DarkUnicorn

Well, Friday was a barrel of laughs - 1 failed ITF (only one surveillance for a full team on a +2 Romi = FAIL) and 5 successful runs.

Team One (and I apologize): Sigmanova, No. 107, Agent Sentai, Red Apollo, Ley Line Loam, Alytha, Feathered Serpent and P-Spike

Team 2: Sir Hell, Mornin' Glory, One Sword, Pip Pyro, Benjammin', Scorned Bride, Midnight Torche and Darkhold Disciple

Team 3 (EXALTED): Iyo, M I Y O R I, Knight Shadow, Lexxa., Bartelemy, Pyrow and Juke Joint Jezebelle

Team 4: Abagail Crombie, Staticelectrix, Mis Chief, Last Earth Lord, Bootleg Haircut, Shredz, and Phantom Assassin

Team 5: Assassin of Thor, Ley Line Loam, Nuke-Dukem, Miss Represent, Raeniel, DyNaMique, Rishathra Robot, and Loxmie

Team 6: Blaze Usagi, Critical Attack, T'or, One Hundred Lashes, Major Decoy, Agent Stormcrow, and Golden Woman

Today was another 3 events. Sadly, thanks to human error, the first team in the morning wtih Shokk Tart was not recorded. However, I would like to thank

Redshadows, Professor Cu, Operative Clarke, Rock Manenough, Bitersweet Sympony, Chaos Spider, Midnight Torche, and Hyperthermic

AND

Kinetic Powered, Miss Arrange, Bean Dip, arcane catnip, Sarah M. Royale, Simon Self-Sacrifice, Yukimura Mayumi, and Black Street Mauler

for their participation in runs.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

VILLAINY!

Well, on the first day of ITF, I would like to thank

ArmorShrike, KaIIysto, Juyien, Trumpcard, Raphael Nightdawn, Chillhouette, Discordius, and Reactor Force Alpha

for the morning run, and

Plantatia, KaIlysto, Psychonaught, Last Earth Lord, Re-entry, Lady Levee, 2wook, and Erda

for the evening unannounced +4 run!

I think at this point Sunday and Monday will be the +4 MoImperious and staircase events. Keep your eyes peeled!

Don't call this a comeback, I've been here for years!

And so has the ITF. But it has been a LOOOOONG time since I have tried to do anything with it. But this week coming up, it's the weekly.

You just KNOW I'm going to do something.

I will report every toon that I am on with for the ITF, and every team, for the whole week. I am hoping to do a +4, a +4 MoI, and a staircase ITF this week. Be prepared!!

VILLAINY!!!!!!

I will, alas, be unavailable this Friday due to a prior engagement. So Happy Festivus!

Mission Log 14

It is precisely as I feared. All the careful planning that I have done to prevent the unthinkable has been for naught.

We have been noticed.

While setting up a tachyon detector - a diversion from its TRUE nature - some local mages of a Thorny type decided to interfere. We displayed our usual displeasure at their efforts, and managed to convince them that now would be a good time to leave. Especially once we interrupted their attempt to steal our powers. Fools! Such things are not for their minds to know!

Alas, when they set us up to deal with the one who told THEM about that ritual, we ran into both Clockstoppers and TikTok, he with the horrid time-based puns and fighting. It took a significant amount of our concentration not to just beat him up on principle - but rather to beat him up because he represents a real threat.

One I had hoped to avoid...

Why can't I avoid my past...?

Mission Log 13

After assembling our forces, Maxed Out suggested that we deal with the Freak Show in the area encroaching on our secret lair entrance. After all, it would do us no good to have such low-tech ruffians skulking about, would it? Royal Guard, Harrigato and Chief Wriggleclaws took point due to their combat training, whilst Focus Fire and a potential, Victoria Escondida, provided ranged support and extra melee distractions. Apparently, there is a Freak Show doctor who is attempting some sort of mad science, and we were doing errands for her.

I will have to speak to Maxed Out about lowering our villainous standards to being errandfolk later.

Note to self: suggest we hire better members if we are to run efficiently. Magmetic, while an asset on the battlefield, is frightening many potentials away with her powers.

I am getting a succinct feeling that we have attracted greater powers to deal with us. If it is who I fear it is, the others will soon find out what kind of power we are up against - and why I fear them.

End log

This Friday, the AE arc is ready! I've error-checked it already, and am in the process of giving it the finishing touches to assure player annoyanc...enjoyment. I sincerely hope you come out and enjoy it.

NEXT Friday is the 23rd - and I will not be able to participate, since I will be about 1000km away on a short visit to my old work for Xmas performances (and to take advantage of the hot springs in the area). I will be back on the 30th, snow or shine.

Mission Log 11

After significant consultation on the usefulness of being who the so-called heroes could barely contain in this world as weapons, we decided to acquire a collection of the 'Shivans' for use in our future struggles here. I have no doubt they would be worthless in my world - they would decay far too quickly to be of any significant use - but in this world they seem to have more practical applications. So, after making sure both the Temporal members and our loyal minions have access to them - almost every last OAFK showed up - we decided to do some quick missions to boost our power and understanding of this world.

What truly concerns me is the effect our powers are having. While we are not the only Time Manipulators in this world, we are the strongest - and we are beginning to form quantum fractures. If we aren't careful, we may get the attention of those who sent us here - and I get the feeling they would be very upset with us should we get it...

End log

This Friday, we will aim to run several missions. Bring whichever toon you wish. I'll hopefully have the first OAFK AE arc up this weekend for testing, and hopefully before Christmas we can start into the story concept I've got.

From Jane Tempus to all Once and Future King members:

"Mr. Chronos here.

Mr Masters and I think we have found a way to acquire some Shivans. We think that it may be wise for us to acquire some of these "things" for both ourselves and our underlings.

What do you think?

Chronos out. "

What I think is that this will be useful.
However, I am becoming alarmingly concerned with your attachment to this world. These things may not function well in your home time - or worse still, will function better. I strongly advise against doing this more than once, since temporal corruption may be the result. As well, I would prefer to consider our temporal powers more useful than relying on unexplainable alien technology - or unidentified aliens!

Mission Log 10

Recent discoveries by Temporal Librarian let us discover what I feel is the very first piece of the puzzle to our current dilemma. A significantly powerful mage with the name of Mortimer Kal has not only a daughter who is easy to kidnap, but has access to powers with a league known as the Midnight Society. This should prove to be interesting.

Since I fully expect his lack of co-operation, I called in all the members and declared we needed to get outside help and run in 2 groups. Group 1 would consist of myself, Maxed Out, and Cold Storage; group 2 would consist of Magmetic, Mr. Masters, Royal Guard and Harrigato. I've already warned Magmetic that she should refrain from making any personal references at this time, as I've reviewed her recent behaviour and she is proving to be more tempermental than usual.

To aid the first group, we managed to acquire the help of Avantia, Arantha, Blood Red Sundown, Radioactive Renee, and Staggering Violence. The result of our work was a broken Midnight Society, the pounding of some fools calling themselves the Warriors (they look NOTHING like the gangs of the historical holoflick), and the defeat of not only Infernal and Numina, but the radioactive Positron. And it was from HIM that I got the first real hint of what we're up agai...

Magmetic reporting. Along with Mr. Masters, Royal Guard and Harrigato, is was able to convinve Bubblegum Mayhem, Staggering Violence, Abbi Normal and Barbarian Kat to join us. I was able to confirm that while this was a simultaneous mission, Staggering Violence was the same person who was working with the young Miss Tempus. Perhaps he is another minion shipped here? Will need the youn Miss to investigate. And while we only captured Numina, we still managed to crack Positron's shell and get to the nut inside.

I fear the Centre will be revealed very shortly. And when they are, what will be the reaction of the Temporal leaders of the group? And will w...

From Jane Tempus to all Once and Future King members:

"Chronos here. I have acquired the level 30 IO enhancements we discussed and have stored them in our base, so all of our colleagues can take advantage. I think I was able to source a nice selection. If we need anymore, just let me know and I will see what I can do. My source seems to be reliable. Chronos out."

Excellent! We shall use this source to improve our capacity in the field. At this point, this will do nicely. If we need more, we should find other methods to improve ourselves. My lead empire may not have any value in this world, but I still have other sources I could use.

"Supreme One. My Master sent me on a mission to acquire exploration badges, as I have stealth. master said that this would make it easier for our esteemed group to travel. I have done the best I can, but I fear I have failed everyone, by not being able to get the Beacon for Rikti War Zone or Pocket D. As there are some points inaccessible to an individual at this time, I have not visited these maps, so have not been to any of the pre-determined points. I shall endeavour to do better next time. Please do not expel this Unworthy One."

Your master has trained you well. The Pocket D and Rikti War Zone beacons are not of significance at this time, but the other beacons are of great importance. Know that you served the Centre well in this respect, and they are quite pleased with your efforts. Expulsion for failure when success beyond our current capacity is attained is inconceivable.
I am curious, though, if you can attain beacons for other zones in Primordial Earth. I understand that this may put you at some risk, but the Centre is MOST interested in information in this twisted reality. Any efforts you can put in would be appreciated, and should there be beacons for that world, it would greatly aid our efforts.

As for the Once and Future Kings, we shall begin our great quest for the attainment of power. Mortimer Kal, a wizard of some renown in this world, may have the clues we seek to figure out why we are on this backwater world. I suggest that we split into 2 teams for maximum coverage and efficiency. For the Centre!!

Mission Log 9, with young Miss Tempus' permission

After the young Miss led the minions (and a few lower members of the Temporal Core) on a mission to improve their powers so that they could be of more use to the Centre, I was asked to take her place while she attended to other things within the base. I ate my lunch from (this entry deleted after Miss Tempus discovered it) and joined the others. Mr. Masters was serving as guide and point for us, and Royal Guard - the pompous arrogant punk - and ArchChronos were following. Royal Guard insisted that he take point, and I was not going to argue, although Miss Tempus may be upset that I let another lead. We served notice to one Willy Wheeler (seriously, what is it with same initial syndrome?) that we would serve his needs if they served ours.
Although being joined by Kreep was a small boon to our power, I can not help but feel that all we are doing is marching alongside the drones of evil in this world. I am sure Miss Tempus is aiming for higher goals, and our current actions are designed to keep us out of sight of this world's secret overlords.

But I am curious - what does the Centre have in store for us? And when can we show this world's supposed leaders who the real powers in this world are?

I (this entry deleted after Miss Tempus discovered it and was violently ill from reading it).

Mission Log 8

After the snafu with the invites being sent to the wrong time - curse this backwater world and its lack of a sensible 33-day calendar! - the others arrived at the base mostly on time. Thanks to benefactors donating their considerable wealth to the cause - apparently, my lead mines were of little value on this mudball - our base was considerably large, and well-stacked with things we would need. I felt we would need some time to get acquainted, but others had plans. Focus Fire remembered a temporal commitment he had to take care of and winked out. I've gotten used to this by now.

Maxed Out suggested we visit another world linked to this one - one that was under attack by some massive oversized amoeba, and its mutated vegetation and minerals. This was somewhat disturbing -this world, but all rights, should not EXIST according to Hertzinger-Compton Laws of Reality! Nonetheless, we explored it relentlessly, and reveled in the senseless violence we were causing in our quest for power. Cold Storage and Chief Wriggleclaws were extremely happy to slay new targets in particular.

Mr Chronos and ArchChronos were not as interested in the newcomer as I was. Morgana le Fae - apparently, an ACTUAL fae! - had just stepped into our timestream. This leads me to wonder - will there be more new victims of this insidious plot to remove us from our worlds? And what is the plan of the Centre, that we should continually hop worlds?

I hope to get some answers soon.

Mission Log 7b, with young Miss Tempus' permission

I awoke from my groggy slumber, my bed a pile of ashes again. I sighed. One day, they'll create a material in this miserable world that I can SLEEP on. I stretched, resetting 9 vertebrae, and after a hearty breakfast (whose contents Miss Tempus has begged never to reveal on pain of reliving my youth), I set out to find the others.

Fortunately, most of the active members for the day were not the Temporal Paladins of the Once and Future Kings, but simply their companions, like myself. I came in time to discover that Chief Wriggleclaws, Harrigato, Everest and Royal Guard were actively following the orders of Mr. Masters. As a companion myself, I knew where my place was - obeying the orders of Mr. Masters while making sure Miss Tempus' grand scheme was not disturbed.

Most of the day involved the looting of large portions of the city where the heroes reside and protect. I had no problem with this - I grew up resenting the heroes that were supposed to protect our world, and failed, leaving it to the 'villains' to come together and protect it. As well, any loot I would gladly turn over to Miss Tempus to expand the base as she saw fit.

We struck hard and fast in Kings' Row and Skyway City. I was quite pleased with the haul we acquired, as the banks were bloated with the savings of several heroes, I'm sure. The chaos we spread reminded me of home, so I was quite happy.

I wonder, though: why should we be interested in improving our base of operations here, when our goal is to go home? Unless the Centre has grander schemes that Miss Tempus is unable to share at this time, shouldn't we be working on leaving this saccharine world as soon as we can before it rots us?

I'll have to ask her when I get the chance.

Mission Log #7a

I was smiling. Before me was the first person of this realm who decided they should usurp MY power. Magmetic had warned me that one she had run into would attempt a coup with my absence.

I looked down on his form. Broken. Beaten. Frozen in time - or at least, close enough to it.

"So, will do attempt to anything that foolish again, Meta?"

You are correct, sir! Jack went down to a team of 4 - since we had just done the Haunted House trial - in surprisingly quick fashion. They just don't build monsters like they used to.

Carp - I forgot I would be in Tokyo during the day Friday, and may be late. I hereby give @Metacore permission to get things started if I am late.

Mission Log #6 (missions 1 thru 5 missing, assumed destroyed due to temporal maniupulation)

As usual, we who follow the Centre were waiting for something interesting to happen. We managed to create some of our own excitement, however, be working with a ghost. Now, ghosts really creep me the heck out, but if it had a clue as to who was behind my being removed my righteous place of power, I was not going to miss an opportunity to find out. As usual, Maxed Out and Focus Fire were the first to respond to the call, and we were joined by Temporal Librarian, who sought to add to her already impressive collection of lore by talking with the ghost. Alas, the power source we managed to acquire was corrupted and useless, so we quickly left once the realization had set in.

Temporal Librarian then asked us to assist her in collecting a series of books that she had managed to peruse via this world's ethernet. I still don't understand why they aren't using bihexi systems logic yet, but then again this world is still working out how to get beyond the moon, so I'm willing to be patient - especially when Murphy's Law showed up with her small mindlessly loyal army. It turns out that the books - something about special relativity by some white-haired scientist - was what the Librarian needed to solve one of the first pieces of the puzzle of our existence here. For whatever reason, we were pulled into a world where a different set of physics applied. This will have far-reaching affects - best to discuss it in a group after this entry.

I felt it best to get a better feel for the physics here by having the group run a hard test of our battle abilities. The Centre informed me that a certain Mortimer Kal would provide us with the true test of our abilities, but warned us we would need more than just beam rifles and minions. I soliticed the services of Moonshiver. and Lee-bot - locals, it would seem - and we proceeded to defeat the threats. Lee-bot, as it turns out, was a OAFK himself! It will be interesting to see how well he pans out, but I could sense that his power levels were exceedingly high, so I decided not to push the issue.

Lee-bot went on his merry way, but not before Moonshiver. asked us to assist in his quest for power. While this went against everything I stood for - I do NOT help others, THEY help ME - I decided it would be best, since I knew it would also boost my power. He enlisted one DK Voltimoor, and we trounced several local groups. This could become very interesting.

End log

Next week, we'll have more fun. Members should meet in the VG base at the usual 6:30 starting time for a meeting. Those who wish to join us are more than welcome, even if you are not a member of the group.

The Once and Future Kings come from many worlds - some call technology 'magic', some call magic 'technology', others various wonders. All have one thing in common: they ruled their world. And somehow, somewhere, someone took that from them.

They have all managed to come to this world. This time. This place. And each instinctively knows the only hope to return to their rightful place is to either dominate this world entirely as a group, or work as a true team to get each other home.

We all know which choice they're taking.

Those who have not mastered time - yet - has managed to bring with them one trusted lieutenant. The others tend to look down on those without the mastery of time, but realize their own lieutenants would be threatened as well should those thoughts become words. What concerns them the most is that, despite their mastery of time, and despite their awesome powers, they do not know who is directly responsible for their current situation - or how they got HERE. All attempts to find information in any form have resulted in static.

Someone wants them here. And out of the way.


As for the group, anyone is welcome to join. We are an RP-optional group - I won't wig out if you don't want to rp - and we do have a few rules

1) Please enter and stay in SG mode at all times. We need to grow our base, and even low level toons supply a LOT of prestige.
2) You are allowed a maximum of ONE alt for the VG.
3) One of your two toons MUST have Time Manipulation (any valid AT): the other toon can be any AT and have any powers.
4) OOC stuff should be in some sort of double bracket i.e. ((blah)) or [[blah]]. I'll accept ** as the lead-in as well.
5) Pl34s3 n0 l337sp34k. I will send you back to the dawn of time and you will find out PERSONALLY what happened to the dinosaurs if you use l33tsp34k. We are Time Manipulators - we have made this happen already!

When you hit level 20, capes are a thing of fashion. While it is common for groups to have a universal outfit, it is not necessarily possible. We have standardized the cape requirements for group play - and ask that one of your costumes (for use in missions) has a cape. The others, be it 1 or 9(!), do not need the cape. The cape should be in VG colors during missions.

For female toons: Cape - Full Mantle - Brooch 19 Short Cape - Circuitry pattern

To quote Mister Fribble:

"For male toons, I have just gone with your choices, Plant. Except I made it a long cape. "
(aka Cape - Full Mantle - Brooch 19 Long Cape - Circuitry pattern)
Thank you.

@Plantatia

aka Jane Tempus, aka Magmetar

The Plant is here!

Sadly, this will be the last FNV report, as Once and Future Kings is becoming a standard mainstay in its place, with attendance numbers for the group warranting its permanent addition.

The new thread for Once and Future Kings will be on the main page, and I will copy several key thread items from here to there.

For the last time on this thread, we managed to:

1) Do SSA part one as a 4-being group (I'm not sure how many of us are actually human - write your backgrounds, gang!)
2) Get a member up to level 20 as a group
3) Fire off a 7-man Mortimer Kal, with 6 of the members (including a new VG member) being part of Once and Future Kings
4) Do several villain tips to help a higher toon who had joined us for the MortiKal (and boost our own levels - I won't lie)

in less than 3 hours.

I'd like to thank

Murphy's Law
Temporal Librarian
Focus Fire
Maxed Out
DK Voltimoor
Lee-bot (welcome!)
Moonshiver.

for their participation and the successful Mortimer Kal (3 MMs, 2 Corrs, a Defender and a Stalker - and we STILL gave Positron a tushwhoopin' he'll never forget!).

Next week will be more fun. Members should meet in the VG base at the usual 6:30 starting time for a meeting. Those who wish to join us are more than welcome, even if you are not a member of the group.

The Plant is HERE!!

This week we managed to stomp some serious mudholes in being that needed mudholes stomped!

(I apologize for the quality - I am at the tail end of 11 straight days of work and my mind is currently in a semi-mush state to remember exactly what we did.)

I'd like to thank

Mr Chronos
Murphy's Law
Focus Fire
Temporal Librarian

for their (continuing) contributions to the Once and Future Kings!

As we have hit level 20, capes are now becoming a thing of fashion. While it is common for groups to have a universal outfit, it is not necessarily possible.

For female toons:

Cape - Full Mantle - Brooch 19
Short Cape - Circuitry pattern

To quote Mister Fribble:

"For my male toon, I have just gone with your choices, Plant. Except I made it a long cape. "

I WOULD ask that if you are using the cape (it IS optional, but preferred for in-mission use), that you activate VG colors for it. It'd just look nice if everyone had the same cape.

Thank you.

VILLAINY!!

Name: Once and Future Kings

Concept: Deposed rulers of their timestreams forced to band together to regain what is rightfully theirs - a world under their thumb!

Server: Exalted.

Website: None. The forum listings for Friday Night Villainy (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=219831) serve as the reporting point. Events will be announced here at least 2 days in advance by myself (@Plantatia) or by a duly designated minio ... er... temporary team leader. Yes, that's the term.

RP: Totally optional. I will try and stay in character and type out-of-character stuff either in sg channel or with a double opening warning (i.e. ** or {{ ).

PvP: At this point, no. If interest is shown, sure, why not?

Activity: We are still growing, this being only the third or fourth week of gameplay at time of writing. But we are just entering the good stuff - MortimerKal SF range - so with a growing base, we are aiming to fire off multiple events.

Requirements to Join: You are allowed a maximum of 2 toons within the VG. At least one of them must have the Time Manipulation power set, as it fits very thematically with the background of the group. The other toon you are allowed may be of any type, but for thematic purposes we ask that the other toon does NOT have the Time Manipulation set. As well, we ask that you respect general courtesy rules. No name calling, personal vendettas, yada yada yada.

Play times: Friday evenings 8:30 pm Australia time (which is fairly early in North American time in the morning - keep this in mind). We ask that you keep that in mind if you wish to join.

Leadership: @Plantatia, @Metacore

In-game Contacts: If you want to /tell us or in-game email us, use the globals above. If you want an SG invite, then a shout out on the Australia global channel during our peak hours should get you someone with invite privileges.

Other fun stuff
The Once and Future Kings come from many worlds - some call technology 'magic', some call magic 'technology', others various wonders. All have one thing in common:

They ruled their world. And somehow, somewhere, someone took that from them.

They have all managed to come to this world. This time. This place. And each instinctively knows the only hope to return to their rightful place is to either dominate this world entirely as a group, or work as a true team to get each other home.

We all know which choice they're taking.

Those who have not mastered time - yet - has managed to bring with them one trusted lieutenant. The others tend to look down on those without the mastery of time, but realize their own lieutenants would be threatened as well should those thoughts become words.

What concerns them the most is that, despite their mastery of time, and despite their awesome powers, they do not know who is directly responsible for their current situation - or how they got HERE. All attempts to find information in any form have resulted in static.

Someone wants them here. And out of the way.

The Plant is HERE!!

This week we gained a new member to the Once and Future Kings, and discovered that some mysterious benefactor had made a large donation to our coffers to improve our base while powering up!

Hurray for mysterious benefactors!

I'd like to thank

Mr Chronos
Murphy's Law
Frau Leiche

for their (continuing) contributions to the Once and Future Kings!

As we have hit level 20, capes are now becoming a thing of fashion. While it is common for groups to have a universal outfit, it is not necessarily possible. Therefore, I am putting out a challenge to those members of the group to come up with a cape that male toons, and one for huge toons, once you hit 20. Feel free to post the rules for it here, and we'll follow them to the letter!

As for female toons:

Cape - Full Mantle - Brooch 19
Short Cape - Circuitry pattern

I WOULD ask that if you are using the cape (it IS optional, but preferred for in-mission use), that you activate VG colors for it. It'd just look nice if everyone had the same cape.

Thank you.

VILLAINY!!

The Plant is HERE!!!

Well, last night was an interesting challenge. After getting some real, on-line support from people in game (thank you, Skype!!), we figured out was wrong - the installer was trying to install in Japanese despite the fact I'm running English Win7!

So, while I was not able to play with the usual members of Once and Future Kings, I was able to test the new download and play-as-you-download system. With a slow limit of 300kB/s due to a shared apartment server, I was able to start character creation in 30 minutes, and only had to wait 10 minutes to get into zone events at each stage of download. I also managed to get the freshly-minted toon to level 9 solo in a total of 4 hours from no NCSoft Launcher!

So, I will give significant kudos to the new system, since I am sure that if I had higher speed options, I would have been playing much faster and without any waiting.

Also, I absolutely forgot that last weekend was the beginning of DST for parts of Australia. The time it starts for those in Australia does not change - 8:30pm ADST. It changes for ME, however, since I don't get that fancy daylight savings here in Japan. I'll have to not take my time so much on Fridays when I get home!

VILLAINY!!!!!!! Now in 64-bit ultra-mode!