Zortel

Hey, I love the Tech Sleek Armour, it makes Number Nine's Combat Armour look bread smexy! And I know people who like some of the Boxing parts!

Plus we get shirts and stuff anyway in i13, so no thanks. Something for the 45 months reward would be nice, as I get that soon!

Some of my characters would like to have both the Ghost Slaying Axe and Sands of Mu, so I don't mind the 54 Month one.

Definately no to the 6 month one though. As FFM said, it'd be rather jarring. Fourth wall breaking, much?

((Blame Ravenswing for this, he poked me about a story for the MMORPG that several of the UV members play.

Take Final Fantasy XI, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars and the visuals of Aion. Add in a little bit from the anime Scrapped Princess and Record of Lodoss War. And I give you Lands of Nevershore.))

[u]The Vigil Knights in - Not Another Anvern Caverns Run![u]

"Right, who're we waiting for?" Jane's voice came over voicecomms.

The character that belonged to Madame Midknight was currently resting on the pommel stone of her Lifeweave Blade, a large, somewhat oversized white metal sword with various patterns in blue, mystical energy running down it. At the crosspiece was a large dial, the swirling patterns of the Lifeweave flowing through it.

Lady Darcas was one of the Grancaster Knights, an order of magic wielding swordsmen and women from the country of Granavia. Somewhat on the short side of 5'4, the pale skinned, dark haired knight was dressed in the white steel armour of the order, tendrils of Lifeweave energy skittering across its ruins and patterns.

"Well, Hannah'll be on soon, Lance, Rob's going to be on in a moment too, just logging in now." Ryan replied, adjusting his headset a little IRL.

Cindersnap, the leader of the New Vigilants, played Farahd the Fire Artisan. Dark red robes were trimmed with gold accessories and additions, and a long scimitar was at his side. The dark haired, olive skinned elemental warrior sat on top of a large, mossy rock, overlooking the valley leading to the cave that dug into the mountain of Anvern.

"All settled in here." Nene's voice echoed for a moment over voicechat. "Sorry, just sorting that now."

Stepping forwards from a swirling blue gate of energy was the Grancaster, Miss Belterose. Number Nine played the groups nuker, and the high leveled character almost crackled with the power she carried. A heavy staff mounted with a similar dial as to that on Darcas' sword was attached to the back of her costume, and the blue, gold and white robes she wore were rather revealing in nature. Her dark red hair was carefully pinned up with a tiara in the front of it.

A rustle of sand blew across their vantage point, and the Desert Assassin Haldjera appeared, her limbs wrapped in linen and animal hides, most of her features concealed by the black headscarf she wore. A pair of katars were at her side in dark leather holders.

"Fusebox here, can't be on too long tonight." Hannah apologized as she joined the team, gaining access to the voice channel. "Spending time with Yoko and Ellie, y'know... what with everything."

"Hey! We're just glad you could make it to help out." Ryan replied. "You go when you want, right?"

"Right as rain, Blondie!" Jane laughed. "Though I may have to dock you DKP, Han."

"Stop kidding, Jane." Nene sighed. "We don't even use DKP. If we did, I might have gotten rolling rights on that Kaldash Spell Weaver Signet eight runs ago."

"Like, hold on there! That was a major upgrade to my equipment, you've already got Tier A equip!" Ryan complained.

"Gotta side with Ry, Nene." Hannah added.

"... Could have done with that extra Weave point." Nene grumbled.

Appearing from another swirling vortex of weave energy was a chain armour and cloth clad young man with blond hair and a heavy, cylindrical mace in one hand, energy patterns running up the side.

"Hey everyone... sorry I'm late, had trouble getting my laptop to connect to Ryan's router." Robert Judge sighed.

"Greetings to the noble Cleric, Adaarn." Miss Belterose nodded politely.

"We're not running IC today, remember Nene?" Jane reminded her. "IC, we're still at Rogan's Point Tavern, getting ready to assault the Valashi Elves strongholds."

"Ah, sorry. Hey Robert." Nene replied, greetings echoed by the others.

"That's okay, I wasn't really in the mood to do all that stuff." Ryan's boyfriend replied. "We just waiting on Lance now, right?"

"And I arrive!" Lance laughed, being added to the team moments before.

One more flashing vortex opened, and the heavily armour clad Lodeknight General Valdorn appeared, his dark brown beard just visible from under the metal faceplate he wore. The armour clad hero Cauter... oddly enough played an armour clad hero too.

"Right, this is not an IC run, that's still scheduled for this Friday if people can make it and Ryan and Robert don't forget with films and making out." Jane chuckled wickedly.

"We got distracted for half an hour, that's all!" Robert was quick to defend.

"I bet you did." Hannah laughed.

"Well, we did miss out on nailing Aragon the Battlecryer over in Salaria Keep, but ah well, always this week!" Lance added.

"We are off to get Adaarn his Tier B Class Armour components, we've done well so far but this one requires all of us to help out with the glyphstones." Nene said. "Just remember, we can avoid the North and South paths, we want to head straight east once we get inside."

"Thanks to Hannah grinding all those skill ups to get Sand Dash at full rank." Jane added. "Once we get in, we'll be facing Skeleton armies and such, so same tactics as usual. We buff up before we head in."

"Once at the gate, hold them off long enough for me to Sand Dash in and trip the gate, then fall through and we crush them with it." Hannah said. "It might take a few tries."

"I'll use Magnetic Attraction on Nene to draw the mobs off her." Lance chipped in.

"Same buffs as that last time we were in here, right?" Robert said a little nervously.

"Don't forget your Weaveseal Bolster to protect us from their draining attacks, Rob." Ryan added. "I'll keep Sundancer's Promise on us too, and get the melee enchants done for peeps."

"Alright, let's do this." Jane said.

"Don't say it, Jane!" Hannah sighed.

"LEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOY JEEEENNNNNNNNNNNKINS!" She yelled.

Lady Darcas began her run for the portal down the valley. As she entered, the ground began to upturn as cadavers with tattered armour rose to attack.

With a blast of magical energy, the Lady Darcas was airborn, Lifeweave streaming about her as her blade drew in its energy. Flickering with blue light, she unleashed a massive wave of energy from her sword, slicing through the enemies in front of her even as her teammates fell upon the weak undead.

A lone skeletal creature was engulfed in a cloud of sand, an inky black figure moving within it before it dissipated, leaving Haldjera standing there, katars strapped to her fists. As another skeleton raised to try and attack her, a sweeping strike of wind and sand blasted it apart, before she dashed forwards again with Lady Darcas to the caverns entrance.

"Keep together, everyone." Nene said over comms.

A simple gesture from Miss Belterose incinerated an attacking monster with a blast of energy, before a quickly motioned pattern with her hands drew the required Lifeweave pattern to blast the group surrounding her. She kept up the rear guard as the others caught up to the two in front, waves and strikes of magical energy destroying any monster stupid enough to get close.

Adaarn was sticking close to Valdorn and Farahd as the trio rushed through the approaching skeletons, the former swinging with his heavy, ball-ended Magnablade while Farahd's quick slices with his blazing scimitar cut through the ones on his side.

Far ahead, Darcas and Haldjera were holding off against the incoming foes, a flurry of blades, wind and blasts of magical energy making short work of their foes. Adaarn jumped back as a group of Undead separated him from the pair, raising his free hand towards them. Torrents of energy shot through the Lifeweave and penetrated their mystic seals, obliterating a pair of them before his energy endowed mace swung through the skull of the last. Another that was coming for him was quickly dispatched by Miss Belterose.

"I wish you two stayed with us, it's not like these guys even really help that much in improving your skills." Ryan said.

"Maybe not, but it looks good! Now, get Swiftburning Pace cast and get in here, we haven't got all evening!" Hannah replied.

As the group reached the mouth of the cavern, Miss Belterose's staff came out, the Granacaster summoning a barrier to prevent others having access.

"That'll stop anyone trying to rain in on our parade. If they break the barrier... well, we'll see what point we're at before deciding what to do." Nene stated to unanimous agreement.

The party looked into the dark depths of the cave, Farahd already beginning to cast some light enchantment spells.

"Well, let's get this done folks. This place is about as fun as Orenbega... not sure which has sweeter or phater loot though." Jane commented.

"Alright, starting timer, let's break our record." Nene added.

"Begining buff cycle... also, I hate you for making me understand what I just said." Ryan grinned.

"I hate you for introducing me to this, Ry." Robert laughed, before the sounds of playfighting and the occasional laugh could be heard. "Dad is right, you -are- a corrupting influence."

"Now now, don't get distracted. Oh, thanks Yoko! Mmm, S'mores..." Hannah could be heard saying, before starting to eat.

"Wish I had S'mores..." Lance sighed.

"At least I have chicken, Lance. At least I have chicken." Jane said simply.

The others groaned, even as they began to enter the depths of the Anvern caverns.

To be continued...?

((I'm so going to hell for this.))

Yes, because leaving makes things populated for the rest of us!

I hate that reasoning, but if you feel that's what you want to do, see you and have fun over there.

Plus you can -really- screw Ellie over with LOUD NOISES. As I so love doing.

Alright then, let's take the example of Zortel.

She has money. She has tech. She has property and she has a suit of powered armour, various cybernetic implants and a large group of metahumans behind her.

She overpowered? With that combination, yes. Can I do a thing about it, and still keep the essence of the character?

... I don't actually know, and could probably do with some help there. Lose the wealth and property? The Unity Vigil and New Vigilants go up in a cloud of bankruptcy and red tape. Losing the tech or smarts isn't really viable, seeing as she kind of needs them. The cybernetics and suits come in as a part of that.

I guess my only God Character is Jessica Kade, and she tends to just hug her cooking utensils, do gardening, fish and work on her boat now, as well as serve up tasty treats in the UV Cafe.

Aww heck, now my mind is starting to contemplate a bloody continuity restart, thanks guys :/

It's always fun!

Zortel's a fricking scientest in a power suit that can take on aliens by the invasion load, and she gets foiled by a simple piece of military ordinance like a Flashbang from the Malta, leaving her staggering around for 30 seconds?! She could use sunglasses and earmuffs, but it'll have no effect!

How does someone punch a burning man without getting damaged? How on earth to blade attacks work on ghost? They're ghosts! How come we can't phase out and attack while others can? How come we can't phase out to how others are to attack them while the battle rages on in the real plane, uneffected by their struggles?

How can some guy with a sword and good luck be allowed into a zone while the energy flinging Sidekick of Captain Amazing can't be allowed in with his mentor? Why does a Talsorian blade make the same sound as a metal sword? How come someone can't punch when they use martial arts? How on earth does Endurance effect someone with a gun. They use up all their bullets, but then can't punch someone with glowing hands or make a fire sword or fly? This isn't Perfect Dark where a gun can consume ammo to make you invisible!

RAAAAAARGH, NERD RAGE!

How does a level 1 enemy with a pistol differ to a level 50 with a pistol? Are they better shots, different bullets, some strange quantum effect that means a level 25 being shot by a level 1 with a pistol will take minimal if any damage even if they're a normal human with a bow, standing still, while a level 50 will leave them bleeding on the floor?

Also: Fans, with that it means that in order to be able to resist mind-raep I'd have to have Zortel take three powers (Combat Jumping, Super Jump and Acrobatics) which doesn't make any sense.

... How does Number Nine or ADAOS get held by psychics?! They're frickin Robots with computer brains! How does a mind probe cause them damage, they have no mind! How can a Fire tanker/blaster/scrapper still take damage from fire if it's their natural ability to throw/use it? Is it the 'Wrong Kind of Fire'? Cindersnap lobs bolts of fire from his hands and even stands in his own flames, but the fire from someone else can have him rolling about on fire with no way to control or prevent it?!

[ QUOTE ]
As a niggle, wouldn't a single psychic be able to spot Azure Arrow?

[/ QUOTE ] That too. He tries to do some mental training stuff to make it harder, but easily breakable.

It's one of the reasons why Zortel has a psychic intrusion barrier wired into her brain. She doesn't want people prying about in there. Given the prevalence of psychics, rightly so. (Okay, I have one too, but he's also a Psychologist in training, so all those ethical rules of consent have been drummed into him, and even if it was OMG ESSENTIAL that he broke them to save someone, he would still be -very- reluctant to.)

Someone once did that IC on a team I was on. It made my pockets hurt. And why do we have to visit trainers to get a new power? What can Back Alley Brawler teach Fusebox about throwing lightning about? He's a guy who hits things, and he's retired now so he doesn't really do that much!

Learning a power, going to a trainer and saying "Hey, look what I can do, I kick [censored], boost my security level a little please?" Would make a bit more sense. Having 50 security levels as it is seems a little redundant, how about SL 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, with .x's for all up to 5?

And it also makes secret identities hell. Azure Arrow uses a moulded suit to make him look a bit more different physically to his alter ego, covers his face, puts on a different voice, uses a different kind of aftershave to mask his scent and even puts on a different attitude and walk, and all it will take is someone with that kind of ability to see him and Shay Bennet to point out that they're one in the same.

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I'll invite you to the warzone in an 8 man group and watch you solo it, then why you die, I'll KNOW you're nuts.

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Let's not mention the characters that -can- survive and defeat these spawns then. Because they can. I don't have one, but all those people who get fillers in to boost their spawn numbers and then take them on solo?

Yeah, those guys.

And level 50 isn't really that valid to compare between characters. A level 50 TA/Archery is no where near as powerful as a Level 50 Fire/Energy Blaster, and as mentioned, the whole security level/sidekick thing then blows that out of the water.

"That's the important thing." Arrow Azure said before standing. "Anyway, I'm sure there's more chaos going on thanks to that nutter Mechano, so I'm going to swing off and round the shoppers up. They're fanatic for staying in the store after closing."

Notching one of his grappling arrows, he fired it up to a rooftop and secured it to his bow. "See you all around, and Seven? Maybe we can have that drink sometime. Work on your puns and quips. They're coming along!"

With that, he began ascending the building to begin his prowl for more late night shoppers.

Azure Arrow glanced over to Crash. "She's up and about now, but thanks..." He said, before looking to Seven. "Who's 'Dave'?" He asked somewhat curiously, before shaking his head. "Doesn't matter."

Sitting down with a slump, he folded his compact bow away. "With all the fighting and strife happening, didn't want to risk any friendly fire. Slim chance, but I'd rather not get shouted at."

The Skulls, Trolls and Family are already in an alliance with each other. Same with the Hellions, Outcasts and Warriors , with the Tsoo and Lost being outsiders when it comes to gang banging in Paragon.

The time I ended up outside Pocket D. That was fun, floating about and staring in the windows at people. It was just after the revamp to include the Vaults, so where my character was standing suddenly became something else, and I ended up being able to move around outside it.

Leaping over the top of the car he was hidden behind, Azure Arrow dashed over to where Seven had fallen and started trying to move her out of the way of the battlefield. "No time for napping, Seven!" He grunted as he began his efforts.

[ QUOTE ]
The Freedom Phalanx are meant to be the worlds première heroes and none of them are world shatteringly powerfu

[/ QUOTE ]

The in game storyline sets you up to supplant them, from Task Forces of doing their dirty work or being the only person who can help out, to pulling various heroes [censored] out of the fire and doing supar speshul stoof that only YOU CAN DO.

The FP are so old guard :P

Buses.

There are no buses in the city seen on the streets. We see bus stops, but no buses.

I've always played it that there is buses, because the PTA's train system is no where near as extensive as needed to serve an entire city. I don't think we see Taxis either, but a city without taxis? That's like the sky being pink unless its clearly defined that there's no need for them.

Player Canon covers things such as the items in shops, the menu at resturants and such. It's been pretty much accepted for three years now that eating the Spring Chicken Salad at Up-n-Away is a Bad Idea. Same that ordering the Rocket Kids Meal will get you a cool little variety toy, much like a Kids Club or Happy Meal.

The fact events and in game canon happens in an odd flux can be seen as a point where you get canon and player canon clashing heads. The Rikti Invasions should damage city blocks but they don't, we have two different versions of Boomtown, there's the old 'I defeated Vazhilok/No I Did!' thing too.

An interesting point to raise is when -new- canon comes out that directly contradicts established player canon (or in Blizzard's case, older canon) and how that is then resolved. I don't think we've ever had the latter issue.

This was a random burst of thoughts, brought to you by someone who's possibly crazy, but it's food for thought.

So, looks like we've got a hot subject on our hands. So let's get ready to RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMBLE!

In the blue corner we have Official Canon. This covers the story and lore in game that it provides for us, the website information, and to a lesser extent the comics.

In the red corner we have Player Canon, which covers things established by the players over the course of nearing 4 years of EU serverdom. This can be from player buildings and companies to events and groups.

So, where does the line get drawn between player canon, non canon and god-modding? Is it ever established for a bit of player canon to over-rule official canon, is that even right or should be allowed? What kind of limit and sense of disbelief do we carry for ourselves on the various subjects? What points of contention have arose over official and player canon?

Ding ding!

Well, assuming Zortel's psychic blocking implants would help, she'd try to rally some forces up to go introduce this being to the Human Spirit. Which usually invovles lots of explosions.

Most of my mutants (Bar the Psychic Juan Ross and the Psi-shielded shadow manipulating Isaac Anderson) would start marching, the two mentioned tend not to bow to Gods so they'd fight back.

The Pioneer would be a close call, though military training and inhuman will might give him an edge to stave off mental domination.

All of my human characters (Such as Arrow Azure) would join the masses too, and my PB and WS. The various AI's and one sentient cadaver would rise up against the machine.

I don't have really any characters that often would take up higher powers on their offers.

Oh, and to cover this quickly:

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if Bill meets Zortel at GG tonight and he say no there has never been a giant robot lead attack on the UV towers , (( as its not cannon , and UV are not listed as foes of Malta in game info , and there is no UV plaza on the maps )) what does Z do .. agree or god mode yes there was ...???

[/ QUOTE ]

As more players would agree that it happened than it didn't happen, it would have happened.

As Dr. Mechano mentioned, there's In-Game Canon, which is the basis for things, then Player Canon on top of that, then we get to the dark and murky waters of fanon and non-canon.

But that's for another thread.

"Her?!" Azure Arrow grumbled, dashing over to hide in a different position, starting to flick through his quivers again.

"I've got to have -something- in here that'll help..." He pondered, fingers running across the tops as he felt his way through the collection he had with him that night.

Azure Arrow rolled behind a car for cover, his fingertips quickly flicking along the edges to find a suitable arrow. He glanced around, taking in the positions of the other heroes, trying to work out where they'd move to next, and any hazards nearby.

Finding a Cryo-Arrow, he quickly took aim and let it loose towards the Doctor, waiting a moment before shouting. "'Ice to see you, Doctor! I've got a bad case of the chills, and I think it's catching!"

[ QUOTE ]
Theoretically. We wait and see.

Once upon a time, we thought the Arenas would be excellent settings for RP, but in those days Roleplaying was considered by some at Cryptic to be the absolute last thing to consider when doing design work.

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Indeed. Was it Statesman who said something along the lines of not anticipating players to be using Supergroup bases for Roleplaying?

And I remember some players showing War_Witch their bases when she was over here at Omega Sektor, and her surprise at just how hard some people pushed the tools to make bases look good for roleplaying, from things like double bookcases to make seperating walls to improv of other items for appliances and features.

As Big Lunk said, it depends on the mission really.

You can run a mission IC'ly, which means your hero is following the mission's plotline, talking to the other heroes, reacting and sprouting usual Hero stuff as they work through it. Sometimes missions can also be used as plot, where a lot more story development and character interaction happens too.

RP in PD or at the Statue is usually social stuff with the characters in their time off. In bases it might be social stuff, supergroup meets, or just the base being used as a place somewhere else in the city.

Azure Arrow, or more correctly Arrow Azure, drew back and let lose with the arrow he had notched, the bulky tip skittering across the ground into the middle of the group. With a loud pop, it started to spew a noxious gas and smoke to overcome with crowds, even as he switched his targetting sight on his bow on to begin letting loose at definate targets with the blunt, rubber tipped arrows he kept.

"Try to wait for them to stumble out, we're smoking these critters out!" He called out to the others, readying some of his other trick arrows to fire in case.

Azure Arrow laughed. "Perfect, Seven. The pose just completes it." He said before peering outside. A large group of Skulls were begining to congregate, ready to go on a shopping spree.

"Sales crowds are gathering, and it may be a case of handbags at dawn if they see a bargain they all -really- like." He called back quietly, notching an arrow ready.

"About sixteen in total... wait, eighteen, two of them are -really- short... and they've got some girls waiting nearby."