FrozenDeath

Signing up Pico
@Pico
@Pico2
What characters do you have on Freedom?: a lot
Are you willing to respec into a PvP build?: yes
Are you willing to roll a new character if needed?: yes
Briefly describe your PvP experience: some more or less

I'm going to be starting in a few minutes, yo.

Haha that's what they are: hula hoops. Initially when I started this scene I was picturing her on a rampage surrounded by enemies. But eventually I thought the cheesecake vibe of the thing would be better if it didn't come across that seriously. Hence the hula hoop robots and the Pong-playing lost.

Here's my entry, I'll have a larger version up on DA:

The inspiration for this was that scene for the movie Christmas Story where Ralphey keeps touching the leg lamp his dad wins in a contest. The woman is my SS/inv brute Mode. FD (corruptor version of Frozen Death) is to the left. Background is the donut shop from Faultline.

My ZBrush talk is tonight! 10:15 est for lots of ZBrushy goodness.

Because it seemed a bit vague whether this program was actually running or still in the planning stage.

Hi guys,

For Thursday's livestream I'm going to be doing some ZBrush. ZBrush is a digital sculpting/painting program that has pretty much revolutionized modeling and texturing in 3d.

I intend to demo sculpting a basic human head. And then I want to tackle sculpting a Dragonberry chibi. Hopefully there will be some interesting material even if you aren't a 3d modeler/sculptor. I think at least doing the head should be of general interest to artists.

How many people are being mentored on Protector?

Premonition


Mogo had just finished lowering himself back in the dumpster when his phone buzzed.

"Hi it's Ward."
"Good evening Mademoiselle."
"What have you turned up?"
"Besides the crazy lady who tried to cave my skull in?"

He shifted on to his back, listening intently. There was too long a pause after the question. He knew her well enough to sense evasiveness.

"Well? What's the story on the bag lady?"
"Umm well, she has some sort of psychosis. Disassociation from reality. The police are doing a psychological assessment, which will take time. Then we'll have a look at her if anything unusual comes up."
"Really..."
"Well..it is their jurisdiction, we try not to step on their toes if we can help it."
"I see."

Another awkward pause.

"How did it turn out with the kid? Anything interesting?"
"Nope. He just heard a strange noise outside. Got scared. I did a couple parlor tricks for him and he cheered right up. Right as the mail."
"Really. That was all?"
"Mmm-hmmmm."
"Well then...I guess it was all a waste of time."
"Well..maybe. I dunno it's only been a couple days since you sent me out."
"Yes, well I think I'm going to have you come back in. I've got a couple of other cases I could use you on."
"Oh?"
"Yes."

Mogo glanced at his map of the area and the new markings that had developed since his encounter with the bag lady.

"Mmmmm you know...hate to be a...what's the opposite of team player? Hate to not be a team player but if you're cancelling this case I think I'll take some time off before diving into another one. That bag lady clunked me pretty good. Gonna get some rest. Maybe have it looked at."
"Oh well you should come into the office. We've got people that can heal you up no problem. Don't even need to make an appointment, just come in."
"Ah well, I need to go see my regular physician. It's his jurisdiction after all. You know...he doesn't like people stepping on his toes and all that."

Ward's heavy sigh on the other end of the line was palpable.

"You know, for a career illusionist you're a terrible liar."
"Moi?"
"Yes you. And the only time you use French is when you're gloating or lieing."
"Ha ha ha really?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you just lay it out? What's the problem? Something happened...What is it?"
"One of the psychics had a vision that you are going to die."
"Oh? How?"

Mogo squeezed the phone between his head and shoulder as he fumbled inside his coat, pulling out a pen and a small journal.

"It's not clear exactly how..."
"No cause of death? How do they know I'm going to die?"
"The exact nature of the vision was that...you would cease to exist. I don't know. You would just fade from reality. You know how difficult it is to translate these things."

He scribble a note in the back of the journal.

"Oh yeah I know. They're very subjective. That's why I don't put much stock in them."
"Well I do. Others do. Recluse certainly does."
"Which one had the vision?"
"Mazari Tenko. She has a very high rate of accuracy."
"Is that the one that uses peyote to get in a trance?"
"No."
"Hmmmm. When is it supposed to happen?"
"Soon. Less than a week."
"Good, that's not long to wait. When I show up to prove her wrong she can buy me a drink."

He scribbled more information in the journal entry then flipped to another page that contained a list of financial transactions.

"Listen. I know you're going to do whatever you want regardless of what I say. Just...don't be rash. Be cautious. And if there's a problem...let me help you. Whatever it is. You don't need to handle it alone."
"I know. Thank you Ward."
"Give me a call as soon as you have it all figured out."
"I will."

Mogo slid the phone back in his pocket then jerked his hand out when something bit his index finger. He flicked his wrist and a small plastic wind-up skull clattered across the floor of the dumpster. It hopped to its feet and hobbled around in circles, its teeth chattering manically. He gestured with his other hand and light coalesced in the air until it became a small iron anvil, which promptly fell on the plastc skull shattering it to bits.

Mogo raised his arms. "YOUR WINNA AND NEW CHAM-PEE-YON, THE MAGNIFICENT MOGO!!!"
The alley echoed with raucous applause.

I generally thank people for faves unless I'm getting a lot of replies at once. I always thank people for watches and if it's another artist, I try to look over their gallery and leave a comment on their work if its good.

Hey Deebs,

I'm going to be doing a ZBrush demo for my next livestream presentation. I was thinking of doing a chibi of Dragonberry and voila you posted these. Do you mind if I use one for the demo (ZBrush is digital sculpting for the most part)?

Happy Bday Scoots!

Np Scooter, I'm glad it was helpful.

Spookitchen


The overhead light sputtered and dimmed as bands of shadow from the strange contraption began shifting over the walls. The metal bands circled Mogo's small candle as the flame wavered, it's light passing from yellow to red, then green and blue. The air cooled and faint wisps of mist formed over the magician's breath. He began knocking lightly on the surface of the table.

"Hey Patti, I gotta tell you about this friend of mine."
"Huh? Yeah?"

Strange sounds in the room. Something scraping faintly on the floor. And liquid dripping.

"Yeah this guy is going to turn 40..and his wife asked him what he wanted for his birthday. And he told her that what he really wanted was a threesome with another woman."

Patti stiffled a scream as the bodies in the corner began shifting and rising underneath the blankets.

"And his wife felt guilty because the guy never really asks for much, so she said yes!"

The corpse closest to Mogo got up, the blanket sliding off to reveal his head bent to the side, part of the forehead caved in, the dead eyes sliding blankly in the sockets while the jaw hung open vaguely mumbling.

"So then she had to figure out how to hook up with some woman that was actually willing to do this you know? Can you imaging that?"

The second corpse now stood behind the first, it's head bowed forward. They began shuffling towards Mogo, their hands lifted towards him.

"Oh my god watch out!"
"Hmmm?" Mogo turned as the dead man in front began clutching the sleeve of his tuxedo coat. "Here I think you're gonna get the spoon." He pried the man's stiff grip off his sleeve and placed the spoon inside the palm, closing the fingers around it.

"And you get the drawing." He placed the paper in the second man's outstretched hand, helping him form the fingers to actually hold it securely. Then he turned back to Patti.

"I'm thinking the guy is full of crap. I just don't picture something like that really happening with a couple, do you? It seems farfetched."

Mogo pounded his fist on the table and the metal frame began spinning furiously, the candle flame beaming intensely like a tiny star. The corpses were suddenly consumed with blue light, their forms melting away and becoming spectral versions of their previous selves. They looked at each other with confusion then turned to Mogo. He bowed slightly and nodded.

"Greeting gentlemen." Patti could see them reply, see them mouthing words, but the room remained silent save for the slight squeel of the metal fram spinning.

"Can you tell me where the knife fighting place is?" The men looked at each other uncertainly for a moment, then the one in back began gesturing as he spoke to Mogo.

"I see. Well how did you two find it? What's the pattern?" Both men gestured enthusiastically as they described the way. Mogo seemed to be able to hear them. He nodded, rubbing his goatee reflectively as they answered his query. When they had finished, he placed his hands together in a praying posture and addressed them.

"My friends, I beg your forgiveness for my part in your untimely deaths. Please let these offerings light your way. Find your place of rest and be at peace in your transition to the next world."

The second man to rise pointed at the magician's pocket. Mogo reached inside and pulled out one of the wallets, which promptly flipped open to the plastic sleeve with family pictures. Patti could see him sink a bit, as if someone had pressed a heavy burden on his back. His head was bowed as he spoke.

"Yes, I will do what I can. I'm so sorry for your loss."

The men nodded, looking blankly at Patti for a moment before they turned to leave. They descended the small stairway and passed straight through the doorway without opening it. Mogo's candle went out with a puff of smoke and the light returned. All physical remnants of the incident were gone, even the burn marks on the counter top.

My kid just walked up to me while I was looking at this thread and said:

"Oooooooo sweeechairo! (ie Suichiro)
My gym teacher has the exact same thing!"

Hi guys,
Just a reminder I'll be running this in a few hours: 10:15pm Est
livestream.com/bwbabble

Guests


The door creaked open as Mogo staggered up the porch steps, leaning hard against the railing.

"Oh my god what happened? Are you alright?"
"Yes I was careless is all. Took a shot to the head, it'll be alright.."
"Come in, come in let me take a look at it..."

He shuffled through the doorway as Patti fumbled with his crude field dressing.

"That's quite a gash. Are you sure you don't need stitches?"
"Just some aspirin please. It'll heal overnight, I'll be good as new.."
"Ok some aspirin then..sure.."

He looked around the small living room then glanced up the stairs.

"Where's Tommy? He ok?" She returned with two pills and a glass of water.
"Yes, he's upstairs playing with the robot. Playing a board game or something. I told him to go up to his room for a while."
"Hmmmm the golem's usually not that bright. It must like your son."

She fidgeted nervously, her eyes wandering around the room. Mogo swallowed his pills and returned the water. "Ok show me what happened." She nodded and lead him through the living room towards the kitchen at the back of the apartment.

A drawer was open next to the sink, several kitchen utensils scattered on the floor below.

There were muddy foodprints and scuff marks where heavy objects had been dragged. Spatters of blood if you looked closely. The worn formica counter top had a dark arcing burn mark across the top. A small table and chairs had been pushed to right blocking the refridgerator. In the back, to the left, was a small alcove with steps that led to an exterior door. The space was filled with a large heap covered with blankets. Patti gestured to the drawer, visibly trembling.

"I didn't hear them come in. I didn't hear anything...and all the doors were locked and shut. I don't know how they got in here."
"What were they doing when you found them?"
"I found them in here. On the floor. I heard a loud noise..there was a crackling sound and some smoke. It set off the fire alarm in the hall. The robot was there. It had killed them. They were on the floor and one of them had a steak knife in his hand. I think they were digging through there looking for knives. I never even heard them break in...."

She buried her mouth in her hand staring at him in wide-eyed horror.

"Did Tommy see anything?"
"No I made him stay upstairs. I got the robot to pile the bodies there and I covered them up then called you."
"You didn't call the police or anybody else?"
"No..."
"Good."

Mogo placed his hat on the table then went to the corner, lifting the corner of a blanket to get a better look at the bodies. Two medium sized derelicts. Shabby coats and shoes. Worn gloves, hoods. They'd been shocked then bludgeoned to death. There was a considerable amount of blood pooled up beneath the bodies.

"Do you have a towel or something? I need to check their pockets but I don't want to step in it."
"Umm yeah, sure. Just a minute."

She left the room and Mogo rubbed his head , scowling in anticipation of what he knew would come next. He heard her at his back and took the large bath towel, spreading it beneath him so that he could kneel over the corpses. After a couple minutes of sifting through the piled remains he was able to retrieve their wallets. He rose to his feet and leaned against the opposite wall, flipping through the contents.

"Hmmm."
"What were they? Gang members or something?"
"Nope. Jack and Robert. One's a lawyer and the other a financial planner. Both married. Bob had kids."
"Oh good lord..no..but why? Why did they do this?"
"They were being controlled by something. They were compelled to do this."
"Oh my god...and we killed them...this is such a nightmare.." She began sobbing violently in her hands.

Mogo took her firmly by the shoulders. "Patti...Patti! We didn't kill them. I killed them. I'm responsible. And if I hadn't..then you'd probably be dead. And Tommy. We just don't know..

She wiped her eyes and nodded. He turned and went to the open silverware drawer, rummaging through the contents and pulling out a large metal spoon.

"Do you like this spoon?"
"Um....yes.."
"What about this drawing over here on the fridge? Tommy did this right? It's a spaceship?"
"Yeah, I thought that was one of his better drawings." Mogo snapped it off the door.
"Good."

He placed the drawing and the spoon on the table next to his tophat. He reached inside the hat and pulled out a strange metal fixture. Something like a cross between a candlestick and the framework for a globe, with a series of concentric rings that could turn around the space for a small candle. Mogo pulled one out of his coat pocked and placed it inside.

"Ok Patti. I need you to hold it together for the next part, ok? I need you to be strong. We're going to try to find out why they came here."
"How?"
"We're going to ask them."

Hate to be a killjoy, but I would definitely shop around before jumping into something like this. The price is reasonable for this sort of thing, but online education is a growing trend and there are lots of options available. Personally I've always found Robert Chang's work to be weak in terms of professional digital artists. I wouldn't put him in the same league as a lot of the other people putting out educational material (El Coro, Jason Chan, Andrew Jones, Stephen Stahlberg, etc.).

If you're interested in doing something like this, make sure to check and see what else is out there. $550 will buy you a lot of concept art downloads. Also, the more educational stuff I buy, the more cynical I get about promotional blurbs. I have no doubt that this class would be a rewarding experience, I'm just not sold on it being the best way to leverage your finances to improve your art.

Suggestions for the Livestream on Thursday? Does anyone have a piece they'd like to submit for a paint-over?

First encounter


It was a woman, a bag lady pushing a cart. Wrapped in a fuzzy grey blanket that had been dragged through the slush and grime of the streets. She mumbled to herself, her worn synthetic wool mittens tapping sporadically on the handle. They stopped to scoop up some bits of newspaper and fast food packaging, shoving them into a plastic bag in the basket.

Mogo watched her dither about aimlessly. Something was wrong. Her face was too full...too healthy. The skin wasn't cracked and faded with the elements. She couldn't have been on the street long. A dingy scarf held whisps of neat, well maintained hair that poked out from beneath. Even from across the street traces of mascara were visible on her face.

He walked on ahead, preferring to greet her from the front. The street was empty. Still, save for a vent that spewed steam in near the opening to a small parking lot. She stopped as she saw him approach, smiling as she looked him up and down. He glanced reflexively at his vest and coat to check that everything was in order then bowed slightly, rubbing his gloved palms together.

"Good day madame! My name is Mogo and I am checking out this neighborhood. I heard there is some very..um...affordable housing here. I thought I would take a look around and see if it suits me."

She rubbed her eyes with the fringe on the blanket. "Oh my..well it's...just...wonderful..."

"Really? Well is there anything interesting going on hereabouts?"
"I have..this...I've been saving it." She reached inside a trash bag and retrieved a semi-mushed pickle, handing it over to Mogo. He pinched it between his thumb and forefinger as he flicked it away, pretending to deposit it into his vest pocket.

"Do you have the time?"
"Yes indeed." Mogo slid his pocketwatch out of his vest and flicked it open. As he began to read it, the claw end of a hammer slammed into the brim of his hat, skipping off the surface and gouging the side of his face as it sent him sprawling to the ground. There were stars as the back of his skull slapped the pavement. The hat rolled off his head as the woman snarled and stepped towards him, raising the hammer above her head with both hands.

Mogo struggled to focus his eyes. His head throbbed and there was a warm weight pressing down on his chest. He tried to jerk himself up but the world began spinning around him and he was thrown back to the street by his own vertigo. Not his finest moment..being KOed by a bag lady. If the hat hadn't absorbed some of the blow he'd be dead. He could still be dead if she was left to finish the job.

There was a faint sniffing sound in his ear as the weight on his chest shifted. He heard the
woman grunt and growl overhead. The hammer passed through the air overhead, yet failed to make contact with his body. As his vision returned Mogo witnessed vague white shapes launching themselves through the air like ping pong balls at the woman's nebulous grey sillhouette. The shadow of the hammer swung in wide arcs as she was overwhelmed by the globs of white and knocked off balance.

--

The cart creaked slightly as he leaned on it for support, holding his handkerchief tightly against the gash on his forehead. Rabbits continued to emerge from the hat, piling on the woman and preventing her from regaining her footing. Mogo rummaged through the contents of the cart and found a purse with a wallet and ID. The crazy was Karen Stewart, a financial analyst from Steel Canyon. Now deranged on the street.

He called it in. The police would hold her under observation. Longbow specialists would account for her mental state. He needed stitches and painkillers and rest. He slid around the edge of cart, gripping the side so he wouldn't fall off. He pushed the fake bag lady with his foot.

"Hey, I get it. I get what you were doing. Killing time right? You were killing time?"

She grinned, glaring at him wide-eyed. "Yes. Killing. Killing time..but it didn't work. I still have to...crush your head. I have to cave your head in with the hammer. Yep hehehehehe. Mmmm-hmmmm.

Mogo started as his phone began vibrating in his pocket. "Yeah?"
"Umm..Mr. Mogo?"
"Yes that's me. Who is thi...is this Patti?"
"Yeah, hey..can you come here? As soon as possible? I need you over here. Something happened a little while ago...it's bad. I need your help."
"Yeah I'll..." He grimaced, a lance of pain shooting through his skull. "Yeah I'll be there soon. If you've got any medical supplies on hand..get them.."
"Oh my god, are you alright?"
"Yeah yeah don't worry, I'll be over soon."

I don't have anything to do with the event, just a general interest in pvp.

You're asking me about my post. Not Kult's description of the event as "whale phale" or her subsequent comments that I should revitalize pvp here--because I told her to read the entire advertisement. Archiviste's comment about the "lame crossposting", as well not to mention Ice9's hysterics. If you only see an issue with my response, I'd say you're pretty biased.

I don't know you. I don't mean to offend you by that, but really the only place that I have an issue with rubbing people the wrong way is on Protector. And I find the people so offended seldom look to their own behavior.

The league was traditionally held on the training server. It has moved to Freedom because of the numerous times times the devs have disrupted pvp events in order to pull the training server down for testing. Past leagues have run successful seasons only to have the finals disrupted by maintenance or test periods for new content. The devs have made it clear that the DO NOT want the test server to be used for something like this.

Seriously, you don't have anything better to do than ***** about a post you could easily ignore? They are going to reach more people by posting directly on the server forums than some place like player events. This is a player based initiative to help people get access to decent pvp. I think that merits some tolerance of the HORRIBLE indiscretion of cross posting.