Winterminal

I just got into actual base building (as opposed to just choosing the default colors on a set pattern, applying it to the entire base, and calling it a day). I only spent a week carefully stacking things on top of floor safes in order to create levels. I am extremely grateful for the vertical placement tools, so I can only imagine what the veterans here must feel.

Thank you!

Greetings Pinnacle!

The Talsorian Guard super group invites you to join us quell the Rikti numbers in the Rikti War Zone every Sunday night! This is a server-wide event, available to both heroes and villains. You can access the Rikti War Zone via any Vanguard building in the game (the purple "V" on your map). They can be found in: Atlas Park, Founders Falls, and Peregrine Island for Heroes; in Cap Au Diable, St. Martial, and Grandville for Villains. Characters of ANY LEVEL may participate, although the higher your character level, the better you will fare.

This week's raid: 9:30pm Eastern / 8:30pm Central, 11/25/2012

Helpful hints/tips to avoid missing out and/or disconnecting:

• Get there early. The league fills fast, and there is a zone limit for how many characters can be there at one time.
• Turn down your graphics. The Rikti Mothership is cool looking, but you don't need to see it and its spawns in hi-def! Turn down your graphics settings a tad for the event.
• Zoom your camera out. Not only does this give you a wider perspective of nearby enemies, but your computer will have fewer details to render up close.
• Avoid excessive chatter. If you are someone who tends to have connection issues, at least with events of that size, don't chat as much. One less thing for your processor to try and manage.
• Turn off visible player names for the duration of the event. Menu-->Options-->Windows Tab-->Under player section, turn "Player Names" to something other than "Show Always."

I will start building the league at 8:15pm. Come out and get your Vanguard Merits and/or xp! Hope to see you there.

(I will be updating this post weekly with times/dates/info.)

Celestial_Lord's sig just saw the price of the German Shepard pet...

I agree the price is too high. But I also remember that these are weekly releases, and we've been told that some weeks will be lighter than others, some weeks will have stuff that we do not want, and some weeks will carry highly desired items.

Look at it as a week where you get to save some money, and in the future, avoid getting your hopes up. You'll only ever be pleasantly surprised that way.

OR, look at it from a business standpoint: they just released some new additions and incentives to play the 50+ game, and they are likely releasing the TPN Incarnate Trial very soon. They want the players to play that stuff, so why would they release a highly desired power set (Titan Weapons) that will make everyone want to roll up lowbies?

I am not, in any way, a fan of the above logic because I am not a huge fan of the Incarnate system, but unfortunately, it stands as logic. :/

Well, I was waiting until this week's announcement, but I think I will finally purchase the Halloween bundle since that disappears this Friday. The dog pet is very cool, and I absolutely love German Shepards, but I just don't need one in the game. At least you don't have to take this one out?

Of course, with this logic, they'll release something that I really want next week, after I've spent the points.

Dang, I was hoping to get in before GG had her way with this thread...

As an actor (by trade), I actually enjoy playing the villain. It allows me to indulge in those impulses, thoughts, and desires that every human has and most simply suppress or ignore because they are, indeed, terrible. And I get to do that in a controlled environment so there's no risk of anyone actually getting hurt. Truth be told, I have played the role of some terrible people who do or have done things that I, myself, have never even dreamed of doing. But by doing so in a false setting, there is a disconnect from real life and with that in place I am free to act within those boundaries.

This game offers a similar circumstance. A player can create an evil character, one that is actually despicable, without any impact to his/her real life persona. The player can actually create a false scenario with given guidelines, and is thus free to be as evil as he or she wants because, in the end, it is all pixels and cyberspace.

That having been said, I think the type of player is the variable here. For players like myself, there is a disconnect from the game, even for those of us (again myself included) who like creating a detailed biography and talking in character here and there. For those who are truly integrated in their characters' stories (like Samuel_Tow), creating a despicable villain is probably difficult because they end up disliking their own creation.

Ha, yeah! They had to get their inspiration from somewhere! Nice find. Could also be areas of Crey's Folly.

Thanks Eislor!

Tonight was an experience, as the meeting led to an impromptu Rikti Ship Raid that was a bit of a hectic mess, to put it mildly. BUT, everyone had fun, we succeeded, and we all walked away with fistfuls of Vanguard Merits! Thanks to all those who came out, even if you had no interest in the group whatsoever.

For those who did not make it out tonight but wish they could have, fret not. You need only get in touch with me to figure out a time when you can meet up with us, maybe team a little bit and see how we play, find out anything you want to know about the group, etc. Anyone is welcome any time!

We do exist out there.

I have actually just launched an SG on Pinnacle with a similar sort of feel to it. The "lore" of the SG remains the same, and thus the characters in the SG all come from a very similar place/origin. Outside of that, it is an action-RP style group. We respond to what we are doing in the game, on the missions, rather than relationships and "why."

And don't get me wrong, I am actually an actor by trade, but I prefer to keep my roles to my real life, and just live the super-hero-action-scene while I am in the game.

November 12, 2011

The ride to the remote warehouse was an unpleasant one: many turns, rough roads, and plenty of debris that needed to be dodged. Though by now, the Lady Grey was used to this particular trip through the ruins of the War Zone. The rocking of the Humvee was almost methodical, and tended to lull her into a slightly meditative state. Twenty three months ago to the day she had set her plan in motion, and today she would unveil it to the world.

Nathan Winters's operation had been a complete success. Due to Dr. Broadet's extensive testing on less civilized mammals, his Talsorract Serum had been perfectly refined, and indeed granted Nathan with superior endurance and regenerative properties without any negative side effects. The Lady Grey and Broadet both agreed that any further attempted modifications should not be life threatening, since they did not know how powerful nor reliable these enhancements would be.

Nathan's vocal chords were the chosen site for augmentation, as the worst outcome would leave him voiceless but living. Dr. Broadet introduced a series of micro-injections into the nerves surrounding Nathan's vocal chords, with the intention of allowing him to emit sound waves of a destructive frequency. The procedure left Nathan catatonic for a full week as his neck slowly decreased from the swelling. On any normal human, the recovery process would have been months before they could emit even a whisper. Nathan was conscious after only seven days, and speaking after ten, though his first sounds shook the entire room and left the doctor's ears ringing.

The important thing was that Nathan was in perfect health, and now possessed the abilities of a super. The nature of his abilities earned him the codename "Vox." He would remain under observation as he explored the extent of his enhancements, but Lady Grey felt confident in proceeding with further experimentation.

In the following months, the Lady Grey approached three other operatives who had proven themselves worthy and loyal. They too underwent similar procedures, leaving them all with enhanced regeneration and endurance as well as abilities unique to each individual.

The foursome, dubbed "the first generation," had been training in secret for over a year now, and as the Lady Grey reached her destination, she could tell from outside the building that they were in the middle of an exercise. She entered the warehouse just in time to see Chill freeze a dummy's feet to the ground as Blade Dancer attacked with a two handed slice. In another corner, Vox used his aural emitter gauntlets to charge Tech's armor, and Tech let loose with a blindingly fast maneuver with his claws. Their teamwork was flawless.

Once her presence was noted, the four lined up to be addressed.

"Your work has payed off. The four of you seem to know each others' moves even before they are made. That is just the kind of behavior I expect out of a group like this, and I am pleased to announce that you no longer need to keep it hidden here in the War Zone. As of 17:00 today, the world will know you exist and that you fight for Vanguard."

With that, she left the troops to celebrate and pack up while she returned to base. For the first time in her memory, the Lady Grey was eager to meet the press.


On the twelfth of November, 2011, at 5:00pm local time, Paragon City and the Rogue Isles were given their first look at the soldiers upon which they could rely for protection against the Rikti, the Praetorians, and all other manner of extraterrestrial threats: The Talsorian Guard was officially on watch.

((Thus ends the beginning. But the rest can be written by you! The Talsorian Guard is a real Super Group, located on the Pinnacle server. If you like the idea, check out this topic, or click on the emblem below to see our website for info. If not, I appreciate you reading the story all the same!))

On November 12, 2009, the Lady Grey officially removed the title of "Talsorian" from Vanguard weaponry. Her reasoning (according to her official statement) was that the "Vanguard" troops, and associated heroes, should be using "Vanguard" weapons, without any other monicker. In actuality, she had new plans for the unique title: a faction of scientifically engineered and technologically enhanced super-powered soldiers, bred from Vanguard's very best, loyal only to Vanguard and its goals. Now, after two years of enhancement and grueling training, kept hidden from even The Dark Watcher, the First Generation of The Talsorian Guard is ready for active duty! (Full story found here.)

The Talsorian Guard offers:

• A unique level 1-50 journey, should you choose to embrace it.
• A character story that you can share with fellow players.
• A combat experience that puts you in the action, as opposed to simply pushing buttons.
• A website with forums where you can keep up-to-date on what is happening when, who is available for it, and generally just hang out.
• A dynamically changing themed base that will expand as the ranks increase.

We will also be hosting to the weekly or biweekly Mothership Raids (returning soon!), as well frequent runs of the Lady Grey Task Force.

EDIT: New Info found on Post #5 here, just scroll down the page!

I am disappointed that we will not see a fix (at least for the UI bug) today.

That being said, I would rather they wait until Tuesday and be sure that these issues are fixed, rather than try and push a patch through today on which they are not 100%.

Oathbound wins an internet for the day, if for no other reason than that I thought the same thing.

I played it on Beta, and it was far more enjoyable than its predecessor. I hope to get a run in on Live in the next week or so, and I expect to see them forming up far more often.

On a related note, I saw a full UG trial league shove off last night. Guess the enhanced rewards are also going to lead to that trial being run more often.

November 12th, 2009

Lady Grey was blinded and deafened by the host of reporters that had gathered on the opposite side of the podium which she approached, yet they were quickly subdued at a wave of her hand.

"I hereby declare the title of "Talsorian," given to our weaponry, to be retired. The title no longer holds any meaning for this organization. Henceforth, the Vanguard will use Vanguard weaponry, as we continue in a more focused, united front against those that would threaten our planet. Thank you."

Despite the frustrated questioning of the press, she quickly left the room and began back toward her office. As she went, she felt a familiar presence following her. "I suppose you wish to know why I made such an impulsive decision."

The Dark Watcher grinned slightly, ever amused that she was the only one who knew his presence without seeing him. "Not exactly. You wouldn't be such a good leader if you took a long time to make a decision. However, I have never seen you jump in front of the press so quickly, nor so willingly."

Lady Grey knew her friend, therefore she knew that if this conversation were to last any longer, she would betray the secret she had to keep hidden, even from him. At least for the time being.

"It was necessary. Vanguard needs to be using its own brand of weaponry, and any chance to remind the public of our organization's existence and efforts is a good one. You need not pay it any more unnecessary attention, Devon."

Upon hearing his actual name, a name which only a handful of people alive knew, and fewer ever used, he was taken aback. "Very well. I know better than to test you when you call me that."

Thus, they parted company, but he watched her with curiosity as she headed toward her offices. Though he trusted her, there was rarely a time when she would not give sufficient explanation for her decisions. He decided to pay it no more heed, and headed the other direction.

*********

Lady Grey entered her office and caught a young soldier snapping out of his chair to attention and salute. "At ease, Captain Winters. If I wanted you at attention, you would not be in my office. Please, sit."

As she circled her desk, she gave a swift once-over of Captain Nathan Winters. Despite having seen him around base, he was less than what she was expecting. 6'2", a buck-eighty, and one of the youngest captains in Vanguard at only 24. Though, according to the 5 hour search of the Vanguard database she conducted the previous night, he was the best candidate. She sat casually in her chair, in an attempt to clear the formality of the room. She would need his comfort and trust before he would agree to what she was about to ask.

"Your record is impressive for your age, Captain. Two tours of duty in the caverns, where you were responsible for the survival of most of your platoon (according to their individual debriefings), and a survived encounter with a Magus. That's not something for which many can claim credit. That all supports your rapid progression through the ranks, and I believe you deserve the position you currently hold. However, your past history with Vanguard honestly means little to me. I am more interested in your future. Why did you join Vanguard?"

"To protect the world from the Rikti and all other extraterrestrial threats."

Lady Grey gave him an annoyed look. "While I appreciate your discipline, I find such answers carry little merit. If I wanted that answer, I could have asked any soldier in this base. I am asking you not as a Captain, but as Nathan Winters: what was it that spurred you into joining Vanguard?"

An apologetic look flashed across Nathan's face, and she could see him relax slightly. "I grew tired of the petty squabbles that exist between earthly factions. Growing up in Overbrook, I lived through the Faultline disaster, watching as petty differences between a hero's and villain's ideals brought my entire neighborhood to the ground, literally. What was worse though is that no one learned anything from it. Hundreds of people lost their lives to the earthquake, yet factions like Longbow and Arachnos are still fighting each other over inconsequential things, with supers joining in that endless fight. Even today, from the northern part of New Overbrook, you can hear their battle over the dam continuing south of the war wall. I wanted to make a difference but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that by joining Freedom Corps, and I do not believe in many of the values held by those organizations based in the Rogue Isles. Thus, Vanguard was the obvious and perfect choice. Simply put: I want to stop the biggest bullies out there, and Vanguard is on those front lines."

Lady Grey, having heard what she needed to hear, stoically pulled out a remote from her desk and clicked it in the direction of the security camera, disabling it. "Few people are privy to this knowledge, Captain, but I happen to dislike the myriad of supers that wander the halls of this base. While they are of great help, most of them have concerns that lie elsewhere, as you put it, and most lack the respect I expect out of those privileged enough to work with Gaussian and The Dark Watcher. The fact is that Vanguard needs its own supers.

"Therefore, I am putting together a special team, one that will take orders exclusively from me, and I need you to lead it. Each member will undergo augmentation and enhancement, granting them abilities. Dr. Broadet (whom you've escorted before) has perfected a serum, dubbed 'Talsorract,' by reverse engineering the Rikti's DNA. However, you would be the first human test subject, and though this version of the serum has thus far yielded no negative response, there is no 100% guarantee. Normally, I would simply give you an order, but due to the potential risks involved, I am offering you a chance to decline."

Nathan paused only briefly before responding. "I will do it. Vanguard has become my greatest concern. If there is a way to better serve our world and dimension, I am willing and able. Your recognition is reason enough for me to accept."

"Then enough with the compliments. Upon leaving this room, you are to continue in your service as though this conversation never occurred. Two weeks from today at 0600, you will accompany Dr. Broadet to a warehouse in the Pork Chop Hill region of the War Zone. Officially, you are offering escort to the doctor. You will be separated while on mission, and will thenceforth be marked as Missing In Action. Unofficially, you will remain at the warehouse, to undergo prep for the doctor's Talsorract procedure. Your possessions and dwelling will be maintained by Vanguard funding until you return, as is typically done with MIA personnel. Clear?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Dismissed then."

As she reactivated the security camera and watched Nathan leave, the Lady Grey struggled to maintain her composure. Excitement mingled with dread, anxiousness with caution, but to indulge in any of these feelings would be premature. She would await the outcome of the experiment and proceed accordingly. However, there was one thing of which she was certain: Vanguard was taking its first steps toward its own super-powered defense force.

((The conclusion is coming! Feedback/comments are welcome.))

I'm looking at the numerous bugs that go through on this patch:

• The infantile KB
• Mace Mastery mace still malfunctioning
• UIs being reset
• Bases going all "Skynet" on their owners

And I'm just picturing the Dev/Community team reading this thread. Then this happens.

For what it is worth, I am still excited about many of the changes, just wish so many bugs hadn't come with 'em :/

"Mac OS X version 10.5.8" equals "Mac OS X Leopard." "Leopard" is just the marketing name for 10.5. Snow Leopard is 10.6, Lion is 10.7.

Depending on how old your Macbook Pro is, it may be perfectly capable of running Snow Leopard and Lion, and considering each of those only costs $30, it is a lot less expensive than buying a new computer. But if you planned on buying a new one anyway, then yes, you may as well upgrade.