_Fea_

Ineloo chuckled to herself as she stopped a short distance from the metal crab to observe it's movements. This day was just getting better and better! It was certainly interesting looking enough that she was sure there would be some useful salvage she could sell for a good profit. Of course, it would have to stop moving before she could really get at any of it...

She looked around the area and smiled. From her vantage point on top of a dumpster, she could see a Human woman calling over to what looked like some sort of metal Warforged, asking if he was one of the good guys. For her part, Ineloo hoped that the answer was yes – after all, the similar beings that she knew back home were rather tough and more than capable of causing problems in a fight. Not something she really wanted when there was already a giant crab to deal with.

Returning her attention to the metal monstrosity, she spotted a big red button on it's belly, undoubtedly some sort of 'off' switch. It reminded her somewhat of some of the more elaborate traps mages had a habit of creating back home when they really didn't want someone investigating their stuff. Of course, with them, one wrong move and one was likely to loose a limb, but as she was still in full possession of all of her appendages, Ineloo wasn't overly concerned about that possibility.

If the thing could just be tied down it would be a simple matter for anyone to get underneath and hit the button. Alternatively, she was sure there would be some sort of access hatch that she could pry off and take a look at the insides. It should then be a matter of moments to trace the magic lines and disconnect the appropriate ones. Something she had always excelled at – much to the irritation of the mages who assumed that just because she wasn't one of them, she was stupid.

As an automatic action, Ineloo pulled an arrow from her new quiver and went to fit it to the string before mentally berating herself for the useless action. There was no way a standard arrow would be any use against the thing's armour! She paused in the act of returning it to its place, blinked, then grinned broadly. It would seem that the quiver was more powerful that she had been led to believe. The missile in her hand was no simple arrow, but had what appeared to be fine ropes bound around the tip. The interesting thing was that if one looked at it for too long, one's mind would start to follow the loops into an impossibly densely packed coil that seemed to continue further and further into the centre without an end. Familiar with such magics, and certain that the resulting bindings would be strong enough to deal with even the crab monster, Ineloo hopped off the dumpster and bounded over to the woman and the Warforged.

“Hey!” she chirped in her child-like voice, “Do either of you have any bindings? If we all combine them maybe we can get that thing to sit still long enough to stop it moving entirely!” Then as an afterthought, “Oh, by the way, I'm Ineloo. Nice to meet you!”

Kings Row

Ineloo emerged from the rift rather higher than she would have liked. Ten feet may not be much to a human, but to a halfling (even one who was considered rather tall) it was quite alarming. She managed to land without injury by twisting her body into a series of somersaults to control the fall, copious amounts of luck, and an abandoned sofa.

“Well, that was interesting.” She thought as she picked herself up and dusted off her leather tunic, checking to make sure that she still had the precious bow and quiver which had started all the nonsense. She glanced around, automatically checking to make sure the area was safe, and froze. The buildings were strange – too tall, angular, grey, and all lacked the usual supports and crenellations that was so common in Stormreach. Staring out of the alleyway she had landed in, the first thing that she noticed were the walls, so much higher than any city wall she had ever seen, with some sort of wavering blue fire above them.

Before she had time to study the puzzling sight, she was distracted by the passing of some sort of transport device which moved much faster than any cart could. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a small voice was trying to convince her that she should be scared of the strangeness that surrounding her, but her halfling's innate curiosity quickly silenced it, even when a small metal imp landed next to her speaking in a strange accent and holding out a pamphlet. Ineloo took it automatically and watched, bemused, as it whizzed off – probably returning to whatever mage had sent it.

Stepping out onto the open street, she smiled broadly as she took in the world that she now found herself. “Opportunity knocks.” She murmured as she set to attempting to decipher the writing in the handout she had been given.

((Not done this before, looks like fun!))

House Deneith, Stormreach

A halfling sat on the roof of Dragontooth Arms chuckling to herself as she examined the bow and quiver she had 'acquired' from the shop below. She would have to move soon, but it should take a while before her theft would be noticed, and this was the perfect opportunity to take a good look at her new property.

Moving carefully, she slung the quiver across her back and moved into the light to study the intricate markings carved into the bow's limbs. While she had no knowledge of magic, she understood that the markings meant that the bow would always remain near it's quiver and that there world always be enough arrows no matter the situation – qualities that had lead to her decision to break into the shop's vault. The potential use for such a weapon also meant that she would keep it for herself, rather than sell it on as she would with most of the items she came across in the course of her uninvited visits to various locations.

It was only a lucky step that saved her from being skewered by an arrow. She ducked back, glancing around for her escape route while cursing herself for dropping her guard. From the shouts that she could now hear, the merchant had obviously discovered the theft much sooner than she had anticipated, and a sharp eyed watchman must have spotted her when she was examining the bow's markings. Another arrow clattering onto the roof tiles barely a foot from her decided her route. She took off, sprinting in what she hoped would be the right direction as more arrows joined the previous ones. As she leapt from the roof toward the next building, a strange shimmering appeared in the air in front of her, a rift of some kind that seemed to be a hole in the fabric of the world.

Unable to change her direction, Ineloo plunged straight through the rift into the unknown.

Thank you everyone

Emergency c-sections may not be fun, but it's definitely worth it! Biggest Happy Ever!

I would like to announce that my daughter was born at 12:37 on Monday afternoon.

We'll just have to see how long it takes before she's up to saving the world!

Paragon Times Evening Edition, Page 2, Monday 3rd January 2011.

Body found in Founders' Falls.

Police have announced that the body of a woman identified as Valerie Carver, 32, was found in the waters of Founders' Falls in the early hours of this morning. Ms Carver was last seen leaving the Midnighter's Club last night after working late, and the PPD are asking that anyone with information as to her movements comes forward as soon as possible.

Unconfirmed reports state that Ms Carver's death bares a remarkable similarity to the murder of another minor magic user who's body was recently found floating in the waters around this city. Is this just coincidence, or is Paragon City witnessing the emergence of a new serial killer?

Paragon Times Early Edition, Page 5, Sunday 19th December 2010.

Body found in Independence Port.

The body of a man identified as Alberto D'Cruz, 45, was pulled from the waters in Independence Port late last night. The small time magician and fortune teller made a name for himself as an entertainer and was popular in his local area, getting many booking for parties and functions around Skyway City. A neighbour had reported him as missing several days earlier after he failed to attend the Resident's Association holiday party where he was to perform his act.

The PPD are refusing to comment on the cause of death, but have stated that they are treating the matter as a homicide and will be doing everything they can to bring the killer to justice. They have requested that anyone with information regarding the last movements of Mr D'Cruz come forward to assist with the investigation.

Interesting question.

Axe holsters generally consist of a cover - often made of leather - which protects the cutting edge (and any stray digits/limbs ). If the axe is being hung from the belt the head would be at the top with the shaft hanging down. This can obviously constitute a trip hazard, but I'll get to that. If the axe is mounted on the back it can be either head up or head down as that mostly depends on what use it is being put to, and the preference of the person actually using it.

One thing it may be helpful to remember is that people adapt very quickly. For example, someone who is not used to carrying a sword from their belt would find it awkward, off balance, and probably spend a fair amount of time getting tangled up in it and bashing it on things. A person who carries a sword all day every day will barely notice it most of the time as their movements will have adapted to compensate for it's presence. In fact, that person would probably be more aware of their sword being missing.

Obviously the decision is up to you, but I hope that was at least partially helpful.

About the only thing I'm sure of personally, is that none of my characters will be running the Incarnate arc(s) IC.

I personally have a dislike of doing any of the more identifiable arcs IC. IMO it's one thing to IC shut down a comparatively generic drugs ring, stop a bomb plot or join Vanguard, but I feel it's a little silly when a lot of people can claim to have rescued Statesman from Praetoria (after all, I'm sure he doesn't make a habit of it and his status as Primal Earth's lead hero would be called into question if he really did have such Daphne Anne Blake tendencies! ).

My main, the one character I will definitely be getting the slots for, will not be gaining new levels of power, if anything, she will be expanding on what she can already do, and extending her control. Her power does not come from the well, she will not be an Incarnate of anything, and I actually have no intention of acknowledging any change IC.

As for other characters, while I have absolutely no plans in that direction, I'll have to wait and see what they want to do. Pesky toons with minds of their own!

Personally I don't intend to run the incarnate arc IC for any of my characters as I'm quite happy with the IC power level I have already established. OOC however I am very much looking forward to more BOOM!(tm)

If I can make a suggestion;

Jaijot, you clearly have some very defined ideas that you are unable/unwilling to modify or explain for various reasons. In my experience in both p'n'p and online rp the GM's maxim of "No plot survives contact with the players" really is true. I have been involved in many plots which have had the GMs practically pulling their hair out because the players have gone off on some tangent, or been far too lucky for his plan to actually work.

Perhaps you would find it better to present your plot as a piece of fiction rather than rp which you wouldn't be able to control to the appropriate level. That way you could put your plot across in exactly the way you want, without having to worry about it being derailed by others.

Sorry for the lateness in adding this

Shanna will have worn a pretty ankle length pale blue dress (although she would have been mildly grumpy about not being allowed to wear heels with it). Other than that, she would have thoroughly enjoyed herself, would have bullied Richard into at least one dance and tried to get in dances with as many other people as she could before sitting down for the rest of the evening to rest her foot.

Assuming Raurí and Helena got an invite, the would have found a baby sitter for the girls and made sure they were there in plenty of time for the ceremony. Raurí in a smart cream suit and tie, and Helena in an elegant knee length coffee coloured dress. They would have spent most of the evening staring at each other gooily but will have taken the time to congratulate the happy couple. They will have happily accepted dances from other people but otherwise will have spend most of the time snuggling on the sidelines.

I agree completely. Sure, there will be incompetent members of Arachnos (just as there will be in Longbow, Vanguard, the PPD etc), but as an organisation they must do a very good job in general to be able to keep any semblance of order in the Rogue Isles. Something like that would probably require a fairly Verinari-like approach for anything to work.

As there seems to be some question over the exact definition of lawful and chaotic...

According to the d&d alignments:

To me...

A Hero is someone who, regardless of personal risk, does everything they can to protect and save the lives of others. Preferably working within the law, but not always.

A Vigilante is someone who tries to do what they feel is the right thing, but will also act as judge, jury and executioner because they feel the law will either turn a blind eye or not go far enough.

A Villain is pretty self explanatory: someone who will happily break the law for personal gain/pleasure. There are of course many levels and nuances of this but pretty much anyone who is out for themselves and screw everyone else.

A Rogue is someone who again tries to do the right thing, but will be more inclined to work outside the law to do this. For example; stealing money to give to others, breaking in and stealing files to take to the media to expose a corrupt company. In more extream cases, someone who will see killing as a viable first option to protect a person or a group who is in danger.

To me, Vigilante and Rogue are fairly similar, but it mostly depends on the reasoning and the approach behind their actions.

I wasn't getting at you specifically Kyzock, I just meant that everyone has the right to make whatever toon, with whatever backstory the like. Equally, people have the right to choose to ignore them completely. Personally I favour using the cannon NPCs as inspiration, but not using them and/or their stories directly.

For example, my main got her powers from a botched CoT ritual. However, there were certainly no specific NPC mages involved in it. Personally I would never dream of making a toon who was related in some way to the Dev's creations, but I wouldn't balk at having one of my toons get to meet someone like that briefly -although I'd be more likely to go with the option of "was once in the same concert hall as x" or something like that.

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to CB for toning down the death toll on his sub-plot. It's now at the level that I feel I can have my characters acknowledge without then having to be involved in a plot that I don't really want to go into.

I'm sorry that the St. John's plot is the one that's been used as an example throughout much of this debate, but I expect that that's simply because it's the most recent, and highest profile example of what this threat was created to examine.

Right, back to the main point of all this... I don't think there's a problem with having a villain committing a truly evil act. In some cases, if it's done carefully, I think it can really add to any plot that's running. But as has been mentioned already, I think the key point is scale. I would suggest taking real world news as a guide on what works and what doesn't for plot size.

For something smaller scale kidnapping, robbery, murder of one or two people - while certainly unpleasant, is generally something that tends to be local news level and therefore comparatively small scale. Of course there are exceptions that get thrown into the national news, but when compared to actual crime statistics they are few and far between.

Something bigger could be something like a plane crash, or a terrorist bombing of a flight. This is something which would have a much higher casualty rate and would be reported over the whole world. The Lockerbie bombing for example had reprecussions that are still felt, and while it certainly managed to make some political relationships decidedly frosty, it's not something that managed to spark a full scale war.

Which leads me on to: 9/11. As I'm sure everyone is well aware, this is something that is still causing major geo-political issues nearly ten years on with no immediate sign of that changing.

In terms of scale in CoH plot, this would be far too big for a player run thing because it requires a response from everyone who shares in the rp side of things. It's a world-changing event that's on the same level as the Rikti Wars, and as such, in my opinion it's not feasible to be run by a player. To me, something like that would be Dev-plot only. The first two examples I gave are something that while tragic and emotive for those involved, are not something that has the scope to change the world in such a significant way that would require an acknowledgement and response from every single player.

So really, when it comes down to it, I'd say it's not about numbers. The thing that should be considered carefully is what kind of effect would it have on the world. If it's Rikti War or 9/11 scale, then it's just going to be too big.

I think I'm going to go with a Dark Armour/Dual Blades Tank, Magic origin.

The emphasis seems to be more on the punishment he can take as opposed to the damage he can dish out, but as he wants to die I don't think Willpower quite fits. I'm going with DA as that seems to suit the cursed aspect better than Invulnerability.