Iceangel

To turn sideways a little . . . we could always do like the Huns, and go and stage a hostile take-over of that other super hero MMO and sack their costume department. It may be a less than stellar game, but they do have style.

And now, to wash the filth from my hands for even typing that.

... I think I love you now, Dink. I've wanted those chaps since I saw them.

You win the internet today! Thank you!

Has anyone heard whether we have an ETA on a fix for this?

And this is my HijackThis log file:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 11:12:31 PM, on 3/7/2011
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16722)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\TabTip32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM\aim.exe
E:\steam\Steam.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastUI.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.bin
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\distnoted.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bing.com/?pc=ZUGO&form=ZGAPHP
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Toolbar - {9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Toolbar\SearchToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Search Toolbar - {9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Toolbar\SearchToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast5] "C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\winampa.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim] "C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM\aim.exe" /d locale=en-US
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "E:\steam\Steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 3.2.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O9 - Extra button: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.clonewarsadventures.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.freerealms.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.soe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sony.com
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Dragon Age: Origins - Content Updater (DAUpdaterSvc) - BioWare - e:\steam\steamapps\common\dragon age origins\bin_ship\DAUpdaterSvc.Service.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: TabletServicePen - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Pen_Tablet.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: WTouch Service (WTouchService) - Wacom Technology, Corp. - C:\Program Files\WTouch\WTouchService.exe

--
End of file - 9427 bytes

"Couldn't change to fullscreen. The display driver failed the specified graphics mode. Setting game to 800 x 600 windowed mode."

This is what I get whenever I try to load CoH now. I took my Nvidia drivers back to 258.96 when this first occurred, and it worked just fine then although CoH liked to tell me they were out of date. It recently crashed on me and gave me a pop-up box saying it was the drivers' fault, so I thought to update to 266.58. It was my hope that the original issue would have been fixed with the new drivers. (Lawl.)

I've run both Champions Online and DCUO since updating my drivers, and they work just fine. Why must CoH be so feisty? CoH is set to be run as admin, and I disabled the compatibility. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

Here's my CoHHelper log:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at March 7, 2011 23:01 (-05:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.101026-1503)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 2164MB out of 4094MB available
Page File: 6044MB (2142MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST332062 0A SCSI Disk Device) 45891MB out of 159481MB (28%) free
D Drive: (Hitachi HDS721616PLA SCSI Disk Device) 63930MB out of 157065MB (40%) free
E Drive: (ST332062 0A SCSI Disk Device) 51521MB out of 145726MB (35%) free
F Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10N ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
Video Memory: 2286 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6658
Driver Date: 1/7/2011 10:27:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Headphones (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 7:07:00 PM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 7:07:00 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P5N-D
Motherboard Version: 1.XX
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: Nvidia - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20100621000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 800x600
3D Resolution: 800x600 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: Yes
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: Unknown (5)


World Texture Level: Low
Character Texture Level: High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.800
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Stencil shadows
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 0.855
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.047
Music Sound Volume: 0.052

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.250
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 870227 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102230015.1
Installation Directory: C:\CoX\

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Name: Control Corp

Currently Recruiting: Yep!

RP Level: At least medium-level; we don’t expect people to be IC 24/7, but some element of a RP character concept should be there.

Theme/Concept: Control Corp is an independent agency under the aegis of Hero Corps, accepting projects on a freelance basis. Sanctioned to apprehend criminals, as so defined by Hero Corps, Control Corps often takes the “delicate” missions the more group-oriented H.C. cannot. Ever discrete, they will also accept contracts with private firms for the requisition and reclamation of stolen goods, etc. They work best on the fringes, being capable of high mobility and surgical effectiveness. Under the table, Control Corp “removes” sinister elements working against the powers-that-be of Paragon City. Their methods are cutthroat, but necessary.

Activity: Weeknights EST will find most of us online, with weekends varying greatly. We are currently a (very) small SG!

Requirements for Membership: A yen for RP. We accept any level, any archetype, and most character concepts.

Leadership: Iceangel and Kabuki are the visible heads of the organization.

In-Game Contact(s): @Iceangel & @Empress

Out-of-Game Contact(s): Both of us have AIM, which will be distributed by request. I am contactable via PMs here on the forums.

URL: None.

Coalition(s): Our brother SG, the Dawnstride Syndicate, is a group of bounty hunters also sanctioned by the greater body of Paragon City. Their concept is more grey to Control Corp’s black, and are a little more relaxed. If you’re interested in our Coalition, contact either myself in-game, or the DS’s head, @Ragnarok Star. If you’re interested in joining the Dawnstride Syndicate, you make me sad . (But contact Rags just the same .)

Other Details: We are getting off our feet, so to speak, and would like to gather a frequent, if not regular, group of characters for neat RP interaction. Storylines are a possible feature for the future, although that would depend on the membership. We have a base, it’s small and dingy, but we have eventual plans for a nice quasi-noir hangout.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's not paranoia; it'll happen, just like how many other power sets make perfect material for [homage] characters.

[/ QUOTE ]
And why is it a problem? Wow, a powerset has affected my gameplay experience in some way.

I never got the ripoff hype, or why people feel compelled to shun a powerset simply because there's some other reference to it, somewhere, in some way.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I was "shunning" it, I wouldn't have gone on to say how I was looking forward to seeing how the set worked.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Welcome, Drizzt Do'Urden clones.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what I was going to say.

They just don't really look feasible, I wanted to try them but they just look absurdly long and thin. A katana was a two handed weapon for most people, using two (which is what they look like) is just not right.

Oh well, there's always willpower.

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome, overly paranoid psycho folk.

Seriously, you want to be paranoid about something? Be paranoid about the fact that a good majority of all the "new" sets that have been released since the game's release have sucked, royally.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not paranoia; it'll happen, just like how many other power sets make perfect material for [homage] characters. They will come, they will swarm, but inevitably they will die out once they lose interest/the set gets "too hard". It was more a critique of the design.

I have absolute faith that the devs have crafted a wicked power set. What Dual Blades will do will probably be cool. I'm looking forward to seeing them in action.

Welcome, Drizzt Do'Urden clones.

I'd love to ramble on how lovely and dark this is, but lack the time ATM. This is wonderful, Heroid, please keep 'em coming!

[ QUOTE ]

((No! You may not use VNV Nation, I have laid sole claim...Ahem. Sorry. Evil Overlord peeking through there. I'm better now. Great band, aren't they? *grins*))

[/ QUOTE ]

((I weep!! They are splendiffic. They are also strangely inspiring, when the mood is right. Damn the man and his tawdry musical ways...))

((All apologies to Sith_Rose; VNV Nation's my pick as well *hangs head in shame* "Genesis". Mamushi has a few, but she's not very helpful in narrowing 'em down. The Cape -- feel free to use/play.))


Sayuri Gin stared up at the flat blue eyes and repeated her stammered question. “You’re Mamushi?”

“Yes.” The aforementioned woman eyed the young girl curiously, arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the light pole. Mamushi had been directed to wait for the waifish excuse for a hero by one of her contacts. He’d mentioned something about ‘mentoring,’ but had cut himself off quickly when he’d caught her expression. She understood now – glorified babysitting. This girl didn’t look old enough to fantasize about boys, and she was running around attempting to save people? Mamushi let her distaste show in the carefully set features of her face, eyes flicking away from the girl to stare blankly away.

“I expected . . .” Sayuri twisted her hands together nervously, glancing down at her feet. Her voice had started strong, but had quickly trailed off into a whisper. Mamushi looked back at her, one eyebrow lifted.

She gave the girl a moment, then commented, “What? Someone Japanese?” Sayuri bobbed her head in reply, daring to lift her brown eyes to meet the blue ones. Mamushi snorted and shifted, a hand dropping to the hilt of her katana.

“That’s one thing you need to learn, never expect the obvious.”

Mamushi watched as the girl straightened her shoulders, chin lifting marginally as she gave a curt nod. Okay, so maybe there was hope for this one yet. The blonde let a ghost of a smile lift her lips. “Ready to let the lesson begin in earnest?”

“Yes. We start with those mad scientists.” Sayuri spoke curtly, so clipped that she had no trace of the accent that had tried to overtake her trembling voice. The girl was all business now, back ramrod straight as she started away from the meeting place. A real grin broke over Mamushi’s face and she pushed away from the pole to tread silently after the tiny Asian girl. If nothing else, the night would prove amusing for a short while.

---

The women approached the warehouse, nerves on fire and eyes wary. Sayuri exhibited great bravado, the only proof of her real nervousness in the colorless pallor of her face. Mamushi idly wondered how long the girl had been ‘heroing,’ as it were. She was as fresh and new as a colt just dropped, all shaky legs and unsure posture. It wouldn’t do, not at all.

“Get a grip,” Mamushi hissed as she stepped past the girl to creep up to the door. Even with her back to Sayuri, she could feel the girl bristle with indignation. Good. Better angry than scared. Mamushi pressed her ear to the door, listening carefully before judging the way safe. One hand dropped to the sheath of her sword, thumb nudging the hilt up slightly to free the blade. She motioned for Sayuri to follow, then twisted the doorknob and pushed.

The door opened freely and soundlessly, and the duo moved in to stand in a dilapidated lobby, the smell of rotting plants mixing with a more acidic, toxic smell. Sayuri quickly covered her mouth and nose with a hand, gagging before swallowing past the disgust. Still, she was close behind Mamushi as the blonde skulked out of the lobby, heading for the dimly-lit hallways beyond.

They rounded the first bend, and the stench hit them with an almost physical strength. Rotting, decaying flesh with the sharp tang of formaldehyde and antiseptic. Scents that warred for domination to muddy in a nausea-inducing cloud that seemed thick enough to cut. The buzzing of a hundred thousand flies followed, accompanied by the shuffling footsteps of the undead and their maniacal creators. The heroes paused, still unnoticed by their foes, taking a moment to ready themselves. Their eyes met, and with a slight nod Mamushi started forward.

Her pace was slow at first, but without hesitation she snapped forward, the hiss of her drawn katana muted by the angry moans from the cadavers she fearlessly waded into. One masked Reaper snarled a quick “Fools!” but was silenced as a mystical force enveloped him and threw him towards the ceiling. Mamushi smiled broadly – the girl was a Controller. This was going to be much easier than she thought.

Breathing an air,
permeated, soaked in darkness,
emanating from within,
resonating like a scream no one can hear

I wear this chaos well.
Though none should save me,
desperation keeps me here,
my need for innocence,
the place where I began
The abyss becomes me,
I wear this chaos well.

Are these not words of heresy
a venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
in everything I choose to say

With you I stand in hope that
god will save us from ourselves.
Every cry a wasted moment
until another day is lost.
Even lands we once called home
lie undiscovered and unknown.
Only heaven's silence for an answer.
And did our laughter, did our tears
have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
that wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
lie undiscovered and unknown.
Only heaven's silence for an answer.

Are these not words of heresy
a venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
in everything I choose to say

If I would shed my skin, the layers left,
but not the lessons learned
it would not undo what I have done
or grant forgiveness in some better days.

I, too, would like to thank everyone for all their hard work at ferreting out what exactly is going on with Ice/. I can safely say that I'm no number cruncher, and I don't know all the percentages, etc., that come from toggling my armor on, but I can tell when I am a Tank, and when I am Useless.

Just recently on Test, my roommate and I went on a mission in Croatoa, and against a few even con and +con minions/lieutenants, I was whacked. Now, I could have easily been hot-headed in my unflappable trust that, as an Ice/ Tank, I could take the beating necessary to allow my Blaster friend the chance to do what she does best. However, getting knocked down in barely the time it took to register what was going on, it aggravated me a bit. I chalked it up to poor tanking and resolved to use my head more, until my friend informed me of the changes to my armor set. A bit of research and reading posts showed that the changes to DEF were implemented to stop exploitations and to encourage balance.

It may just be me, so please forgive this comment, but I have been feeling unnecessary as a character for some time. /Ice isn't the damage powerhouse some of the other Tank melees are - I was okay with that. I felt the only redemption my character had was that I had the defense of a tiny god, and could be the Tank my friends and teammates needed when the chips were down. With this DEF decrease - which I have noted painfully - I feel that my character has been relegated to uselessness for good. What purpose has a Tank who cannot, in fact, tank? Should I have wasted the whole year it took for me to level my Tanker because there are (justified) concerns of exploitations from other power sets? It has been a struggle for me to work on this character (which could be mistakes on my own side, surely), and with these changes I'm considering whether or not to swap out mains for a character that can do what the AT should.

There are no hidden jibes here at the people behind the game; this has been an enjoyable game, minus the usual player frustration. But, I'd like to be able to Tank properly, without having to retire my poor frigid girl in favor of a flammable or invulnerable or rocky lady. I like Ice/Ice, I was willing to take knowing we were low on the tree of Tanks, because I knew that in the end, we could prove ourselves. Now, I don't quite feel that's the case, and it makes me a little sad. Please, look at what the others have put together, all that wonderful imput with numbers and ideas, and see if you can't do something real and tangible for us Ice/ers. I want to be able to proudly state that I play a Tank again.

Iceangel from Virtue

1 2 3

You better be back, you lamer, it's gotten too quiet down on the farm.

[ QUOTE ]
You vex me!!

<shakes fist>

[/ QUOTE ]

You love the attention, so hush!

[ QUOTE ]
Heh, I really need to ask Boscoe where he gets "Rainbow Fox" from...

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Well, see, it all came about when we were discussing Foxy's symbol. He suggested a close-up on a middle finger (which was funny) but Boscoe said something about a rainbow, and how everyone who saw a rainbow could associate it with Foxy. Foxy made the usual protests, but it stuck. I started calling him His Highness, and so, Prince Rainbow Fox was born.

He hates it so.

*applauds!!!* That was a -wonderful- conclusion, well worth the wait! You put real heart into Foxy, and though the ending was sad, it's somehow fitting. Poor guy, I can see why he does a lot of his quirky things now.

Or they have been mauled by Lady Deth, Foxy. *coughs as she hides a body and gives a thumbs-up to Deth*

It was a secret? No, not really, I didn't wanna make a fuss about it, is all.

OOC: *dumps a can of Liquid Schwartz(tm) down his throat* Be mused! Be a-mused! Or something of the sort.

I wish there wasn't a need for this kind of post on the boards, but sadly enough there are certain people who take things too seriously. It's easy enough to get caught up in how one's character feels, as they are certainly a part of yourself, but some people don't know where to draw the line.

I totally agree with you, Ripper. I've cross-gendered in my time, and have been blessed by not having any weird girls get crushes on my male characters. (Though I have a faint recollection of some girl ignoring me after I told her OOC I was female... ) It's tricky territory to begin with.

This babbled supportive post brought to you by 3am.

Howdy! I'm, er, nearly a RP junkie, but I've been good so far. The main's Iceangel, and the alts are too numerous, and all on Virtue. I'm always up for a spot of RP, in or out of game.