured in tens of millions of years, do not recall a time when the Dragons did not exist. Dragons have been known to have lifespans a dozen times longer than most creatures, and even the appearance of old age might merely be illusory on their part. Many of them have seen the rise and fall of entire civilizations many times in their lives, and some have been a part of it. Dragon's have an incredibly varied array of appearances, and all of them at one point learn how to shapeshift and disguise themselves as a regular being or creature. Interestingly, whenever they shapeshift, a piece of their true appearance sticks with them, such as a hand of talons or a wing or eyes: this can be disguised by normal shapeshifting, but most don't bother. Also, most dragons in their Being form wield some kind of weapon that reflects their true appearance, though this weapon tends to disappear when they're in their Creature form. Some people believe that such weapons represent a seal on their power to help prevent them from causing too much of an effect to the races that they encounter.
Or not. No one really knows the motivations of a dragon, and understanding the motives of their entire race is another problem in and of itself. Dragons on the whole do not seem to intend harm upon other races, though an enraged dragon is something you do not want to see. Dragons are powerful, smart, and incredibly long-lived, a feature that tends to drive most of them into either isolation or the company of other dragons, lending them an air of mystery. The motivations of a dragon are fairly inscrutable, and you can never be sure if a dragon is helping you because it honestly wants to or because it needs something from you. However, dragons tend to look out for those that they are helping/using, so you will not come to harm from them... generally. All in all, it is perhaps best to simply watch yourselves around dragons. However, to be called "Friend" by a dragon is of the highest honor, and represents a bond of trust between the two.
They are technically Wyrms, and thus should be related to Saurians, Wyverns, and Low Dragons. However, this similarity more represents parallel evolution than any mysterious connection, so High Dragons tend not to be lumped in with other Wyrms. They do, however, share the same physical power and magical awareness, and some have suggested that the High Dragons had something to do with the continued success of the various Wyrm subspecies on so many worlds.
Most dragons seem to treat the world named Draconis as their home world, though the precise location of Draconis is unknown: it is believed to exist in a parasite universe much like the Faerie Kingdom, but this of course merely raises the questions of where their true homeworld is, and why they aren't there anymore...
History: The history of the Dragon race is fairly unknown, even to themselves. But as far as anyone can gather, so long as the Abyss between worlds has existed, the dragons have been there. They seem to mostly keep to themselves, yet at the same time they have a marked interest in the goings on of other worlds. One interesting thing about them is that they don't seem to have a homeworld: exactly what happened to it, or where they come from, is unknown. There is a world that the dragons have "adopted" as their homeworld, but it is believe that this is an artificial world they created. Dragon's rarely interfere with the affairs of others, preferring to let people solve their own problems, though there are some who go out of their way to at least make sure that people are able to solve their problems. Unfortunately, due to a number of interdimensional wars, their numbers have been thinned somewhat.
Strengths: Powerful magic, natural abilities, and an incredibly long life span means that dragons are quite capable of becoming very powerful opponents. Even without the help of spells, they are very dangerous opponents. With spells, you are facing a very powerful opponent indeed. Part of their power comes from their long life spans, which give them ample opportunity to master tremendously difficult magic to bring against their opponents... power to rival the Faerie race itself. Dragons can regenerate from most wounds, disguise themselves to fit into a population, or reveal their true appearance and have all of the physical powers of a Low Dragon backed up by tremendous magical power and a sharp intellect. Worse than all of that is the possibility that High Dragons might be immortal: Dragons on occasion have been killed, only to return a short while later. They don't seem to hold grudges, though they do tend to remember things.
Weaknesses: Aside from obvious failings from member to member, there are no real known weaknesses about dragons. Doing enough damage to a shapeshifter does tend to force them to reveal their true appearance (not that this is a good thing). However, Dragons - much like Faeries - tend to be very honorable, and if they make a promise, they will keep it... unless the other person breaks their side of the bargain, at which point the gloves come off. There is, however, an old saying that hints that every dragon has an exploitable weakness: "a dragon is at its most vulnerable when it is at its most powerful." Exactly what this means is unknown, since dragons seem to be plenty powerful as it is.
Notable Figure(s):
Annwyn Ydraigoch (pronounced Ee-dray-goch): The dragon who did it. Annwyn was perhaps one of the most powerful dragons to ever live. A researcher and archeologist, she did more for uncovering lost civilizations - and her own culture's lost history - than most people ever have. She also invented a spell designed expressly for killing a Faerie, meaning that she did what many considered to be impossible: use magic to defeat a Faerie. Stories also are told of how on one world that she visited, she stopped the sun in the sky to make her point. Her primary concern in archeology seemed to have been uncovering the history of the dragon race: she may have even learned part of the truth behind it. More than that, she turned the Ydraigoch clan into a powerhouse of connections and allies, meaning that today the very name Ydraigoch is capable of causing entire armies to surrender (it is also one of the more powerful clans, but considering the Dragons thinned numbers anyone who has connections across hundreds of worlds is going to survive longer). Despite her power, she was basically a pacifist, and disliked fighting. Towards the end of her life, she married the warrior Skaira Stargazer, and had a Hybrid son with him. Both she and her husband are dead, and are currently survived by their Hybrid Dragon/Human son Dreksa Tiemyu Ydraigoch.
QuoteOn the other hand, writing all of this out has given me an idea for dividing magic into basically two categories: evocation and invocation. Evocation would be attack spells, defense spells, healing spells, movement spells, basically anything quick and dirty - really suited for combat. Invocation would be the more complicated ones, the regeneration spells, telepathy and mental spells, summoning spells, trans-dimensional travel, alchemy, illusions, transformations - more like support magic in a way. I need to think about this for a while.
Okay, I've had some time to think this through over the past two days. Let's see if I can get it right.
Evocation spells are exactly as they were described. These are the quick spells, the ones that basically do what they need to do. Evocations are the attack spells, the protection spells, the basic healing magic, the movement spells (flight, that sort of stuff). Essentially, evocations are the fire-and-forget type of spells. Their actions are preprogrammed (a lot of Modern spells have simple video-game-like AI to direct and control them, like a missile guidance program) and mages only control their direction and the amount of power put into them. Most evocations work through the various elements, though a bunch of them are pure energy or force. In exchange for the overall control over the spells and their preprogrammed nature, evocations are easier and faster to perform. That's not to say that they're
easy to do, per se: a flight spell still takes practice to perform safely, and a guided magic missile takes constant attention to direct it where you want it to go. It's more like they're designed to be performed quickly, and be triggered with simple actions and words.
Invocations are the more complicated spells, the ones that take a little more effort to control. Mind spells, divination, sealing techniques, summoning spells, alchemy, illusions... the kind that take a little more attention to get right. Enchantments - spells that add abilities to things - are also included in here. I kind of see them as a cross between support magic and general catch-all techniques, yet I'm having trouble gathering them together. These kinds take some attention to run, although there are some that once you've got them set up they'll run until they're dispelled. If these spells have simple AI, they're still more complicated than evocations (I say AI, but really they're just magical computer programs: again, think of a smart bomb/missile). Spells like this may take a little longer to run, but to be honest the difference between evocation and invocation type spells are fairly minimal, and ultimately could be considered Assault magic and Support magic respectively (again, there's a lot of overlap though).
As for the nature of the elements, Earth/Rock and Water/Ice are so similar that it's very rare to find a mage who can do one and not the other. Technically, though earth is different from rocks (soil versus sand), while the spells to control ice have to include something like temperature manipulation. Again, though, all of those spell elements are confined to Arcane magic, while Modern magic has an elemental affinity, meaning that there's a little more variation (there are spells designed to expressly to manipulate aluminum, for example). Light and Dark elemental magic is basically the only part of Modern magic that really follows Arcane magic, and that's because it's extremely metaphysical. Basically, Light magic is designed around healing and protection, though it does have a few spells handy against dark powers and things that completely twist nature around (Undead for example), as well as the only "instant kill" spell in existence. Dark magic calls upon some fairly powerful emotions (anger, hatred, despair, love) to power it, and can do some very disturbing stuff in addition to powerful attacks and shields: torture, curses, powerful killing spells. It's important to note that neither Dark nor Light magic is evil, though it is easier to lose control of oneself when using Dark magic. Magic is power, and power corrupts: Dark magic offers some very easy power, and it takes a strong-willed person to safely master it. Incidentally, White and Black magic are different from Light and Dark magic, though both White and Light magic share relative safety in their use while Black and Dark magic are slightly (mild understatement) more dangerous.
The idea behind Twilight magic is that it was a fusion of Light and Dark magic, a kind of best of both worlds. Alternatively, it's the kind of magic that a being that is a pure soul can perform, while Void magic is the kind of magic that a being with no soul can perform...
Anyway, I'm not quite certain about all of this. Any questions, comments, ideas? Please. Pretty please.
A being with no soul? Like what, a construct? Or is this a bit more metaphysical, and things like the undead are soulless?
I think I get you on the evo-/invocation spells. Evos are things that need to happen and need to happen right now. Invos on the other hand are things that take a bit of time and careful thought and shouldn't really be attempted in the middle of a fight.
Is there an explanation of creatures/beings/beasts on the horizon?
Quote from: Pagan on July 29, 2008, 06:41:37 PM
A being with no soul? Like what, a construct? Or is this a bit more metaphysical, and things like the undead are soulless?
Oh boy. This is gonna be complicated... really complicated. As in I'm going to keep this short, and it's going to take four paragraphs to answer you.
When I talk about a being with no soul, it's more like a being who once had a soul and then lost it. The thing about souls is that they're basically a byproduct of being alive, if you will. Basically, any and every living thing has a spirit/soul - something metaphysical - that comes into existence when the life in question is "created" and leaves when it "dies." So yes, every thing - plants, animals, humans, dragons, etc. - basically has a spirit. There's a whole lot of debate over when a spirit becomes a soul, but I tend to weigh in on the sentient or near-sentient side. But, technically, it's the same thing, really. It's just that souls that belonged to life forms that could experience life (like an complex animal or sentient plant - yes, they exist) are more resilient and stable than other souls, while sapient souls are the most "stable" of them all. This is something that scientists and magical researchers have been studying for years.
When it comes to a Construct, however, things get really complicated. Actually, in matters of the soul, things get complicated. The short answer is that certain events can grant a soul to a being that ordinarily wouldn't have one - a golem, a robot, a puppet - which would make that being "alive," and thus capable of losing a soul. I've kind of thought that Void magic can only be performed by those who had a soul and then lost it, while any mechanical device or construct or what-have-you is simply doing normal magic. It's a little tricky.
As for how a being with no soul can be up and about... under normal circumstances, if a soul is consumed (by say, an Angel or Demon or Lazerai) that tends to instantly kill the being that once had that soul. But if a soul is "simply" removed (it isn't simple, really, but run with it) there is a possibility that the being in question can "go on" without it. The body, you see, carries an "echo" of the soul that it once carried, while the soul carries an "echo" of the body that it once had. I really don't want to go into this, but let's just say that if stuff like this started happening again... well, it wouldn't be pretty.
Incidentally, part of the definition of Undead is that they are
not soulless: in fact, the only way they could be considered Undead is if they had a soul. The trick is that the soul of an Undead has somehow been prevented from leaving the body upon death (usually through some kind of seal or disturbingly powerful dark/black magic, or even a need to not die - it's the same kind of will that keeps a truly-soulless being going after losing their soul). Basically, so long as the soul is attached to the corpse, it'll keep going: there are Undead walking around that are desiccated skeletons, and a few Undead have actually fossilized... you do not want to meet an Undead Saurian or Wyvern. It is not pretty. Anyway, they're all animated by magic, and the trick is to do enough damage to the body that the soul can no longer stay attached to it: Elian's favorite trick back when he was an adventurer was to burn an Undead until it was nothing but ash to ensure that it was gone. Trust me, with the amount of pain that most Undead go through (the kind who were forced to do it or became undead through circumstances beyond their control), it was a mercy killing.
Quote from: Pagan on July 29, 2008, 06:41:37 PM
I think I get you on the evo-/invocation spells. Evos are things that need to happen and need to happen right now. Invos on the other hand are things that take a bit of time and careful thought and shouldn't really be attempted in the middle of a fight.
Kinda-sorta. It's more like invocations are just a little tricker to pull off. So, it isn't recommended that you do them in a battle (just as an example, would you want Abel to have put that mindshield on Jyrras in the middle of a chaotic battle between an army of amazons and Dark Pegasus?). Really, though, you had a point: they're going to do it anyway, so why worry. The designations are really just to help sort them and also help me figure out how relatively easy they are to do. I guess evocations trade degree of control for speed of casting, and invocations trade speed of casting for degree of control. Something like that.
Quote from: Pagan on July 29, 2008, 06:41:37 PM
Is there an explanation of creatures/beings/beasts on the horizon?
Okay, here's a quick explanation. Mind you, these are just general classifications.
Beasts are non-sentient animals (and occasionally mobile plants... it's magic). It doesn't matter whether they have non-magical powers or not, or even their species: non-sentience is basically the definition of a Beast. A
Being is basically any sapient animal (and occasionally mobile plant... and sometimes Constructs... really, anything sapient) whose species/race is not inherently magical. So, we humans would be being because we do not possess as a species any total magical ability, like each of us having the power to shapeshift or something like that. A
Creature is basically any sapient animal (and occasionally mobile plant... and sometimes Construct... really, anything sapient) whose species/race is inherently magical across the board. Dragons (who I've already kind of talked about) are Creatures, Demons are Creatures, and so are a bunch of other life forms. Really, Being is a good catchall term for all of them (and to be honest, it's the middle ground between the other two, so it tends to catch the things that don't fit in as either a Beast or a Creature). There's a little bit more to it, but to be perfectly blunt it's just a general category.
Does that help any?
Actually it does. So is being sentient a requirement for creature? Or is the "we're all magic, you're not-hahaha" thing more important?
Glad to hear you're getting things sorted as for as magic goes.
And... so... living thing, still living, was sentient, had soul, no longer has soul. Do they retain sentience or are they kinda shambling "basic instincts, desires, etc. of the echo" type things?
Quote from: Pagan on July 29, 2008, 11:52:36 PM
Actually it does. So is being sentient a requirement for creature? Or is the "we're all magic, you're not-hahaha" thing more important?
Sentience is a requirement. Without sentience/sapience, they're considered Beasts. Even a Wyvern - with tremendous magical power to rival the Low Dragons (otherwise I doubt they'd be able to fly at any appreciable rate) - is considered a mere Beast because it has no real control over it's powers. Low Dragons and High Dragons are creatures because they are sentient. And the "we're all magic, you're not-hahaha" is a bit of a misnomer: even with tremendous magical powers, there are some Creatures who need to use sorcery to do spells and magic like that. Low Dragons can breathe fire (well, different ones can do different breath attacks) and fly and have impressive defenses against physical attacks and magic, yet a Low Dragon cannot perform wizardry. It's kind of weird (for the record, there has never been a non-wizard High Dragon. Ever.) Basically, it's a category. Nothing really special: it just means that you're higher on the food chain.
Quote from: Pagan on July 29, 2008, 11:52:36 PM
And... so... living thing, still living, was sentient, had soul, no longer has soul. Do they retain sentience or are they kinda shambling "basic instincts, desires, etc. of the echo" type things?
First one. The body still has the mind and all of it's memories, it just doesn't have a soul. The most powerful of those who have lost their soul's change very little from when they had them. It's hard to explain what happens to them afterwards, but the word "psychopath" seems to do nicely. It's the leftover soul that is a shambling "basic instincts, desires, etc. of the echo" (it's complicated: under the right conditions, the soul can construct a rudimentary body for itself). After all, if all it has is the barest echoes of it's former existence, the strongest echoes are going to be the instincts that once drove it... and there are few instincts stronger than the ones to feed and reproduce in some way...
But really, these things haven't been seen
anywhere in a very long time. And besides, as far as I know none of them show up on Terra... well, not yet anyway.
You continue to drop your ploty teases and temptations. But I do have another question
Is void magic an element, if so, please describe, or is it more closely related to the difference between white and black magic?
Quote from: Pagan on July 30, 2008, 12:15:56 AM
You continue to drop your ploty teases and temptations. But I do have another question
:mwaha
Quote from: Pagan on July 30, 2008, 12:15:56 AM
Is void magic an element, if so, please describe, or is it more closely related to the difference between white and black magic?
It's more like the difference between White and Black magic, to be honest. I've kind of imagined it to be pure magical energy without any alteration, but I'm not quite sure (especially since it's not like any of the characters on Terra can use it). Much like Black and White magic, it's still controllable by spells and the like and it can have an elemental affinity (unless you choose to manipulate pure Void magic), but I'd also imagine that any being who has lost their soul can use it - regardless of whether they're a wizard or not. I also think it might be the kind of magic that Faeries use (it's either that or White Magic, and I know that it's impossible for a Faerie to use Black magic)...
Well, while there's still a bunch of stuff about magic the Terra and Nick's tech (though frankly that can wait until after Nick himself is introduced), it's about time to introduce characters and races. However, since I'm still figuring out races and that ilk, how about instead I post information about a character who never appears on the world of Terra, yet is somehow still a player: Dreksa Stargazer
One again, I have "borrowed" Amber's character profile template. It's... just so perfect. Forgive me Amber.
Name: Dreksa Llefellys Tiemyu Ydraigoch - aka Dreksa Stargazer
Nicknames: (ho boy) Drek, Rex, The Wanderer, The Threeswordsman, The Twin Swordsman, The Coming Storm, The Blade-wielding Storm, Dragonslayer, Son of Annwyn, son of Skaira, the Dark Stigma... etc. etc. etc. (to be honest, he acquires them basically wherever he goes)
Age: approximately 9,500 years old
Marital Status: Single
Family: Father (Skaira of Tiemyu), Mother (Annwyn), Nephew (Merlin), Adopted son (Skaira), possibly other relatives
Species: Hybrid Dragon/Human
Hobbies: Swordsmanship, magic, gardening, cooking, weapons collection
Hair color: Black w/ a few streaks of gray (he likes the gray)
Eye color: Violet
Most known for: Being the Son of Annwyn, generally kicking butt wherever he goes
Favorite food: Jerky
Favorite color: Green
Overview
Personality: Young for a dragon, Dreksa is perhaps one of the few beings considered an equal to the legendary Annywn. In terms of his personality, he is actually a fairly friendly individual who always gives his opponents a chance to surrender and prefers to leave enemies alive when he can. He also comes across as a patient individual who genuinly enjoys the company of others. Behind all of this hides a slightly darker personality. Dreksa himself - as a dragon - is nigh immortal, and always lives with the knowledge that most of his friends will age and die long whereas he will not. On the other hand, Dreksa finds not having friends and companions to be a far worse thing than living with the knowledge that he's going to out live them. Also, those who inspire Dreksa's wrath rarely - if ever - get second chances. Dreksa can also be hard when he needs to be, and is fully willing to kill an opponent when they're down. All in all, Dreksa has a dark side buried beneath his calm and friendly exterior: the only surefire way to bring it forward is to threaten those he loves. Like his nephew Merlin, Dreksa tends to weigh in on the side of Beings, and can generally be found protecting them: despite this, he has a great number of Creature friends across the worlds, some of whom don't share his views. Surprisingly, Dreksa doesn't really care much for the dual legacy of his parents: aside from the fact that he wields both of his parent's swords, Dreksa doesn't make a big deal about who they are.
History: Born approximately 9500 years ago (he doesn't really count anything outside of the decades), Dreksa never knew his biological parents but fully knew who they were. At a fairly young age, he participated in a major inter-dimensional war, and emerged from that war a hero and worthy of the name Stargazer. Since then, he has become the figure known as the Wanderer, and rarely settles down anywhere for more than a few years, traveling between the worlds in search of something. Across the millennia, one of his recurring rivals has been the figure named Avalon, though he rarely - if ever - talks about why they seem to hate each other. About two-three years ago, Dreksa temporarily retired from wandering and heroics in order to raise his adoptive son, Skaira (named in honor of his father).
Quirks/Fun facts:
• Dreksa is considered by many to be one of the most powerful wizards of the modern era: part of the reason for that is that he works so hard at it.
• He is also considered one of the best sword fighters to have ever lived, having been trained by the legendary swordmaster and maker Kusanagi as a child. He also often fights with his off hand (his right hand).
• Dreksa was once an honorary member of the Knights of the Realm, and in fact temporarily commanded the entire group: despite this, he does not consider himself a Knight, as many surprised opponents have found.
• He will willingly confess to being a "dirty" fighter, resorting to "underhanded" tactics in order to win. He doesn't see anything wrong with this.
• He is the current wielder of Stigmata, a Familiar sword that was passed on to him from his father. He also wields his mother's sword, though he maintains massive collection of weapons that he can call on at a moments notice. Some of them seem to be dragon's weapons...
• Dreksa's dragon sign (the element of his body that he rarely shapeshifts) is his right hand, which tends to resemble a dragon's forearm: it is usually red as a result of him using his mother's sword.
• For some reason, Dreksa has only used his "true" appearance a few times, all back when he was a child. He has not revealed his true appearance since then.
• In addition to a vast array of normal spells and abilities and techniques, Dreksa has a handful of rare - some would say nigh-unique - abilities (even for a dragon) that he is reluctant to use.
• His son Skaira's given name was actually Sky: Dreksa decided to expand it to Skaira while still calling him Sky. Merlin seems to be sabotaging those efforts, as he has nicknamed Skaira "Drake."
Dreksa's Quote: "I'm a Stargazer."
Oi, there's so much about Dreksa that half of it isn't here. Well, any questions?
I guess tomorrow I'll post something about Angels/Demons. How does that sound?
YES! I can't decide which is better, a very cool lefty or angels and demons tomorrow... ooooh... both are so very shiny....
So Merlin's his nephew?
"The Threewordsman"? What? Did he kill everyone in a town cept one person, said three words, then went on his merry way?
Is a high dragon (even if only a hyrbid of one) killing another high dragon looked down upon... by high dragons?
Gardening. Seriously?
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 02:57:00 AM
YES! I can't decide which is better, a very cool lefty or angels and demons tomorrow... ooooh... both are so very shiny....
I can't imagine if you're excited.
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 02:57:00 AM
So Merlin's his nephew?
Yep, 300,000 some odd year old Merlin is 9,500 year-old Dreksa's nephew. It's actually loosely based off of a friend I had back in second grade who - at seven - was an aunt because her older sister had just had a kid. For a seven year old (me) used to the idea of uncles and aunts being grown-ups, it was a little mindblowing. In this case, it's because Annwyn had (a) kid(s) a while ago (several million years ago, at least, maybe a few tens of millions of years ago) one of whom had Merlin a while ago. Annwyn, meanwhile, met Skaira about forty years before she had Dreksa (Skaira was five or so) but the two officially met about twenty years later. Skaira never learned magic and was never a wizard, so he used witchcraft completely to fight. He was able to match Annwyn - briefly, anyway. So, they had Dreksa, who is about 290,000 years younger than his nephew. To be fair, they treat it like a joke really.
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 02:57:00 AM
"The Threewordsman"? What? Did he kill everyone in a town cept one person, said three words, then went on his merry way?
"Three Swords Man," well, more like "Three Swordsman" swords being plural. He used to carry three blades with him at all times in honor of his teacher Kusanagi (who had two katanas and a tsurugi, the last of which was simply called "Tsurugi" - it'd be like naming your sword "Sword") - Stigmata, his mother's sword, and an ivory-white katana. He hasn't been seen with the katana in a while, but Avalon meanwhile has been seen using an ivory-white katana on occasion, when she doesn't just use magic to kick her enemies' collective butts.
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 02:57:00 AM
Is a high dragon (even if only a hyrbid of one) killing another high dragon looked down upon... by high dragons?
More or less. Dragon society is a little more liberal than ours, but the concept of a one-on-one duel is not unheard of. So long as its done for a good reason, they won't get too angry. Besides, Dreksa's never cared for Draconis, and only visits there on occasion. If he has a house, it's a little thing in a place called Junction, but nothing on Draconis itself.
In any case, Dreksa got the name Dragonslayer for slaying a white dragon named Albion (Dragon's are not ones for original names) back when he was a teenager/young adult. He rarely uses it: he prefers to use the name/title Stargazer. He has killed a handful of dragons since then, but most of the times that he fights a High Dragon he tends to just leave them in a state where they will eventually die rather than actually killing them... it's complicated. Let's just say that I left a little information off of my High Dragon profile, and leave it at that. And that Dreksa is one of only two individuals capable of doing it, and gained the ability to do it at the price of the majority of his Dragon powers. He's still got wizardry, and regeneration capabilities, and all of the little things, he's just given up a bit. Again, it's complicated.
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 02:57:00 AM
Gardening. Seriously?
Sure. Why not? He prefers to do it without magic, actually. That's actually something I forgot to put under his profile: he is indeed one of the most powerful mages to ever live, but he's a little eccentric in real life. He gets a certain extra thrill out of doing something without magic, and is actually really handy with tools.
Any questions?
I can definitly get that "young aunt/uncle" idea.
Ooops, miss-read that one, I seriously thought it said three-words-man.
You're hiding something, you are.
<facepalm>
Yes... but only if you answer after the demons and angels thing- I want that first!- Who's Avalon?
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 03:24:35 AM
Ooops, miss-read that one, I seriously thought it said three-words-man.
Well, to be fair, I think that he could destroy a village with only three words: some kind of spell or somesuch. I do know that he once destroyed an army with only three words. Those words?
Guess what happened next?
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 03:24:35 AM
You're hiding something, you are.
<facepalm>
Ah, duuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh!
Quote from: Pagan on July 31, 2008, 03:24:35 AM
Yes... but only if you answer after the demons and angels thing- I want that first!- Who's Avalon?
I will answer about the demons and angels (and I'll be borrowing Amber's template again), but there is a caveat about me answering the question about Avalon.
I can't edit her history/personality/profile as easily as I did Dreksa's. If I post her info, you are talking spoilers the quality of if Amber out and told us exactly what Mab's plan was in DMFA. I could give some general info without giving too much away, but something like Dreksa's profile... well, it's a little much. Albeit, I wouldn't be revealing her plans, but still... her history is huge. Your call.
No thank you! Important plotsy stuff should be left for big reveals and sweeps week! I don't want a trailer to ruin the story here.
The accusation was about "killing a high dragon;" the facepalm for the gardening.
And now I'm wondering if I can incorporate this idea of "number-wordsman" somehow...
Alright, hopefully I can get this up in time for Pagan to get a nice surprise when he logs in this evening.
As promised last night/this morning, today is about Angels/Demons. To make it easier for people to ask questions, I'll just do Angels right now, and demons later tonight. And again, all credit for the Race profile template goes to Amber. I'll make my own one of these days. Also note that all Race/Species information is still being developed: please call me out on inconsistencies and ask me questions to help keep this coherent.
The Angel Race
General Traits:
• Feather-based wings (between two and four)
• Inherent light-elemental magical skills
• Heightened physical abilities/appearance
• Lifespan: upwards of 2000 years
General:
Legendary among the worlds as messengers of the gods, Angels are anything but. Nowhere near as apparently active as their Demonic cousins, Angels seem to prefer operating from the shadows. Angels seem to dislike getting their hands dirty: whereas a Demon might hunt down and destroy an enemy themselves, Angels will arrange for someone else to handle it. Despite a race-wide mentality that could almost be described as "Lawful," Angels on the whole are a devious race, a rapier-thin blade compared to the hacking broadsword that Demons could be described as.
Much like their Demonic cousins, Angels seem to have a thing for power, though it is power of the orderly type: power over something or someone. This can extend from simply being the true power behind a throne to actually manipulating belief enough to create a god and a religion to back it up. It is worth noting that at a certain level, Angels are fans of order, and would prefer some form of peaceful system: the problem is that they approach this ideal with a logical mentality, and are well aware that sometimes sacrifices must be made to work towards order (like say, a child or an army or a city or even a nation). It is also important to note that there isn't some massive Angelic conspiracy at work, since most Angels prefer working alone or in small groups. That is not to say that there aren't some conspiracies at work, they're just not run on a race-wide basis. Some Angels do ally themselves with various gods or devils (really, there's no difference between the two at a fundamental level), if only to gain some extra power for a short time.
While there have been a handful of Angelic communities and towns, there have never really been Angelic civilizations or cities: they seem to prefer living among other Beings and Creatures. Most of them - though organized in clans much like Demons or Lazerai - prefer the loner's life, and only come together for clan meetings and to start families. Most clans are little more than communication networks between related individuals, and the amount of intermarriage between clans is fairly high (to be honest, Clans among Angels are little more than formalities). There have, however, been a number of wars between the clans, though these wars have degenerated to little more than protracted arguments passed down from parent to child.
History:
Much like their Demon and Lazerai brethren, the precise history of the Angel race is unknown. However, the Angel race is approximately as old as the Demon race, and many theorize that they were "born" from the same event... though what event that is is unknown. Some theorize that the two represent the balancing forces of light and darkness in the universe, and that demons are simply the dark twins of Angels, with Angels representing Order to Demon's Chaos: this theory is a little too simplistic to explain their existence, however. All in all though, Angels seem to be more content to operate at the very fringes of history, quietly playing their games with civilization. This also includes the alteration of recorded history on occasion, which is probably why Angels doing good deeds and helping to build civilization is more well known than the wars that dangerously clever Angels have engineered expressly for the purpose of destroying a single individual. Most races that spend an extended amount of time with Angels tend to become a little paranoid about them, but to be fair it's for a good reason. Angels will, however, help you out if you happen to have something that they want. Four-winged angels, for all of their rarity, seem to be larger players, and most of them are in positions of - if not leadership - then certainly respect within the various clans.
Strengths:
Powerful light elemental magic, incredible physical abilities, and long-lifespans make Angels very dangerous opponents indeed. Much like demons, they can also harden their skin and the rest of their body to incredible levels, allowing them to actually block bladed weapons without any concern or punch through concrete. Angels are also considered exceptionally beautiful, no matter their species: the term "Greek God" seems to capture their physical appearance fairly well. Their generally logical approach to battle and all other areas of life adds to their danger. What Angelic wizards exist are also fairly powerful. The rare four-winged type of Angel also possesses a limited degree of shapeshifting, mostly limited to their basic appearance: stuff like complete alteration of physical type is beyond their inherent skills, and is mostly kept to hiding their wings. Like Demons and Lazerai, Angels can increase their power through the consumption of souls: Angels seem to rarely do it (there seems to be a taboo against it for some reason).
Weakness:
One surefire way to defeat an Angel is to infuriate them to the point that they start acting emotional: being so used to a logical mindset, once they're out of their element it's a little easier to fight them. For all of their physical and light-magic skills, Angelic wizards are actually a rare breed, due to the infighting between clans. They also tend to retreat when defeat is imminent, preferring to live to fight another day.
Important Figure:
Valen: (Age: approximately 1,500 years old; deceased). An angel who allied himself with what was believed to be a Lazerai and a council of twelve gods some 2,000 years ago, Valen was a part of a conspiracy to bring the world in question under the god's direct control... through judicious use of war and weapons of mass-destruction with a figure-head in place. Valen tended to act as a "messenger," delivering weapons and powers to the "Chosen Ones" who could serve the gods' will. He was slain in battle before the gods' final plan could be carried out, while the Lazerai in question was slain by a dragon.
Okay, Demons next. Any questions, comments, ideas?
EDIT: Yes! Got it up before Pagan logged in!
Hey, it's not my fault if lighting chooses my house to haunt for over six friggin' hours. I would have been all day otherwise.
So we basically have the typical secular angel here. You say there aren't many angels wizards, but they have natural light abilities. What are they (normally)?
Heheh, "between two and four" so is there a three winged angel somewhere flyin' in circles?
So demons tomorrow? Woot.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 03:37:09 AM
Hey, it's not my fault if lighting chooses my house to haunt for over six friggin' hours. I would have been all day otherwise.
Ouch. Wait, "lighting" or "lightning?"
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 03:37:09 AM
So we basically have the typical secular angel here. You say there aren't many angels wizards, but they have natural light abilities. What are they (normally)?
Pretty much. You really can't do much to an angel before they start coming across as the "messenger of God(s)" thing, so they basically come across as something more mortal (well, duh). The kind of idea I had was to think of the Greek/Roman heroes (the demigods and such-and-such things), and use those as the basis for what they're like. To be quite blunt, the Demons and Lazerai are far more fascinating, mainly because those two actually do things that EVERYONE gets pissed off at. Also, to be honest, I kind of loosely based my demons off of a hybridization of Western demons, Eastern demons, and Devil May Cry demons: my Angels were then drawn from this weird hybrid idea of the secular magical monsters (they basically are, after all).
Second question: Um, technically Creatures. Remember what I said about how Low Dragons, despite having remarkable magical powers, have no wizards among their population? A lot of Creatures have what I guess you could call "abilities," which are magical powers that they all have and inherit and can control with a little bit of practice/training. I guess ultimately that's what draws the line between a Being and a Creature, except that there's more to them than that (For example, Demigods in my universe have quite a few special abilities, and yet they're considered Beings... I wasn't kidding when I said that there was a lot to it). Anyway, these abilities for angels include such things as light magic, the physical powers, and flight (I tend to believe that they need to use a small amount of magic to actually fly), and these are powers that every Angel has. It's just that some of them also have the wizardry gene(s), and as such can use other types of magic too. I think the idea is that Angels (and by extension Demons) had no natural Wizards, and only gained those powers by breeding with Beings and the like...
For the record, of the top of my head, Dragons may be the only race where every single member is a wizard. I'm not sure though.
Come to think of it, I think I once described the power that a Warlock commands as being an ability too. Hm. Interesting how my mind works when I let it wander.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 03:37:09 AM
Heheh, "between two and four" so is there a three winged angel somewhere flyin' in circles?
No, but there is a one-winged angel out there somewhere.
In all seriousness, I'm just saying that Angels (and Demons) have either two wings (common) or four wings (rare). Most of the time, an Angel is born that way. I think I once had an idea that as an angel/demon entered old age, some of them would grow the second set of wings, which would grant them shapeshifting powers thus allowing them to retain a youthful appearance. This idea might still be valid: either let me think about it or give me your opinion on it. Actually, I'm just realizing that they're not mutually exclusive: both of those can be quite valid circumstances. Anyway, Lazerai, who have two sets of wings (four total) from childhood, always have shapeshifting powers, and their third set of wings that they gain between puberty and adulthood only amplifies their powers to an inordinate degree... (as will be revealed when I talk about Lazerai, they are meant to have inspired legends about the six-winged Seraphim, the highest rank of angels in Judeo-Christian mythology)
Again, this stuff is a lot less set-in stone that the worlds and magic and tech.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 03:37:09 AM
So demons tomorrow? Woot.
Woot indeed. And I think so. Barring something weird coming up.
Any more questions?
Okay, bed time for me. I have nothing to do in the morning and I don't have to leave the house until two: the alarm clock is going off and I am sleeping in. Until 8 AM.
Lightning. Static electricity stuff. Knocks out the power for half and minute and the crowe-damned cable company leaves my internet off for freaking HOURS! What in hell do I pay them for? </rant>
Ooops, bad wording again, what I meant was, "what are the angel's abilities (normally)?" So... they acess to the element of light magic without needing socerery or wizardry?
Devil May Cry, for the win, hehe. I'm starting to become really interested in these Lazeri again. They named after Lazurus, the guy who Christ rezzed in the Bible?
Hoho, trust me, I know my juedo-christian mythology. Private christian school, 6th to 12th grade. I know stuff my christian friends and church going family doesn't. I mean seri-- </rant> Sorry, that rant doesn't require completion. But I'm going to use this knowledge for all it's worth, my story's getting so many biblical allusions...
Tomorrow- er... later today, then!
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 04:41:34 AM
Ooops, bad wording again, what I meant was, "what are the angel's abilities (normally)?" So... they acess to the element of light magic without needing socerery or wizardry?
Technically it's wizardry, but to be honest it's just natural to them. A lot of these powers and stuff are as old as the races themselves, which in some cases predate magic spells and stuff like that. It's like our ability to hear or smell... kind of. They still need to practice it, but ultimately they basically can manipulate light magic at a very high level without "technically" using spells. It's confusing: it's kind of like they can do only one type of spell normally, with their bodies "canceling" other types of spells... tell you what: pretend that they're all basically warlocks who can manipulate light magic and perform any kind of light magic spell.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 04:41:34 AM
Devil May Cry, for the win, hehe. I'm starting to become really interested in these Lazeri again. They named after Lazurus, the guy who Christ rezzed in the Bible?
Lazerai. Male form Lazerin, female form Lazerus, plural/gender-neutral singular form Lazerai. While it is pronounced similar to Lazarus, the name is actually based on the first Lazerai's name, who will actually be the "Important Figure" when I get there.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 04:41:34 AM
Hoho, trust me, I know my juedo-christian mythology. Private christian school, 6th to 12th grade. I know stuff my christian friends and church going family doesn't. I mean seri-- </rant> Sorry, that rant doesn't require completion. But I'm going to use this knowledge for all it's worth, my story's getting so many biblical allusions...
Hehehe... you have no idea. My family has been members of this one church since long before I was born. There are people there (including the minister and his wife) who have known me since I was a week old. I had Christian education for K-2 (can't remember the denomination for the life of me), Lutheran 3-8, and Catholic 9-12. Minister for a cousin. My brother just got confirmed at the church a few months ago... about seven years younger than me. I always said he'd get confirmed before me. Of course, I'm never going to get confirmed... but that's not really important in the slightest. I also have the minor distinction of being named (indirectly) after the first recruited apostle, as well as having a middle name based off of a famous businessman (Wiki "Jairus"). And that's not even counting the two Witnesses in the family...
In short, I've gotten quite a bit of exposure to all of that. But I'm not going to go any further than all of that, because A) it's not important for the story and B) it's religion, and I don't talk about religion. People get offended easily.
Quote from: Pagan on August 01, 2008, 04:41:34 AM
Tomorrow- er... later today, then!
Indeed.
Quote from: Jairus on August 01, 2008, 04:55:19 AM
Technically it's wizardry, but to be honest it's just natural to them. A lot of these powers and stuff are as old as the races themselves, which in some cases predate magic spells and stuff like that. It's like our ability to hear or smell… kind of. They still need to practice it, but ultimately they basically can manipulate light magic at a very high level without "technically" using spells. It's confusing: it's kind of like they can do only one type of spell normally, with their bodies "canceling" other types of spells… tell you what: pretend that they're all basically warlocks who can manipulate light magic and perform any kind of light magic spell.
Don't let yourself get crosseyed, I think I get it. They just use light magic without having to do or be anything other than being an angel.
Okay, it was Angels last night, and now it's the demon's turn. And again, Amber's model will be used. I'll go back through and edit it all once I get my version finished. If you ever read this Amber, may you be complimented a dozen times today for coming up with such a nice, simple-to-work with template.
The Demon Race
General Traits:
• Bat-like wings (either two or four)
• Horns
• Inherent light-elemental magical skills
• Heightened physical abilities/appearance
• Limited shapeshifting (restricted to four-wings)
• Lifespan: upwards of 2000 years
General:
Cousins of the Angel race, Demons are perhaps the most famous of the various creature races, due in no small part to their... activities, if you will. Unlike Angels, Demons prefer direct confrontation and feats of power and strength and handling their problems personally, a tendency that somewhat defines their societal structure: to a demon (much like an angel), power is everything, and those who do not have power had best get out of the way lest they be trod on. They are the Chaos to the Order that angel's seem to stand for, and in fact could be summed up in one word as "Chaotic." However, despite what legends and stories and Angels say, demons are far from truly evil, and in fact many of them have a sense of honor, if a loose one.
As already mentioned, angels and demons both have a thing for power. Demons, however, feel that so long as they get it, there's really no reason to dance around the issue and head straight for what they want. Part of the reason that Angels seem to despise their cousin race so much is because demons have screwed up more long term plans than most of the other races put together, simply by rampaging through one town or city. This is part of the reason why records of so-called "noble demons" seem to disappear, while Demon rampages get blamed for a lot of things that they had only the most superficial connections to. On the other hand, demons tend not to kill their temporary allies, given how valuable they are at the moment, and also tend to let their allies go on their way once they are done with them, rather than slaying them for the fun of it.
Perhaps surprisingly, not only have demons established their own towns and cities (though most of their cities are often safe havens for beings and creatures who want to stay away from other population centers), but they also have fairly tight-knit families. While angel clans are loose-knit formalities, demon clans are vast things that try to have major family reunions every so often, while multiple semi-related clans will often team up to take out a larger threat. Moreover, a person who has gained the respect of one demon and their connected clan will often be given at least grudging respect by most other clans. To be called "friend" by a demon is nearly as rare as to be "family" by a Stargazer, and arguably just as important. Moreover, demons will often set aside personal differences and grudges to fight for something bigger... like saving a city full of innocent beings. Due to their chaotic nature, it is often hard to pin down a demon's feelings, but ultimately if you don't cross a demon they will tend to let you be.
History:
Like the angel race, the history of the demon race is fairly unknown. Both appeared at roughly the same time, and seem to be opposites of each other. Due to their chaotic nature, demons have been found on all sides of pretty much every conflict throughout history. While they have often been guilty of destructive rampages and attacks that left horrible repercussions in their wake, at the same time demons can also be found working behind the scenes of history to help things along... which has occasionally included toppling a despotic tyrant or two. In short, demons do what they will, and you had best hope that you do not get drawn against them.
Strengths:
Powerful dark magic and remarkable physical abilities make them very similar to their angelic cousins. Demons seem to take this a step further, and can actually use their magic to increase their stamina to the point that high-level demons can outfight armies. While not considered as "god-like" in appearance as their angel cousins, demons tend to physically be more powerful and have extra abilities that angels seem to lack. Most demons - similar to their angelic cousins - have a somewhat increased healing rate, though it isn't a superpower or anything like that. The demon population also has a higher percentage of wizards than the angel population, mainly because demons don't have a real taboo of breeding outside of their race or a few select species - which means that demons also have a far wider array of appearances than angels. The rare four-winged type of demon also possesses a limited degree of shapeshifting, mostly limited to their basic appearance: stuff like complete alteration of physical type is beyond their inherent skills, and is mostly kept to hiding their wings. Like angels and Lazerai, Angels can increase their power through the consumption of souls: while they don't do it as often as Lazerai, Demons do consume souls on occasion, though usually they prefer live pray.
Weaknesses:
A methodical combat strategy can do a lot against a demon, though since they tend to get both more powerful and more savvy as they age this usually only works against younger and middle-aged demons. For the older ones, you have to fight them on their footing. While demon wizards are more common than angel wizards, they are still fairly rare: also, demons tend to shun sorcery outside of simple illusion talismans to hide their wings and horns and some such. Demons also find it slightly harder to fit into more mainstream societies, and also have the whole Demon stigma thing going on. However, if you manage to match or defeat a demon in battle, you can count on not suffering any form of revenge: to prove yourself capable of defeating a demon is to be proven worthy in the eyes of most demons, and most of them will give at least a grudging form of respect. Demons - unlike angels - also seem to prefer going out in a blaze of glory.
Important Figures:
Locklsey (age: unknown, status unknown): Perhaps the definitive example of the "Noble Demon," Locksley was perhaps best known for what he didn't do: rampage, loot, devastate, and otherwise terrorize. He was a cultured and refined individual, who tended to use his abilities as an assassin, taking out the worst members of society. He also would lend his assistance to those who needed help, including - in his own words - "redistributing ill-gotten wealth." His skills in battle and training with magic had also given him a form of "sixth sense" that allowed him to analyze a battle or situation and act on it with almost precognizant speed. He was one of the Four Wing type of Demon, and thus also had some shapeshifting powers in addition to being a demon wizard. Ultimately, he was a largely neutral force. He was defeated by unknown parties and sealed inside on of the Demon-bloodline clans for the Warlock experiments. The clan's status following the inter-dimensional war is unknown, so likewise Locksley's status is also unknown.
Incidentally, a bunch of the stuff I've said about angels applies for demons as well.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Something beginning with the "C/K" sound?
Interesting. Demons have close familial ties. Nice additional contrast to angels, there.
So demons are chaotic, but they aren't exactly evil. So I guess they're just hyped up on caffine and hormones?
Demons are Chaotic, so it's more like they just like a good party, I guess. To be honest, most demons are basically Chaotic Neutral, it's just that the Chaotic Evil and Chaotic Good ones get a little more attention (kind of like how despite Demigods being really rare, they still show up a lot in stories and legends). Demons at a certain level don't fit into anything more ordered than a clan or small town, and civilization doesn't really work around them at all. It's not that they're trying to bring everything down around others, it's that demons clash really hard with order... and those clashes tend to lead to destruction.
I just want to make clear that these are generalizations. Demons and Angels tend to be raised this way, so they think in a certain way, but it's hardly programmed into them. Part of the problem is that Demons also tend to be shunned because of their history or their appearance: while many of them are certainly good-looking, the creepy wings and horns are a little freaky for some people. Really, it's a vicious cycle, unfortunately. Really, once you get past the whole "eating others" and "inclined to destroy things," most demons are actually fairly nice. Especially once you have earned either their friendship or respect: demons make friends for life. Being befriended by one member of a clan tends to draw you under that clan's protection, but you should still be careful: there are some powerful rivalries among the clans, and you still have to prove your worth. The conditions under which most demons are raised or have been treated tends to give them a mentality of "those with power are meant to be on top." If you want a demon to respect you, you have to have power of some kind, and preferably something tangible - like magic. They also rarely respect politicians, but really that's just sensible. ^_^
Incidentally, I'm just using DnD affiliation terminology to abbreviate what I'm saying: it's never used in-universe. I think everyone kind of understands what I'm trying to say.
I wish I could say more, but I'm still kind of tired. I might be able to throw Lazerai together for a post tomorrow... and then you'll start to get some weird stuff. Questions?
Yay Lazeri!
I do have one question, but it might make for a night's post, so you don't have to answer now. How do you handle a magical duel?
Quote from: Pagan on August 02, 2008, 12:32:46 AM
How do you handle a magical duel?
Get as far away as you can.
...
Okay, seriousness time.
This might take a little thinking, so this will actually be a while of me thinking this out and typing it.
Duels between mages are not two old men waving wands and saying funny words at each other (actually, I don't think any mage uses a wand past their first few years of training in the magic arts: no real usage outside of training halls). Suffice to say, it's complicated. There are basically three magical combat types: Warriors, Mystics, and Guardians. Warriors specialize in using magic to amplify their abilities and fight directly with it, Mystics prefer to use magic in a more traditional long-range support style, and Guardians specialize in fighting as a group and reinforcing themselves and their allies. Now, these are just generalizations to make it easier to design a mage's fighting style. The mentioned Dreksa is technically a Warrior (though he's powerful enough that it doesn't matter), Cid was actually more of a Mystic than anything, while Nick himself has acted as a guardian the few times he's tagged along with Corey. Anyway, the classifications don't really matter.
A duel between mages is a big thing. You are talking about two individuals capable of shaping and altering reality and the world through magic, who have been training in the magic arts since childhood, and generally have mastered at least one weapon and form of physical combat, and are also capable of enhancing their own abilities to nigh-superhuman or even supernatural levels. Now set them against each other. Some magical duels have destroyed whole cities. Duels are big things, and most mages tend to avoid a full-blown one whenever they can. If you could somehow combine a shounen anime fight with a Jedi duel and a giant robot battle, you could get something pretty close to what a duel between masters looks like. Duels tend to be two sides only, no seconds or anything like that. And they're scary. Most of the spells being flung around are of the evocation type and are meant to kill: there's very little disarming at work here, and even then it's just so that it's easier to kill them. I've got a duel in mind (that unfortunately takes place about three years after the story I'm telling on Terra) that basically turns an abandoned modern city into a crater. There were two people fighting. And technically neither "won."
I will point out that duels are few and far between. A duel is basically a no-holds-barred fight between two entities with the winner living and the loser dying (you do not want to see a duel between two High Dragons. Ho boy.). Battles are far more common, and that's basically what it sounds like. Just a normal fight between two magic-wielding entities. These tend to be more like RPG group battles, to be honest.
And yes, weapons are a staple. And I don't mean little things like wands and magic rings. Swords, staves, guns, spears, lances, weaponized armor... if you can somehow enhance it with magic and wield it, someone will use it in magic (books and cards too: that's more like sorcery, honestly). And martial arts helps (not necessarily witchcraft). Dreksa is considered one of the best swordsman of the age. Cid was (and still is) an amazing shot with his guns.
Okay, questions? And please, if anyone reads this stuff, do ask any questions you happen to think of. I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
Quote from: Jairus on August 02, 2008, 01:46:11 AM
If you could somehow combine a shounen anime fight with a Jedi duel and a giant robot battle, you could get something pretty close to what a duel between masters looks like.
Wouldn't that just create a setting where emo mecha pilots sit around discussing their brilliant new attack centered around a giant lightsaber for 20 episodes while epic music plays in the background?
On a more serious note, would Conservation of Ninjutsu come into effect here? In other words, would the two mages using so much power in one spot limit their ability to continue to use power?
Quote from: Jairus on August 02, 2008, 01:46:11 AM
Okay, questions? And please, if anyone reads this stuff, do ask any questions you happen to think of. I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
And what am I? No-one? Gee, thanks.
Just fooling, I know you want more than one wall to bounce things off.
Ya know, I think that's the first time I've heard someone describe their wizarding duels as such. But yours has to be the funnest so far. I tend to be a fan of rampant destruction, rebuilding fees be damned.
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on August 02, 2008, 02:02:52 AM
Quote from: Jairus on August 02, 2008, 01:46:11 AM
If you could somehow combine a shounen anime fight with a Jedi duel and a giant robot battle, you could get something pretty close to what a duel between masters looks like.
Wouldn't that just create a setting where emo mecha pilots sit around discussing their brilliant new attack centered around a giant lightsaber for 20 episodes while epic music plays in the background?
"Emo mecha pilots." Well, sure, some pilots may angst (a lot) about the killing and the fighting, but in what anime could you sum up a mecha pilot as "emo?" Sheesh, whatever world that guy's in charge of protecting is just screwed.
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on August 02, 2008, 02:02:52 AM
On a more serious note, would Conservation of Ninjutsu come into effect here? In other words, would the two mages using so much power in one spot limit their ability to continue to use power?
Ooh, good question. Yes, but it's so minor as to be almost impossible to notice. Most duels rarely last longer than five-ten minutes or so, mainly because extensive use of magic is physically tiring. Young mages can actually exhaust themselves after using only a few spells because they're not used to it. Besides which, at the point that mages are doing stuff like this, they've gotten so good at what they're doing that it just comes easily to them. So, yes, but it really doesn't matter.
In a more meta-fictional answer, no, because then the fights would be less interesting. The point where mages resort to pure physical combat is the point where they have reached their limits for the time being.
Quote from: Pagan on August 02, 2008, 02:07:14 AM
Quote from: Jairus on August 02, 2008, 01:46:11 AM
Okay, questions? And please, if anyone reads this stuff, do ask any questions you happen to think of. I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
And what am I? No-one? Gee, thanks.
Just fooling, I know you want more than one wall to bounce things off.
Pretty much. Nah, just kidding.
I know, and exactly, and thanks for understanding. Plus, I really want to get what a wide variety of people think, to see if I should keep developing this idea (let's just say I have some ideas for events that take place about ten years after all of this stuff on Terra happens, none of which actually happens on Terra...)
Quote from: Pagan on August 02, 2008, 02:07:14 AM
Ya know, I think that's the first time I've heard someone describe their wizarding duels as such. But yours has to be the funnest so far. I tend to be a fan of rampant destruction, rebuilding fees be damned.
What can I say? It's more fun that way.
Plus, magic is actually fairly healthy for you, so an eighty year old mage is still really fit, which is why I can get away with old mages still kicking much butt and taking many names. Um, I think I'm getting a little incoherent at this point... might be time for bed.
Okay, next set of questions... GO!
Lazerai. Youngest of the three Andela races (Okay, I just made that up from ANgel, DEmon, and LAzerai, so it's not canon or anything, but I need a way to refer to the three of them), yet perhaps the most powerful/interesting. Credit for the template goes to Amber. Also note that a few things in here kinda contradict some of my older ideas: I've finally got this stuff down on paper, so now I've changed how a few pieces fit together.
The Lazerai Race
General Traits:
• Three pairs of wings (two pairs on the back, remaining pair's location varies)
• Inherent light and dark elemental magical abilities
• Clan crest somewhere on body
• Heightened physical abilities/appearance
• High-level Shapeshifting powers
• Lifespan: upwards of 5000 years
General:
With an even more mysterious past than their Angel and Demon cousins, the six-winged Lazerai are often believe to somehow represent the pinnacle of both races... or at the very least the offspring of them. Truth be told, no one quite knows the origins of the Lazerai race, but whatever the case they do seem to have abilities of both of their cousins, including magical abilities that encompass both light and darkness. Perhaps the most unique feature of the race is their six magical wings. Four of them are always on their back, while the smaller two manifest at another location on the body, and appear when a Lazerai grows into adulthood. There are stories told of Lazerai with a fourth set of wings for a total of eight, but if they do exist they are very good at hiding...
The single greatest difference between Lazerai and their cousins is their extra set of wings, which bears some explaining. Lazerai are born with four sets of wings, and from a young age can actually be mistaken for four-winged angels. Somewhere between puberty and mid-twenties, Lazerai manifest their third set of wings. Exactly what purpose the third set serves is unknown: while the larger main wings are suitable for flying and the smaller secondary wings are usually used as a form of stabilizer, the third set of wings is much smaller. The manifestation point is also different: while the two main sets always appear on the back, the third set tends to appear in a different place. Shoulders, head, ankles, hips, and arms seem to be the main points, and children manifest their third wings in a similar location to their parent's: there is no correlation between a Lazerai's power and where their wings manifest. The appearance of the third set of wings also marks the point that a Lazerai's natural shapeshifting powers are awakened, and are believed to have inspired the tales about the six-winged angelic Seraphim that "hides its face" with two of its wings: as it is, the wings are the easiest part for a Lazerai to shapeshift, which they usually use to hide their wings or alter their appearance or even shift their wings into simple weapons and/or tentacle-like extrusions.
In a similar fashion to their four-winged cousins, Lazerai are slightly thaumovoric (magic-eating), and in fact once they reach a certain level of power they can live simply by naturally converting magic into whatever their body needs (which incidentally gives them stamina similar to that of a demon's), though most Lazerai still eat and drink and sleep when they want to. Of course, like their cousins, Lazerai can consume souls to increase their power and abilities... a trait that they actually seem to exercise slightly more often than their demonic cousins. Speaking of power, Lazerai seem to have the same obsession with it that their cousins carry: however, they prefer to exercise it in different ways, preferring a more subtle form of power. In the case of Lazerai, their obsessions can be explained away because the means by which they gain power also increases their own abilities. Lazerai can also use their empathic abilities to enhance their absorption of energy by channeling other's emotions, a trick that is so common and widespread that most Lazerai think that they can only absorb energy in this fashion.
While Lazerai are often at the very least at rivalries with other clans, within their clans they are fairly tight knit... and for a very good reason: each clan member carries somewhere on them a clan crest that ties them to their family. Acting in much the same way of a High Dragon's clan name (for example, "Ydraigoch") the crest marks them as a part of a specific clan, and acts very much as a sort of magical brand or tattoo: unlike the tertiary wings, the crest appears in a random location on the body. In addition to helping tie the clans together (the crests can be used in a form of magical communication), they are also the only part of a Lazerai's body that cannot be altered by shapeshifting. Exactly why this is is unknown, but since the crest only appears after Lazerai start using magic, it is theorized to be tied into their magical abilities. Interestingly, analysis of the mark indicates that it is somewhat similar to a Warlock's trait, the physical sign that indicates that the individual in question is a Warlock, though if this is merely a coincidence or an indication of something bigger is unknown. While no known illusion/shapeshifting spell of any power can alter the crest (short of ripping off the body part that the crest appears on, which could be bad if it's on your chest, for example), some enterprising Lazerai have discovered that a magitech shapeshifting gadget called SCIN can actually conceal the clan crest...
History:
Much like angels and demons, the origins of the Lazerai race are unknown. However, it is generally accepted that the Lazerai only really made their appearance after the Angel and Demon races had been well-established. Regardless of their history, Lazerai are far less well-known than their cousins, due mainly to the fact that they can more easily hide themselves. At a fairly recent point in the history of the Lazerai race, they were engaged in brutal conflict between the clans, though this has retreated to the level of a cold war between them. Lazerai also do not get along with their cousin races, though the precise reasons for this rivalry are forgotten by all three of them.
Strengths:
It's tempting to just write "See entry on Angels and Demons," but there's a bit more to it than that. In addition to light and dark magical abilities, Lazerai obviously have the power of shapeshifting to use as a psychological weapon or simply as a disguise. Lazerai also have a high proportion of wizards to normal, a proportion that is also significantly higher than angels and demons put together. In addition to their empathic abilities, Lazerai also have powerful telepathic abilities, though these are a lot harder to use than their empathic ones. Their wings are the easiest to shapeshift, and can be used as a form of extra prehensile limb... or several prehensile limbs, should the need arise.Given their understanding of emotions and thoughts, it's generally hard to tell what a Lazerai is genuinely thinking or feeling. Add to this similar physical and soul-consuming abilities as their cousins, and you have a very dangerous opponent indeed.
Weaknesses:
The biggest weakness, though this is a tricky one to exploit correctly, is that no matter what appearance a Lazerai takes, it's clan marking will still remain, making it possible to see through their disguises. It is possible to turn their telepathic and empathic abilities against them, and a lot of Lazerai get so used to using these powers that they have difficulty fighting an opponent with mental defenses of some kind. Younger Lazerai are also slightly more vulnerable to physical damage than their cousins.
Important Figures:
Azra'eil the Strife (age: unknown, deceased): If not the first Lazerai, he was certainly one of them. Azra'eil was one of the only known eight-winged Lazerai (for the record, his third set manifested on his hips and his fourth on his shoulders), and was thus one of the most powerful Lazerai in existence. His clan marking was in the shape of a red ouroboros on his left hand. He is perhaps the one most responsible for the current idea of Lazerai essentially being cruel jerks, given that he was one himself. Through his life, he created a number of magical artifacts, including the cursed mystical armor that would one day be referred to as the Armor of Strife. He was defeated by a dragon whose name has either been lost or hidden from history, which also slightly jump-started the rivalry that most High Dragons and Lazerai hold for one another. Though he is long dead (at least 250,000 years or so), there is a legend passed back and forth among some Lazerai that his descendants are still alive, and will one day unite the warring clans into a single Lazerai race...
Okay, now I'm tired. Questions?
I don't know, Andela works pretty fine.
I've always kinda wondered about this for cubi and it goes for Lazeri as well, does the clan mark glow when casting spells?
So I'm guessing that the second pair of wings kinda sprout right below the first, could the third pair pop at the small of the back then?
Quote from: Pagan on August 03, 2008, 12:56:42 AM
I don't know, Andela works pretty fine.
The problem with reading it is that in my mind I want it to sound like "Andelé!" or however it's spelled. But, as a placeholder name for the three of them, it work's fine. It's better than HED, certainly (Human, Elf, Dwarf).
Incidentally, if I actually used Andela as a name for the three races, it would also end up being the name of the place where the Angel and Demon race were born. I've always kind of held the suspicion that the Lazerai race came later for some reason...
Quote from: Pagan on August 03, 2008, 12:56:42 AM
I've always kinda wondered about this for cubi and it goes for Lazeri as well, does the clan mark glow when casting spells?
Ah, good question! No, it doesn't. It really is just like a tattoo or brand, nothing really special about it except it's permanency.
Incidentally, there is a trick to hiding the crest: it's a powerful sealing spell that basically locks away pretty much all of a Lazerai's special powers and renders them normal (well, they keep their magic, but that's it) and locked in a de-Lazerai'd version of whatever form they were just in, complete with all weaknesses. Of course, you can see the disadvantage to using such a spell, especially since all that you're trying to do is hide what is basically a tattoo and in exchange you're giving up EVERYTHING. Not worth it... unless, for example, you want to keep someone in the dark about their true nature and seal their powers before they're even born...
It's also possible that any Lazerai who has a child in this state would have an offspring that is Lazerai but in the exact same circumstances: their powers and true form sealed, unaware of their own nature until the spell is lifted from them. It's entirely possible that there could be a whole family of Lazerai unaware of their true power, living and dying normal lives somewhere out there... but to be honest I don't think the trick would last longer than a generation. It's just too risky, to be frank.
Quote from: Pagan on August 03, 2008, 12:56:42 AM
So I'm guessing that the second pair of wings kinda sprout right below the first, could the third pair pop at the small of the back then?
Possibly. The thing is, all four-wings have the main wings up top and then the sub-wings below that. I was only half-joking about the flight stabilizer: they can actually work a little bit like that. As for the third set of wings, they could come out of the back, but I don't know of many characters who have done that. So, for a list of possible locations for the third (and possibly fourth) wings to manifest: upper back, hips, ankles, forearms, shoulders, head, with minor variations between them. Besides, don't you think six wings on the back would be a little excessive?
Besides, they really aren't much to look at (the third wings): imagine Cubi headwings, and you've got a good idea about their size.
As a side note, the sealing trick would work for Angels and Demons too, though it wasn't designed for them. As for the spell itself, I'd imagine that you would need some kind of external pendant that - if destroyed - would immediately lift the spell on all members under it's effect. Otherwise, you'd have to lift the spell one member at a time.
Also, now might be a good time to talk about something called Ascension...
Basically, the Ascension Ritual (it's a misnomer, really it is) transforms whoever it's performed on into one of the three Andelan races, depending on how it's performed. It is not a very well known ritual, for a number of reasons. It is high-level magic, it is dangerous, it is difficult to perform, it is probably one of the most painful things imaginable, the resulting entity lacks the lifetime-worth of experience that a natural member would already have (making them a danger to not only themselves but everyone around them if they lose control of themselves), and those that undergo (or have it done on them...) the ritual typically do it for somewhat nasty reasons. All in all, it just isn't common. Oh, and there's a possibility that whoever you use it on will end up dead. Or worse.
PS: What, you didn't find it interesting that Nick has accidentally discovered how to do something that various Lazerai researchers have spent tens of thousands of years trying to discover to do, and failed at doing?
Great! Keep them questions coming! I'm actually thinking about posting some information about the Stargazers for my next big post. Don't forget to comment or query me: I'll answer to the best of my ability.
EDIT: Woot! 101 posts! I should never use that phrase ever again!
102 posts, actually. 101 replies to your original post.
... 103 and 102, now.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 03, 2008, 08:29:51 AM
102 posts, actually. 101 replies to your original post.
... 103 and 102, now.
Well, maybe I should have said 101 replies instead of 101 posts.
Really, Boxy, no questions of your own?
Um, tonight is either the Divine Race and theurgists, or some information about the Stargazers. Which one do you guys want?
Quote from: Jairus on August 03, 2008, 11:34:45 AM
Really, Boxy, no questions of your own?
Mostly I've been scanning, not reading. I've had a few too much work things to deal with to spend lots of time reading this; I might get to it later, but at the moment, I'm just scanning as a mod, and checking for people getting upset.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 03, 2008, 02:00:32 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 03, 2008, 11:34:45 AM
Really, Boxy, no questions of your own?
Mostly I've been scanning, not reading. I've had a few too much work things to deal with to spend lots of time reading this; I might get to it later, but at the moment, I'm just scanning as a mod, and checking for people getting upset.
Ah, okay. Out of curiosity, what do you think in general so far? And if you're worried about people getting upset, should I hold off a little on the Divine Race (aka... the gods), or should that be okay?
Oh!
Sorry, didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I monitor here, just like I monitor every other thread in the forum. Nothing specific about this thread is causing me any trouble at all, so go right ahead.
And, as I said, I've been scanning, not reading. So I couldn't say anything specific about it.
Okay, cool!
Um, my next post should have some actual information. Hopefully.
Okay, I'm about to head back to my apartment, so I might as well leave something for my two or three readers to look at. The Divine Race will be my post for tonight, so instead I decided to talk a little bit about the Stargazers. Or, if I don't get to the Divine race tonight, then I've got this up. It's a win-win situation. YAY!
What are the Stargazers? To be honest, it's basically a giant inter-dimensional family who aren't related to each other where only a handful of the members even know that other members exist. There's a lot of mysteries surrounding the Stargazers, most of which will never be answered.
The name Stargazer itself is strange. Different members treat it differently. On some worlds, Stargazer is more of a title handed down from one person to another. On others, it's treated like a family name where children of Stargazer's use it as a surname. On yet others, it's a role that people step into and play out. And on yet other worlds, it's just a nickname that certain people acquire. The many uses for the name are almost as varied as those who have carried it. However, no matter how you gain the name, whether you're born with it or are given it in some way, you are a Stargazer, regardless of species or race or even if you're related to another on. End discussion. To my knowledge, there has never been a "former" or "ex" Stargazer, though it might be possible.
The Stargazers have no organization. This should be obvious, since most of them are unaware of the existence of other Stargazers. On the few occasions they do get together, they are an organization of equals, none more important than the other. Despite what some people think, Dreksa is not their leader, though he has on occasion taken a sort of a "first among equals" position. Incidentally, if a group of Stargazers (and group meaning more than one) is standing against you, you are in trouble. Big trouble.
The Stargazers draw their members from every conceivable race and species, and then some. Elves, humans, dwarves, Undead, angels, vampires, lazerai, demons, incubi/sucubi, Low Dragons, anthros, Umbra, ghosts... about the only races who have not been represented in the Stargazers are non-sentient beasts, the Divine Race and the High Dragons themselves... though Dreksa Ydraigoch changed that last one. Moreover, magical ability is not a prerequisite: some members of the Stargazers have never even heard of the existence of magic, and yet are no less members for it. Combat abilities are not necessary either: one Stargazer was nothing more than a simple navigator, who gained his nickname because he was so good at navigating by using his world's constellations. Their skills are just as varied as their backgrounds and races.
However, despite all that makes them different, there are a few weird things about the Stargazers that they all share. For one thing, they seem to be tied to destiny a little differently than other people. Stargazers tend to somehow get involved in important things or interact with something that one day may become important. Just as an example, a Stargazer might decide to visit a particular world and be in a particular city on a particular day that allows them to get involved in a resistance force that is currently against a massive despotic empire but in short order will be fighting against something much bigger. A Stargazer might be in the right place and time to adopt an orphaned child who is the child of people from two different worlds. A Stargazer might randomly meet someone that they've been trying to find for years and be able to give that person a vital piece of information that they need. Coincidences more unlikely have also shown up, although it is always the sort of being in the right place and encountering the right people, so it's more the power of forming the right connections at the right time and place: for example, a rock never falls at precisely the right moment to knock a Stargazer's enemy out. Most people who follow the Stargazers note that for all that they are tied to destiny, they seem to also act independently of it. Perhaps what is strangest about the name is that there is no inherent magic tied to it (there are names and words that have magic linked to it), and yet people just seem to fall into the name, if you will.
There are three other things that tie Stargazers together. Most Stargazers, upon meeting for the first time, immediately have a level of camaraderie approaching that of life-long friends, or at the very least act as if they've known each other for years: one side effect of this is that any wandering Stargazer (like, say, Dreksa) immediately has an ally that they can count on. The second thing is the motto: most Stargazer's seem to live by the saying that "There is nothing that a Stargazer cannot do," or some variation of it. The third thing is that most of them seem to live by an oath similar to the one that was once used by the Knights of the Realm: "the strength to protect the innocent, the wisdom to uphold justice, and the courage to stand against evil," though some Stargazers add a little extra to the line at the end, depending on their experiences. In a way, it explains what side Stargazers take on wars and fighting: they protect those who cannot protect themselves, and can basically be counted on to fight evil. Albeit, it does nothing to explain exactly how they can show up in the right place to fight it, but most Stargazers either don't notice it or don't think it important enough to care: as Dreksa points out, destiny is important, but people are more important.
As to the history of the Stargazers... well, no one knows for certain. Each world has it's own Stargazers of some form or another, most - if not all - of whom have in some way been a part of history. Their origins are unique to their worlds. Few worlds have more than a handful and it's very rare to find more than one or two together, though it is noteworthy that about 9,500 years ago there was a massive gathering of about twenty or thirty Stargazers. Also, most Stargazers seem content to live the quiet life until the world needs them for something or another thing. Interestingly, there are some stories that suggest that the first magic-wielder might have been named Stargazer, which might explain their deep ties to the forces of magic and destiny...
Okay, that's some stuff about the Stargazers. Tonight, we dine with gods!
Okay, tonight's post is... the GODS!!! I've kinda-sorta-vaguely-not-really edited Amber's template to kind of fit the way things go for me. It's still hers, though.
The Divine RaceGeneral Facts:
• Intense magical abilities
• Varied appearances/powers/etc.
• Lifespan: technically immortal; see strengths/weaknesses
Overview:
Manifestations of wild magic and belief, members of the Divine race (gods and devils are both Divine, but I'll just call them gods for now) are among the most powerful magical entities in existence, surpassed only by a handful of other beings including the Faerie race. Born from eddies in wild magic and shaped by belief, gods are everything that they are believed to be... literally.
Now, as a part of my efforts to save time, here's part of the post I gave on page 3 about how gods are "born" and shaped.
Quote from: meGods and Faeries are basically a part of wild magic in much the same way that leaves and the trunk respectively are a part of a tree. They grow from the root of their power, and are a part of it, and might even be the part that everyone sees, but there's so much more going on behind the scenes.
Okay, have you ever seen a little vortex of air when you're just out walking? It looks a bit like a minor tornado, and it's created by winds hitting in weird ways or being accidentally redirected by cars and stuff. Anyway, not important. Imagine instead that that little vortex of wind, it's a vortex of wild magic. Now imagine that that vortex might fade away to almost nothingness, but it can never truly go away. And that every time it blows past someone, it becomes a little stronger and is shaped by their belief in it. Okay, that's basically what a god is. It's a little nexus of wild magic shaped by belief into something more powerful. So every god that has ever been believe in exists to one degree or another (yes, even the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Pink Unicorn: while wild magic can be controlled through a sort of logic, it's really more like quasi-logic than anything), and is more or less how people imagine them.
So, the short answer is, gods are no better than the beings that created them. In fact, only a handful of the most powerful gods cab even migrate between different worlds and thus truly be older than the civilization that believes in them. Each god basically has the normal powers: super strength, immense magical power, immortality, the ability to bestow power upon their believers. Most gods are aware of what they are to one degree or another, and so while their believers are duking it out down on the mortal planes most gods actually have a somewhat friendly rivalry. Gods also need the continued faith of their believers, even if it's just one person who truly believes in them, to cling onto their "life." And yes, they're powerful, but there's also a certain lack of control to that power in that they can only use it as their origins see fit, if that kind of makes sense. Some gods are extremely powerful and have power rivaling Faeries, but considering that Faeries can do more to a god than a god can do to a Faerie, most gods don't try.
To sum up, the origins, powers, abilities, and backgrounds of the various gods is as diverse as the worlds that gave birth to them.
Strengths:
Immense magical abilities, physical power, and nigh-immortality are part of the reason why gods can claim the authority that they have. Because of their origins, any god has nearly unlimited control over whatever fits them: a fire god controls fire, an earth goddess can control earth, and a water devil can control water, etc etc etc. Also, due to their varied origins, their weakness and strengths also tend to be different, so one strategy does not necessarily work on all gods. If someone actually succeeds in "killing" a god, the amount of belief surrounding them will actually revive their "soul" from death, and so long as a god has even one believer it can hang on to life. Gods can also lend some of their power to people who belief in them (think "prophet"). In addition, provided belief is strong enough, almost anyone can "become" a god: some gods are in fact the magically transformed souls of people who died heroically in battle or some other circumstance.
Weaknesses:
In addition to the weaknesses that people believe that they have (i.e. a trickster god who cannot resist a riddle), gods also have a few other weaknesses among them. Gods - like Faeries - cannot use Black magic, so anyone using black magic against a god has an extra weapon against them. If a god has no more believers left, it gradually fades away until it almost doesn't exist anymore. Since gods are shaped by belief, if how people interpret them changes then they are altered as well. A god that is killed is revived is only the god that it is supposed to be, and has none of the memories or experiences from its previous incarnation. Also, gods are weakened by belief, or rather someone else's belief: a Holy weapon (Holy is a term for focused faith) is capable of injuring or even "killing" a god (consider that to Dreksa, his sword Stigmata represents his belief in himself, his family, his friends, and his magic, and it's no surprise that most gods don't really try to cross his path). Most gods are also tied to their world, since belief in them does not exist on other worlds.
History:
About the only element of history that the Gods have in common is that they do not predate the existence of sentient life on their worlds, with the exceptions of a handful of truly disturbingly powerful gods with power roughly equal to the Faerie race that can travel between worlds. Most gods tend to have somewhat friendly rivalries between gods of foreign belief systems.
Key Figure:
Python the Trickster (age: unknown) is one of the oldest and most powerful gods, mainly because he was very good at becoming that. His exact powers and origins are hard to pin down, but what is known is that he has six bodies that allow him to be in six places at once, each of which could be considered an element of the trickster archetype... if it was that easy to define exactly what he is. His power is enough that he can travel between the worlds, and tends to use his powers to cause surreal and just plain insane situations wherever he goes... not unlike a Faerie, in fact. He is not as vain as other gods, and most of his humor is all in good fun: he takes great pains to ensure that no one is hurt by his antics. In desperate circumstances, he has been known to bring all six of his incarnations together into one body, allowing him to use reality-altering power greater than most Faeries...
Okay, questions? Comments? Concerns? Ideas of what to do next?
And I kind of apologize for the lack of organized info on the Stargazers: no one in their universe really knows much about them, so it's kind of hard to pin them down. Any questions about them?
The Stargazers sound quite interesting. I noticed that the big gathering happened around the same time of Dreska's birth, any significance?
A question about divines, you said as faith in them wanes, they'll fade away and die eventually, so- just as an examble- would the old greek or egpytian gods been really strong in the old times, but pretty much gone nowadays?
So an object of strong belief can possibly wound a god? Could you maybe explain that a bit more.
Quote from: Pagan on August 04, 2008, 02:55:30 AM
The Stargazers sound quite interesting. I noticed that the big gathering happened around the same time of Dreska's birth, any significance?
It's just a generalization of dates, actually (mainly because I don't want to say that it happened on an exact date... that's a little cliché, in my opinion). The weird date is so that these mysterious events didn't happen exactly 10,000 years before: if that did happen, someone would think that all of the weird shit about to go down was a result of some ancient seal that could only last 10 millennia, instead of a bunch of different happenings happening at the same time and building up on one another. Basically, it's me subverting the fantasy time scale.
As for the closeness to Dreksa's birth... he was about twenty or so at the gathering. So Dreksa's birth actually happened just before the big hoopla in the past... and no he wasn't the result of some ancient prophecy or some such.
Quote from: Pagan on August 04, 2008, 02:55:30 AM
A question about divines, you said as faith in them wanes, they'll fade away and die eventually, so- just as an examble- would the old greek or egpytian gods been really strong in the old times, but pretty much gone nowadays?
I'd imagine that they're still around, but severely weakened. And yes, they would have been pretty powerful, especially considering that you had a fairly large civilization believing in them for quite some time. Plus, you have to remember that the countries and nations that believed in them (and looters as well) have temples and monuments and statues devoted to the memory of those gods, all of which give gods additional anchors to existence. However, I imagine that at this point they'd be so weak that if you were to kill them off, their revived form would be little more than an echo on the magical wind, which is about as close as you can get to killing a god. At this point, there's really no way that they can ever come back.
Quote from: Pagan on August 04, 2008, 02:55:30 AM
So an object of strong belief can possibly wound a god? Could you maybe explain that a bit more.
Okay, I'll try to explain this (it's only happened a few times in history, and it's a little weird). Let us imagine that you had a charismatic leader who riled up the population and became this larger than life figure. And then this leader is killed, let's say by the government they were opposed to. But the belief in this larger than life figure lives on, and over time more and more stories are told about this individual, and gradually they build on each other until the individual in question is resurrected as a god. It's a really long and slow process (centuries at the lest), and it rarely works out perfectly. Honestly, it'd be easier to start from scratch to make a new god.
As for Holy weapons, they're basically forged from belief. Certain amounts of belief can imbue some fairly impressive abilities into a weapon, aside from the obvious creation of a holy weapon. It's this focused belief transformed into a weapon that disrupts the belief that holds a god's body together. Incidentally, if Nick were to ever engage a god in a battle, Cal could serve as his holy weapon, since it exemplifies best the three things he most believes in. One, the sorcerer's stone built into it symbolizes his belief in magic and it's controllability and it's power. Two, Cal's body symbolizes his belief in science and logic. Three, it symbolizes his connection and belief in his friends: that sorcerer's stone was a gift to Nick from his first and best friend Corey. Those three things combined together means that Nick actually has a fairly potent Holy weapon on his hand (well, wrist).
Much like how belief can create some weird affects, it can also create some interesting Holy artifacts. Just as an example (and I'm not calling on this from an idea that's bouncing around in my head,
nooooooo), let us pretend that about 1,500 years ago a Welsh warlord named Artur wielded a well-made sword called Caledfwlch. This sword might be made from a fallen meteorite, but aside from that it's nothing special. Now add 1,500 years of myths, legends, fairytales, cartoons, books, stories... and suddenly you have King Arthur of England and his magical sword Excalibur that can cut through anything. That massive amount of belief will have imbued the legendary abilities of Excalibur into Caledfwlch, and anyone wielding the original Caldefwlch who knows what it is can call on the supernatural sharpness of the legendary Excalibur. As an even better example (also not drawn from an idea that's bouncing around in my head), a simple clay cup that a simple carpenter drank from 2,000 years ago doesn't matter much in the scheme of things. But add in that that simple carpenter is believed to have been the Son of God, and the fact that the cup also supposedly caught his holy blood, and centuries of beliefs (regardless of whether or not they're backed up by history or even the mythology of the religion that this figure is attached to) focused on a simple little cup, and suddenly you've got the Holy Grail, an artifact that can prolong the life of and heal anyone who drinks from it. Whether or not he was the son of God doesn't matter: what matters is that people believe that the cup he drank from has power because of it. That is the power of belief: a single artifact that can focus all of this belief is a very potent weapon indeed, which is why such legendary weapons and artifacts are so powerful in the hands of the right (or wrong) wielders...
Um, any questions? And I hope I didn't offend anyone, they're just examples.
Well, now that I've got the basics of the universe down and a little bit of race info out, I feel it's about time to start posting some biographies about the main characters. All of these are current up the where the story starts, and are based on what the characters know and believe about themselves - so of course, some things have been censored.
For my first player, Cornelius. The character template is a modified version of Amber's, so credit basically goes to her again.
Name: Cornelius Ran Sorato
Nicknames:Cor, Corey, the Gale Sword, "Creep!!!"
Age: 26
Family: Mother (Wilhelmina), Father (Gerik), Sister (Francine)
Marital Status: Single
Species: Hybrid Human (nothing else really: his four wings are just one of the occasional side effects of having an adventurer for a parent)
Type: Wizard, technically (see Trivia)
Hair color: Red
Eye color: Sea Green
Skills: Swordsmanship, martial arts, able to pull a weapon out from nowhere when he needs it
Hobbies: Adventuring, partying, carousing, showing-off, making a fool of himself
Favorite Weapon(s): Wolkenschneider (custom greatsword)
Most known for: Looking for adventure big and small... at any excuse
Favorite food: Steak medium-rare, booze
Favorite color: Rust red/brown
Overview
Personality: If first impressions are important, then Cor always gives the impression of a shallow show-off flirt. An attention whore, he enjoys being at the center of the spectacle, and seems to attract all kinds of attention. Beneath it all, however, is a man who firmly believes in justice and protecting others, and will leave at the drop of a hat to save the day with no expectation of reward (he gets attention, and to be honest that's all that he wants). He has in the past gone to extreme measures to help people that he perceives as needing help (in fact, this is how he and Nick met). He is also usually the one who throws himself in-between danger and his friends, though fortunately he can absorb a lot of damage. Below all of that, however, he is an emotional young man who deeply relies on his friends to keep him sane... or at least balanced, and he strives to keep this hidden.
History: The son of Wilhelmina and Gerik Ran Sorato, Cor has had an interest in being a warrior and adventurer like his dad since he was a little boy. Despite his four wings, he is not an angel: in fact he doesn't really give a second thought to them most of the time. He doesn't talk about his past much (mainly because his friends all know it), though it is known that both of his parents are currently missing, though he and his sister occasionally get cards from their mom. Though he has a tendency of making friends (and enemies) wherever he goes, his closest friends are Ariel, Tarn, and Nick (which he met at five, six and fourteen respectively). Cor retired from heroing a few months ago, and currently he is living at the Cralatav Inn with his older sister Francine.
Trivia:
• Despite being a wizard, he hasn't used magic since he was five or so. He doesn't talk about it. Despite not liking to use his natural gifts, he is not above using enchanted objects.
• Cor's collection of melee weapons is truly impressive, and he has trained in each one of them. Each one of them has a story behind it that he is quite willing to tell... if his sister lets him.
• The great kilt that he wears as a part of his normal outfit was a gift from his friend Tarn. The garment is enchanted to protect against magic, offers some physical protection, is designed to fit around his wings, and can actually wrap and tie itself around him when he's in a hurry. The outfit's usefulness is enough that he doesn't care that it - combined with his long red hair tied back in a ponytail - makes him look a bit like a woman. When he goes on adventures, he also adds a few pieces of armor - including a helmet (on his first adventure, he quickly learned that you need head protection). All of the armor was custom crafted by his friend Nick for him.
• Likewise, Wolkenschneider was a gift from Nick. Due to the complexities of wielding Wolkenschneider, Cor is one of the only people who can wield it safely - a hint that he may be smarter than he lets on.
• Despite not using the power often, Cor is capable of flying with his wings. In fact, he is substantially more skilled than most winged beings/creatures of equivalent age, and is capable of hovering or flying backwards with his wings. On occasion, this has turned into a nasty surprise for an enemy of his.
• While he was at the academy, he had a crush on Nick's older sister Artemis, a fourth year when Cor was just started. He was very excited to get a chance to meet her in person when he and Nick became friends.
• On a minor side note, Cor is slightly jealous of Nick that Nick was younger than him when he lost his virginity... though out of respect for Nick's wishes he doesn't talk about it.
• When nervous, his wings tend to retreat closer to his body... a trick that allows him to make a very quick assisted jump away, faster than if he had opened them instead. Though it doesn't allow him to fly, it does give him room to do so.
Personal Quote: "Ooh, shiny..."
Okay, questions?
Call this an early prototype, a quick short story. This isn't done, and I'm just posting a few paragraphs to get some feedback before I move forward. This is meant to be a little story about Elian, back during his adventurer days before he lost his eye.
"Undead Temple"
There is a certain stillness that only an abandoned building has. On the one hand, you have the knowledge that at one point in the past, this temple or castle or tomb or city was a thriving and bustling area, with workers and citizens and soldiers and all of the other little cogs that made the whole machine work milling about doing their jobs with their own concerns and needs. On the other hand, you have the knowledge that you are standing in the middle of a gradually decaying space, where the only living human to set foot in the building in a thousand years was you, and you were surrounded by what might have once been cultivated gardens but were now jungles, and the guards who had protected this place in life were now protecting it in death. It was a horrible and beautiful dichotomy that reminded whoever so much as experienced it that all of life was temporary and even the greatest of accomplishments today would one day be forgotten and buried.
Elian Cidney loved it. Well, except for the Undead soldiers, that is. Like the one that was right now running – well, shambling – at him brandishing a sword half-eaten by rust...
The revolver rang out once, putting a magic-charged bullet through the head of the zombified guard. The skull shattered, the spell trapping the guard's soul collapsed, and the half-armored skeleton crumbled to the ground. A brief gust of what felt like wind blew past, and the pile was still. The young (well, twenty-three years old) elf lowered his gun and gave the bones a quick look.
"Sorry. I wish I could have done more." He continued moving deeper into the temple.
To be fair, the use of undead soldiers was a brilliant time-saver on the part of whoever built this temple. Sometimes the cinemas got it right: some temple-building idiots had in fact built deadly traps, needing complicated movements to avoid them, and with horrible consequences for the ones who did not get it right. It may have kept out some thieves, but it also led to a higher turnover for priests, and you did not really have a backup plan for if someone actually got through and out. Instead, these designers had hit on the brilliant idea of "killing" a handful of their guards and using powerful dark sealing spells to trap their souls in their bodies, creating an immortal army of undead guards who would protect the temple from invaders until they had been destroyed while letting the right people past. And considering that all signs indicated that the civilization had collapsed about two millennia ago and the soldiers were still going, the priests had done some good work. What could possibly go wrong?
Considering that the phrase "living hell" fairly accurately described what these souls had been experiencing since their creation, a quick fairly-painless final death from a bullet was the nicest thing he could offer them.
Okay, I'll see where it goes from here. Please, I am begging you, tear into it, tell me what I'm doing wrong so that I can work on it.
Okay, time to introduce a first for my thread: a Faerie. This, incidentally, shall serve as a little warmup to introduce a profile for the Faerie race sometime this week.
May I introduce Ariel Shakespeare (it'll make sense). The character template is still a modified version of Amber's, so credit basically goes to her. Again.
Name: Ariel Shakespeare
Nicknames: Airy, Airhead, Music Mistress
Age: Unknown
Family: Old Boyfriend (William Shakespeare), remainder unknown
Marital Status: Single and Insane
Species: Faerie
Type: Faerie
Hair color: Sea green (she changed it after she met Cor)
Eye color: Pink
Skills: Faerie magic (really, do I need to explain any more?), the "Dancing River"
Hobbies: Being cheerful!
Favorite Weapon(s): Faerie magic, but more commonly she uses a big honkin' mace or a bladed polearm of some kind.
Most known for: Causing spontaneous crowd songs at a moment's notice
Favorite food: Raisins
Favorite color: Rainbows!! um, tie-dye (she had to be talked down from "penguin")
Overview
Personality: Light, bubbly, and as airy as her name, Ariel is the kind of person who always has a smile on her face and a song in her heart – unless she gets angry, in which case you should probably run (but then again, this is true of all Faerie). As a Faerie, things just seem to work out and come out easy for her, meaning that those who observe her can watch her seemingly dance between one event and the next. Despite appearing to be childish and simple, she is more than willing to become much more serious in the face of danger - though whether one or the other is an act or she is genuinely crazy is untestable. She was also Cor's part time partner for the years that he spent adventuring, and can still be counted to join him on his semi-retirements from retirement. Through it all, she is a kind and loving figure who truly wants her friends and those she cares about to be happy. She also likes musicals. A lot (more on this in the trivia section).
History: Ariel's history is relatively unknown. She has known Cor since he was about five or so, and she has dropped hints that she is fairly young for a Faerie, but aside from that she doesn't really talk about her past. Cor seems to know more about it, including that a few centuries ago she dated an up-and-coming playwright named William Shakespeare in another universe all-together. Ariel liked his name so much that she "borrowed" it from him (she also introduced a trouble-maker named Puck to "Billy"). It is known that she hails from the Faerie Kingdom, however. Aside from that, it seems that her friends are currently the most important thing in her life. She also somewhere in her past learned a martial art called the "Dancing River," which she tried to teach to Nick but ended up running into a brick wall – literally.
Trivia:
• When Ariel does magic, she seems to prefer wind and weather magic - though she can of course do almost any form of magic imaginable. When she gets angry, she seems to pull out a lot of fire...
• Ariel is actually a fairly good cook... when she follows the recipes. Otherwise, she tends to... experiment (complete with somewhat weird ingredients). And those experiments can have some... interesting results. On one occasion, she accidentally summoned an interdimensional demon through a bowl of "chicken" "noodle" "soup" that she had made for Nick when he had a cold: he had to pull out an unfinished Skipper Mark III to defeat it. Another time, she baked an "apple" "rhubarb" "pie" while at the Cralatav Inn: Francine ended up borrowing her recipe and it's still one of her best sellers six years later. On another occasion, she baked "peanut" "butter" "cookies:" Nick still has nightmares three years afterwards that leave him needing to change his bedding. Her coffee can send people into temporary paralysis or give them the equivalent of the world's greatest drug trip. All in all, it's best to come prepared whenever she cooks. Nick also seems to catch the short end of the stick when it comes to her cooking, though he doesn't really begrudge her for it.
• Ariel's love of musicals is so great that sometimes she can't help but break out into song... complete with the nearby crowds joining along and an invisible musical accompaniment backing them all up. Most people in Crater Lake are so used to it that they just go along with it.
• She also enjoys dancing, and will sometimes use her dances to manipulate her magic - and to fight (see the "Dancing River" style).
• A part of the park next door to the Cralatav Inn has been turned into a Faerie Glen to serve as her home, inaccessible to anyone without her permission... or people who wander in by accident... or someone who has a pressing need to be there... or by random chance. Really, like all Faerie magic, it's a little eccentric.
• Don't get her angry. Just... don't. Her cute little Faerie antenna start to glow with a magical fire, her wings multiply until she looks like some kind of avenging angel, her voice seems to emerge from every surface around her, and the earth shakes and the wings blow and waves crash against the coast and lightning strikes the nearby trees and random discharges of magical energy leap across empty space... and then she gets mean.
Personal Quote: "Hugs for everyone!" *followed by Nick screaming and trying to get away before she grabs and hugs him first*
Hm, what should I do next? Should I add a little more to the "Undead Temple?" Or come up with some more Race profiles? Hm...
Um, anyway. Okay, questions? And please, make comments and ask questions, even a quick one for something that you didn't get. It weakens my fragile self-esteem when you don't. And yes, I'm shamelessly trying to guilt you into at least saying something.
Okay, I'm currently working on a drawing of Nick so that I can do some costume work, but in the meantime here's a rotten ol' BBC program! another profile, this time for Francine Ran Sorato. Incidentally, I just remembered where I heard Sorato from when I made it up: it's the term for the shipping of Tai and Sora from Digimon Adventures/02. Hm, funny my my brain works sometimes.
The character template is still a modified version of Amber's, so credit basically goes to her. Again. For the fourth fifth... you know what, I'll just say that credit basically goes to her and leave it at that.
EDIT: Okay, revised version is now up. And this is why I love the internet sometimes: you can fix problems when they come up. Oy. I need Franny to knock some sense into my head.
Name: Francine Ran Sorato
Nicknames: Franny, Fran, "Run!"
Age: 29
Family: Mother (Alicia), Father (Gerik), Step-mother (Wilhelmina), Brother (Cornelius)
Marital Status: Single
Species: Human
Type: None
Hair color: Auburn (reddish-brown)
Eye color: Brown
Skills: Boxing, War hammer wielding, witchcraft, butt-kicking, extreme rage, and inn-keeping
Hobbies: Inn-keeping, hammering, cooking, brewing, sketching, boxing
Favorite Weapon(s): Massebrecher gauntlet set/war hammer
Most known for: Taking over the Cralatav Inn from her dad and stepmom.
Favorite food: BLT
Favorite color: Yellow
Overview
Personality: Franny's personality seems to defy definition. On the one hand, most people who meet her get to see her "angry face," a side-effect of her having to deal with some aggravation or another - usually linked to either her brother or one of his/her/their friends. On the other hand, as one of the oldest of the group of Crater Lake friends, she tends to look out for them and act as a touch base between all of them, as well as helping to smooth out the arguments that occasionally come up (her generally level head and affection for her friends helps keep her neutral in their arguments). It's arguable that the various antics of her friends and her customers are what drove her to develop her "angry face," and that her confrontational attitude is just a side-effect of her trying to keep everything from spiraling out of control. She is one of those rare individuals who is both in possession of a quick temper and in complete control of it, allowing her to turn it on and off at will: this, combined with a lifetime of practice with both her mom's war hammer and her own specialized weapon boxing skills, makes her a dangerous opponent, though she has rarely - if ever - joined one of her friend's expeditions. One notable thing about her is that she rarely needs to actually hit anyone: merely pulling out Massebrecher in it's exceptionally frightening Hammer mode is enough to quell arguments. If one thing is true, she is a deep and loyal friend who - though critical of the various insane antics that go on around her - would probably find life to be dull without them.
History: Though she addresses Wilhelmina as her mom, Franny's mom was in fact Alicia, a Guard captain several years ago. Gerik married Wilhelmina when Franny was about two, so Willy's been the only mom Franny ever knew: contrary to popular myth, the two step-family members get along wonderfully, and still send one another postcards. Her little brother Cornelius was born about a year later. As they grew up, Franny gradually became a very sensible young woman who could be counted on to keep her head in a tight situation - and to lose it when it was necessary to do so. Franny took over the Cralatav Inn after both of her parents went traveling, and has been running it for the last nine years. She and her brother currently live at the Inn.
Trivia:
• Francine's mom died during a flu epidemic when she was only a few months old. Franny herself almost didn't make it.
• Alicia wielded a large war hammer when she was younger and when she protected the city alongside her husband. Franny continued using it once she took over the inn from her parents. While Alicia could pull her hammer out whenever she needed it (with no adequate explanation of where it had been before), Franny never quite got the hang of it, and could only summon it when she was calm and at peace - in other words, she could only call on it outside of battle. This hammer was destroyed during a Wyrm attack some years ago, and was then replaced by Massebrecher.
• Massebrecher ("mass crusher") was built for her by Nicodemus to replace her mother's destroyed war hammer. It actually was designed to accommodate for both of her fighting styles (boxing and hammering), and as such has two modes that she uses normally: Impact mode (a pair of large waldo-like gauntlets) and Hammer mode (do I need to explain this?). There is a third mode called "Crusher mode," however it has never been used outside of testing. Massebreche stores most of its parts in an interdimensional pocket that Nick designed for it, and also repairs itself outside of battle. It could be considered a Proto Familiar, and is magitek driven since Nick's normal technology can't do all of the things it needs to do.
• She actually didn't like using her hammer originally, and studied boxing and kickboxing when she was younger, which explains why Nick designed Massebrecher as he did.
• Despite knowing a great deal about magic and having some power of her own (which is necessary to power Massebrecher), Franny never studied sorcery or wizardry, and does not use magic outside of enchanted objects. She does, however, use witchcraft...
• In addition to her sketching, Franny sometimes writes poetry... though universal consensus is that she isn't very good. She has acknowledged this, but still enjoys writing sometimes.
• She and Nicodemus tend to be the only voices of reason in a given situation, though Nick's tendency to panic when he gets overwhelmed means that even he relies on Franny to help him keep his head straight.
• Part of the reason that Nick and Franny get along so well is because Nick is one of the only people who always pays his tab on time. The two of them tend to swap "Corey Control" duties to whoever would be most effective at knocking him down a peg.
• Much like Nicodemus and Cornelius and a handful of the other characters, Franny is loosely based on two older character ideas of mine, one a battle princess and the other a big sister figure. (Nick and Cor are not based on the battle princess and the big sister. Get your minds out of the gutter.)
Personal Quote: "Who and what do I get to break?"
...
Oy, it's fixed now. That's part of the problem when these ideas are up in your head dancing around for years on end: they build and build until you realize that they're completely different from when you started. The oldest idea for Francine was an insecure young woman who was a bit of a jerk because it was that was the only way she could get people to back down. But still, it's been about five years since I came up with her earliest incarnation. To be fair, her younger brother wasn't as big of a hothead as Cor is, so she kind of had to change to balance him out.
Hm, I should make up another tech page, shouldn't I? Massebrecher, the Switchkey, Nick's Multidriver... I should talk about them at some point too. Actually, maybe I should post some information on the Faerie race...
Okay, questions? Ideas for what to talk about next? Hm, maybe I should mention some of the backstory of the Cralatav Inn.
Also, I'm still working on it and it's really rough, but this (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Roughbodyfornickdrawing.jpg?t=1218077439) will probably end up becoming a drawing of Nick in the not-too-distant future. Hopefully, with a little practice, I can do a few more and all of you can start to get an idea what these characters all look like.
Ah, the Faerie. Perhaps the strangest of the various races. Prepare to dive into folklore that for once is basically spot on. Credit for the profile template goes to Amber.
The Faerie RaceGeneral Traits:
• Wings (generally insect- or butterfly-like... really, whatever they want)
• Some form of head decoration (antennae, halo, floating gem, crown)
• Incredibly varied appearances
• Powerful magic
• Lifespan:
potentially unlimited, in
practice millions of years
General:
Arguably the most powerful wielders of magic to ever live, the Faerie are practically the incarnation of magic in a physical form, and might very well be that. Of all of the various races, magic comes easiest to the Faerie, with all of it's power and instability, which leads to most of them being somewhat... shall we say "schizophrenic?" They are practically immortal, and indeed can only die when they choose to, which makes fighting them a little hard.
Despite their age, Faerie are good at keeping secrets - for millions of years, if necessary. Most of them dwell in a parasite universe that they call the Kingdom but that everyone adds "Faerie" to the beginning to clarify. They are "ruled" by the Oberon and/or the Titania, essentially the king and queen of all fairies, though most Faerie just do what they want and treat the roles as little more than a game. A very long and complicated game, but a game nonetheless.
Incidentally, the appearance of the Faerie race is as varied as magic itself. Some are tall and beautiful, others are short and squat. Some are the size of buildings, while others could dance on the palm of an Elf. All of them have wings of some form that vary in number depending on how they feel and all of them have some form of head decoration. Since their appearance depends on their whimsy and will, it is fairly easy to tell a Faerie's mood, and therefore easy to tell when to start running. Faerie tend to treat life as a game, and the rules are something that they make up and/or change as they go along. They are also somewhat... unbalanced, mentally, and can have slightly terrifying mood swings. One moment, they can be sweetly offering cookies and milk, the next moment throwing down terrible curses on all involved. They have no sides in any conflict, except for the ones they choose. Interestingly, one thing all Faerie seem to hold to is a code of honor: once they make a promise or set themselves to something, they will accomplish it, no matter how long it takes. This extends to not only promises not to use certain powers, but also vendettas on their part against certain individuals. On the other hand, they also have fairly short attention spans, but they do have long memories.
Faerie could be considered wild magic, and somehow are born from it. I will provide a quote from an earlier post to help explain what Faerie are...
Quote from: meGods and Faeries are basically a part of wild magic in much the same way that leaves and the trunk respectively are a part of a tree. They grow from the root of their power, and are a part of it, and might even be the part that everyone sees, but there's so much more going on behind the scenes.
...*snip*...
Okay, so what are Faeries then? Faeries are natural-born cyclones of wild magic, the trunk of the tree: so intimately tied to wild magic that they are often mistaken for it. They are powerhouses of magical energy, and can practically rewrite reality with a snap of their fingers. They don't rely on belief since they are practically a side-effect of mortals and magic existing in the same place (I've always imagined that Faeries were born from the subconscious desires of mortals for the universe to make sense, but truth be told Faeries are among the oldest races in existence, so that probably doesn't explain it). Their primary weakness in the magic department is that they really can't perform spells, and can only shape wild magic to suit their will. So, basically each Faerie's version of magic is different. Sucks to be whoever's fighting them
In short, Faerie are practically made of and from magic, and share a handful of similarities with gods (including the immortality and the bizarre soul). Faerie can be born in two ways: either two (or more) Faerie can come together to essentially "jumpstart" a new Faerie, or in the process of "dying" an old Faerie will create a new locus of energy and give birth to a new Faerie. There is no limit to the number of Faerie that can exist, though they do try to keep the numbers steady. Besides, when you are going to live to be tens of millions of years old, you have plenty of time to get a family started. Faerie can also breed with other races, resulting in an offspring known as a Changeling.
History:
The exact history of the Faerie race is unknown. They are potentially one of the oldest races in existence, and might very well be as old as magic itself - or even possibly predate it. Their immense magic seems to pop up in the weirdest of places (including everlasting springs, floating islands, eternal flames, and the deep-fried twinkie), all of which seems to imply that Faerie seem to do things just because they want to. The very trickster-like mentality of the Faerie race means that they are capable of playing games that seem a little cruel to those outside of the race. Interestingly, there are no currently living Faerie who remember a time when the Dragon race was not around...
Strengths:
If it's magic, the Faerie have power over it. They can strengthen or weaken wild magic, neutralize spells (though Modern magic is a little more difficult for them to handle), and since the only way for them to die is for them to decide to do so, they are basically immortal. They can effortlessly cast the most powerful of magic, and can even bring the dead back to life with little effort (they don't, but they can).
Weaknesses:
What weaknesses Faerie have come in two categories: the kinds they give themselves, and the kinds they all have. The first kind is so unpredictable that you might as well plan for them not existing. As for the second kind...
All Faerie share a weakness to so-called "cold iron," meaning non-magical iron or steel (they're particularly weak to steal because of it's refined and purified state). Considering that cold iron is considered one of the only ways to kill a being that can only die when it chooses to, it is perhaps best not to dwell too long on this. In fact, Cold Tech generally is harder for Faerie to affect, though that's a bit like saying that it's harder to rip four sheets of paper in half than it is to rip three sheets of paper in half. Faerie cannot perform Black magic, meaning that a Black Mage has access to a magical weapon that a Faerie cannot use. There is also a spell designed to kill a Faerie (really, it'll basically kill anything else too, but it was meant to kill Faerie) that they cannot dispell, but it isn't well known. Incidentally, the cold iron trick and the magic spell that can be used to kill Faerie prevents them from using their energy to start a new Faerie life, meaning that it is a very permanent form of death (incidentally, a dead Faerie cannot be resurrected through magic: their souls are a little different than normal souls and are more akin to a god's soul). There may be alternate ways of killing Faerie, but no one has discovered them yet. In short, there are ways of killing a Faerie, but you're better off not getting into a fight with one anyway.
Important Figures:
Puck (Age unknown): One of the most famous of all Faeries, Puck is perhaps responsible for the birth of more trickster gods than any other being, and in fact maintains a healthy friendship with Python. There is no end to his tricks (incidentally, A Midsummer Night's Dream was based on one of his antics), and about the only positive thing that can be said is that his tricks are always in good fun and never cause permanent harm. His jokes are minor inconveniences at best, and major inconveniences at worst. Ultimately, he is practically the incarnation of chaos and poor taste (he might have had a hand in the invention of the whoopie cushion).
Okay, now I'm tired. Questions?
Do you pause for breath?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 07, 2008, 04:01:23 PM
Do you pause for breath?
It actually takes me a while to finish writing stuff like this up because I'm checking the rest of the forum at the same time and responding to other threads. The more people are responding to stuff like the Ban Game, the longer it takes to write.
Okay, this isn't a major post or anything. It's just a quick announcement that due to unforeseen circumstances, I will basically be away from the internet until late sunday evening. Long story short: for some reason none of the internet connections are working at my parent's house, so no postings here. I ll make it up to my two/three readers by writing something new every night and then posting them sunday. So, yes, Boxy, that means you are free of me for about two and a half days. Aren't you a lucky little box?
Nuts. It's no fun taunting you when you're not here. :-(
Well, I'm back... for the next twenty minutes until the Library closes, anyway. Okay, so now I'm going to post something I wrote last night...
Originally written on Friday, August 8th
Okay, so this would have been today's post, but since I don't have access right now I'm just gonna write it as if I was posting it normally... I think I have a problem, if you'll let me digress for a crossed-out moment...
You have no idea how bored I am right now. Given that I don't feel like plugging in my PS3 and I don't really watch much TV anymore (there's not much that's good on anymore), I've been watching my new Freakazoid DVDs and listening to some of my music that I haven't heard in a while (I had practically forgotten that I had Memory from Cats): ordinarily, I'd at least be looking up something on the TV Tropes Wiki or posting in the Ban Game. And I bet Boxy is having the time of his life without having to make sure I'm not driving people crazy. Aiyaiyai, I think I may be addicted to the Internet... or at least to the Clockwork Mansion Forums. Is there a twelve step program I can join? Internetics Anonymous or something like that?
... oh, it felt could to say all of that. Anyway...
Okay, tonight's topic is the Wyrm Species and the sub-races of the Saurians, Wyvern, and Low Dragons.
Wyrms
Wyrms, in general, could be considered any warm-blooded lizard-like species. Their size ranges from only a few feet long to large enough to dwarf most other animals. Most of them are fairly intelligent. Offspring hatch from eggs, and most of them have family groups that they travel in or are at least affiliated with. Their sheer diversity makes it a little hard to pin them down, however. Their populations are also varied across worlds: some worlds only knew Saurians a long time ago, while others are practically ruled by Low Dragons, and yet others see a mix of the three. Please note that any similarities across worlds represent parallel evolution caused in part by the quasi-morphic field of the multiverse. Most Wyrms are little more than Beasts, though Creature Low Dragons are more common than Beast Low Dragons (more on this later). I think that they're still related closely enough to breed, or at least Saurians and Wyverns can still breed and Wyverns and Low Dragons can still breed (closer evolutionary pathways (like how humans are more closely related to chimps than they are to gorillas)).
Saurians
The most common subspecies of Wyrms, the name Saurian should hint at what they are: dinosaurs. Really, do I need to go any deeper?
Okay, fine. Essentially, a Saurian is a non-magical Wyrm that relies completely on natural physical abilities. Proto-avians tend to be lumped into the Saurian grouping, though this is variable. Most of them have some fairly impressive physical abilities, such as massive size or horns or claws or razor sharp teeth or incredibly speed. Incidentally, a few species have witchcraft-like abilities that some early witches may have learned to copy. They're tough to deal with, but normal weaponry can take them down with a little effort. On worlds without high-tech, magically-enhanced weapons and magic period are recommended to take them down. Most of them have certain loose "territories" that they stick to, and herbivores tend to have migration patterns while carnivores either hand out in families if they're small or are a little more sparse if they're big. They only attack when their territory is invaded in some way, or if they feel that something is a threat to them: cities and towns tend to be the ones with problems, while traveling groups also need to worry. Their breeding patterns also vary, but saurians mating for life is not unheard of. Saurians tend to be the first species of Wyrm to evolve on a world, unless something gets really screwed up.
Pterosaurs and Ichthyosaurs and their ilk are cold-blooded lizards, and are not Saurians.
Due to their relatively high-intelligence compared to most beasts, Saurians have proven capable of being tamed, and can work as mounts or steeds or farm animals with a little work. Some worlds use them completely in place of the horses and steer of other worlds: after all, there's not much more terrifying than a large Deinonychosaur in full armor with gleaming teeth and metal-sheathed claws rushing you with a saber-wielding armored knight on its back, though these tend to be specially bred for that purpose. Some people also keep them as pets, though it's advisable to go for the smaller omnivores or herbivores rather than the carnivores, even if they have been domesticated.
Though sapient Saurians are rare, those that exist are considered Beings. I don't know if Saurians can use magic outside of sorcery. Actually, now that I think about it, that sounds about right. There might be some wizard sapient Saurians, but probably not.
Wyvern
A general classification for a wyvern would be a Saurian that naturally can use some form of magical abilities. This might be a flame breath attack, or magically enhanced scales, or even the ability to fly. The flying variety seems to be the most common due to its advantages over its ground-bound relatives. Here, as with Saurians, the shapes and designs are incredibly varied, and it is here we start getting the more fantastical shapes. Aside from proto-avians, this is also where we start to see flying wyrms (after all, how easily can something the size of a building fly without some form of magic?). These are the guys where you really have to start breaking out the magical weapons - or at least the heavy firepower (can you say heat-seeking missile versus flame-breathing flying lizard?). They are formidable opponents, and battles over territory are very impressive... from a distance, anyway. Much like Saurians, they tend to have their own territories and roaming areas, with herbivores also following migration patterns (yes, herbivorous wyvern do indeed exist: they just tend not to make as much noise as the carnivores). To my knowledge, the most famous wyvern - the flying kind - do not have any members with six limbs: most only have their forelimbs as magic-enhanced wings with their back legs for walking. Wyvern are also dangerous beasts, and due to their slightly more erratic patterns compared to saurians, tend to cause more of a problem to towns and cities (well, an even bigger problem if you include their magical abilities). Wyvern are the more common type of "fantasy dragon," and show up on more magical worlds: they are believed to be the descendants of saurians raised in areas of high-magical energy. They tend to coexist fairly well with saurians, or at least as well as competitors for the same resources can. Part of the reason they haven't wiped out saurians yet is because Wyvern tend to have fewer offspring in a clutch, giving them a numbers disadvantage. Besides, one you get to close-range combat, and saurians - who rely completely on their physical abilities - have a major advantage over a race that is more used to using magic to attack.
As for the whole domestication/taming thing... eurgh. These guys tend to be nightmares to tame, and to my knowledge only a handful of civilizations have actually domesticated a breed of Wyvern. Part of the problem is that they are every bit as stubborn as saurians, combined with fairly impressive magical abilities. They are extremely dangerous, and should only be approached by those with experience... or the suicidal. A tamed flying wyvern is the desire of many societies that deal with them, and those who have such a mount are typically regarded with great respect. As for the possibility of using them for farm work... hahaha, get serious.
Though sapient Wyvern are rare, those that exist are considered Creatures. I don't think there are any Wyvern wizards, but I'm not certain. Go with any Wyvern mages being sorcerers, that just simplifies things.
Nick's mecha-wyvern is of the winged forelimb type.
Incidentally, I know that I'm talking about sapient saurians and wyverns, but they're about as rare as a sapient non-anthropomorphic dog. And yes, anthropomorphic animals (I use the general term Anthri, and most of them are Beings) exist in my multiverse, just not on Terra. They're legends on Terra to the point that a real-life anthropomorphic vixen leaves Nick slightly freaked out, while no-one believes the story told by a certain wandering mage that he actually met an anthropomorphic cat-boy. Basically, on Terra anthropomorphic animals exist only in cartoons, and not in real life. Sorry to all of my furry readers out there, if I have any. I'm not quite certain, to be honest. I know that I have a boxy reader (well, more like a "skimmer" or "lurker," but it's the thought that counts), but if anyone wants to confirm or deny... um, back on topic now. Hehe.
Low Dragons
The distinction between Wyvern and Low Dragon is a tricky one (as is the difference between a Low Dragon and a High Dragon). A good method of measurement is the one that everyone else uses: sapience. Unfortunately, the existence of sapient wyvern (and the occasional appearance of a non-sapient vein of Low Dragons) complicates this definition, so we need to add to this a bit. Perhaps an even better definition would be the ability to use actual magic, but most Low Dragons are to be blunt terrible at it: sorcery is the vein of the day. (In a more meta-sense, the difference between a Wyvern and a Low Dragon is what I say it is.) Appearance-wise, Low Dragons are basically divided into western and eastern types, if that helps. In essence, Low Dragons (also known as Common Dragons) are the cliché fantasy dragon. All of them can fly, all of them have some form of breath or magic attack, all of them have some really impressive magical defenses... they're a nightmare to kill. Magical weaponry is needed to battle them, unless you happen to have the aforementioned ground-to-air heat-seeking missiles or some kind of aerial combat vehicle armed with air-to-air weaponry. Incidentally, the reason that most Low Dragons are sapient is because it proved to be a vital evolutionary aid: in essence, the sapient ones bumper their non-sapient cousins off.
As for domestication... yeah right. Impossible. End of story. If a Low Dragon lets you ride them, it is because they allow it, not because you want to. You might have a few worlds where Low Dragons and Beings teamed up in a sort of dragon-rider thing, but the only thing a Low Dragon gains is someone on their back who can use real magic. They are loaded down with pride and egos bigger than they are, and they tend not to back down from fights. Low Dragons seem content to live in family groups or tribes, and have never really made any form of government. They also have a bit of a problem fitting into more normal society, in no small part due to their size and tendency to accidentally step on things... or people.
As for the difference between Low and High Dragons... High Dragons are all wizards, all gifted with shapeshifting and powerful magical abilities above and beyond Low Dragons, are practically immortal, can actually be killed and automatically be resurrected unless they... um, whoo, I almost gave away something with that last bit. Anyway, there's a few differences.
Okay, that looks like that's what I want to say... holy crud, it's like three and a third pages on my computer. Oh well. Hm, maybe for tomorrow's topic I'll talk about summoning magic, or enchanted objects, or maybe I'll have no idea and figure it out two minutes before I sit down to type it. That last one sounds good.
End Flashback
Okay, cool. That was last night's post, and tomorrow I'll post tonight's and that night's post. Lucky all of you...
Now, how do I change the tag?
Quote from: Jairus on August 09, 2008, 07:36:03 PM
Now, how do I change the tag?
Which tag? The one on the thread? Edit the first post.
Yeah, I took care of it. Sheesh, another long one today.
Originally written on Saturday, August 9thSame drill as "yesterday." This is being written Saturday afternoon/evening, and will hopefully be posted tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, while I can write and post the real Sunday entry in the evening when I get back to my apartment.
Well, for "tonight," I was going to do a little short story involving a young woman who accidentally performs a dimension traveling spell and gets stuck on Terra and needs Nicks help her reverse-engineer the spell to figure out how to adapt it to work on Terra and then get her home, but since that's actually a part of Nick's past, I decided not to go into it. That, and aside from a few little segments I wasn't sure how I could do it. It was going to start...
Quote from: meIt was supposed to be a dark and stormy night, but a miscast weather spell by a novice wizard earlier had left it clear and cloudless instead.
... but oh well.
Instead, I've decided to do a profile for my world's resident techno wizard and mad scientist, Nick. I figured that enough of his crap has been mentioned, I might as well talk about him for a bit. The profile template is still a modified version of Amber Williams.
Name: Nicodemus Justinian Cidney
nicknames: Nick, Nicky, Nick-Nick, Ninny, Nickles (Tarn's nickname for him), Nibbles
(another one from Tarn)
Age: 22
Family: Father (Elian Cidney)[Elf], Mother (Justine Price Cidney)[Human], older sisters (Katrina, Rosa, Margaret, Carol, Artemis, Cynthia)[Human], uncles/aunts/cousins/grandparents (lots of them, and they never show up in the story. Lucky for him.)
Marital Status: Single
Species: Hybrid Elf/Human Being
Type: Sorcerer
Hair color: Dirty blond/brown
Eye color: Blue/gray
Skills: Inventing, low-level sorcery, low-level witchcraft, high understanding of magic
Hobbies: Inventing, building, reading, research
Favorite Weapon(s): Cal/Caliburn; Omnidriver
Most known for: Being one of the foremost inventors on all of Terra. And wearing scarves.
Favorite food: Grilled cheese sandwiches.
Favorite color: Blue/Gray
OverviewPersonality: Nick is practically the polar opposite of his best friend Cornelius. Whereas Cor is brash and in-your-face, Nick is shy and quiet, preferring to let his friends take center stage while he hides in the wings. The only times he comes out of his shell are when he is in the presence of those he feels comfortable with or when a particular subject has absorbed his attention. He can often be found hiding behind his friends (literally!) during situations that make him uncomfortable. On the other hand, this genius inventor truly cares for the friends that he has and is loyal to all of them. Inventing and gadgets are one of the things that interest him, and can often absorb all of his attention for days on end: his friends sometimes check up on him to make sure that he's still alive. To be fair, his sister's tend to suffer from this a bit as well. He also has a bit of an obsession with being recognized for his own inventions and accomplishments, and not for being related to his eight extremely successful and famous immediate family members: this also extends to his desire to not be seen as "cute." Besides his tendency of getting wrapped up in his latest project, he also tends to hide his feelings and insecurities behind his nerdy scientist act, and Cor has found that one way to encourage Nick to be more open and honest is to take his glasses off. He also likes scarves. A lot. That last bit might not be a fault.
History: Nick comes from a fairly large and well-meaning family that includes his six older Hybrid sisters all of whom take after their Human mother while he takes after their Elven father (I think I talked about Hybrid genetics at some point... crud, I might not have *adds it to the list of future topics*). All of them are - and were - successful in their chosen careers (all of which were either difficult or dangerous or highly technical), meaning that from a young age he's always somewhat measured himself against his family. On the other hand, he also had to deal with not only being the youngest of seven siblings, but also the only boy among them, especially a boy who for about half of his life has been smaller than most everyone he knows. All of this added up to a number of confidence issues that plague him to this day, and also means that he's only kept a few really close friends over his life. It was shortly after making his first real friend (Cor) that he started to apply some real attention to his hobby of tinkering with various gadgets and devices, which he managed to turn into a full-blown inventing career shortly after leaving the Academy: most of his friends are fairly confident that he is extremely wealthy by this point.
Trivia: (Just a warning: there's a bit of it)
• Only Nick's friends and family call him "Nicky." Everyone else calls him Nicodemus or Nick.
• Nick and his "company" N-Tech specialize in non-magical and magitek gadgets, all of which are designed to be used by anyone, regardless of magical ability. No gadget is more expressive of this mentality than the SCINs (already discussed).
• Nicky prefers to dress in blues and grays and blacks (kind of like me). The scarves that he wears, on the other hand, are much more colorful and tend to have repeating patterns of some kind. (Incidentally, I don't wear scarves)
• Nicky tends to tinker with and enhance his friend's weaponry, although he always gets their permission or is asked to do so by his friends first.
• Nicky's "thinking glasses" (Cor's term for them) are actually unneeded, since his eyesight is nearly perfect. They mostly exist so that he can put them on when he wants to look smart and take them off when he wants to say something dramatic. Cor talking him into doing both of those things. They do have a number of modifications, however, so they do count as gadgets.
• While Nick's understanding of magic is impressive, his problem is that he can't collect magical energy very well. What little witchcraft he knows is also more focused on defensive and healing abilities, rather than attacking.
• Nicky is a skeptic, and tends not to trust in prophecies or wild magic or stuff of that nature. This includes gods.
• He replaced his Multidriver with a gadget he calls an Omnidriver about four years ago.
• Cor is one of the only people who knows that Nicky lost his virginity when he was seventeen. To his chagrin, Nicky doesn't remember any of the event in question, in no small part thanks to the fact that he was drunk at the time. Coincidentally, this is also where he learned that he was not very good at holding his alcohol.
• When Nicky gets nervous, he tends to play with the end of his scarf. When he's really nervous, he'll also scratch the back of his head. Incidentally, how he wears the scarf is a good indication of his mental status: when he's confident he tends to throw one end over his shoulder, but when he's worried about something he tends to let both ends of the scarf hang down his front. Tying the scarf around his neck (sort of like an Ascot) generally means that he's about to pull out some gadget or another in a suitably dramatic fashion: one thing that he's picked up from Cor over their twelve years of friendship is an appreciation for the heroic flair.
• As an elf, Nicky - like his father - is blessed (though he would call it a curse) with a youthful appearance and short stature (at 3'9," Nicky is actually fairly tall for an elf). Despite his age, he looks a lot like an eight or nine year old. He hates it.
• Despite disliking being thought of as "cute," he still tends to give his inventions "safe" or "cute" names: see Skipper, the giant mecha-wyvern, or Bob (his nickname for the CPC).
• Nicky also has a friendly rivalry with his friend Tarn, a dwarf who seems to know exactly what buttons to press to get on his nerves. Then again, she knows everyone's buttons.
• On the few occasions that he has actually cooked, he's demonstrated a bit of skill for it: in his words "there's not much to it, it's just like building something."
• In addition to being a Modern Magic practitioner, Nicky has a solid working knowledge of his world's types of Arcane magic. Thanks to his experiences with an accidental dimensional traveler, he also has some knowledge of the workings of the Arcane magic of another world, though this has little practical value because that world's arcane magic doesn't work on Terra.
• His sister's nickname of "Ninny" for him comes from when he was a baby. They called him "Nick-Nick," and he could never pronounce the hard "k" sound, so it always came out "Ni-ni." They just abbreviated it to "Ninny."
Personal Quote: "Working on it!" or "Fantastic!" – generally said in connection to one another
Jeez, I need to organize that trivia a little better.
Meta trivia fact: he is named after two of my favorite characters from one of my favorite movies when I was a kid,
The Secret of NIMH (it should be obvious which two). In-universe, he is named after the ancient ruler Emperor Nicodemus the First, and both of his parents (
Justine and El
ian). As for Cidney, as I mentioned under Elian's entry he's named after both Cid from Final Fantasy and Sidney, a name that I originally was using as his middle name. Also, "Cidney" looks like a fantasy spelling for a name, so I get to have fun with that. Incidentally, Nick and Cor are loosely based off of two older characters from another story idea of mine (I've got a few up here in my head). Obviously, the original Corey wasn't a four-winged adventurer with a five-foot-long greatsword, and the original Nick wasn't a twenty-two year old Elf. But Corey has always been the more confident one, and Nick has always been the inventor... though this version of Nick won't be building a time machine or founding a group called the Temporal Investigations Agency at some point in the future... ahem, moving on.
And yes, I'm poking fun at the whole the elf/dwarf rivalry from modern fantasy through Nicky/Tarn. Fear my childish pokes at Tolkeinian lore. Muawahahahaha.
Hm, I have no idea what to do for "tomorrow." Oh well, I'll figure it out. I should do another tech page soon, there's still a few more things he's invented or worked on to mention/talk about. Or maybe a species profile for elves, humans, and dwarves, or something like that. Or some more profiles, period. Or finally start talking about hybrid genetics. Or a breakdown of the six types of familiars... oi vey, I'm probably insane.
Four solid freaking pages. Sheesh. Okay, Q's? Ideas for Tarn's nicknames for Nicky?
And Boxy, I never knew that you cared.
*end flashback*
I thought you knew? I watch everyone, all the time. ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 10, 2008, 07:03:38 PM
I thought you knew? I watch everyone, all the time. ;-]
llearch is Santa Claus? It all makes sense!
Hmm, how about the hybrid genetics for the next one?
No! I wanna know more about this Tarn person.
Oh, and I'm back.
I would try to comment on everything that you've said since I was out, but I don't think my brain could handle it right now, sorry, so I'll just say some stuff on your characters and Nick in particular.
You said that there were some striking parallels between the characters of your story and DMFA, I guess you weren't kidding. Are the characters as similar to their cross-multiverse twins, or will they be played a bit differently by your pen?
Nick looks like a kid? Jeez, bad draw. I have the impulse to say something about Nick's loss of virginity, but everything in my head seems to be in bad taste.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 10, 2008, 07:03:38 PM
I thought you knew? I watch everyone, all the time. ;-]
That makes me feel all warm and squishy...
Quote from: Fragmaster01 on August 10, 2008, 10:16:18 PM
Hmm, how about the hybrid genetics for the next one?
I'll get on it.
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 12:23:13 AM
No! I wanna know more about this Tarn person.
In short, Tarn is the traditional fantasy dwarf reinterpreted for the modern era. Instead of hacking her way through things, she just terrorizes or blackmails. She figures out what buttons to press, and then presses them when she needs you to do something. Or for giggles. She might be evil, but at least she's evil on the good guy's side. At a certain level, everyone is afraid of her, but Nick is probably the only one who has figured out
her button, and she knows it. She also knows that he'll never press it because it's such a sensitive issue for her. Which is probably why she heaps her abuse on him. I'll give her a profile at some point.
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 12:23:13 AM
You said that there were some striking parallels between the characters of your story and DMFA, I guess you weren't kidding. Are the characters as similar to their cross-multiverse twins, or will they be played a bit differently by your pen?
Well, I guess it's because both Amber and myself needed similar characters. Corey is loosely based on another character called Treyl (he actually has his own story, and I'll get some info up about that as some point... I might post a quick thing tonight even) who has an older sister-like-figure that could be considered the ancestor of Franny (except Franny's "twin" is a sorcerer of no small skill and is much calmer and more sedate than her "twin"). He's also kind of based on the traditional video game character, so it's kind of an examination of what happens after one of these twenty-somethings saves the world and retires. A loose version of Nick actually exists in pretty much every world of mine: the shy timid inventor who does and builds what he can to help his friends out (To my knowledge, none except the original Nicodemus Foreman (his old original name back when he was a future time traveler) share his name of Nick) and who gradually grows into himself as the story goes along (or is a villain). These inventor characters also tend to be either older or younger than the rest of the cast, but I don't know why (and they wear glasses or goggles, but that's just a fashion statement). Ariel could be considered my big gun or GMPC or Deus ex Machina with self-imposed limits who is more than they seem (Dreksa is actually the one from that other story). Aside from the main characters (who I just sort of touched on), most of them are either substantially different or drawn from the traditions of fantasy literature or fantasy video games. In short, we're drawing on similar material, as far as I can tell, and some of the prototypes for these characters have actually existed since I was in fifth grade! Nick is also loosely based on the tag-a-long kid in a group of heroes that everyone hates (the "Scrappy," if you will), but so far I'm trying to avoid Scrappydom in terms of him: part of the trick is that he knows he's not a good fighter, so he stays behind at the city and works on his inventions to help them out (which is not to say that he's not working on ways to make him a better fighter...). Any helpful suggestions to avoid him becoming a Scrappy?
The thing about my writing style is that it's a little bit subversive/parodic. Imagine a fantasy series with a retired half-dragon hero, a half-demon girl, an adopted boy with a mysterious past, adventures with demonic pirates and demonic ninja, and strange portals to weird worlds and all of the weird things that congregate around magic... except that ultimately it's about four people trying to live a "normal" life and the magical setting is just a part of everyday life for them. Or a world where the book ends with a peace treaty between the "noble" conquered kingdom and the "evil" empire and the "good" republic, while the "true" heir to the kingdom's throne that everyone from some mongrel on the street to the gods themselves have been looking for honestly doesn't care for the power and simply walks away from it all at the end without ever having claimed it in the first place. Or a story where the mysterious orphan with the ancient and mystical sword whose father is completely unknown turns out not to be related to the big bad after all and is really just some random kid who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or a story where the ancient and mystical blade that chooses it's one true master to wield and control it in an effort to save all of existence from some cosmic horror that would make Chthulhu put on pants so he could crap them is actually being wielded by the
wrong chosen one...
In this case, it's kind of a parody of video game plots and heroic literature and high fantasy. Most of the time we see the characters, they're not on some grand adventure, they're arguing about their bar tab. The noble angelic hero with the massive sword is constantly being browbeaten by his friends and saves the day because he's bored with the usual routine. The long prophesied seventh-child-of-a-seventh-child Wizard is actually a poor sorcerer who doesn't believe in folklore like that and prefers working with technology (you might want to forget that last sentence there). You've got super high-tech right next to swords and suits of armor (and Nick is part of the reason why). Heroes wander the wilderness looking for adventures and waiting for them to drop into their laps, rather than simply being there to start one. The elf and the dwarf are actually good friends, and their rivalry is based only on themselves, and doesn't represent some species-wide thing. The magical hammerspace hammer is actually stored in an artificial pocket dimension that only it's preset wielder can access. Most of the temples and tombs have been long-since emptied of anything of value (though a few still exist... in really dangerous places that no one has come back from alive or recognizable). Magical swords and weapons - complete with names - are everywhere. High-tech weapons are just as good of a way of dealing with rampaging monsters as a giant sword or lance. There's sort of this element of parody about the whole thing... and considering that the big overarching plot that some of the characters are in on actually has little to do with Terra itself, that might be the biggest parody of them all: after all, the world's important to these characters, but in the long run Terra's not even a crucial step in whatever is going on. Or is it...?
Arguably, the biggest difference in the long-term plot is that while some of Amber's characters seem to be plotting the demise of the dragon race, my characters are plotting to somehow bring them back... or at least bring back the Knights of the Realm...
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 12:23:13 AM
Nick looks like a kid? Jeez, bad draw. I have the impulse to say something about Nick's loss of virginity, but everything in my head seems to be in bad taste.
Well, somewhat. Basically, elves are about the size of a normal 8-10 year old human, puberty for them hits about that age or slightly above and somewhat, and it mainly alters their proportions. He is about the size of a nine year old, but if you look closer at him you can see that he's an adult, although if he's anything like his dad he won't be able to grow a beard until he hits thirty or so. However, like all elves he is also blessed/graced/cursed with a youthful appearance and good looks. If you've ever read/watched Negima!, then you have a good idea of what Nick (and his dad, for that matter) go through fairly often just by watching the main character. It really does suck, ultimately. But really, ask a few more questions about this if you want some more info.
As for the virginity thing, to the two of them it never happened. To be blunt, both of them agreed the next morning that they wouldn't have had sex if they weren't drunk, and that despite their friendship they just didn't feel that way about each other. They mutually agreed that to them, it would be as if it never happened, and Nick only told Corey because the two of them have been friends for so long, and because Corey kept bugging him about what was bothering him. To my knowledge, she never mentioned it again. They also haven't seen each other since then. Sure, they probably didn't react well, but they were basically teenagers and really had no idea what to do. What were you thinking, out of curiosity? You can PM me if you want.
Hm, I might be a little too tired to post a big entry tonight. Oh well, at least I got something out. Yay. Hybrid genetics at some point, I promise. It's still being worked out, just a warning... oh, and more questions, please, this is fun!
I wasn't saying anything bad in my earlier post, only noting, just to make my intentions clear. And now that you've said what you have, your characters do sound more interesting. You made Nick to be an annoyingless Scrappy? Very interesting, I wouldn't have thought of that. My characters, at the moment at least, are what the plot demands them to be. They have the necessary motivations and therefore the story progresses and such. How to avoid being annoying? I'm not sure, but you're a veteran troper, I'm certain you have a good idea of where the lines are.
I've kinda realized it's a bit difficult to comment on character profiles. At least for me, nothing really seems to jump out at me.
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 02:49:53 AM
I wasn't saying anything bad in my earlier post, only noting, just to make my intentions clear.
No worries.
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 02:49:53 AM
And now that you've said what you have, your characters do sound more interesting. You made Nick to be an annoyingless Scrappy? Very interesting, I wouldn't have thought of that. My characters, at the moment at least, are what the plot demands them to be. They have the necessary motivations and therefore the story progresses and such. How to avoid being annoying? I'm not sure, but you're a veteran troper, I'm certain you have a good idea of where the lines are.
Well, more like set him up to be like that character, yet simultaneously save him from it and subvert it. Nick knows what he can and can't do, and doesn't feel the need to be the center of attention (always a bonus). Yes, he's working on a way (actually a few ways) in order to be more useful, but to be honest that doesn't pick up for a while and currently it's more of a "I
might need this later" rather than an "I
will need this later." He also did kind of go through that Scrappy-like phase of wanting to fight the monsters when he was younger, but by the time we've met him he's long grown out of it. He's just not an adventurer like his dad, and he knows it. To be fair, I do have a few Crowning Moments of Awesome in mind for him... let's just say that Skipper is involved in one of them and leave it at that. And I'm not sure, but I hope I catch the really annoying bits before I get to them, or at least have him learn from them.
As for their flaws, they all start with some problems, and as they solve old ones or fix them they tend to gain new ones. Nick seems to attract the most trouble, unfortunately... maybe the universe never got the memo that he wasn't a wizard? As for the plot, I've got an idea of where it's going to go, but I have a feeling that they'll change something at some point...
Quote from: Pagan on August 11, 2008, 02:49:53 AM
I've kinda realized it's a bit difficult to comment on character profiles. At least for me, nothing really seems to jump out at me.
*shrugs* Just try. Ask questions, or for clarifications. If it won't give away the plot, I'll tell you. Or I'll say so. I've dropped a few hints as to what he's been up to...
... actually, how about I post something that I edited out of Nick's profile when I posted it. It's a list of some of the other things he's been working on (I didn't give you everything last time):
Quote from: me... sort ofWolkenritter 2.0, the Vulcan system, Massebrecher, the Switch-key, the CPC, Chernabog the Vorpal Fury, the Digital Encrypted Multidriver, the Omnidriver, the hover board, the Bonded Fuel Generator, the Transit crystal, Schwarz and Weiß and their cousin weapons, a bizarre hybrid Arcane magic system, his glasses... [etc.]
Does that help raise a few questions?
I'll hopefully get something up about hybrid rules later today... tonight. Hopefully. No promises.
Yes, I do suddenly have questions. And they're oddly are tech related (I must be channeling Glitch tonight). His glasses, you said they do *something.* What? What are all these drivers you keep mentioning? Chernabog, you've never even mentioned that one, and the same thing goes for Schwarz. I've got an idea about the "Transit Cyrstal," but I want to hear it from your mouth. And why should I be interested in a hybrid Arcane system?
Gaah... but I've got one more.
Where did you get the name Massebreche and the other interesting ones?
I'll answer the Massebrecher question tonight, and the rest tomorrow. It's late, and I've got class in the morning.
Massebrecher is basically German for "Mass Crusher," and it's supposed to be a joking reference to the "Gaia Crusher" attack used by the Bolt Gundam (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/g/gf13-013nr.htm) from G Gundam. It's also a reference to the anime hammer, the Banhammer, the Goldion Gammer/Crusher, Vita's Graf Eisen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vita_%28Nanoha%29), Subaru's Mach Caliber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Nakajima), some old ideas from wanting to see dual wielding hammers after playing Super Smash Brothers on the N64, the Walloper and the Scorpion Flail from the Ratchet and Clank series... basically, Massebrecher is every big crushing weapon compressed into one thing. And I gave it to the one with anger issues.
xD
The rest... tomorrow. Good night.
As for why you should be interest in a Hybrid-Arcane system... the short answer is that Nick's the first new person to do it in about four thousand years. The long answer is simply that Nick is aware of the existence of parallel universes before most of the other characters are. It's complicated... and plot-teaseriffic!
Okay, let's do a new tech page! Some hybrid genetics tonight... hopefully!
And remember that these are his "big" inventions: the little ones don't generally warrant mention in lists like this (though I do mention one or two).
Wolkenschneider 2.0: A planned upgrade for the currently outdated Wolkenschneider to bring its tech more in line with Nick's current accomplishments. Currently, the designs are little more than planned specifications. Nick intends to include not only all of Wolkenschneider's current abilities, but also include the inter-dimensional component storage capabilities of Massebrecher and the other weapons of their type, including the powerful self-repair abilities that they share: Nick also has plans for something called "Lance Mode." Some of Caliburn's tech might be included as well. Nick is also considering adding AMP Tech to the design, but this is still in the concept phase. Cornelius is also being consulted on the new design. It is important to note that 2.0 is still barely in the design phase, and these specifications might change, including the 2.0 designation. It is also worth noting that the original Wolkenschneider has had a few upgrades over the years, but this will be considered the first major upgrade. 2.0 will also be compatible with the Vulcan system, thanks to a number of planned hardpoints.
Vulcan system: A planned upgrade for Wolkenschneider 2.0, Project SSS "Vulcan" draws it's codename from Cornelius' nickname for his sword. All information about the Vulcan is currently either classified or in a variable phase of it's design, but two things are known for certain. One, a piece of the Vulcan will incorporate Nick's new PermAMP system. Two, Nick has commented that it might be difficult for Cor to wield it in it's current planned configuration, given that Cor is at least four arms short of the necessary limbs to wield both Wolkenschneider and Vulcan...
PermAMP: A development from AMP Tech, all information on PermAMP is strictly classified.
Shell: Nick's term for the robots he had designed to help him in the lab. They are purely technologically driven, and are powered by a high-efficiency battery system that Nick is attempting to develop a replacement for at this time. All of them share an identical spindly inner frame design, which is then modified by the addition of specialized components. Generally, if Nick needs a new specialized function, he'll just build a new component set. The current set of humanoid Shells are the Mark 3 units: the Mark 1's were little more than mobile robotic arms, while the Mark 2's were basically robotic torsos and arms on wheels. Nick only has about six of them that he swaps equipment on, though he's designed an automatic system to do it for him. Currently, his primary units are Shell Basic (normal configuration: incidentally, able to collapse it's legs to use a built in set of wheels to improve stability), Shell Arm (designed to move heavy equipment), Shell Maintenance (designed to repair and maintain equipment), and Shell Constructer (a heavier subtype of Shell Maintenance, designed to help him build things), though he has about half-a-dozen more models. When activating, Shells state their current configuration and then their status: for example "Basic, online!" Nick is currently working on a modification called Goliath, information on which is strictly classified.
Massebrecher: A variable weapon developed for Francine Ran Sorato, Massebrecher was designed not only to replace Franny's destroyed War hammer, but also fit her own fighting style. Massebrecher is technically a proto-Familiar, though it incorporates a lot of tech that somewhat define normal Familiars. It is able to store its parts in an interdimensional pocket accessed through the core that always remains in this dimension. Like all Familiars, it powers itself by drawing a small amount of power from it's magical wielder (Familiars can be held and used as weapons by anyone, but only a magic wielder can actually assemble and properly wield a Familiar). While in storage, it is able to automatically repair itself through Fix spells to make it ready for the next use. Massebrecher has two main modes: Hammer Mode and Impact Mode, either of which can be summoned and assembled whenever Francine wants. Impact mode consists of a pair of waldo-like gauntlets (with the right gauntlet being slightly larger than the left) designed to let Franny handle or smash almost anything: it also includes a strength-enhancing spell to allow her to actually punch through concrete. The waldos are surprisingly maneuverable and gentle for all of their power, as Franny has demonstrated by doing origami with them. Hammer Mode has the gaunlets connect at the arms (with the fists outwards) and extend a large handle from the right gauntlet (which is why it's slightly bigger), making what is essentially a war croquet mallet. This mode also has a strength-enhancing spell, and is more designed for anti-installation and anti-armor combat rather than direct physical combat. Massebrecher also has a Limiter placed on it that prevents it from using it's third mode, Crusher Mode. Crusher Mode has never been used outside of testing.
Switch-Key: One of Nick's earlier gadgets, he made this before he ever met Cor. The multi-tool sized Switch-Key was based on his dad's lock picking kit, and is basically an automatic clockwork lock-pick that could handle most locks that existed when Nick was a kid. The name "Switch-Key" was given to it by Elian, who observed that the little cogs and bits of metal flippling into position looked like a switchblade opening: he jokingly suggested calling it a "keyblade," but Nick pointed out that it wasn't really a blade. The Switch-Keys Mark was eventually replaced in Nick's arsenal of gadgets by the Keydriver, and then the Omnidriver.
Keydriver: One of Nick's first multi-tools, the Keydriver used a combination of magnetics and force fields to unlock any kind of mechanical lock. The device wasn't very efficient, but Nick realized that he could reconfigure it into a multitool-like gadget, and replaced it with the Multidriver.
Digital Encrypted Multidriver: Nick's first real multitool, the Multidriver had about twenty-five different functions built into it, all of them dependent on a variety of mechanical functions without magic of any kind. In addition to acting as a key, it could also tighten or loosen screws, cut metal, weld (well, spot weld, but still impressive), freeze mechanical components in other gadgets, perform "percussive maintenance," act as a flashlight, and due to it's lack of magic could function in an anti-magic field. The device used a compact fuel cell to power it, and had enough charge for three hours of use and three days of standby charge. The device was about the size of a large pen, and Nick would actually keep it in his shirt pocket alongside his pen: on one occassion when Nick and Cor were captured on one of Cor's adventures, the guards missed the Multidriver and Nick was able to use it to help them escape. The Multidriver went through five versions before he replaced it with the Omnidriver: Multidriver Mark V was retroactively dubbed the Omnidriver Mark 0 after the Omnidriver Mark 1 was built. Nick has no plans to build further Multidrivers. Interestingly, one of Nick's nicknames (though he doesn't use it much) is "the Doctor," given to him by someone who said that the Multidriver reminded him of a TV show she had watched when she was a child.
Omnidriver: Nick's current multi-tool, the Omnidriver was designed to basically replace every one of Nick's tools under normal conditions. The Omnidrivers are powered by Bonded Fuel Generators, a recharcheable battery that constantly recharges itself whenever it's not being used: the invention and inclusion of this is what helped divide the Multidrivers from the Omnidrivers. The name Omnidriver comes from the fact that they have significantly greater functionality than the Multidrivers: as Nick notes an Multidriver only had about three dozen uses, while Omnidrivers have at least "101," including the ability to fix and repair mechanical components, perform a variety of different scans, and crack almost any kind of lock - even electronic ones. The sheer functionality of an Omnidriver cannot be underestimated, especially since Nick has basically replaced every tool in his collection with a single one (he still has all of his old tools, however, just in case). Moreover, Nick's inventiveness means that he can figure out new ways of using the little gadget. Nick has had some problems with the Omnidrivers over the years. The BFG core can run out of juice if it is used for too long, but more recent versions have somewhat fixed this, though it is far from having an "eternal" power source. It cannot work on biological material, and it cannot affect magic either. The Mark 1 was little more than a Multidriver, though Nick built it's components into a cylindrical tube rather than a box. The Mark's 2 through 4 simply added to the functionality of the Mark 1, while it steadily increased in size. The Mark 5 was an attempt to compact the design and make it easier to work with by making it slightly larger than the original Mark 1 but retaining all of the Mark 4's uses, but unfortunately this left it fragile and easy to damage: as Nick noted, any form of "percussive maintenance" would leave it broken. The Mark 6 was largened slightly in order to "harden" the design, although it didn't add any new features. The Mark 7 is the current unit that Nick uses, and he is currently developing a Mark 7-2 as a sort of "Mass-production" version, though it is functionally identical to the normal Mark VII (to be honest, all he's doing is giving it a color change). He also occasionally has mini-upgrades for his Omnidrivers: these are noted by the addition of a period and an extra digit at the end (e.g. 5.2).
Bonded Fuel Generator: An outgrowth of TF Reactor technology, the BFG is essentially a tiny fusion cell and battery. While the exact mechanism by which it works is unknown, if is a completely technological device and uses no magic whatsoever. Nick constructed it during one of his "episodes." The device currently only works at the small scale, and is not efficient enough to build up to scale. Moreover, any device using it only technically has enough power to work for twenty minutes or so, but since the system is constantly recharging itself it has a theoretically unlimited usage: anything using this system can be run down, however. Currently, only Nick's watch, the Omnidrivers, some of Nick's smaller gadgets, and a few subsystems in Roland are powered by BFGs, though he is currently designing larger units to provide backup power for Skipper, the lab, and also completely power the Shells. Nick constructed the original model in one of his "episodes," and spent a few weeks working out exactly how it worked. Unlike the TF Reactor, Nick is a little more willing to release this tech at some point in the future, though he's sitting on it for a few years until he can increase it's efficiency.
CPC: Nicknamed "Bob," all information on the CPC is strictly classified.
Chernabog the Vorpal Fury: Although all information on the project (codenamed Project Fluffy) is classified, some information can be gleaned from Nick's experiments and research. Whatever Project Fluffy is, it involves a fusion of Arcane Summon magic and Modern Summon magic, as well as research into the nature of phantoms, the soul, the nature of "stable" wild magic, and research into a long-deceased monster referred to as the Vorpal Fox. Outside of a single mention of "Fluffy" about two years ago, Nick has not mentioned whatever it is about or whether his research was fruitful.
Hover board: Minor tech at best, the Hover Board is basically a modern version of an enchanted broomstick. This bit of tech has been released to the general public. It's flight ceiling is no more than a few inches, and most models are essentially foot-powered, but it's one of Nick's earliest mass-released products and still one of his most popular.
Transit Crystal: A bit of lost technology that Nick's father Elian discovered about forty-five years ago but was unable to do anything with, Nick recovered the Transit Crystal about two years ago. All research indicates that the crysta was once a part of an array of some kind in order to power and run it. While the technology and magic backing the crystal up are far in advance of Terra, Nick has been able to gradually reverse engineer it, which has not only helped him with his own achievements, but has also allowed him to figure out how it works. As far as he can tell, it is a part of an interdimensional transport network that belonged to an ancient lost civilization. While most of the crystals seem to have been designed for planetary travel only with a well-hidden main crystal allowing it to link to other universes, Nick is figuring out how to boost the signal and connect to other transit crystals out there. Though the crystal and the rig he has designed to replace the original array is not yet working, Nick remains confident that he shall succeed in making a connection at some point in the near future... or at least to the point that he can communicate with other universes. Part of his interest in getting it working again is because he wants to once again meet the interdimensional traveler that he helped get back home four years ago, though he is also interested in learning more about other universes. Interestingly, Nick's friends know about this project, but secretly are worried that there might not be another crystal to recieve his signal.
Schwarz and Weiß: A pair of matched guns that Nick built as a gift for his father, Shwarz and Weiß are proto-familiars like a lot of his weapons tech. In addition to being able to fire normal and magic-charged bullets, they can also "fire" spells. The current version of the two also has three additional combat modes: Dagger mode, Shotgun mode, and Rifle mode, all of which specialize in different types of attacks. They have never actually been used in real combat, but Elian practics with them regularly in the event of them being needed.
Glasses: Nick's glasses are essentially a prop that he wears to encourage his "nerdy scientist" persona. However, due to his slight obsession with technology, he has made a few modifications to them. The wrap-around earpiece on the left temple piece is designed to link to Cal and allow Nick to access information covertly should he need it. The glasses also have a built in scan feature to help point out magic or flaws in material, but the Omnidriver is a far superior tool for scanning for flaws. The earpiece also acts as part of a mobile communications device, so he can contact almost anyone through Cal and his lab. The glasses can darken to the point that he can use them as welding goggles, though he prefers to wear real welding goggles when he has a chance. However, his favorite feature has to be that the lenses darken automatically upon exposure to bright sunlight, meaning that he doesn't need to worry about carrying a pair of sunglasses with him all the time. He actually doesn't use most of the built-in gadgets: he just feels better having them.
Hybrid Arcane Magic System: A truly bizarre example of Nick's talents, this hybrid system was developed in order to return an interdimensional traveler to her home. The problem was that the spell that brought the young sorcerer to Terra by accident was designed with her home world's arcane system, meaning that it didn't work on Terra (in Nick's words, it was like trying to run a gasoline engine with diesel: it just wouldn't work). Nick and the other sorcerer worked together for about a month or so using the grimoire she'd brought with her (that included a large collection of her world's spells) in order to reverse-engineer that magic system of her home world, and then construct an adaptor spell from Terra's arcane magic system in order to power the original teleportation spell. The hybrid system was succesful in returning her home, but the two of them agreed that it would be too dangerous to attempt that particular spell again. Nick's efforts with the transit crystal are partially based on a desire to find out what happened to her afterwards. As a result of this knowledge, Nick could theoretically adapt many of the spells of that world to fit his world, though since she took the grimmoire this is theoretical at best. One minor note about this is that the two of them are among the few individuals who have succesfully hybridized two different arcane magic systems together.
Oy, almost five solid freaking pages! That's a page longer than the last tech entry! And yes, the Multidrivers/Omnidrivers are a reference to the good Doctor. And I'm sorry Fragmaster, I thought I could write this up faster and get something on hybrids posted, but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen tonight. I'll try to get something up tomorrow. And there's still a few other weapons I could mention, but those'll probably get lumped in with a general tech page, and not a Nick Tech Page.
Okay, questions? Come on, ask 'em. Please?
Oh jeez... you went all out, didn't ya? I think what I liked most was the progression of the keys and drivers.
So... I guess you can't talk too much about it, but great jeebity, how big is the finalized Vulcan supposed to be?
Just as a reminder, TF was the magic furnace correct? And AMP was the particle by-product of the TF?
I smell plot on the Transit Cyrstal and the Hybrid system.
And for all the lack of information on Chernabog, I'm more curious about it now. "Stable" wild magic?
I find the mixing of Jyrras' Personality and Doctor Who like gadgets to be slightly genius. Especially seeing as most of it is still unique enough to not be considered stolen. (If that sounded sarcastic, it wasn't. Sorry if it read that way.)
Quote from: shadowterm on August 12, 2008, 12:42:13 AM
I find the mixing of Jyrras' Personality and Doctor Who like gadgets to be slightly genius. Especially seeing as most of it is still unique enough to not be considered stolen. (If that sounded sarcastic, it wasn't. Sorry if it read that way.)
Ouch. I don't quite know how to take that.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 12:18:21 AM
Oh jeez... you went all out, didn't ya? I think what I liked most was the progression of the keys and drivers.
I feel that the important gadgets need a history behind them, to make it clear that Nick doesn't just pull this stuff out of his butt, and that most of these gadgets are works in progress. For example, I already know that the Mark 8 Omnidriver will include a Bio Lock (I'll talk about this in a second), while the Mark 9 will abandon the pen-like shape and become a glove/gauntlet thing that Nick wears on his right hand and activates by aiming his index and middle finger at whatever machine he's trying to manipulate. That's right: he'll fix machines and unlock doors and control machinery just by pointing at something.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 12:18:21 AM
So... I guess you can't talk too much about it, but great jeebity, how big is the finalized Vulcan supposed to be?
Well, Wolkenschneider is about five or so feet long (it's every stereotypical fantasy RPG giant sword), and Vulcan is designed to attach to it... let's just say that Vulcan is designed to allow Cor to completely alter his combat strategy and make up for Wolkenschneider's strategic weaknesses.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 12:18:21 AM
Just as a reminder, TF was the magic furnace correct? And AMP was the particle by-product of the TF?
Yep. Yep. Technically, it's called an AM Particle, while the derivatives of it are called AMP Tech.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 12:18:21 AM
I smell plot on the Transit Cyrstal and the Hybrid system.
The Transit Crystal is a bit tricky. On the one hand, it's his reverse engineering of it that allows him to make so many incredible advancements on par with the civilization that built the crystal in the first place. On the other hand, it might be the ultimate example of a little thing called Chekov's boomerang, which is a bit like Chekov's gun (if you know the expression) except that it gets fired
twice...
As for the Hybrid system... it just means that Nick understands a lot about magic and how it works, even though he can't do it very well. It also means that Nick is intimately aware of the existence of other universes (well, one other universe, but he can kind of guess from there) before most of the other characters are. It is notable that ever since that month or so of work to develop an adaptor for that spell, pretty much every single bit of magitek in his collection was designed using the modern magic system, meaning that it'll work anywhere that there's magic. The hybrid system was really only developed for that one particular spell, so it's not like it's of any practical value anymore.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 12:18:21 AM
And for all the lack of information on Chernabog, I'm more curious about it now. "Stable" wild magic?
More like a "bubble" of wild magic. It's what happens sometimes when there is an eddy or two or three in the flow of magic: little bits of magical energy get trapped and isolated and stabilized. They're really rare, but fairly stable, unless you disturb them in some fashion.
Okay, one last bit of tech that I forgot to add...
Bio Lock: A system that Nick uses to protect his more important gadgets, a Bio Lock is basically designed to shut a machine off unless the registered user is wielding it. There are a number of systems at work in a Bio Lock, including a mental scanner that detects if someone is being controlled or influenced in some way to prevent a device from being used. The biggest one seems to be a genetic lock, though it is only confirmed that this is necessary to set a lock. As a theoretical example, a Bio Lock placed on Wolkenschneider would shut the antigravity spells off if anyone except Cor held it, leaving it at its true weight making it almost impossible to wield. Nick's Bio Locks tend to be placed on doors or areas in his lab, though a few of his weapons and gadgets have a Dormant Bio Lock that he can activate from a distance. Roland has incorporated a Bio Lock since it's earliest versions, while most AMP Tech Weapons also have Bio Locks installed on them (though it is noteworthy that Nick's friends are all authorized to use his weapons). He is currently working on a version small enough to fit on his Omnidriver, which will be installed on the Mark 8.
I'm sorry if that still read wrong. I fully support the stuff you've writen, I mean if you weren't allowed to be inspired by something, it wouldn't be a very good story. All ideas come from somewhere right? Just a pointer, I would not have the Omnidriver not unlock wooden locks, or have a nemesis wield a tool that ages people. You might get angry letters.
Quote from: shadowterm on August 12, 2008, 02:10:34 AM
I'm sorry if that still read wrong. I fully support the stuff you've writen, I mean if you weren't allowed to be inspired by something, it wouldn't be a very good story. All ideas come from somewhere right? Just a pointer, I would not have the Omnidriver not unlock wooden locks, or have a nemesis wield a tool that ages people. You might get angry letters.
The Omnidriver really doesn't work on biological material, since it was designed as a tool first and foremost. Albeit, the welding function can do some nasty things, and the blade function can cut things, and the saw function... well, the Omnidriver is a tool, like my Dad's multitool, and some of those functions can be used as weapons, but it isn't meant for that. Basically, if something has gears or mechanical parts, the Omnidriver can do something to it. Even if it's as simple as breaking a few gears. The Omnidriver is basically Nick trying to save time in the workshop: the key function is a secondary feature in his mind. And to be honest I only first heard about the good Doctor about two or three years ago, and I didn't even see my first whole episode of Doctor Who until three weeks ago. Yeah, in the space of about three weeks or so I was exposed to two different amazing things that I'd never really learned anything about: DMFA and Doctor Who. I will admit that I loved the Fourth's scarves so much that I thought it would be cute if Nick wore them as a fashion statement. As for the Drivers, do you think I should I retitle them as "Tools," or does something called the "Omnitool" sound really really nasty? *brief visions of slash fiction/art involving Nick and Cor and an Omnitool...* Oh gods no.
And all Who nerds may now descend on me out of vengeance for my first Doctor being the Tenth one.
Besides, who ever heard of a wooden lock? And a tool to age someone? Nah: in my universe, if you want to torture and control someone in that sort of fashion, you should "just" rip out their soul and stick it in something. Or horribly torture them until they beg for death, except you never let them die until they're nothing more than a broken pile of flesh and bones who can't imagine anything except the horrible unending pain... I've thought this through too much, haven't I?
Quote from: Jairus on August 12, 2008, 02:23:17 AM
I've thought this through too much, haven't I?
God no, in fact a good story almost
needs this much thought put into it. A good writer usually tries to make their story air tight. I currently fail at this, but I like to think I'm making progress. Slow progress, but progress.
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Quote from: shadowterm on August 12, 2008, 02:29:55 AM
Quote from: Jairus on August 12, 2008, 02:23:17 AM
I've thought this through too much, haven't I?
God no, in fact a good story almost needs this much thought put into it. A good writer usually tries to make their story air tight. I currently fail at this, but I like to think I'm making progress. Slow progress, but progress.
Heh, slow progress is better than no progress at all. Part of the reason I plan all of this out is because I want to know what I can and cannot do before hand. And because I want to catch any potential stumbling blocks before I get there. And because I might be nuts. What's scary is when I realize that while I may not know how this story ends, I do know how the next one begins... and it ain't pretty.
Stop it, you're making me impatient to read the story.
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Quote from: shadowterm on August 12, 2008, 02:38:30 AM
Stop it, you're making me impatient to read the story.
Maybe for my next post I should write a little teaser of some kind.
That's not a bad idea, if you're trying to drive people with WABS crazy because there is nothing after that yet.
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This is long. I mean really long. On my computer, the halfway point is at the beginning of page five. And it's... weird. I think I want this or something like this to be a prologue for the story. Just... read it through. It is going to sound silly and overblown for a bit, but it'll make sense by the end. Or not. I've split it in two parts so that it's easier to get through. Incidentally, if I could give you a bit of advice: don't take it seriously. At all. It's mostly a joke. Anyway...
The Cursed Castle of Stalcaire
Dark clouds swirled in the sky above the cursed Castle Stalcaire, ancient dwelling place of the sacred Chalice of Rebirth. The castle had stood for centuries, and the elements and time had taken their toll on the crumbling walls. What plants grew near the castle were twisted and vile, nearly. Shambling beasts, mutated by the powerful and ancient magic surrounding the place, prowled the grounds, waiting to slaughter anyone who dared to cross their paths, some of them with the weapons and possessions of heroes still stuck to them: anyone who could slay them would get a nice set of loot, if they didn't mind it being "pre-chewed." Pools of stagnant fetid water dotted the landscape, and the moat itself was a soup of decaying flesh and reeking algae. The place smelled of the blood and undistilled hatred, if such a thing was possible: the blood of those who had failed to gain the chalice, and the hatred of the undead for those who were still alive. The wind itself smelled dead, and did little more than carry a warning to those who would approach the corrupted land. Guarded by cursed undead knights armed with weapons most fierce, none had entered the castle and emerged... well, alive, anyway. Only a great fool would dare attempt the challenge.
That's where he came in.
He was a young man, maybe twenty five years old, wearing a heavy traveling cloak over his body, with something beneath the cloak giving him a somewhat hunchbacked look. His long red hair had been pulled back and tied up to keep it away from his face and from covering his sea-green eyes. A massive sword - five feet long and a foot wide - rested jammed point-first into the dirt beside him. His arms were crossed beneath the robe, and the wind stirred the dust around him as his cloak flared outwards. His name was Cornelius Ran Sorato, and his blade was the mighty sword Wolkenschneider.
He stared at the castle gates, knowing that the enchantments placed on them would cause them to open for those who approached: the place was a trap... and he knew it. None of the undead guards could be seen: they were hiding, waiting for someone... for him.
They were going to get him.
Cornelius' hand came up and undid the clasp on his cloak, smoothly drawing the flowing garment off of him as it caught the wind and unfurled it like a dark flag. Beneath the robe, he wore sandals, billowing pants, and a rust red great kilt: beneath the kilt, his chest was bare. A broad leather belt, studded with small weapons and pouches, was fastened around his waist. But what was most impressive was what else was hiding underneath the cloak: four glorious wings that grew from his back opened up, allowing the wind to flow through around white feathers with just a hint of golden-brown to their leading edges. With only a flap, he might have lifted off of the ground and taken flight. His right hand reached out to lift Wolkenschneider from its resting place, easily holding the massive blade with one hand.
With Wolkenschneider in hand and wings open, Ran Sorato looked like some avenging angel descended to Terra to destroy the armies of evil.
"Hear me, Stalcaire." The words were quiet, more to himself than to the world or the unheeding castle. "I am the warrior Cornelius. I am here to claim the prize that has claimed the lives of so many warriors, and in doing so shall free you from your curse. Whatever you throw at me, I do not despise you for it." With those words, he set off towards the doors across the half-rotted drawbridge.
They creaked open with the ponderous air of hinges that had not moved in decades. The inner chamber was steeped in stillness, dust thick on the ground and silent as a grave... except for the screaming soldiers running at him.
There are not many terms to described the horror of the sight of an undead. Though their bodies are essentially "frozen" in stasis, they still rot at a slower rate than almost anything else. Injuries and wounds remain fresh for decades. The things wore rusted armor and wicked weapons that seemed more corrosion than steel: several styles of armor and weapons were apparent, showing how many failed heroes had joined the undead guards. Some pieces of the armor had been knocked off by other adventurers, showing flesh centuries old and falling off. The screams coming from the throat were made by ancient lungs that had not "breathed" in centuries and by vocal cords long since torn bloody by the near constant cry. To those who heard it, it was a cry of loneliness and pain: the undead, with their souls sealed in their bodies long after they should have left them behind and died, lived lives of constant unending agony. To most people, the cry traveled down the spine and paralyzed those who heard it with fear, until the undead ripped them apart or made them one of their own.
Cornelius was not most people. As it was, his wings did briefly flare outwards, but that was the extent of it.
With a smooth motion, he pulled a flask filled with some strange fluid from one of his pouches and threw it overhand into the middle of the oncoming group. The glass shattered on the floor, and...
BOOOOOM!!!!
... the contents flashed into a fiery explosion, tearing through the group and setting all of them on fire. The cries somehow became more desperate as the undead tried to both attack Cornelius and flail at the flames, attempts that failed on both accounts when Cornelius lifted Wolkenschneider and in three smooth cuts sliced all of them in half. As the body parts fell to the floor, the magic that held them together and whole faded as their souls left their bodies at last: by the time they hit the ground, they were already decaying into dust. A few skeletons - from more recent undead - remained afterwards, but soon the flames would consume them too. Wolkenschneider itself gleamed in the firelight, it's magically enforced blade unharmed by its master's enemies. Cornelius afforded the recently re-dead a moment's thought and a brief wish for their eternal rest, then continued on his way.
His always aware eyes sought out and found the hidden trap stones set within the normal stones, and knew that they would only call more undead his way. He carefully avoided the traps, always aware for guards wandering the halls alone or in small groups. He would have preferred to avert extra battles, conserving his energy for what would inevitably be a hard fight on his way out. Even so, there were a few groups scattered along the route. It did not take him long to make his way through the castle's outer walls to the inner keep, where the chalice was sure to be kept.
As it turned out, it was hidden in a chamber two levels underground, perhaps in what had once been a dungeon. A very large dungeon, more like a manmade cave really, with two small pools of water along the sides that kept the room moist and cool. The sound of dripping moisture filled the cavern with an tapping echo, and Cornelius' sandals splashed in pools of water that had accumulated on the ground. His echoes carried throughout the chamber, until a sound not unlike grinding rocks echoed back. The chalice had a protector.
It was a giant winged wyvern, it's wings stunted from having never flown once, angered at having it's eternal slumber disturbed for the first time in decades. It stood in one of the pools: whether it had been resting or bathing or drinking, he did not know. Other skeletons, charred and broken and lying against the wall, told the stories of those who had failed to obtain the chalice before him. And yet... the wyvern's eyes betrayed its incredible loneliness: perhaps long ago it had been taken from its brothers and sisters when it was a tiny hatchling and contained down here in the lonely darkness, tortured until it knew only anger, then enchanted to keep it alive for as long as the castle stood. An anger that it would unleash on all who dared trespass into it's territory.
Cornelius sensed a brief surge of magical energy, and the wyvern breathed a flare of fire breath at the hero. He flapped to the side, using his wings not to fly but to avoid the attack. The enchanted kilt gave him some protection from the magical flame: still, the heat was real. He would have to end this quickly or risk joining his unnamed colleagues.
Unlike the wyvern, Cornelius had no magic spells or magical abilities to use against his opponent, aside from a few ready-made alchemical potions he had prepared before hand. He chose one now, and threw a glass vial in the general direction of the beast. The vial shattered, and instantly all of the water near it froze solid, trapping the wyvern's feet for a brief moment before it wrenched itself free by flapping its nearly useless wings. He hadn't intended to hold it for long, just long enough to get close enough that it couldn't use it's breath without risking hurting itself. The instinct for self-preservation still existed within the beast, and it resorted to its claws and fangs to attack the warrior.
The duel between them was one of steel versus claw, neither of them losing or gaining foot on the other as they waged their battle across the floor. He slashed! He ducked! He stabbed! He got scraped by one of the claws: only a flesh wound. But the wyvern had energy to spare, whereas Cornelius had to use his brains to last the fight out.
Finally, the moment he had been waiting for...
He drew a second Ice potion from his pouch, and this time aimed for a spot on the belly just above the legs. He drew back, and threw it with unerring accuracy. Its legs and belly were soon covered in a layer of ice that grew towards the floor and up its body. Its natural defenses protected it from lasting damage from the ice, but it was enough to make it falter for a few steps. Long enough for this...
Cornelius was one of the few winged beings he knew who could actually fly backwards. He gave himself enough room to properly maneuver with the sword, firmly grasped the hilt with both hands, spun twice in midair to build up some inertia, and flew straight at the wyvern's head.
The enchanted blade slid easily into the beast's skull.
Cornelius quickly flipped away from the now-stumbling beast as it began to breathe it's last. Finally, after nearly a minute, it stumbled forward, fell, and slid to a halt inches from Cornelius' sandals. A final rattling breath, and it died.
He stood there for a second, catching his breath after the titanic battle, barely aware of his blood now flowing down his arm. He looked up from the beast and gazed at the other side of the room. There it was.
Seated on a pedastal against the far wall, somehow illuminated by a hidden source of light, sat the Chalice of Rebirth. A cup seemingly made of solid gold, covered in precious stones: even by itself, it was a king's cup. But the magic sealed in the cup made it worth a whole kingdom...
With his good arm, he lifted the heavy cup to give it an examination. It was free of dust and dirt, as clean as it had been when it would have first been presented to it's owner. A glorious treasure indeed. But was the legend of its magical powers real? He had a handful of potions in case it wasn't, but it wouldn't hurt to find out...
He stepped over to one of the two pools, the one that the wyvern had not been in when he arrived, but the end of his addrenaline high now left him gasping in pain. He quickly dipped the chalice into the water, and then took a deep drink. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then he felt a strange focused warmth in his left arm that drew his gaze downwards: his torn flesh was growing back and healing itself, leaving behind nothing more than clean pink skin behind.
"So, it's real after all" he thought to himself smugly. "I wonder where I can put this..."
Something was wrong. There was a weird sound in the air, something like a rising whisper...
"Oh shit..." he knew that sound. That was the sound of hundreds of undead screaming at the top of their lungs.
In a second, he knew what had happened. A dead man's switch... that's what it was. A switch set on the chalice to drive all of the guards into a full-blown fervor once the chalice was lifted up. All of them would be heading his way right about now...
"Wolkenschneider!" he cried as he snapped his fingers. The sword disappeared from the wyvern's head and reappeared in its master's hand. The chalice got shoved into one of his pouches, and he ran.
He didn't even care that he was stepping on the hidden switches set in the floor: each switch would act like a caller, telling the guards where he was at that moment. And they were coming: they kept coming out of doors or hallways, rushing as fast as they could towards them. The magically sharpened Wolkenschneider had no real difficulty in cutting through them, but each group slowed him down slightly: eventually he got to the point where he was dodging them and just kept running. He could handle a few of them at a time, but he didn't want to fight a large amount of them in a group in a tight enclosed space that restrained his movement somewhat. Still, the path was easy, and he had carefully memorized his route inwards: it wasn't hard to know how to get out. Almost there now...
The young adventurer skidded around the corner, his blade drawing sparks where it drew across the stone floor, the cup still hidden in his pouch and ran through the closed doors at the end of the hallway...
... towards the waiting arms dozens, maybe hundreds, of waiting undead soldiers. They were armed to their rotten teeth, groaning in the horrible sound that only a centuries old undead could make.
"One group in front, and one group in the back. Maybe a hundred all total. Long odds.
He took a deep breath. "Maybe I should hold one arm behind my back."
There was nothing to it: he had only one way out. With a battle cry that reverberated through the dusty hall, Cornelius raised his mighty blade to the ready position and charged straight towards the undead hordes. And...
Part 2 coming soon!
Distracting as it was that Shadowterm programmed his signature to say that he's listening to my first album, I did read my way through your opening chapter.
It seems to be written in a clean, easy to follow style, and overall made an enjoyable read.
So, does Cornelius do this sort of thing often? He put me in mind of a sort of winged Indiana Jones...
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 12, 2008, 06:56:21 PM
It seems to be written in a clean, easy to follow style, and overall made an enjoyable read.
Thanks. That really means a lot.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 12, 2008, 06:56:21 PM
So, does Cornelius do this sort of thing often? He put me in mind of a sort of winged Indiana Jones...
Well... let's just say that I cut it off where I did because of the surprise in part two...
Wow that was good. Give me a few minutes to process it and then I give you something more coherrent and specific, but right now all I can think is that I want to read part two right now and you suck for making me wait.
I liked it, very nice.
Quote from: Pagan on August 12, 2008, 09:07:21 PM
Wow that was good. Give me a few minutes to process it and then I give you something more coherrent and specific, but right now all I can think is that I want to read part two right now and you suck for making me wait.
Oh dear... maybe I should have just written and posted both parts at the same time. I'm afraid of letting you down... and I think I might.
Okay, here's part 2... just warning you, you may hate me afterwards... I was actually severely tempted to change what I had written already in order to match your expectations, but hopefully you'll like this too. It literally starts the line after Part 1, so here's the end to part 1 to help you get into the mood.
Quote from: Part 1The young adventurer skidded around the corner, his blade drawing sparks where it drew across the stone floor, the cup still securely in his hand, and ran through the closed doors at the end of the hallway...
... towards the waiting arms dozens, maybe hundreds, of waiting undead soldiers. They were armed to their rotten teeth, groaning in the horrible sound that only a centuries old undead could make.
"One group in front, and one group in the back. Maybe a hundred all total. Long odds.
He took a deep breath. "Maybe I should hold one arm behind my back."
There was nothing to it: he had only one way out. With a battle cry that reverberated through the dusty hall, Cornelius raised his mighty blade to the ready position and charged straight towards the undead hordes. And...
"And then what happened?!"
Whatever words Cornelius was going to say next abandoned him as the question abruptly derailed his train of thought. Considering that he had also been partially reenacting the fight scene with a broom while he had been narrating his story, he also stumbled over his own feet and successfully crashed to the floor. Well, at least it got a bit of a laugh from the people in the Cralatav Inn.
"Kid..." Cornelius said from his position on the floor, his voice slightly muffled by his face being jammed into carefully polished wood, "if you had waited two seconds you would have found out!"
"Sorry!" the kid called in an earnest voice as Cornelius flopped over onto his back, wincing as he realized that he was slightly crushing two his four wings, a problem that was fixed by quickly sitting up.
"Look, Johnny...?" he asked with a bit of a glare at the six year old.
"Yes."
"When you ask your parents to tell you a story, do you interrupt them?"
"
Nooooo."
"Well," Cornelius continued, choosing to ignore the slightly sarcastic tone in the kid's voice, "if you don't interrupt them, why are you interrupting me right in the middle of a story you asked me to tell you?"
"Because."
That answer got a laugh from the woman behind the inn's bar. Cornelius turned to look over at his big sister. "I remember how you used to be exactly like that, Corey. 'Corey, why did you play with daddy's sword when I told you not to?' 'Because.'"
"Sis..." he pleaded to her, "Can you not tell stories like that when the inn has customers?"
"I prefer the time when I asked you why you intended to throw yourself off of a cliff... 'Cornelius, are you insane?' 'Probably!'" This comment came from the childlike elf sitting with his legs crossed on top of the bar, smiling with his gray eyes half-hidden behind his glasses and lifting a tankard full of lemonade up in a salute to his best friend.
"Nicky..."
"Or when you tried to swing Wolkenschneider for the first time
after Nickles here had told you to be careful and you almost dislocated your shoulder," chortled the dwarf sitting on the bar next to the elf as she slapped Nicodemus across the back and almost made him drop his lemonade.
"Tarn, could you stop that?" Nick asked with the air of exasperation that only someone who has basically asked the same question a thousand times could pull off.
"Both of you stop it," Francine commanded as she refilled Nick's almost empty lemonade and opened another bottle of beer for Tarn, her eyes briefly moving towards the large metal war hammer in the corner of her space behind the bar, a subtle move that the two of them caught.
"Yes, ma'am," they both intoned.
"Yeesh, all of you are trying to drive me nuts, aren't you?" Corey asked from the chair he had seated himself in. The fairy sitting at the other side of the table smiled at him.
"Well, I'm already nuts, and let me tell you that it's fun!" Ariel giggled to him. She waved a hand and teleported a tankard of ale over to their shared table.
"No thank you, I'm crazy enough as it is," he quipped as he lifted the ale up for a drink.
"C'mon! Finish the story! Please!" begged Johnny, who sounded like he was starting to regret asking his earlier question. It looked like the rest of the bar's current denizens - Johnny's parents included - wanted to hear how this ended as well. Corey took a swig before he propped himself forward to continue where he'd left off in his best storyteller's voice.
"Well, as I was saying, I raised my mighty blade to the ready position and charged straight towards the undead hordes..."
"Oh, you're taking too long to tell it!" Tarn interrupted with a sadistic smirk. "Let me tell you how it ends, kiddo." She leaned backwards until she was almost in an opposite pose to Nick, her gaze directed up at the roof. "The noble warrior Cornelius slew the undead horde and freed their poor tortured souls from their enslavement, and walked out of the finally still and silent castle onto the rise before the gates. He then looked up at the sky as the clouds cleared for the first time in centuries, and lifted the golden chalice up to the heavens as the first beam of light stuck him and the chalice, and then the pure reflected light cleared away the gloom and doom and lifted the enchantment on the castle and the lands turned green again and the monsters were transformed back into their true form and flowers bloomed and butterflies flapped their little wings and a glorious chorus erupted from nowhere and the beautiful princess falls into your arms from the tallest tower..."
"Okay, I get it!" Cor called out, who was starting to get annoyed.
"But wait!" Now Nick was standing on top of the bar, and motioning to Tarn to stand up too. "Then the Princess said 'You have saved my kingdom, and I am now yours...' *erk!*" Tarn collapsed against Nick's side, almost knocking the shorter elf over, swooning over him like some damsel in distress: the fact that they were both only about four feet tall - Nick giving three inches and Tarn taking three inches - made this look a little ridiculous. Nick continued after recovering his balance. "But then you said, 'I cannot, fair Princess. For there are wrongs I must fight, and there is evil that must be vanquished. My life is the life of the solitary hero, and I cannot stop the never-ending fight against wrongdoing, even for true love!' At which point you passionately kissed, you set her on her feet, grabbed your cloak, and
thwbtt... gyaahh!!! Tarn!"
Johnny was laughing at the aftermath of one of the sloppiest kisses that he had ever seen. Nick, meanwhile, was trying not to go ballistic towards his friend while Corey was trying not to choke on the ale he had just accidentally inhaled. "What was that for?!"
She sighed in the most sickeningly romantic fashion she could muster. "Why, that was our "passionate kiss," fair hero. Did you not enjoy it?"
"Oh, shut up," he grumbled as he plopped back down on the bar.
Cor took the resulting distraction and an inn full of laughter to draw himself up onto the barstool next to Nick. "Well, in a general sense, that's how it ended. Well, except for the butterflies and the Princess and all the monsters turning back to normal... of course, Tarn is no princess either...
ouch!" he cried as Tarn leaned in front of Nick and socked Cor in the arm for his comment.
Francine leaned forward now, gently separating the two and helping disentangle Nick from the coming scuffle by pulling him backwards slightly. "Guys, stop joking around. Even though that does sound like how it ends. And in a general sense, that's how the whole thing happened too."
"Franny..." Corey frantically pleaded to his big sister in a tone of warning.
"What? The real story is interesting too." She had
that smile, the aggravating one. Well, most of her smiles were aggravating, but this was
that particular aggravating smile.
"The real story?" Johnny asked in that tone of voice kids get when they hear something is different from what they thought it was. It was the tone that drew everyone's attention and seemed to make Corey really uncomfortable for a moment, until...
"Of course!" said Ariel in a honey-sweet voice as she walked over to Johnny. "Corey forgot to mention that he actually had
two special magical swords when he went in there that day, because his real sword was so big and powerful that he couldn't use it unless he needed to get out."
"Really?" And that tone was the disbelieving one.
"Really. He had a more normal sized sword for fighting in the hallways and stairs, but he used the big one whenever he could. The big one is actually his favorite sword. Nick built it for him as a present." She then pointed at the elf on the bar.
Nick smiled and nodded an affirmation at the boy's wide-eyed questioning stare, and then continued the line of thought. "He also forgot to mention the climactic battle between him and the mutated evil badger before he even got to the castle. And of course the fact that the whole castle was actually coming down around his head when he was escaping..."
The hero-worship look was back in Johnny's eyes at this point.
"And that's not even mentioning that weird group of undead knights that never attacked you but just kept yelling at you in some weird language and smacking their own helmets," Kyle the bouncer called out from his position near the door. "I think you finally started throwing oranges at them or something like that."
"Excuse me, if
I could possible finish telling
my story..." Corey asked, and then waited for his friends - and Tarn - to give him their permission. And Cor finished telling his story, telling of the whole fight with the undead army, complete with grabbing and using his enemies' weapons against them, part of the roof falling in due to a sudden rain storm and catching some of the water in the magical chalice in order to heal his wounds, a large saurian bursting in through the front door only to be killed by Corey doing the exact same trick to it that he had done to the wyvern, and then finally leaving the crumbling castle thus "breaking" the curse on the land and basically doing the stuff that Tarn and Nick had talked about - except for the sudden greenery and the princess and the animals turning back into normal - finally ending it all with him reclaiming his cloak and then flying off towards the sunset.
It was a great story, and the inn enjoyed it. The crowning moment for the whole thing was when Cor did his little summoning trick and called Wolkenschneider down from his room to show Johnny the magical greatsword, although Johnny's dad told him not to touch the edge. All in all, it was a wonderful show. And his friends kept their laughter to themselves. They had heard this story before... and they also knew what had really happened on that day.
True, the story Corey had told the inn wasn't
exactly what had happened, but then again the main bits were totally accurate. For one thing, Corey had actually been wearing a specialized suit of armor that Nick had built for him. The actual "curse" on Stalcaire was that it had once been the site of a massive magical explosion, which is what led whoever had built the place to place the chalice there and build the castle there in the first place: it was one of the Wilds, the places where magic was raw and untamed. There was no real way to lift the "curse," aside from destroying every center of power in the vicinity of the castle and waiting a few years. The "dramatic badger battle" had consisted of him being chased by a family of mutated badgers for three minutes until he succeeded in getting away from them. Corey also didn't have a habit of talking to himself or buildings, no matter how dramatic it might have been. He would occasionally remove a cloak or article of clothing in a suitably dramatic fashion, but really that was just because he felt like it. As for the undead...
Well, every word of that was true. Fire was an excellent way of overloading the spell that kept an undead "alive," in addition to doing so much damage that their bodies would completely break down in little time at all. He had actually had a brief learning curve about the inset stones in the floor, and it had taken him a few minutes to pick them out and avoid them. The trick was when he was fighting and somehow had to avoid stepping on the stones. They hadn't been physical traps, but it was just easier to say that to his audience. They were actually spells that were activated by living matter stepping on them: an undead, which was not technically "alive," wouldn't set an alarm like that off. Corey had actually spent most of the corridor fights hovering and hopping using his wings to avoid the traps, which had also been set in no pattern at all, meaning he couldn't just walk a certain way to avoid them. And the second sword comment was completely accurate as well: the corridors had been too tight for him to use Wolkenschneider, so he had just used one of his normal magic swords for most of the fights.
He had also gone to the top of the keep first - the area best protected and always intended for the castle's lord - only to discover that someone had already gotten their hands on the chalice and then accidentally set off a completely different trap and had ended up getting lost... which meant that Corey had spent about three hours or so wandering around trying to figure out where the other guy had gotten to. That was when he found the dungeon... and the wyvern that the other guy had already found as well. The battle between him and the wyvern had actually gone on for a bit longer than he had hinted, and his kilt had been slightly torn during the fight, but he had still won... with a total of three Ice potions - not two - and the second sword being used to put out one of the wyvern's eyes as well as Corey actually
punching the wyvern at one point, an act that had lead him with bruised knuckles and screaming in pain for about two seconds. But the final head stab had actually happened. As had his quick experiment with the cup to heal his wounds.
There hadn't actually been an alarm on the cup, but it was a lot easier to explain that what had really happened. The wyvern had been imprisoned for so long that it had become tied into the magic of the castle, meaning that its death had basically sent out a shock wave through the magic of the area, affecting every magical entity inside the area... including the undead. A good explanation would be a bug landing on a spider's web: the little movements of the bug trying to break free tell the spider that its meal is here. In this case, the undead - and by extension all of the creatures outside the castle - knew that something was going down. Corey also neglected to mention that the old castle's foundations had been damaged over the years, and the battle between him and the wyvern had done enough damage that part of the reason Corey was in such a hurry to leave was because the entire castle keep was coming down on top of him. He hadn't wanted to waste time fighting the undead: he didn't want to get crushed under tons of ancient rock! As for the climactic duel between Corey and a legion of undead soldiers and guards and former adventurers complete with rampaging Saurian and last-minute salvation from a magical chalice and some rainwater...
... well, sometimes you didn't need to exaggerate.
It was Johnny's uncontrollable yawn that disrupted the reverie.
"Bedtime, young man," exclaimed his mother as she walked over to him. "You've had a very exciting evening, and we've got a trip to finish tomorrow." She looked glad that Johnny seemed too tired to complain, as she thanked Corey for the wonderful story and she and her husband went up to their room... but not before Corey flapped his wings open one more time to Johnny's sheer amazement.
"Crud, it's really late," Nick said upon looking at his watch. "I don't feel like walking home."
"Awww, is widdle Nickles afwaid of walking home in the dawk?" Tarn asked in the exact tone of voice that one would use on a toddler.
"Tarn, quit it. Nicky, you wanna crash on my sofa tonight?" Cor asked.
"That'd be great! Thanks! See you later, Tarn!"
"Yeah, yeah." Tarn leaped down from the bar with practiced grace, while Nick took the time to clamber down a stool to the floor. Other customers either realized the time and moved to grab coats and jackets or moved to head up the stairs to their rooms. Tarn waved to everyone, gave Corey a friendly punch in the arm, and mussed up Nick's hair before she walked out.
Nick didn't crash on Corey's couch regularly, but he had planned ahead for such an occasion and always left a suitcase of spare clothes at the inn. In no time at all he was in his PJs and snoring on Corey's couch. Within about half an hour, the rest of the inn had gone quiet, and Corey was the only one up, listening to the cute little sounds his best friend made when he was asleep while thinking about the evening.
Sometimes it was hard to believe that it had only been a year or so since the events he had just been telling, but at twenty-six Corey had already retired from active adventuring, preferring a somewhat slower pace of life to further risk to life and limb from his already strained luck.
"A slower pace of life? Yeah right," he thought to himself as he opened the door to his room.
It was filled with mementoes of his adventures: swords, bits of armor, flags, shields, artifacts. And there, in one corner of a shelf, was a cup seemingly made of solid gold, covered in precious stones that even by itself was a king's cup, but the magic inside it made it worth a whole kingdom...
"Hm, I should dust that thing one of these days" he thought to himself as his gaze kept traveling. Little gadgets, things that he had found or been given, years of adventuring and training, dating back to when he was about fourteen or so... the culmination of his dreams, and he'd decided to retire.
When he had been a kid, he'd never understood why his dad had retired from adventuring. Now, the look in that little boy's eyes, and knowing that he could never have told that story... sure, he'd stretched things a little, but still it was mostly true. The fact that he was here to tell it, and to know that he had done all of those things, well, it almost made up for the fact that that was a part of his life that he had basically put behind himself.
"Lights off, weapons cleaned and stored..." Corey thought to himself as he did a last perusal of the room. He turned to his window overlooking the ancient meteor-crafted lake, and gave a contented sigh before going to bed.
Well, tomorrow was just another adventure at Crater Lake.
Good sweet and terrible gods, it's even longer than the first part! Okay, questions, comments suggestions, helpful critique?
Now that I think about it, this little prologue is probably the first thing I've actually written in about a year or so, aside from notes and world-building stuff. Cool.
Oh, and before I forget...
*runs and hides until the backlash over the plot twist blows over*
You were afraid I wouldn't like that? Jeez, man, that was sublime.
The twist really made it feel real, both the outer story and the inner tale. The bantering between the four friends made me giggle. And the last bit, in the head of Cor, gives a bit of insight into the character.
Bravo.
Oh! And even though the ending of the tale was kinda truncated, it was interesting. I can definitly see the subversive style you were talking about.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 12:59:14 AM
You were afraid I wouldn't like that? Jeez, man, that was sublime.
Just out of curiosity, is this...
Quote"And then what happened?!"
... what you were thinking when I ended Part 1?
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 12:59:14 AM
The twist really made it feel real, both the outer story and the inner tale.
I kind of wanted part 1 to sound really overdone, like it was a big-time movie or a comic book or something, which is why I threw in all those little dramatic flares. I loved writing Johnny's line, though.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 12:59:14 AM
The bantering between the four friends made me giggle. And the last bit, in the head of Cor, gives a bit of insight into the character.
Did the banter sound natural? I don't want it to sound forced: these are people who have known each other for at least ten years or so. Also, what did you think about those four/five paragraphs telling exactly what really happened on that day? Did it make Corey sound better or worse? I mean, well, I don't know... which version sounds more awesome, if you will? For that matter, what do you think of him now that you've seen him in action and that we've seen him as he is when the book starts? (this is basically the prologue).
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 12:59:14 AM
Bravo.
Again, thank you. But, no offense to you, I'm going to wait for a second opinion...
... crud, I just caught a typo or two... diving in! Thanks again for the comments!
EDIT: Six pages! Yes!
It didn't sound forced to me, the banter between them. But then, I'm not the best critic. I'm liking Tarn more and more though, actually kissing Nick, she shameless, ain't she?
I think I actually like Corey a bit better. Looking at a character profile doesn't tell me who someone is, how they act does though. This might sound a little harsh, but in my head he's just a more serious Dan-clone. Once I've seen more and more of him, Corey should become his own person and have his own place in my mind. Again, I realize this sounds harsh, but I mean no insult by it. But really, who doesn't embellish a story, especially when surronded by a good crowd. If I only told the truth about my life-stories, no one would laugh. And that's just not fun.
Actually, that is the second thought I had. The first was "[bleeps] cut the story short!" The third was "Oh thank god, I don't have to wait awhole day for the next piece!"
So did he actually fight the undead knights and the Sariun and the chalice and rain-water stuff happen, is that what you meant by somethings don't need exageration?
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 01:20:42 AM
It didn't sound forced to me, the banter between them. But then, I'm not the best critic. I'm liking Tarn more and more though, actually kissing Nick, she shameless, ain't she?
She knows that Nick doesn't really like people touching him in a personal way, and you don't get much more personal than a kiss, do you? I think she might have a crush on him, though I don't know if the feelings are reciprocated.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 01:20:42 AM
I think I actually like Corey a bit better. Looking at a character profile doesn't tell me who someone is, how they act does though. This might sound a little harsh, but in my head he's just a more serious Dan-clone. Once I've seen more and more of him, Corey should become his own person and have his own place in my mind. Again, I realize this sounds harsh, but I mean no insult by it. But really, who doesn't embellish a story, especially when surronded by a good crowd. If I only told the truth about my life-stories, no one would laugh. And that's just not fun.
Well, in my mind Dan is basically classified with about fifty percent of all video game sword-wielding main characters, so I'm not offended. Besides, first impressions are important, and all you've seen him do is tell a story about one of his later adventures to a group of strangers and choke on some ale. It's worth noting that he doesn't always embellish his stories: a good deal of the time he tells them straight. But, come on, if you're telling an exciting story about your life to a six year old, you'd embellish it a little to. Every hero - even former heroes - likes to have admirers.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 01:20:42 AM
Actually, that is the second thought I had. The first was "[bleeps] cut the story short!" The third was "Oh thank god, I don't have to wait awhole day for the next piece!"
Well, I didn't have the second part written yet, aside from that interplay between Nick and Tarn, so I just decided to post what I had.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 01:20:42 AM
So did he actually fight the undead knights and the Sariun and the chalice and rain-water stuff happen, is that what you meant by somethings don't need exageration?
Yep.
Quote from: Pagan on August 13, 2008, 12:59:14 AM
Oh! And even though the ending of the tale was kinda truncated, it was interesting. I can definitly see the subversive style you were talking about.
Oy! You're not allowed to add something once I've responded to it! In all seriousness, it ends on a truncated note because I wasn't sure how to end it: given a little more time, I could probably add another page to it, but it's pretty long as it is. Besides, with a little work, this could become the prologue for the story of Terra, introducing six of our main characters (Ariel, Kyle, Francine, Cornelius, Tarn, and Nick... in order of age, of course) and kind of showcasing their relationships...
That was a good read. It certainly explains the Indiana Jones feel to the first chapter.
The flip-flopping between whether the story was real or not was a little aggravating to read at the time, though as Pagan says, it makes it feel more real, and that it was irritating is itself is a good sign because it means I got dragged into the story enough for me to care about it.
The only thing that left me feeling a bit dissatisfied was that Cornelius is a bit too close to Dan for comfort. That is something that is liable to change as the story progresses, but for now the parallels are pretty obvious.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 06:53:26 AM
That was a good read. It certainly explains the Indiana Jones feel to the first chapter.
Well, most adventurers end up pulling a Jones story at some point in their life (and some of my characters who aren't adventurers). Plus, I guess that in a lot of ways Cornelius is like Indy: they're both somewhat cynical romantics, they're both genre-savvy heroes, and for both of them there's the possibility that their heroic side is just an act to cover-up how they really feels. Albeit, Indy tends to tune down his adventures when he's retelling them, but Corey's only a twenty-something while Indy was thirty or forty in the films... give Corey a few more years, and he'll start downplaying everything. "Neah, there were only a couple of zombies to worry about." Which might not be a good thing. I do know that by the time of the second story (the one where I know how it starts even though I don't know how this one ends), he's a world-weary cynic who barely even talks about his past, even with his friends.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 06:53:26 AM
The flip-flopping between whether the story was real or not was a little aggravating to read at the time, though as Pagan says, it makes it feel more real, and that it was irritating is itself is a good sign because it means I got dragged into the story enough for me to care about it.
Yeah, I will admit that was a little much. Of course, my original idea was that he was going to retell the story as it had really happened, so count your blessings while you can. Plus, if I had a best friend who was an adventurer, I'd probably tease him something terrible when he was telling his stories too. Any suggestions for that?
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 06:53:26 AM
The only thing that left me feeling a bit dissatisfied was that Cornelius is a bit too close to Dan for comfort. That is something that is liable to change as the story progresses, but for now the parallels are pretty obvious.
Hey, it's a first draft that I wrote with no notes in a couple of hours: I honestly wrote this whole thing as I was writing it out. It still needs some work... and this is meant to show us the characters as they are at the beginning of their adventures. You need to see the genre-savvy pirate captain, the governor's daughter who wants something different, and the blacksmith who would never dream of helping a pirate before you can show the captain doing something to help other people, the governor's daughter outright defying her father's wishes, and the blacksmith saving a pirate's life. You need to see the heroic braggart who doesn't play the hero anymore before he willingly steps into the role of a real hero for good, you need to see the timid nerd before he finally grows up and takes a stand for himself... well, I really can't reveal much else, now can I?
From a technical standpoint, any recommendations or things that you caught?
What, did no one catch the two references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I mean, they weren't much, but they're in there.
Quote from: Jairus on August 13, 2008, 10:40:58 AM
From a technical standpoint, any recommendations or things that you caught?
None that I spotted, no. I can go over it again if I have time.
QuoteWhat, did no one catch the two references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I mean, they weren't much, but they're in there.
Not one of my favourite films, so no.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 10:47:15 AM
Quote from: Jairus on August 13, 2008, 10:40:58 AM
From a technical standpoint, any recommendations or things that you caught?
None that I spotted, no. I can go over it again if I have time.
Okay, thanks. I want to improve whatever I can.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 10:47:15 AM
QuoteWhat, did no one catch the two references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I mean, they weren't much, but they're in there.
Not one of my favourite films, so no.
Ah, that's okay. They were kind of weird references. There was the mutated badger (a reference to the Trojan Badger Bedevere wanted to build after the Trojan Rabbit plan failed), Castle Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh's real name is Castle Stalker (original spelling Stalcair), the Chalice of Rebirth is kind of like the Holy Grail, and then the undead knights who did nothing but shout in a weird language and smack their helmets (the Frenchmen).
Okay, it looks good to me. The only question I have is this:
What kind of a thing is Cornelius? I'm assuming he's a winged human rather than some kind of anthro creature, but it's not altogether clear.
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 03:06:32 PM
Okay, it looks good to me. The only question I have is this:
What kind of a thing is Cornelius? I'm assuming he's a winged human rather than some kind of anthro creature, but it's not altogether clear.
He's a Human. Sorry I didn't make it clearer, I kind of mentioned it in an earlier post (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg214000.html#msg214000). Cornelius is a human with what is believed to be a magical mutation (for example, the minor character Skaira (Dreksa's (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg212249.html#msg212249) adopted son) has white hair because one or other of his parents worked with a lot of magic or were exposed to it). I've always had this kind of idea that natural magic in sufficient qualities acts like radiation, except instead of killing you it does funky things to your genes, which get passed on. Wyvern are the descendants of Saurians that spent a lot of time in high-magic areas. Adventurers and sorcerers and magical scientists spend so much time around magic that their kids sometimes are born with mutations, though they are rarely - if ever - dangerous to the parent or child (see Skaira's white hair): wings are rare, but they happen on occasional, though Corey is probably the only four-winged mutant. They also tend to be wizards, but that's a different story and slightly irregular. Sufficient qualities of magic can also screw with high technology, but no more than solar radiation does today (a little magical hardening of any computer does wonders). Wild magic does some weird stuff (to tell the truth, it's a bit of an homage to the Discworld, where more often than not wizards and wizardry are treated like nuclear physicists, with old spells and books being buried for thousands of years to let them lose their power safely and magic doing weird things when left alone).
Incidentally, exposure to massive amounts of energy might just have given birth to the ancestors of the Angel and Demon races, and by extension the Lazerai race, though what that means for Corey is unknown...
Anthri (my term for anthropomorphic animals and also for all humanoids: in this case, number 1) do not exist on Terra outside of stories and mythology. It's kind of hidden in one of my other posts... ah, here it is. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.120.html) It's under the "Wyvern" entry.
Hope this helps a bit.
So, it's handled in the backstory? I did not read those. There has been a glut of worldbuilding articles in the Tower recently, and to be frank, I haven't been reading them.
I highly doubt I'm the only one, so it would be a really good idea if you folded the critical information into the story itself (something I wasn't too hot at with Future History, since it was originally intended to be read after Chronicles).
Quote from: Tapewolf on August 13, 2008, 04:02:19 PM
So, it's handled in the backstory? I did not read those. There has been a glut of worldbuilding articles in the Tower recently, and to be frank, I haven't been reading them.
I highly doubt I'm the only one, so it would be a really good idea if you folded the critical information into the story itself (something I wasn't too hot at with Future History, since it was originally intended to be read after Chronicles).
Well, this is either A) a first draft short story or B) the prologue to a book where all of the important stuff gets mentioned eventually. But, yeah, I should mention somewhere that Corey is basically a winged human. I'll work on it.
Hm, I don't think I'll do a big thing tonight. I don't think I could get another nine pages or so out tonight. Maybe this weekend.
Okay, I lied. I got nothing done today, because writing that whole thing yesterday seems to have temporarily drained me of my creativity: hopefully it'll be back on Friday, cause I'll basically have all day free to write something.
Now, the question I have for my three/four followers it: what should I do next? I'm currently working on a little thing that is a lot more independent of the main story, and is set when Nick is about eighteen and has only been in his house for about six months or so and has a few of his gadgets and inventions up and running. Here's a taste:
QuoteIt was two in the morning in the Cidney house, and the house's sole resident wasn't asleep yet. In fact, eighteen-year-old Nicodemus Cidney was currently in his kitchen, nursing a mug of tea and wearing only his PJs and a robe. He was also writing something out on a pad of paper, but that wasn't all that unusual.
He had been sitting there for three hours now, and there was a stack of paper covered in notes and hastily drawn diagrams and a handful of concept sketches set next to him, his glasses lying forgotten next to the stack. Even now, he tore off another sheet of paper and got to work on the one behind it, drawing what looked like a dramatically-updated version of a medieval knight's helmet. The pad had once had a hundred sheets on it, and was now down to about seventy sheets, and at the rate he was going it was going to be a long night -
"Got it."
- never mind.
Now, I'm just asking if I should try and finish it Friday, or do some more world-building stuff? You know, what do you guys want? I don't think anything will get up tomorrow, since I'm going to be spending the afternoon and evening out at dinner with family, but definitely something Friday.
Sole occupant, not soul.
Other than that, I went through and read your other story. I think you were trying to squeeze too much into too little space, in the second half, myself.
I could go into details, but it's a minor niggle; most of it was fairly good, and certainly your grasp of the language is fairly good. This is important for writing, and something that many fans tend to miss...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 14, 2008, 10:49:49 AM
Sole occupant, not soul.
Fixed, thanks for pointing it out.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 14, 2008, 10:49:49 AM
Other than that, I went through and read your other story. I think you were trying to squeeze too much into too little space, in the second half, myself.
I know, it felt like that too. I'll probably end up working on it over the weekend... you know, when I should be doing homework or writing another story. I definitely want to finish this new one though: I think that techmaster-glitch and Pagan will be interested, since it's about the night that Nick designed the Roland's first prototype...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 14, 2008, 10:49:49 AM
I could go into details, but it's a minor niggle; most of it was fairly good, and certainly your grasp of the language is fairly good. This is important for writing, and something that many fans tend to miss...
Thanks. Again, though, first draft, so it'll get cleaned up a bit.
Figured it might be. ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 14, 2008, 12:36:40 PM
Figured it might be. ;-]
Hey, I wrote this thing while I was writing it. All I knew when I sat down to get started was that part one was going to read like some kind of action movie or overblown manga/anime fight scene, while part two was going to deconstruct that story and then tell the real story and also introduce six of the main characters (Corey, Nick, Tarn, Ariel, Franny, and Kyle). Part two is about a page longer than part one since I had to fit a bit in. I didn't outline it or anything. Come to think of it, that's how most of my actual writing works: I only have a general idea of where it's going to go, and I just see where it takes me. Which is not to say that I don't know the plot already, just that I don't know the specifics. Sometimes I surprise myself: originally I had no idea that Tarn would kiss Nick, until I got to that point and realized that that is
exactly what she would do in that situation.
So laaaate...Finally had time to actually sit down and read the last tech post. I like the Shell bots. Swarmbuilders FTW!
But sadly, I still do not have the time to actually read the new storieeeees D: ...so sorry :cry
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 14, 2008, 09:56:13 PM
So laaaate...Finally had time to actually sit down and read the last tech post. I like the Shell bots. Swarmbuilders FTW!
I thought you would like that. One little thing I forgot to mention is that the Shells each have a personal AI similar in scale to the one that runs Nick's lab. They're based on an AI that his sister developed for a video game, and they can learn and grow from their experiences. They're not a true Turing-class AI, but they each have their own little foibles and tricks. One of the robots even decided that it was female. Her original code was Edward (fifth of the six), but she goes by Edwina or "Ed" now. Hm, why did that jog a memory for some reason? The first robot is called Al, by the way.
By the way, did you catch this little mention hidden in one of my recent posts:
Quote from: Jairus
I definitely want to finish this new one though: I think that techmaster-glitch and Pagan will be interested, since it's about the night that Nick designed the Roland's first prototype...
Hehehe...
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 14, 2008, 09:56:13 PM
But sadly, I still do not have the time to actually read the new storieeeees D: ...so sorry :cry
No worries, don't have to hurt yourself or anything. But everyone should have a good cry now and then.
... So there's six edwards?
Ed, Edd, and Eddie, anyone?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on August 15, 2008, 09:57:59 AM
... So there's six edwards?
Ed, Edd, and Eddie, anyone?
A, B, C, D, E, F. Al, Ben, Chad, Drew, Ed (the girl), and Frank. Short, easy to remember and say, and in alphabetical order. Nick has stretched their names out to Albert, Benjamin, Charlie, Andrew, Edward/Edwina, and Francis, but he never calls them that, and to be frank they don't enjoy answering to them.
Okay, hopefully I should get my rear in gear and actually write something today, but if I don't get the story written I at least have an idea for three pieces of technology (for once, not invented by Nick), called Ward, Robe, and Armor.
EDIT: wow, over a 1000 page views? That does a lot for my fragile ego. Just kidding.
Okay, I can't get this bloody story written out, and the stuff with the Ward, Robe, and Armor isn't going well, but I'm going to post something today! Race/species profiles, two of 'em! Short, simple, and sweet, because no representative of either of these two races shows up on Terra - and if they do, they're not important. These will also provide just a teeny-tiny bit of breeding information, so Pagan, you can pretend that Fluffy is reading these out loud if you want. Changelings and Demigods, here we go!
Changelings are the resultant offspring of the breeding of a Faerie with a mortal being (I say being, but really almost any interracial breeding will create a Changeling)(they're also technically a Fusion rather than a Hybrid, but Hybrid describes them pretty well). They are technically immortal, immune to the cold iron weakness of their Faerie cousins, extremely magical, stunningly beautiful, and have a tendency for being loners and stuck-up gits. They do have a justification for being so, though: being immortal, Changeling (and other immortal beings) have to face the aging and death of any mortal friends they have. Changeling tend to only have mortal friends when they are very young, when the experience of losing their first set of friends tends to be extremely traumatic and affects them for the remainder of their existence. Changeling - like Faerie - can also choose when they would like to die, so some Changeling after a few tens of thousand years choose to live with a group of friends, maybe start a family and adopt some orphans, and then die at the same time as their friends start dying off. Alternatively, they can hang out with other immortals, which leads into them being perceived of as haughty and stuck-up by other races who don't fully understand their existence. In terms of their appearance, Changeling basically look like the most gloriously beautiful members of their species, in fact so beautiful that you can tell them apart from normal members of their species that way: they just don't "fit" properly, but you have to practice for a little bit before you can recognize the uncanny valley feeling that you get when you watch them. They can be any species, though the Changeling abilities tend to override any magical powers or abilities of that nature, and it takes a little more effort on the part of the resultant Changeling to use their species gifts. They can also breed with basically anything, and the child will be a Changeling as well, though the matter of species comes down to hybrid genetics, and I'm still working on those: there are no half-Changelings. Changeling can also be killed via normal means, but it takes a lot more effort to kill them and they're still tremendously powerful mages. They all have magic, but it's more of a general magical ability than any genuine wizardry or something of that nature. When they use their magic, they tend to manifest a Faerie-like set of wings, but they aren't useful for flying and are more like magical energy projections or after-images than anything. Tolkein's elves would be classified as Changeling Humans.
Demigods are the resultant hybrids of a god and a mortal being mating. Really, there's not much else to say. Physically attractive (damn near perfect) and imbued with a fair amount of divine magic and powers, Demigods are also really really rare. Why? Because gods aren't physical beings (spiritual/magical), and thus don't technically have all of the parts. The pairs can only result under special circumstances (like, say, a really horny leader of the gods assaulting a woman in the form of a swan or a bull - and thus having the parts) can result in a demigod. Paradoxically, their rarity means that they show up in stories more often: destiny is really attracted to Hybrids (Destiny itself might deserve a topic: let's just say it's part of the force of wild magic like Faeries and Gods, and it's even closer to the true root of wild magic than either), so they just turn up proportionally really often. The child of a Demigod is not a demigod, but just a normal being: if they want a Demigod for a kid, they'd better have sex with another god (back off Zeus). Demigods have divine abilities that they all share (good looks, physical power, long life), but their other abilities (and their forms) are so diverse that you can't list them. They rarely have actual magical powers.
Okay. Questions. Ask them. Please...
Okay, "The Covenant War" is basically the "high-fantasy" idea that's been bouncing around in my head for a long time. Terra's story (man do I need a name for that story: any suggestions?) is more of a video game fantasy, if you will. This story is nowhere near as developed as the story unfolding on Terra... okay, that's a lie. Um, let me try to explain.
The story of Terra (and no, it will not be Terra Tales or Tales of Terra or The Chronicles of Terra) is not developed. I have the characters, I know the "rules," I know things that will be revealed about the characters in due time, I know how their next story begins (and who doesn't make it that far...), and I know a few of the situations that they're going to go through, and I also know the big plot running behind it all... but I haven't got the story itself written. Whereas with this one, it's almost the opposite. The big plot's firmly written out in my head, the twists are there, the political intrigue among the Imperial family is planned out, the mythology and stories behind it all, and I still have the rules, and I even have an idea of what's going to happen to the world in a few millennia... but it's the characters who are not yet ready to go out. I already know how a bunch of my characters work, and I can get into their heads and see how they'd think. Tarn kissing Nick was totally unplanned on my part, but when I got to that section it just popped up in my mind and I knew that it's what she would do. Every time I try to write technobabble for Nick to say, I tone it down because I know that he'd never talk like that. The only times I can write Cornelius as the overblown heroic Dan-like character are when he's around people who aren't his friends or he doesn't know well, because he's a lot more mellow around his friends or alone. On the other, hand, there's only like two or three characters on Belenus who I understand to that degree, and one of them doesn't count. You should consider these real notes, rather than the fully formed ideas that drive Terra that I called notes. This is a completely different universe from Terra (literally!), so try not to mix them up.
The world is called Belenus (temporary, will probably change). It has four major land masses, and two major oceans, commonly called the Great Sea and the Inner Sea: the land masses are in a rough ring around the Inner Sea. The vaguely crescent largest one is roughly half-again the size of the next largest, and is called the Continent of Gwyteg: Gwyteg is divided into Northern and Southern halves by a narrower section referred to as the Salem Region, and is the southwestern-most of the four. The next largest is the Olwech Continent, and is basically opposite Gwyteg. It is less elongated than Gwyteg as well, and is more plateau-like than the mountains of Gwyteg. South of both of these are the continents of Arben and Gwalses, which are roughly the same size. Arben is a mixture of mountains and plains, while Gwalses is almost completely made of almost uninhabitable mountains. In addition to this, there are a number of large and small islands scattered in archipelagoes and chains around the continents, but the largest one is the Kare Chain near the middle of the Great Sea. The largest island in the Central Sea is simply called the Gate.
Northern Gwyteg is ruled by the Empire of Dein, while Southern Gwyteg is ruled by the Meridian Republic. The empire has a senate whose members are elected by the individual provinces that they govern in order to keep the Imperial Family in check: so far, they have done a fairly good job. The Meridian Republic is ruled by a parliament with a system similar to Dein's, though they are governed by a Prime Representative elected by the parliament themselves. The Salem region is divided into a number of kingdoms, the most famous - and important of which - is Garlon, ruled from the city of Gar Salem. The rulers of the various Salem kingdoms (commonly referred to as the Salem Confederation) are the descendants of the King Martongis, the ancient ruler of the whole of Gwyteg, and as such are very rarely at odds with one another. Though Olwech tends to stay out of Gwyteg affairs (and really isn't a major player in the story), it is divided into a number of smaller nations that more or less get along, and have a central government called the Olwech League that has no real power outside of keeping the peace. Neither Arben or Gwalses has a real central government, though Arben constituent city-states are currently working on uniting into a single government: they have not yet decided on a name. Olwech is still a loose collection of city-states, however. The island chains tend to either be ruled by the nation closest to them or have their own forms of government. Most of the archipelagoes of the Great Sea are either uninhabited or completely run themselves: the most famous is probably the Carbaireos chain, which is essentially ruled by pirates and smugglers. The Kare Chain is uninhabited by anyone, in part due to its remoteness and partly due to tradition. Gate is not ruled and is currently abandoned, and during the time of King Martongis was treated as neutral ground between the various states that existed in that era.
The primary races are humans, elves and dwarves (my versions), though Changelings are not unknown and there are a number of other races that play major parts in the story: eventually I might talk about them. Wizards are almost completely unknown, with sorcery ruling the scene: witches are also rare, and warlocks are unknown.
As for the term "The Covenant War..." Martongis wielded two swords in his life, one called Oath Keeper and the other called Covenant. It was with Covenant that he united the war-torn Gwyteg continent, and it was under Covenant that he launched an era of peace. Covenant was hidden shortly after his death, with only his descendants carrying the knowledge of where it had been hidden. Whoever wields Covenant will be able to unite the people of Gwyteg - or at least the Salem region - in battle. And considering that under the current Empress, the Empire has continued an era of expansion started by the prior Emperor, whoever wields Covenant can potentially end a war... or win one. Everyone wants it, though surprisingly most people don't care about Martongis' original sword Oath Keeper.
As for Martongis himself... he is believed to have been descended of the last wizard Annwyn, a wizard so powerful that he froze the sun in the sky and even stopped the fighting between the gods that so ravished the land. Martongis was descended of a line of people called the Children of Annwyn, believed to have been the descendants of the Wizard Annwyn who mysteriously vanished five thousand years ago (a little more than four thousand years ago in the time of Martongis, so in the present it's been five thousand years - or more - since Annwyn walked Belenus). As such, the current rulers of the Salem Kingdoms have among their titles Child of Annwyn, and indeed it is said that only a Child of Annwyn can unite the world and bring everlasting peace...
Okay, there are my preliminary notes for this high-fantasy of mine. And yes, Annwyn the Wizard has the same name as Annwyn Ydraigoch. Is there a connection? Maybe...
Hmm, I should do some more geography for Terra. Probably a good idea.
Okay, questions? Comments? Clarifications?
This is a rough rough rough outline for the ten main heroes of the Covenant Wars. Yes, ten. They need ten. It's destiny. It's some ancient prophecy about needing nine and one. Stupid prophecy/parallels. Anyway, these aren't done, and are nowhere near done, but I'll expand them with proper entries when I get to that point. Sometime soon. Maybe.
Lady Eleanor "Ellie" za Valien-Randall Garlongis
Crown Princess of Garlon and - following the last period of Imperial expansion and the deaths of her husband Lord Vincent Korinsogis and her father King Kayo Garlongis - the last living descendant of King Martongis, and therefore she is believed to be the last Child of Annwyn. Since the war's end and her kingdom's conquering four years ago, she has disappeared into the ranks of Bastion, the terrorist group fighting the Empire's power. She wishes to use the image of Covenant to free her kingdom and the other nations from the Empire's control. In battle, she wields a sword, as well healing and force magic through sorcery.
Kiyoshi "Kiyo" Ilzakar
A man with a mysterious past. Born of Sakura Kiyoshi from the conquered island nation of Jin, he learned many of her ninja skills of assassination and infiltration. At some point, he abandoned whatever he was doing with his life and took up piracy. Unlike most of his colleagues, he holds himself up to very rigid standards, and is very much a gentleman: he also has no real hatred towards the Empire, and in fact has a sort of detachment from the whole thing. For some reason, no matter what clothes he wears, his right arm is always completely obscured by his gloves and a long sleeve. In battle, he wields a combination of semiautomatic gun and ninja sword, as well as a few varieties of martial arts. He also has a dashing smile and a handshake like steel.
Vart'elu'moeja "Telum"
A Changeling from the Fae Kingdom, Telum is a several-thousand year old male who left the kingdom for unknown reasons about ten years ago. He has since teamed up with Kiyo and Calvin as a sort of pirating team, and the three have been fairly successful over the years. Aside from his Changeling general magical abilities, Telum also uses a combination of bow and saber in battle.
Hobessu "Calvin" to Karuben
A member of the rare Aneshrii race, the tigress Calvin happened to travel to Carbaireos Chain in search of adventure, where she met Kiyo and Telum. She has proven to be a capable ship's mechanic, and her immense physical strength and abilities make her invaluable in a fight (more than a few barroom brawls have been ended by her). In battle, she wields a pair of gauntlets and her own physical strength, though she is also known to use heavy firepower on occasion. She is also unaware that "Calvin" is not a girl's name, or if she does no she doesn't give a damn.
Sir Aaren mor Dukai
A knight of the conquered kingdom of Anelene, Aaren migrated to Korinso and served in the army there before being captured soon after the last war ended. He is a talented and wise leader, and his squads had a tendency of coming back in better condition than other units. He is also willing to use new tactics and technology in his style, as is evidenced by his willingness to use firearms in addition to melee weapons. Though he has been out of action for the last four years, his loyalty to the kingdoms of Salem has not faltered. In battle, he uses two kinds of weapons. The first is a katana that he picked up in Jin a long time ago, and the second is a combination of different firearms (the sniper rifle in particular was his favorite during the war).
Bium Dro Den "Den"
A dwarven adventurer, Den retired about twenty years ago from the business. He has since started up Den's Den, one of the more famous taverns in Gar Salem. Though he has no children to call his own, he considers the four teenagers who currently live with him to be his family. He is a firm but fair man, who is a bit traditional in his ways. His anger at the Empire is a little less focused than most of the others, but it is there nonetheless. In battle, he uses lances and spears, as well as wind and earth magic.
Viana Clyne
The oldest of Den's adopted children, Viana is also the most mature and responsible, which probably explains why she acts very much like a mother - or at least an aunt to the two surviving children. She has devoted most of her spare time to the study of sorcery, and is an extremely powerful mage. While she has no real love lost for the Empire, she deeply cares for her home and will do a lot to protect it from harm. In battle, she wields a magical staff and a wide variety of magical skills.
Artelie Bium
A girl who lost her family at a very young age, Artelie was taken in by the Noel family, before they died during a disease outbreak in the city. She and Taph and Treyl were the only survivors, and shortly afterwards were taken in by Den. Her experiences with the war - specifically the loss of her "big sister" Taph - have changed her, and she seems to have lost a lot of hope for the future. While she has no real combat style yet, Den has been training her with staffs and other pole arm weapons - though she might learn some new weapon skills as time goes on - as well as a certain amount of Nature-aligned Magic.
Treyl Noel
The younger brother of Taph Noel, Treyl holds a great deal of resentment towards both the empire and the kingdom for the loss of his older sister (the only family he had left) and the loss of his nation's sovereignty following its surrender. As such, he wants nothing to do with either the rebellion against the empire or the empire itself. He cares deeply for what family he has left, but at the same time wishes to run as far away as he can from the war and anything related to it, though he has yet to figure out how he's going to do that. In battle, he wields a sword and dagger combo, and over the course of the story he picks up some magical skills.
Dreksa Stargazer
A mysterious swordsman who doesn't talk about his past, Dreksa showed up the day of an attack by Bastion against an Imperial Prince, and shortly thereafter is drawn into the fight. He has demonstrated a vast array of martial and magical skills, and seems to be taking Viana under his wing as an unofficial apprentice. He truly has no side in the war, and from the way he acts it's almost as if he didn't even know there was a war going on: he even goes so far as to disarm or stun his opponents whenever he can, rather than kill them. He carries two swords (a black one called Stigmata and a silver one with blood-red highlights that he does not state a name for), and tends to wear a dark overcoat. In battle, he uses Stigmata and a wide array of magical skills, though he seems to prefer physical combat.
Okay, next agenda is to fix these up.
Okay. Questions? Comments? Clarifications? Concerns? WTFs?
Nice, nice.. You clearly spent some time developing the characters, they all seem quite interesting. "Calvin" just cracked me up, and so did Aaren "Mordekhai" mor Dukai. Dreksa sounds a bit like Vash the Stampade, but that's not a bad thing. Also, Kiyo - a pirate-ninja? Neat. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on August 17, 2008, 08:41:17 PM
Nice, nice.. You clearly spent some time developing the characters, they all seem quite interesting. "Calvin" just cracked me up, and so did Aaren "Mordekhai" mor Dukai.
Well, to be blunt, Aaren is based on an old character of mine called "Aaron Mordecai Levi." Consider this Aaren an expy of that Aaron as he would be at the end of his story, plus five or so years of imprisonment. Really, though, you didn't catch the reference to a certain swordsman hidden in his first name?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on August 17, 2008, 08:41:17 PM
Dreksa sounds a bit like Vash the Stampade, but that's not a bad thing.
Hm, I've never watched Trigun, so I wouldn't know. Dreksa is meant to be a mystery, especially since this story is his first appearance, meaning that all the stuff in his profile (a few pages back in this thread), wouldn't have been released.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on August 17, 2008, 08:41:17 PM
Also, Kiyo - a pirate-ninja? Neat. :3
It gets even better: that right arm of his that's always hidden? It's a magitek prosthetic. Put two-and-two-and-two together. Heeheeheeheehee.
Also, to tell the truth, he doesn't talk about his past, so Kiyoshi Ilzakar isn't his real name.
Trivia fact: Viana and Treyl are the predecessors in my mind to Francine and Cornelius. These could be considered their earliest versions.
Okay, next for the Covenant Wars: secondary characters. Hopefully.
Quote from: Jairus on August 17, 2008, 10:58:17 PM
Really, though, you didn't catch the reference to a certain swordsman hidden in his first name?
Oh, you mean Aaren/Auron? I got it, just forgot to mention. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on August 18, 2008, 09:34:56 AM
Quote from: Jairus on August 17, 2008, 10:58:17 PM
Really, though, you didn't catch the reference to a certain swordsman hidden in his first name?
Oh, you mean Aaren/Auron? I got it, just forgot to mention. :3
Eh, not what I had in mind, but we'll go with it.
Okay, so no secondary characters for the "Covenant War" tonight. Instead, how about some... TECHNOLOGY?
Basically everything on Belenus is driven by clockwork, magitek, or pure magic. Some cities/cultures use steam and diesel power, but most of the nations/cities (especially the ones the story deals with) basically use magic to power everything. A lot of larger skyships have a back-up steam-based generator to run more high-energy systems. Diesel power in particular is a rather new addition to the power supply family, and is mainly used on really big installations that need a lot of power right now. There are a handful of oil refineries in existence, but they're fairly scattered and tend to be controlled by the larger nations. The Empire currently has the largest amount of oil refineries and controls a few of the major oil fields. Part of the reason that magitek advanced so quickly is the natural presence of low-grade sorcerer's crystals (a sort of unrefined naturally-occurring sorcerer's stone that once drained of power shatters and is rendered unusable) which made it fairly easy to design machinery that worked on generating power collected magical energy. It was the creation of synthetic magical condensing arrays that consigned fossil fuel engines to use by only the most energy-intensive devices. Albeit, these magic-collection arrays are not exactly something that can be carried around easily (the smallest is about the size of a really large backpack), so you have to have a system to spread the power around. The technology of their world is starting to come somewhat more in line with ours, but this is a recent thing for them.
They also have a sort of magitek computer set-up. These are actually fairly common, and are installed in basically ever skycraft and most installations. They are a little too expensive for most citizens to own (and a little large), so most computers are in government or public hands (like for libraries). They're actually a sort of Babbage-style difference engine thing, but taken to the next level of tech: computers of the present day even have primitive circuitry and vacuum tubes, so they're approaching the level of ENIAC, except more portable. Skycraft need these engines in order to function, given the complexity of their power cores, lift rings, control services, and all of the things necessary to run even a fighter skycraft: larger skycraft may require several large computer engines in order to function properly. Magitek prostheses (like the one Kiyo has to replace his arm), are basically clockwork driven with a few extra components to convert neural patterns into a usable format. Doctor Rafe has designed what is essentially a clockwork magitek laptop, though it has no internal power source and is really more of a portable desktop computer. All of this is really only possible through magic: strictly speaking, none of their tech is really at our level.
Weapons tech: Guns are somewhere between Revolutionary War/American Civil War/pre-World War I tech; we're talking real schizo-style tech here. Most firearms use gunpowder or some explosive to drive them, though there are a handful of magnetic-driven rail launchers being installed on certain Imperial vessels. Most handheld weapons are multi-shot affairs designed similarly to revolvers (so a semi-automatic rifle has a large revolver cylinder rather than a bottom-loading cartridge), but a handful of prototype and high-end weapons use a cartridge-like system. There are no handheld automatic weapons as of yet: what few weapons exist are too large to be transported by hand, and as such are mounted on vehicles. In addition, the only truly automatic weapon in use is a large Rotary Auto-Cannon or RAC, designed by Doctor Rafe of the Royal Imperial Research and Design Institute. This is essentially a gatling gun that is mounted on Imperial Gunboats as anti-personnel weaponry, though as Gunboat gunners are discovering it does work as an anti-skycraft weapon. Most heavy ship weapons are single shot guns, ranging from smaller semi-automatic cannons designed for anti-fighter warfare to large anti-ship cannons, though most of these are fed by some kind of ammo loading system like a belt or hopper. There are also what are essentially magitek beam cannons, though these are massive inefficient things that only a handful of ships can properly use: however, they are typically designed as turrets to get the most use possible out of them. Missiles also exist, some of the more advanced and recent versions even incorporating primitive computer engine brains to give them some auto-tracking capabilities. Some older missile-like weapons used magic spells as a sort of locking device, but these designs aren't really used anymore. A lot of fantasy-styled weapons are still in use, such as bows and crossbows and swords and other weaponry of that nature, but these are still used for two reasons: one, widespread use of spells has allowed these weapons to stay useful and powerful on at least the ground battle fields, and two, magic is still on of the best ways to deal a lot of damage in a hurry. However, guns are rapidly gaining favor on the battlefield, and most adventuring groups don't go far without a gunner of some form or another. Imperial Marksman are deadly on the battlefield, and armor tech is hard-pressed to keep up with the latest advances in bullet and firearms tech. When it comes to weapons tech, Imperials tend to be slightly ahead of the curve. One of their more recent innovations is a sort of magitek powered armor, which was introduced four years ago during the war in which Garlon and Korinso were conquered. More recent versions are even more powerful, and the Imperial Armor corps was founded in order to maximize usage of this armor.
In terms of magic, wizardry and warlockry are either unknown or legends. All controlled magic is sorcery. Magic is really widespread, and most people know a handful of healing spells or some low-level offensive and defensive magic for self-protection. They are not really considered mages, however, and sorcery is still a life-long endeavor of study and research. Most towns and cities have a sorcerer willing to pass on spells to those who need them... for a price. Also, the widespread use of magic spells and the ease of acquiring and using them means that a lot of good quality weapons tend to have some form of enchantment on them, whether it's a self-sharpening spell or an automatic elemental ability or something else. It's the use of these enchantments and magical weapons that has somewhat degraded the development of firearms on their world. Armor and shields are also enchanted, and there's a thriving business for the manufacturing, trading, and purchasing of these weapons and defenses. Ammunition can also be enchanted, but to be frank it's easier to put a high-level fire elemental enchantment on a bow than it is to put a dozen or so low-level ones on arrows. Armies have mage corps, with the Imperial Magi being especially feared among soldiers due to their high-level equipment and training. Cities and installations employ powerful magical barriers in addition to their own physical walls for protection from attack. Magical combat was a lot more common in ancient wars, and a number of old weapons are still roaming the wilderness or sitting buried in abandoned craft or buildings.
Transportation is mostly done by one of three ways: land, sea, and air. Sea-wise, most sea transportation is fairly limited, mainly between close islands and landmasses, mainly due to the widespread nature of air transportation. Some islands do employ seacraft as warships, though these are rare and more suited to defense than actual combat. Land transportation is actually fairly low-tech, all things considered: mechanized transports are rare, with most ground transportation done using saurians or proto-avions. Dragoons and other mounted soldiers ride astride carnivorous saurians, while some ancient warriors actually rode giant flying birds into battle. Ground travel is done by either those who cannot afford air travel, short distance travelers, those who enjoy the journey, or those who would prefer to avoid being seen in skyports. Most transportation is done through the use of magitek driven skycraft, which range in size from tiny one-person fighters to massive air-born carriers. Skycraft use some of the most powerful magic collection grids in use, and use that energy in a variety of ways to achieve lift. All are borne aloft by a "lift core," but their means of movement are different: some use them to drive propellers, other use ducted fans, while more recent version use something called a "lift ring" which is basically a hybrid of a propeller and a jet engine. Military skycraft are extremely impressive weapons, and their introduction basically destroyed the use of land- and sea-based weaponry in warfare - or at least aside from invasion and ground battles. Civilian craft range from small one-or-two person things to massive cruise liners that can transport hundreds of passengers at a time, though the current state of affairs in Gwyteg somewhat limits their usage.
...
Crud, I don't know what to say next. Okay, questions, comments, WTFs, ideas for my next topic?
Okay, there's not much to talk about. This is quick, dirty, and a first draft... again. Thankfully, though, this shouldn't be as long as the last one. And yes, I know it's not that well written. I don't think it's as good as the last one.
Incidentally: Really? No tech questions? Shoot. I wanted to answer something, I miss answering questions. It makes it easy to make my thread quota for the day.
Anyway, this is just a quick little scene I wrote out: it's not a full thing in and of itself.
Earlier that morning, a man walked towards Gar Salem without a care in the world, or if he had any he wasn't showing it.
The path he was walking was one of the old trade roads that used to connect the cities together before the advent of skycraft transportation. They were extremely well designed, which is probably why they still existed in enough repair to safely walk them. This particular one ran through a forest before eventually hitting plains and farmland down closer to Gar Salem. Light filtered down through the branches above, and occasionally the sound of some beast in the bushes would disturb the silence. A faint breeze filled the area, carrying with it the smells of the end of summer and the beginning of fall. A crude handmade sign - seemingly made to replace the broken marker beneath it - told the traveler that Gar Salem was "That Way." There was no hurry to his step: he'd get there eventually. In the meantime, it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.
It was the kind of stride that one only uses if one had a very good day the day before and a good night's sleep on top of that, and if one is confident in the knowledge that they day couldn't go wrong. The traveler was even whistling as he went along, sometimes even doing a little skip somewhere in the middle of a step. It certainly helped that the traveler was also secure in the knowledge that any trouble that came up that day would be easy to handle. And yes, he knew about the wyvern that lived in the cave up the hill.
A few hours passed, and it got warmer as the sun climbed. The man passed a few groups heading in the opposite direction, and even passed one heading the same way... but not before exchanging pleasantries and news and gossip with the groups. Most of the travelers seemed to hold some resentment for the Empire, he noted. Interesting. He did, however, tip his hat and get some information from a patrolling trio of Imperial soldiers before wishing them a good day and using a simple repair spell to fix one of the soldier's pair of binoculars. One of the soldiers told him where he could go in Gar Salem if he wanted to join up with the Imperial Army: according to them, a man with his skills would make an incredible Magi. He noted with a laugh that he wasn't one for wars or fighting of that nature, and bade them a pleasant goodbye. He also used a simple spell to listen in on their conversation as he walked away: apparently they were very unused to meeting someone like him, so friendly towards the conquering forces.
This man wasn't a citizen of a nation conquered by the Empire, or even an Imperial citizen. He wasn't really a traveler or tourist, or a spy or anything like that. In fact, he didn't seem to fit, as if he was a piece of a puzzle that wasn't quite right. There were a few things that didn't feel right, if you spent too much time watching him.
His clothes, for example: traveler's clothes they might have been, but far too well maintained for someone who conceivably spent most of his time walking or running. To be blunt, they were adventurers clothes, complete with a few well-hidden pieces of armor and an handful of extra pouches for supplies and equipment. The black overcoat he wore was immaculate, as if it repelled dust and dirt wherever he walked: it even flowed in the breeze right. Dark glasses protected and hid his eyes from the sun and other's prying eyes, and the whole thing was topped off with a make of hat that had only rarely been seen on the Gwyteg continent. He also carried no apparent supplies, outside of the two pouches strapped to his belt and a canteen on a loop on his belt that he now took a drink from.
Then there was the matter of his sword. Really, it looked like pretty much any other magical blade: ebony-black, too many extra features, strange markings and lines all over it, a purple-blue crystal set at the intersection of hilt and blade, mechanical components with no immediately apparent function, and on the few occasions he had drawn it it had revealed an edge sharp enough to cut air in half... really, nothing unusual for an adventurers blade. Then again, the sheath was made of metal, which was absolutely insane to use to protect a sword given that ordinarily it would dull a blade in no time. Since some good enchanted swords were self-sharpening, this wasn't too weird, just a little strange. And there was the fact that currently the sword was speaking to its master. That was both weird and strange.
With all of the majesty that an ancient and magical blade could summon, it asked of its master "Are we there yet?"
"Not yet," he replied. "And remember to keep quiet while inside the city. I don't want to have to play ventriloquist again."
"Yes, sir."
The traveler had been looking ahead on the trail, and then said "Best start now."
The sword didn't respond.
"Good boy."
No response again.
The reason he had asked for the sword's silence soon became apparent: a small outpost some distance outside of the city. It was more of a stopping point on the trail before the relatively shade-less remainder of the road. A couple of farmhouse-like buildings set up on a point where another path - this one from the south - joined up with the northern road and the one leading east to Gar Salem.
There was a boy sitting beside a water pump, while a man the traveler assumed was his father was watering some saurians. They were stej, easily identifiable by the four spikes on the tail and the cooling scales on top. Their spikes were dulled slightly: considering that a full-grown stej could do nasty damage to even a suit of armor, that was no surprise.
"H'llo!" the boy cried.
"Hello," the man returned.
"Thirsty, mister?"
"A little."
The boy held out his hand for the canteen and then refilled it. As the traveler was taking it back, he asked "About how much farther to Gar Salem?"
The man looked up. "About an hour or so, depending on how fast you walk." He pointed in the general direction of a rocky outcropping, above which one could see a few spires sticking up. "You in any particular hurry?"
"Not really. Should I be?"
The man shrugged. "The new Duke of Garlon arrives today."
"I heard that on the way here," the man said as he sat down on a nearby rock. "Prince Aleyand, correct? Fifth Prince of the Empress?"
"Everyone knows that," the man intoned. "Mind, I never cared much for the Imperial family, but the Prince and his little sister are the better ones."
The traveler nodded. "Of course, the fact that he's an Imperial means that he's not exactly going to have a royal welcome to the city."
"Hah! You can say that again!"
A groan from the nearby cottage interrupted their conversation. The traveler looked up. "What was that?"
"My wife. One of the stej" – and he seemed to generally indicate the one in particular – "was sick two nights ago and was wandering around and she got whacked in the leg. Clean break from what I can tell, but I can't afford a healer and what little magic I've got can't heal her in a hurry. She'll be down for a week or so, and unfortunately she's in a lot of pain."
The traveler stood up. "I can help her."
"You can? I just told you, I can't afford a healer right now."
But the traveler was already inside the cottage and walking over to the woman lying prone on what looked like an old couch. "Hello miss."
She looked up. He knew type: the hardworking kind of person who felt a little nuts at being forced to stay relatively still for an extended period of time. He left leg was in a rough splint, and a handful of healing potions - the low-grade kind that only worked with multiple doses - were next to her at a table. "Hello, sir. Can I help you?"
He lifted his hand and concentrated on a healing spell and began to channel magic. "Just hold still for a second." And that was literally all that it took: broken bones instantly knit themselves together, pain lessened, and within a handful of seconds it was like her leg had never been broken in the first place. "I'd keep weight off of it for a day, but otherwise everything should be all right."
Her husband was right behind him and about to voice some protest when the traveler spoke up. "And I'm not going to charge you for anything. I'm glad to have helped you out."
"Um, thank you, sir."
"And really, don't mention it." He extended a hand to help her pull herself into a sitting position so that she and her husband could undo the splint. A few minutes later, she was up and moving about and talking about how she could help with the stej the next day. And meanwhile they couldn't stop thanking the traveler for his help. He eventually turned down an invitation to a simple lunch, and wished them a good day before heading off towards the city.
"Hey mister!"
He turned back towards the cottage and looked at the boy. "Yes?"
"What was your name again?"
He gave a light chuckle. "The name's Dreksa!"
"Thank you Mister Dreksa!" he said as he waved goodbye and began walking through the farmlands and cottages that dotted the landscape around the walled city. Along the way, he continued to exchange information that only seemed to confirm the general attitude of resentment towards the new Duke in general and the Empire in specific. What with all of the stops, it actually ended up taking about an hour and a half to finally reach the city's east gate. And the sword didn't say a word the whole time.
He had to admire the design. The city had been built to handle an invasion: thick high walls to protect from the ground, and he could recognize focus points for a defensive barrier to be projected from. The city had four gates, one on each side, and each set deep into the walls: easily defendable positions even if someone got past the river that had been redirected into a large moat around the city and the mechanical bridges that crossed them. He had to idly wonder how many invasions that Gar Salem had faced before the Empire had conquered it: it was one of a handful of cities at crucial points in the lines of trade, easily defended and a stronghold against invasion. Cities on trade routes were always hotly contested.
Already Dreksa was wondering where the secret passages in and out were and how much the barrier could take before it fell.
Dreksa paused briefly at the entrance to the massive vestibule, and briefly consulted the collected stalls and travelers and traders. At the moment, none of them were giving him any attention. Good.
"Stigmata, storage mode."
Stigmata continued to follow his earlier advice to remain silent. Without a word, the sword and sheath at his waist seemed to expand slightly until one who looked very closely at it could see space between most of the strange lines. Each piece seemed to briefly glow before vanishing, until finally all that was left was the violet crystal that had sat at Stigmata's heart. A second flash, and a medallion-like structure formed around the crystal. All he had to do was place it around his neck, and it could be any ordinary mystical amulet or protection or some such thing. Considering that weapons tended to attract the wrong sort of attention inside of a city, a mere mystical amulet was a bit more unnoticeable. Besides, he had a feeling that weapons like his wouldn't be allowed past the gates. Anyway...
The gates themselves were currently open, but had a line of Imperial soldiers in full armor guarding the threshold itself. It would be easy to walk between them, and most people were in fact doing that. Already Dreksa's instincts had pinpointed a number of gunners atop the walls. This would not be a good place to cause a problem. As it was, he had the feeling he was going to get stopped on his way through.
"Sir?"
Yep.
"Yes, officer, can I help you?" he asked as he turned towards the inquiring soldier, removing his glasses at the same time.
"I just want to check you out, sir. We want to avoid trouble today."
"Well, the new Duke's coming in. I can understand your concerns."
The guard lifted his faceplate. His dark hair and facial structure hinted at a background hailing from the Jin province. He looked like he was fairly friendly outside of office hours. He was also armed with a standard issue sword, buckler, and sidearm. Dreksa had also already figured out how to disarm him in as little effort as possible, and was halfway through a plan for the rest of the guards.
"What's your name?"
"Dreksa. Never really saw much need for a last name since I've never met anyone else with my first name."
"From where do you hail?"
"Nowhere in particular. Just a little village in the mountains of Olwech, but that was a long time ago. I'm kind of a wanderer now."
"You have family there?"
"Not any more."
"My condolences," the soldier said with a respectful nod.
"No worries. Again, that was a long time ago."
"You are quite a distance from home."
"Eh, if you set your mind to it you can get anywhere eventually by walking."
It wasn't much of a joke, but it earned a brief chuckle from the both of them. Olwech was on the other side of the Inner Sea, practically the other side of the world.
"Traveler?" he asked, indicating the heavy-wearing clothing.
"More or less. Really, I'm a wanderer, just going wherever strikes my fancy. I'm also a bit of a sorcerer."
"Sorcerer? The traveling healer and protector sort?"
"Basically. Just healed a woman's broken leg about two hours ago at this little homestead. I also help handle beasts and other problems when they arise. I prefer not to kill them unless it's necessary, though."
"Do you have a staff?"
"Actually, I had a bit of an accident and it was destroyed beyond repair. I'm hoping to find a replacement here. I've heard they make good magical staffs."
"That they do, but they can be a bit expensive. Try to find a bargain on the bazaar, they're cheaper but you'll have to look a little longer and more carefully. Try not to be taken in by a convincing salesman"
"Ah, thank you for the warning."
From what he could tell, the soldier who had clandestinely been using a scan spell on him had turned up dry: he wasn't carrying any concealed weaponry anyway. Well, none that they could detect. The other soldier gave a brief wave to Dreksa's interviewer that the traveler was clear. The soldier started wrapping the conversation up.
"Try to avoid causing trouble in the city."
"Trust me, I try to avoid trouble whenever I can."
"Have a good day, sir." The guard gave a small salute and then closed the faceplate and waved Dreksa through into Gar Salem. The glasses were back on as he crossed into the hustle and bustle.
Most cities have a bazaar or a similar area where almost anything can be bought and/or sold. This was not that area. Most cities also have a sort of "greeting area" where they get a chance to put their best foot forward and impress the visitors. This was that area. Travelers and salesmen and citizens of all ages and genders and races and species could be seen milling about, going on and doing the little activities that have to happen in order for a city to thrive and function. Several large carts filled with wheat were being unloaded into underground storage bunkers, while a handful of stej plumped for the slaughter were heading towards one of the butcher's shops. All in all, things seemed to be healthy... or it would be if it weren't for the general air of unease and mistrust that permeated the environment. Half-hidden furtive glances at Imperial soldiers seemed to be going on all the time, while the Imperials went about their business looking threatening in their mass-produced plate armor suits. Decorations were up for the Duke's arrival and the feast that he presumed would be taking place that evening, but not many people seemed to be celebrating.
A brief consultation of an information center provided him with a map to help him get around. Further consultation of the map provided told him to head left at this particular road to go into the shopping district. He avoided an oncoming cart and stopped at a corner to look for a tavern or inn of some kind. He could actually use a quick bite...
"
oof!"
A quick-moving blur seemed to have run right into him while running at full speed, knocking both him and the other person down to the cobbled streets. In Dreksa's case it also knocked off his sunglasses and his hat.
"
Sorry!" came an excited voice as the other person clambered back to their feet and kept running. Dreksa had a brief impression of a young man - barely a teenager - with mid-length black hair and a lightweight outfit before the sound of glass breaking shattered his reverie.
"
Sorry again!" the voice yelled back as it turned the corner and kept running.
The broken glass had been his glasses where the boy in question had trod on them by accident. Dreksa briefly contemplated their fate until...
"Civilian!"
Dreksa looked up to see two very angry Imperial soldiers in full armor coming to a stop in front of him. "Yes, officers?" he asked from the dusty cobbles.
"Which way did he go?"
"He? Oh, the boy who hit me? He went that way," he said as he pointed. They ran that way... the wrong way, in fact.
"Why'd ya do that?" asked a nearby scarf vendor.
"Eh, everyone makes mistakes. Besides, they were just glasses, nothing too serious," Dreksa stated as he climbed back up to his feet and grabbed his hat. The vendor, meanwhile, was looking at the bent frames and shattered lenses.
"Man, those look expensive. Ten crowns, at least. If they'd caught him, you could have gotten them replaced." The vendor looked up in time to see Dreksa pull a protective case out from one of his pouches and remove an identical pair of sunglasses to the broken pair.
"As I said, nothing too serious," he said with a grin as he put the pair on. He began to walk away, when a thought seemed to occur to him. "Pardon me, sir, but could you direct me towards a good inn or bar?"
"Sure, Den's Den. Two blocks that way, make a left, then a right. It's on your left hand side, you can't miss it."
"Thank you. You have a good day." He turned to continue walking, and then stopped. "Pardon me, is this your hat?" he asked as he lifted a floppy hat off of the ground.
"Not mine. Must of been the kid's. Heh, you got something of his anyway."
"Indeed. Thank you again," he said as he walked in the direction of Den's Den.
He walked for about a block before moving into an alley for a moment.
"Something big is about to go down, I can feel it," the wanderer thought to himself as he turned the floppy hat over in his hands, examining the faded material. It really was a simple thing, more like a fishing cap than anything. Someone had stitched "T.N." into the brim of the hat; possibly it was the boy's initials. The hat looked like it had been bought in a store a long time ago, but now it had been patched and stitched so much that it was practically homemade.
"Nice hat," he thought without a trace of irony.
But it was the truth. Something big was about to happen.
Dreksa took a deep breath and gave a sigh that was somehow contented and resigned.
It looked like it was going to be an interesting day.
Good gods it's almost six freaking pages on my computer. About 3,300 words all total. Damn. Okay, again it's rough, and remember this is more like a chapter than a short story, so it doesn't tell everything.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Mistakes that you caught? More questions? Tech questions? Any sort of questions? Really, I love it when you ask questions: it makes it easier for me to write things.
Just a quick post: I've made a few minor edits to "Wanderer's Arrival," fixed a few mistakes and such. Also fixed a plot whole and dropped a few more hints.
Anyway, I think that for my next thing I'll do the viewpoint of the boy who ran into Dreksa, tell what he was doing. Either that or something else, I don't know which. Any advice?
Hooo-arrgh! I'm back! In this thread at least...
To tell the truth, I'm much more interested in the Terran story than the Covenant War, but it's starting to interest me. I'm getting a lot of Final Fantasy 12 feel from Cov War, what with the expanding empire and the angry smaller countries.
As for Wanderer's Arrival, you're right, that is long. What's up with Dreska and hats? He a jager? So I'm guessing that Terra is supposed to have a light and comedic feel to it, while Cov War is supposed to be a bit more serious?
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 09:21:06 PM
Hooo-arrgh! I'm back! In this thread at least...
Yay! I'll write something in celebration! Like a poem or a legend.
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 09:21:06 PM
To tell the truth, I'm much more interested in the Terran story than the Covenant War, but it's starting to interest me. I'm getting a lot of Final Fantasy 12 feel from Cov War, what with the expanding empire and the angry smaller countries.
Vaguely... but there's a bit more at work. It's kind of a realistic take on the "evil Empire" cliché: note that I even called the resistant group "terrorists," and Dreksa himself uses that word on them - they don't like it. There's a lot at work behind the scenes here, and the Empire's intentions are a lot more than merely controlling Gwyteg. Once they control the continent, they mean to move on and conquer the remained of the continents and countries. To be honest, they're looking for something... something that was lost a long time ago. What it is they're looking for... well, they're not quite sure yet. Whatever it is is enough to drag Dreksa all the way out there, though to be blunt it's a Stargazer thing and he doesn't know what's going on yet.
I'm surprised you didn't ask what the deal was with Dreksa's mom Annwyn and this legendary male wizard Annwyn. Unless you figured out what happened in the retelling of the story?
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 09:21:06 PM
As for Wanderer's Arrival, you're right, that is long. What's up with Dreska and hats? He a jager? So I'm guessing that Terra is supposed to have a light and comedic feel to it, while Cov War is supposed to be a bit more serious?
Dreksa's like a Cubi - he has an instinctive understanding of fashion and the need to look good. The hat, incidentally, is a fedora... I think. And yes, Covenant War is a lot more serious, but Terra has its serious bits too. It's just on Terra you never see entire cities wiped out by a philosopher's stone (remember how I mentioned that way back when?) or massive aerial battles between aircraft. Covenant Wars is the more "high-fantasy" setting, though I do have a "sword-and-sorcery" concept that also has Dreksa involved.
Incidentally, accounting for variation between universes and the general timeline of the multiverse, Covenant Wars is set about five thousand years before the events on Terra. Even the Covenant Wars characters who survive to the end of the story are all long dead by now... but since it's a completely different world/universe, that isn't very important now is it?
Um, out of curiosity, any ideas for what I should call the stories on Terra?
And, um, any other questions?
Actually... I had completely forgotten about the whole Annwyn thing when I posted.
Alright, I had thought that Cov Wars was supposed to be serious. Your style of writing, I'm not sure- it's not intrisincly comedic- but it is a bit light, and that kinda offsets the dramatic tone. And then there's the fact that nothing dramatic actually happened in Wanderer's Arrival.
No clue, unless you can help me out with a name for mine. Oh, and on the subject of names, I tend to go for very simplistic names, one or two word titles. Right now, the title I have for my story is "Missing Gods" but that doesn't exactly fit and anything else just seems to have instant and heavy connatations. Heh... I guess I should get something up in my thread... been awhile...
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 11:54:18 PM
Actually... I had completely forgotten about the whole Annwyn thing when I posted.
No worries. So, what do you think is going on there? And do you think Dreksa should tell them the truth, or let them continue to believe the story?
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 11:54:18 PM
Alright, I had thought that Cov Wars was supposed to be serious. Your style of writing, I'm not sure- it's not intrisincly comedic- but it is a bit light, and that kinda offsets the dramatic tone. And then there's the fact that nothing dramatic actually happened in Wanderer's Arrival.
Well, except for the fact that the kid he ran into was the viewpoint character, and this is actually a retelling of an event that happens earlier in the novel where Treyl runs into a guy in a black cloak, and it's kind of meant to hint that Dreksa is kind of important... and tied into things a little differently. Incidentally, the change I made was that he puts Stigmata into its storage mode: I want to avoid the video game cliche of wandering around a really big city with a wonking big sword on a character's back... er, side.
Light, heh? Hm, I've never really thought about it. I'll have to use that as a trick at some point... the lightness would disappear at certain moments, and if people have gotten used to the slightly joking manner they'd feel uncomfortable. I sense tomb scenes ahead!
Quote from: Pagan on August 21, 2008, 11:54:18 PM
No clue, unless you can help me out with a name for mine. Oh, and on the subject of names, I tend to go for very simplistic names, one or two word titles. Right now, the title I have for my story is "Missing Gods" but that doesn't exactly fit and anything else just seems to have instant and heavy connatations. Heh... I guess I should get something up in my thread... been awhile...
"Missing Gods" could work. If they're going to end up looking for them or if their disappearance was really really bad, maybe "Lost Gods" or something like that. "Gods End"... hm, depending on how important you want the gods to be, that's how you should title. Think of the subtitle for the first Jak and Daxter game: "The Precursor Legacy." The whole game was surrounded by this framework of the Precursors and their technology and the things that they had done, and you could feel their effect all of the time.
Let the people believe what they wish, no reason to lift a safe delusion if the truth is harmful.
Well, it's a bit difficult for me to explain, it's just in the way you tell the story. Occasionally giving an odd anectode or half speaking to the reader, plus there's a feeling that I know you've read the tropes wiki in your writing.
You honestly don't know who the gods are in my story? And another thing, I don't want to feel as if I'm giving something away in the title. Orginally, it was "Missing God" but when that becomes hugely revelant to the plot, suddenly the reader knows something before the characters. In my mind, that's not often a good thing.
Quote from: Pagan on August 22, 2008, 12:12:05 AM
You honestly don't know who the gods are in my story? And another thing, I don't want to feel as if I'm giving something away in the title. Orginally, it was "Missing God" but when that becomes hugely revelant to the plot, suddenly the reader knows something before the characters. In my mind, that's not often a good thing.
No, I know who the gods are in your story. I'm just wondering how important they are to the overall plot and story. Are the characters going to end up trying to find their "gods" or others like them? What are they going to learn about them? That sort of stuff. The name fits the work, not the other way around. Well, usually anyway,.
Just as an example, the tentative title for the last part of The Covenant Wars is "Broken Oath." There are a whole lot of meanings in that. On the one hand, you have the various promises that the characters make and have made to each other. On the other hand, you have a handful of promises and treaties between governments. Then the Covenant blades (there are eventually two of them) get added to the mix. Then you have the Oathkeeper sword that Martongis used to wield... There are a bunch of different oaths that could be broken, but the real oath isn't revealed until
after the term is mentioned. I believe the words will be "I leave you this blade... to ensure that this oath can be broken." It is only later that I reveal which oath this person meant...
Well... you have done it. The hook is now thoroughly lodged in my mouth and has a steadfast grip. Congratulations. Now I have to know why someone would want an oath to be able to be broken instead of kept.
Quote from: Pagan on August 22, 2008, 12:49:37 AM
Well... you have done it. The hook is now thoroughly lodged in my mouth and has a steadfast grip. Congratulations. Now I have to know why someone would want an oath to be able to be broken instead of kept.
The short answer is that someone made a two way promise ("you scratch my back, I scratch yours" kind of thing) with someone else, but didn't fully trust the other party, so made a way to break the promise (magical contracts can be really powerful) in case it was ever needed. Kind of like how some contracts have an escape clause or something like that, or a deal where the deal is off if someone violates the contract parameters. "Broken Oath" refers to that promise in particular... though quite a few promises end up broken by the end... figuratively as well as literally (such as the physical element of a promise - like a seal on a document - being broken). Even Dreksa breaks a promise, though in his case it's because he's smart enough not to trust an enemy. The series is called The Covenant Wars because ultimately it's a lot about promises.
Does that help answer the question, or raise more?
Well, I'll feel bad if I don't get something up, so how about some information on the Cool Ship? Do note that this is all temporary: the names are likely to change once I get the naming themes going and get the stuff right. So, um, go.
Artemis-class Variable Blockade Runner Shepherd Junior
A class that never got beyond the prototype phase, the Artemis-class was designed by a consortium of Salem kingdoms as a variable equipment blockade-runner class vessel. The Artemis-class vessels were vaguely oval shaped, with a central cockpit, two main forward cannons, two defensive gun turrets on the sides for defense, and engines at the back, with the rooms arranged around an interior corridor: the whole thing had a fairly narrow front profile. The original intent was to have a fast vessel that not only could reach areas in a hurry but could be customized for specific purposes, such as troop transportation or medical relief or supply runs. Main access would be granted by ramps mounted to the sides, beneath the gunnery ports. However, the concept proved unworkable at the time, as vessels designed from the ground up for their intended purpose were far cheaper and the various kingdoms were on the brink of war with the Empire so resources were rare, and the prototypes were slated to be scrapped. That's when the pirate Kiyoshi Ilzakar stepped in.
At the time, Kiyo and his partner Telum were "in the market" for a new vessel after their previous vessel the "Shepherd B" was heavily damaged and rendered unrepairable. A few words of gossip from a drunk dock worker led the pair to the most completed of the few prototypes, designated Sx-BR/A-#07. They "appropriated" the vessel and fled to the Carbaireos chain and began upgrading their vessel. Twelve years later, very little of the original ship is recognizable, and the Sx-BR/A-#07 has been rechristened the Shepherd Junior, an absolutely unique vessel on the world of Belenus.
The engines have all been replaced and custom tuned to the point that their total output is approximately 16% greater than their original thrust. The lift rings have been replaced with larger more powerful models. The two main guns were removed and replaced with two rotary auto-cannons stolen from Imperial gunboats (ammo for these is - fortunately - extremely cheap). The defensive barriers have been replaced with new models, and a full-blown capital class shield projector has been installed for forwards defense. The gun turrets have been moved from the side ports to top-and-bottom gun turrets in order to make room for Kiyo's greatest modification: a pair of swing-wings stolen from a "borrowed" Imperial prototype mounted on the sides of the ship, with three configurations to maximize the ship's abilities. In Cruise mode, the wings are folded back against the hull: this is the normal configuration, and doesn't really amplify Junior's speed any, but on the plus side the wings look like a part of the main body. In Speed mode, the wings swing forward halfway, revealing an extra lift ring in each wing and a small set of thrusters: this mode is the fastest of the modes, and in it Junior is capable of speeds matching craft half it's size. In Attack mode, the wings swing fully forward to reveal the original two main guns mounted inside them: Attack mode - thanks to the placement of the lift rings and the thrusters and a few extra flaps - is also the most maneuverable of all the modes. All of this is powered by a generator removed from an Imperial corvette (approximately twice the size of the little Artemis), and run by a differential engine removed from the same corvette in addition to the ship's original differential engine. The ship can jack into the teleportation crystal array should the need arise, and also has a cloaking device. The interior has been heavily customized as well, with hidden smuggler spots and weapons stashes, as well as a full-blown munitions assembly area located in the common area. The ship features a jury-rigged communications system that can jack into almost any system currently in use. Finally, chaff flares and a handful of hidden explosives launchers mounted at certain locations add an extra bit of bite in a pinch.
This all comes at a price, however. Currently, Junior only has three crewmembers, six less than would normally be used were she in her original configuration. With Kiyo as the pilot, Telum as the copilot and gunner, and Calvin in the engine compartment to make sure that everything runs smoothly, there are no spare hands available: the gun turrets are almost never used because of this. Parts for the ship are rare, so Kiyo is reluctant to endanger her in actual combat. Both the cloaking device and the shield system can only be used in Cruise mode, the least energy-draining of the three modes. Space inside is at a premium, and most every room has been shifted or modified: there are two bunk rooms with space for three people each (one of which is used for storage), a common area, and two cargo holds (when all ten characters are finally on board, half of them are sleeping in hammocks in one of the cargo holds). One of the entry ramps is also unusable because Kiyo modified it to contain a single hover zoomer. The teleportation system takes so much energy to jack into that the ship has to power most of it's non-essential systems down in order to use it, and usually they do it only after they've landed. The power control systems are also slightly finicky, and Calvin usually has to keep an eye on things when things get busy: she even has her sleeping area set up in the engine room to stay close to everything. Though the main frame was significantly enhanced and braced in order to mount the swing wings, the armor was cut down slightly, making the defensive barrier even more essential during battle. The ship is immensely difficult to control, and Kiyo always leaves gunnery in Telum's very capable hands in order to divert more attention to actually piloting. All in all, Junior is an incredible ship with a few handling problems. Of course, a full-sized crew would probably fix these problems, but this has never happened in Junior's history...
Okay, questions? Comments? Excitement from techmaster-glitch? Anything at all? No? Hm, tough thread.
Okay, how about something a little weird? I've referenced this group a few times, but I've never really given any information about them. Well, anyway. This is just general info for the group, and most of it isn't finalized yet, and I really can't give out any concrete info... um, well, let's just see where this takes us, shall we?
The Knights of the Realm
The exact origin of the Knights of the Realm is unknown. They've existed in one form or another for at least five hundred thousand years, and most likely even longer: in truth, the Knights have technically existed since the Multiverse was created. They also tended to stay out of events that were more or less "outside their jurisdiction," which basically meant that they only tended to step in when things got really bad. Essentially, the Knights were founded to protect the various worlds and to help maintain the borders between them and in essence defend the various universes and dimensions from threats that they would be unable to handle on their own. They would attempt to handle threats in a way to avoid interfering in the development of the various worlds, and more-or-less had a code of non-interference: this wasn't really a code so much as something they all basically did. They did, however, have an oath that all members sword: "The strength to protect the innocent, the wisdom to uphold justice, and the courage to stand against evil." The Knights were fairly self-sacrificing, and most of the times that they got involved in the affairs of different worlds it was in an attempt to protect lives at danger. One semi-knight once observed that "Life comes first, society second," and in a way that sums them up fairly well. The Knights technically existed in order to protect life.
There were only two limitations on who or what could be a Knight. The first was a really minor one: sentient life only. The second was a little stranger: you had to be aware of the existence of other worlds and universes. There was more to it than just that, of course. Almost every sentient species (and some that had no species - see Robots in an earlier post) has had a representative in the Knights at one point or another, though the Knights tend to be mostly made up of Beings rather than Creatures. This is somewhat related to the Knight's earliest days, when they were made up exclusively of Beings in order to protect the worlds from dimension-hopping Creatures. No special abilities are required, magic included: there have been Knights with no special abilities beyond their own intellects, though most of them pick up some magical or witchcraft abilities. To be blunt, there really are no longer any limitations on who can be a Knight, though of course not everyone becomes one: at most, there have been possibly several hundred thousand.
Knights tended to work in teams of three (a Warrior, a Mystic, and a Guardian) in order to maximize their combat ability. The Knights had a loose hierarchy, and were technically a group of equals. They did have a sort of Council of Masters, but it was more of a way of pinpointing problems. The Knights could deal with anything: one a handful of occasions they were even dispatched to fix a paradox someone had created by traveling back in time and killing themselves or their grandfather before their parent was conceived. The Knights mainly dealt with problems of an interdimensional nature, and tended to let wars and politics happen on their own... though they were not above stepping in when things got really nasty. The Knights were also close allies of the High Dragon race, though it is possible that the original function of the Knights was to act as a sort of counter to the Dragons in case something went wrong.
Equipment wise, they use basically everything. Any tool, gadget, spell, potion, elixir, or weapon you can think of, the Knights have probably used it at one point or another. The invention of the Familiar 300,000 years ago caused a few changes in the order, and basically every Knight started using them. The Knights also use the Ward and Robe systems, and are also among the few groups to use the Armor system as well (if you want info about these three, just ask... I'll probably get to it eventually, but I'll get to it faster if you ask). However, their single greatest weapon was something referred to as a Soul Blade (temporary name, and I'm open to suggestions).
The Soul Blade was in essence formed from a "contract" of an immensely magical nature that a Knight opened with themselves. Combined with something to focus the power from this contract on, and a Knight was capable of creating a Soul Blade. It was in essence an extension of a Knight's power, a tool that gave them more control than almost any other skill. No magical abilities were required to create this blade, but forging the "contract" was a long and tedious process of training and meditation. Once completed, they could call on this power at will to create a unique weapon suited to their needs. In the hands of a magic wielder, the blade was the ultimate level of control over their powers, and even when made by a non-magic wielder their power was incredible. Knights couldn't use just any weapon to create their Blade, however: they needed something with some form of significance to them. Blades could be "banished" and "summoned" at will, and the only one who could wield them was the person who made them originally. The introduction of the Familiar greatly enhanced the usefulness of these weapons, adding the ability to willingly call up almost any spell that the wielder had ever perform and carrying with them the enhancements and powers of their original form. Familiar-type Soul Blades can also have the "soul" aspect removed from them, returning them to their original form and allowing their wielder to make another Soul Blade: this was rarely done, and to my knowledge only a handful of Knights actually did this on a regular basis.
In terms of what happened, the Knights were mostly wiped out in a war about 9,500 years ago. The exact circumstances are either lost to history or deliberately hidden, but only a few hundred Knights survived the end of the war. The order slowly fell apart over the centuries, and no longer technically exists. However, some individuals have been attempting to revive the Knights, and so far have had relatively little success. Currently, these individuals are trying to gather a base of people who could jump-start the knights. Considering that things are about to get really really bad, they had best hurry up and get the Knights back now...
It is possible that one needs to have actually traveled to another world in order to forge one's own blade: to my knowledge, no one who simply knows about another world's existence has created a blade. Part of why this may be a necessary step is because the journey might isolate that person slightly from the universe, allowing them to call on this power... but this is purely theoretical. Soul Blades are similar in functionality to the weapons that Dragons forge to control their own powers and abilities, and the two might be related. Soul Blades are also tied in to an ancient and mysterious weapon that supposedly allows whoever is chosen to wield it to also wield any other Soul Blade in existence and thus use the powers and abilities of the original wielder... but this is the stuff of legends and superstitions at best.
And I'm sorry this is a little lot disjointed, but I'm tired and am now going to bed. Questions, comments, clarifications, WTFs, ideas? Anything? Seriously, ask me anything and I'll try to clarify. And I know that the information on their blades is relatively crazy and disjointed (compared to the rest especially), but that's because it's still being worked out. Anyway, good night!
I think a puzzle piece just fell into place. I can't think of any good name for "soul blades" at the moment, sorry. But the blades are basically what makes a KotR special from the average joe in the meta sense?
Again I see that 9,500 year ago mark. You sure it's not important?
As for the ship? Bweehehehe, I love it when you have a wonderful car/ship/whatever that could handle like a dream, if it had the right crew and the right parts. That dysfunction between piolot and crew members and ship makes for the funnest situations. So I appluad you for giving me an unexpected treat.
Got your message, thanks Jairus. To be honest, like I said before, I just hardly have the time to actually sit down and read all of it anymore. But, I have now read the tech post and the ship.
All I can say is yes, I likey very much :3 Punk settings FTW! The magic-powered 'technology' actually seemes like a more advanced form of Eberron for Dungeons and Dragons. And a question: Are these ships actually spacecraft, or just skycraft?
Quote from: Pagan on August 23, 2008, 04:39:13 PM
I think a puzzle piece just fell into place. I can't think of any good name for "soul blades" at the moment, sorry. But the blades are basically what makes a KotR special from the average joe in the meta sense?
More or less. Incidentally, I had a few ideas today about them that somewhat modify my ideas, but still hold true.
1) You need to have traveled from one universe to another: you can't just know about or have communicated with other universes. Nick knows about other universes thanks to his experience with that dimensional traveler, but he can't actually manifest a "soul blade" yet: on the other hand, that woman theoretically could (she never does, but she
could). Any interdimensional traveler could theoretically manifest a soul blade.
2) The reason for this is that they are made of multiverse energy, and in traveling between worlds you can tap into this energy. This also means that the Knights can only have existed for approximately 200 Million years, since that was about when the Multiverse was created. Given the nature of the reality-defying magic that they are made of, Soul Blades can be made of anything and take any sword-like shape: some Soul Blades have been made of frozen water (not ice) or even wood, and they are all just as effective... well, technically just as effective.
3) The core of the blade is actually not usually a weapon: it is more of a charm or something of that nature. Familiars that are used to make a soul blade are used in their storage mode, which is a jewel or some small thing like like. Familiar-type soul blades are significantly more controllable than normal ones, but they all have the same basic powers. You can temporarily disrupt a blade by attacking this core, but it won't last long at all.
4) You need an actual soul to make a soul blade. A being without a soul can wield one, but they can't make one or tap into its powers, and is little more than an ordinary weapon. The weapons might be forged from a person's memories or connections to someone, but they all somewhat reflect their maker: you can learn a lot about a person by their Soul Blade, and some people can actually pick up faint echoes of the original maker.
5) Anyone can hold and use a Soul Blade, but the wielder is the only one who can actually use its abilities, and can summon it back to their hand from anywhere. You could be on the other side of the multiverse and it would come, and to my knowledge there is no way to prevent it from coming. The blade will come through any barrier or spell... and as some Knights have discovered, they will even move across time itself to come to their wielder. To the wielder, a Soul Blade has very little mass or weight, but it acts that way towards everything else. A soul blade could be five feet long and a foot wide, and it'll feel extremely light in a wielder's hands.
6) Soul blades continue to exist after their maker's death. They can also be damaged or even broken, but will repair themselves with time. If the original wielder is dead, there is no way to ever use it as anything more than a somewhat fantastical sword... well, no normal way, anyway.
7) While you can technically withdraw the "soul" from the core, this usually ends up destroying the core, so it's not really necessary or even recommended. You might be able to manifest more than one, though I don't know if anyone has done it... certainly no character I have in mind has done it. Some Soul Blades do manifest as two halves, but that's different. As mentioned, it is possible to wield more than one, but the other one will be little more than a very fantastical and reality-defying weapon. To my mind, there are only a handful of characters who actually dual wield Soul Blades, and the ones who do that are using something extra that allows them to easily wield them.
... and that's all that I've got for now. Oh my, that seems to work much better.
Out of curiosity, exactly what was the puzzle piece that fell into place?
Quote from: Pagan on August 23, 2008, 04:39:13 PM
Again I see that 9,500 year ago mark. You sure it's not important?
Let me think... Dreksa is born within twenty or thirty years of that mark, a massive gathering of Stargazers unmatched before or since, Annwyn Ydraigoch and Skaira Stargazer and the dragon Albion all die (the last at the hands of Dreksa), Dreksa permanently loses his true dragon form, a climactic battle between tens of thousands of KotR (hey, KotOR reference! Yay!) and an army of Dreadknights that left only a handful of Knights and a single Dreadknight active, the Knights disband themselves, a scene involving a giant transforming mecha dragon built by Merlin, the Dragon race retreats to their dimension with only a few members remaining outside in an attempt to defeat Avalon once and for all, a mutli-dimensional civilization is brought crashing down by Merlin and a wrist-watch radio transmitter, a few universes and worlds are destroyed to save the rest of them, some stuff involving pirates and ninjas and demons and Lazerai and nuclear weaponry, Dreksa begins to wander the multiverse in order to make up for the loss of the Knights and possibly learn the truth about the lost past of the Dragon race... nope, can't think of anything important.
Quote from: Pagan on August 23, 2008, 04:39:13 PM
As for the ship? Bweehehehe, I love it when you have a wonderful car/ship/whatever that could handle like a dream, if it had the right crew and the right parts. That dysfunction between piolot and crew members and ship makes for the funnest situations. So I appluad you for giving me an unexpected treat.
Thanks! It's kind of a reference to the Doctor's TARDIS, which aside from the
Serenity and the
Millennium Falcon is the ultimate cool ship. The TARDIS has always had handling problems, but it was only revealed during the last season finale
why: a TARDIS is supposed to have a crew of six (one for each station at the main control console), and the Doctor has been controlling the whole thing by himself as best as he can. The ship works perfectly (and does stuff that quite frankly would make any god jealous) once the Doctor has six people to help control the ship. Of course, it's also a reference to the ships in Gundam that are always short-handed because of the events of the first or second episode, and how there tend to be control problems... for a few episodes at least, and then you never notice them again and everything works perfectly. Of course, considering that I mentioned that it was meant to be controlled by nine crew members and I have listed ten characters who are going to be in the "main party," you can guess what's going to be happening in the climactic last battle in the series... hehehehehe.
I actually feel a little sad, because once I've used this trick I don't know if I can pull it off a second time... but since Dreksa mentions on a few occasions that he's done something like "this" before (he says this after they've been imprisoned in the heart of a massive flagship and tells them exactly what they need to do in order to get out... including rescuing a member of royalty that they don't know is aboard yet. And everything that he lists happens... including having to fight some specialized guard or something like that before they can escape) I could probably have him acting nostalgic during the ship's handling problems and immediately noting the ship's handling problems, implying that he has served on a ship with a similar problem before. And most of the ships I come up with are usually short of crew, but this doesn't seem to matter much because most of them are so advanced that they could truly be handled by one person (Dreksa's ship is one of them).
Incidentally, here's the crew list that I've figured out for the Artemis-class/
Shepherd Junior: 1 pilot, 1 copilot, 1 main gunner, 1 navigator/communications officer, 2 secondary gunners, 3 engineers. Does that help any, or does it need a little more work?
Also, the
Shepherd B's name comes from the fact that some prior damage obscured the ship's true name, so they just called it
Shepherd B after they fixed up their old ship.
Shepherd B's full name?
Shepherd Book. Yes, a
Firefly/Serenity reference. I am a true geek.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 23, 2008, 05:19:33 PM
Got your message, thanks Jairus. To be honest, like I said before, I just hardly have the time to actually sit down and read all of it anymore. But, I have now read the tech post and the ship.
Sorry for bugging you, but I'm glad that you seemed to like it.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 23, 2008, 05:19:33 PM
All I can say is yes, I likey very much :3 Punk settings FTW! The magic-powered 'technology' actually seemes like a more advanced form of Eberron for Dungeons and Dragons. And a question: Are these ships actually spacecraft, or just skycraft?
Yes, I love the idea behind punk. One idea I have in mind is a clock/steam/diesel/cyber/bio/magic (technically) punk story (yes, all of the above in one story: it might be just a little ambitious of a story). Anyway, I've never actually played Dungeons and Dragons before, and most of my major ideas (such as the shapeshifting High Dragons and a few other things) were set in stone before I knew anything besides that Dungeons and Dragons was a tabletop game. I still don't know much.
As for your question: they're skycraft. The Empire might be working on a spacecraft, but I doubt it'd play into the story much if at all. I'd imagine that most civilian skycraft can't get above about a mile or so above the ground, while military models might be able to hit about three miles or so. I'd also imagine that most Skycraft only fly a few thousand feet off of the ground in order to conserve power.
Okay, any other questions or comments? If you want to know a little bit more about that Überpunk I referred to, I can give some basic info on my idea...
Hey! This is long enough to count as my post for today! I can go to bed early tonight. Score!
What is "multiverse energy"? How's it different from regular old universe magic?
The puzzle piece was just a thought about a possiblility in your plot.
I think that's the second time I've seen "Avalon." Think you could do a bio page on him?
Never watched Firefly. Who's Shepherd Book?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 12:42:57 AM
What is "multiverse energy"? How's it different from regular old universe magic?
I say "multiverse energy," but I guess I mean that it's basically the stuff that makes up the multiverse. It's really complicated, but the short answer is that the multiverse is not natural: it was created, whether by accident or design doesn't matter. It is, however, a type of magic, and it is a type that has some pretty impressive abilities... reality defying abilities above and beyond normal magic, which is saying something. Ultimately, it might be the current source of power behind magic, but I'm not quite certain. Mainly because it's something that mages have been debating and researching ever since magic was first discovered, and they have yet to figure out everything. Anyway, long answer short, it's just the stuff that exists between universe.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 12:42:57 AM
The puzzle piece was just a thought about a possiblility in your plot.
Care to share?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 12:42:57 AM
I think that's the second time I've seen "Avalon." Think you could do a bio page on him?
An entire paragraph of spoilers of an epic nature and hints at battles that would make Peter Jackson himself weep at the mere idea of attempting to make a movie involving them, and the most you can draw from the stack is "Who is Avalon?" Sheesh, what's with you, man?
...
Just kidding.
...
Is it "Avalon" or "Albion" you're talking about, by the way? I really can't give too much information on them. We're talking incredibly spoilerirific here (even more than telling you that *censored* is going to become one of the new Knights of the Realm... oh yeah, like I'd tell you (unless you really really
really want to know)), but the short answer is that Avalon and Albion (twins, incidentally) are two individuals who when they were children were not powerful enough to save the life of a friend of theirs and promised each other that they would never be that weak again. Fast forward a few tens of millions of years... and it's not pretty. In a way, it's kind of sad when you realize that somewhere deep down inside Avalon is just someone who lost someone very close to her and just lost her way somewhere along the line... and then you realize that she is capable of the most vile and incredibly evil acts anyone could ever do (including tearing someone's soul out, sticking it in a suit of armor that is under her complete control, throwing the person's broken body out with the trash, and then
ordering the armor to attack and kill that person's friends and family). Incidentally (I use that word too much, don't I?), Albion is a male, and Avalon is a female.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 12:42:57 AM
Never watched Firefly. Who's Shepherd Book?
Imagine one of the most badass guys you could ever meet in your life. Now imagine that he's a Christian Minister, who gets such lines as this:
QuoteZoe: "Preacher, doesn't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing?"
Book: "Quite specific. However, it is somewhat more fuzzy on the issue of kneecaps."
He then kneecaps a guy.
Here's the link to the TV Tropes entry on
Firefly (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Firefly), and here's the entry to the entire
page devoted to the Crowning Moments of Awesome in
Firefly (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/CrowningMoment/Firefly).
Um, did the new stuff on the Soul Blades make sense, or does it need work? Also, any questions?
The puzzle pieces were Cory, him having to become a hero in your plot, that Nick is only the "first" of your main characters to discover other universes, the nature of the Kights and finally, there was a bit of plot scent on your topic of the Knights. So the possibility is that Cory has something to do with that jumpstart that the Knights so desperatly need. (I'm really hoping your first thought when you read this is "Boop.")
Incidentally, do you know of erfworld?
So, twins. High Dragons I'm guessing. But too plotsy to even say anything... Very interesting. And I noticed all the other stuff, it's just that "Avalon" caught my eye and most of it I've heard before. Though... you seem to have an obsession with pirates and ninjas don't you?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 01:38:46 AM
The puzzle pieces were Cory, him having to become a hero in your plot, that Nick is only the "first" of your main characters to discover other universes, the nature of the Kights and finally, there was a bit of plot scent on your topic of the Knights. So the possibility is that Cory has something to do with that jumpstart that the Knights so desperatly need. (I'm really hoping your first thought when you read this is "Boop.")
Oh, you are so very very
very close...
... and yet, not quite there. However, you do get a cookie. :mowcookie See?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 01:38:46 AM
Incidentally, do you know of erfworld?
After looking it up on Wikipedia, I now know what it is. I have to say that when I first read the word "boop," I thought you were referring to something like this (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_648.php): I thought it was an expression that meant "on the nose" or something like that.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 01:38:46 AM
So, twins. High Dragons I'm guessing. But too plotsy to even say anything... Very interesting. And I noticed all the other stuff, it's just that "Avalon" caught my eye and most of it I've heard before. Though... you seem to have an obsession with pirates and ninjas don't you?
Twin High Dragons indeed: Albion was white, Avalon was/is black (technically... it's complicated). And oh so very very plotsy.
And pirates and ninja are awesome. It has been scientifically proven through rigorous testing involving many studies of ninja and pirate movies and something called the "Holy Shit Quotient," which is found by dividing the number of times someone says "Holy Shit!" by the number of scenes in a given work. Why do you think that Dreksa's first extra-dimensional experience was joining up with a group of dimension-hopping space pirates?
Hm, now that I think about it, I don't know if Faeries or pure-blood High Dragons can form Soul Blades. Maybe only half-blood High Dragons like Dreksa can... I need to think this through.
And for the record, my first thought was actually Amber, and about how none of us know what's really going on behind the scenes or what the various plans really are... and how for a brief moment, I felt like I had achieved something like that.
Any questions? (maybe I should just add this to my signature)
BoooOOOOoop! Dangit. Oh well, close enough to get a cookie.
You should read it, man. It's good.
Am I the only one that is not so hyped up on either ninjas or pirates?
You gotta tell what that's like then, I'd guess it's something like omnipotence.
Also! You once mentioned doing a lecture about the geography of Terra, but I don't think it ever was done, so could that be tomorrow's?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 02:11:28 AM
BoooOOOOoop! Dangit. Oh well, close enough to get a cookie.
You should read it, man. It's good.
Hehehehehe. Enjoy the cookie.
And I will look into it.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 02:11:28 AM
Am I the only one that is not so hyped up on either ninjas or pirates?
Yes.
...
Just kidding. In all seriousness, they mostly turn up as a joke, and since you're just getting the bare-boned details they show up a little more often. Kind of like how from the info I've given on The Covenant Wars the actual war would be the central plot, but it's far closer to the B Plot than anything else. Dreksa's crew of pirates really serves to get him various places that he wouldn't be able to get to without some help.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 02:11:28 AM
You gotta tell what that's like then, I'd guess it's something like omnipotence.
Omnipotence combined with the urge to laugh in a suitably evil and dramatic fashion while lightning crashes in the background. I guess it's how Amber feels when we make our wild guesses on WTF's going on, though if she would like to post and maybe make a comment on what it feels like for her when someone makes a wild guess that hits on a part of the hidden plot...
I will say that Cory would make a great Knight of the Realm... provided he lives long enough to become one. Hehehehehe.
And that's your old Regina avatar, I'm guessing. It's nice, but I'm gay for Abel. ;)
Any questions?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 02:11:28 AM
Also! You once mentioned doing a lecture about the geography of Terra, but I don't think it ever was done, so could that be tomorrow's?
Dude, don't edit your questions when I'm replying to them! Just kidding. Sure, I can whip something up on Terra's geography for tonight. It doesn't matter as much as Belenus', but it'd be good to know where basically everything is.
Um, just a quick tiny little thing before tonight. I drew this for the Invisible Friends contest over in the Arena, but I sort of realized that since I loosely based it off of some of my ideas, I might as well post it. I'm actually going to use this to get to work on finally designing some of the weapons. So, anyway, I drew and colored this completely with a normal mechanical pencil, which explains its poor quality. It's also not quite what I want for Stigmata, but it's a step in the right direction. Anyway...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Stigmataversion1.jpg)
Stigmata Concept (http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/?action=view¤t=Stigmataversion1.jpg)
So, um, advice, comments, questions, and concerns are all welcome here. I really want to improve my style, so really any form of constructive criticism would be appreciated.
Alas, I can't critize art as well as other writings, but I'll give it a shot.
As far as the actual drawing goes, there's nothing wrong that I can see, the blade's pretty straight and even, the hilt is portionate to the blade, the shading is clear. One question, how large was the drawing on paper?
You've said that Stigmata leans more on the techy side than the magic side, right? Or did I mishear that somewhere. And what's with that piece sticking out of the cross-section?
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 04:16:39 PM
As far as the actual drawing goes, there's nothing wrong that I can see, the blade's pretty straight and even, the hilt is portionate to the blade, the shading is clear. One question, how large was the drawing on paper?
About six inches long. Which is part of the problem with measuring with a ruler and shading correctly when you're working with that scale. My next one will be a few inches longer when I draw it so I can get a little more detail in.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 04:16:39 PM
You've said that Stigmata leans more on the techy side than the magic side, right? Or did I mishear that somewhere. And what's with that piece sticking out of the cross-section?
It's magitek, so yeah. Modern magic is a lot more friendly with magitek, and Familiars are the biggest aspect of it.
Um, long answer short, it's basically a magazine containing charged capacitors of magical energy that allow mages to perform big bursts of magic in a hurry. It's bloody useful on the battlefield, since it allows you to do spells that would take several seconds to charge up nearly instantly. Dreksa in his "normal" human form is little more than an immortal wizard who knows a ton of magical spells and has more power available than most people: Stigmata allows him to do more. And since Stigmata is also designed to perform spells on its own should the need arise, it can also use those banks of capacitors to protect its master. Those capacitors are based on sorcerers stones, with the exception that they're pure technology. I need to work on the design a little more, I know.
Does that kind of help?
Indeed, though now I am very curious about these tech based sorceror stones.
And yeah, when it's that small scale, detailing is a complete ass.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 07:07:09 PM
Indeed, though now I am very curious about these tech based sorceror stones.
There are a few different ways that I can see them working, and I don't know which I prefer. The first is basically a "bottle" of magical energy that is loaded into the sword and then channeled through the blade and into the mage who then releases it in a spell. The second is where a magical charge is converted into an alternate form and then converted back... into... energy... and...
And I just redesigned sorcerer's stones in my head. Awesome. But now I need to think this through...
Okay, the magical cartridges that Stigmata uses are basically "bottles" of magical energy that is compressed as far as it can. They're just magical capacitors, to be honest, so they're designed to "dump" their energy when made to and can do it in a hurry. They're really efficient and I imagine that they're designed to last for possibly months of not being used, but I can see Dreksa occasionally recharging them to make sure they're at an optimum level of charge. I can also see them having a small self-destruct mechanism to make sure that hyper-tech like the Familiar doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Quote from: Pagan on August 24, 2008, 07:07:09 PM
And yeah, when it's that small scale, detailing is a complete ass.
Erasing stuff is the hardest part of it all. Argh.
Okay, sorry I didn't get this up last night, but I got home late and didn't have the energy to write it, so here we are. Terra's geography. This is even more disorganized than the stuff on Belenus, mainly because while The Covenant Wars traipses all over a continent and half a dozen archipelgos scattered around the world, the stories on Terra focus on Crater Bay and only occasionaly diverge from there. Oh well. Also: any suggestions for a name for the stories on Terra and about Cory and his friends?
Okay, Terra. It has three major continents of about the same size, two or three mid-size landmasses that are vaguely crescent shaped and one of which extends around Meridos, a handful of smaller landmasses (think Madagascar size or slightly larger), and a ton of islands. The major landmasses are separated by bodies of water called the Strait Seas, with the Median sea between them: each straight sea is named after the two landmasses they separate, ie "the Meridos-Laros Strait Sea". They're organized like a triangle with the point pointing to the west. The one the story takes place on is called Meridos, and it's the one on the west point of the triangle. It's mostly a warm place, though some areas see snow in winter (like Crater Lake). Crater Lake, incidentally, is in the southern part of Meridos. Laros is the top-right continent, and tends to be cooler than Meridos: part of it extends up into the artic region. The bottom-right continent is Renfas, which we really don't get into... actually, we really don't get into Laros or Renfas... I just realized that all three of those end with an "-as." Anyway. The mid-sized landmass is called something like "Merian", and is considered a part of Meridos: it actually extends farther north than Meridos. The other two are in the tropic regions, and I don't have a name for them yet. The large islands are fairly scattered, and a few of them are sort of congregated in their own little area: this is the Osan Chain. Finally, you've got a buttload of islands - either solitary or in chains - everywhere. Seas tend to be named after the continent next to them. The major ocean is sort of broken up by island chains, and is more-or-less divided into three parts called the Meridan Sea, the Laran Sea, and the Renfan Sea: in modern days, these are little more than names, and no one really cares about the borders. The major continents have the features you'd expect of them, so let's not go into that.
Government wise, you've got everything. Meridos has a number of city/nation states, organized into a sort of Confederation. Ghrezia is located in the northern part of Meridos. Laros has a handful of feudal kingdoms and a republic or two. Renfas is controlled by the Renfan Empire, which conquered basically every nation on their continent and made them into provinces: the provinces basically run themselves, but all of them ultimately answer to the Imperial Senate. The Emperor/Empress is more or less a figurehead (The Renfan Empire is sort of a combination of Great Britain and the Roman Empire). The predominant language is New Renfan, due to the political influence of the Renfan Empire (in other words, English). One of the crescent landmasses is ruled by a Japan-parallel that I haven't named yet: this area is next to Laros, so you see some weird cultures on Laros. The Terran Federation was founded about fifty-sixty years ago, and basically helps keep peace between the various countries: this is actually not really necessary, since everyone gets along about as well as can be expected. I also mentioned the Council of Beings, but since I've already talked about that I don't need to go into it again.
I've also talked about weapons and tech and beasts and stuff like that, so I don't need to cover that either. The world mostly uses the Renfan Calendar, also called Old Royal, in which case it is 1774 OR. The year has 13 months of four weeks each (they use names that are a version of our calender and our weekdays), and the big holidays are the two solstices (Summer and Winter) and the two equinoxes (Spring and Fall). Each nation/country also has it's own holidays. Terra is a really magical world, so weird stuff happens all the time.
Okay, I can't think of anything else right now.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? WTF's? Ideas for my next topic? Possible names?
I get most of this stuff, but I'm a little bit confused as to how to picture the globe. Could you maybe do a sketch of just the three continents and put it up here? Or just reiterate how the continents and seas fit together and maybe I'll get it.
I have an idea for your next topic, yes I do. First chapter of the Terran Story!
As for names... sorry man, but I just don't know enough of your plot to think up a good name.
"Knights' Rebirth" maybe?
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 07:16:57 PM
I get most of this stuff, but I'm a little bit confused as to how to picture the globe. Could you maybe do a sketch of just the three continents and put it up here? Or just reiterate how the continents and seas fit together and maybe I'll get it.
Okay, I'll try. Imagine a big Mercator projection map, with water everywhere. Imagine a triangle with one point resting on the equator and pointing left, and the opposite line perpendicular to the equator. Put three big continents at each of the three corners so that that corner falls somewhere within their borders, scatter a bunch of midsize islands about, add in three crescent-shaped islands that are about the size of Japan and have one of them be next to the continent on the left, and that's kind of what everything looks like. I'll try to draw a map, but as that sword hinted I can really only do technical drawings. At best you'll get a basic outline of what it looks like.
If that doesn't help, say so.
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 07:16:57 PM
I have an idea for your next topic, yes I do. First chapter of the Terran Story!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh, that's a good one! Whew... oh, man you just made my day!
...
Wait... you were serious?
Okay, just kidding. Hm, maybe. If that doesn't work though, anything else you'd like to see?
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 07:16:57 PM
As for names... sorry man, but I just don't know enough of your plot to think up a good name.
"Knights' Rebirth" maybe?
Oooh, complicated plotsy answer. The short answer is that the character who becomes a Knight first doesn't do so until
after this plot is over: none of the characters (well, pretty much all of them) even know about the Knights, and thus couldn't really join them. Does that help?
Okay, questions?
That actually really helped, I can picture it now.
Um, yeah... that was serious. Though I do understand that it might not happen, so... hmm... got some more breeding rules? Or anything more to say about magic?
Alright... Hmm... like I said, I'm guessing about what might make a good name, so I have a small chance of having a chance of hitting the target.
... "CNTA: Cory and Nick's Terran Adventures"? Just kidding! Would be so easier if I had the right ideas... for all I know, Cory's sister could be so vital, the title could be her name. "Out from the Crater"?
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 08:32:02 PM
That actually really helped, I can picture it now.
Okay, good. Glad that helped. Actually, I'll probably end up using my own little description to help me draw it.
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 08:32:02 PM
Um, yeah... that was serious. Though I do understand that it might not happen, so... hmm... got some more breeding rules? Or anything more to say about magic?
No, my response was a joke in and of itself: I wasn't laughing at your suggestion, I was just being weird. I know you were being serious. Anyway, it might not happen for a bit, but we'll see. We shall see. In the meantime... hm... I don't know. Maybe I could do a quick character rundown of most of the major players like I did for TCW. Or talk about the secondary characters/villains of TCW.
Quote from: Pagan on August 25, 2008, 08:32:02 PM
Alright... Hmm... like I said, I'm guessing about what might make a good name, so I have a small chance of having a chance of hitting the target.
... "CNTA: Cory and Nick's Terran Adventures"? Just kidding! Would be so easier if I had the right ideas... for all I know, Cory's sister could be so vital, the title could be her name. "Out from the Crater"?
CNTA? Oh dear. If I ever get this published, there would be slash pairings of those two within a day. I'll figure something out at some point. The story really is about this group of friends: it doesn't have a main character so much as it has an ensemble cast.
Okay, this is just something I threw together. It's sort of meant to be a legend that's told on the world of Belenus, and it's basically all that they have on Annwyn, the wizard who defeated the gods. It's a part of one of their creation myths. It's not supposed to rhyme.
In time now past, gods walked as men.
Their form and light, among man stood.
All-seeing eyes, undying flesh:
Their power pure, their will unmatch'd.
Ten gods there were, with balance forged
Within their ranks, and with their might.
This world was theirs, as they saw fit.
Judgment on high and fate they gripped.
A mage by birth, of mighty strength
Stood twixt the gods and man below.
With force beyond what gods did have
He stood his ground, and severed bonds
'Tween gods and man, their power gone:
When light did fade, the gods took leave.
Beyond the sky and hidden far:
Forgotten now, they watch man still.
Well, there you go. Questions? Comments? Concerns? WTFs?
EDIT: Wow? Eight pages. Damn.
Not bad far as poems go.
Though is this just a little something to add to Belenus or is it plot revelant? The gods I mean, not Annwyn.
It's not quite a poem... it's iambic tetrameter, and it's supposed to be "free verse" or whatever you call a poem where the lines don't rhyme. And it was a lot of fun to write.
Plot relevant. It'll either be told before the prologue or told at some point in the story. As for the gods... hehehehehe.
Given how short "today's" post was, I feel like posting something else. This was written about three months ago, and arguably is what got me started writing my ideas down to finally start writing (incidentally, I have the bare framework of a plot for the first Terra book). It's an extract from some stuff I typed up about hybrid genetics, and some of it might not fit into my universe as of yet. Now let's see if a question or three will help me get this organized...
"Now, you can get hybrids of various races that you wouldn't think could naturally breed, but the trick is that stuff like that is A) damn bloody rare (which, paradoxically, means that these rare hybrids show up more often in history books), B) dependent on a lot of help for conception and gestation, and C) dependent on a lot of extra external factors. Aside from our ideas (i.e. artificial insemination and maybe a few bits of gene therapy to make sure that the parts line up right on a cellular level), the only really explored means of producing a rarer hybrid is for conception and gestation to occur in an environment of high background magical energy, since magic in it's wild natural state has a tendency of making sure that things like this work out all-right. This does have a tendency of giving the resulting child magical powers whereas the parents might not have had them, which only adds to the likelihood of them becoming someone important. Destiny works in weird ways sometimes. Conversely, intensely magical races (like were-races (werewolves, werecats, wolfwere (they exist), etc.)) have problems linking up with other magical races because their funky genetics tends to get in the way... which is why most of the were-races you encounter are humans or elves or dwarves or other races that aren't all that magically inclined. Note that actual magical powers don't really factor into this. Incidentally, the were-races and the merfolk - as well as so-called "anthros" (anthropomorphic animals) - were most likely the result of these interbreedings."
Okay, hopefully this'll help me figure out how these pieces fit together.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? WTFs?
Don't you just love how wild magic can make million to one into ninety-nine percent chance?
And the hell is a wolfwere? A wolf that changes into a human at full moon?
Quote from: Pagan on August 27, 2008, 01:14:34 AM
Don't you just love how wild magic can make million to one into ninety-nine percent chance?
Indeed. Again, I'd like to emphasize that it's rare... it's not like it happens all that often. And it's fickle: note how Nick, despite being the seventh child of
two seventh children, one of whom was an adventurer and the other of whom was given a few "upgrades" by grateful Creatures and Beings, and yet he is not a wizard and is actually a fairly poor sorcerer simply because he doesn't trust wild magic.
Quote from: Pagan on August 27, 2008, 01:14:34 AM
And the hell is a wolfwere? A wolf that changes into a human at full moon?
In my universe, were-folk are only forced to become their animal form on a full moon if that is the nature of their affliction. It's a very powerful bit of magic that creates the were curse (it is technically a curse). It's a curse sealed into the blood of the family that has it, so it's very much like Warlock magic (in fact, Warlock magic is a more advanced and more powerful version of Were magic). Most were-folk can change their shape at will. So, a wolf-were is a wolf cursed with the ability to become human at will. Interestingly, not many were-folk can use "normal magic" outside of sorcery (sorcery really is the cure-all for any non-magical being's problems, isn't it?), but they have their own magical abilities. Aside from shapeshifting and an instinctive understanding of how to move and operate in that form, they also tend to heal faster and better than most beings. They tend to have some resistance to magic. They also have amplified physical abilities and senses in their "being form," and retain their human mind and intellect in their "beast form." In addition, both their Beast and Being form tends to be slightly more muscular and powerful than a normal member of their species: a Werewolf would have both a physically fit Being body and a really powerful and fairly large Beast body. Really, any form of Beast can be used (there have been weresaurians or even werewyvern in the past... yes, I can feel your jaw drop at the awesomeness), but to my knowledge there has been no were-folk with a Creature beast form: Beast to Being and vice versa only. It's actually not a bad lot that they get. As for vulnerabilities... I don't think that silver works on them. Really, pretty much anything will kill a were-being, so long as you use enough of it.
As for if it's possible to remove the Were curse... I'm not certain. I'd imagine that it would be possible, but I doubt any were-person would want that to happen to them. Albeit, the "Feral mind on the full moon" is a bit of a downside, but with proper planning that's easy to get around. The Full/Feral type tends to be the ones with a weakness to silver: whoever created them originally wanted to have some way of controlling them when they were in their berserker state, and silver was as good a metal as any.
I don't know how common Werefolk are on Terra, but I believe they're extinct on Belenus.
Okay, questions? Comments? Clarifications? Concerns? WTFs?
Ya know, most people make being a were not that great. Your weres on the other hand is basically a being +2.
No more questions from this peanut.
Quote from: Pagan on August 27, 2008, 02:02:32 AM
Ya know, most people make being a were not that great. Your weres on the other hand is basically a being +2.
More like Being +1. There are a handful of disadvantages. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe the inherent magical abilities of Were-folk make it impossible for them to be wizards. I'll have to think that through. They've already got a buttload of magical abilities, so I wouldn't be too surprised. I'm inclined to believe that they can only successfully breed with Beings or Beasts... and that's where little beast-were's come from (imagine Fluffy saying that, and it becomes about three times as funny). Were's also have a bit of a bum rap, unfortunately, and tend to hide out in society and rarely use their abilities in public. And just because they heal faster doesn't mean they have a healing factor (that's dragons, actually... I'm not kidding when I say dragons have been vaporized by some powerful spell and have simply regenerated, smirked, and did the
exact same attack right back at their attackers. It's one of Dreksa's favorite tricks. And it makes me smile just thinking about it), so they can still be killed by slightly-greater-than-normal means.
Now that I think about Dreksa's "condition," he's kind of similar to a Wereperson. Interesting. I have to think this through.
Ayiyiyiyiyi, this is what you get when you're finally figuring this stuff out. But it's so much fun!
Quote from: Pagan on August 27, 2008, 02:02:32 AM
No more questions from this peanut.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/DanDontStop-1.png)
I was bored. This will probably never make it in, or at least not this way. Covenant Wars stuff.
"Practice"
"So do I learn dueling now?" the boy asked.
"I am not going to teach you how to duel." Dreksa didn't look up from the two training blades he was checking for defects. "Both I and my master hold and held the belief that dueling is for those afraid of bloodshed. I am teaching you how to fight. There's a difference." With a final look, Dreksa seemed happy. He passed one of the wooden blades to Treyl as they walked to the other side of the clearing.
"And what's the difference?"
"Remember how I defeated the Lord Proctor?"
"Yeah, you kicked him between his legs and then ran him through the neck between the gap in his armor."
"Exactly."
"But that was dirty fighting!"
"Speaks the street urchin who steals from soldiers and then runs off to kill sewer rats."
"Shut up, Kiyo!" Treyl called out to the pirate busy cleaning his gun.
"Well, he's right. Anyway, as I was saying, there's no such thing as dirty fighting. If you have it, use it. If you don't have the room to slash, hit them with the hilt. Throw dirt, kick someone in the knee, punch them in the face when you lock blades."
"I don't fight that way."
"You're going to have to learn how. You're not dealing with mutant rats and training dummies: you are fighting monsters and human beings. Most of whom are trying to kill you. You've got some skills, some training, and some experience." At which point Dreksa spun around and disarmed the boy before he could even blink and caught the sword before he handed it back to Treyl. "Your enemies are trained soldiers, and they will also fight dirty. You need to fight dirtier." And at this point Dreksa pulled out a wooden practice dagger and tossed it to Treyl. "And you need to learn that a dagger is not meant to be a secondary weapon: it is for parrying and surprise attacks."
"Yeah, but it works great how I've used it," Treyl protested.
Dreksa grinned slightly. "Yes, you have. And I don't want you to lose that. However, if you learn the basics of dagger usage, you can improve your skills with how you want to use it. So..." – and here the swordsman took an en guarde position a few feet from Treyl – "We're just going to practice with you using the dagger and sword to block. No attacking, unless you see an opening. Understand?"
"Yes," Treyl said in an unsure voice.
"Keep on your toes: I'm not going to go easy. And these things still hurt, so you're going to get bruised if you're not fast enough."
"I've used wasters before."
"Then we'll begin."
Okay, there. Something for the day. It's barely a page long, and they don't fight, but I don't care.
I'm tired, but I'm posting something, dammit!
The black blade strikes true.
The enemy falters, and then falls.
Blood drips down the edge.
Duels are for those who
Fear to shed their blood. Swordsmen
Know only fighting.
The winds blow softly.
A falling leaf falls in two.
A sword is sheathed.
A true swordsman knows
That a blade is not needed:
Only the will to fight.
Yay! Crappy haiku! And it only took me like five minutes. Good night!
EDIT: I just realized that I wrote four separate haiku that could be read as a part of the same story. Hm. Oh well.
Ah. I like these!
I think I'd have to disagree with the last one, though. I'm not sure if a warrior has a 'will to fight', necessarily - that's not what's meant by 'Zanshin' I don't think, anyway. As my sensei has taught me, the best strike of the sword is the one that never leaves the sheath. As Sun Tzu said, any general can win a battle - it is the height of tactics to win a battle without having to fight.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 03:33:18 PM
Ah. I like these!
I'm glad you liked them.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 03:33:18 PM
I think I'd have to disagree with the last one, though. I'm not sure if a warrior has a 'will to fight', necessarily - that's not what's meant by 'Zanshin' I don't think, anyway. As my sensei has taught me, the best strike of the sword is the one that never leaves the sheath. As Sun Tzu said, any general can win a battle - it is the height of tactics to win a battle without having to fight.
True. I will say this: Dreksa prefers not to kill. He offers his opponents a chance to surrender, and he likes to disarm or neutralize an enemy rather than kill them. If he's fighting a monster or beast, he tries to take it down with as little resistance as possible, and has been known to elad them away rather than hurt them. Injuries tend to be the kind that will heal cleanly, and even when he does kill it tends to be quick and fairly painless. Dreksa knows that bloodshed and fighting is sometimes necessary, he just doesn't revel in it. He would agree with you, though. I guess his mentality is that a warrior must have the will to fight if necessary.
But when he gets pissed off... then the gloves come off and he starts doing scary things. Really scary things. This is the kind of guy who could use the most vile and evil dark element spell and come down from it the same way he was before. He's seen the darkness of his own soul, and he's not afraid of it, which is what helps him defeat an enemy who tries to force his opponent to be paralyzed by their own darkness: he's already faced and conquered his own darkness. Does that kind of make sense?
Quote from: Jairus on August 29, 2008, 04:32:34 PM
True. I will say this: Dreksa prefers not to kill. He offers his opponents a chance to surrender, and he likes to disarm or neutralize an enemy rather than kill them. If he's fighting a monster or beast, he tries to take it down with as little resistance as possible, and has been known to elad them away rather than hurt them. Injuries tend to be the kind that will heal cleanly, and even when he does kill it tends to be quick and fairly painless. Dreksa knows that bloodshed and fighting is sometimes necessary, he just doesn't revel in it. He would agree with you, though. I guess his mentality is that a warrior must have the will to fight if necessary.
I understand completely. I don't mean to say that a warrior does not fight, either - as it has been explained to me, Zanshin is not a state of bloodthirst or anger, but a state of
presence - being aware of as much around you as possible, and ready to anticipate and react to it. It's not a will to fight, but rather a state of heightened awareness.
I personally study Iaido. The emphasis there is on quick reactions and perceptions, but it has also been explained that the time for perception and reaction is not just when swinging a sword. If you can see the fight coming, you might be able to stop it, or avoid it entirely. The best swordfight you ever have is the one you keep from happening.
Quote from: Jairus on August 29, 2008, 04:32:34 PM
But when he gets pissed off... then the gloves come off and he starts doing scary things. Really scary things. This is the kind of guy who could use the most vile and evil dark element spell and come down from it the same way he was before. He's seen the darkness of his own soul, and he's not afraid of it, which is what helps him defeat an enemy who tries to force his opponent to be paralyzed by their own darkness: he's already faced and conquered his own darkness. Does that kind of make sense?
Your statement reminds me of something - "Wisdom comes from contemplating the matters of life and death". Not entirely related, I suppose - to quote him again, Sun Tzu said something more apt. "If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 09:08:50 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 29, 2008, 04:32:34 PM
True. I will say this: Dreksa prefers not to kill. He offers his opponents a chance to surrender, and he likes to disarm or neutralize an enemy rather than kill them. If he's fighting a monster or beast, he tries to take it down with as little resistance as possible, and has been known to elad them away rather than hurt them. Injuries tend to be the kind that will heal cleanly, and even when he does kill it tends to be quick and fairly painless. Dreksa knows that bloodshed and fighting is sometimes necessary, he just doesn't revel in it. He would agree with you, though. I guess his mentality is that a warrior must have the will to fight if necessary.
I understand completely. I don't mean to say that a warrior does not fight, either - as it has been explained to me, Zanshin is not a state of bloodthirst or anger, but a state of presence - being aware of as much around you as possible, and ready to anticipate and react to it. It's not a will to fight, but rather a state of heightened awareness.
I personally study Iaido. The emphasis there is on quick reactions and perceptions, but it has also been explained that the time for perception and reaction is not just when swinging a sword. If you can see the fight coming, you might be able to stop it, or avoid it entirely. The best swordfight you ever have is the one you keep from happening.
I know it may look like I'm posting just to agree with you, but I also want to say that all of that makes perfect sense, and is very interesting to think about. I could see Dreksa having learned a form of Zanshin at some point in the past and incorporating it into his style.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 09:08:50 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 29, 2008, 04:32:34 PM
But when he gets pissed off... then the gloves come off and he starts doing scary things. Really scary things. This is the kind of guy who could use the most vile and evil dark element spell and come down from it the same way he was before. He's seen the darkness of his own soul, and he's not afraid of it, which is what helps him defeat an enemy who tries to force his opponent to be paralyzed by their own darkness: he's already faced and conquered his own darkness. Does that kind of make sense?
Your statement reminds me of something - "Wisdom comes from contemplating the matters of life and death". Not entirely related, I suppose - to quote him again, Sun Tzu said something more apt. "If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."
Ooh... I have to remember that Sun Tzu quote. That might very well help me figure out the dangers of dark elemental magic and black magic. Most people who use that kind of power might not know themselves, and that's why they're corrupted by it: Dreksa and a few others know themselves too well to be endangered by it. Thank you for helping me figure out how to put that in words.
Now I just need to figure out something to post for tonight.
QuoteI know it may look like I'm posting just to agree with you, but I also want to say that all of that makes perfect sense, and is very interesting to think about. I could see Dreksa having learned a form of Zanshin at some point in the past and incorporating it into his style.
Zanshin isn't so much a technique as a state of mind - honestly, I don't know how to describe it very well, and I wouldn't know how to tell someone to 'use' it. I suppose it's a product of experience as much as anything else.
QuoteNow I just need to figure out something to post for tonight.
Well, I'm not sure what you might post tonight, but I thought I'd just say your story about the boy learning to fight dirty was interesting. I'd definitely agree that anything you can cut, stab, or make bleed in combat is fair game. Musashi said, "The way of my school is gaining victory by any means." (in reference to to Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū) - I don't think I have to tell you what he meant, there.
There is a story about two samurai who had a duel. During the course of it, one samurai gained advantage over the other one and cut off his right hand. Victoriously, the samurai sheathed his sword, prepared to gloat over his enemy as he bled out. The injured samurai saw his chance, and stabbed the other in the neck with the sharp bone protruding from his wrist.
In this way, two principles - Zanshin, being alert and present always, and victory by any means.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 10:05:32 PM
Zanshin isn't so much a technique as a state of mind - honestly, I don't know how to describe it very well, and I wouldn't know how to tell someone to 'use' it. I suppose it's a product of experience as much as anything else.
Sorry, I wasn't implying that Zanshin was a technique, I was saying that Dreksa would have... okay, I can't rephrase that properly. Dreksa's style is very much like Musashi's (and in fact his teacher was a Musashi-like figure who also made her own swords), in that it is always growing and adapting. No two practitioners of this style have the same methodology, and they basically take what works and abandon what doesn't. It really is a mindset more than an actual sword fighting style. I can imagine, though, that Dreksa would have made Zanshin or something very like it into a part of his own beliefs and ways of life. So... the moral here is that I need to understand my thoughts better and get them organized.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 10:05:32 PM
QuoteNow I just need to figure out something to post for tonight.
Well, I'm not sure what you might post tonight, but I thought I'd just say your story about the boy learning to fight dirty was interesting. I'd definitely agree that anything you can cut, stab, or make bleed in combat is fair game. Musashi said, "The way of my school is gaining victory by any means." (in reference to to Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū) - I don't think I have to tell you what he meant, there.
There is a story about two samurai who had a duel. During the course of it, one samurai gained advantage over the other one and cut off his right hand. Victoriously, the samurai sheathed his sword, prepared to gloat over his enemy as he bled out. The injured samurai saw his chance, and stabbed the other in the neck with the sharp bone protruding from his wrist.
In this way, two principles - Zanshin, being alert and present always, and victory by any means.
I certainly have heard of Musashi, but I don't recall reading his book at any point. I really should, shouldn't I? And I think that Dreksa and Musashi would have had some things in common if they had ever met.
You are just a wealth of information along these lines, aren't you? Though that's to be expected, isn't it?
QuoteI certainly have heard of Musashi, but I don't recall reading his book at any point. I really should, shouldn't I? And I think that Dreksa and Musashi would have had some things in common if they had ever met.
The Book of Five Rings is a pretty good read. It's fairly short, too, only 88 pages or so. A good thirty minutes or an hour or so read, on a rainy afternoon.
And hopefully not entirely. They say Mushashi never took a bath or combed his hair. :P
QuoteYou are just a wealth of information along these lines, aren't you? Though that's to be expected, isn't it?
I do like mah pointies. :B
Honestly, I don't know very much. Just what I've read and what I've been taught, which isn't too terribly much at all. The Art of War and the Book of Five Rings are very short and good books, though, if you've got an interest.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 29, 2008, 10:33:17 PM
The Book of Five Rings is a pretty good read. It's fairly short, too, only 88 pages or so. A good thirty minutes or an hour or so read, on a rainy afternoon.
And hopefully not entirely. They say Mushashi never took a bath or combed his hair. :P
Consider it and The Art of War on my reading list. Which I shall get to eventually.
And no worries... Dreksa's not that bad. His teacher, on the other hand, might have been...
I'm tired from my freaking dentist's appointment. Enjoy my crappy poetry.
An old blade planted
In the ground. A simple grave
For a single man.
And now a little iambic tetrameter (I tried to write in pentameter, but for some reason I couldn't make it work. Weird.)
Where once men fought, they lie instead
Their words and deeds forgotten now.
Why did they fight? What was their cause?
Who led them here? When was their time?
How did they die? Their foes lie too,
But know no one can tell who's who.
Their colors fade, their armor gone,
What once they fought has gone away.
A silent field, that's all remains
Hm. Nine lines... and yet it feels done. Interesting. Or stupid. I forget which.
Good night.
14 lines isn't a requirement. As long as you're not doing a sonnet. And you don't have the rhyme scheme for either sonnet form anyway. Interesting view on battle and war.
The haiku starts off strong, but ends a little weakly. Don't know how you can easily fix it, though.
Wow. The first things I read in your thread.
Quote from: VSMIT on August 30, 2008, 03:06:57 AM
14 lines isn't a requirement. As long as you're not doing a sonnet. And you don't have the rhyme scheme for either sonnet form anyway. Interesting view on battle and war.
Well, I wasn't trying to write a sonnet, but I did want to have an even number of lines. I guess it's done as it is. I'm cool with that.
Quote from: VSMIT
The haiku starts off strong, but ends a little weakly. Don't know how you can easily fix it, though.
Neither do I. Maybe Cogi has a suggestion if he reads it.
Quote from: VSMIT
Wow. The first things I read in your thread.
Thanks. Have a look around: I love questions. It helps me catch my mistakes and figure out more about these worlds that I've been building in my mind.
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 03:10:36 AM
Neither do I. Maybe Cogi has a suggestion if he reads it.
Ah, well. I'm not entirely sure what I could suggest, but I suppose I could steal what you've got there and twist it in my own fashion.
An old blade planted
in battleground. A grave.
Bones are simple.
Iambic tetrameter is fun, also. To be honest, it looks finished to me too. The one thing I might change - on the sixth line, instead of "Who's who", I'd get rid of the contraction and put "Who is who" - to me, it just seems to roll off the tongue better.
Very nice, as always.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 30, 2008, 04:17:56 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 03:10:36 AM
Neither do I. Maybe Cogi has a suggestion if he reads it.
Ah, well. I'm not entirely sure what I could suggest, but I suppose I could steal what you've got there and twist it in my own fashion.
An old blade planted
in battleground. A grave.
Bones are simple.
Well, that doesn't work for what I was trying to convey, but I think that definitely works for you. Now you get to ponder whether I'm insulting you or not... okay, I'm not insulting you. Thanks for the advice.
... actually...
An old blade planted
In the ground. A simple grave
For a fallen man.
I like that better.
Quote from: Cogidubnus
Iambic tetrameter is fun, also. To be honest, it looks finished to me too. The one thing I might change - on the sixth line, instead of "Who's who", I'd get rid of the contraction and put "Who is who" - to me, it just seems to roll off the tongue better.
Actually, that works... just a moment...
Okay. I had to rearrange that line a little bit to get the meter right, but I think it flows better now.
Where once men fought, they lie instead
Their words and deeds forgotten now.
Why did they fight? What was their cause?
Who led them here? When was their time?
How did they die? Their foes lie too,
But now none tell from who is who.
Their colors fade, their armor gone,
What once they fought has gone away.
A silent field, that's all remains.
Hm, yes that feels better.
Quote from: Cogidubnus
Very nice, as always.
Thanks. I'm actually trying to get some basic information on the various Imperial combatants and that sort of information up for tonight, but I'll see if I can't sneak something in.
This is a sort of breakdown of how the Deinan Imperial military is split up and organized. This is still a work in progress, and I'll probably need to work on it, but here we go anyway.
Basic breakdown
The Imperial Military is divided into three major portions: the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Army, and the Imperial Air. Despite the separations between them, in practice they are almost treated like one big group. All Imperial divisions use an identical ranking structure to minimize confusion. These ranks are a relic of a time when the Military was divided into Navy and Army, and as such reflects a hybridization of the old ranking systems. In order, they are Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, Ensign, Lieutenant, Lt. Commander, Commander, Captain, Colonel, Major, and Commodore, with Junior and Senior sub-ranks in-between. There is also the title "Captain," which is traditionally granted to the pilot or commander of a skycraft or naval vessel. The Imperial Military ultimately answers to the Senate, and not the Royal Family.
The Imperial Navy is in charge of all large combat skycraft and all actual naval vessels. Originally, the Navy was completely concentrated in aquatic combat and vessels, but the advancement of skycraft means that the Navy has been mostly reassigned to this area. The Navy is organized into several fleets, which are called The Imperial (Number) Fleet when referred to: the largest of these fleets is the Imperial 1st Fleet, which is always under the command of one of the Imperial High Proctors. Essentially, if a skycraft has guns and is larger than a fighter or gunboat, it belongs under the Navy's perview.
The Army obviously includes all ground forces and the like. It is perhaps the oldest of the Imperial divisions, and is perhaps the most spread out. Army personnel are even used on naval vessels as guards. Really, aside from them being the more common opponents in the story, I don't know what further to say.
The Air Force is the most recent addition to the Imperial Arsenal. Since most ship-to-ship combat is done in the air now, the Air Force is basically all fighter-sized skycraft and troop transports. They operate out of Naval skycraft or Army bases. Confession time: this distinctions are basically what I say that they are, so this is probably the best you're going to get unless I get a really good question.
The Corps
Basically, the various corps' (how do you do the plural form of that properly?) are the specialty divisions. Okay, that's a lie. I just came up with these things so that I know the basic capabilites of the Imperial forces. These are basically the combat units, so I'm not talking about normal crewmen or soldiers. These are just the fighters, if you will... because I'm too lazy to figure out the people we never really see. Much like the different divisions, these are more formalities than anything. It is worth quickly noting that all genders and species are represented in the ranks of the Empire: essentially all-positions are equal opportunity, provided you demonstrate the skills for the job.
Swordsmen
The standard Imperial unit, Swordsmen wear a combination of plate armor and chain mail. Their standard equipment includes a long falchion weapon, a six-shot revolver, and a buckler shield. They tend not to know magic, and instead use alchemical potions or really low-level spells. Despite the name, both genders and many species are represented in the Swordsmen ranks. And despite their commonness, they are well-trained and skilled.
Marksmen
The next-most common unit, Marksmen swap the focus of melee/range that Swordsmen have. In place of saber, they have a dagger, and they carry either a rifle or a shotgun in battle. Their armor is slightly redesigned from Swordsmen to accomodate for additional ammo pouches.
Lancer
A specialized unit, Lancers are more-heavily armed and armoured than swordsman. Their standard equipment is a shield and either a long lance or spear, but they also wield a short sword and a standard sidearm. Their armor is more reinforced than Swordsmen's armor, and they use similar potions and gear. Some of their members also ride mounted on saurians.
Dragoon
Another mounted unit, Dragoon are essentially Marksmen who ride saurians into battle. They tend to be either snipers or shock-troops, who use their superior speed to get to new positions on the battlefield. They are armed with a saber, a standard sidearm, and either a rifle or a shotgun, like Marksmen.
Demolitions/Bomber
These guys are the heavy firepower of the bunch. They are basically trained in the usage of explosives for either sapping purposes or anti-personnel. They aren't that heavily armored, and aside from a dagger and standard sidearm their only weapons are a shotgun and a collection of grenades and other explosives. It is worth noting that most ground forces carry at least one or two general-usage grenades with them during duty, but Demo people specialize in it and carry more varied explosives.
Magister
Sorcerers who have joined the Imperial Forces, Magisters are armored with a combination of plate armor, chain mail, and protective robes. They wield a staff in battle, but their primary strength is in the spells they cast on the battlefield, leaving their dagger and sidearm mostly unused. They mostly work as a sort of support for soldiers on the front line, using long range magic to attack enemies and healing magic to keep their allies going. They also use alchemical potions for quick bursts of magic. They are dangerous opponents, and not to be underestimated.
Healer
A specialized Magister, Healers obviously specialize in healing and defensive magic. They are less armored than Magisters to allow them to move quickly on the battlefield, relying on their shielding and barrier spells to protect them. They carry only a short sword and a standard sidearm, but most of them know a few attack spells. Much like other forces, they also use alchemic potions for quick spell-casting.
Pilot
These are never - to my knowledge - actually fought by any of the main characters, but I might as well mention them. Pilot are the least armored of them all, and in fact most of their clothing is basically padding to protect from g-forces. They are armed only with a dagger and standard sidearm. Most pilots serve the Air Force, though a good portion of them also work in the Navy.
Armor
A new unit, Armors were first introduced during the last period of Imperial Expansion. They are the most heavily armored of all forces, and wear a magitek powered armor into battle that drastically amplifies their strength and carrying capacity while not impeding their speed too greatly. They are either armed with massive swords that are almost impossible to be wielded normally, or high-recoil weaponry that cannot ordinarily be wielded. They also sometimes use grenade launchers or other weaponry. They have been continuously perfected over the years since their first usage, and Doctor Rafe is currently preparing to introduce a new lineup.
Pawns
A new weapon developed by Doctor Rafe that has yet to see combat outside of testing. There are currently three models: Pawn Bishop, Pawn Rook, and Pawn Knight.
Marines
The shock-troops and specialized weapons of the bunch, Marines have no set armament aside from the normal sword and sidearm. Shotguns, rifles, grenades, flamethrowers, launchers, spears and lances... all of these are available to be used by Marines. They are the most feared of all ground forces. Unusually, they are not a part of the Army: they answer to the Proctors and High Proctors, and as such actually are considered a part of the Imperial Guard.
Imperial Guard
Selected from the best and most loyal of the Imperial Forces, the Imperial Guard's role is to protect the Royal Family. This role has expanded somewhat in the last hundred years or so, but has remained basically the same. All of them answer to and serve the Royal Family, though Marines tend to serve alonside the other branches.
Proctor A rank essentially equivalent to Captain, Proctors are highly trained and talented officers. Though they are trained in physical and magical combat, their normal role is to command groups of soldiers in battle. Though they do answer to their superior officers, they still ultimately serve the Royal Family, and could be considered a watchdog to keep the military in line. Proctors also serve the High Proctors in such situations.
Royal Guard
The bodyguards of the Royal Family, Royal Guards are highly trained and phanatically loyal to the crown. They are trained in a variety of weapons, but their signature weapon is a simple broadsword. They also are all highly trained sorcerers, and tend to hide their armor beneath long flowing robes. All of them have been prosthetically upgraded, making them even more dangerous.
High Proctor
Essentially the highest rank in the military, the High Proctors not only command the whole of the military forces of the Empire, they also answer directly to the Imperial Royal Family. Their original function was to simply act as protectors and messengers, but their role has greatly expanded and been empowered. They are the most dangerous opponents in the Imperial forces, commanding mastery of their chosen weapons and tremendous sorcerous powers, in addition to an impressive knowledge of tactics and legal affairs. There are no more than ten High Proctors at a time, all of whom are given a number when they join: i.e. Lord/Lady the First High Proctor through Lord/Lady the Tenth High Proctor. Despite the numbering, the only ranking is that the First High Proctor is considered a first among equals, and the rest are equal to one another. As of the time of this story, there are only six High Proctors.
I again apologize for the HOLY CRAP THREE PAGES. Um, sorry. I apologize for how disorganized this all is. I do not claim any real military knowledge outside of research, so that might be part of the problem.
And I'll see if I can't write a little more poetry for later tonight. I'm watching Freakazoid with my grandpa, so I should be able to write a few things.
Okay. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Ideas? WTF's? Things I missed? Clarifications? Anything? Anything at all?
This is pretty sweet. I would so be an Armor xD
Or the guy who makes 'em. Either one's good >:3
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 30, 2008, 05:07:39 PM
This is pretty sweet. I would so be an Armor xD
Very well. Prepare for intensive amounts of training for a relatively untested form of weaponry with the designer considering you little more than a replaceable part of the machine.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 30, 2008, 05:07:39 PM
Or the guy who makes 'em. Either one's good >:3
Doctor Rafe. A genius invenctor who has done more for the advancement of Imperial tech than anyone else. His list of inventions is longer than my arm. He's a bit like Nick on Terra, except Doctor Rafe is human and most likely insane. He can build and designed basically everything and anything. He is also my self-insert character. Make of that what you will.
I'm surprised you didn't ask for more information about the Pawns.
And now, a technology haiku!
Gears that tick and tock.
Oiled springs and shifting tools.
The song of machines.
Thank you.
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 05:19:23 PM
I'm surprised you didn't ask for more information about the Pawns.
Well, I figured that was a classified thing that you wouldn't reveal anyway :B
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 05:19:23 PM
And now, a technology haiku!
Gears that tick and tock.
Oiled springs and shifting tools.
The song of machines.
Thank you.
:)
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 30, 2008, 05:44:22 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 05:19:23 PM
I'm surprised you didn't ask for more information about the Pawns.
Well, I figured that was a classified thing that you wouldn't reveal anyway :B
I never said they were classified, just that they've never been used in battle outside testing. Pawns are clockwork-driven combat robots with a micro-differential engine brain developed by Doctor Rafe. They are powered by magitek and use microboards to program them: built-in sorcery devices and hard weaponry give them a great deal of use. They are slightly shorter than an average adult human, and are heavily armored. Older units used wheels or mechanical legs to move around, while current units use high-powered anti-gravity spells and micro lifts rings to elevate themselves. Knights are melee-oriented, Rooks are defense-oriented, and Bishops are long range and support oriented. For hard weaponry, Knights are armed a mechanical blade and a shield, Rooks carry two moving shields, and Bishops are armed with a rapid-fire gun. Like most Imperial hardware, they are hardened against magical lightning, though they are slightly vulnerable to the real stuff.
Any questions?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 30, 2008, 05:44:22 PM
Quote from: Jairus on August 30, 2008, 05:19:23 PM
And now, a technology haiku!
Gears that tick and tock.
Oiled springs and shifting tools.
The song of machines.
Thank you.
:)
A vessel of steel
With engines of science, yet
It moves like a bird.
Okay, questions?
So do army battlions have a mixture of forces? Like a healer or two, magicians, a crap load of swordsman and marksman, maybe a demo man? Or is it just all the same in one battlion? (If that's not the right word, try "brigade" or something. I don't know military lingo.)
Quote from: Pagan on August 31, 2008, 12:57:13 AM
So do army battlions have a mixture of forces? Like a healer or two, magicians, a crap load of swordsman and marksman, maybe a demo man? Or is it just all the same in one battlion? (If that's not the right word, try "brigade" or something. I don't know military lingo.)
Neither do I, but I call them "squads" and they tend to be balanced with a couple of different types of soldiers. The way the heroes encounter them, however, they tend to be in smaller groups... like scouts or border patrol or security. I think there's one big ground battle actually shown, and most of the time the battles shown are for smaller groups, like a couple of Swordsman. And squads can and are organized for particular purposes. These are just basic descriptions of what their jobs are, if you will.
Yay, more of my silly haiku. And for once it has absolutely nothing to do with my normal writings. It's just something related to the idea that something is truly beautiful only because it doesn't last. Unlike my first four, these are meant to be read together. I was originally going to write them and then edit them into a four line poem with seventeen syllables to each line...
A rose is lovely:
But would that be true if it
Never once wilted?
Summer ends. The fall
Begins. Leaves fall. A winter
Frost shall be here soon.
The world dies for a
Few cold months, then life begins
Anew. Flowers bloom.
A thing of beauty
Does not last forever. Treasure
It while you still can.
And now because I'm bored, you see, a little thing before I go. This metric prose is simple, yes? And yet just watch how nice it flows when read aloud or in your mind. Staccato beats a rhythm makes, a simple prose that helps it go. And now since I've run out of words, good night, adieu, and well-earned rest!
Um, how did the rhythm flow? And, um... good night!
EDIT: Shoot, nine pages? Dang. And if anyone's curious, here's what my original idea for that collection of haiku would have worked.
QuoteA rose is lovely: but would that be true if it never once wilted?
Summer ends. The fall begins. Leaves fall. A winter frost shall be here soon.
The world dies for a few cold months, then life begins anew. Flowers bloom.
A thing of beauty does not last forever. Treasure it while you still can.
There. Stupid, right?
I kind of ended up using haiku and unrhymed iambic prose to ban a few people over in the Ban Game, so I thought I should save them here. These are basically all of the haiku and verse and iambic prose things that I wrote.
QuoteThe wind blows the smell
Of flowers in the air, while
I ban Ren Gaulen.
QuoteI don't dislike them,
I just want to write other
Things. VSMIT is banned.
QuoteNo worries Ren. Instead a step,
A pattern of two beats in four!
Meantime, be banned! Enjoy my form,
Whilst I write duels in skycraft war.
QuoteWhy die, my friend? Please live instead!
I ban you not, what time's we've got
Before our time is at an end.
Stay blade and live, please stay my friend!
My goodness... iambic tetrameter and it sort of rhymed.
Quote'Tini is banned. I stop this here,
Before these quotes take over game.
Cease these quotes, or else I swear
Haiku again I'll write out here.
QuoteBesides, I bet Shakespeare would have felt fine with someone doing it their way.
QuoteIt's not quite how I see the world... it's just a vision of my mind and sometimes how it ticks. Anyway, you're banned VSMIT.
QuoteDarkdragon's banned because rather than rhyme with words I wrote with an iambic step.
QuoteRen Gaulen, I ban you because your joy is so infectious. Stop it.
Behold! A one-line haiku!
QuoteSlowtini is banned. So live with it, or don't. I do not really care.
That last two are kind of weird, and related to those four line haiku I wrote last night. Basically, I write a haiku and then bring them into one line. It really isn't a haiku, but it's kind of fun in a weird way.
Anyway... I'll try to do something tonight.
I don't know enough about Haiku to comment about the different line breaks you seem to be employing. If I had to guess, I'd say that the line breaks are there for the simple reason that it provides a sense of distinction between the sets of syllables. A pause, if you will - while simply reading through them start to finish would be more prosaic than poetic. Some poetry is distinguished as poetry only because of the creative use of line breaks, so, it could be in that way considered an integral part of the form.
As far as your Haiku on the rose and progression, it reminded me of this:
Quote from: AesopA Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden, and the Amaranth said to her neighbor, "How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent! No wonder you are such a universal favorite." But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice, "Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time: my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die. But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut; for they are everlasting."
Greatness carries its own penalties.
I'm also not familiar enough with Haiku forms of poetry to know if it's common to link sets of them together. I like what you have there, however. Oddly, some of them actually fit the Haiku form very well even if you don't link them with the others.
Bannination poetry provides excellent bannination material, also. The third one down is my favorite, although unless I've counted wrong, the meter is eight, nine, nine, and eleven - I also don't know if you meant to write it in a meter.
Also, iambic tetrameter -can- rhyme. It's called blank verse if it doesn't, I believe, but there's nothing saying it can't.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 31, 2008, 11:16:05 PM
I don't know enough about Haiku to comment about the different line breaks you seem to be employing. If I had to guess, I'd say that the line breaks are there for the simple reason that it provides a sense of distinction between the sets of syllables. A pause, if you will - while simply reading through them start to finish would be more prosaic than poetic. Some poetry is distinguished as poetry only because of the creative use of line breaks, so, it could be in that way considered an integral part of the form.
Good point. I'm already considering this stuff prose, rather than poetry. Those mono-line versions read a little funny, though I doubt the same feeling would carry across into a paragraph or something similar. I may have to experiment.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 31, 2008, 11:16:05 PM
As far as your Haiku on the rose and progression, it reminded me of this:
Quote from: AesopA Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden, and the Amaranth said to her neighbor, "How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent! No wonder you are such a universal favorite." But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice, "Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time: my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die. But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut; for they are everlasting."
Greatness carries its own penalties.
Heh... neat story. I like that.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 31, 2008, 11:16:05 PM
I'm also not familiar enough with Haiku forms of poetry to know if it's common to link sets of them together. I like what you have there, however. Oddly, some of them actually fit the Haiku form very well even if you don't link them with the others.
I don't believe that it is. I have read that haiku is supposed to be composed after a form of meditation or a period of thinking, to try and capture a moment in the verse. Most Western composers seem to treat it like a quick game or something, which is kind of how I treat it as well. I guess I like to convey a couple of linked moments rather than one.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on August 31, 2008, 11:16:05 PM
Bannination poetry provides excellent bannination material, also. The third one down is my favorite, although unless I've counted wrong, the meter is eight, nine, nine, and eleven - I also don't know if you meant to write it in a meter.
Also, iambic tetrameter -can- rhyme. It's called blank verse if it doesn't, I believe, but there's nothing saying it can't.
I was trying to write in a meter, but I guess I fudged it. Oh well, I prefer blank verse anyway. If you get the iambic bit right (the stressed/unstressed) it creates a nice rhythm that can just lead you along. It's why I find Shakespeare so fun to read an perform... it's the step he used. Plus, if you get people moving in a rhythm you can screw with them by altering the rhythm slightly.
Just another short scene. This is a bit further into the story than "Wanderer's Arrival", and involves Treyl and Kiyo having their first "moment" together. Okay, that could be read wrong. Basically, Trey is a kid with all of these dreams and aspirations, and Kiyo is trying to figure out a way to help him accomplish that. Anyway, it's a little expositional, but it's rough. And it might not end up used.
Treyl was in the process of learning an interesting bit of trivia that he had never considered before: Skycraft were not silent. Quiet they may be, but there was always some sound of engines moving or the wind rushing past the hull. Something as small as the
Junior just didn't have the space or separation to completely block the background sounds. All in all, it meant that the neophyte flyer was not having a restful night's rest.
It was the point that the cabin clock chimed three bells that he finally gave up and lurched out of his cot and began stumbling in the general direction of the galley, hoping to find something that could knock him out for the night. This was also the first time that he realized that the metal deck was slightly heated, warm enough that his bare feet weren't too cold, which meant that he didn't have to pull on his boots over his socks. One less thing to worry about. Out the hatch, around the corridor, and into the main passenger area...
"Good morning, Treyl."
It took about three seconds for Treyl's exhausted brain to comprehend that Dreksa was currently sitting at the mess table leaning over a book, and a few more seconds to recognize the steaming mug of tea he was currently drinking and the two spare mugs next to the tea pot, and yet a few more seconds to realize that he was wide-awake and didn't seem to be suffering from insomnia. There was only one word that Treyl's mind could dredge up...
"What?"
"I said, good morning." Was he... bemused at his confusion? He seemed to be. Treyl, meanwhile, walked over to Dreksa and very carefully poured a second mug for himself.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Funny." It was gloriously hot, and strong too. It served to wake Treyl up a bit, which wasn't quite what he had wanted. "You couldn't sleep either?" he asked as he slouched across from Dreksa.
"Nah, I was just taking a watch and decided to catch up on my reading when it was over." He turned a page and kept reading.
"Watch?"
And now Dreksa spared him a look. "You thought this ship flew itself?"
Treyl felt a little embarassed. "Well, um..."
"Didn't think about it?" Treyl kind of shrugged at this point.
"Hehe..."
"Thought not." Dreksa continued reading, but he seemed to be paying a little less attention to the book: it seemed to be a history of the Salem Kingdoms from what Treyl could see. "Ships while on the move always have someone at the helm or on the bridge, and skycraft are no different. I know a bit about piloting, so I offered to take first watch, and Kiyo took second watch."
"So Kiyo's in the cockpit?" Treyl asked as his eyes darted over to the closed hatch that led to the front of the ship. There was no mistaking the gleam in his eyes: most of the crew and passengers asleep, and a pirate on the bridge who had offered to show him the ropes earlier in the day.
"You seem interested. Why not pop in and learn a few things?"
For a moment, Treyl wondered if Dreksa had been reading his mind...
"Now what would make you think that?"
"Get out of my head!!"
"Usual response. For the record, I'm not reading your mind. I just know facial expressions, so it was more of an educated guess."
Treyl seemed to sigh quietly. "So, you can't read minds."
"Now I don't recall saying that." The grin Dreksa flashed briefly had probably been stolen from a predator at some point.
There was a very brief awkward silence before Treyl very cleared his throat and finished his mug off. Dreksa took a moment to both refill Treyl and his mugs, and then filled the third one. "Here, take this to Kiyo. I bet he'll appreciate it."
"Right. Thanks."
Dreksa had gone back to reading by the time Treyl had closed the hatch behind him.
Maybe he does it deliberately to creep me out, he briefly wondered. He shook his head and kept down the corridor to the bridge.
The view outside was incredible. The
Junior's cockpit, perched as it was on the front of the teardrop-shaped vessel, was granted a panoramic view of the starry night sky, of the scattered clouds above and below them, and of a brilliant waxing gibous moon above. Far below, the waters of the Central Sea reflected the moonlight.
Kiyo was seated in the pilot's seat, but he didn't seem to be doing anything. In fact, he had a book out, and was reading something that Treyl couldn't make out, and barely seemed to be noticing anything else. Not the dials, not the controls, not the environment, and not the teenager behind him.
"Ahem," Treyl coughed.
The pirate craned his neck around. "Ah, tea. Excellent." He took the time to fold a page corner down and close the book before accepting the offered mug with his right hand. Treyl gave the book a look: it had a man that might be called a "swashbuckler" in a silk shirt and eye patch brandishing a rapier while his left arm was wrapped around what could only be described as a "saucy wench."
"'
Captain Gale and the Treasure of the Vestal Temple'?"
Kiyo smirked from above his tea. "A classic. Have you ever read Captain Gale?"
"Can't say that I have," Treyl said as he sat down in the co-pilot's chair. The chairs were heated too... probably a good thing, since the cockpit felt a few degrees cooler than the rest of the ship.
"Hn. It's a long-running series. Bit trashy, but I enjoy them. Been reading them since I was a child."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. However, I'm not going to talk about my past." He looked over at a dial. "We should be into Halzard in about twelve hours."
"Um... why aren't you steering?"
... Okay, I'm too tired, and there's only about a page and a half of this idea to go. Just a little over a thousand words here... note to self, one page approximately 500 words. I'll finish it tomorrow. Good night.
Looks good so far. Out of interest, what level of technology is this? Modern, futuristic or steampunk? It was a little blurry on that point.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 01, 2008, 07:36:23 AM
Looks good so far. Out of interest, what level of technology is this? Modern, futuristic or steampunk? It was a little blurry on that point.
It's sort of a combination of clockpunk, steampunk, and magitek. Here's the post where I sort of talked about their world's tech level (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg218821.html#msg218821), and here's where I talked about this ship in particular (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg220073.html#msg220073). I believe the technical term is "schizo-tech."
Okay, I don't think I'll get anything up tonight (sorry to my three or so readers), so here's another quick haiku or two.
Engines high up in
The sky. People traveling
To other places.
~
No distance or time
Is too great to keep us two
Apart forever.
Thank you.
EDIT: Two more...
The clock keeps ticking,
But the words won't leave my head.
Why can't I write them?
Late at night, early
Rise. School in the morning, yet
I refuse to sleep.
The second of the four is my favorite, there. The last line specifically, if you did that on purpose, was quite good, and made me smile.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 02, 2008, 10:55:36 AM
The second of the four is my favorite, there. The last line specifically, if you did that on purpose, was quite good, and made me smile.
Mine too. As for "Apart forever..." I think I intended that. I certainly wanted to use "forever" in there somewhere, so it ends up working out.
The last two were just something I wrote last night because I felt like complaining about what a terrible procrastinator I am.
And now the continuation!
Quote from: Flight Training, part 1
"Yes, really. However, I'm not going to talk about my past." He looked over at a dial. "We should be into Halzard in about twelve hours."
"Um... why aren't you steering?"
"And then what happened?!"
Whatever words Cornelius was going to say next abandoned him as the question abruptly derailed his train of thought. Considering that he had also been partially reenacting the fight scene with a broom while he had been narrating his story, he also stumbled over his own feet and successfully crashed to the floor. Well, at least it got a bit of a laugh from the people in the Cralatav Inn.
...
Just kidding.
It was a question of some importance to Treyl, given how the skycraft was a few thousand feet in the air, and no one seemed to be steering it.
"
Junior's got it for a while."
"Huh?" he asked.
"Automatic pilot. I give it a set of coordinates, and
Junior takes us there."
"Really? I thought only the bigger ships could do stuff like that?"
The pirate took another sip from his mug. "Well, I've made a few changes ever since I "borrowed" her from a Korinson shipyard."
"Korinson shipyard? So this is a Salem vessel?" There was a tone of accusation in the teenager's voice, and Kiyo caught a slight tremble in the boy's hand that spoke of his anger. "You stole a warship that could have helped us win the war?"
"Yes it is, and no I didn't. She and her sister prototypes were scheduled to be scrapped. We stole the most completed one and ran with it. None of them were a part of any war effort. Besides, this was ten or eleven years ago, something like that... in other words, before your cold war boiled over."
"Oh," Treyl said in a quieter voice, as if he'd deflated slightly. "Sorry. It's just..."
"You have a lot of rage and hostility directed towards the nation that conquered your homeland and killed your king?"
Blink. "Um, yeah."
"A word of advice, if I may? Move on with your life. No power in the world can reverse what has happened in the past, or give back the ones you have lost."
"Lost?"
"Captain Dukai told me about your sister. And how she had talked about your parents."
"He's no captain anymore," the boy spat out.
"True, but that's a discussion for another time. You were wondering how
Junior had an automatic pilot for a skycraft of her size."
It took Treyl's mind a moment to shift gears in the precense of the shift in conversation. "Um... kind of."
Kiyoshi turned back to his control panel, and briefly ran a finger underneath a handful of dials and displays, with a few twitches on his part speaking of years of familiarity with his ship. "She was originally a blockade runner, but we've extensively modfied her since then. The swing wings are not an original feature, for example. Nor is the power core and differential engine we stripped from an Imperial corvette."
"A corvette? Really? Isn't that a little overpowered?" Treyl asked in surprise.
"Indeed. But we need every bit of that power, both computational and reactor-wise." He turned a few more lights on in the cabin, until Treyl imagined that it would look like a gleaming eye on the dark ship. "The new engine has been rebuilt to handle all of the control surfaces for this girl, while the original was rebuilt to serve as an automatic pilot. I input a set of coordinates here," and he waved a hand in the direction of a set of dials and switches with a row of numbers displayed through a window showing a series of brass gears that would indicate the setting, "and the engine steers us in that direction."
"Wow. And you don't have to do anything else?"
"Well, not quite," the pirate explained. "It's more or less a straight line, and the engine can't handle anything more than that. You still need someone in the cockpit to account for wind and weather conditions, as well as disengage the engine when you get into a fight."
"That's happened?"
"On a few occasions. Nothing
Junior can't handle, but I prefer surviving to winning. We tend to run at the sight of danger."
"Yeah, but what if they come back? Your enemies, I mean."
Kiyoshi shrugged. "Keep running. It's worked for me so far."
"So what are you running from?"
"Nothing that concerns you."
The thread of conversation ended there. The cockpit was silent with the exception of the wind outside the screen and the occassional ticks of gears and once the chime of a bell to mark the quarter hour. Then...
"How do you fly this thing?" the teenager asked in the tone of one not really expecting an answer.
"I was wondering when we were going to get to that question." He set the now empty mug down on a panel next to him and turned his attention to the controls built around the chair. "Center stick controls pitch and roll and weapons, left side stick controls yaw and hovering altitude, right handle controls thrust. The dials in front of the main stick are air speed, attitude, altimeter, turn indicator, heading, and ascension indicator," and he pointed at each in turn, "this dial is how much power we have, this one indicates how much power is going to the lift rings and engine rings, this panel shows major systems and their status, and this one controls defensive barriers and shields." He looked over at Treyl and wrapped his hands around the two sticks that stuck out from the main stick. "You've got a main weapon trigger underneath your pointer finger, a sliding tab control under your left thumb to adjust the lift rings, another sliding tab under your right thumb to dial in the responsiveness of the controls, and a main gun trigger on the left control and a missile control trigger on your right, but weapons are usually handled by the copilot or main gunner. And that's the basics. Questions, or do you want to give it a try?"
Treyl looked up from the controls. "Really? I can try?"
"Of course. The ship's still locked onto automatic control, so it's not like you can crash us or anything. All you'll be doing is deviating us slightly, and the engine can handle that. Go on." He even waved his left hand a little to spur him on. The boy needed no further urging. Within seconds his hands were in an identical position to the one Kiyoshi had been in. "Just a moment: I turned those controls off so that they wouldn't get bumped or something." He reached up to a pair of small levers on the ceiling - just aft of the screen - and flipped the right one.
An almost silent shifting of gears occurred somewhere below the deck, and the next moment the controls began to move in Treyl's hands, responding to the variables the differential engine was putting through them to control the flaps and lift rings.
"Steady. Don't force it," Kiyoshi warned. Treyl had actually been trying to force it, and the ship was bucking a little more than it had been before. "Slow and steady does it. A gentle hand for what you're doing. Slide the right tab to its lowest setting." Teryl did so. "That way, whatever you do won't be too big: it's more suited for docking or maneuvering controls." The boy nodded in understanding. "Good. Gentle."
"Should I keep my fingers away from the weapons?"
"The levers can toggle between different settings: the weapons controls are currently off for the copilot's station."
"Okay!" the boy exclaimed excitedly.
"Relax. Deep breaths. Don't get too excited on your first time."
Treyl nodded, and did what he was told.
"Excellent. You're a good listener. And not halfway bad for a beginner. Okay, now here's what we're going to do..."
The two of them sat for about an hour, Treyl asking questions and Kiyoshi giving answers, Treyl following directions and gradually learning more and more about how the
Shepherd Junior flew, until finally Kiyoshi sat back and let the ship off of the automatic pilot, and for a few minutes Treyl Noel actually
flew...
FINALLY DONE!!!!!!!!Okay, a word on the controls: it's supposed to be a combination of an airplane and a helicopter cockpit, and I obviously based the controls and the setup on a normal cockpit. If anyone who has actually flown or knows how it's properly done has any ideas, I will gladly take them.
In the meantime, questions, comments, etc. etc. etc.?
Yay! Almost 1500 words! I think.
EDIT: And for Cogi in case he drops by...
The stars in the sky
Point out the way we should be
Traveling towards.
EDIT #2: On Cogi's advice, changed a few words around and also added a few descriptors to make it clearer who's talking.
The only negative comments about the story above are purely technical. There are places in which it isn't entirely clear which speaker is speaking, but don't take my word on this too seriously, as it is late and I am about to go to bed, and thusly, not entirely with my correct wits.
There was one spot where I thought you might want to switch your words up a bit.
Quote"A corvette? Really? Isn't that a little overpowered"
"Indeed. But we need every bit of that power, both computational and power-wise."
You repeat the word power twice in the last sentence, and while one is able to understand what you mean, it isn't immediately clear, and I think that you might consider switching the words up. Strength, perhaps, or changing a bit of syntax.
On the more positive side, your description is clear, and you paint a vivid picture of the cockpit without being too detail-oriented. All in all, I like it very much. I await the next installment eagerly, sir. >:3
Also, the haiku is rather Tao, although I'm not sure if it's meant to be. *ebil grin*
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 02, 2008, 11:03:32 PM
The only negative comments about the story above are purely technical. There are places in which it isn't entirely clear which speaker is speaking, but don't take my word on this too seriously, as it is late and I am about to go to bed, and thusly, not entirely with my correct wits.
Yeah, you're probably right. Tell you what? I'll sneak in and fit a few names in there, maybe a few actions too.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 02, 2008, 11:03:32 PM
There was one spot where I thought you might want to switch your words up a bit.
Quote"A corvette? Really? Isn't that a little overpowered"
"Indeed. But we need every bit of that power, both computational and power-wise."
You repeat the word power twice in the last sentence, and while one is able to understand what you mean, it isn't immediately clear, and I think that you might consider switching the words up. Strength, perhaps, or changing a bit of syntax.
How about "computational and reactor-wise?"
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 02, 2008, 11:03:32 PM
On the more positive side, your description is clear, and you paint a vivid picture of the cockpit without being too detail-oriented. All in all, I like it very much. I await the next installment eagerly, sir. >:3
I thought I was getting too wordy in there for a bit, but this makes me feel a bit better. Hm... I'd better figure out a scene to write next then.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 02, 2008, 11:03:32 PM
Also, the haiku is rather Tao, although I'm not sure if it's meant to be. *ebil grin*
Probably not. Unless my mind is doing things without telling me again. It does that sometimes...
Because I don't know what I'm doing up at four AM, I'm going to write something.
Giant Robots are
Made of Awesome and Win. No
Questions asked. Period.
A Super Robot
Ignores the laws of physics
And then does cool things.
A Real Robot just
Pretends to follow physics,
And still does cool things.
Thank you.
Nice haikus. :3 I like the "Real Robots" one most. The first one is a little bit awkward, though. Too much punctuation for a haiku. But it's still nice.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 03, 2008, 07:46:23 AM
Nice haikus. :3 I like the "Real Robots" one most. The first one is a little bit awkward, though. Too much punctuation for a haiku. But it's still nice.
How about this...
QuoteGiant Robots are
Made of Awesome and Win, period.
No questions asked.
How's that?
Incidentally, what do you think of "Flight Training" when you get a chance to actually read it?
Oh, that's better. And I'll definitely comment on "Flight Training".
It made an interesting read. As for the engines, try "in terms of raw thrust", unless they have some kind of decoupled drive system, like a diesel-electric train.
Finally read the "Flight Training", and it was quite interesting.
Quote from: Jairus on September 02, 2008, 10:06:44 PM
"And then what happened?!"
Whatever words Cornelius was going to say next abandoned him as the question abruptly derailed his train of thought. Considering that he had also been partially reenacting the fight scene with a broom while he had been narrating his story, he also stumbled over his own feet and successfully crashed to the floor. Well, at least it got a bit of a laugh from the people in the Cralatav Inn.
..Wat? ..Just kidding. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 03, 2008, 10:32:00 AM
Finally read the "Flight Training", and it was quite interesting.
Thanks.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 03, 2008, 10:32:00 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 02, 2008, 10:06:44 PM
"And then what happened?!"
Whatever words Cornelius was going to say next abandoned him as the question abruptly derailed his train of thought. Considering that he had also been partially reenacting the fight scene with a broom while he had been narrating his story, he also stumbled over his own feet and successfully crashed to the floor. Well, at least it got a bit of a laugh from the people in the Cralatav Inn.
..Wat? ..Just kidding. :3
It's from The Cursed Castle of Stalcaire. Unless I'm still waking up and haven't realized that you know that...
Haiku time!
A normal patrol,
But something approaches fast.
It's a Gundam! It's
Descending from high
And armed with seven blades. This
Gundam... I love it.
The mission goes well,
And the Feddie crew lies dead.
The white suit rises.
Like god from on high,
The suit on wings of light comes.
Is this... an angel?
Yay. Poetry that only Gundam nuts will get.
EDIT: I realized that I screwed up my meter earlier, so here's a fixed version.
EDIT 2: Fixed it again. Much better.
QuoteGiant Robots are
Built whole from Awesome and Win.
No questions asked.
As a bit of a joke, I have converted my three giant robot haiku into the Three Laws of Giant Robotics. Like the Three Laws of Robotics, these are in order of importance, but they don't really supersede the next one.
The Three Laws of Giant Robotics
The First Law
Giant Robots are built whole from Awesome and Win. No questions asked.
The Second Law
A Super Robot ignores the laws of physics, and then does cool things.
The Third Law
A Real Robot just pretends to follow physics, and still does cool things.
EDIT: realized that the third haiku was missing a syllable, fixed it, and am now on my way to fix the other one.
EDIT 2: Centered it so it looks cooler.
This is kind of written in the style of an idea I dropped a few years ago.
Panama City, early morning. An explosion rocks the city, followed by the sound of intense fire. Two Zander combat avatars in a dark-red paint job dived for cover, while a third stumbled as bullets punctured its frame.
"Red Hawk Six, what's your status?"
"Five, I am damaged and out of commision! Ejecting Core Module!"
A massive POOMF! shook the ground and a blocky module shot up straight into the air before it unfolded into a vaguely aerodynamic shape to fly away. On the ground, the humanoid frame currently lacking a torso, backpack and head collapsed to the ground, its body damaged by focused machine gun fire from a handful of civilian mecha fitted with weapons and an armor-piercing round from a building nearby. One of the two Zanders turned its machinegun on the soldiers driving the mecha and shredded them before joining the other damaged unit under cover of an office building. Then the voice of an observer came over the link
"Sir, Six is outside the battle zone. Recovery units are being dispatched to her position!"
"Understood." Five took the time to reload his Zander's own rifle, scaled and designed to be wielded by the six meter tall mecha. The bulky unit was crouched behind a building: someone out there had an armor-piercing gun, and the building would give his unit some extra protection to keep it from being a killing shot even if it went through the building. It had already damaged his unit's right arm and left leg: schematics indicated that the servos for the cabled rocket punch were disabled and the left movement tread was damaged, so he wasn't going to be doing any high-speed dashes along the road any time soon. The other unit had been luckier and had managed to avoid damage from the attack. Inside the torso cockpit, Five flexed his hands around the two control sticks, watch his own unit's hands flex in their quasi-phantom limb status, and then spoke into his mic. "Observer, do you have a pinpoint yet?"
"Nearly... got it! Uploading to your cockpit now." The display came alive and one of the wraparound screens projected a smaller video showing the scan of the building that the armor-piercing round had come from. There was a small cluster of heat in the structure... enough for a handful of people at least. Five reached his Zander's arm over and laid a hand on Four's shoulder, and then engaged the touch link to prevent someone from picking up their signal
"I've got them."
"Yes sir."
Five had done this before. Rookies would dramatically throw themselves around the corner in an attempt to cover the area in bullets in an attempt to take out the target: this was wasteful, stupid, and suicidal. Instead, Five selected a grenade from his Zander's hip holster, primed it, and threw it long-hand.
BOOOM!!! The soldiers in the building had probably seen this trick before, and they didn't react by shooting at the explosion. They were, however, distracted enough to give Five enough time to stick his head and arm around the side of the building, and fill the site around the anti-armor crew with bullets.
"Good shot, Five: looks like you got 'em," the observer called out.
"Thanks. Is Six recovered yet?"
"Not yet, but soon."
"Good." Four and Five stood their Zanders up until their heads were level with the top of the second floor, and walked around the side of the building. "We'll move on to the next site..."
"
Gyahh!!!"
The scream carried over the commlink, and somewhere a dozen or so blocks over a Zander exploded. The heads-up map of the area selected the site where the Zander had gone down and was about to launch it's core module... and the IFF signal went red. Signal lost. The module hadn't ejected.
"Twelve! Twelve! Eleven, what's going on?"
"It's a mech sir, a model I've never seen bef
oorree..."
Eleven's signal went dead too, and a second later Ten's module shot up in the air as the computer registered his Zander's deactivation.
Three units down in less than ten seconds. And it was a unit Eleven had never seen before...
"Red Hawks, this is Ten! It's a new model, a LeNner model!"
League of Nations. A new prototype, perhaps? Well, there was only one way to find out.
"Four, let's move."
...
If you want me to finish this little thing, just say so. And no, this is not going to be a part of a book or anything like that, it's based on a bunch of notes and ideas I wrote for a mecha series that I decided was never going to get written a long time ago. But I will finish this, if anyone wants me to. I'm actually having fun figuring out the duel coming up.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? WTFs? Suggestions? Anything? Pretty please...
EDIT: Changed "mecha" to "avatar" and "loader" to "mecha."
PS:
The ground quakes, the skies
Turn red with smoke. War has come,
And we must now fight.
Like knight to battle,
the white mecha steps onto
The launch gantry. GO!
Okay, this is why you should never stay up until 1 AM instant messaging with someone: it impairs your judgement. Which is probably why I promised I'd write this. It's a joke, it really is. Well, anyway...
So now, to the tune of Bonnie Tyler singing "I'm Holding Out For A Hero" from the Shrek 2 soundtrack, Jairus is
proud embarrassed to present Pagan singing "I'm Holding Out For Regina."
May the gods (and Amber) have mercy on my soul.
Where has my fair demon gone,
And who keeps us apart?
Where's that winged psychopath
Who tears straight to my heart?
Isn't there a blood knight upon her bony steed?
Late at night, I toss and I turn and dream
of who I need...
(Chorus)I need Regina!
I'm holding out for Regina till the end of my life!
She's gonna be sweet
And she's gonna be great
And she's gonna come straight from the fray!
I need Regina!
I'm holding out for Regina till the end of this strife!
She's gonna come fast
And she's gonna come strong
And she's gonna come from her new prey!
From the time that I first saw her
In my darkest fantasies
Somewhere out across Furrae
She's waging her brutalities.
A demon's wings that split the sky and never know defeat!
It's gotta be this demon girl has swept me off my feet!
(Chorus)And when the time comes that Amber then allows
Herself to finally spin your yarn
I will swear to be there and you'll
Never be alone!
Through the wars and the walls' and the pain
And that Cubi you hate!
I can feel her approach
While her time I await!
(Chorus)...
Don't kill me.
And I also kind of wrote this bit too...
QuoteAn unknown life, an unknown past,
Our time apart can never last.
You'll come to me, I know you will
A heart's desire be fulfilled.
... and thanks to this bit and the stuff up top, we now know that I will never go into song writing. Still, not bad for an hour's work.
As a reward for reading all of this, have some Ork haiku!
This dakka not 'nuff.
Moar dakka needed here, now.
Never 'nuff dakka.
PS: I'm not sure if Pagan actually hates Abel...
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:01:41 AM
*song*
There's only one thing needed to be said:
(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/LolMecha/AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.png)
That is all.
But actually it was really good.
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:01:41 AM
This dakka not 'nuff.
Moar dakka needed here, now.
Never 'nuff dakka.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!! D:<
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 04, 2008, 05:13:38 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:01:41 AM
*song*
There's only one thing needed to be said:
(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/LolMecha/AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.png)
But actually it was really good.
Thanks, but I don't think it's happening again. Now to PM Pagan with the link...
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 04, 2008, 05:13:38 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:01:41 AM
This dakka not 'nuff.
Moar dakka needed here, now.
Never 'nuff dakka.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!! D:<
I take it you approve.
So, should I finish "Zander vs. Sentinel?"
At this rate, I suspect Regina is not going to live up to his expectations.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 04, 2008, 05:21:19 AM
At this rate, I suspect Regina is not going to live up to his expectations.
Neither do I. To be honest, apart from the beginning and the chorus, I basically did this by myself, so I might have gone a
little over the top. Just a little, mind you. So... yeah. Good night.
The God Emperor:
He stands above all others.
He is the highest.
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:22:16 AM
The God Emperor:
He stands above all others.
He is the highest.
FOR THE EMPEROR!!!
One last haiku, and then I'm going to bed.
He walks in darkness
And his blade protects the light.
Ren Gaulen stands tall.
But, seriously, should I finish "ZvS"?
Sure. You absolutely must finish it. I liked it.
Just something for Ren while I'm waking up to write the rest of the first mecha battle I've ever written.
We kick reason to
The curb, and we go beyond
The impossible.
Don't believe in me,
Who believes in you. No,
Believe in yourself.
Yes, I screwed with the words, Ren-sama: otherwise it wouldn't fit.
EDIT: 10 pages? Holy hells. I should write something to celebrate.
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 11:49:17 AM
Yes, I screwed with the words, Ren-sama: otherwise it wouldn't fit.
Bah, I don't care - it turned out well, and that is all that matters. In other words,
ROW! ROW! Fight the power!..But don't call me "Ren-sama", or I'll start calling you "Jai-chan".
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 04, 2008, 11:53:22 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 11:49:17 AM
Yes, I screwed with the words, Ren-sama: otherwise it wouldn't fit.
Bah, I don't care - it turned out well, and that is all that matters. In other words, ROW! ROW! Fight the power!
..But don't call me "Ren-sama", or I'll start calling you "Jai-chan".
"Jai-chan..." I've had worse nicknames in my life.
EDIT: From the ban game...
Answer me, Gaulen:
School of the Undefeated
Of the East, the Wings
Of the King! Zenshin!
Keiretsu! Tempa Kyouran!
Look! The East burns Red!
Part 2.
QuoteThree units down in less than ten seconds. And it was a unit Eleven had never seen before...
"Red Hawks, this is Eleven! It's a new model, a LeNner model!"
League of Nations. A new prototype, perhaps? Well, there was only one way to find out.
"Four, let's move."
"Zander versus Sentinel" Part 2!
"I'm point, sir."
"Confirmed." Four's unit was in far better condition anyway. Four engaged his Zander's movement treads and skated forwards slightly, the movements creating the illusion that the Zander was hovering. Lacking the ability to do that, Five moved as quietly as the five and a half ton avatar could move... which was fairly quiet all things considered. Well-greased pistons and gears shifted as he walked forward, the only sound being a quiet "hrnhrrn" sort of sound when he moved and his steps on the ground. The city itself wasn't quiet of course... there was a battle going on after all.
"Five?"
"Yes, Seven?"
"I see it on my sensors."
"Anything yet?"
"Computer doesn't recognize it. It might be a new model of Roland... it's about the right size. No recognized weapons... crap."
"What?" Four asked.
"Stopped moving... I think it sees me."
"Stay covered, we'll be right there! All units, move!" Five pushed as far forward on the controls as he could. If there was one thing that the mobile and maneuverable avatars had a problem with, it was running: an average avatar could maybe hit ninety or so klicks an hour, which is why all avatars had movement treads on their feet. It was the only way they could get any decent sort of speed. With a busted tread, he couldn't go very fast at all. He could use his jump thrusters but that would make him a target.
The HUD changed slightly - Seven was being attacked.
"Seven! What's happening!"
"Crap! Sorry sir, but I just missed being hit: it fired its machine gun straight through the building!"
"Damn, what kind of firepower is he-"
"
AUGH!!"
"Seven! Seven!"
Signal lost.
"Squad, move it!" He couldn't go any faster, but the rest of the squad moved in on the foreign signal like a closing net.
Eight was the first to get close... only for the HUD to report a "Terminated" signal and Eight's cockpit module to go shooting up in the air. One came around the corner six blocks away and promptly lost the signal. Two apparently used a cabled arm to shoot up the side of a building to try and get over it... no luck there. His core module went flying. At least his got away. Whatever this thing was, it was good... so he'd have to be better.
Five aimed his arm at the top of a nearby building and pulled the trigger. Armor disconnected, revealing four powerful and compact rocket thrusters and a winch extending into the arm. The arm shot straight for the edge, prefectly aimed. It got a good solid grip, and then Five stepped on the right foot pedal, activating the jump boosters mounted on the backpack. The winch had been designed to pull the unit along on the ground, and was nowhere near powerful enough to actually lift the unit up ten stories: that's what the jump boosters were for. His Zander went over and up, and he landed with a "crunch" that sent shudders through the structure: it held up. The arm finished retracting and finally reconnected to the elbow: a quick mental flex of the fingers to make sure everything was connected, and he was off.
Jump boosters weren't really meant to be used the way he was using them, but he was going to do it anyway: jumping from rooftop to rooftop, using the only good rocket arm he had to help clear the taller jumps or make more controlled landings. Just another few blocks...
His HUD told him that Four had almost made it to the enemy unit. "Four, watch it..."
"Sir, it's firing in three round bursts... biggest rifle I think I've ever seen. It should be able to fire faster than that..."
"Not important. Are you covered?"
"Yes sir, I think I see what you're doing."
"Right. I come from above, you from the side!"
"Got it sir, awaitin-"
The signal died. And then the HUD lost Four's signal.
"Dammit." No time for grieving... later. Last building. Take it down. NOW.
Ordinarily, Five would use the arm as a sort of grapple to descend the side of the building. Not this time. He leaped over the side, machine gun blazing in the general direction of the mystery avatar. He had a general impression of blue-on-white, and a long dark gray rifle, and not much else. It looked up at him, and was just starting to raise its rifle -
wow, it really is kind of long isn't it? - when the hailing bullets caused the pilot to drop the weapon in surpise and leap backwards using its own boosters. Five came down hard, barely using the boosters to slightly counteract the force of gravity slamming him into the ground. The rifle came up again - one lucky shot was all he would need - when the unit fired its right hand and snatched the machinegun up and retracted back into the arm and snapped the gun in half.
"Damn!"
The two stood for a second - something that according to his memory had never happened to him before - which gave him enough time to finish his impression. The avatar had a streamlined body, slightly thinner than the Zander, armor shaped to slightly deflect radar and offer some protection against weapons. Parade-ground white, blue trim, a few spots of red (warning marks, perhaps?), two blades - one long and one short - stored on the hips, a pair of buckler shields mounted on the forearms. The rifle was weird too: the barrel seemed far too long, and it looked kind of like it was expanded, it didn't even look like a normal machine rifle. It wasn't a modified Roland... this was a new unit. A prototype maybe. Not that it mattered.
He selected and drew the two switchswords stored in the Zander's hip armor - he was out of grenades and the head-mounted machinegun was designed for anti-personnel purposes, not anti-avatar combat. The other unit hesitated, and then reached its arms down and disconnected the two blades from their hip mounting brackets before assuming an en guard position.
For some reason, Five briefly held the impression that this new white avatar's pilot was inexperienced... a notion he dismissed in a heartbeat. Never underestimate your opponent's skill levels, and never treat them any differently. He ran towards his enemy.
The switchswords were shorter weapons, designed for dual wielding and close-quarters combat, rather than the general sort of combat the enemy was trying to use. And Five was more experienced than his enemy: he picked that up quickly. But whoever it was was good. Very good. And the different lengths of blades weren't giving him any trouble at all: maybe the other pilot had actually studied dual-wielding instead of just watching it on 3V. The shorter blade was mostly blocking, while the longer one was used for slashing and attacking. Very good. The other pilot seemed really in tune with his Phantom Limb system: the avatar was moving too smoothly for him to not be.
The other unit had a faster response time: a dozen or so extra milliseconds, maybe. And it seemed stronger too, despite its lighter frame: the power core must have been incredible. Block, stab. Stop worrying about that... beat whoever this is and let the engineers pick over the designer later.
A particulary close slash drove Five to use a power leap backwards, which gave him enough room to flip the left blade around into a reverse grip and fire his rocket arm at the enemy unit. A close-range grapple could allow him to knock the unit off-balance and then finish it off...
... and then other avatar dodged the attack and dropped the short sword before it grabbed the cable linking the forearm to the Zander's elbow. Five actually stopped breathing for a moment... and started again when the white avatar brought the sword up in a slash that severed the cable, leaving Five an arm short and very very screwed.
The avatar followed up its attack by lifting its now free arm up and flexing slighty, causing a pair of blades to unfold from the forearm and point straight forward. The arm fired and went straight for Five's cockpit. It missed, but only because Five in his panic forgot that one of his treads wasn't working and spent himself splaying when he tried to race backwards and away. A burst from the boosters sent him backwards and up, back onto his feet...
... in time to see the other avatar racing straight towards him with the blade pointed forward.
He didn't have time to react before the blade punctured the cockpit and kept going through the torso and backpack straight through him.
The young pilot of the Sentinel prototype finally allowed himself to relax slightly. He drew the Long Blade from the Zander's body and let it fall to the ground. He latched the sword onto its place, and then retrieved the Short Blade and stored it as well. The rifle was next, and a flip of the switch withdrew the barrel into the gun and then collapsed the rail drivers, converting the gun back to totally automatic rather than its long-range/armor-piercing mode. A quick check of Sentinel's schematics and stats confirmed that damage was minimal, mostly cosmetic. Sentinel was an amazing machine.
"Ensign Gale, reporting Zander squad elimanted. I am returning,
Durandel."
"Confirmed, Ensign."
The young marine tried to ignore the red stain on the Long Blade, and turned his attention back to the distant hiding ship. He engaged the treadwells, and skated away from the battlesite.
Not bad for his fourth battle.
Finally done. Okay, some quick info about
Sentinel Star (the working title).
No, I have no plans currently to expand on this universe. Unless I feel like it.
In this story idea, there were mechs and avatars. What a mech is should be obvious. The thing that separated mechs from avatars is that avatars have two distinct control systems. The first are the manual controls, the joysticks and levers and shifters and such. The second is a system called Phantom Limb, which is designed to enhance an avatar's combat prowess by picking up a pilot's brainwaves to figure out what the pilot wants the avatar to be doing and translating that into control input. Sufficiently skilled pilots can actually do martial arts or intensive sword duels using the PL system, though in practice it's normally just used to smooth out the reaction and the controls. Incidentally, the Phantom Limb system will later be used to develop the Phantom Bit system, which any follower of Gundam can make a guess as to what it does. And no, to my knowledge you cannot control an avatar completely through the PL system (though skilled pilots really do incorporate the two systems together almost perfectly), since it's just too complicated to trigger thrusters and weapons and stuff like that.
The Core Module is something that's bothered me about most giant robots: no escape mechanisms. It was an idea I incorporated into every avatar (except for the early ones and some test models) to try and improve pilot longevity. Basically, the Core Module incorporates the main power core, the cockpit, the head, and the backpack and its thrusters, all mounted in a sort of block in the avatar's torso. When it ejects, rockets shoot it up and away until the backpack can flip back and the cockpit can rotate up slightly to form a somewhat aerodynamic shape suitable for escape purposes. The head is included when ejecting because it has the main sensors and an internal machine gun that can be used defensively.
Zander is a reference to Friedrich Tsander, the Soviet rocket designer. I mispelled it because that's how I originally saw it spelled, and also because it sounds just a little more sci-fi. All Arkozian units are named after space explorers or scientists who worked on getting us there. Their largest warship is the
Tsiolkovsky-class, which is essentially a dreadnaught designed for taking on both avatars and normal mecha and other ships, while their standard carrier is the
Goddard-class. If I recall correctly, anyway. LeNner avatars were going to be named after mythological/historical knights, while their ships were named after weapons or kings and rulers. Subtle, I know. Also, Sentinel's main gun is designed to function like a machine gun, but when it's linked up to Sentinel the pilot can extend the main barrel and then open the cooling/protection mechanism around it which in that configuration acts like a high-powered magnetic rail gun for long-range and armor-piercing uses, though you kind of picked that up, I hope. It can only fire three-round bursts in this mode, however, and it's fairly energy intensive. The cabled rocket arms are a somewhat (haha) realistic take on a Rocket Punch, except in this case they were originally intended to be used as grapples for climbing, and it was only a few enterprising individuals who realized that you could use it as a weapon... though this usage does have some drawbacks, as you saw.
Also, that's metric tons for the Zander's weight (yes, as an American I think that we'll be using metric in the future... shocking, isn't it?). To get the number, I assumed a two-meter tall human-shaped robot weighing 450 pounds (metal, ceramics, plastics, electronics, etc.) and then did 3 x 3 x 3 (three times taller, three times wider, three times deeper) to scale it up to six-meter tall mecha size (in other words, 27 times heavier). It actually comes out to just about five and a half metric tons, or just over six US tons. Should I go for something a bit heavier?
Okay, questions, concerns, comments, wtf's, suggestions?
You have watched much "Code Geass", my friend. But the combat sequence is very well written. And the data on mechs is really interesting too.
Quote...largest warship is the Tsiolkovsky-class...
..Feels me with pride for Mother Russia. :3 Do you have any mechs or ships called
Gagarin by any chance? :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 04, 2008, 05:08:51 PM
You have watched much "Code Geass", my friend. But the combat sequence is very well written. And the data on mechs is really interesting too.
Actually, aside from the treadwells on the feet and switching to grappling arms instead of grappling hooks, everything else was pretty solid in my head. And originally the Core Modules were going to be shot out of the back, but I couldn't get the design to work in my head so I went with the "up-and-out" arrangement. Besides (he prepares to confess) it's only recently that I've really started following Code Geass. I actually missed most of the first season (but that's what DVDs and an upcoming birthday are for).
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 04, 2008, 05:08:51 PM
Quote...largest warship is the Tsiolkovsky-class...
..Feels me with pride for Mother Russia. :3 Do you have any mechs or ships called Gagarin by any chance? :B
I might have... if I recall,
Gagarin was a variable environment ship (space and air worthy), with one being used by the youngest Arkozian prince.
By the way, does the weight sound right?
Also, if you ask nicely, I'll try and dredge up the short story (and I do mean short... it's like two pages long) that kind of started this whole idea and post it so you can get an idea of how bad of a writer I was back in high school.
Since obviously doing a low-grade rewording of a great song and posting a four page thing about two giant robots fighting wasn't enough, I feel like more haiku. And since my creative juices are strained from this morning, it's not even good haiku.
Since the day has dawned
It has been light; soon the Sun
Will set, and night falls.
What is it with those
Damned vampires? They're not hot
Or sexy, they're dead!
Rise from your slumber
Mighty Longinus: strike down
The gods with your power.
In time now past, we
Sought to shepherd mankind from
Without, to protect.
The waterfalls raise
A hiding mist. Within it,
A man can know rest.
A final shot from
A man who hated what the
World became. Lockon.
Why is it, that when
I take a vacation, the
World needs rescuing?
A B.F.G. is
The biggest gun ever? Yeah right.
Meet R.Y.N.O.
Yay.
And still the haiku
Flow free from the author's mouth.
Should we be scared now?
Not really, Boxy.
It's just something I do when
I get really bored.
Do you have any
Questions or ideas for what
I should cover next?
Quote from: Jairus on September 04, 2008, 05:28:44 AM
But, seriously, should I finish "ZvS"?
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Ye-
Sorry, I really gotta remember to run an antivirus scan soon... :robo
That actually was pretty cool. I could picture that really well. The only real thing of note to me is that the avatars were actually carrying their weaponry, instead of it built-in. In BattleTech, nearly all weapons are built-in, specifically for the reason of automatic reloading, and you can't "drop" your gun. And no grenades on a bandolier :U
However, it seems something unique to your writing anyway, so I'm certainly not asking for a change, it's really all right. Just something that caught my attention.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2008, 01:14:06 AM
That actually was pretty cool. I could picture that really well. The only real thing of note to me is that the avatars were actually carrying their weaponry, instead of it built-in. In BattleTech, nearly all weapons are built-in, specifically for the reason of automatic reloading, and you can't "drop" your gun. And no grenades on a bandolier :U
However, it seems something unique to your writing anyway, so I'm certainly not asking for a change, it's really all right. Just something that caught my attention.
Well, that's a mech in my universe. The term mech is a general word that basically refers to any piloted vaguely humanoid frame of some kind, but in a military setting it is anything lacking the Phantom Limb system. Military mechs have built in weapons or even optional equipment. Avatars, on the other hand, are more styled after Japanese style giant robots, so they are more humanoid and their weapons are mostly hand held, with a few built in or mounted depending on model. As for the grenades, they're actually in a sort of... crud, I just realized that I've got two weapons systems mounted on the same area. Shoot. Oh well, that's what you get for writing based on three-four year old notes and ideas. Maybe I should post a little more information, that'd help clear things up...
... why am I offering to post information on an idea that will never be finished unless I give it to someone else to write?
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 01:18:44 AM
Well, that's a mech in my universe. The term mech is a general word that basically refers to any piloted vaguely humanoid frame of some kind, but in a military setting it is anything lacking the Phantom Limb system. Military mechs have built in weapons or even optional equipment. Avatars, on the other hand, are more styled after Japanese style giant robots, so they are more humanoid and their weapons are mostly hand held, with a few built in or mounted depending on model.
Ah, got it. You're actually using
both worlds of giant robots. Nice ;)
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 01:18:44 AM
As for the grenades, they're actually in a sort of… crud, I just realized that I've got two weapons systems mounted on the same area. Shoot. Oh well, that's what you get for writing based on three-four year old notes and ideas. Maybe I should post a little more information, that'd help clear things up…
… why am I offering to post information on an idea that will never be finished unless I give it to someone else to write?
*shrugs* I dunno. You're the one writing it... :P
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2008, 01:23:25 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 01:18:44 AM
Well, that's a mech in my universe. The term mech is a general word that basically refers to any piloted vaguely humanoid frame of some kind, but in a military setting it is anything lacking the Phantom Limb system. Military mechs have built in weapons or even optional equipment. Avatars, on the other hand, are more styled after Japanese style giant robots, so they are more humanoid and their weapons are mostly hand held, with a few built in or mounted depending on model.
Ah, got it. You're actually using both worlds of giant robots. Nice ;)
Indeed. Mechs tend not to get as much attention as avatars, however. In-universe, mechs tend to have more weaponry and slightly heavier armor, while avatars are faster, more maneuverable, and more adaptable. They're also a little easier to pilot because of the PL System.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2008, 01:23:25 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 01:18:44 AM
As for the grenades, they're actually in a sort of... crud, I just realized that I've got two weapons systems mounted on the same area. Shoot. Oh well, that's what you get for writing based on three-four year old notes and ideas. Maybe I should post a little more information, that'd help clear things up...
... why am I offering to post information on an idea that will never be finished unless I give it to someone else to write?
*shrugs* I dunno. You're the one writing it... :P
Clearly I am insane. Meanwhile, just for a bit of fun, here's what data I recall of the Sentinel Prototype, using a stats sheet cribbed off of MAHQ. Let's see what I remember and can piece back together...
SentinelGeneral and Technical DataModel number: INRI-XA9013, LNMA-1013, S-001
Code name: Sentinel
Unit type: prototype combat avatar
Manufacturer: InterNational Research Institute (INRI), League of Nations Military (LeNaM)
Operator: INRI, LeNaM
First deployment: 2156 CE
Accommodation: Pilot only, in standard Phantom Limb-equipped cockpit in torso
Dimensions: 6.3 meters
Weight: 6.3 metric tons, standard load out
Armor materials: super-ceramic composite
Power plant: 1 x Ouroboros power core (high-energy fusion cell); Cruciform power network; 1 x HTP capacitor, chest mounted; 2 x backup "Flamel" fuel cells
Propulsion: 2 x variable-usage main thrusters, mounted in backpack; 2 x rocket boosters, mounted in lower legs; 2 x Treadwell high-mobility terrain propulsion system, mounted in feet
Equipment and design features: Core Module ejection system (cockpit, main power core, main thrusters, head); 2 x rocket-grapple forearm (cable mounted)
Fixed armaments: 1 x machine gun, mounted on head; 2 x dual razor claw, mounted on forearms; 2 x buckler shield, mounted on forearms or shoulder armor; 1 x long vibration sword, stored on left hip, hand-carried in use; 1 x short vibration sword, stored on right hip, hand-carried in use
Optional Armaments: "Impulse" machine rifle (normal firing mode + long-range anti-armor railgun mode), mounted on rear armor; Folding bazooka launcher, mounted on rear armor; "Buster R" beam rifle, mounted on rear armor; "Buster S" beam saber, mounted on backpack
Technical and Historical NotesOne of the products of the InterNational Research Institute's Titan Project, Sentinel is arguable it's greatest success. Sentinel was designed not only as a combat unit, but also as a testbed for a number of technologies developed by INRI. Foremost among these was the new Cruciform power network, which ran superconductive materials through the body of the unit, essentially giving Sentinel a vast amount of power to call on as well as being able to channel power to any point on its body with maximum speed. The HTP capacitor is a component of this, and acts as a reservoir of extra energy during combat. These additions allow the unit to equip a number of experimental weapons, such as the "Impulse" variable weapon or one of the "Buster" series compact beam weapons. The frame - and the unit itself - was also designed to be compatible with any more recent technologies developed by INRI, meaning that the unit can be upgraded to continue service over time. In addition to all of this, refined programming and designs to the frame mean that Sentinel is extremely reactive, although the Phantom Limb system is a little finicky and over-responsive, making it difficult to find a pilot who can properly synchronize with the unit. Plans are currently in development for a full overhaul of Sentinel, the upgrade having been given the temporary designation of "Sentinel Zed."
Miscellaneous InformationPilot: Unknown (Ensign Gale at this point)
And there you have it... reconstructed from some of my notes and a handful of the ideas in my head. That's Sentinel. If I get a request, I'll try and rebuild Zander's specifications as well.
Anyhoo... you know how this goes. Questions, comments, concerns, clarifications, WTFs, etc.?
EDIT: Damn, I've added like a whole page to this thread in one day. You know, sometimes I love you people.
Neat. I'm looking forward to see
Zengar's Zander's data.
Quote..Cruciform power network..
..Dan Simmons's "Hyperion"?
Quote.."Sentinel Zed"..
"Sentinel Zedd"? Will it be painted red to go three times faster? :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 06:53:12 AM
Quote.."Sentinel Zed"..
"Sentinel Zedd"? Will it be painted red to go three times faster? :B
No, only twice. For three times, you need to paint the flames down the side.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 06:53:12 AM
Neat. I'm looking forward to see Zengar's Zander's data.
I'll see what I can remember... in the meantime I'm still wondering why I'm writing all of this out. It's not like this story will ever get written.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 06:53:12 AM
Quote..Cruciform power network..
..Dan Simmons's "Hyperion"?
Never read it, sorry. INRI is an acronym I came up with back when I was a freshman in high school, and I was wondering where I first heard it when I remembered it's what Pilate put above Jesus of Nazareth's head while he was on the cross. So I kind of decided that some of INRI's designs would have religious code names. "Cruciform" means cross-shaped, so... yeah. There's also the kind of minor thing I just realized... the original meaning behind the code-name "Avatar" was because an "avatar" is the mortal incarnation of a god descended to earth, much like how an Avatar was the mortal and expendable body of the human pilot inside. And the most powerful avatar ever designed has a system called "Cruciform." What a lovely little coincidence.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 06:53:12 AM
Quote.."Sentinel Zed"..
"Sentinel Zedd"? Will it be painted red to go three times faster? :B
Okay, I get the reference to Char Aznable, but I don't get the reference to Zedd. I will mention that the HTP is red, but I don't think it would have ever glowed in series. This was a somewhat more realistic (hah) take on giant robots (note the size... and also note that they're running on super-efficient batteries rather than tiny nuclear reactors or something like that), so the "Glow of Power" is out on it's butt... as far as you know.
As a side note, don't you love the 00 lampshade-hanging on how the Trans-Am system makes a Gundam move 3 times as fast... and turns it red?
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 03:10:32 AM
And there you have it... reconstructed from some of my notes and a handful of the ideas in my head. That's Sentinel. If I get a request, I'll try and rebuild Zander's specifications as well.
Well, I've gotta skedaddle in a little bit, but let's see if I can reconstruct Zander's specifications.
ZanderGeneral and Technical DataModel number: ARD-XA007, AS-007
Code name: Zander
Unit type: mass-production combat avatar
Manufacturer: Arkoz Research and Development (ARD), Arkoz
Operator: Arkoz
First deployment: 2142 CE
Accommodation: Pilot only, in standard Phantom Limb-equipped cockpit in torso
Dimensions: 6.1 meters
Weight: 6.6 metric tons, standard load out
Armor materials: super-ceramic composite
Power plant: 1 x Ouroboros power core (high-energy fusion cell); 2 x backup fuel cells
Propulsion: 2 x rocket main thrusters, mounted in backpack; 2 x boosters thrusters, mounted in lower legs; 2 x Treadwell high-mobility terrain propulsion system, mounted in feet
Equipment and design features: Core Module ejection system (cockpit, main power core, main thrusters, head); 2 x rocket-grapple forearm (cable mounted)
Fixed armaments: 2 x machine gun, mounted on head; 2 x switchswords, mounted in hip armor, hand carried in use
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x heavy shield, mounted on left shoulder; 1 x long-range bombardment cannon, backpack mounted; 2 x 4-barrel missile launcher, leg mounted; 2 x 4 grenade rack, hip mounted, variable load up; 1 x anti-armor sword, backpack mounted, hand carried in use
Optional Armaments: 1 x machine rifle, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x machine carbine, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x assault rifle, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x folding low-recoil cannon, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x folding bazooka launcher, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use
Technical and Historical NotesOne of Arkoz's most successful Avatar designs, the Zander has currently been in action for nearly fifteen years with minimal upgrades to the design. The Zander was Arkoz's third mass-production combat unit, and was built using lessons learned from the previous two units. It is a good all-around unit, specializing in nothing yet able to handle almost any circumstance. A number of modifications have been designed over the years to adapt the Zander for specialized environments such as desert or aquatic combat, but the original Zander is still the primary unit. Most of the weapons currently used by the unit have been introduced as a way of keeping it up to date, and originally it had barely half of the weapons it has today. It is somewhat slower than more modern Avatars, but makes up for it with thicker armor to improve its defensive characteristics. However, the Zander is starting to show its age, and newer mass-production or limited mass-production models are starting to take center stage: in addition, most LeNaM units are younger and more advanced than the Zander, and have an advantage in the technology department. An upgrade referred to as Zander II is currently undergoing testing, which will bring this long-lasting model into the modern age.
Miscellaneous InformationPilot: too many to farking list
I'm starting to remember that Sentinel's swords were really weird... like they had a plasma cutting edge or something. This is what you get for trying to remember this stuff years later.
Okay, questions, comments, concerns, clarifications, WTFs, etc.?
EDIT: And now to attract Cogi...
This door does not work:
I push as hard as I can,
And it won't open.
The third act death scene
Ho hum, done before. So bored,
Yet can't look away
This filthy smut should
Not be here! It should be in
My computer, now!
Hehehe.
Good, good. By the way, you made me make connections between "Code Geass" and "Heavy Gear" in terms of mech design. At first I thought that your mechs resemble Knightmare Frames from "CG", but now I think they are more similar to Heavy Gears from, well, "HG". Which is much more cool in my book.
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 04:03:31 PM
This filthy smut should
Not be here! It should be in
My computer, now!
Well played, but you are too slow. It's in
my computer already.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 04:44:19 PM
Good, good. By the way, you made me make connections between "Code Geass" and "Heavy Gear" in terms of mech design. At first I thought that your mechs resemble Knightmare Frames from "CG", but now I think they are more similar to Heavy Gears from, well, "HG". Which is much more cool in my book.
Hm... I guess I should look up "Heavy Gear" when I get a chance, since this is the first mention I think I've heard of it. Also, do you like how both Western and Eastern mecha types are present? techmaster-glitch seemed to...
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 04:44:19 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 04:03:31 PM
This filthy smut should
Not be here! It should be in
My computer, now!
Well played, but you are too slow. It's in my computer already.
Your filthy smut shall
Never tarnish my mind! It
Already has been!
EDIT: fixed the haiku. Eheheheh.
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 04:46:24 PM
Hm... I guess I should look up "Heavy Gear" when I get a chance, since this is the first mention I think I've heard of it.
It was the first computer game involving large robots I have ever played. And it seemed awesome back then. Also, it's a table-top game and a setting revolving around robots, somewhat like "Battletech".
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 04:46:24 PM
Also, do you like how both Western and Eastern mecha types are present?
Yeah. More of the Western types, though, I think.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 04:51:43 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 04:46:24 PM
Also, do you like how both Western and Eastern mecha types are present?
Yeah. More of the Western types, though, I think.
Well... I guess I could figure out what I had planned for them. Mecha weren't as prolific in the story because Mecha are piloted by the army, while Avatars are piloted by Marines: since the ship was crewed by naval and marine personnel, they just didn't show up. And mecha really aren't suited for close range combat: they're more like walking tanks (though some roll).
As a present for Ren... I present the Zander Prince Theophilus Custom.
Zander Custom - Theophilus Aleron
General and Technical Data
Model number: AS-007c
Code name: Zander Theophilus Aleron Custom
Unit type: custom mass-production combat avatar
Manufacturer: Arkoz
Operator: Arkoz
First deployment: 2153 CE
Accommodation: Pilot only, in standard Phantom Limb-equipped cockpit in torso
Dimensions: 6.2 meters
Weight: 6.9 metric tons, standard load out
Armor materials: super-ceramic composite
Power plant: 1 x Ouroboros power core (high-energy fusion cell); 3 x backup fuel cells
Propulsion: 2 x rocket main thrusters, mounted in backpack; 2 x boosters thrusters, mounted in lower legs; 4 x high-output vernier, mounted in shoulder shields; 2 x Treadwell high-mobility terrain propulsion system, mounted in feet
Equipment and design features: Core Module ejection system (cockpit, main power core, main thrusters, head); 2 x rocket-grapple forearm (cable mounted); 2 x vernier-equipped shoulder shields
Fixed armaments: 2 x machine gun, mounted on head; 2 x switchswords, mounted in hip armor, hand carried in use; 2 x impact knuckle, mounted on hands
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x custom sword, backpack mounted, hand carried in use; 1 x impact lance, backpack mounted, hand carried in use; 2 x 4 grenade rack, hip mounted, variable load up
Optional Armaments: 1 x machine rifle, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x assault rifle, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use; 1 x folding bazooka launcher, stored on hip armor, hand carried in use
Technical and Historical Notes
A customized Zander used by Prince Theophilus "Theo" Aleron, the Zander TA Custom has been fine-tuned for his needs. The shoulder armor has been enhanced to include two rotating vernier-equipped shields to enhance maneuverability. The third battery helps to power the enhanced joints which improve strength and response time at the cost of less active combat time. The hands have been built to include a pair of "impact knuckles," folding blades that are designed to punch through armor when fired as a grapple or in close-quarters combat. As is the purview of commanders, he can also equip an impact lance for anti-armor combat, but Prince Theo prefers a long vibration sword for combat. While it can still equip most of the weapons that normal Zanders use, Prince Theo only uses a handful of select weapons in combat. Due to its modifications, it is both power hungry and difficult to control. But combined with the Prince's own skills in battle, this is a dangerous machine that few opponents have survived an encounter with.
Miscellaneous Information
Pilot: Prince Theophilus Aleron
Okay, questions, comments, concerns, clarifications, WTFs, etc.?
EDIT: And now to attract Cogi a second time...
Did I choose this sword,
Or did this sword choose me? How
Can one ever know?
Niece one. I like it. I'll have to make something like these data sheets for my mechs and stuff later.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 05:18:16 PM
Niece one. I like it. I'll have to make something like these data sheets for my mechs and stuff later.
That'd be neat. Meanwhile, I'm going to try and sketch the two of these out over the weekend. We'll see how much I can ruin the Giant Robot genre all by myself.
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 05:19:24 PM
We'll see how much I can ruin the Giant Robot genre all by myself.
*Bright-slaps Jairus*
Don't you dare say it! You lose the moment you give up! So never give up! Never surrender! Punch your fears in the face and kick them into the curb! Believe in yourself, Jay! Not in me, who believes in you! Not in you who believes in me! But in you who believes in yourself! Draw-Macha Brigade!!! Who the hell do you think we are?! >:D
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 05:24:44 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 05:19:24 PM
We'll see how much I can ruin the Giant Robot genre all by myself.
*Bright-slaps Jairus* Don't you dare say it! You lose the moment you give up! So never give up! Never surrender! Punch your fears in the face and kick them into the curb! Believe in yourself, Jay! Not in me, who believes in you! Not in you who believes in me! But in you who believes in yourself! Draw-Macha Brigade!!! Who the hell do you think we are?! >:D
Fine! I'll do it! On my back, and in my heart, your words and deeds shall live on!
Who the hell do you think I am?!?...
Anyway... here's the real reason I made this post.
Okay, I lied. One more modified song.
This is nowhere near as modified as the last song... really it's just swapping names around. So, without further ado, "Dammit, Jyrras!" starring Abel and Jyrras, adapted from "Dammit Janet" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." I think the scene is set after Dan's wedding to Matilda. It's the only way I could really make it work, and Jyrras apparently came up with plans for it at some point in his wardrobe upgrade. This is obviously non-canon.
Dramatis PersonaeAbelJyrrasChorus"Dammit, Jyrras"
Abel
Hey Jyrras,
Jyrras
Yes, Abel?
Abel
I've got something to say.
Jyrras
Uh-huh?
Abel
I really loved the skilful way
You beat the other girls to the bride's bouquet!
Jyrras
Abel...
Abel
The river was deep but I swam it,
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
The future is ours so let's plan it,
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
So please don't tell me to can it
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
I've one thing to say and that's
Dammit, Jyrras, I love you...
The road was long but I ran it
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
There's a fire in my heart and you fan it
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
If there's one fool for you then I am it
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
Now I've one thing to say and that's
Dammit, Jyrras, I love you...
Here's the ring to prove that I'm no joker.
There's three ways that love can grow:
That's good, bad or mediocre.
Oh J-Y-R-A-S I love you so!
Jyrras
Oh it's nicer than Dan Tifion' had
Chorus
Abel
Jyrras
Now we're engaged and I'm so glad
Chorus
Abel
Jyrras
That you've met Lex' and you know Dan
I've one thing to say and that's
Abe' I'm mad for you too...
Jyrras
Abel...
Abel
Oh... dammit!
Jyrras
I'm mad...
Abel
Oh Jyrras!
Jyrras
For you...
Abel
I love you too!
Both
There's one thing left to do...
Abel
... and that's
Go see the girl who began it!
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
When we met in her SAIA home school it
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
Made me give you the eye and then panic...
Chorus
Jyrras.
Abel
There's one thing to say and that's
Dammit, Jyrras, I love you...
Abel
Dammit Jyrras...
Jyrras
Abel, I'm mad...
Abel
Dammit Jyrras...
Both
I love you!
... Amber is so going to kill me for this, isn't she?
And I know Abel misspelled "Jyrras." It doesn't work unless he does.
Okay, I am doing no more of these things. I'm done. Really.
EDIT: Here, to help make up for it...
A heart of courage
Can accomplish any goal!
Believe what I say!
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 09:30:28 PM
I think the scene is set after Dan's wedding to Matilda.
HERESY!! D:< ..Err, you heard nothing! :animesweat
The song is really funny, by the way.
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 09:30:28 PM
A heart of courage
Can accomplish any goal!
Believe what I say!
Amen.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 09:38:55 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 09:30:28 PM
I think the scene is set after Dan's wedding to Matilda.
HERESY!! D:< ..Err, you heard nothing! :animesweat
Well, he had to marry someone... I thought if he was marrying someone Jyrras approved of it would work.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 09:38:55 PM
The song is really funny, by the way.
Not my song, but thanks. All I did was change the names.
So... should I send Amber a link? Or no?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 05, 2008, 09:38:55 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 09:30:28 PM
A heart of courage
Can accomplish any goal!
Believe what I say!
Amen.
Only one percent
With true courage can becomes
One hundred percent.
QuoteDid I choose this sword,
Or did this sword choose me? How
Can one ever know?
One seldom ever
grasps a blade for
The same reason
One begins with the
desire of strength - but
that is elusive
The Haiku are good, sir, and I like that one above lots. The song, though...I think I'm still laughing. Very nicely done, sir, although I've not seen the picture show before to get the reference. Even so, I appreciated the humor muchly.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 06, 2008, 12:31:38 AM
The Haiku are good, sir, and I like that one above lots. The song, though...I think I'm still laughing. Very nicely done, sir, although I've not seen the picture show before to get the reference. Even so, I appreciated the humor muchly.
Well, I'm glad you liked the haiku. As for the song "Dammit Janet," here's the version from the movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am6hzwBz8iU&feature=related). As you can tell, all I did was swap the names around, but it's still a fun song. Brad = Abel, Janet = Jyrras. I'd also like to make it clear that there are a lot of AMVs to this song, I just didn't have movies of these two to edit together into a song.
I really am tempted to send Amber the link to my version... except I don't know how she'd react. Could someone give me a hint before I condemn myself?
PS: (This is sort of a comment on the process that drove me to write "I'm Holding Out For Regina")
Three in the morning
And nothing seems to work. Why
Can't I get to sleep?
And these are from the ban game...You broke some rules, you
Naughty person. The only
Thing is to ban you.
The rule you broke was
That you posted before me,
So I must ban you.
Okay, no song fic. Yay!
Tonight, a little info on a group from the "ZvS" story called the GOLEMS.
Originally, the GOLEMS were simply a group distantly connected to INRI's Project Avatar, a program to combine the Phantom Limb control system designed for controlling prosthetic limbs and military mecha. While the project succeeded and created the first Avatar - codenamed "Avatar Zero One" - which the assembled team then set out to create a combat-worthy version of, another team of scientists - one of whom was a member of Project Avatar - had already developed their own avatar from a set of reverse-engineered specifications that they called "Dizzy," short for Double Zero. Though these five - Jerod Giuseppe, Tatiana Ondrea, Liang An, Abdulkareem Eman and Sally Marylee - did not actually build Dizzy, the design was superior to Zero One, and was actually already combat capable. Assuming new code names for themselves - Mr. G, Professor O, Master L, Doktor E, and Instructor M respectively - the five called themselves GOLEM and began to research new weapons and developments for use in the coming age of avatar combat. They were shortly joined by Domani "Des" Eduardo Sidney, a scientist who had become disillusioned with the way the research was going in Avatar development. He assumed the code name "Doctor S," and they began to call themselves the GOLEMS. Together they began to research and develop new weapons and technologies for use in avatars - technology that could not be implemented at the time. About twenty or so years ago, they split up for some reason and went their separate ways, and each continued to work on the different designs they had brought with them. With Jerod Giuseppe's creation of the Sentinel as a part of Project Titan and it's ability to actually use most of the tech they designed, the world is on the brink of a technological revolution the likes of which has never been seen. Though the original five have not spoken in over fifteen years, Domani still keeps up tabs between them.
Jerod Giuseppe, aka "Mr. G"
If the group had a leader, the Englishman Jerod would be it. As it is, he is simply the one who brought the original five together for their own project. A major member of Project Avatar, he helped his group out by keeping them supplied with designs from Project Avatar. While he didn't really have a specialty in the group, he seemed to have a talent for getting pieces to fall into place. Following the GOLEMS breaking up, he stayed with INRI and eventually joined Project Titan, where he invented the superconducting power network called "Cruciform."
Tatiana Ondrea, aka "Professor O"
A woman of Russian ancestry, Tatiana was a major mech researcher for the League of Nations, and designed the GeUCoM, a multi-use mech still in use by the League of Nations forces (albeit the GeUCoM VI, but it's still the same basic machine). A stoic and seemingly emotionless woman, she actually feels the weight of those killed by her machines, but she prefers the idea of war to absolute chaos. She began research into sensor jamming and similar technology, and also did some work with energy-based barriers and shields. She continued working on her mechs after the group split up.
Liang An, aka "Master L"
A scientist from the Chinese territories, An is a kind and simple man who can kick anyone's butt in martial arts. Among the six scientists, he is probably the best Avatar pilot of them all, thanks to the time he spent training in his grandfather's house when he was younger. Ironically, he is opposed to the idea of the Phantom Limb system being used for warfare, and believes that it and much of the technology in use by avatars would be better served on the civilian market. Most of the advancements he made were enhancements to the PL system, as well as figuring out ways for pilots to control something he called the "Phantom Bit." Once the group split up, he took most of the stuff they researched and began applying it as best he could to the civilian market: most prosthetic limbs nowadays incorporate something of his (and by extension the group's) design.
Kareem Emanuel, aka "Doktor E"
A man of mixed Israeli-Pakistani ancestry, Kareem grew up in Germany, and feels little connection to the war-torn home of his ancestors. In fact, a handful of his (and Tatiana's) designs have been used to quell the uprisings and rebellions in that area. Kareem has a sort of detached personality to the world, and doesn't care about the conflicts that are going on. He has been engaged in weapons research his entire adult life. Following the groups breakup, he joined with Arkoz's research staff and helped develop their weapons: the first flight-capable mass production Avatar was his design.
Sally Marylee, aka "Instructor M"
A self-described "gun nut," Sally is an American who grew up on one of the space colonies run by the world government. Youngest of the six, she is also probably the reason that the group did so much: she helped to spur them along. Both of her parents were fans of old-time mecha TV series, and she herself is a bit of a nut on the subject as well. Obviously, she studied weaponry, and it was her work that led to the compression of beam tech to the point that it could be wielded by an avatar - or at least would be, once avatar tech got that far. After the group split up, she joined up with a group of mercenaries and scavengers called the "Raptors," and has since been designing some very weird modifications for them, while the beam tech she helped develop has been carefully leaked to all sides to see who can complete it first: her money is on Mr. G and Project Titan.
Domani "Des" Eduardo Sidney, aka "Doctor S"
One of the strangest members of the group, "Des" is also perhaps certifiably insane. The reason for this is that he is one of the byproducts of a group attempting to create psychic soldiers, individuals capable of plucking information from their enemy's head. Des is himself an empath, capable of "reading" emotions in the environment around him and pinpointing who they're attached to: by touching someone on their face, he can also "read" their mind, though this is difficult and tiring for him. The overflow of emotions is probably what drove him nuts originally, and part of his interest in Project Avatar was that some of the resulting tech could have helped him block off his mind from the world. It didn't pan out, but his friend Sally invited him to join GOLEM in an attempt to help him out. Though that didn't really pan out either, Des ended up sticking with them for the rest of the project. He actually spent most of his time with An, who had long since learned to control his emotions and thus had a "quiet mind." When the group split up, he ended up going with Sally, and he has currently found solace in the quiet of space, and most of the members of Raptor are respectful of his need for privacy.
There. The six scientists who helped to revolutionize the world, and are waiting to do so again. Yes, they are a reference to the five doctors of Gundam Wing, even though I never watched that show. And yes, they existed simply to explain how technology can start to advance so quickly once the story got underway: they already built it all, they just needed the rest of the world to catch up so that they could use it. Questions, comments, concerns, clarifications, WTFs?
EDIT: Sweet buttery Jesus, 11 pages? Didn't I only hit 10 pages like a day or two ago?
EDIT 2: Haiku!
My brother is dead
At my own hand. And yet I
Feel nothing at all.
An ancient black blade,
Old as civilization.
A mark of the past.
This mountain is in
My way. I could walk around.
But I'd rather not.
How many roads must
A man walk down, 'fore I give
A damn? Forty two.
Goodness, but that's a
Big bomb. Let's make it go boom.
Muahaahaahaahaa.
Thank you.
Well, here are the first two giant robots I sketched out. Comments and advice are always appreciated... please? I really suck at this. Well, no better way to get better than to keep doing it.
Anyway... on with the show!
Oh, and for the love of all you hold beautiful... don't look at these in full scale. They look better small scale. Not that that's saying much.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch01.jpg?t=1220814067)
Giant Robot sketch #1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch01.jpg?t=1220814067)
The first giant robot I've ever drawn in my life. I drew this one last night around 11 or so. To be blunt, I don't like this one, and aside from giving you an idea of where I've started from in terms of drawing these guys I can't think of a reason to post it. This was going to be an earlier avatar, perhaps even A-01, but it didn't work out so I just drew some details and went to bed.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch02a.jpg?t=1220814068)
Giant Robot sketch #2 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch02a.jpg?t=1220814068)
The second giant robot I've ever drawn in my life. This one was done this morning at around nine or so. This drawing is still at the "bubble parts and lots of extra pencil marks stage," but I already like it better. For some reason it came out looking a bit like the Lancelot (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/z-01.htm) from Code Geass, though that wasn't my intent: this was just practice. I'm going to do a little cleaning up later today or tonight, and then I'll start drawing the shapes to build up the limbs.
Also, scale-wise these guys are somewhere between 5 and 7 meters, so these are supposed to be avatars.
Okay, now I'm serious. Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking and commenting.
Quote from: Jairus on September 07, 2008, 03:27:06 PM
Oh, and for the love of all you hold beautiful... don't look at these in full scale. They look better small scale. Not that that's saying much.
I did that and survived.
The "Giant Robot sketch #2" isn't too bad, but I would recommend you to make the legs more massive. Since the bodies of your robots are somewhat bulky (to store both the cockpit and the power source), the legs look to thin to give this robot sufficient balance.
Oh, and it looks more like Gekka (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/type-3f.htm) than Lancelot.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 08, 2008, 12:52:18 PM
The "Giant Robot sketch #2" isn't too bad, but I would recommend you to make the legs more massive. Since the bodies of your robots are somewhat bulky (to store both the cockpit and the power source), the legs look to thin to give this robot sufficient balance.
Agreed. I thought of that last night... I'm going to try sketching a new one today, and I'm going to bulk it up a little bit. What I've got there is basically an internal frame that needs armor and thrusters and weapons attached to it... hm.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 08, 2008, 12:52:18 PM
Oh, and it looks more like Gekka (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/type-3f.htm) than Lancelot.
Hm... kinda. I actually really like the Black Knights designs: they're fairly different from most giant robots. And the Guren is awesome.
Quote from: Jairus on September 07, 2008, 03:27:06 PM
The second giant robot I've ever drawn in my life. This one was done this morning at around nine or so. This drawing is still at the "bubble parts and lots of extra pencil marks stage," but I already like it better. For some reason it came out looking a bit like the Lancelot from Code Geass, though that wasn't my intent: this was just practice. I'm going to do a little cleaning up later today or tonight, and then I'll start drawing the shapes to build up the limbs.
Honestly, I think you're on the right path with the second one. Get the bubbles and extra lines in until you see something in there that you like. Once you see what you like, start cleaning off the extra lines. It may only be your second one, but it's a very strong start imho.
Quote from: Jairus on September 07, 2008, 03:27:06 PM
scale-wise these guys are somewhere between 5 and 7 meters, so these are supposed to be avatars.
When you say 'Avatar' in that context, I presume you mean some kind of remote unit?
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 08, 2008, 01:31:38 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 07, 2008, 03:27:06 PM
scale-wise these guys are somewhere between 5 and 7 meters, so these are supposed to be avatars.
When you say 'Avatar' in that context, I presume you mean some kind of remote unit?
No, Jay gave an explanation to why he calls these machines that way somewhere above:
Quote from: Jairus on September 05, 2008, 11:58:05 AM
There's also the kind of minor thing I just realized... the original meaning behind the code-name "Avatar" was because an "avatar" is the mortal incarnation of a god descended to earth, much like how an Avatar was the mortal and expendable body of the human pilot inside.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 08, 2008, 01:35:29 PM
No, Jay gave an explanation to why he calls these machines that way somewhere above:
Ah, got it, thanks. With all respect to Jairus, I find myself unable to sit through reams of dry technical data and backstory notes, hence I have been popping in and out of this thread - evidently that is the price I pay :3
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 08, 2008, 01:37:33 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 08, 2008, 01:35:29 PM
No, Jay gave an explanation to why he calls these machines that way somewhere above:
Ah, got it, thanks. With all respect to Jairus, I find myself unable to sit through reams of dry technical data and backstory notes, hence I have been popping in and out of this thread - evidently that is the price I pay :3
No worries... I hate writing dry technical data and I hate technobabble, which is why I try to be informal and "Fluffy-like" when I do technical stuff: I find that people like reading my stuff more if I enjoyed writing it. I don't want to bore my readers, and any technical stuff is made a little more accessible than "reverse the polarized stabilizers and prepare the Bussard ramscoop to fire a charged-anti-article beam."
Incidentally, Ren, what did you think of the GOLEMS?
PS: But I love writing backstory! For example: Dreksa has two brothers he refers to in The Covenant Wars, only one of which he actually liked, and this brother was probably a cousin of the great Kamina-sama. The other brother was his actual brother, and he hated each him, so much so that he thinks that the person who killed his older brother deserves a medal.
Well, got some drawing done last night, but none post worthy. So, instead I drew this tonight: another giant robot sketch. Again, still unfinished and really rough, but already I think this looks a bit better than attempt #2.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch03.jpg?t=1221018142)
Giant Robot Sketch #3 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch03.jpg?t=1221018142)
Number 3. A bit stockier than #2 (the arms are still bothering me), as well as a handful of joints drawn into give me an idea of movement capabilities. The head and neck make me wince, though. Still rough, but already I'm liking this better. The two "humps" on the back are supposed to be the tops of a pair of thrusters. Anyway... yeah.
Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all?
EDIT: And haiku...
This blasted machine
Refuses to work, even
Though I keep hitting.
Good lord, is that the
Time? Where does it go? Can
I get a refund?
Hydraulics pump and
Motors drive. The mecha strides
Towards a battle.
Mind, words, and motions:
Three triggers to awaken
The spell that I cast.
Darkness within, and
Some fear it. I do not. I
fear not my darkness.
Just six men changed
The world forever. Monty
Python shall live on.
I'm a lumberjack
And I'm okay. I sleep all
Night and work all day.
Spam spam spam spam spam
Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam
Spam spam spam spam spam
Yeah, those last few were
A bit silly. But that's the
Way they would want it.
Thank you.
Quote
I'm a lumberjack
And I'm okay. I sleep all
Night and work all day.
I cut down trees
I eat my lunch, I use
the lavatory
The sketches seem to be improving, to my non-artistic eye, sir. The head on that one looks improved anyway, to me. And the Haiku are both silly and steampunk in places, which is always awesome.
On Wednesdays I
Go shopping, and have buttered
Scones for my tea time.
Thank you for the remarks on the sketch: it certainly is better than the first one, or at least from where I'm standing. Though I'm realizing that the right arm is a bit skimpy, even compared to what I was going for. Oh well: practice makes perfect. The first one also suffered because I had no idea what I was doing, and went a little far in the details before I got the structure right.
This machine armor
Moves, and yet it protects the
Man within its shell.
Air, fuel, spark: the
Three pieces of fire. I
Have them with magic.
If you cannot fly,
Make your own wings. That is how
Mortals think, demon.
PS: If anyone is curious, I have a little more trivia on the GOLEMS that I dredged up from my memory.
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 01:10:35 AM
On Wednesdays I
Go shopping, and have buttered
Scones for my tea time.
You're short a syllable on the first line, I think, unless you pronounce the nes. It's usually pronounced "wens-days" around here...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 10, 2008, 03:38:57 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 01:10:35 AM
On Wednesdays I
Go shopping, and have buttered
Scones for my tea time.
You're short a syllable on the first line, I think, unless you pronounce the nes. It's usually pronounced "wens-days" around here...
Good point... but when I wrote it I definitely thought "Wed-nes-day." I'm already stretching the verse to get it to fit as it is, unfortunately, so I'm not certain how it would work. Besides, if you pronounce all three syllables when you're saying this out loud, people might not catch what you're saying until the haiku is finished. ;)
I never wanted
To be a barber: oh to
Be a lumberjack.
A sword, of ancient
Power and origin. It
will save or destroy.
Family is more
Than blood or a name. Those who
Love are part of one.
Friends in our hearts
Can never leave. They will always
Be with us. Always.
Comments on a robot sketch:
The legs still need to be more massive. You may want to make the shoulders and forearms more massive too. Also, the torso looks like a bucket now. Unless its an Ork's Mekk, you'd probably want to make the torso less bucket-like. :3
If it's an Ork's Mekk.. it gives him an excuse to put weapons with a lot of Dakka on it.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 10, 2008, 11:16:21 AM
Comments on a robot sketch:
The legs still need to be more massive. You may want to make the shoulders and forearms more massive too. Also, the torso looks like a bucket now. Unless its an Ork's Mekk, you'd probably want to make the torso less bucket-like. :3
Quote from: Mowser on September 10, 2008, 12:25:19 PM
If it's an Ork's Mekk.. it gives him an excuse to put weapons with a lot of Dakka on it.
Still working on it. I'm going to try and make a few sketches tonight... we'll see how well that goes. Besides, if it's an Ork Mekk, not only will it need more dakka, then it will also need to be painted red. Which, incidentally, is the color of the Arkoz Royal Guard.
Anyway, yeah, avoid the bucket. But does the idea of trying to incorporate even simple joints at this point work?
Hypothetical question: would a 3'6" (one meter or so) tall elf dual wielding gatling guns be considered "enough dakka?" Pretend that gatling guns can actually be carried and fired one-handed.
PS: No comments on the haiku? Phooie. And I thought that someone would be interested in a midge more trivia on a bunch of technological wizards who are also perhaps insane.
Anyway...
Good god it is hot.
Hot hot hot. I wish that my
AC was working.
Why does painting a
Thing red make it go faster?
It kind of bugs me.
(my AC works fine... I just felt like writing that.)
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 01:53:18 PM
Hypothetical question: would a 3'6" (one meter or so) tall elf dual wielding gatling guns be considered "enough dakka?" Pretend that gatling guns can actually be carried and fired one-handed.
Only if the gatling guns would have mounted grenade launchers. No, scratch that. There is no such thing as "enough dakka".
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 10, 2008, 02:03:24 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 01:53:18 PM
Hypothetical question: would a 3'6" (one meter or so) tall elf dual wielding gatling guns be considered "enough dakka?" Pretend that gatling guns can actually be carried and fired one-handed.
Only if the gatling guns would have mounted grenade launchers. No, scratch that. There is no such thing as "enough dakka".
Hypothetical question: How about twelve gatling guns?
This gun makes such a
Lovely sound. Dakka dakka
Dakka dakka dak.
Trivia: Sally Marylee was twelve when she joined the GOLEMS. She is literally one of the most brilliant designers in the world. Also, none of them are using their real names: everyone of them (twelve-year old Sally included) faked their identities and killed off their original ones. No ones knows who they really are, and they've hidden their trails so well that it's unlikely anyone ever will.
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 02:11:06 PM
Hypothetical question: How about twelve gatling guns?
No. Such. Thing. As. ENOUGH. DAKKA!! HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR? There is only MORE DAKKA and MOOOOORE DAKKA!! *kicks the inner ork drill sergeant into the curb* Twelve Gatling guns would be fine, good sir.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 10, 2008, 02:15:26 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 10, 2008, 02:11:06 PM
Hypothetical question: How about twelve gatling guns?
No. Such. Thing. As. ENOUGH. DAKKA!! HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR? There is only MORE DAKKA and MOOOOORE DAKKA!! *kicks the inner ork drill sergeant into the curb* Twelve Gatling guns would be fine, good sir.
I think the only way that scene would possibly be complete is the guy controlling the twelve guns to get an insufferable smirk on his face that simply says "Good-bye" to whoever he's trying to kill. That, or to finish it off he pulls out a death ray. Or he calls on the giant robot that has it's own gatling guns... I think Nick might be keeping a little too much dakka in his lab. He should spread the love around. Everyone could use a little dakka!
Ahem...
As a present, Ren, I give you the Metal Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgW8Vm8stIM). For those of you who have never heard of it, this is a gun with a maximum firing rate of one million rounds a minute.
For the more "conventional" weapon lover... how about the GAU-8 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/GAU-8_meets_VW_Type_1.jpg)? I had this as a wallpaper for a while.
My death ray works so
Well. Whatever I aim at,
Dies pretty darn fast.
GAU-8. So good they strapped a plane on it.
Okay, tonight's drawings.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch04.jpg?t=1221097041)
giant robot sketch #4 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch04.jpg?t=1221097041)
I have no idea what I was going for here. It looks a bit more like a cross between a Real Robot and a Super Robot. Anyway, it's a lot more stocky than the other three and I like this quick sketch a bunch already. Again I kind of drew in a pair of thrusters on the back.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch05.jpg?t=1221096967)
giant robot sketch #5 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/giantrobotsketch05.jpg?t=1221096967)
Now here, I know that I was kind of sketching a Lancelot-like machine, but I kind of like it. Interestingly, the larger head makes the thing look like a smaller machine, or at least from my perspective. Must remember that for when I start drawing more often.
Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all?
An engineer must
Know their machines, just like a
Swordsman knows their sword.
Okay, how about a little more tech from ZvS... crud, I wish I could remember the name. I had it under the working title Sentinel Avatar, but that ain't gonna work. Oh well. I'll try and avoid technobabble where I can... can't stand the stuff. Star Trek practically makes me break down and scream "SCIENCE DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!!!!" Ahem... anyway. Remember all of this is basically being dredged up from my memory, so there are some inconsistencies and I'm probably leaving some things out by accident.
Ouroboros power core: The normal power unit for Avatars, an Ouroboros is essentially a super-compact high-efficiency battery system combined with a small-scale fusion cell. Basically, the battery powers the avatar while the fusion cell powers the battery. While the cell can run the avatar during normal operations, it does not have a high enough output to power avatars during battle, which is where the battery comes in. The two systems together give an avatar a relatively unlimited combat span (excluding fuel for thrusters and the like) and the ability to undergo high-performance combat. However, the battery can only power the unit for about and hour or two, and once the battery is run down an avatar's combat ability drops steeply. Some avatars are outfitted with secondary power systems or extra batteries, while a handful of experimental models have two Ouroboros cores for power. While the units have been gradually upgraded as time goes on, it is possible that Ouroboros technology has plateaued for now. For the record, Sentinel uses the first INRI-mX Ouroboros core (Mark 10), while most current mass-production models use a Mark VII or VIII or some equivalency.
Cruciform: A new power network developed by Doctor Guiseppe of INRI, Cruciform works through the use of a high-temperature superconducting liquid called "Crux." Most details regarding Crux are classified, however considering that one of INRI's major research platforms is a space station located at Lagrange 2, it is possible that it can only be produced at one of these stable points. Crux is incredibly difficult to manufacture, and enough to run through even the handful of lines and reservoirs that are built into Sentinel more than quadrupled the cost of the unit. The HTP Capacitor is a part of this system, and is basically a sphere of Crux that can store a massive amount of energy. The hyper-efficient liquid allows for superior power distribution, and is what makes it possible for Sentinel to power so many bits of technology. Crux was originally developed by the GOLEMS group, so theoretically all six members could recreate it if they wanted.
Hypersonic Vibration sword: If you don't know what this is, bad for you, cause I'm not telling. The name's a pretty big hint, though.
Plasma weaponry: You know what plasma weapons are if you've ever watched pretty much anything scientific. Plasma weaponry - referred to in-verse as "CPC Guns" (Charged-Particle Containment Guns) - is extremely powerful, and is currently one of the most powerful weapons on the battlefield. Bolts of plasma travel at speeds second only to lasers (which are not used in combat due to the difficulties of such), and can pierce through most armor and shields. The weapons also have incredible range, even superior to beam technology. The disadvantages, however, very nearly outweigh the advantages. CPC's eat up disgusting amounts of power, and at this point aside from mounting a second Ouroboros core devoted solely to powering the weapon there is no way for an avatar to power one, and such a unit would be almost impossible to move: it is also worth noting that a CPC is really big and bulky. Plasma technology is also only applicable for thrusters or weapons, so you won't find plasma shields or plasma swords. Sorry. There is also an experimental weapon called an "Impulse cannon" that is a development of CPC guns that has been developed by INRI, but this has yet to see combat.
Beam technology: Yay, the fun stuff. As you can guess from the fact that beam weapons and plasma weapons are given different entries, beam weapons are not plasma. As for what they are... I never figured that out. They're basically prime grade-A "Green Rocks," like GN Particles or Minovsky particles: they exist, and they do things, and I can tell you how they work, but that's it. And Ren, I know that we've got an explanation for those two, that is irrelevant for this conversation. Beam weapons basically subscribe to anime and SF style energy weapons: sub-luminal, controllable into multiple shapes, low to no heat etc. A beam could practically be called frozen light, but it isn't. It by itself cannot cause damage. So, what can beam weapons do? Okay, prior to the story starting, they had three applications: cannons, shields, and thrusters. Cannons are obvious. Beam cannons shape beam energy into a bolt of sub-luminal (sub-light) energy, which is then aimed and fired. The range on a beam weapon varies depending on the focusing put into it. Shields are basically planes of beam energy, and require a projector of some kind. Finally, beam energy can be shaped into a sort of blade that can be spun like a rotor to cause lift... I know, I didn't really think this through, and besides this method can only be used on ships or things with craploads of power to spare. Recently, beam tech has been compressed to the point that it is more portable, and can now be carried by avatars. Small-grade beam cannons, beam rifles, beam launchers, beam shields, beam swords... they're all present, and waiting to be applied. Beam swords actually have an edge, and part of the reason they're so sharp is because the blade is controlled by forcefields that can be focused to a molecule in thickness. Currently, the only avatar wielding beam weaponry is the Sentinel, though other units are being fitted with this technology: Sentinel's true load-out includes one beam rifle, two beam swords, and a pair of beam shields on the bucklers. Incidentally, one of the things the GOLEMS came up with was a beam wing, which basically was a beam shield except used to extend a wing's surface: the design essentially allows any unit equipping it to fly at sub-sonic velocities in atmosphere, while in a space environment it can be used as a very efficient vernier/thruster.
Yeah, beam tech was/is basically the "magic" of this setting. Anyhoo...
Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all?
PS:
Why does this troll so
Persist in being a pest?
Ban his butt right now!
Love the 5th sketch. You're definitely improving quickly. I think chest wise, the fourth looks better, but overall, the fifth looks better to me.
Quote from: Jairus on September 11, 2008, 02:11:44 AM
Why does this troll so
Persist in being a pest?
Ban his butt right now!
HA! You'll not get rid of me that easily.
You have definitely moved in the right direction with the 5th sketch, but the waist of the mech looks too thin now. But at least it does not look like a light wind can topple it. :P
Quote from: Jairus on September 11, 2008, 02:11:44 AM
Hypersonic Vibration sword
High-Frequency blade :P
Quote from: Jairus on September 11, 2008, 02:11:44 AM
Beam technology
And what about the accelerator weapons? Particle accelerators? Mass-drivers? There was a mentioning of a magnetic mass-driver in the "ZvS".
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 08:36:57 AM
You have definitely moved in the right direction with the 5th sketch, but the waist of the mech looks too thin now. But at least it does not look like a light wind can topple it. :P
YAY!
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 08:36:57 AM
And what about the accelerator weapons? Particle accelerators? Mass-drivers? There was a mentioning of a magnetic mass-driver in the "ZvS".
Yes, but I assume you know how a Rail Gun works. And how a launch catapult works.
Well, this is a little weird. This was kind of inspired by !KCA's comment in another thread about drawing the Clockwork Mansion name... so instead I just drew the Clockwork Mansion, completely ignoring the fact that I can't draw buildings or scenery or anything like that. This is just a sort of random sketch I did to try and get in every board on the forum... anyway.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/sc0034fef7.jpg?t=1221161782)
Clockwork Mansion sketch (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/sc0034fef7.jpg?t=1221161782)
So yeah, it sucks. Damn... the pencil didn't show up well. Anyway, I tried to fit in every board, and it actually looks better up close... marginally better, anyway. If I practice and get some advice and maybe someday buy myself Photoshop or something like that, I might end up finishing it. See if you can spot the areas!
It is actually kinda neat.. And many of the areas, like the Tower, the Arena and the Abandoned Mine, are quite recognizable.
It doesn't suck man. It's actually not that bad at all. Keep at it.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 03:45:56 PM
It is actually kinda neat.. And many of the areas, like the Tower, the Arena and the Abandoned Mine, are quite recognizable.
Quote from: Mowser on September 11, 2008, 03:46:22 PM
It doesn't suck man. It's actually not that bad at all. Keep at it.
Well, okay, I'll keep working on it... though I think I'll start over from scratch and figure out ahead of time where everything is going so I can get the scale right. Draw a map, if you will.
Quote from: Jairus on September 11, 2008, 03:47:42 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 03:45:56 PM
It is actually kinda neat.. And many of the areas, like the Tower, the Arena and the Abandoned Mine, are quite recognizable.
Quote from: Mowser on September 11, 2008, 03:46:22 PM
It doesn't suck man. It's actually not that bad at all. Keep at it.
Well, okay, I'll keep working on it... though I think I'll start over from scratch and figure out ahead of time where everything is going so I can get the scale right. Draw a map, if you will.
Just make sure that the arena is only a little bit above the abandoned mine. :P
Yeah. If you're throwing things into it, you might as well make sure it's good and close. ;-]
Quote from: Mowser on September 11, 2008, 04:22:24 PM
Just make sure that the arena is only a little bit above the abandoned mine. :P
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 11, 2008, 05:03:50 PM
Yeah. If you're throwing things into it, you might as well make sure it's good and close. ;-]
I will keep this and previous (and subsequent) advice in mind over the weekend as I draw this thing. It actually might end up as an actual map of the Clockwork Mansion (I'm thinking Clockwork Town, led by Lady Damaris and Dame Williams and Sir N'n'daCorna and the rest of the mods) before I draw a perspective image. We'll see.
Okay, first concept for a map of Clockwork...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockwork-nowwithsubforums.jpg?t=1221183313)
Township of Clockwork, map concept 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockwork-nowwithsubforums.jpg?t=1221183313)
Um, do a full look so you can read the location labels.
Okay, how's that? If I missed any of the moderators down there at the bottom, I apologize: point it out and I will fix it immediately. Also, if you can't read my notes at the top, the compass when done will look like six gears piled on top of each other and running off of one another. Any ideas for moving buildings and locations? Remember, this is just a concept before I start inking and fixing my mistakes.
EDIT: Added Zina's name. Forgive me!
EDIT 2: Added the subforums.
Erm. If you want a list of the mods, have a look at the rules page.
You missed one.
Edit:
Also, you appear to be skipping the sub-boards. Deliberate choice on your part? Or just an oversight?
You left out Zina! You monster!
Other than that, it's really good. I like how everything kind of fits together.
Merchant's Corner?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 11, 2008, 07:48:31 PM
Erm. If you want a list of the mods, have a look at the rules page.
You missed one.
Zina. Crap. I'll fix that. Give me five minutes. Any other comments?
Quote from: VSMIT on September 11, 2008, 07:49:31 PM
You left out Zina! You monster!
Fixing!
Quote from: VSMIT on September 11, 2008, 07:49:31 PM
Other than that, it's really good. I like how everything kind of fits together.
Merchant's Corner?
Outside the inner side of the castle, between the Outer Fortress and the Village Square, which is where merchants would set up their shops: travelers would have to pass them to get to the rest of the town.
Oh. I didn't see it there. Cool.
That's a really nice map, and I believe that you'll be able to make a picture of the Clockwork Town too. However, this has to be done. (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/A%20Bunch%20of%20Random%20Pictures/noir.png) I hope you know what it originated from. :P
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 08:00:20 PM
That's a really nice map, and I believe that you'll be able to make a picture of the Clockwork Town too.
Picture?
...
Oh, right. Forgot about that.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 11, 2008, 08:00:20 PMHowever, this has to be done. (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/A%20Bunch%20of%20Random%20Pictures/noir.png) I hope you know what it originated from. :P
Well, that looks like Peach or whatever her name was from Mario, but aside from that, no idea.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 11, 2008, 07:48:31 PM
Also, you appear to be skipping the sub-boards. Deliberate choice on your part? Or just an oversight?
An oversight on my part. I'll see what I can do, okay?
EDIT: If I retitle the "maps+message board" The Info Kiosk, will that count as one of them? As for the Long Library, I can imagine it being either what is currently The Treasury (I'd just draw a new wing at the back of the Mansion) or draw a new building next to the Half Moon Theatre or the Tower of Art.
EDIT 2: The map has been fixed... and I combined the "Arena" and the "Colosseum" into one area called the Colosseum Arena. I had no idea how else to pull it off. So, how's it look now? Incidentally, I think the viewpoint I'm going to go for is over the lake, so that I can catch most - if not all - of the buildings.
This is actually very well done. You're doing quite well with this cartography-blueprint sort of thing. The subject is also very amusing and very nice. I like your interpretation of where everything fits and how everything here would work, were it actually a township of some medieval, Arthurian land. :3 - The Castle Keep in front, the info kiosk right there where one can easily find it - most of the landmarks are put together in a way that betokens forethought and cleverness.
Is very nice, sir. I like it lots. :3
Thanks. Hm, maybe after I'm done with this I should work on Crater Lake, which I think might be just a modified version of the Clockwork Town map, with the exception that I build up the streets and houses a little bit and turn the mansion into the Academy. Or I'll just start from scratch on the Crater Lake Town map, and see where it goes.
I think that the Mansion is on a slight hill, but I'm not sure. It is in the original drawing.
EDIT: I forgot to post this yesterday. I wrote this during my "Women in Literature" final exam... which probably explains why I only get C's and B's most of the time. Anyway.
In death, all becomes
Equal. This is the way of
Life, and what happens.
Remember how I said "No more song parodies?"
Well, I lied.
I present Jyrras singing "Two Perfect Guys," set to the tune of "Two Perfect Girls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXadOeS--XM)" from Pokémon (one of Brock's image songs, if you don't remember.) Brain bleach set? Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin.
And yes, it doesn't fit the original song perfectly. I had to fudge a few things. Obviously.
"Two Perfect Guys"
A one-cubi man's what I wanna be!
Stay by his side soooo faithfully!
I would if I could...
But it's just no good...
Cuz there's two perfect guys for meee...
Hahaha! Alright!
Abel! Oh Abel!
Dan! Oh Dan!
A one-Cubi man's what I wanna be!
But there's two perfect guys for me!
Oh yeah!
Incubus Abel!
Oh can't you tell!
You've got my mind wrapped up in your spell!
Abel! If my love means I'm not well!
Then take me now and let me yell!
Your cute little butt is simply the best!
And you're presence here has just left me stressed!
But before I up and join your clan...
I'm head over heels!
He's head over heels...
Head over heels for a boy named...
Dan!
Woo!
Abel! Oh Abel!
Dan! Oh Dan!
A one-Cubi man's what I wanna be!
But there's two perfect guys for me!
All Right!
Oh Dan!
Can't you please!
Kill this demon with such great ease!
Oh Dan!
An adventurer's what I need!
When I see your face...
I just want to plead!
That you'd take me away!
Past the beasts and far away!
A hero's sword and a lover's heart,
Oh why oh why can't our love just start!
So why am I in love?
Why is he so in love?
Why am I in love?
With wonderful Abel!
Yeah!
Abel! Oh Abel!
Dan! Oh Dan!
A one-Cubi man's what I wanna be!
But there's two perfect guys for me!
Hahahaha! Alright! Swing it!
Woo!
A one-cubi man's what I wanna be!
But there's two perfect guys for meeeee...
Oh! I've tried... and I've tried...
And I've searched way deep inside...
From these two, I won't choose...
I can't stand the bad news...
About the name of the guy that I'm gonna lose!
This can't go on! Enough is enough!
I've gotta pick one, no matter how tough!
It's time for eenie-meenie-minie-moe!
But wait a second!
Wait a second!
Wait a second!
Com'on and wait a second!
What's her name?
(sees Kria)
I've just gotta know!
I've just gotta know!
Oh Abel! Oh Abel!
Dan! Oh Dan!
A one-cubi man's what I wanna be!
But there's one, no two!
These two perfect wonderful guys!
Two perfect guys for mee-eeeee!
Alright!
...
I'm going straight to hell, aren't I?
Hope you liked it! If I do another one, it'll be a Jarras (Janus Bond and Doctor Jyrras). That's a big if, though... especially since every time I post one of these I probably cause someone brain damage.
Haiku time!
I said I wouldn't,
And yet I did. Why do these
Songs appeal me so?
A rose in bloom, so
Pretty, and yet it's crushed by
The big orange truck.
I could point out that you're missing one of the forums, but you're not allowed to know that it exists, so...
;-]
*listens to his song* Never before was I so delighted and wanted to stab myself in the ears with knives (or, rather, claw out my eyes) at the same time so much! :C ..Nah, I'm lying. >:3 That's not so bad. You should actually make more of these parodies, Jay. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 01:16:44 PMThat's not so bad. You should actually make more of these parodies, Jay. :3
Consider it done.
This is less modified than the last three, but it doesn't really need much. This is based off of "Home" from Beauty and the Beast Broadway, and it's sung by Belle after she trades her for her father. I feel that it fits Abel's situation after Aniz leaves him at SAIA quite well.
"Home"
Yes, I've made my choice.
For mother, I will stay.
But I don't deserve to lose my freedom in this way,
You monster!
If you think that what you've done is right, well then
You're a fool!
Think again!
Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be so loud and bold.
I was told.
Ev'ry day of my childhood:
Even when you've grown old
Home should be where the heart is.
Never were your words so true!
My heart's so far, so far away.
And home is too.
Is this home?
Is this school what I must learn to believe in?
Try to find,
Something good in this brand new place,
Just in case.
I should stay here forever,
Held in this unknown place.
Oh, that won't be easy,
I know the reason why.
My heart's so far, so far way.
Home's the same.
What I'd give to return
To the life that I've now lost.
But I know now I can't.
All my problems staying here.
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever,
Shut away
From the world until who knows when?
Oh, but since
My lfe has been changed forever once,
It can change again.
Build higher walls around me.
Change ev'ry lock and key.
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me.
My heart's so far, so far way.
Home and free!
Fa'Lina:
Cheer up, Abel.
It will turn out al'right in the end, you'll see.
I hope that we'll be friends
Though I don't know you well.
If anyone can make the most living here,
Abel, it's you.
And who knows?
You may find
Home here, too!
So, just a few words changed around, some names and events slipped in. Nothing too brain bleach worthy here Next it's either a JaRras (Janus Bond and Doctor Jyrras) or one from just Jyrras. Maybe a Dan-centric one.
Good work. (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/LolCats/Itsbeautiful.jpg) Now do that JaRras one. *cracks a whip*
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 02:56:48 PM
Good work. (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/LolCats/Itsbeautiful.jpg) Now do that JaRras one. *cracks a whip*
Well, I have currently have 4561 songs on my computer, so I'm currently looking for something. I have currently pruned my selection of parody-worthy songs down to 3200, and shall continue working. In the meantime, glad you liked it.
Am I the only one a little weirded out by the fact that the portmanteau couple name I came up with for those two is close to my own screen name?
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 02:59:26 PM
Am I the only one a little weirded out by the fact that the portmanteau couple name I came up with for those two is close to my own screen name?
Heeeeeeeee-y!... It all makes sense now!! :erk ..Now get back to work. >:] *cracks a whip again*
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 03:02:45 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 02:59:26 PM
Am I the only one a little weirded out by the fact that the portmanteau couple name I came up with for those two is close to my own screen name?
Heeeeeeeee-y!... It all makes sense now!! :erk
Don't think about it too much... or else you'll look like this guy. (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_612.php)
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 03:02:45 PM
..Now get back to work. >:] *cracks a whip again*
I know I promised Ren that I'd do a JaRras one next, but I saw this song in my collection and it's just too perfect not to do right now. Sorry Ren, maybe this will make up for it. The song is "That's How You Know" from Disney's Enchanted (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRYU4cqUAUs) (there's the link if you haven't seen it), and in the song is sung by Mab and the people of Lost Lake. Why Mab? She's a fairy, and would probably be the only character insane enough to actually do a crowd song using her magic. Also, Ariel in my setting is wont to doing stuff like this (breaking into song and leading the people of Crater Lake in a perfectly choreographed song and dance sequence without prior warning or rehearsal), so consider this a crossover.
And yes, Jyrras cannot understand why everyone is breaking into song, despite the fact that he has so far done so twice. And there is a simple explanation for this divergence from previous reality: it's funnier this way. And obviously they are singing about Abel.
"That's How You Know"
Mab:
How does he know you love him?
Jyrras:
Ah ha ha, no.
Mab:
How does he know he's yours?
Jyrras:
Mab, people are looking. Don't sing, it's okay. You know what, let's just walk. Can we walk, okay?
Mab:
Well, does he?
Jyrras:
I don't know.
Dan:
How does he know that you love him?
Jyrras: (said over the next few lines)
You know this song too? I've never heard this song... alright, really nice work, alright that's it. Good, okay, let's go.
Mab:
How do you show him you love him?
Dan and Mab:
How does he know that you really, really, truely love him?
How does he know that you love him?
How do you show him you love him?
How does he know that you really, really, truely love him?
Mab:
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind him, or he'll be inclined to say...
"How do I know he loves me?"
(Dan: How does he know that you love him?
How do you show him you love him?)
"How do I know he's mine?"
(Dan: How does he know that you really, really, truely love him?)
Well does he leave a little note to tell you you are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is grey? Heyy!
He'll find a new way to show you, a little bit everyday
That's how you know, that's how you know!
He's your love...
See?
Jyrras:
I've seen quite enough. Let's go.
Mab:
*sharply inhales* Ooh, a ball!
Jyrras:
Yeah.
Mab:
Oh, that would be fun!
Jyrras:
No that would not be fun!
Dan:
You've got to show him you need him
Don't treat him like he's absorbed in!
Each day do something to need him
To believe you love him!
Mab:
Everybody wants to live happily ever after
Everybody wants to know their true love is true...
How do you know he loves you?
(Dan: How does he know that you love him?
How do you show him you need him?)
How do you know he's yours?
(How does he know that you really, really, truely-)
Well does he take you out dancin' just so he can hold you close?
Jyrras:
I don't dance.
Mab:
Dedicate a song with words in
Just for you? Ohhh!
Jyrras:
And I really don't sing.
All:
He'll find his own way to tell you
With the little things he'll do
Mab and Matilda:
That's how you know
All:
That's how you know!
Mab:
He's your love
He's your love...
-somewhere else in the area of Lost Lake...-
Kria
Jyrras?
I've been dreaming...
-gets run over by Lorenda in her carriage from Comic 775 (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_775.php)-
All
That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
He loves you
(la la la la la la la la)
That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
It's true
(la la la la la)
Mab
Because he'll wear your favorite color
Just so he can match your eyes
Rent a private picnic
By the fires glow-oohh!
Mab and All
His heart will be yours forever
Something everyday will show
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know!
Mab:
He's your love...
Dan:
That's how he knows that you love him
That's how you show him you love him.
Mab:
That's how you know...
(Dan: You've got to show him you need him
Don't treat him like he's absorbed in!)
That's how you know...
(All: That's how you that you love him,
That's how he knows that you love him!
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted)
He's your love...
Voila. Next one should be Jarras (Janus Bond and Doctor Jyrras). Enjoy!
EDIT: Fixed a few errors that crept through
I keep imagining this sung in a Gospel style.
It's amazing. >:3
*in Palpatine's voice* Good, good! The Farce is strong with you, young Jairus!
Seriously, it was nice. And I can actually see Mab singing it. Not Dan, though.
Yeah, well, I figured that Dan could do something. I did like placing Kria in the Prince's place... mweeheehee. I'm glad you both liked it.
Anyway, I've figured out what song I'll do for my Jarras version, and I'll do it after I get my haircut. Yes, I'm getting a haircut. It's been two months or so since the last one.
I think it's a bit off to have Lorenda run over her mother, myself...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 12, 2008, 08:04:55 PM
I think it's a bit off to have Lorenda run over her mother, myself...
It was obviously an accident. And Kria's fault to boot.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 08:06:04 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 12, 2008, 08:04:55 PM
I think it's a bit off to have Lorenda run over her mother, myself...
It was obviously an accident. And Kria's fault to boot.
Oh, of course.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 12, 2008, 08:31:16 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 08:06:04 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 12, 2008, 08:04:55 PM
I think it's a bit off to have Lorenda run over her mother, myself...
It was obviously an accident. And Kria's fault to boot.
Oh, of course.
The correct answer is yes, it was an accident. And Kria was also at fault because she shouldn't have tried to start singing another song inside Mab's: that's just rude. The second part of the answer is that in the movie, the Prince gets run over by some cyclists, and I wanted to recreate that, but at the time I was writing it I couldn't recall any other ground vehicles that could be used for that scene.
Working on the next one... Jarras this time, I promise!
Yay! It's the Jarras one! For those who don't know what "Jarras" is, it is the Portmanteau Couple Name to describe the pairing of Janus Bond and Doctor Jyrras. I don't care if I'm the only one who uses it, it's the portmanteau couple name. Anyhoo... Here's the Jarras song! Also known as "Nobody Else But You," adapted from the song of the same name from
A Goofy Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsMZto7vUUs). Yes, I bastardized a Disney song about the platonic love between a father and his son into a song about the love between a secret agent and an evil genius. I have no shame.
Listen to the song as it goes along, it'll help you catch the beat. Or scar you forever. One of the two, I forget which. Anyway, just the names changed and a few words changed, but still...
"Nobody Else But You"
Jyrras
There are times you drive me, shall we say, bananas
And your mind is missin', no offense, a screw
Janus
None taken.
Jyrras
Still, whatever mess I land in
Who is always understandin'?
No body else but you.
Janus
Oh, your madness is now and then, bewilderin'.
And your values may be, so to speak, askew.
Jyrras
Gesundheit.
Janus
Thanks.
Who deserves a hero's trophy as we face each cat-a-strofee?
Nobody else but you
Both
Nobody else but you...
It's just our luck
We're stuck together.
Nobody else but you
Is crazy enough to believe we'll come through.
Jyrras
So your clothes are all, let's face it, reject stock.
Janus
And your death rays frighten other nations.
Both
But when life becomes distressin'
Who'll I be S.O.S'in?
Jyrras
If you're having trouble guessing, here's a clue
Though he seems conflaberated,
He's just highly animated!
And he's nobody else but
Both
Nobody else but you
We've turned into a true-blue duo
Hard times, we've had a few
Janus
Like you're thrown in the clink
Jyrras
Like we've blown up the town!
Both
But when I start to sink, than I'd rather go down
With nobody else but
Y-O-U!
*SMOOCH*
Jyrras
Ah, Bond!
There. My third session of mind scarring for the day. I have at least one more in mind... but I've got such a large collection I could do this for quite a while. I think that three is enough, don't you? Any ideas for the next topic?
PS: Incidentally, I've got an idea for a video, and I don't know if I have a video maker (like Windows Movie Maker). Any suggestions for a Mac... never mind, I have iMovie. Time to fiddle!
My feelings can only be described with this picture. (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/Gaijin_4Koma_Reaction_Guys_2.jpg) One more song like that, and I'll be ready to meet the Maker in person.
That's actually a decently done parody. As opposed to others I've seen out there. I'm not quite sure what to think of your choice of song, though...
Also, "Jarras" doesn't flow well as a word. Jynus, perhaps. Then again I suppose it depends on how you pronounce Jyrras...
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 12, 2008, 09:38:54 PM
Also, "Jarras" doesn't flow well as a word. Jynus, perhaps. Then again I suppose it depends on how you pronounce Jyrras...
Hmm.. Hey, you're right. Jynus seems to sound better.
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 12, 2008, 09:38:54 PM
That's actually a decently done parody. As opposed to others I've seen out there. I'm not quite sure what to think of your choice of song, though...
Thanks. They're quick and fun to do, and people seem to like them. As for the choice of song... well, I felt like I had to do it. My alternate idea for that song was that I'd have Dan and Jyrras talking about their friendship and how they're still best friends despite the shakeup in their relationship recently, but it's a little late for that. Come to think of it, that was a better idea. Oh well.
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 12, 2008, 09:38:54 PM
Also, "Jarras" doesn't flow well as a word. Jynus, perhaps. Then again I suppose it depends on how you pronounce Jyrras...
Eh, I made up like a dozen or so of them at once, and "Jarras" was part of the flow, and I never got around to changing it. Plus, I use "Jyrbel" (pronounced Gerbil) for Jyrras and Abel. And I normally pronounce Jyrras as "Jye-rus," so Jarrus would be a little closer to my user name... which is still disturbing.
Jynus it is! I'll use that for the next one!
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 09:43:15 PM
Jynus it is! I'll use that for the next one!
Good idea. As a secondary effect it does not sound like your name any more. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 09:44:48 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 09:43:15 PM
Jynus it is! I'll use that for the next one!
Good idea. As a secondary effect it does not sound like your name any more. :3
I think I might have figured out the next Jynus or Jyrbel song... "Summer Nights," from
Grease.
Though at one point the head honcho and I were discussing appropriate themesongs and she picked out "World Is Not Enough" which is rather fittingly an actual Bond theme.
I'm the only one in the universe who thinks it's pronounced Jeer-ass, aren't I? Oh well, c'est la vie.
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 09:46:35 PM
I think I might have figured out the next Jynus or Jyrbel song... "Summer Nights," from Grease.
Just as a random suggestion, you may want to try to do something with such songs as "Who wants to live forever" and "Too much love will kill you" by Queen. >:3
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 12, 2008, 09:47:29 PM
I'm the only one in the universe who thinks it's pronounced Jeer-ass, aren't I? Oh well, c'est la vie.
I always thought that myself, until Jay suggested another variant of pronunciation.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 09:50:22 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 12, 2008, 09:46:35 PM
I think I might have figured out the next Jynus or Jyrbel song... "Summer Nights," from Grease.
Just as a random suggestion, you may want to try to do something with such songs as "Who wants to live forever" and "Too much love will kill you" by Queen. >:3
I'll take it into consideration.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 12, 2008, 09:50:22 PM
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 12, 2008, 09:47:29 PM
I'm the only one in the universe who thinks it's pronounced Jeer-ass, aren't I? Oh well, c'est la vie.
I always thought that myself, until Jay suggested another variant of pronunciation.
I have no idea how it's pronounced. But the fact that I have possibly polluted your mind makes it all the sweeter! Maybe I should ask Amber how it's pronounced...
Anyway, one last song before I hit the hay!
I heard this song while flipping through my collection, and I immediately thought of Destania. This is my WMV (Written Music Video) of "Death to Squishies," aka "The Courtney Gears Song" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4SsMtmcf4w) from
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal. It's quick and dirty and not really changed around, but I kind of like it.
And I do believe that Destania has the "wingspan" to do this song properly. Ahem.
"The Destania Song," or "Death to Dragons"
Hey, what's up people, it's Destania! Are you feeling me Cubi? I'm feeling you!
I see the future, and what do I see?
Cubi taking power over, all Furrae!
Can't stand those Dragons, they're "pure" and haughty!
The time is now, we Cubi must be free!
You wanna be free?
Then shout with me, yeah!
This goes out to all you Cubi 'cross all of Furrae!
It's time for you and me to rise up and strike back!
Don't stop until we dominate,
Won't you feel great?
When we exterminate
All the Dragon race!
...
Yeah. Short and sweet. I promise I'll do a real parody later today, not one of these half-assed ones like this one and the previous two.
I should do some tech stuff. Seeing Ren's cool drawing has brought me to the verge of breaking down and talking about Roland... must... resist... urge... to... talk... about... technology! Must... type... like... James... Kirk!
KAAAAAHHHHN!!!!Also...
Silver and blue, forged
Of metal. An armored suit
For the modern world.
Of course I have a
Shield up when I'm transforming.
I am not stupid.
EDIT: I PMed Amber to ask how it's pronounced...
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 13, 2008, 03:54:05 AM
I personally pronounce it Jye-rus (like a gyrascope) but Jeerass is also ok. I figure it boils down to ones regional dialect and accent.
So, in short, they're all technically correct...
Quote from: Jairus on September 13, 2008, 03:48:09 AM
"The Destania Song," or "Death to Dragons"
HERESY! *
BLAM!*
Seriously, though, another nice one.
Quote from: Jairus on September 13, 2008, 03:48:09 AM
I should do some tech stuff. Seeing Ren's cool drawing has brought me to the verge of breaking down and talking about Roland... must... resist... urge... to... talk... about... technology! Must... type... like... James... Kirk! KAAAAAHHHHN!!!!
Well played, Jairus, but your Scream-Fu is too weak. This is how it's done!!
KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!! D:< (http://animated.ytmnd.com/)Also, do some tech stuff. I'm gonna post a Hercules Panzerknecht soon.
Again, I've never heard of this song before, but the end product is both humorous and well-adapted, it seems. :B
Also, are those transforming mecha haiku? >:3
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 13, 2008, 02:41:42 PM
Also, are those transforming mecha haiku? >:3
Actually, they're powered armor haiku. The later one is similar to something one of my characters says while his armor is materializing around him.
I am currently working on a song about Abel's feelings for his dad. It's so evil of me.
Well, this may be one of the most twisted, evil things I've ever done. Yay! I now present the "Aniz Song" or "Frig You Very Much," by Abel Rewanz, adapted from "The FCC Song" or "F*ck You Very Much" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ajZ-5kTXk) by Eric Idle.
The "Aniz Song" or "Frig You Very Much"
Here's a little number I wrote the other day while out shopping with Jyrras.
Frig you very much, my dad Aniz.
Frig you very much, for leaving me
Inside of SAIA's walls, stuck walking down the halls,
It's worse than any school I've been before.
So frig you very much, my dad Aniz,
For beating up my mom and then Hennya.
You sliced her up to bits
And then called her corpse a worm,
Then hit my mom again and dragged me off from home!
You dropped me in a cell and left me up and all alone!
so frig you Dad so very much!
So frig you very much you horrid man,
For heroically leaving on the lam.
For trying to expand your cubi clans setup of power,
Let's send you a clear signal and banish you this hour:
Four hundred years away, no matter how you glower!
So frig you Dad so very much!
So frig your stupid plot and scheming too.
Frig you and frig everything you do.
I care not for your plans
Since you plotted from the start.
As far as I'm concerned you're just a goddammed jerk at heart,
You'll never make it up so you'd better never start.
So frig you Dad so very much.
So frig you very much for killing Cid,
For picking up his life the way you did.
You lied for thirty years,
Which only led to tears,
My mom's a paranoid wreck who's
Now all wrapped up in her fears!
She'll never be the same again,
Since you've dealt her so much pain!
So frig you dad so very much!
So what my life's destroyed,
That's a thought that we'll avoid!
And just frig you Dad so very much!
Well, that was horribly evil of me. Lyrical Dissonance (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LyricalDissonance) at a level I've never done before.
Either a song or Roland next. I don't know which.
Good job, Jay! (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/LolHammer%2040K/CommissarHuggs.jpg) Keep them coming, ya hear me?
WARNING: WALL OF TEXT APPROACHING!
Well, I've broken down. Here's Roland. I'll try to keep this as informative and entertaining as possible. Also here will be some info on AMP Tech, though some of you clever sods have figured out what an AM Particle is already. Included here is general technical information for all of the related units, as well as some background info. Unfortunately, I currently lack the talent to draw
any of the nine Roland models, the Roller model, or the Rockon model (yes, that's 11 units all total). Maybe I could recruit Ren's advice/help again...
Also, the AM Particle that is the waste product of a TF Reactor's power generation (recall that a Thauma Furnace Reactor works by converting magical energy into electricity and AM Particles) is short for
Anti-
Magic: AM Particles slightly disrupt the usage of magic in an area, and when properly focused can actually cut through and destroy spells or outright prevent spellcasting in an area, though it only disrupts magical abilities.
Anyhoo... Roland. And I'm still figuring some of this out, so there will be some "unknowns." Enjoy...
Roland-series Powered ArmorA pet-project of Nick's, the Roland series is based on a number of designs he made while at the academy. The original purpose of the earliest Roland prototypes was to act as a sort of civilian construction and rescue unit, and Rocker-series armor do that to this very day. Roland, however, is designed for Nick's purposes alone. From the beginning of the project, Nick has had four design elements in mind: 1) Incorporate the TF Reactor and AMP Tech; 2) Enhance the wearer's combat levels to Creature-levels or above; 3) Allow for use of magic even under AM Field conditions; 4) Use as much magic-free technology as possible. All Roland series have accomplished this, and more. All are designed to be worn, obviously.
RC, Roland Mark 0General and Technical DataModel number: RC01, R-00A
Code name: RC, Roland Mark 0
Unit type: prototype civilian-use powered armor
Manufacturer: Nicodemus Cidney
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Aluminum and steel
Powerplant: External Mark 1 TF Reactor, External Mark 2 TF Reactor, 2 x high-efficiency battery
Propulsion: None
Performance: unknown - poor
Equipment and design features: Feedback control system, primitive sensor mechanisms, multiplies wearer's strength by up to 10 times.
Fixed armaments: None
Optional fixed armaments: None
Optional hand armaments: None
Technical and Historical NotesThe earliest of the "Roland" series, the Reconstruction-Compact (RC) test unit was built to serve as a compact form of the powered frames that some construction groups were using to assist in building. Nick designed this unit when he was sixteen years old and studying at the Academy. The design had a number of problems, including a lack of a real internal power source and poor efficiency in use. The controls were also tricky to work with, and it was never designed to be worn by anyone besides Nick. Only two RC01 units were made: one at the academy, and one in Nick's lab. Both were little more than proof-of concepts. The version that Nick built in his lab was identical to the RC01, but was redesignated after the Roland Mark I was built as "R-00A" to mark how he considered it the earliest version of the Roland series powered armor. The R-00A is completely and totally unsuited for battle, so no, Nick will not be pulling out the all-powerful "Zero" prototype at the last minute.
Roland Mark IGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-01A
Code name: Roland Mark I
Unit type: prototype test-bed powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium
Powerplant: External Mark 2 TF Reactor, 3 x high-efficiency battery
Propulsion: 2 x rocket booster, backpack mounted; 4 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Feedback control system; internal environment control; radio linkup to Zed (N-Tech central computer)
Fixed armaments: 4 x automatic pistol, 2 in each arm; 1 x automatic shotgun, built into right arm; 1 x high-powered flamethrower, built into left arm; 2 x hyper-vibration blades, collapsed into forearms; 4 x micromissile launcher, built into backpack
Optional fixed armaments: None
Optional hand armaments: 1 x machine gun; 1 x carbine; pretty much anything that could be picked up
Technical and Historical NotesThe first true Roland unit, the Mark I - despite it's loadout - was not designed for combat, but rather as a test of what the unit could do. Mark I improves on Mark 0 in every way imaginable, and then some. The unit was still crippled by the lack of a dedicated internal power supply, and only had enough charge for about fifteen minutes of battle in its batteries, but since the unit was never meant to be disconnected from N-Tech's Mark 2 TF Reactor, this was not really a problem.
Roland Mark IIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-02A, R-02B
Code name: Roland Mark II, Roland Mark IIB
Unit type: prototype test-bed powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium alloy; super-ceramic composite
Powerplant: External Mark 2 TF Reactor, 4 x high-efficiency battery
Propulsion: 2 x rocket booster, backpack mounted; 2 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 6 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment (10 minute supply of air); radio linkup to Zed; 12 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment
Fixed armaments: None
Optional fixed armaments: Varied
Optional hand armaments: Varied
Technical and Historical NotesAnother test-bed unit, Mark II was designed from the ground-up to test potential weapons and equipment for future versions. The controls and efficiency of the system were again enhanced, while the armor was designed to be easily removed and replaced to test new configurations. The Mark II was still essentially a full-body shell compared to later units. Nick continues to use a Mark IIB to this day to test new equipment for the system as well as work around the lab.
Roland Mark IIIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-03A
Code name: Roland Mark III
Unit type: prototype multi-feedback/flight-test powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium, super-ceramic composite, AMP/steel alloy
Powerplant: External Mark 2 TF Reactor; 4 x high-efficiency battery; 4 x optional external high-efficiency battery; 2 x optional extra rocket fuel tanks
Propulsion: 2 x rocket booster, backpack mounted; 4 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 4 x flight stabilizer, 2 built into backpack and 2 built into hands; 8 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Feedback control system, NeuCom Control system (Neural Communicator); fully-sealed internal environment; radio linkup to Zed; 6 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 1 x AM Particle reservoir, built into backpack
Fixed armaments: 2 x automatic pistol, mounted in forearms; 2 x automatic shotgun, mounted on backpack, swing under-arm in use; 2 x hyper-vibration blades, collapsed into forearms; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, built into hip armor, handheld in use
Optional fixed armaments: None
Optional hand armaments: Varied
Technical and Historical NotesThe Mark III Roland was designed to test three new systems: 1) A NeuCom (Neural Communicator) system; 2) Full flight capacity; 3) an AMP Reservoir and AMP Beam Saber technology. The NeuCom system works by actively scanning the mind of the operator, and helps amplify control by picking up what the pilot is intending: this requires a concentrated mind an a full set of calibration scans before it can function properly. As for flight capability, the unit was intented to allow Nick to use it as a training unit to practice flight in a powered armor: the extra batteries more than doubled its operation time when separated from the Mark 2 TF reactor, though since flying drew so much power anyway this left Nick with between fifteen and thirty minutes of flight practice. Extra maneuvering flaps and micro-flight stabilizers amplified control of the unit and made maneuvering easier. AMP Beam Sabers were an outgrowth of AMP Tech, and are AM Particles charged by electricity into a form of plasma: AMP Beam Sabers are capable of completely destroying any cast spell, and can cause permanent scarring if used on a living thing. The AM Particle reservoir built into backpack is to recharge the saber when not in use, since the Roland Mark III lacks the ability to generate it's own AM Particles.
Roland Mark IVGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-04A
Code name: Roland Mark IV
Unit type: prototype Ward-equipped powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium; super-ceramic composite; AMP Steel alloy; Sol-foam
Powerplant: External Mark II TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: 2 x rocket booster, backpack mounted; 4 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 4 x flight stabilizer, 2 built into backpack and 2 built into shoulders; 6 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; radio/mobile linkup to Zed; 8 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 2 x AM Particle reservoir, built into hip armor; Ward system compatibility
Fixed armaments: 2 x automatic pistol, mounted in forearms; 2 x automatic shotgun, mounted on backpack, swing under-arm in use; 1 x AMP short beam blade/blaster, mounted in left forearm; 1 x AMP Beam Shield, mounted in left forearm; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, mounted on hip armor, handheld in use; 1 x "Shining Finger" AMP Plasma Emitter, mounted in right forearm and hand
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, mounted on backpack, swings over shoulder in use; 1 x hyper-vibration sword, mounted on backpack, handheld in use
Optional hand armaments: 1 x AMP Beam Pistol, mounted on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x machine rifle, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesThe Mark IV was an incredible step above the previous versions. In addition to incorporating all of the advances that had come before, the Mark IV added to them. First of all, the Mark IV was designed to be compatible with the Ward System (a magically-enhanced and created garment worn by users of the Modern Magic system - like Nick), meaning that the pieces of it could be stored in extradimensional space until needed: this - combined with the Ward's own "henshin" capabilities - meant that the operator could take the Roland with them wherever they went, and were not reliant upon a base of some kind. This also meant that the Mark IV could be much sleeker than previous versions, and the design started to look less and less like a bulky spacesuit and more like form-fitting armor. The Omni Feedback system combined the previous controls into a newer, sleeker system, The new battery network could store double the amount of power that Roland could previously store, and also made it easier to transfer power to where it was needed. Though the two AM Particle reservoirs were each slightly smaller than the single one of the Mark III, together they had a capacity of 50% greater than the Mark III. The left forearm contained a combat AMP Beam Tonfa Lance that doubled as a short-range Beam Blaster, allowing him to attack magic users and spells from a greater distance. It also contained an AMP Beam Shield projector, though this consumed a lot of energy to use. The Beam Pistol had a further range than the blaster, and also had its own internal capacitor to avoid draining from the main unit. Finally, the right forearm and hand contained a weapon called the "Shining Finger," which created a sphere of AMP energy in the palm of the unit's hand that could be used as a close-quarter's combat attack, capable of shredding through magic and most defenses alike. All-in-all, the unit represented the peak of Nick's technological accomplishments at the time of its construction. Unfortunately, the lack of a proper internal power supply aside from the batteries meant that the unit never saw combat, and was more or less a test unit for the Mark V.
Roland Mark VGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-05A
Code name: Roland Mark V
Unit type: prototype combat powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney, Elian Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium; super-ceramic composite; AMP Steel alloy; Sol-foam; Lun-metal
Powerplant: 1 x Mark 4 TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: 1 x M-Drive Lift System, 2 emitters on backpack; 2 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 6 x flight stabilizer, 2 backpack mounted, 2 shoulder mounted, 2 leg mounted; 6 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown; subsonic flight capabilities
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; radio/mobile linkup to Zed; 8 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 4 x AM Particle reservoir, 2 built into shoulders, 2 built into legs; Ward system compatibility
Fixed armaments: 1 x AMP beam lance/blaster/shield, mounted in left forearm, usage depends on configuration; 1 x AMP Beam Shield Emitter, mounted on right forearm; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, mounted in hip armor, handheld in use; 1 x "Shining Finger" AMP Plasma Emitter, mounted in right forearm and hand
Optional fixed armaments: 2 x AMP Sword, hip mounted, handheld in use; 2 x automatic carbine, backpack mounted, swing over shoulders in use; 2 x automatic shotgun, backpack mounted, swing under-arm in use; 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, backpack mounted, swings over right shoulder in use; 1 x AMP Beam Cannon, backpack mounted; swings over left shoulder in use; various others
Optional hand armaments: 1 x AMP Beam Pistol, stored on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x Beam Rifle, stored on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x machine rifle, handheld in use; various others
Technical and Historical NotesThe first combat-worthy version of the Roland, the Mark V was completed by Nick finally completely construction of the first Mark 4 TF Reactor, an ultra-compact reactor that could be mounted in the unit's backpack. With the addition of a more-or-less perpetual power source, most previous limitations on the unit's specifications were lifted. The reactor itself was configured to draw its power from the Ward system, meaning that the armor was more or less completely self-reliant. The weapons systems were all improved and shifted around, including replacing the two automatic pistols with a pair of carbine rifles and mounting them on the backpack. A further two AM Particle reservoirs were added to store the extra particles generated by the Mark 4 Reactor: these units would be topped off and recharged by the reactor, and normal usage would not drain them too severely. Additional power and an infinite supply of AM Particles also allowed Nick to drastically improve his defenses: a second AMP Beam shield was mounted on the right forearm (where it was a part of the Shining Finger's power system), while the left forearm combined the Beam Lance and Blaster with a Shield to create a triple-use weapon, depending on its configuration. The M-Drive Lift System was an inertia-less technology-driven mobility system that Nick had previously included in Skipper, though here he was able to compact it down to the size of his armor: one disadvantage of the system was that it took so much power to run that Nick had to divert power from all other weapons systems, and could only use the optional carbines and AMP Swords in combat. The suit did have a handful of problems, such as many systems being linked together in a sequence and the afore-mentioned power difficulties, though these were somewhat corrected in the R-05B and then implemented in the R-06A Roland Mark VI. A number of extra optional back-pack mounted weapons were developed it, set up in four different sets of equipment to modify the unit's combat ability: these could not be equipped simultaneously.
Roland Mark VIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-06A
Code name: Roland Mark VI
Unit type: prototype anti-magic powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium; super-ceramic composite; AMP Steel alloy; Sol-foam; Lun-metal
Powerplant: 1 x Mark 4 TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: 1 x M-Drive Lift System, 2 emitters on backpack; 2 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 8 x flight stabilizer, 2 backpack mounted, 2 shoulder mounted, 4 leg mounted; 6 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown, subsonic flight capabilities
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; radio/mobile linkup to Zed; 8 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 4 x AM Particle reservoir, 2 built into shoulders, 2 built into legs; 1 x Multi-point defense barrier, online only during transformation; Ward system compatibility; Caliburn EX compatibility; 1 x Omnidriver Mk.7, built into left forearm
Fixed armaments: 1 x AMP beam lance/blaster/shield, mounted in left forearm, usage depends on configuration; 1 x AMP Beam Shield Emitter, mounted on right forearm; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, mounted in hip armor, handheld in use; 12 x AMP Field emitter, mounted on AM Particle reservoirs; 1 x "Shining Finger" AMP Plasma Emitter, mounted in right forearm and hand
Optional fixed armaments: 2 x AMP Sword, mounted on hips, handheld in use; 1 x Caliburn EX, mounted on left hip, handheld in use; 2 x automatic carbine, backpack mounted, swing over shoulders in use; 2 x automatic shotgun, backpack mounted, swing under-arm in use; 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, backpack mounted, swings over right shoulder in use; 1 x AMP Beam Cannon, backpack mounted; swings over left shoulder in use; various others
Optional hand armaments: 1 x Beam Rifle, stored on backpack, handheld in use; various others
Technical and Historical NotesA more advanced and more streamlined version of the Mark V, the primary distinguishing factors of the Mark VI are the addition of two new pieces of technology. The first is a set of AMP Field emitters (3 to each AMP Reservoir), a device previously used in Skipper that projects a field of Anti-Magic Particles throughout the area, making it impossible to cast higher-level magic and restricting mages to elemental spells only: usage of this field, however, drains Roland of all of its stored AM Particles, and forces it to rely on its hard weaponry instead until the TF Reactor reloads the reservoirs. The second is complete compatibility with Caliburn EX, an upgrade to Nick's multi-use weapon Caliburn: this upgrade, however, is not implemented in the Mark VI unit, and Nick "merely" uses Caliburn as a multi-configuration general magic weapon. It was also able to equip the optional weapons packs developed for Mark V.
Roland Mark VIIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-07A
Code name: Roland Mark VII
Unit type: prototype anti-magic warfare powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium; super-ceramic composite; AMP Steel alloy; Sol-foam; Lun-metal
Powerplant: 1 x Mark 4 TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: 1 x M-Drive Flight System, 2 emitters on backpack; 2 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 8 x flight stabilizer, 2 backpack mounted, 2 shoulder mounted, 4 leg mounted; 4 x maneuvering flaps, built into armor
Performance: unknown, subsonic flight capabilities
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; transmobile linkup to Zed; 8 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 4 x AM Particle reservoir, 2 built into shoulders, 2 built into legs; 1 x Multi-point defense barrier, online only during transformation; Ward system compatibility; 4 x Caliburn EX hardpoints; 1 x Modified Omnidriver Mk.8, built into left forearm
Fixed armaments: 1 x AMP beam lance/blaster/shield, mounted in left forearm, usage depends on configuration; 1 x AMP Beam Shield Emitter, mounted on right forearm; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, mounted in hip armor, handheld in use; 12 x AMP Field emitter, mounted on AM Particle reservoirs; 1 x "Erupting Burning Finger" AMP Plasma Emitter/Cannon, mounted in right forearm and hand
Optional fixed armaments: Caliburn EX (Module A docked in right forearm, allows use of Erupting Burning Finger; Module B docked in left forearm, allows high-level spell casting; Modules C and D docked on hip armor, allows manifestation and use of 2 x AMP Sword II w/ built in AMP Beam Pistol); 2 x automatic carbine, backpack mounted, swing over shoulders in use; 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, backpack mounted, swings over right shoulder in use; 1 x AMP Beam Cannon, backpack mounted; swings over left shoulder in use; various others
Optional hand armaments: Various
Technical and Historical NotesA planned upgrade for the Mark VI, the Mark VII is still on the design board. Nick is planning to include an improved M-Drive Flight System, as well as modify the power requirements to allow the use of at least a few additional weapons while the Flight System is in use. The combo unit on the left forearm is to be replaced with a more rapid-firing blaster while the lance's length is increased slightly. The "Shining Finger" is also to be replaced with a version called "Erupting Burning Finger," which allows for the sphere of AMP Plasma to be fired as a cannon-like blast of energy. More importantly, Mark VII is fully compatible with Caliburn EX, and features slots for the four modules of Caliburn to be docked. Module A docks into the right forearm, and allows for the use of the Erupting Burning Finger's cannon mode. Module B is intended for spell-casting, and is designed to allow Nick full access to all of Caliburn's magic capabilities without sacrificing the use of his weapons systems. Module C and D are designed to act as the cores for the AMP Sword II's, which not only function as bladed weapons but will also have built-in AMP Beam Pistols, negating the need for an extra weapon. This design, however, is still on the planning table and is unlikely to be built for at least two years.
Roland Mark VIIIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: R-08A
Code name: Roland Mark VIII
Unit type: prototype anti-magic warfare powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: unknown, planned list: titanium super-ceramic composite, AMP Steel alloy, Sol-foam, and Lun-metal
Powerplant: unknown, planned list: 2 x Mark 4 TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: unknown, planned list: 1 x M-Drive Wing System, 2 emitters on backpack, 10 x flight stabilizers, 2 backpack mounted, 4 shoulder mounted, 4 leg mounted
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: unknown, planned list: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; transmobile linkup to Zed; unknown x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; unknown x AM Particle reservoir; 1 x Multi-point defense barrier, online only during transformation; Ward system compatibility; 4 x Caliburn EX hardpoints; 2 x Omnidriver Mk.8, built into forearms
Fixed armaments: unknown, planned list: 2 x AMP beam lance/blaster/shield combo units, mounted in forearms; 2 x AMP Beam Saber, mounted in hip armor, handheld in use; 12 x AMP Field emitter, mounted at various points; 2 x "Erupting Burning Finger" AMP Plasma Emitter/Cannon, mounted forearms and hands
Optional fixed armaments: unknown, planned list: Caliburn EX (Module A docked in right forearm, allows use of right Erupting Burning Finger; Module B docked in left forearm, allows use of left Erupting Burning Finger and high-level spell casting; Modules C and D docked on hip armor, allows manifestation and use of 2 x AMP Sword III w/ built in AMP Beam Carbine); 2 x automatic carbine, backpack mounted, swing over shoulders in use; 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, backpack mounted, swings over right shoulder in use; 1 x AMP Beam Cannon, backpack mounted; swings over left shoulder in use; various others
Optional hand armaments: unknown
Technical and Historical NotesGiven that the Mark VII is currently little more than a set of specifications and designs, the Mark VIII is little more than a handful of ideas written out in Nick's mind, though most of the details are set in stone: he just needs to figure out how he's going to fit all of it into a powered armor designed to fit a 3'9" Elf.
RollerGeneral and Technical DataModel number: RLZ-1
Code name: Roller
Unit type: mass-production civilian-use powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Pretty much anyone who can afford the steep price-tage
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown, multiple sizes for various Races and Species
Weight: unknown (suggestions?), multiple sizes for various Races and Species
Armor materials: Titanium
Powerplant: External power supply; 6 x internal battery
Propulsion: 4 x rocket booster, mounted on legs; 2 x Landwheeler system, mounted on legs
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; 8 x hardpoint for mounting optional equipment; full-blown sensor and communications network
Fixed equipment: None
Optional fixed equipment: Various tools
Optional hand armaments: Various tools
Technical and Historical NotesThe Roller unit was designed by Nick as a civilian model of the Roland Mark II. Though it is not as well-known as many of his other inventions, the Roller has gradually been gaining popularity to its ruggedness and ease of modification, though to this date Roller has only been sold to city and state and national governments to act in the fields of emergency rescue and crowd control, though Nick is currently considering a civilian construction model and a police model as well. The unit lacks many of the features of the Roland series, but makes up for it with incredible ruggedness and reliability, as well as a Landwheeler system Nick designed expressely for the unit that allows it to move at high speeds on the ground: the Landwheeler is basically a collapsing in-line skate. The units can mount a wide-variety of custom built equipment, most of which is designed by other companies to be compatible with the Roller. However, a few tweaks by Nick to both the programming and engineering designs of the unit means that it cannot be used for combat outside of physically picking up a weapon: this was to prevent military forces from using the units for combat. The units come in a variety of sizes to accommodate multiple Races and Species, and does not interfere with any magical powers or abilities of the wearer.
RockonGeneral and Technical DataModel number: RC-ND2
Code name: Rockon
Unit type: experimental mass-production combat avatar
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: Nicodemus Cidney
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown, multiple sizes for various Races and Species
Weight: unknown (suggestions?), multiple sizes for various Races and Species
Armor materials: titanium; super-ceramic composite
Powerplant: Unknown at this time
Propulsion: Unknown at this time
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; Mobile communications link; 6 x hardpoint for mounting optional equipment
Fixed armaments: Unknown at this time
Optional fixed armaments: Unknown at this time
Optional hand armaments: Unknown at this time
Technical and Historical NotesA concept that Nick is working on, the Rockon is fundamentally a combination of the Roland's Mark VI and V, with a few features removed to allow for mass-production. However, Nick does intend to improve many of the systems up to the level of the Mark VI or Mark VII (depending on how long it takes to design and build the series), and he has already got a line of weapons designed for it that he never intended to be used with his Roland series. However, most of the information of this series is still in a constant state of flux, and it is unlikely that the first combat ready Rockon will be built in the next year or so. Unlike Roller, Nick currently has no intentions of selling Rockon to anyone, let alone the various military forces of Terra.
Voila. Holy hell on a stick, it's 12 pages when saved to my computer. I hope this satisfies most questions people have about the Roland series? Also, quick note: AMP Steel is steel that has been permanently infused with AM Particles: it's not as powerful as an AMP Beam weapons, but AMP Steel can still damage spells somewhat. Also, second quick note: the Rolands tend to be painted in orange and similar warning colors while being tested and built, though all units from the Mark IV onwards are given Nick's signature blue-and-silver paintjob once they're finished.
And yes, I cheated on the Rockon. Sorry about that. And yes, Ren, it is a reference to Lockon.
Lockon. Lockon. Lockon. :cry
Okay. Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all?
Haiku time!
Good gods it is long.
I can not believe that I
Pulled it off. Wow. Damn.
EDIT: Fixed the stats a little bit, based on some feedback from Ren. Now, off to "fix" Rockon.
HOLY MOTHER OF BAHAMUT!!!! I CAN SEE FOREVER!!! *screams uncontrollably, then collapses*
That's too much to comprehend. But I did it. Or not..
Quote from: Wall of textRoller
They see me rollin'... Sorry, it had to be said.
Quote from: Wall of textRockon
*salutes*
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 13, 2008, 09:44:21 PM
HOLY MOTHER OF BAHAMUT!!!! I CAN SEE FOREVER!!! *screams uncontrollably, then collapses*
That's too much to comprehend. But I did it. Or not..
Cool. Any questions or ideas? Especially for drawing these things out?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 13, 2008, 09:44:21 PM
Quote from: Wall of textRoller
They see me rollin'... Sorry, it had to be said.
Bad boy. But you deserved making that crack, considering how long this thing is. Most, it's called Roller because of the folding inline skates.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 13, 2008, 09:44:21 PM
Quote from: Wall of textRockon
*salutes*
I thought you'd like that.
As a minor trivia fact, I was trying to show the unit gradually moving away from physical weapons towards more advanced energy weapons. Aside from the fact that the Marks 0 through VI were all built in the span of about six years, does the progression look believable?
Incidentally, do you think I could get in trouble if Nick had a toy/robot series called ARO (Autonomous Robotic Operation) available to the open market, and Nick had a custom Helper-series ARO to help him out around the lab in addition to the shells? I did joking ask this question about Engineer Jairus, but it's just too good of an opportunity to pass up.
And yes, I know that the tense changes multiple times. Sorry about that.
*reads*
Tech spec readouts FTW.
Very, very nice stuff here, Jay-man. Time notwithstanding, the actual technical progression was very smooth and realistic. I could actually imagine a genius techboy like Nick working on this project over time, making upgraded models incorporating new advances.
And it actually didn't take very long to read. It's the fact that it's actually divided into segments, which are further broken up into specifications, that make it seem long. Truly, this is a good example of an Anti-Wall-O-Text.
As for what the Rolands look like, I kept picturing the MechAssault 2 BattleArmor... :B
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:24:46 PM
*reads*
Tech spec readouts FTW.
Cool.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:24:46 PM
Very, very nice stuff here, Jay-man. Time notwithstanding, the actual technical progression was very smooth and realistic. I could actually imagine a genius techboy like Nick working on this project over time, making upgraded models incorporating new advances.
And I think that part of the reason it works is because most of the really high-powered stuff is only added in when he has a permanent power system, and the fact that he's still correcting errors and mistakes and problems in the designs. And there are still problems that he's working out (like he can only use a few of his weapons while using the M-Drive), so I think that that sort of helps. And this is definitely a work-in-progress for Nick, something that he spends about a year or so tuning and working on each design before starting the process over. It's sort of a yearly upgrade for him. Also remember that Rockon and the Mark's VII and VIII are little more than sets of specifications and a handful of schematics: the Mark VII definitely won't be completed until AFTER Terra's story. Also, at the start of the story, Nick is only beginning to assemble the components of the Mark VI: the Mark V is the most advanced unit he has. Of course, he's also working on lots of other stuff, but to me Roland and Caliburn are basically the apex of Nick's tech: everything eventually gets shuffled into them.
Part of Nick's motivation is to never be useless to his friends. Not that they'd ever consider him useless, but when he was younger and only 10 and just starting to hang out with a group of people who were all about four or five years older than him (Ariel notwithstanding), so he's always sort of felt like a third wheel - or a fifth wheel - to his new friends. Caliburn was invented expressly to make up for his relative inability to do magic, and Roland was invented to make up for his physical weaknesses.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:24:46 PM
And it actually didn't take very long to read. It's the fact that it's actually divided into segments, which are further broken up into specifications, that make it seem long. Truly, this is a good example of an Anti-Wall-O-Text.
Wow. Really? Cool. Incidentally, any ideas for the stuff left to fill in? Weight, performance, height, that sort of stuff?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:24:46 PM
As for what the Rolands look like, I kept picturing the MechAssault 2 BattleArmor... :B
*goes and looks at what he
thinks is the BattleArmor* Eh... kind of. Do recall that Nick is 3'9", so it can't be too bulky. It's part of the reason that weapons start migrating off. Originally, I was going to keep automatic pistols in both forearms throughout the whole thing, but I realized that with the rest of the stuff, it'd be too bulky, so I eventually decided to make them retractable and stick over his shoulders from his backpack.
EDIT: I don't know if I made it clear, but that barrier thing that gets mentioned in the equipment is an extremely powerful omnidirectional force field that gets thrown up when he transforms: the barrier is strong enough to take most attacks, but takes too much power to run while the armor is on: it's only working when the armor is On or Off. Basically, it's there to let Nick get a moment of utter badassness when someone tries to attack him while he's equipping one of his armors and the attack fails, and he gets to say "High-energy protective barrier while I'm transforming to prevent just such an occurence. It can take everything you throw at it and more. What do you think I am, an idiot?"
This (http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/mechassault/battlearmor.jpg) Daddy is a BattleArmor, if you didn't find the right image.
As for Weight, Performance, Height, can't come up with anything on that at the moment, sorry...
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:53:53 PM
This (http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/mechassault/battlearmor.jpg) Daddy is a BattleArmor, if you didn't find the right image.
Okay, that's not the thing I thought it was. Mark's I and II were probably like that, III and IV maybe. V and on not. Literally, the first time he shows up in the Mark VI someone's first thought is "A Knight? Here?" And then the face mask comes up and it's Nick kicking some demon's ass... Nick is scary when he finally gets some confidence. I'm half convinced there's a berserker hidden inside of him.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 13, 2008, 11:53:53 PM
As for Weight, Performance, Height, can't come up with anything on that at the moment, sorry...
No worries. Maybe it's not important.
Although I think that the Mark VIII will be capable of supersonic flight...
So, from what I'm gathering, it starts out along the lines of BattleArmor, then evolves into something closer to Iron Man? Interesting, that's some darn good compression tech right there.
Out of interest, what image did you find that you thought was Battle Armor?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 14, 2008, 12:05:53 AM
So, from what I'm gathering, it starts out along the lines of BattleArmor, then evolves into something closer to Iron Man? Interesting, that's some darn good compression tech right there.
Thanks. I believe that even if you have some crazy-advanced super tech, you should show a logical progression of design. Part of the reason I loved Iron Man and Batman Begins is because you saw the progression, you saw the heroes (and villain) designing their alter-ego, making mistakes and fixing them, finding out what worked and what didn't work, that sort of thing. In much the same way, basically everything of Nick's shows that same progression (think the Multidrivers and Omnidrivers and the Shells a few pages back... wow that was a while ago wasn't it?). I want it to be as believable as I can make it, and Nick as a character is smart enough to allow for the suspension of disbelief, which so far has been confirmed unless I'm sadly mistaken.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 14, 2008, 12:05:53 AM
Out of interest, what image did you find that you thought was Battle Armor?
Oh, I was flipping through Gamespot's collection of images and I saw something that looked about the right scale. For some reason it won't let me copy the URL, so I can't link to it. It had blue glowing power lines, and looked either human-sized or slightly larger.
Jut a quick one before I retire for the evening: another song parody. Not much, but I thought that Pagan might like it. This is an adaptation of "Diva's Lament" from
Spamalot, there sung by the Diva aka "The Lady of the Lake" and here sung by Regina.
Enjoy.
"Regina's Lament" or "Whatever Happened to My Part"
What ever happened to my part?
It was exciting at the start.
Now it's years since I've appeared,
And things just keeping on getting weird!
I've been a wallpaper far too long!
It's ages since I've been along!
This is one unhappy Demon.
The artist's plans going on.
There's no story that I can impart:
Whatever happened to my part?
I am sick of my appearance,
Put on hold by lowly chance,
Up to here, with frustation and with fears!
I've no comic, just wallpapers,
And a cameo ends in vapor,
O'ertaken by that Abel and his ears!
Whatever happened to my strip?
I was a hit, now I feel like I've been gypped!
I'm with a bunch of busty dames,
While the viewers play their voting games!
I might as well go to the Inn!
Since Abel's gone where I've ne'er been!
Out searching for that Peg'!
Well they'll not see me beg!
It seems to me they've really lost my plot!
Whatever happened to my...
I'll kill that Fluffly, dammit!
Whatever happened to my...
Not yours!
Not yours!
But my,
Part!
Okay, tomorrow a real parody (maybe) rather than a half-assed one. I'm thinking "Be Prepared" as a Doctor Jyrras/Janus Bond piece, perhaps?
This is the second Monty Python-related parody I've done. Might as well do a third...
I presume that anyone who has questions/ideas/recomendations for Roland will voice them.
This hand of mine burns
With power. It's loud cry tells
Me to defeat you!
Okay, I lied. A really quick one, and then it's bedtime! And it's a third Monty Python parody! If you don't know this song, what the heck is wrong with you?
And it's better if you say "Daniel" as "Danyel" with only two syllables.
"Brave Sir Daniel"
Mab
Bravely bold Sir Daniel, went forth from Lost Lake Inn.
He was not afraid to die,
O brave Sir Daniel!
He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways,
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Daniel!
He was not in the least bit scared to meet with old Dark Peg',
Or to have his soul removed, and his elbows broken!
To have his ankles sprained or a dress be put on him,
And his friends all hack and mangled, brave Sir Daniel!
His head smashed up and his body in pain
And his heart removed and his limbs chopped off
And his friends tied up and then all burned up
And his blood then spilled...
Daniel
That's... that's... er... enough music for now, Mab.
... later ...
Mab
Brave Sir Daniel ran away.
Daniel
No!
Mab
Bravely ran away away.
Daniel
I didn't!
Mab
When Dark Peg' reared his ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.
Daniel
No!
Mab
Yes, brave Sir Daniel turned about.
Daniel
I didn't!
Mab
And gallantly he chickened out.
Daniel
I never did!
Mab
Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat.
Daniel
All lies!
Mab
Bravest of the brave, Sir Daniel!
Daniel
I never!
...
Only Mab is weird enough to be
Robin's Daniel's minstrel.
EDIT: Fixed a few words, as per some recommendations of VSMIT's over in the Ban Game.
Oooof. Need brain bleach. Now. In a couple of places it felt clunky (especially when I sang it to myself to see if it worked). But other than that, creative.
Quote from: VSMIT on September 14, 2008, 03:40:15 AM
Oooof. Need brain bleach. Now. In a couple of places it felt clunky (especially when I sang it to myself to see if it worked). But other than that, creative.
Yeah, I know, I really do: I sing this stuff to myself to, and the meter bugs me. A lot. But I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Sorry.
As for the brain bleach... how about some Gurren Lagann? (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/LookatyourGods.jpg?t=1221378227) Oh, no, that just purges evil. I can't help with brain bleach.
EDIT:
I saw something wrong.
My mind is horribly scarred.
Brain bleach. Brain bleach, now!
Just read about the term "energia" and thought i could share a fun fact. I'm Bulgarian and we have a word that is written and pronounced the same as your " Energia", only in Cyrillic. And it means energy :) it's probably derived from the same Greek ancestry.
Two more great song parodies - especially the "Brave Sir Daniel". This one really cracked me up (or, if you wish, gave me the Lulz).
Quote from: Kipiru on September 14, 2008, 08:28:21 AM
Just read about the term "energia" and thought i could share a fun fact. I'm Bulgarian and we have a word that is written and pronounced the same as your " Energia", only in Cyrillic. And it means energy :) it's probably derived from the same Greek ancestry.
*nods* Yep. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. Apparently, we have no real translation of the original "concept" of Energeia because it's changed so much since then. Anyway, the Greek term seemed appropriate as a Western-styled term for "chi," and that witches would be the ones controlling their energy in that fashion. Witches in my setting are basically a combination of psychics, martial artists, fantasy martial artists, and Benders from Avatar. Of course, normal mages (wizards/sorcerers/warlocks) come across as all of that to, but their way of doing it is a little trickier.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 14, 2008, 08:34:23 AM
Two more great song parodies - especially the "Brave Sir Daniel". This one really cracked me up (or, if you wish, gave me the Lulz).
Originally it was going to be "Bravely Bold Sir Abel rode forth from SAIA's halls" and then it went through a modified list of the things he wasn't afraid of, only for him to pop up at the end "You know that I'm hemophobic, right?" And then we went into part 2...
... but I realized it wasn't as funny as a bunch of joking references to Dan's adventures against DP. No idea what I'll do next, but I definitely want to do a few specifications... maybe a handful of ships from Belenus. And the powered armor of that setting. :D
WARNING: MINOR WALL OF TEXT APPROACHING!
Well, this is similar to yesterday's post, except instead of hyper-magitech powered armors, we're getting powered armors that are a hybridization of magitech and clockpunk. I can hear techmaster-glitch from here. ;) Anyway, these are from the "Covenant Wars" setting. First, I'm going to quote myself from the Imperial Corps post I made six or so pages back, and then we can get started:
Quote from: meArmor
A new unit, Armors were first introduced during the last period of Imperial Expansion. They are the most heavily armored of all forces, and wear a magitek powered armor into battle that drastically amplifies their strength and carrying capacity while not impeding their speed too greatly. They are either armed with massive swords that are almost impossible to be wielded normally, or high-recoil weaponry that cannot ordinarily be wielded. They also sometimes use grenade launchers or other weaponry. They have been continuously perfected over the years since their first usage, and Doctor Rafe is currently preparing to introduce a new lineup.
Ritter-series Mobile ArmorA secret project of IRDI (I'm probably going to change the name at some point), the Mobile Armor project was an effort to empower suits of armor with mechanical strength and mobility enhancers, allowing for the mobilization of heavier armor and weapons on the battlefield. Though the project underwent many pitfalls and failed prototypes, the first successful unit - the MA-Rx07b - entered battle for the first time during the Siege of Korinso, where they were a key point in bringing down the magical paling and allowing the city to finally be conquered. Following this incredible first display, Doctor Rafe of IRDI began to work on an improved version of the Ritter for future conflicts. The current Ritter in use is the Ritter C, though the Ritter II is about to be deployed to several bases and installations.
RGeneral and Technical DataModel number: MA-Rx01
Code name: R
Unit type: prototype mobile armor
Manufacturer: Imperial Research and Development Institute
Operator: Imperial Armor corps
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: none
Accommodation: wearer only
Dimensions: approximately 6.5-7 feet
Weight: 347 pounds
Armor materials: steel
Powerplant: sorcerer's stone core module, chest mounted, power output unknown
Propulsion: None; optional rocket booster mounted on back
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: feedback control system; enhanced strength up to four times that of wearer's normal strength; 4 x hardpoint for extra optional equipment
Fixed armaments: None
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x autorifle, ammunition pack mounted on back, gun handheld in use; 1 x heavy sword, backpack mounted, handheld in use
Optional hand armaments: None
Technical and Historical NotesThe first mobile armor developed by IRDI, R suffered from several design flaws and problems. The unit was not environmentally sealed, leaving the pilot partially exposed to the elements. Movement was difficult in the unit, and wearers had to essentially learn how to walk all over again in order to master it. Balance was also a problem, and units had a tendency of tipping over if pilots weren't careful. The sorcerer's stone power core was also unreliable because of the finicky charge levels of sorcerer's stones, so until synthetic stones were used in conjunction with the units there was no real way of telling when it would run out of power. Its joints were also crucial weak points because they bore the unit's weight on them, and if damaged could crippled the unit. Despite the weapons that could be mounted on the unit, it was never meant for combat: in fact, usage of the weapons is part of the reason why the unit kept falling over. Units MA-Rx02 through MA-Rx06 suffered from similar problems, and it was only with the addition of Doctor Rafe's compact clockwork computer engine that the balance problems were finally solved, allowing for the creation of the MA-Rx07 Ritter.
RitterGeneral and Technical DataModel number: MA-Rx07b
Code name: Ritter
Unit type: mass-production mobile armor
Manufacturer: Imperial Research and Development Institute
Operator: Imperial Armor corps
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: Siege of Korinso
Accommodation: Wearer only
Dimensions: approximately 7 feet
Weight: approximately 457 pounds
Armor materials: Magic-enhanced steel
Powerplant: sorcerer's stone power core, mounted in chest, power output unknown
Propulsion: 2 x liquid fuel rocket thruster, leg mounted
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: feedback control system; pneumatically-enhanced strength up to six times that of wearer's normal strength; micro-differential engine; 6 x hardpoint for extra optional equipment
Fixed armaments: 2 x semi-automatic pistol, mounted in forearms; 2 x bayonet, mounted in forearms; 1 x flamethrower, mounted in right forearm; 1 x semi-automatic shotgun, mounted in left forearm
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x autorifle, ammunition pack mounted on back, gun handheld in use; 1 x heavy sword, backpack mounted, handheld in use
Optional hand armaments: 1 x 5-round grenade launcher, stored on back, handheld in use, 1 x autogun, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesThe first mass-production combat-worthy mobile armor, Ritter improved on its predecessors in every way. Improved armor, built-in rocket boosters, improved power core, micro-differential engine to handle the balancing and control issues, and a wide array of weapons made it a dangerous weapon on the battlefield. Though there was still a learning curve in how to use them (no leaping into one and you're immediately a master) it was easier to learn how to use. The built-in weapons meant that it could deploy without equipping a normal load-out and was still a force to be dealt with. It's armor was thick enough to handle most normal firearms and weapons. A handful of custom units were designed for use by sorcerers, allowing them greater mobility and freedom to perform magic, making the units even more deadly. There were a handful of problems, however. Though the joints had been reinforced, they were still crucial to the unit's mobility, and damage to them could still be fatal in a fight. The unit's visibility was limited, as was their ability to hear: wearers were often dependent on radio contact to work with their fellow soldiers. The rocket boosters were difficult to control, and most wearers tended to ignore them: since the units were fairly slow compared to normal people, this meant that Ritter's were also somewhat slower. Though the power core was fairly well protected, it was vulnerable to a directed attack, which would "kill" the unit and leave the wearer imprisoned in 450 pounds of steel. Despite these problems, the unit was a smashing success, and could be found in several key installations and bases as guard units, in addition to normal combat.
Ritter IIGeneral and Technical DataModel number: MA-Rx08a
Code name: Ritter II
Unit type: mass-production mobile armor
Manufacturer: Imperial Research and Development Institute
Operator: Imperial Armor corps
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Wearer only
Dimensions: approximately 7 feet
Weight: approximately 446 pounds
Armor materials: Magic-enhanced steel
Powerplant: sorcerer's stone power core, mounted in chest, power output unknown
Propulsion: 2 x liquid fuel rocket booster, leg mounted
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: feedback control system; pneumatically-enhanced strength up to six times that of wearer's normal strength; micro-differential engine; 7 x hardpoint for extra optional equipment
Fixed armaments: 2 x semi-automatic pistol, mounted in forearms; 2 x semi-automatic shotgun, mounted in forearms; 2 x bayonet, mounted in forearms; 1 x flamethrower, mounted in right forearm; 1 x autogun, mounted in left forearm
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x autorifle, ammunition pack mounted on back, gun handheld in use; 1 x heavy sword, backpack mounted, handheld in use; 1 x Gatler-series rotary auto cannon, ammunition pack mounted on back, gun handheld in use; 1 x semi-automatic six-shot cannon, backpack mounted; 1 x 4-round rocket launcher, backpack mounted; 2 x 4-round grenade rack, mounted on hips, handheld in use, variable load-out
Optional hand armaments: 1 x 5-round grenade launcher, stored on back, handheld in use, 1 x autogun, handheld in use; 1 x 2-barreled autogun, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesThe newest version of the Ritter, Ritter II continues the improvements. Almost all systems have been overhauled, and a number of the weaknesses have been dealt with or improved. What weapons were already built into it have been shifted around to give it an even greater load-out, with dramatically improved destructive capabilities. Visibility was improved through a modification to the helmet, though this slightly weakened the helmet's defenses. Joints were still a minor problem, but improved armor lessened it. Since most soldiers never used the thrusters, they were slightly toned down for this unit and are more used as jump boosters. The weight of the unit was also slightly lessened, though it was only a few pounds. The power core itself has improved defenses, making it harder to take out. The unit's speed was also improved, though it was still slower than the average soldier. Customizations continued, with not only custom jobs for sorcerers but also for commanders and distinguished soldiers.
Author's Note: The Zander II is fairly new at the start of of the story of the Covenant Wars, and has only been out for a few months: it hasn't really seen much action yet, but our heroes bump into it a few times.
...
Okay, two different series of powered armor. Ritter's - despite being mass-production - are not very widespread. They are expensive, and require dedicated maintenance facilities to repair them. You do not see whole armies of Ritter units charging into battle, you see a handful of them kicking ass. Also, though I'm still kind of designing them, the Iron Man Mark I from the movie is fairly close to what I think that these guys look like... except magitech and clockpunk.
Incidentally, if you're curious as to the similarity of weapons and designs between Ritter and Roland and Nick and Rafe... I've always jokingly considered Doctor Rafe to be an evil human version of Nick in a world where technology isn't quite up to the point that it works for him. Doctor Rafe does built a portable death ray at some point, and he has his own custom Ritter II. Then again, Doctor Rafe is also loosely based on me... heeheheheheh.
A lot of things from the Sentinel setting were adapted to the Covenant Wars setting when I started mapping this out in my head, and the Zander units were somewhat transformed into Ritters.
Okay. Questions, comments, advice, concerns, clarifications, ideas, anything at all?
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 02:41:37 PM
I can hear techmaster-glitch from here. ;)
Aww, is my undying profound love of technology
really that noticeable? :giggle
The only beef I got with this stuff is it doesn't really explain where the clockwork parts come into play. Other than that, great as ever 8)
Nice. I expected there to be a larger wall of text, so I could use this (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/ScreamsUncontrollably.jpg) image. Here, I used it anyway..
So, two rival scientists and two competing types of powered armour. Nice.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 14, 2008, 02:51:30 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 02:41:37 PM
I can hear techmaster-glitch from here. ;)
Aww, is my undying profound love of technology really that noticeable? :giggle
Just a hunch.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 14, 2008, 02:51:30 PM
The only beef I got with this stuff is it doesn't really explain where the clockwork parts come into play. Other than that, great as ever 8)
Ah, sorry. Most of the mechanics are clockpunk or steampunk styled, and a difference engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine) is basically a clockwork analog computer, like the Antikythera mechanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism) or Babbet's engine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage#Difference_engine)
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 14, 2008, 02:54:06 PM
Nice. I expected there to be a larger wall of text, so I could use this (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/ScreamsUncontrollably.jpg) image. Here, I used it anyway..
So, two rival scientists and two competing types of powered armour. Nice.
... on completely different worlds, in completely different universes, separated by approximately five thousand years of relative time. Rafe has been dead for five millennium by the time Nick is born, and I doubt Nick will ever learn about his peer. Besides which, even the Mark I Roland is superior to the Ritter II, though Nick did have superior tech to work with. Nick had surpassed Rafe by the time he was sixteen. Rafe's stuff is also more like a mobile weapon, while Nick's is designed to make up for his physical weaknesses, and allow him to fight Creatures on an even footing... partially by forcing them down to something closer to his level. Rockon is the military version of Roland, and will be superior in combat skills, despite losing a handful of the more powerful systems on Roland. In short, Nick will never learn of Rafe.
Two men, so alike
But separated by much
More than they can know.
The armor specifications have been definitely interesting to read. I have to say, the prior Roland series seems somewhat stronger than the Ritter series, but it might be that you're emphasizing the weaknesses more in the technical specifications for the Ritter series more. The Roland Series also doesn't specify how big or large it is, so I could be getting the scale completely wrong as well. The Roland could be significantly larger. Especially considering the 'special attacks' that the Mark VIII has in store. ;3
Also, I am continually surprised by your Haiku being technically correct. Your topics, however, being diverse and often not poetic at all, are almost Zen - though writing from off-the-wall, you strike closer to the spirit of Haiku than one might initially suspect.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 14, 2008, 04:56:12 PM
The armor specifications have been definitely interesting to read. I have to say, the prior Roland series seems somewhat stronger than the Ritter series, but it might be that you're emphasizing the weaknesses more in the technical specifications for the Ritter series more. The Roland Series also doesn't specify how big or large it is, so I could be getting the scale completely wrong as well. The Roland could be significantly larger. Especially considering the 'special attacks' that the Mark VIII has in store. ;3
Nick is 3'9" tall. Does that help with the scale for Roland?
And Roland is far far
far more powerful than Ritter, but there's also a minor theme in how their specifications are written: Nick looks at the positives and what works and then figures out how to make what doesn't work work, while Rafe sees what doesn't work and then fixes those problems. I sort of wrote the specs from their perspectives, as if they were telling you about their machines. Nick is slightly optimistic, while Rafe is slightly pessimistic. Of course, the Ritter II is only roughly as powerful as the Roland Mark I, so there is that whole thing...
Also, the tech available to Nick is far superior to pretty much everything on Belenus: he can fit more computational power than on all of Belenus into a single powered armor. He can make machines far smaller and more accurately than Rafe and IRDI, and he has a laboratory where every piece of technology is at least five if not ten times superior to the ones on Belenus, with the exception of scale. There is little doubt in my mind, however, that if the technology fields were even, the two of them would come up with some fairly similar stuff.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 14, 2008, 04:56:12 PM
Also, I am continually surprised by your Haiku being technically correct. Your topics, however, being diverse and often not poetic at all, are almost Zen - though writing from off-the-wall, you strike closer to the spirit of Haiku than one might initially suspect.
Hm... that's kind of interesting to think about. I only learned the "5-7-5" pattern of Haiku, and never really learned the others "rules" of it, so that might explain it.
My subjects vary
From haiku to haiku, but
That is how I write.
I'm still trying to figure out the next parody.
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 03:01:07 PM
Ah, sorry. Most of the mechanics are clockpunk or steampunk styled, and a difference engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine) is basically a clockwork analog computer, like the Antikythera mechanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism) or Babbet's engine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage#Difference_engine)
'The Difference Engine' by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
'Perdido Street Station' by China Mieville
Have you read either of those? If not, I suggest you look out for them.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 14, 2008, 05:17:04 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 03:01:07 PM
Ah, sorry. Most of the mechanics are clockpunk or steampunk styled, and a difference engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine) is basically a clockwork analog computer, like the Antikythera mechanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism) or Babbet's engine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage#Difference_engine)
'The Difference Engine' by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
'Perdido Street Station' by China Mieville
Have you read either of those? If not, I suggest you look out for them.
Heard of the first, not the second. Will look into them when I have the time. Meanwhile...
It's that time again!
"To floss?"
...
Right.
Anyway, this song just fits Fa'Lina like one of her gloves. It's an adaptation of "Prince Ali" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcMueAFEl0) from Disney's
Aladdin, as sung by Abel (as the genie), the Warp-Aci (as the chorus), Warp-Aci's Fu and Nutmeg as the commentators, and some random SAIA students as the Harem Girls.
...
...What?
The scene is Fa'Lina walking down SAIA's hall for some reason...
"Fa'Lina"
Warp-Aci
Make way, for Fa'Lina!
Say hey!
It's Fa'Lina!
Abel
Hey! Clear the way through the old school hall!
Hey you!
Let us through!
Here's a grand old star!
Oh come!
Be the first in your class to meet her eye!
Make way!
Here she comes!
Ring bells! Band the drums!
Are you gonna love her girls!
Fa'Lina! Wonder and awe!
Misstress Fa'Lina!
Genuflect, show some respect,
Down 'til you kneel!
Now, try your best to not freak!
Prepare to see her physique!
Then come and meet her spectatular coterie!
Fa'Lina!
Wonder and awe!
Mistress Fa'Lina!
Strong as ten normal cubi, definitely!
She faced down the warring clans,
Built this school up with her hands!
Who shattered and broke up their plans?
Why, Fa'Lina!
Warp-Aci
She's got seventy-five matching dresses.
Nutmeg
Don't they look lovely Fu?
War-Aci
Purple boas
She's got fifty-three
Fu
Fabulous Nutmeg, I love the feathers.
Abel
When it comes to exotic-type powers,
Did she write the book?
I'm telling you
It's a world-class magical tome!
Fa'Lina! Beauty is she, Mistress Fa'Lina!
Student Cubi
There's no question this 'Lina's alluring
Abel
That wingspan! Speak how I can,
Student Cubi
Never ordinary, never boring
Abel
I ne'er can encompass!
Student Cubi
Everything about the girl just plain impresses
Abel
Well, get on out in those halls!
Student Cubi
She's a winner, she's a tease, a wonder!
Abel
Adjust your wings, hit the walls,
Student Cubi
She's about to pull my heart asunder!
Abel
To gawk and grovel and stare at Fa'Lina!
Student Cubi
And I absolutely love the way he dresses!
Warp-Aci
She's got girls the size of watermelons!
(She's got the melons, let's see the melons!)
And to view them she charges no fee!
(She's generous, so generous!)
She's got wings, she's got limbs! She's got 'Aci!
(Proud to work for her)
We bow to her whim, love serving her,
We're just lousy with loyalty to 'Lina! Fa'Lina!
Abel
Fa'Lina!
Warp-Aci
Passionate she! Mistress Fa'Lina!
Abel
Heard your classes were a sight lovely to see
And that, good people, is why he got dolled up and dropped by
Warp-Aci
With sixty tent'cles, gumdrops galore,
With expansive dancing,
A brass band and more!
With her ten Warp-Aci, her fav'rite student!
Her heads that warble on key!
Make way...
Abel
For Fa'Lina!
Yes. I devoted a verse to her... "wingspan." She would too. *blows a kiss* Goodnight, everybody!
Any ideas for the next one?
Wow. I just saw Aladdin a few days ago, no less.
That was impressive. Very well done.
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 07:03:11 PM
It's that time again!
Good Heavens, just look at the time! (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/Goodheavensjustlookatthetime.jpg) ..It had to be done.. *hides*
Another nice one, Jay. Keep 'em coming
!
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 14, 2008, 07:19:39 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 14, 2008, 07:03:11 PM
It's that time again!
Good Heavens, just look at the time! (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/Goodheavensjustlookatthetime.jpg) ..It had to be done.. *hides*
Good thing I wasn't drinking anything, or I'd have soda shooting out my nose.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 14, 2008, 07:19:39 PM
Another nice one, Jay. Keep 'em coming!
I'm actually thinking of doing a "buddy song" next, between Dan and Jyrras. I think they deserve a song talking about how they've affected each other and how much they mean to each other as friends.
This is old. Really old. Like I wrote this almost five-six years ago when I was a Sophomore in High School. However, this is also the oldest seed of an idea that would eventually become "Sentinel Avatar," which you've gotten a snippet of in "Zander vs. Sentinel." This is exactly as I wrote it, all the names unchanged. You can also see how much of a Gundam ripoff this is... pray that I never post "Countdown to Destiny," that one's even more of a Gundam ripoff. Of course, this and that one were written long ago, back during my "Gary Stu" self-insert fanfiction days. And I feel humiliated now that I think about that stuff. But I'm past all of those... even though I have freely confessed that mad-scientist Doctor Rafe is based on me. But he bites it towards the end, so it all works out. Anyway,
enjoy -um, do something besides enjoy- this early example of my
writing crap.
"You okay down there?"
The question had been posed by one who would be watching the action from both one hundred thousand kilometers in Earth orbit and right in the middle of the battle itself. The speaker continued. "Zero is untested in a real combat situation, and we don't know how it'll handle."
"I'm fine." The answer came from the pilot in Zero's cockpit. "Gyroscopic balance is stable, locomotion subroutines are active, controls are functioning perfectly, the drive is good, and all systems are in the green."
"Confirmed," the mission commander, one General Evar, responded. She turned to the auditorium of officers, politicians and scientists behind her. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you are aware, you are about to see the first test of the EUS-X9000 prototype, code named Sentry Zero. We shall be watching the battle through a combination of orbital satellites, remote sensors, and Zero itself. And I assure you, this is not a simulation: the pilot is actually facing off against a battalion of ARCOZian Tsander units, as well as the normal base defense tanks and a variety of combat aircraft. With any hope, the decimation of the SD base shall send a clear message to ARCOZ." The murmurs of assent, and a signal from her side, told her that now was the time.
She turned back to her console, and sat down. There was nothing she could do: this battle was firmly in the hands of Zero's pilot. The chief scientist of the Zero project fretted. Evar turned to her. "Don't worry, the prototype is fine."
"I'm just worried that the pilot won't be."
"Too late now." She donned her headset, and looked out across a battlefield in Southern California through the VR goggles. She now saw the battlefield through the twenty meter height of Zero's primary binocular sensors. "Pilot, we're ready at this end."
"Copy that. You sure you're okay with the immersion screen in the auditorium? Someone might get sick."
"We're giving both sides an accurate image of Zero's capabilities. Destroy them with everything you've got."
Nothing returned. Evar removed her goggles, and turned just in time for the chief scientist to place her own headset around her eyes. Evar sat back, and waited for the fireworks.
The view on the massive wraparound screen in front of the audience began to move, the base shifting ever close to the apparently running unit. There was no way in hell those poor bastards would know what hit them, Evar thought to herself.
Zero fired the first shot. A stream of compact quasi-plasma flew across the battlefield, and burned straight through the gate. Automated defense turrets activated, firing their massive three hundred centimeter rounds towards the nigh-invisible target. Of course, it was hard for a combat unit painted brilliant white with a red on blue trim to be missed. Rather, the cannons couldn't find the unit on any infrared sensors, ultraviolet range, or even radar. The most accurate sensor it had was designed for sonar, and that system could only track objects on the ground. But the cannons couldn't track fast enough to keep up with a combat unit running at a good hundred fifty klicks an hour.
Zero returned the favor with another burst from its rifle, which instantly destroyed the nearest turret. Now, missile launchers and lasers revealed themselves. But they couldn't track the prototype either. Their shots were blind.
And now a single squadron of the olive-green Tsanders had deployed. To demonstrate the amazing abilities of the new prototype, the pilot commanded Zero to pull out its sword. A streaming blade of flame-red plasma flared into existence. Shoulder shields and axes were incapable of stopping the sword. The entire squad was gone inside of a minute. But now the element of surprise was gone.
The entire base had deployed, tanks and fighters and Tsanders alike. The pilot of Zero smiled. He activated the head-mounted miniguns, and swiftly tore a hole through the fighter formations. He stepped on the tanks, and fired Vulcan cannon rounds at the more distant targets. The rifle he used against the Tsanders, his shield-mounted spike dispatching a few units who got too close. Every one of the attacks ricocheted off of the most advanced armor that the Earth Federation had ever made. Only the brilliant paint was damaged: not a crack or a scratch appeared on the armor. Not even a series of direct missile strikes damaged it. Ten minutes of combat later, and Zero stood alone on the battlefield, the bodies of enemy Tsanders arrayed around him. His most brilliant work had been to destroy the launch shafts out of the fortified base, leaving all of the personnel trapped inside. A barrage from his forearm mounted RPGs later, and the base was in flames. For his final touch, he used his rifle to destroy the communications equipment. Before, he had wanted them to know what he could do. Now ARCOZ would have to come to the base to see his final work.
"Are you all right?" Evar asked the pilot.
"Everything's good. I am returning to the carrier now."
"Good." She turned off her head set, and turned to the awed audience. "I give you Zero."
She had heard someone become violently sick during the rapid movements of the lens viewpoint. They still retched in the background
The President and commander-in-chief of the United States of America stood up. "I must admit, General, I had my doubts towards the Weapon Maximum Project, but you've dispelled all of them." He looked around at his cabinet, his generals, and the other representatives of the USA. "General, if that was Zero, I can't wait to see prototypes One through Five can do."
"Thank you, sir."
...
Okay, there we go. One of my earlier bits of writing. Still trying to find a good "buddy song." And if someone wants, I can post my Gundam SEED-ripoff prologue thingy. Anyway.
EDIT:
I feel like haiku.
I write haiku too much, though.
Maybe I should stop.
This early work is
So embarrassing. Still, we
All started somewhere.
A deer walks through the
Forest. A branch snaps. I aim.
I shoot it. It dies.
A man walks into
My sights. He is already
Dead. He does not know.
Sometimes Nick scares me.
I am half-convinced that he
Is somewhat evil.
... I had one more here, but I deleted it. Not only was it NSFW, it was mind-scarring. If you want it, just ask.
EDIT 2: My attempts to draw powered armor have led me to decide to stick to sketching environments and weapons and occasionally giant robots. Just...
ewwww. I am going to burn these sketches. Or do something more environmentally friendly. Anything to avoid the eye-gouging horror from being released.
I felt like writing this. Incidentally, Sir Aaren mor Dukai's nickname is "Ren," and I already got permission from Ren Gaulen to use it. This is just a snip of something larger, and I envision this as a part of the prologue to The Covenant Wars, showing us a handful of the characters four years before the story properly starts. Anyhoo...
And if you don't like it Ren, I am open to suggestions. No, really, I am.
Lon Salem, capital of the Kingdom of Korinso, in the year eight-hundred and sixty three of the After Covenant era "Doctor Rafe?"
The man in the long coat turned to the captain. "Yes?"
"We are in position to launch."
"Excellent. Proceed, Captain."
The captain threw a sharp salute. "Sir!" He turned back to the rest of the bridge and overlooked the battlefield. The Korinson forces were actually holding up fairly well... for the moment. "Give the order. Launch the Mobile Armor corps!"
Down, somewhere in one of the launch bays, ten missiles, long and fat, sat aimed downwards. They were far heavier than any round fired by the ship, and designed with only one function: piercing the magical paling.
At the signal from the bridge, clamps holding them in place released, and the missiles dropped like long pointy stones, shielded by layes upon layers of barriers and shields: more than could safely be used, in fact, but absolutely necessary to get into Lon Salem. For a brief moment, the paling cracked...
... and the missiles slipped through, their own barriers collapsing as they did so.
A short distance beneath the paling's barrier, bolts and latches across the missiles burst loose, causing the entire casing to disintegrate in midair and rain down upon the city below. At the heart of the missiles was a long central tube, to which were strapped three man-shaped machines, each carrying a large rifle and a larger sword. A final set of bolts undid, and they dropped free of the falling cores. A second later, each of the thirty falling armors activated a set of rockets built into their legs, and gradually slowed their descent into the battle field...
Sir Aaren was not far from his Highness now... just a little closer and...
... a human-shaped machine landed heavily right in front of him, cracking the pavement beneath it as Ren backstepped away from it.
A statue? A golem? What is it? For a moment, it did nothing, and then it began to move, clicking and whirring sounds emitting from its body as it turned its head to look at him.
A moving armor? What new machine is this? The armor's wild swing brought him back to the battle. It was an enemy, and he would defeat it.
It seemed to have no weapons besides its fists and its sword and the gun on its back, the sword being what it currently chose and was slashing at him with. It was certainly a big sword, but he knew a way around that. Ren pulled his sidearm from its holster and took aim at the base of the sword, aiming for the hands. It took him emptying the six round gun, but he finally managed to convince the armor to drop the heavy blade with a massive
clang. A grin briefly flirted across Aaren's face...
... until the armor's right arm lobbed a fireball at him.
"Shit!"
It wasn't magical fire: he could tell that in an instant. It felt different, made of real stuff instead of magical ingredients. Which just made it a little more difficult to do what he was about to do. He waved his free left hand in front of him and recited a spell in his head, and felt the air around him respond... and move away from a short space in front of him: the fireball hit a wall of vacuum that killed it. With his sword, he shaped the air displaced from the vacuum into a compressed "bullet" of air and fired it straight at the armor. It did nothing aside from a small dent, to which the armor responded by lifting it's other arm and firing a shotgun blast at him. This time Ren had to cast a shield spell and reconsider his options.
The armor took the moment he had given it and turned on a group of Korinson soldiers rushing towards it. Now both forearms came up, and began firing normal bullets at them, faster than any normal sidearm could manage. Their light armor wasn't enough to protect them, and they fell down dead.
The armor turned back towards Ren, only to find him a lot closer than before, his katana held at ready. The forearms flexed slightly, and a pair of bayonets popped out to clash with Ren's katana. It was one of the most interesting duels Ren could recall: his speed and maneuverability versus an armor with no apparent weak spots. But the armor wasn't as skilled as Ren: it moved like an inexperienced swordsman, unsure of itself. Its swings were too wide, relying on power rather than finesse. Ren had both, and spied a weakspot. Another swing, and this time Ren responded with a blast of force magic right into the relatively unarmored armpit. Armor cracked and shattered beneath the blast, enough for Ren to bring Izumo up and through the new crack in the armor.
The suit stumbled slightly as Ren drew the blade from its body. A moment's concentration, and magical energy flew through the blade, sharpening its edge until it was sharp enough to cut through a stone wall. "
Zantatsuken!"
The blade came up in a slash through the chest armor.
The whole thing fell forward with a massive clang that shook parts of it off, including the head, revealing that the head was in fact a helmet...
It was at this point that Ren realised that his sword was bloody.
Most people would have been shocked or stunned at the sight of the young blonde woman lying dead in her own armor. Ren was not most people.
There were more, he could hear them. So, how to fight them?
"Aim for the armor's eyes! They're controlled by humans!" he shouted out, relying on his people to pass it along.
From a block over, he heard a new sound, a terrible one: the sound of a fully automatic weapon, firing faster than any other gun, and the sound of soldiers and saurians alike screaming as they died. Ren looked down at the fallen armor beside him, and looked at the massive rifle that had also been sliced by his attack, and the massive belt of ammo that once led to a drum on the backpack.
Automatic weapons, small enough to be wielded by one of these units? Impressive, Imperials. Cold analysis in the face of death was part of the reason Ren was still alive. But there were other units, and they were killing his allies. He summoned the wind beneath him, and took a flying leap to a nearby building, intent on finding both his Prince and the nearest mobile armor.
...[/center]
Okay, what do you think? Questions, comments, concerns, ideas, WTFs, anything?
PS: My powered armor sketches are a
HERESY against all that has ever come before, so I'm going to try drawing them again when I'm back at my apartment and I might post those: my ability to draw seems to be weakened in closer proximity to my family. Also, I'm thinking about starting to ink in the map of Clockwork Town: any more suggestions for that?
A sword with edge far
Sharper than the wind. How does
It not cut its sheathe?
Nice, nice.. I am not ashamed by my namesake in the least. One thing though. I think it's not "Zantetsuken" but "Zantatsuken". As far as I know it means something like "Instantly Cleaving Blade" with "tatsu" being the "Cleave" part.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 03:32:24 PM
Nice, nice.. I am not ashamed by my namesake in the least. One thing though. I think it's not "Zantetsuken" but "Zantatsuken". As far as I know it means something like "Instantly Cleaving Blade" with "tatsu" being the "Cleave" part.
Hm... well, originally the technique was a reference to the Zantetsuken (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Zantetsuken) of Final Fantasy, which is "also known as the "Steel Bladed Sword", which is the translation of Zantetsuken." But "Zantatsuken" makes it sound much better... and more in character for you. I'll change it.
Any recommendations so I can get his characterization down pat?
Quote from: Jairus on September 15, 2008, 06:26:52 PM
Any recommendations so I can get his characterization down pat?
Obviously Ren is the boss in this department, but I feel I must point out that the line:
Most people would have been shocked or stunned at the sight of the young
blonde woman lying dead in her own armor. Ren was not most people.
...does not help me convince myself that Ren is on the side of the angels. :P
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 06:33:51 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 15, 2008, 06:26:52 PM
Any recommendations so I can get his characterization down pat?
Obviously Ren is the boss in this department, but I feel I must point out that the line:
Most people would have been shocked or stunned at the sight of the young
blonde woman lying dead in her own armor. Ren was not most people.
...does not help me convince myself that Ren is on the side of the angels. :P
AAAAAAAAAGH!!! D: Jay meant Aaren, not me!! :dfaceI think you made Aaren a bit too "dark". That line Tape pointed out make Aaren look less of a good guy.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 06:41:28 PM
AAAAAAAAAGH!!! D: Jay meant Aaren, not me!! :dface
You know, that would explain an awful lot.
QuoteI think you made Aaren a bit too "dark". That line Tape pointed out make Aaren look less of a good guy.
Actually I'm starting to think that deep down, I
want Ren to be evil...
Well, he is a soldier in an army, and he is fighting enemy soldiers, and she is was his enemy. It's not like she was a civilian he accidentally cleaved. They both got involved in a war, and both of them knew what could happen.
Well, I could change it to something more neutral, or what would you suggest?
Quote from: Jairus on September 15, 2008, 06:46:28 PM
Well, he is a soldier in an army, and he is fighting enemy soldiers, and she is was his enemy. It's not like she was a civilian he accidentally cleaved. They both got involved in a war, and both of them knew what could happen.
Well, I could change it to something more neutral, or what would you suggest?
Nah. It's just that regular soldiers are still humans, and if they thought that they were fighting some automaton but then found out that there was a human inside (a young woman, to boot), they would have been reasonably shocked. Aaren looks like a war-hardened veteran who is not fazed a bit by the sight of dead bodies, whomever they could have belonged to, but that is what gives him a darker, anti-hero'ish look. Actually, that is not a bad thing for a character like Aaren (I say it since I know his backstory).
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 06:44:25 PM
QuoteI think you made Aaren a bit too "dark". That line Tape pointed out make Aaren look less of a good guy.
Actually I'm starting to think that deep down, I want Ren to be evil...
WHY DO YOU DO IT, TAPE??? 'A' REN IS ONLY A GUY WHO SMITES EVIL (BY SLAYING THE DOERS OF EVIL DEEDS)!! HE MEANS NO WRONG!! D: (Don't mind me - I'm just throwing a little fit here. :3)
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 06:57:36 PM
WHY DO YOU DO IT, TAPE??? 'A' REN IS ONLY A GUY WHO SMITES EVIL (BY SLAYING THE DOERS OF EVIL DEEDS)!! HE MEANS NO WRONG!! D: (Don't mind me - I'm just throwing a little fit here. :3)
In all seriousness, there are two reasons that spring to mind. To begin with, the first picture I ever saw of Ren had him looking extremely depraved, and you know what they say... first impressions last.
The second reason is that Keaton is dead evil and she's been incredibly fun to write for.
And evil is kind of cool.
Three reasons. Our three reasons are a picture of Ren looking extremely depraved, evil being fun to write for and cool. And an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 07:07:01 PM
In all seriousness, there are two reasons that spring to mind. To begin with, the first picture I ever saw of Ren had him looking extremely depraved, and you know what they say... first impressions last.
The second reason is that Keaton is dead evil and she's been incredibly fun to write for.
And evil is kind of cool.
Three reasons. Our three reasons are a picture of Ren looking extremely depraved, evil being fun to write for and cool. And an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.
HERESY!! D:< ..I think I have just proven Tape's last point.. But actually, Ren is trying very hard to be a really nice guy and not to kill anybody. Unfortunately, often if Ren doesn't kill his enemy, someone of Ren's
allies does. Also, when Ren is
really enraged, he tends to forget that he "promised (himself) not to kill". While it is not too easy to enrage him, it is not too hard to do either.
But I agree, Evil is kind of cool (as long as it is fictional evil :P).
DAMMIT! STOP POSTING WHEN I'M TRYING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!!!!Heh... heh... heh...
Okay, I'm cool.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 06:57:36 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 15, 2008, 06:46:28 PM
Well, he is a soldier in an army, and he is fighting enemy soldiers, and she is was his enemy. It's not like she was a civilian he accidentally cleaved. They both got involved in a war, and both of them knew what could happen.
Well, I could change it to something more neutral, or what would you suggest?
Nah. It's just that regular soldiers are still humans, and if they thought that they were fighting some automaton but then found out that there was a human inside (a young woman, to boot), they would have been reasonably shocked. Aaren looks like a war-hardened veteran who is not fazed a bit by the sight of dead bodies, whomever they could have belonged to, but that is what gives him a darker, anti-hero'ish look. Actually, that is not a bad thing for a character like Aaren (I say it since I know his backstory).
Good point. And remember that this is four years before the story proper starts: he's worse by the time we catch up to him, half-stir crazy from being a prisoner of war. On the other hand, he does mellow a bit by the time we catch up to him: maybe seeing soldiers from both sides alike starve or get beaten to death has mellowed him slightly. Also, considering his backstory, since he already let one homeland down, he doesn't want to let another one down as well. Finally, it's always been a pet-peeve of mine that villains don't care that their friends die, but heroes scream "No!" and rush to their sides: that's just a great way to get bumped off. Ren puts off his mourning until after the battle is over, when he can properly mourn the dead: after all, you can't mourn someone if you yourself are dead too. He's going to have one incredible breakdown once the war ends and he can no longer hold back the tide. I imagine that Dreksa does the same thing, except he's able to control his mourning even more and do it during happy times so the memories don't overwhelm him.
Actually, should I post his backstory, Ren? I think since you're the one I shared it with and the character is partially based on you, you should have a say.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 06:44:25 PM
QuoteI think you made Aaren a bit too "dark". That line Tape pointed out make Aaren look less of a good guy.
Actually I'm starting to think that deep down, I want Ren to be evil...
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 06:57:36 PM
WHY DO YOU DO IT, TAPE??? 'A' REN IS ONLY A GUY WHO SMITES EVIL (BY SLAYING THE DOERS OF EVIL DEEDS)!! HE MEANS NO WRONG!! D: (Don't mind me - I'm just throwing a little fit here. :3)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 07:07:01 PM
In all seriousness, there are two reasons that spring to mind. To begin with, the first picture I ever saw of Ren had him looking extremely depraved, and you know what they say... first impressions last.
The second reason is that Keaton is dead evil and she's been incredibly fun to write for.
And evil is kind of cool.
Three reasons. Our three reasons are a picture of Ren looking extremely depraved, evil being fun to write for and cool. And an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 15, 2008, 07:16:17 PM
HERESY!! D:< ..I think I have just proven Tape's last point.. But actually, Ren is trying very hard to be a really nice guy and not to kill anybody. Unfortunately, often if Ren doesn't kill his enemy, someone of Ren's allies does. Also, when Ren is really enraged, he tends to forget that he "promised (himself) not to kill". While it is not too easy to enrage him, it is not too hard to do either.
But I agree, Evil is kind of cool (as long as it is fictional evil :P).
True... anti-heroes are fun to write. Villains too: why do you think my self-insert character is the mad scientist Doctor Rafe? And Dreksa is fun to write when he "forgets" that he's fighting other living beings: he gets really really terrifying. And then he's back to normal afterwords. Either he has long since gotten used to killing people and only can survive because he tries to minimize death and pain wherever he goes, or he is truly and deeply insane. Probably both: I know that two of his three siblings were completely and totally nuts, as well as his nephew and his mom. His other sibling was pretty crazy to, but then you'd expect that of someone who could pass as the great Kamina-sama's twin brother.
Nobody expects
The Spanish Inquisition.
What, do you want more?
Also: any comments on "Zero Assault?"
Just to be absolutely clear, I'm not saying that what you've done is wrong, nor am I suggesting you change it. It is just an observation.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2008, 07:29:26 PM
Just to be absolutely clear, I'm not saying that what you've done is wrong, nor am I suggesting you change it. It is just an observation.
No worries. I like observations: they help me get better. Please, please keep making them! *said in the Peddler's voice from Disney's
Aladdin*
As a bit of a treat, and because I'm tired, here are the specs for Rockon that I came up with while my parents took me birthday shopping for matching furniture for my apartment. Considering that I'm getting a new couch, a new far cooler desk, and a new bed frame, I'm not really complaining (even though all I wanted was Season 1 of New Series Doctor Who on DVD and the handful of Code Geass DVDs they've released so far). Slightly less cool is that I have to completely clean my apartment over the next three weeks so that we can have a "House-Fixing Party." Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only sane one in my family... and then I remember that I have fourteen pages of stuff here and I have yet to slow down. Anyway...
RockonGeneral and Technical DataModel number: RC-XND2
Code name: Rockon
Unit type: experimental mass-production combat powered armor
Manufacturer: N-Tech
Operator: unknown
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: Operator only
Dimensions: unknown, (currently sized for average human male)
Weight: unknown (suggestions?)
Armor materials: Titanium; super-ceramic composite; AMP Steel alloy; Sol-foam; Lun-metal
Powerplant: Mark 4 TF Reactor; 1 x high-efficiency micro battery network built into armor; Ward system
Propulsion: 1 x M-Drive Lift System, 1 main emitter on backpack, 4 vernier built into FL Shield System; 2 x maneuvering rockets, leg mounted; 8 x flight stabilizer, 2 backpack mounted, 2 leg mounted, 4 FL Shield mounted; 4 x maneuvering vernier, built into FL Shield System
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: Omni Feedback control system; fully-sealed internal environment; transmobile linkup system; 8 x hardpoint for mounting extra equipment; 4 x AM Particle reservoir, 2 built into shoulders, 2 built into legs; 1 x Multi-point defense barrier, online only during transformation; Ward system compatibility; 4 x FL Shield System, backpack mounted, deployed over shoulders in use; 2 x Omnidriver Mk.7, built into forearms
Fixed armaments: 2 x AMP beam saber lance/blaster/shield combo, mounted in forearms, usage depends on configuration; 4 x AMP Beam saber, 2 mounted in hip armor, 2 mounted in FL Shield, handheld in use; 2 x AMP Beam Pistol, stored in hip armor, handheld in use; 4 x AMP Grenade, mounted in FL Shield, handheld in use; 10 x "Rising Finger" claws, built into hands
Optional fixed armaments: 2 x AMP Folding Sword, mounted on hips, handheld in use; 2 x automatic carbine, backpack mounted, swing over shoulders in use; 2 x automatic shotgun, backpack mounted, swing under-arm in use; 1 x AMP Grenade Launcher, backpack mounted, swings over right shoulder in use; 1 x AMP Beam Cannon, backpack mounted; swings over left shoulder in use; various others
Optional hand armaments: 1 x AMP Beam Rifle, stored on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x AMP Beam Sniper Rifle, stored on backpack, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesThe finalized version of the mass-production version of Roland, the Rockon was designed from the ground up to take as many lessons as possible from the earlier prototypes. While a handful of systems - like the "Shining Finger" and the AMP Field Emitter - have been removed overall the unit is more balanced than Roland. In place of Roland's emphasis on enhancement and combat, Rockon is designed for outright warfare, and demonstrates this in its wide-array of weapons, some of which were never intended to be used on Roland. In terms of ranged combat, Rockon is superior to Roland, thanks in part to a handful of extra weapons and a powerful AMP Beam Sniper Rifle: the sensor systems have been slightly improved over Roland in order to maximize the effectiveness of this weapon, modifications that Nick intends to make use of in the Roland Mark VII. While it is somewhat lacking in the close-range weapons department thanks to the removal of the "Shining Finger," it features a potent weapon nonetheless: titled "Rising Fingers," they are claw-like extensions on the fingers that are each made of solid AMP Steel, making it very easy for them to "cut" through magical spells and abilities. In addition, it features two AMP Beam lance/blaster/shield combo weapons, double what Mark VI has (and Mark VII will have). Given Roland's maneuverability problems and the amount of flexibility and control needed, Nick developed a prototype for the M-Drive Wing system he calls the FL Shield, which is four maneuvering emitters for the normal M-Drive Flight which drastically improve maneuverability for the unit: the four emitters are built into four heavily reinforced AMP Steel shields, leading to the name. The four smaller emitters replace one of the two normal emitters, and have two configurations: Wing mode, when the shields are folded back allowing them to be focused in specific directions for increased maneuvering and speed at the cost of access to the weapons built into them; and Shield Mode, where they attach to the shoulders, allowing access to the extra weapons built in at the cost of maneuverability. In order to differentiate the Rockon series from the Roland series, Nick has given the prototype a blue-and-green paint job in place of his normal blue-and-silver one. Ironically, Nick is unable to test the unit, because he built it to fit a normal human wearer. Rockon can also equip the optional weapons used by Roland, albeit these do tend to interfere with the usage of the FL Shields. At this point, Nick has no test pilot, but once testing of the Rockon has finished, Nick intends to start a limited mass-production of them. Nick also has yet to come up with specifications or even ideas for the Rockon II.
...
There you have it... damn, I couldn't keep that shorter, could I? Oh well. Rockon is intended to subvert the normal "super-prototype" cliché, in that it is arguably a superior combat unit, and is meant to be used by as many different people as possible rather than one specific person, it has a better array of weapons, and a handful of its tricks are going to be added to the normal Roland prototype. And the mass-production version of the Rockon prototype will just remove the "x" from it's designation. Hooray for subversion!
Also... here's the surprise: another parody! Though it's a half assed one... and I mean really half-assed. As in I did bupkis to change this... just
who was singing it...
"Abel's Not Wearing Underwear Today" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q7Cy3qSwKI)
Abel:
I'm not wearing underwear today,
No I'm not wearing underwear today
Not that you probably care
Much about my underwear
Still nonetheless I gotta say
That I'm not wearing underwear today!
Jyrras:
Get a job!
Abel:
Thank you... honey.
Well, another one I'm going to Hell for. Here, let me try to make it up to you...
"Dan's Theme Song" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wn4iYoMcAA&feature=related)
Jyrras:
Danny boy, makes you feel,
He's a cool warrior with a sword of steel!
Lost Lake Inn Patrons:
As Daniel Ti'Fiona here!
He's fighting so Dark Peg' there won't persevere!
Jyrras:
A sweet-ass hero!
Lost Lake Inn Patrons:
He's Danny boy!
Abel:
Never a zero!
All:
Dan Ti'Fion'!
... yeah, that one was a
little lot forced. Sorry.
These songs aren't very
Funny, and now they are hard
To write. Should I stop?
EDIT: Fixed Rockon's stats to match the new ones for Roland.
*strikes a pose* ROCK ON! *epic guitar solo*
By the way, I wanted to ask it before, but how do all those weapon systems fit on one suit of armour?
As for the song parodies... *long stare (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/TheStare1.png)* Not that you should stop, but these two were.. err.. weren't very funny. :paranoid
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 16, 2008, 05:02:46 AM
*strikes a pose* ROCK ON! *epic guitar solo*
Don't ever do that again... or I shall have to develop the AMP Beam Guitar Axe.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 16, 2008, 05:02:46 AM
By the way, I wanted to ask it before, but how do all those weapon systems fit on one suit of armour?
Magic.
...
In all seriousness, it takes a lot of work - and some cheating - on Nick's part to get it all to work. There are a few things I don't get into in those pages, like how AMB beam weapons are basically just different settings (explaining the lance/blaster) or how pretty much every system is linked into each other in order to fit at that scale (meaning that one system malfunctioning can cock the whole thing up). Half of what Nick has been doing is miniaturizing the components and making them reliable enough to work. Part of the reason that later generations start dropping physical weapons is because there isn't much space, and even the carbines don't have much in the way of ammo: energy and AM particles are much easier to scoot around (I don't even think the carbines on Roland are loaded). In addition to all of that, despite being ostensibly designed for anti-magic warfare, Roland and Rockon (Rocker not so much) calls on a lot of magic to work, and a handful of the parts don't even exist in the universe. In a way, Roland represents magic on a scale never attempted by Nick before, but magic that is tapped into in such a way as to be nearly impossible to be jammed by AM particles or normal anti-magic efforts. One of the weird things about technology-based magic (and not normal enchanted objects) is that it's actually fairly hard to screw with, and Roland is one of the most technology-based magical items to ever exist. Does that sort of help?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 16, 2008, 05:02:46 AM
As for the song parodies... *long stare (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/TheStare1.png)* Not that you should stop, but these two were.. err.. weren't very funny. :paranoid
No, you're not being paranoid: they are not funny. I was exhausted when I wrote those. I think I'm going to stop writing these parodies unless a really good song comes up in my collection, also because I want to write something a bit more serious. That, and I've gone through the good ones... though I have one in mind that is not funny in the slightest and is actually fairly creepy and a little sick when you think about it...
Quote from: Jairus on September 16, 2008, 10:32:45 AM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 16, 2008, 05:02:46 AM
*strikes a pose* ROCK ON! *epic guitar solo*
Don't ever do that again... or I shall have to develop the AMP Beam Guitar Axe.
(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/More%20Random%20Pictures/Listentomysong6.png)
"Rockon. Rockon. Rockon. Rockon." :cry
...wait a tic.
*coughs*
I find it interesting that these things are more 'suits' of armor than actual Mechs of some sort. Iron Man as opposed to Domun, I suppose - in some ways, a bit more realistic than a thirty-story walking robot.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 16, 2008, 11:09:40 AM
"Rockon. Rockon. Rockon. Rockon." :cry
...wait a tic.
*coughs*
QFT. An expression I have never used before.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 16, 2008, 11:09:40 AM
I find it interesting that these things are more 'suits' of armor than actual Mechs of some sort. Iron Man as opposed to Domun, I suppose - in some ways, a bit more realistic than a thirty-story walking robot.
Giant robots? Not yet: Nick is at least ten years before he builds his first giant robot. Skipper the giant mecha-wyvern does not count. And even then, I prefer my giant robots a wee bit shorter: 2 to 6 stories is reasonable.
Okay, to make up for the shittiness of my last two "parodies," I present this. Originally this was going to be a straight parody of
Monty Python's Spamalot's "You Won't Succeed on Broadway (If you don't have any Jews) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpU4XZgHpGE)," (sorry, all I could find was an AMV of it) but it grew a bit longer than that. This is based off of the "What makes a comic great" (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Arch_010.php) arc of DMFA, and concerns Fluffly explaining to Amber the different things on the list. Yes, it was Amber who got it into her head to do this originally, and Fluffy tried to stop her, but it's funnier this way. Anyway, this was a nightmare, and I don't know if it perfectly works, and I've added half-a-dozen extra verses...
GOD:Get on with it!Right! Um... here we go.
"You Won't Succeed In Comics"
aka
"Things Most Comics do in Order to Gain Ratings and Higher Reader Count"
AMBER:
Have you heard of these "Webcomics?"
FLUFFY:
Yes Amber... and we don't stand a chance there.
AMBER:
Why not?
FLUFFY:
Because...
Webcomics are a very special thing, done by very special people.
People who can joke and draw, often at the same time!
They are a different people, a multi-talented people,
A people who need people and who are, in many ways, the
Luckiest people in the world.
I'm sorry Amber, but we don't stand a chance.
AMBER:
But... why?
FLUFFY:
Well...let me put it like this.
In each webcomic venture,
If you don't want to lose,
Longevity depends on what characters you choose.
So, listen, Amber Williams, closely to this news:
You won't succeed in comics,
If you don't follow these rules.
You must spread your net out wide,
Have an audience worldwide.
Dress your characters in outfits that would ne'er be worn outside
It's fanservice, my dear,
That widens out your sphere,
Without it, you'll hear no cheers,
Just lots and lots of boos.
WEBCOMIC AUDIENCE:
Boo.
FLUFFY:
To attract a wider audience,
Make them raise a voice in protest!
Make a general statement of some foreign group,
Without any form of research in your head!
Sure, your audience will be mad,
But I tell you, we are dead,
If you don't follow these rules.
They won't care if you're witty,
They'll complain they're all so pretty:
To increase dramatic tension
Have a character up and die
In some tragic means from up on high:
It's a widely known convention.
The sorrow and the tears and the crying,
Even though your own logic you're defying,
And from the critics you'll earn a mention,
CRITIC:
You're doing great!
FLUFFY:
The audience won't care, miss,
As long as you don't dare, miss,
To start up your webcomic,
If you don't follow these rules!
A sprite comic is nice, miss
Since so many still exist,
It's a reference to great gaming history!
It really is quite simple,
And it's done by many people,
But why half just suck is a big mystery!
Another trick that's famous,
Though it is a bit amorous,
Is to have one character come out as a gay!
They never showed the tendecy?
To hell with continuity!
You'll triple all your numbers in a day!
As cliche as is possible,
In every way you're able:
You'll be current with the way things are today!
Then again there's gaming comics,
Which approach how they do flumox,
Ev'ry attempt to make all games fit real rules!
Talk of perfect ammunitions
And big giant freaking guns,
Or of how some peep's make weapons out of tools!
Sure it's done a thousand times,
And they suck a bit sometimes,
But to get a laugh just talk about the Jewels!
GAMING ENTHUSIAST:
Haha!
FLUFFY:
If you've long since been established,
And you've exhausted each old plot thread,
Then perhaps a brand new character's in line!
Sure they don't fit the dynamics,
But they bring a bag of new tricks,
And your comic will begin again to shine!
As Nintendo proved to us so well,
A mascot character casts a spell,
That makes the kiddies buy the toys galore!
In your comic's case, it's prob'ly best
To treat them like a special guest,
Just so long as they don't make your readers snore!
READER
*snore*
FLUFFY:
There of course is one last trick
To make all of your new fans stick,
And that's the subject here of shonen-ai.
Boy-boy love is a tricky thing,
But to pull it off gives extra zing:
To show a love so pure makes one to sigh!
SHONEN-AI FAN:
Ahhh...
FLUFFY:
But then again it's tricky,
And your readers may get picky
As they claim that you have jumped the shark!
Ignore complaints and other things,
As lovers fly on angel's wings
While you continue to write this story arc!
Now there's a very small percentile
Who will turn a bit hostile,
But I'm sad to be the one with this bad news!
Throw your plans out of the mix,
You just won't succeed in comics,
You just won't succeed in comics,
If you don't follow these rules!
AMBER:
Well, fanservice is not a problem,
And things from gener'lizations stem,
I've killed of Hannah and a few more,
Ma' Gianni's gonna get one kid more.
Sprite comics, maybe not
But Darkmoon has a shot.
And then Jyrras' eviction
Just defied normal prediction.
DDR's a game,
And Abel isn't lame,
Deathbringer's quite adorable,
And Wildy's book deplorable.
I've covered every one,
And I've had a lot of fun,
And I've not even begun,
And with this comic I'll now run!
FLUFFY:
You've handled it quite well,
Now if only we could tell
If you've planned it from the start
And just following some chart,
Or you've made it as you go,
Yes, that's one thing we must know!
AMBER:
That's a secret that I'll keep,
And you all will lose some sleep,
As you debate, hem and haw
While I just keep on and draw
Every wacky misadventure,
From Dan n' Mab's Furry Adventures!
People, can ya here me?
*joins in giant kick line with Fluffy and every other character in DMFA*
ALL:
To make your own Webcomic,
To make a famous comic,
To hit the top in comics and not lose,
FLUFFY:
I tell you, Amber dear,
One thing must be so clear...
There simply must be, simply must be rules!
There simply must be,
Amber trust me,
Simply must be rules.
... Holy hell, that was hard. Anyway, hope you liked it.
And a somewhat weird poem... really weird, actually.
A flower's bloom, so fragile
And so very beautiful.
Petals drop at winter's chill,
And stay so short a time.
To grow but one takes such skill,
But nature does it better.
And to breathe in deep while on a hill,
To fill one's mind with such smell,
To never stop such mem'ries until,
You must get on with your life.
God gods that is weird.
Where did I come up with that
Idea? Oh well.
Well, this is from the Ban Game and I thought I might as well finish it. It is set to "Once in Every Show" from
Monty Python's Spamalot, parodying love songs and the like.
"The Ban That Goes Like This"
Once in every thread
There comes a ban like this
It starts with who came first,
And sometimes has a list
Oh where is the ban
That goes like this?
Where is it, where, where?
An over-thought out ban,
That annoys everyone.
They'll think we made a plan
While we've been having fun,
For this is the ban that goes like this
Yes it is! Yes it is!
Now we can ban straight,
While we give false berates,
A game that is too fun for me!
I'll ban you to your face,
While in a banning race,
And then,
We change
The theme!
Now we ban again!
In a never ending chain!
But as everyone can see,
It's climbing by degrees!
For this is our ban that goes like this!
My banning's very proud!
You're banning far too loud!
That's the way that this ban goes!
You're banning on my toes!
Banning our ban that goes like this!
I can't believe there's more
It's far too long, I'm sure
That's the trouble with this ban
It goes on and on, goddamm!
For this is our theme that is too long!
We'll be banning this til dawn!
We'll wish that we weren't born!
Let's stop this damning theme!
Before we start to scream!
For this is our ban that ends like this!
Yay, another half-assed parody. Meanwhile, Pagan has laid down a challenge, so I'll have to see if I can do the parody he wants.
This is just a quick post to say that I've made a few changes to the Roland (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg226546.html#msg226546) and Rockon (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg227137.html#msg227137) stats, based on a handful of recommendations and a little back-and-forth between me and Ren. Specifically, I've modified the arrangement and set-up of the weapons to make it actually possible to fit them all onto one powered armor. Hopefully these'll help make them make a bit more sense. I've also fixed some meter and word problems in a few songs, but you don't need to look for them: they're really small things that were just bothering me a little.
Anyway, to avoid wasting a post before I get to work on "Defying Sanity," the song between Aniz and Fa'Lina that Pagan has challenged me to do (it's based on "Defying Gravity" from Wicked)(at least, this is what I think I'll do for a Fa'Lina/Aniz song), here's some haiku!
They wrote the songs first:
That's why the dialogue is
So weird in Nightmare.
I am flinging a
Jawa through the room with the
Force. I love this game.
And now I have turned
A Stormtrooper into a
Lethal weapon. Whee.
Has anyone else
Read the Amanda books by
That author Wolo?
The reason I ask
Is that it's been years since I
Read them. I liked them.
How much wood would a
Woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck
Could chuck wood? Who cares?
A tree is falling
And I am right in its way.
This will hurt. A lot.
Fire is pretty.
See it burn. Burn fire burn.
Burn those See Spot books.
A shining armor
Of blue and silver rises
From defeat's ashes.
The purpose of the
Game of baseball is to be
Safe at home. Carlin.
Plad Zedd: an offense
Against fashion and good taste.
Do it. Do it, Ren.
Why does the thought of
"Burning Mouse" fill me with dread?
I fear for my mind.
EDIT:
The cake is a lie.
That statement is true. So why
Are we so confused?
Leonidas and
Cake together is awesome.
They are not a lie.
Engineering: If
You can build it, then you can
Also pilot it.
EDIT 2: From the ban game...
Ren is banned because
He has unleashed Zombie-Cat.
We are all so screwed.
The mouse returns to
His home in the wall. I set
The ban trap, then snap!
The Ork takes pen to
Paper. He writes an Orkan
Poem. Moar Poem!
Me ban Gaulen wid
Much moar dakka.
Thiz is true wurd:
Never nuff dakka.
Ork make ban go faster.
Ban ren wit red dakka!
Fires tree times better!
Den me go to baker.
Finished yet?
I have Brunhidden and Turnsky to thank for this flash of inspiration. In Turnsky's thread Turnsky's art 2.0 - Jackals of The Revolution... (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,5056.0.html), Brunhidden made the following comment, which I responded to.
Quote from: Jairus on September 17, 2008, 07:05:48 PM
Quote from: Brunhidden on September 17, 2008, 07:00:26 PM
*ponders if keaton mechs or giant tanks in the shape of keatons face would be better*
Why have only one? This is Engineer Jairus reporting that the Mekeatons and the Keatanks shall be ready for the revolution!
Ladies and gentlemen, Furs and Humans, may I present for your consideration, the first concept drawings of the Revolution's mecha, the Mekeaton...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Mekeaton1.jpg?t=1221696213)
Mekeaton, concept sketch 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Mekeaton1.jpg?t=1221696213)
The Mekeaton is a standard humanoid combat mecha, armed with a head mounted chain gun, one chest-mounted gatling gun, four sets of hypersonic folding dagger claws (not present in this drawing) mounted on the feet and hands, a hypersonic vibration katana, and an appropriately-sized machine gun. The stocky frame provides for excellent balance, while a pair of backpack-mounted rocket boosters (hidden in this concept sketch) allow for rapid movement on the battlefield. The unit is designed to work in tandem with the Keatank long-range support vehicle. Future upgrades will allow for the use of bazookas, missile launchers, sniper weapons, and other tools and sets of equipment suitable for the Revolution's purpose. It's colors shall be gold and black, and it's head shall be designed after the jackal, symbol of our leader.
...
Okay, shtick aside, this was just something I decided to sketch... and make a little practice out of it. Let's see where this takes us, shall we? Advice, comments, and constructive criticisms are always desired.
I'm still working on a few extra details for the Clockwork Town map: that shall be posted later, at which point I'll get some more recommendations for it, and then hopefully start inking it it. Now I just need someone who can help me color it when we get that far...
EDIT: Finished a sentence that got left unfinished.
Nice one, Jay.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 17, 2008, 08:13:37 PM
Nice one, Jay.
Thanks. Any advice for drawing it?
In other news...Okay, after a bit of work, here's a partially inked map of Clockwork Township. Full-view, please!
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockworkmapinkpart1.jpg?t=1221703839)
Clockwork Town, ink part 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockworkmapinkpart1.jpg?t=1221703839)
I've added a few extra details, and moved the names around a little bit, but so far I like it. Not at all bad for the third time I've inked something. Am continuing to work on it, just wanted to give a work-in-progress update for last-minute advice and such.
Okay, questions, comments, advice, constructive criticisms?
Well, the IF contest is over, and my IF guessed me right (good job Jer-oh-me!)(actually, everyone guessed right, so good job everybody!), so I feel it's time to post my drawing.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ThrudgelmirZankantou.jpg?t=1221716945)
Thrudgelmir Zankantou (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ThrudgelmirZankantou.jpg?t=1221716945)
This is a drawing of the Thrudgelmir's Zankantou (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrudgelmir_(Mecha)), an original mecha from Super Robot Wars, specifically it's "Zankantou Inazuma Juuryoku Otoshi," the solid-bladed version. This was drawn using two pictures as a reference from this site (http://srwog.velv.net/og_mecha/thrudgelmir.html): this one (http://srwog.velv.net/mecha_images/thrudgelmir-zankantou.png) and this one (http://srwog.velv.net/mecha_images/thrudgelmir_zankantou.png), but mostly the second one. The sword was drawn on my normal paper, with a pencil and a ruler to help me get the scale right. The original drawing is twice as long and wide As the reference image I used (and boy was it a nightmare to measure the distances between each of the parts at that scale: ruler to the computer screen and measuring in fractions of an inch to get the scale right). As I finished each section, I inked it in with one of my normal pens (as opposed to the new pens I'm using on the map currently). When I was done, I erased the pencil marks and scanned it in. Unfortunately, the pen smeared a little when I was drawing it, but the smears are all in the same direction and vaguely look like "action lines," so it kind of works out.
So, anyway, this is actually the first drawing I ever inked. What do you think?
It's good, but I wonder if that smearing was intentional.
Quote from: VSMIT on September 18, 2008, 02:19:43 AM
It's good, but I wonder if that smearing was intentional.
No, it wasn't. And it really
really bugs me. Oh well.
Out of interest, what's the difference between a chain gun and a gatling gun?
In your mind, I mean; I can always go and look up the actual differences...
"I AM WODAN! WODAN YMIR! I AM THE SWORD OF MAGUS!!! AND THERE IS NO-ONE WHO CAN STAND AGAINST ME!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz4WSuKa81Y)"
Aaaugh! :U I can't believe I forgot to comment here. And I can't believe you actually drew the Mekeaton. That is awesome. XD
Fantastic concept work; I'd love to see it fleshed out in the future. >:3 I really envy anyone who can draw mechs well. Mechanical parts are a bitch to draw in detail.
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 18, 2008, 08:09:20 AM
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
You mean you weren't before?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 09:03:02 AM
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 18, 2008, 08:09:20 AM
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
You mean you weren't before?
She didn't know that she already had heavy armour before. Now we need naval and air forces, and Keaton will be ready to take over the world - to fill it with Cute! :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 09:11:09 AM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 09:03:02 AM
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 18, 2008, 08:09:20 AM
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
You mean you weren't before?
She didn't know that she already had heavy armour before. Now we need naval and air forces, and Keaton will be ready to take over the world - to fill it with Cute! :3
What? No infantry? No Shock-troops? No scouts? No infiltration squads? No secret police? If you're going to have fancy meks as drawn here.. you're going to need these things as well.
I agree though, that Mek needs a Keaton type head. Similar to the one she uses for her watermark/icon.
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 09:18:51 AM
What? No infantry? No Shock-troops? No scouts? No infiltration squads? No secret police? If you're going to have fancy meks as drawn here.. you're going to need these things as well.
Infantry and Shock-troops? I'll provide Panzerknechts as a heavy infantry choice, and there will be lots of "volunteers" to fill the
cannon fodder light infantry position. Scouts and infiltration squads? We have people around to fill this position either. Secret police? Yours truly. We'll have everything we would need! We'll have medical specialists, demolition experts, artillerists, snipers, pilots, anything!
... no sysadmins, though.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 10:29:40 AM
... no sysadmins, though.
...You can serve as a box of unlimited ammo.. :paranoid
I see.
Making full use of my abilities and training, I see.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 11:27:25 AM
Making full use of my abilities and training, I see.
Well, someone has to fix the mechs when their OS crashes...
Unless the OS is Windows, in which case llearch will just do a reinstall with something more Unix based.
Quote from: VSMIT on September 18, 2008, 11:35:34 AM
Unless the OS is Windows, in which case llearch will just do a reinstall with something more Unix based.
IIRC the mechs in MechWarrior 2 ran BSD 11.3 or something.
Quote from: VSMIT on September 18, 2008, 11:35:34 AM
Unless the OS is Windows, in which case llearch will just do a reinstall with something more Unix based.
... significantly more functional, brighter than the moron driving it, and apt to accidentally win the war.
Yes, I think I would. Your point? ;-]
My my... so many replies... and half of the aren't really related to the subject of art. It's just like Ren's thread! I feel so at home here! Okay, let's answer your questions!
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 07:23:03 AM
Out of interest, what's the difference between a chain gun and a gatling gun?
In your mind, I mean; I can always go and look up the actual differences...
Chain gun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_gun) and gatling gun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatling_gun). Long answer short: chain guns have one barrel and are powered by electricity, while gatling guns have several barrels and are powered partially by the gas from the cartridge's firing. Miniguns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minigun) are gatling guns with an external power source.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 07:58:10 AM
"I AM WODAN! WODAN YMIR! I AM THE SWORD OF MAGUS!!! AND THERE IS NO-ONE WHO CAN STAND AGAINST ME!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz4WSuKa81Y)"
I take it you approve?
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 18, 2008, 08:09:20 AM
Aaaugh! :U I can't believe I forgot to comment here. And I can't believe you actually drew the Mekeaton. That is awesome. XD
Fantastic concept work; I'd love to see it fleshed out in the future. >:3 I really envy anyone who can draw mechs well. Mechanical parts are a bitch to draw in detail.
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
Well, I'm glad that you liked it. I'll continue trying to flesh it out, since everyone seems to think that I
finally got a basic design looking right. As for drawing mechs well... this is only my sixth mecha sketch, so I'm still practicing. And since mechanical parts are so difficult to draw, the Mekeaton is outfitted with heavy ablative and reactive armor to not only protect fragile systems but also make it easier to draw! The armor can be easily ejected for maintenance.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 09:11:09 AM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 09:03:02 AM
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 18, 2008, 08:09:20 AM
Damn, now I'm seriously considering that Keaton-army thing. XD
You mean you weren't before?
She didn't know that she already had heavy armour before. Now we need naval and air forces, and Keaton will be ready to take over the world - to fill it with Cute! :3
Yay! The revolution is on!
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 09:18:51 AM
I agree though, that Mek needs a Keaton type head. Similar to the one she uses for her watermark/icon.
... it does have one. It's just that it's a circle and two ears and a muzzle. Or are you agreeing with my design choice?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 09:30:30 AM
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 09:18:51 AM
What? No infantry? No Shock-troops? No scouts? No infiltration squads? No secret police? If you're going to have fancy meks as drawn here.. you're going to need these things as well.
Infantry and Shock-troops? I'll provide Panzerknechts as a heavy infantry choice, and there will be lots of "volunteers" to fill the cannon fodder light infantry position. Scouts and infiltration squads? We have people around to fill this position either. Secret police? Yours truly. We'll have everything we would need! We'll have medical specialists, demolition experts, artillerists, snipers, pilots, anything!
The God Emperor supports the revolution! Okay, that was a little weird even for us. So, sounds like we're well on out way. Hey Ren, how hard would it be to do a Keaton-recoloring of a Panzerknecht?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 11:52:19 AM
Quote from: VSMIT on September 18, 2008, 11:35:34 AM
Unless the OS is Windows, in which case llearch will just do a reinstall with something more Unix based.
... significantly more functional, brighter than the moron driving it, and apt to accidentally win the war.
Yes, I think I would. Your point? ;-]
Sounds great, Boxy! Then we can just put the morons on the battlefield to serve as
cannon fodder light-infantry.
Okay, so far I've inked a little more in on the map, and am currently trying to figure out how to draw the gears for the compass in the upper corner. I'll try and work on Mekeaton today, and I'll post it when I get some progress on it.
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 07:58:10 AM
"I AM WODAN! WODAN YMIR! I AM THE SWORD OF MAGUS!!! AND THERE IS NO-ONE WHO CAN STAND AGAINST ME!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz4WSuKa81Y)"
I take it you approve?
I will let commander Taiga say it. "
APPROOOOOVED!!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZRSvbcePtU)"
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
The God Emperor supports the revolution! Okay, that was a little weird even for us. So, sounds like we're well on out way. Hey Ren, how hard would it be to do a Keaton-recoloring of a Panzerknecht?
We serve the Emperor in all things! I'll just finish the Black Jackal PK. A bit later..
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 01:42:12 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 07:58:10 AM
"I AM WODAN! WODAN YMIR! I AM THE SWORD OF MAGUS!!! AND THERE IS NO-ONE WHO CAN STAND AGAINST ME!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz4WSuKa81Y)"
I take it you approve?
I will let commander Taiga say it. "APPROOOOOVED!!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZRSvbcePtU)"
I'm glad you liked it. Originally I was going to do Daigengar's Zankantou... but the handle... the handle just drove me nuts looking at it.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 18, 2008, 01:42:12 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
The God Emperor supports the revolution! Okay, that was a little weird even for us. So, sounds like we're well on out way. Hey Ren, how hard would it be to do a Keaton-recoloring of a Panzerknecht?
We serve the Emperor in all things! I'll just finish the Black Jackal PK. A bit later..
Cool, that works.
...
In other news...
Clockwork Town map inking, part 2!
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockworkink2.jpg?t=1221759933)
Clockwork Town map (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Clockworkink2.jpg?t=1221759933)
Eurgh... the scan isn't as good as I like, I'll have to work on that... somehow. The problem is that the sketchbook I use is marginally larger than my scanner. Oh well. Still working on it!
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 09:18:51 AM
I agree though, that Mek needs a Keaton type head. Similar to the one she uses for her watermark/icon.
... it does have one. It's just that it's a circle and two ears and a muzzle. Or are you agreeing with my design choice?
I honestly couldn't see it. It didn't look like it to me at all. :< Though if you're saying it has it, then yes, I completely agree with your design choice. :3
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 01:58:50 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 18, 2008, 01:27:59 PM
Quote from: Mowser on September 18, 2008, 09:18:51 AM
I agree though, that Mek needs a Keaton type head. Similar to the one she uses for her watermark/icon.
... it does have one. It's just that it's a circle and two ears and a muzzle. Or are you agreeing with my design choice?
I honestly couldn't see it. It didn't look like it to me at all. :< Though if you're saying it has it, then yes, I completely agree with your design choice. :3
It has it, it's just really really rough at this stage. We'll see how much better it looks when we get that far.
Okay, I have to go buy a new compass because mine is broken, but here's the third stage of my inking.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/clockworkink3.jpg?t=1221774014)
Clockwork inking 3 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/clockworkink3.jpg?t=1221774014)
I've got a few trees inked, as well as the town's name (which proves how horrible my handwriting is), the Haunted Ballroom is finished, and I'm working on the compass rose for the corner. Um, all of the little interlinked circles are supposed to be interlinked gears behind the rose: I'm going to redraw them smaller and in the shape of a "C" and an "M." And I actually kind of like how the ballroom's dome turned out: it looks a bit like a giant spiderweb. Anyway, be back in a bit.
Basically, all that's left is to ink in the names, finish the trees, add a few details, and then find someone who can help me color it. Um, any ideas for extra little details to fill the town out?
for a moment i was almost expecting a smattering of houses labled with the names of prominent members, but now that i see that empty spot near the mine i wonder what could fill that gap.... perhaps another person could join jigsaw in getting their own section for a new comic
Quote from: Brunhidden on September 18, 2008, 06:12:42 PM
for a moment i was almost expecting a smattering of houses labled with the names of prominent members, but now that i see that empty spot near the mine i wonder what could fill that gap.... perhaps another person could join jigsaw in getting their own section for a new comic
I couldn't do that. Who is a more prominent member is a very subjective thing, and I'd end up offending someone. However, maybe something like "Tapewolf's Recording Studio" wouldn't be such a bad idea...
For the record, I was thinking of farmland down there by the mine and a graveyard in that space up above it... for the banned members. Or "IRC Park." I don't know, really.
I'd go with the graveyard.
I'd provide a list, but, well, then I'd have to add you to it, and we don't want that, do we? ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 08:33:44 PM
I'd go with the graveyard.
I'd provide a list, but, well, then I'd have to add you to it, and we don't want that, do we? ;-]
Okay, the "Graveyard of the Banned" is in. Should I put it down by the wall (below the Abandoned Mine) or in that area behind the Colosseum and beneath the rose (above the Mine)? And thanks for not banning me. I am currently working on the teeth for the big gear on the rose: I'll post it when it's done. After that, names and final details and filling in the empty areas.
Incidentally, would you be okay with it if I found a way to add a "Corner Country Store?"
Okay, the compass rose for Clockwork Town is finished...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ClockworkInked3.jpg?t=1221787715)
Clockwork Town - inking step 4 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ClockworkInked3.jpg?t=1221787715)
Okay, I like this version better than my original concept. You've got the main cog on top, a toothed gear below it with the four directions, and then beneath
that a bunch of little gears that actually spell out "CW." And it was a freaking nightmare to draw all of those little teeth. And I know that neither the teeth nor the little cogs are even, and that the edge of the scan is a little wonky. I'll have to remove this from my sketchbook to get it to scan right when I finally do it (stupid spiral-bound sketchbook).
As a side note, next up is the Graveyard of the Banned and a few little stores and a few more houses. Almost done! But I also want to work on the Mekeaton a bit tonight... and play a little Force Unleashed. I'll work on two of the above three. With any luck, this'll be done tonight.
*produces an electric guitar* EXCELLENT! *discards the guitar and proceeds to play music on a suspension bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr6oyFy4oxU)* YEAH!!
It's done. It's finally done.
The Town of Clockwork
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/clockworktownfinalink.jpg?t=1221807466)
The Town of Clockwork (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/clockworktownfinalink.jpg?t=1221807466)
Please, full view.
Unfortunately, it seems I cannot fully erase my pencil markings, but aside from that and my atrocious penmanship and a few relics of the scan I am happy with it. I am planning to color it once I get my hands on a copy of Photoshop (after my 21st birthday and the relatives send their traditional present, which is in... about two weeks), so we'll see what it looks like then. There's still time for last minute details to be inked in, so, please, questions, comments, ideas, observations. All are welcome!
Crud, I didn't do anything on the Mekeaton today. Sorry Keaton.
Very nice, Jubblies.
I mean, being the obscure, odd person that I am, I'd have put all the sub boards inside the things they were subbing off... but that's just me...
... and it's a little late to suggest that. ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 19, 2008, 03:20:59 AM
Very nice, Jubblies.
I mean, being the obscure, odd person that I am, I'd have put all the sub boards inside the things they were subbing off... but that's just me...
... and it's a little late to suggest that. ;-]
Yes, but then I wouldn't have been able to create such an expansive town. Besides, to be honest most of the sub boards were a secondary thought that you brought up, so the city wasn't really designed for them: they had to be fit in where I could fit them.
Maybe in version 2. ;)
Heh. As I said - it's a little late... ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 19, 2008, 03:39:47 AM
Heh. As I said - it's a little late... ;-]
Of course, this could have been mentioned way back when I was still drawing it out in pencil and I was deciding where the different places went...
Maybe? ;)
Yeah, only I didn't think of it until looking at the finished product.
My bad. Sorry about that...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 19, 2008, 04:31:43 AM
Yeah, only I didn't think of it until looking at the finished product.
My bad. Sorry about that...
No worries. I should have thought of the same, or at least had them a little closer: the Adventurer's Guild
would be a little closer to the Inn, and that's just off the top of my head. Oh well. Still, it looks good, and as a practice inking session it's not bad. Though I should work on the Mekeaton next.
Inspired by a comment made by Ren Gaulen, an adaptation of ""Libera me" from hell" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyiVKtt6dgc) from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. It's a Opera form of some rap song. Anyway. Yeah... couldn't get a perfect transcription of the lyrics. Sorry. But since it's rap, who cares?
""Libera me" from art"
or
"Draw the power!"
Grant them eternal art, Lord...
Draw the impossible!
Draw the invisible!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw the untouchable!
Draw the unbreakable!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Power to the pen, power for the dream
Still unfinished vision, penciled in mark
We are the most incredible artist that the world's e'er known
See how easy, we draw it out.
Drawing for the truth to see the light,
Let's draw everything man, that's the way you survive top of the head, I'm on the set!
Draw the impossible, don't you wanna bet?
Cuz, a lot of things changed, we be drawing in vain!
If you wanna get by, no pain no gain.
Wow! Those trolls wanna test me again!
Sorry, my art's gonna snatch your brain
We gonna make it happen with the crazy art
We gonna make it happen with the crazy art skill
Get ready to sketch out, now is the time.
If you don't know, now you know!
Free me Lord, from the artist's block,
on that terrible day, on the day,
The heavens and earth will be moved
When we come to draw!
The age of pencil,
I dread and tremble
For the scattering to come and your art!
2nd verse dedicates to the audience
What we got to draw is so real thing, cuz
Art evolution ain't never gonna televise
Kicking the mad muse, sketching out phenotype
Open your third eye, seeing through the illusions,
I'm about to hit you with a scream of conclusion!
Whole city is covered with the artist's favor!
"Draw" is in your area, one of the toughest enigma!
That day, the day of art,
of calamity and wretchedness
Draw the impossible!
Draw the invisible!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
on the day...
Draw the untouchable!
Draw the unbreakable!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
that terrible day...
What you gonna draw is what you wanna draw!
Just break the rules, then you see the truth!
This is the theme of "draw" coming through, artist!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
and intense bitterness...
DRAW THE POWER!
Draw the impossible!
Draw the invisible!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Grant them...
Draw the untouchable!
Draw the unbreakable!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
What you gonna draw is what you wanna draw!
Just break the rules, then you see the truth!
This is the theme of "draw" coming through, artist!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
eternal art, Lord...
Draw the impossible!
Draw the invisible!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw the untouchable!
Draw the unbreakable!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Grant them...
What you gonna draw is what you wanna draw!
Just break the rules, then you see the truth!
This is the theme of "draw" coming through, artist!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
and eternal light shine upon them
Draw the impossible!
Draw the invisible!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw the untouchable!
Draw the unbreakable!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Free me, Lord!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Free me, Lord!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
Draw! Draw!
Draw the power!
There, a gift for Ren Gaulen. And I am never doing rap again. Now to work on Mekeaton!
I am in your thread, shedding manly tears. That was beautiful. Thank you, man!
As per a recommendation of Ren's... I now present the first installment of
Space Marines: The Musical! Part 1 is based on "Every Story is a Love Story" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Npo28hkSyA) and "Fortune Favors the Brave" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5wziS-K7fc&feature=related) from
Aida... by which I mean my usual "parody" tactic of swapping a few words around and vaguely referencing various situations from the thing I'm referencing. Sorry for the fact that those videos are Yu-Gi-Oh AMVs... but they're fairly well done, and they're the only Broadway recording I could find on YouTube after a short search. Anway...
Sorry for using you as the narrator, Keaton. I wanted to save Ren and Zedd for later characters. If you want me to change it, I will.
Space Marines: The Musical!
"Every Story is a War Story" and "Fortune Favors the Brave"
~"Every Story is a War Story"~
Commissar Keaton
Every story, tale or memoir,
Every saga or old dance,
Whether true or fabricated
Whether planned or fortune's chance...
Whether sweeping through the ages,
With millennia forced aside,
Or a hurried brief recital,
Just a twenty-minute ride.
Whether dark or ever cheerful,
Finished version, ne'er begun.
Whether with a trillion players,
Or a lonely force of one.
Every story, new or ancient,
Rumor mill or work of art.
All are tales of endless warfare.
All are tales of war at heart.
This is the story
Of a war that flourished
In a 'verse of hate!
Of soldiers no Emperor could separate!
Squad set into motion by a rival foe!
Destiny ignited by the ways of war!
So many sides in this one conflict, waging war against all odds!
A galaxy now torn asunder,
'Tween these warring factions now!
Destruction of their other neighbors, justified!
No other choice but endless conflict as they now collide!
Oooohhhh...
~segues into "Fortune Favors the Brave"~
Space Marines:
Oh, Oh, Oh!
Fortune favors the brave!
Oh, Oh, Oh!
Fortune favors the brave!
Commissar Jairus:
We have swept to glory,
The Emp'ror's power e'er expands
From the 'verse's farthest reaches,
To the halls of Orkan worlds!
The more we find, the more we see,
The more we come to learn,
The more that we explore,
The more we shall return!
Space Marines:
Oh, Oh, Oh!
Fortune favors the brave!
Commissar Jairus:
It's all worked out, my choice is known.
The Emp'ror's forces now extend,
Way beyond our wildest dreams,
Towards our great triumphant end!
We seize the day!
We turn the tide!
We burn the stars!
We mocked the grave!
We move into uncharted worlds!
Commissar Jairus and Space Marines:
Fortune favors the brave
Commissar Jairus:
The more we find, the more we see,
The more we come to learn,
The more that we command,
The more we shall return!
Nothing is an accident,
We serve that He may reign o'er all.
We are all we want to be,
It's in ourselves to rise or fall!
This is easy to believe,
When distant systems call to me!
It's harder from some world's backyard!
Fortune favors the free!
Space Marines:
Oh, oh
Commissar Jairus:
Fortune favors the young!
Space Marines:
Oh, oh
Commissar Jairus:
Fortune favors the brave!
Yes, I used myself in Radames' place. No, I am not going to fall in love with a princess, Orkan or Human or otherwise. If anyone would like to suggest another Commissar, I'll take it, but Ren and Zedd are out: they're the other two commanders in the story. And this is not going to be a port of
Aida: the plot is basically me taking songs that I think tell the story I want to tell and modifying them to tell the story. Now I just need a story to go with it...
And I need to do that buddy song and Pagan's song too...
PS: Hey Ren, do you think I should post that thing I PM'ed you... the Commissar/Space Marines bit?
EDIT: Fixed a poor word choice.
*holds a flamer in the air (instead of a lighter and with no intention to fry anyone)*
FOR THE EMPEROR, BROTHER. :CQuote from: Jairus on September 19, 2008, 01:58:58 PM
PS: Hey Ren, do you think I should post that thing I PM'ed you... the Commissar/Space Marines bit?
You might as well. :P
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 19, 2008, 02:07:24 PM
*holds a flamer in the air (instead of a lighter and with no intention to fry anyone)* FOR THE EMPEROR, BROTHER. :C
You know, some 'flamers' might not like being held like that...then again.. some might like it too much...
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 19, 2008, 02:07:24 PM
*holds a flamer in the air (instead of a lighter and with no intention to fry anyone)* FOR THE EMPEROR, BROTHER. :C
I take it you approve? Now I just need to figure out the next plot element/song. This is basically going to be an operetta... in other words, no speaking, just singing.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 19, 2008, 02:07:24 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 19, 2008, 01:58:58 PM
PS: Hey Ren, do you think I should post that thing I PM'ed you... the Commissar/Space Marines bit?
You might as well. :P
Okay. This was originally going to be posted in Ren's thread after he posted the picture of Commissar Sheppard, but I kinda felt it was a little over the line. I showed it to Ren, and I'm posting it now.
Commissar "Pimp Hat" Sheppard:
"Who are my bitches?"
Space Marines:
"We are your bitches, sir!"
Commissar "Pimp Hat" Sheppard:
"Who are the God Emperor's bitches?"
Space Marines:
"We are the God Emperor's bitches, sir!"
Anyway... time to figure out the actual
plot of
Space Marines. I think it'll be a comedy... set in Warhammer 40000. Why does that sound familiar/stupid?
EDIT PS: At some point, there must be an Ork song. I'm thinking an adaptation of "Master of the House" from
Les Miserables, or maybe some deep intellectual song pondering the mysteries of the universe that is sung in Ork.
Quote from: Jairus on September 19, 2008, 02:11:36 PM
At some point, there must be an Ork song. I'm thinking an adaptation of "Master of the House" from Les Miserables, or maybe some deep intellectual song pondering the mysteries of the universe that is sung in Ork.
Dammit, Jay!! You gave me the Lulz again!!
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 19, 2008, 02:17:44 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 19, 2008, 02:11:36 PM
At some point, there must be an Ork song. I'm thinking an adaptation of "Master of the House" from Les Miserables, or maybe some deep intellectual song pondering the mysteries of the universe that is sung in Ork.
Dammit, Jay!! You gave me the Lulz again!!
"Dakka in the House"
Ork Engineer Then'dear
Ork iz in da house,
Buildin' up da ride!
Makin' up moar dakka
And itz all on time!
Paintin' it all red,
making it go fast!
Da war against da humans
It just cannot last!
Fixin' up da guns,
Make da humans hurt!
Throw some things togeda
And pretend it works!
Other Engineers
When it comes to fixin' mekka,
Dere are lotz of triks he knows!
Ork Engineer Then'dear
I does whateva please,
All dem bits and pieces!
Dakka!
It's amazing how it goes!
Other Engineers
Master of the Bay!
Knows his own mashines.
Fixes ev'ryting up to
Fight dem Spess Mahreens!
Something like that, I'd imagine.
EDIT: Fixed a few words and the title.
Though this song is a Warhammer parody, it is not related to
Space Marines, unless I can figure it out as a sort of plot exposition dump. Anyway, this is a parody of "Yakko's Universe" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_J5rBxeTIk) from
Animaniacs, and it's actually one of my favorite songs. Anyway, I thought that this could work. It probably doesn't. Oh well. Also, I borrowed your Commissar version for the song, Zedd: Hope you don't mind. And Ren gets to sing this time! Lucky you!
Warhammer's Universe
Commissar Ren:
Everybody lives on a world in a system
With a sun and a world or two or ten,
And these worlds are part of the galaxy called the Milky Way.
It sits within and the Materium,
And the Materium's the real world where the physical exists,
And where the laws of nature all still do us well.
And existing in this realm is the Empire and all its allies,
And every other living race as well!
It's a crapsack universe,
And we're all just a part of it,
We're just sitting on the edge of
Doom, away from death by just a slit,
So long as we're all out here,
They're all out here with us,
In the grim future there is only war!
Of course we're not alone out here, there's other life as well:
Likes Orks, Eldar in Dark and normal, Necrons
Tau and Tyranids. Each one a monster in their way and yet
This conclusion is somewhat a bit foregone.
For they are all at war with each other, a neverending fight
That stretches all the way across the galaxy.
Sometimes we'll even bomb our own to defeat our enemies,
Until all the worlds are floating as debris!
But beyond, below, and all around is the place we call
The Immaterium. It's a place that
Is beyond our ken, unknown and undiscoverable and yet
The forces deep within it we e'er combat.
With all those gods and hells and demons too, it is not a nice place!
It's also called the Warp, and forged from
All the emotions of every single being that's ever lived,
And from deep within great evil always comes!
Commissar's Ren, Zedd, Jairus
It's a crapsack universe,
And we're all just a part of it,
We're just sitting on the edge of
Doom, away from death by just a slit,
In the midst of the grim darkness
That has become our future,
There is only war for all of us!
~
Yay. It's done. And it's pretty forced. Oh well. It is unlikely that I will post anything
Space Marines related in the next day or so, since I'm still figuring out the plot. I'll get something up though, I promise. As for the term Crapsack Universe (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrapsackWorld)... let's just say that 40K practically defines the term and leave it at that.
Actually, I think that I've just figured out where I can fit this... now I just need to figure out how to pull it off.
And now, Warhammer 40,000 haiku!
...
Don't kill me.
In the grim darkness
Of the far future, there is
Only war. Good luck.
Immaterium.
The Warp, a strange universe
Where all is possible.
The Commissar's word
Is law. They answer to few,
And watch over all.
Good work! :3 And the haikus cracked me up.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 20, 2008, 08:36:17 AM
Good work! :3 And the haikus cracked me up.
Glad you liked 'em!
Well, I am temporarily putting my parodies on hold (unless something grabs me and I just have to write it), because the next week and a half or so is going to be me building up to write this damn book, including figuring out the plot tomorrow while I'm driving back to my apartment! Basically, character profiles, weapons, design specifications, race information, maybe a few maps and charts... all of it. I will still do haiku and poems when the mood strikes me, and I promise to keep practicing my drawing, Ren-sensei. Anyhoo, let's get this party started!
First new character profile in a long time! This time, it's Doctor Rafiel "Rafe" Javanni, of
The Covenant War setting, also known as Nicodemus Cidney's evil alter-ego from another universe! And me. The profile template is still a modified version of Amber Williams.
Name: Rafiel Jonsaneon Javanni
Nicknames: Doctor Rafe, Lord Javanni
Age: 58
Family: Father, Mother (presumably), Wife (deceased), Alphren Zakaria Javanni (son, status unknown)
Marital Status: Widower
Species: Human Being
Type: Sorcerer
Hair color: White
Eye color: Hazel/White (blind in his right eye)
Skills: Inventing, sorcery, high technological knowledge
Hobbies: Inventing, building, research
Favorite Weapon(s): MA-Rx07b Ritter Rafe-custom, MA-Rx08a Ritter II Rafe-custom, MZ06 Zeck Repeater; GM-02 Jem Rafe-custom
Most known for: Being the leader of the Imperial Research and Development Institute
Favorite food: Salad
Favorite color: Red/Gold
OverviewPersonality: Doctor Rafe is perhaps the epitome of all that a Mad Scientist aspires to be: prone to building vast weapons and complicated inventions. He can become wrapped up in his projects in a jiffy, and come out with a new and exciting way to kill someone in no time at all, often in a way no one imagined. He is brash, bold, and a bit of a ham, and has been know to give some fairly over-the-top dramatic speeches. On the other hand, he demonstrates a great deal of wisdom and skills, designing backups and prototypes and safety features into most of his inventions: he is also known as a fairly friendly boss. He is also good friends with Imperial Fifth Prince Sheo Phaeros-Aleron, as well as Lord Aleksander Kaurazes the Sixth High Proctor. Mostly he builds weapons, and honestly seems to be a bit obsessed with the concept of death, possibly related to his wife's death in a lab accident some years ago. There is little question as to his sanity, or lack thereof. In recent years, he has taken to talking to himself, and has become obsessed with the possibility of "the end of times"
History: Most of Doctor Rafe's history is unknown, thanks to the fact that he neither talks about it nor do most people really want to inquire. It is known that he attended the finest schools and academies strictly on scholarships: he did not come from a wealthy background. His title of "Lord" was awarded by the Empress herself, who also made him the director of IRDI for his work in the improvement of skycraft and related weapons tech. At some point, he fell in love with a bodyguard of his from the conquered Jin Province and married her: together, they had a son named Alphren. Sadly, his wife died in the same laboratory accident that blinded his right eye and damaged his vision. He took a brief vacation from work and spent some time traveling. Since then, he has done ever grander work for IRDI, throwing himself heart and soul into his inventions. At some point, his son ran away from home, and his status is currently unknown. Recently, Rafe has moved away from his mobile armor research and begun work on a number of secret projects, all headed under a program called "Titan."
Trivia:• Doctor Rafe is simply known as Doctor Rafe. No one calls him by his full name or as Doctor Javanni or Lord Javanni.
• Doctor Rafe basically builds weapons and only weapons. However, how they get to that point is a different story: the sheer variety of the weapons he builds and designs is frankly staggering. He also has done extensive research into prosthetics and cybernetic replacements for limbs.
• He is also one of the foremost engine programmers, and it was his work that created the micro-differential engine, capable of being carried in a brief-case... though it still needs to be hooked up to a screen and power source to work.
• While Doctor Rafe is an accomplished (and indeed quiet powerful, for some reason) sorcerer, he prefers technology-based weapons or at least mostly-technological magitech weaponry.
• Most of his personal customized weapons are done in his signature gold and red paint job... a trait that has carried over into many commanders and special forces, who insist on a Rafe-custom weapon.
• Interestingly, Doctor Rafe would probably describe himself as a humanist/atheist...despite living in a world where most people believe in some form of higher power and indeed the Imperial Family are practically the patron saints of the Imperial Religion. Prince Sheo does not seem to hold this against him.
• He is a terrible swordsman (he barely studied dueling at the academy) and mostly relies on his weapons to fight: he also wears a pair of specialized goggles to help him target better in order to make up for his damaged eye.
• Doctor Rafe collects weapons in his spare time, whether antique or modern. He added Sir Aaren mor Dukai's Akutatsuken (Evil Cleaving Sword) when Ren was imprisoned as a prisoner of war four years ago. Many of his own guns are a part of this collection.
• His favorite drink is lemon tea.
• He enjoys the patronage and friendship of Fifth Prince Sheo Phaeros-Aleron.
• He is one of the few people who calls Lord Aleksander Kaurazes by his first name.
• He talks to himself... a lot.
Personal Quote: "Excellent!"
Okay, in short, Doctor Rafe is TCW's resident mad scientist. He is actually the character that Nick is closely based on (in addition to the earliest character named Nicodemus)(kind of like how Corey is based on Treyl and a handful of other characters in Terra), so in a way the two really are similar: Nicky is just a lot more mellow and sane, and also spends a lot more time building civilian-use technology (to tell the truth, most of what Nick builds - somewhere between two thirds and three quarters - is intended for the civilian market) than the weapon nut that Doctor Rafe is. Doctor Rafe is also a sort-of self-inset character: physically, he is intended to resemble an older me who got into weapons tech and development. He was originally meant to basically be a me with access to heavy weapons... who probably had all of his old tormenters from the Academy bumped off. "Rafe" is an alternate spelling/manner of "Ralph," which is taken from "Ralph Wiggum," my nickname in high school. So... yeah, this is me being a bit vindictive. Eheheheh. Anyway... he's kind of shifted since then. Anyway.
Questions, comments, queries, WTFs, clarifications, anything? Pretty please?
PS: Happy Birthday, Tapewolf! I already said it in the Birthday Thread, but I feel like saying it again.
Sounds stored and music
Recorded on tape. It's just
How he does his thing.
A birthday cake from
Us to you. It is truly
Not a lie. ReallyPPS: I'm not going to leave you without some more haiku...
My right eye... it burns!
Why can't I see anything?
My right eye... it's gone.
A gun is such an
Elegant weapon. Moving
Parts that work so well.
The engine ticks and thinks
As cogs and gears shift. Numbers
Crunched by computer.
I am a leaf on
The wind. Just watch how I soar.
Fly forever, Wash.
The blade is the soul
Of the warrior: to stand
And defend what's right.
The God-Emperor
Protects his subjects from all.
Like poor credit scores.
It's a beautiful
Day in the Imperial
Guard! Oh look, flowers!
The Space Marines do
Not paint pretty pink ponies
On their armor. Why?
Rafe's profile has provided some interesting information. And, once again, haikus cracked me up. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 21, 2008, 08:52:34 AM
Rafe's profile has provided some interesting information. And, once again, haikus cracked me up. :3
I am glad you like
The haiku. Would the great God
Emperor approve?The good Doctor was fun to write about: I should do some profiles for the other characters. Albeit they'd be the same style as the ones for Terra, with some information edited to hide stuff that only I (and a few people I've communicated with) know. Or maybe I should do some skycraft next...
Ork make gun work good.
If cannot add moar dakka,
Then paint dakka red.
Quote from: Jairus on September 21, 2008, 12:06:34 PM
Ork make gun work good.
If cannot add moar dakka,
Then paint dakka red.
Hmm.. So, if you paint each separate bullet red, will these bullets become armour piercing? :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 21, 2008, 12:18:54 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 21, 2008, 12:06:34 PM
Ork make gun work good.
If cannot add moar dakka,
Then paint dakka red.
Hmm.. So, if you paint each separate bullet red, will these bullets become armour piercing? :B
Ork not think 'bout this.
Must experiment. Paint each
Bullet red, then shoot.
Me wonder... if paint
Radio red, then does voice
Go faster than light?Also, from an IM conversation...
Patience is a good
Thing to learn. It allows many
Good things to find you.
Another character profile! Well, here's the princess. Every fantasy story needs a princess, so here's mine.
Name: Lady Eleanor za Valien-Randall Garlongis
Nicknames: Ellie, Jeon Kasareia, Princess Valien-Randall, Daughter of Annwyn, Child of Martongis
Age: 27
Family: King Martongis (ancestor)(deceased), King Kayo Garlongis (father)(deceased), Mother (deceased), Prince Vincent le Burita-Non Korinsogis (husband)(deceased), Queen Salvi al Korinsogis (mother-in-law)(deceased), Annwyn (possible ancestor)(status unknown)
Marital Status: widow
Species: Human Being
Type: Sorcerer
Hair color: Red
Eye color: Green
Skills: Swordsmanship, low-level sorcery, knowledge of various relics of Martongis' time
Hobbies: Plotting demise of the Deinan Empire and liberation of her kingdom
Favorite Weapon(s): Longsword, eventually the Covenant greatsword
Most known for: Being a descendant of Annwyn and King Martongis
Favorite food: Salmon
Favorite color: Yellow
Overview
Personality: To sum up Princess Eleanor in one word, the word "obsessed" seems to fit the bill. Since the fall of her kingdom and its people and the deaths of her family four years ago, she has become somewhat obsessed with the thought of regaining her people's freedom and making the Deinan Empire pay. At the same time, she feels a tremendous burden: as the last descendant of Martongis and Annwyn, she sometimes feels the obligation of living up to her ancestors as well as saving her people. However, she bears herself with remarkable stability most times, and tries to be worthy of her family's legacy.
History: Only child of King Garlongis, Princess Eleanor grew up in a period of strife. She came of age during the Empire's last period of expansion, and her marriage to her distant cousin Prince Vincent was a political maneuver to strengthen their two kingdom's ties and hopefully unite them against the empire. The ploy failed, as both her beloved husband and her own father died within three days of each other and the Empire conquered both of their kingdoms. Eleanor disappeared into the Bastion Resistance movement, and is currently operating under the name Jeon Kasareia.
Trivia:
• Though the marriage was political, she and Prince Vincent were very close friends, and enjoyed their time together.
• Princess Eleanor has been extensively studying swordsmanship since she disappeared into Bastion's ranks.
• In terms of magic, Eleanor is a fairly talented sorcerer, but mostly uses the Void and Light elements.
• She is one of the few people who knows the secrets that Martongis left behind, and may be planning to go after a few of them... especially Covenant, Martongis' sword: with it, she hopes to unite the various rebel factions and forces opposing the Empire into a genuine threat to the Empire's plans.
• Her anger at the empire is quite substantial, but she doesn't seem to hold any hatred for Imperial citizens.
Personal Quote: "For my people."
So... yeah. Tired now, going to bed. Questions, etc. etc. etc. etc.?
Also... haiku!
A princess who has
Lost her kingdom. Nothing is
Left to her, nothing.
I am still of course
Wearing full body armor.
I am not stupid.
What is in that name?
Was it a person, or is
It a mere symbol?
To allow such a
Destiny to control you,
That is not proper.
Belief is such a
Scary thing. Those who believe
Can do very much.
Watch as I juggle
These working chainsaws. One, two,
Three, one, two, three... shit.
If blood is red, does
Blood go tree times faster? Hm,
Do we bleed faster?
I just threw a pin
At you, and I have a live
Grenade in my mouth.
Oh dear: it seems that
I am now dead. This is such
A bloody bother.
I wonder how sharp
This sword is. Oh my. That is
very sharp. Help, please?
It seems that our
Commissar is drunk. Strip-tease
Poker, anyone?
And something that's not haiku... more like just straight up unrhymed iambic tetrameter.
Take such revenge, raise sword against
Your foes who stand 'twixt you and yours!
This vow now sealed anew again,
With mortals safe for ever more.
I wonder how sharp
This sword is. Oh my. That is
very sharp. Help, please?
As someone who has handled very sharp swords, I got a chuckle from this one. :B
One of my fellow iaidoka went into the woods and practiced with a shinken (real katana), and unfortunately messed up on a draw and cut clean through that portion of flesh between your thumb and hand. Still has quite a nasty scar from it. Didn't take much more than a slip, either.
Swords can be sharp, yo.
Lady Elanor also seems to be quite an awesome person, thar. Getting somewhat of a "Saber" vibe with the Covenant sword, but that only means increased awesomeness, of course. :3
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 22, 2008, 12:41:46 PM
I wonder how sharp
This sword is. Oh my. That is
very sharp. Help, please?
As someone who has handled very sharp swords, I got a chuckle from this one. :B
One of my fellow iaidoka went into the woods and practiced with a shinken (real katana), and unfortunately messed up on a draw and cut clean through that portion of flesh between your thumb and hand. Still has quite a nasty scar from it. Didn't take much more than a slip, either.
Swords can be sharp, yo.
Yeesh. Ouch.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 22, 2008, 12:41:46 PM
Lady Elanor also seems to be quite an awesome person, thar. Getting somewhat of a "Saber" vibe with the Covenant sword, but that only means increased awesomeness, of course. :3
Saber? What kind of saber, out of curiosity?
Quote from: Jairus on September 22, 2008, 01:00:29 PM
Saber? What kind of saber, out of curiosity?
Saber the character from "Fate/Stay Night". A badass girl in armour and with the Sword That Cleaves Evil.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 22, 2008, 01:01:56 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 22, 2008, 01:00:29 PM
Saber? What kind of saber, out of curiosity?
Saber the character from "Fate/Stay Night". A badass girl in armour and with the Sword That Cleaves Evil.
Speaking of, I need to get 10 and 11 going, don't I...? :B
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 22, 2008, 01:02:54 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 22, 2008, 01:01:56 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 22, 2008, 01:00:29 PM
Saber? What kind of saber, out of curiosity?
Saber the character from "Fate/Stay Night". A badass girl in armour and with the Sword That Cleaves Evil.
Speaking of, I need to get 10 and 11 going, don't I...? :B
9, 10, so forth.. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 22, 2008, 01:01:56 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 22, 2008, 01:00:29 PM
Saber? What kind of saber, out of curiosity?
Saber the character from "Fate/Stay Night". A badass girl in armour and with the Sword That Cleaves Evil.
Considering that Covenant - when a certain artifact has been added to it - is capable of destroying an entire fleet of skycraft or blowing up a city while leaving the wielder completely unharmed, you're not far from the truth.
Of course, the
improved Covenant that Ellie eventually gets is a bit more like a Wave-Motion Cannon...
And yet another character profile! Arr, avast matey! Here be a cyborg-pirate-ninja!
Name: Kiyoshi Ilzakar
Nicknames: Kiyo, Captain Kiyoshi, Captain Ilzakar, Captain
Age: 28
Family: Sakura Kiyoshi (mother)(deceased), Other Family? (unknown)
Marital Status: Single
Species: Human Being
Type: Sorcerer
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Brown
Skills: Ninjutsu, Piracy, intimate understanding of Imperial forces, engineering know-how
Hobbies: Reading The Adventures of Captain Gale, pirating, being a dashing gentleman pirate
Favorite Weapon(s): "Squall" custom semiautomatic handgun, short ninja blade, cybernetic right arm
Most known for: Being a dashing pirate
Favorite food: Rice
Favorite color: Green
Overview
Personality: A dashing gentleman pirate. Really, need I say more? Okay, I will. Kiyoshi is a gentleman in every way he can be, holding himself to a strict code of honor that has made him slightly infamous as a pirate. However, it is possible that all of this is an act, especially considering that Captain Gale was a gentleman pirate and was and is Kiyoshi's favorite series. He is, however, out to make his fortune, and seems to be doing fairly well. He takes no side in the war, and the only reason he's joined up with the party is the chance of fantastic wealth and a fortune's worth of historical artifacts. He is fairly friendly and helpful, and the only thing he is not open about is his past and why he has a prosthetic for a right arm. Kiyoshi really has no long-term plans, and seems to like living that way.
History: Most of Kiyoshi's history before he met his partner Telum is unknown. His mother is known, and it is also known that she taught him her ninjutsu skills. At some point his right arm was replaced by a cybernetic replacement of Imperial origin, and it was shortly after this that he took up piracy. He joined up with Telum somewhere in the Carbeiros Chain, and Calvin shortly afterwards. He and Telum were the original pilots of the Shepherd B, while Telum joined them after they acquired and began modifying the Shepherd Junior. He did not participate in the last war aside from shuttling supplies on occassion.
Trivia:
• His arm is an extremely advanced model, and he has tinkered with it slightly over the years... including adding a collapsing knife into the forearm for a close-range weapon. The arm is actually linked into his nervous system, and can move slightly faster and more accurately than a normal arm, which is why it is his shooting arm.
• His ninjutsu skills are extremely dangerous, especially at close range. And no, he has no powers because of it outside of some dangerous martial arts skills... no walking on water or making Shadow Clones: that's magic's realm, thank you very much.
• In terms of magic, he's not very talented, but mostly Fire and Dark magic. He can, however, whip up low-level spells of all of the elemental types, should the need arise.
• He also uses various alchemical potions in battles.
• His knowledge of mechanics is second only to Calvin, and quite frequently the two of them can be found working on some non-functional piece of equipment.
• He tends to carry a sort of manners into battle with him, but it makes him come across as condescending towards his opponents.
• He and Telum have occasionally been mistaken as a couple. They are, however, just good friends. Besides, as Kiyoshi puts it, "Calvin's better in bed."
Personal Quote: "Oh please. I'm a gentleman."
...
Yes, I made a cyborg-pirate-ninja. I officially have no shame. Okay, questions, comments, etc. etc. etc.?
Haiku!
Three things that are just
Too awesome to exist as
One. Yet it's so lame.
Where did I hide this
Rose? You don't want to think
About that for too long.
I cannot think of
Subjects tonight. Perhaps I
Am simply tired?
With magic, I can wield
Many blades. The problem is
Keeping track of them.
We are the Marines,
The Butt-Kicking Space Marines.
We need a theme song.
The God Emperor:
The Musical: Brilliant,
Or really stupid?
The Pink has taken
Over Whitefurr's mind. We must
Work fast to save him.
Sometimes, Ren scares me.
Small flashes of ideas,
And he draws weird things.
Oh, can love bloom on
The battlefield? Can two such
Space Marines find love?
Well... let's see if I can do a poem.
This ship of steel, that wings through air.
A masterpiece, one of a kind.
So many pieces, found and rescued,
Brought together, as one combined.
Guns of power, and engines' roar,
To fly the skies forever more.
Now take we off, to other lands,
From frozen mount' to sunny sands.
This is our quest, what we do wish:
To find what waits, fair fortune sought,
To see what is, and know it all,
And fly none know with ne'er a thought.
... I actually kind of like that one.
A cyborg pirate ninja is cool. But this has to be done.
Do what you want, 'cause a pirate is free,
YOU ARE A PIRATE!
Yar har, fiddle di dee,
Being a pirate is alright to be,
Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,
You are a pirate!
That is all.
To be a pirate is not only my wish,
To sail and plunder upon the seas.
A life of adventure is what I do seek,
And live life at mercy of the breeze.
Move back and forth through life's great ventures,
To live each danger and life-threatening quest,
To come back home from a distant shore,
With a load of treasure locked up in a chest.
With partners at side and gun in hand,
A monster before and a ship at my back.
This is my dream, what I truly want,
If I had but this, then there's nothing I'd lack.
Anyway... I figured I might as well get some tech stuff going for Belenus, since skycraft are so important. Names for the other classes may change, but Ziz and the associated names are staying.
General and Technical Data
INV-D01/b
Name: Ziz-class
Ships of the line: Ziz,
Behemoth,
LeviathanUnit type: Dreadnought Skycraft
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards, Yan Sarisco
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: unknown (approximately 900+ feet long)
Wingspan: unknown (approximately 400+ fee wide)
Weight: unknown (approximately 65,000 tons)
Propulsion: Lift Ring x many; Main Thruster x 7; Secondary Thruster x 8; Tertiary Thrusters (maneuvering thrusters) x 10
Crew Size: approximately 2000
Equipment and design features: Differential Engine Computer Core x 3; "Biblos"-class power core x 4; Shield projector x many; Barrier projector x many
Fixed armaments: 6 x 3-barrel main cannons (2 fore top, 2 fore bottom; 1 aft top; 1 aft bottom); 16 x 2-barrel secondary cannons (8 wing top, 8 wing bottom); 2 x linear acceleration cannon (wingtip, retractable); 2 x charged particle cannons (wing top); many x air-to-air autogun turret; many x anti-skycraft torpedo tubes; many x air-to-air missile launcher
Mobile weapons: 12 x "Lanzlet" sky fighters; 8 x "Charger" gunboat; 2 x "Lamora" dropship; 10 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch gantries: 2
Technical and Historical Notes
The pinnacle of the Imperial Royal Navy, the
Ziz-class Dreadnaught was designed as an absolute symbol of the Empire's power. Nearly twice as well armed as the closest equivalent battleship, and superceded in size only by the
Gigantes-class carrier, the
Ziz-class is the most powerful vessel in the skies. She was designed literally to serve as a figurehead: the roles she is capable of fulfilling could be filled by several smaller vessels for less resources than it took to build and maintain her. On the other hand, the ship also serves as a psychological weapon, capable of bringing to bear more weapons than anyone else: the Republic to the south of the Empire only has a single dreadnaught to the Empire's three.
The ship's main body is roughly dart shaped, with two wide wings giving her the appearance from above and below of a giant arrowhead: she also vaguely looks like a bird. The engines are obviously concentrated at the back, while the ship's massive lift-rings are scattered throughout the vessels: these rings are designed not only for flight but to help stabilize the vessel in battle. The
Ziz-class is armed with several powerful weapons designed to fill multiple roles, including two charged particle beam cannon turrets mounted on the wings. The wings, incidentally, are the site of most of the ship's weaponry, and are extremely stable. While she is mostly designed for anti-ship combat, she has several autogun turrets for anti fighter craft combat, and some of her lower guns can be repositioned for bombardment. The ship also has an extremely powerful barrier and shield system, but due to the nature of these defenses the gun turrets and launch gantries are mostly unprotected: the shields, in fact, are designed to protect these areas, which are not covered by the barriers. One weakness of the design was that it didn't have much space for skycraft of its own, and had only a handful of fighters, gunboats, and shuttlecraft.
There are four ships in the
Ziz-class:
IMS Ziz,
IMS Behemoth, and
IMS Leviathan.
Ziz is obviously the oldest, with
Leviathan the newest, having only been launched two months ago. All of them are used as the flagships of the Imperial Fleets they're attached to, and each of them has a High Proctor who uses them as their personal base.
IMS Ziz is permanently stationed near the capital city of the Empire.
...
Oy, I need to make this crap shorter. Okay, questions, comments, etc. etc. etc.?
An island of steel
Aloft on the winds. It's guns
Rain death down from high.
This is my song. You
Shall now listen to it. Now
As I sing aloud...
A blade with edge as
Sharp as winter's. My heating
Bills are through the roof.
You think that it's cool
Being able to control
Fire? It is not.
Such a terrible
Movie. Why did I watch it?
Why did they make it?
There once was a man
From Nantucket, who wanted
To write some haiku.
There once was an Imperial Commissar,
Who was quite busy waxing his car,
He realized with dread
That it was painted red,
Which he felt was just slightly bizarre.
There once was an Emperor from Terra,
Whom everyone looked at with awe.
His people would plea,
For his godly mercy
And his every last edict was law.Yeah... anyway.
EDIT: Fixed the weapons a bit.
Well, the Nantucket Haiku was amusing (bait and switch, anyone? :P), but the actual limericks are certainly refreshing, although they don't quite seem to rhyme...
If you added a couplet and made the rhyme scheme ABAB, CDCD, you'd also have a sonnet with your pirate poem down thar.
The Ziz class dreadnought also sounds interesting, although not being able to carry many fighters, this makes me wonder if you're going to add a Carrier-class ship of some sort.
"Carrier has arrived!" >:3
I love heavy artillery in the sky..
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 23, 2008, 08:17:06 AM
Well, the Nantucket Haiku was amusing (bait and switch, anyone? :P), but the actual limericks are certainly refreshing, although they don't quite seem to rhyme...
Well, the meter's bad and the rhyme is a little forced. I wrote them mainly because I wanted to actually write something that rhymed... no offense meant to the haiku.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 23, 2008, 08:17:06 AM
If you added a couplet and made the rhyme scheme ABAB, CDCD, you'd also have a sonnet with your pirate poem down thar.
I will certainly think about it... we're currently having an erratic power outage here, so I had better copy and safe that to my computer: that way I can finish it. There's also the problem that it's got alternating lines of 9 and 11 syllables.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 23, 2008, 08:17:06 AM
The Ziz class dreadnought also sounds interesting, although not being able to carry many fighters, this makes me wonder if you're going to add a Carrier-class ship of some sort.
"Carrier has arrived!" >:3
Gigantes-class air carrier. Imagine something twice the size of the
USS Enterprise (the real-world ship, not
Star Trek), flying through the air, disgorging hundreds of sky fighters towards an enemy fleet while it is capable of filling the air with bullets from its defensive cannons and it is surrounded by a fleet of battleships, destroyers, and corvettes...
Heeheehee.
To my knowledge, there are three completed carriers in the Imperial Fleet,
Gigantes,
Olympus, and
Titanes, with a keel being laid for the fourth
Titanides. Most large skycraft - if not all - have some form of carrying capacity, though battleships - like dreadnaughts - have a somewhat more limited capacity compared to destroyers. I'll get to them soon, don't worry.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on September 23, 2008, 11:30:03 AM
I love heavy artillery in the sky..
Wait till the Imperial fleets are finished... then I can cover the Republic's ships and the Rebel/Salem ships. Heck, I might even try sketching out some basic designs for
Ziz so you can get an idea of what she looks like... unless my description was sufficient, in which case I'll do it anyway.
A rain of steel that
Destroys all it touches. This
Is our power.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 23, 2008, 08:17:06 AM
If you added a couplet and made the rhyme scheme ABAB, CDCD, you'd also have a sonnet with your pirate poem down thar.
Well, I don't quite like it as well as the original, but here's "The Pirate Sonnet."
To be a pirate is not just my dream,
To sail forth and plunder upon the seas.
A life of adventures is what I scheme,
And live a life at mercy of the breeze.
Move back and forth through life's great challenges,
Live each danger and life-threatening quest,
To return back home from a distant shore,
A load of treasures locked up in a chest.
With partners at side and a gun in hand,
A monster before and ship at my back,
To take a small step into unknown lands,
If I had but this, then nothing I'd lack.
A life seen only from within my book.
But if given a chance, inside I'd look.
Tech-page, anyone? Okay, how about some stats for the other four vessels I've mentioned (Gigantes, Lanzlet, Charger, Envoy)? Well, you're getting 'em, so I don't know why I'm asking. Joking. Anyway...
General and Technical Data
INV-C03/a
Name: Gigantes-class
Ships of the line: Gigantes,
Olympus,
Titanes,
Titanides (incomplete)
Unit type: Carrier Skycraft
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards, Yan Sarisco
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: Unknown
Dimensions: approximately 1100+ feet long
Wingspan: approximately 800+ feet wide
Weight: approximately 115,000 tons
Propulsion: Lift Ring x many; Main Thruster x 5; Secondary Thruster x 6
Crew Size: approximately 4,750
Equipment and design features: Differential Engine Computer Core x 3; "Biblos"-class power core x 4; Shield projector x many; Barrier projector x many
Fixed armaments: 1 x 3-barrel main cannons (1 fore top); 4 x 2-barrel secondary cannon (2 wing top, 2 wing bottom); many x air-to-air autogun defense turret; many x anti-skycraft torpedo tubes; many x air-to-air missile launcher
Mobile weapons: 120 x "Lanzlet" sky fighter; 36 x "Charger" gunboat; 8 x "Lamora" dropship; 24 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch catapults: 12
Technical and Historical Notes
The largest skycraft in the skies of Belenus, the
Gigantes-class carrier is easily twice the size of the
Ziz-class dreadnaught series. The ship closely resembles two large winged skycraft joined in the middle, to form a unique double-hulled design: each hull is one of the two launch and retrieval bays. The ship itself has twelve launch racks, allowing it to disgorge it's one hundred and twenty Lanzlet sky fighters in a remarkably short period of time. Most of the ship's interior is taken up by the maintenance and storage bays, and approximately two-fifths of the crew are devoted to the maintenance of the fighters alone. It also carries a large number of Charger gunboats, which in case of battle are more used as defense craft for the carried: despite the weapons it is armed with, the
Gigantes-class is almost incapable of engaging with other Capital-size skycraft. There are currently only three operational
Gigantes carriers:
Gigantes herself,
Olympus, and
Titanes, with the fourth -
Titanides - being as yet incomplete.
Titanes is arguably the most famous of the three, as it is the flagship of the 8th Royal Fleet.
Lanzlet-class sky fighter
General and Technical Data
IAF-dn23
Name: Lanzlet-class
Ships of the line: unnamed
Unit type: mass-production sky fighter
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Air Force
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 27 feet
Wingspan: approximately 23 feet
Weight: approximately 10 tons
Propulsion: 4 x small lift ring; 2 x vectored compression thruster
Crew Size: 1 pilot, in cockpit module in front
Equipment and design features: Folding frame for Vertical Launch/Landing and carrier drop; Ejectable cockpit module
Fixed armaments: 2 x autogun, mounted in cockpit module; 2 x 4-round air-to-air missile launcher, mounted in connector arms; 4 x hardpoints for mounting optional weapons, mounted on wings on thruster module
Technical and Historical Notes
One of the most advanced fighters in Belenus, the Lanzlet was designed to replace the earlier Lanzler model, and has been in service for eight years now. Though it retains the same general shape as the Lanzler (large thruster module, smaller ejectable cockpit module, and two thick connecting arms), the Lanzlet makes a number of improvements. It adds a vector coil for the compression thrusters to improve maneuverability, making the fighter extremely responsive. The fighter adds four optional hardpoints to the original design, allowing the fighter to mount additional weaponry, like anti-ship torpedoes or rotary autocannons for additional firepower. The fighter also does not require a landing strip due to its VLL design. One new feature is the folding frame, which collapses the fighter into a more compact folded form, with the cockpit module sitting on top of the connector module sitting on top of the engine module with the wings folded in tight: overall, the fighter takes up nearly a quarter less space when stored this way. The fighter is also designed to be launched in this fashion and unfold in midair, meaning that it doesn't have to "decompress" to be ready for battle: it also makes it easier to access vital components for easier repair. One weakness with the design is that the small lift rings are not very good at keeping it aloft, so the fighter cannot "stop" in midair: it can only hover during landing and docking and launching. A number of customizable specialty fighters have been designed, but these are not as common as the baseline model. Most of the ships in the Empire have been retooled to handle the Lanzlet, with the
Olympus and
Titanes being built from the ground up to handle them. The Lanzler class is still in use, but it is mostly used as an installation defense fighter craft.
General and Technical Data
IAC-gb041
Name: Charger-class
Ships of the line: unnamed
Unit type: gunboat skycraft
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Air Force
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 34 feet
Wingspan: approximately 41 feet
Weight: approximately 25 tons
Propulsion: 2 x large lift ring; 2 x small lift ring; 1 x vectored compression thruster
Crew Size: 1 pilot; 1 copilot/communications officer; 1 gunner - all in cockpit module
Equipment and design features: High-maneuverability lift ring; ejectable cockpit module;
Fixed armaments: 2 x rotary autogun, mounted on gun turret beneath cockpit; 2 x autogun, mounted beside cockpit; 2 3-shot anti-ship torpedo launcher, mounted beside cockpit; 2 x 12-barrel anti-air missile tube, mounted on engine section
Technical and Historical Notes
The standard gunboat of the Empire, the Charger was designed to serve as an anti-fighter skycraft, with the ability to engage in anti-capital ship combat if necessary. The most distinctive feature of the class is the two massive lift rings mounted beneath and beside the main body, which together give the craft unparalled response and control: it also has two smaller lift rings on the engine module to help counterbalance it. The craft is designed for hovering in one place for an extended period of time, and is capable of moving in any direction quickly. Another feature of the class is the twin autocannon turret mounted beneath the cockpit, as well as the two massive missile launchers mounted by the engines. It also mounts two normal autoguns and a pair of anti-ship torpedoes. They tend to be used as point-defenses for capital ships, as well as anti-fighter craft combat and installation defense. As with the Lanzlet, there are a number of custom models for special purposes. One alternative use that the Empire has used to great effect is anti-personnel combat, using the autocannons to mow down enemy soldiers. Most capital ships carry Chargers, even if they don't have Lanzlets.
General and Technical Data
IAS-sl02
Name: Envoy-class
Ships of the line: unnamed
Unit type: Shuttlecraft
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Air Force, Imperial Marines
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 50 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 34 feet long
Weight: approximately 42 tons
Propulsion: 3 x mid-size lift ring; 4 x small lift ring; 4 x vectored compression thruster; 1 x hyper conpression thruster
Crew Size: 1 pilot; 1 copilot; 1 navigator; 1 communications officer; 1 main gunner; 2 secondary gunner; 10 passenger
Equipment and design features: Barrier defense system; sensor masking projector; high-end communications network
Fixed armaments: 2 x 6-round air-to-air missile launcher; 2 x rotary autocannon, turret mounted
Technical and Historical Notes
While not a normal troop transport, the Envoy is designed as a fast, reliable shuttle for important personnel. The arrow-shaped shuttle is not only fast, but maneuverable as well, while the combination of specially designed profile and sensor mask makes it difficult to detect. It also has an experimental hyper compression thruster, capable of allowing near-sonic speed. It's small passenger complement gives it away as designed for smaller, more specialized passengers. They are mostly used by officers, but in recent years customized Envoys have been used by the Royal Guard and the High Proctors as their own personal shuttlecraft.
...
Phew, that was fun. Okay, soon I have to do the battleships, destroyers, corvettes, troop transports... and then move onto the OTHER fleets. Fun. Sorry for no character profile... maybe I'll do it later.
As fast as sound, we
Fly through the clouds. A boom moves
Behind our ship.
Compression thrusters
Use several lift rings to
Make a jet engine.
Once more, I find it
Hard to write my haiku. Oh
Well, here's a handful.
Oh wait! I have one
More! This haiku is strangely
Meta, isn't it?
Well, I've had a long day. Suffice to say, one thing I have learned is to pay attention to where you are walking while you are text messaging: tree branches are sometimes low enough to meet your head. Ouch.
Anyway, I didn't do the new tech post like I wanted, so instead here's a little experiment combining my haiku and a non-iambic sonnet. Well, kind of. In short, it's my little thing of taking a handful of haiku and making a prose verse from them by taking out the separating lines, making one line of seventeen syllables instead of three lines of five-seven-five. Anyway, it's a sonnet structure (A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D-E-F-E-F-G-G), and the title is just something I added cause I didn't have one in mind.
The day once more ends. Below the horizon the sun now slowly sets.
From burning red to twilight blue. The first stars will come, a faint twinkle.
From twilight blue to deep black, the scattered stars like jewels on velvet.
A half moon's silver-white light shines down upon the land, and fills each wrinkle
Of the earth as it slowly cools off from the heat of the daytime's light.
A fresh breeze carries the scent of summer, of a small summer rainstorm.
There is a taste of falling leaves and crisp air, the coming of fall's bite.
But for now, all is well and dry. Summer is still high, and the air warm.
Daytime animals are nestled away: others now can come outside.
There are two worlds here, one light and one dark: one ends, the other's begun.
Some take wing, others walk, some swim, some climb, some dig, and still others glide.
Here, in twilight, we see them both. The day and night, for a moment as one.
This is the time to forge new memories, to keep our thoughts alive.
Here, we start one more nighttime rest, and wait for the new day to arrive.Again, sorry for those interested in my tech stuff for not getting more up. Hope you liked this: it was a nightmare to write. I'll try to do some tech stuff... tonight. Damn, it's 1:45 AM. Good night.
Well, that was harder
Than I thought it would be. At
Least it is over.
As far as "Twilight", the lines themselves are simply too long. It reads almost nearly more like a paragraph of prose than poetry. Of course, I realize that it's technically a frankenstien of Haiku rather than simply being made by itself, but I'd still have to say that the Haiku by themselves would be more effective.
As far as the content, it seems a very good attempt at nature poetry. All I can say is the best way to be a better poet is to read good poetry - Wordsworth is considered a very good nature poet, and pretty fast and loose with poetic structure.
As far as the technical notes, I still like the Carrier class. 120 fighters isn't anything to sneeze at, it would seem like. Although I am surprised that the Carrier class can't engage other Capital-class ships, with all the weaponry that it's toting around.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 25, 2008, 10:38:47 AM
As far as "Twilight", the lines themselves are simply too long. It reads almost nearly more like a paragraph of prose than poetry. Of course, I realize that it's technically a frankenstien of Haiku rather than simply being made by itself, but I'd still have to say that the Haiku by themselves would be more effective.
You're probably right. Then again, it's rare that I compose poetry at 1:30 in the morning. I did kind of have a thought of dividing it by the punctuation (periods and commas), so that it would end up stretching downwards. Part of the reason I don't like this is that combined with the rhyme every seventeen syllables it would end up looking like something of Virginia Woolf's, and while she is a talented and wonderful writer she is a little hard to read at times... um... hm...
... I could either try that, or later on post these as the fourteen haiku they originally were.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 25, 2008, 10:38:47 AM
As far as the content, it seems a very good attempt at nature poetry. All I can say is the best way to be a better poet is to read good poetry - Wordsworth is considered a very good nature poet, and pretty fast and loose with poetic structure.
Hm, I think I might have a bit of him somewhere in my books.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 25, 2008, 10:38:47 AM
As far as the technical notes, I still like the Carrier class. 120 fighters isn't anything to sneeze at, it wouldn't seem like. Although I am surprised that the Carrier class can't engage other Capital-class ships, with all the weaponry that it's toting around.
It also has troop transports and drop ships (I just hadn't figured them out), and those fighters can be a customized loud-out (long-range bombers as compared to normal fighters). The reason it really can't engage other Capital vessels is because those weapons are basically for self-defense. You don't want your big expensive carrier engaging in battle with another ship in an era where a broadside is a normal battle tactic (the
Ziz can point a total of 34 cannon barrels to either side of the ship, so it's got an amazing broadside attack... that pushes it almost fifty feet to the side whenever it's fired): you've got basically 150 different fighters that use it as a base, and they'd be in trouble if their mother ship got blown up. It's like a real carrier: it's meant to hang back, and be able to protect itself should the need arise, but that's not its primary function. I'm trying to avoid Gundam-style assault carriers. Besides which, most capital ships can carry at least 6-12 fighters on their own, so they have some capacity, just not much. Does that kind of help?
Besides, the only reason I say "many" is because I'm a lazy ass who doesn't want to map in his mind the location of all of these things so that I can have a total figure to use.
PS: I think I'm going to "fix" Ziz a bit, lower their fighter count. This thing is designed to move a crapload of guns around, and not to have much in the way of fighters.
Twilight comes, and for
A brief while, the world is
In the nether world.EDIT:
A gray wolf steps through
The woods, in search of a meal.
Not the big bad wolf.
Quote from: Jairus on September 25, 2008, 10:54:11 AM
It also has troop transports and drop ships (I just hadn't figured them out), and those fighters can be a customized loud-out (long-range bombers as compared to normal fighters). The reason it really can't engage other Capital vessels is because those weapons are basically for self-defense. You don't want your big expensive carrier engaging in battle with another ship in an era where a broadside is a normal battle tactic (the Ziz can point a total of 34 cannon barrels to either side of the ship, so it's got an amazing broadside attack... that pushes it almost fifty feet to the side whenever it's fired): you've got basically 150 different fighters that use it as a base, and they'd be in trouble if their mother ship got blown up. It's like a real carrier: it's meant to hang back, and be able to protect itself should the need arise, but that's not its primary function. I'm trying to avoid Gundam-style assault carriers. Besides which, most capital ships can carry at least 6-12 fighters on their own, so they have some capacity, just not much. Does that kind of help?
Oh yes, quite so. It's not that they're ineffective, but rather that they're too expensive to risk, and more valuable doing other things than frontline combat.
Quote from: Jairus on September 25, 2008, 10:54:11 AM
A gray wolf steps through
The woods, in search of a meal.
Not the big bad wolf.
Steel is his body.
Mechanical man, in suits
of wond'rous armor
Quote from: Cogidubnus on September 25, 2008, 11:27:29 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 25, 2008, 10:54:11 AM
A gray wolf steps through
The woods, in search of a meal.
Not the big bad wolf.
Steel is his body.
Mechanical man, in suits
of wond'rous armor
The steel gray winter
Hides the hunter within its
Gloom. Food is needed.
A knight of metal,
And a mortal soul. It shall
Live on forever.Anyway...
Well, as of this posting the Imperial Fleets are completed. Well, more or less. Sorry that the paragraphs are a little less intensive, but I'm tired. So, anyway, hopefully this will give you an idea of the Empire's ship scale...
General and Technical Data
INS-b03
Name: Gaul-class
Ships of the line: unknown
Unit type: Battleship
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 775 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 315 feet wide
Weight: approximately 45,000 tons
Propulsion: Lift Ring x many; 5 x main compression thruster, 4 x secondary compression ring thruster
Crew Size: approximately 1500
Equipment and design features: Differential Engine Computer Core; "Biblos"-class power core x 2; Shield projector x many; Barrier projector x many
Fixed armaments: 2 x 3-barrel main cannons (1 fore top, 1 aft top); 8 x 2-barrel secondary cannons (4 wing top, 4 wing bottom); 4 x 1-barrel cannon (main body mounted); 1 x charged particle cannon (fore mounted); 32 x air-to-air autogun turret; 16 x anti-capital torpedo tubes; 32 x air-to-air-missile launcher
Mobile weapons: 24 x "Lanzlet" sky fighters; 8 x "Charger" gunboat; 3 x "Lamora" troop transport; 3 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch catapults: 3
Technical and Historical Notes
Of the Imperial fleet's three normal ships, the Gaul is the largest and rarest. Gaul's tend to act as flagships for the various fleets, or at least did so before the introduction of the Gigantes and Ziz class vessels. They are large, vaguely delta-shaped skycraft, and noted for being fairly bulky-looking. Though nominally battleships (thanks to their wide array of weaponry, including a centerline charged particle cannon), Gauls can also act as light carriers, thanks to the ability to carry twenty-four Lanzlets and eight Chargers. Gauls are mainly used in anti-capital ship combat, relying on their heavier armor and array of weapons.
General and Technical Data
IND-w30
Name: Bohort-class
Ships of the line: unknown
Unit type: Destroyer
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 600 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 200 feet wide
Weight: approximately 25,000 tons
Propulsion: Lift ring x many; 4 x main compression thruster; 2 x secondary compression ring thruster
Crew Size: approximately 1100
Equipment and design features: Differential Engine Computer Core; "Biblos"-class power core; Shield projector x many; Barrier projector x many
Fixed armaments: 2 x 3-barrel main cannon (1 fore top, 1 fore bottom); 4 x 2-barrel secondary cannon (wing mounted, 2 on each side); 6 x 1-barrel cannon (main body mounted); 1 x charged particle cannon (centerline mounted) 24 x air-to-air autogun turret; 20 x anti-capital torpedo tubes; 20 x air-to-air missile launcher
Mobile weapons: 12 x "Lanzlet" sky fighters; 2 x "Charger" gunboat; 1 x "Lamora" troop transport (mounted in nose); 2 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch catapults: 2
Technical and Historical Notes
The mid sized of the Empire's three standard ships, the Bohort destroyer is a good conpromise between the larger Gaul or the smaller Bedoier, being faster than the Gaul yet more heavily armed than the Bedoier. Bohort continues the Empire's theme of arrow and delta-shaped ships and vessels, but is much slimmer than the Gaul. The ship is designed to serve as a general purpose vessel, and given it's popularity and dispersion throughout the Empire's naval forces this should be obvious. In addition to an array of weaponry, the ship is also capable of carrying a small force of fighter skycraft: not much, but worth their weight. While the Bohort is armed with a charged particle cannon identical to the one used by the Gaul, the power requirements for the weapon combined with Bohort's smaller size means that the Bohort has a firing rate 33% slower than the Gaul. Bohort's are good all-around vessels, at the cost of not specializing in anything.
General and Technical Data
INC-l07
Name: Bedoier-class
Ships of the line: unknown
Unit type: Corvette/light cruiser
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 415 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 135 feet wide
Weight: approximately 12,500 tons
Propulsion: 2 large lift ring; 6 medium lift ringl 16 small lift ring; 1 central hyper compression thruster; 6 main compression thruster
Crew Size: approximately 500 crewmembers
Equipment and design features: Differential Engine Computer Core; "Biblos"-class power core; Shield projector x many; Barrier projector x many
Fixed armaments: 2 x 2-barrel cannon (main body fore mounted); 6 x 1-barrel cannon (1 top main body, 1 bottom main body, 2 top wing, 2 bottom wing); 20 x autogun turret; 4 x anti-capital torpedo tubes; 12 x air-to-air missile launcher
Mobile weapons: 4 x "Lanzlet" sky fighters; 2 x "Charger" gunboat; 1 x "Lamora" troop transport (mounted on bottom side); 1 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch catapults: none: storage racks mounted in wings
Technical and Historical Notes
Smallest of the Empire's three main ships, the Bedoier corvette is also the fastest of the three, having been designed as a fast and quick anti-capital warship. The Bedoier class was designed around the then-new Lamora troop transport, which is apparent by how the Bedoier's Lamora basically clings to the ship's belly during normal flight. The ship is also too small for an actual launch catapult, and so has two matching storage bays in each of the wings with a pair of extending launch racks, each bay holding two Lanzlets and one Charger. The ship's Envoy, meanwhile, sits in the ship's top spine. The ship is incredibly fast thanks to its collection of engines, and isn't half-badly armed for a ship of its size: it is both faster and more heavily armed than the Republic's equivalent. On the other hand, there isn't much too the ship aside from its engines, guns, launch gantries and power core: crew quarters and other areas have been squeezed in where they can be, and the armor is nothing to brag about either. Bedoier's are dependent on their speed and barriers to avoid damage: a few lucky shots can down them quickly. Overall, Bedoier's do well, however, despite their lack of speciality.
Drystan-class resupply vessel
General and Technical Data
INS-r45
Name: DrystanShips of the line: unknown
Unit type: resupply/large transport vessel
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Air Force
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 150 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 215 feet wide
Weight: approximately 500 tons
Propulsion: 1 x large lift rings; 4 x medium lift rings; 6 x small lift rings; 4 x main compression thruster; 2 x secondary compression thrusters
Crew Size: approximately 35
Equipment and design features: Large easily loadable/swappable cargo module; long-range flight capabilities
Fixed armaments: 1 x nose-mounted cannon; 6 x autogun turret; 2 x air-to-air missile launcher
Technical and Historical Notes
The Empire's standard resupply vessel, the Drystan was designed around a large cargo module capable of carrying nearly anything, should the need arise. Most of the ship is little more than inner structure, engines, and a small crew section. Despite the fact that it is a fairly large, it is capable of incredible range and is actually fairly fast, though due to the weight of its fully-loaded cargo bay it is not really capable of hovering outside of takeoff and landing. These ships are fairly ubiquitous in Imperial territories, and a civilian model has been made available.
General and Technical Data
IAF-s33
Name: Lamora-class
Ships of the line: Unnamed
Unit type: Transport
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Air Force
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 100 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 45 feet wide
Weight: approximately 255 tons
Propulsion: 2 x large lift ring; 6 x small lift ring; 3 x compression thruster
Crew Size: 1 pilot, 1 copilot, 1 navigator/communications officer, 1 main gunner, 6 sub gunners, 4 deck officers, 40 troops or more depending on configuration
Equipment and design features: fine control system; sensor dampeners; rapid egress hatches from passenger compartment
Fixed armaments: 2 x air-to-air missile launcher; 2 x anti-ground mine launcher; 1 x autocannon turret, mounted beneath cockpit; 6 x autogun defense turret
Technical and Historical Notes
The standard troop transport/dropship of the Empire, Lamora is designed to handle an incredible array of different troops. Very little time or effort is needed to reconfigure the ship to support almost any kind of troop, with the ship's slim profile and sensor-dampening systems making it easier to slip into enemy territory. The ship has incredibly fine controls for pinpoint landing, and also has a number of hatches built into the bottom side to land its passengers as fast as possible. Despite its armaments, they are more designed for defense and clearing a landing zone than anything else.
Garesh-class Naval Frigate
General and Technical Data
IAS-n23
Name: Garesh-class
Ships of the line: unknown
Unit type: Sea-use frigate
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 560 feet long
Width: approximately 125 feet wide, full width approximately 225 feet wide
Weight: approximately 35,000 tons
Propulsion: 3 x ducted propeller; 2 x aquatic thruster built into catamaran wings; 2 x maneuvering propeller built into lower hull
Crew Size: approximately 780
Equipment and design features: unknown
Fixed armaments: 2 x 3-barrel cannons (1 fore, 1 aft); 6 x 2-barrel cannons (1 fore, 1 aft, 2 each side); 4 x 1-barrel cannon (2 each side); 24 x autogun defense turret; 2 x 16-barrel sea-to-air missile launchers; 4 x anti-capital torpedo tubes; 4 x 8-barrel anti-air missile launchers
Mobile weapons: 4 x "Lanzlet" skyfighters; 2 x "Charger" gunboat; 2 x "Envoy" shuttlecraft
Launch catapults: None: maintenance gantries mounted between catamaran stabilizers and main body (2 Lanzlet+1 Charger+1 Envoy to each side)
Technical and Historical Notes
The only true sea vessel remaining in the Empire's arsenal, the Garesh frigate is a relic of a time nearly passed, yet is still a force to be reckoned with. The ships are designed to protect the Empire's sea-based towns and cities, and as such is not designed for long-range voyages. It is incredibly well armed, and designed for anti-aerial warfare. While it is not very fast, it has no need to be. It's small contingent of fighter skycraft is meant to be supplemented by a land-based base or a nearby skycraft. Though their use is limited compared to a fleet of skycraft, the Empire maintains these vessels as a symbol of their borders.
Gerain-class amphibious vessel
General and Technical Data
IAA-v41
Name: Gerain-class
Ships of the line: unknown
Unit type: amphibious assault patrol boat
Manufacturer: Imperial Royal Shipyards
Operators: Imperial Royal Navy/Army
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: approximately 45 feet long
Wingspan: approximately 20 feet wide
Weight: approximately 25 tons
Propulsion: 2 x rotating ducted propellors; 5 x small lift ring (collapses into hull when not in use)
Crew Size: approximately 12
Equipment and design features: amphibious design capable of sea and land combat; enhanced communications network; 6 x retracting brace legs
Fixed armaments: 1 x cannon turret, mounted on top; 2 x autogun mount; 1 x rotary autocannon, mounted on top; 4 x ground-to-air missile launchers; 1 x high-powered cannon, mounted on top, only usable when legs are braced
Technical and Historical Notes
Like the Garesh, the Gerain is a relic of the Imperial Navy's sea-based days. Gerain is a lightweight high-speed patrol boat that - thanks to its collapsible low-powered lift rings - is capable of terrestrial movement. While this feature is not used much any more, it can also give the craft a boost of speed. Much like the Garesh, the Gerain is also not designed to wander far from its home base: unlike the Garesh however, the Gerain is meant to wander much further afield and extend the Empire's coastal defenses. Despite its weapons, the Gerain's primary usage is to alert the Empire of an attack and summon a fleet of skycraft to that position. The primary usage of the Terrestrial mode is to allow the Gerain to get to a vantage point during a battle or invasion, and then lock itself down using six massive bracer legs: at this point, the Gerain's main gun - a capital-ship grade (if with a somewhat shortened barrel) cannon capable of long-range bombardments. Though Gerains rarely see battle anymore, they are a symbol of longevity to many of the Empire's strategists, which partially explains their still being used.
~~~~~
Okay, a word about the designs. In my mind, most Imperial skycraft are either delta or arrow shaped, with a larger central body for the engines and some of the weapons. Also, part of the reason that so many - actually all - of the Empire's ships can pull double or even triple duty outside of their nominal "speciality" is a somewhat simple and justified one: to lift a ship of this size up into the air is tricky, and in order to save resources you're going to want ships that can pull off a handful of jobs. Hence why you see battleships carrying a squadron or two of fighters. Well, it's a justification, anyway, and that's all I need.
Questions, comments, concerns, clarifications, suggestions, WTFs, etc?
Way up in the clouds,
Mountains of steel move about.
The fleet moves onward.
How many times do
I have to explain: Pillage,
And then burn it down!
A bolt of lightning
Comes down from the heavens. Poor
Bugs Bunny is fried.
Be vewy vewy
Qwiet: I'm hunting fow a
Wess weiwd diawect.
Some cartoon physics:
Gravity does not affect
Until you notice.
This is what you get
When you rewatch Tiny Toon
Adventures. It's weird.Anyway, there we go. I'm going to ignore that thanks to the structure of the writing and the haiku here it's almost seven solid pages long.
Are you watching the Tiny Toons on rewind? Or just again?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 26, 2008, 05:00:31 AM
Are you watching the Tiny Toons on rewind? Or just again?
I watched them years ago, and I recently bought the Season 1 Volume 1 DVD boxset, so I've been reliving the memories. So just again. Is Rewind like a TV channel devoted to older cartoons and stuff life that?
Why did the chicken
Cross the road? No one knows, since
Chickens can't tell us.
I may sound old and
Ornery, but they don't make
'Toons like they used to.
This is just a quick five-minute sketch I did.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyrrasheadsketch.jpg?t=1222472031)
Jyrras head shot (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyrrasheadsketch.jpg?t=1222472031)
Sorry for the poor quality, but it's only about two inches tall in my sketchbook. Anyway, I used a couple of the strips as reference. I think he's just posing, maybe with a wrench resting on his shoulder.
For the love of all you hold holy, do not look at the full-size image. It's... well, it just didn't scan well.
I don't know if I'm going to get anything up tonight, but if all else fails there's more haiku. Yippee.
Here we go, the character profile for Aaren mor Dukai, developed with Ren's help. Here is the information on him as far as we know at the start of the story. Credit for the profile's structure goes once more to Amber.
Sir Aaren "Ren" mor Dukai
: Aaren mor Dukai
Nicknames: Ren, Sir Aaren, the Steel-Cleaver, the Evil Cleaver
Age: 35
Family: unknown
Marital Status: single
Species: Human Being
Type: Sorcerer
Hair color: Brown/gray
Eye color: Red
Skills: extensive katana training, expert marksman, skilled tactician
Hobbies: sword tricks, sketching
Favorite Weapon(s): Akutatsuken (Evil-cleaving blade), Baajiru (custom built pistol)
Most known for: Being a badass swordsman
Favorite food: Noodles
Favorite color: Dark red
OverviewPersonality: A generally nice - if somewhat reserved and reclusive - man, Ren (his preferred nickname) is friendly and easily approachable. Off of the battlefield, he can often be found joking and generally having a good time, offering advice and training to other soldiers. On the battlefield, however, is a different story: Ren becomes serious and focused, a dangerous man in control of his emotions who knows when and when not to open himself up. To be honest, he comes across as slightly psychopathic on the battlefield, neither taking joy in the death of his enemies nor mourning his fallen allies: his stoic expression has sometimes served as a psychological weapon. It is unknown which - if either - of these two sides is the real Ren. He has, however, become slightly unhinged after nearly four years of being a prisoner of war.
History: Ren is fairly recalcitrant about revealing his history. What is known is that he was originally a soldier of the conquered territory of Anelene, where he fought in the losing war against the Empire. He then spent approximately ten years studying and training in the Imperial Province of Jin, which is where he picked up both Akatatsuken and Baajiru, as well as his signature spell "Zantatsuken" (steel-cleaving blade). After this, he migrated to Korinso, where he joined their military and advanced quickly in the ranks, eventually being Knighted. When the war broke out, one of the soldiers under his command was Taph Noel, older sister to Treyl Noel. He was at the Siege of Korinso. Shortly afterwards, he was taken prisoner, and has been held imprisoned in the dungeons below Lon Korinso.
Trivia:• Ren's sword - the Akutatsuken - actually has two modes. One is its normal mode, where it resembles a normal - if exceptionally well-made - katana. However, if Ren infuses it with enough magical energy, it grows into a massive two-handed "Zankyouryuu" mode, which is heavy enough to literally smash through almost anything.
• Ren's signature spell - "Zantatsuken" - works by generating a magical edge so sharp that it actually divides the bonds holding particles of matter together: the spell can cut through anything phsyical. Though the edge can be nearly as long as he wants it to be, he generally restrains it to being only as long as his blade. One weakness of the spell is that it does not neccesarilly cut through
magic, meaning that he sometimes has to negate barriers to get to his target.
• Though the sword's name literally means "evil-cleaving blade," the amount of bloodshed caused by the blade through history have led to it aquiring the nickname "Evil cleaving blade."
• Ren's signature long red overcoat is enhanced with numerous charms and enchantments, making it resistant to both physical and magical attacks.
• Baajiru was built for him by a young inventer named Jei Paije who was at the time living in the Jin Province. Later on, Jei was a student of Doctor Rafe's, and still works with the Doctor on much of his work at IRDI: neither of them are aware that the other is still alive.
• If Ren has one weakness, it's that he is a terrible pilot, and prefers to let others drive: a wise decision on his part.
• If he has two weaknesses, it's that animals don't seem to like him, meaning that only an extremely well-trained saurian will let him ride it.
• While he was imprisoned, Ren amused himself by trying to communicate with rats. Key word: trying. He then amused himself by recalling books he had read, filling in the gaps in his memory by himself.
• During the war, he helped design a custom-tuned rifle that he could use to snipe enemy targets. This weapon was confiscated when he was imprisoned, as were his sword and signature gun. Akutatsuken is currently in Doctor Rafe's personal collection, while Baajiru was gifted to the prison warden by Lord Aleksander Kaurazes the Sixth High Proctor.
• He is always willing to try new tricks and tactics, which often lead to troops under his command doing better in battles.
Personal Quote: "Allow me to return the favor."
...
In a meta-sense, Aaren is one of my oldest characters. He's based off of a character called "Aaron Mordecai-Levi" from the ZvS setting. His mecha could be described as the "aim and blow shit up" type of mecha, but since he rarely used it that way and preferred mid to short range combat the upgraded version swapped out the heavier weapons for improved melee and mid-range skills, as well as upgraded maneuverability.
Anyway.
Hope to soon get more character profiles and tech pages up, and maybe work on enhancing that sketch a bit. You know, so it looks like Jyrras instead of a scribble.
The warrior stands
Alone, his sword his only
True companion.
Name: Vart'elu'moeja
Nicknames: Telum, Elu, the Most Beautiful Pirate in the Skies
Age: at least 700 years old
Family: unknown
Marital Status: unknown, presumably single
Species: Changeling
Type: Changeling
Hair color: Purple
Eye color: Silver
Skills: Archery, swordsmanship, general changeling magical abilities, martial arts
Hobbies: Crocheting
Favorite Weapon(s): Magical bow; twin short scimitar
Most known for: Being the most beautiful pirate in the skies Leaving the Changeling Kingdom for unknown reasons
Favorite food: Green apples
Favorite color: Silver
Overview
Personality: Telum is a bit mysterious. While he seems to carry himself with an air of somberness, little moments reveal that he has a sense of humor and sees life in a very optimistic light. He is generally ready with a joke or a comment on the situation, which may be linked to a sort of Changeling detachment from the world around him. He rarely talks about where he comes from, and the discussion of home - of any kind - makes him a little depressed, though he hides it by joking even more. He is very friendly, and could honestly be considered a pacifist if he didn't view killing as an occasional neccessary evil.
History:
Telum does not speak of his past: both Ren and Calvin know it, and he feels no real need to discuss it with strangers. What is known is that he is at least 700, given how when he refers to the time of Martongis, he is speaking from personal experience (though he never met the man), and that about fifteen years ago he left the Changeling kingdom for unknown reasons. Shortly afterwards, he joined up with a younger Kiyoshi Ilzakar, and the two of them stole and refurbished the Shepherd B to suit their pirating needs. Then, the two stole an Artemis-class prototype and refitted it into the Shepherd Junior: shortly afterwards, Calvin joined them. The three have been a team for about seven years, and so far there is no indication that they wish to end it. Telum - like the other two - mostly avoided the war, and also has no real side in the conflict, though he seems to think that the Empire is a threat that must be dealt with somehow.
Trivia:
• As a Changeling, Telum is gifted with an unnatural beauty, which they have used a few times.
• Dropped comments from Ren, Telum, and Calvin hint that the three of them have on occasion enjoyed one another's "company," though they may be joking. Ren and Telum have also been occasionally mistaken as a couple, though in Telum and Ren's own words "Calvin is better in bed."
• His twin scimitars are antiques that he "picked up" from a bazarre. Aside from being old and very sharp and well-made, nothing else is known about them. They don't even have names. While he is talented in their use, it is a skill he has only been working on and off for the last ten years or so, so he isn't a master by any measure.
• He is an incredibly talented archer, but this is to be expected after 700+ years of practice. One of his favorite tricks is to charge his arrows with Changeling magic and use it to execute a long-range magical ability. Other than that, he is really good at healing and barrier magic.
• While he doesn't talk about his motivation for leaving his home, he has cryptically talked about how living is about changing, and how change will happen.
• He enjoys crocheting in his spare time.
• His favorite jewels are amethysts. He also wears a lot of silver jewelry, often set with amethysts.
• He was the one who found Calvin and invited her to join the crew.
• Telum is the ship's practical joker.
• Telum experienced some difficulties fitting into society, but seems to have little issue now, especially compared to Calvin who doesn't seem to care.
Personal Quote: "Is this the way it must be?"
Okay, questions, comments, clarifications, WTFs?
Stranger from distant
Land. So far from home, never
To return again.
Yes, my sword is now
Twenty feet long. No, I won't
Say how I wield it.
It's almost 3 AM, and I'm still up. Oh well. New practice Jyrras head sketch.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyrrasheadsketch-1.jpg?t=1222509104)
Jyrras head sketch (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyrrasheadsketch-1.jpg?t=1222509104)
I'm much more satisfied with this, but then again I used "shy Jyrras" from Strip 862 (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_862.php) as my template... so no free-form Jyrras here. Anyway, I much prefer this to the other sketch, but the ears are bothering me, and so are the glasses... and the hair, the main bunch of hair that bends at a ninety-degree angle that has no name that I can think of. So, those all bother me. Maybe I'll try another one like my first Jyrras sketch later, since I think I've got a better idea of how Jyrras' head is designed now. My other head was a little thin, more human-like than Amber's style.
Good night.
Quote from: Jairus on September 26, 2008, 07:36:23 PM
I don't know if I'm going to get anything up tonight, but if all else fails there's more haiku. Yippee.
You know, I'd recommend leaving your sex life out of the forum... ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 27, 2008, 05:57:26 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 26, 2008, 07:36:23 PM
I don't know if I'm going to get anything up tonight, but if all else fails there's more haiku. Yippee.
You know, I'd recommend leaving your sex life out of the forum... ;-]
Hardeeharhar. Your mind
IS a gutter, isn't it?
Anyway...
Jairus Page (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1582244/) is my
Kind of inventor. He builds
Stuff that makes big booms.
The problem with people whose minds are in the gutter is that they keep blocking my periscope. ;-]
In all honesty, I've given up on reading all the technical stuff (something to do with being way overrun with work), and there's only so many times one can say "your poems are neat" before it becomes repetitive...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 27, 2008, 06:11:52 AM
The problem with people whose minds are in the gutter is that they keep blocking my periscope. ;-]
Ah, thank you for the clarification.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 27, 2008, 06:11:52 AM
In all honesty, I've given up on reading all the technical stuff (something to do with being way overrun with work), and there's only so many times one can say "your poems are neat" before it becomes repetitive...
Perfectly understandable. Believe me, I get both of the things you're saying. To be honest, the technical stuff is a little overwhelming to me too, but part of the reason I'm doing it is so that I have a better idea of these things' capabilities and it doesn't sound like I'm making it up as I go. And thanks for the compliment on the poems.
I think I'm going to go to bed now. Night!
Pleasant dreams to you
Tonight, as you drift asleep.
Rest for a new day.... yeah, I know that my sleep schedule is completely different from yours, Boxy. Just a general thing.
Quote from: Jairus on September 27, 2008, 06:19:16 AM
... yeah, I know that my sleep schedule is completely different from yours, Boxy. Just a general thing.
Something to do with being in a totally different country, or something...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 27, 2008, 08:45:51 AM
Quote from: Jairus on September 27, 2008, 06:19:16 AM
... yeah, I know that my sleep schedule is completely different from yours, Boxy. Just a general thing.
Something to do with being in a totally different country, or something...
There is a slight possibility that this is the case.
Eight time zones over,
A world apart. And somehow
We can talk like this.
Still practicing the Jyrras sketching... decided to try sketching by eye one of Amber's full body pictures of Jy...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Jyrras413fixedtail.jpg?t=1222551304)
"If you must practice drawing me, can't you at least try to be a little original?" (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Jyrras413fixedtail.jpg?t=1222551304)
From Strip 413 (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_413.php). It's not bad, but I had to redraw the original head I had because it was slightly smaller. The proportions for Jy3 seem to be about 1-1-1-2 (hair - head - body - legs), and I had the head at the wrong proportion. It's funny, but I want to draw him a little thinner than Amber does: maybe once I've got him down I'll do some actual fanart. Anyway, still getting the process down. And the head is still bothering me. On the plus side, I'm much more satisfied with his hair. It just looks better.
EDIT: Fixed the fluff on his tail, and also moved his head down a bit... his neck was too long. And now I just realized that I didn't fix his collar. Damn.
Um, regarding "Jy3": I kind of refer to Jyrras in development stages. Jy1 is the earliest strips, Jy2 is the lankier smoother figure from around the arc when his family visits, Jy3 is this arc through about Saia when he's starting to get a little fuzzier, while Jy4 is the more recent "Ear-zilla" type who looks much fuzzier than the earlier ones. It's just how I group them, and I know that aside from the original style shift it's been a fluid development of how they're drawn on Amber's part. And I could probably divide it up a little better, but four divisions works for me. And I also know that given the medium and Amber's drawing style, this stuff about proportions is just a general thing: Amber seems to draw characters in the way that fits the scene best.
Also, I tried drawing a Jy1-style picture, but I discovered two things: one, the comparative lack of details and coloring makes it almost impossible to get issues of scale right; two, I just can't draw that way. Besides, I think Amber would hurt me if I drew fanart in the style of the earlier strips.
And I have officially stretched this explanation on long enough.
EDIT:
I want to get it
Just right. I want to improve,
Be better at it.
My haiku are just
A little too topical. Should
I work to fix that?EDIT 2: I'm considering changing the title of this thread to "[Art] Jairus", considering that it's becoming a balance of my writing and my practice drawings.
Okay, another Jyrras sketch... and for the first time it's not based on strip art.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/kidjyfixedfaceeyes.jpg?t=1222587051)
Kid Jyrras sketch (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/kidjyrrassketch1a.jpg?t=1222564825)
I have no idea how old he is here... I think six or seven, maybe eight. Definitely pre-meeting Dan, though. He's supposed to have his t-shirt untucked, with the sides hitched up a bit so he can get his hands in his pockets. He's a bit on the scrawny side, though, and the eyes are really faint: sorry about that, they look kind of stupid if I fill them in at the edges a little more.
Anyway... comments, advice, notes, anything? All will be appreciated.
EDIT: Okay, based on some advice, I've made a few changes to the face... and I like it much much better now. The eyes especially.
EDIT 2:
This sword can cut through
Steel like butter. So why does
It not cut its sheath?
Okay, I'm done inking it.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/kidjyinked.jpg?t=1222627209)
Jyrras, Age 7 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/kidjyinked.jpg?t=1222627209)
I think I prefer it at a smaller scale... the mistakes in the inking don't stand out as much. I'll definitely be reducing the image's size when it's colored.
Incidentally, I have an idea for a background/setting to put this picture in. We'll see if I can make it work.
Another profile. This one for the Aneshrii tigress Calvin. I have no shame. Maybe I should change her nickname to "Kelvin."
Hobessu "Calvin" to Karuben
: Hobessu to Karuben
Nicknames: Calvin, Hobbie
Age: 27
Family: unknown
Marital Status: Available
Species: Aneshrii
Type: None (alchemist/machinist)
Fur color: Orange/white
Eye color: Bright green
Skills: maintenance, boxing, kickboxing, gunnery, low-level alchemy, "negotiation"
Hobbies: Beating stuff up, ending barroom brawls
Favorite Weapon(s): Bare hands, physical strength, gauntlets
Most known for: Being an anthropomorphic tigress-like Aneshrii who doesn't wear much in the way of clothing
Favorite food: Steak, medium rare
Favorite color: Green
OverviewPersonality: Vibrant and practically perky, Calvin approaches life with a refreshing upbeatness. She seems to be almost perpetually cheerful, though perhaps excited at life might be a better term. On the other hand, she is also extremely serious when it comes to her precious engines and machines, though even then the seriousness is hidden behind more laughter and jokes. If you had to nail a pattern down, she becomes calmer and more serious as the danger climbs: the moment that Calvin does not have a smile on her face is a dangerous one indeed. Despite her joking demeanor, however, she is not wont to lose her head in a critical situation, and can be counted on to at least provide a voice of sanity - well, comparitively.
History: Somewhat refreshingly, Calvin's own history is fairly well known. An Aneshrii from the Hobessu clan village, she decided - like many young Aneshrii - to travel before she found a mate. Unfortunately, she quickly ran into a bunch of slavers who took her prisoner. Fortunately, they were inexperienced, and did not know that an Aneshrii is incredibly strong. She escaped after beating them up and freeing all of the other slaves, and found herself in Carbaireos. She quickly put what few skills she'd picked up from traders who visited her village to good use, and became a mechanic in one of the towns, where she proved to be a fast learner. A year or so later, she happened to meet Telum while he was trolling around for a permanent skilled mechanic for the
Shepherd Junior, a position she accepted in a heartbeat. The crew has been together since. At a few points since then, they have visited her old village, and she still keeps up tabs on her family.
Trivia:• Though it is not her strong suit, Calvin does have training in being a gunner and operating weapons. She is not adverse to wielding heavy weapons in defense of her ship.
• She is either unaware that "Calvin" is not a girl's name, or she simply doesn't give a damn.
• Like many Aneshrii, she believes that the gods gave them lives that they may live them, and part of the reason that she joined with Kiyoshi and Telum is because a life of piracy promised excitement and a full life.
• She enjoys barroom brawls, especially ending them.
• Being covered in fur, she doesn't wear much in the way of clothing: no more than is required to be considered decent in a human city. She will wear robes or cloaks in inclement weather, however. She also wears sandals to help protect her feet. In battle, she also has a custom-built suit of armor for protection.
• In terms of maintenance, while she does understand the delicate nature of some mechanical components, she is of the school of thought that a little percussive maintenance can go a long way.
• She can often be found reading new mechanical journals and schematics, and also enjoys tinkering with junked machines and stolen hardward: she knows quite a bit about Imperial technology as a result of this.
• While she doesn't quite fit into a normal city lifestyle, it is possible that she doesn't care about not fitting in.
• Dropped comments from Ren, Telum, and Calvin hint that the three of them have on occasion enjoyed one another's "company," though they may be joking. Ren and Telum have also been occasionally mistaken as a couple, though in Telum and Ren's own words "Calvin is better in bed."
• She is not a trained boxer or kickboxer, but her style is a natural one similar to the fighting styles of her home village. It is very much a "dirty" style.
• She has not really studied magic, and is not a sorcerer. She does, however, know how to mix alchemical potions, and thus has some magic for use in battle. She makes up for this weakness with her brains and brawn.
Personal Quote: "You don't wanna touch that."
Okay, there's Calvin/Kelvin/Karuben. A scantily-clad attractive tigress character: clearly you sick deviants have corrupted me. ;) Okay, questions, comments, clarifications, WTFs?
PS:
Two more inked drawings.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyheadinked.jpg?t=1222677953)
Embarrassed Jyrras head, inked (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyheadinked.jpg?t=1222677953)
Original post/version (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg230696.html#msg230696)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jy413inked.jpg?t=1222677952)
Annoyed Jyrras, inked (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jy413inked.jpg?t=1222677952)
Original post/version (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg230794.html#msg230794)
Well, that's two more... and I have to say I really liked them better when they were just in pencil. Phoo. Oh well, maybe coloring will fix them.
I cannot draw fingers/hands, can I? *adds to list of things to work on*
Everybody has trouble with drawing hands. They're probably the most difficult part to learn to draw.
'Tis good stuffs, Jay. Keep it up.
Okay, a new sketch, and it's a Dan Ti'Fiona/Cloud Strife crossover, which basically means I'm not being original... again.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/DanStrifesketch2.jpg?t=1222738273)
Dan Strife, sketch #1, updated (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/DanStrifesketch2.jpg?t=1222738273)
Okay, basically this is going to be Dan in Cloud's outfit, w/ Buster sword. Since it
is Dan, he's not going to be wearing Cloud's sweater vest thingy. This was just a quick thing (about forty-five), but I kind of like it so far. It's hard to tell, but his left hand is supposed to be only half open, which is why the fingers look a bit funky. And I have
no idea how his right hand is holding the sword: I think it's a reverse grip. And I know the wings are terrible, but they're just placeholder wings.
EDIT: I've made a few adjustments and fixed some things. The right hand doesn't look too bad.
EDIT 2: I forgot his tail. I can't believe I forgot the tail. Though, to be fair, I also forgot the tail on Jyrras Highwind. As Ren pointed out, I'm not used to drawing anthro art.
I've kind of talked about this with Ren, and this one is going to be apart of two crossover sketch themes, one being "Furry Fantasy VII," which is basically the two casts merged (Dan Strife, Abel Valentine, Jyrras Highwind, Alexsi Gainsborough, Mab Kisaragi, Pip XIII, Wildy Lockhart, Fi Sith, Lorenda Wallace, and Pyroduck as Sephiroth... well, something like that, anyway.). The other is "Final Fantasy Furry Adventurers," which is basically just the cast of DMFA in different jobs from the Final Fantasy Tactics series: Dan as a Fighter, Jy as a Machinist, Alexsi as a Monk, Wildy as a White Mage... this one is a little less thought out. How I am going to do all of these when I am doing classes and working on my book is beyond me, but we shall find out, won't we?
Okay, in this case advice really is wanted. Constructive criticism too. Basically, anything you can offer would be helpful, especially since I want this to look good. Thanks for looking!
Den's profile should be up later today.
Hmm, nice sketch, Jay. It's great that you are trying to draw characters in some poses other than "just standing there". And we all know that Danny loves great swords. :3 Keep up the good work!
Okay, number two in "Furry Fantasy VII..." Jyrras Highwind.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasHighwindsketch1.jpg?t=1222736091)
Jyrras Highwind, sketch 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasHighwindsketch1.jpg?t=1222736091)
Okay, he's a combination of Jyrras and Cid Highwind, the Dragoon/Machinist of the FF7 cast. I felt it was the most appropriate match. I am not really satisfied with his left hand, and the right arm is still bugging me a bit, but aside from that I'm fairly happy with it. I've made a few costume changes to match Jyrras a little closer (especially the pants legs).
I think that I'll do either Abel Valentine or Pip XIII next.
Advice and constructive criticism always appreciated.
I promise, I'll get Den's profile up at some point. All I've got to do is his Personality Profile, Personal History, and Trivia Section... crud, that's most of the damn profile right there.
Nice work, Jay! You are improving quickly. The more you draw, the better your drawing gets.
I cannot for the life of me imagine Jyrras telling people to sit their #&%*@( down and drink their goddamn tea.
...no, wait. Yes I can. Teehee.
:ferret
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 29, 2008, 09:33:34 PM
I cannot for the life of me imagine Jyrras telling people to sit their #&%*@( down and drink their goddamn tea.
...no, wait. Yes I can. Teehee.
I did think of this...
"Sit your #&%*@( down and don't touch that goddamned red button!"
... but it doesn't have the same ring. I do like the idea of Jyrras actually intimidating his fellow cast members.
Quote:ferret
Cute!
Quote from: Jairus on September 29, 2008, 09:38:08 PM
I did think of this...
"Sit your #&%*@( down and don't touch that goddamned red button!"
... but it doesn't have the same ring. I do like the idea of Jyrras actually intimidating his fellow cast members.
But the red button is there to stop them pressing all the other buttons! And belatedly: You wrote it "Jyrass". Teehee. :3
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 29, 2008, 09:45:23 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 29, 2008, 09:38:08 PM
I did think of this...
"Sit your #&%*@( down and don't touch that goddamned red button!"
... but it doesn't have the same ring. I do like the idea of Jyrras actually intimidating his fellow cast members.
But the red button is there to stop them pressing all the other buttons! And belatedly: You wrote it "Jyrass". Teehee. :3
...
Shit.
Okay, one more before I get to work on Abel Valentine.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/PipXIIIsketch1.jpg?t=1222751546)
Pip XIII sketch 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/PipXIIIsketch1.jpg?t=1222751546)
Pip XIII, a meeting of Pip and Red XIII. Obviously, Pip is yellow, not red. I tried to slip in as many references to Red XIII's design as I could (feathers in the ears, the scar through his right eye, earrings, the tattoos, the bracelets), but a few of them were a bit beyond my grasp.
Yes, I know that Pip is not the most difficult character to draw. I figured I might as well get an easy one out of the way.
Advice and constructive criticism always appreciated.
PS: I don't think Den's gonna get up tonight. Abel Valentine, however, is next.
Lets see... Vincent Valentine... my favorite character from the FFVII series is going to show up in some incarnation here.. Oh you better believe I'll be keeping an eye out for that. As for the others, Ren said it best: The more you've been drawing, the better you've been getting. Keep it up man.
Quote from: Mowser on September 30, 2008, 07:54:40 AM
Lets see... Vincent Valentine... my favorite character from the FFVII series is going to show up in some incarnation here.. Oh you better believe I'll be keeping an eye out for that. As for the others, Ren said it best: The more you've been drawing, the better you've been getting. Keep it up man.
Well, either Abel Valentine is harder to draw than I thought, or I shouldn't try to draw at 1:30 in the morning. In short, Abel was giving me a headache. Here's what I've got so far...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/abelvalentinesketch2-half-done.jpg?t=1222785464)
Abel Valentine, half-finished (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/abelvalentinesketch2-half-done.jpg?t=1222785464)
So, basically, all I've got done are his pants and shoes. Ignore the gauntlet: it is going to be redrawn. The trick really is figuring out what the heck I'm going to do with his wings. I'm just thinking that instead of Vincent's red cloak, Abel would hold his wings close to his back and maybe have his headwings cover his mouth like with Vincent. But we'll see when I get that far. I may have to try one of the other characters first to warm up.
But thanks for the compliment. I'll try to finish this one today.
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 10:44:46 AM
So, basically, all I've got done are his pants and shoes. Ignore the gauntlet: it is going to be redrawn. The trick really is figuring out what the heck I'm going to do with his wings. I'm just thinking that instead of Vincent's red cloak, Abel would hold his wings close to his back and maybe have his headwings cover his mouth like with Vincent. But we'll see when I get that far. I may have to try one of the other characters first to warm up.
This is a bit pedantic, but I think you should probably reconsider the head-wings. While it's a very good idea, I don't think Abel's head-wings could bend all the way around his head unless he enlarged them, and even then, it might just cover the majority of his face. But then again, that's what Cubi metamorphosis is for... so if you made an exaggerated size to his head-wings you could say he shapeshifted. XD
Another thing I'm uncertain about is Pyroduck as Sephiroth - maybe Dark Pegasus for that role? Dark Pegasus is more inherently malicious, whereas Pyroduck is a jovial fellow. Then again, I haven't played Final Fantasy VII in forever so I'm not very familiar with the characters - I do like Barret, though.
However, that's pedantic stuff. You have some awesome stuff in this thread, and like Ren said, you're improving very quickly. Just keep practicing; you show a lot of potential and perseverance in improving. :)
Especially with the hands - it's one of the hardest parts of the human (Furrae?) anatomy to draw. I don't think there's any particular tutorials that can guide someone through the steps, you just need to observe and practice. Once I got my mother to pose with her hand in a particular position so I could quickly draw it. Usually if you have a real-life example or picture, you can have a better understanding of how something should be. I usually look up things on Google Images for that purpose - such as what a person looks like from behind or a reference sheet of hand positions.
That's really all the advice I can offer, since it might universally apply to all parts of the anatomy. I'm not terribly good at practicing what I preach, unfortunately - largely because I'm still trying to shrug off a lot of my older habits and improve. I'm still an amateur. :<
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:41:21 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 10:44:46 AM
So, basically, all I've got done are his pants and shoes. Ignore the gauntlet: it is going to be redrawn. The trick really is figuring out what the heck I'm going to do with his wings. I'm just thinking that instead of Vincent's red cloak, Abel would hold his wings close to his back and maybe have his headwings cover his mouth like with Vincent. But we'll see when I get that far. I may have to try one of the other characters first to warm up.
This is a bit pedantic, but I think you should probably reconsider the head-wings. While it's a very good idea, I don't think Abel's head-wings could bend all the way around his head unless he enlarged them, and even then, it might just cover the majority of his face. But then again, that's what Cubi metamorphosis is for... so if you made an exaggerated size to his head-wings you could say he shapeshifted. XD
Yeah, I have to agree with you. I'll figure it out after I've drawn his upper body.
My current method is probably one of the worst ways to draw someone: legs and hips, torso and arms, head. Any regular art teacher would probably hurt me.
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:41:21 PM
Another thing I'm uncertain about is Pyroduck as Sephiroth - maybe Dark Pegasus for that role? Dark Pegasus is more inherently malicious, whereas Pyroduck is a jovial fellow. Then again, I haven't played Final Fantasy VII in forever so I'm not very familiar with the characters - I do like Barret, though.
True... it was either Pyroduck, Pegasus, or Fa'Lina, mainly because those are three mysterious characters who have three syllables so I can adapt "One Winged Angel" to fit them. I guess Pegasus would work, but we'll see when I get there. Whoever it ends up being, it'll be after the other six.
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:41:21 PM
However, that's pedantic stuff. You have some awesome stuff in this thread, and like Ren said, you're improving very quickly. Just keep practicing; you show a lot of potential and perseverance in improving. :)
Especially with the hands - it's one of the hardest parts of the human (Furrae?) anatomy to draw. I don't think there's any particular tutorials that can guide someone through the steps, you just need to observe and practice. Once I got my mother to pose with her hand in a particular position so I could quickly draw it. Usually if you have a real-life example or picture, you can have a better understanding of how something should be. I usually look up things on Google Images for that purpose - such as what a person looks like from behind or a reference sheet of hand positions.
That's really all the advice I can offer, since it might universally apply to all parts of the anatomy. I'm not terribly good at practicing what I preach, unfortunately - largely because I'm still trying to shrug off a lot of my older habits and improve. I'm still an amateur. :<
Considering that aside from Jyrras this will be the first time I'm drawing any of them, this is a learning experience too. I actually tried to sketch my own hand holding a ruler to try and get Jy's hand down right. I'll try all of that, and now that I'm awake I think I can finish Abel sometime today. Maybe Fi Sith will be next. What should she/he be sitting on? Cait Sith sat on a giant stuffed Moogle, should Fi Sith sit on a giant stuffed gryphon?
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 12:49:23 PM
Cait Sith sat on a giant stuffed Moogle, should Fi Sith sit on a giant stuffed gryphon?
Hey, leave Rover out of this!
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 12:49:23 PM
True... it was either Pyroduck, Pegasus, or Fa'Lina, mainly because those are three mysterious characters who have three syllables so I can adapt "One Winged Angel" to fit them. I guess Pegasus would work, but we'll see when I get there. Whoever it ends up being, it'll be after the other six.
Like you said, don't worry about it until you get to it.
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:41:21 PMMaybe Fi Sith will be next. What should she/he be sitting on? Cait Sith sat on a giant stuffed Moogle, should Fi Sith sit on a giant stuffed gryphon?
I recommend a giant stuffed Gryphon to allude to DMFA. >:3
Also, llearch, I see what you did there.
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:57:59 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 12:49:23 PMMaybe Fi Sith will be next. What should she/he be sitting on? Cait Sith sat on a giant stuffed Moogle, should Fi Sith sit on a giant stuffed gryphon?
I recommend a giant stuffed Gryphon to allude to DMFA. >:3
Agreed. Now I just need to figure out how to draw a Gryphon B or C...
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:57:59 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 30, 2008, 12:57:17 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 12:49:23 PM
Cait Sith sat on a giant stuffed Moogle, should Fi Sith sit on a giant stuffed gryphon?
Hey, leave Rover out of this!
Also, llearch, I see what you did there.
Um... I don't get it. Clarification please?
Okay... it's finally done.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/AbelValentinesketch2.jpg?t=1222839456)
Abel Valentine, sketch 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/AbelValentinesketch2.jpg?t=1222839456)
Okay... this was a freaking nightmare. His outfit ended up being a hodgepodge of Abel's normal outfit, Vincent's FFVII outfit, and Vincent's FFVII:AC outfit. The gun he is holding is the Death Penalty (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Death_Penalty#Dirge_of_Cerberus_-Final_Fantasy_VII-), the most powerful of any of his guns in both games Vincent appears in: and yes, I cheated by only showing it from the top. The fingers on his left hand are supposed to be slightly curled inwards, but it doesn't show up that well unfortunately. The wings weren't too bad, but necessitated a redesign of Vincent's cloak, which is that thing around his neck. Really sorry for all of the smudges, but I ended up erasing and redrawing him all totaled about three times. He was not easy, but I do kind of like how his head came out.
No idea who to do next. Maybe Wildy Lockhart or Lorenda Wallace. Preferably someone a little simpler, but I get the feeling I'm not gonna get that.
On the plus side, I'm kind of glad that the costumes are becoming more and more my own design rather than an adapted-for-size/shape version of the original ones.
EDIT: Fixed his cheeks: they were too fat.
Advice and constructive criticism always appreciated.
Quote from: Jairus on September 30, 2008, 01:00:06 PM
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 30, 2008, 12:57:59 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 30, 2008, 12:57:17 PM
Hey, leave Rover out of this!
Also, llearch, I see what you did there.
Um… I don't get it. Clarification please?
In one of the RP's - Cogidubnus' "Mad God's Masque and Masquerade Ball" - I have a Gryphon C named Rover as my character. Well... one of my characters. He's not very bright, and needs a keeper to intercede and stop him from eating rocks. Or attempting to flirt with them, if they're particularly sexy.
Of course, the possibility exists that he's actually a lot smarter than the folks around him, and he's merely playing at being an idiot because it gives him a chance to have fun...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 01, 2008, 12:41:20 AM
In one of the RP's - Cogidubnus' "Mad God's Masque and Masquerade Ball" - I have a Gryphon C named Rover as my character. Well... one of my characters. He's not very bright, and needs a keeper to intercede and stop him from eating rocks. Or attempting to flirt with them, if they're particularly sexy.
Of course, the possibility exists that he's actually a lot smarter than the folks around him, and he's merely playing at being an idiot because it gives him a chance to have fun...
Always a possibility. Sounds like a fun character, though I can't imagine how you keep him from accidentally destroying something.
When I eventually draw Fi Sith's stuffed gryphon, may I call it Rover, Boxy? Or would you prefer another name.
You may call it what you wish. I will reserve the right to say "it's a different Rover", though, until after I see the end result.
... I do recommend you go and read the posts in the appropriate IC thread, though. Rover is... an acquired taste, and mere summaries do not supply his full flavour.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 01, 2008, 12:52:19 AM
You may call it what you wish. I will reserve the right to say "it's a different Rover", though, until after I see the end result.
... I do recommend you go and read the posts in the appropriate IC thread, though. Rover is... an acquired taste, and mere summaries do not supply his full flavour.
To be fair, it would look just like a big stuffed gryphon with a tag saying "Rover" on its collar. Something like this, really. (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Cait_Sith_(Final_Fantasy_VII)) Not a specific character.
Any comments on Abel, out of curiosity?
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 12:54:50 AM
Any comments on Abel, out of curiosity?
Not at present. Been busy with work and stuff.
Oooh! Ooooh! I nominate myself for the position of Rufus "Affably Young And Evil" Shinra! (not that this is a request, but what can I say.)
Abel/Vincent is an interesting one. At least they have the same terribly tortured background! (And at least Aniz is a more sane name for a true father than... ahem.. Grimoire Valentine. Damn you, Dirge of Cerberus!)
Nice one, Jay. However, I think you should make his left hand a wee bit larger - or, rather, just the fingers. And, you seem to improve quickly. Keep up the good work! *summons a bunch of cheerleader Succubi to support Jairus*
Abel is certainly recognisable, which is a good start. I'd rather like to see this - or some descendant of the picture - inked and coloured, but that might be a bit ambitious if you're just starting out.
i had expected you would have done abelroh, but i guess you will have to get wildy or pip to do that... now i wonder which girl would be tifa, loredia has the knockers but would look a little silly in the bellyshirt, mab may be able to magically grant herself the chestitude needed to do it, but ive never seen her wear less then a gown
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 01, 2008, 06:30:44 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 12:54:50 AM
Any comments on Abel, out of curiosity?
Not at present. Been busy with work and stuff.
Right. No worries, Boxy.
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on October 01, 2008, 08:52:46 AM
Oooh! Ooooh! I nominate myself for the position of Rufus "Affably Young And Evil" Shinra! (not that this is a request, but what can I say.)
Abel/Vincent is an interesting one. At least they have the same terribly tortured background! (And at least Aniz is a more sane name for a true father than... ahem.. Grimoire Valentine. Damn you, Dirge of Cerberus!)
I tried to match up the nine central characters of DMFA with the FF7 crew as close as I could, which is why Jyrras is Cid: two brilliant inventors... and that's about it. I mean, the worst JyJy's ever said is "frig." But I try to get as a close of a match-up as I can.
As for Janus Shinra... we'll see. You won't get Jyrras though.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 01, 2008, 09:20:23 AM
Nice one, Jay. However, I think you should make his left hand a wee bit larger - or, rather, just the fingers. And, you seem to improve quickly. Keep up the good work! *summons a bunch of cheerleader Succubi to support Jairus*
I'll try that later. And I really enjoy this now that I'm starting to fiddle with the costumes and poses to try something new. And thanks!
Quote from: Tapewolf on October 01, 2008, 09:25:02 AM
Abel is certainly recognisable, which is a good start. I'd rather like to see this - or some descendant of the picture - inked and coloured, but that might be a bit ambitious if you're just starting out.
I intend to ink it once I've got it fixed up to my satisfaction. I think I want to do a handful of drawing exclusively for practicing my inking, since I'm definitely not used to that. As for coloring, I don't have a program to do that yet. Give me a week or two and I can start coloring the old pictures as experiments.
Quote from: Brunhidden on October 01, 2008, 10:23:37 AM
i had expected you would have done abelroh, but i guess you will have to get wildy or pip to do that... now i wonder which girl would be tifa, loredia has the knockers but would look a little silly in the bellyshirt, mab may be able to magically grant herself the chestitude needed to do it, but ive never seen her wear less then a gown
Abelroh... not sure I follow you on who that one is. A little clarification, please?
And here's the pairings I've got so far:
Dan Ti'Fiona = Cloud Strife (done)
Abel Rewanz = Vincent Valentine (done)
Jyrras Gianna = Cid Highwind (done)
Alexsi Ti'Fiona = Aerith Gainsborough
Wildy San = Tifa Lockhart
Pip = Red XIII (done)
Mab = Yuffie Kisaragi
Fi = Cait Sith
Lorenda Soulstealer = Barret Wallace
Dark Pegasus = Sephiroth
Janus Bond = Rufus Shinra (possible)
Again, tried to get as close as I could. And yes, Pyroduck is no longer Sephiroth. Maybe he'll be Reno... but then who'll be Rude? And who should Fa'Lina play? And should I stop this before I go insane?
I nominated Aliyka's berserker-kitty form for Barrett. More volatile rage and anger that way.
Maybe Nutmeg for Aerith? Just doing comparisons off the top of my head.
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on October 01, 2008, 11:34:09 AM
I nominated Aliyka's berserker-kitty form for Barrett. More volatile rage and anger that way.
Maybe Nutmeg for Aerith? Just doing comparisons off the top of my head.
But neither of them are main characters. It may complicate the match-ups somewhat, but I basically wanted nine-for-nine. Besides, Alexsi's already got a staff... well, hammer, so that works out.
Besides, I think we already know that personalities are out on their butt. Jyrras is practically the opposite of Cid in abrasiveness and personality, and the only thing they really have in common is a pair of goggles, a love for machines, and a readiness to fight for and alongside their friends. And Abel isn't exactly a brooding shapeshifter, or if he is he hides it well.
And well, some of them don't fit well, but I want to make these all work.
I can see it now...
Dark Pegasus as Sephiroth descending from on high while Alexsi as Aerith prays....
...and then he gets pwned out of the air by the hammer and told to sit on his arse while Alexsi finishes.
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 11:30:04 AM
And should I stop this before I go insane?
I'm doing a DMFA/TTGL parody, and you don't see
me fearing the insanity. :P
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 11:30:04 AM
Again, tried to get as close as I could. And yes, Pyroduck is no longer Sephiroth. Maybe he'll be Reno... but then who'll be Rude? And who should Fa'Lina play? And should I stop this before I go insane?
Make Pyroduck Rude. And Azlan Reno. :3
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on October 01, 2008, 11:34:09 AM
Maybe Nutmeg for Aerith? Just doing comparisons off the top of my head.
Oh, I can totally see it: Sephiroth Pegasus stabs Aerith Nutmeg. She seems to be less than thrilled. He than proceeds to stab her with more sharp objects, until she gets bored and zaps him with a Disintegrate spell. Mab than pops out infuriated by Nutmeg's deviation from the script. "You were supposed to
die in this scene
!! D:<" "Oh!.. ..I forgot. :<"
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on October 01, 2008, 11:41:02 AM
I can see it now...
Dark Pegasus as Sephiroth descending from on high while Alexsi as Aerith prays....
...and then he gets pwned out of the air by the hammer and told to sit on his arse while Alexsi finishes.
That's one way of doing it, I'll give you that.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 01, 2008, 11:41:34 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 11:30:04 AM
And should I stop this before I go insane?
I'm doing a DMFA/TTGL parody, and you don't see me fearing the insanity. :P
True.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 01, 2008, 11:41:34 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 01, 2008, 11:30:04 AM
Again, tried to get as close as I could. And yes, Pyroduck is no longer Sephiroth. Maybe he'll be Reno... but then who'll be Rude? And who should Fa'Lina play? And should I stop this before I go insane?
Make Pyroduck Rude. And Azlan Reno. :3
Oh, yes. Totally. That's great. And Albanion and Nutmeg can be... the other two Turks. Tseng and... Elena! That's her name
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 01, 2008, 11:41:34 AM
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on October 01, 2008, 11:34:09 AM
Maybe Nutmeg for Aerith? Just doing comparisons off the top of my head.
Oh, I can totally see it: Sephiroth Pegasus stabs Aerith Nutmeg. She seems to be less than thrilled. He than proceeds to stab her with more sharp objects, until she gets bored and zaps him with a Disintegrate spell. Mab than pops out infuriated by Nutmeg's deviation from the script. "You were supposed to die in this scene!! D:<" "Oh!.. ..I forgot. :<"
I don't see Alexsi/Aerith as dying in this version at all.
Also, I have two more things to add to that list... well, one more thing and a little thing to be added in post-production. The first thing is the
Highwing, a fusion of the Highwind and the Mecha-Gryphon into the hero's method of transportation: it is also involved in Jyrras' final Limit Break, "Gryphon Burst". The second is the addition of the Deathbringer Summon Materia to Jyrras Highwind's picture... with the feared Deathbringer already summoned.
Well, I'm still getting problems over drawing Alexsi Gainsborough, so here's something I'm thinking of adding to Jyrras Highwind's picture when I get that far: the Deathbringer summon.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deathbringersketch1a.jpg?t=1222919717)
Deathbringer (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deathbringersketch1a.jpg?t=1222919717)
Deathbringer, also known as "Deebs," costs 25 MP to cast. Itis signature attack is "Diabetic Shock," where Deebs uses its adorable cuteness to paralyze all enemies on the field for two turns, in addition to lowering all stats for the rest of the battle. While this doesn't seem to be much, the Deathbringer Summon Materia has the "Limit +" ability, which increases the rate at which the Summoner's Limit Bar increases. Once the Limit Bar is filled, the summoner can use a joint Limit Break called "Exa Death Flash," which fires a powerful beam that pierces through one enemy's defenses and deal direct damage: the attack's damage increases by how many Limit Bars have been filled. This attack also costs an additional 25 MP to cast in addition to draining the Limit Bar. Due to unknown circumstances, Deathbringer will only work when pair with Jyrras Highwind, and is equipped with him by default. It is also used in a number of FMVs, and thus Deathbringer cannot be sold or trashed
...
Yeah... clearly I have too much time on my hands. Well... it is kind of a joke character (and it really doesn't have a parallel in Final Fantasy VII), but really what other Summon Materia would be perfect for Jyrras Highwind? Anyway, this was just something I did because drawing Alexsi was driving me nuts. For some reason, Deebs looks... um, how do I say this?... "older" in this drawing: I think she might be a little long. In game... I don't know, I'd call her a fusion of the Chocobo, Shiva, and Bahamut summons. Anyway, she looks a little weird. Sorry about that.
Anyway, hopefully I'll figure out how to draw Alexsi shortly so I can finish her and get on with the rest of the party and characters. Otherwise I'll have to draw Fi and the
Highwing.
Well, I've gotten some tips on drawing from a few people (thank you especially, Keaton!), so hopefully I'll be able to draw Alexsi Gainsborough this coming week. Anyway, here's something that I've been working on: fake stats for the Furry Fantasy VII characters. Dan Strife's is the only set finished, so he's all you get tonight, though I'm halfway through Abel Valentine's set and then will do Jyrras Highwind's. Anyway, these are basically a hybridization of some stuff from DMFA and the FF7 stats...
Dan Strife is a Warrior of no small skill. A fighter and swordsman, Dan wields a variety of large great swords in battle. His default weapon is the distinctive Buster Sword. He is also a Cubi, a race of shapeshifters and telepaths of no small skill, though his own shapeshifting skills are fairly lacking. Dan is mostly identifiable by his vibrant green eyes and his magnificent set of blue-feathered wings, which include the two headwings that he hides through shapeshifting: he can also extend a set of tendrils from his wings to act as a second set of limbs. Though he seems cocky and arrogant, deep down he is a compassionate and lvoing man who deeply cares for his friends and never hesitates to stand up for what he believes in. His physical stats (strength and defense) are well balanced, but his magic skills are somewhat low: he is best used by placing him on the front line to ensure attack power
Limit Breaks Braver - Level 1
Single physical attack with a downward slash dealing three times normal damage.
Z-Slash - Level 1
Single physical attack with three slices dealing 3.25 times normal damage and inflicting Paralysis.
Blade Beam - Level 2
Strikes a single enemy with a heavy attack dealing 3.5 times normal damage, and hits other enemies for less damage with shockwaves.
Hazard Run - Level 2
Strikes enemy, then flies upwards running the sword along the enemy dealing 4.375 times normal damage.
Bladerain - Level 3
Summons five copies of the sword he is holding and then throws all six into the air to fall and hit random targets for 1.625 times normal damage each.
Finishing Touch - Level 3
Hits all enemies with a tornado causing Death and dealing 3.125 times normal damage for any enemy immune to Death.
Omnislash Version 6 - Level 4
Summons all blades in his collection to be used in a series of sequential critical hits for .75 times normal damage for each one, including Atk and Str increases. Power of the attack increases the number of blades in his collection.
...
Yeah. Kind of silly, but oh well.
Sheesh, I haven't posted here in a few days. My thread feels unloved.
Once more, some weird stats, this time for Abel Valentine. Again, these are a combination of both 'verses, and I tried to be balanced. Jyrras' is next.
Abel Valentine is - like Dan - a Cubi. Unlike Dan, Abel is centuries old, and has mastered many of his race's powers, including the shapeshifting he uses to generate his clothes. He is a Gunner, and wields a variety of different pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. Abel is identifiable by his mismatched blue-and-green eyes, as well as his four Cubi wings that he only rarely hides. Personality wise, he doesn't interact well with others, and feels distant and unapproachable: nonetheless, he is loyal to those he considers his friends, and like Dan is willing to throw himself behind a cause he believes in. His past is fairly mysterious, and only a few clues have been gleaned. Stats-wise, Abel is fairly balanced, with above-average speed and magical abilities and defenses: he also has a fairly high Luck rating. He and Jyrras eventually seem to have a thing going on, though it may be nothing more than a deep friendship.
Limit Breaks Abel's Limit Breaks are slightly different from the others. His limits rotate around his Cubi abilities, and he has one attack and one support limit per level, except for the final level.
Second Grip - Level 1
Creates an extra tendril, allowing Abel to dual wield guns. Damage dealt is .75 for each gun. Lasts three turns.
Hated Illusion - Level 1
Casts Berserk on one friend or foe through use of an illusion. Lasts three turns.
Tendril Blade - Level 2
Summons six tendrils, and then sharpens their edges to razor sharpness. Deals massive damage to one target.
Nightmare Surf - Level 2
Traps one random enemy in a nightmare lasting three turns, paralyzing them for duration of attack.
Copy Technique - Level 3
Copies at random one enemy ability, allowing Abel to use that ability three times.
Emotional Charge - Level 3
Channels enemy's emotions to cast Regeneration and MP Recharge on party for three turns.
Omniblast - Level 4
Summons several tendrils and draws all of his guns simultaneously, and then fires them in a barrage at random enemies. Deals damage equivalent to average of all guns.
...
Yes, I know that Abel would never use something like what Aniz used on Hennya. I'm sorry: it's for gameplay purposes only. Besides, their backstories are slightly different, so really this isn't the "real" Abel anyway. Anyway, questions or comments?
What, no origami?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 05, 2008, 04:37:41 AM
What, no origami?
No, that's Mab Kisaragi who attacks using the power of origami.
Okay, I'm tired from moving furniture all day, so here's my post: the stats for Jyrras Highwind of the Furry Fantasy VII setting. Still trying to hybridize the two worlds properly, so still a work in progress. Any advice is appreciated.
Jyrras Highwind is a Kangaroo Rat Dragoon, and wields spears and lances into battle. Though young, he is also an accomplished inventor, and built the
Highwing airship that the team uses as transportation. He is identifiable by his big bright blue eyes, his styled black hair, and the pair of flight/welders goggles that he wears pushed up on his forehead. The glasses that he wears are actually unneeded: he just wears them to promote his nerdy scientist persona. Personality wise, Jyrras is actually fairly shy and reclusive outside of his small circle of people he feels comfortable with, but is deeply loyal to his friends and can be counted on in a pinch. Mentioning the word "family" in his presence is enough to make him panic and run for some reason. Stats-wise, Jyrras is the fastest of all the other characters, and has fairly high physical defense and attack ratings, but he is lacking in the magic department, and has really low luck. He is also paired with the summon Deathbringer, which gives him an additional Limit Break called "Exa Death Flash." He seems to have a crush on Abel, though whether or not he is going to act on this is unknown.
Limit Breaks High Jump - Level 1
Jumps into the air and strikes down with a spear into one enemy. Deals 2.5 times damage.
Grenadier - Level 1
Primes a grenade, and then hurls it into all enemies. Damage dealt is equal to 1/4 of Jyrras' maximum HP.
Hyperdash - Level 2
Dashes behind one enemy to attack them from behind with a focused explosion. Pierces barriers and defense to deal direct damage x2 to one enemy. .75 damage dealt to all enemies by shockwave.
Gatling Burst - Level 2
Highwing airdrops a large gatling gun turret to Jyrras' position, and then Jyrras fires 60 shots dealing damage equal to 1/20 of Jyrras' maximum HP into random enemies. The shots ignore defenses.
Dragon Dive - Level 3
Performs eight slash attacks that deal .75 damage to random enemies, and then one high-speed dash that does 1.50 damage to all enemies.
Death Ray - Level 3
Highwing airdrops a death ray to Jyrras' positions, and then Jyrras fires one shot dealing 100% of his maximum HP to a random enemy. The shot ignores defenses.
Gryphon Wing - Level 4
Jyrras summons the
Highwing, which transforms into Gryphon mode and fires a barrage of 18 plasma blasts from its wings at random enemies.
...
Okay, I'm tired. Good night!
Ah, a new drawing, and the first one since I got all of my furniture moved around. The Jyritto and the two Pouch Permission drawings have been put on hold for a pair of drawings I want to do. Here's the first...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZerosketch1.jpg?t=1223449123)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZerosketch1.jpg?t=1223449123)"I, Jyrras Gianna, command you..."
Well, it's basically "what if Jyrras got a Geass?" It's still kind of rough, but I'm pleased at how short it took to draw this: only thirty minutes or so. It's kind of hard to tell, but he's got the Geass signet in his left eye, and his left arm is supposed to be doing... well, what Lelouch does at the end of Episode 1 of Season 1 of Code Geass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtT5vbzXa_M). But you can pretend that he says something different after he says "I, Jyrras Gianna, command you" if you so please. And originally, he was going to be in Lelouch's uniform, but I couldn't quite pull it off, so you got this outfit instead. Sorry.
Next: Jyrras as Zero. Clearly, turning twenty-one has not magically gifted me with a social life. *sigh* Oh well.
Anyway, comments and constructive criticism and advice are welcome.
Awww.
Your proportions aren't bad, and I like his hair. Especially the tuft on the end of his tail. His right (our left) hand looks posed a little awkwardly, and the image looks a little flat (Pose and flatness are both common challenges to deal with, but can be fixed with mere practice.) If I were to suggest something to work on though, I'd say the eyes. The style you're using seem fairly rudimentary.
Also, his cheeks look a little off. They're a bit chubby and a bit high. I sketched up a correction, cause it's hard to describe:
(http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/images/sketches/JyrrasZerosketch1b.jpg)
The side of the face comes straight down until it's level with the nose, then the line of the jaw angles in. This can vary greatly depending on style, however, so take my diagram with a grain of salt.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:51:16 AM
Awww.
"Awww?" "Awww" is bad... this is supposed to be badass Jyrras who is about to order someone to off themselves, not cute adorable Jyrras who wouldn't hurt a fly... maybe I should draw him using his power to force Kria to serve him forever, to prove to her that he now has power, and is going to use it.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:51:16 AM
Your proportions aren't bad, and I like his hair. Especially the tuft on the end of his tail. His right (our left) hand looks posed a little awkwardly, and the image looks a little flat (Pose and flatness are both common challenges to deal with, but can be fixed with mere practice.) If I were to suggest something to work on though, I'd say the eyes. The style you're using seem fairly rudimentary.
No, he is quite flat. Usually when I draw characters (look over the last page or two), the feet are posed a little differently, and I also have more early shading. As for the arms... in terms of drawing, this is really the first time I've ever drawn an arm in perspective, so I'm not surprised that it didn't quite work out, while I don't quite know how to fix his right arm: it's just supposed to be lying at his side, holding his glasses as he geasses someone. And the eyes are quite rudimentary: just a half oval with a line over the top. I'll try to work on that.
Hm... it looks like either the right arm needs to be looked at straight on (in which case it wouldn't really show the elbow because it would be pointed straight back), or I need to rotate the hand slightly so that we can seen the back of the palm. I think that'll fix the right arm.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:51:16 AM
Also, his cheeks look a little off. They're a bit chubby and a bit high. I sketched up a correction, cause it's hard to describe:
(http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/images/sketches/JyrrasZerosketch1b.jpg)
The side of the face comes straight down until it's level with the nose, then the line of the jaw angles in. This can vary greatly depending on style, however, so take my diagram with a grain of salt.
Hm... I'll give that a try. Yeah, looking at a few pictures of Jyrras, his cheeks aren't that big, so I'll tone them down a bit. I really don't seem to have a style of my own yet (mostly aping Amber's, to be honest), outside of having difficulties drawing in a more cartoony style. Oh well.
EDIT: I forgot I wanted to link to these. Here's the first two minute sketch I did to get the basics down (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZeroconceptsketch1.jpg?t=1223475372), and here's an intermediate step where I'd fixed a bunch and had some details in (except that Jy's shirtless... yeah) (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZeroconceptsketch2.jpg?t=1223475374). Hopefully this kind of gives an idea for my extremely rudimentary style.
Okay, made a few fixes (not much, but a few), so here's version two of Jyrras Gianna about to geass someone...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZerosketch1a-fixedface1.jpg?t=1223483088)
"... obey me!" (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZerosketch1a-fixedface1.jpg?t=1223483088)
Fixed the feet, the arm, tweaked the ears, rearranged his face slightly... little thing that I think helped out a lot. Also, I have currently decided that Jyrras is geassing Albanion here to be his loyal servant for all of eternity.
... and now the face is bothering me. Crud.
Anyway, comments and constructive criticism and advice are welcome.
Quote from: Jairus on October 08, 2008, 12:10:32 PM
"... obey me!" (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasZerosketch1a-fixedface1.jpg?t=1223483088)
"
YES, MY LORD!!" *insert insane smile here*
Good work, Jay! Keep it up! :>
Quote from: Jairus on October 08, 2008, 10:23:08 AM
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:51:16 AM
Awww.
"Awww?" "Awww" is bad... this is supposed to be badass Jyrras who is about to order someone to off themselves, not cute adorable Jyrras who wouldn't hurt a fly...
Yeah, but he's cute when he's got 'tude. Faces are about as complicated as hands, by the way, with all the nuances an expression can have.
A note on your two minute sketch: you're not using spheres to lay out the body and joints. Using spheres really lets you consider your drawing in terms of three dimensions. For example, the shoulders are really flat looking. If you'd planned it out with spheres, it would have been easy to turn his torso a bit, pull his right shoulder back (which would put it partially behind his torso) and push his left shoulder forward, which would add tension and depth. Then doing the same to the feet, wherein pushing the right foot forward would make his pose dynamic, and pushing the right foot back would make him look imposing. All that would require a complete redraw, though, so this is pretty much academic.
Those feet are much improved. You did a good job on them. And I think the face is OK.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:10:02 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 08, 2008, 10:23:08 AM
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:51:16 AM
Awww.
"Awww?" "Awww" is bad... this is supposed to be badass Jyrras who is about to order someone to off themselves, not cute adorable Jyrras who wouldn't hurt a fly...
Yeah, but he's cute when he's got 'tude. Faces are about as complicated as hands, by the way, with all the nuances an expression can have.
Uggh... tell me about it.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:10:02 PM
A note on your two minute sketch: you're not using spheres to lay out the body and joints. Using spheres really lets you consider your drawing in terms of three dimensions. For example, the shoulders are really flat looking. If you'd planned it out with spheres, it would have been easy to turn his torso a bit, pull his right shoulder back (which would put it partially behind his torso) and push his left shoulder forward, which would add tension and depth. Then doing the same to the feet, wherein pushing the right foot forward would make his pose dynamic, and pushing the right foot back would make him look imposing. All that would require a complete redraw, though, so this is pretty much academic.
Yeah... I know. I really do. I will admit to only using two spheres in the drawing, and that was only a later phase: to try and get the left arm to look like it had a joint in it rather than being a limp noodle. All good notes, and thank you very much. But as a somewhat neutral pose, it isn't half bad.
As for a complete redraw... well, we'll see.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 08, 2008, 04:10:02 PM
Those feet are much improved. You did a good job on them. And I think the face is OK.
Thanks, I like them better too. He doesn't look like a dancer anymore. It's funny, but now that I look at him he looks a bit more like a stereotypical anime character... I don't know if that's bad.
I'm actually working on a practice inking of my Dan Strife picture... I didn't really like the thing, so I'm gonna end up redrawing it at some point: I figured, why let a finished drawing go to waste, might as well practice. Especially since I don't want to fudge up this one or Jyrras Highwind or Abel Valentine.
Quote from: Jairus on October 08, 2008, 12:10:32 PM
I have currently decided that Jyrras is geassing Albanion here to be his loyal servant for all of eternity.
I preferred commanding someone to kill themselves. But then I always did like that one scene in
Conan.
The eyes are a little strange in this version, but it does give a pretty good impression of 'psychotically evil', at least for me.
Quote from: Tapewolf on October 08, 2008, 04:32:02 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 08, 2008, 12:10:32 PM
I have currently decided that Jyrras is geassing Albanion here to be his loyal servant for all of eternity.
I preferred commanding someone to kill themselves. But then I always did like that one scene in Conan.
The eyes are a little strange in this version, but it does give a pretty good impression of 'psychotically evil', at least for me.
Yeah, but I doubt that Amber would appreciate that. Besides, if Jyrras was Geassing someone to kill themselves, he'd do it to Aniz. Ehehem.
Um, weird how, out of curiosity? But then again, psychotically evil works for me.
...
I hate Clamp. For a simple reason: their outfit designs for Code Geass were meant only for that particular character design. I have hit immense difficulties in adapting Zero's R2 outfit to match Jyrras, so for the time being I am setting aside the JyRo project. Instead, I've decided to ink in three of my drawings as practice. Fortunately (or otherwise) inking in Dan Strife (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg231289.html#msg231289) made me realize that the thing was butt ugly, and basically unsalvageable: I am going to redraw him at some point. In the meantime, here are the other two before I get to work on Jyrras Highwind (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg231359.html#msg231359), Abel Valentine (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg231737.html#msg231737), and Jyrras Zero (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg234320.html#msg234320). But the inking for Dan Strife was some valuable practice, and I definitely made the wings look
much better.
Um, anyway...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deebsinked.jpg?t=1223616073)
Deathbringer, inked (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deebsinked.jpg?t=1223616073)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/pipxiiiinked.jpg?t=1223616087)
Pip XIII, inked (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/pipxiiiinked.jpg?t=1223616087)
Not much to say, except that they were pretty quick inkings of some slightly more simple and I'm going to take it slower on the other three. Any advice (aside from take it slow and steady) would be appreciated, especially last minute fixes. I may post some of my scans of the steps I tried to take in getting Zero/Jyrras' pose right, which was a nightmare in an of itself.
Oh, those three are going to drive me nuts, aren't they? What the heck should I ink in so that they scan right but don't look cluttered?
Not bad, Jay. Though the next logical step would be to colour the inked sketches. :> Maybe you should try the GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/) for colouring? :3
Indeed. Bring out the GIMP.
... The GIMP is asleep...
Awaken the GIMP.
To expand on "take it slow,": Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Other then that... only thing I can say is make sure your pencils are damn tidy. And be clinical about the amount of pressure you use.
Really, it looks like all you need is practice.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 10, 2008, 02:28:13 PM
To expand on "take it slow,": Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
That sounds delightfully zen. Could you explain it a little more, please?
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 10, 2008, 02:28:13 PM
Other then that... only thing I can say is make sure your pencils are damn tidy. And be clinical about the amount of pressure you use.
Pencil lines?
Maybe it's just me... but these look so much better when they're just pencil markings. You've got the rudimentary shading, it doesn't look as clean so the flaws kind of blend together... I don't know.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 10, 2008, 02:28:13 PM
Really, it looks like all you need is practice.
Thanks.
Okay, I got one more drawing inked today... and I also bought Photoshop! Yay! This shall be the weekend of experimentation!
Anyway, here's Jyrras Highwind, inked.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasHighwindinked.jpg?t=1223686468)
Jyrras Highwind, inked (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/JyrrasHighwindinked.jpg?t=1223686468)
Anyway, I made a few changes between this and the last version. The head was bugging me, so I fixed it, but he ended up looking like he'd gotten a bit of a haircut. I also realized that with how his jacket was posed, we should be able to see the right side of his t-shirt, so I added that down at the bottom.
Anyway, as always, comments and constructive criticisms are appreciated.
I'm currently thinking about revising the Mark VII and VIII Roland stat's and posting them... thanks to Ren, I've made a few changes. Anyhoo...
The lines look kind of light. Could be your ink, could be how you scanned it. By the way, if you ink on paper, set your scanner to Black and White. You'll get better results.
Anyway... I really should have commented on this when it was in pencils, sorry. The handdoesn't look like it's gripping the haft, really. The haft should be braced against the crook of the thumb, the fingers should be wrapped around the haft, and the thumb isn't quite at the right angle.
I drew a picture. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/handhaft.jpg)
And the structure behind it. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/handhaftbase.jpg)
Other then that, he's missing eyebrows. That's easy to fix, tho.
Other then *that*, it's a good picture overall. It's definitely better inking, and the character has a better sense of volume and mass. I like the fabric on the pants, too. (The cut of his collar is a bit off, tho.)
To expand on "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast":
When you slow down, you think about your actions more carefully. This isn't a conscious thing, it's just paying attention to what your doing more clearly. There is a difference between this and slowing down to be extra careful. Being "extra careful" usually makes unsteady lines, or trying to "fix" lines in the pencil work as you're inking it. Both are bad.
Eventually, with enough practice, you'll start to notice that your pen moves at the same speed no matter what you're inking. This is where being smooth makes you fast. But at the same point, you still have to be paying attention to what you're doing. It's a speed that comes when you stop frantic, worried, nervous, or rushed, and proceed with confidence and focus.
Most importantly, you stop thinking about what you're doing because it has become natural to you.
This is a really ephemeral thing to describe, it's more of a sense or feeling that you get when you do something, rather then a thing you do. First person shooters call it being in the zone. Calligraphers call it rythm, because each stroke is sure and without hesitation. In sword fighting it's called action without thought because your body moves on their own.
I got the quote from a move called "Sniper" It's an ok movie at best, but that line always stuck with me.
*Sigh.* Another wall o' text. This is getting to be a habit.
[EDIT:] Whoo, Photoshop? Congratulations. There's a whole new can of worms. When ever you do something, make sure you're on the right layer.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
The lines look kind of light. Could be your ink, could be how you scanned it. By the way, if you ink on paper, set your scanner to Black and White. You'll get better results.
Oh, definitely. The ink is actually black, but the picture does look much better when scanned in black+white (see Pip XIII and Deathbringer: same inking style, just scanned in B+W). If you want, I'll scan and post a link to a B+W version.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
Anyway... I really should have commented on this when it was in pencils, sorry. The handdoesn't look like it's gripping the haft, really. The haft should be braced against the crook of the thumb, the fingers should be wrapped around the haft, and the thumb isn't quite at the right angle.
I drew a picture. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/handhaft.jpg)
And the structure behind it. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/handhaftbase.jpg)
Argh. Yeah, I'm not used to drawing hands yet. I couldn't quite get the look right when I was penciling it in, so I ended up with this. Oh well, practice makes perfect. Next time I'll get the hands right. Or at least better. Thanks for the points, as always.
And the links don't seem to be working.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
Other then that, he's missing eyebrows. That's easy to fix, tho.
Gyah. Eyebrows. Oh well, easy fix indeed. What angle do you think they should be at? Definitely not inward. I'm thinking downward, to kind of carry that embarrassed/shy look that his new head/face seems to have.
I'm used to forgetting things on my drawings. On a few of these I've forgotten the tail... though that was because I wasn't used to anthro art (or art AT ALL). I think it's to the point that I'll have to remind myself NOT to draw the tails (and ears and funky hair) once I get to drawing MY characters.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
Other then *that*, it's a good picture overall. It's definitely better inking, and the character has a better sense of volume and mass. I like the fabric on the pants, too. (The cut of his collar is a bit off, tho.)
Yeah... I kind of cheated though: I used the lineart of Cid Highwind from FFVII to help me get the weight of the costume right, though I ended up simplifying it a lot. But since I was A) drawing from eye and B) adapting it to a shorter character, i think it worked out okay. The last picture (Jyrras Zero) is a better example of my skills with clothing. Cut of his collar? Hm... yeah, I can kind of see that.
We'll have to see how good I can do clothes normally when I get that far (Jyrras in Zero's R2 outfit doesn't count).
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
To expand on "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast":
When you slow down, you think about your actions more carefully. This isn't a conscious thing, it's just paying attention to what your doing more clearly. There is a difference between this and slowing down to be extra careful. Being "extra careful" usually makes unsteady lines, or trying to "fix" lines in the pencil work as you're inking it. Both are bad.
Eventually, with enough practice, you'll start to notice that your pen moves at the same speed no matter what you're inking. This is where being smooth makes you fast. But at the same point, you still have to be paying attention to what you're doing. It's a speed that comes when you stop frantic, worried, nervous, or rushed, and proceed with confidence and focus.
Most importantly, you stop thinking about what you're doing because it has become natural to you.
This is a really ephemeral thing to describe, it's more of a sense or feeling that you get when you do something, rather then a thing you do. First person shooters call it being in the zone. Calligraphers call it rythm, because each stroke is sure and without hesitation. In sword fighting it's called action without thought because your body moves on their own.
I got the quote from a move called "Sniper" It's an ok movie at best, but that line always stuck with me.
*Sigh.* Another wall o' text. This is getting to be a habit.
Ah, I see. Yes, I have a problem with going slowly to be "extra careful," which is why up close you can tell that these are multiple lines run together, and why some of the lines look better than others. Yeah, I'll work on that too. Thanks again. As for Walls of Texts... well, I've done that a few times, especially in this thread (Roland was really bad: 12 pages when I saved it to my computer).
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 12:24:49 AM
[EDIT:] Whoo, Photoshop? Congratulations. There's a whole new can of worms. When ever you do something, make sure you're on the right layer.
Well, it's brand new, so I'll mostly be experimenting with it this weekend, and eventually get to the point that I go through all of the tutorials and such because I can't figure it out otherwise. Fortunately, there are a lot of people on this forum who have used it or similar programs who can point out what I'm doing wrong.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
I'm not used to drawing hands yet. I couldn't quite get the look right when I was penciling it in, so I ended up with this.
Hands are not easy to do, they're very complicated structures and have all kinds of quirks to the skin and muscle. Once you get used to the basic structure, though, you learn to work with them. They can be as expressive, and touchy, as faces.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
And the links don't seem to be working.
*Twitch* It is fixed.
Hand. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/hafthand.jpg)
And the structure behind it. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/hafthandbase.jpg)
This is getting to be a habit. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4729.msg234956.html#msg234956)
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
I'm used to forgetting things on my drawings. On a few of these I've forgotten the tail... though that was because I wasn't used to anthro art (or art AT ALL). I think it's to the point that I'll have to remind myself NOT to draw the tails (and ears and funky hair) once I get to drawing MY characters.
Take a look back through the archives for my DSOF comic and count how many times I've forgotten wings and tails.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
What angle do you think [the eyebrows] should be at?
I dunno. Make the face you want him to have and look in the mirror. Heck, you don't even have to look in the mirror. Just start acting, and figure out what your face is doing.
Warning: using this method will lead to this sort of thing. (http://www.awkwardzombie.com/comic1-072108.php) (After a while, I got used to doing it in public, tho. I mean, if I'm going to be drawing 8ft. tall cartoon demon cats in a donut shop, I might as well stop giving a damn about what people think about me at all. Very liberating. :) )
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 01:21:01 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
And the links don't seem to be working.
*Twitch* It is fixed.
Hand. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/hafthand.jpg)
And the structure behind it. (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/site/projects/tutorial/hafthandbase.jpg)
This is getting to be a habit. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4729.msg234956.html#msg234956)
No worries. That diagram is very helpful: thank you. Though you're *twitch* is kind of funny.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 01:21:01 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:45:16 AM
What angle do you think [the eyebrows] should be at?
I dunno. Make the face you want him to have and look in the mirror. Heck, you don't even have to look in the mirror. Just start acting, and figure out what your face is doing.
Well, I quickly did some mock-up eyebrows and scanned just the head:
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/jyheadeybrow.jpg?t=1223705227)
How about that?
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 01:21:01 AM
Warning: using this method will lead to this sort of thing. (http://www.awkwardzombie.com/comic1-072108.php) (After a while, I got used to doing it in public, tho. I mean, if I'm going to be drawing 8ft. tall cartoon demon cats in a donut shop, I might as well stop giving a damn about what people think about me at all. Very liberating. :) )
*snerrrk* That was great.
EDIT: When I scan this in with the fixed eyebrows, I'll do it in B/W. Also, any recommendations for Abel Valentine before I ink him in?
Also... haiku!
It's been so very
Long since I wrote anything,
And this is not good.
I should finish those
Technical stats for the rest
Of the other ships.
Or perhaps some more
Character profiles. Or
Even a chapter.
Or should I just write
A one shot thing? That might be
Easier to do.
Or should I stop with
The stupid haiku and write
Something else right now?
There once was a Gundam named Exia,
And it's seven great blades it would draw.
It spliced and it diced,
All through CB's heist,
And dear Graham would just watch with awe.
... yeah, that one was bad. Sorry.
Generally you want some space between the eyes and the brow, if only for readability. I can't really tell what expression you're going for tho.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 11:23:12 AM
Generally you want some space between the eyes and the brow, if only for readability. I can't really tell what expression you're going for tho.
Shy/embarrassed. It seems to be what the eyes best look like at the moment. If that kind of makes sense.
This was something I drew for the IF contest, and I thought I should post it here, since it represents my first ever coloring job on one of my pictures.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/somethingwicked.jpg?t=1223741815)
Something wicked... (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/somethingwicked.jpg?t=1223741815)
Before you ask, no, I did not use Photoshop. This was done with a Painting application on my computer, which explains why it looks like crap. Someday I might redo it, especially with a background of some kind. It's supposed to be some elder god or something like Cthulhu emerging from Boxy, but after I sketched a whole bunch of tentacles in the original version I decided that one just poking up worked a bit better... maybe it was a precursor to the rest. And I think I'll end up redoing the logos and words when I get that far. Anyway...
Quote from: Jairus on October 10, 2008, 08:57:00 PM
Okay, I got one more drawing inked today... and I also bought Photoshop!
Christ. I could buy a 24-track machine for that kind of money. Which version was it?
Anyway, if you're interested, I was bored waiting for something big to finish uploading so I did this:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/tapewolf/scraps/JyrrasHighwindinked.png
The PSD, which contains a snapshot of each step of the process, is here:
http://tapewolf.wildernessguardians.com/stuff/JyrrasHighwindinked.zip
While I realise you probably have your own colour scheme for the clothes, I went ahead and sampled the colours from strip 608. Except for the shoes.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:21:16 PM
Something wicked... (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/somethingwicked.jpg?t=1223741815)
...
Tentacoo wape?
Quote from: Tapewolf on October 11, 2008, 12:22:36 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 10, 2008, 08:57:00 PM
Okay, I got one more drawing inked today... and I also bought Photoshop!
Christ. I could buy a 24-track machine for that kind of money. Which version was it?
Adobe Creative Suit 3 Design Premium. I got Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Acrobat 9, and a few other programs too. All for a total of $368.58. Student discount.
Quote from: Tapewolf on October 11, 2008, 12:22:36 PM
Anyway, if you're interested, I was bored waiting for something big to finish uploading so I did this:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/tapewolf/scraps/JyrrasHighwindinked.png
The PSD, which contains a snapshot of each step of the process, is here:
http://tapewolf.wildernessguardians.com/stuff/JyrrasHighwindinked.zip
While I realise you probably have your own colour scheme for the clothes, I went ahead and sampled the colours from strip 608. Except for the shoes.
Ah, cool. Very cool. That actually gives me an idea of how much I've still got to learn. Thanks!
I should add some lines to his hair and tail tuft, shouldn't I? And scan it in black and white to amplify the lines?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 11, 2008, 12:24:40 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:21:16 PM
Something wicked... (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/somethingwicked.jpg?t=1223741815)
...Tentacoo wape?
...
maybe.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:27:54 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 11, 2008, 12:24:40 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 12:21:16 PM
Something wicked... (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/somethingwicked.jpg?t=1223741815)
...Tentacoo wape?
... maybe.
...yes (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4729.msg235423.html#msg235423)
I find hair works better if you shade it in coloring rather inking as many strands as you can. By the way, if you can color that box in some paint program, you should be fine with Photoshop. You'll just have to pick up a few tools and tricks.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 04:58:18 PM
I find hair works better if you shade it in coloring rather inking as many strands as you can. By the way, if you can color that box in some paint program, you should be fine with Photoshop. You'll just have to pick up a few tools and tricks.
It's not so much a coloring program as it was a Painting document under Appleworks. I'm practicing with Deebs, since all she is is bubblegum pink. I wish I new how to smooth the edges a little, though. Or what half of these tools did.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 05:05:12 PM
It's not so much a coloring program as it was a Painting document under Appleworks. I'm practicing with Deebs, since all she is is bubblegum pink. I wish I new how to smooth the edges a little, though. Or what half of these tools did.
"change things"
Each one does something specific. There will be times when each is useful; however, you can get by with just the few minimal tools to start with.
And those ones are pretty obvious. ;-]
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 11, 2008, 05:25:44 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 05:05:12 PM
It's not so much a coloring program as it was a Painting document under Appleworks. I'm practicing with Deebs, since all she is is bubblegum pink. I wish I new how to smooth the edges a little, though. Or what half of these tools did.
"change things"
Each one does something specific. There will be times when each is useful; however, you can get by with just the few minimal tools to start with.
And those ones are pretty obvious. ;-]
Ha ha, very helpful. It's more of a matter of "at what point am I going to give up and listen/watch/read the tutorials." Probably right now, to be honest.
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 05:05:12 PM
It's not so much a coloring program as it was a Painting document under Appleworks. I'm practicing with Deebs, since all she is is bubblegum pink. I wish I new how to smooth the edges a little, though. Or what half of these tools did.
Huh... Appleworks. Been a while since I used that. At any rate, it should have a brush tool.
As for getting smoother lines... Scan the image at 400 DPI (Or higher), color the sucker, and shrink it down by 25% (Or more). Scaling it down antialiases it, making for smoother lines.
Of course, you can end up working with images thousands of pixels in dimensions (When I work on a comic page, it's usually about 2700 X 4000). That's why artists have love affairs with gigs of RAM.
On the matter of tools, though, I wouldn't worry about it too much till you get Photoshop. If you're going to study the tools, wait till you get the application you're going to be using. And Photoshop has four times as many tools. You probably won't need more then half of them, though.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 05:44:19 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 11, 2008, 05:05:12 PM
It's not so much a coloring program as it was a Painting document under Appleworks. I'm practicing with Deebs, since all she is is bubblegum pink. I wish I new how to smooth the edges a little, though. Or what half of these tools did.
Huh... Appleworks. Been a while since I used that. At any rate, it should have a brush tool.
Yep... and I rarely used it. More often than not I was just using the paint can, and that just filled the whole area.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 05:44:19 PM
As for getting smoother lines... Scan the image at 400 DPI (Or higher), color the sucker, and shrink it down by 25% (Or more). Scaling it down antialiases it, making for smoother lines.
Of course, you can end up working with images thousands of pixels in dimensions (When I work on a comic page, it's usually about 2700 X 4000). That's why artists have love affairs with gigs of RAM.
On the matter of tools, though, I wouldn't worry about it too much till you get Photoshop. If you're going to study the tools, wait till you get the application you're going to be using. And Photoshop has four times as many tools. You probably won't need more then half of them, though.
Yes... Photoshop indeed has a buttload of tools. That's why it's currently giving me a headache. This is basically going to be trial and error till I get it right, isn't it? Ah well, I'll get it eventually. And I'll try the sizing trick when I get that far. Thanks.
To save you some time and not make you go over every tool on the bar:
Things I use most in Photoshop (Well, my version is CS2, so there might be a few differences. Most of this is pretty basic to any version of Photoshop though):
(Note: if you click and hold on some tools, you'll get a drop down with more similar tools, like Blur/Smudge/Sharpen, and Burn/Dodge/Sponge.)
Magic wand: Click on a color, and it selects a shape of that color. Along with the fill command, you can select large patches of white and fill (Even the smallest gap in line work can make a big mess). I use the Fill Command (Shift-F5, or under the Edit menu) cause PS doesn't have a paint bucket. Note that there are a couple of options for this tool:
Contiguous- This will make it select all the color of what you clicked on, over the entire document rather then just the one shape you clicked on.
Tolerance sets how tolerant the tool is about the color. If you have a low tolerance, it'll select only the color you click on. If you have a high tolerance, it'll select that color and everything kinda sorta the same color. When working with cell shading, I set it to 1.
Sample All Layers: If you have a separate layer for color and ink, this can be useful at times.
Anti-alias: If you get a black and white scan, you'll want to turn this off.
Holding down shift will *add* to the selection, holding down option will *remove* from the selection.
Lasoo: When I need to fill something in that isn't an existing shape, I use this with the Fill command. Not it also has an anti-alias Button. Also uses the shift and option keys.
Photoshop is very sticky about selections. It won't deselect unless you *Tell* it to (Command-D), no matter what. It also won't let you paint in anything but the selection. So, if you mysteriously can't erase something, you're either on the wrong layer, or forgot about a selection elsewhere. It is extremely nice to be able to magic wand multiple times, and to use the lasoo tool with the Magic Wand to add or subtract areas.
By the way: if you ever see a colored picture that has gray around the edges of the linework, it's because the lines were anti aliased and someone used Magic Wand+Fill. The magic wand didn't grab the gray pixels around the anti-aliased black lines, and thus they remain gray. Fussing with the tolerance won't help. This is another reason to use B+W scans.
Under the Image Menu is "Mode". This is where you can switch between B+W, Grayscale, and color. I go with RGB for web work, and CMYK is for the print industry (Since Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black are the standard colors in a four color print process. Yes, the K stands for Black). In CS2, I can't go directly from B+W to color without converting it to Grayscale first.
Select>Inverse and everything under Select>Modify are some very handy menu items.
Layer>Rasterize lets you change things like text and styles into bitmaps. Which means you can edit them with, say, the air brush, smudge tool, and eraser. Oh, and people will usually recognize a style instantly when they see one. Use them sparingly. Likewise with everything under the Filter Menu.
Careful with the smudge tool. It can be handy sometimes (Especially touching up gradients), but it can really muddy things up too.
Image>Image Size: you can reduce the images size here. Obvious, I know, but annoying when you can't find it when you need it.
A warning about the airbrush: You can't really stop it from antialiasing. You can turn down the flow and use it to shade, however. Especially nice when you have a pressure sensitive tablet. Take a look at the earliest pages of DSOF, my comic, and you'll see what happens when you apply ink with the airbrush.
Under the Fill command is Stroke. This will run a line around whatever you have selected. I use it for the black outlines of speech balloons, and you could use it for panel borders.
Anyway... playing with those should keep you busy for a while.
[Edit] Oh, I forgot. If you're taking black and white scans, be sure to find the Threshold setting. This will let you tweak how light or dark your scan will end up. Too dark and your lines will look mushy. Too light and you'll loose lines altogether. Also, i don't recommend inking hair strands on paper, if you're going to color them, because no tweaking of the threshold will ever get it to scan well.
A lot of people like the gradient tool, but I haven't used it much.
Actually, I lie. Photoshop does have a paint bucket tool. It's with the gradient tool. Gah.
And the Eyedropper tool is very handy.
You let me know if I start talking too much. :B
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 06:45:48 PM
*snip long yet informational word dump*
Awesome. Thanks for all of that, that's very helpful... or will be once I get to that point, at least.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 11, 2008, 06:45:48 PM
You let me know if I start talking too much. :B
Keep talking, good sir.
Meanwhile, after approximately 36 hours of fiddling with Photoshop, listening to the advice of other more experienced users, praying to various deities I do not believe in, and sacrificing virgins to various demons and devils, I have the first thing I've ever colored in Photoshop. Avert your eyes.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deebsfirstcoloring.jpg?t=1223789390)
Deebs, first coloring (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/deebsfirstcoloring.jpg?t=1223789390)
... yeah, it's not much, but I'm glad I figured out how to do at least this much. The color's screwy, but that's easily fixed next time around. Anyway, this is basically just practice, but it's good to do it.
Advice always appreciated.
EDIT: Haiku. Poem. Paragraph. Must write something.
Photoshop drives me
Nuts. So many choices, so
Little clarity.
I write so little.
Why is that? I really need
To work on that. Now.
It was a fragile peace, forged in the name of a long-dead king, with a world watching the political balancing act that was the Gwyteg continent.
It would not last.
The Deinan Empire moved first, eastward to conquer the islands of the Jin Republic. In the face of the newest in technology, the Republic fell swiftly, becoming the first Imperial Province.
... and that's all I've got. I'm actually wondering if I can make the prologue for TCW be exciting enough if I do it as a sort of history dump. Oh well. No way to know till I try, right?
If you need to adjust colors, here's how you do it: Get the Magic wand tool. turn off "Contiguous". Select all the pink with one click. Go up to the menu, Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation. You can adjust the color, how bright or pale it is, and how light or dark it is. If you select more then one color at a time, well, it's kinda trippy actually. I use this a lot in character design, especially when I'm building character references. Or if I want *All* the shadows on a character to get darker, say.
Other then that, you might want to start taking thinking about how to shade it, and where to put highlights.
It really doesn't look bad, though. The color is fine (On my monitor, at least. It's not even an obnoxious shade of pink) and I see no gray jaggies. Any problems I might comment on, with the image on the whole, are mostly with the original inks. Which I've mentioned before. By the way: one mistake in the inks turns into ten times as much work if you try to fix it in Photoshop.
One suggestion tho: You could erase all the text and type it out. The Type tool can be a bit ornery.
And, if you're going to be sacrificing anything to demons, 7 out of 10 prefer jujubes. Right now the market is saturated with virgins.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 12, 2008, 02:05:06 AM
If you need to adjust colors, here's how you do it: Get the Magic wand tool. turn off "Contiguous". Select all the pink with one click. Go up to the menu, Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation. You can adjust the color, how bright or pale it is, and how light or dark it is. If you select more then one color at a time, well, it's kinda trippy actually. I use this a lot in character design, especially when I'm building character references. Or if I want *All* the shadows on a character to get darker, say.
Hm... again, thanks for the advice.
You know, I should probably save this advice to my computer in the eventuality of no internet connection.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 12, 2008, 02:05:06 AM
Other then that, you might want to start taking thinking about how to shade it, and where to put highlights.
Shading? Who said anything about shading?
...
Yeah, that'll be a whole other kettle of fish.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 12, 2008, 02:05:06 AM
It really doesn't look bad, though. The color is fine (On my monitor, at least. It's not even an obnoxious shade of pink) and I see no gray jaggies. Any problems I might comment on, with the image on the whole, are mostly with the original inks. Which I've mentioned before. By the way: one mistake in the inks turns into ten times as much work if you try to fix it in Photoshop.
One suggestion tho: You could erase all the text and type it out. The Type tool can be a bit ornery.
Well, I want it to be as close as possible to Deebs' coloration... and now I just realized that I can use the ink dropper on the Deebs wallpaper to get her color right. That only took forever for me to realize.
Oh yeah, I'm going to erase the text and put in something better, no worries about that. Maybe even the DMFA font (I've forgotten the name, but I know I have it... and about two or three hundred other fonts. Crud.)
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 12, 2008, 02:05:06 AM
And, if you're going to be sacrificing anything to demons, 7 out of 10 prefer jujubes. Right now the market is saturated with virgins.
Hm... never had a Jujube. Will see about that.
An empire moves,
And nations fall before an
Unstoppable force.
Quote from: Jairus on October 12, 2008, 02:17:41 AM
Oh yeah, I'm going to erase the text and put in something better, no worries about that. Maybe even the DMFA font (I've forgotten the name, but I know I have it... and about two or three hundred other fonts. Crud.)
Pasteris. Just look at RobbieThe1st (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1151)'s sig.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 12, 2008, 03:45:21 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 12, 2008, 02:17:41 AM
Oh yeah, I'm going to erase the text and put in something better, no worries about that. Maybe even the DMFA font (I've forgotten the name, but I know I have it... and about two or three hundred other fonts. Crud.)
Pasteris. Just look at RobbieThe1st (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1151)'s sig.
Ah, thank you, Boxy. Uno momento... yep, I've got it. Pasteris. Thanks again.
The wind blows. Leaves are
Trapped in my little porch. I'll
Never get them out.
The wind still blows. A
Piece of bark falls and hits me.
I stop, and go on.
And it's still blowing.
Four days, it's been windy. This
Morning, it is cold.
Quote from: Jairus on October 12, 2008, 11:26:15 AM
The wind blows. Leaves are
Trapped in my little porch. I'll
Never get them out.
The wind still blows. A
Piece of bark falls and hits me.
I stop, and go on.
And it's still blowing.
Four days, it's been windy. This
Morning, it is cold.
"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 12, 2008, 11:33:31 AM
Quote from: Jairus on October 12, 2008, 11:26:15 AM
The wind blows. Leaves are
Trapped in my little porch. I'll
Never get them out.
The wind still blows. A
Piece of bark falls and hits me.
I stop, and go on.
And it's still blowing.
Four days, it's been windy. This
Morning, it is cold.
"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
I am a leaf on
The wind. Watch how I soar. Then
A spike goes through me.
Should I die before
I wake, I really won't care,
Now will I? Thank you.
Quote from: Jairus on October 12, 2008, 02:17:41 AM
and now I just realized that I can use the ink dropper on the Deebs wallpaper to get her color right.
If you're trying to lift a color off a jpeg or gif, it's a good idea to set the "Sample Size" fairly large. Compression from image formats will make for grainy color, and a 1x1 point sample will usually end up the wrong shade.
Also, I can drag an image directly from my browser window into a Photoshop window, and it places the image on a new layer. Very cool.
Given that I have no idea how to start on shading, I decided to keep practicing coloring in photoshop instead. So, here's the Jyrras from Strip #413 (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg230794.html#msg230794), in glorious unshaded color.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/quickbwjy413.jpg?t=1223878642)
Jyrras, quick color practice (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/quickbwjy413.jpg?t=1223878642)
So, um, yeah. Nothing much, just some rough practice. It's gotten a bit easier now that I've fiddled with some of the tool settings so I can select small areas. As always, constructive criticism and advice are appreciated.
Haiku time!
Okay, so I don't watch
Sports. I just don't find them fun
To follow, that's all.
This angel from God...
No, no god. Only man. This
Angel is from Man.
The heart of the first,
The heart of the second, now
United as one.
Here we have the 0,
The Exia, and now me!
Double 0 Gundam.
0 and Exia.
They now live on, Double 0.
You are my Gundam.Yeah, so I did some Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Haiku. But the 00 Gundam premiered today, and boy was it awesome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYOqovJz29s)! Um, for those who don't know "0" is pronounced "oh." And Exia is "Eks-ee-ah." Sorry. And they're a bit repetitive... how about a swordman's haiku?
My blade is broken.
I should get a new one. I
Won't chop rocks again.
Not bad, Jay. I wish I could give you some advice, but I don't have a Photoshop and don't know what to say. :< Well, I know, actually. Next time, use black-and-white mode when scanning. :>
Also. Double-0 Gundam - the mech worthy of being piloted by James Bond? :P
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 13, 2008, 08:09:48 AM
Not bad, Jay. I wish I could give you some advice, but I don't have a Photoshop and don't know what to say. :< Well, I know, actually. Next time, use black-and-white mode when scanning. :>
Either that, or use a decimation filter afterwards. I've no idea how you do that in PS - with Gimp, it's Tools->Colours->Threshold. Down-converting it to 1bpp has the same effect, though it's less controllable.
Quote from: Tapewolf on October 13, 2008, 08:40:33 AM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 13, 2008, 08:09:48 AM
Not bad, Jay. I wish I could give you some advice, but I don't have a Photoshop and don't know what to say. :< Well, I know, actually. Next time, use black-and-white mode when scanning. :>
Either that, or use a decimation filter afterwards. I've no idea how you do that in PS - with Gimp, it's Tools->Colours->Threshold. Down-converting it to 1bpp has the same effect, though it's less controllable.
Well, the scan was a black and white scan I did solely for this picture. I did notice that while I was coloring it, so I used a paintbrush tool on his pants and sweater to try and fix it. That just got tedious, so I skipped it to color the rest. As for Tapewolf's suggestion, there doesn't seem to be a "decimation filter," but I'm betting there's an equivalent. I'll look for it after I go to class and I'm awake. I think I saw something like that somewhere. I also fiddled with a second layer to fill in some lines that got lost for some reason (especially in the pants: one of the dividing lines between his two legs vanished). I mean, it's just an experiment, but it's good practice. And I'm not making much sense, so I'm clearly not fully awake. Hello coffee, I'm about to drink you.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on October 13, 2008, 08:09:48 AM
Also. Double-0 Gundam - the mech worthy of being piloted by James Bond? :P
No. Double-0 is too awesome for James Bond. He can use the 0. Or maybe the Wing Zero.
There are only a handful of pilots worthy of the 00. Amuro, Ryoma, Uso, Domon, Sousuke, Roger, Zengar, Kamina, Chirico, Simon, Kallen, Guy, Suzaku, Setsuna... these are the piloting gods of mecha. The only ones worthy.
Roger Smith: "DOUBLE-O! It's SHOWTIME!!"
I've found two ways to shade things, and a combination of the two methods is useful.
First is using the lasso tool, making a selection, and filling it with shade. Or, Magic wand a shape (Like, say, his shoulder) and Option-lasso away what shouldn't be shaded.
Second option still uses the same selection methods, but uses the gradient tool to give a blended shadow rather then Fill. I do not suggest using the Smudge tool to get a blended shadow.
A third possible method would be to cross hatch all the shading, then fill the area with color on a layer behind once it's scanned. I didn't get very good results with this, but I didn't really pursue it much and didn't have the right tools.
What I'm messing around with (And what is delaying my next comic page) is shading with my tablet and the airbrush tool. Which is very fun, very impressionistic, and very labor intensive. I'll probably save that for hair. I wouldn't recommend shading like that with a mouse.
By the way, you forgot the eyebrows again. His forehead looks huge.
Okay, I know I haven't posted in a day or so, but since the only one bugged by that is me let's move on, shall we?
First order of business:Abel Valentine (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg231737.html#msg231737) is the next subject for inking. Let's consider this a final call for recommendations for fixes and little tricks to do to make him look better, so that when I ink him he looks right. I'd honestly love to make this one look as good as possible. Also, I hope to be doing this one soon (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg234320.html#msg234320): I know I've already gotten a few recommendations and made a few fixes, but a few more couldn't hurt.
Second order of business:I have learned that simply adding eyebrows can drastically change an expression. I penciled in some eyebrows for my Jy 413 sketch, and he ended up looking more nervous or apprehensive rather than the annoyed I was sort of going for originally.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/eyebrows.jpg?t=1224055305)
Eyebrows (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/eyebrows.jpg?t=1224055305)
Anyway, if those work, I'll ink them in and fix the drawing. If not, it's an easy fix. I have also realized that Jy's eyes seem to be pointing in different directions. This is excused by me being an idiot.
And you're right Fox: not only does he have a huge forehead, he also has a long neck. Dammit.
Third order of business:I'm thinking of posting some background information for a slightly weird idea of mine that was tentatively called "The Last Warlock." The reason I am only vaguely thinking of this is because I already want to work on the information for The Covenant Wars, start writing that, and practice drawing and coloring. So, at most it would be basically just an expository background plot dump, such as "Robin Hood defeats Pope in magical duel." Yeah... a little weird. Um, anyway, I'll see if I can't fit it in somewhere.
Fourth order of business:Um... haiku, I guess.
Where waves and water
Turn sweet, you have hit a big
River, idiot.
This is magic, silly
Person, not a miracle.
There's a difference.
I quite like my new
Desk. It's nice to work at, but
My couch feels unloved.
A sketch or two can
Make all the difference. It
Is experience.
Mark One's flamethrowers
Were physical working props.
Damn, that is awesome.
Has anyone else
Thought that the three word game would
Make great free-form verse?
My fan keeps making
Funny noises. Maybe I should
Get it looked at?
There is an empty
Box in my closet. Should I
Instead fill it up?
Where is the narwhal?
Here is the happy little
Narwhal! Freakazoid.
A five-year old kid
Saying "fuck off." That's where "The
Last Warlock" started.
The conversations
I have can get really weird.
Really really weird.
My mind is a weird
Place. Sometimes, it frightens me.
Why choose "Library?"
The only person who
Might get that last one is Ren.
Ask him if you dare.
Perhaps I should write
A random haiku. Oh look
Here, I just didn't.
I like my mom's cats.
They're very cute, and very
Friendly as well. Um...
Hm, I couldn't make
That last one work properly.
Perhaps the next one?
My goodness, it's late
And I am tired. Good night, all!
I'll see you later!
Oh, one more. Dual-
Wielding magic energy
Swords: that is awesome.
Quote from: Jairus on October 15, 2008, 03:43:59 AM
My mind is a weird
Place. Sometimes, it frightens me.
Why choose "Library?"
The only person who
Might get that last one is Ren.
Ask him if you dare.
*Guy Shishio's voice*
LIBRARY?! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cdIx-tWFug)
Gods, I need to stop IMing and start writing/drawing shit again. Well, this is all a somewhat older idea (as in a few years old) called The Last Warlock. I'm probably never going to write it, but I thought it would be a good idea to give at least some background info for this world. I'll try to keep this short and entertaining (and fail), especially since this story will probably never be told. Okay. Let's do this. Apologies in advance for how disorganized this is. Just ask questions, and I'll try to answer them. Anyway...
The world is Earth. A parallel Earth. The year in the modern day is about 2005 Common Era plus or minus five years, a development of the Old Colonial Calendar. History diverged at an early stage for a simple reason: their world has magic. There's also a minor theme of the flipping of myth and fact between our worlds. For example, in their world Robin Hood (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) was a major historical figure, while a version of Sherlock Holmes lived in Londinium towards the end of the 19th century. On the other hand, there have been historical fiction works written in their world where a Second Great War occurred, including the invention/use of weapons capable of destroying cities in a single blast. To be honest, it was to allow the use of some fairly elaborate/stupid jokes on my part, and is fairly indicative of my immaturity when I came up with this stuff. By the modern day, there is little to no overlap between figures in our world or theirs. Namewise, most countries tend to use alternative or historical names.
Magicwise, they all technically exist. Wizards, witches, and sorcerers abound, while there are only a few warlocks left, only one actively uses his special ability (the titular last warlock). Most people are somewhat aware of the existence of magic, if nothing more than weird random events in their life. Technically, it hasn't been acknowledged, even if it is a historical fact that Rome was destroyed by some form of weapon with roughly the same power as a nuclear bomb some 800+ years ago. A handful of schools and libraries have collections of sorcery books, especially the University of Alexandria in Northern Africa. There are possibly magical schools, though since none of the main characters wen to one it doesn't matter that much. Most magical education is either self-taught or from teacher to student. Most governments have mages who serve in a sort of special forces (and were used during Operation Earth Shaker in the Persian War), while a lot of mages also volunteer and help out with certain... threats that cannot normally be dealt with. The use of mages as weapons is a historical matter, with the Holy Christian Empire using mages as inquisitors. The main "magical school" in the CAST is the Trinity Academy in Trimontaine, which also serves as a normal multi-level school (Trimontaine is very much a university town). A handful of mages are "out of the closet" about their magical abilities, but these are fairly rare. The system of magic is an arcane one, but one fairly similar to true Modern Magic.
Geographically, it is our world, with a few minor exceptions. The biggest one is that their magnetic poles flipped about a thousand years ago, causing massive disruptions in trade and travel as well as animals that led to the Dark Ages and contributed to the collapse of the Holy Christian Empire and the Persian-Roman Empire, and likewise the rise of the Diutsch Germanian Reich (modern-day Deutsch Reich). They therefore use a reversed map (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversed_map) on a mostly world-wide scale, though a few countries use a map system similar to ours. Therefore, cities like Trimontaine (our world's Boston) are on the west coast. Californias (about two-three times larger) is an East-coast nation state, and a member of the Confederation of American States and Territories. World population is about one billion or so less than our world, for a handful of reasons.
Geopolitically, things are a bit different. Most nations are either larger superpowers like our world or parts of EU-like alliances. The South American continent (North American) is completely united under the Confederation of American States and Territories (or CAST), which also controls the Albion Islands (British Isles) through conquest of the Empire of Albion early in the eighteen hundreds: CAST has a hybridization of our America's government and modern British Parliament. The Royal Family still exists, but are maintained for mostly political purposes. The Central Americas are a collection of smaller nations, while the North American nations have recently formed - in the last thirty years or so - an EU-like body called the North American Economic Union. Most of Central and Western Europe - including roughly half of modern day Russia - is ruled by the Deutsch Reich, formerly the Diutsch Germanian Reich, which is currently ruled by Kaiserin Wilhemina the Seventh. The Alliance of African Nations is another EU-like structure, and was founded in the late 19th century: it was the tremendous shift of power caused by this new alliance that helped create the environment that jumpstarted the Great War. The Eurasian Territories are nominally their own nations, but are currently controlled by the League of Nations following the Persian War twenty years ago. The government most commonly known as the United Kingdoms is our China, and is a tightly-knit group of separate kingdoms with traditions stretching back in total several thousand years: it is nominally ruled by either the Emperor or the Empress, but power is in fact concentrated in the parliament. Nipon is a small power, but is growing in influence. The collapse of the Empire of Albion led to a large number of smaller territories declaring independence and founding their own nations: for the most part, they remain separate to this day. The whole world also has the League of Nations, which is basically our UN and was created following the Great War as an attempt to prevent such a war from ever occuring again. So far so good.
Okay. Basic history. Really basic. As in one paragraph. The Roman Empire became the Holy Christian Empire in the 300s of the Colonial Era, an era of expansion. They eventually controlled all of Europe and area around the Meditterranean region, ruled from Rome by His Holiness the Imperial Majesty. The Persian Empire - while not as large as it was in our time, was of equivalent size the the HCE, so they were rivals: it united with a handful of breakaway factions of the HCE to form the Roman-Persian Empire. Eventually sometime in the early eleven hundreds, they conquered the Jerusalem area, and the HCE declared the Great Crusade against the RPE. The war ended up going into the late eleven hundreds, when an army under the control of Prince Richard Leonhart of the Diutsch Province joined up with a band of thieves and criminals and deserters under the leadership of Sir William of Sherwood and marched on Rome to demand an audience with His Holiness. Exactly what happened is unknown, but in a single night Rome was destroyed which - combined with a strange and as-yet-unexplained flip of the Earth's magnetic poles - brought about the dark ages. The Roman-Persian Empire was likewise destroyed. Prince Leonhart assassinated his rivals and took control of the Diutsch Province and declared himself 1st Emperor of the Germanian Reich: his descendants rule the Deutsch Reich to this day. The Empire of Albion was able to pick up a handful of colonies, but expanded into other regions of the world, including the American continents, particularly what was now called South America. Germania gradually conquered most of Europe and Eurasia, including about half of modern-day Russia as a result of the Two Hundred Years war. They didn't conquer all of Europe, however: at least France and Spain remain independent, and Italy is considered under the control of the LN for a handful of reasons. The American colonies eventually declared independence and had their war against Albion sometime in the late sixteen hundreds/early seventeen hundreds, but instead of a single nation they formed a confederation of small nations that over the course of the next few centuries has basically achieved the status of a single nation. In the early nineteenth century they invaded and conquered Albion. Communism never really developed beyond the level of a thought experiment. Jonathan Sherwood (their world's Sherlock Holmes) lived in Londenium (later the site of the meeting building for the League of Nations) and worked in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. A number of events kick-started the Great War, which lasted from 1910 to 1920: rumors abound that Sherwood had something to do with it ending. The ending of the Great War saw a handful of international tensions being lowered in the face of wanting to avoid such destructive conflict (which saw CAST territory actually invaded). The period between the 20's and roughly 1980 saw a massive expansion of technology. The Eurasian Territories, however, were left economically broken, and eventually this kickstarted what is referred to as the Persian War, where the eventual use of combat mages and a number of secret magitech bombs left the territory under the jurisdiction and reconstruction of the LN. Advance twenty years, and you're in the present. And there's a really basic breakdown of their history.
Okay, technology. About 90% of the world runs on renewable energy, thanks to the efforts of a handful of CAST scientists in the mid-to-late eighteen hundreds and their predictions of the dangers of the then Industrial Revolution. The major switchover from fossil fuels to renewable energy happened in the 1940s. Nuclear power or weapons were never developed outside of a handful of experimental reactors. Aside from that, it's basically the same. I mean, I know it sounds like a copout, but there's a trick to it: besides the logos and the basic designs, it is more or less our world. Well, that, and King Enterprises is basically the Microsoft/GM/Ford/Lockheed Martin of their world. Its corporate headquarters are in the urban aread of Trimontaine (just outside where most of the story was going to take place).
In terms of religion. It doesn't come up that much. A minor note running through my settings is that mages are fairly skeptical, since alongside magic comes an understanding of the supernatural, including gods and the like. So, it's rare that mages are particularly religious. Moral beings, yes, but not religious. That's part of it. Another thing is that the three Abrahamic faiths were devastated by the Great Crusade, and never recovered. This was also partially caused by how both sides demonstrated a willingness to use magic against the other side, as well as a number of other tactics that just didn't sit right with most people who knew the local mage. Plus, if you've grown up with the local mage, and they've been there your whole life and done nothing but good, and then someone barges in and claims that they are in fact evil and that despite using the exact same magic you are somehow good, they're going to ignore you. As it is, the three Abrahamic faiths are significantly smaller than they are today, and no longer hold much influence. The Protestant Reformation also never happened. One of the larger religions in the western world is basically Revival Greco-Romanism, though a lot of other paganistic religions suvived (Neo-Norse is big this season) and the western religions were more or less unaffected, but most Abrahamic influences obviously never touched them. As for the other religions, there are some subtle differences, but for the most part they're the same.
And in their world, the expression is "No shit, Sherwood." Sucks to be the great-great-grandson of the famous Dr. Jonathan Sherwood, doesn't it?
...
Okay, there we go. Background info for a story that will probably never be written. Clearly I have issues.
Next up is hopefully inking in a few of my drawings, as well as doing a handful that I want to do... Abel and Jy drinking at the bar is still on my to-do list. And practicing coloring some more. Gods I hate shading. It doesn't help that I have no idea how to make it look right. Oh well, trial and error, trial and error.
Haiku time, I guess.
Only one tonight?
Well, that's not enough for me.
I must have some more.
The wolf howls at
The moon, calling out to her
Scattered family.
The ferret pops out
From his den. He watches me.
Cute little bugger.
The heat of the forge,
Sound of hammer folding steel.
A sword shall be born.
A few bits of haiku, since I won't have time to post later tonight.
Folded steel, glowing
Red, sharpened edge. A hiss of
Steam, the sword is done.
Beneath rythmic beats
Against sheet steel, the armor
Slowly takes its shape.
AOL Instant
Messaging has quit once more.
Damn you, AOL.
Thank you.
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:14:13 AM
Gods, I need to stop IMing and start writing/drawing shit again.
I'm probably never going to write it, but I thought it would be a good idea to give at least some background info for this world.
If you can stop IMing, stop writing background info too. Just write the damn story. If you have more notes then drafts, somethings up.
I don't read notes. I never read notes.
Readers don't need them. Content of the story should either be introduced properly, in story, or glossed over. Most details bog a story down anyway. Writers don't need them. The world is as they dictate. And if you're worried about technical accuracy, you're paying attention to the wrong things in your story.
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:14:13 AM
... since this story will probably never be told.
Why not? Write the f***er and tell us the bloody story.
Besides, don't you want to write it? Whether we read it or not, you're probably going to enjoy writing it.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 04:42:58 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:14:13 AM
Gods, I need to stop IMing and start writing/drawing shit again.
I'm probably never going to write it, but I thought it would be a good idea to give at least some background info for this world.
If you can stop IMing, stop writing background info too. Just write the damn story. If you have more notes then drafts, somethings up.
I don't read notes. I never read notes.
Readers don't need them. Content of the story should either be introduced properly, in story, or glossed over. Most details bog a story down anyway. Writers don't need them. The world is as they dictate. And if you're worried about technical accuracy, you're paying attention to the wrong things in your story.
Yeah, but the notes help me keep my mind focused and figure out how things work, as well as remember what's different between one world and another. I mean, I still have to remind myself that their directions are flipped. I want to know how my world works: even if a detail never comes up, the fact that I know it means that it's there, and that world is a little more complete. And the more complete my information is, the easier it is to enter my character's minds and figure them out, and the easier it is for me to write in their world.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 04:42:58 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:14:13 AM
... since this story will probably never be told.
Why not? Write the f***er and tell us the bloody story.
Besides, don't you want to write it? Whether we read it or not, you're probably going to enjoy writing it.
Because as I learned about a year ago (two or three years after I started coming up with this world), Gosho Aoyama already basically did this story. Though he kind of screwed up a few things that made me cry about lost opportunities on his part (he should have told his freaking girlfriend what happened at the beginning: it would have spared him a lot of grief on his part). At least I acknowledged that the freaking eternal youth serum is magical.
In other words, it'll always be compared to a story it has no relationship to. I mean, I created this whole story just to create a situation where a five-year-old could say "fuck" and be completely justified.
...
Anyway... any advice on Abel Valentine or how I positioned those eyebrows? I'd like to make any final tweaks I can before I ink him/Jy413's eyebrows.
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:50:20 PM
Anyway... any advice on Abel Valentine or how I positioned those eyebrows? I'd like to make any final tweaks I can before I ink him/Jy413's eyebrows.
Abel's face looks out of alignment. Things look a little off kilter. Either A: One corner of his mouth looks like it might be smirking a bit, but his eyes aren't centered on his head, or B: he's turned his head a bit to the right... in which case his mouth and eyes are well positioned but his nose should be further to the right, if you take depth into account.
I'd put a little muscle mass on his forward leg, or find a way to otherwise define his leg from his hips.
You did define the taper to his arms, kudos.
The wings are a bit off in terms of anatomy, but wings are always a pain in the butt (Also, I do realized that you're imitating Amber's style for this). You might want to pull back the feathers, though, Able has as much bat membrane as he does feathers.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 07:28:57 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 04:50:20 PM
Anyway... any advice on Abel Valentine or how I positioned those eyebrows? I'd like to make any final tweaks I can before I ink him/Jy413's eyebrows.
Abel's face looks out of alignment. Things look a little off kilter. Either A: One corner of his mouth looks like it might be smirking a bit, but his eyes aren't centered on his head, or B: he's turned his head a bit to the right... in which case his mouth and eyes are well positioned but his nose should be further to the right, if you take depth into account.
Yeah, he's supposed to be looking to the side... I'll fix the nose tomorrow. Or maybe tonight. I won't be able to scan it until Sunday evening, though.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 07:28:57 PM
I'd put a little muscle mass on his forward leg, or find a way to otherwise define his leg from his hips.
Hm... okay, I'll try something on the pants. Come to think of it, the... well, no other word, crotch of his pants looks a little high. I'll fix that too.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 07:28:57 PM
You did define the taper to his arms, kudos.
Cool. Thanks.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 07:28:57 PM
The wings are a bit off in terms of anatomy, but wings are always a pain in the butt (Also, I do realized that you're imitating Amber's style for this). You might want to pull back the feathers, though, Able has as much bat membrane as he does feathers.
Fix the feathers on the wings. Check. I don't remember what picture of Abel I was using as a reference, but okay. And yes, I am imitating her style. But you've got that link to that website with all of those pictures of wings, so when I actually try to draw some of my winged characters I'll use that as a reference. And after having drawn Dan Strife's (which I will not post because A) it is bad and B) it is hideous) wings twice, I think they look much better the second time around. Thanks again.
A wing in flight is
Hard to draw. Now add it to
A human figure.Yeah, sorry about how bad that one is, but I want to try to post at least some writing of mine whenever I post ehre.
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 09:53:22 PM
Hm... okay, I'll try something on the pants. Come to think of it, the... well, no other word, crotch of his pants looks a little high. I'll fix that too.
I use "inseam".
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 09:53:22 PM
But you've got that link to that website with all of those pictures of wings, so when I actually try to draw some of my winged characters I'll use that as a reference.
Be warned: bat and bird wings are structured differently. You might have to get creative with the anatomy. But we are talking about cartoons, here. It's our job to get creative. Amber seems to draw Abel with bat membrane instead of primary feathers, if that helps.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 10:06:08 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 09:53:22 PM
Hm... okay, I'll try something on the pants. Come to think of it, the... well, no other word, crotch of his pants looks a little high. I'll fix that too.
I use "inseam".
That works. But you get what I mean. And I think I've figured out what to do, though I don't quite know how to describe it. I guess I'll be filling it in a little bit on the inseam, kind of making the leg go that way... I'm not making any sense. I need to go to bed and get some sleep.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on October 17, 2008, 10:06:08 PM
Quote from: Jairus on October 17, 2008, 09:53:22 PM
But you've got that link to that website with all of those pictures of wings, so when I actually try to draw some of my winged characters I'll use that as a reference.
Be warned: bat and bird wings are structured differently. You might have to get creative with the anatomy. But we are talking about cartoons, here. It's our job to get creative. Amber seems to draw Abel with bat membrane instead of primary feathers, if that helps.
Yeah, true. Quite differently, from what I recall. Bat's especially. Thanks again.
Now, here's just a quick question for anyone who looks in here. My mom recommends buying an art tablet if I want to keep drawing and practicing, and I honestly have no idea what kind I would end up getting. Money... well, I've just gotten my birthday present from my grandparents, so I've got a bit to spend. So, any recommendations for ones you guys think are the best, particularly for a MacBook? Thanks in advance, and good night.
And haiku, I guess.
The trigger's pulled. The
Hammer falls. Gases explode,
The bullet fires.
... Are we talking USB type thing here? Or a solid board to draw on?
Assuming we're talking the USB type (which, given the context, seems most likely), I'd recommend the ones made by Wacom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacom) as the best.
I have a Graphire3 which I bought a while back, and it's brilliant.
I was going to say, there's a thread about them in the Long Library...
Since wolf mentioned your inks look 'off black' and you have your photoshop, after you get a little more used to all the buttons, looking through a tutorial (or two dozen) will find you lots of ways to blacken the black, whiten the white, smooth, correct, adjust, warp, and help with the inks and colouring.
There are lots of ways to do it, and some are complicated, so it may be more confusing then helpfull at first. Some might not even fit what you are doing since some people ink in photoshop, have tablets, or other supplies.
As for the art a nice job for the first tries, and nice perspective on the box a page or two back.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 18, 2008, 07:39:08 AM
I was going to say, there's a thread about them in the Long Library...
Well, I did not know that. And now I feel like an idiot. Never mind. And yes, I do mean a USB type.
Quote from: rt on October 18, 2008, 10:08:07 AM
Since wolf mentioned your inks look 'off black' and you have your photoshop, after you get a little more used to all the buttons, looking through a tutorial (or two dozen) will find you lots of ways to blacken the black, whiten the white, smooth, correct, adjust, warp, and help with the inks and colouring.
There are lots of ways to do it, and some are complicated, so it may be more confusing then helpfull at first. Some might not even fit what you are doing since some people ink in photoshop, have tablets, or other supplies.
As for the art a nice job for the first tries, and nice perspective on the box a page or two back.
Those inks looked off-black because they were scanned in color, not black and white. But yes, that will probably all help... especially considering that I am having difficulties getting the edges to fully color in. Might be a relic of the pencil markings.
Quote from: Jairus on October 18, 2008, 11:02:15 AM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on October 18, 2008, 07:39:08 AM
I was going to say, there's a thread about them in the Long Library...
Well, I did not know that. And now I feel like an idiot. Never mind. And yes, I do mean a USB type.
Don't feel that way. I'm letting you know because I thought you might not know, it being before your time. And if people have provided all this information before, it doesn't hurt to go look it up. ;-]
I have a 6x8 Intuos 3, and I started with a graphire 4x5. Although the larger size is nice, I *love* the programmable tool buttons.
I got it "mint in box" from E-Bay for half price.
Will look into it. I think I'd like the size too.
Anyway...
This is just something I wanna do: draw Aniki's (Ren) character as a bit of practice. This is also somewhat me practicing using boxes and spheres to try and improve how I build my bodies. This is nowhere near done, and it's just something I did over about twenty/thirty minutes.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/rensketch1.jpg?t=1224741516)
Quick Ren sketch (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/rensketch1.jpg?t=1224741516)
Yeah... it sucks. He's supposed to have his hand behind his head in embarrassment, while his upper body is kind of angled to allow the pose and he's supposed to have most of his weight resting on his left leg... I don't think it worked so hot. Anyway, advice always appreciated, especially from the guy who's drawn him the most. *coughrencough* Here's a scan of the original underlying framework (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/quickscan1fixd1.jpg?t=1224741534), if you're interested.
I really really wanna draw
me (Jairus) shortly, as well as something partially influenced by a series of conversations Ren and I have had (which is why I PM'ed you, Fox). And I want to WRITE something... dammit Jay get to work!
Sorry. Um, right.
I'm about to be weird. This is just based on a comment I made that the "Three Word Game" would make great free-form poetry, or whatever it's called (Cogi will probably correct me)...
Strong winds blow.
Sails open up,
and flags flutter.
Ropes grow taut.
Sailors cry out:
Everyone to positions.
Weight the anchor,
and cast off.
The ship slowly
Pulls away from
The seaside dock.
Familes wave goodbye
As husbands and
Fathers and sons
Set sail on
Their long journey.
Soon, it leaves
The harbor's mouth.
The ship grows
Small, and then
Its sails vanish
Below the horizon.Yeah... that was just plain weird. Sorry.
There once was a nutjob called Jay,
Whose poems were slightly cliche,
He thought he could write,
But his works were so trite,
That at best they were merely okay.
Well, that was silly.
I'm going to bed. Hopefully,
I'll forget this stuff.
The game Bioshock
Is one of the scariest
Things I've ever seen.Good night.
Quote from: Jairus on October 23, 2008, 02:15:48 AM
Yeah... it sucks. He's supposed to have his hand behind his head in embarrassment, while his upper body is kind of angled to allow the pose and he's supposed to have most of his weight resting on his left leg... I don't think it worked so hot. Anyway, advice always appreciated, especially from the guy who's drawn him the most. *coughrencough* Here's a scan of the original underlying framework (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/quickscan1fixd1.jpg?t=1224741534), if you're interested.
*Neck crick* Some of this might get a bit technical, and maybe a bit challenging.
First off, let me say that I do see an improvement, particularly around the shoulders. All of the comments here are to do with pose, but the proportions and anatomy are starting to improve.
-For the hand behind the head, tilt it more so the palm faces us. Move his elbow farther up, till it's almost level with the top of his head, and let the forearm drop so his hand is behind his head. For a more extreme pose, bring his elbow straight up. His forearm and hand will be obscured by his head and neck.
-(If you don't want to draw a foreshortened elbow, or tuck the hand behind the head, lower the elbow so it's slightly below level with the shoulder, and place the hand above his shoulder *next to* his head, near his ear. Be warned that this will require drawing the hand so it points back and up, a rather challenging pose. Here's a quick diagram (http://www.northernelectric.ca/~whitefox/images/sketches/handdemo.gif), pardon the quick and dirty sketch. The neck is off and the shoulder should be higher.)
-Place his right foot further inward. The more weight placed on it, the closer to the center of his torso (plumb with his spine) his foot will be.
-Tilt his hips so the side with the relaxed leg is lower, bend the left leg at the knee, take the heel off the ground, and draw the balls of his feet level with the heel of his right foot.
Any time you're working on a pose that doesn't look like it should, get into the pose yourself. When you draw without refrence, you're not drawing the pose, you're drawing what you *think* the pose should be (this relies on your left brain, the logical part of your head. It sucks at drawing). Then you look at it, and ask yourself "Why doesn't that look right?" (looking at something objectively uses the right side of your brain, which is great at art. Sometimes the right brain will tell you what something looks like, but because there might be a detail you normally overlook, or it's at a funny angle, the right brain will say "That's not what it's supposed to look like!" This is why faces and hands can be so hard to draw)
Taking a look at an actual pose gives you an idea of what's actually going on in the characters head and how s/he is communicating it. Exaggerate the pose, see what stands out. What are the key elements of the pose that express what you want to say? (In this case, the hand and the shifted weight)
Anatomy you can learn out of books. For pose, you have to learn how to act.
[Edit] I thought the 3 word/line poetry was wonderful. I live in the Canadian maritimes, by the way, so I'm used to seeing sailors and even sailing boats all the time. The imagery is very dreamlike, and candid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candid_photography) too. I didn't think it was weird at all. Heck, I think it was better poetry then the limericks and Haikus you've put up so far.
There once was a poet named Jai,
Who took a risk on some new po'eh-tray.
He thought it quite dismal,
But despite his dismissal,
NaBan thought it the best on display.
Okay, I need to breathe some life into this thread. Live, dammit! Anyway, I'm reworking all of the stats I've got so far for the ships in the Covenant Wars setting because they're all too heavily armed and because I've made a few changes to their names and the names of the governments in the setting. In the meantime, here's some of the tech used by ships in the Covenant Wars, which will help set stuff up for the stats when they get posted.
The Lift Ring system is the primary means of flight used by skycraft. A Lift Ring is basically an energy propeller mounted in a ducted ring that projects and controls the propeller. In addition to providing lift, Lift Rings allows provide motion and maneuverability for the vessels mounted to them, though some ships also use compression thrusters for this. Lift Rings work far better in pairs: though it is possible to achieve flight with only one Lift Ring, it is easier to control movement with a matched pair. Lift Rings come in many sizes, ranging from fighter-sized ones up to the massive rings used to lift capital ships. There are also specialized Lift Rings designed to work underwater. The first Lift Rings were invented approximately one hundred years ago, and were crucial to Frolencia's invasion of the Jin Republic.
The Lift Vane system is a development of the Lift Ring sysem, and uses a pair of wing-like projector fins to generate the spinning vortex of lift between them. Though easily capable of generating larger amounts of lift and speed when compared to the Lift Ring system, Lift Vanes require a great deal ofpower to run, and as such are mostly only seen on capital ships, though a few smaller ships use them as well. The first Lift Vanes were designed by the Gilgamen Empire, but were swiftly appropriated by other governments.
The Lift Wing system is a more recent development of the Lift Ring and Lift Vane systems, developed only within the last ten years. Lift Wings work by projecting a "vane" of energy identical to that used by a Lift Ring in order to generate lift. They tend to be more compact than the other two Lift systems, in addition to delivering superior speed to any ship using them. On the other hand, they are fairly energy intesive, and at least two are needed for flight. Only a handful of ships mount Lift Wings, though among these are Frolencia's new Laevatein-class Dreadnaught.
The compression thruster is a development of Lift Ring technology, and uses a number of small Lift Rings placed in sequence as a sort of jet engine. The power requirements for compression thrusters are fairly high, but allow for incredible speed and thrust power: some experimental models have allowed for near super-sonic flight. Most capital ships nowadays use compression thrusters for movement and use Lift technology for flight and maneuverability.
An autogun is the general term for any semi-automatic weapon. They range in caliber and firing rate, from handheld models to larger cannon-like models. The introduction of the autogun by the Frolencian Empire helped to revolutionize warfare. Autoguns as mounted on fighters or capital vessels are referred to as Close-In Weapon Systems, designed for anti-missile or anti-fighter operation.
The rotary autocannon is a development of the autogun, and incorporates three or more complete autoguns into a rotating configuration, allowing for an incredible rate of fire compared to most guns. Most autocannons have either a three, four, or six barrel configuration, with three barrel configurations mostly being used by smaller craft while six barrel configurations are used by larger ships.
The "Yetholm" energy shield system is descended of the same technology that allowed for the creation of the Lift Rings and related technology. Yetholm shields use the same style of energy as Lift tech, shaped into flat planes of energy that fit together to form 360 degrees of protection around a ship using them. Because the shields are opaque to all attacks, ships must drop their shields in order to attack. It is also possible to overload the shield's projectors by forcing them to block too much: to this day, many skycraft are capable of delivering massive broadsides in an attempt to do just this. Yetholm projectors are too large and take too much energy to be mounted on smaller ships and are mostly seen only on capital ships, but there are a handful of smaller ship that mount experimental small-scale Yetholms. Yetholm shields were introduced shortly after Lift Rings, but the two were not combined together for a short while.
Another development of Lift Ring tech, particle cannons fire bolts of energy to deal damage against other ships. Power intensive and bulky, only more recent ships have these guns mounted on turrets to increase their effectiveness. Particle cannons have very little effect on Yetholm shields, but are extremely effective against unshielded vessels: this explains why Capital ships aren't completely armed with these guns. Also, particle blasts tend to "scatter" over distances, meaning that their range isn't as good as some shell-firing guns: this does, however, lead to an interesting affect when used on ships where the blast causes secondary damage in addition to the main blast.
A linear catapult is a fairly recent invention that uses magnetism to accelerate a craft to high speeds before launching it. This is an improvement over launch pads or launching gantries, which can only be lifted up from or dropped from. Most larger ships incoporporate one or two.
Linear cannons are a development of linear catapults, and use magnetism and a long barrel to accelerate a fired round to incredible speeds. Linear cannons require similar power to particle cannons to operate, and cannot be mounted on smaller ships. Though they were originally designed as anti-armor guns, it has been discovered that they are capable of damaging Yetholm energy shields, and as such are mainly used for that role nowadays. Linear cannons were originally introduced by the Gilgamen Empire, and to this day they remain the primary users of linear cannons.
A Differential Engine is essentially a clockwork computer, but taken a few steps further. DE's come in farious sizes and scales of power, and are practically a requirement for skycraft to properly function. Though they are technically clockwork machines, more recent models (made in the last ten to fifteen years or so) include a type of microcircuitry board for increased power at a smaller scale. To this date, the smallest DE is approximately the size of a briefcase and is called "Logos", and was invented by Doctor Rafe of Frolencia's Imperial Research and Development Institute: it is essentially purely made of microcircuitry boards.
The Biblos power core is the standard power core for all manner of skycraft. It is essentially a highly efficient magitech capacitor, capable of storing vast quantities of energy in a relatively small space: it is in essence an artificial sorcerer's stone. Biblos power cores are used by all known skycraft. Some larger skycraft (in fact most capital ships) include generators in order to recharge the power core and prolong the ship's operational time, though fighters and other smaller ships typically do not have the space for this. Biblos power cores are rated in scale from Class I to Class X, with each increasing class being capable of storing more power (and are also larger): Class Is are normally used for fighters, while Class Xs are used in capital ships. There are reports of a Class XI Biblos power core being under development in the halls of IRDI, but these are uncomfirmed.
...
Okay, hopefully I can post some more stuff (modified Roland stats and the Gainer and HARO are on my mind, currently). I'll definitely start posting more often. Hopefully. Maybe.
I love reading this stuff. All this background makes it very easy to picture how everything will fit together in a story, and what it will all "look" like.
I really like the yethlom shields, in that they are defensive two-ways. It somehow seems more realistic, and it has to be a major factor in battle tactics >:3
Wow. I must say it's a lot of information. It all is really interesting, though. I'll be loking forward to new updates. :3
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on November 10, 2008, 10:22:23 PM
I love reading this stuff. All this background makes it very easy to picture how everything will fit together in a story, and what it will all "look" like.
Glad to here it. As I think I mentioned, I'm still working on fixing up the stats for the ships, but in addition to buying me some time this will also help all of those ships make sense. Now I just have to figure out which Class of Biblos goes into which ship... maybe I'll just say "Biblos power core" and cut corners that way. After all, I don't say how many projectors each ship has for the Yetholm shields.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on November 10, 2008, 10:22:23 PM
I really like the yethlom shields, in that they are defensive two-ways. It somehow seems more realistic, and it has to be a major factor in battle tactics >:3
Agreed. I like it too. To be fair, once major battle start up, the shields are basically down... but until that time...
hehehehe. Ships designed to deliver massive shield-overloading broadsides, anti-shield torpedoes, having to lower segments of shields in order to launch fighters or fire weapons... it's gonna be fun.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on November 10, 2008, 10:24:19 PM
Wow. I must say it's a lot of information. It all is really interesting, though. I'll be loking forward to new updates. :3
Glad to hear it, Nii-san. But really... compared to the forty or so pages necessary to cover the ships, this is nothing.
I am clearly insane. But we all knew that anyway.
Almost forgot about this. This is just something I did for the IF contest. Quick and dirty, but a lot of fun to put together. Yahtzee, of Zero Punctuation (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation) infamy.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ImannoyedwithYOU.jpg?t=1226378218)
I'm annoyed... with YOU (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/ImannoyedwithYOU.jpg?t=1226378218)
I was going to ask if you'd actually drawn that, or if you'd picked it up off his site...
Yes, it's that accurate.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 11, 2008, 03:04:49 AM
I was going to ask if you'd actually drawn that, or if you'd picked it up off his site...
Yes, it's that accurate.
I did it on my Appleworks Drawing program, but I used both his logo and a handful of his movies for reference. The other version has him playing a video game and being annoyed with it (in other words, he was looking to the side), but I liked this one better. The hat still bothers me though, because it looks a little too high on his head... oh well, overall it looks pretty good.
I think the hat needs to taper more. If it were wider at the brim, it could sit lower on the head.
And, once again, I am impressed that all it takes is two half circles and correct placement to convey attitude. Expressions are funny things.
Time to breathe some more life into my thread.
Despite my dislike of puns, sometimes I just enter a punny mood (soon I shall subject all of you to the horror that is the Hyperspatial Mass Reclaimer system, as well as the Superlative Parallel Component system developed from it). Like this afternoon, when I started making Code Geass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Geass) puns. Unfortunately, I doubt that much of this will make much sense to most people, but I've been subjecting Pagan and Ren to these damned spin puns, so now, it's your turn. I apologize in advance for those who don't get it... and for those who do, it's your own damn fault for looking.
For those who don't get it, the character of Suzaku Kururugi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzaku_Kururugi) has acquired the fan nickname of "Spinzaku," due to his repeated use of a spinning kick as his signature move (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkl0MSRk_Uk). So, basically, I decided to fit "spin" into other Code Geass names... aheheheh. Beware: pages of spin puns await you. Anyway, bring on the spuns...
Lespin Lamperouge = Lelouch Lamperouge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelouch_Lamperouge)
Spino = Zero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelouch_Lamperouge#Zero)
Jeremiah Spinwald = Jeremiah Gottwald (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Jeremiah_Gottwald)
Lloyd Aspin = Lloyd Asplund (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Lloyd_Asplund)
Cecile Spinny = Cecile Croomy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#C.C3.A9cile_Croomy)
Nina Spinstein = Nina Einstein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Nina_Einstein)
Spinley Fenette = Shirley Fenette (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Shirley_Fenette)
Sayoko Spinozaki = Sayoko Shinozaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Sayoko_Shinozaki)
Spinshata = Rakshata (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Rakshata_Chawla)
Spinhard Reid = Diethard Reid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Diethard_Ried)
Charles Spin Britannia = Charles Vi Britannia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Charles_zi_Britannia)
And by extension... replace all of the royal family's middle names (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Britannian_Imperial_Family) with "spin."
i.e. Lelouch Spin Britannia.
Spinevere su Britannia = Guinevere su Britannia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Guinevere_su_Britannia)
Spinzel el Britannia = Schneizel el Britannia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Schneizel_el_Britannia)
Bismarck Spinstein = Bismarck Waldstein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Bismarck_Waldstein)
Gino Spinberg = Gino Weinberg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Gino_Weinberg)
Li Spinke = Li Xingke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Xingke)
Knights of the Spin = Knights of the Round (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Code_Geass_characters#Knights_of_the_Round) (Though I have to admit to liking Ren's version, SPIN OF THE ROUND!!!)
Spinalot = Lancelot (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/z-01.htm)
Lancelot Spin Cavalry = Lancelot Air Cavalry (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/z-01a.htm)
Lancelot Spinquista = Lancelot Conquista (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/z-01d.htm)
Lancelot Spinion = Lancelot Albion (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/z-01-albion.htm)
Gurspin Mk-II = Guren Mk-II (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/type-02.htm)
Guren Spin Type = Guren Flight Type (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/type-02-aerial.htm)
Guren SPINEN = Guren SEITEN (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/type-02-heaven.htm)
Spincent = Vincent (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/rpi-212.htm)
Spinkirou = Shinkirou (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/shinkirou.htm)
Morspin = Mordred (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/mordred.htm)
Trispin = Tristan (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/tristan.htm)
Spinfried = Siegfried (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/siegfried.htm)
Sutherland Spin = Sutherland Sieg (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/sutherlandsieg.htm)
Spin-Hu = Shen-Hu (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/shen-hu.htm)
Spinland = Sutherland (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/rpi-13.htm)
Glouspin = Gloucester (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/rpi-209.htm)
Glaspin = Glasgow (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/rpi-11.htm)
Spinocles = Damocles (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Damocles.png?t=1228082229)
Spinwain = Gawain (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/ifx-v301.htm)
Spinman = Portman (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/rmi-13.htm)
Spin-Ru = Gun-ru (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/gun-ru.htm)
Akatsuspin = Akatsuki (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/akatsuki.htm)
Akatsuki Jikispin type = Akatsuki Jikisan type (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/akatsuki-jikisan.htm)
Panzer Spinnel = Panzer Hummel (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/panzerhummel.htm)
Spingetsu = Zangetsu (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-r2/zangetsu.htm)
Also, two just plain silly ones...
Spin Gaulen = Ren Gaulen
Ren Spinnen = the same
Oy. So many terrible puns. I'm gonna get picked up by the Spinpolice (http://www.mahq.net/mecha/codegeass/geass-tv/rpi-11-police.htm) at this rate.
I promise something with a little more meat in the not-too-distant future. Like the afore-mentioned gadget, or some stuff about Justinian and his Mobile Armors and the Augustan Empire...
... heheh. Anyway, enjoy!
Quote from: Jairus on November 30, 2008, 05:19:14 PM
*Icon of Spin*
Charles Spin Britannia: "
SPINS... ARE NOT EQUAL!!!"
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on November 30, 2008, 05:22:46 PM
Quote from: Jairus on November 30, 2008, 05:19:14 PM
*Icon of Spin*
Charles Spin Britannia: "SPINS... ARE NOT EQUAL!!!"
I'd also like to thank Ren-niisan for acting as one of my two test subjects for these puns... and also stopping me from posting some truly bad ones. :hug
He got you to spin around?
There's a turn up for the books.
First, Ren gets Smoke on the Water stuck in my head.
Now I've got this. I blame you. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCiVXigrjjQ)
... that's a problem?
I could at least get the cover by Dope, instead of the original, stuck in my head.
Or at least the version in DDR:HP that I played a thousand times.
But at least it's not the cover by Jessica Simpson or Denzel. Or the '96 version by DOA.
...
Don't you look at me like that.
You're not the first people to think of that song in regards to Spinzaku. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDpP7NM-M8)
Anyway, just a quick thing for the Terra 'verse: an invention of the technomancer Nicodemus Cidney, called the HMR/SPC system. I'll try to keep this interesting and not boring. I'll fail, but at least it'll be an interesting failure.
Hyperspatial Mass Reclaimer system
The HMR is a high-level magitech hyperdimensional storage system that works by surrounding a scanned item in a bubble-like pocket universe, one for each scanned item. Power is only required when creating the initial pocket: storing and reclaiming the item takes no energy. While there seems to be no upper limit on the size of object that can be stored, larger objects require significantly larger amounts of power. Likewise, there is no real limit on the amount of objects that can be stored by the device, but items can only be stored and retrieved one at a time. Destroying the HMR device initiates a "purge" program that immediately recalls all stored objects, which is one reason why Nick is cautious about storing too much in them. If an HMR runs out of power, it renders the pockets inaccessible until it is recharged. Current model HMRs are small enough to be belt-mounted, but Nick's primary HMR is installed in his custom Helper-series Autonomous Robotic Operation (HARO) named "Gainer."
Superlative Parallel Component system
A subtype of the HMR system, the HMR-SPC system - referred to as "Spec" - works by creating dozens - if not hundreds - of mini-pockets for the components of specially constructed devices. Though stored in a disassembled state, activating the system allows for parallel and interlinked pieces of the device to be brought in line as more and more of the weapon is completed until it is fully "assembled." Devices built using this system have a tendency of looking like they telescope or expand into existence. While the device in question may require power to operate, any SPC-type device requires no power to either summon or store: only during the construction of the SPC system is power required. The SPC system is similar to other magitech storage systems that have been developed, but it represents more of a parallel technological evolution. The primary disadvantage of the SPC system is that it needs to be integrated into whatever device that shall be using it from the start: a device cannot be modified to accept it. Compared to the normal HMR, it is significantly less flexible. However, with proper planning, the applications for it are nearly endless, especially in regards to weapon tech...
... hm, I think that that's a lot less clear than I wanted it to be. Just ask for clarification, and I'll be glad to provide it.
Hm, a new Haiku.
How long has it been since I
Wrote one? Far too long.
I'm going to bed. Good night all!
That's quite interesting and not confusing. However, since you have explained this thing to me before, it may just be more understandable for me. I hope it's not the case, though.
Quote from: Jairus on December 07, 2008, 03:11:05 AM
You're not the first people to think of that song in regards to Spinzaku. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDpP7NM-M8)
Have you forgotten, Spinzaku? Spins.. ARE NOT EQUAL!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfFOuJJhiJs&feature=related)
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on December 07, 2008, 08:07:54 AM
That's quite interesting and not confusing. However, since you have explained this thing to me before, it may just be more understandable for me. I hope it's not the case, though.
True. And you helped me design it. So you don't really count, big bro. Sorry. That's why I left that bit at the end about asking for clarification.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on December 07, 2008, 08:07:54 AM
Quote from: Jairus on December 07, 2008, 03:11:05 AM
You're not the first people to think of that song in regards to Spinzaku. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDpP7NM-M8)
Have you forgotten, Spinzaku? Spins.. ARE NOT EQUAL!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfFOuJJhiJs&feature=related)
That's not Spinlouch, that's Sayokopter (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanNickname/Anime) (search for "Code Geass.")
I didn't have any trouble understanding it. The first sentence in each paragraph gives a very clear definition of what the technology is and what it does; with that, the explanation is pretty easy to follow.
Quote from: Fox NaBan on December 07, 2008, 07:47:42 PM
I didn't have any trouble understanding it. The first sentence in each paragraph gives a very clear definition of what the technology is and what it does; with that, the explanation is pretty easy to follow.
Oh good. Let's see if I can keep it up.
Well, here's some more stuff, from the same universe, incidentally. For the record, Justinian was a young technomancer who eventually became the first emperor of the New Augustan Empire on the world of Terra. He lived and died eight centuries before the current story events. In short, he's a historical figure to the characters, and they all know this info here. Well, most of it. Anyway, here's some stuff. Yay. The stuff on Augustus and Tiberius is still a bit iffy, but I like what I've got so far. Clockpunk robots for the win.
Mobile ArmorA general term for a special type of robotic construct, Mobile Armors are combat machines originally developed by Lord Justinian for the Augustan over eight hundred years ago: to this day, the Augustan Empire retains a lead in development and design. They are fundamentally clockwork robots, though in the modern day many more designs have shifted to pneumatics and the like. The original Mobile Armors had a number of traits that have carried through the years, such as a humanoid design, the Rotagito mobility system, the Logi brains, the Spiral Balance core, and the Observer sensor system: all modern MAs include some version of all of these weapons, and in fact there are no known MAs that do not use Justinian's Logi. Most countries have their own versions and design elements. There is also something referred to as a Mobile Suit, a powered-armor version of Mobile Armors: while they use many of the same pieces of technology and are considered sibling weapons, they are typically designed and implemented seperately. In addition, two further units were designed before Justinian's death: the Fortress Armor (a large non-humanoid Logos controlled machine that could mount specialized weapons) and the Fortress Suit, a large humanoid machine controlled from a cockpit in the back hump.
LogosAn advanced magitech clockwork brain originally developed by Justinian. Developed to drive his Mobile Armors, Logi are capable of human-level thinking, capable of planning and strategizing under combat conditions, far superior to any other contemporary units, and comparable to modern day AIs. Logi could even "learn" from past experiences, meaning that older Logi units were far more dangerous and skilled than newer ones. One of the problems of the unit is that Justinian was unable to miniaturize the mechanisms to the size he wanted, leading to the Logos unit being mounted in a backpack-like "hump" on the Mobile Armor's back, defining the look of Mobile Armors for centuries to come. Justinian made the most of this "bug" by incorporating the valuable brain and power core into a single unit extending through the MA that could be ejected by rocket servos in an emergency, thus saving the valuable combat data inside of it. Older Logi - especially well-maintained ones that have existed for centuries, seem to have acquired personalities of a sort from their extensive experiences, though it is worth noting that very few Mobile Armors were actually self-aware. Logi brains are still used to this day: every Mobile Armor uses one, if only out of tradition. It is a mark of Justinian's genius that such an advanced machine was capable of mass-production, even by the standards of his time. Surprisingly, since Justinian's death there has been no improvement in Logi brain technology, outside of the casing it is mounted in.
Spiral Balance CoreAnother of Justinian's inventions, the Spiral Balance Core stores energy within a spiral-shaped cog-like mechanism. In essence an early mass-produced battery or capacitor, the Spiral Core was designed to power Mobile Armors, though larger versions also power other vehicles. Though originally designed to be recharged at a base, later versions vould be also recharged in the field. One of the advantages of using the Spiral Core was that it was largely immune to all but the most powerful magic, creating a sort of "magical grounding" effect. One problem of the system is that it is too bulky to be used in most Mobile Suits, forcing them to rely on alternate forms of power. While moderm MAs use varied power sources, the Spiral Core is still the primary source of power, especially in Augusta.
RotagitoDeveloped as a mobility system for the otherwise somewhat slow MAs, the Rotagito system consisted of several small powerful wheels and treads installed in the feet of a MA. Another of Justinian's innovations, Rotagito allowed an MA - on a sufficiently flat surface - to reach speeds exceeding 35 miles an hour using the technology of the time. Issues in balance led to Justinian adding a folding strut mounted on the legs with two additional wheels, which not only improved overall balance but also allowed for an increase in speed: the struts also mounted two small rocket boosters for assisted jumps. Though the design of the various Rotagito systems varies between designers, it is considered a key element of MA design, if only for tradition's sake.
Observer systemThe final development that allowed for the perfection of Mobile Armors, the observer system combined several experimental sensor systems into one head-mounted unit to allow the units to perceive the world around them. Another of Justinian's designs, the Observer system not only had visual but a primitive radar scanner hidden behind the main sensors: the primary sensor would rotate to reveal the secondary set. There were also a handful of largely experimental and still somewhat primitive sensors included in the design. Modern Observer systems are much more streamlined, but still harken back to this design.
AugustusGeneral and Technical DataName: Augustus
Unit type: limited mass-production proof of concept mobile armor
Manufacturer: Augustan Empire
Operator: Augustan Empire
Rollout: unknown, approximately 950 Old Imperial Calendar
First deployment: unknown
Armor materials: iron, steel, bronze
Powerplant: Spiral Balance Core, mounted in torso
Propulsion: Rotagito land mobility system, mounted in legs
Equipment and design features: "Logos" computer core, mounted in backpack; ejector system containing power core and Logos core; Observer multi-camera, mounted in head; 2 x rocket anchor, mounted in chest
Fixed armaments: 2 x Iovia electric driver, mounted on forearms
Optional fixed armaments: none
Handheld armaments: 1 x semi-automatic gun, mounted on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x heavy sword, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesBased on numerous failed prototypes, Augustus was the first true Mobile Armor. Augustus incorporated several key pieces of technology from the prior units, including the Logi brain, Rotagito mobility system, Observer system, and the Spiral Balance Core. It also mounted a handful of weapons, including a pair of rocket-propelled anchors designed to drastically improve the unit's mobility, as well as a pair of electrified "tongs" mounted on the forearms as a close-quarters combat weapon. The unit could also wield a semi-automatic gun that incorporated a reloading mechanism and a magazine to allow for a faster rate of fire compared to other technomantic weapons. The unit had a number of problems, most noticeably a balance issue caused by the large backpack. Despite its performance and weapons load-out, however, Augustus was never intended as a combat unit. Instead, it was a proof-of-concept only, demonstrating the feasability of Justinian's design and its mass-production capability. The first true mass-production Mobile Armor would be the Tiberius.
TiberiusGeneral and Technical DataName: Tiberius
Unit type: mass-production mobile armor
Manufacturer: Augustan Empire
Operator: Augustan Empire
Rollout: unknown, approximately 950 Old Imperial Calendar
First deployment: unknown
Armor materials: iron, steel, bronze
Powerplant: Spiral Balance Core, mounted in torso
Propulsion: Rotagito II land mobility system, mounted in legs
Equipment and design features: "Logos" computer core, mounted in backpack; ejector system containing power core and Logos core; Observer multi-camera, mounted in head
Fixed armaments: 2 x rocket anchor, mounted in chest; 2 x Iovia electric driver, mounted on forearms; 2 x Spatha electrified folding blade, mounted on forearms; 4 x fragmentation grenade, stored in compartment in hip armor
Optional fixed armaments: 1 x heavy sword, mounted on backpack, handheld in use; 1 x cannon, mounted on backpack
Handheld armaments: 1 x semi-automatic rifle w/ 1-shot grenade launcher, mounted on backpack, handheld in use
Technical and Historical NotesAugustus' successor, Tiberius improved on its predecessor in numerous ways, mostly because the unit was actually intended to be used in battle. These upgrades included an improved Spiral Core, superior ejector mechanism, and redesigned armor to make the unit slightly lighter and less bulky. In terms of weapons, Justinian added a pair of folding arm blades that could be electrified, as well as a set of fragmentation grenades and an optional long-range bombardment cannon. He also gave the unit a substantially improved handgun with a faster rate of fire and a larger magazine. The Rotagito system was also upgraded to include the now-iconic exterior balance strut, as well as the first use of a rocket boost to make improved jumps. The rocket anchors were also slightly redesigned, given that a handful of tests had shown that they could also make effective weapons in battle in addition to helping improve mobility. The first deployment of Tiberius units into combat proved their effectiveness against Being opponents, and started Justinian down the road to eventually becoming Emperor. Though the Tiberius units would eventually be retired and replaced by more advanced units, their iconic design can still be seen somewhat in modern Augustan mobile armors.
... okay, I'm going to bed. Good night. Questions, comments, clarifications?
Okay, in yet another attempt to revive my ailing thread, I'm gonna combine tech from two different universes to discuss the three types of energy weapons that show up in my stories. As a bit of trivia, blasters and lasers come from an old story of mine involving psychics who used nanotechnological enhancements that basically made them into cyber Jedi. Yeah, weird, I know. Anyway, blasters show up in one of my current stories under the same mechanics, so I guess laser weapons still apply as well. And beam weapons are important.
Note 1: outright magical weapons don't count, though some of these have magitech equivalents.
Note 2: all of these weapons are sublight weapons.
EDIT: Added stun weapons and EMP guns.
Beam weapons are any weapon that uses an exotic particle to create a specialized plasma that can be controlled and shaped. In addition to normal shots, bladed weapons or shields can be created: the only limit on the variety of shapes to beam weaponry is the imagination of the builder and the technology necessary to shape the beam, though more complicated shapes are of course more difficult to create. The exotic particles in question are classified as M-Class particles: any M-class particle can be used. Though beam weapons are a form of plasma, they tend to be rather "cool" compared to normal plasma weapons. Beam weapons can be nearly any size, from human-scaled blasters to battleship-class cannons. Beam weapons do not, to my knowledge, have a stun setting, and are only capable of causing damage.
Blaster weapons are essentially plasma weapons that use normal gas or particles to create their beam. Unlike beam weapons, plasma weapons cannot be shaped: you will never encounter a genuine plasma sword or plasma shield (plasma cutters do not count: they are essentially a sustained blast rather than a circulating beam). They can only be used to form a bolt of energy, and hence are referred to as blasters. Blaster weapons tend be slightly less accurate as beam weapons, due in part to the plasma's inherent instability and the design of the collimating field that maintains the blaster bolt over distances: this also impacts the weapon's range. They are also not very efficient in larger sizes: blasters very rarely do not get above the size of a launcher or cannon. This is also because the range of a blaster weapon is rarely over a handful of kilometers. Blasters are more commonly seen as personal weapons.
Laser weapons are a bit of a misnomer: they do not use lasers as an actual attack. Rather, laser weapons are a subtype of blaster weapons that use a specialized laser to create an ionized pathway for a specially calibrated blaster bolt to follow. The laser improves the range, collimation, and speed of the blaster bolt: it is important to note that while the laser moves at lightspeed (and is invisible), the bolt is still sublight (and visible). In terms of range, some laser weapons have ranges meausred in thousands of kilometers. These units are somewhat more bulky and power intensive than normal blaster weapons: while laser rifles are not uncommon, weapons much smaller are a great deal rarer. Lasers tend to be vehicle- or installation-based weapons.
Stun weapons are a subset of blaster weapons that use the plasma bolt to deliver an electrical shock to a target. The shock is capable of temporarily disrupting biological organisms, and based on the charge can disrupt a target for varying lengths of time. Stun weapons must hit the target in or near the center of their body mass to have a chance at disrupting the whole body: a shot to the arm will only stun the arm. Due to the differences in biology between various organisms, the weapons have to be slightly recalibrated for each target, and on some organisms stun weapons can actually kill if the user is not careful. While stun weapons have range comparable to normal blasters, they lose their effectiveness over range faster. However, they tend not to use energy as quickly as a blaster, and thus have more shots available to them. Small stun blasters are common personal defense weapons, and are rarely subjected to the same stringent regulations as blasters, though there are still laws governing their use. Stun weapons are far more common as handheld weapons: while vehicle-mounted stun weapons exist, extremely large ones do not exist. Many blasters also have a stun setting.
EMP weapons use a reconfigured bolt of blaster plasma to deliver an extremely powerful burst of electrical energy that can damage or shut down electronics. They are actually a subset of laser-type blasters, in that they use the collimating laser to form a path for the EMP bolt to flow down. Due to the nature of the plasma used, it can only cause mild burns on biological lifeforms: all of the destructive energy of the shot is lost in making the EMP bolt. Compared to their laser weapon cousins, EMP weapons have a slightly decreased range. Like laser weapons, their power demands are higher than blasters, and pistol- or carbine-sized EMP weapons are extremely rare: most of them are rifle or bazooka sized. Ship- and installation-based mounts are more common, since they make an excellent anti-ship weapon. EMP weapons also tend to be highly effective in bringing shields down, since the pulse of energy has a chance of temporarily overloading shields. It is possible to harden electronics to the point that EMP weapons become a minor inconvenience rather than a crippling weakness.
As a side note, there are actual laser weapons. This are inefficient, bulky, low-powered, and not much use beyond being used as a cutting weapon. There are a few weaponized lasers, but when people refer to laser weapons in my setting, they are referring to the hybrid laser/blaster weapon. Hm... "Blaser?"
Questions? Comments? Clarifications?
PS: Anyone who figures out what thing in a TV show M-Class is a reference to gets a cookie. Here's a hint: it has nothing to do with Star Trek.
M-Class planets were planets that were relatively hospitable. I forget what the M actually meant. Moderate, perhaps
Of course, they always had environmental hazards that would reduce red shirts to ash if you looked crosswise at them, so I'm not sure how reliable the classification is.
Unless the M is for Minovsky particles, for making beam sabers and shields. But that's Gundam.
As for comments... well, I'm still wondering why all these notes, descriptions, and spec's are necessary. Most of them seem like minutiae to me.
Quote from: WhiteFox on January 16, 2009, 06:03:17 PM
M-Class planets were planets that were relatively hospitable. I forget what the M actually meant. Moderate, perhaps
Of course, they always had environmental hazards that would reduce red shirts to ash if you looked crosswise at them, so I'm not sure how reliable the classification is.
Unless the M is for Minovsky particles, for making beam sabers and shields. But that's Gundam.
Minovksy is correct! *hands WhiteFox his cookie* I did note that it was NOT a reference to Star Trek. I mean, I'm betting people will think that the ship
Second Star is a reference to Peter Pan, when it's actually a reference to the
first "Star," another ship with the word Star in its name. Yes, M-class particles are named in honor of Doctor Minovksy.
For those who don't know, in the UC Gundam continuity, Minovksy invented an ultra-compact nuclear fusion reactor that as a byproduct created something called Minovsky particles: in addition to being useful for beam weaponry and flight systems and actually running the reactor, Minovsky particles jammed radar and communications, which is what allowed for the development of 20 meter tall giant robots as a viable weapon of war: Minovksy particles rendered radar and missile locking systems useless. Only ballistic missiles exist in the UC setting for precisely that reason.
Quote from: WhiteFox on January 16, 2009, 06:03:17 PM
As for comments... well, I'm still wondering why all these notes, descriptions, and spec's are necessary. Most of them seem like minutiae to me.
Because in the process of world-building, I like to come up with these details. Details that might never be mentioned, but help me flesh out the world.
Besides, I'd better have something to show for all of the world-building I've been doing.
And yes, I know, I should actually write something. Boohoo.
... Yeah. I'm just not gonna comment about laser-guided missiles at all.
*cough*
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on January 16, 2009, 06:52:27 PM
... Yeah. I'm just not gonna comment about laser-guided missiles at all.
*cough*
... look, it's been years since I watched anything UC-related. As it is, I don't think they use those either.
Quote from: Jairus on January 16, 2009, 06:41:50 PM
I did note that it was NOT a reference to Star Trek.
Oop. Misread that, thought you said it *was*
I wish I were a Gundam fan, but I never got to see most of the series'. Well, I watched a burned copy of about 3/4 of Gundam Wing, but that's about it.
(Begin huge story)
Only reason I knew about Minovsky particles is because i was doing some world building of my own. I was running a GURPS space campaign, and my brother was playing a prospector. Every time he warped into a new system, I'd generate a whole solar system with percentile rolls and look up tables. It was pretty cool, actually. If a stellar body rolled rediculously high, I'd roll for "Exotic materials". Minovsky particles were on the list, as well as Phazon, Unobtanium, Imperium (which was only found in crystal form. Bonus points if you get
that reference), and a bunch of other goofy stuff. Kryptonite was on the "Rare" list since that's a real element.
Ironically, the best find they came across was Argon. Which was fuel for Ion drives. Which would have been worth pennies a kilogram (and a kilogram of gas is a lot of gas), except that they found an
entire gas giant of the stuff. They sold the rights to the planet for... well, a lot.
(End huge story)
Quote from: WhiteFox link=topic=4811.msg256619#msg256619
Ironically, the best find they came across was Argon. Which was fuel for Ion drives. Which would have been worth pennies a kilogram (and a kilogram of gas is a lot of gas), except that they found an entire gas giant of the stuff. They sold the rights to the planet for... well, a lot.
Wow... with a molecular weight of 39.948 and a relative density of 1.654 kg/m3... that's... well... whew...
Quote from: Jairus on January 16, 2009, 06:58:48 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on January 16, 2009, 06:52:27 PM
... Yeah. I'm just not gonna comment about laser-guided missiles at all.
*cough*
... look, it's been years since I watched anything UC-related. As it is, I don't think they use those either.
I wasn't criticising
you, mind. Although it may have, mistakenly, come across that way.
Quote from: Jairus on January 16, 2009, 03:49:07 PM
Okay, in yet another attempt to revive my ailing thread, I'm gonna combine tech from two different universes to discuss the three types of energy weapons that show up in my stories. As a bit of trivia, blasters and lasers come from an old story of mine involving psychics who used nanotechnological enhancements that basically made them into cyber Jedi. Yeah, weird, I know. Anyway, blasters show up in one of my current stories under the same mechanics, so I guess laser weapons still apply as well. And beam weapons are important.
Note 1: outright magical weapons don't count, though some of these have magitech equivalents.
Note 2: all of these weapons are sublight weapons.
Beam weapons
Blaster weapons
Laser weapons
I'm curious to how EMPs and tesla coils would be classified (I thought of gauss cannons and railguns, but I dunno if you're considering those energy weapons)
Quote from: Jack McSlay on January 16, 2009, 09:54:32 PM
I'm curious to how EMPs and tesla coils would be classified (I thought of gauss cannons and railguns, but I dunno if you're considering those energy weapons)
Well, gauss guns and rail guns are not energy weapons: they fire a solid slug, and thus are shell weapons. Not only do they exist, but in at least two of my settings they are used. In the Belenus setting, they are mounted on capital ships as anti-capital weapons, while there are a handful of experimental linear cannons in the Terra setting. These are big, bulky, and inefficient. In other words, not handheld. Well, by a normal person, anyway. Also, they tend to be used as anti-armor weapons, not anti-personnel.
I don't really see how a Tesla coil can be used as a weapon (aside from the hand-held electricity gun called a Tesla Claw in Ratchet & Clank), but electricity guns are... well, to be blunt, a signature weapon of technomancers and mad scientists. Some Augustan mobile suits/armors feature electrified blades, but they're not ranged weapons: they're basically shock blades to further damage their enemies, but they work a treat against machines. As for EMPs, they exist. I don't use them much, mainly because most of the people they're used against are of the type to create technology immune to stuff like that (see Nicodemus Cidney and Emperor Justinian). They are energy weapons: they're basically "laser" weapons reconfigured to deliver a massive shock of energy rather than the focused destruction of blasters or lasers. In this case, the laser is used to create a focused pathway for the disruptive energy. They are, again, bulky weapons, much like laser weapons. They are also fairly rare.
Does that kinda make sense?
And WhiteFox, I will try to actually write something this weekend. Okay?
Quote from: Jairus on January 16, 2009, 10:09:48 PM
I don't really see how a Tesla coil can be used as a weapon (aside from the hand-held electricity gun called a Tesla Claw in Ratchet & Clank), but electricity guns are... well, to be blunt, a signature weapon of technomancers and mad scientists.
Buh...but Electricity is
my favorite Energy Type! :<
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on January 17, 2009, 12:06:55 AM
Quote from: Jairus on January 16, 2009, 10:09:48 PM
I don't really see how a Tesla coil can be used as a weapon (aside from the hand-held electricity gun called a Tesla Claw in Ratchet & Clank), but electricity guns are... well, to be blunt, a signature weapon of technomancers and mad scientists.
Buh...but Electricity is my favorite Energy Type! :<
Awww, there there. :hug I didn't say that they didn't exist, I said that they're not common weapons. Really, only a handful of people can make an effective lightning-type weapon: most of the time, they're pretty pathetic. The effective ones... well, their range sucks. To be honest, a blaster is more effective. Much more effective.
Now, I will point out the the Augustus and Tiberius units especially mount a pair of electrified folding arm blades that basically act as tasers combined with a bladed weapon, so even if it doesn't outright kill you it will cause some damage... though these are fairly energy intensive. Justinian didn't like lightning weapons: he preferred beam weapons and plasma weapons.
Ranged electrical weapons are quite possible even in reality. Look up Electrolasers - they use a laser to generate a path of plasma (a laser-induced plasma channel) that the electrical charge is then sent down. For obvious reasons, I doubt they're at all effective in space, but in the air, well, you've basically got a wireless taser. :)
Tesla coils in classic or Red Alert-style forms, on the other hand, would never really work, to my knowledge.
Quote from: Arcalane on January 17, 2009, 06:34:47 AM
Tesla coils in classic or Red Alert-style forms, on the other hand, would never really work, to my knowledge.
This is a little off-topic, but:
http://tesladownunder.com/Red%20Alert%20Tesla.htm
...it's a long exposure.
Quote from: Arcalane on January 17, 2009, 06:34:47 AM
Ranged electrical weapons are quite possible even in reality. Look up Electrolasers - they use a laser to generate a path of plasma (a laser-induced plasma channel) that the electrical charge is then sent down. For obvious reasons, I doubt they're at all effective in space, but in the air, well, you've basically got a wireless taser. :)
Tesla coils in classic or Red Alert-style forms, on the other hand, would never really work, to my knowledge.
There ARE a number of safety considerations when making tesla coils, so i do believe they can possibly be used as weapons, altough not C&C-style - a tesla coil grenade could be possible.
Quote from: Jack McSlay on January 17, 2009, 08:51:27 AM
There ARE a number of safety considerations when making tesla coils, so i do believe they can possibly be used as weapons, altough not C&C-style - a tesla coil grenade could be possible.
Firstly: Don't Lick The Pole.
Secondly: Don't stand nearer to the pole than the target.
Thirdly: I mean it. Don't lick the pole.
...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on January 17, 2009, 09:00:11 AM
Firstly: Don't Lick The Pole.
I always wanted the guy in System Shock to put the 240v i-cad battery on his tongue. He never would.
And now we may be drifting off-topic...
Oh, just a little bit. But that's quite alright, because you've all raised good points. First, that's basically how stun weapons worked in that one old idea of mine. And second, any operational Tesla Coil weapon is indeed impossible through normal physics and science... but a technomancer can pull it off. Someone able to build downright magical inventions that violate the laws of nature almost as bad as magic. The trade-off is that A) normal people can't build them and B) technomancers don't like lightning guns. They're mad scientists. They like death rays. Blasters. Laser cannons. Beam gatling guns. To them, a lightning gun is... well, a bit amateurish.
And compared to a blaster, the range is terrible. As is the accuracy. And the power. A lightning bolt burns and electrocutes. An EMP blast can do that. A blaster does more damage for less buck. In short, if you're smart, drop the lightning gun and pick up a blaster.
Now, how about a haiku?
My blaster warms up.
A crack rings out. A strange smell.
Burning flesh. Not nice.
Just a quick note: I have added stun weapons and EMP weapons to the post on energy guns. You can go straight to the revised post by following this elegantly crafted link. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg256581.html#msg256581)
Quite some interesting stuff you've got there, Jay. :3 I don't have much comments, other than it's weird that "beam" weapons can take complex shapes other than beams. I like your idea for "laser" weapons (which are exactly what I would have called "beam weapons") and stun/EMP weapons - it really makes sense. :] As for your beam weapons, how about using some form of controlled gravity field to hold and shape plasma to create melee weapons and shields?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on January 17, 2009, 02:05:05 PM
Quite some interesting stuff you've got there, Jay. :3 I don't have much comments, other than it's weird that "beam" weapons can take complex shapes other than beams. I like your idea for "laser" weapons (which are exactly what I would have called "beam weapons") and stun/EMP weapons - it really makes sense. :] As for your beam weapons, how about using some form of controlled gravity field to hold and shape plasma to create melee weapons and shields?
Well, "laser saber" and "laser shield" just sound stupid. And the use of "beam" as the word to describe such exotic weapons is a reference to Gundam. And I'm not using "light" to describe them. I mean, I'd probably get in trouble if I used "PM light saber."
As for the mechanics of controlling the beam plasma, it's a combination of the mechanics of beam technology and the energy field used to charge/stabilize the beam. Forcefields are also common, though more advanced beam weaponry can forgo this or combine it with the other bits used to control it.
So you are using pseudo-science in your weapon designs? I base my designs off of theoretical, real-world physics. Some of the stuff I do is outlandish, but it has scientific grounding and theory.
Quote from: Azlan on January 17, 2009, 02:29:11 PM
So you are using pseudo-science in your weapon designs? I base my designs off of theoretical, real-world physics. Some of the stuff I do is outlandish, but it has scientific grounding and theory.
You mean beam weapons? Of course they're pseudo-science. How could they not be? I did mention that beam weapons have to use exotic particles (M-class particles, something that doesn't exist in our universe (IE, Minosky particles, GN particles, stuff like that)) in their design, and it's because of their nature that you can make swords and shields and stuff out of it. None of the other energy weapons can do that, because they're a bit more grounded in the real world, which is why all you can do with them is shoot stuff. On top of that, most of these weapons were originally designed by technomancers, people who are able to basically warp the laws of nature to get the result they want.
Of course, this whole thing is somewhat undermined by the fact that MAGIC ITSELF is a pseudo-science in my settings... and that one of the characters has built something that so far appears to be a true perpetual energy generator...
Compared to that, energy weapons that don't quite work in the real world are a little minor, woudn't you say?
... did that come off as a little defensive? I don't think I meant that.
Quote from: Jairus on January 17, 2009, 02:45:16 PM
... did that come off as a little defensive? I don't think I meant that.
If I might interject, to me, Azlan came off as a little agressive. I had to restrain myself from responding to his comment, deciding to let you handle it how you wanted.
Quote from: Jairus on January 17, 2009, 02:45:16 PM
Quote from: Azlan on January 17, 2009, 02:29:11 PM
So you are using pseudo-science in your weapon designs? I base my designs off of theoretical, real-world physics. Some of the stuff I do is outlandish, but it has scientific grounding and theory.
You mean beam weapons? Of course they're pseudo-science. How could they not be? I did mention that beam weapons have to use exotic particles (M-class particles, something that doesn't exist in our universe (IE, Minosky particles, GN particles, stuff like that)) in their design, and it's because of their nature that you can make swords and shields and stuff out of it.
actually many of these 'psuedo science' applications aren't all that far out of the reach of modern technology. things like swords and shields made of 'energy' are intricately linked with what seems like the holy grail of research and development- cold fusion. however we are likely to get lightsabres before cold fusion, the basic philosophy is that our next breakthrough we need is to develop the ability to create magnetic containment fields. while magnetic fields wont give us cold fusion and infinite energy, they WILL give us some fun tricks, like forcefields that repel bullets, hold a field of plasma or antimatter or any other bizarre items scientists can make that kind of make items explode or corrode thus making a shield or sword made of whatever hazardous materials you wouldn't want to touch.
think beam swords are cool? the potential is also out there for swords made of fire, acids, antimatter, various exotic plasmas that make fire look pathetic, or possibly even just pure magnetic fields which may have disturbing effects on metallic targets
science is wonderful in all of the fun anomalies that float out there, even ones as simple as violet light touching metal making a current flow, or as complex as a bucky ball, its all up for grabs with cool gizmos
jay, i know i don't post much or comment on your works but know that i rather like your innovative way of thinking. keep dreaming, your dreams are getting good
not to crush your dreams or anything, but theory and reality are two pretty different things. Theories are often flawed and unperfect and even if we know exactly what would happen, there's still the mater of how to we get there. Often just to test a single theory would require funds to buy Brazil AND Portuguese (That's what they're really doing in France right now btw). The problem is that we've come so far with Physics, mathematics and chemistry that there's nothing simple to solve anymore. All the easy words are filled from the crossword puzzle. Biophysics and biochemistry, however, are what's hot today. Look into the cells my friends, not the stars.
Quote from: Omega on January 17, 2009, 04:39:50 PM
Biophysics and biochemistry, however, are what's hot today. Look into the cells my friends, not the stars.
That may be, and biochemistry might even make you a usable, portable power plant, but I'm not sure it would help with directed energy weapons.
If biochemistry can give me automail, it has suddenly become cooler than physics, which could have given me light sabers.
Quote from: Tapewolf on January 17, 2009, 04:43:28 PM
...but I'm not sure it would help with directed energy weapons.
Why would you need an energy weapon, if you could send a disease against your enemies. The effects last longer, it would be nigh impossible to protect against it and you would be immune to it.
Alright, so it won't do much good against a space ship, but those things are still pretty far away.
There has been only one miracle in this universe. Best to stretch it as far as we can.
Quote from: Jairus on January 17, 2009, 02:45:16 PM
You mean beam weapons? Of course they're pseudo-science. How could they not be? I did mention that beam weapons have to use exotic particles (M-class particles, something that doesn't exist in our universe (IE, Minosky particles, GN particles, stuff like that)) in their design, and it's because of their nature that you can make swords and shields and stuff out of it. None of the other energy weapons can do that, because they're a bit more grounded in the real world, which is why all you can do with them is shoot stuff. On top of that, most of these weapons were originally designed by technomancers, people who are able to basically warp the laws of nature to get the result they want.
Of course, this whole thing is somewhat undermined by the fact that MAGIC ITSELF is a pseudo-science in my settings... and that one of the characters has built something that so far appears to be a true perpetual energy generator...
Compared to that, energy weapons that don't quite work in the real world are a little minor, woudn't you say?
... did that come off as a little defensive? I don't think I meant that.
No, no you are fine.
What I meant by pseudo is the over-used Star Trek habit of throwing scientific sounding gibberish at people. I misunderstood your reference to Minosky particles. I generally do not approve of complete fantasy, but if it works for you then that is all that matters.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on January 17, 2009, 02:55:34 PM
If I might interject, to me, Azlan came off as a little agressive. I had to restrain myself from responding to his comment, deciding to let you handle it how you wanted.
Your opinions generally hold no weight with me, think what you will. If you have a problem with it, report it to the moderators. If you are going to post stuff like this for the pure pleasure of harassing me, then let's get it on and I will own you. If I could fend with Netami, then techmaster-glitch is no problem at all.
Quote from: Azlan on January 17, 2009, 06:10:29 PM
Your opinions generally hold no weight with me, think what you will. If you have a problem with it, report it to the moderators. If you are going to post stuff like this for the pure pleasure of harassing me, then let's get it on and I will own you. If I could fend with Netami, then techmaster-glitch is no problem at all.
And I'm going to step in right there and stop it.
Neither of you should take this any further. This is more than far enough. If you really must, take it to PM, but we don't need this sort of wrangling going on here.
Quote from: Omega on January 17, 2009, 04:57:11 PM
Quote from: Tapewolf on January 17, 2009, 04:43:28 PM
...but I'm not sure it would help with directed energy weapons.
Why would you need an energy weapon, if you could send a disease against your enemies. The effects last longer, it would be nigh impossible to protect against it and you would be immune to it.
the flaw with biological warfare is its banned by the Geneva convention, largely because you cant AIM it at anything smaller then a medium landmass
energy weapons have advantages versus armor, often don't run out of ammo, vehicles and soldiers using them have the benefit of not having to carry said ammo unless its got a heavy powerpack, and they look freaking awesome
nobody would watch an anime with a hero who throws vials of modified anthrax at burglars and inadvertently wiping out half the city
Ehh... if we want to talk about some crazy outlandish, yet still ground in modern science, weaponry... I enjoy my IPDNWS (Infantry Portable Directed Nuclear Weapon System) If you've got a powerful enough magnetic containment field, you could actually do this... the basic idea, detonate a nuclear bomb in a chamber that can maintain a powerful enough magnetic containment field that the nuclear blast is formed into more of a coherent beam of energy... now my understanding is that the gamma radation (what will actually cause most of the radiation poisoning problems) rides on the edge of the outer blast wave... soo, in theory the person firing the weapon should be safe from radiation poisoning... though i'm still trying to think of a non-psudo science way for an infantryman firing the weapon to not get fried by sheer residual heat, so far, the best i can do is extend the field out several meters beyond the actual gun barrel... (temperatures estimated at between 15,000 - 40,000 degree's F at it's hottest) Now, if you mounted it as a mobile suit weapon, you'd have the same overall idea, but now it's actually survivable... making the user a badass with a nuclear firearm...
if your worried about an infantryman being boiled when firing it, merely upgrade to a small 'tank' which most of the forward armor is actually heat shielding.
less chance of the single soldier you gave this superweapon to being felled by pathetic rifle rounds... that would just be anticlimactic
on second thought, scrap 'tank' and just make it a motorcycle with heat shielding so you can dart in, make the boom, and flee before you get perforated
Oh, why stop there? Why not an anti-matter warhead capable of a one-thousand gigaton nuclear explosion? It exists in my setting (as a magical spell developed by a very powerful mage). It was originally designed to wipe cities off of the map. It's never been used that way, though, no need to worry about that. But it was once used to kill a single person: whoever used it wanted to make sure their enemy was dead. Any guesses as to what happened?
Really, while this is all fascinating, there's a few problems here. First of all, nuclear weapons do not exist on Terra, and due to the different focus on weapons, they probably never will be. Secondly, technomancers prefer more complicated biological weapons than a simple virus, such as a Frankensteinian monstrosity or a small bio-engineered pet that spits a corrosive venom. Thirdly, nukes are more of a human or elf or dwarven weapon, not the weapon of a changeling or Faerie. Fourth, and most importantly, I don't use them in the story, and I don't see a reason to.
Now, as for Belenus... that's a topic for another day. I will say that a capital-sized version of what is essentially an IPDNWS does exist. And some forms of gas exist. Not many, and they're not wildly used. Because the ones using them quickly figured out that the damn stuff is really dangerous. So they wised up, and no one uses them.
That setting with those cyber psychers had handheld nuclear bombs. Low-yield, but effective.
I was originally going to do a little thing about two Mobile Suits - the Roland GM armor and the Durendal armor - but I think I'll have better luck on those tomorrow. Today... well, today was today.
Quote from: Omega on January 17, 2009, 04:57:11 PM
Why would you need an energy weapon, if you could send a disease against your enemies. The effects last longer, it would be nigh impossible to protect against it and you would be immune to it.
Jairus has already said 'no', so I'm not sure this is welcome, but I've come up with a few other scenarios/counterarguments. Firstly, if you have developed your own immunity to the disease by a vaccine or somesuch, it means that the enemy can work out how to get that same immunity by capturing troops etc. There are other ways but I won't go into those. Unlike energy weapons you'll also tend to have people who are naturally immune simply because of genetic variation.
Oh, and unless you've done a stellar job of tailoring it it will tend to wipe out other creatures too - ruling over a dead land is a bit of a pyrrhic victory.
The other thing is that biological weapons tend to take time to work... a suicide squad can do a lot of damage in the meantime.
If I was completing a Deathstar that took the GDP of entire star systems to construct, the fact that the enemy strike team will die in a few days is cold comfort if they blow themselves up and take the whole damn thing with them :P
That, and there's also the chance of mutation, which might render your immunity absolutely useless. All in all, viruses and diseases and stuff like that are really bad ideas. And chemical weapons aren't much better.
The only biological weapons in my settings are the kinds you can see. Frankenstein-like creations, bio-engineered acid-spitting insects, war hounds... stuff like that.
As I read through this I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a fellow Star Wars fan years ago (back during my glider pilot training.. so long ago. :<). Essentially we were discussing bits of technology from Star Wars and how they *might* be possible based off of some modern theory. We both understood that they were just theories, but if the theory were to be proven true then we were trying to figure out how to work that into making those dreams reality.
One of the ones that came up is actually almost identical to what you've discussed thus far Jairus. It's that of Bottled Plasma. While I wasn't (and am still not) confident in my understanding of it (and can't find much to research on it) the basic premise is that if one could find a way to use a magnetic field to bottle hot plasma, it would be possible to create a weapon that is essentially a lightsaber. The characteristics of this method would quite closely match what we see in the movies (even the 'whoosh' sounds to some extent).
It was kinda neat to see that you've had a similar idea to him and used it here. Where did you get the idea from?
Quote from: Mao Laoren on January 20, 2009, 12:05:47 PM
As I read through this I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a fellow Star Wars fan years ago (back during my glider pilot training.. so long ago. :<). Essentially we were discussing bits of technology from Star Wars and how they *might* be possible based off of some modern theory. We both understood that they were just theories, but if the theory were to be proven true then we were trying to figure out how to work that into making those dreams reality.
One of the ones that came up is actually almost identical to what you've discussed thus far Jairus. It's that of Bottled Plasma. While I wasn't (and am still not) confident in my understanding of it (and can't find much to research on it) the basic premise is that if one could find a way to use a magnetic field to bottle hot plasma, it would be possible to create a weapon that is essentially a lightsaber. The characteristics of this method would quite closely match what we see in the movies (even the 'whoosh' sounds to some extent).
It was kinda neat to see that you've had a similar idea to him and used it here. Where did you get the idea from?
Glider pilot? Wow. You're a lot braver than I. Um... hm. Beam weapons just need to function that way in my mind, because I seriously doubt that you can shape a magnetic containment field in the ways that some beam weapons have been used (not just in other shows and stuff like that, but also in my universe). Blaster weapons in my mind have simply always been plasma weapons, which is also true of Star Wars if I recall. If I recall, part of the problem of bottled plasma is that you can't use it to made a plasma bolt, because the field collapses really fast, though I'm probably not remembering right. As for laser weapons, I was just trying to come up with a justification for all of those sub-light "laser" weapons in fiction. It's also a minor reference to that mecha story idea of mine, where at one point one of the characters uses a beam rifle to create a pathway for a bolt of lightning (albeit, accidentally: it ended up shorting out his mech and leading to him being captured). Also, if I recall correctly, in canon a lightsaber is in fact a plasma blade. Someone who remembers that kind of stuff (or can be bothered to check the Star Wars Wiki) would be a better source of information.
Anyway, onto the real purpose of this post...
The following is what happens when you spend a week on vacation and spend most of it separated from the internet: you come up with new and improved ideas of old stuff. Of course, then you let this stuff stew for a while and talk back and forth with someone willing to pick it apart and ask questions, and eventually you get this. This is based on/edited from a post I made a month and a half ago regarding Terran tech. A quick shout-out to Ren and Pagan, who let me throw these ideas off of them and then threw them back until it all fit together. Alright, enough of my blathering. Onto the technology! Away!
Um... first a quick redo of information.
Mobile Armor = AI-driven combat robot, typically humanoid/human-sized
Mobile Suit = powered armor
Fortress Armor = large non-humanoid machine, controlled from a cockpit or by AI
Fortress Suit = large humanoid machine, a giant robot, always controlled from a cockpit
REI DriveThe REI Drive is a device that converts stored magical energy into electriciy (and a waste byproduct) through a form of fusion. Developed by technomancer Mariko Iogi while working in concert with a young Justinian, REI is short for Rasen Enjinhatsudouki Ittaika, meaning "Spiral Engine Integration," which also describes the cog-like shape of the central mechanism inside the sealed container. The original intention of the device was to make use of magical energy, an abundant natural resource, to generate usable power for non-magic users. REI Drives can vary in size, from modules small enough to be held (the most common model, used to power Mobile Armors and their ilk) to massive units that power military airships and other weapons. The basic design of the REI Drive and core mechanics of the drive have remained unchanged since it was first built over nine hundred years ago, and today it is extremely common, especially in the military. REI Drives are largely immune to all but the most powerful magic, due in part to their construction and in part to the waste product of the fusion reaction. REI Drives also cannot be recharged without a special recharge rack, which also jumpstarts drive's fusion reaction (a security feature to help prevent theft). Some REI Drive-equipped units have a special module that not only can slowly recharge the unit, but can also start the unit by itself: these modules cannot be used while the drive is active, but REI Drives can be recharged while in use. Since the units are powered by magical energy, any installation or ship equipping these units requires large magical capacitors or collection arrays to help recharge the units. One key difference among drives is their efficiency: not all drives are equally as efficient. The efficiency of a drive can be noted by the color of light emitted by the REI Drive's waste byproduct, the Thauma Nucleus Particle, also known as a TN Particle.
NULL Condensatrum (capacitor)Another key component of REI Drive operations, NULL Capacitors do double duty as storage mechanisms for TN Particles (the waste product of the REI Drive's fusion reaction) and as sub generators that use TN Particles to generate additional power for the unit. NULL Condensors use what is essentially a dynamo to generate as much as 25% of a unit's total power. Not only are these units necessary to get the most out of the drive and also store TN Particles for other uses, NULL Condensors have become a part of the iconic image of Mobile Armors: the large slightly-glowing crystal face of the mechanism is arguably what defines a Mobile Armor as a Mobile Armor for most people (rather than the hidden REI Drive), and the same for its brethren Mobile Suits, Fortress Armors, and Fortress Suits. In order to grant MAs full operating capacity right off the bat, their recharge stations are often designed to load a full charge of TN Particles into the capacitors as they jumpstart the units. While the earliest MAs had a single large chest-mounted capacitor, the first MSs used two slightly smaller shoulder-mounted units (the operator took up too much room for the MA-style capacitor), beginning the current trend of having multiple smaller capacitors throughout the unit to make it easier to get power and TN Particles where they need to get. Current-day Augustan units still use a large central capacitor in addition to the smaller sub units, but tend to cover it in a layer of armor. As a bit of trivia, NULL does not stand for anything: it is simply a poor joke by the system's inventors.
TN ParticleThe REI Drive's waste product, the Thauma Nucleus Particle is an M-class particle that - since it's discovery by Mariko Iogi shortly after creating the first working REI Drive - has a large number of uses. Its first function, and the most obvious one, is that it is an anti-magic particle: the particle's decay makes it more difficult to collect, channel, and control magic, depending on the concentration of particles in the environment. It is worth noting that magitech devices are largely immune to this effect: the magitech power grids used to recharge REI Drives, for example, are shielded against the effect of TN Particles to allow them to collect the energy necessary to charge the units. TN Particles can also be used in the creation of beam weapons, which retain their magic weakening effect, though significantly more focused. It can also disrupt magic in other ways, such as wounds caused by TN Particle infused weapons being unable to be fully healed through healing spells and the like. The shear variety of uses for the TN Particle is limited only by the technology of the time, and the ones who are experimenting with it. The particle's abilities come from its decay as it gradually breaks down. As the particle decays, it emits a characteristic glow that indicates the reactor's efficiency: an orange particle indicates that the drive that created it is more efficient that a red particle. The change in color comes from the amount of energy lost in the reaction, and does not indicate that the particles themselves are weaker or stronger in any way: a red particle is identical in power and abilities to one that is yellow. While the earliest REI Drives gave off a low-efficiency red particle, most modern ones give off an orange or yellow particle: though theoretically a green or higher particle is possible, no one has yet been succesful at creating a reactor efficient enough to do so.
Okay, another life-saving injection into my little thread. Okay, comments, questions, clarifications? Do ask.
Well, we have discussed everything concerning REI Drives and TN Particles before, so I don't have much to add. But why can't a Fortress Armour by controlled by a human?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on January 25, 2009, 07:43:09 AM
Well, we have discussed everything concerning REI Drives and TN Particles before, so I don't have much to add. But why can't a Fortress Armour by controlled by a human?
I said that it can.
Quote from: Jairus on January 25, 2009, 06:04:17 AM
Fortress Armor = large non-humanoid machine, controlled from a cockpit or by AI
Actually, most FAs are in fact controlled from a cockpit. Or a "cockpit" that is basically a place that an MA docks into to control it with it's own AI.
And yes, I changed the name of the capacitors.
Quote from: Jairus on January 25, 2009, 10:36:16 AM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on January 25, 2009, 07:43:09 AM
Well, we have discussed everything concerning REI Drives and TN Particles before, so I don't have much to add. But why can't a Fortress Armour by controlled by a human?
I said that it can.
Sorry. I am stupid. Didn't notice the "or" part. :B
So, is this like an alternate counterpart to that Thauma-Furnace Reactor in one of your other settings?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on January 25, 2009, 11:55:07 PM
So, is this like an alternate counterpart to that Thauma-Furnace Reactor in one of your other settings?
This
is the Thauma Furnace Reactor. Well, sort of. Allow me to explain...
What you are experiencing is two-fold. First, you are experiencing the development of a technology beyond "it does this with this and it also does that." It is a fleshing out of the mechanics and abilities of a piece of technology that already existed in my mind, and then adapting it to better fit the story. Second, you are experiencing the development of a work-in-progress story. Mobile Armors, for example, were originally an ancient unstoppable clockwork army that gets stopped in five seconds because the technology in them - no matter how advanced it was for the time - is still nine hundred years out of date. And now they are a common thing, rather than a legendary artifact.
So, does that help? Any other questions?
Quote from: Jairus on January 25, 2009, 06:04:17 AM
Glider pilot? Wow. You're a lot braver than I.
Eh, not really. A glider is just a small plane with no engine and a wicked glide ratio (read.. really long wings and itty-bitty
living space cockpit). You have to understand how to fly without an engine before you even think about trying to fly with one. It didn't hurt that at the time I was absolutely infatuated with the Robotech/Macross universe (the YF-21 will always be my favorite). Though I got it pounded into me early on in my training that only one thing awaits the hotshot ace: an untimely, unfortunate and ultimately avoidable death. That kinda spoiled it for me a bit. I was training through cadets so we were being taught by military instructors and they are very clear on the matter of 'heroes'.
The trick is to do your drills, listen to your instructors and to focus on the task at hand. If you can do that, you can fly. Once you can fly, the sky is yours.
There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots.
Sadly, you too are human, and prone to err. And up there, if you err, you can't get out and walk.
Thanks for the reminiscence, Mao. And a good point, Boxy.
Okay, in yet another attempt to revive my thread (I should have become a necromancer!), I'm gonna try to write some form of poetry, even just a single haiku. Thanks for posting in your thread, Cogi: that's the second reason I'm doing something like this.
All of my classes
Are in the same building. But
Why is it so far?
Then again, a thirty
Minute walk in the cool air
Is not all that bad.
I wince in pain, and
Stumble to a seat. Lancing
Pain travels my leg.
My ankle hates me.
Why else would it plague me for
Two whole years by now?
(For the record, I hate my ankle right back.)
First to those one leads,
And then to those who lead you.
This is what must be.
Ishimura
There floating high o'er planet's shell,
Now rests the dying derelict.
A thousand souls once here did dwell,
Its empty halls now silent crypts.
...
You know what? I can't finish this tonight. I'm sorry, I'll have to come back to it later when I'm not tired. Good night all!
Interesting poem... Have you seen a doctor about your ankle?
Nice haiku. :] Too bad about your ankle, though. :[
Poetry about inconveniently laid-out campuses should be a genre of it's own. *nods*
Quote from: Cogidubnus on February 12, 2009, 01:36:11 PM
Poetry about inconveniently laid-out campuses should be a genre of it's own. *nods*
It's really quite nice,
Not having to walk far from
One class to the next.
However, it is
The distance from my place that
Bothers me so much.
There is also a
Borders Books and sandwich place
Not far from the school.
So it's not hard to
Get a good lunch in the time
Between two of them.
My classes, that is.
There's an hour-long break three
Days of the week. Yeah.
Actually, this
Is getting quite silly. Should
I stop the haiku?
Later on, I'll try
To rewrite "Ishimura,"
A
Dead Space poem.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on February 12, 2009, 01:36:11 PM
Poetry about inconveniently laid-out campuses should be a genre of it's own. *nods*
Tell me about it. I go to an urban college whose "campus" is just whatever buildings or parking decks nearby they can purchase and reassemble into a classroom building. Still, GSU's a nice place.
Oh, I should probably comment on the art in the art thread. Nice haikus, Brother.
Wee! More haiku! :> But, while it really got kinda silly, I'm interested to hear a revised version of "Ishimura". I liked the previous one.
I think you've definitely got the form of Haiku down. I have to say, though - I'd be interested to see what you might come up with if you tried writing with a more serious tone, although I'm one to talk with my most recent bit of drivel. :B Perhaps something in another form than Haiku?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 12, 2009, 03:49:24 PM
Wee! More haiku! :> But, while it really got kinda silly, I'm interested to hear a revised version of "Ishimura". I liked the previous one.
Silly? Yeah, it did get a little silly. Haiku is just something I do for fun, which is probably anathema to how it's supposed to be done. However, as you wish.
Ishimura it is.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on February 13, 2009, 01:16:33 AM
I think you've definitely got the form of Haiku down. I have to say, though - I'd be interested to see what you might come up with if you tried writing with a more serious tone, although I'm one to talk with my most recent bit of drivel. :B Perhaps something in another form than Haiku?
Well, I'd like to write something about Tiberius Unit Elf-Drei-Acht (don't worry, it'll make sense eventually), which would involve a horrible bloody battle between an army of mages and an army of clockwork robots, but that won't be tonight. As for something in another form than Haiku, how about a sonnet?
I'd like to submit that for some damned reason, I cannot for the life of me write comfortably in iambic pentameter. Tetrameter, yes: pentameter, no. Anyway, rather than force something and make it feel funky, I'll just write a tetrameter sonnet.
IshimuraThere, floating high o'er world's cracked shell,
A slowly dying derelict.
A thousand souls once here did dwell,
Once teeming halls now rusting crypts.
As power fails, its lights grow dim,
Each room to eerie darkness falls.
Blood-curdling sounds and groans so grim
Still travel far from distant halls.
And here and there the air is still,
The smell of death still strong and new.
All on your own, that is, until
You find the ship's decaying crew.
You're trapped inside its cold embrace,
Fore'er alone in this dead space.
Yes, it's a
Dead Space (http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page) sonnet. I'm not 100 percent satisfied with it, so I'll end up revising it a second time. Enjoy!
EDIT: I kinda wrote this a few days ago in an IM chat with Ren. It's
really stupid, but I might as well give another example of one of my one minute songs. Call it Tech Metal (Techno Metal)
"Clock Punk Cold Fusion"The sound is in my ears,
It's the ticking of the gears,
All the cogs and sprockets in my pockets
Clinking, clanking, tip and tap!
Pistons pumping, chains are rattling,
And all within a techno map!
Shiny brass and singing whistles,
Not for bombs or guns or missiles,
But to power up a city with our Clock Punk Fusion mixture!
Told you it was stupid.
Wow. Impressive, bro. :] I didn't expect you to actually post the "Clock Punk Cold Fusion". :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 13, 2009, 06:09:37 AM
Wow. Impressive, bro. :] I didn't expect you to actually post the "Clock Punk Cold Fusion". :B
Might as well have. It's not a haiku, and it may be stupid and bad but it rhymes... sometimes. And it's not like anyone will read it. What expression should I have for that?
So, what did you think of
Ishimura?
Quote from: Jairus on February 13, 2009, 10:28:34 AM
So, what did you think of Ishimura?
The "impressive" part was about Ishamura. In fact I was so impressed I followed the link you gave.. and was almost a little disappointed when I learned what the Dead Space is really about. Your poem made me imagine something like city-ship built by some ancient civilization, drifting silently through space, a tomb to its former inhabitants and a grim memory left behind by a great power that has perished.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 13, 2009, 11:05:13 AM
Quote from: Jairus on February 13, 2009, 10:28:34 AM
So, what did you think of Ishimura?
The "impressive" part was about Ishamura. In fact I was so impressed I followed the link you gave.. and was almost a little disappointed when I learned what the Dead Space is really about. Your poem made me imagine something like city-ship built by some ancient civilization, drifting silently through space, a tomb to its former inhabitants and a grim memory left behind by a great power that has perished.
... hm... whoops. Sorry to confuse you like that. For the record, I've never played
Dead Space, I'm just going off of some playthrough vids I've seen. And that thing a week ago over on Justin.tv (http://www.justin.tv/balade). But to be fair, the ship is kinda like that, at least in the city-ship and being a tomb and a grim reminder of things man ought not mess with. I just didn't quite know how to work the Necromorphs in, aside from obtuse references.
Maybe I should do a Bioshock poem next. And a Ratchet and Clank poem. And a Jak poem. And a... um... I'll stop before I get to Metal Gear Solid 4. DAMMIT!
Quote from: Jairus on February 13, 2009, 11:14:25 AM
And a... um... I'll stop before I get to Metal Gear Solid 4. DAMMIT!
Doooo eeeeeeeet... :eek
I have to say I'm very impressed by Ishimura. It manages to convey the concept of the vague creepiness extremely well. I too have never played Dead Space, but I think you don't really have to, to appreciate this poem.
The idea of a dead city, though, reminds me of the "City in the Sea" by Poe.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on February 13, 2009, 02:09:27 PM
I have to say I'm very impressed by Ishimura. It manages to convey the concept of the vague creepiness extremely well. I too have never played Dead Space, but I think you don't really have to, to appreciate this poem.
The idea of a dead city, though, reminds me of the "City in the Sea" by Poe.
Thanks, glad you liked it. I'll have to try experimenting with this a little more.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 13, 2009, 11:16:01 AM
Quote from: Jairus on February 13, 2009, 11:14:25 AM
And a... um... I'll stop before I get to Metal Gear Solid 4. DAMMIT!
Doooo eeeeeeeet... :eek
As you wish.
"Tired Old Men" - Metal Gear Solid 4
Old fools for whom I write these final words,
A final plea before unending night.
You see, here at the end it feels absurd:
We chose to fight for what we felt was right.
We wished for a world where we would not fade.
Paid such a price, and so little we gained.
And so we fell for a warrior's crusade,
Until the end, when none but one remained.
The world will now end and anew begin.
I'm needed no more, but isn't this good?
But... if you had been in my place back then
Maybe you'd not make mistakes that I did?
But still we stand firm and raise arms again:
War waged fore'er by these tired old men.
Great poem, bro. I loved it. I'm glad that you decided to make it after all. :]
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 13, 2009, 09:40:08 PM
Great poem, bro. I loved it. I'm glad that you decided to make it after all. :]
You are quite welcome, bro. Glad you enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to write it. Oh, and thanks for letting me shoot the bits off of you first.
Okay, what should I do next?
Quote from: Jairus on February 14, 2009, 03:14:45 AM
Okay, what should I do next?
You should start on the beginning of Terra's story. Doooo eeeeeet.
Quote from: Pagan on February 14, 2009, 10:09:43 AM
Quote from: Jairus on February 14, 2009, 03:14:45 AM
Okay, what should I do next?
You should start on the beginning of Terra's story. Doooo eeeeeet.
QuoteWell, I'd like to write something about Tiberius Unit Elf-Drei-Acht (don't worry, it'll make sense eventually), which would involve a horrible bloody battle between an army of mages and an army of clockwork robots, but that won't be tonight. As for something in another form than Haiku, how about a sonnet?
That's one of the things I'm talking about. Elf-drei-acht's first battle is the current plan for the prologue. Which means we get to see an emotionless robot kill things in horrible manners, including landing on top of someone and crushing them flat. Yay.
I meant more in the subject of what form of poem should I try to write about. A Ratchet and Clank one about the joys of heavy weaponry would be kinda fun...
"Ode to my weapons", a Ratchet and Clank sonnet
"Drop to your knees and say your prayers, scum!
As I prepare to rip you a new one!"
Argh, meter's off. I hate that.
Throw a "now" into the second line.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on February 14, 2009, 01:47:10 PM
Throw a "now" into the second line.
I wrote it in fifteen seconds, give me some credit. Actually, I think I'm gonna turn it into a parody of "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast. That's right, it's time for another song parody! Tremble in fear!
Besides which, adding "now" would put it at eleven syllables. One too many for a normal sonnet.
This isn't really writing, but I feel I should post something anyway. An IM conversation between me and Ren Gaulen, for your amusement.
SCENE: Ren Gaulen is playing Ragnarok Online, while conversing with Jairus (me)...
Ren Gaulen:
Well, at least I can kill giant ants. :]
Jairus:
... at which point a soldier ant splits you in half with her jaws.
Ren Gaulen:
...Ouch.
Got some duct tape?
Jairus:
Sorry, used it all
Ren Gaulen:
I'M HALF A MAN I USED TO BE! DX
Jairus:
Well, no one will look down on you for it.
Though you might not be able to measure up to your previous achievements.
And when it comes to arguments, you haven't got a leg to stand on.
But you are not safely out of 'arms way.
Since you can't just leg it to get away from your enemies.
Why yes, I have no shame.
...
Also, for the handful of you who care about the tech stuff, I think I've hit on the proper names for the damned robots in the Terra setting. So, name changes!
Original name - New name (meaning)Mobile Armor - Eisensoldat (Iron Soldier)
Mobile Suit - Eisenritter (Iron Knight)
Fortress Armor - Panzersoldat (Armor Soldier)
Fortress Suit - Panzerritter (Armor Knight)
Usual statement about questions goes here.
..No worries - I got my legs back. :B
Also, I want to point out that Jay's Panzerritters have nothing to do with my Panzerritters, except for the fact that they both are essentially giant robots. :>
You do know how to be annoying when you want to be.
Quote from: Gabi on February 18, 2009, 02:35:53 PM
You do know how to be annoying when you want to be.
Oh, I forgot to post Ren's reaction!
Ren Gaulen*eye twitches*
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 18, 2009, 02:34:50 PM
..No worries - I got my legs back. :B
In other words, you got better? :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 18, 2009, 02:34:50 PM
Also, I want to point out that Jay's Panzerritters have nothing to do with my Panzerritters, except for the fact that they both are essentially giant robots. :>
Yep. Most likely, my Panzerritter will turn out to be more or less humanoid tanks. With BFGs. And a bit more maneuverable.
Quote from: Jairus on February 18, 2009, 02:40:51 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on February 18, 2009, 02:34:50 PM
..No worries - I got my legs back. :B
In other words, you got better? :3
Yes. I got better. Stronger. Faster. :]
..I think I just took another level. :B
Yes. Now put it back.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on February 18, 2009, 07:44:54 PM
Yes. Now put it back.
OH NO YOU DIDN'T! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEbE3fGfF-o) D:<
You're right, I didn't. I was elsewhere at the time.
Perhaps you'd like to try again? Another 50p, and you can try catching something...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on February 18, 2009, 08:25:33 PM
You're right, I didn't. I was elsewhere at the time.
Perhaps it was your evil twin brother, Hayd n'n'daLite, boxy.
This is more or less a codification (for the tenth time) of some Terra tech. In short, this is basically the basics about the four majors types of mechanical combat units in the Crater Crew stories: Eisensoldats, Eisenritters, Panzermittel, and Panzerritters. And yes, I know that those words aren't truly grammatically correct. And I'm wobbling between Panzermittel and Panzersoldat.
And though I talk about this in the different paragraphs, I have to emphasize that these are essentially subjective names: the only thing considered to differentiate one of these machines from an equivalent is that the equivalent doesn't use a REI Drive for power generation. That's basically it: the use of TN particle technology is what divides and Iron Knight from a normal combat robot.
Eisensoldats (Iron Soldiers) are basically clockwork robots, though they've become a lot more advanced in the seven/eight hundred years since they were first introduced. Eisensoldats (typically called Soldats) range between six or seven feet in height, and are all roughly humanoid. Most of them have a somewhat inhuman appearance and build, however. What distinguishes Eisensoldats from normal combat robots is that Eisensoldats (and indeed, all four of these units) use REI Drives and associated systems (covered in more detail here (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg258332.html#msg258332)) for their power needs, granting them a supply of TN Particles and also some resistance against magic. Eisensoldats and their sibling units also use what is called a LOGI Brain, an extremely advanced computer magitech clockpunk designed at the same time as the REI Drives: having been designed for upgrades, some current LOGI are as old as the Empire itself. LOGI are capable of learning from past experiences and even developing personalities of a sort, with many units choosing personalized designations to help distinguish themselves. This divergence from one another was considered an acceptable trade-off by Justinian in exchange for superior efficiency and tactics that such unique units could do. However, Eisensoldats more often than not can be driven insane by their combined experiences, leading to a routine of wiping a Soldat's stored up experiences and memories and starting them over from the basic programming (though old memories are kept in a storage mode, they are more "read only" memories). While older units were ground bound machines armed with auto guns and primitive grenades, modern units use TN Float units for mobility and are armed with high-energy beam weapons powered by their REI drives. A handful of Eisensoldats - including the famous Sir Elf Roland (originally Unit Elf-Drei-Acht) - have been granted full citizenship in the empire.
In a more meta sense, Eisensoldats and Eisenritters are somewhere between infantry and armored units, essentially a heavy armor assault unit. The Augustan army has very rarely fielded more than a hundred or so at a time, and Eisensoldats are still supported by normal troops and robotic support units.
Eisenritters (Iron Knights) are the worn counterpart of the Eisensoldats units. In function and weapons, an Eisenritter is identical to its counterpart, occasionally down to the same names. However, Eisenritters have a different build than the thinner Eisensoldats, necessary in order to fit the operator. In order to accommodate a wide variety of different sized species, Eisenritters are incredibly modular, attaching components to an adjustable frame in order to maximize the fit: quite frequently, this leads to Eisenritters of the same line resembling custom units, when in fact all of them are functionally identical. Despite this, Eisenritters are in essence identical in performance and load-out to their machine counterparts, excluding the operator. Eisenritters use a simplified LOGI brain to help the pilot control the unit: no Eisenritter control brain has ever gone rogue AI on its operator
Eisenritters are again a combination between heavy infantry and armored units. Also, Eisenritters and Eisensoldats are fielded together: it's very rare to find a pure unit of one or the other, and there is a camaraderie between the two types of soldiers. Also, despite the intuitive control system used by Eisenritters that is mostly dependent on physical motion, it is basically impossible to just leap into one and be a master, or even relatively skilled.
Panzermittels (Armor vehicle) are big tank-like constructs, either controlled by AI or by pilot. They are rarely humanoid, and tend to be rather bizarre in appearance. Most old-fashioned Panzermittels essentially existed to mount weapons that Eisen-type units or Panzerritters could not wield, due to various difficulties. Modern Panzermittels exist in two forms: one-shot or limited-production prototypes (essentially a continuation of the older style), and mass-production combat machines. Their form varies incredibly, from tread-driven ground units to hovering aerial units. Again, the primary distinction between them and other large constructs is the use of the REI Drive.
Panzermittels are actually not the tanks of the world. To those who have ever watched any of the Gundam series, Panzermittels are the mobile armors of the series. To those who have not... I can't think of a comparison right now. Sorry.
Finally,
Panzerritters are large (16-20 feet tall) humanoid combat units, and are either controlled by an AI or pilot. Despite being fairly mobile and able to move fairly quickly, their speed and maneuverability lack when compared to Eisensoldats and Eisenritters. In fact, Panzerritters very rarely deploy without either of the two smaller units. This is due to a combination of poor close-range combat capabilities (though this has substantially improved in recent years) and the fact that a sufficiently mobile enemy is capable of crippling and destroying one. In essence, Panzerritters are heavy assault units, mounting weapons too large for the average soldier or Eisen unit to wield. Most Panzerritters have ejectable cockpits to improve pilot/AI survival rates. Some Panzerritters somewhat abandon the standard humanoid form and are designed to be controlled by an Eisen-type unit, though these are fairly rare due to the need to teach operators two distinct sets of controls and combat styles for two completely different machines. Panzerritters have a smaller operating time compared to Eisen units, rarely exceeding more than twelve hours operating time compared to five days for the smaller units.
Panzerritter are obviously the giant robots of the Terra setting (though being only twenty feet tall might be barely on the edge of giant robot). They're also a bit more grounded (haha) and "real" than I might usually have. They are, in essence, the tanks of the setting.
And... that's a lot more substantial and wordy than I wanted to write. Oh well. Questions, comments, conundrums, queries, something beginning with the "k" sound?
So very wordy.
Why is it so hard for me
To keep things shorter?
You know, re-reading all that to identify where you changed one word is very annoying, Jubblies.
Just FYI...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on February 20, 2009, 04:59:23 AM
You know, re-reading all that to identify where you changed one word is very annoying, Jubblies.
Just FYI...
Apologies. Would you rather I just made a post with a correction?
It'd make things better, I think. Certainly it'd mean not re-reading lots of the same data again, trying to remember what was there previously...
Of course, it's your thread. You can do what you like. *grin*
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on February 20, 2009, 11:03:33 AM
It'd make things better, I think. Certainly it'd mean not re-reading lots of the same data again, trying to remember what was there previously...
Of course, it's your thread. You can do what you like. *grin*
"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here" sort of deal? Fair enough.
For the record, I altered a few things regarding Eisensoldats, mentioning that frequent memory wipes are used because even though they become a lot more effective the more they remember and know, their emerging personalities have a tendency to slowly drive them nuts. It's a very rare occasion when an Eisensoldat emerges with a personality of its own and remains stable... well, as stable as a normal person is, anyway. ;) However, I also talked about how those memories are saved in a sort of "read only" file, so the unit can still call on past knowledge but it lacks the immediacy for a personality to develop.
Quote from: Jairus on February 20, 2009, 11:14:06 AM
"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here" sort of deal? Fair enough.
No, not at all. I meant that I was merely suggesting as a friend - as distinct from laying down the law as a moderator.
Honestly, do what you like. I just thought you might like to know some of the issues I'd run across as a reader when ploughing through large posts, is all.
Oh, how bored must I
Be that I would write haiku
For this lonely thread.
Or how about some
Random thoughts. I'll just see where
They take me right now.
"Wolf"
The icy wind cuts like a blade,
And howls throughout the valley's length.
No snow shall fall this winter's night,
As moon shines on this frozen land.
Within the trees, a silent glade,
Where gray wolf stands with graceful strength.
His fur shows marks of long gone fights,
Scars stand out like burned in brands.
And from this land he's meant to fade,
He's wandered far o'er land's full breadth,
And now he'll sleep 'neath full moon's light,
But 'fore he sleeps, this final stand.
A howling cry answers the wind,
And faithful winds reply in kind.
Well, that was strange. I
Should write more of it, but I
Am tired. Good night!
EDIT:
A frozen blade is
Not very comfortable.
Ouch, I've got blisters.
Magical swords are
All the rage, but the damned things
Won't shut the hell up!
If you are going
To break the rules, then do so
Quiet thoroughly.
Magic is a tool,
Not an answer. You can't just
Wave a magic wand.
Well, "Wolf" is not a haiku, but it's a very nice poem. :)
An awesome poem, bro. Great work. You create quite powerful imagery.
And the haiku are funny. :3
Quote from: Gabi on March 07, 2009, 06:26:27 AM
Well, "Wolf" is not a haiku, but it's a very nice poem. :)
Thanks, Gabi. Glad you enjoyed it.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 07, 2009, 11:45:31 AM
An awesome poem, bro. Great work. You create quite powerful imagery.
And the haiku are funny. :3
Funny? My Haiku are
Not funny. They are silly.
Big diff'rence. Kumquat.
Haiku are so fun.
But also so easy. Hm.
Perhaps I should knit?
Oh, and inspired by Pagan's little greeting of "Welcome to the Mansion" for the newbies over in the Villa, I present to you a little extra...
"Welcome to the Mansion"
We welcome you, new person here,
To Clockwork Mansion's forum.
You'll not get lots of nifty gear
Or swag when to this place you come.
Instead, we offer lots of fun,
And crazies up to our necklines.
And when all has been said and done,
You'll fit right in, whate'er your kind.
The mods are nice, the people great,
And though we've got our foibles,
You'll learn them all, or most, I'll state,
But never fear, I'll ne'er spoil.
Your stay here has but just begun!
Oh, and Welcome to the Mansion.
Sorry, had to force it a little. It might work better in pentameter, but I'll try that later.
Hehe, very nice, Brother. Though a little too cheerful and inviting for me. Whenever I used that line, I always imagined a creepy butler which would disturb visitors.
Still, pretty cool.
Quote from: Pagan on March 07, 2009, 11:56:41 PM
Hehe, very nice, Brother. Though a little too cheerful and inviting for me. Whenever I used that line, I always imagined a creepy butler which would disturb visitors.
Still, pretty cool.
I shall solve this problem... tomorrow.
"Ignore the screams and horrid cries:
To do so, sir, would be quite wise."
Just a random thought I had for a series of Haiku...
"978"
Tentacles claw at
The unyielding door. His foe
Is beyond his reach.
Yes. A haiku for each new DMFA and Abel's Story update. I am weird.
A battle betwixt
Two eternal foes. Would you
Pass the popcorn, please?
"979"
Behind these doors lies
Foe's own body. Shall it rise?
Only time will tell.
Canadiacti!
The Canadian catci!
Beware it! Beware!
EDIT: And because I promised Pagan...
"Welcome to the Mansion, The Slightly Creepy Version"
Enter, now: please do not dawdle.
Through the doors into the forum.
Expect not a hug or coddle,
For it's not our fault you've come.
Beware the mods, for they see all.
Those who advise, oh, trust them not.
And evil hides in shadowed halls.
Keep quiet now, obey the rules,
Ignore the screams and horrid cries.
And know your place, or we'll be cruel.
To do these things would be quite wise.
Your stay here has but just begun.
Oh, and Welcome to the Mansion.
I'll fix it later.
Very nice, Brother.
all hail the bard of furrae... making use of Amber's hidden cameras to tell the tale with bluster an whimsy.
Quote from: GabrielsThoughts on March 09, 2009, 10:59:36 AM
all hail the bard of furrae... making use of Amber's hidden cameras to tell the tale with bluster an whimsy.
"Bard of Furrae?" I think I'll have to write the romantic comedy
Jyrras and Abel before I can be properly called that. And
The Adventurer of Lost Lake. Maybe
Aniz. Or
A Midsummer Night's Muffin!
...
I'll stop now.
The red squirrel runs down the tree.
He stands right there, and looks at me.
I do not move, for fear he'd run.
But he goes on, the moment's done.
Why yes, that was quick.
And short. And stupid. I know.
Please stop judging me.
The cake is a lie.
It's actually a pie.
The cake is a pie.
Not my idea, I read "The Cake is a Pie" and had to write a haiku about it... actually...
The Rat Man said that the cake was a lie,
No matter how long old GLaDOS would cry.
Well, it turned out he's right,
Some new stuff's come to light.
And now we all know that the cake is a pie.
Why did I just write that? I don't know.
It seemed the simplest thing in the world. A wonder that nobody else could hear it. A quick deep breath, and he dived right in, past thought, past mind, past everything else.
Okay, I don't know where that's going. Something about the "heartbeat of the world." Can't write it right now.
I need a better system for naming my haiku for Abel's story.
"Abel, 2-47"
Son of a student,
Now comes to the school. What shall
Start from this meeting?
Does she desire
Revenge on one who fell? Or
Something else or more?
Also, I have worked up the basic plot of A Midsummer Night's Muffin, which just proves how weird I am...
Alexsi and Pyroduck are attempting to put on a Midsummer party. Mab, Pip, Merlitz, and Wildy decide to put on a show based on the adventures of Janus Bond called "The Man with the Golden Muffin", and retreat to the recently regrown woods to practice. Albanion and Nutmeg are having a row because Nutmeg is afraid that Albanion will drop their baby, causing Albanion to recruit Azlan to find a love potion so that Albanion can play a trick on Nutmeg. The two couples for the play are Jyrras and Abel and Dan and Matilda, who end up also going into the woods to have a long and engrossing talk. Thanks to Azlan and Albanion's interference, Dan ends up falling in love with Jyrras and Abel falls in love with Matilda, while Jyrras is still pursuing Abel and Matilda is going after Dan, and Jyrras knows that something is screwed up because Dan isn't gay and Matilda is confused because she'd pegged Abel as having a crush on Jyrras. Meanwhile, Kria and Lorenda are having a mother/daughter walk in the forest, and thanks (again) to Azlan we end up with Jyrras falling madly in love with Kria and Matilda falling madly in love with Lorenda. And Azlan decides to get back at Wildy for the whole "slave for a week thing" (because he's a Fae and contradictory like that), leading to Wildy having the head of a girl scout that Nutmeg (thanks to Azlan) falls in love with...
But it all works out in the end, and we have a happy ending with the couples spending the night under the midsummer night's moon, and Albanion dispenses his curse of a long and healthy life to Jyrras (who secretly likes calling in sick so that he can riff over really bad movies)! The end!
*phew* Okay, that was really stupid. To make up for it...
A flash of steel, the blossom falls.
The swordsman's hand flies swift and true.
The rose's scent to true love calls,
Under the sky of midnight blue.
There, feel better?
sounds like fanfiction... and if you really want to make peoples heads explode, you should set it up so it's the story of you or your avatar collaborating with Darkmoon to write a story about Amber, who's writing about Mab, who's colaborating with Nutmeg and Charlene and Alondro, on a midsummer night's muffin, which is a story about Dan, Alexi and the gang working together to produce "man with the golden muffin"
and then.....at the very end......reveal that everything, the universe and everything was created by "FI!" and Dan or Alexi is looking at him funny while he's sitting in front of the computer screen giggling like an idiot.
trust me, you want peoples heads to explode. It's what I go for when I write/create stories.
Quote from: GabrielsThoughts on March 13, 2009, 10:01:28 AM
sounds like fanfiction... and if you really want to make peoples heads explode, you should set it up so it's the story of you or your avatar collaborating with Darkmoon to write a story about Amber, who's writing about Mab, who's colaborating with Nutmeg and Charlene and Alondro, on a midsummer night's muffin, which is a story about Dan, Alexi and the gang working together to produce "man with the golden muffin"
and then.....at the very end......reveal that everything, the universe and everything was created by "FI!" and Dan or Alexi is looking at him funny while he's sitting in front of the computer screen giggling like an idiot.
trust me, you want peoples heads to explode. It's what I go for when I write/create stories.
Fanfic works for me. I'm not out to make people's heads explode, and besides, having multiple layers like that just gets confusing. Though, now that I thik about it, Fluffy might make a better Puck character than Azlan... I'm not sure. And Amber is dressed like William Shakespeare.
"980"
A dark foe strides from
A darkened room. The loincloth
Ruins it a bit.
Oh, such a smug smirk!
It was so lovely to see
It leave us that fast.
So, what happens now?
A duel 'twixt two foes to death?
Maybe something else...
Destania sent
Dan to kill Aliph. Maybe
He's a threat to her.
Okay, how about a
Silly one now? Banana,
Banananana.
"981"
One target knocked out,
The other still on his feet.
Dan's still got his head.
Aliph knew about
Destania. What else might
This demon know? Hm...
A titanic fight
Between these two foes. Who shall
win, and who shall fall?
The comic has no
Punchline, because Amber fails
At life. Not really.
Spring is in the air.
Blossoms bloom, and the rains come.
The springtime sun shines.
Also, Regina's still
Down. Yes! Down with the stuck-up
Spoiled demon girl!
I need to find a
Better silly word instead
Of that word "banana."
There is really not
Much more I can do with these
Haiku. Such is life.
But I shall keep on
Writing them, as they are such
A simple pleasure.
That means that you shall
All suffer from more of my
Haiku. Mwahaha!
...
In slightly more serious news, I'm currently thinking about writing something about Elian Cidney, Nick's former adventurer father. Or something about Joshua, but that is highly unlikely. We'll see what happens.
"982"
Dan really does not
Know the limits of his new
Powers. Which sucks hard.
And dear old Aliph
Knows how to fight Cubi too.
Not a good combo.
I think that Dan will
Need a save. Lorenda, Fi,
Kria, Abel... who?
But on his shoulder,
What's that I see? A Cubi
Clan mark might just form.
And now for a bit of silliness inspired by Brunhidden... (thank you Brun!)
"Ode to a Donut"
Oh, glist'ning cake of deep-fried dough,
That I eat here to break my fast,
Just how I hate and love you so,
Because of how your fat e'er lasts.
Dipped in choc'late, glazed or sugar,
Whether plain or done with sprinkles,
Jelly filled and bit so eager,
With each bite your coating crinkles.
So many types and diff'rent shapes,
Old-fashioned, bars, and grizzly paws,
Spiral twists and Frenchman's crepes:
All these have passed 'tween eaters' jaws.
But there's but one that is my goal,
That donut is the Donut Hole.
There, silliness complete. Huzzah!
"DMFA 983"
A critical blow,
But Dan's not out yet. A quick
Response, and he's back.
Stupid Aliph: you
Told Dan that his wings were the
Hardest part of him.
Meanwhile, mother
And daughter watch. Kria can
Often make me laugh.
The Lord of Lightning:
A hero beyond measure, who
Travels the whole world.
An inventor with
Enough guns for an army.
Clearly, he is smart.
Eh, I'll admit I'm a little bored, and will have no real incentive to post anything over the next two days. Anyone got any subject requests for haiku/poetry they'd like to see me write? I'll give it a shot if you do.
Yes, I've got a request or two...
Something Jyrbel-y. The Clockwork Mansion (that township you drew up once, I mean). Oh, hehe, do a haiku about badfic.
if you were in the same room as Dan and the others this would be very annoying... and I mean that in the Repeat everything the computer says on galaxy quest and the guitarist in there's just something about Mary kind of way...
I mean the poetry is so good I am imagining you following Dan around in robin hood costume carrying a lute.
Quote from: GabrielsThoughts on March 16, 2009, 01:33:06 AM
if you were in the same room as Dan and the others this would be very annoying... and I mean that in the Repeat everything the computer says on galaxy quest and the guitarist in there's just something about Mary kind of way...
I mean the poetry is so good I am imagining you following Dan around in robin hood costume carrying a lute.
Bravely bold Sir Daniel, rode forth from Lost Lake Inn!
He was not afraid to die,
O brave Sir Daniel!
He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways,
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Daniel!
He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp,
Or to have his eyes gouged out and his elbows broken,
To have his kneecaps split and his body burned away
And his limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Sir Daniel!
His head smashed in and his heart cut out
And his liver removed and his bowels unplugged
And his nostrils raped and his bottom burned off
And his penis split......
Sorry that it's annoying. I'll stop if that's the general consensus. Well, what can I say? I'm bored. Though I'd love to write something about Elian... I'll have to work something out at some point.
Quote from: Pagan on March 16, 2009, 12:29:55 AM
Yes, I've got a request or two...
Something Jyrbel-y. The Clockwork Mansion (that township you drew up once, I mean). Oh, hehe, do a haiku about badfic.
Wait, you mean this old thing (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg228126.html#msg228126)? Dang, it has been a while since I looked at that. However...
"Badfic"
This fanfic pairing
Makes me weep. What is wrong with
These bloody fangirls?
The two boys hate each
Other. So why are they now
Banging? Argh. *facepalm*
Canon is no match
In the face of the yaoi
Fangirl. My fandom.
Jyrbel and Clockwork Mansion will have to wait a bit. Although...
"Clockwork Town"
I pass by walls of dusty stone,
Now warmed by rising sunlight's glow.
The mighty gates creak with a groan,
That speaks of ages long ago.
To Castle Keep I enter now,
A place where games are played and rule.
Where born from knights and sacred vows,
Come cyber stats and net-based duels.
Hm... it needs a little more work. And a four-line stanza for each section of the town. This might become my nightly ritual in place of those DMFA/Abel's Story haiku, if people don't like those.
What can I say? Things got weird during a chat I had with Ren and Pagan, and resulted in this...
For those of you who don't know who Dr. Weird is, shame (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E42QFSMMNOI&feature=related) on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeTipcKMFU&feature=channel_page) you (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMKGeom-lwg&feature=channel_page). (there are three links there)
"Gentlemen and LEEROY JENKINS, behold! Just as planned, I herd u liek my hair in ur internetz, bright slapping your base belong to us and making ur babby in SPARTA!!! Unlimited G ZA WAURDO Caramelldansen time paradox works!!!! It's over NINE THOUSAND additional pylons In America! Nazi science sneers as I take a GAR, and "BEFRIEND" IT!!!! Screw the rules, I have OBJECTION!!! Dramatic chipmunk is in your base CHARGIN MAH LAZER WHOOP barrel roll! The Companion Cube and Abel will make you gay! Ceiling cat is a lie, but ur doin it wrong!!!!!!"
..Apparently, Leroy Jenkins was excluded from the gentlemen after that trick he pulled.. :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 18, 2009, 06:54:06 PM
..Apparently, Leroy Jenkins was excluded from the gentlemen after that trick he pulled.. :B
That would be the "And Zoidberg (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AndZoidberg)" trope at work. So, yeah.
Gentlemen, I like memes.
Gentlemen, I love memes.
I like new memes. I like old memes. I like overused memes. I like obscure memes.
I like Sparta. I like Mudkips. I like Longcat. I like Caramelldansen.
On 4chan. On FurAffinity. On YouTube. In Clockwork Mansion. At home. At the University. In the street. With my friends. With my foes.
I love every aspect of memes that take place on the Internet.
I like blowing away the enemy with a thunderous roar of my lazor. When the enemy runs in terror as my lasor is being charged, my heart dances.
I like crushing my foe with a road roller. When I stopped the time with ZA WARUDO, my heart leapt.
Seeing Leeroy Jenkins running to his doom and dooming his comrades along with him was unendurably exciting. Seeing them all being torn apart by dosens of dragons as Leroy talked about his fried chicken was spectacular.
I like when my opponent's power level gets over nine thousand. Being crushed by a Falcon Punch and and having to crawl around on the ground like a pesky insect is the ultimate disgrace.
Gentlemen.. I desire a meme that is like hell.
Gentlemen, my companions in the battalion, who follow me...Gentlemen, what do you desire?
Do you desire meme as well? Do you desire a meme of no mercy?
Do you desire a meme that stretches the limits of forums, image boards, galleries, and people themselves to the limit, one that will kill all the trolls on this planet?
...
Very well. Then we shall have a meme.
Here we go...
Gentlemen.
..With apologies to Kouta Hirano for mangling Major's speech. :3
you like meme's do you.... have you read my web comic Let's Scare Melissa and Project one from outer space is full of them. But can you spot them all? -
mu hu wah ha ha ha ha !
I might be crazy. Picture the following, if you will...
An army of hot-blooded badass-longcoat wearing undead demon robot pirate ninja penguin-monkey orks with laser chainsaw katanas and sunglasses! Riding winged motorcycles shaped like beetles painted red with smiley faces painted on the front and armed with gatling guns. And the motorcycles are on fire! But the penguins don't get burned because their hearts burn hotter!
And their enemies, the totally cool-headed cyborg angel samurai cowboy sea leopard elves with revolver railguns that shoot blessed silver stakes and also wear badass longcoats and sunglasses! And they ride into battle on giant armoured polar bears composed entirely of nanomachines, armed with flame throwers and axe launchers, and are surrounded by lightning and can fly through the power of electromagnetism!
...
Why yes, I do believe that I am crazy.
"Abel Part 2, 49"
Betrayed by a
Former student, the teacher
Plots out her revenge.
She will destroy him,
Mind, body, and soul. And she would
Like his son to join.
If that's not what the
Son desires, then he must
Stand out of her way.
There, hopefully that makes up for the nuttiness. It won't, but I can dream.
Desiring revenge
you lose desired: in revenge,
you gain but success
You Haiku have inspired yet further Haiku! There should be an achievement for that, methinks.
Quote from: Cogidubnus on March 20, 2009, 12:15:22 AM
You Haiku have inspired yet further Haiku! There should be an achievement for that, methinks.
Achievement unlock'd?
You have earned a new medal?
You reach'd the high score!
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 20, 2009, 12:37:48 AM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on March 20, 2009, 12:15:22 AM
You Haiku have inspired yet further Haiku! There should be an achievement for that, methinks.
Achievement unlock'd?
You have earned a new medal?
You reach'd the high score!
The green box comes up.
Achievement unlocked. Oh great.
Now I'm dead. Gee, thanks.
New topic, distinct from the last post.
"DMFA 984"
Family before
Business. But love before all
Oh, poor Lorenda.
Kria's evil here.
She was holding out on Dan,
For her daughter's word.
How many shocks and
Surprises has Dan gone through
Recently? Good grief.
How long will they hold
Up the charade? If they can,
Of course. Otherwise...
Lorenda is
Going to get in trouble.
How, I do not know.
Falling behind! Let's see if I can be concise enough to do one haiku for each day I missed! That way, there's less annoyance to go around!
"985"
Aliph believed he
Could not despise Dan any
More. He was quite wrong.
"986"
Aliph has angered
His sister, by putting his
Hoof inside his mouth.
"987"
Sibling rivalries
Bring out the worst in people.
Heheheh, "buttface."
"988"
Remember, Kria
Says to heal inside out, and
Check for hidden wounds.
"Abel 2 49"
Apparently, D'
Doesn't have much of a sense
Of humor. Oh boy.
Also... a teaser of something I'm kinda working on... assume translation conventions at work here.
Ten years ago...
A town in Turkish Kurdistan...
The town barely registered as a blip on the radar of politics. If it ever appeared on a map, it was to define the emptiness of the area around it. There were a hundred towns just like it all around Turkey, and if it were to disappear off the map tomorrow it might pass completely unnoticed...
In the middle of the burning town, a small boy cried in fear.
"Mama... papa... where are you?"
Somewhere in the distance, someone screamed. And then went silent. He pulled his knees up close to his chin, trying to make himself smaller in the shadows of the alleyway between two half-collapsed buildings. And somewhere between his crying and the sound of destruction around him, he thought he could hear the sound of something breathing very close to him...
Despite the somewhat cryptic title, this is really nothing of the sort. It's actually an assignment where we have to describe a character's bedroom to reveal elements about that character, all while trying to appeal to the five senses and building up to revealing an item that reveals a secret about that character. So I did. I'm basically posting this for two reasons. 1, it's a precious rare example of my writing. 2, I'd like to tighten it up and make it a lot sharper, so hopefully posting it here will give me some ideas to clean it up. Anyway, onto the assignment!
"Small Cabin"
The room is a compact one, tucked into the airship's framework just aft of the bridge. The curved ceiling betrays the room's position inside the hull, The metal floor is heated just enough to not be uncomfortable to bare feet, while the wall's plain gun-metal gray surface is broken up by recessed drawers and cabinet doors. Normally, the engine's quiet humming and the sound of wind rushing past the hull would be a constant companion, but now the engines were silent as the ships was carefully checked over for any signs of damage or fatigue. The smell of the maintenance bay, of grease and the sharp taste of welding torches, wafts through the cabin. What furniture there is is simple and rugged: a folding table on one wall, a banged-up lightweight metal chair in front of the table and attached to the floor with makeshift brackets, a bunk built into the other wall, and a bookshelf made of some dark wood pushed against the far wall and bolted there. Drawers and shelves are open and empty, their former contents piled on the floor for a bit of downtime sorting and organizing. The clothes have all been folded and put away, work pants and rugged clothes appropriate for maintaining an airship neatly organized and sorted, while a few nicer clothes have been hung in the small closet space. The remaining possessions are little knick-nacks and doodads, random treasures collected over a lifetime: a jewel here, a strange-shaped rock there, an old well-worn deck of "lucky" playing cards, a hand-carved wooden chess set, an amulet of no-doubt ancient and mystical power, a small fertility idol... everytime the ship spent more than a few days in port, the room's occupant would pull it all out with the ambition of sorting it all, only to shove it back in when it came time to leave.
The bunk is tipped upwards in its little space, revealing the hidden space beneath it, and the collection of guns and ammunition and other weapons stored within, each one waiting for its turn to be cleaned and examined. The bookshelf is also stripped bare, the collection normally secured with leather straps stacked neatly on the floor: of particular note is a stack of about two-dozen nearly identical books, each of them bearing the legend "Captain Savage" and a picture of a piratical figure on the front. A matching book, titled "Captain Savage and the Sky Bridge of Atupai," lies open and weighed down with a pair of old flight goggles on the folding desk. A half-reassembled gun also sits on the desk, surrounded by the tools and parts necessary to replace a broken magazine. A quick-draw holster tailored for the gun is hung on a hook by the door, which also features a heavy coat suitable for bad weather or flapping dramatically in the wind. A few plates of discrete body armor lie beside the door, the vest they go into currently being given the once over to repair rips and tears before seeing action again.
Hidden inside one of the drawers is an old framed photograph of a graying middle-aged man prompting the small boy in his arms to smile for the camera. The photo, a memory of long-past happy times with the boy's father, never leaves its hiding place. And yet he can never bring himself to finally get rid of it, of the last memory of the happy man his father once was, a final shard of the life he has long since abandoned for adventures in the skies.
PS: Oh, and I wrote this for Cogi as a part of the Covert Courtesy Commutation.
"Nature's Wanderers" for Cogidubnus
The woods are quiet: nature's sounds
Are all one hears from all around.
A silent hunter prowls through here,
The gray wolf prowls without a fear.
Not far from there, a swordsman stands,
Whose shoes have tread from distant lands.
All that he owns within his sack,
And a sheathed sword upon his back.
An autumn breaze knocks off a leaf,
And slowly sings a song of grief.
The whistling sound cuts through to bone,
And makes one feel so all alone.
The setting sun sets land ablaze,
The lands cools down o'er shorter days.
Soon winter's snow shall come again,
Jack Frost's white quill shall frost the glen.
But here, for now, the land burns red,
As if some great beast here had bled
Within the wake of some great fight,
Before it fades with the coming night.
The swordsman knows that night comes fast,
And knows to camp before the last
Rays of sunlight light up the sky.
He sets his pack with weary sigh.
And that is when their paths do cross,
Within this glen now green with moss.
The wolf and sword, two hunters' gaze
See eye to eye in failing rays.
They stand but for a moment there,
Their eyes locked in a frozen stare.
And then it ends, and they go on.
As equals met, not battle won.
My (likely misguided) thoughts on the passage.
"Small Cabin" is quite good. For me it gets a little tedious during the first paragraph, but mostly because I'm not one for exposition. You can easily tell that the occupant is a loner and possibly a drifter. He obviously doesn't want many ties to this world, save the one he can't get rid of. Maybe he keeps that photo as a sole reminder of what he can't live without.
I'm not one for poetry, so I'll leave that to the other, more poetic goers.
Man, I really need to follow this thread more.
Okay, I've made a few edits and changes to "Small Cabin" which hopefully makes it easier to read and follow. We'll see.
"Small Cabin", revised
The room is a compact one, tucked into the airship's framework just aft of the bridge. Normally, the engine's quiet hum and the sound of wind rushing past the curved hull would be a constant companion, but now the engines are silent as the ship is carefully checked over for any signs of damage or fatigue. The smell of grease and welding torches from the maintenance bay wafts through the cabin.
A rug from some distant land covers the bare metal floor, while the walls' plain gun-metal gray surface is broken up by recessed drawers and cabinet doors. The furniture is simple and rugged: a folding table on one wall, a banged-up lightweight metal chair attached to the floor with brackets in front of the table, a bunk built into the other wall, and a bookshelf made of some dark wood pushed against the far wall and bolted there. The built-in drawers and shelves are open for a bit of down-time sorting. All of the clothes have already been folded and put away, most of them of the rugged type appropriate for maintaining an airship. One of the other drawers is open for a bit of sorting that will never happen: a handful of jewels, a strange-shaped rock, an old well-worn deck of "lucky" playing cards, a hand-carved wooden chess set, an amulet of no-doubt ancient and mystical power, a small fertility idol... there's no real rhyme or reason to what goes in which drawer. The bookshelves are also full, their contents strapped down with leather straps to keep them secure in flight. One entire shelf is taken up by a collection of nearly-identical paperbacks that proclaim in big bold letters that they are about someone named "Captain Savage."
The bunk is tipped upwards in its little space, revealing a hidden space beneath it, and the collection of guns and ammunition and other weapons stored inside, each one waiting for its turn to be examined and cleaned. A matching book, titled "Captain Savage and the Sky Bridge of Atupai," lies open and weighed down with a pair of old flight goggles on the folding desk. A half-reassembled gun also sits on the desk, surrounded by the tools and parts necessary to replace a damaged magazine. A quick-draw holster tailored for the gun hangs on a hook by the door, next to a heavy coat suitable for bad weather or flapping dramatically in the wind. A few plates of discrete body armor lie beside the door, removed while the vest they go into is checked over for rips and tears.
Hidden inside one of the drawers beneath the desk is an old framed photograph of a graying middle-aged man wearing a pair of old flight goggles and prompting the small boy in his arms to smile for the camera. The photo never leaves its hiding place. The cabin's owner can never bring himself to get rid of this last record of the happy man his father once was, and the last record of the life the boy had before giving it all up.
EDIT: Re-inserted a reference to the books being nearly identical.
Hrm.
I note you've removed the fact that the Captain Savage books are identical...
... and the evidence that the owner removes everything, but never puts it away.
While this might make the section fit the requirements better, I feel it's leaving something of flavour out of the mix, as it were.
Just my 2p.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on April 06, 2009, 11:26:08 AM
Hrm.
I note you've removed the fact that the Captain Savage books are identical...
... and the evidence that the owner removes everything, but never puts it away.
While this might make the section fit the requirements better, I feel it's leaving something of flavour out of the mix, as it were.
Just my 2p.
Hm... good points. On the other hand, I kinda realized that what he was basically doing was dumping a dozen drawers on the floor. I'm thinking instead what he does is take out a drawer at a time, and then not organize that one, which is why that draw is open. It'd be easier to put away in the even of an emergency, and it also lets him examine each artifact in more detail.
As for the identical Savage books, that can be stuck back in. In fact, I will do that right now.
In a bit of random news, last night my dreams were a combination of my classes and God of War-style puzzles, some of which seemed to have come from the webcast of Resident Evil 5 last night. It was weird.
Gave both versions a read in between classes. I'll put down some commentary when I get home tonight, but as for now, I shall digest and mull over them.
The second version I think I like the best, but I need to re-read the first one now that I've read the second, just to cement the differences in my head. Most of the things that stuck out to me are semantic - just a few things that I might put differently, and are more stylistic than anything else. But as I said, I shall have to mull over it.
Well, while you're mulling, here's something I wrote today. The temporary title is "Tomorrow's Triple Set."
"Tomorrow's Triple Set"
I have another round of injections tomorrow. My once a month triple set. Lot 70-11, biweekly. Lot 221-138B, monthly. A third one that I do not know because it is always a custom injection. A triple set means I spend the rest of the day reading or playing games or otherwise relaxing. Morvarian said he'd play a game with me, but sometimes they don't let him. He always lets me pick the game we're going to play.
Injections are always at nine-fifteen, after breakfast and morning warmups. Usually, there is a five minute gap between each injection, with a two hour break after the set is completed. Those days were also slower than the others, mostly restricted to studying rather than physical or combat training.
My reader is set to show off a reconstruction of the Battle of Thermopylae. I tap on the screen to zoom in on the sea battle, and focus on it. The path from my room to the testing room is right at the door, twenty-seven steps, left, thirty-three steps, right. After that, the recreation room is through the small side door. There are six other training rooms, not including the large gymnasium or the rooms designed for the base's personnel that my instructors comandeered on occasion. I end up seeing all of them over a seven day period. They try to mix the schedule up, but the pattern repeats every four weeks. Tomorrow was the beginning of a new "month," meaning I'd be in the martial arts room again the day after tomorrow. I move the map back over to the choke hold at Thermopylae in time to watch the allied forces hold off the Persian army.
I pause the battle, and tap a few buttons to go over to a game of solitaire and start moving the cards around. The guards are well-trained, and they do not ask questions. The instructors and scientists are the ones in charge, though there seems to be no distinction between them. I finish the game and start a new one. This one I do not win, but I win the next one. Morvarian was the one who taught me solitair with a deck of cards from the rec room, and the one who programmed in a bunch of games into my reader to keep me amused when I had nothing else to do. My sparsely decorated room offers few distractions: the room is not designed to live in, only to sleep in. I have seen other rooms on rare occasions: they are well-decorated, or at least have a personal feel. I've already cleaned and tidied my room as a part of winding down for the evening. None of my instructors would find anything amiss with it.
8:45. Lights out in 15 minutes. Morvarian comes in, smiling. I smile back. The reader isn't heavy enough to knock him out, and there's a guard outside my door. Hastur isn't so bad. He asks me how I'm feeling: he always asks. I have a light headache, and say so. It's not bad enough for medicine, and I say that too. He's still smiling as he talks to me about tomorrow and I get ready for bed. He tells me to sleep well as he turns off the lights and leaves me alone.
The base isn't asleep: it never really sleeps. I can feel the air circulating from the air vents, the occasional hum from the distant generator. I cannot hear the voice of the guard outside: the walls are too well insulated for that. But they are there. And I cannot see them, but I know the cameras are watching me, waiting for me to fall asleep...
It had taken a long time to eventually program the reader to override and loop the camera footage once I'd stopped moving for five minutes, giving me a whole night to work. My reader emits a beep from my desk, telling me the coast is clear. The multitool hidden just inside the air vent is easy to get to, and is all I could need to explore the base. Unlike most nights when I did this, I decide to actually get a full night's rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Instead of exploring the base's ventilation system, I let my thoughts turn to the scientists who ran the project, and Morvarian in particular. Does he care, or is it an act? An old man opening up to one of his experiments, or another method of control? I want to believe he cares. I really want to. But I can't. I'm sorry, Morvarian. You just raised me too well.
Well, that was lovely and confusing. On that note, good night!
Red against Red, and
Blue against Blue. Dammit, this
Show is so funny.
That's a good start, there, Jubblies.
On a short story, that is - nothing more than novella sized. If you were to expand it out into a full story, you'd either need a lot more plot, or spread the bits out some more.
Having said that, it's well organised, and provides a LOT of information, but subtly. Things like: he's planned out precisely what goes on when. He has some way of telling what the time is. He can run both the battle and a game of solitaire. He's run the battle often enough to know precisely what happens when. Physical exercise is different to combat training. Etc etc etc.
lots of interesting details.
I'm probably gonna end up rewriting this somewhat, but here we go anyway.
"Targets Eliminated" - Part 1
The room had been dark for since morning. The air wasn't moving. The doors were all in quarantine lockdown. From their best reckoning, power hadn't been affected: the doors would unlock if all power was cut. But the central computers weren't responding, and the backups weren't answering hails either. Intercoms were down, radios were jammed. They were completely cut off, in every way possible. They might as well have been the last people in the base for all they could tell.
There were five of them in there, scientists and guards trying to figure out some method of defeating the subject in question. The guards were armed, of course. A sealed locker had been opened and stripped of the automatic weapons they didn't normally carry. The scientists had taken up the guards' pistols, and were quickly and quietly explaining the capabilities of the subject: faster reaction time, slower to fatique, programmed reactions and reflexes... the whole range. They'd already figured out he was moving through the air vents: there were two such vents in the room, and each guard had a machine gun trained on a vent, waiting for a sign that the subject was coming.
They didn't have to wait long. From the left vent one of the sharp-eared guards heard the sound of something moving in the ducts, something shuffling along. The three scientists went quiet, and carefully walked over to near the guard, training their guns on the vent. The shuffling gradually got louder and louder, until it was inside the room, just out of view of the room's occupants...
"NOW!" Four guns fired into the vent, riddling the ceiling and the vent behind it with bulletholes. They only stopped firing when something red started dripping from the holes. The guard walked up to it, and put his fingers to it. He sniffed it, and came away with a puzzled expression.
"Paint?"
And at that moment, the five heard the sound of something rolling in the duct... from the other vent. Before they could fire, thick plumes of smoke poured out. "Gas!" one of them shouted as a warning. They all tried to cover their mouths, but it was too late. One by one, they succumbed to the nerve gas and collapsed paralyzed and unconscious. The thick clouds remained, the room now filled with smoke and illuminated by emergency lights that bathed it in a hellish red.
A minute or two passed. The door opened, and a figure stepped into the room. The smoke started to clear, but the figure was already at work. It grabbed one of the pistols still held tight in the scientist's hand. She was about thirty, with brown hair and eyes. The figure fired one shot into her head, and then finished off the rest of the room's occupants.
Another room down. Time to move on to the next one...
Well, I've made a few edits (including length), and cleaned it up a lot. I think it flows better, but we'll see.
"Monthly Triple Set"
I have another set of injections tomorrow, my monthly triple set. Lot 70-11, biweekly. Lot 221-138B, monthly. A third one that I do not know because it is always a custom injection. The injections are after morning warm-ups and breakfast, and then I will spend the rest of the day reading or playing games or otherwise relaxing. Morvarian said he'd play a game with me, but sometimes they don't let him. He always lets me pick the game we're going to play.
My reader is set to show off a reconstruction of the Battle of Thermopylae. I tap on the screen to zoom in on the sea battle, and focus my attention on it. The testing room is two corridors over, next to the recreation room. There are six other training rooms, not including the large gymnasium or the rooms designed for the base's personnel that my instructors commandeered on occasion. I end up seeing all of them over a seven-day period, but they shuffle the schedule over a four week pattern. Tomorrow was the beginning of a new "month," meaning I would be in the gymnasium again the day after tomorrow. I move the map back over to the chokehold in time to watch the allied forces hold off the Persian army.
I pause the battle, and tap a few buttons to go over to a game of solitaire and start moving the cards around. The guards are well trained, and they do not ask questions. The instructors and scientists are the ones in charge, though there seems to be no distinction between them. I finish the game and start a new one. I do not win this one, but I do win the next game. Morvarian taught me solitaire with a deck of cards, and he had programmed a handful of games into my reader to keep me amused when I had nothing else to do. My sparse room offers few distractions: it is designed to sleep in, not to live in. I have seen other rooms on rare occasions. I've already cleaned and tidied my room as a part of winding down for the evening. My instructors would find nothing amiss.
20:45. Lights out in 15 minutes. Morvarian comes in, smiling. I smile back. The reader isn't heavy enough to knock him out, and there's a guard outside my door. He asks me how I'm feeling: he always asks. I have a light headache, and say so. It's not bad enough for medicine, and I say that too. He's still smiling as he talks to me about tomorrow and I get ready for bed. He tells me to sleep well as he turns off the lights and leaves me alone.
The base never really sleeps. I can feel the cool air circulating from the vents, the occasional hum from the distant generators. The walls are too well insulated for me to hear the guards, but they are there. The cameras are watching me, waiting for me to fall asleep.
I let my thoughts turn to the scientists, and Morvarian himself. Does he care, or is it an act? Is the old man opening up to one of his experiments, or is it just another method of control? I want to believe he cares. I really want to.
But I can't.
I'm sorry, Doctor. You raised me too well.
And Boxy, the idea behind this was to sort of get into my character's mind. But glad you liked it.
Okay, time to post another short thing. This'll undoubtedly suffer editing shortly, but here it is. As for the title... I honestly do not know what I'm thinking. Probably one of those mid-war letters where a soldier's girlfriend tells him she's breaking up with him. Anyway...
"Dear John..."
The sound of gunfire filled the air. A bomb exploded. Every now and then, someone screamed. Thick smoke filled the evening sky, the smell of ammunition and death a constant companion. Soldiers in suits of powered armor stomped through the streets, carrying guns no normal person could wield, turning them on their enemies and gradually pushing the opposing forces back. Every now and then, one of the rebels would get a lucky shot and bring one of the armored soldiers down, but the battle was not going well for the rebels. A lost cause battle was turning into a total rout.
The fighting had moved away from this section of the war-torn city, and Corporal John Chambers allowed himself a moment's respite. The office building he chose was scorched and bomb-gutted, and parts of the upper floors had collapsed, but the bottom floor was still stable: a quick scan from his armor's network of sensors and scanners confirmed that. He located a quiet corner and crouched down, retracting his helmet's visor and viewscreen before turning his attention to a damaged servo on his armor's left leg. The servo didn't seem too bad, a minor inconvenience at most. He wasn't alone: a rebel lay next to him, lyring where John had shot him. He was dead, of course: his lightweight body armor hadn't been much help against John's machine gun. He had a small still working flashlight next to him, where he'd been trying to tune the radio that had been hit during John's burst of fire. There was probably a pocket group of rebels left somewhere on the block, and once he was done giving his armor the once over he'd hunt them down and call in the strike.
His suit beeped an alarm: one lifesign detected, not far from there. John quietly sprang into action, lowering his visor and calling up the infrared scanner. It wasn't hard to find what he was looking for: a diffuse heat sign against the building's cool background. Not much of a signal, but there. And moving towards him.
John's eyes followed whoever it was through the wall, their indistinct body heat moving slowly, like a soldier listening for the sound of his enemies. John's finger tightened on the trigger: the tiniest flex, and the gun would fire. They came closer... closer... almost there... he engaged his magnification function, zooming in on the target for the perfect shot just as they stepped around the corner...
... it was a kid, maybe twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in ragged dirty clothes. He was dirty, his eyes sunken in, and he shuffle listlessly as he walked, as if he couldn't even muster the energy to pick up his feet. A too-large beaten-up leather jacket was draped over his upper body, but a gunshot hole in the left sleeve showed off a bloody bandage where he'd been shot: he'd probably tied it himself, and the arm hung limp at his side. The boy saw the dead body first, and seemed to withdraw slightly. The screen's magnification picked up trails in the dirt on the boy's face where his tears had flowed when he'd been crying. And when he saw the soldier, the boy started shaking, his eyes filled with fear and pleading for mercy: he probably thought he was gonna get shot too.
The soldier breathed a sigh of relief. Another refugee, probably orphaned during the rebel's terrorist attacks. Or, John thought with a twinge of guilt, maybe his parents were among the rebels, and he and his comrades had killed them. He lowered his rifle and lifted his free hand up to retract his helmet's visor. As his hand dropped he smiled at the kid and gestured at him.
"Come on over here, kid, this place isn't safe. I'll get you out of here..."
The boy relaxed a bit, and actually smiled... a tiny smile, but a smile nonetheless. He took a few cautious steps towards the soldier, as if he was unclear what would happen if he did. John gestured again, still smiling. Poor kid... look at him, shivering in fear...
The boy shrugged, and the jacket slipped to the ground, revealing something metal in his left hand. John blinked, and found himself staring down the barrel of a pistol and deep into the eyes of a killer. The face was emotionless, flat... the warm little smile might never have existed.
So fast... he hadn't even seen the arm move. And the eyes... he wouldn't have believed they were the same person.
No time to raise his gun. No time to retract his visor. No time to react or do anything.
A child soldier? It was his last thought.
A bang of light and sound, and it ended.
Another fine story, bro. I liked it. Makes me want to write something myself. :]
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on April 19, 2009, 11:30:57 PM
Another fine story, bro. I liked it. Makes me want to write something myself. :]
Go for it, bro! I'll read it! Meanwhile, anything you notice that should be fixed?
I was going to post part 3 of Targets Eliminated, but then realized I'd never posted part 2. So, here's the whole of Target Eliminated so far.
"Target Eliminated"
The room had been dark for since morning. The air wasn't moving. The doors were all in quarantine lockdown. From their best reckoning, power hadn't been affected: the doors would unlock if all power was cut. But the central computers weren't responding, and the backups weren't answering hails either. Intercoms were down, radios were jammed. They were completely cut off, in every way possible. They might as well have been the last people in the base for all they could tell.
There were five of them in there, scientists and guards trying to figure out some method of defeating Subject M37. The guards were armed, of course. A sealed locker had been opened and stripped of the automatic weapons they didn't normally carry. The scientists had taken up the guards' pistols, and were quickly and quietly explaining the capabilities of the subject: faster reaction time, slower to fatique, programmed reactions and reflexes... the whole range. They'd already figured out he was moving through the air vents: there were two such vents in the room, and each guard had a machine gun trained on a vent, waiting for a sign that the subject was coming.
They didn't have to wait long. From the left vent one of the sharp-eared guards heard the sound of something moving in the ducts, something shuffling along. The three scientists went quiet, and carefully walked over to near the guard, training their guns on the vent. The shuffling gradually got louder and louder, until it was inside the room, just out of view of the room's occupants...
"NOW!" Four guns fired into the vent, riddling the ceiling and the vent behind it with bulletholes. They only stopped firing when something red started dripping from the holes. The guard walked up to it, and put his fingers to it. He sniffed it, and came away with a puzzled expression.
"Paint?"
And at that moment, the five heard the sound of something rolling in the duct... from the other vent. Before they could fire, thick plumes of smoke poured out. "Gas!" one of them shouted as a warning. They all tried to cover their mouths, but it was too late. One by one, they succumbed to the nerve gas and collapsed paralyzed and unconscious. The thick clouds remained, the room now filled with smoke and illuminated by emergency lights that bathed it in a hellish red.
A minute or two passed. The door opened, and a figure stepped into the room. The smoke started to clear, but the figure was already at work. It grabbed one of the pistols still held tight in the scientist's hand. She was about thirty, with brown hair and eyes. The figure fired one shot, and then finished off the rest of the room's occupants. Quick and accurate.
Another room done. Time for the next one. These ones had learned fast: he'd have to attack the next room slightly differently...
...
As it just so happened, slightly differently meant opening the next door down and spraying the inside with machine gun fire. He only hit one person, but he wasn't trying to kill them all... and inside, the room's occupants dove in different direction.
He dove into the darkened room, armed only with a pistol and a combat knife. One of the guards was near him. The guards wore only light body armor: this one was no different. What would be carbon armor plating on a frontline soldier was lightweight bullet resistant material that offered no resistance to the knife's slash across the chest. The blade spun around in time to catch the guard across the throat as he doubles over in pain.
The other guard almost had his gun trained on the target. The invader threw the knife at him: the knife wasn't designed to be thrown, and had little if any accuracy. The guard dodged it, and recovered in time to get shot three times in the chest, dropping him to the floor. The invader turned slightly to bring the researcher into sight, and fired three times. He dropped too.
Next room...
...
He didn't even bother with the shooting range. There were guards in there, trained too. No researchers, and a full arsenal of weapons. He used the same trick as he had for the earlier room, using duffel bags and foam sealant to seal off the air vents and setting one of his dwindling supply of nerve gas grenades to remote detonation. An hour of careful quiet work later, and the room's occupants were knocked out and vulnerable. Five minutes later, and it was on to the next room.
...
The injection room. They'd been waiting for him there for his morning injections. Scott, McCallister, Yuy, Lester, Bern, and Indira would be there at the least: the others depended on which third injection he was getting this month, so there could be anywhere from seven to twelve people in the room beyond. Armed with at most two tranquilizer guns and two pistols from the small weapons locker in the corner. He had only three shots left in his pistol, but the room was loaded with lethal tools, and he could figure out how to use any of them...
The door snapped open at his override command. His eyes took in the room at a glance. Scott, near the door, pistol. Indira, next to him, pistol also. Lester, by the injection table. McCallister, Bern, and Nogami by the computer terminal in the corner. Nogami was here: they were planning to give him Lot 3437 today. Yuy and Taylor to the side: their specialities were unsuited to fighting him, but they'd been given the tranquilizer guns. Eight of them. Red emergency lighting. Scattered trays of medical equipment.
Two seconds had passed. They were reacting to his presence. Too late.
One, two shots left him with only one bullet and left Scott and Indira dead on the floor. He was already in the room and heading towards Lester and the rack next to her. The third shot killed Yuy: unlike Taylor, he had had some training with firearms, and was the real threat of the two. The gun was empty, but not useless yet. His foot caught and kicked Scott's gun in the direction of the table in the middle of the room, never far ahead of him.
He was next to Lester before Yuy hit the floor. His eyes caught a specific hypospray resting on the rack by the table: Lot 221-138B. He dodged Lester's arms and kicked at her knee from behind, toppling her to the ground. The butt of the gun slammed into her head, leaving her dazed. He grabbed the spray, turned around, and emptied it into her neck. At doses of 2 CCs or less, the drug acted as a steroid, enhancing muscle strength and efficiency. Anything more than 2 CCs was lethal. He had just injected five times the lethal dosage into the black-haired scientist. He spun back, grabbed the rack, and then tossed it hard at the trio in the corner as a method of distraction. After only a few seconds Lester was already spasming, rolling over to throw up something that just looked like a wet patch in the red light...
Taylor fired a dart at him, but he was a terrible shot: the dart went past his head. The darts couldn't knock him out immediately, but they would slow him down. The subject brought his empty gun up in his hand, and threw it hard at Taylor as he grabbed the gun from the floor where he'd kicked it. Taylor ducked, and the subject shot him twice before he could recover. He then turned around, and fired repeatedly at the trio. When the gun clicked empty and the slide locked back, he lowered the weapon.
He turned his attention back to Lester. Still spasming, and now with a horrible hacking cough. He walked over to Indira, picked up her gun, walked over to Lester, and fired once to put her out of her misery.
He took a few moments to collect the spare cartridges and load his new pistol with a fresh magazine, and then stepped back out into the hall. He stared at the next door down: the recreation room. A few moments passed, and then he moved on. There were other rooms he could take care of before that one had to be dealt with...
He seemed to walk slower now.
So, questions, comments, advice, help, pointers, notes... anything?
Just two.
"sebject M37" ?
And I do wonder if this is related to an earlier chunk about Monthly Triple Set...
It is, Boxy. I'm just wondering why these armed guards are staying in rooms waiting to be picked off while there's a threat out in the halls that could be overwhelmed with numbers. But instead, he's got about an hour alone to mess with the A/C?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on April 25, 2009, 05:49:49 AM
Just two.
"sebject M37" ?
And I do wonder if this is related to an earlier chunk about Monthly Triple Set...
Bingo. And crud. Fixing.
Quote from: Pagan on April 25, 2009, 10:28:54 AM
It is, Boxy. I'm just wondering why these armed guards are staying in rooms waiting to be picked off while there's a threat out in the halls that could be overwhelmed with numbers. But instead, he's got about an hour alone to mess with the A/C?
Well, the ventilation system is shut down, the doors are all in quarantine lockdown, the central computer and backups aren't working, and the intercoms were all down. This was all kind of covered in the first paragraph, little bro. He's taken over the base, and is now wiping them all out.
Wait, bro.. Did you write it last night?? Either way, it's quite impressive. Makes me want to see more of it. :]
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on April 25, 2009, 11:10:49 AM
Wait, bro.. Did you write it last night?? Either way, it's quite impressive. Makes me want to see more of it. :]
I wrote "The injection room" through "He seemed to walk slower now" last night: the rest I've had for a few days, since I've kinda been working on this for a bit.
Okay, part 4!
"Target Eliminated," part 4
It had been early morning when he sealed the base, so the cafeteria would be filled with guards and scientists. He didn't even bother opening the door and trying anything fancy: the cafeteria's larger size meant that it took him two hours of careful work in the ducts to seal off the air vents from the rest of the base, and then set two of his last three gas grenades to go off by timer. The room's larger size meant that it was likely that a number of the people in there would manage to avoid inhaling the gas somehow. They were what the guns were for. And now he was standing outside one of the sets of doors into the cafeteria, wearing a gas mask and looking at the watch he'd stolen off of a guard earlier that day, waiting for the countdown to reach zero...
As it was, he had a minute to go. Five minutes after it reached zero, he checked the seal on the mask, put the watch into his pocket, and hefted one of the guns. A tap from him, and the door opened into the smoky redness.
Only a few people were still moving, improvised masks held over their faces, their eyes tearing up in the smoke. The difficult bit was making them out in the darkness and shifting smoke, but aside from that they went down fast.
A bullet wizzed past his head, barely missing him. He ducked and rolled to the side, finding cover behind a table. It wasn't much cover, but he could see the guard's legs behind the table: he must have ducked down when the door opened. Too bad for him that the subject had a relatively clear shot on his legs across the bottoms of the tables. It took three shots, but he finally hit the soldier's right leg, sending him toppling and screaming. Another two shots, and he was dead.
That one was good, the subject thought to himself.
It took a few minutes, but eventually all of the room's occupants were dead.
There weren't many rooms left, and the recreation room was starting to prey on his mind. He shook his head, and moved on.
Alright... questions, comments, advice, help, pointers, notes... anything?
I do have to wonder what's so bad about the rec room that he doesn't want to go there.
Other than that, I'm just waiting and seeing. ;-]
And now to edit this and clean it up. Which is already under way, and shall be posted soon. In the meantime, here's the rest of it.
NOTE: Part of my editing and cleaning up of the previous sections was to give the subject a code-number: Mz-37.
"Target Eliminated", final part
Hours passed. Rooms were cleared with surgical precision, their imprisoned occupants dead. He exhausted his supply of gas grenades long ago, restricting him to guns and knives and what resources were available to him. He was exhausted, his body suffering from hours of adrenaline rushes and fatigue and a dozen minor injuries he had acquired from his battles. He might have pulled a muscle in his right leg. At one point, a guard had actually managed to shoot him: the bulletproof vest he had stolen off of another guard had saved his life, but left him with a massive bruise on his upper chest, and possibly with a cracked rib, he wasn't sure. But it was over. Every room was cleared. Every base personnel accounted for. Except for one.
And now, Mz-37 stood before the rec room again.
It was almost over.
His hand hesitated over the door control panel, and then tapped it. The door slid open. He stepped through into the rec room.
...
The rec room, as it happened, had a number of battery powered lights, giving it a few patches of white light among the red emergency lighting. The lights didn't really help: there were only a handful of them. Familiar toys and amusements became shadowy nightmares in the dim light, dead terminal screens and readers glaring red from strange angles. The room's sole denizen sat on a stool at the table in the middle of the room, where most of the lights had been gathered. He was middle-aged, strands of gray hair multiplying on his head and heavy lines on his face from premature aging. He was halfway through a game of one-card Klondike solitaire, when he heard the sound of the door opening behind him.
Mz-37 was behind him. He knew it without even looking. He kept flipping and stacking cards. The two waited in silence for a moment...
"Doctor."
"Zed."
"Still calling me that?"
"Mz-37 is so... impersonal. I guess everyone deserves a name, Zed." He changed the subject. "They're all dead." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Doctor Morvarian set his last card down and turned around on the stool to face Zed.
Mz-37 was no older than eight. He was thin and wiry, short-cut black hair on his head and mismatched green and blue eyes that were barely distinguishable from each other in the light. He had a cut over his left eye, and his simple clothes were torn and damaged from fighting and coated in a layer of dust from the deeper parts of the ducts. His right hand firmly gripped a pistol, and the gun had a wet gleam on it, probably from someone's blood. Zed had been through hell. And today was no different.
"You're here to kill me too, I suppose?"
"Yes."
The old man smiled, not much, but a little. Memories of games and playtime and Zed's occasional bouts of curiosity flowed through his mind, but so did the experiments and the training and everything that they - himself included - had done to him.
He shook his head slowly.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry, Zed. We trained you too well."
The gun came up, Zed's left hand wrapping around his right to give it stability. His face spoke of absolute certainty, but Morvarian could see the tears building up in Zed's eyes.
"Close your eyes."
Morvarian did.
Zed's finger squeezed.
A brief flash of light and sound filled the room.
Morvarian slumped forward and fell off his stool. He hit the ground with the finality of a vase shattering.
The gun's barrel jittered, shaking from his adrenaline rush. The gun fell from the boy's lifeless hands, clattering on the floor. It glared up at him in the red light, but a gun was a weapon, a tool, nothing more: it could do nothing to him. It could do nothing without him. Zed slumped forward and dropped to his knees in front of the old man. Morvarian's blood flowed around his fingers as his shoulders began to shake.
Quietly, in the lonely red and darkness of a dead base, the little boy cried.
EDIT: Changed the wording of the last sentence slightly.
Nice.
I like the twist at the end - Subject 37 is younger than I expected. Much younger...
Well, at least Test Subject MZ-37 is slightly human. He isn't fully dead inside.
This is just something I wrote tonight.
"What Love Is..."
I think I know what love is now.
I didn't know before. I never really realized it. That's the thing. I don't think anyone does at first. We're told what love is, that we'll know it when we see it. And so we're told fairy tales of love at first sight, and shown movies where we know the two leads will be together by the end of the movie because that's just how love works. But ask someone what love is, and I think you'll get one of two answers. The first is some general answer about a deep soul connection or something like that, repeating back what we've been told love is. I think the ones who give this answer are the ones who haven't yet realized what love really is yet. And maybe they believe it, and maybe they're right. But there's still something missing...
It's the second answer that's the most interesting. The second type of answer is when you get something personal, some tiny aspect of what the person thinks love is. This description is born from some little moment where a person finally "gets" love. Maybe it was waking up next to a friend after a long night of love. Maybe it was playing a round of Halo with someone. Maybe it was the moment they realize how empty their life would be if that one person would have never been there. I don't know. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we always know what love is, and it just takes some random moment for us to realize what we've always known.
But I don't think love is a purely biological thing, a side-effect of evolution that helps ensure the continued procreation of the species. I don't think I ever really believed it. I mean, yeah, that's part of it. And I think the Greeks had the right idea, with their concept of five types of love, ranging from erotic to the feelings between friends, but all still a kind of love.
But I'm getting off topic. The point is, I think I know what love is. But I can't put it into words. It's something like how no matter how annoying you find someone, you still love them. Which doesn't tell you much about love, I guess. And it's the strangest thing how I came to realize it. I'll try to explain.
I've been having strange dreams for a week. I dreamed about a house slowly getting smaller every time I left and came back. I dreamed I was talking to Cthulhu, who was wearing a tweed jacket. I dreamed about a room with white walls that had "You can say Orca!" painted on the wall in blood-red paint. And in one of those dreams, my dog was dead.
This is nothing new for me. He's an old greying Dachshund. He's slowing down. He's had a bad back for years. He's thrown it out three times, and every time it happens he manages to drag himself back up. It's amazing, really, that he's lasted so long. But still, one of these days it's gonna finish him off.
He's a pain in the neck, he really is. Imagine an old guy yelling at kids to get off of his lawn, except he's a dachshund with an almost completely grey muzzle, and you've basically got his personality down pat. And when he's not barking at random people on the sidewalk or chasing squirrels and birds - well, trying to chase squirrels and birds - he's finding a comfortable place to lie down and take a nap. Again, he's a pain in the neck. It's just the way he is, like a car with a broken radio that doesn't bug you anymore because you've gotten used to it and now don't even listen to the radio when you're in a car where the radio works.
But in that dream, he was gone. And it was hard. And it's hard thinking about it now. I know he's just a dog, but I've known him for almost twelve years now. I was in grade school when we first got him, and he was a puppy that you could easily hold in both hands. The first time I saw him, I thought a rat had gotten loose in the house. He used to sleep in my bed, curled up under my blankets to keep warm. And no matter how much he bugs me or aggravates me, seeing him curled up on a blanket makes it all just kinda fade away.
And love's kinda like that, I think. Sure, your family bugs you, but you love them. And you bug them back, but they love you. And you and your friends all have these little foibles that annoy you all, but you're still friends. When it comes to love, it's the annoying little details that seem to mean the most, silly as that sounds. It's those annoying little details that are a part of who you are, and if someone can't love you because of those annoying little details, maybe they aren't worth it. That's love. And in a way, I've known that the whole time.
Dammit, I love that stupid dog.
Lovely, and yet, almost sad at the same time... I've actually thought about that before, love being the final explanation here. :januscat
Quote from: Lysander on May 03, 2009, 10:58:20 AM
Lovely, and yet, almost sad at the same time... I've actually thought about that before, love being the final explanation here. :januscat
Glad you liked it.
First, a simile exercise for my creative writing class.
A book is like a boot.
A book is like a stream of bat's piss.
A book is like a cockroach.
A book is like a house.
A book is like a dog.
A book is like a student.
A book is like a blank page.
A book is like a giant robot.
A book is like an iPod.
A book is like a dead bird.
A book is like an episode of Mythbusters.
A book is like toilet paper.
A book is like a broken leg.
A book is like an anthropomorphic hyena.
A book is like a Canadian.
And then the thing I did for the CCC.
And now it's time for Bum Reviews (http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/bum-reviews), with Chester A. Bum. Tonight's review... Teh_Hobo. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1964) "
Oh my god, this is the greatest bum I've ever met in my life! There's this guy, called Teh_Hobo–
– what kind of guy calls himself "Teh?" Couldn't he get a spellcheck program or a dictionary? "Teh" isn't a word! It is however the name of my cat! –
- and he has a long beard! I used to have a long beard! But then I shaved it off! Well, my rats ate it. And then they all ran away. I miss them so much!
Darryl!!! And he has this funny hat, that has his name written on it-
-Why does his hat need to say his name? Can't he remember his own name without it? I don't need to write my name on my clothes to tell me who I am! Well, okay, maybe I do. But only so I know where I live: In a can of tuna! That's how I know that I'm a prince! Prince Chester! Hooray!
And his hair is all messy, just like mine! That's because we both use
Le Bum, the
only shampoo for bums! Well, okay, we just don't wash our hair.
But the point still stands! And his clothes are all messed up, just like my clothes! Wait a minute, did he steal my clothes! Clothes-stealer! You left me standing naked in front of the camera... oh wait, never mind, I still have my clothes. We just shop at the same place.
And he likes to go
drawing! I like to go drawing! Except I'm not very good. And I ate my art supplies. The red paint was the tastiest! And my brushes are my friends now! I named them all Neil! They're all going to the moon!
Whoosh! Maybe Teh_Hobo will go to the moon with us. "That's one small step for bums, one giant leap for bumkind!" Hooray!
And he drew a pirate blimp! Pirates are awesome! They should make a movie about pirates! And it should star that psycho razor guy from
Sweeney Todd! And there should be a bum lying in the mud with a bumch of pigs! I could play that bum! And blimps are cool too. I dreamed about a castle on a blimp once. How freaking weird is that?
Really weird! Oh, and he drew a mountain of amps. Rock on, my brother. Rock on.
Oh, and apparently he's a little bit nuts. Crazy. Loopy. Bonkers. Deranged even. But I don't see it! He's not deranged! I know deranged! My rats all ran away because I was deranged! And so did my girlfriend! She was deranged too! Maybe she ran off this this guy. Teh_Hobo! You stole my girlfriend! Eh, that's alright, you can keep her.
So, anyway, I like Teh_Hobo, even though he stole my girlfriend! In fact, I really like him. He's like the brother I never had! Well, except I had a brother. His name was Sally. Actually, my brother was my sister. Maybe Teh_Hobo is my sister?
This is Chester A. Bum saying...
change! Ya got change? Aw come on, help a guy out, will ya? Come on, change! I've got to finance our expedition to the moon!"
(PS: Seriously, Teh_Hobo is way cool)
Umm... How is a book like all those things?
Quote from: Jairus on May 10, 2009, 02:40:46 PM
First, a simile exercise for my creative writing class.
A book is like a boot.
A book is like a stream of bat's piss.
A book is like a cockroach.
A book is like a house.
A book is like a dog.
A book is like a student.
A book is like a blank page.
A book is like a giant robot.
A book is like an iPod.
A book is like a dead bird.
A book is like an episode of Mythbusters.
A book is like toilet paper.
A book is like a broken leg.
A book is like an anthropomorphic hyena.
A book is like a Canadian.
Reminds me of "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens. However creatively I attempt to extend my imagination, however, I fail to grasp the simile that you present.
Near as I can tell, he's referring to the fact that books can represent pretty much anything, being the written memories of people.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on May 10, 2009, 04:40:35 PM
Near as I can tell, he's referring to the fact that books can represent pretty much anything, being the written memories of people.
Actually, the exercise was just to come up with fifteen similes and avoid all cliches and reach as far as we can for a simile. But, yes, in my mind, all of those things have some element that - in some way - reminds me of books. So we'll go with your meaning.
There are connections between books and the things listed. Some of them are weaker than others though. And two of them are obscure references.
Though I wonder if that hyena is anyone specific. <looks at own avatar> Huh. Eh, probably just an odd coincidence. And is Amber the Canadian?
Well, for confusing people and generally being weird, my punishment it to explain my logic, strange as it is.
A book is like a boot. Both are misspellings of the other, highlighting the importance of good grammar and spellchecking. Also, if you don't have one, you're not gonna go far.
A book is like a stream of bat's piss. It is a shaft of golden light in the darkness. This is also a Monty Python reference. I may end up changing this for the assignment.
A book is like a cockroach. If you lose one, it's annoying to try and find it again.
A book is like a house. It's something to come home to and relax.
A book is like a dog. A good friend. And a reference to the famous quote, "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
A book is like a student. New opportunities.
A book is like a blank page. Each book starts out as a blank page, and each one is colored by your expectations and desires.
A book is like a giant robot. Awesome. That is all.
A book is like an iPod. A good source of entertainment and delight.
A book is like a dead bird. A ruined book is like a dead bird: you never realize how beautiful and precious it is until it's too late.
A book is like an episode of Mythbusters. Fun and good times, and a learning experience.
A book is like toilet paper. If you can't read, that's all it is: worthless. Also a reference to Cohen the Barbarian of the Discworld.
A book is like a broken leg. It makes you slow down and think things through differently.
A book is like an anthropomorphic hyena. My friend and little bro Pagan. :hug They both mean a lot to me.
A book is like a Canadian. No one really has a problem with them in general.
Originally, the last was Amber Williams: they both amuse me and entertain me and make me sad and make me laugh.
And all together, my life would be a lot emptier without all of them.
Just a short story for my class. For this project, we had to use at least three of the similes from our previous exercise. And somehow, this ended up being about 1350 words. The story only had to be 500 to 750 words long. *cries* It's too long... gods above and below, it's too long...
"Susan Foreman"
Susan Foreman hated her name. Her parents had been science-fiction buffs, and had named her after a character in an old British Sci-fi show. They'd told her that with a name like that she would travel to other worlds and meet the strangest people. She'd even thought about becoming an astronaut when she was a little girl, and traveling into space like her namesake. So why, she sometimes wondered, was she a librarian in the New York Public Library?
It wasn't a bad job. Far from it. She loved it, in fact. It kept her in her apartment, and it gave her a hobby of sorts. Her parents had encouraged her reading habits from a young age, and after their deaths a few years ago she'd surrounded herself with them. An inquiry at the front desk had led to a job that had kept her occupied for five months now. But still... sometimes the thought entered unbidden into her head that she wanted something more.
The day was unusually slow for some reason, especially in these back rooms. They were practically the "miscellaneous" section, books that had been entered into the system but had not yet found their way to their proper space on the shelves, hiding like cockroaches in the back of the libary. On occasion, some researcher or student would need a book back here, which was how Susan had wandered in in the first place. These rooms were her favorite: sometimes she'd pick up a book at random and spend her break reading it. There were certainly some interesting books in here, old journals and diaries and...
... a book lying like a dead bird on the tiled floor. She stopped short, and then very quickly walked up to it and gingerly picked it up, checking the heavy brown-leather bound book over for obvious signs of damage. Nothing noticeable, but she decided to bring it to the repairs section just in case. There was no title on the front, but the filing number indicated it was a reference book of sorts. She briefly wondered who had dropped it as she opened it to a random page and realized that she couldn't read it. All thoughts of taking it to be checked over for need of repairs seemed to fade away in the face of what seemed to be her newest pet project. A few minutes later, she was at an empty table in the main reading room, pouring over the book like she was an artist staring at a blank page.
Greek? she asked herself. No, the letters look wrong. Cyrillic? No, it's not that either.
Susan was not a linguist, but she gradually came to the realization that she had never actually seen the language the book was written in before. But there were little notes in the margins, written in a different hand than the original writer's: this script was small and wavery like a student's scribbled notes compared to the slow steady hand of the original writer. And it was in Latin. She'd only done a year of Latin at the university before giving it up, but she could recognize it, and read it. Somewhat. She started reading as best she could, translating what she remembered and making a mental note to pick up a latin dictionary later.
After a dozen or so pages, she found a drawing. It was a circle with a number of geometric shapes arranged inside it, and a handful of abstract-looking symbols similar to the ones she'd been seeing every so often in empty spaces on the pages. The added notes weren't much help, but the note-writer compared it to something called a "magic circle." Looks more like a circuit board, Susan thought as she traced the intricate pathways with her finger. She kept on reading.
The next several pages were made up entirely of more of those abstract symbols, much more mathematical-looking than the letter-like ones...
Wait a second. Maybe they're equations? She remembered being a student and having a flash of insight that revealed some previously hidden element of a book or author's style, and felt the same thing here. But this wasn't going to be easy. Hell, I don't even know what I should treat it as. A math book? Some theorem we've never heard of before? A proof? The margin notes called it "alchemy." And some of these equations reminded Susan of her high-school chemistry, and diagramming reactions as equations. But it still felt strangely off. There was another "magic circle" on the next page, and this one even more greatly resembled a circuit board: there were conduits and capacitors and paths for energy to flow down. And the book was strange: it was handwritten and handbound and clearly old, but it lacked the flourishes and touches that a really old handwritten book would have. Maybe it had never been meant for anyone but the writer to read? But in that case, why did this person bother writing it? Were they trying to remind themselves of something, or leave a record of something they'd discovered... huh?
More hand-drawn pictures. Twelve painstakingly drawn pictures on that page, with what looked like numbers and names beside each one, and it went on for pages. The first drawing was a single dot inside of a ring with a dot on the ring. The second drawing was a dot inside a ring with two dots on opposite side of the ring. And the twelfth drawing was a dot inside three rings, with two dots on the inner and outer rings, and eight on the middle ring.
And in that moment, Susan knew what she was looking at. Her memories of chemistry class came flooding back to her. Hydrogren and helium. The first two elements of the periodic table of elements. Which would make the twelfth drawing... magnesium. And the next few pages held more drawings, and she was willing to bet that each one of them was an element. Eventually, the pages of diagrams became just letters and numbers, but now she could at least understand the numbers: more elements, probaly listing their electrons and other information. The notes-writer was able to at least get the numbers, but aside from that he was completely out of his league. This was a complete periodic table of elements, present in a book at least a century older than the earliest tables. And there was at least one hundred and fifteen entries here, more than the real table had if she recalled correctly.
And now, even the circle diagrams were getting more complicated, showing only pieces of a total whole and having levels of detail beyond any of the others. The notes-taker seemed to give up at this point, only making a few comments here and there. Susan had no idea what the original author was saying, but for right then it didn't matter.
Finally, she sat back. Susan knew that she had something truly amazing, like one of those so-called batteries they'd found in Baghdad or the Antikythera mechanism: something demonstrating knowledge of science far ahead of its time. But that was just a battery: Susan had a book that was apparently a reconstruction of scientific knowledge parallel to the modern world's. She had to know how old it was. She had to find out, somehow. Something like this could potentially change so much. But something still felt off, like the book didn't fit right somehow.
What did that note-taker call this book? Susan wondered with a smile. She turned to the very front of the book, to the same script written on the front. She couldn't read everything, but from what she gathered, he had found it in a collection and decided to try and translate it. Not much different than me, then. And there was his title, written larger than the rest of his notes "Carta Magicus." Book of Magic.
Magic?
She felt her skin tingling at the thought, her hair standing on end. Magic? It was completely crazy. Totally insane. Magic wasn't real. And yet... and yet...
She remembered her parents telling her that she would travel to other worlds with her name. And for the first time in her life, Susan Foreman believed it.
And now for the much shorter 1000 word version, which is incidentally cleaner and less crappy. Enjoy the second draft.
"Susan Foreman"
Susan Foreman hated her name. Her parents had been science-fiction buffs, and had named her after a character in an old British sci-fi show. They'd told her that she would travel to other worlds and meet the strangest people and have incredible adventures with a name like that. As a little girl, she'd even thought of becoming an astronaut, just so that she could travel into space like her namesake. So why, she sometimes wondered, was she a librarian in the University of California San Diego's Geisel Library?
It wasn't a bad job: it kept her in her apartment during her studies, and after her parents' deaths a few years ago books had become a hobby for her. They'd always encouraged her reading habit. And on days like this, in the middle of summer when the library was quieter than normal and the southern California heat kept her inside the cool library, she enjoyed the solace. When she had nothing to do, she'd just walk through a section of the library and pick up a book at random to read: she'd learned knitting and how nuclear reactors worked that way. The books in this section seemed piled almost at random, like cockroaches clustering in the cool shadows from scrying eyes. Her hand reached out to run a finger across the row of spines and contemplating which of the leather-bound journals to read when she almost tripped over a book lying like a dead bird on the floor.
Susan stopped short, and then very quickly and gingerly picked it up, checking the heavy brown leather-bound book over for obvious signs of damage. Nothing noticeable, but she decided to bring it to the repairs section just in case anyway when she noticed that there was no bar code or reference number on the book: it didn't belong to the library. Someone must have dropped it, and not too long ago: she flipped the book open to see if there was a name or something written on the inside. Instead, she found a neatly written paragraph. Written in Latin, so this book was at least a few centuries old. Again, she wondered who had dropped something like this. She'd dropped out of Latin classes at the end of the last school year, and she'd only spent a year taking the language anyway. But she could understand it...
In this book is secret knowledge. I know that there is. Whoever finds this, please continue my quest to understand it. I have failed, but you may succeed. There was no name, only a title, written in the same hand: "Codex Arcanum." The book of secrets or the book of mysteries. Susan snorted. What a hokey name, she thought as she flipped to the next page...
... and realized that she couldn't read it. The page was covered in pictograms and glyphs that she'd never seen before, arranged in paragraphs or maybe like mathematical equations. The letters looked like a fusion of Greek and Cyrillic with a handful of extra shapes thrown in for good measure. Might as well be toilet paper or a blank page for how much of it I can understand, she thought as she felt her way to one of the tables against the wall and sat down to read. The author who had come through later (Susan was starting to think of him as the Scholar) had added little notes into the margins, written like a student's scribbled notes compared to the original writer's slow steady hand. The Scholar called some of the equations "alchemy." He would have: alchemy was the science of the time. She continued flipping pages, finding more and more equation-like sentence structures.
After a dozen or so pages, she found a diagram of a circle with several geometic shapes arranged inside it and a handful of symbols arranged around it. The Scholar's notes called it a "magic circle" probably designed to summon a demon, but it looked more like a circular circuit board to Susan's untrained eyes. Connecting pathways, capacitors, pools of energy, conduits... her finger gingerly traced the intricate pathways as she reflected on the design. Magical circles and alchemic equations. So, she had a translation of an old magic grimoire on her hands. Interesting, yet not exactly valuable in the long run. She turned the page again and saw a diagram of a hydrogren atom.
"What?" she said, shocked. One circle inside a ring with a dot on the ring. Diagrams from high-school chemistry classes came back to her: that was exactly how hydrogen's valence shell was drawn. And next to it was helium: two dots on the ring instead of one. And the rest of the drawings on the next few pages... she couldn't remember much of the periodic table, but she was willing to bet that these drawings were all the next several elements. The Periodic Table in a book on magic? These should be the four classical elements, or maybe the handful they knew at the time. There were thirty drawings total in this batch, complete with notes and more equations. If she could read it, she was willing to bet that the information would be on par with the modern table.
Susan was skeptical by nature. The periodic table of elements side-by-side with summoning circles and alchemy in a centuries old-book. It might be a fake, made by some student as a project or something like that. She had to find out how old this book actually was. Billy can help with that, and he won't spread this around, she thought to herself. If this book actually was several centuries old like she was beginning to fear it was...
She felt her skin tingling at the thought, her hair standing on end. Magic? It was completely crazy. Totally insane. Magic wasn't real. And yet... and yet...
She remembered her parents telling her that she would travel to other worlds with her name. And for the first time in her life, Susan Foreman believed it.
As a part of my homework for my creative writing class, I have been editing "Target Eliminated," now retitled "Subject Mz-37." Enjoy...
"Subject Mz-37"
The observation room had been dark since morning, lit only by red battery-powered emergency lighting. The surgery room visible through the large window was lit the same way, medical equipment gleaming in the red lighting. The air wasn't moving. The doors were all in quarantine lockdown. Power hadn't been affected: the doors would unlock if all power was cut. But the facility's central computers weren't responding, and the backups weren't answering either. Intercoms were down. Radios were jammed. They were completely cut off from the rest of the base, and most likely everyone else was cut off in exactly the same way. And Subject Mz-37 was loose.
There were five in the room, three scientists and two guards, trying to figure out how to defeat the Subject. The observation room was one of the few rooms with a weapons locker: they'd opened it and stripped it of its two automatic rifles and the spare ammunition. The guards now wielded these, one covering the door and one covering the ceiling vent. The scientists had taken up the pistols, but they carried them as if they were afraid they would go off in their hands. They'd taken to holding the heavy rifles in shifts, trying to keep fatigue from building up. The Subject's enhancments meant that he could operate longer than them without fatiguing, and they needed to stay sharp.
The silence was the worst. Aside from their voices and the sounds they made when they moved, they could hear nothing else. The quarantine had even sealed off the air vents. One of the scientists suggested that the Subject had been using the air vents to move around, using the warren of metal shafts to go where no one else could. The Subject had the grace and speed to do it silently. He'd even voiced the possibility that that's how the Subject had made his way to the main computer core in the first place. The prospect that the Subject taken over the entire complex was frightening. If he had, he could hunt them all down and kill them, or even escape the installation. If the Subject had left, then they were trapped in here until the air ran out. Rescue wouldn't come, unless someone in the base had escaped the lockdown.
Suddenly, from the vent came the sound of something metal rolling very quickly down the duct. They heard it smack into a turn in the duct, and then a not-too-distant clang from the duct, like a door slamming shut. Two quiet beeps came from somewhere inside the duct, and then smoke gushed out of the vent.
"Gas!" one of them shouted. They all tried to cover their mouths, but it was too late. One by one, they succumbed to the nerve gas and collapsed paralyzed and unconscious. The thick clouds remained, the room now filled with the oppressive smoke and lit by the red emergency lights.
A minute or two passed. Somewhere in the wall, pistons relaxed their lock and the doors opened. Subject Mz-37 stepped into the room, dressed in black clothes with a gas mask strapped to his head. The smoke started to clear, but the Subject was already at work. He grabbed one of the pistols still held tight in a scientist's hands, and fired one shot into her head before finishing off the rest of the room's occupants. Quick and efficient. Just like they had taught him.
Mz-37 stepped out into the hall after helping himself to their ammunition and guns. The red emergency lights provided the hall's only illumination. His free hand came up and unsnapped the gas mask, dropping it to the ground. His head turned to look down the long corridor. Three rooms left. Eight doors on this corridor, three down. After the fourth door down, only one left. Then four other similar corridors. And then he would leave. He could not leave until they were all dead. That's what they'd taught him. They'd called it a game. And he was winning. He walked to the next door, hefted his pistol, and reached up to the override panel to input his code. The well-maintained door snapped open.
[to be continued]
Nice work, bro.
"Target Eliminated" has now been fully cleaned up and edited. So, now I present to you "Subject Mz-37" in its complete form. And yes, I'm reposting even the bit I posted last night: I made a few changes to it. So, here we go...
"Subject Mz-37"
The observation room had been dark since morning, lit only by red battery-powered emergency lighting. The surgery visible through the large window was lit the same way, medical equipment gleaming in the red lighting. The air wasn't moving. The doors were all in quarantine lockdown. Power hadn't been affected: the doors would unlock if power was cut. But the facility's central computers weren't responding, and the backups weren't answering either. Intercoms were down. Radios were jammed. They were completely cut off from the rest of the base, and most likely everyone else was cut off in exactly the same way. And Subject Mz-37 was loose.
There were five in the room, three scientists and two guards, trying to figure out how to defeat the Subject. The observation room was one of the few rooms with a weapons locker: they'd opened it and stripped it of its two automatic rifles and the spare ammunition. The guards now wielded these, one covering the door and one covering the ceiling vent. The scientists had taken up the pistols, but they carried them as if they were afraid they would go off in their hands. They'd taken to holding the heavy rifles in shifts, trying to keep fatigue from building up. The Subject's enhancements meant that he could operate longer than them without fatiguing, and they needed to stay sharp.
The silence was the worst. Aside from their voices and the sounds they made when they moved, they could hear nothing else. The quarantine had even sealed off the air vents. One of the scientists suggested that the Subject had been using the air vents to move around, using the warren of metal shafts to go where no one else could. The Subject had the grace and speed to do it silently. He'd even voiced the possibility that that's how the Subject had made his way to the main computer core in the first place. The prospect that the Subject had taken over the entire complex was frightening. If he had, he could hunt them all down and kill them, or even escape the installation. If the Subject had left, then they were trapped in here until the air ran out. Rescue wouldn't come, unless someone in the base had escaped the lockdown.
Suddenly, from the vent came the sound of something metal rolling very quickly down the duct. They heard it smack into a turn in the duct, and then a not-too-distant clang from the duct, like a door slamming shut. Two quiet beeps came from somewhere inside the duct, and then smoke gushed out of the vent.
"Gas!" one of them shouted. They all tried to cover their mouths, but it was too late. One by one, they succumbed to the nerve gas and collapsed paralyzed and unconscious. The thick clouds remained, the room now filled with the oppressive smoke and lit by the red emergency lights.
A minute or two passed. Somewhere in the wall, pistons relaxed their lock and the doors opened. Subject Mz-37 stepped into the room, dressed in black clothes with a gas mask strapped to his head. The smoke started to clear, but the Subject was already at work. He grabbed one of the pistols still held tight in a scientist's hands, and fired one shot into her head before finishing off the rest of the room's occupants. Quick and efficient. Just like they had taught him. Five down, room cleared.
Subject Mz-37 stepped out into the hall after helping himself to their ammunition and guns, sticking a sheathed knife and pistol into his belt. Only red emergency lights lit the hall. The gas had dispelled enough now. He unsnapped the gas mask and dropped it to the ground. His head turned to look down Level 2's curved corridor, and then pulled out a small reader and linked into the computer for a breakdown of the installation's remaining population. Level 3 was cleared. Eight rooms on Level 2, two rooms empty, one room cleared, five rooms occupied. Thirteen people left on this level. No one in the two maintenance access ways. Three people in the next room, one of the two training rooms. He'd clean out this level, and then Level 1. And then he would leave. He could not leave until they were all dead. That's what they'd taught him. They'd called it a game. And he was winning. The Subject walked to the next door, hefted one of the two heavy machine guns, and reached up to the override panel to input his code. The well-maintained door snapped open, and he sprayed the inside with machine gun fire.
The gun's weight and recoil and unfamiliar feel meant that he only hit one person. The room's occupants dove in different directions. He dropped the unfamiliar machine gun and grabbed his pistol and knife before running into the room. One guard was near. Guards only wore lightweight bullet resistant material. The Subject slashed at the guard's torso, and the knife cut through the armor. He brought the knife around in time to cut the guard's unshielded throat. He dropped. A scientist aimed at him. The Subject tossed his knife at him. The guard dodged and recovered fast enough to get shot in the face. He dropped. Three down, room cleared.
The next room was the shooting range. Three people, and a full arsenal of weapons. Most likely guards: the scientists only went in when they were with him. He didn't bother with the shooting range. First, he walked over to a black duffel bag he'd brought up from Level 3 and picked up one of his remaining grenades. Then he picked up his gas mask and readjusted it on his head. A short scramble up a maintenance ladder and into the ventilation ducts, and a little fiddling with the jury-rigged controls linked to the reader, and one of the sealed ducts over the shooting range opened. He triggered the grenade, and rolled it down toward the vent before closing the hatch inside the duct and making his way back to the corridor. He waited two minutes, and then opened the door, walked in, and killed the three guards. Three down, room cleared.
The second training room was empty. The Subject walked past it and maintenance access space and came up to the medical bay. One person in the medical bay: according to the reader, one of the maintenance crew had broken his leg yesterday. He reached for the door control. The door sprang open. The red lightning made every sterile surface gleam like blood. He fired twice at the guard on the bed. One down, room cleared.
The next room was the injection room. There were five in that room: they'd been waiting for him this morning when he locked the base down. The Subject reloaded his pistol and then tapped the door control. The door sprang open. He stepped through, locating each one of them. He turned and shot the closest scientist, to his left. One near the open weapons locker. One shot, down. One by the table. One shot, down. One by the racks of hyposprays and injection vials. One shot, down. The fifth had time to raise his pistol: Mz-37 could see it wavering in the dim light. Adrenaline, fear, or terror: he couldn't tell the cause. The scientist fired, and missed. Mz-37 did not. Five down, room cleared. One room left on Level 2.
The recreation room. It doubled as a classroom. There was one person in there. Subject Mz-37 reached up to the door control... and stopped. Then he lowered his arm. He took a step backwards. There were still eight people left on Level 1. He could eliminate them first. The recreation room could wait. He turned around, walked over to the duffel bag and gas mask, and dragged them into the elevator. He stared at the recreation room's door as the elevator closed. In the elevator's solitude, he seemed to sag slightly, laying one hand on the railing for support. He stood there for a minute, and then lifted his reader and disengaged the elevator's locks, and then keyed it in for Level 1. Before the doors opened, he locked the elevator down again.
According to his information, one person had escaped the lockdown by virtue of being in a corridor at the time: caution would be wise in this situation. Mz-37 disengaged the quarantine lock on the elevator's maintenance hatch, and then popped up into the shaft. He turned on a small flashlight, and found a hatch into the ventilation duct over the ring-shaped corridor. Very carefully and quietly, he moved into the duct and carefully peeked through each vent as he came across them, looking for his target. It didn't take him long.
He found her hiding in the common area in front of the elevator door, crouching behind a couch and holding a pistol. She would have had a clear shot on him had he left the elevator through the door. She did not have a clear shot on the rest of the corridor, however. He crept through the ducts until he reached the opposite side of the central shaft, and then quietly popped a vent open and carefully climbed down without making a sound. He removed his shoes, and silently crept around the corridor, staying to one wall and out of sight. Finally, he came up to the edge of the corridor that opened into the common area. He hefted the pistol, took a deep breath, and ran around the corner. The unexpected angle of his attack through her off long enough for him to shoot her before she could respond. She dropped. One down, common area and corridor cleared.
Mz-37 was breathing harder now. He was starting to feel the effects of a long day and nine separate battles. Fatigue was setting in. He retrieved his shoes, and then unlocked the elevator and pulled the duffel bag through. He lifted the reader. Seven personnel left on this level. Most of the installation's thirty personnel had been on Level 2 in preparation for the day's activities: Level 3 had only had one guard and three maintenance officers. He moved clockwise down the corridor. Six rooms on Level 1, not counting the common area and the two maintenance areas. The first room was his: designed for up to five subjects, he was the only one in the base with a room of his own. The first set of quarters was empty, as was the maintenance access area and the second set of quarters.
One person in the lounge. The lounge had numerous areas for cover: tables, easy chairs, a couch, and other random pieces of furniture. This would be tricky. He didn't want to risk climbing through the ducts at this point: he could feel fatigue setting in. Instead, he lifted the reader up, and carefully set up the power system to trigger the main lights in the corridor without triggering the other rooms' lighting. He closed his eyes, and then turned the lights on. It took him a few minutes to fully readjust to the lights after hours seeing everything in the emergency lighting. Finally, he lifted the gun, stood to one side of the door, and triggered the open key.
The scientist inside yelped, blinded by the bright light surging into the dark room. Mz-37 ducked down and rolled around the edge of the doorway, staying to the corners and the shadows. The scientist was behind a barricade of a couch and an overturned table. Mz-37 only had a few seconds. He dashed across the room, and slid behind the barricade. Three shots into the scientist's back, and he collapsed. One down, room cleared.
Only one more room on this level. The cafeteria, the next door down. Six people. By his count, that meant three guards, two scientists, and one maintenance person. And then he had to clear the recreation room... he shook his head. No, not now. Concentrate on the cafeteria. No distractions. Not yet. He was almost done. He was almost free.
Six targets in the room. Lots of cover, lots of places to hide. He couldn't charge in. This was the room he'd been saving his last gas grenade for. He dimmed the main lights back to emergency red: the blinding trick wouldn't work again. A few minutes later, he was back in the duct, doing his trick for the third time that day, except this time he jury-rigged a timer to give him ten minutes of preparation time. Given the room's large size and number of occupants, he could not ensure that everyone would be knocked out. And they would most likely be armed, and still able to use room's available cover. He'd planned ahead for this: he tugged his shirt off, and pulled a bulletproof vest from the bag. Even after adjusting the vest it still didn't fit him right, but it would have to do. He pulled his shirt back on: hopefully, they wouldn't notice it and aim for an unprotected part of his body. He reloaded his pistol, and then pulled a second one out of the bag. He adjusted his gas mask, and then looked at a wristwatch he'd stashed in the bag, and waited for the countdown to reach zero...
As it was, he had a minute to go. Five minutes after the timer reached zero, he checked the seal on his mask, dropped the watch into the duffel bag, and hefted a gun. He reached up to the door control, and the door opened into the smoky redness.
It was hard to pick people out in the red light and shifting smoke, but he could make out two people still moving and two or three lumpy objects on the floor. The ones still moving seemed to be holding rags or makeshift masks over their mouths. A maintenance crewman holding a frying pan was actually running towards him. He went down easily. The second standing person dropped from one shot.
A massive impact slammed into his back. He cried out and fell to the floor. His brain raced. He'd been shot and lost his balance. He wasn't dead. The vest had held up. Move. He allowed himself a groan. Nothing seemed too badly damaged. It hurt. He pushed himself through the pain, and dragged himself towards a table for cover. The cover wasn't much. He could see the guard's legs behind the table. The guard must have ducked down when the door opened. Mz-37 had a relatively clear shot across the empty space beneath the tables. Adrenaline and pain messed up his aim. The end of the gun's barrel jerked around in the red light. It took three shots, but he finally hit the guard's leg, sending him toppling to the ground and screaming. Another two shots to the head, and the guard was dead.
Mz-37 pulled himself up to his feet, leaning on the table and wincing in pain. He stumbled his way around the room through the dissipating smoke, and finished off the last three. Six down, room cleared.
He sank to the floor, groaning in pain as he pulled the gas mask off worked his shirt and vest off. He gently reached around to his back to probe where he'd been shot. He'd have a massive bruise, and pain lanced through his side, but it wasn't too bad and he wasn't bleeding. He winced as he pulled his shirt back on. He'd have to check himself out in the medical lab to make sure nothing was cracked or broken. Concentrate, he thought. Concentrate on your objectives. Level 1 was cleared of all hostiles. All that was left was the recreation room on Level 2...
... no, there were still some things he had to do. The duffel bag was filled with supplies, but he should go over the base one more time for anything he'd need once he escaped. And he shouldn't put off checking his injury. He was sure that he had cracked a rib. It would slow him down for as long as he had to worry about it and feel the pain every time he moved.
But he knew he couldn't put it off forever. He had to go to the recreation room and face the consequences eventually. But not right now. Not now.
Subject Mz-37 winced as he made his way down the curving corridor and back to the elevator...
...
The recreation room had a handful of battery-powered lights, giving off a few patches of white light among the red emergency lights. Dead terminal screens and readers glared red from strange angles. A few toys and games were scattered around, never put back quite right. A man sat on a stool at a table in the middle of the room, where most of the lights had been gather. He was middle-aged, his face lined with worry and premature aging, his brown eyes sunken from exhaustion, his brown hair slowly turning gray with age. He was playing a game of one-card Klondike solitaire when he heard the sound of the door opening behind him.
Subject Mz-37. He knew it without looking. He kept flipping and stacking cards in the silence.
"Doctor."
"Zed."
"You are still calling me that?"
"Subject Mz-37 is so... impersonal. Everyone deserves a name, Zed. They're all dead." It wasn't a question.
"Yes, Doctor Morvarian."
Morvarian set his last card down and turned around on the stool to face Zed.
Subject Mz-37 was no older than eight. He was thing and wiry, black hair cut short and mismatched blue and green eyes that were barely distinguishable from each other in the light. He had a cut over his left eye, oil smudges on his face and hands, and his simple black clothes were torn and damaged from fighting and covered in a layer of dust from the deeper parts of the ducts. He looked tired and stressed out, but his eyes betrayed no exhaustion or emotion: it was like looking into a pair of glass eyes. His left hand firmly gripped a pistol.
"You're here to kill me too, I suppose?" Morvarian asked.
"Yes."
The old man smiled. It was a tired world-weary smile, and with the lines on his face it only made him look older. Memories of games and playtime and Zed's occasional bouts of curiosity flowed through his mind. So did the experiments and the training and everything else that they had done to Subject Mz-37. And he had helped to turn Zed into a weapon.
Morvarian shook his head slowly. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry, Zed. We trained you too well."
The gun came up, Zed's right hand wrapping around his left to give it stability. Morvarian saw the tears building up in Zed's eyes.
"Close your eyes," Zed said. He waited a moment, and pulled the trigger.
A brief flash of light and sound filled the room.
Morvarian slumped forward and fell off his stool. He hit the floor with a dull thud.
Mz-37 stood there. All hostiles eliminated. All Levels cleared. He had won. He could leave. He was free. He... he...
The gun's barrel jittered, shaking from his adrenaline rush. It fell from his numb hands, and clattered on the floor. It glared up at him in the red light, but a gun was a weapon, a tool, nothing more: it could do nothing to him. It could do nothing without him. His fatigue and exhaustion came at him in a rush. Zed slumped forward and dropped to his knees in front of the old man. Morvarian's blood flowed around Zed's fingers as his shoulders began to shake.
Quietly, in the lonely red and darkness of the dead base, the little boy cried.
Once again, great work, bro. I like the new version even more than the first one. :)
Character survey meme
Yeah, I know it's been a while since I posted here. But I had fun doing this character survey meme, so I wanted to share it. The meme was originally done by drake_tigerclaw (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/draketigerclaw). I heard about it through Ren Gaulen (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/siegfriednox)'s version of it, and now you get to read it. Lucky you!
Instructions
1. Choose a few of your own characters. Five at the most.
2. Make them answer the following questions.
3. Then tag three people or more.
4. Feel free to go ahead and add some questions yourself.
My Characters:
Elian Cidney
Jinx
Tava
Hannibal von Blitzberg
Captain Awesome
Who/What are you?
Elian: Elian Cidney, elf. I'm also a mechanic.
Jinx: Assassin Series SN-101, alphanumeric designation JN-X, called Jinx. I'm an assassin.
Elian: They mean your race/species, Jinx.
Jinx: Ah, in that case, robotic construct.
Tava: I'm Tava! I'm human!
Hannibal: Hannibal von Blitzberg, first child and son of Adolf von Blitzberg the Second and Victoria Romanis von Blitzberg. I am a human technomancer, specializing in cloning and cybernetics.
Awesome: And I am CAPTAIN AWESOME!, superhero! And I am AWESOME!
Elian: Also a first-class moron and loony.
Jinx: And first-class pain in the servos.
Elian: Cervical or gluteal?
Jinx: Both, of course.
Awesome: Hey! Stop using big words!
How old are you?
Elian: 14
Jinx: I do not know, but I estimate my age at around 175, give or take 25 years.
Tava: I'm almost seven!
Hannibal: 37.
Awesome: 29!
Elian: *aside to Jinx* With a mental age of about four.
Awesome: Hey!
Where are you from?
Elian: A town called New Tremaine, but it was destroyed during a battle between some technomancers and demons. I'm the only known survivor. My adoptive parents Paul and Anna raised me in Crater Lake Town, though, so that's my home.
Jinx: I do not know where I am originally from.
Tava: Hannibal stole me from my mommy and daddy and won't tell me where I'm from.
Hannibal: I am from the von Blitzberg ancestral home of Blitzburg.
Jinx: Oh, that's original.
Hannibal: Oh, shut up.
Awesome: I do not know where I am from!
Elian: Can you please stop being so dramatic?
Awesome: No!
Do you like yaoi or yuri?
Elian: Um... huh?
Jinx: Yaoi is a niponjin term referring to media dealing with homoerotic male relationships, and yuri is the term for homoerotic female relationships.
Elian: Oh, um, in that case, I guess I'll say yuri.
Jinx: I have no interest in either.
Tava: What's "homoerotic?"
Jinx: Where both members of a relationship are the same gender in order to cause arousal in the viewers.
Tava: Um... huh?
Elian: Don't worry about it Tava.
Tava: You mean like if someone has two daddies?
Elian: Something like that, yeah.
Tava: Oh, okay.
Hannibal: I'm too busy rebuilding the Blitzberg dynasty to concern myself with those matters.
Jinx: You probably have a large collection of erotic materials of all sorts.
Hannibal: That is none of your concern, construct.
Awesome: Hey, if the ladies want to kiss each other, why should I stop them? Wrowl!
Are you a boy or a girl?
Elian: Boy.
Jinx: Masculine programming, but my camoflage programming allows me to mimic most gender identities.
Tava: Girl.
Hannibal: Boy.
Awesome: I am a man!
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Elian: None that I know of or survived.
Jinx: I do not know if I have any sibling units. However, I have yet to encounter any of them.
Tava: Does Elian count?
Hannibal: Not really. As for me, I am the oldest of seven siblings: the rest of them are dead.
Awesome: I do not know who my parents are, so I do not know if I have any brothers or sisters. Oh, the humanity!
Elian: *groans*
Who's your mate/spouse?
Elian: I don't have one.
Jinx: I'm a robot. What do you expect?
Tava: No.
Hannibal: Wilhemina. She is also dead.
Awesome: As a hero, my career takes first precedence over matters of the heart!
Elian: Translation: no one wants him.
Awesome: Not true!
Do you have any kids?
Elian: Nope.
Jinx: No.
Tava: Nuh-uh.
Hannibal: My wife was pregnant with our first child when she died. So no.
Awesome: I also have no children.
What's your favourite food?
Elian: Pizza. Preferably with pepperoni, but really anything without anchovies.
Jinx: Deuterium.
Tava: I like cherries!
Hannibal: Kirschtorte.
Awesome: Justice! And hamburgers.
Elian: *facepalm*
Jinx: May I please kill him, Master?
Elian: No, Jinx.
Have you ever killed anyone?
Elian: Yes. I'm not really proud of it.
Jinx: Oh, but I am, Master. As for me, I'm an assassin. What do you think?
Tava: Nope. *shakes head*
Hannibal: I will do whatever it takes to rebuild my family's dynasty. Even killing.
Awesome: Sometimes, in the line of duty, it is necessary to take a life!
What kind of music do you like?
Elian: Um... piano, I guess, but I like that techno music that Jinx has come up with.
Jinx: As the Master has hinted at, I enjoy techno music.
Tava: Um... I kinda like violin music.
Hannibal: Symphonic music that includes organs. I like organs. I have four of them.
Elian: And one on the ship. So five.
Awesome: Awesome music!
What do you do to relax?
Elian: I work on broken machines. That's how I got Jinx up and running.
Jinx: For which I am most grateful, Master. I write music.
Elian: And kill people.
Jinx: Does that count?
Elian: Well, you really enjoy doing that, but it's kind of what you do on a daily basis, so I don't know.
Hannibal: If he enjoys it, then you could consider that he does it to relax.
Jinx: Okay, killing and writing music.
Tava: I like to draw!
Hannibal: I tinker with my creations. I hope to launch a new clone soldier line soon!
Elian: And I'll kill them all too.
Hannibal: Oh, shut up Cidney!
Awesome: I fight crime! And go to the beach!
Do you constantly get hurt?
Elian: Well, a little pain is to be expected as a mechanic, but now that I guess I'm an Adventurer it's become a bit of an occupational hazard.
Jinx: Yes. But most of them are easy to repair.
Tava: Not really. But I get scared easily.
Hannibal: No. That's what an army of disposable soldiers is for.
Awesome: I feel no pain!
Elian: Yes he does.
Awesome: No, I don't.
Jinx: Yes he does.
Awesome: No I don't!
Tava: Uh-huh!
Awesome: Nuh-uh!
Hannibal: I'm fairly certain you do.
Awesome: Stop it!
Do you like your creator?
Elian: Oh, yeah, but I wish he'd come up with someone else to stick this story with.
Jinx: He allows me to kill with impunity and have fun with it. I love him!
Tava: He seems nice.
Hannibal: I don't like him.
Jinx: Because he killed off your family offscreen and destroyed your home and family line and made it so that your chief enemy is an adolescent elven mechanic and his pet assassin?
Hannibal: *glowers* Yes.
Awesome: I love my creator! He made me the greastest superhero in the world, and the only hope for stopping the evils of the world! What's not to like about him?
Elian: The fact that he considers you a joke and made me and Jinx the heroes because you're too incompetent to do anything?
Awesome: ... wait, what?
Whats your favourite season?
Elian: Spring and summer. I can open up the shop doors and let some air in.
Jinx: Autumn. The colors of the leaves remind me of blood.
Tava: I like spring! All the pretty flowers!
Hannibal: Winter. I always loved making snowmen as a child, and I enjoy the austere beauty of a snow-covered town and castle. I could do without the cold, though.
Awesome: Summer! That's when all the babes come out to the beaches!
Have you ever had sex?
Elian: Oh, gee, I'm a gawky fourteen year-old mechanic with grease-stained clothes and I smell like engine oil and welding. What do you think?
Jinx: I do not desire sex.
Elian: And you lack the parts for it too.
Jinx: No. If I desired sex, I would be able to give myself the necessary parts.
Elian: ... okay, that was disturbing.
Tava: I kinda know what sex is, but I don't think I'd like it.
Awesome: And you're too young, little girl!
Hannibal: I have indeed had sex.
Awesome: And I as well!
Elian: Really? You found a woman who could stand you for long enough to get the deed done?
Awesome: I'll have you know that I've got beautiful women throwing themselves at me, young man!
Elian: Were any of them sane?
Jinx: How much did you pay them?
Tava: Ewww.
Hannibal: Haven't you heard, don't stick it in the crazy?
Awesome: No, they really meant it! Can we move on please?
Have you been violated/molested/raped before?
Elian: Um... no. Ewww.
Jinx: I have been extensively damaged and left for dead. I consider that rape.
Tava: Um... I don't think so.
Everyone: *looks at Hannibal*
Hannibal: No, I have not raped her. I want her because she's is key to my plans, not because I want to violate her! And no, I have not been raped.
Awesome: No!
Whos your best friend?
Elian: Um... I guess I'll say Jinx.
Jinx: Why thank you Master. I'll have to say either Master Elian or my blaster rifle.
Tava: I like Elian! *hugs him*
Hannibal: I have no need for friends. And I'm surrounded by idiots.
Awesome: That is your own fault, evil-doer!
Got a crush?
Elian: Well, Cindy in town. She's one of my oldest friends.
Jinx: No.
Tava: Nuh-uh!
Hannibal: No.
Awesome: No! But ladies, I am available! *grins and teeth go *ting!**
Elian: ... how do you do that? Oh, never mind.
Do you like hugs/kisses/cuddles/etc.?
Elian: Heh, I like hugs.
Jinx: I am not good at giving or recieving any of the above.
Tava: Yup!
Hannibal: No.
Awesome: Oh yes!
Are you gay?
Elian: I don't think so.
Jinx: I have no real gender, so no.
Tava: Um... gay is where you like other girls? I like girls!
Elian: Not quite that way, Tava. Don't worry about it.
Hannibal: No.
Awesome: I am a manly man! I only like women! Not that there's anything wrong with being gay!
Jinx Denial.
Awesome: Oh, shut up!
Play any sports or...anything?
Elian: Hm... I used to play a bit of football, but I'm good at running too. I mostly do mechanical stuff, I'm not really into sports though. And Adventuring isn't a sport.
Jinx: Does Kill The Enemies count?
Elian: No. And none of your other games count.
Jinx: Then not really.
Tava: Um... no.
Hannibal: No. I have my work to keep me entertained and busy.
Awesome: I am too busy to play sports!
If you had a chance to kill your creator would you do it?
Elian: Nah, but I'd like to talk to him about my past and my future, I guess.
Jinx: I have a plan to kill everyone! But no, I don't think that I would. I would cease to exist without him!
Tava: Why would I do that?
Hannibal: I wouldn't kill him. I'd make him wish he was dead.
Awesome: Never!
EDIT: Added that bit that Boxy came up with. It was so perfectly in character that I had to use it. Thanks Boxy!
Well, I have already commented on it on FA, but I'll say iy again: Captain Awesome is awesome hilarious. And so is Jinx, but in a different way. :B
Quote
Awesome: I'll have you know that I've got beautiful women throwing themselves at me, young man!
Elian: Were any of them sane?
Hannibal: Haven't you heard, don't stick it in the crazy?
Jinx: How much did you pay them?
Tava: I don't count.
*cough* Sorry, it just leaped into mind...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on June 30, 2009, 05:44:49 AM
Quote
Awesome: I'll have you know that I've got beautiful women throwing themselves at me, young man!
Elian: Were any of them sane?
Hannibal: Haven't you heard, don't stick it in the crazy?
Jinx: How much did you pay them?
Tava: I don't count.
*cough* Sorry, it just leaped into mind...
Actually, I think Jinx would say "Perhaps they were thrown by explosions?", but aside from that I think that's pretty good. May I add that to the meme?
Speaking of which, he actually is pretty lucky with the ladies, and no, he doesn't have to pay them. He's one of the few "heroes" in this world, even if he is a coward and an idiot and a braggart and a kill-stealer and a bit of a jerk. It's just that most people only hear about the "super" part and not the "dickery (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Superdickery)" part. Still, I wouldn't call him bad per se. Just an idiot.
Add away, my friend.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on June 30, 2009, 06:09:40 PM
Add away, my friend.
Thanks. Oh, what the heck. Here's some random stuff I've kinda come up in my spare time.
First, just a little bit of dialogue I've come up with for two of my characters. It's a little bit silly. There are no names, because A) one of them doesn't have one yet, and B) I don't know if I should use this scene when it comes time to write it.
"Why aren't you weirded out?"
"Eh, you get used to it after a while."
"Oh, come on. You cannot have seen so many weird things that you've just become immune to weirdness."
"I was once cursed and transformed into an anthropomorphic octopus."
"..."
"That wasn't the weird part. To break the curse, I had to find an eight-armed woolen sweater with the name "Bob" on the front."
"..."
"The weird part was that at the time I was cursed, I was standing in a store having a sale on novelty eight-armed woolen sweaters with the name "Bob" on the front."
~later~
"... why Bob?"
"Oh, it didn't have to be Bob. It actually just needed to be a palindromic name, and Bob was the only thing we could think of at the time."
...
In this scene, Elian has just discovered that Jinx has a Hyperspatial Mass Reclaimer system mounted in his body that allows him to store weapons and other miscellaneous objects in a pocket universe, and he's been using it to store the stuff they've found along their journey...
"What else have you got stored in there, Jinx?"
"Well, let's see... a machine gun, a rubber ducky, a machete, three handkerchiefs, seven fragmentation grenades, a yo-yo, eight throwing knives, a broken yo-yo, chemical grenades, a box of tissues, three flash-bang grenades, a cheesy romance novel, three wooden stakes, a freeze-dried steak, a grenade launcher, a water pistol, a water pistol filled with acid, a handheld video game system, a human skull, a rubber skull, a dwarven skull, a transforming toy robot, a multi-phase laser cannon..."
"Okay, you can stop now."
"But I'm not finished yet!"
And this one is after they come across the scene of a lynching (the justice system in these territories tends to be somewhat swift)...
"Jinx, what are you doing?"
"Making the corpses spin in the air."
"Why?"
"Because they look so boring just
hanging there."
"No puns, Jinx."
"Aww, not even a '
hanging out' one?"
"Not even that."
"How about "They just
dropped in for a drink"?"
"No."
"Can we
rope them into our latest endeavor?"
"
Stop."
"I've got some bad
noose for them."
"Shut
up!"
"But all
tree of them look so boring right now."
"
Godsdammit, Jinx!"
There, done for the day.
*looks around* Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything. Okay, how about some art, since I desperately want to get better?
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/zeddtrace3.jpg?t=1249614226)
Zedd, with butterfly (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/zeddtrace3.jpg?t=1249614226)
This was drawn today, and is actually the eighth version of this pic. Right off the bat, I know that there are a few things off about it. For one thing, I can't draw hands. For another thing, his shoulders look weird. I also don't know how to do musculature of any kind. There are a few things that can be corrected with coloring, which is a big hassle since Photoshop eludes me and I'm stuck coloring with colored pencils and I'm not much good with 'em.
But aside from that... well, in a way, I am actually satisfied with this pic. It's certainly not perfect, but on the other hand I am learning, and already applying a few new tricks. For one thing, a drawing can change a lot between what you first drew and what you consider the "finished" product ([urlhttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/zeddsketch1.jpg?t=1249614659]for those who are curious, here is a scan of the original pose[/url]). So, while I am still intending to work on this, for the time being, this pic makes me feel... well, okay.
Anyway, comments and critiques and advice are certainly appreciated.
Well, as not many people know, I am currently in Seattle, attending PAX, the Penny Arcade Expo. On a recommendation from Tapewolf, I'm gonna give a bit of a rundown of the day's events. Well... try to. Never done this before.
...
While the doors of the event open up at ten, I was smart enough to know to get there early, considering that there are between 40 and 50 thousand people attending. I woke up at six, and was out of the hotel shortly before seven for the walk over to the convention center, where I got in line around 7:20 or so. This was particularly good, because I was pretty damn close to the front of the line.
Between about eight and ten, a large projector screen was used to play a number of cell-phone based games (word scramblers, trivia, stuff like that), interspaced with commentary from a snarky character talking about the whole thing. There were also numerous mentions of a Julie, who I fear may become a memetic character.
So, ten comes around and we head into the game hall. WOW. So many games and demos and such, it was just absolutely amazing. Being an undying Ratchet and Clank fan, I headed over to the demo booths where I got a chance to play both Clank and Ratchet in some demo missions, which was AWESOME. The new hover boots for Ratchet are a great addition to the game: it's like a more controllable version of the Charge Boots combined with the R&C jet pack (which could hover, a feature removed from the future games). Argh. Two months before I get the real deal! So frustrating!
I also got to play the God of War III demo, which was suitably gory and bloody and horribly violent. The game looks awesome.
After that, I just decided to walk around and look at stuff, see if anything caught my interest. I looked at the Brütal Legend demo section (and will try that out tomorrow, methinks), and also admired the new PSP Go and the PS3 Slim that they had on display. I dropped by the Bioshock 2 viral marketing area, which looked exactly like the room viral marketing site Something in the sea (http://www.somethinginthesea.com/home.html). I got a chance to work with some guys at solving a three-dimensional sliding puzzle safe to get a chance to win a booklet that's a part of the marketing scheme: story-wise, I believe it's supposed to be someone's journal that they shot up to the surface from Rapture.
Hm... let me see. More walking and stuff... ah! I stopped by the Pax merchandise booth and picked up both a PAX '09 shirt and the first two collections of Penny Arcade comics. After that, I snagged a bite to eat, and then got in line to see a presentation by Brian Allgeier about weapons design in the Ratchet & Clank video games. For the record, he's the Game Director and also helped develop the weapons in the earlier games.
This, arguably, was the best part of the whole day, for a number of reasons. First, I got to see him go into some in-depth detail about the design of the weapons in this game series (of which I am a huge fan), as well as some of their mistakes and dead-end designs. Second, I got to see them announce three new weapons: the Chimp-O-Matic, the Rift Inducer 5000 (an upgrade to one of my favorite weapons in the R&C series), and the new RYNO V (which I can best describe as a dual-layered gatling cannon (that is, one gatling cannon inside another barrel)) with a few missile launchers added for good measure. Third, I got to see an awesome video that someone at Insomniac Games put together showcasing Ratchet's weapons set to the 1812 overture. And finally, afterwards I got to walk up to Allgeier and shake his hand and tell him that I was a huge fan of the Ratchet and Clank series and thank him and Insomniac for giving me so many great games to play and enjoy. All in all, it was a great hour-long event.
At around this point, I was starting to get a little tired, mainly from a late bedtime last night and an early morning. I walked around the display room for a bit, picked up a God of War III poster, took some pictures of a cockpit mockup, picked up a little brochure thingy for Assassin's Creed II... actually, let me spend a sentence or two on this, because it was sheer brilliance. It's a folded piece of paper, printed to look old-fashioned. On the front is a sentence that reads "The first one is always the hardest," followed by "Open it." When you do, you tear a cutout of a Venetian nobleman glued into the middle in such a way that when you open it you separate his head from his body, revealing the caption "Congratulations on your first kill." Seriously, whoever came up with this deserves a promotion, because it is awesome.
Um... let's see. What else is there? I picked up Season 1 and 2 of The Guild on DVD because it was cheap, and then lugged my acquired swag back to my hotel, emptied my pockets and bag of stuff I've picked up (including a month of Lord of the Rings Online), talked to Ren for a bit, collapsed and took a nap, and then got dinner. Oh, and invented something for my story. Which I will reveal later.
All in all, an awesome day. I believe that tomorrow I'll try and catch a Wil Wheaton autograph, and also catch Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik at their Q and A session just to see them talk for a bit. *yawns* One day down, two to go.
Heya, jairus! Haven't seen you around this thread for awhile :3.
Penny arcade expo...as in the comic? o_0
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2009, 06:33:24 PM
Heya, jairus! Haven't seen you around this thread for awhile :3.
Penny arcade expo...as in the comic? o_0
Yup. Have you heard of PAX? It's a big gaming convention/party that they do once a year. I'll be uploading my report on the second day soon.
Quote from: Jairus on September 06, 2009, 11:19:09 AM
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2009, 06:33:24 PM
Heya, jairus! Haven't seen you around this thread for awhile :3.
Penny arcade expo...as in the comic? o_0
Yup. Have you heard of PAX? It's a big gaming convention/party that they do once a year. I'll be uploading my report on the second day soon.
Wait, wha- it IS the comic?!? I was just joking! :dface
Holy crap, I knew they got themselves a game, but an entire convention about themselves??? :mowdizzy
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 06, 2009, 12:06:13 PM
Quote from: Jairus on September 06, 2009, 11:19:09 AM
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 05, 2009, 06:33:24 PM
Heya, jairus! Haven't seen you around this thread for awhile :3.
Penny arcade expo...as in the comic? o_0
Yup. Have you heard of PAX? It's a big gaming convention/party that they do once a year. I'll be uploading my report on the second day soon.
Wait, wha- it IS the comic?!? I was just joking! :dface
Holy crap, I knew they got themselves a game, but an entire convention about themselves??? :mowdizzy
Yeah, it is the comic. PAX has been going on since 2004. They had about 3,300 people attend that first year, and this year they completely sold out all 50,000 of their convention passes. That includes three day and single day passes. It's quite impressive.
And really, it's just about video games. Think of it as E3, except it encompasses all types of games and platforms and even some webcomics and machinima series.
Okay, journal entry two. Quoting from a Fur Affinity post last night...
...
Another early start, except this time I got there really early. Fortunately, I had the first two collections of Penny Arcade to amuse me throughout the morning. More cell phone games, and the word scramblers were exactly the same as yesterday, so I knew 'em already, but the poll questions asked us to figure out who would win, Chuck Norris or Batman and Zorro and Robin Hood: it turned out to be Batman and Robin. As if Chuck Norris could defeat Batman.
I got another chance to play the Ratchet and Clank Future demo (both Ratchet and Clank) and am even more impressed than before. Seriously, the jet boots are very Iron Man-ish. I'm gonna clear out whole levels just so that I have a play ground for them. They are that fucking fun. If I got the chance to have any one gadget from the R&Cverse, these would be it. Also, speaking with someone who worked at Insomniac led to me learning that they're only a week or two from actually finishing the game. To say that I am "excited" is an understatement. And then I learned that they were trying to get the Constructo Weapons into the game's demo so that people could play with them... weeeee!!!!!!!!!!!! *composes self* In addition to that, they have three unrevealed weapons (I did know this from the video presentation yesterday), but apparently one of these weapons is a third Constructo weapon. I see two possible alternatives for what it will be: a missile launcher, or a melee weapon. I'm leaning towards the second, because 1) they have not yet revealed a melee weapon for A Crack in Time and 2) because they already have the Negotiator as the missile launcher. The guy did say that they might not reveal those three weapons, but they are planning to reveal one more world between now and the release. Also, apparently Angela Cross is more of an offscreen character in this game. After her roles in the previous two Future games, I'm a little bummed to see her go, but I can see the logic considering the already massive amounts of characters both old and new that they have to use, and someone has to stick behind to watch and protect the Polaris galaxy. I'll live. I am very excited. Just fifty two days left until release! Um... notably, this info comes from two conversations today, one in the morning, one afterwards after a quick trip back to my hotel room.
Um... really, what else can I say? Oh!
I also tried out Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier. It looks okay, but I kept dying, far more than I ever do in Jak 3 (yes, I still play Jak 3). This is most likely a combination of unfamiliarity with the altered controls of a Jak game to fit a PSP from a PS2 and being relatively unfamiliar with a PSP's control schemes (I've only got four games for it so far). I'll try the demo out when it's downloaded, to give it a little bit more of a chance. Also, I don't know if I like Jak's new eco powers, but I'll give them a chance too to see if they can make it work. Jak using jets of eco power fired from his hands like Iron Man is a little weird, as is him using eco powers to make crystal spikes or lift rocks from inside magma, but okay, I'll give it a chance.
I also looked (just looked, mind you) at Starcraft II. Some games, you just don't need to play as a demo before buying them.
I purchased the three remaining books in the Penny Arcade collection of books, mainly because they were all too hilarious to pass up.
At this point I walked back over to the Sony area to get my Ratchet and Clank inflatable wrench (stupid as all hell, but I don't care: I'm actually wondering how hard it would be to make a pneumatically driven Omniwrench Millennium 12), and also got my picture taken with Ratchet (well, a guy in a Ratchet suit).
I walked around a bit, ran into a group of about ten to fifteen people cosplaying as Team RED from TF2, and got some awesome pictures (including two Heavies yelling at each other). One of the heavies had an awesome recreation of Sasha (aka the Heavy's gatling gun), which was one of the coolest toys I've ever seen.
Eventually I made my way down to the line to meet Wil Wheaton (aka Welsey Crusher of Star Trek: The Next Generation)(this was after I got the wrench: getting the inflatable wrench was more important than meeting an icon of geekdom). I got a picture with him, a short collection of his short stories, and two autographs, one on the previously mentioned collection. It was very cool, and he seems like a neat guy. In the same line, I also met a lovely lady dressed up as GLaDOS with her Curiosity and Anger cores clued to a headband. It was very cute, and what was even better was when she started singing Still Alive. Nerd moment there.
After meeting Wil Wheaton, I walked around a bit more. I eventually came across the Red vs. Blue booth, where I not only purchased the DVD boxset of the first five seasons, but I also got an autograph on the DVD case by Burnie Burns, the VA for Church, which was awesome.
After that, I went back to the hotel room to unload some swag, where I found that hyokenseisou (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/hyokenseisou) had responded to a post I left on one of her pics of her Chimera costume, so I ended up heading back over to the Sony booth to try and catch her. I didn't, unfortunately, but I did get to play the demo again and talk with one of the testers, where we also talked about the Razor Claw glitch (long story short: there's a weapon in Tools of Destruction that - if used correctly - can allow you to climb unclimable walls) and some other RnC stuff. After that, I made my way over to the RvB booth a second time to try and nab a few more autographs (and I got Sarge's and Grif's (I think) VAs), and bumped into hyokenseisou. Seriously, her costume is awesome. I also played around with a Wacom tablet, only after seeing some guy do in thirty minutes with a Wacom and photoshop what I could never do ever. Seriously, it's a little crushing to see a guy draw and color a head and neck in thirty minutes when you can't even make a decent human body.
*sighs*
After grabbing some dinner, I got in line for the Rooster Teeth panel, which was all kinds of awesome and funny. Seriously, it was hilarious. And at this point, I went back to the apartment, and that's kind of how the day went.
Another good day, but there's only one day left. Oh well, I've had fun so far.
Also, as a side note, my headphones decided to die this evening: only one ear is working. I'm not too worried about it (they were only like fifteen-twenty bucks and they've lasted me five or six months now), except that I don't think that radio shack carries it anymore. I may have to break down and get a set of ear buds, because so far Apple's ear buds are the only other headphones I've found with a built-in volume controller that isn't a headphone set that goes over the top of your head (I like the behind the ears setup, and I don't really like earbuds either). Oh well. At this point, though, I really don't want to spend much more money on this trip, so we'll just have to see. where this goes.
Anyway, I'll do my report tomorrow, and then come Monday morning I'm heading back home.
Alright, it's story time! While it's been a
loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooongcat time since I posted anything of value here, I figure it's time to get started with a band by posting the first chapter of
Jay's Revenge, A Shades of Grey Story. As a side note, I have written quite a bit over the past few days, it's just... well... um... none of it can really be posted. *averts gaze* Anyway!
First, a little background.
Jay's Revenge is a sequel to a short comic arc that Ren Gaulen did over on Fur Affinity called "Accidental Inflation," set in his Shades of Grey universe. You can follow along and view this story by following these links.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2707687/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2707687/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2711461/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2711461/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2716578/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2716578/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2722007/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2722007/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2724473/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2724473/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2724503/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2724503/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2729056/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2729056/)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2729086/ (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2729086/)
Long story short: brilliant if somewhat insane inventor Jairus Page is turned into a rather fuzzy balloon by "accident."
Yeah right.
Jay's Revenge is the story of Jairus Page's revenge on Siegfried "Zig" Nox, in such a way as only a mad scientist can do, and in the only way that Zig will not find some form of pleasure in...
Jay's Revenge
Chapter 1: Test Subject
A brown-and-cream colored anthropomorphic feline stepped through a powered door into a cavernous laboratory.
"Hello? Hello? Jay, are you in here?"
His nervous voice echoed through the room. It was massive, two stories tall and filled with racks and gantries and spare parts and miscellaneous inventions. The room had once upon a time been a testing chamber for weapons, and the thick floors and massive doors and incredibly built-up room still attested to that, but over the past three or four years a new master had taken it over and turned it into his own personal playground.
The feline was no ordinary Enkidu. His name was Siegfried Faradeus Nox, a twenty-six year old demon altling, 1.86 meters (6'1" to those who do not use metric) tall, muscular, good looking, and in his own words "well hung." He was actually from another universe, but through a long and exciting story worthy of a multi-part holodrama he had found himself under the employment of the Holy Order of Asheron as an enforcer to keep the peace between non-magical beings and the magical Altlings. He was currently stationed on Mars, fourth planet in the Helios star system, location of Terra, capital world of the United Terran Stars Federation. He was also bored out of his mind.
This was not good, since Zig (as he preferred to be called) was a bit fickle, and enjoyed playing pranks and tricks on the people around him. He also liked sex, but that tended to alleviate his boredom rather than cause it. Well, perhaps liked wasn't the right word. "Loved" or "Addicted to" would be more accurate. It certainly didn't help that a list of his kinks would cover a sheet of paper longer than most people's arms, at size nine font and arranged in neat little columns.
His boredom was part of the reason he was nervous, actually. Partially because of who owned this laboratory, and the events of a week ago at a weekend picnic...
"Ah, there you are, Zig! I was worried about where you had gotten to!"
Zig looked around, trying to find the source of the familiar slightly high-pitched voice, before he realized it was coming from above him. There he was...
The voice's owner scrambled down from atop of a large humpbacked humanoid mech that he was working on, most of its armor stripped off to reveal the guts and mechanics driving the machine. He lightly dropped to his feet in front of Zig, and stood up straight to his full height of 1.34 meters in shoes (4'4"), and peered at Zig through his glasses after pushing aside his somewhat messy black hair.
"Hey Jay," Zig waved, feeling a little nervous in the mad scientist's presence.
Jairus Page was a twenty-one year old Enkidu kangaroo rat, a relatively uncommon sub-race rarely seen off certain planets. He was also one of the Federation's most brilliant inventors, and quite possibly insane, though he wasn't dangerous for it. Many of his inventions had nearly magical powers: not very special in a world where magic was a recognized and well studied field, but it did make him extremely valuable to the Federation. His parents were certainly well-respected as well: both of them had been instrumental in the creation of the artificial world of Arzamas.
He was also the reason that Zig was nervous.
"So, um, what's up?" he asked.
"Oh, not much. I just need your help with something."
"Wait, my help? Wouldn't Ren or Pagan be more appropriate as an assistant?" Zig asked curiously, referring to both his "caretaker" and Jay's little brother.
"Pagan is out with Jayce currently, and Ren is teaching a sword-fighting class down at the gym. Besides which, Pagan is a familiar in an android body. I need an Altling for this test." Jay motioned for Zig to follow him, and they walked off down the rows of tables and racks.
"Oh, really? Why?" Zig asked.
"It's a new suit of powered armor that draws on an Altling's excess magical energy in order to refine and reinforce it. The suit's power and strength is directly proportional to the amount of magical energy flowing through it, though it does have the somewhat negative effect of making it harder to cast magic. I'm hoping to correct that somewhat."
"Oh, wow. That, um, that sounds impressive. Um, hey, listen, you're not still angry at me, are you?"
"Angry at you for what?" Jay asked sweetly.
"For sabotaging your inflation blaster at last week's picnic?" Zig felt even more nervous now: there's no way Jay could have forgotten being inflated to hot air balloon-scaled proportions for several hours.
"Oh, that!" Jay guffawed as he waved a hand as if brushing the issue aside. "Nah, I'm over that now."
"Oh, really?" the altling asked hopefully.
"Yep. Hey, you live and you learn," Jay said with a shrug as he came to a stop beside a table in an open area near one corner of the shop. "Besides, it taught me that I need to improve the security systems on my gadgets and stuff: a simple DNA lockout chip would have meant that it had no effect on me. So, really, I should be
thanking you for helping me find that glitch!" Jay began to fiddle with some gadgets and stuff at one of the tables covered high in seemingly random stuff.
"Oh, um, gee, you're welcome, Jay!" Zig smiled with relief. "So, where is this special suit?" he asked as he looked around, his hands in his pockets. "Is this some kind of automated thing where I stand somewhere and the suit is assembled around me? Those are awesome!"
"Awesome, but somewhat impractical," Jay said as he played with something on the table.
"Really? Yeah, I guess so. I mean, you practically need a factory just to suit up. So, um, where is this thing you need me to test?"
"Right here!" Jay said as he made a sound like pulling something out from under a pile of stuff.
"Right where~" Zig asked as he turned to face Jay and found that Jay was aiming a large ray gun of some kind at him.
Zig's jaw dropped.
Jay pulled the trigger before he could move. A stream of red and blue light bathed him, surrounding him in a corona of light that completely blinded him as he thrashed around. He felt weird: not just his skin, but his entire body seemed to tickle in a way that wasn't quite ticklish. He suddenly felt off balance, and fell to his knees and then backwards onto his butt, his legs folded beneath him.
After what seemed like forever but was probably only a dozen seconds, the light stopped.
And now he could think clearly. Oh, Jay was in for such a thrashing for this! What the hell did he think he was doing, shooting him with some kind of stun beam like that? If this was his idea of humor, he had another thing coming for him...
It was at this point that Zig realized that he wasn't wearing any pants.
And that his shirt didn't fit him right.
And that his body still felt weird.
And that his fingers felt slow and somewhat unresponsive.
And that Jairus Page, 1.34 meters tall kangaroo rat, was towering over him from a few feet away.
Zig was too shocked to say anything. It was Jay who broke the silence and his stunned revelry by setting the ray gun down on the edge of the table and kneeling in front of Zig.
"Zig, can you understand me?"
Zig nodded.
"Can you still speak?"
It took Zig a moment to find his tongue. "Yeth. I mean," he tried again, "yes."
"Good. You seem to be alright."
Zig's protests started to come back to the front.
"Wuh... what did you do ta me?" he asked, voice trembling. He had started to look around, and quickly realized that he was extremely small in a very large and open space, and that he was lying in a puddle of his own clothes with only his shirt still on, and that he had no idea what had happened to him, and that Jay was responsible for it.
"I told you. I needed a test subject for my latest invention," Jay said, still crouching in front of Zig but now also giving him a quick physical checkup. Zig quickly realized that he'd even lost his underwear on his way down, and pulled his shirt down to make sure that he was still covered.
"What did you do to me?" he asked angrily. Zig was good at anger.
Jay looked him up and down before nodding and standing up, and then grabbing Zig beneath the arm pits and picking him up to stand him on his feet, still wearing only a too-large shirt.
Zig was stunned again. Jay had actually picked him up. Zig could carry Jay perched on his hip, and yet the scrawny mad scientist had just picked him up. Moreover, it was now all too clear how short Zig was: he wasn't even a meter tall, he barely came up to Jay's chest. He took a step backward, only to quickly learn that his balance was still screwed up: he almost fell again.
And now he got a look at his hands: they were pudgy, with short digits, not the long fine fingers he was used to. And then he saw his feet: short pudgy things with five little toes attached to legs that were nowhere near as defined as he remembered. Jay hadn't just shrunk him, he'd done something else to him. A horrible thought was tickling at the back of his mind, but he couldn't really concentrate on it.
"Congratulations, Zig: you are the first live test subject of my AR/P Gun," Jay said, his voice revealing his pride at his accomplishment.
"A R P?" Zig asked, a little frightened. And then he saw a polished metal cupboard door at his level, and got a good look at himself.
He was a kitten.
He blinked.
Still the same horrible image.
His body was small, with shorter and rounder proportions all around, with the pudginess of baby fat betraying his youth. His face was rounded, almost cherubic, soft and pudgy, barely like the face he remember. His hands, a kitten's hands, ran through his face and fur: it was the soft fur that children had.
He was younger. He was a kitten. Jay had turned him into a kitten.
"Age Regression/Progression Gun," Jay explained to the stunned kitten. "A technological fountain of youth, in layman's terms. I'd estimate that you're approximately three years old, Zig. Um, just out of curiosity, how old were you when you where toilet trained?"
Zig stumbled backwards, lost his balance, and fell on his butt. Or would have, if Jay hadn't leaped forward and caught him under the armpits. "Woah, woah there, Ziggy," Jay said as he helped the stunned and very confused cat straighten up, "I don't want you to hurt yourself."
Zig's brain latched onto something,
anything to help him make sense of the situation.
"What do you mean, toilet trained?" he asked as he turned to Jay.
"Well, while I am almost completely positive that the gun has no affect on the subject's mind, I am not so certain about how it affects their motor control and physical capabilities, not to mention their emotional status and how they react to certain things. So, I'm just wondering how old you were when you were toilet-trained, because if you were older than three or so when you were, you might end up having an accident."
"Acci... dent? Wuh... you...
you... YOU!!"
Zig started pounding on Jay as hard as he could: in his regular adult body, this could have killed Jay.
"Turn me back right now! Right now, do you hear me!"
Jay backed away slightly, coming to a rest against the table, his arms splayed, one of them resting on the AR/P Gun.
"
Turn me back, right now, you fuzzy bastard~" he screamed as he hit Jay, and then slipped and started to fall.
Jay's arms swung forward to catch Zig. "Zig, calm down! I was only going to do this to you for a minute at most, and there are no long-term physiological effects: you're going to be fine!"
Zig was about to start up another round of yelling at Jay, when suddenly...
crash!
Both of their heads turned towards the source of the sound. It was the AR/P Gun, except now it was lying on the ground, its body out of alignment and sparking and the emitter at the end broken. The gun was broken.
With growing horror, Zig remembered that Jay's hand had been perched on it when he'd been hitting him. Jay had accidentally knocked the gun off balance when he'd swung his arms forward to catch Zig, and now the gun was broken, and it was Zig's fault.
"Oh... Zig. I am so sorry," Jay said, horror tingeing his voice as he stared at the broken gun
"Can... can you fix it?" Zig asked, his voice trembling. The prospect of being stuck as a toddler, having to grow up again... no, no, he wanted to be back to normal now.
"Of course I can fix it, Zig!" Jay assured him. "It just, it might take me a few hours, okay?"
It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Zig sniffled, and then started to cry.
He threw himself into Jay's arms, sobbing into the scientist's shoulder as Jay tried to comfort him, whispering that it would be alright and he'd get Zig back to normal.
Finally, Zig stopped crying long enough to whisper something into Jay's large ear.
"T... two."
"Two?"
"I..." he sniffled and wiped at his runny nose. Jay grabbed a clean cloth off of the table and held it up to Zig's nose for him to blow. "I was trained around two and a half or so. But, but I still had accidents and stuff for a year or so, so... you might wanna..." He blushed and stopped talking. Jay seemed to understand.
"Okay. Okay. Don't worry, Zig," Jay said with a smile, and then his eyes lit up as if he'd remembered something. "Look, I've got something here I was building for the base's daycare center, we can get you into some training pants, and then I'll get you back to normal, okay?" He nodded earnestly at Zig.
Zig looked at him, still sniffling. It might have been Jay's fault that he was like this, but... but Jay could fix anything. He'd have him back to normal in no time. So, so... yeah. He'd be okay.
He nodded.
Jay smiled, and then offered Zig his hand, which Zig took.
"Alright, come on Zig, let's find that changing station. And then, let's see what I can do about fixing that gun..."
to be continued...PS: As this story is set in Ren Gaulen's "Shades of Grey" universe, if anyone needs clarifying questions answered, just ask, and either Ren or myself will gladly provide them. Anyway, on with the show...
On FA, "gantries" in the first little section is mis-spelled. Here, it is not. Curious..
XD That was awesome! Can't wait to see what else happens! :3
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 19, 2009, 05:36:43 AM
On FA, "gantries" in the first little section is mis-spelled. Here, it is not. Curious..
That is because I caught the typo
after I reformatted the post to work on FA
and made the PDF for people. It's basically a little too much of a hassle to fix, so I'm just gonna let it slide but update the saved version that I have and use that for all subsequent posts.
Quote from: wuffnpuff on September 19, 2009, 09:27:55 AM
XD That was awesome! Can't wait to see what else happens! :3
Heheh. Oh, I can sum it up in just one word: "payback."
Heh. Loved the story, though.
Chapter 2 is now ready and raring to go, so here it is! Chapter 1 and an explanation of the story may be read here (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg296824.html#msg296824). Jay attempts to repair the AR/P Gun enough to return Zig to normal, and Zig ends up getting
a lot more attention than he anticipated...
Jay's Revenge
A Shades of Grey story
Chapter 2: One Step Backwards...
Zig pushed himself up off of the changing machine's mat as the mechanical arms folded away, leaving him wearing a brand new pair of training pants and nothing else.
"That felt really weird," Zig commented as Jay helped him down. "What is that thing, anyway?"
"Changing station for the base's daycare center, I told you that."
"No, I mean..." Zig pulled at the training pant's elastic waistband. "These fit perfectly. How many sizes does it store?"
"Oh, it doesn't." Jay handed Zig his shirt back. As Zig pulled the far-too-large shirt over his head to let it drape and cover the white garment, Jay continued. "It actually stores raw material inside of its body, which is then "woven" into the proper pattern to fit the subject's needs. An advanced series of scanners tailors the garment to fit the subject perfectly, which helps to cut down on leaks and makes the garment more comfortable."
"Huh," Zig said: he was at home with technology, but it was not his strong suit. "And, um, it does all of that in like five seconds?"
"Yup," Jay said. "Come on, let's get back to the gun and fix it, okay?" he asked as he offered his hand to Zig.
"I can walk by myself, Jay. That'th... I mean,
that's not my problem."
"Oh, I know. Just wanted to make sure you didn't get lost or separated from me."
"It's not that far, Jay."
"Okay then. Come on." The two walked off, Jay slowing his step so that Zig could keep up without having to jog.
"So, um," Zig continued. "How well does it work?"
"Oh, great. The daycare center absolutely
loves it. I mean, the center has to deal with thirty-seven children, ages ranging between a month old and four years, of thirteen different species, including Enkidu children where you need to accommodate for tail size and vastly different body builds and such." Zig's tail twitched slightly in response: on reflection, the tail hole did feel nice and snug without being too tight. "This way, they just need raw material instead of having to buy two dozen different types of diapers and such, which is a great cost and time saver. They had a few requests, of course."
Zig noticed that they'd made it back to the clearing where the broken gun was. Jay pulled over a backed stool for Zig to sit on and helped him climb up onto it before clearing out enough space to work and pulling up his own stool. He whistled, and a tall tool-covered robot rolled into position near him, ready to offer its services. Jay got to work on fixing the broken gun, Zig watching intently.
"So, um, what were those requests?" Zig asked quietly.
"Oh, minor things, really. Originally, for example, you couldn't set it up so that a caretaker could change the kids: the table did it automatically." The gun was already in three major pieces, and Jay was carefully disassembling one of them.
"And that'th bad? I mean, I've had to deal with little kidth... kids, and you'd think that not having to change them would be a bonus."
"Yeah, but some of the kids didn't react to well to being handled by half a dozen mechanical arms, so that's one thing. Now they can be set to just hold supplies for the caretaker."
"I see." The barrel was now opened up, and Zig could see layers of wires and tiny crystal circuits.
"Also, as you probably noticed, they're just plain white... well, except for a wetness indicator to make it easier to check." Zig had noticed it. "One thing they wanted was the ability to select colors and patterns and stuff, which is no biggie, just takes modifying a pigmentation layer to the design since it's already set to white and such. Oh, and they'd like it to be a little bit smoother, less likely for a kid to hurt themselves..."
Jay seemed to have gotten lost in his own little world again, well, two of them anyway. On the one hand, he was talking about raw materials and settings and the psychological needs for the children that would be using the changing station. On the other hand, his attention seemed clearly focused on the gun in front of him, his hands seeming to dance as they grabbed tools from the robot and repaired the mechanism. And Zig was officially over his head in regards to the ray gun.
"Um... Jay?" he interrupted quietly. He was afraid that Jay might accidentally break something if he distracted him too much.
"Yes Zig?" he asked as he stopped midway though a description of the history of the disposable diaper.
Zig briefly reflected on how Jay sometimes seemed like an encyclopedia of knowledge on the inventions and machines he was building. "Um... how does it work?"
Jay actually looked up at Zig, looking a confused and a little worried. "Are you okay Zig?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Are you having memory problems? Are you feeling alright?"
"Huh?"
Jay set his tools down and turned to Zig. "I've been talking about how it works for five minutes or so. Can't you remember?"
"Oh!" Zig shook his head. "No, not the changing machine, the ray gun!"
"Oh! I see!" Jay looked slightly relieved and laughed quietly before nodding and changing tack as he returned to work. "Um, it uses a high-powered genetic scanner to analyze and extrapolate what the subject would look like at a certain age and then uses a focused quantum cohesion beam to rebuild the subject's current body in a younger or older form, depending on how you've set it." Jay clipped a set of magnifying lenses to the side of his glasses and flipped them into position so that he could look closer at the barrel. "It's not actually reversing your age so much as it's making your body younger, and yes there is a difference." Apparently satisfied with the rest of the barrel, Jay removed the projection antenna on the end to begin repairing it. "There's also a whole bunch of safeties and such, so you couldn't be regressed to younger than a month or so or aged to death."
"Um... quantum cohesion...?"
Jay nodded and looked at Zig for a moment. "Don't worry about it, Zig. It's a lot more complicated than what I've just said."
"Is this another one of your super inventions?"
"Um... yeah. Yeah it is, Zig."
"Oh, okay. So, um..."
ZHING! CLANG! Zig jumped slightly and tried to spin around before he realized that it was the main door opening, followed by it closing.
"Wait, who's that?" he asked Jay.
"Oh shit."
"What?!"
"Julee." Jay actually removed his glasses in order to slap himself in the face.
"Julee?"
"Aw, man! I forgot about her! She and Shiah went out to get lunch right before you came in!"
"Wait... Shiah? You didn't leave her with your sisters today?" Zig said as he started to panic.
"No, they had a training exercise, and Shiah wanted to come to watch me work today," Jay said apologetically.
"Do you have any idea what she'll do to me?!" Zig squeaked. "Hide me! Hide me!"
"Where?" Jay asked.
"I can hear you, big brother!" Shiah's excited voice carried well in the room. "We're coming! We're coming!"
"Hey, Jay, they were out of avocado at Subspace's. Sorry about that!" a pleasant voice called from the other side of a tall rack. Zig froze, his eyes desperately pleading with Jay for some form of mercy.
But time ran out.
Julee and Shiah stepped out from around a rack of parts, a ferret only a bit taller than Jay and a two-meter tall adult kangaroo with a pink bow in her hair and carrying a bag of sandwiches. Julee saw her boyfriend at his worktable, waved at him, and grabbed Shiah's hand to lead her over.
"Oh, and they were out of orange soda, so I got you lemon-lime instead," the young ferret continued until she noticed Zig. She smiled sweetly at the unexpected guest. "Oh, why, hello there, sweetie." She patted Zig on the head and turned to Jay. "Who is he and why is he here?"
"Ooooh! A new baby brother!" Shiah squealed. She moved towards Zig as if to grab him, and Zig desperately tried to climb backwards over his stool and hide behind it.
"Shiah!" Julee said. "What have I said about handling small children?"
"Um, be gentle and ask you first?" Shiah asked, her arms crossed in front of her as she looked down at the floor in the face of Julee's chastisement. She looked worried: she knew she'd almost gotten in trouble.
"Good girl, Shiah." Julee patted her friend on the upper arm, as high as she could reach, and took the bag from Shiah's hands. "Now, why don't you get us some chairs, and we can eat?" Shiah nodded happily and went off to drag the seats over. "I'm sorry sweetie," she said to Zig as she picked him up and set him back down on his stool, "But we don't have a sandwich for you."
"I'll share with him, Julee!" Shiah called out.
"Thank you Shiah, that's very nice of you."
"So," she said to Zig, "What's your name, sweetie?"
"It's Zig," Jay answered for him.
Julee looked at Jay. "Pardon?"
"That's Zig."
"Zig?"
"Yes." Jay nodded.
"The Zig?"
"Yes." He nodded again.
"As in, Siegfried Faradeus Nox?"
"Yes."
Julee looked at Zig. "Zig?"
"Yeah, it's me, Julee." He was blushing. And he looked worried.
Julee was not one to panic or overreact: it was one of the things that Jay liked about her. Julee set the bag on the floor, and immediately began to give Zig a quick physical checkup to see that he was healthy, as well as a few questions regarding his mental health. Shiah walked up behind them at this point, and looked very curious, but silently waited to ask her questions: she knew that when her big sister got like this, it was best to only bug her with an emergency.
Much like Zig, a long and complicated story had eventually led the pair to Mars, though Julee and Shianah's involved super soldiers, cybernetic enhancements, lost technology of the Ancients, and artificially induced secondary personalities capable of gleefully committing mass murder. They were not sisters, but they
were old friends who had known and supported each other for a long time. Julee Carreni was a ferret with a penchant for inventing and a passion for lost technology, while Shianah Merah was a kangaroo with a lot of mental trauma and two personalities. Considering the alternative, she usually thought and acted like a little girl, which was a major downside because she was also amazingly physical strong: much like Jay's adoptive big sisters, Shiah could have snapped his back in half with very little difficulty. Which is part of the reason Zig was afraid of her: the other part of the reason was that she
loved anything cute, like her big brother Jay. Or this new baby.
Finally, Julee was satisfied that Zig was alright given the definition and his current circumstance, and then turned back to Jay. "Um... how did this happen?"
"Long story short: I used my new age regression/progression ray gun on him as revenge for him turning me into a balloon last week," Julee nodded at this: she remembered almost floating off holding onto her boyfriend's tail, "And the gun fell and broke, and now I'm trying to fix it."
Zig noticed that Jay had left out how it got broken. He decided not to clarify matters: Julee might consider leaving him this way for a day or so to teach him a lesson.
"Is he okay? Can it be reversed?" she asked.
"Oh, sure. I just need to finish fixing the gun and he'll be right back to normal. No big deal."
"Well, that's good to hear."
"Um..." Shiah said as she raised her hand.
"Yes, Shiah, thank you for being so patient. What is it?" Jay asked.
"That's Zig, right? Shouldn't he be, um, bigger?"
Julee was used to this by now. "Your big brother made a gun that made Zig younger, and now he's trying to put him back to normal."
"Oh, okay." She shuffled her feet a bit. "Um... can I hold him?"
"Um... Zig, is that alright?" she asked the kitten.
Truth be told, Zig was afraid of Shiah most of the time, and now was no different. But... he guessed it wouldn't hurt, and she looked so eager...
"Um... okay. Yeah, that'll be okay." Julee and Jay both caught the slight tremble of fear in his voice. Julee decided to fix that.
She picked Zig up and directed Shiah over to where Zig had been sitting, before turning to her and giving her a serious look. "Now, remember Shiah: Zig can get hurt a lot easier now, so you have to be gentle. He is not one of your dolls or stuff animals. Understand? You promise to be gentle?"
"Uh-huh! I promise!" she earnestly said as she nodded.
"Good girl." Julee helped position Zig on Shiah's lap, and made sure she was holding him right before she turned back to Jay and almost tripped over the bag of sandwiches.
"Whoops," she said. "Almost forgot about them."
"Me too, for that matter," Jay said as he turned back to the gun.
"You hungry, Jay?"
"I'll eat once I've fixed this."
"Okay." She turned to Shiah. "You still hungry?"
"Uh-huh!"
"Okay. Zig, I'm sorry, but we don't have a sandwich for you..."
"Oh, I'll share mine! He can have some of mine! Would you like some of my sandwich, Ziggy?
"Um... sure, if you um, want to share..."
"I do! I do!"
"Okay! Okay!" Julee said loudly over the two. "Here, let me get these sandwiches out..."
It took a minute of organizing, but eventually both Shiah and Zig were munching down on their lunch. After Julee had tied napkins around both of their necks. Finally, she pulled her own lunch out and turned to Jay. "Need help, sweetie?"
"Um... not really. I think I've almost got this figured out."
"You sure?" she asked. "Remember what happened the last time you had something figured out?" she teased.
"Okay, first of all, that was sabotage," and the emphasis made Zig flinch a little bit, "combined with a number of spells that didn't help much. In other words, not my fault."
"I know, sweetie." She ruffled his hair a bit.
"Well, there was that time I ended up with a broken leg after that other time..."
"Listing off every time you've gotten hurt or something went wrong because you had something figured out would leave us here all day, Jay," she said before taking a bit out of her turkey sandwich.
"True."
"Say, would Pagan be of any help?" she asked after swallowing.
"Not really," Jay said as he began to work on the main body of the gun. "My bro's good at figuring me out and doing what I need him to do, but at the end of the day this kind of stuff is just a little above him."
"It's a little above most of us." She reached over with a napkin to wipe at a bit of food on the side of Shiah's mouth, and then did the same for Zig despite his slight protests. "After all, this looks like one of your signature works."
"Oh, it is."
"Speaking of Pagan, shouldn't he be back by now?"
"Eh, he should be back soon. He called me while you were out and told me he'd met up with Jayce and he was treating him to lunch and then they'd come back over here for a bit."
"Well, that's nice of Pagan."
"Yup."
A chime buzzed from up near Jay's office area. Jay looked down at his wristwatch. "Com, open. Hello?"
"
Jay? It's Ren!" a deep powerful voice rang out from the small speaker.
"Oh, hey Ren. What's up?" Jay responded.
"
Let us in, bro!" the voice said.
"Who's us?" Julee asked.
"Hi, big brother!" Shiah yelled out, making Zig wince in pain and massage his ears.
"
Hi, Julee. Hi, Shiah. Gast and I bumped into Pagan and Jayce, and I figured we should at least drop by and say hi."
"No!" Zig shouted. "Send them away, please!"
"
Wait, who's that?" a second voice asked, one that Jay identified as Gast's voice.
"That's Zig, silly!" Shiah said. "Say hi to your boyfriend, Ziggy!"
"
Ah! Zig's there too? Good! I've been wanting to do a little sparring. Come on, Jay, let us in, bro."
Jay turned to Julee. "Did you guys lock the door after you?"
Julee shrugged. "Must have. Probably an accident."
"Eh, that's cool."
"No it's not!" Zig shouted.
"
Hey, Zig?" a third voice - Jayce, Jay realized - asked, "
You sound kinda funny. Are you feeling okay?"
"No! I'm not feeling okay! I've caught some horrible deadly disease and you should all go away!"
"You're not sick, Ziggy, you're just a baby!" Shiah said with obvious confusion.
"
Wait, what?" That was Pagan, Jay's little brother.
"
Zig's a WHAT?" Ren asked.
"Go away!" Zig shouted, pleading.
"
Bro, we're coming in," Pagan said, and a moment later the connection cut off with a beep, followed by the door opening, and then closing a few seconds later.
"Shit," Zig said, somewhat cute in his little kitten's voice.
"Uh-oh, Zig, you said a bad word."
"That is
SO not my concern right now, Shiah!" Zig shouted.
"Hey, bro, what did Shiah say about Zig being a baby?" a voice Jay knew as his little brother's asked from around the corner.
"Well, then again, it's not like his personality and behavior is much better than one," Ren quipped as the motley group of a white and black feline, two hyenas, and a brown ferret stepped around the corner and towards them.
"Heh, quite true," one of the hyenas - the gray one in purple knee-length shorts and tank top and a dozen earrings - said with a smile.
"Hey Jay! Hey Julee!" the ferret Jayce said as he waved. "Hey Shiah! Hey... um, who is that?" he asked.
"This is Zig!" Shiah said as she held Zig up in her hands, proudly showing him off the to the four of them. "Jay shot him and he turned into a baby!"
A pin falling to the ground could have been heard in the shocked silence. All four of their mouths dropped at the same time, staring at the three year old in the too-big shirt, while Zig blushed and tried to avert his gaze. Finally, Pagan - the
other hyena, the one with the brown fur and red star-shaped birth mark over his right eye - looked at his adoptive older brother. "Um... Zig?" he asked, pointing at the small kitten.
Jay nodded.
"
BuWAHWAHWaAHAWAHAAHAAAAWAAA!!!!!"
Both Pagan and Ren collapsed against each other laughing their heads off, Gast covering his mouth with one hand as he tried in vain to control the giggles, with only Jayce showing any concern.
"He's alright, right? I mean, you can change him back, right Jay?" he asked worriedly.
"Oh, I think we should be more worried about the chance about having to change him now," Pagan quipped after catching his breath, setting off another round of giggles from the feline Holy Knight of Asheron leaning against him for support.
Zig started to squirm in Shiah's grip, but her grip was too firm for him to shake loose. Jay, meanwhile, deciding to let the explanations wait, went back to repairing the gun: there wasn't much left to do.
"It's just... wow, Zig really is a baby," Jayce said in shock.
"Well, not really," Julee answered. "I mean, he's three, and apparently toilet-trained, so would you count that as a baby?"
"Well, yeah, that is kinda pushing it."
"Aww, Zig, you've never looked so cute!" Ren walked over and plucked Zig out of Shiah's arms, cuddling him and tickling his foot. This was too good. It really was.
"Ren! Stop it!" Zig shouted at his caretaker in his adorable kid's voice.
"But Ziggy, you really are the cutest little prince of demons that has ever lived! You're gonna get all the babes looking like this!" On a whim, Ren tweaked Zig's cute little button nose. Zig snapped at Ren's finger in response, but Ren was faster. "Oh, tsk tsk. That wasn't very nice of you, Zig. Very bad, in fact!"
Pagan walked over too, and tickled Zig's other foot in order to get an irate giggle out of the kitten. An evil smirk crossed his muzzle, and he lifted Zig's shirt up to get a look at his training pants.
"Wow, Ziggy, you certainly aren't as impressive this way," he commented teasingly.
"Argh!" Zig yelled.
"Now now, boys, be nice." Gast walked over, holding his hands out to take his boyfriend from Ren's arms. Ren gave him up without a fuss, and Gast snuggled him up tight to him. Zig seemed to relax slightly and let his guard down a bit in Gast's arms. "Oh, baby," Gast said in a seductive voice, "you are just looking so cute today."
And the moment dead. "Shut up, Gast," Zig snapped at Gast, his voice filled with angry venom.
"Oh, that was so worth what you're gonna do to me for pay back later," Gast laughed as he joined Ren and Pagan in lightly tormenting Zig.
"
Phew..." Ren exclaimed. "Ho boy, my sides are gonna be aching for the rest of the day." He took a deep breath, and then turned towards Jay. "In all seriousness, he is okay, isn't he?"
"Yes," Jay said. "I'm almost done with my repairs, and then we can turn him back to normal. There should be no long-term physiological affects."
"So, Zig's not going to have a bedwetting problem that I'm going to have to worry about?" Gast asked teasingly. Zig somehow managed to scowl even harder.
"Not that I can foresee," Jay responded.
"Well, I suppose that's good to hear," Pagan said.
"So, how was lunch?" Jay asked Pagan without looking up from the gun.
"Um, we never got around to it," Pagan said, blushing with a hand behind his head, looking affectionately at Jayce.
"Well, we're out of sandwiches, so you guys'll have to get your own," Shiah enthusiastically called out from where she was sitting.
Julee smiled. "Well, so long as you two had fun."
"Oh, we did," Jayce said with a nod.
"It's a sad day when a knight's squire is getting more action than the knight himself," Ren commented.
"Not my fault, oh Sir Ren."
"Um... can I be put back on the floor now, pwease... um,
please?" Zig pleaded.
"Why? I mean, the floor can't be very warm, and you are still barefoot," Gast asked.
"Um... I um, I kinda... I kinda have to pee," Zig said quietly, his cheeks blushing with embarrassment.
"Ah," Gast said.
"Here, I know where it is," Pagan piped up. "I'll rake him there. You don't want to have an accident, do you Zig?"
Zig meeped quietly and shook his head.
"Might as well wait a minute, since I just finished my repairs," Jay answered.
"Wait, seriously?" Ren asked. "You're done?"
"The damage was mostly small stuff, but I think I got it all. I just finished a diagnostic on all the parts, and nothing came up, though I suppose I could run a more intense analysis while you take Zig to the bathroom..."
"No!" Zig shouted. "Change me back now!"
"What's the magic word, Ziggy?" Shiah asked from her chair.
"Not now, Shiah. Please, Jay? Can you
please turn me back right now?"
"Awww... I was hoping we'd get a few more hours to play with little Ziggy," Ren moaned.
"Zig, are you sure you don't Jay to double check? Seriously, it'd be a good idea, and you can run to the bathroom in the meantime..." Jayce asked from the rack he was leaning against.
"I can pee after I'm back in my regular body, okay?"
"Okay, okay, not a problem, Zig," Jay said, waving his hands in surrender. "Gast, could you please set him down on the floor? Jayce, could you grab his clothes for him?" Both did so, Zig standing impatiently in the middle of the floor, tapping his foot as Jay clicked the modules back together and fully powered the weapon up before flipping a switch on the side. "Okay, Zig, you ready?"
"
Yeeeeessss!" Zig whined. "Come on, please?"
"Ah, Zig, keep your pants on!" Ren commented. Pagan and Gast snerked. Zig pouted, and crossed his arms waiting to get zapped.
"Anyway, see you on the other side, Zig! Three, two one..."
The blue-and-red streams of light arced out from the barrel of the gun, playing over Zig's body and covering him in the corona of golden light again. The light was bright enough to force everyone else to either close their eyes or look away from the light.
After a few seconds, Jay took his finger off the trigger, and the light faded, leaving everyone slightly dazzled for a few moments while their eyes readjusted to the light. And then they looked at Zig.
Well, he wasn't any bigger. If anything, he was slightly smaller.
"Um, guys?" Zig piped up. "I'm thtill little."
"Oh crap." It didn't matter who said it, it pretty much summed the whole thing up.
Zig was pudgier, his face even rounder, his eyes seemingly bigger in his head, his fur poofier than before. His voice even sounded younger. He was no older than two or so now.
The gun was still broken, except instead of not working, it had made Zig even younger.
"Zig's a real baby now!" Shiah said, her voice even more gleeful than before
"Um... guys?" Zig asked. "I still gotta go." He hiked his shirt up - which hung even lower on him now, actually slipping over one shoulder somewhat - and grabbed at his training pants, which everyone could see weren't fitting him anymore, trying to hold them up so they wouldn't fall off. His feet did a little bit of a dance on the floor, his eyes pleading. "Um, help?"
Just as Pagan stepped forward to run him to the bathroom, Zig stopped moving. And then the wetness indicator on the front of the training pants faded. He'd just had an accident in his pants.
"Oh crap" pretty much summed it all up, really.
To be continued...
Heheheehe.
That's just so evil. He deserves it, sure, but... hehehehe.
Whoo. After all this time, I finally got around to reading this (though it was mostly because I am completely unfamiliar with all the backstory, even the prior incident, but I just went 'screw it").
Your avatar certainly is an evil little dude, Jay :3 I found this piece quite amusing. Especially with the...description...of Zig given in the beginning of the first part, this must be hell for him. xD
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on October 15, 2009, 02:34:36 PM
Whoo. After all this time, I finally got around to reading this (though it was mostly because I am completely unfamiliar with all the backstory, even the prior incident, but I just went 'screw it").
Your avatar certainly is an evil little dude, Jay :3 I found this piece quite amusing. Especially with the...description...of Zig given in the beginning of the first part, this must be hell for him. xD
Yeah, the über-complicated backstory is part of the reason that I put the story on hold, because A) I'd have to rewrite it to make the backstory more apparent and B) the backstory is
really complicated. And yes, it is quite hell for him. Especially because of Zig's childhood. Anyway! Onto other things!
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/MV1Sachsenconceptmap2b.png?t=1256769080)
Sachsen (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/MV1Sachsenconceptmap2b.png?t=1256769080)
Please click for full-sized view!
This here is the in-progress map for the story I'm working on, titled
Mad Ventures. I found (surprise surprise) that having a map makes it easier to plot a story out. Funny how that works. Yes, it needs work. Yes, I misspelled "Plain." Anyway, any questions, just ask.
Just some weapon concepts for my
Mad Ventures storyline. Gotta show my thread some love somehow.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/chemicalthrowerconceptv1.png?t=1258267292)
Chemical Thrower, Concept 1 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/chemicalthrowerconceptv1.png?t=1258267292)
The original concept sketch for a multi-use chemical thrower that can function as a flamethrower, an "ice blaster," and an acid thrower with some part swapping. While I do not like this design very much and it will not serve as an influence for the final design, I will be recycling/revisiting this design for a more primitive and experimental chemical thrower.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/chemicalthrowerconceptv2.png?t=1258267292)
Chemical Thrower, Concept 2 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/avatars/chemicalthrowerconceptv2.png?t=1258267292)
Now this is much closer to what I have in mind. More streamlined and advanced looking, while also being a bit more rugged-looking. I am currently working on some ideas for Version 3, which will be fairly similar to this, except I'll be swapping the "ammo" components. At the time I drew this, I had this thought that the gun actually used
FOUR types of ammo, a base and then three sub types which would be combined together to form the mix. However, because I am A) trying to simplify the necessary resources for the gun and B) stupid, I've decided that
somehow I'll only use one type of ammo that can be used for fire, ice, and acid. How that will eventually work out, I have yet to decide. Either it is a complex chemical that can normally be ignited but becomes acidic when a certain component is filtered out and can also remain a liquid even at low temperatures, or it is a complicated affair where the "filters" do in fact remove specific components to modify the liquid (sort of like a color wheel, I suppose). I am aided in this insane quest in that it was invented by a mad genius who can make machines that do not follow the laws of physics. Which is handy, I guess.
As a random trivia fact, it IS actually possible to make a weapon like this using real-world chemicals and compounds: a single chemical where the byproducts can be used for a flamethrower, to freeze stuff, or as an acid. The chemicals are remarkably dangerous, the fire probably won't burn very hot, the ice could freeze water at best, the acid would be dangerous to control, the mechanisms necessary would be bulky and you'd probably have to synthesize ozone so you'd need some energy to do that, it would probably only work two or three times at best, and if it failed it would either stop working or explode in your face. In short, while it's not AS useful for a book where magic and mad science run rampant across the world, it is certainly an interesting thought experiment.
Wow, it HAS been a long time, hasn't it? Let's see if I can correct that by posting some of my over here, hm? I'll start with a short fanfic I wrote last night based on The Legend of Zelda series. First, the fanfic, and then my explanation of it.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE SILENT HERO
My name is Link.
Yes, THE Link. The Hero of Time, Hero of Winds, Triforce of Courage, Wielder of the Master Sword. Yeah, it's all me. At least, I think it is. It's complicated. They're ALL me, but they're all who they are, and there's this whole soul thing about it, and don't get me started on parallel timelines... gyah. Oh, it doesn't matter. Long story short, I'm Link. Hi.
And I hate my life.
Seriously.
Yeah, it's nice being the Hero of Whatever-it-is-this week and the Triforce comes with a cool tattoo and the sword is sweet, but, on the other hand, my life REALLY sucks. Wanna know why?
...
Didja hear that?
No, you didn't. Wanna know what you didn't hear? My voice. That's right. No one in the world can hear me when I talk. Writing this out is the ONLY way you'll ever get an idea for what I want to say.
I don't know why. Maybe it's a curse on my family or something, or my voice is at this perfect frequency so that nothing in the world can hear it, maybe everyone in the world is a huge freaking jerk and is ignoring me as a collective entity, or maybe I'm crazy and I just THINK I'm talking. But it doesn't matter, because the end result is the same. NO ONE can here me when I talk. And it SUCKS. I'm sick and tired of it! For as long as I can remember, it's been this way!
Everyone thinks I'm this silent stoic hero, traveling the world and saving it and being all badass without speaking a single world. Well, I'm not! Well, okay, I am badass, but I'm not silent! I have opinions. I have thoughts. I get afraid of things. And I'm trying to tell everyone, or heck, ANYONE, but nope! Everyone just goes on and on, while I try to get my voice heard so that they can understand that I'm trying to get a word in edgewise, but they just. Keep. TALKING.
I don't CARE about your life or that freaking windmill or your bloody cow and its freaking delicious milk or your magical flute or what you had for dinner last night or what your bowel movement was like this movement! I am trying to save the world here, I do not need to hear your life story every time I bump into me. Tell me what I need to know or do, and let me get on with saving your sorry hides. We can take the time to ahve tea and crumpets and talk about every. Freaking. Detail of your life AFTER I've beaten Ganon or Gannon or Ganondorf or Agahnim or whoever it is this time. You know, AFTER I've saved the world from being destroyed! The world YOU live on! And don't even get me started on those Koridians, those freaky Eevil mutants who kept repeating themselves every time I bumped into one of them or so much as glanced in the general direction of some place they've been to at some point in their lives! Screw the Eye of Glutgo or whatever it is! I GET IT! I understood it the FIRST time you told me, you don't have to repeat everything you've already said to me everytime I walk up to you! It gets annoying!
Oh, and don't even get me started on my sidekicks. They're the worst. You'd think that someone who spent days or weeks with me and my every waking moment would notice my problem, but nope! It's just "Hey! Look! Listen!" everywhere I go. I get it! I can see stuff! You don't have to remind me every ten seconds about something that I will remember for the rest of my life after you've driven it into my skull! Whether it's a hat or a weird freaky princess or a ghost or that FREAKING FAIRY, I don't need your help. Stop helping me. I possess a working brain and a scrap of common sense, but it's like they think I'm this retarded child! Oh, durr, I no notice stick on ground me put hat on foot go drool on green shirt and then pee pants durr durr dokay. Gyah!
And it's EVERYONE. Even the magical princess, who is "supposed" to be wielding the Triforce of Wisdom. I seriously sometimes think the thing was misnamed or screwed up over the years, because it's more like the Triforce of Missing the Obvious. Yeah, she's not as bad as everyone else, but could she not possibly use her magical powers and her brain to figure out that I have a problem and try and help me? Naaah, I'm just the silent hero who saves her butt every time. Then again, since she always seems to have the hots for me I guess I can live with that. I'd love to be HER fourth Triforce, if you get what I'm saying.
In all seriousness, it's aggravating. All I am to these people is someone to come by and save their butts. Great fairies forbid anyone else learn how to swing a sword and go "Ya!" It's not that freaking hard, people. I always pick it up again in five seconds. Sure, maybe I'm the only one who can wield the Master Sword and be the bla-bla sword of evil's bla-bla bane, but surely someone else can hold the fort down while I'm out? Oh, and those sages? Yeah, sure, they help, but apprently guardians of magic can't, you know, FIGHT without me around or something like that. And it's not just fighting, it's EVERYTHING. It's like these people think that just because I can't talk means that I'll do anything for them. I have to explore the big dying tree, I have to find the missing jewels, I have to clear the landslide, I have to battle the ghosts, and I have to buy the freaking sails for the magical talking boat! I'm surprised that I haven't had to give someone a pedicure at this point in order to save the world!
Oh, and Ganon. Ganon Ganon Ganon. I can count on both hands the time it HASN'T been Ganon in some way or another. Odds are, if evil is on the rise, it's Ganon. Why is everyone surprised when it's him? Of COURSE it's him. He's got the Triforce of Power. He's the most memorable bad guy I can ever remember facing. Of COURSE he's gonna show up over and over and OVER again. Except for Majora, that kid freaked me out. But... geez. Why is it such a big surprise whenever he figures out some new trick to come back or get back power of some sort? Its Ganon! Like him or not, we're stuck with him. As stuck with him as I am with this green tunics.
Speaking of which, and I know I'm just moaning and groaning at this point about stuff that isn't as big of a problem, and I don't care, but here goes: why is it so hard for me to find something that ISN'T green? I mean, yeah, I like green, but it gets a little dull after a while. And blue and red aren't much better. The one time I found a tunic that was a different color, it was purple. PURPLE. I don't like purple! I swear, I have never found anyone who can give me a bit of choice in the matter. Even my own grandma forced the darned things on me! Yeah, sure, pre-industrial society, not much choice in clothing colo, blah blah blah blah COWCRAP. Our princess is walking around in multi-colored clothes with fancy designs, the sea captains look like walking Festival Floats, half the people I meet have nice colorful clothes, and there's enough rupies and stuff lying around that we could all be wearing suits of solid gemstones. You can afford to get me something a little nicer! Maybe some armor! So that I don't DIE! Oh, and before I forget: Trains. TRAINS. And no cotton gin? It's all wool, people. All of it. And it itches like nothing else. You are so lucky I'm not allergic to sheep, otherwise you'd have no hero.
Oh, and the temples. Temples temples temples TEMPLES. Is every architect in this world stupid? Or evil? Do they only get away with this because all of their clients die horribly and thus can't spread negative feedback on them? A temple is a place for people to come and worship their gods or sacred artifacts, not get burned alive because of some fiery death trap! Are we trying to make sure that the faithful are truly faithful, that they're loyal enough to risk life and limb just to get a blessing or something like that?
And monsters! Nah, falling and burning floors and ceilings or needing a magical wand that makes blocks in midair or even magnetic boots aren't enough, we need MONSTERS patrolling the temples? Giant flying eyeballs and living suits of armor and spiky things that slam against me and almost pierce every one of my internal organs, and I've forgotten what else there is there are so many of them. And no matter how many of them I kill, there are always more! I don't want to know where they're coming from, unless I would be able to shut that place down for good, in which case I'll willingly go in there and chop everything up. I can understand these traps being in tombs and such. I cannot understand the need to protect your temples this way. Is this why all of those old religions died out and there's no one left in there. Must be. I mean, either the ones crazy enough to believe this stuff got their dumb butts killed, or they all wised up and left! Can't blame 'em! So, why am I the one going into the crewed up death trap temple? Oh, right. Because no one else is brave or stupid enough to do it! Must be that bloody Triforce again, making me not care how stupid this all is!
But really... I dunno. I'm tired. I really am. But... yeah, my life sucks, but I can't leave it. For all that I gripe and complain, I just can't turn my back on these people and stop. My life may suck, but, well, no one else can do what I do. And I' ve been afraid a lot of times, I'll admit that. I'm afraid of people dying, or evil winning. It's a fear I have to live with, even with the Triforce. There's a difference between being courageous and being fearless, and I am certainly not fearless. True courage is having fear, and facing it, not letting it beat you. And I guess I have that. There have been times I almost turned around and ran away, but I won't, because I know that I can't. The Triforce... well, it helps. It's like, no matter where I go, I'm not alone. It's always there, a silent reminder of the responsibility I have, but also that, well, I do mean the world to these people. And, well, they need me. So, I'll do it. Every time they need me, I'll be there. Because, well, that's who I am. Deep down, that's just what I am. A hero. And, well, I guess I can live with that.
Heh. That's one last thing. My name. It's not Link. Yeah, I know, that's what you think it is. But it's not my real name. My real name is...
...
You know what? It's okay. Link. Call me Link. I'm the Hero of Time and Winds and Light. The Wind Waker. Hero of the Essences of Time and Nature. The Minish Hero. Sworn Brother of the Gorons. The Ocean King's Chosen Hero. The Royal Engineer. The Hero of Hyrule. I am the silent hero.
...
Well, thank you for slogging through all of that. And now, my notes.
The original idea was something I heard during a machinima called "Freeman's Mind," where Gordon Freeman says to himself that it's like no one can hear him talking. This kind of got me thinking about if so-called "mute heroes" aren't actually mute, and it's just that no one can perceive them speaking. This eventually developed into a story from Link's perspective on what it's like being a mute hero. And well, here we are.
Now, a few things here. First, I have never beaten a Zelda game. I have played a bit of Ocarina of time and a bit of A Link to the Past, but not much. I am writing from the perspective who only knows superficial info and tropes about the the Zelda series. Okay? Don't leap down my throat for screwing up some name or violating canon or something like that. This was just meant to be fun. Second, I am aware that - as far as we know - Link would not be this much of a jerk. I am willing to justify this by saying that he is simply venting some steam after several iterations of his adventures. Sort of a brief bout of anger and such before he calms down. Third, yes, I am aware that - except for a handful of direct sequels - they're all different Links. I am not stupid. The idea I came up with to justify this is that they're all Link, the same spirit being reincarnated in each generation that needs a hero like him: I imagine that Zelda has a similar situation. And that, well, we find him here somewhere in between lives and existences, in the pensive mood of a person who has lived dozens of lives, and possibly many many more (I'll get there in a moment). I am not suggesting that this is in any way canon. Consider it an alternate character interpretation. And alternatively, you could pretend that this is not only a Link who is aware of all of the other Links, but also that he might be aware of all of the hundreds of millions of times the Zelda games have been played, that each of those is an incarnation of Link as well. Essentially, he has undergone the same stories over and over again. Imagine that. Knowing that you have lived through so many incarnations, all of the deaths and alternate pathways. It'd weigh on anyone's mind, Triforce of courage or not.
Now, some other notes (geez this is getting long). Originally, this was going to be much sillier than it already is (frightening, I know). For example, at the end he was going to break down and start yelling with joy that he could finally reveal his true name, only to either get cut off or realize that even when written he can't reveal his real name, leading him to declare "F*ck you, Miyamoto!" And the title was originally "The Sound of Silence," which kind of reflects how much less respect I was giving to Link. But, well, I got a lot more pensive towards the end, and decided to give him a bit more dignity worthy of the hero that he ultimately is, as if he's over his outburst and is reminding himself (and us) why he puts up with it. Also, I managed to slip in a few references, like to the fan myth of the "fourth Triforce" or how Ganon's name was originally spelled. So, anyway, I hope you enjoyed this.
And this is getting long, so I'll cut off my comments here. Any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Next time, I'll put up some actual artwork. Yay!
Wooo, updates! Nice story, I must say. Poor Link, no-one understands him. :B
Perhaps he is not simply silent, but speaking another language? Like Esperanto?
Jairus and Ren have returned to the forums? REJOICE! :mowhappy
Ooh, I like this story. You say you haven't beaten any of the games, but I think you got the details fine. And this is a very amusing short from an entirely different perspective on the mute dude. I also find the progression interesting. He's ranting about everything that's set against him, but it's ultimately just him venting frustration as in the end, he does acknowledge that he's gotta do what he's gotta do.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on February 20, 2010, 01:06:29 PM
Jairus and Ren have returned to the forums? REJOICE! :mowhappy
Yup! I'm gonna try to get back in here. Somehow.
QuoteOoh, I like this story. You say you haven't beaten any of the games, but I think you got the details fine. And this is a very amusing short from an entirely different perspective on the mute dude. I also find the progression interesting. He's ranting about everything that's set against him, but it's ultimately just him venting frustration as in the end, he does acknowledge that he's gotta do what he's gotta do.
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. And the wiki was a big help on the spelling, certainly, as well as his many many nicknames. But, yeah. That is kind of what I realized as I was writing it, that yes, he is a hero, and yes, this is just him complaining for a bit, so, it's actually some character progression for me too. :B But, yeah, it was fun to write, so, I guess I should work on my actual stories next, hm?
Also, a new thought: perhaps he is not mute, but simply speaking some foreign language that no one else understands? Like Esperanto? Or French?
Okay, Gizmo. There's a fun little story behind him. Basically, he started life as an adoptable fennec on Half_Angel13's FA page (seen here (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3392901/)). Part of the rules of adopting him were that I had to draw him (which makes sense). I opted to adopt him because, well, he had Lombax markings, and I thought they were kinda cute. So, here I am, relatively untalented, finding myself with three days to draw the little guy to completion. Now, I did take a few extra days, but the initial sketch was finished on the first day and I explained that I'd basically been away from my sketchpad and such for two days, so I got an extension. Anyway, I eventually finished him, and here we are: Gizmo, a somewhat shy technophile tabby fennec fox. Now, I've already posted this to my DA and FA account, but, well, I want to post stuff here too. So, here we go!
Concept sketch
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img103.jpg?t=1266743126)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img103.jpg?t=1266743126 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img103.jpg?t=1266743126)
The original pose sketch to just figure out what I wanted to draw. I wanted Gizmo to look kind of shy and nervous, and I think I captured that. Though I did later realize that, yes, I had managed to perfectly hide his hands. Not intentional on my part: hands are tricky, but I actually kind of like drawing them. This was about fifteen to thirty minutes to do.
Pencil drawing
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img107.jpg?t=1266743826)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img107.jpg?t=1266743826 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/img107.jpg?t=1266743826)
Basically my final version of the finished drawing: this is the second full drawing and roughly the fifteenth one if you include erasures and redrawing of limbs and such. So, this is basically the usual point. Originally, I was going to just print this out and do a pencil coloring, but Ren managed to convince me to try out coloring this in Photoshop, something that I've never done before. So, of course, I did it, because I'm crazy/stupid that way. I honestly don't remember how long this took, either than I ended up staying till two in the morning when I was drawing this because I was trying to be such a perfectionist before scanning and going to bed.
Digital inking
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/gizmo2ink1b.jpg?t=1266744030)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/gizmo2ink1b.jpg?t=1266744030 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/gizmo2ink1b.jpg?t=1266744030)
This was about two hours of fiddly work, and the end result isn't very pretty up close: there's no smooth lines or anything like that. This is mainly because of my lack of experience with photoshop, I suppose: there's probably a tool or something like that I could have used instead of the paintbrush. Anyway, lots of fun here, including what is basically the best foot I've ever drawn (the right one) and also some clothes that don't look half bad.
Digital coloring
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1a.jpg?t=1266744030)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1a.jpg?t=1266744030 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1a.jpg?t=1266744030)
Well, the coloring job is REALLY simple, but, again, not much experience here, so I just went with easy colors and tried to stay consistent here. So, yeah. Didn't take anywhere near as long as the inking did.
Finished
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1e.jpg?t=1266744030)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1e.jpg?t=1266744030 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/Art/Gizmocolored1e.jpg?t=1266744030)
And here's the (more or less) final version. I basically just stuck the colored layer (with thickened lines for greater contrast) on top of the original pencil drawing and adjusted the opacity until I could faintly see the original version. Since I didn't do any form of shading, I did this to give it a little bit of extra detail, and because I thought it looked kind of cool.
And there you have it: my first bit of real art that I digitally inked and colored. Obviously rough, but I only intend to get better from here. And it is now 1:30 AM, so I'm cutting my story short and going to bed. Good night! As always, constructive criticism and advice (especially pointers for inking/coloring/shading/whatever) are greatly appreciated.
It's looking good. In your first colour you had the infamous "white edges" effect. This is because you used an antialiased/feathered brush and then tried to flood-fill it.
The way I deal with that is to either use a solid brush with no feathering, or to use the Threshold filter to reduce it down to black-and-white. From there you can just flood-fill it without having to go through and fix all the edges later.
Amber seems to do this:
http://www.missmab.com/graphics/Big_Poodle.jpg
The drawback to this process is that at full-res it looks very pixelly since there is no smoothing going on. The usual way to fix this is to do the full res very large and then scale the final picture down, since the scaling engine will usually do some kind of interpolation and smoothing itself.
...Ren recently discovered that in GIMP you could do a colour-to-alpha process and paint the colours underneath, and he's been using the technique quite successfully on sketches lately. Doing that on an inked piece seems to me to be more trouble than its worth and it's not really suitable for doing something like the comic IMHO, but if you like the effect it does work quite well to cut out the inking part entirely :P
Quote from: Tapewolf on February 21, 2010, 06:44:40 AM
It's looking good. In your first colour you had the infamous "white edges" effect. This is because you used an antialiased/feathered brush and then tried to flood-fill it.
The way I deal with that is to either use a solid brush with no feathering, or to use the Threshold filter to reduce it down to black-and-white. From there you can just flood-fill it without having to go through and fix all the edges later.
Amber seems to do this:
http://www.missmab.com/graphics/Big_Poodle.jpg
The drawback to this process is that at full-res it looks very pixelly since there is no smoothing going on. The usual way to fix this is to do the full res very large and then scale the final picture down, since the scaling engine will usually do some kind of interpolation and smoothing itself.
...Ren recently discovered that in GIMP you could do a colour-to-alpha process and paint the colours underneath, and he's been using the technique quite successfully on sketches lately. Doing that on an inked piece seems to me to be more trouble than its worth and it's not really suitable for doing something like the comic IMHO, but if you like the effect it does work quite well to cut out the inking part entirely :P
MH. The white edges thing drove me NUTS the whole time I was coloring this thing. And I couldn't find the proper setting to change that in Photoshop, and besides that, I'd already done the whole inking layer. I will definitely try to fix that on the next picture I do. And yeah, that's another thing to do on the next pic: scale it down when I'm done. These look great at a small size, but once you zoom in they become a lot uglier. And really, the only reason I do the original sketch in the background thing is because, well, it gives my drawing a lot of texture, and it needs that.
But yeah, thanks for the tips, Tape!
Quote from: Jairus on February 21, 2010, 11:11:06 AM
MH. The white edges thing drove me NUTS the whole time I was coloring this thing. And I couldn't find the proper setting to change that in Photoshop, and besides that, I'd already done the whole inking layer.
I figured that one out, actually. On the Layer panel, there's an option the blend mode (Practically identical to the airbrush blend mode. The default is "Normal"). Set it to "Multiply". This effectively turns a black and white layer into an alpha channel.
When I scan an image, I use grayscale. I never work with B/W anymore. Scaling a B/W image down adds antialiasing, but there's a certain "garbage in, garbage out" effect. If the full sized image is antialiased to begin with, I find the shrunk down image has
better antialiasing. There is the matter of cleaning up the scan, but I've actually found B/W and grayscale scans to be the same amount of work to clean up. With Grayscale, unlike B/W, most of it can be done with (Menu) Image>Adjustments>Levels, and to touch up lines I use a small diameter, hard edged airbrush. Cleaning up B/W lines with a pencil (which is not "antialiased") takes hours of fussing and pixel pushing.
When I colour the image, I put a layer underneath the scanned image, trace the areas of colour with the pencil tool (not the airbrush!), then fill with the paint bucket. Using a tablet, this goes by fairly quickly. Not as fast as flood-filling a B/W image, but it's still pretty quick.
Quote from: WhiteFox on February 21, 2010, 06:32:53 PM
Quote from: Jairus on February 21, 2010, 11:11:06 AM
MH. The white edges thing drove me NUTS the whole time I was coloring this thing. And I couldn't find the proper setting to change that in Photoshop, and besides that, I'd already done the whole inking layer.
I figured that one out, actually. On the Layer panel, there's an option the blend mode (Practically identical to the airbrush blend mode. The default is "Normal"). Set it to "Multiply". This effectively turns a black and white layer into an alpha channel.
When I scan an image, I use grayscale. I never work with B/W anymore. Scaling a B/W image down adds antialiasing, but there's a certain "garbage in, garbage out" effect. If the full sized image is antialiased to begin with, I find the shrunk down image has better antialiasing. There is the matter of cleaning up the scan, but I've actually found B/W and grayscale scans to be the same amount of work to clean up. With Grayscale, unlike B/W, most of it can be done with (Menu) Image>Adjustments>Levels, and to touch up lines I use a small diameter, hard edged airbrush. Cleaning up B/W lines with a pencil (which is not "antialiased") takes hours of fussing and pixel pushing.
When I colour the image, I put a layer underneath the scanned image, trace the areas of colour with the pencil tool (not the airbrush!), then fill with the paint bucket. Using a tablet, this goes by fairly quickly. Not as fast as flood-filling a B/W image, but it's still pretty quick.
While this is all very useful, the biggest problem right now is that my tablet is a hundred miles away, so I've only had a mouse available to use. That, and I scan all of my images in full color, because it captures more of what I was trying to get across with my sketch: I find myself losing certain things when I go greyscale and B/W. Should I stop doing that for images I intend to ink/color??
There is no one right answer. I've seen multilayers from about 8 artists now and they all approach it differently, especially when it comes to shading. People seem to pick what works best for them.
Quote from: Jairus on February 22, 2010, 12:12:01 AM
That, and I scan all of my images in full color, because it captures more of what I was trying to get across with my sketch: I find myself losing certain things when I go greyscale and B/W. Should I stop doing that for images I intend to ink/color??
I wouldn't scan a page in colour unless I had coloured the page.
I've found that the most important thing for getting a clean scan is to keep the paper clean. Things like heavily redrawn areas, pencil lines that won't erase because I pressed too hard, or sketchy inking all add up. They take time to fix, and it's best to just slow down, be careful, and take the time to do it right the first time.
I also found that inking manually is far superior to digitally. Period.
Quote from: Tapewolf on February 22, 2010, 03:16:25 AM
There is no one right answer. I've seen multilayers from about 8 artists now and they all approach it differently, especially when it comes to shading. People seem to pick what works best for them.
Quoted for truth.
Good or bad is a moot point... either something works for you, or it doesn't. If it doesn't work, change it.
Time to post something! Here's a work-in-progress short story that's nowhere near done, but I'd like some feedback on how it looks so far. Oh, and as a quick note, this is supposed to be a translated version of a journal written by a man who doesn't usually write a journal, but for some reason felt like recording his thoughts. Anyway!
Edit: made a minor change
Translated extracts from the journals of Lord Justinian von Radgrund Germanicus
Last night, I had a vision.
A suit of armor strode through a field of battle. It was larger than a man, and moved as a machine does. It encountered a demon, and vanquished it. Then I observed an army of these mechanical knights, hundreds of them shining in the sunlight.
When I awoke, the image of this mechanical knight was burned into my mind. Such a wonderful thing! I
The messenger just arrived: there was another attack on Drezdany last night. the city held, but the defenders suffered many losses.
I cannot help but wonder. If this mechanical knight had been there, might it have made a difference. I do not know. But I know that I must build it. Already, my mind is ablaze with ideas.
...
I have spent a month in my workshop. I lost track of time long ago. The days blended together as if they were nothing. If Phinease had not brought me food, I could have starved and never noticed. I have only felt like this a few times in my life, when the Genius truly consumes me. It is a powerful experience. But what have I created?
I have looked at it with new eyes, no longer my thoughts but now my masterpeice. I know everything about it.
It is a man-sized machine. I used an old suit of armor for the base, mounting the mechanics inside of it. A battery provides power to the motors: it will work for half of an hour before it dies. When it moves, it is smooth and fluid, like a real Person. It can walk. It can run. It has the strength of five men, and I already know how I can improve on this. If it falls, it will pick itself up. Its hands can hold and use any weapon I place in them. Its eyes can distinguish light from shadow. It can even hear sounds. A control wired to it lets me command it.
I have never seen an automaton of this sophistication and size. A dozen similar machines now lie scattered around my workspace, many scavenged for parts after I had moved on to the next new idea. I can see how my thoughts progressed as the days went by. This machine is a work of art, gleaming bronze and ticking clockwork. A true work of Genius. It is
No, it is useless. This is not what I envisioned. It is stupid. It is limited. It cannot learn or think on its own. Despite my best efforts, I cannot replicate in clockwork the mind of a living Person. It is utterly dependent on the control in my hand. It cannot do the things that I saw in my dream. I feel as if I have failed.
I sat in that spot for what felt like hours, lost in my melancholy. But my thoughts raised me out of that dark place. Perhaps all is not lost. This machine is useless, but the idea behind it, perhaps that will be enough.
I need a name for it.
Phineas calls it an "iron knight." I didn't feel like explaining that no iron was used in its design, but I like the sound of it. Iron Knight. That shall do for now.
Ahh, he might not be able to create a full automaton, but it seems as if he still needs someone to shout "Think of the possibilities!" at him :P
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 15, 2010, 03:00:24 AM
Ahh, he might not be able to create a full automaton, but it seems as if he still needs someone to shout "Think of the possibilities!" at him :P
Heheh. You'll see. For once, the idea is his alone, and not based on a random comment from one of the peons.
Hm, I'm gonna slip a small edit in.
Edit: done
I am IRON KNIGHT.
OK, this is pretty nice. I like this sort of a short story, telling about the birth and evolution of the Iron Knights in form of Justinian's journal entries. :3
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 15, 2010, 11:46:27 AM
I am IRON KNIGHT.
OK, this is pretty nice. I like this sort of a short story, telling about the birth and evolution of the Iron Knights in form of Justinian's journal entries. :3
Thank DJ. It was his idea to tell it this way.
Here's the next two parts! As always, questions and comments and constructive criticism is appreciated!
...
Eureka.
I cannot give this machine a mechanical mind. But perhaps I could give it a living one?
That is the solution. Why make a machine think like a Man when I can make a Man as strong as the machine? This armor is already fitted for a wearer. Powered armor... why did I not think of it before?
...
I have constructed a new Iron Knight. For the sake of my experiment, I used an identical suit of armor to the last one, and many of the same parts. It was difficult. The human body is ill-designed for such things, but my solution to move the gearing and mechanisms to the back seems to work. For balance, I have attached the battery to the chest. A number of padded switches throughout the armor help the armor move with the wearer, rather than freezing up on them. Entering or exiting it is difficult. The suit essentially needs to be dismantled to do either of those two.
It is ugly. When I stand the two Iron Knights next to each other, the first looks superior to the second. Every part and mechanism is on display. The slightest twitch of a limb makes a dozen parts move. It is nothing like my dream. But I must see this experiment through.
I shall wear it.
I have worn it.
This... powered armor. This is the right choice. I know it. I feel it. I know that soon my vision will be real.
There are problems: a machine is only as perfect as the being that makes it. It is hot and unwieldy. Its reaction times lag behind its wearer's. Its strength is impressive, but it will only work for a third of an hour before the batteries run dry. The hands are only leather gloves with a bit of steel for protection: there is no superhuman strength there. And there is no protection for the parts. A simple sword blow could cripple this machine, to say nothing of a gun.
But there is potential here. I can solve many of these problems in short order. I have already told Phinease to gather the parts I need, and I can see that he is becoming as excited about this project as I am. We shall be working together on this from this point forward. He will not make a good test wearer, but his strength will be valuable in testing this machine. My free hand is scrabbling for scrap paper to begin drawing schmatics, so that Phineas may have an idea of what it is I am thinking of.
I have reread what I have written here. "My needs." What is it that I need this Iron Knight to be? A weapon, obviously. But perhaps there is more.
I dreamt of an army of these soldiers. Not just one. An army of Iron Knights. What could I accomplish with that?
No, I must focus on the task at hand. I do not have a weapon yet. I do not have a knight.
Whoooo.
I don't really have much to say other than I am enjoying this, just for being the development of a machine :D (though I suppose I'm biased... :P )
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 15, 2010, 01:50:23 PM
Whoooo.
I don't really have much to say other than I am enjoying this, just for being the development of a machine :D (though I suppose I'm biased... :P )
Heheheheh. Well, I'm glad you're liking it. We're going to follow this through to the fifth version, at least. Possibly the sixth.
Just want to keep this alive! Here's the start of something I'm working on.
There are so many ways I could start this. Well, so many possible starting points. Someone once said "Everything begins somewhere." And that's the problem with real life: it's not as neat and tidy as a fairy tale. There is no "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess" or anything like that. In real life, there's always something before and after the story. But now I'm getting pretentious, so I guess I'll try this the right way.
Maybe this all started the first time I realized that I couldn't do magic. Or it could have been when I started to fiddle with that old skycraft. Or the time I found those boxes filled with a broken robot, and Paul told me that I could have the robot if I could get it working.
You know, I think I'll start with my earliest memory, that seems like a good place to start my story.
On second thought, no, never mind, it's too embarrassing. How about my second earliest memory?
Okay, my second-earliest really clear memory is of being read a bedtime story in the orphanage. I can remember a few of us younger kids clustered around the matron. I can't remember the story she was reading, but I can remember some of the pictures. There was a princess, and a good knight in shining armor battling a dragon, and an evil wizard he had to fight. I don't remember how it ended, because I fell asleep halfway through. And of course, I've never been able to find that blasted book, because I don't remember what it was. Well, what do you expect? I was four, at most.
But that memory, especially of that knight, has stuck with me. I'm not too ashamed to admit that I've had a few dreams where I'm battling a monster and I've got a magical sword and I'm being the hero. I even had a wooden sword and shield that I used to fight imaginary monsters with. I think most people have a dream like that at some point in their lives. Before reality crushes that dream, of course, in one way or another. I'd imagine that it's a part of growing up.
Ah. I know where to start now. I was seven years old. It was winter, the ground covered with a fresh layer of snow. I made a snowelf the next morning. And inside the Cralatav Inn, it was warm and cheerful. And I was up past my bedtime
This is an edited and cleaned up version of that first part of the "Iron Knight" short story I've been working on. Here is the first part of what I consider to be the definitive version. I'm posting it in parts for two reasons. 1st, for purposes of dramatic law. 2nd, because I'm still working on editing the rest. As always, questions and comments are appreciated.
Translated extracts from the journals of Lord Justinian von Radgrund GermanicusLast night, I had a vision.
A suit of armor strode through a field of battle. It was like a knight's armor, but larger than a man, and it moved like a machine. It battled a demon, and then vanquished it. Then I saw that there was an army of these strange knights, hundreds of them, shining in the light. When I awoke, the image of this mechanical armor had been burned into my mind.
Such a curious machine. This automaton, I wonder if
A messenger just arrived: there was another attack on Drezdanya last night. The city has held, but the defenders suffered many losses. The raiders were well-armed: I have my suspicions as to the orgins of their armaments. I have ordered some of our people to go and assist the city. Drezdanya must not fall.
My father would know what to do, but with his failing health I cannot call upon him. I can feel the other families breathing down my neck. A sign of weakness now would be fatal.
But I find myself wondering.
An army at my command.
I feel my breath catch.
Impossible.
But I am gifted with Genius. It is what we do.
If I had this armor under my command, could it make a difference? I do not know.
But I know that I must build it. Already, my mind is ablaze with ideas.
...
I have spent two weeks in my workshop. In the face of my latest creation, I lost track of time. I do not like doing that. I do not like losing control of myself.
But my creation is done.
It is a man-sized machine. I used an old suit of armor for the base. The components are all mounted inside of it. If it were dormant, it would resemble any other suit in my family's collection. A single battery powers its motors. It will run for half of an hour before the charge runs dry. It can walk and run. It has the strength of ten men. If it falls, it will pick itself up. Its hands can hold and use any weapon I place in them. Its eyes can distinguish light from shadow. It can even hear. A wired control lets me command it.
I have only heard of automatons of this sophistication and size. A dozen similar machines now lie scattered around my workspace, scavenged for parts once I had moved on to the next new idea. I can follow my thoughts as the days progressed. This machine is a work of art, gleaming steel and ticking clockwork. A true work of Genius. It is
No. This is not what I envisioned. It is stupid. It cannot learn or think on its own. Despite my best efforts, I cannot replicate in clockwork the mind of a living Man. It is utterly dependent on the control in my hand. It cannot do the things I saw in my dream. It is useless. I feel as if I have failed.
Perhaps all is not lost. This machine is useless, but the idea behind it, perhaps that will be enough. I need a name for it.
Phineas called it an "Iron Knight." I didn't feel like explaining to him that no iron was used in its design, and that Mechanical Knight would suit it better, but I must confess that I like the sound of it. Iron Knight. That shall do for now.
...
Eureka.
I cannot give this machine a mechanical mind. But perhaps I could give it a living one?
That is the solution. It must be. Why make a machine think like a Man when I can make a Man as strong as the machine? If I move the parts to the outside, the base armor is already fitted for a wearer...
Powered armor... why did I not think of it before?
well, you already know I like this, and I'm just waiting to see the Iron Knight progress through each prototype iteration :3
Here's part 2, a little short but eh. *shrugs* Okay, me tired. Ask questions if you have 'em, and good night. And yes, those spelling errors in the middle section should be there.
Iron Knight, part 2
...
It is one thing to say that one is going to build a suit of powered armor. It is quite another to actually build it.
I have not been outside in nearly a month. There have been a thousand problems. False starts and stress have left me sleepless at night. This project has been a nightmare. Machines are not my strength. I remember when I was young, and father would test me: it was always the machines I enjoyed the most, because they challenged my skills the most. I find myself in a similar circumstance here.
But it is nearly done. By the gods, it is nearly done.
For the sake of my experiment, I have used an identical suit of armor to the last one. Of course, every mechanical part had to be moved to the outside. Finding the mechanisms' ideal placement has been difficult: the human body is ill-designed for something of this nature. Pressure switches in key locations help the armor move with the wearer, but from the times I've worn it it feels sluggish. It is hot and unwieldy to wear. Entering or exiting it is difficult to say the least: the whole suit must essentially be dissassembled to do either. There are numerous other problems, but these are the main ones that must be overcome.
And it is ugly. This is not a failing of the unit itself, but standing next to the Model I, the first looks superior to it. Every part and mechanism is on display. The slightest twitch of a limb makes a dozen parts move: to watch it walk across the room is a dizzying experience. Without armor, a simple sword blow would cripple it, to say nothing of a bullet. At this point it is still useless for my needs. It is nothing like my dream.
But there is potential here. This is the right choice. I know it. I feel it.
I will begin shaping the armor today. It is good to have Phineas by my side in this: he is becoming as excited in this project as I am. He will not make the best test wearer, but his strength is still invaluable.
"My needs." On reflection, why did I write that down. What is it I need this powered armor to be? A weapon, obviously. But perhaps there is more. I dreamed of an army of these soldiers, not just one. An army of powered armors. What could I accomplish with that? The noble families...
No. I must focus on the task at hand. I do not have a weapon yet. I do not have a knight.
...
WORTHLESS
it iS woRthleSs
abSoluteiy useless
why did I even ever atempt this!
...
Father's fall last week frightened me enough to pull me out of my depression. I have seen it in other Geniuses, when their failures sent them into a depressive spiral. I should have seen the signs and been able to avoid it. I shall be more careful in the future. I do not wish to experience that again.
The Model II simply will not work. The addition of the armor only made its many problems worse. My attempts to fix it ultimately proved fruitless, and only highlighted other problems that I had not considered important enough to solve when I'd begun work on it. I must have dissassembled and reassembled that thing five times before I finally gave up in frustration. I should probably repair the damage to it, and keep it as a reminder of my failings. I am not perfect.
The solution is simple: I shall start over. I was too wrapped up with fixing the unit that I did not realize that it could not be fixed, and that it was not important. The concept is the important factor, not the base components. Yes. The idea can still be saved, and I shall save it.
My greatest regret is that it took Father's fall to make me step back and realize my folly. I feel like time is running out for me. I must complete this armor.
Nice, man. Loving the progression of each problem that he has to overcome. It seems just like what a project of this nature would really be like...
Onto the Mark III! :D
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on April 04, 2010, 01:28:26 PM
Nice, man. Loving the progression of each problem that he has to overcome. It seems just like what a project of this nature would really be like...
Onto the Mark III! :D
Oh, there's more at work here than just the difficulties. Despite Justinian's strength not lying in machines, he is still powerful and brilliant. He
could have made an incredible powered armor on his first go. Hell, he might have been able to make a combat robot on his first try. But he didn't... ooh, mysterious.
Quote from: Jairus on April 04, 2010, 01:54:58 PM
Oh, there's more at work here than just the difficulties. Despite Justinian's strength not lying in machines, he is still powerful and brilliant. He could have made an incredible powered armor on his first go. Hell, he might have been able to make a combat robot on his first try. But he didn't... ooh, mysterious.
Ah, that just means he didn't properly get his Spark on. He's gotta get into a good and deep madness place before he can fix anything :U
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on April 04, 2010, 02:15:43 PM
Quote from: Jairus on April 04, 2010, 01:54:58 PM
Oh, there's more at work here than just the difficulties. Despite Justinian's strength not lying in machines, he is still powerful and brilliant. He could have made an incredible powered armor on his first go. Hell, he might have been able to make a combat robot on his first try. But he didn't... ooh, mysterious.
Ah, that just means he didn't properly get his Spark on. He's gotta get into a good and deep madness place before he can fix anything :U
Oh, I'd argue it's quite the opposite. Him going truly mad Genius on this thing would be counterproductive in the long run.
Sorry I've not been writing much, but life's been going on. So here's a short story taken from the BioShock universe, basically a segment of gameplay from Jack's hands-on perspective. For the record, I know that the Vita-Chamber does not work this way in the game (it has to be some sort of teleporter in order to justify how it works, and the quantum entanglement idea combined with the lack of a corpse seems to support that), but I went with it for the horror elements. Apologies for the general weirdness, but I wanted to try and capture what it would feel like to be in his shoes. Mature for general not niceness and some swearing. And BioShock is © to 2K games and Irrational Games.
I'm trapped in a mad city under the sea.
Rapture. That's what they call it. You're going to heaven. To paradise.
It's hell.
I'm cold, I'm wet, I'm tired. The pistol is heavy in my hand. I've never fired a gun before today. Thirty minutes ago, I was flying home. Mom and Dad won't even know where I am if I die. I'll disappear in a plane crash over the ocean. There'll be a funeral too. But no. I'm gonna die down here, a mile below the ocean, killed by Splicers.
There's another one. One shot. Missed. Second shot. Got her. Third shot, and she falls. I walk up to her. Her dress was beautiful once. I'm starting to get used to searching the bodies for stuff: she has some bullets on her, and a few dollars. Why does she have bullets when she doesn't have a gun?
Splicers. Too spliced up with ADAM. ADAM and EVE. Apple of good and evil. Whoever named them had a bad sense of humor. Cast from paradise into perdition. That's Rapture. It was once beautiful, I can tell. Art deco, I think. But these were people. Are they still people? She's hideous. Her skin looks like it's falling off of her bones. ADAM did this, and I've got the stuff in me. Plasmids that give you superpowers. Anyone would want it, but will I become like that?
No. Clear your head. You'll be out of here in an hour, and you can put this all behind you. Atlas has a way out. Yeah, Atlas. How does anyone stay sane down here? How can you survive~
Crack!
Gunshots! Splicer!
I run to the side, firing wildly. I'm lucky: the Splicer drops dead. I've lost count of how many Splicers I've killed.
"Eurgh!"
Pain. Something hit me in the back.
I swing around with the gun. There's a crack of bone as it impacts the thug Splicer behind me. I fire. Headshot. It drops. HE drops.
Oh God oh God oh God
Gunshots! Another one! Too many!
I fire. I miss! Nerves! Dammit! The gun's empty. Plasmids, I've got my plasmids, fire can make him burn or lightning to stun him can't decide can't decide just kill him!
Too late. It fires back. Once, twice. I stumble. My stomach. Pain. So much pain.
"Gyah!"
A fourth, behind me. Lead pipe to the back. I fall to the floor. Medical kit. I need my medical kit. Can't reach it. So cold. So dark. The floor is hard and wet. There's a leak in the window.
"So long, little fish!"
I wish I was home. Mom. Dad. The farm...
Pain.
Darkness.
I blink.
Warm. Dark.
My lungs are burning. I breathe in: it's as if they were empty.
Those last moments, they're all a jumble. But where am I now?
It's a glass tube, lit from inside. There's padding on the wall behind me, red leather. And glass below and above me, faintly glowing. There's a curtain on the other side of the tube. Hadn't I been dead? How did I get here?
The tube in front of me slides open. Rapture's wet and stinking air flows in. I take a breath, and reach for my pistol.
It's not there.
I pat myself all over. Nothing's there! The pistol, the machine gun, my wrench... they're all gone!
No weapons. I'm dead.
I look down at my left hand, and snap my fingers. It begins to twitch as it glows blue and lightning courses through it. Good, I've still got those. My arm crackles and burns as I call up Incinerate.
I've got a weapon. I can survive. I step out. Maybe I can find a pistol or a wrench nearby...
Three splicers are close, gathered around a body. They seem to be beating it up. I back off: they haven't noticed me. One of them has a pistol. Something... familiar. No, not yet. Concentrate. How much EVE do I have? Four shots. Should be enough. Wait. Get a little closer together, you monsters...
YES.
I snap my fingers. The three of them burst into flame, screaming and shouting. Again. Again! The three fall to the ground, moaning. Crying. I feel ill.
Dry heaves. There's nothing in my stomach. I'm starving. Never understood starving before. There's a pep bar, no, three of them, on the table there. I wolf them down. Oh, God, food has never tasted so good.
Three bodies. Well, four, plus the unlucky sap they were beating on. They've got some money, and the pistol wielding one had some ammo. A bag of potato chips too. I'm wiping off the oil and trying out the weight of a lead pipe when I turn to the corpse.
Oh God it's me.
No no no.
The same clothes I'm wearing. The same haircut. The body's torched from my fire attack, but it's me. No, it can't be.
I turn the wrist up, and see the tattoo there. I look at my wrist. Three links. The exact same.
It is. It's me.
"What the FUCK?"
The chamber... the chamber! I run back to it. "Vita-Chamber." This thing... it copied my body! My body, my memories, my plasmids, everything...
I feel myself panicking. Not now. Deep slow breaths. Grab your weapons and keep moving. Think about it later.
It feels weird looting my own corpse. Really weird. But I've got all of my stuff back.
Keep moving. Keep moving. Find Atlas and get the fuck out of Rapture.
Whoa. I must say, this is a delightfully twisted horror story. Seems very accurate to the insanity and chaos in the game, too (though I never got to play the whole thing, just the first few areas). Good job, man :)
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on April 28, 2010, 02:17:15 AM
Whoa. I must say, this is a delightfully twisted horror story. Seems very accurate to the insanity and chaos in the game, too (though I never got to play the whole thing, just the first few areas). Good job, man :)
Don't worry, this is only supposed to be the Medical Pavilion level, so that's probably somewhere inside of where you've gotten.
As for the frenetic mood, well, I'm also trying to capture what it would feel like for someone who's never played an FPS before suddenly stuck in a genre he's unfamiliar with. Gee, I wonder who that could be... :D
Lazy Daleks...
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/LazyDaleks.png?t=1272868225)
[link]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e143/J-RasZ/LazyDaleks.png?t=1272868225[/link]
Yup. Bad joke, but I don't care. So, anyway, I was watching "Victory of the Daleks" today (had a few complaints, but the story is good overall and the Daleks are back to being awesome, always good), and felt like doodling a Dalek. Then I remembered a Doctor Ashens video involving the Daleks needing new insurance, and it went from there. Though I fail at drawing Daleks. :\ Guess I'll just have to practice then!
Daleks and Doctor Who are property of the BBC.
OMG! This image made my day! :mowwink Although, I can definitely say you draw a better Dalek then I could, so in that regard it's not a fail. :3
And the added irony to this is, the image totally sums up me. I have a nasty habit of procrastinating; which I have been trying to improve on. There has been some, but I got a lot more to go. :<
Quote from: Mrs_A_ZeTavia on May 05, 2010, 12:16:05 AM
OMG! This image made my day! :mowwink Although, I can definitely say you draw a better Dalek then I could, so in that regard it's not a fail. :3
And the added irony to this is, the image totally sums up me. I have a nasty habit of procrastinating; which I have been trying to improve on. There has been some, but I got a lot more to go. :<
Well, thank you for the comment! I'm glad that liked it. But yeah, I'm probably gonna work on drawing better Daleks.
And yeah, I suffer from procrastination problems too.
I don't suffer from procrastination problems! I... hang on a minute, got something to do. bbiam.
Been a while since I wrote any sort of poem!
"Time"
Like waves that crash on distant shore,
Harsh winds that blow on mountain's top,
Or sand that through the glass does pour,
Time is a force that none can stop.
All things age and turn to dust
That's blown away on stormy gales.
All flesh decays and metal rusts,
'Til naught even the stones prevail.
We watch our loved ones as they age,
And mem'ries fade and wash away.
So briefly are we on this stage,
With no strength left to hold at bay.
So live on now, and treasure dear,
This time we have, right now and here.
Another poem.
"Reforged"
A man of iron and of steel,
Forged in darkness, and of fear.
Like phoenix from the ashes rise,
Soar e'er onward into the skies.
Red as fire and golden sun,
A hero made, second to none.
Down from the sky with righteous wrath,
To right once more the wand'ring path.
Like hell's fury, bourn by a song,
A heart once weak is now made strong.
A life once wasted, now reborn,
Leaves past behind, to never mourn.
To save the world, yes, that's the plan.
All evil fear the Iron Man.
Edit: fix'd something.
Edit 2: fix'd something else.
That....is a pretty slick poem. Very nice job, man :D It definitely captures the essense of Iron Man and his story.
(though, when I saw the title, I somehow thought it was going to be about Eberron "reforged", which is a prestige class for warforged...)
Just a short story I did yesterday. And before anyone asks, why yes, I have been watching a lot of Doctor Who recently. So, anyway, boredom and a lack of writing recently led to this.
The last Soldier walked on. The Enemy was out there.
It had walked for centuries. When had it left the surgery ward where it was born again, it was perfect.. Now, countless battles and the tireless elements had left it scarred. A missing arm, a gash across the chest, a frozen leg, a broken eye, and countless scratches and dings. It limped across the endless wastes. But the War was not over. Its two remaining eyes danced across its head, searching for the Enemy.
There was a fault in its left knee. Failure predicted, estimated ten hours. It transmitted a maintenance request, but there was no response. Again. It logged the fault, and continued on.
Hours passed. The clouded sky darkened. Lightning flashed across the stormy sky. It passed the remains of a fallen Enemy. Victory.
The sky grew darker. The storm worsened. Three hours estimated until knee failure.
More time passed. The wind died down as it entered a valley. The wind still blew through here, changing the sounds. Another fallen Enemy. Victory.
"They're all gone."
The Enemy. Hiding behind some rocks.
"ELIMINATE THE ENEMY!"
The Soldier snapped around, bringing its arm and the weapon mounted on it to bear. Nothing happened. Programmed reflex. The gun had failed years ago. All weapons were non-functional. No matter, its builders had planned for this. It reached clawed fingers for the Enemy, lunging to bring its warm flesh into its reach and to squeeze the life from its body. Victory.
Total failure. The knee joint shattered under the strain. It fell to the ground with a mighty thud. It flailed for purchase. No time left. The Enemy was right next to it now. No, it could not lose, it could not fail, it could not let the Enemy have Victory...
"Just give it a rest, will you?"
It stopped. The Enemy was wrong. It was not attacking. Wrong. The Soldier was confused.
"YOU ARE THE ENEMY! YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED!" the Soldier roared to rally itself.
"Yeah, yeah, E-liminate the E-nemy." The Enemy began to circle it. "Look at you. Powerless. The great Immortal Soldier, lying there helpless. How does it feel, hm?"
The Enemy was so close now. "STAY AWAY!"
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do to me?" The Enemy picked up a small rock and tossed it at the Soldier. It make a TING as it bounced off of its head. "You can't kill me. You can't even hurt me. What are you good for, then? You were made as a weapon. What good is a weapon that doesn't work?"
"WE SHALL BE VICTORIOUS! YOU SHALL BE ELIMINATED!"
"Who's 'we'? You by your lonesome?" The Enemy perched itself on some rocks, keeping a careful eye on the Soldier.
So many broken parts. Too many. The Soldier desperately continued to send hails. Rescue, repair, backup, support, anything. Nothing. Nothing at all. It stopped struggling.
"What are you doing?"
"WAITING."
"For what?"
"FOR THE OTHERS. FOR MY ORDERS."
"They won't come."
The Soldier looked up to see the Enemy holding a device. A monitoring device of some sort, based on how the Enemy was using it.
"EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN!"
"They're all dead. All of you. You're the last one."
"YOU LIE!"
"When was the last time you heard from your Overseer? When was the last time you saw another one of you?"
The Soldier was silent. It had never thought about it before. Years. Many years. So much time. No response to reports, repair requests, information. Nothing. It had continued on because it was a Soldier and that was what it did. But there were no other Soldiers. Only silence. And their remains.
The Enemy hopped down and brushed some sand off of a nearby mound. A dead Soldier stared at the Soldier. Sightless eyes glared from a head barely hanging on to a torso.
"As for me, I heard your signal a few years back. I've been tracking you, you see. Getting closer every day. I had time. All the time in the world, now. The War is over, Soldier."
"THE WAR IS NOT OVER, ENEMY! I STILL LIVE!"
The Enemy sighed. "I'm not going to kill you. There's no point to it."
"YOU ARE THE ENEMY! YOU SHALL BE~"
"Shut up!" the Enemy snapped. "Don't you get it? There's no one left fighting it because they're all dead! You and me are the only ones left! Can't you see that there's no point to the damned War any more? No one is coming for you! You're shutting down! And once you do, you'll all be dead and gone!"
The Soldier stayed silent for a minute.
"I AM ALONE."
"Yeah."
"SO ARE YOU."
The Enemy glared at the Soldier before burying its face in its hands. "Yes. We're the same."
"WE ARE NOT THE SAME!"
The Enemy looked on as the Soldier pulled itself closer with its one arm.
"YOU ARE THE ENEMY! THE WAR IS NOT OVER! YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED! ELIMINATE! ELIMINATE! ELIMINATE!"
The Enemy shook its head. "I'm sorry."
"WHAT?"
"I've spent the last ten years hoping that maybe you would see the light. That maybe... maybe I wouldn't be alone anymore. I guess not."
The Enemy stood up.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING, ENEMY?"
"I dunno. Maybe there are other survivors. Maybe not. But I'm gonna look for them. I got lucky with you. I've spent a century alone now, Soldier. Maybe I can live a while longer that way. I doubt it."
The Enemy started to walk away, into the storm.
"I STILL LIVE, ENEMY!"
"For how much longer, I wonder?" the Enemy called back. "How much longer till your power source runs dry? How much longer until your last servos break beyond your ability to repair them?" The Enemy stopped just out of visual range, and turned around back towards the Soldier. "I am sorry. Goodbye."
And the Enemy was gone.
The Soldier hesitated. Perhaps...
No.
It was a Soldier. It was the Enemy. Eliminate the Enemy. Victory in the War.
The last Soldier pulled itself along the ground, a few inches at a time. The Enemy was out there.
So, after long study and research into every magical system that has ever existed or been thought to exist, I have drawn up three universal laws that describes all magic everywhere.
The First Law: "Screw the rules, you have magic!"
The Second Law: "There is no Third Law."
The Third Law:
The Fourth Law: "See? Told ya."
Been a bit. So, here's something: an early birthday present for Ren! It's a WarHammer 40K-themed silly thing, so, um, yeah.
"The Emperor Protects... For Another Year"
An Imperial Commissariat birthday greeting
Greetings from the Emperor,
Upon his Golden Throne!
We heard you're one year older:
And you should never dine alone!
So grab the drinks and shout aloud,
Your birthday time is here!
On the morn we face a Chaos crowd,
But we shall never fear!
So stand along your brothers now,
And let the good times roll.
United by our holy vows
It is our duty sole:
Long live Terra, oh so holy!
Now please pass the guacamole!
For the.. Emprah.
So, I'm proofreading a copy of a script for The Wizard of Oz, and I get to the scene where the Scarecrow and Dorothy meet the talking apple trees. I came across three terrible puns, and well... this ensued.
jayrasz
FIRST TREE
I'm suddenly twigged.
SECOND TREE
So have I. They've made saps of us all.
THIRD TREE
I think it's time we boughed out.
rensgaulen
:T
Quickly, Jinx to the resque! "Good sirs, allow me to axe you a question."
jayrasz
We don't trunk with strangers.
But perhaps we could branch out our relationship.
I won't leaf you hanging.
Believe me, you're not barking up the wrong tree here.
Have my puns stumped you?
Are you rooting for my death?
I'm a very knotty tree.
*sings* Swing loam, sweet chariot...
rensgaulen
._.
._,
,_,
jayrasz
Oak come on, they weren't that bad, were they?
Let me ash you, should we stop?
Leave these puns behind for a larch?
Willow you still like me in the morning?
Are you pining for me to stop now?
You're gonna shoot me, aren't you?
Seed, this is why you should never get me started.
rensgaulen
x_______x
jayrasz
Say, have you ever listened to music by Peter, Pollen Mary?
Or read Dante's Divine Comedy?
Gone swimming at the beech?
Gone rowan in a boat?
I'm having way too much fir here.
I may have gone a bit potting.
Water you waiting for, aren't you going to ask me to stop?
Are you face palming?
rensgaulen
...
Woah.
Just woah.
I regrowth NOTHING.
...
......
*screams uncontrollably*
..Seriously, though, this is simply hilarious. Puntastic work, bro! :B
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on July 29, 2010, 07:27:12 PM
...
......
*screams uncontrollably*
..Seriously, though, this is simply hilarious. Puntastic work, bro! :B
It's funny how a little sliver of an idea can get so big.
My brother and I had this routine we'd do;
"What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs, floating in the ocean?"
"Bob."
"What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs, laying down on the front of your doorstep?"
"Matt."
"...Hanging on your wall?"
"Art."
"...Who lives in the trunk of your car?"
"Jack."
"...Who lives in the coffee maker?"
"Joe."
"...Who lives in the bathroom?"
"John."
"...Who shows up in the mail?"
"Bill."
"...Who lives on the BBQ?"
"Frank."
"His girlfriend?"
"Patty."
"...Who lives in a hole?"
"Dough"
"...Who lives next to Dough, in a pile?"
"Phil."
"...Who lives next to Phil, buried in the garden?"
"Pete"
"...Who lives under Pete?"
"Clay."
Sometimes, we could keep this up for nearly an hour.
Quote from: WhiteFox on July 30, 2010, 06:41:58 PM
My brother and I had this routine we'd do;
"What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs, floating in the ocean?"
"Bob."
"What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs, laying down on the front of your doorstep?"
"Matt."
"...Hanging on your wall?"
"Art."
"...Who lives in the trunk of your car?"
"Jack."
"...Who lives in the coffee maker?"
"Joe."
"...Who lives in the bathroom?"
"John."
"...Who shows up in the mail?"
"Bill."
"...Who lives on the BBQ?"
"Frank."
"His girlfriend?"
"Patty."
"...Who lives in a hole?"
"Dough"
"...Who lives next to Dough, in a pile?"
"Phil."
"...Who lives next to Phil, buried in the garden?"
"Pete"
"...Who lives under Pete?"
"Clay."
Sometimes, we could keep this up for nearly an hour.
"What do you call a girl with one leg shorter than the other?"
"Ilene."
"What if she's japanese?"
"Irene."
I love jokes like that. I'm horrible for it, but I do.
Holy crap, two posts in under two months? Whatever next!
(http://a.imageshack.us/img194/438/svambraceconcept21b.png)
Vambrace concept #2 (http://a.imageshack.us/img194/438/svambraceconcept21b.png)
WARNING: All links lead to Fur Affinity due to copy-and-pasting from another post about it, so you are warned.
So, somewhat inspired by the Assassin's Creed series, I've been designing a vambrace weapon for my character Nicky (concept here (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4233482)). This is substantially bulkier than that version (which is basically concept #1), and I've also realized that there are a few unnecessary things in this design that'll be removed for concept 3 (the Arsenal Subspace Shunt mechanism, for those wondering). Having the image at full size for reference is highly recommended. Now for some explanation.
This is a custom-built weapon made by Nicky to serve as his gimmicky sidearm (his description, not mine). It's basically designed to serve as a backup weapon to whatever else he's wielding at the time. It's a bit bulky in this concept and I'm gonna slim it down for the next version, and there'll be some added armor to protect the mechanisms. Okay, now to make the descriptions of the various design elements easier to follow, I've numbered a bunch of the systems as 1 through 7, so it should be easier to find them. Okay, here we go!
1. A compact hydraulic system used to deploy and retract the kinetic blaster and switchblade, mounted on the vambrace's underside. It's controlled by a three-way switch mounted near the elbow, for the two weapons and an off setting, and power is supplied by a set of topside power cells.
2. A thumb trigger mounted on a glove attached to the vambrace. The trigger is mainly designed to activate the kinetic blaster, though it can also activate the other two weapons.
3. The power cells. Not sure what they are, probably some form of high-energy capacitor because the kinetic blasters need to draw off of them. There'll be more of them in the next version because the ASS won't be taking up as much space, and arranged differently because I'll be putting the opening hinge up there.
4. The retracting "switchblade." Hydraulically powered, of course, once activated it is deployed by angling the hand and wrist downwards. I think the tip is actually a vibro weapon so that it actually has a chance of doing some real damage, in which case it's powered by the cells. It's mainly designed as an off-hand or quick-strike weapon, not a principle melee weapon.
5. The kinetic blaster. It's either a misnomer or an actual kinetic blast weapon: if it's a misnomer, it uses an advanced electrostatic projector to make a high-powered plasma shot that knocks people back from the shock of it hitting the air (it also charges air, so it might be a high-energy laser coupled with a static weapon). If not, well, it actually imparts kinetic energy to a target, sort of like punching them except no fist. Yeah, very descriptive, I know. This one is activated by angling the wrist upwards (as shown in the diagram), and it's positioned thanks to the spring in the hinge. As mentioned above, it's trigged by, well, the trigger. Again, descriptive.
6. The Arsenal Subspace Shunt, a portable technological hyperdimensional pocket system. I'm gonna save this for later, so it's off of the next version and replaced by more power cells for the vambrace and an actual magical bag of holding (it's that kind of story).
7. Out of scale and in the bottom left-hand corner, this is an idea for a collapsible buckler shield that I'm thinking of adding to the vambrace, since Nicky usually wields his sword in his left hand and he could use an offhand shield. If I add it, it'll also be hydraulically powered and mounted over the switchblade on the outside of the arm. At this point, though, it's just a thought and a sketch.
Okay, I think that's everything. So there's the vambrace weapon. Major ideas for next concept improvements is more power cells, a slightly slimmer design, some armor for the vital components, and overall being a little easier to understand. Oh, and a way for it to be actually taken off and put on. :\ Can't believe I forgot that. So, any questions, constructive criticism, or advice? It's all appreciated.
Oh, and congrats for getting through all of that.
I could follow it pretty well. Might help when you do a finished version to have the hand/text at a universal orientation, along with some better labeling of which is towards the thumb, away from the thumb, under the glove, and above it. Inside and outside are a tad too subjective, especially considering most people label as if it were on an invisible table, rather than as if a person was wearing it. Confused me until I saw the switchblade activation mechanism. If you're using force fields, you could always locate the portable buckler emitter to the center of the glove's back and have it generate a small material-repellent shield. Heck, you could also have the whole hand be shield-coated, so Nicky can grab a blade and break it using his hand.
Quote from: Inumo on August 03, 2010, 11:50:00 PM
I could follow it pretty well. Might help when you do a finished version to have the hand/text at a universal orientation, along with some better labeling of which is towards the thumb, away from the thumb, under the glove, and above it. Inside and outside are a tad too subjective, especially considering most people label as if it were on an invisible table, rather than as if a person was wearing it. Confused me until I saw the switchblade activation mechanism. If you're using force fields, you could always locate the portable buckler emitter to the center of the glove's back and have it generate a small material-repellent shield. Heck, you could also have the whole hand be shield-coated, so Nicky can grab a blade and break it using his hand.
The only forcefield in his arsenal at this time is a kinetic field manipulator that he uses to protect himself from really big blows and falling damage. And I think that his gauntlet might have some parts like a cestus, but for now he's basically limited to physical protection.
But yeah, I will make this a lot clearer when I make the next version. Promise.
So, I was bored, and decided - on an insane whim - to post this old fanfic I wrote almost a year ago. If I recall, this was originally based on some comment of Ren's, so you can blame him if you want to. It's marked Mature because it is, so you've been warned. You don't have to read it. In fact,I'll even give you some extra space to turn back before you read it. Because I was going all "arty" and such at the time, I decided not to mention the character's names. However, since this is being posted by a JyrBel shipper and these feline and rodent characters belong to Amber, you can just guess who's involved here. Involves master/slave roleplay. Yes. No actual sex, but there is nudity. Again, blame Ren. I'll remove it if people don't want it here.
And apologies to Amber. Please don't kill me.
Feline Master and Rodent Slave
a short story by Jairus
characters by Amber Williams of DMFA, aka missmab
The small rodent gasped as he felt rough paws grab his wrists and hold him still.
"Be still, slave!" a harsh voice whispered in his ear. "You have displeased your master, and you must now pay the penalty!"
The rodent gulped. "P-puh-please, master," he stammered, "please don't be angry. I didn't mean to~"
"Silence!" the feline snapped. The slave wilted in his master's grip, protests fading to nothingness.
"Good." His grip lessened, but not enough for his slave to break free, and his punishment would only be worse if he did. He knew. "Now, I will allow you to escape your punishment, slave" - the slave's big ears perked up - "if you service me to my satisfaction."
The ears dropped again.
"So, what will it be, slave?"
"I... I..."
"Answer, slave, or I shall punish you!"
"I... I shall service you, master," the slave quietly whispered. His head hung in shame and hot tears rolled down his face.
"Excellent."
His master released his wrists, and he turned around and looked up at his master. "Tell me what to do, Master."
"First, you shall remove all of your clothes. Now."
Slowly, the rodent removed all of his clothes, one article at a time, until he stood naked and humiliated before his master.
"Now, you shall undress me, slave."
He gulped, and slowly undid his master's pants, dropping them to the ground. He was naked beneath them, his penis already firming up at the prospect of the night's activities. The slave gulped again. His master knelt down in front of him, and he undid each of the buttons to slide the shirt off of his shoulders for him.
Now the two stood naked in front of each other, the master tall and proud and his slave slouched and humble.
"Now, stay here, slave, or I shall punish you, and then you shall still service me."
"Yes, master," the slave intoned. His master left the room, leaving him alone.
He stood there for a minute or so, staring at the floor, his hands crossed in front of him and covering his nudity as best as he could.
"I do not recall telling you you could cover yourself." He jumped at his master's voice.
"I am sorry, master." He immediately uncrossed his hands, and kept them at his sides.
"Good. Now, remain still."
He stood as still as he could, as he felt his master wrap his hands around his neck, his heartbeat quickening in fear. He felt a leather collar pulled around and buckled, then left to hang loose on his neck. He heard the familiar tinkle of the bell attached to his collar as his master attached a leather leash to the collar and tugged at it. He felt tears flowing down his burning cheeks, and worst of all he could feel his own penis hardening, just like his master's.
"Good slave," his master congratulated. He felt his master's hot breath on his ear as his master looked over his shoulder at his growing erection, and he knew his master was smiling. "And I see that you are indeed ready for the evening, you naughty filthy thing. You like it, don't you, slave?"
His master's tone did not invite contradiction, and the evidence was plain for both to see.
"Yes, master," he admitted in defeat.
He felt his master's paw rubbing the other side of his head, and his free paw with the leash wrapped around it toying with his erection, each pull of the leash making the bell jingle and reminding him of his enslavement.
He heard and felt his master take in breath to speak, and when he did, it was in a quiet whisper, just for him.
"The safe word is 'Aaryanna.'"
The small rodent looked out of the corner of his eyes at the feline, and the two shared a secretive furtive grin.
"Yes, master. I understand."
"Good." The feline stood up, and tugged on the rodent's leash in the direction of the bed. "Come, slave. Prove to your master that you are worthy of forgiveness."
"Yes, master," the slave said.
This game was FUN.
Aww, isn't that a warm and cozy scene? :B
Only one typo I can see,
QuoteHe felt a leather collar pulled around and buckled, then left to hand loose on his neck.
Hang is what I believe you meant there.
Now the tricky part is going to be figuring out which male feline in DMFA actually wears button shirts. :B My vote goes to Merlitz. Still, an excellent little story.
Quote from: Meany on August 07, 2010, 03:00:03 AM
Aww, isn't that a warm and cozy scene? :B
Only one typo I can see,
QuoteHe felt a leather collar pulled around and buckled, then left to hand loose on his neck.
Hang is what I believe you meant there.
Now the tricky part is going to be figuring out which male feline in DMFA actually wears button shirts. :B My vote goes to Merlitz. Still, an excellent little story.
Ooh, nice catch. I'll go fix that.
And, um, one teeny tiny hint... the "feline" in question is just wearing a button-up shirt for the purposes of the scenario. Normally... he doesn't even wear shirts. ;)
EDIT: Woot! 30 pages!
Yeah, Merlitz wore standard shirts more than anything.
Aniz is much more likely. :B
Quote from: Meany on August 07, 2010, 03:06:43 AM
Yeah, Merlitz wore standard shirts more than anything.
Aniz is much more likely. :B
Yes, Aniz would totally shack up with one of the only named rodents in the setting. :B
Unlikely pairings is one of founding hallmarks of fanfiction. :C
And you know it would be hawt. :B
Quote from: Meany on August 07, 2010, 03:22:04 AM
Unlikely pairings is one of founding hallmarks of fanfiction. :C
And you know it would be hawt. :B
Hannah/Aliph! Deebs/Ink! Dan/Destania! All these pairings and more you will NOT see in this webcomic! :P
I'm not sure whether to cower in a corner or cackle maniacally. XD
Quote from: Inumo on August 07, 2010, 11:35:11 AM
I'm not sure whether to cower in a corner or cackle maniacally. XD
Do both, and then you can win a free vacation to a happy white place with all those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're coming to take you away Aha!
Now, let's put the nasty dirty smut out of our minds, and continue the thread from this (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4811.msg335035.html#msg335035)! (I will still leave the warning up because it's not THAT far behind, but never mind!)
Vambrace weapon, concept #3
(http://a.imageshack.us/img225/403/vambraceweaponconcept3b.png)
Linky to full-size version (http://a.imageshack.us/img225/403/vambraceweaponconcept3b.png)
A continuation of this pic (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4260105) (warning, FurAffinity), this is the next version of the vambrace weapon I'm designing for my character Nicky (concept here (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4233482) (also FA)). There's a few major differences between this one and that one, including a drastic slimming down of the design and loosing a few elements. This version feels a lot flimsier than I want, but it might be what it has to be for a while. I've also added a knuckle-duster (not labeled) to provide a good mounting point for the trigger and the wrist switch: it also helps while punching. I also think this is a very steampunk weapon, brown leather and brass and steel. Anyway, onto the description of the various pieces! All the important parts are labeled A through H.
A) The retracting "switchblade." Hydraulically powered (C), once activated (D) it is deployed by angling the hand and wrist downwards (G): this prevents accidental activation outside of combat. It's not designed as a principle melee weapon, and is more of an off-hand weapon. It may still be a vibro weapon, or at least on the tip. I'm a little worried about how flimsy this feels compared to Version 2.
B) The force blaster. I've went with an actual force-field firing weapon, since Nick uses another bit of forcefield tech as a shock absorber, so I know he's got it available. Basically, it's a mathematically-defined barrier that can be adjusted in power and range. It is powered by the rechargeable power cells (E). In addition to the methods used to activate the switchblade (except angling the wrist up), the force blaster uses the duster-mounted trigger (F) to fire it. Again, worried about flimsiness, may have to go back to version 2 on this. I might end up replacing this with something simpler for Nicky's first version, but my idea is that eventually this becomes a full-on forcefield manipulator system.
C) The hydraulic system that deploys and retracts the two weapons, mounted on the underside. It's fairly simple but powerful, and power is supplied by the top-side mounted power cells. It's controlled by the selector switch (D).
D) The selector switch. It has three settings: blaster (turned to the inside), off (set to the middle), and arm blade (turned to the outside). This is a somewhat unwieldy safety mechanism, and I'll be working on a better method for the next in-story version.
E) High-capacity power cells, these are more likely to be capacitors because the force blaster needs quick bursts of power, unless I use these as batteries and give the force blaster its own capacitor.
F) The thumb trigger, mounted on the knuckle duster. Mainly designed for firing the force blaster, it can be used to deploy the arm blade.
G) The wrist switch that I didn't really draw attention to in the last version. This is a pressure switch that helps to activate the two weapons. When the hydraulics are off, the wrist can move freely. When the arm blade is activated, angling the wrist downward triggers it and lets it slide forward: this keeps the hand out of the way while being used. When the blaster is activated, angling the wrist up deploys the force blaster and helps it fold into the palm for easier firing. Again, somewhat complicated, but I like the safety device so I'll be retaining it in a few future in-story versions.
H) The only reason I'm calling this out is because I forgot to include a means of putting on or taking off the vambrace last time. This time, the whole set of crap is attached to a piece of good tough leather by grommets, with a padded liner sewn in for comfort. By making the vambrace leather, I can let Nicky adjust it for his comfort or age if he needs to. The thing doesn't actually open, it just loosens so you can slide it on or off. The laces running up the inside are for tightening it or loosening it as he needs. The kinetic blaster is attached to the vambrace by a series of straps, so it can be adjusted with the rest of it.
Okay, I think that's everything. Major ideas for the next concept are making it a bit more rugged, so the blade doesn't look like it'll shatter the moment he smacks someone with it and the force blaster looks like it could actually work. Overall, though, I like this one a bit more than version 2: it looks more refined, like its creator put some more thought into it. Oh, and I've decided to leave the buckler shield off for simplicity's sake, since that would really complicate this design.
So, thank you for reading this. Now, do you have any questions? Comments? Constructive criticism? Really, I don't bite.
Much.
Quote from: Jairus on August 07, 2010, 11:46:07 PM
So, thank you for reading this. Now, do you have any questions? Comments? Constructive criticism? Really, I don't bite.
Nah, I think I'll let it slide. ;-]
The switchblade looks fine in terms of sturdiness, so long as you're only stabbing. If you're planning on slashing, then AFAIK any switchblade with that kind of extension system will have problems at the connections. Better idea would be to have it all one piece, though it takes up more space that way.
As for the kinetic blaster, I feel like that's how pretty much any kinetic blaster works... If you want it to be sturdier, though, you can always have some extending metal supports that go between the thumb and index finger and around the pinky that connect to the blaster.
My thoughts. :P
Quote from: Inumo on August 08, 2010, 10:34:30 AM
The switchblade looks fine in terms of sturdiness, so long as you're only stabbing. If you're planning on slashing, then AFAIK any switchblade with that kind of extension system will have problems at the connections. Better idea would be to have it all one piece, though it takes up more space that way.
As for the kinetic blaster, I feel like that's how pretty much any kinetic blaster works... If you want it to be sturdier, though, you can always have some extending metal supports that go between the thumb and index finger and around the pinky that connect to the blaster.
My thoughts. :P
Well, the original version of the switchblade just had three sections instead of four, and extended to roughly the same length. And while a two-piece blade would be even sturdier, the mechanisms required would be fairly bulky and the length would be slightly limited, especially with that annoying hand there.
And I'd like to avoid unnecessary bits as much as necessary, if only because these aren't really designed to be out all the time. A more permanent fixed weapon version of the force blaster would be much more reinforced, though.
A little late to the party on this....
I do like the Vambrace. Love all the little gadgets that are all just strapped together in a single system. I even went through and mentally superimposed it over my own hand, following the instructions to "see" how it would work. Everything seems to work smoothly, except one thing, the Selector Switch (D). It seems to be on the wrong side of the arm, it's hard to reach all the way over to get it.
Otherwise, loving all of this ;)
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 08, 2010, 01:20:26 PM
A little late to the party on this....
I do like the Vambrace. Love all the little gadgets that are all just strapped together in a single system. I even went through and mentally superimposed it over my own hand, following the instructions to "see" how it would work. Everything seems to work smoothly, except one thing, the Selector Switch (D). It seems to be on the wrong side of the arm, it's hard to reach all the way over to get it.
Otherwise, loving all of this ;)
Well, this is meant to be an early version of a much smoother and more advanced weapon later on, but I figured that mounting the control switch near the elbow and on the underside of the arm would keep it out of the way of being accidentally activated.
Another weapon! I'm enjoying designing these.
Storm Scepter
(http://a.imageshack.us/img341/2311/stormscepter2b.png)
Full size (http://a.imageshack.us/img341/2311/stormscepter2b.png)
This is the Storm Scepter, a somewhat-pretentiously named control mechanism for an antique weather control machine built by an ancestral Blitzberg (the Blitzbergs are among the oldest and strongest Genius dynasties, at least until they were wiped out about twenty years ago, but that's neither here nor there). Basically, it's a high-powered laser (itself partially lost tech) that ionizes the air when it's fired at a target and provides a proper conduit for a man-generated lightning bolt. Originally designed as a simple targeting mechanism for a somewhat-innacurate weapon system, it became a lot more symbolic as the family strengthened. This weapon is the fire of the gods held in your hands, after all. Nothing like a lightning bolt to put the fear of the Genius into some future peons. The whole thing is fairly simple, designed to look a lot like a wand.
The image below that is a concept for an "upgraded" version of the Storm Scepter, which adds high-energy capacitors and a spark gap so that the Scepter can fire its own lightning bolts without the bulky (and antiquated) support system, though it can still function as the targeting device. Obviously, these bolts are nowhere near as powerful as regular ones, but a low-powered bolt is still capable of stunning or paralyzing a target, and a sufficiently-charged one has enough amperage to kill. One of its limitations is the need to be linked to a battery pack on the belt, which also limits the amount of times it can be used: the whole system only has enough power for three lethal bolts. It's directly linked to another bit of lost tech that can recharge the capacitors, but it doesn't charge fast enough to allow for constant use. This is better designed as a "shock and awe" weapon (no pun intended), but it's also very effective against machines. Nick wears this next to his blaster for ease of drawing into his weapon hand.
Design-wise, I absolutely love the old version. It's got a very steampunk/magitech feel to it, and has this elegant simplicity that befits a Genius out to stun someone (again, no pun intended) with his accomplishments. I'm a bit less satisfied with the upgraded version, since it doesn't fit the feel of the original. Which I suppose makes sense, but part of me actually feels somewhat heretical for modifying a six-hundred year old weapon in such a way. I think my improved version will concentrate all of the extra bits at the handle end, with two long tines stretching from the hilt to the front and supported by non-conductive material, with the Scepter simply slipped inside: this should help it still feel upgraded without me defiling the original too-much.
Anyway, there's my description. Questions, comments, constructive criticisms, quiche? Sorry, I was on a hard C sound there for a bit.
EDIT: Oh, right, my announcement. As a few people know, I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow. So, I'll probably be fairly quiet (ha ha) for a few days.
....
Taking a leaf out of Gilgamesh Wulfenbach's book, eh? ;)
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on August 09, 2010, 02:29:55 AM
....
Taking a leaf out of Gilgamesh Wulfenbach's book, eh? ;)
It's actually a sensible design, though Gil never clarifies how his version works. It's also loosely based on an older battle idea of mine, from a mecha story. Two giant robots are fighting under storm conditions, and one of them fires their particle beam weapon at precisely the wrong time and in the wrong direction: the ionized air makes a perfect path for a massive bolt of lightning that strikes their unit and completely fries it in one hit. And considering these things were hardened against normal EMP weapons...
In all seriousness, there's actually a bunch of electrostatic weaponry in this setting. Some characters use them for thrusters, other as air controllers, stuff like that. The old Blitzbergs (note the name: Lightning Mountain) built this as the ultimate demonstration of their power and skill: the ability to match the forces of nature themselves. Six hundred years later, it's still fairly impressive. Some people actually believe the Blitzbergs to be descendants of some storm god or goddess. Nick's just gone for the more portable personal defense version rather than the installation defense version. As to
why exactly Nicky is using a priceless historical artifact in such a manner... aheheheh. Let's just say that it involves pulling a Frankenstein and leave it at that.
And really, this is attempting to justify the usual video game-style lightning weapon: the only way you're going to get anything close to an actual bolt of lightning is an installation weapon (mages are no exception, storm spells take a lot of effort), and you're going to need a means of targeting this weapon. There are few psychological weapons greater than seeing someone conjure lightning from the sky with no more apparent effort than pointing a stick. Nick's version is closer to the standard video game weapon, but makes a lot of trade-offs in order for it to be remotely wieldable, and the most powerful bolt it can manage is just a fatal one. Albeit, not too difficult given that it only take six milliamps across the heart to electrocute someone, but since this is designed to be used with a range of at least fifteen feet that's a hell of a trick.
Phew, I said a bit more than I intended to. Sorry.
A short story that I wrote for Spooks for the CCC, and decided to post since it's one of the only art things I've done recently. This started out as a much more serious story before it went in a silly direction about halfway through. The characters belong to Spooks. Anyway, enjoy!
Spooks knew the jackelope was trouble the moment he walked through the door. But then, they all were trouble eventually.
The fennec fox leaned back in her office chair, trying to ignore the squeaking and resolving once more to get it oiled someday. She had more pressing concerns, like the bills piling up on her desk. And a notice from her bank reminding her that her savings account had been drained. Oh, and her landlord threatening to throw her out. Akenai (Private Eye) better known as Spooks, had had a slow month. A few slow months, actually. And by this point, Spooks was desperate. There was a calendar on one wall, with next Wednesday circled in red: crunch time. Even if it was a cuckolding wife this guy needed help with. She started to try and get a feel for the guy, try and guess what he needed.
The jackelope was gray with green hair, an interesting combination. His horns pushed up through two matching holes in a ratty fedora. His suit was neat but slightly stained, a few years out of date. His jacket was unbuttoned, the elbows patched. The 'lopes' shoes were old and worn, his tie stained. His fingers twiddled: there'd be a cigarette there if he wanted it, or maybe it was a subconscious gesture towards a missing ring. The fur on his left left wrist looked weird, not as neat as the rest: a missing wristwatch, perhaps stolen or pawned in desperation? His little pink nose twitched, sniffing at the air. Cheap takeout and old coffee, familiar smells to the detective but strange to her visitor. Spooks suddenly felt a little self-conscious, but decided against opening a window: cool and confident was the way to get a customer. She'd nonchalantly open it a little later... never mind, a crack of thunder and the sound of raindrops tip-tapping against the windows scrapped that plan. Oh well.
She casually waved at one of the seats across her desk, smiling in welcome. He smiled back, but there was no joy or mirth behind it. He was tired, his shoulders slumped and his eyes sunken and haggard. He wasn't taking care of himself. He sat down in the chair with visible exhaustion, leaning back and making it squeak. He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaled long and deep, and then turned back towards Spooks. A missing girlfriend or family member, perhaps. Either way, she probably wasn't going to get much out of the man, but every little bit helped...
The lights briefly flickered, followed a few seconds later by more thunder. Appropriately dramatic, she supposed, but annoying if the power went out.
"Welcome, sir. Coffee? Tea? Water?" she asked with practiced ease and a welcoming smile. The jackelope shook his head, and the fennec shrugged. She stood up to stretch lightly, and walked over to the record player. Some piano piece was playing, she just liked the ambient sound when no one was around. She turned the volume down until it could barely be heard. She sat back down in her chair, lightly brushing her brown hair out of her eyes, her ears twitching in barely concealed interest at her new client. "How can I help you today, sir?"
The jackelope opened his mouth, then closed it again. Then...
"What are we doing in some stupid film noir story, Spooks?"
Spooks leaned back in her chair, looking very confused. "Um... to be honest, I'm not sure. I mean, I don't even like film noir."
Spooks and the jobless jackelope
"My name's Raj. "
"I know your name, Raj, you're my character and I created you," Spooks said with some annoyance.
"Yeah, but... did you hear someone say 'jobless jackelope?' Also, that's needlessly alliterative."
"Now that you mention it..." Spooks trailed off. "I kind of heard someone saying what I was thinking, but that doesn't make sense, does it?"
"Something very weird is going on here..."
The two looked about warily
"There!" Spooks pointed in a random direction. "No, there!" she pointed again.
"I heard it too!" Raj's ears twitched.
"It's... a narrator?!" Spooks said in a shocked voice.
Dammit.
"What the hell?" Spooks shouted as she shot up from her seat.
"More trite alliteration," Raj sarcastically quipped as he looked around, trying to find the mysterious narrator.
Oh, come on, it's film noir. It's supposed to be cliché and somewhat silly.
"Yeah, but film noir is supposed to be narrated by the protagonist," Spooks pointed out as she futilely checked her desk's drawers.
"Where the heck are you, anyway?" Raj asked.
I'm the narrator. I'm everywhere and nowhere.
"You're sitting at your computer writing this, aren't you?" Spooks asked.
"That's what I thought."
"You're getting outsmarted by a pair of fictional representations of two people you barely know. Impressive."
Shut up.
"Nyah-nyah!" Raj said as he stuck his tongue out like a spoiled child. "Hey! Don't make me do that!"
I'm the narrator. What I say, goes.
"Really?" Spooks asked as she inexplicably decided to start doing jumping jacks.
Yes. There was the unmistakable feeling that somewhere, someone was belting out an evil laugh.
"A thought," Raj wondered out loud as he performed a position from the Kama Sutra.
"Yes?" Spooks asked as she started trying on silly hats.
"Can't we just... leave? I mean, we're not really his characters, so we can act like we'd actually act, right? I mean, provided it's not described in narration, right?"
Um...
"Good point."
"So, wanna go out for pizza?"
In the 20s? I don't know if they had pizza parlors.
"Oh, shut up."
But please, I had this great story all worked out. You were looking for this dame with a suitcase, and
"It's been done before."
"Yeah, seriously. I'm hungry."
"Yeah, me too. Takeout? Come on."
But... but...
Oh, fine. Might as well wrap it up.
The room lay abandoned. Coffee cups stacked up in the sink, dust collecting in corners, paperwork on the desk that would never be finished now. A nearby crack of lightning shook the apartment with its thunder. The soft sound of Chopin's second sonata mixed with the pitter-patter of rain, creating a low lulling sound that filled the room
"Oh come on! Five S sounds in a row?"
I thought you were going to go get pizza, Spooks.
"We were, but that was just horrible!"
All right, fine! I'll just end this now, okay? The end!
That was really funny. I like it. :)
Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? Anyway, here's a little something to worm my way back into my poor forgotten thread...
Some of you may have heard of a little game called Jurassic Park: Trespasser. If you haven't, I'll give you a quick rundown. Trespasser is set approximately one year after the events of The Lost World (the movie, not the book). It involves a woman named Anne whose plane crashes on Site B, leaving her the only survivor and forced to make her way to safety through the entire island, surrounded by hungry dinosaurs and numerous threats. The game was ambitious, dealing with many at-the-time unique concepts, including a robust physics engine and one of the first examples of ragdoll physics, as well as lacking a HUD system with Anne guessing how many bullets her guns had left and a tattoo on her left breast for a health bar: the Half-Life team were heavily influence by the work done on Trespasser, and had the game been a success Half-Life may have ended up being called a "Trespasser clone." However, Trespasser was not a success. Numerous delays and hardware difficulties left the game unfinished and unable to run on many computers when it was released in 1998. Despite its failings, Trespasser is an interesting game with a robust fan community to this day. A lets-play of Trespasser can be found here (http://www.viddler.com/explore/Rsrch_Indicates/videos/) (go to page 3).
Why am I telling you all of this, some of you may ask? Because I was bored, and wrote this:
The Twelve Things of Trespasser
For the twelfth thing of Trespasser,
The developers gave to us...
Twelve Tribe C raptors,
Eleven broken cars
Ten floating boxes,
Nine stupid puzzles,
Eight big long levels,
Seven hungry Rexes,
Six different dinos,
Five key card quests!
Four shots left,
Third person mode,
Two floating breasts,
And a really freaking broken game!
Thank you.
Words. They fail me. XD
Here's a link to the Trespasser's LP on the Let's Play Archive, by the way: http://lparchive.org/LetsPlay/Trespasser/ . It's not much different from the link Jay provided, but it contains a couple amusing pictures.
Poem time! I'll do something holiday-themed later.
Forgotten Memories
Atop a far-off cliff remains
A suit of armor, bronze and gold.
Scattered about the foul terrain:
A field of blades, their tales untold.
As grains in glass flow to the past,
The wind blows on, the sand blows by.
Each passing day much like the last
While sun and stars dance in the sky.
Each blade a marker where they fell.
What fought they for, what wrong to right?
Each name long lost. Each cause as well.
Naught else remains, save this lone knight.
The victor he, triumphant will
Alone, always. He lies there, still.
Also, a Haiku:
A lone masked Rider
Stands tall above all others.
For justice, transform.
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on December 13, 2010, 01:00:42 PM
Words. They fail me. XD
Here's a link to the Trespasser's LP on the Let's Play Archive, by the way: http://lparchive.org/LetsPlay/Trespasser/ . It's not much different from the link Jay provided, but it contains a couple amusing pictures.
For some reason, the health meter reminds me of Legend of Neil...
Interesting poem. Not sure how Shakespearean you were aiming, but... don't sonnets usually have ten syllables per line, not eight?
Quote from: Inumo on December 24, 2010, 01:15:03 PM
Interesting poem. Not sure how Shakespearean you were aiming, but... don't sonnets usually have ten syllables per line, not eight?
Iambic pentameter sonnets have ten syllables per line, but I usually write iambic tetrameter. For some reason, tetrameter comes really easy to me (one of the four-line sections took about three minutes, including rewriting sentences and shuffling), while writing pentameter is like pulling teeth.
Ah, that explains it. I've only had experience with iambic pentameter, forgot there's many more styles.
A time of joy and one of caring,
For love and friendship and for sharing
The times we've had, the good and bad
When we've been happy and been sad.
Gifts we exchange, and songs we sing:
Such wond'rous joys these mem'ries bring.
As night draws in, draw loved ones near
And treasure those who aren't here.
These are the stories we've been told:
In summer's heat or winter's cold,
If flowers bloom or snowflakes whirl,
Tis Christmas time around the world.
May love and peace always remain,
Until this time comes once again.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a great year.
(PS: Now get to your gifts, and get out of here! ;))
It's always a gift to read your poety, Jairus :3 I like this one, it is particularly touching. :)
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on December 25, 2010, 03:29:07 PM
It's always a gift to read your poety, Jairus :3 I like this one, it is particularly touching. :)
Thank you very much. :) Happy holidays to you and yours!