PirateSeaHawk

As many others have already tossed in their advice on what to do, etc., I'll simply say this;

Don't let this experience detract you from the Virtue Experience. IMHO, it's a wonderful server with wonderful people.

A moment of silence, please, for the passing of a great artist, Frank Frazetta.

Here's the link

*bows head*

*slices the cake with a broadsword*

Happy Birthday!

Now let us in dammit!

Didn't crash here, but I was hitting *whatever* about once every 2 to 3 minutes. I finally got tired of it and logged.

Hey Devs! Howzabout you create once a year anniversary type missions for us to do instead of creating ginormous amounts of lag, hmmm?

I agree with Dumpleberry, Mondo. If you can't be constructive, etc., etc.

DC; good start! Very quick and action packed. Keep working at it. It's not very often we see Fanfic anymore (and hey, I'm willing to be corrected here), but I think Soaring Valor and the occasional contribution I toss out are about the only fanfic stories that show up on this particular server forum.

My main piece of advice is when you write something, let it sit for a day or two then go back to it. Read it aloud and see if it makes sense to you and make corrections. :-) (Psst, also check spelling)

Keep it up!

Does anything more need be said?

Check this out!

Avast an' begorrah! A Happy St. Patty's Day from yer favorite Irish Pirate!

A wee Irish blessin' fer ye:

May your feet never sweat,
your neighbor give you ne're a treat.
When flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze,
and may you always have someone to sqeeze!


An' Vexxxa darlin'...would ye be so kind as t'p'raps send me a somewhat larger copy o'that foine foine picture ye displayed fer us?

Erin Go Bragh!

(And a special Irish Blessing to Ireland Love - aka Maggie - Hope you're reading thing, my friend)

It's not good-bye, Niv. It's simply a "See You Later". Take care, have fun, and say 'howdy' once in a while.

*hugs*

I hadn’t planned on making any further responses to this thread, but Altoholic had to make it personal. I’ve been told by acquaintances that logic and reasoning shouldn’t be a part of the forum thread and I guess these folks I spoke with are correct. It’s sad, really, because one of the things I could count on for our forum boards was a reasonably intellectual discussion and keeping things rational. Sadly, this isn’t the case so much; these boards seem to have been reduced to the same kind of flaming that is so famous with other games, though I’m truly glad to say it hasn’t taken over completely.

My intention was not to sound or come off as arrogant. If that was the case, I’m truly sorry. I was, however, trying to show folks a common denominator.

Altoholic; what I gave you was an example of how the financial end of things work for GR and trying to give you an easy to understand example of what the Devs have in mind and why those of us who choose to prepurchase GR in March make that choice and why we’re not getting the “free” month. Some of it might have been off, but it was an example only. I was trying to use logic and reasoning to emphasize what was going on. I did not insult you personally, nor did I froth at the mouth and make insulting comments to you. Nor did I feel that I needed to emphasize what you’ve said with very large bold letters or color them so that they remind me of a bodily function. It just shows that perhaps your ability to reason has been reduced to automatically reacting to what’s said rather than pondering it for a moment or two and perhaps reading through again to make sure you got it right.

I make no disagreement that things are tough out there in real life. Things are tough for companies too, or did you forget that? Without our money, games like CoH/V would be out of business and we’d be playing something else that probably wasn’t as good of quality.

Whether you believe it or not (doesn’t matter to me one way or the other. I don’t make a habit of lying), I’m not some rich dude who has scads of money to spend. In fact, my income is rather limited and how I spend that income is my business. I just happened to comment that I’d prefer to spend money on pre-purchasing and calling the new powers “shiney toys” was an emphasis in how excited I was to have early access to powers that I’ve been waiting for since I started this game.

You said that I made your decision for you with regards to teaming with folks who have DP or DS. No, I did not. I may have influenced your decision in some way, but you made that decision all on your own. No one makes decisions for you (unless you let them), and I don’t recall saying, “Altoholic, you are not to team with any one who uses Dual Pistols or Demon Summoning until I say you can” You, yourself, make those decisions.

What I play online is also none of your business but I primarily play heroes as I find a lot of the stories more engaging and fun than the villainside, but judging me on what types of toons I play simply because I’m stating a fact -- go one way or the other financially with regards to Going Rogue -- is rather narrow in thinking.

Now, I think we should change the subject to pie, delicious pie. I, myself, prefer lemon meringue. You?

P.S. Zombie man; love the Youtube link! *thumbsup*

Before I get started on my last post for this thread, I thank Tymer for the excellent explanation as to what’s paid for where.

Now, I’m going to withhold the snark* factor as much as I’m able. But once again, I’m reminded why I generally don’t chat in the forums except my home server. I’m reminded far too much of WoW, but with (thank the gods) less flambe’.

Let’s break it down by the numbers, shall we?

You can either (a) pay $30 in advance for GR. This gives you six month early access to two powers that have been been anticipated, especially dual pistols once we saw the Malta Gunslingers. And I’m sure there are magical type MMs who are slavering after their demons.

Or, (b) you can wait until July, pay $40 and get everything at once, including the “free” month. Please bear with me and I will explain the quotation marks.

You see, even though that $15 isn’t being debited from whatever your payment plan may be using, that $15 is subtracted from the $0 and is applied to costs and whatnot for server maintenance, the people who work at Paragon Studios and NCSoft, these forums for a number of folks to whine on (if I’m wrong, I’m sure a redname will correct me. Others will be ignored). Therefore, your “free” month isn’t really “free”. However, you’re still only paying $25 for everything, a darn good price, all things considered. You’re getting a complete edition of the game with GR plus all the cool stuff that comes with GR, considering City of Heroes itself was what, $50 when it first came out? Yes, I know, the price has since dropped. Generally, other new games also charge $50 coming out the gate, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and Fallen Earth, are the three most recent examples I can think of. You’re paying $40 for CoH, CoV and GR. That’s a good deal!

A number of us are going with Plan A. Why? Because we like shiney new toys! If so, we’re paying the privilege of having this bright, shiney new powers six months in advance. I think that’s well worth the loss of a “free” month. We also don’t get the disk (not really needed), which is fine as it cuts down clutter at home. We also don’t mind paying an extra $10 for the emotes and other sundry stuff in July. So why should we get a “free” month when we get access to powers six months in advance? (Please try to read completely through before commenting, hmmm?)

Let me try an example.

You buy a really nice computer with all the options you could want at a fairly decent price with good payments. and said computer will paid off in six months. It also includes any extraneous fees. (Yeah, I know, sheer fantasy. Bear with me) This is also a brand new system that is just hitting the market, but the store is allowing a privileged few to purchase it before it officially premiers in six months. Sound familiar?

However, you know through a trusted source at the store that you can buy that exact same computer with the exact same options and exact same price less one month’s payment in six months. However, you also know through that trusted source that though it will be cheaper, there will be added charges for set-up and shipping. So while the total charge for the car itself is less, you still end up paying extra for the costs involved.

Don’t think that can happen? Try buying a large-purchase item sometime. I bought my bike (motorcycle). I paid MSRP (Still an $8000 investment), but fortunately they knocked off set-up fees plus shipping & handling and counted myself lucky. Cynical as it sounds, they want to make as much money off you as they can. However, the money goes to paying for the salesman, store maintenance, etc., etc.

Those of us with a leg up on the new powers already have a privilege of playing with the new powers in advance, why the heck should we get a free month as well? That’s like asking for a second $300-$400 video card for SLI or Crossfire for FREE. The company would soon lose money if they granted that. We should count ourselves lucky that the Devs pay attention to us and try to make us happy rather than complain about “I’m not getting a free month, waaaaaa!”

The conclusion; we’re going to end up paying the same price no matter which way we go; NCSoft and Paragon Studios need to pay for people, servers, server maintenance, for this forum and the moderators to watch and maintain them and you will pay for it one way or the other. I’d rather pay a little extra and have good quality stuff, how about you?

Regardless; either be patient and wait until July or pay it forward in March and enjoy the new powersets. If you still don’t “get it” you’re beyond help.

Thank you for your time.

*Snark = Sarcasm

Dang, I don't know why folks are complaining about not getting free time just because they want to pre-purchase GR so they can show off their shiney new toys before anyone else gets the addons. Yeesh.

What a lot of folks don't realize is that this is the second expansion that we, as players, must pay for in the what, five-six years this game has been out? We've had 16 Issues (mini-expansions, if you will) that have been FREE. Now, as someone who played EQ, I seem to recall that we ended up paying for four expansions at $30 each over the course of a year plus our monthly fee of $15? We've got it lucky, folks. Paying $30 for pre-purchase plus another $10 for the add-on pack four months down the road isn't so bad. Yes, you pay the same as if you'd paid for the Complete Collection, except you don't get the free month. Personally, I'd rather give up the free month to get the stuff early and play with it like a kid at Christmas, then pick up the other stuff in July when everything becomes available. That gives me three months to play with the new powersets AND Ultra Mode plus any other goodies.

You want your free month? Pay for the full expansion and wait, fen folks. Me, I'm quite contented with the way things are and thoroughly support NCSoft/Cryptic/Paragon Studios decision. They've done a marvelous job and I have every confidence they'll continue to do so.

At this point, with all the whining, I wouldn't be surprised if the Devs just said, "Forget it, no early releases and you'll get the stuff in July while we continue to tinker with everything." So folks, stop with the whining. If you don't like how the Devs run this game, either (a) leave this game and find something else, or (b) create your own MMO and see how well you do.

Having said all that, and this has come up before in this thread, but do the rednames have an idea as to roughly when in early March this stuff will be available? (like maybe, in time for Double XP weekend?)

So..can she say 'Da' yet?

And wait til she gets old enough to say 'Nyet'.


A rather belated Grats, boyo!

Aw man; I got to meet both of them back in 2005 when I went down to for GenCon SoCal.

My thoughts and condolences to Shae and her family.

Would one of the mods or devs please step up and make the official announcement? BAB? Nivienne (sp?), TV? Dr Aeon? Avatea? Anybody?

Thank you.

Neither and both.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Heroes and Heroines;

This discussion is getting out of hand and took a left turn so way before Albequerque that it's not even funny. The original question was "Why the Pocket D Stigma?" not a moral debate on whether there should be Erotic (Mature) Role-Playing in this game and it's ramifications. (I believe there's a thread located elsewhere in this forum)

If you find this kind of behavior going on and it offends you, report it. Let the Devs sort out whether its between two consenting adults or between an adult and a child and let them get the cops in on this. Don't make a big issue about it, don't brag or ZOMG about it. Report it and go about your business.

That's all that I'm going to say on that debate. However, I back Shecky on his soapbox. There is more to fear outside the game than inside the game. It comes down to two things; electronic communications and responsibility.

Now I hope you'll pardon me for stepping on my own soapbox here as I add to Shecky's comments and I apologize if I ramble a bit;

As a child of the 60s, the Internet to me was something you saw only on Star Trek and other sci-fi shows. Television was one of my forms of entertainment. Fortunately, I was wise enough to find entertainment in reading, playing baseball, that kind of stuff.

Electronic communications have become so invasive that I'm surprised we're not picking it up in our fillings. It's a part of our daily lives; on TV, on the radio, the Internet, our phones. Communications between two people is literally near-instaneous around the globe. I can write my cousin in Norway by email and receive a response not long after if he's monitoring his email the time I send it. Even so, I'd get a response in a day or so otherwise. Sending a letter used to take a week to get to Norway. I can only imagine how long it would take to get to countries further away. You can't get away from it unless you move waayyy up to the top of the backwoods somewhere and live like a frontiersman back in the 1800s.

On cable TV (and other forms), you can watch literally nearly any subject should you choose to do so. I fear for my grandkids as they become more jaded. Heck, my 3 year old granddaughter is already watching "Friday the 13th" movies. I can only shake my head and wonder what will really freak her out when she gets older.

It's far too easy to use the television as the "ultimate babysitter" unfortunately. Mom and Dad are too busy (for all that it implies) to watch 'the kid(s)' and don't take an active enough role in their kids' lives so the kids are exposed to all kinds of stuff that would probably shock Mom and Dad clear down to their toes. Then they wonder what happened when their kid goes off the deep end or whey the kid is so jaded when they see something that would have shocked their parents.

For our own part, we're just as responsible for our own behavior, whether in the game our out of the game. Some people know that in regular society they can't get away with certain behaviors they can in-game. Yet, certain in-game behavior will lead you to being /ignored and where will your fun be at that point? When you're ignored, you're not really having any fun, are you?

For the rest of us, we can only be on-guard for that. Fortunately, the Virtue server folks are mature enough to be ready for that sort of thing and deal with the idiots swiftly. This is one reason that I stay with CoX and the Virtue server. When it comes down to it - even when we play redside - we stand together.

"The Internet is for p**n" as the song goes, but it's up to us to find other avenues of escape. Like kids, we need to get outside and away from our computers and electronic mind suckers and rejuvenate, even if it's just a walk to the store and back.

By all means, I'm not saying that we should stop with our technological advancement. In some ways, I wish we could because frankly, I don't think as a society we're ready for it. However, it's here and further advances are coming. We can only ensure that we are aware of it and can distinguish reality from fantasy and help others do the same. If you are a parent, please help your kids know the difference and take an active role in their lives. If you yourself have issues with reality, please see a professional and get help.

In conclusion; enjoy the game, but get out of the cabin once in a while and discover "what's outside" too. Take a friend along. You'll have fun. :-)

Once upon a time, a whole bunch of us used to hang out in Gemnii Park to chat, RP and other stuff. This was before City of Villains or even the Paragon Dance Party. Even then, we had our weirdos, angsty role-players and some of the more "mature" RPers (though not as much).

There, I met Xanatos, Captain Valor, Ascendant, Heroid, Ireland Love, Vangelus, Polaron and a host of others whose names I can't remember.

Thing is; it grew, changed, and sadly, moved to what is now Pocket D (after an aborted attempt at Paragon Dance Party).

Yes, Pocket D was initially host to some of the weirdest and sickest RP I've seen (this is from my perspective, not necessarily others). And that tag made me avoid Pocket D like the plague.

However, like Gemnii Park, it has grown and changed. I noticed this the other day when I parked my butt in the chalet while trying to come up with idea for my tabletop game. During the course of it all, I overheard a couple of conversations that are similar to what would have been heard in Gemnii Park. It was a pleasant moment.

Unfortunately, tags stick around and reputation gets passed around, which is why it still has a bad tag attached. It's up to us -- blueside and redside alike -- to keep the experience pleasant for everyone and to bring up the reputation for the D and say, "Hey, it's not such a bad place for hangout." While we can't do anything personally to some of the more rude idiots out there, the best thing you can do is not pay attention to their commentary and if possible, /ignore them.

In the meanwhile, have fun out there!

Welcome! Glad you liked it!

(Sorry for the delay; I had a hard time trying to figure out just how to present this last part and now here it is; the final entry in this story. Enjoy!)

From the Journal of Christmas Catboy

First, I apologize if I bounce around from subject to subject here. Ideas pop into my head and I need to write them down before I forget.

My name is Billy Jackson. Actually, I may call myself ‘Bill’ from now on, as the change that happened last year at Christmas has changed how I think of myself. More adult, and more responsible, I guess. I guess even 13-year-olds can be more adult, yes?

You see, I’m also a hero. Or at least, I make the best attempt I can. I’m known as Christmas Catboy, and I can only operate from the day after Thanksgiving until January 1st of the New Year. So that kind of limits me as to when I can do my ‘hero schtick’ I guess you’d call it.

I’m writing this down because since I became Christmas Catboy, I’ve not only had fun beating down the bad guys, I’ve found that there are bad guys out there who need to be stopped; Lord Winter is like me; seasonal. Doc Vahzilok is a wuss. I mean, c’mon…a rotting meatsuit that fires rockets? Gimme a break! But yeah, there’s bad guys I’ve not met yet…Requiem, Baron Zoria, and of course, Lord Recluse.

Thing is; a hero is a hero. If the need is there, the hero answers the call, no matter what. If I’m the only one around and some bad guy is trying to rob a bank, I can’t just stand there and let it happen! I have to change and pound the heck out of them and send their sorry butts to the Ziggurat!

So yeah, it’s gonna hurt…maybe kill me. And my parents gotta know why I died. That's why I'm writing this down.

See, they were really so happy when my cancer went into remission that they didn’t question it. At the time, I was, too. Heck, I had fun learning about what I could and couldn’t do over the next year; stopping bullies from beating on smaller kids at school, outrunning everyone in gym class once in a while, stuff like that. But anyway, my folks have gotta know, even if they don’t agree with my decision. I know they love me and all that, but “the call” is there.

I’ve chatted with a hero or two. One was a scruffy guy, he had the smell of the ocean mixed with the smell of trees and newly-mown grass. Very confusing. He wore a longcoat and bucket boots, like mine. But he carried himself with a self-assurance that was daunting. If it weren’t for his open manner, I’d have been intimidated.

He said, with an Irish accent, “Boyo, once ye don th’ heroes’ togs, ye canna get away. It’s like an irresistable pull t’go out there an’ help folk out. ‘Tis the danger, th’ excitement an’ there’s th’ need t’do th’ right thing though it may cost ye yer life.” With that, he smiled at me in encouragement and said, "Ne'er be afraid t'call fer help, laddie. There are many out there who'd be more than help ye out."

With that, he downed whatever he was drinking, then left the chalet. I finished my hot chocolate in silence.

Then, the day after Thanksgiving came and I donned my uniform officially for the first time. Christmas Catboy to the rescue! That was me, all right. Stopping purse snatching, random acts of vandalism and of course, the real challenges of the so-called ‘super gangs.’

It was fun, pounding on Hellions, Skulls, Outcasts and Warriors. It was also fun thwarting their plans to take over Paragon City for whatever evil purpose they had hatched.

I had a talk with Santa this year, suprisingly enough. Didn’t think I’d see him again, but sure enough, Christmas Eve, he stopped by to see how I was doing.

“So Billy,” he said, lighting his pipe, “how do you like your new identity?” He then blew out rings that looked like reindeer flying around his head.

I sat in my bed, my knees up to my chin and my arms wrapped around my legs.

“I like it fine, Santa,” I said, “but I’ve been thinking…”

“Yes?” he said with an upraised eyebrow.

“After January 1st, I know I’m not supposed to do the superhero thing, but Santa,” I said, “What happens when someone really needs my help? What happens then? Do I ignore it?”

Santa sighed, “I’ve thought about that, Billy, because I knew this day would come, just not so soon. I really wish I could help, but even I’m limited. My magic only works during the time of Christmas and as much as I’d like to get the other holidays to cooperate, we all have our peculiar boundaries.”

“So,” I said, giving him a brave look, “guess I’d better get used to the idea of hurting, huh?”

Santa sighed deeply, “Yes, Billy. I’m sorry.”

“Santa,” I said with a smile, “You’ve given me a whole year that I didn’t think I’d make it. I’m doing things boys my age only dream of. Each and every day is Christmas to me. So don’t apologize, big guy. My Christmas wish came true. Make sure help another kid who needs help more than I do so that they can be happy, too!”

Santa looked at me in wonder and surprise, then said,”Billy if ever there was any doubt about whether I did good with the wish I granted you, you’ve washed it away…entirely. Thank you”

“You’re welcome, Santa,” I said, “I’ll still try to be careful, though, and leave most of the stuff for other heroes, but there are times when I’ll have to answer the call.”

“I know Billy,” he said, moisture in his eyes, “can you do me a favor, though? I’d love to see you do that splendid change.”

I laughed and got out of bed. I spread my arms and cried, “Presto…Change-O!”

Smoke, a poofing sound and there I stood, clad as Christmas Catboy, arms akimbo, grinning up at him with confidence.

Santa laughed his laugh, and a distant cry came, “Help! I’m being robbed! Help!”

Santa gestured and my window opened.

“Go get’em, Christmas Catboy!”

“Yessir!” I said and leaped out the window.

It was a simple thing, a purse snatching on Christmas night. I laid the Hellions out and even though they’re bad guys, I left them candy canes and wished them a ‘Merry Christmas’ as the police cars pulled up.

Then the Rikti came.

These are the same guys that took down Hero 1 and Omega Team! I won’t detail that night; helping to defuse bombs, fighting the Rikti in front of the doors of City Hall in Atlas Park. It was a hellish night and a few heroes got sent to the hospital, despite the teleportation system.

Afterwards, tired and seriously wiped out, I fell into bed after changing back to Bill Jackson. About an hour later, Mom woke me for Christmas.

Yes, I was tired, but it was the best Christmas ever, I got to see Santa again, I stopped an Rikti invasion (with some help, of course) and I was with Mom and Dad. The gifts I got didn’t matter because I had the best gift of all, my family.

As I realized this, I knew that I would do anything, including laying down my life for my family. I knew that if necessary and it wasn’t Christmas, I would answer ‘The Call.”

(Yes, Christmas Catboy exists as one of my alts. Before the holiday ends, send him a ‘hello’ and a ‘good luck’ and if you see him out there after Christmas season, it’s because he’s had to answer ‘The Call’ that all heroes know so well in Paragon City…The City of Heroes)

Slight bump; working on the final entry. :-) Thanks for your patience, all!

Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate. Maybe you be surrounded by those who bring you warm fuzzies and happy thoughts!

Merry Christmas to the ladies who have the hottest commercial on The Cape!

Speaking as Virtue's premier privateer...

He's a Pirate-Ninja!