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drops of pain hit the ground

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Neverwinter currently being under attack, most of the time I'm on the battlefield. Today's chatter was on...well, it started on dragons...

[Zone] Lolthissia Virmilion@kinkizzle: dragon plox

For those who don't know, she means "please".

[Zone] Freedom@cherriesman: the dragon is dead



[Zone] LeeBee@o0l0oo0l0o: i got 1 hit on the dragon
[Zone] Lolthissia Virmilion@kinkizzle: oh noes ;n;
[Zone] Malie@drevanias: dragon in 48
[Zone] Lolthissia Virmilion@kinkizzle: ty malie


Instance #48, Malie means.

[Zone] Darkness@rathlian: dragon at #36
[Zone] Pandemic Apocalypse@greypandemic: #56 dragon just popped with 19 minutes left
[Zone] Valareos Draconrouge@Valareos: I hate that teargetting bug


Valareos means "targeting". What he's saying is that the hit box on the dragon enemies is variable, and annoying. While any player can hit a dragon with AoE attacks--"area of effect", those spells/abilities that send damage into a specific area, not simply to one or more individual targets--to hit a dragon specifically, the best way seems to be to generally aim between the shoulder blades, where there is no dragon to be found. The only other way to hit the dragon, to date, is to log out of the instance and log back in. Which takes time and is even more annoying.

[Zone] Sune@constancenoring: halectrizar just hit me for 27k damage, ouch...

Ooh, I haven't seen Halectrizar yet. So you will know, this is Halectrizar:



I'll try to pull these over to an image host in a day or so, but for right now, this and Glaxenheim the Pale below come from the Forgotten Realms wiki page.

[Zone] Dakota Tarin@baocat: nothing like being reminded... it's a dragon.

So true.



[Zone] Sune@constancenoring: #54 up
[Zone] Jim@jimnarious: dragon #73
[Zone] Whisp@puff2009: having fun?
[Zone] Brixton@Brixton-Blitzhacker: I am purinas new Dragon Chow


To be fair, all the dragons on the battlefield are Greater Dragons. They are big, they are bad, they cover easily HALF of the center battlefield bowl...and they eat us like chips, so yeah.



[Zone] Otto@throsbi: your not the only one lolo
[Zone] Dakota Tarin@baocat: New formula! 10% more dwarf!
[Zone] Signar Shadowdagger@zanthesninja: its a good thing drow are not tasty
[Zone] Signar Shadowdagger@zanthesninja: we are kinda burnt


I don't know about burnt. Drow are something...maybe they're more like exotically spiced?



(The above image comes from GameGeex, but is an official promo image from Neverwinter itself.)

[Zone] Kel@thejondude: dwarves are the potatos of the dragon food chain, earthy and goes with everything
[Zone] Dakota Tarin@baocat: and bitter. takes a lot of sugar to off set em. or fey, in dragon chow.
[Zone] needy@deathrise2: lol good one
[Zone] Dash@deadphoenix3: idk, I like my elves well done. *wonk*


Well done, indeed.



(All other images are mine, with three of my in-game characters.)

who cares about little boys who talk too much?

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Yeah, no.

Apparently, happiness is a warm hammer. Who knew?

Does sunscreen harm coral reefs? Surprising answer: yes.

The Tower Bridge in London is now glass-bottomed. Why? Got me. Because people look like little ants that far above the ground?

This is fascinating: Hogewey, near Amsterdam, has no walls, no bars, no gates. The patients stay because it's where they live. They have shops, salons, entertainment options--and houses furnished terrifyingly accurately to the periods they best remember--the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s.

It would be like a time warp. The caretakers of the patients pose as gardeners--ubiquitous, but non-threatening.

Scientists are planning to clone a woolley mammoth, based on a collaborative project that has merged enough active DNA strands from enough different mammoth discoveries to warrant a successful effort--potentially. The bigger question: is this a good idea? What are we going to do with a woolley mammoth once we have one?

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most impressive directors of animated film we have. Tomorrow, those who have the tech can get three of his best works on Blu-Ray, for HD glory never seen before:


Kiki's Delivery Service


Princess Mononoke


The Wind Rises

Considering each of these is worth seeing in standard, in HD they must be truly epic.

Sixteenth-century cosplayers? Some of these are seriously impressive. I'd like to see more of the series.

Painter, illustrator and photographer Hannah Rothstein designs Thanksgiving meals to be reminiscent of the work of famous artists. To be fair, it never would have occurred to me that Mondrian would use gravy as a separation medium, or that Pablo Picasso would shatter the plate, but they're all interesting takes on the concept.

In the meantime, for another take on food as art, how about hand-knitted food? You can't eat 'em, but that doesn't mean they don't look good enough to try.

While the Paris Longchamp Grand Prix races were far from a casual event, between 1910 and 1920 they were enough of a draw that photographers took both posed and casual shots of the fashions for public view. Some of the looks are quite stunning.

Going back a bit earlier, how about some cabinet cards from burlesque dancers in 1890? While of course much of the attire is part and parcel of the times in which they lived, still, some notable things stand out for me. For example, Ella Chapman's stockings (or tights, it's hard to tell): are they sequined or actually beaded? That sounds stunning visually, but uncomfortable to wear. Though Minnie Marshall's jacket dress is something I'm seriously tempted to attempt remaking.

The one common motif they all have is that they look like strong women, not merely curvaceous, but actually powerful. While curves were in, and corsets added to that impression, the overall sameness of their legs, the size of their thighs, bespeaks to a specific style of dance that must have, at the time, been nigh unto universal. One wonders who trained burlesque dancers, and how? Obviously they could act; many could improvise and were gifted comediennes; but it's that specific musculature on their legs that makes me wonder how they trained.

For vintage photography buffs, the earliest known photograph to feature a recognizable human being was taken in Paris, France, in 1838, by Louis Daguerre. Yes, that Daguerre, the invention of the daguerrotype, a specifically-processed, silver-plated sheet of copper that could engrave images via gunpowder flashed into a shadowbox, essentially. It was a great step forward for the time as a process, but how did this image capture the human figure?

Simple: he stood stll long enough. There are many, many unseen people, horses, carts and carriages in that photograph, that we will never see, because their movements meant they were out of frame before the exposure time ended. This one man, however, was having his shoes shined, and thus held his position long enough to be captured for posterity.

There was a secret message in Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch that even he never realized. History is strange.

Having never heard the term "thundersnow" before, I gleefully announced it to Miss Neome--who, since she grew up in Wisconsin, knows this as an everyday word. Oops. Well, it's new to me, and it landed in Buffalo, New York, to the tune of seventy inches. Eep.

I love John Malkovich for these. Especially the recreation of Dorothy Lange's famous Dustbowl photo. (If you haven't seen the original, compare it: it's a stunning recreation.)

And finally, have some NYC camouflage. That is all.

So, I haven't been here for a while. It wasn't my intent to abandon blogging, and I seriously regret that I missed blogging any of the haunts this year, because while this October was fairly dismal overall, there were some standouts that were worth blogging. I didn't do that.

Not necessarily interested in going into the reasons as to why, because past a certain point, this blog becomes a confessional, and I'm trying to avoid that. In large part due to the fact that it was so very much a confessional for the grid in its early days.

I'm going to leave it as "struggling with personal issues" and work harder on blogging more frequently--even if they're likely all going to be clip posts for a while. At least it will get me back in the habit, because it's a habit I really don't want to lose.

in the bleak midwinter

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We are well into the Advent season now, and if you haven't been following along, there's still hope. The owner of IM Capped has put together an expansive list on the topic. There may be revisions as time goes on, and stores drop out or add later-in-the-month Advents, and you can always check to see if there's been a revision by returning to the store or the blog.

Speaking of things seasonal, the Arcade (yes, I know, I know, it's always so crowded) currently has a holiday tree smack dab in the center of all the chaos. And, if you manage to fight your way to it through the lag, there's a grand collection of presents underneath it for the taking. I wish you joy of accomplishing this; I've crashed twice trying!

Speaking of things seasonal off the grid, have some snow cookies. And some cinnamon stars.

Marvel may not be able to bring all their characters back under one roof, so to speak, but Stan Lee may have hinted at reunification efforts. It'd be fun, but terribly complicated to nail down.

Have some happy hamsters.

"Go on..."

Les Sucreries de Fairy is getting into mesh in an adorable neo-Victorian way:



Retailing for L$200, copy/mod, five standard mesh sizes, PLUS the headband, the choker, and the beribboned gloves. Darling. If I had the L$200, I would buy it on the spot.

Santa's obsession is leather? Since when?

More to come, as I slowly drag myself back into blogging...

ring out, Solstice bells

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Is it possible to bring back ancient sounds? Musician Stef Connor thinks so, and she's going to do it on a reproduction of an ancient golden lyre. I can't wait to hear what she comes up with.

While we're on the New Scientist site, have a phenomenal picture of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. It's apparently the third largest hot springs in the world, after Boiling Lake in Dominica, and Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand, which is the world's largest.

In other news, people will always find a way to be short-sighted. The newest astronomical craze is something called the CubeSat, which are tiny, cheap, box-shaped satellites, easier to launch than larger satellites, with a (supposedly) planned obsolescence factor which will bring them down in twenty-five years. However, with no oversight committee on design, some of the tiny satellites have been launched with no built-in decay, resulting in cube-shaped disaster potentials overhead. Some collisions have already occurred; and no one knows quite what to do from here, with literally hundreds launched by universities and hobbyists every year.

No space in a small apartment? No problem. Hang your bed from the ceiling.

Have some sour cream cut-out cookies. Also some flourless chocolate cookies. And while we're here, for the white chocolate fans, I found white chocolate-dipped ginger cookies and white chocolate-dipped cranberry/oatmeal cookies. I also found a pretty good gluten-free gingerbread cookie recipe. And to round things out, why not try some eggnog sugar cookies?

Tragically, Stella Young is no longer with us--she died earlier this week--but this excerpt from her TED talk is genius. "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much." And it's true--disability is not there just to inspire the able-bodied. Disability is a condition, not a motivational effort. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and often, our bodies need support to continue to exist. These are medical aids, not badges of honor.



I saw this today at the Arcade gacha event, when I went back to pick up the rest of the gifts under the tree. Fantastic reflections on this ornament, and the absolute beauty of it? If you have Materials enabled, it's probably even better--this is just flat SL photography, no Windlight, no special settings of any kind.

(I also really adore the token "A" on the tree. Pity they're not selling those, though I may hunt around for a similar mesh alphabet set, because that would be kind of awesome as wall art, too.)



Sad but true. More later!

children of the earth, arise!

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More cookie recipes! First up, thumbprint cookies, two ways (but with room for many more creative variations), followed by chocolate sables, peppermint cheesecake cookies, traditional "Yule Log" and molasses crinkle cookies, and a very vintage recipe I haven't run across in years, it seems: raisin criss-cross cookies.

In other news, if you're into creepy sealife, I came across a lovely video of an anglerfish in action. It's either awesome or disturbing beyond all reason, considering how well you handle a fish with more than half its total body length being mouth.

Some days, I'm deluded into thinking I'm a rational person. This may not be one of those days.

[03:48] [Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: The Lord of this planet spoke to me once , it was two words ,, He said ,, ' No Mercy '
[03:48] [Txxxxxx Exxxxxxxxx]: O.o
[03:48] Emilly Orr blinks and wonders where that came from.
[03:48] [Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: me
[03:48] Emilly Orr: Yes, but in relation to what?

It was a serious question--I was massively confused. We'd been discussing lucky boards and Midnight Manias at stores that catered to implants (mostly Lolas Tangos, as I recall), and then this happened.

[03:49] [Hxxxxx Dxxxxx]: - I'd have been more worried if it has been The Lord of this univers - I coulldnt care less about Elvis...
[03:49] [pxxxxxx Fxxxxxx]: o.O
[03:49] [Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: The Lord of this earth , or did I stutter ?

No, you didn't stutter, dear, you're just not making any sense.

[03:50] Emilly Orr: Ah, okay, let me dumb this down for you. What do you mean?
[03:50] [pxxxxxx Fxxxxxx]: oh boy, one of those days
[03:50] [Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: you cant dumb that down any further

I guess not, but it still doesn't make any sense. Us: *random chatter, store sales, MM board postings* Her: *DOOM! BOW YE DOWN BEFORE THE LORD!* Us: Uh, what??

[03:51] [Txxxxxx Exxxxxxxxx]: flashes her tits and jiggles them in annoyance.
[03:51] Emilly Orr: Let me take it from another angle, then--to which Lord are you referring?
[03:51] [Hxxxxx Dxxxxx]: *shrughs* I have the Utmost respect for The Lord - what I do not respect are people trying to pull *their way* of believing over everyones head like a too-small hat!

Absolutely, which was another problem I had with this sudden intrusion from the religious side.

[03:51] [Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: there is only one
[03:51] Emilly Orr: There is only one *to you*.

I'm sticking by that.

[03:51] [pxxxxxx Fxxxxxx]: This is not the platform for this topic
[03:51] Emilly Orr: It's really not.
[03:52] [Txxxxxx Exxxxxxxxx]: there are religion groups , lots of them
[03:52] Emilly Orr: How does this relate to implants, freebies, or implant clothing?

After that she shut up. Again, this was completely out of the blue, so I still have zero reference as to what she was getting at in the first place, and why she so urgently wanted to pass on "the message" in an implant freebie group!

In more depressing news...whilst offline, I received this message from the Inspirational Mental Health group:
people are upset that I am walking away from no longer donating myself. But how can I continue to donate and give of myself when I have absolutely nothing. If you really love the community, if you really want to support, if you really believe in the mission and vision, just join the VIP group. I can't any longer donate of myself unfortunately. I no longer have the means to do so.
Uh...What?

So I logged onto the grid and read the notecard sent in a later message:
Don't donate to any organization that helps stop stigma or raise awareness. WHY in the world will you support these people?

Who gives a dam if they make a difference!!! Just don't donate. Let everyone commit suicide because they don't have a place to go to. Let everyone feel like crap because they have no one to talk to. Let everyone just suffer because who gives a dam, life is just too crappy to even believe things can change and be better.

Don't raise awareness, don't educate and don't support. Yep!, that's right! Hide all your materials and be greedy as hell and don't share it.

Don't share it with people who might be suicidal. Don't share it with people who might be in need. Just keep all your materials in your inventory and be greedy! It's amazing to live this way! Doesn't feeling greedy feel amazing?

Don't help out and volunteer with people who are trying to make a difference. Your life sucks anyways! How dare you believe that you are worthy and can help someone else? How dare you even for a second think you can possibly hear someone out and make a difference? Taking 2 minutes of your time to listen is just not for you.

Don't bother to say thank you for materials that do help you and change your life. Why? You deserve countless of hours of research, personal experiences, and work other people put in to give you something for free!! If they gave it for free, why should you say thank you? They can go to hell! Grab what ever it is and forget about gratitude. Who cares if they worked as slaves for FREE to serve you and help make your life better. That's not your problem.

Don't spend your money on materials that can help better your life. Nope! Just spend in on prim clothes, virtual world homes, and all the virtual luxury you can buy. Spend it on things that keep your life crappy. What else can make you feel better? You deserve to keep complaining about your same symptoms and life. Who cares if you don't change? Who cares if there is a possibility of a better change? This is your life and this is what you choose so be it!

Oh you are offended by what I am saying and my advice? Sadly, 95% of the people in a mental health community ARE these people.

Why is it that people chose this instead of wanting to be the change they wish to see?

Sadly, we can't raise awareness and educate without others joining in. We can't made a difference without others being involved. And we can't make a difference when others don't support.

This is a very! hard decision. VERY!

But I have realized my worth and value. I have donated countless of hours to this community for 3 years plus and have gained a lot of experiences that I now take that with me into real life. I realize that the contents I share have value and can change a person's life for the better. I have seen the materials being used by the 5% of people that do donate, that do say thank you, that do support, that do believe in a change....and they have gotten results!!

I know what I can give. I know that the materials shared can help change life for the better. I know that it brings results!

This is why I am moving on to where I am appreciated and valued. I am focusing 100% on the VIP Group ONLY. I am also launching a project in RL soon. This project will help millions of people while I don't go undervalued. I will also be able to help continue the work we do.

I want to thank you to the 5% of you that do and/or have donated to support this project of raising awareness, educating others and providing resources to those in need. I want to thank those that have listened to others. I want to thank those who have giving of themselves completely, realizing that this is the way to end stigma and discrimination. I want to thanks those who have supported us in one way or another.

If you would like to join the VIP group, here is the link {insert: leads to SL group link}

If not, I understand and wish you well in your journey. I am grateful to have met you all and I am thankful for the times shared ♥

Inspirational Mental Health, once known as Mental Health Awareness Retreat has reached over 5k people around the world. It has educated many people and raised mental health awareness. It has provided resources and information and peer to peer support.

Thank you for having been a part of this wonderful community.

Joshuan Banx
Now, I'm leaving his in-world name on the blog because he's been a passionate advocate of healing in all spaces--RL, SL, anywhere. I first ran across Mr. Banx while he was running a hunt to benefit mentally ill homeless people. I decided at the time to join his group, and while I don't always participate, there have been a lot of thoughtful, helpful discussions over the months I've been active in the group. He turns no one away, so there's a lot of diverse voices, from the depressed to the bipolar and beyond.

But I've never taken a class, and, while I have donated to the land fund, it hasn't been often. Why? Because I'm currently facing two (to me) severe issues:
  • I don't have a steady stream of Lindens to play with at present, and
  • I'm pretty severely depressed, for a variety of reasons (lack of Lindens being the least of them)
The first means I don't have much to donate; in fact, most of the 'shopping' I've done in world for the past six months has been garnering freebies and going on hunts. It's the second that's pulled me into hermit state, though, made me very uncomfortable around other people most of the time, and largely kept me out of world consistently.

And I won't lie: at first, the tone of the initial group notice made me want to post everything and explode in unwarranted rage. Because as with any serious case of depression, there's anger in the mix, and venting it inappropriately is typical for the ailment.

The thing is, I've been honestly sitting here, processing these statements, trying not to go off half-cocked, and I've realized a few things.
  • Whether I had Lindens or not, I could have foregone a L$25 Tuesday offering, or a heavily discounted mesh dress I wanted to attempt texturing, and saved up those minimal Lindens to toss to the retreat land.
  • He's right in that--while he's not specifically talking to me--I kind of fit into that largely self-involved 95% of group members: I haven't been talking a lot in chat, I haven't taken a class since the reorganization, I haven't donated in a few months to keep the land open, even when Joshuan was asking for donations on a nigh-weekly basis.
  • I've never even bothered to join the VIP group.
That last one has a very specific reason, how'ver: to join the VIP group, it's a steep (and, at this point, sheerly unaffordable) L$300. Now, in practical, RL terms, that's about a US dollar's worth, market fluctuations notwithstanding. It's not an insane--no pun intended--amount to ask for, and there are benefits that come with that--discounted class prices, members only materials and library (informational notecard) access, occasional exclusive group gifts, and at-home study worksheets for personal growth and self-therapy.

And I get why Joshuan's upset, I really do. I'm not the only one who's hung back; I can't even say that I had the best reasons, considering those I've spoken with in group chat who have far more compelling issues than I do at present. And while there's still a wounded, tender part of my psyche that is treating this as a personal attack, I'm also owning my complicity in frustrating Joshuan to this point: because as he said, I'm not the only non-participatory group member. And five percent of a group supporting the entirety starts to get really old after a while. I've been there; I understand.

So, I'm posting this. If you have issues you'd like to work on, and you have more free Lindens than I do, consider joining the VIP group. Joshuan is a caring, compassionate guy when he's not tearing his hair out, and overall, the group members are supportive people who do not judge. Plus, he's working on taking his self-therapy and peer support model off the grid and into RL, starting with Facebook and a set of personal speaking gigs at various locations he's been doing over the past few months. Which seem to be going pretty well, from what I've heard.

So...for now, I can't get further involved. Does it mean he's disbanding the non-VIP group? I don't know, and today, after a round of calls between various medical offices and various paralegals, I'm too tired to find out. I'm sure one way or another, all will be revealed, for good or ill.

After that, I feel the need for kittens.



There you go.

masters in this hall

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[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: PLEASE HOW I UNBOUND COMPANIONS FRO SELL

Properly, it's "how DO I UNBIND companions", and "for sell(ing)", but hey. Also, I am suddenly reminded of exactly why I stopped playing Neverwinter for a while. This kind of nonsense.

[Zone] Luusi Loyalar@thegcbacon: you dont
[Zone] Dara Wizard@essexuk: you cannot
[Zone] Ecthelion@oshikawa: i did not think you could unbind them
[Zone] Raven Shadowmane@kickaya1: once your companion is bound you cant sell it.


Pretty much. Once you name your companion, that companion is yours. You can't "unbind" it from your account or from that character. You can throw it away...but that's all you can do.

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: shit
[Zone] Treyd Lightfoot@bailey2409: nein nein nein
[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: no way to unbound them ????


Nope. Thanks for playing.

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: i wanna selll a brain companion
[Zone] D'Vanthsgrup@cagedrat: then you shouldn't have equipped it
[Zone] Luusi Loyalar@thegcbacon: then you should've used your brain earlier
[Zone] Heal@jeremieuserx2: ouch


Deserved, though. I mean, okay, if it's his first companion, maybe, but still.

[Zone] Nexus2@nexusmmo: how to use my invation skill?

Your...what now??

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: 100.000
[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: i sell brain for 100.000
[Zone] Heal@jeremieuserx2: emack if you equipted it i cannot purchase it


"Equipped". Also true. Why doesn't Ermack understand this?

[Zone] Nexus2@nexusmmo: how to use my invation skill?

Again with this.

[Zone] VeryShy@litehands: cntrl,i

Oh, derp, I get it now--you mean how do you invite people to groups or parties. Right, okay, for some reason that slipped right by my comprehension.

[Zone] Zaketrin@dazorglub: you can"t sell bound stuff
[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: no way to sell to other player ?????


Nope, we've covered this. Move on.

[Zone] PaixDesAmes@bettyboop83: do yu think your brain so valuable

Oh, there are so many ways to answer that...

[Zone] Heal@jeremieuserx2: not if you double clicked it, no
[Zone] Zaketrin@dazorglub: that's what bound does
[Zone] D'Vanthsgrup@cagedrat: you equipped it, it is bound to you, you are stuck with it, get over it
[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: you faind it for 200.000


"Faind" it? What does that even...are you still talking about selling the damn thing?!?

[Zone] Krazed@thykrazyone: so...what do we do with gold now?
[Zone] D'Vanthsgrup@cagedrat: pile it up, take a nap on it
[Zone] Zaketrin@dazorglub: buy 100 of each kit and potions
[Zone] Trissynda Tor'Ana@lirithiel: give it to the poor
[Zone] PaixDesAmes@bettyboop83: buy potions and things for crafting
[Zone] Zaketrin@dazorglub: also that ^


Indeed. Though gold's more useful than people realize; at least, if you like running with lots of potions or you're into the crafting system. Then it's massively useful, and not having gold can seriously cramp your day.

[Zone] Heal@jeremieuserx2: look on the bright side emack, you have a buttstallion companion now!
[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: i cant read sorry repeat


.....

Okay, first, what's a buttstallion? I looked it up, and...yeah, there's nothing in Neverwinter that can do...that, so...I'm confused. But second, Ermack cannot read? Yet he's playing in a text environment where the only means for folks to communicate is through writing the words that stay, and then reading them. And he can't read?!?

He can't be serious.

[Zone] Luusi Loyalar@thegcbacon: I lay naked on my gold and taunt halflings that want some
[Zone] Mettyk@cagedrat: that's so metal

Well, gold is a metal...But that would be amusing. (Especially playing a Dragonborn, which are the dragon-sided new race in Neverwinter.)

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: i will kill mi brain

"My". And right, because that's the perfect response to a companion you discover you can't sell after you made it yours. Idiot.

[Zone] Ursula@olechos: do it ermack and stop plaing

Or at least stop whining.

[Zone] Ursula@olechos: without brain it will be hard

I don't know, I'm not entirely sure he has a brain NOW, so...

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: for you that sais stoip playing , try to stop playing you and try to loose your virginity ok ??

"Says", "stop", "lose"....gah. And I'm not even going to try to translate that. Ermack's just made of utter fail, start to finish.

[Zone] Ermack@leozagaglia: thanx for positive responses and fuck you all others bye
[Zone] Zaketrin@dazorglub: trying to unbind some bound stuff is like trying to gain virginty


"Virginity". Dear gods, please, learn to spell.

[Zone] The Hound@faxquo: good luck with that [Zone] VeryShy@litehands: lol
[Zone] Mockery@geeh77: can anyone give me 2 gold please


And off we go again.

in the snow on Christmas morning

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Sad news, Alastair has passed after a battle with cancer.

He will be sorely missed. He lived, loved, gave his best to all he did. I am honoured to call him friend. His family has been very grateful for the support of his online friends and community through this difficult time.

I shall be lowering Caledon flags to half staff this evening in his memory.

Fair winds, dear old friend, and may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Desmond Shang, Guvnah
Independent State of C
I...I can't say any more than that. He was a friend, and there was thought and time enough that we said our goodbyes before he departed, but...it still hurts. I will miss him deeply.

our bruises seem to surface like mud beneath the snow

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So, there's this game on Steam's Project Greenlight. Here's the game studio's own description of their game:
Hatred fills your whole body. You’re sick and tired of humanity’s worthless existence. The only thing that matters is your gun and pure Armageddon that you want to unleash.

You will go out for a hunt, you will clear the New York outskirts of the humans with a cold blood. You will shoot, you will hurt, you will kill, you will die. There are no rules, no compassion, no mercy, no point of going back. You are the lord of life and death now and you have the full control over lives of worthless human scum.

You will also run, you will need to think, you will need to hide and fight back when armored forces will come to take you down. You will have no mercy for them, because they dare to come in your way.

Only brutality and destruction can clear this land. Only the killing spree will make you die spectacularly and go to hell.

Features:

  • Mad journey into the Antagonist's hateful mind.
  • Isometric shooter with best features of its kind.
  • 7 free-roam locations -starting from the outskirts of New York State and ending at...
  • Fight against law enforcement (police and stronger forces).
  • Gathering equipment off the dead and spreading Armageddon upon society.
  • Destroying everything on your way, hunting and fighting back.
  • Discovering the plot evolving in a non-linear way.
  • Unreal Engine 4 PhysX system boundaries pushed to the limits


Now, first and foremost, while this sort of "everyone's scum they all need to die" game form isn't my cup of tea, and I'm fairly sure it doesn't contribute to the best community of players, in and of itself it's just another game. There are good games and bad games; games that enlighten, games that destabilize. As a survival horror fan, I can honestly say I've played games that have given me nightmares, so I have little ethical ground to stand on where the whole "psyche-injuring games" genre exists and is.

That having been said, the reason I know about this game at all is that some of the "fans" voting for it want to see female game designers (like Zoe Quinn, Brianna Wu and others), as well as female game critics (like Anita Sarkeesian) as killable NPCs in the game.

Let me say that again, because it sounds vaguely important: supporters of Hatred, the game, want to see representations of real women as adversaries to hurt, mutilate and murder in the game.

There's a petition to keep the game off Steam, as well as a petition to keep the game ON Steam. People seem exceptionally polarized about this work. But that's not necessarily my main concern.

The next comments are presented without corrections.

From TequilaGundam:
Anythying that pisses off SJW is fine by me, gonna buy this as soon as it possible. (December 15)
From The Gentleman Spy:
Cant wait to fuck faggots up.
(December 15)
(December 15)From Shavot:
I CAN'T WAIT TO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE! 
(December 15)
From jakey1995abc:
If we preorder do we get a free AR-15 in the mail? (December 15)
From Chakracat:
Dear God please let there be an Elliot Rodger skin. 
(December 15)
From goga777:
Excellent, I'll wait, moral fags are forested
(December 15, translated from Russian)
From KDolo:
Can there be a Sanita Aarkeesian skin?
(December 15)
From spacecat:
Looking forward to modding this so I can ice ppl I depise IRL
(December 15)
From Creepter:
Apparently this game is "problematic". Good. For every agressive progressive retard demanding this game to be pulled and censored, you get five up-votes.

Let the game come, and let the SJW's cry.
(December 15)
From MilkshakeMakerMilkshakeTaker:
Can I kill kids?
(December 15)
From demasa:
Do we get extra points for killing SJW? I want to drink more of their delicious tears.
(December 15)
From (null):
Feminist Convention DLC pls
(December 15)
From Dexter:
Will Pre-Order because you are standing against the SJW cancer infesting gaming. Thank you for your service.
(December 15)
From Fatal Pulse
I have saved up all my internalized racism/misogyny for this!
(December 15)
From Le Robo Pope:
Children NPCs? Office shooter DLC? Elliot Rodger skin for pre-ordering? When?
(December 15)
From Buck ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ:
Voted yes, needs children though.
(December 15)
And then, there was Club_Shrimp:
1. This game is so laughably juvenile and emotionally stunted. It just reeks of attention-seeking, cynical shock-shlock, and the worldview / philosophy of the whole thing is pathetically shallow and childish. The description reads like something some metalhead teenager who think's he's superior to everyone else would write. The appearance of the main character almost confirms this. Aw yeah, trenchcoat and long hair, I'm so cool and above it all. Nobody understands me, and no has it all figured out like me. Horseshit. Why do you all want to support this garbage? Why is THIS garbage the figurehead of so many gamers' demands for freedom of speech? Seriously, get some taste.
Comment two:
2. It's easy to tell that the quality of the game doesn't matter to most of you who are greenlighting it. All you care about is revenge against "SJWs." With such a misguided mindset, I can guarantee you that a great many awful, juvenile games will inundate the gaming world just because of your tantrum-politics. Actually look at this game - it's clearly trash. It's funny because most anti-sjws claim to care only about the quality of games and not their political content - something which their attitudes toward this game directly contradict. This game is a political vehicle for anti-sjws - quality is finally irrelevant to them.
Comment three:
3. That said, this game promotes toxic ideological ideas. The creators have said they are against "totalitarian ideology," but what's more totalitarian than going on a killing spree? Killing and murder are FUNDAMENTALLY authoritarian - the eclipsing of the will of other people with your own absolutist will. See the description: "You are the lord of life and death" - a classically totalitarian, authoritarian sentiment. This whole game is a puerile, intellectual mess. Quality control was made for garbage like this game.
Comment four:
4. Should freedom of speech allow the promotion of ideological ideas that are fundamentally anti-freedom? Because that's what this game does - it glorifies them. If you claim that everyone is free to do and say what they wish, what about people who enslave and kill? Does your concept of freedom allow such behaviors? Is that not contradictory? Allowing such things brings about UNfreedom to a great many people, and suddenly, people AREN'T free to do as they please. There must be limits to such freedoms lest freedom turn into it's absolute opposite. If you value freedom so much, you shouldn't be allowing people to promote behaviors and ideologies that are fundamentally about the absolute negation or annihilation of freedom.
There's a very problematic phrase in there, "limits to such freedoms". Is there a limit to freedom? Well, yes, in many ways, both in theory and in practical application, but as it applies to this game?

How'ver, such ethical wrangling aside, there's a lot of truth in this, and in the pages and pages of comments I'm not quoting, simply because it would take too much time out of my life to read through them all. The bulk of the supporters of this game really seem to want it greenlit for two reasons, neither of them based on the quality or playability of the game:
  • That it will irritate non-GamerGaters, and thus, provide the GamerGaters supporting Hatred the opportunity to enforce their misogynistic beliefs; and
  • that it will either be moddable, or the game will actually choose to code in NPCs to kill based on SJWs, feminist activists, and other chosen targets of GamerGate.
Naïve question of the day alert: when did Project Greenlight become more about political activism and less about the actual games being voted on?

think of loved ones as we gather near

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[20:23] Rebecca Rhiannyr: merry christmas!
[20:29] Clover Dezno: merry Christmas!
[20:29] Gabrielle Anatra (gabriell.anatra): Merry Christmas everyone.
[20:45] Rebecca Rhiannyr: merry merry gabrielle and clover!
[20:48] Emilly Orr: For a moment, I thought that was your actual holiday wish, and I was trying to figure out where clover came into a winter holiday. :p


I am choosing to leave the names in for two reasons: first, no one's airing an even slightly controversial opinion here, and second, it makes the confusion make more sense. :p



Next, this is my favorite holiday song I've heard this year. It has wronged its way into my heart quite thoroughly. Of course, it narrowly pushes out Joshua Hyslop's Winter's Night, an earlier find this year. Which pushed out Will Yate's 'The Snowpocalypse" (find it here, in the 2009 compilation of songs) as the Best Holiday Song Evar.

I go through a lot of holiday songs.

Anyway, I was supposed to post this on the 25th, so it's going up on the 25th, but I actually got back to this on December 28th at 1:48 am. Just, y'know, for accuracy. Or something.

Merry whatever.

nowhere to look but inside, where we all respond to pressure

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No, please, not the big pleading eyes, what do you want, what's wrong, let me fix it, oh gods...

Also, why does this exist? More to the point, why did it sell out??

[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ 17840-1503 U.S.A., along with a 3x5 card reading, "Please use this M&M for breeding purposes."
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this "grant money." I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.
[20:11] Cxxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: There can be only one.


And from the amusing to the disturbing...

[12:58] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oooooh deys wots and wots of groupie gifties hewe too. dis pwace has tons of fweebies. wucky chaiws MM boards

Let me interject before we reach the reaction portion of this conversation. This is part of the group chat from the SL Frees & Offers group. It's something I've been involved with for a few months for two reasons--the amazing wealth of information on free offers on the grid, and the sheer tonnage of designers who release monthly gifts for the group.

So this was just another day of various denizens noting various offers they'd found that day...until this.

[13:00] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: No breedable places please Sxxxxx
[13:00] Qxxxxx Pxxxxx: its not really
[13:00] Qxxxxx Pxxxxx: i mean kinda


You mean, actually yes, it is a breedable place, and a mall, and this group has rules. No breedable stores, no malls, no Adult lands, no casinos or gaming palaces. There's a few specifically banned stores--I haven't learned them yet, but I've never posted things from any of them, because I've never been corrected on any stores I've posted. I do know that most of the banned stores were banned because their owners wouldn't stop spamming the group with notices about full-price, not-on-sale, not-free items.

[13:01] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is a stowa at a sim someone dave me fowa free xmas tree gifties

And, as I've pointed out before--and as some are going to point out soon--I really, really loathe this particular affectation, especially since I have met child avatars who choose not to cripple themselves with this ridiculous, stunted pidgin-speak.

[13:02] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i no give people bweedable stuff, just stowa and pwetty xmas twees giggles

You are entirely missing the point, you dimwit. You are NOT ALLOWED to post that store in this chat. So don't keep talking about it.

[13:03] Pxxxxxx Lxxxxxx: that is so annoying
[13:03] sxxx sxxxxx: What is Pxxxxxx ?
[13:04] Pxxxxxx Lxxxxxx: people who put w's instead of r's


Yes, yes it is. Profoundly.

[13:04] Rxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: shes a ting little girl
[13:04] Rxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: tiny too
[13:04] axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: She's a child avatar Pxxxxxx, she's going to talk like that


Why? Why is she going to talk like that? What inane demilinguist made the decision that this is how child avatars talk on the grid? How far does this inanity go back? Because, between the inappropriate offers, the pride over griefing attempts, and this, there are solid reasons why many residents of the grid dislike child avatars.

[13:04] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: where does a tid find kiddie stuffs? pweet pwease?
[13:05] rxxxxx jxxxxx: thats cwazy :D
[13:05] Rxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: right !!
[13:05] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mmmhmm dis hows i talks
[13:05] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its role play


Unfortunately.

[13:06] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: but if someone was roleplaying cusswords or something else annoying or offensive they would get the boot i bet.
[13:06] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mmhmm dey is, i gets them and bwing my mommie hewe.


Dear gods, no, please, not that. The woman who tolerates your chosen speech impediment is not someone I ever want to meet.

[13:06] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: Look, that place isn't allowed to be posted...
[13:06] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: dey on da walls, is slinky nails and over nails, sooo pwetty too


Are you actually mentally impaired, and not just lacking all imagination? She's told you more than once to stop posting that store, which also includes continuing to talk about it, so "shut the hell up" is actually appropriate to say here.

[13:06] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Actually... children don't actually talk like that.

It's true. Yes, children invent their own pronunciations; yes, children lisp--in fact, when I was growing up, I was a child who lisped. Lisping does not equal this kind of pidgin idiocy. Only "adults"--and I use the term loosely--come up with this as how "real kids talk". Which tells me two things: they don't spend time around many "real kids", or they just don't care because they think it's twee and "kyooot".

[13:06] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we couldnt find them beyond the group ones - its not a big deal, it was funny what was said to me thats all.
[13:07] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If they do, they're normally taken to the doctor to see if they're retarded or not
[13:07] rxxxxxxxxxx Gxxxxxx:
[13:07] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LOL
[13:07] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: exactly Sxxxxxx
[13:07] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxx: Thats Not Nice Rxxxx


Sometimes "not nice" is just "being honest" because "they won't listen any other way" because "they're dim".

[13:07] Sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Well I think she's absolutely amazing.. because my kids couldn't type full sentences on a pc at 2

Yeah, we're not talking about typing, here. We're talking about child avatars who continually try to portray the dumbest thing in the room. It's not funny, it's not accurate, it's not necessary and it's not endurable. Find another goddamn hobby other than irritating everyone around you.

[13:07] Rxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: ok lets just drop the subject please unles you find it stimulating to hurt anothers feelings

Well, on occasion...But I've mostly grown out of that phase. And see? Look how adult I'm being--I'm not even dissecting this chat for grammar violations.

[13:07] Qxxxxx Pxxxxx: wow
[13:07] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Just being realistic here, that's all
[13:08] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Speech impediment is serious, yanno?


It is, assuredly. This isn't that. Someone with a genuine speech impairment usually doesn't need to point it out, it's obvious. Someone with a social impediment--like some forms of autism--will usually point it out in world, or, if they don't, it's also usually not difficult to pick up, so we may react accordingly. This isn't either of those things. This is like Baby Jane's character in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane--someone who put so much time and energy into being young and adorable that, well past fifty, she's still trying to be young and adorable. And, because she is, at this point, old and psychotic, it doesn't work.

Much as this form of speech in child avatars does not work.

[13:08] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: das not nices at aww you all
[13:08] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: not the retarded part but...
[13:08] Qxxxxx Pxxxxx: cause SL is realistic.......


Of course it's not. But there are rules. Many of them are unspoken, because they simply don't need to be--things like, don't show up nude in a PG sim, don't show up non-human on sims that only allow human avatars only, don't show up erect in any public area unless it's explicitly stated that that's okay (and nude beaches don't count, boys, they'll let you in naked and flaccid, but not naked and erect).

But this isn't about that. This is about something so irritating that it crosses the expected boundary points. The furry community has their own form of this irritation, called "babyfurs". While there are some babyfurs that aren't attached to creepily pedophilic sorts, the vast majority--and those who seek them out--just...are. So there are a lot of furry sims where there are explicit signboards saying "no babyfurs allowed". Because the drama that is them and the drama that follows them is just too much drama to deal with.

Come to think of it, there's more than a few sims and stores now that don't allow child avatars anymore, either, and not just those who operate on Adult land. That's interesting, isn't it?

[13:08] Rxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: and i know that but i was brought up better than to cause hurt to others
[13:08] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxx: And You Admin's Is Gonna Tollerate This


Funnily enough, yes--none of the mods came forward to censor anyone at this point.

[13:11] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Wasn't trying to hurt anybody's feeling, just bringing up facts.
[13:11] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: i didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings I apologize - I was just agreeing that it was a little jarring. I'm not used to ppl roleplaying in a group chat like this.
[13:11] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And she's shorter than me in SL, so I like her already lol
[13:08] Rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: i don't see any kid avatars in here saying how you should do your SL...


In here, at this exact moment, no, you don't. In other chats at other times, yes, I've been present for those conversations, and they're always jarring and distasteful. So it does happen.

[13:09] Axxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok, people please be restpectful each other
[13:09] lxxxxxx Oxxxxxxx: Its Ok Skyler They are Just Trying to Be Mean To Make Their Self Feel Better
[13:10] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is otay, peoples no huwt my feewings. i is a kiddie so i know hows to taddle teslls betta dan anyones


...And...why, precisely, does harmful commentary lead to "tattling" in your mind, O unholy child? What do you honestly expect that to do? Tell your mommy, and she'll do...what, exactly? What kind of power do you expect her to wield, here?

[13:10] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: awwww, Skylar is so cute
[13:10] Emilly Orr: Or, some of us have had bad experiences with child avs in the past, though not all of us are hostile about it. At any rate, it's a varied group, just don't engage if it bothers you.


Or, when it still bothers you, bitch about it later on your blog. That happens, too.

[13:10] rxxx Rxxxxxxx: wait
[13:10] Pxxxxxx Lxxxxxx: ok, back to the freebies, not adults pretending to be children, ..does anyone know where the analog dog free hair is located, I'm at point B


And onward we went--thankfully childspeak-free past this point.

Finally, a Linden-based comment from another chat:

[15:39] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx:: [Posted 3:20 PM PST, 17 December 2014] In October, we discovered an issue regarding the Second Life Wiki that required maintenance to resolve. This maintenance is currently ongoing. During this ongoing maintenance, the wiki remains available in read-only mode. At this time, we do not have an estimate as to when the maintenance will be completed, however, please be advised that the maintenance is proceeding and is of a high priority. We’ll post as soon as the maintenance is completed, and thank you for your patience.
[15:40] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx: so they've been doing that maint since october
[15:40] Kxxx Hxxxxxx: good job they are working fast then
[15:41] Txxxx Ixxxx: sounds typical for LL


Yep. Pretty much.

I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

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Today, the "Lara" mesh body from Maitreya was officially released. The demo's been out for a while, but I admit, I wanted to see what the full price was before deciding to try the demo. (I'm poor. It's a thing.)

She's going to retail for L$2750, which is a hard hit for many of us. My Lolas Tangos didn't cost that much at the time, and I borrowed from friends to get those, so yeah, ouch. But...she is beautiful, and potentially worth the expense.



This is the first shape included. It's definitely busty without being overwhelming, it has reasonable and very nice curves, and, beyond being far too tall for me (which likely means it's about average for the rest of the grid), it looks good.



Just as an initial view shape-and-mesh package, the fact that I was able to open the folder, grab the mesh body, grab a shape, and know what it looked like out of the box, no adjustments--that's very attractive. The fact that it's pretty much plug-and-play, so to speak, to start with is also very attractive. While I was using the demo folder, I initially found five things: the mesh body, the alpha for the mesh body, the feet demo, Hand R demo, Hand L demo. That was it. It was kind of awesome--there's more to put on with my Kemono kitling!

While none of the demo shapes are moddable (there's a note saying they are in the full version), this one clocks in at height 66.

[Later insert from the Editrix: I didn't even put on the HUD at first, as evidenced by commentary below.]



This is the second shape, and a little closer to what I currently accept as "me" in-world. It's shorter, a litle slimmer as far as curves go, without losing them entirely.



This one clocks in at height 47, which considering my usual height 20s or less, is STILL way too tall, but it's an improvement!



The third shape goes up to height 49, but also up to body thickness 20, which gives her thicker thighs and a curvier, wider rear.



It's a small but noticeable difference that I think many users may like.

[Thus ends part one. Please join us in part two.]

(I'm wearing the "Wendy" mid-length hairstyle from pr!tty in one of the Ombre HUD shades; the May 2014 group gift skin from 7 Deadly Skins, received on this year's Advent run; and the simple Brown eyes from Heaven's Gate, which at the time were part of a free set, and may be still, for all I know.

And I used Strawberry Singh's "Closeups" Windlight setting for all shots shown here.)

oh, baby, you'll freeze out there

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(Continued from part the first.)



We start off in part two with shape four, what I consider to be either the 'athletic' or the 'barely legal' shape.



She's got that token fetishized 'gap' between the thighs, slimmer hips and torso, thinner arms and legs, and she's definitely not as curvy as the rest. I like how, while this is mostly the pose I chose to shoot, she has that gamine awkwardness about it. It's a nice touch.

Weirdly, she clocks in at height 52, when I'd think she'd be set to shorter, but hey.

This was the first really fun part for me:



This is in my current default shape, which is height 8, no body thickness, body fat set at 6. Yes, I know, I'm a short mutant. That's my choice.



The thing is, "Lara" still makes this short, strange shape of mine look good.

(Four more pictures, four more review bits, and off we go to part three.)

(I'm wearing the "Wendy" mid-length hairstyle from pr!tty in one of the Ombre HUD shades; the May 2014 group gift skin from 7 Deadly Skins, received on this year's Advent run; and the simple Brown eyes from Heaven's Gate, which at the time were part of a free set, and may be still, for all I know.

And I used Strawberry Singh's "Closeups" Windlight setting for all shots shown here.)

it's up to your knees out there

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(We continue from the last part.)

This was the second fun part I found out:

I've been taking most of these with the included demo set of lingerie, specifically designed for "Lara". This is what happens with other mesh clothes:



This is the "Kaleesi" outfit from Black Haus, White Market. (I had to be somewhat careful on this one because I forgot I didn't get out underwear, as well!) Interestingly, in my own shape I'm pretty much consistently a size M. Wearing the "Lara", I'm a size M on top and a size XL on the skirt.



This is the "Farhana" almost-dress in Brown, from Footpaw Industries. This one, I had to go up to size L to fit properly.



And this is FashionNatic's "Fn" dress in Demon Red. I'm showing it in size L. And the thing I'm learning with all of these--and the more I didn't take pics of, in getting to these three--is that fitting a mesh body is fitting a mesh body, period. For some reason, I thought it would be closer to a human avatar, but nope--I'm running into the same problems that I run into with my Kemono kitling. Alpha layers won't work, because even though you can use more of them, you already have a full-body alpha layer on to accomodate the full mesh body. So it's fit those dimensions, or don't wear the outfit.



As you can see from this shot, even the boots had problems with the mesh body showing through.

(And off to the fourth part.)

(I'm wearing the "Wendy" mid-length hairstyle from pr!tty in one of the Ombre HUD shades; the May 2014 group gift skin from 7 Deadly Skins, received on this year's Advent run; and the simple Brown eyes from Heaven's Gate, which at the time were part of a free set, and may be still, for all I know.

And I used Strawberry Singh's "Closeups" Windlight setting for all shots shown here.)

there's bound to be talk tomorrow

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(We join our program, already in progress, in part four.)

And then it struck me, I was being le dumb. Because there's a HUD for this whole thing in the demo box.



This is the full, alpha-selectable section, which--like my Kemono kitling--can have entire sections, mini-sections, or even micro-sections of the mesh form turned 'off'. Oh, my gods, the sheer measure of awesome in having this feature in a mesh body, you don't even know how often it saves me with outfits. So, potentially, all those outfits I tried on and discarded? They will all work now.

There's a major problem with this, though, and it lies between the end of the neck and the bustline. V-neck anything? Not going to work. Because there aren't any specific V-neck lines. There are good lines for bustiers, boat necks, square necks (likely including medieval/Victorian styles), but a straight V-neckline. It's missing.



This is the skin- and nail-tinting HUD, so I'm still not sure if Slink nail HUDs will work in the full version, or not. That they're supposed to is the rumor; I didn't see any changes in actually clicking existing nail HUDs I had. But, I can change the nail polish, as shown here:



and here:



(And one more pause before part five.)

(I'm wearing the "Wendy" mid-length hairstyle from pr!tty in one of the Ombre HUD shades; the May 2014 group gift skin from 7 Deadly Skins, received on this year's Advent run; and the simple Brown eyes from Heaven's Gate, which at the time were part of a free set, and may be still, for all I know.

And I used Strawberry Singh's "Closeups" Windlight setting for all shots shown here.)

listen to that fireplace roar

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(Continued from part the fourth.)

Additional: as I've never been able to wear these boots before, may I mention how much I'm in love with them? They're from Diamanté Jewelry and Accessories, and they're changeable to about eight colors with a separate HUD in three sections--the cuff, the boot body, and the boot tip. (And, because of this, I may have to look into my other Slink boots, at least, because without actual Slink feet involved, they might be wearable.)



You'll also notice one more thing: my head skin doesn't match my body skin, which was much less obvious before I started mucking about with studio lighting and Windlight settings.



It's a somewhat faded dividing line, which will help in skin matching, though I really wish they'd included a blend layer somewhere. But let me make it even more obvious, because I think it's vaguely important.



Now, this is what I was wearing when I logged in today, Frick's "Frostbite" skin in her Sugar tone, from 2012's holiday hunt. I've been ditching a lot of old skins because they're just not holding up, but this set is still working pretty well.

Look at the dividing line between neck and head, though. With the extreme white-to-light-tanned skin-tone difference, it's more obvious: it's not a line at all. Because of this, there's a fair amount of shading that I'm pretty sure may work for some on their chosen skins before designers get to work on full-body Maitreya skin support (which many already are).

Overall, I like what I see. I like that the set is compatible with both their included shapes, and my own current shape. I really like that the included hands and feet are supposedly Slink-compatible; if true, that's definitely an awesome feature. Still, that L$2750 price tag...it's a killer.

(I'm wearing the "Wendy" mid-length style from pr!tty in one of the Ombre HUD shades; the May 2014 group gift skin from 7 Deadly Skins, received on this year's Advent run; and the simple Brown eyes from Heaven's Gate, which at the time were part of a free set, and may be still, for all I know.

And I used Strawberry Singh's "Closeups" Windlight setting for all shots shown here.)


Now then...



Post-demo-body-trying. I talked with some friends after I put most of these entries together, and had taken all the shots I'd planned to use. They corrected me on a few things, because it's rather obvious at this point I do not haz experience in this area.
  1. The price tag is actually pretty reasonable, they tell me. Here's why:
  • The Slink Physique mesh body clocks in at L$1250, but does not come with hands or feet, and the mesh body cannot be tinted to match skins used on the head and/or hands/feet.
  • The Lena Lush body is only L$899, but a) also doesn't come with hands or feet, and b), was pretty quickly discarded by this blog entry as having the wrong size of alpha layers for most mesh clothes wearing. (I would tend to agree; the more alpha sections you add, the better off you are.)
  • The BANNED 'Dea" mesh body goes for $1,199, also has no hands or feet, and comes with only five basic skin tones.
  • The 'Rachel' mesh body from BDP retails for L$4000. It seems to include a mesh head (or maybe a skin to match? It's hard to tell). It has hands and feet, but no clue whether Slink hands/feet can be worn instead. There's a HUD for eye color, but no mention of skin color changing abilities. There does seem to be a full pack of textures for designing tattoos and mesh clothes, but it could be just for the Rachel body. And near as I can find, there's no other fits for the BDP bodies, Rachel or otherwise, from any other designers.
  • The Perfect Body from G. Inc. goes for L$850, which seems like a steal, but I'd need to try a demo for it, because not only does it seem overly hip-slung, but there's no idea of what the alpha layering looks like. Though there are some nice features in the description.
  • The Brazilia Doll retails for L$1,800. There are a few variations--this link will lead you to "Zarah", chosen at random--and other than mentioning five skin-tone presets, and the fact that the breasts are built in, the listing doesn't give a ton of information.
  • So the fact that the Belleza "Lara" body comes with hands and feet, comes with a pretty complete finger- and toe-nail tingting HUD, comes with an insanely customizable skin-tinting section OF that HUD, AND the pretty complete alpha system, actually makes the price tag worthwhile.
  • I'm told, by said friends, who have been playing around with various mesh avatars for far longer than I have, that the alpha layering system is not at all new. I still maintain that the sectioning is a (fairly) recent development, and some designers are better at it than others. I think Belleza (save for a V-neck) has it pretty together, all things considered. There are mesh avatars that come with far fewer deselectable alpha sections.
  • Considering the popularity of the Venus, at least one of them felt that people would jump at the chance for the Lara--not just because they'd already bought in once and knew that system, but for a couple other reasons:
    • As the Lara, start to finish, seems an entirely original creation, it's less likely that they'll be DMCA'ed. (To note, their Venus was also original, but based on templates. While the DMCA against it was filed illegally, it was still filed. Lara's a new body from the ground up.)
    • Branding. Even in SL, it's important. We trust a brand that produced line A, we're far likelier to switch to another brand when we're looking for a similar thing.
    • There are already skin and clothing designers working on outfits and skins for the Lara, even before it was officially released. This is an excellent sign.
    So, all in all, my end result is the same as when I set these entries up: I'm just having to admit I'm woefully unschooled in mesh. So I'll learn. I'm learning already with outfits. While it will likely be an insane length of time before I get the Lindens to purchase the Lara, it's definitely on my list.

    This is another great review I found, from someone who knows the ins and outs of what people want out of mesh bodies. So there's that, too.


    so brush up on your grammar, that's a damned good start

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    Dear gods, the horror. So this arrived in my IMs just a few minutes ago:

    [17:22] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: EXUSE ME LADY
    [17:25] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: YE
    [17:25] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: YAAAAAAAAAAAS
    [17:25] Emilly Orr: Yes?
    [17:25] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: MY BOTHYRT LIKES U
    [17:25] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WANNA MET HIM,
    [17:25] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: HE RICH
    [17:25] Emilly Orr: One, what's a bothyrt? Two, stop typing in all caps. Three, not especially interested unless he has a personality to match.


    Was that too much snark? Considering how she started out, I think it's valid, but I'm rarely the person to know if I'm being overly sarcastic until I've already been overly sarcastic.

    [17:26] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: HE HAS BIG MONEY 1000$ PER DATE IF UWNN HE LOOK FOR PRETTY GIURL IF U WANNA THO HE A BNIT CHUBBY BUT HE BIG HEART GUY
    [17:27] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: HE VOTHER
    [17:27] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: BROTHJER
    [17:27] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: MY BABTY WHEN IWAS BABY
    [17:27] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: SO U WNN
    [17:27] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: OR NAHJ
    [17:27] Emilly Orr: I...think I understand what you're saying, but contrary to popular belief, I'm actually not a professional companion these days.


    And even were I still acquiring Lindens in that fashion, it would be no guarantee of acceptance. So far, all I know is "potentially rich" and "has a sister who can't type her way out of a paper bag".

    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he lonely
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: HR NEED WOMANA
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I CUNTBE HIS WOMAN
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WE HAVE BLOOD SAME
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: SOOOOO
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WE CAN ARANGE THE DATE OR NAH
    [17:28] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I HAVE LOT OTHER GITRLS
    [17:29] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: BUT U THE PRETIERST
    [17:30] Emilly Orr: What amuses me here is currently, I can't find a hair that will rez in, but barring that, you *are* talking about SL, yes?


    Seriously, this is me, right now, as I'm typing this:



    I'm not wearing mesh clothing because I can't get it to attach and be visible. I'm not wearing hair because I can't get it to show up, either! But I'm "THE PRETIERST". Suuuuure.

    So I pulled her profile. This was her SL bio:
    Tuh get fingz started
    1.Dnt add me iph yew dnt lyk meh!!!****2.Dnt add me iph yew fink all wa i du here b Trash!!!***3.Dnt add me iph yew gna b crtzing wa i du!!!***4.Dnt add me iph yew gna b addn meh tUh fReaKy gRoupz widut wrning K?! S0 F0 dA b0yt mYY$elv m3h a!Ntx sUx syr3 byTX iph y3w t!Nk tht ! w!rt3 lyk3 th!$ UR w0ng!! im actully pr3tty smart
    Uh...

    [17:31] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: STOP CONFSUING ME DO U WANNA MET HIM HE WILL BE AT BRASILO COFFEE DO U WANMNA RELPEROT TO SEEE HIM HE TALKSS TO U
    [17:31] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: HE TALKS BIT CHUINNY
    [17:31] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: BUTY ITYS GFINE
    [17:31] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: JR NRT UU HOOF PRTON
    [17:32] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ME CAN TELEPROT U


    Talks "A BIT CHUINNY". I don't even have a place in my brain for that. I literally had no idea what to say, so...I finally chose this in flailing bafflement:

    [17:32] Emilly Orr: I...don't think I'm that desperate for Lindens yet, but thank him for me.

    And of course she responded:

    [17:34] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: FINE ME FIND ANOTHER GIRL A PRETTIER WITH BIG CUTYB MEHS NOOBY IF U CHANGE UR MIND GIMME A CTHOERUING CALL OK OK GIRL ZOIUNG DULT AI BE TINY HYER LFIE GOT T FAU UE AOR NAH
    [17:35] Emilly Orr: Give me a minute to translate that, I think I only got part of it.
    [17:35] Emilly Orr: So...there are a lot of prettier girls on SL, I'll freely admit that.
    [17:35] Emilly Orr: And just owning mesh implants doesn't mean I wear them every day.
    [17:35] Emilly Orr: I'm not wearing them now, for instance.
    [17:36] Emilly Orr: Is your brother after quality conversation, or just arm candy? That does make a difference.
    [17:37] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LISTEN U GURKL U LOOSING MA PATIENCE MY BORTJHTER LIKE TO EAT CANDY BUT NOT ARM HAND BUT HE LIOKIE PANCKES HE WANNA TALK TO U WE HAV ENO MUCJH TIME LEFT
    [17:37] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: O U BETTER MVOE ZO PHT YY OBER HER EOR IM MAKE SUM REALLYT TROUBLE
    [17:41] Emilly Orr: I don't understand.
    [17:42] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WE FIHND OTHER GURL
    [17:42] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ITS OK
    [17:42] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: GOODBYUE
    [17:42] Emilly Orr: Good luck!


    I mean, really, what else do you say? "Thanks for the conversation!"? "Happy to help!"? I still don't know what made her IM me in the first place!

    And wait, was she threatening me?? With what?!?

    I don't understand.

    Scenes from a Chat: Random German god complex edition

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    We have invented a vampire computer. Is this a good thing?

    And black holes can...merge? Is this a good thing?

    Also, Utah, in a moment of sheer inspiration, has decided to try ending homelessness. The way they've worked around to it--and they're right, by the way--is that it's actually more expensive to have people remain homeless than to give them homes to live in.

    Why? A variety of factors, most of them service-sector related. Essentially they boil down to each homeless person on the street costing, at minimum, $20,000 to support. Increased emergency room fees, increased financial outlay for police, emergency service personnel, jails and prisons, plus the increase in crime and drug trafficking has made this alternative both financially, as well as ethically, viable.

    So what will each homeless person get? The program is two-fold. First, every homeless person who agrees gets an apartment. Period. Covered by the state for life, it's theirs. Second, every homeless person is assigned a social worker, who will help them get--and hopefully keep--medical insurance, food stamps, and a job. But here's the kicker--even if they turn down the social worker, or they get into these programs and then "wash out"...they still keep the apartment.

    That's awesome. Here's to it working, and more programs like this cropping up.

    In the meantime, random religious delusion from Neverwinter? We've got that:

    [Zone] HeOfThe5Shadows@prawcess405: May your guild have plenty of women who just turned 18
    [Zone] Maya@natybr: May the force be with you.
    [Zone] Feonix@fe0nix: except when you pray to your Deity
    [Zone] Maya@natybr: NO WAY GISELLA
    [Zone] N'haala@kaozu666: Demelzer, religion has no place ANYWHERE!
    [Zone] Gisella Healforged@sweet5starlight: lol WAY
    [Zone] Feonix@fe0nix: Mine being Kelemvor


    Kelemvor: definition for those who need it.

    [Zone] HeOfThe5Shadows@prawcess405: River: I love you.
    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: guys
    [Zone] Demelzer@dixko: TRUE
    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: im gonna start a new class
    [Zone] Ruqayya@atefeh: why do athiests have to rage on the believers?


    Depends on the atheist, really. If they're young, aggressive, male, and generally full of white privilege, it's because they're feeling oppressed. And, because they're really not used to the feeling, they rage against those who they believe are the main cause: namely, anyone who isn't a young, aggressive, white male atheist. (See countless examples here.)

    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: and idk which class
    [Zone] Lord Slane@lordslane: religion of neverwinter you mean


    It would be nice, but chances are high it's not what they mean.

    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: any suggestions?
    [Zone] Lord Slane@lordslane: :)
    [Zone] Mialee Elizibith@mizorelegneds: hunter
    [Zone] River@heartofblackdawn: O.o
    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: hunter?
    [Zone] ShadowBlade@ilikepcgame: hmmm
    [Zone] VelocSaur@velocsaur: Wait for the new one? I don't know :c


    This is the first really 'dating' comment for this chat; I captured this some months back, sometime in 2013, in fact, just after the Hunter/Ranger class launched for the game.

    [Zone] HeOfThe5Shadows@prawcess405: I would choose the Gangster Crip class

    For a D&D-based fantasy game. No, really?

    [Zone] Artanos Barbaros@jenkwise: What Religion does say, since it is everywhere, is that there is indeed SOMEONE who is alot bigger than we are, than we can ever imagine.
    [Zone] HammerTime@herculesmybaby: Hi, I'd like to ask if anyone would like to get in a group and make a Guild. You can leave right after it's made, please please pm me.
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: GOOD HAVE MADE LANGUGE FOR BALNCE WORLD
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: GOOD HAVE MADE LANGUGE FOR BALNCE WORLD


    So, welcome to Celeste's little delusional world. This was our first taste, and it involves all-caps typing, and (later) a substantial amount of German. I'll translate what makes sense, but not all of it does.

    [Zone] Erik Hawklight@JosyWales2: We have all your base,
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: i wonder if i can sell this everlasting scroll
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ITS NORMAL
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: IHR AFFEN
    {{Translation: "Your monkey"}}

    Uh...that doesn't make any sense.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: wohoo
    [Zone] Athena@orihime217: The Infernal Kittens are now recruiting Elite PvP/Casual Dungeoneers!PM me for more info/inv
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: DRECKSMULTIKULTI WIXXE
    {{Google Translate had nooooo clue}}
    [Zone] Will@blazering3333: Some1 can told me how to make my own foundry quest please?
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: DAS KOMMT DABEI RAUS
    {{Translation: "This is what comes out"}}
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: im holding out for Lesbian Mutant Kitten Squad guild

    Well, who wouldn't? They're all the rage.

    [Zone] Samaris@samaris76: err just hit 60, where are gnarlroot caves?
    [Zone] Kithkin@giaxathriths: Forums have tutorials
    [Zone] Will@blazering3333: Forum explain false.
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: mind blow
    [Zone] Philoli@philoli: is there anything such as a plvl?


    Depends. What's a "plvl"?

    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ENGLISHE WIXXE {{Translation: "English"...something, no one knows what 'Wixxe' is}}
    [Zone] Yellow Submarine@gardenpots: There is no way someone could tell you, over chat, how to make a foundry quest.
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: yes
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: SUPER INSHALA
    {{Translation: failed, save by adding "eta" between SUPER and INSHALA}}
    [Zone] Yatogami@rairokken: LOL
    [Zone] Will@blazering3333: Are you ^(*#!%$;@?
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: pffff. well this is only slightly less boring than pounding out the last three days of dread ring for my cleric artifact.
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: are you asain?


    Depends. Define "asain".

    [Zone] Ber'zerka@Melzerith: only on off days Will :P
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: HALT DIE FRESSE
    {{Translation: "Shut"...then 'fresse' again, so...did Celeste mean 'Shut your mouth', or am I just running with what sounds most plausible?}}
    [Zone] Will@blazering3333: Moron
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: asain enough


    Still confused by what that is.

    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: DAS IST DEUTSCH {{Translation: "This is German", which is actually pretty obvious}}
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: yup, hes asain

    Oh, I understand now, unfortunately. You mean "Asian", and nope, you're an idiot. Celeste is German, or is at least yelling at the chat in German for inexplicable reasons.

    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: DU )*^)^) {{Translation: "The", followed by what Google Image search seemed to think was a punch in the nose? Maybe?}}
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: i use sorochi

    Sorochi? Do you mean Sriracha??

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: and fish sauce
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: if yr asain let me ask you


    "ASIAN". Say it with me.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: i know what curry is
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: GERMANY


    Yes, we know, Celeste. Hush, the grown-ups are speaking.

    [Zone] Yellow Submarine@gardenpots: Fish sauce is freaking addictive, no matter WHAT your nationality or origin of birth. ^^
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: can i have sum chicken with my manicure?
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: WAT ELSE
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: all comes out ur butt
    [Zone] Holyazash@unholyazash: guild
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: KLINSAN DIE
    {{Translation: "The Klinsan"...whatever that means}}
    [Zone] Alhemustrus@trekspeed14: Hey everyone
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: CEELO
    {{Translation: Google Translate suggested "Ceeli", which is...less than helpful}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: LE CERY {{Translation: "The skin", which is...also less than helpful}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: LA GUINE {{Translation: "The Guinea", and...Google Translate, are you high?}}
    [Zone] Blue@fieminamor: he isn't tall
    [Zone] Athena@orihime217: lol
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: IM UNIVERSAL SOLDIR
    {{Translation: "The Universal Soldier". ???}}
    [Zone] Alhemustrus@trekspeed14: I quit

    Right there with you. Celeste is clearly in an altered state.

    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: hi ist jemand aus deutschland da {{Translation: "hi is there anyone in Germany"}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: I KNOW EVRYTHING

    You are clearly intoxicated and/or impaired functionally, Celeste, so, no, you do not.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: Zibi hash, basa ahna jundi!! {{Translation: "Zibi hash, scalp and jundi". No help}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: U FOOLS
    [Zone] xTlumbax@tlumba650: anyone know what sells on the auction that u can get alot of diomands for and get the item quick?
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: spell check for gemans must be hard pressed


    That's assuming Celeste is bothering to engage spellcheck.

    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: how can i chance the servers...i will chance to the german server

    I think you mean "change", Aisha, and you can't at this point.

    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: IM UR GOOD
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: SAY YEA'

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: gud
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: destroyed by capslock
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: est gibt nur ein server
    {{Translation: "there is only one server". Which is true, these days.}}
    [Zone] Babyboo@amethyst4974: is anyone else having lag issues?
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: ill good u
    [Zone] Perath Oolasaadi@EmillyOrr: Y'know, Celeste, you're just not making much sense.
    [Zone] xTlumbax@tlumba650: whats good u mean?
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: IM A PECEFULL GOOD HAHA


    A "good" who can't spell, either.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: tanzen den Tanz des Lebens {{Translation: "dance the dance of life"}}
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: Celeste you on bath salts bro?
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: aso...das ist aber doof...wie kann ich mich als deutscher zurecht finden
    {{Translation: "aso ... this is stupid but ... how can I find me as German dogs"}}

    And I got nothin' for you, Aisha, as answer to that question.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: i pee salts
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: I KNOW ALL
    [Zone] Perath Oolasaadi@EmillyOrr: "Peaceful". "God". Is what I think you mean.
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: yup
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: EVRYTHING
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ALL
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: weiss nicht. ich bin Englisch.
    {{Translation: "do not know. I am English".}}
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: totally
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: dont miss xD
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: nein, sei
    {{Translation: "no, is". Also less than helpful.}}
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: aber es gibt deutsche hier {{Translation: "but there are German here"}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: MANCHMAL {{Translation: "Sometimes"}}
    [Zone] Spanshi@elspanish: SPANSHI
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: kann mir jemand vill bissl unter die arme greifen und mir bissl das spiel beibringen...pls^^
    {{Translation, near as Google Translate can manage: "can someone grab me bissl vill among the poor and bissl teach me how to play (pls)"}}
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: ich habe google auch Arschlöcher! {Translation: "I google and a**holes"}}
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: too much?

    Yes.

    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: pebbles, tsk tsk. naughty german.
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: AMIS ARE GOOD
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: nos dancar a danca da vida!!
    {{Translation: "dance in the dance of life!!"}}
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: hold on ill google my german accent
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: i took one year of german like 10 years ago.
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: I LOVE AMIS
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: ur from the coast...
    [Zone] Zecora@rainbowcrash912: LF guild
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: too soon?


    Dunno. What did that mean?

    [Zone] Jazsmyni Ogrkil@frostwyrm2: Is the Garden Key for your entire account??
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: AND ILOVE PUTIN


    Nobody cares, Celeste. And no, Jazsmyni, the Garden Key is only for the single character that got the Garden Key.

    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: i love puttin too
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ITS GOOD PRESIDENT
    [Zone] Pebbles@langtime: i love puttin my !*%# in ur mammas (&#%*


    And on that note, I ignored Pebbles.

    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: LoL
    [Zone] Pleasure@hotsie: yes key is acct bound
    [Zone] Mara Shadowskiss@damnataanimus: not like you actually need weapons at that level..
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: nope
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: you dont really need weapons at all to level.
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: BUT MY LEDER IS #))#^! WA
    [Zone] Bain Duskwalker@slick3152: Obama to Putin: YOU NEED TO LEAVE UKRAINE? Putin to Obozo: It's not Ukraine its MYKRAINE! Huehuehue


    Obozo?? Right, you've lost your mind, too, Bain.

    [Zone] Safadinha@orlandoharper: HODOR!
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: my cleric leveled 11-60 on leadership alone.
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: HÄTT SICH AUCH GEFREUT
    {{Translation: "Had also happy". What??}}
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: o5amacare

    I'm sure you think that's funny, but it doesn't make any more sense than anything else.

    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: IN DEM VÖLERBREI {{Translation: "In the Volerbrei", so...no help}}
    [Zone] Bain Duskwalker@slick3152: Osama Bin Laden = Obama Bin Lying

    And that's when I blocked Bain. I was running low on patience.

    [Zone] Blue@fieminamor: Don't forget invoke experience.
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: and invoke, i suppose
    [Zone] Sobegodly@nastyhabits: bain that woulda been funny back when he was relevant
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: on the prayer
    [Zone] Blue@fieminamor: You prayed for coal?
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: HEIL *(%%$# IHR VERKOMMENEN ^!)^#(
    {{Literally what Google Translate handed me on the return: "HEALING * ( # $ %% ^ YOUR depraved !) ^ # ("}}
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: i did. and unlike in real life, my prayer was answered
    [Zone] Exorcist@keyboardchemstry: obamacare happened after osama been dead. what do we have now? osamacare thats what! cuz he really care!


    You can join the blocklist, too. Casual racism in a fantasy game is unappreciated.

    [Zone] Urthadar@mrolson1: wow radiant rank 6 are like 30k now?
    [Zone] Cool Cucumber@gigglesgaggles: thanks, much appreciated (:
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: YES HE CAN
    [Zone] KoraL@railak: what can you get from the neverwinter gardens?
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: everything seems to be up about 20%
    [Zone] Perath Oolasaadi@EmillyOrr: A pretty place to relax, travel elsewhere, and pray, basically.
    [Zone] Urthadar@mrolson1: yea it does
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: i dont remember too much *%$## smell when i was in Aachen


    What?

    [Zone] I Am That I Am@grunan: its got all the stuff in one central location. salvage, ah, merchant, a portal to every where. a prayer ring.
    [Zone] Delaredia@delaredia: lots and lots of hookers though. some of them smelled of various odors.


    Tempted to ignore Delaredia, too...

    [Zone] Dinkie@Woofdang: Any new players or even old players looking for a nice guild to joing with nice folks? Msg me and I can send an invite to Shadow Legion.
    [Zone] Pinkrabbits@pinkrabbits99: lol
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ICH FOCK EUCH ALLE
    {{Translation: "I FOCK YOU ALL"}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: SCHENKT IHR MIR Was ja {{And again, what Google Translate handed me, word for word: "GIVES IT TO ME What yes"}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ALSO
    [Zone] Casper@mushmyster6869: lol
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: MACH ICH DAS AUCH
    {{Translation: "Mach am the also"??}}
    [Zone] J'alaran De'Vyne@jalibear69: well *(%% ..... *sigh* it keeps telling me to return to instance .... *scratch her head*
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: AUCH WENN IHR NE DÖLMERTRUPPE SEID
    {{Translation: "Even if you are ne DÖLMERTRUPPE", which...means what, exactly?}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ICH SCHENKE EUCH NE MILLE {{Translation: I give you ne mille" which...again, means what, exactly?}}
    [Zone] Rumina Play@aphofes58: hi
    [Zone] I Am That I Am@grunan: why is there only one person speaking in caps german? not like you are talking to someone else.
    [Zone] Rumina Play@aphofes58: jemand deutschsprachiges on?
    {{Translation: "someone speaking German on?" And, well, sort of.}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: DAMIT IHR NOCH DÜMMER WERDET {{Translation: "That you will stupider"}}
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: me?
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: Help with what? :~
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: ALS BEKIHNUNG
    {{Google Translate just flailed on this one}}
    [Zone] Celeste@biernot78: REWARD
    [Zone] Rumina Play@aphofes58: keiner?
    {{Translation: "no"}}
    [Zone] J'alaran De'Vyne@jalibear69: *$) it keeps telling me to return to the instance ... I don't get it
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: Hmm, I guess not.. for now
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: doch
    {{Translation: "yet"}}
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: but thank you
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: ich
    {{Translation: "I"}}
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: hier deutsch {{Translation: "German here", so..."yet I am German" for the whole phrase?}}
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: wie kann man denn flüstern {{Translation: "how can you whisper because"}}
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: hahaha I see
    [Zone] Theta@taboransky: I'm going with her. See ya :)
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: HEU
    {{Translation: "You"}}
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: what lvl of gems i need for that color
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: bin auch erst seit ner halben stunde on
    {{Translation: "am also only been half an hour on"}}
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: hey
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: question
    [Zone] Aisha@elmalidere23: brauche selber hilfeee
    {{Translation: "need itself Hilfeee", which again, unhelpful}}
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: what lvl of gems i need
    [Zone] Tifa@xcr3am: for that color

    No one knows, Tifa. NO ONE KNOWS.

    don't ask for help, you're all alone

    $
    0
    0
    So, this one starts off...sort of normal...and goes downhill REALLLLLY quickly.

    [Zone] Kyriev@mitani02: Hrm, do people actually buy gold these days?

    Don't you mean 'buy diamonds', the in-game currency bought with real money?

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: not anyone that values their account....

    Also true. Also that response makes me think they made that same connection, too.

    [Zone] Kyriev@mitani02: One thing doing campaigns does, is give you a ton of crap items, which you sell..and end up with the 1.6k gold I have.
    [Zone] Fraggle@hashthetag: make bank
    [Zone] Kyriev@mitani02: its really sad
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: but theres one born every minute...
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: i would sooner buy gold from a dethroned nigerian prince....
    [Zone] Mettyk@cagedrat: yes, those poor unfortunates
    [Zone] Sinbad@Quetzaqoatl: right
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: thats zamundian...
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: scream it out loud peoplee
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: SHOW ME THE MONEEEEEY
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: really...?
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: hollywood blvd Pervy, cost you a fiddy....
    [Zone] Pervy@pervygh: ._.
    [Zone] Baszun@baszun67: bout tree fitty
    [Zone] Mara Shadowskiss@damnataanimus: but if its not worth real money... why do people buy it with real money? Why do gold sellers exist? If people will pay for something its not just a pixel xD


    Yeah, so, that's a bigger question, and I think there's really two main reasons involved: laziness (because anything you can gain by buying diamonds from a gold spammer you can gain by buying them from Cryptic Studios, or just earning them on your own) and ignorance (because few new users of gold-spammer services realize that by buying from these services, they're giving them access to their credit-card numbers, addresses, any electronic data the thieves are able to skim out of the info given, et cetera and so on.)

    [Zone] Lil ShinShank@cerialshank: WTB thunderfurry!!

    ...What's a 'thunderfurry'??

    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: follow the yellow brick road
    [Zone] ExiT@mynwacct: its entertainment
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: Pearl, i followed the yellow brick road once, it ended in rehab...
    [Zone] CmdrValance@cmdrvalance: gold is useless in this game


    Actually, it's not, it can be very useful, especially for restocking crafting supplies.

    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: google show me the money it will appear for sure
    [Zone] Blunder Thud@drartwhodent: gold is used for potions, kits and removing stones from gear
    [Zone] Mara Shadowskiss@damnataanimus: and that was not q uestion to the people who msged me... it was more a musing at that person who said its just a pixel -.-
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: la internet mijo
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: its not wise to anger the interweb.....
    [Zone] Haldir of Lorien@WanKokWai: theres no ppl selling zen at the ad-exchange, is it a problem for long time to come?
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: el internet?
    [Zone] Exanim4@fugamerck:
    si el interne
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: lol
    [Zone] rat@cagedrat: people are selling, post your offer and get in line with the rest of us
    [Zone] Valindramelapimpla@acroponix:
    Sizas pirobo
    [Zone] Valindramelapimpla@acroponix:
    viva colombia
    [Zone] Valindramelapimpla@acroponix:
    hijueputas
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH:
    moo goo gai pan

    Really? Uncalled for. Also stupid.

    [Zone] Valindramelapimpla@acroponix: viva el perico AMERICANS!
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: beef enchilada


    Cue aggrieved sigh. (But hey, I found two new recipes I'll have to try, so I guess demi-thanks are in order?)

    [Zone] Sylindryll@sbeecraft: serously... is anyone stupid enough to buy sh** off that internet site spam crap
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: click click bloody click pancakes!!!
    [Zone] Malyc@cagedrat: lots of people are that stupid
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: like MAlyc
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: hey just cause i went to that site doesn't make me stupid


    Actually, kind of by definition, it does, yes.

    [Zone] Malyc@cagedrat: a good deal are very young kids with their parent's cards
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: OMG haddock
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: it does indeed


    See?

    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: lol
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: in that case the parents deserve it, dont give your kids your cc


    Truer words...

    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: who the hell spends real money for game money?

    Lots of people, all the time, in all the games, every day.

    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: :D
    [Zone] Malyc@cagedrat: on the bright side, f*ck you, pearl
    [Zone] Diva@divalords: Not me
    [Zone] Diva@divalords: Never will I ever do that again


    Wait. "Again"? Change your passwords, Diva, NOW.

    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: so youre going to fk me? ew no thanks
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: what's the point on playing if you're gonna pay for the stuff instead of... play for it
    [Zone] Diva@divalords: after Evercrack and that other WoW game... no thnaks
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: if you kids gotta buy something online, get them a prepaid giftcard


    Well, heck, these days that works for anyone. Pre-paid cards are common, easy to use, can be purchased on and offline, and are accepted in many places. There's even services that can act as Mastercards or VISAs. Truly, it is the future.

    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: sony please share more of your wisdom, sensei
    [Zone] Dropdose@ronniedow: is your deighty important?


    You mean..."deity"? That is horribly mispelled.

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: that way no matter how stupid they are, the exposure is limited
    [Zone] Dardra@morithan: Are you an idiot? If people didnt spend real money on this gaem THERE WOULD BE NO GAME
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: haah thanks man that was more enlightning than what i said
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: ok here's one: which npc do you consider to be most annoying in this game
    [Zone] Rha Klaatu@alansweet: If its fresh haddock, a little winetartar suace
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: The Town Cryer, all he does is cry
    [Zone] Malyc@cagedrat: dedicated to his job
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: neverwinter commoner
    [Zone] SONY@mtronco: he's such a pushy a**hole
    [Zone] Lil ShinShank@cerialshank: Rofl
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: to me it's the linkletters, followed closely by private wilfred, and then rhix


    Okay, Rhix can be annoying, but I think that's mostly because of the voiceover. He's a small kobold who hangs out behind the Seven Suns Coster Market, beside the Tarmalune bars trader. Still, even that annoyance is worth something--he pays well, offering daily quests in exchange for Astral Diamonds.

    [Zone] Dropdose@ronniedow: are certain gods better for each class type or does it not really matter?
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: i was rooting for rahzad
    [Zone] Rha Klaatu@alansweet: Elimiester is the worse
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: who is Elimiester


    I think you both mean Elminster, an NPC who offers up fabulous foods and trinkets for seasonal events. He's also occasionally an NPC for other events, either introducing the quest lines or offering payment for completing event quests.

    He's something of a crotchety old man--think Gandalf, but more annoying--but again, he pays well, and he's not that hard to deal with.

    [Zone] Lomax@volsuoft: god u choose doesnt make a difference
    [Zone] Fauxlivia@zantosa1881: Poor wilfred


    So not kidding. Private Wilfred has one of the most tragic storylines in the entire game. That link doesn't go into all of them, so let's just say that his pointless and entirely avoidable death on the Sleeping Dragon Bridge is only the start of his troubles.

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: Gods have no bearing Drop, its just a backstory thing and occasionally a logo on certain cloaks....

    A-ha, is that why my main cleric has the suns all over her cloak now? Because the sun is the symbol of Tymora. It all makes sense!

    [Zone] Dropdose@ronniedow: ty for the info
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: in game god doesnt really make a difference
    [Zone] Melanie Malachite@imapercent: I always shout "Praise Cthulu!" before prayer and it gives me boons, exp, ad, and potions. Cthulu is the bestest god of all! :D
    [Zone] Keeroh@tinykeeroh: Who's up for a cuddle puddle?


    In this game? What?

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: That which is dead doth eternal lie
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: for with strange eons even death may die...
    [Zone] cosmos@moltenofficial: team_leave
    [Zone] Xan@themastercreator: go for the eyes boo...GO FOR THE EYES!!! RHAAAAAH!!!!
    [Zone] Keeroh@tinykeeroh: If you're into that mopey sadness and bad eyeliner
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: Don't teach my hamster to suck eggs!
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: o.o
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: That was a baaaaad statement to log in on.
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: I do not like the tone of your voice, Dark Elf. The face I have is the face the ladies love! Boo loves Minsc's face, too! Don't you, Boo?
    [Zone] Keeroh@tinykeeroh: So about this cuddle puddle


    Yeah, think that's a no, on further consideration. Without even one functional chair, let alone bench, bed or pile of pillows, the concept of "cuddling" while standing, in full armor, just lacks all appeal.

    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: El Minster has fled to Mexico with the neverwinter renown. Pursue him and recapture the renown. Coming soon in Module 4
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: so how come the disk isnt displayed on the shaundakul stables?
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: Because it's not a horse.
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: Silly pearl
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: its still a mount
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: But it's not a horse.
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: yet it's a mount
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: But it's not a horse!
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: however it's a mount
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: theres a friggin spider there
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: and the beetle...
    [Zone] Kerensa Loreweaver@abell39: IT'S A MAGIC HOCKEY PUCK.
    [Zone] Ellestia@poisonyann1: Rust monster is still on display too, instead of the floating skull


    Also, both of the last two are companions, not mounts...

    [Zone] Lady Gaga@iniark: why my bow is be colorido?

    What? Why is your bow--what, exactly?

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: omg lady gaga, kill it with FIREEEEE
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: what's with the creepy people
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: oh come on, it's zone
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: creepy is the status quo in zone


    To be fair...much as we might wish otherwise.

    [Zone] Lyralei@twitchhhyyy: haha you're short
    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: moob = creepy
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: and i'm a bigot.
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: as are you!
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: yay!
    [Zone] Jenn Trickfoot@emerald695: yay for moobs
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: and youre explosively backward
    [Zone] Zerkkin@zerkkin: thx
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: i'm a bigot, you're a bigot. we're all rush limbaughs in some way
    [Zone] Rilla Turtledove@abell39: Okay that one was actually clever

    To a small extent, which was why I left it in. And it is true--we're raised, in general, to categorize and label because it helps us understand our world, but that all too easily leads to restrictions, bias, and separation.

    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: Hello, We are guild Defiant | Actively run T2/MC/CN/VT daily, strong presence in PVP as well as Gauntlgrym | Teamspeak Required | Active | Reply if you are interested and I will send an invite.

    I usually trim out the guild join requests, but I'm leaving this one in for a specific reason. More on that below.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: some people. sheesh.
    [Zone] Rilla Turtledove@abell39: Beats me.
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: i do have to say chat is relatively lively tonight
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: use the guild finder and ask
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: defiant is recruiting but we are mostly looking for female voices to fill our teamspeak


    ...that's the reason. Seriously, people? You just want more girls to talk to?? And note, they're not asking for more female characters--because this is Neverwinter, so 80% of player characters are female already--but more females willing to talk to them. No other qualifications in the second part, though the first does state strong skills are required in end-game PvP battles.

    I somewhat suspect, how'ver, that those requests for active dungeon-running and end-game guild-versus-guild warfare are only for Teh Mens; they just want girls to talk to them and tell them how awesome they are at gaming.

    [Zone] Pearl Of Lutetium@ad282707: lol
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: i'm sure he can put a wig on. seems the type.
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: crap i forgot im here to play a game, brb
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: OK
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: gg you won. for meeeoow.
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: WHOSE PET ASKED IF IT HURT TO BE SO UGLY?
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: Apparently the Urthadars are a prominent family in NW


    And prolific, don't forget prolific. Actually, Urthadar's one of the 'standard' last names for Neverwinter. When making up a character, you can make up your own name from scratch, pick a premade first name and an original last name, premade last name with an original first name, or just hit 'Random' for the luck of the draw.

    (Continued in part two.)

    black and blue seeds

    $
    0
    0
    We continue from part one, as the chat continues to go downhill...

    [Zone] Ezekiel Ravenshield@bush1d0: is there a way to zoom the camera lol ??
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: by praying to the dev gods to add it, otherwise, sadly, no....
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: yeah, i don't think there a FOV option
    [Zone] tIP the scales@philskill1: there is...
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: type /gfxsetdefaultfov


    Wau. Learn a new thing every chat. Well, not every chat. Some chats, though.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: see, say you don't know something and people correct you
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: don't ask questions in zone
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: waste of time
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: please use google before asking in zone


    I understand what you're saying here, I do, and granted, there's a lot of game information for any of the games we play online. But...if I'm asking where a certain vendor is, or how to get into a certain place, why am I going to Google first? They may not know, or may not be accurate.

    Of course, by the same extension, this is Zone chat. They may not know, or be accurate.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: lol
    [Zone] tIP the scales@philskill1: but we answerd it....
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: common courtesy
    [Zone] Lil ShinShank@cerialshank: Mab, stfu
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: i didn't ask i just said no
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: and you had to correct :P


    It is the way of our people.

    [Zone] Lil ShinShank@cerialshank: Anyone can ask anything whenever they want. Its the ZONE. Its there to talk to eachother and get help if you need it.
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: Where do your face babies come from?


    I....I don't understand. What are face babies?

    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: Honestly if you want to talk talk. Don't let people shame you. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
    [Zone] Lorea@Venivididormii: is this the danger zone?
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: And no is forced to answer
    [Zone] Nine@drartwhodent: but, please do *read* the tooltips and quest text b4 asking stuff, a lot is answered there


    That's fair too, actually. A lot of the problems people run into in all online games trace back to not wanting to read the box text for quests and other events.

    [Zone] Meatshield@xzarcastic: ASK WHAT EVER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE CAUSE HATERS ARE GAOING TO BE HATERS AND THUS tard monkeys . :p
    [Zone] Mabondal@tjlongshot: i heard msgs are bad for your health


    If they're from gold spammers, that's right.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: Rose, how much gold ish my time worth to you
    [Zone] Eshadowone@eshadowone: opinion varies from person to person, so with sense of humor.
    [Zone] Eshadowone@eshadowone: sarcasm maybe funny to some but insulting to others
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one, and more times than not theyre full of sh**....


    *sighs*

    [Zone] Fauxlivia@zantosa1881: questions are awesome, spam I could do without

    Always.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: hey thanks, haven't heard that 208723498274982374 times since the 80s
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: this zonechat was funner yesterday with the pickup lines
    [Zone] Goosgoos Salad@goosgoos: you make that up yourself?
    [Zone] Greype Kneehigh@gimpocalypse: and it doesn't help that they broke the Sarcasm font... and won't fix it


    There was a sarcasm font?

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: never underestimate the 80s...
    [Zone] Anyallah Moonshadow@thirdlevelrogue: Heh, save the city by storming the bridge and get some dirty pants and shirt for a reward. Oh boy...


    No, no, that's actually the upgrade. First, your ship is attacked by a Dracolich outside of Neverwinter and you crash on the beach. For some mysterious, only-known-to-the-GMs reason, you were stripped down to just sleep attire before the attack. You're told--by Private Wilfred, the first time you meet him--to dig through some crates that have washed ashore. You end up finding (and hopefully equipping) a worn or broken weapon of your class, and some rags that barely cover you (and provide zero in-game defense). Then off you're sent to fight skeletons, zombies, and worse before ending up at the Sleeping Dragon Bridge, where, after the evil Valindra kills Private Wilfred very offhandedly, you fight your way through all obstacles and end up in Protectors' Enclave, the main neutral zone in Neverwinter.

    And when you finally track down the man you're supposed to talk to about getting outfitted, Sergeant Knox, he sends you over to a man with a small fire built on the city cobbles, a tripod and cauldron set over it (one would assume food, but as we never see him eat, maybe it's leather bleach, or wood glue, or something), and he says oh sure, just rummage around in those chests over there, and thanks for saving the city.

    Your 'reward' for all this? A basic set of clothing that's barely protective at all, suited to your class, and--even worse--what looks for all the world like a tunic and trews in faded, ill-fitting burlap and leather, to 'wear around town'. Not on your life, son, those are disturbingly ugly, and they look infested with bugs, and these are supposed to be what we wear when we're not in full armor??

    Because seriously, this is how we're enticed into the game. Look awesome! Get incredible armor! Be stylish and badass! But what we actually get, when first starting out, is closer to mended scraps passed down from people who likely died in them.

    I understand why--in a world of plentiful change and exciting buyable items, the admins are still trying to create an initial impression of scarcity--that Neverwinter is still a city under attack, by vastly more powerful (and better equipped) sources. It sort of works, if only to convince every player who starts out to lay cash down immediately for better gear, but I think the main intent got lost in the shuffle.

    [Zone] Ponyo@ponrazzle: wow
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: Show me potato salad!!!
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: i wash my gear in the blood of mine enemies
    [Zone] Kaylee Krankenwagen@abell39: I would hope my chars find time to wash their clothes while I'm logged out.
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: technically our characters are homeless
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: we saved neverwinter, but don't even have a studio apt to live in
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: yeah we need some player housing, or at least a decent pub!
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: you can't even push a button to get back to protectors enclave
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: hookers. we need hookers.


    WHY? Though technically, they do exist, it's just not possible to...erm..."interact" with them. In fact, one of the most luminously beautiful builds in the game is the Moonstone Mask, where courtesans of all races and genders live in a mansion atop a floating island, hovering over Protectors' Enclave. The Moonstone Mask is also the home (unsurprisingly) of much of the actual player-based roleplay in the game, considering it is equal parts tavern, dance party, quest anchor and multiroomed entertainment venue.

    But I won't lie, Neverwinter lacking player homes is a (small) disappointment.

    [Zone] Xatmo@xatmo99: player housing = make a house in foundry
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: i hang out at the pub, but every time i fall asleep i wake up with a drunken dwarf spooning me....
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: We really are homeless
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: Neverember told me the other day: thanks hero for saving us again. now get out of my throneroom, stinky bum
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: who needs a bed when you have hookers.
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: you just pile their dead bodies up


    Wau. Why did I not ban this idiot before now? Banned the next time I go in.

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: in fact, forget about the pub and tha blackjack
    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: The Driftwood Tavern!
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: what hookers. No one told me about any hookers
    [Zone] Galt@s0rc3r0r: hookers! where?


    Moonstone Mask. Seriously, people, keep up.

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: awe screw the whole thing[Zone] Nobu@noburitsu: HOW DO U MOUNT A HORSE
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: from behind?
    [Zone] NZkiwi@gomjaz: not like a hocker


    Um...

    [Zone] Greype Kneehigh@gimpocalypse: from behind?
    [Zone] Nalik@nalikk: 6, after you equip it


    Thank you for actually providing a real answer!

    [Zone] Haddock@haddock000: depends on preference
    [Zone] Greype Kneehigh@gimpocalypse: never mount it from the front
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: wtb slightly used dead hookers


    DAMN it, I thought we were done with this topic...

    [Zone] Di Apzen Xarzith'dos@dragoness10: yeah well we have bacon...
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: man. they gave us pea soup ffs.
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: what are we?!?! PEONS?!?!
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: If you are not making a TV show, why do you need dead hookers
    [Zone] Mika Hawklight@miscdebris1: Do people seriously not know to keep the adds off the healer?


    Nope. Not ever, not at all.

    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: slightly used dad hookers are good for pron

    ...Dad hookers? I don't want to know.

    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: youre pimping fathers?
    [Zone] Xan@themastercreator: i prefer them dead accually


    Dads, or hookers? Gad, this is an offensive conversation.

    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: they also make great fertilizer

    Dads, or...DEAR GODS NEVER MIND!

    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: You prefer them dead. Sounds like a Kermit moment to me.
    [Zone] Galt@s0rc3r0r: that's kinda what's goin down here...
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: yeah plenty of lonely housewives like em ded and slightly used


    DADS?!?

    [Zone] Xan@themastercreator: they do i get such good tomato yeilds from dead hooker fertalizer
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: not gonna eat your dead hooker tomatoes, TYVM
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: gross
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: dead hooker katsup
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: you don't eat them yourself... pfttt.
    [Zone] Moob@niko9er: you sell them to Taco Bell


    *headdesk*

    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: lol
    [Zone] Xatmo@xatmo99: lol
    [Zone] Bubba@drartwhodent: hey mr. dj - looks like zone wants to hear Alice Cooper "I love the dead"
    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: oh no, you feed them to others, grosss
    [Zone] Xan@themastercreator: taste like trears
    [Zone] Roujin@NighthawkICH: hey, better than the pink slime....
    [Zone] ParteCus@afonsop181: i'm new to this refine stuff and upgrading a shard, but f*ck sake, 1% of sucess?
    [Zone] Ra3nDr0pS@lahollo: what about the pink sock?


    The pink...what? I don't want to know.

    [Zone] Eliza Urthadar@naddasleepy: little boy is always so gross

    This whole conversation is gross. Done.

    now here you are with your faith, and your Peter Pan advice

    $
    0
    0
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: kill things, have fun, dont be a dick

    Generally good advice...

    [Zone] Grey Worm@phutt1989: Don't be a pug
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: k thanks
    [Zone] Vogio Vorgo@CamelCamelCamel: I'd say don't use ID scrolls on green drops.
    [Zone] Vogio Vorgo@CamelCamelCamel: Others might disagree.


    Like me, but it must be said there's this running controversy between two modes of thought, and they're pretty clear-cut. The mode espoused here is generally seen in heavily-armored, strength-is-the-only-attribute warrior sorts, who believe it doesn't exist as a usable item if it's not blue or purple. (The four 'levels' of magical items and armor in Neverwinter: white, up to about level 10; green, up to about level 35, blue, up to about level 50; and purple, up to level 60--and beyond into Epic.)

    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: can all classes tank or is it only certain ones?
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: Build them right, a most can, yes.
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: GWF, GF are tanks.
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: DC can tank in a pinch
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: I hate tanking as a cleric


    But it can be done. I know; on my level-60 cleric, I've done it.

    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: but this game doesnt really need tanks
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: XD
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: oh k cool thats a good
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: tsk tsk
    [Zone] Matty Jay@mjaus01: do you need to team up in this game at higher levels?
    [Zone] Baelok Zsasz@ibtbam: join a good guild man
    [Zone] Baelok Zsasz@ibtbam: that's your team
    [Zone] Solaris@toxicphoenix: Only a few things call for a party. Most are solo-able.
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: Define ... "good guild." :P
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: I really need to build up my guild again. I miss the interaction
    [Zone] Baelok Zsasz@ibtbam: i suppose... friendly, knowledgeable, willing to party up together instead of pugging

    So, "pugging". I actually had to go look this one up, and once I tracked down the definition, I understood, and understood also why it's used so dismissively. Neverwinter as a game, in and of itself, is extremely prone to pugging, almost as a rule for behavior.

    Pugging, as it is currently defined, involves the act of soliciting pick-up groups. So what's a pick-up group? Let's take Neverwinter grouping as an example. All groups, even large epic dungeon parties, max out at five people. So you can go in solo (and generally fail), if you want; you can go in with up to four other friends, people you know and (generally) can rely upon; or you can just pick up strangers out of chat, and deal with the consequences.

    For some things it's not an issue. During the run of the Winter Festival, there was a vendor giving out daily 'starlight parcels'. These contained a paltry amount of in-game coin, a Star of Fortune (which had other benefits), and a voucher for a gift package on the Zen Market, which is essentially the cash shop for the game.

    Once you unpacked the parcel, you generally got an event item (ice "fireworks", "sky beams", or sky lanterns were the typical things), an enchanting stone or a special companion, mount, or piece of equipment, and a Gift of Simril.

    And to use that, you basically had to gather up to four other people--friends or random strangers--get them in all in the same place near each other, then launch your gifts. The trick was, this year, your gifts wouldn't give anything to you, only to other people. So, pugging actually became a hefty consideration: "Can I trust random strangers to accept my gifts, then toss out their own? Will they take mine, then leave the party? Should I wait until I can get my friends online for this?"

    A lot of us did both things, I can't even tell you which is better. I had fun both ways, and something that was so purely devoted to simply giving struck me as both entirely appropriate to the season, and a really nice gesture on the part of the Neverwinter admins.

    Anyway, long-winded answer to a slang term needing definition, we return to our conversation, already in progress:

    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: oh big question, i heard of med kits? i only have potions now and there on a cooldowns, do medkits have cooldowns?
    Yes.

    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: But.. everyone promises that... and they never give it.
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: ;D
    [Zone] Solaris@toxicphoenix: I don't see a point to guilds past some extra quests and not having to pug.
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: The med kits are for when you are injured
    [Zone] Intrika@zestragic: Fawn is a great companion. It opens a healing pond at a start of fight
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: what is injured? debuf?
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: med kits are for when you die...like in that other game where you lose durability
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: oh k, i havent died yet lol
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: I mean of course there is like.. Teamspeak and such but. it's a sack of drama. D: and I am too much of a diva myself.


    No, really? With that name? I am shocked, sir, SHOCKED, I say.

    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: It is when you die and respawn... you use an injury kit to heal them
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: or stand by a fire for 3 min
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: k ty lol
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: Or you can ask a nice person to get you a stack of injury kits. ;)
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: lolz
    [Zone] i am sexy@stevenshu1989: who can help me buy a mount, i want a faster mount


    Begging is generally not the way. Just FYI.

    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: I usually fall asleep when waiting for an injury to heal then get kicked off LOL
    [Zone] Solaris@toxicphoenix: Pro tip carry a full stack of kits with you at all times. o.o
    [Zone] Wez@monkeybababoey: yeah im terrible at spells haha
    [Zone] Jill Stritter@beanbastard: queue for Armories of Moradin , its easy AD
    [Zone] Matty Jay@mjaus01: can anyone tell me how to turn tips off plz?
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: I'd like to know that one actually
    [Zone] Jill Stritter@beanbastard: like everything in this game
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: Pets his Cockatrice while looking down at his knee, beginning to nod off. He shakes his head waking up suddenly and picks up his Cockatrice and puts in in his lap after sitting down on his throne.
    [Zone] Gluteus Maximus@hellwinkle: quit playing with your cock
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: It's not a cock, it's a nub of butter


    .......

    [Zone] Jill Stritter@beanbastard: is jealous of Sir HomoFabulous Cockatrice
    [Zone] Sir HomoFabulous@xrainbowcupcak3x: Glances up tilting his head to the side at Gluteus's remark, and behind his Unicorn mask he glares, then laughs hysterically.
    [Zone] Solaris@toxicphoenix: I'd like my girlfriend to go both ways,but it's not going to happen.Just like no one is going to give things away they can make a ton of AD on.
    [Zone] Gennal Stalkingwolf@simpleton2014: enjoy your victory, it wont come again for a while
    [Zone] Z'ress@divineheart17: Make the voices in my head stop!


    Oh, haven't we all said that from time to time...

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