Zortel

I don't use dual boxing in CoH, due to not having my other account running, but I do in WoW. Usually for Isarven and his older brother Marathel, a colourful pair if ever there was one. Isarven is my main on Hordeside, and sometimes Marathel is replaced with the other brother, Marashi, or one of the sisters, Kaeshi or Isathel. Or Isarven's apprentice that he acquired through some guild RP.

Plus it makes powering yourself through instances a breeze. Goooooo Death Knight Boost!

Aria's good on parts, delivery and tech support. They're a firm favourite of mine. They used to do custom PC's in the gladiator range, but now they just do pre-builts. A friend got one from PCSpecialist, that's working out well so far.

I did this to get the Magic Pack I believe, when it first came on Steam. Bought the game, right clicked to install, paused it, got my CD key from the Steam Menu, typed it in on the NCSoft site and then got my free month and Magic Pack.

How to keep Breakneck alive:

Just before the cutscene starts, you need to jump to the left. As soon as it ends, step right and run forwards as fast as you can, keeping your hands on your hips, for aerodynamics. As you get to the room, get in between Breakneck and Zoria and pull your knees in tight, before typing in /powexec "Pelvic_Thrust".

This'll cause a time warp that allows you to save Breakneck, save Stateman's brother, rescue Manticore's parents and drink nanomite free Crey Cola.

Many books were on the cards this year:

Mass Effect: Ascension, On Basilisk Station, Neuromancer, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy Volume 1, The Mammoth Book of the Best of Best New Sci Fi, Begining Ubuntu Linux (Need to buff up on my BASH shell proficiency) and then whatever I pick up in the sales.

Gamewise, Steam has currently been the order of the day, with some gifts from others and gifts to myself of Trine, Grand Theft Auto 4, The Eidos Collection off Steam (For Batman: Arkham Asylum mostly, but Thief: The Dark Age too. I already owned Deus Ex.) and possibly getting Dragon Age: Origins from my brother.

Then it's the usual menage a trois of undergarments, socks and clothes, plus the dastardly duo of cosmetics and toiletries.

Plus... a Lego Police Patrol Car with Speed Camera.

I'm really psyched about that. Almost 24 but nothing beats Lego at Christmas.

Task Force 'Prep for Prom'

Jacob Dalmers, AKA Quickfrost, looked more like a bodyguard for some film star than a student. His large form, coupled with the black trousers, white polo shirt and an unbuttoned jacket made him equally looking the part for say, turning fans away from some hot sensation.

The cold, unfestive look on his face did not help.

Wandering around the lobby-turned-prom hall, he was utilizing his cold-based powers to chill the ice sculptures he had made to decorate the place. It was something of a hobby of his, and so around the area were frosted snowmen and Christmas trees.

It wasn't his handiwork he was unhappy with though, it was what the night would bring. He could expect most of Team Steel, the group of students lead by Nitoichi that he was second in command in to behave. Behave being a lose term for a team formed of misfits, troublemakers and... well, him for that matter.

The problem was of the feminine gender.

Jacob spent most of his teenage years in a gang, and he'd seen how intra-gang romance tended to flare up and burst into trouble at the wrong time. He'd learned from that mistake and gone on to lead them well, up until his incarceration before getting a chance with the New Vigilants.

But in this team, there were two women he had issues keeping his eyes off.

Annette 'Nitoichi' Barrington was a safe matter. She was in a relationship, and when it came down to matters they had an understanding, and a good team relationship. She was less of a problem and more someone to catch the occasional glimpse of while working out.

Leannan, on the other hand, was a completely different matter. She flirted. She wore revealing outfits. And she -knew- she had gotten to Jacob. If there was any night that she'd make mischief, it'd be this one. Especially with him now single...

Ice frosted over his dark skin as he clenched his fists. If his ex girlfriend split up with him due to parental pressure as he was a 'mutant'? That would be one thing.

But because he was black? That shocked look they got on first meeting him? That had a tendency to leave those around him rather cold when he dwelled on the thought.

Flecks of ice fell as he flexed his hands. Out loud to just himself, and the ever watchful AI BODICIA, he said one thing. "This is going to be hell."

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Cindersnap looked at the charred and smashed remains of his cellphone. There were many kinds of bad calls at Christmas.

"I'm going to do more missionary work, this time away from you has got me thinking I... I really need to live my life a little more first before settling down. I'm sorry, and hope that when I get back, we could talk things over, see about picking things up again?"

That was the message that lead to the destruction of a smart phone, a photo frame and accompanying photo, and a receipt for an air mail delivery to Malaysia.

"God damn it..." Ryan muttered into his hands, carefully avoiding looking at the silver cross his partner had gotten him for his birthday as it laid on his chest. Maybe they'd change their mind, or were just feeling unwell. Or had been gotten to by one of the more... conservative types.

All Ryan Andrews knew for sure though, that'd he'd have to act damn hard tonight. This prom would go well, he'd have as good a time as possible, and only after could he lash out, rant and cry. Glancing up into the mirror in his bedroom, he wiped his eyes dry and took a deep breath, before putting on a smile.

"... You sure know what to get a guy for Christmas, Robert."

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Jackal gnawed at the snarl in the fur covering his hand. Perhaps snow fights without gloves followed by ribs wasn't a good idea. The matted fur was taking some chewing to get out.

"Hrrrrm... barbeque-y." He grined, before starting to gnaw at it again.

Alex 'Rho' Knight, just looked at him. The rich, density manipulating teen playboy shook his head in disbelief. There were some days that the New Vigilants made sense to them. Seeing a half-man, half dog dressed in a rented tux; clutching a box of Mighty Mart Organic Sausage Rolls under one arm; while tearing knots out of his fur with his long, sharp teeth meant today was -not- one of those days.

"Glad I only have to shave."

"It is handy to do though, otherwise can lead to badness." Alestino smiled, patting Jackal on the shoulder. The blue skinned alien was dressed in... well, it classed as 'party wear' on his world.

Alex had to admit that the clean, white furs and soft leathers, coupled with the polished scrimshaw buttons was very well crafted. Alestino, the ice-manipulating member of the Negviro people, smiled brightly when that was mentioned.

"Hunted and worked and made these all myself! Very fine!"

"... Yeah Al. Just... not what I was expecting, heck, not what -anyone- was expecting for a party."

"Style fashion says you must dress your best and be comfortable. This -is- best and comfortable, and good for hunt too."

"Should... paah-" Jackal spat out a chunk of fur. "Just bring mice in parcels."

"... I've gone nuts." Rho sighed.

Yo, Birdy!

Yes, Quickfrost and Leannan did come to mind. Jacob's single this year, and still rather bitter about that break up with Valeria (I was reading the old Prom thread last night, http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=178486 ) and she is a dreadful tease. (Also, would you want to be the one to tell Brigid she's too old to attend? Not me.)

Tabby's going to have the company of Jackal again this year, so that's another one for Annette to watch out for. Dogs, cats, and mice in parcels.

This is why we need to get some NV/Militia Academy team ups sorted out, it's just finding the time for them is all.

Also, huzzah for writer's block kicking in again, stupid brain.

Well, I suppose some gate crashing is possible, or turning up as dates for one of the students, or something. Captain Apathy will sadly not be in attendance, his turf is South Dakota, and he's currently in a correctional facility after the last beatdown that Rushmore gave him.

Hell, there is the possibility of chaperoning too. Or just being a guest via knowing one of the NV members.

I'll get a start on fiction tomorrow, and working out some stuff with others.

(AP, while your favourite may not turn up... well, perhaps Rushmore's arch nemesis 1 out of many, Confederacy Caroline will turn up. The South will PARTY HARD.)

Well, it's that time of year again, and what would a group of teenagers learning about their abilities be without a prom?

FOOLISH AND PATHETIC, THAT IS WH-

I mean, unfestive and not in the spirit of things. So as it happens, the lobby area of Unity Tower is being done up ready. The Prom itself is not an in game thing due to logistics and space, it's more a chance for collab fiction, arranging some RP, or just throwing out ideas and situations.

IC it is set to begin at 8pm Wednesday. As said, the venue is the lobby area of Unity Tower, and the reception desks are being set up as food tables and a place for the chaperones to rest their feet a little between herding teenagers.

The glass windowed front to the UV Lobby will thus be showing off the big old Christmas tree on Unity Plaza. and inside is tastefully decorated to the season with a mixture of greens, reds, golds and silvers. The food being laid out is a large amount of buffet/finger food, though there'll more than likely be pizza and other hot take away food somewhere.

There'll be a mix of music playing, with a few slow songs for the couples/dates and such, but if dancing is not your thing, the common room areas upstairs have been appropriated for some party games, both board, computer and other. Cindersnap's bringing in his Rock Band set, for instance.

There is no alcohol though, and anyone found with it in their possession will be receiving a telling off from Ryan or one of the chaperones.

My brain is half dead from lack of coffee, so to wrap up... last year, Sophie Reynalds (She doesn't actually have a code name or anything) came in a dress she made held together with safety pins. This year, she's thought that the material was a bit too much. Say hello to safety pinmail prom dress. Look no further if you need to borrow one.

Let the plottage begin.

Points I'd like to raise having read through this thread, someone mentioned that throwing snowballs in such a zone is natural and should be expected.

If someone came into a pub/bar and started hurling snow at people, they'd probably pretty quickly get asked to leave. This wasn't a case of being outside on the snow, it was a case of people being inside that freaky glass, wood and metal chalet, by the bar and with the big fire roaring nearby, getting pelted.

Regarding RP'ers crowding NPC's: Usually people keep to the bar areas and the seats. Sometimes they'll use the bar underneath, or the one at the bottom of the slope. The crafter for the candy canes is only really surrounded by people crafting with Candy Canes, and there's easy access to Father Time.

Regarding RP'ers filling the chat window up: Broadcast is what nearly all of the BYN mission requests gets shouted in, so it's not like it's being drowned out by local in character chat and emotes. And with the two tabs in the basic chat window, I always move Broadcast to the top one with my global channels and keep the bottom one for System Messages, Local, Team, SG and Emote chatter.

I wasn't there on the night that the character in question was porting about, but I was there a few nights ago when some charming man was standing in the middle, firing off Target AoE's, PBAOE's, using Whirlwind and other aura powers to generally be annoying. Ignore only removes verbal spam if any, if only it could erase characters and their powers from your field of view.

And yeah, regarding RP with adult/mature concepts, I've never witnessed it happening in /local in an area that anyone can get to. And that's after almost five years of RPing. PG13/12 is about the highest 'rating' of things you get in local. Pretty much watching your prime time soap operas or just post watershed crime/drama is the usual level.

At least on Union, I can't speak for any other server.

Finally, I think it may be time to bring up a quote by the great C. S. Lewis that I believe has graced these boards before when it comes to roleplaying. Some people think it's stupid, just make believe, childish. If having an imagination and a desire to play out stories and concepts and ideas is such, well, then I think that's more the loss for someone who detracts on that.

So, here's the quote then:

For the X for Completing Mission, I agree that some kind of charge would be better, but the code for that probably doesn't exist yet.

You know, the female walk didn't really give me streetwalker vibes. Confident, with some sassyness? Sure. But hookerish?

Maybe the high class escort kind, but the women of the night I've seen don't really strut.

Roleplaying, of course! Whether social or in an in-character mission, it just looks classy. Well, unless you're a huge type who isn't this guy: The mechanical, disjointed swagger fits ADAOS to a T.

Also, I use it for testing staircases out in bases I'm building. Never thought about using it while waiting for Endurance to recover. Plus it shuts off toggles automatically too, good for really trimming down to get back to full power.

Some points well raised there.

Regarding the Unionverse stamping, we've got a topic on the first page of this forum subsection that isn't Unionverse stamped and started by an EU'er, Bedside Manners in this case by Arctic Princess.

The reason for some of the Unionverse stamping I believe is that they coresspond directly to in game happenings on Union, say as a prologue or epilogue to in game RP. Because US Region RP'ers don't have access to EU Region RP'ers servers, and vice versa, this presents difficulties when taking into account the close ties between forum and in game RP for a section of the community.

I'll certainly admit some trepidation about the thought of open Forum RP again on here, but that's my own issue. A vastly enlarged number of RP'ers compared to what we have before, with playstyles and preferences still unknown in parts, well, I worry about messing up or getting things messed up. Not off the rails as such, but more "Oh Gribble what do I do now?!"

True, yes, perhaps I should have stamped the topic with something tasteful in bold, such as "Light hearted" or "Silver Age" or something along those lines. I just wasn't quite prepared for what unfolded.

That, really, is something among the many things for me to learn from. I don't think I'm a great RP'er, nor do I think I'm a great writer. I'm still pretty new at this (I mean, just over five years nearly now) and not a great fan of tabletop, Play by E-mail or Journal RP. Online chat/MMO RP is really my forte and comfort area. Moving out of that can be a scary experience, fraught with perils.

Only thing I can really do is try and learn from my mistakes, avoid the bigger ones and not do the same thing twice if it goes bad :P

I might try a small something at some point. Currently, I really need to focus on getting some Christmas stories and a wedding done RP/creative-wise.

(Also, no worries about offense. It's an internet defense thing :P)

If you're looking to play Star Wars: The Old Republic later on, get a PC. There may not be a Mac release.

I've generally been playing the Guest Author, Hall of Fame and Dev's Choice arcs. (Though I did find a good one that was just a normal arc: Hearts on Fire, Arc ID 1472, great story, dark in places, good size and good for lowbies too.)

Tonight, I was playing Lady Sadako's 'Tomorrow Belongs to Me' arc. Dev choice, dealt with the 5th Column and Council, which suit my character Nachtbrecher as a fun arc to play with the character in mind.

Second mission I was subject to a map full of custom lieutenants. Energy Blast/Shield Defence. Mobs outside the AE, at the same level these were (LT's, +1) 600-800 exp depending on type.

This was a mission full of 75 exp Lieutenants.

I dropped the arc. Not because I'm only in it for the exp, because those arcs that I've played I've really enjoyed the story. But I like story and leveling.

I'll keep using the MA arc for an alternative path for leveling my characters, with different stories and no need to high tail it about the city on pointless errands (Well, save for the decent zones like Faultline and so forth) but when I come across arcs where the reward is rather lacking, I'll just drop and move on.

Nachtbrecher's Letter:

Hydra: Toxic damage, and low EXP for the trouble of killing them. Thankfully they mostly come up in AE arcs, Faultline and some later missions.

Malta: Tac Ops types. That stun grenade. That damn stun grenade.

Circle: Ruin Mages early on. Knockdown/back and +Defense. Especially on the Positron Task Force.

Vazhilok: Just Vazhilok. -Recharge Dart attacks, toxic damage, zombies resistant to sleep/immobilize, exploding cadavers, all at lower levels.

Arachnos: Mu Enemies and Fortunas. On the former, sleeps and endurance drain, so when you get out of the sleep you don't have the endurance to finish your enemy before they sleep you again and drain your end back down. The other is resistant to mezzing and thus hard to deal with on controllers.

Paragon Protectors: Old style Moment of Glory. I hate Old Style Moment of Glory.

Steel Canyon, Tuesday 24th November, 1054 AM.

((Done in an attempt to get back into the spirit of writing, on my trusty writing unit the ASUS Eee 901. After a year or so of writer's block, this is one of the first pieces I've done where the writing has come easy, willingly and I'm happy with what I've put down. So sit back, relax and prepare for the bromance.))

The call for back-up came clear over Cauter's commslink. With thrusters screeching with flames the gold and red suit of powered armour cut through the air like a knife.

“Cauter here, calling in.” Lance said into his helmet's microphone. “ETA... four minutes and counting, according to GPS.”

“Received, Lance. Waiting outside the premises.” A male voice came through the speakers. “Watch out for the billboa-”

Cauter barrelled hard out of the way, of a Red Beast advert, muttering a few choice explicit words. “It's avoided. Busy morning, Mike?”

“The usual. Sweeping the docks at Talos Island, had a few Tsoo ink shipments to round up. That should put the squeeze on their operations. Other than that? … The usual.” Mike chuckled.

“Dealing with Eloise then? She getting excited?” Cauter smiled as he spoke, happy for his friend's relationship. Easing off on the throttle a little, the power armour started its descent to over street level. Waves were given, as is expected to small children and especially female fans.

“Oh yes, though she's fretting a bit. Mother's flying in from home tomorrow.”

“All the way from the Big Snapple-”

“Apple.” Mike interjected with a laugh.

“I prefer my version. Thanksgiving, then?”

“Not just that. What's a prospective mother-in-law without grilling the bride over details and arrangements?” The sigh and weariness at that thought was quite audible. “What are your plans?”

“Scoring a turkey dinner at the tower, fire patrol duty...” Resignation seeped into the hero's own voice.

“Going to see your mother too?”

“... Yeah.” It was never a time that he relished. Granted, his mother was a big part in his life, but every time he went, her memory got worse. Details of her and his life slipped and blurred and ebbed away. Lance swallowed the lump out of his throat. “Coming in now.”

“I see you.” Mike waved from outside Taylor's, Gentleman's Outfitters. The police officer stood in his beat uniform, not the blue and white outfit of the Awakened Division. “And if you need to come over at any point tomo-”

“I know.” Lance said out loud, the bottom part of his helmet obscuring his smile. Heat shimmered off his Firebrand armour as various cooling vents opened, fuel nozzles shut and flight systems powered down. “This is it, then?” He glanced up at the sign, then the window displays full of suits, outfits and tuxedos.

“One more step towards marriage. You ready?”

Cauter burst out laughing. “Easily for this. I should be asking -you- that question. Just let me finish cooling off, and let's do this thing.”

---------------------------------------------------

“Names?” A man in black trousers, a perfectly white shirt and a clipboard asked, eyeing the pair up. “This isn't Icon, you know.” There was mirth at his own little joke in his voice as he asked, peering over his rounded glasses.

“Mike Preston, this here is Lance Silverstone. Here to try on the suits for a wedding.”

“Ah yes, yes... I'll go get them for you. Make yourselves comfortable in the changing area.” He gestured with his pen at the door through to a side room.

Cauter's suit hissed with each step, the leg servos working away as he moved into the room. There was a large mirror running along one wall, with curtained-off side areas for changing. “Little nervous about this, you know.”

“Trying on suits?” Mike smiled, patting his best man's shoulder pad.

“In part... first time trying out some of the modifications and the new undersuit.” Cauter carefully lifted his helmet off, shaking his long, auburn hair out as he did so. His reservations were perfectly reasonable, he thought as he started removing some of the inner part of his mask. When your power is sweating a flammable chemical, any open source of ignition was a big worry. It's what kept him confined in his armour outside of his apartment after all.

“You mentioned the mods, what exactly is the deal with them?” Glancing over, Lance saw his friend unclip the belt with all his police equipment on. He found it strange that someone who could transform into the misnomer-named 'Dwarf form' needed a gun or a baton.

“Well, the main part is the undersuit I'm wearing. Has tubing woven into it to act as a spare store of fuel, small ignition trigger on the hands for burning off excess. Plus it's thin enough to look good under a suit.”

“Unlike those plans BODI came up with, right?” Mike grinned at him, mentioning the suit over the power armour design that the Unity Vigil's AI, BODICIA had proffered as a suggestion.

“She meant well, and it was looking like a close probability for a while.”

“So what about your face? Let me guess, some nano-tubing skin to channel sweat into the rest when you get up to do your speech?”

“... You know, that might have worked. But no, just some anti-perspiration cream. Good idea though, something to work on in the fabricators.” Lance chuckled, his armour clunking and clicking as internal locks released and piping shut off. “Just going to wander back here though. Got to disconnect the 'plumbing'.”

“TMI Lance. T. M. I.” Mike called out from behind him as he wandered into one of the booths.

-----------------------------------------------

“You ready?”

“As I'll ever be.”

“Let's do this then.”

The curtains separating them from the rest of the room swished back as the two men walked out, grins on both their faces as they turned to the mirror. Both were in black suits, Mike's with a dark blue tie and Lance's with a red. Like amateur models the pair moved through various poses. Glancing at the prospective groom fiddling with his collar, Lance grinned.

“That's to be expected, I hear.”

“What?”

“The collar feeling like a noose.”

“Oh hah, hah, hah. I hope the jokes in your speech are better.” Mike rolled his eyes. “... Does look good though.”

“Yup. I feel like some kind of secret agent. Good fit. Easy to move in.”

“Dancing at the reception is more what worries me.”

“Speaking of, who's she having as maid of honour?”

“I'd guess either Jessica-”

“Stoneberg or Kade?” Lance pressed the question. There were a fair number of Jessica's in the city, and when one was a green-skinned mage of very high skill, and the other a cute, if very eccentric nanomachine-fuelled human, distinction was important.

“Kade. Or Ellie.”

“... Damn.”

“Damn? I thought you liked both of them.” Mike was raising his eyebrow at him.

“I do, only issue is that... well, it's kind of a tradition to hook up with the maid of honour. The best man that is.”

“Thanks for the clarification. Here I was about to whisk either or both away for a scandalous fling.”

“Hope your jokes are better, you know what I mean.” Lance sighed. “Problem is they're both married. And gay. Are there going to be any available bridesmaids for me to scupper chances of a relationship with?”

“If not, I'll arrange for guests. Don't play yourself down though. You're a good man. Granted, a bit of a joker at times, but you've got a good heart.”

Lance couldn't help but smile at that. “Thanks... I don't know. Finding a woman to settle down with that doesn't mind sleeping in a ventilated, ignition proof room and ignoring the fact I'm a walking zippo lighter seems a tall order. Hell, would you?”

“Would I what?”

“Would you date me, if you were a woman?” Lance covered his mouth as soon as -that- got said. That certain part of his best friend's history was one they didn't talk about, seeing as it didn't matter to him. Born Emily or not, Mike was one of the guys.

“Tough question. Would you?”

“What, if I were a woman? I don't know... hard to think like a girl.”

“Exactly.” Mike grinned. “Exactly...”

“... Don't think I will date someone for a while. Not while I've got Mother to worry about.”

“Come on.” Mike put an arm around Lance. “Let's get back in our clothes, and you can take me to that steak house and talk. Grab a few beers, got the afternoon off after all. Plus we can do this while you can keep your helmet off.”

Lance could feel himself perking up then. “In-Front Steak House it is! Steaks the size of a dinner plate, I tell you.” It was one of his favourite restaurants after all. He paused in heading back to his booth as Mike offered a fist out.

“Thanks for having my back in all this.”

The man known as Lance 'Cauter' Silverstone, the Burning Sensation, tapped his fist against that of Officer Michael 'Storm Sapphire' Preston. A symbol of brotherly solidarity since... well, since a few years now.

“Any time, bro. Any time. Now, talk to me about stag nights.”