Though the First Children of Statesman drove the First Children of the Spider from the City, their children and grandchildren have often sought to return. There are places where great riches in prestige and glittering badges of honor can be reaped, and Warriors of both lineages clash there while their brethren farm that wealth. Thus it was in The Place of Shifting Time where Children of Statesman fought great battles and brought home a bounteous harvest. Their Warriors won great victories and few of the Spider Born could stand against them.
It has oft been told that the Children of Statesman thrive on challenge and novelty. So it was that in time the Warriors amongst them grew bored with their triumph and moved on to other goals and other places. The Farmers continued on about their business unremarking. For a while there was quiet. And then an Evil came.
Legendr was its name. It moved swiftly and unseen in dark shadows. It struck without warning, heedless of cries for mercy, and none there could stand against it. They ran, but they could not escape. They pleaded, and were mocked. They banded together, and were slaughtered one by one none the less. They cried out for help
and an answer came.
Trick, youngest son of Defender came to heed their call. He carried a mighty bow of yew and on his breast was pinned a shining jewel that marked him "Seeker of Monsters". He moved with confidence and grace, yet wore a cloak of shadows and wove a cunning path that Legendr could not strike him. "Who leads here?" he called out, but no answer came. "Elefftee!" he called out in the language of the Pugs, but still no answer came save Legendr's mocking calls of "Gimp" and "Newb". Undaunted Trick sought a place of observation and watched with a keen eye. From his vantage his watched as Legendr moved silently towards a pair of farmers who stood unheeding, lost in conversation. As the fiend raised his weapon to strike, Trick himself struck hard and fast, training arrow after arrow upon his foe leaving him weakened, unhidden, and stunned. Then Trick leaped down between the farmers and called out to them saying, "Strike now you fools", and so Legendr was felled and fled from The Place of Shifting Time.
In this way it came to pass that Trick, for a time, stood guard over The Place of Shifting Time, and the farmers prospered once more under his watch. Some quietly went about their business. Others watched, and learned, and in time fought battles of their own. One day a young Daughter of Empathy came. She wore the clothing of a Puggish Healer, but over her back a well strung bow was hung, and her eyes were old with wisdom. She spoke to Trick of other places and other challenges, until together they left the Place of Shifting Time.
And then an Evil came.
Mother of Legendr was its name. It moved swiftly and unseen in dark shadows. It struck without warning, heedless of cries for mercy. Some ran, but they could not escape. Some pleaded, and were mocked. Some cried out for help
and an answer came, for some banded together, and they fought using the lessons learned from Trick and were soon victorious.
So it was that in The Place of Shifting Time the Children of Statesman fought great battles and brought home a bounteous harvest. Their Warriors won great victories and few of the Spider Born could stand against them.
- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
Jock, what is Legendr supposed to signify?
Global - @Proton Sentinel
Jack Devon Crab Spider VEAT; Virtue
Mordigen Earth/Storm on Liberty and Virtue
Technological Terror Bots/FF; Liberty.
50s: Zul Vakirol Thugs/Poison; Virtue. Kiyujin Katana/SR
Pretty sure it's just a stalker with a braggy name. 
Okay...i'll try to do this right, it was long ago, so i don't really remember the proper summoning...
Jock, you're great!
Jock, you're awesome!
Your story are great!
Your story are awesome!
I hope one of them was the proper phrasing to make you write a new one. 
[ QUOTE ]
"Jello team Eleffem"
[/ QUOTE ]
That one made me giggles. =)
"It's a scrapper. If he can't handle it, no one can." -BrandX
[ QUOTE ]
Pretty sure it's just a stalker with a braggy name.
[/ QUOTE ]
So... if Legendr is a typical teenage braggy stalker, does that mean "Mother of Legendr" is his actual Mum kicking him off the computer and then Pwning you in revenge?
Im confused. 
Im really starting to dig these stories, by the way.
[ QUOTE ]
"Elefftee!" he called out in the language of the Pugs
[/ QUOTE ]
I had to do a double take after reading this, as I have a character called Elefftee 
No
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
I think you underestimate our fools, sir.
Why /duel is a bad idea
[ QUOTE ]
Jock, what is Legendr supposed to signify?
[/ QUOTE ]
Legendr is an anagram. Solving it will tell you the source material I used to inspire the story.
Hint: It's not Nemesis
- Jock Tamson, Who may have to write another dragon story, but is afraid it would have a sad ending.
*cough* grendel *cough*
The "mother of" line was a dead giveaway
[ QUOTE ]
*cough* grendel *cough*
The "mother of" line was a dead giveaway
[/ QUOTE ]
That's pretty much why that line is there
- Jock Tamson, Who isn't particularly good at anagrams.
L. D. Green!
the l and d stand for Lawrence Dennis
Jock, you just inspired me to activate a new account. I've not played this game since I3, and rumors of the controller nerf.
Thanks to you, my Dark/Sonic DarkKarma will be sheparding fluffies and pugs on Freedom in the weeks and months to come.
NCSoft should give you commission.
[ QUOTE ]
Trick, youngest son of Defender came to heed their call. He carried a mighty bow of yew and on his breast was pinned a shining jewel that marked him "Seeker of Monsters".
[/ QUOTE ]
And when fell upon Legendr, he did cry out to Trick in his own broken tongue, "Wh0 r u?"
And Trick did bellow, "I am Archer... Defender... Hero... I am the Arrow in the Darkness, the Bow in the Night. Mine is Buffs... and Debuffs... and Damage! I AM TRICK!"
I know this is about Scrapper, but I have seen a few Stalker stories in here so I feel a precedence has been set.
Tonight, we learn how pride can make the mighty lose more than they expected, and why scrappers have lost much of what they once had.
In ancient times before the mighty Walls of War sprouted from the ground in the City of Heroes, there was a great power known as Statesman, who had 5 children: enduring Tank, wise and noble Defender, cunning Controller, jovial Blaster, and vicious Scrapper. Each was gifted in his or her own way. Tank was capable of surviving any attack and drawing the ire of any foe with but a single glance. Defender was the weakest but made all around her more powerful than any of them alone. Controller could force her foes into impotent inaction. Blaster could destroy enemies from afar. Scrapper could destroy his enemies up close and survive to tell about it. Each of them had a number of children, some of who have stories already, and some of who have yet to have stories told yet, but this story is about the Children of Scrapper, proud and individual to a last.
Regen was the proudest of the children of Scrapper. His brother Invuln was nearly as tough as their cousin tank, but could be brought down by attacks of the mind. Essar was nearly impossible to hit, but was frail from never being hit and could be brought low by a lucky blow. Dhark would cloud himself in fear and pain, but the energies he controlled were tiring to maintain, and he needed rest often. Regen was proud because he could accept blows as nearly as fiercely as Invuln, would heal the occasional lucky blow a foe might land that would have brought humility to quick Essar, and never needed to halt and catch his breath as Dhark would.
But as is often the case, Regens pride preceded his fall.
The children of Scrapper were voyaging far from the land of the other Children of Statesman, confident in their ability to take alone what others thought needed all, when they came upon a great chasm and a bridge. A mighty beast with a great club studded with nails stood guard at the center, arms crossed in challenge.
As they approached and readied to cross, the beast cried out in a powerful voice.
I am the mighty Nur with my great weapon Fbhat which has lain low more than you may ever know! I guard this bridge to the lands beyond that you seek to cross! None may pass until I am defeated!
The Children of Scrapper decided then that they would challenge their foe in single combat, the truest form of Scrapping, and decided that each would take his turn.
Invuln was the first to set foot on the bridge and meet the beast Nur at the center. Without a word, Nur drew forth Fbhat and proceeded to lay into Invulns iron-tough hide. Invuln stood firm against each blow, a small amount of blood from each insignificant wound falling down into the chasm. But each blow seemed to hurt more than the last, his resistance slowly being chipped away, and after a full night and day of combat, Invuln finally succumbed.
With his bulging muscles flexing, the beast Nur picked up the Child of Scrapper and hurled him back to his worried siblings.
You need be faster than you sibling, young warriors! Each blow of my Fbhat shall weaken your strength! You cannot stand against me as a stone!
Essar, the quickest of mind, immediately saw a weakness of the beast: the Fbhat must hit in order weaken his foes. He could succeed where his brother had failed!
With knowledge of his sure victory, Essar sprinted onto the bridge to meet Nur and avenge his fallen brother. The battle was quick and spirited with the beast Nur screaming in fury as Essar ducked and tumbled, avoiding all of the beasts blows and laying into him with all of Essars own might. The beast Nur was starting to show signs of defeat, his swings slower and his screams less intense. Essar was assured of his victory! He would be the one to succeed where Invuln had fallen.
But Essars greatest weakness lies in eventuality. Though Nur was not battling as fiercely as he had in the beginning, his strength was still incredible, and when Essar could not dodge, the great club Fbhat connected with such strength that Essar was thrown back across the bridge to his brothers, blood pouring from the single gaping wound into the deep chasm below.
Regen and Dhark, untrained in the healing arts as their aunts and uncles, could do nothing to resuscitate their brothers, but were unafraid. Either could succeed where the others had failed! Essar and Invuln placed too much value on a single defense. Regen and Dhark were cunning enough to spread their defenses, each tougher than Essar and faster than Invuln, but also wise enough be able to bring themselves up from the brink of death!
Dhark and Regen looked at each other and Regen backed down. Dhark had always felt that he was the least loved by Scrapper and the other descendents of Statesman and had something to prove. Regen was confident in his own supremacy and decided to let Dhark prove himself.
Dhark cloaked himself in remembered pain, darkest emotion, and raw fury and stepped forth to challenge Nur on the bridge. Nur stood aback and was surprised by the very wrath and hate that Dhark embraced. Dhark struck first and cunningly, landing a blow that would have made Scrapper proud and the children of Stalker jealous, but Nur was only surprised for the first blow. Immediately, Nur countered returning blow for blow Dharks attack. After two or three, Dhark felt his blood start to pour down and called forth the spirits of wrath to pull his wounds back together and take the pain away from him. Still he tired, not able to maintain his wind, and when Dharks concentration lapsed, Nur struck hard. Dhark stumbled backwards and dropped to the ground beside his brothers.
Regen scowled in fury at the beast Nur, which had laid his mighty brothers low. Dhark, began to move again, the spirits around him instilling him with health from beyond.
Take care, brother Regen. The beast is powerful beyond belief and preys upon your pride. I have lived without the sustaining pride of father Scrapper for long enough to have not been taken down for long. I hope that fathers pride was well placed in you, Regen, for, unless you defeat him, you are less than any of your kin.
Regen stood up tall and proud, refusing to back down from this call to arms. He was father Scrappers favorite child, and he would not let him down!
Regen sat for a few seconds in silent meditation, integrating his mind with his body and forcing all pain from his consciousness. He then marched to meet Nur at the center of the bridge.
Nur was smiling when Regen met him and swung the great club with all of his might. Regen stood still and accepted the blow completely. Blood flowed freely from the gaping wound in Regens side, but it was ignored as Regen ducked low and attacked Nur with vengeance on his mind.
The combat was met in full: Nur beating upon Regen with all his strength, but Regen ignored all pretense of defense. Almost as fast as the blow as struck, Regens wounds healed. Untiring, Regen fought Nur, fearless of the blows that landed. With one, Regen could only manage maintain his ability to heal his wounds in an instant for short durations. With others, Regens wounds would heal slower, but still Regen refused to back down.
The two fought on the bridge for many days and nights, Regen accepting more blows than any of his brothers from the weakening Fbhat that Nur wielded. Pride was all that kept Regen from falling, especially when Invuln and Essar had finally woken up, clutching their sides and nursing their wounded pride.
On the 7th day, Regen let forth a mighty cry from deep within his bones, channeling the pride of his father Scrapper into a single Glorious Moment. He abandoned all pretense of health and brought forth into himself the toughness of Invuln, the speed of Essar, and the wrath of Dhark. Nurs blows could only rarely touch this angered essence of Scrapper, and even then did almost nothing, but the wrath of Dhark made Regens blows all the more vicious, and, after only a minute, Nur was defeated, dispersing into the mist from which all monsters are made.
But channeling so much of the pure essence of Scrapper took its toll on Regen and he fell, defeated but victorious. Dhark, Invuln, and Essar, witnessing the end of their foe and the fall of their brother, walked to their fallen brother and picked him up, the four of them crossing as one.
As they rested on the other side of the chasm, they slowly realized that each of them had been changed by their fight. Invuln could no longer stand against foes as stubbornly as Uncle Tanker. The one hit the Fbhat had landed on Essar had render an end to his eternal dodging, increasing the likelihood of a lucky blow arriving. Dhark felt his own pride swell as the Fbhat had taken almost nothing from him, but had allowed him to show his brothers that he was mightier than they originally thought. Regen was brought the lowest though. The many blows of the Fbhat had forced him to focus upon his own healing, no longer able to attack with as much abandon, rendering him more vulnerable to combat by attrition.
And this where the tale shall end for now. Some may ask what will happen to the children of Scrapper? What foes they shall face? What challenges they shall meet? Some may even wonder what lies at the bottom of the chasm that now contained the blood of Scrappers Children?
These questions and more shall have to wait for a time until the story shows itself. For there are many answers and only so many words for them to be found in.
--Umbral, who is trying to become to Scrappers what Jock Tamson is to Defenders
I've been thinking about Dooom a lot lately. We often tell each other on these fora that Dooom is all in our minds, but sometimes, it's pretty real. People do leave the game. We do lose touch with our friends. Things do pass away.
But more important than Dooom is how we face it, in CoX or otherwise. With that in mind, here's a story about one of the Children of Defender who hasn't received his own story yet, so far as I can remember, as well as cameos from some of my personal favorites in the CoX mythos. Even though I'm not a Forcefield expert, I felt FF would make a good protagonist, especially since, in a way, the story is about Defense.
"Bombarding the CoH/V fora with verbosity since January, 2006"
Djinniman, level 50 inv/fire tanker, on Victory
-and 40 others on various servers
A CoH Comic: Kid Eros in "One Light"
You have heard the prophecy of the Endless Winter, when the City will be emptied and the servers will fall silent. But you have yet to hear of how the Winter will fall or, more importantly, of how the Children of Statesman will face its coming.
In the first bloom of the Citys youth, FF, the Warrior Who Bears the Shields, often hunted with his fellow children of Defender and his cousins. Of all Defenders children, he was the most subtle, casting a protective cloak over his fellows that turned aside all manner of harm. With his powers and his wisdom, he turned the tide of many battles. Unlike his siblings, he was never rewarded with ritual chants of praise, such as great heals, and tee wie for esbee, but it distressed him not. Knowing the difference he made was reward enough for FF.
As the days passed, FF grew in power and wisdom. With his sibling Storm and his cousins Reg, son of Scrapper, and Fiery, son of Tank, he founded a mighty force called the Essjee, where all Children of Statesmen were welcome. Alone or with companions, FF traveled the length and breadth of the City, from the shining spires of Atlas Park to the Canyon of Steel to the riven world where his siblings had run their race for the Kora Fruit. He journeyed to the great Forum of the City, where the Children of Statesman gathered to petition the Lords of the City and to hear their words. FF grew renowned as a staunch ally of the powerful and a gentle mentor to the young.
Countless days passed, many sunrises and sunsets. One day, FF met his cousin, Fiery. Fierys head hung low, and even his flames glowed dimmer than usual. On his shoulder, he bore a heavy pack. Cousin, asked FF, where are you going?
I am leaving the City, to seek new lands across the sea, said Fiery. When we were young, I could stand against a hundred whose names were written in the violet script. I can only stand against a few, and their blows cut far more deeply than they once did. I am no longer a true Child of Statesman. I am made like unto Those Who Push Us Out of the Way!
Cousin, have faith! FF said. I will stand beside you, no matter what the danger. Together, we will continue in our quests! Besides, you must have faith in Statesman and the Lords of the City. Is it not written that as they take, so do they also give? Who knows what they plan for us?
Statesman and the Lords have broken faith with me! cried Fiery. I will no longer keep faith with them. There are many who feel as I do. I fear Statesman has brought the Endless Winter upon the City.
No! said FF. The Endless Winter will never fall, so long as our hearts remain stalwart!
Fiery only sighed and shook his head. Cousin, if you ever tired of this place, seek me across the water. And Fiery turned away and went down to the sea, and was never seen again in the City. FF, Reg, and Storm continued to elaborate on the Essjee. But the City seemed much quieter without the roar of Fierys flames.
FF continued in his path, and he grew even wiser in the ways of the City. His siblings and his cousins and their children and grandchildren now often came to seek his advice in the great Forum, and many newcomers to the City felt his generosity. One day, after a sojourn to assist the Pugs in the land of the great pit, FF came upon his cousin, Reg. Regs face was downcast, and he angrily kicked a pebble before him as he walked. Cousin, asked FF, where are you going?
Im getting out of this town and going across the sea, said Reg angrily. I used to be able to heal almost instantly, all the time, and now Statesman and the Lords of the City are saying I cant do it any more. Hmph! Good riddance to them!
FF shook his head in dismay. But Reg, he said, you are still one of Scrappers mightiest children. Besides, he added, for he knew his companions well, I heard one of the sons of Brute call you a wimp not two hours ago. Surely, you will answer him!
Theres no point, Reg groused. Therere a lot more Children of Statesman who agree with me. Statesman and the Lords have brought the Endless Winter down on all our heads.
No! shouted FF. The Endless Winter cannot fall so long as we stand bravely together. Reg, do not leave us!
Delude yourself if you want, cuz, but Im not staying here to freeze! Come find me over the sea, if you feel like it. Reg turned away and went down to the sea, and was never seen again in the City. And while FF and Storm carried on, they often felt their battles were much less fun to watch without Regs antics.
More days and nights, countless sunrises and sunsets, passed. FF grew more and more respected, until even the Lords of the City listened to his pronouncements with care. One day, while searching for battle with the Children of the Spider, FF spied En-em, daughter of Stalker, bounding across the City. Oddly, she was neither sneaking up behind FF with glowing fists nor fleeing a Child of Statesmans righteous anger. FF was so surprised that he called out, Daughter of Stalker, where are you going?
En-em perched on a nearby rooftop and shook her fist at FF. Even the lowly bubbler can see through my veil of shadows! she cried. Truly, I have no place here! Since you ask, Child of Statesman, I am going down to the sea, to seek new lands across the water. We Children of the Spider desire little and ask for little, just a few baubles to call our own, but the Lords of the City deny us even that! We are but poor cousins to you Children of Statesman. I am done with your City; you may keep it.
Dangerous as En-em was, FF saw himself reflected in her, and he called to her, Do not depart, Daughter of Stalker! I know not why Statesman allows you to exist, nor why the Lords of the City do not strike you down, but they have given you a home in the shadows. Have faith that one day, you will receive all you desire!
Bah! shouted En-em. I will not stay here to fight. If you wish a challenge, you must seek me across the water. En-em leapt away, and was never seen again in the City, not even by the most perceptive. And though the City was safer, it was also less exciting.
Again the days passed, and the Lords of the City placed many marvels before the Children of Statesman. FF became wise in the nuances of them all.
One day, while departing from the place of commerce after depositing several boxes of cereal there, FF came upon his sister, the mighty and impetuous Storm. Storms cape did not snap as smartly in the breeze as it once had, and the clouds trailing her seemed gloomy. Sister, called FF, where are you going?
I am going down to the sea, to explore the lands across the water, said Storm. My great powers have brought low every enemy who dares to stand against me. My words are renowned throughout the great Forum. My influence would stretch from here to the legendary Golden Palace upon the Moon. The City has nothing left to offer me.
Beloved sister, begged FF, do not go! Who will help me shore up the foundations of the Essjee if you leave?
I am sorry, brother, but you must go on without me. Storms face grew downcast and pensive. Besides, I see little point. Each day, more depart the City. I fear the Endless Winter has at last begun to fall.
Ha! shouted FF. You fear the Endless Winter? You have oft chided me for running from my foes instead of charging toward them. I thought the mighty Storm feared nothing!
Have I not said that FF knew his companions well?
I fear nothing! she shouted back. Am I not the mighty Storm? Thunder rumbled in the distance. But Storm sighed and shook her head. You try to goad me into staying, FF, but it will not work. The City is dying.
The City will never die, so long as we stand together! pleaded FF. But Storm only turned away, and went down to the sea, and was never seen again in the City.
Now FFs days and nights were lonely indeed, and as they blended one into another day upon day, year upon year, the murmur of the City did seem to grow quieter and quieter. No longer did new descendants of Statesman crowd around FF to listen to his wisdom. No longer did crowds gather in the great Forum to petition the Lords of the City.
At last, one day, FF was passing through the Isle of the Horned Giant when he spotted a young descendant of his sister, Empath, emerging from the place of commerce. Child of Empath, he called to her, will you join me in the hunt, as your mother did in days gone by?
The youngster shook her head slowly. No, elder. I have just finished gathering up my few goods, for I am going away, to seek new lands across the sea. The City is beautiful, but it is a lonely place. I have heard some say that Statesman speaks of the Citys age and death, and that better places await us across the sea.
The true Statesman would never curse his creation! cried FF. Such venomous whisperings are the voice of the Spider!
It matters not, said the youngster. The City is empty, and the Endless Winter has fallen, as the Prophet foretold.
No! No! shouted FF. His voice trembled. The Endless Winter will never come! It will never come! I beg of you, do not leave me here!
The youngsters eyes widened. Are you not FF, the Warrior Who Bears the Shields? I have heard many legends of your bravery and wisdom. Why are you so afraid?
FF could not answer her.
The youngster turned and walked away, down to the sea.
FF searched the whole of the City. The youngster had spoken truly. All the zones and servers had fallen silent at last. FFs heart leapt in his chest. Great father Statesman, he called to the empty skies, why have you abandoned me? The Endless Winter has fallen, and I am afraid!
FF breathed deeply and thought on the youngsters words and on his own. For ages, he had defended others, had counseled them not to fear. Could he do any less?
FF stood at the edge of the sea and listened to the lapping of its waves. A small boat floated close at hand. The City has fallen silent, he said, but I am not afraid of the emptiness, nor of the voyage across the waters. I am FF, the Warrior Who Bears the Shields. All evil turns aside against my power. I am not afraid.
And so long as the Children of Statesman remain unafraid, the Endless Winter will never fall. FF, the last Child of Statesman, stepped into the boat and began his journey.
"Bombarding the CoH/V fora with verbosity since January, 2006"
Djinniman, level 50 inv/fire tanker, on Victory
-and 40 others on various servers
A CoH Comic: Kid Eros in "One Light"
The thing I love about Jock's writing is his distinct lack of wordiness.
[ QUOTE ]
The thing I love about Jock's writing is his distinct lack of wordiness.
[/ QUOTE ]
Quoted for truth and emphasis.
In defense of myself, and praise of Jock, I'll quote Mark Twain. At least, I think it was Mark Twain.
"I am sorry for sending you a ten page letter. I didn't have time to write a two page letter."
Writing is easy. Writing succinctly is hard.
"Bombarding the CoH/V fora with verbosity since January, 2006"
Djinniman, level 50 inv/fire tanker, on Victory
-and 40 others on various servers
A CoH Comic: Kid Eros in "One Light"
That's what keeps tech writers in business.
Someone (I forget who), said that a writing project was done not when you had added everything you needed, but when you had taken everything out that you didn't.
Goodbye and thanks for all the fish.
I've moved on to Diablo 3, TopDoc-1304
So should we blame the way schools teach students how to write? They're always giving out assignments with word count minimums, or page lengths on them. All that ever taught me was how to pad a 5 page, well written thesis with 5 more pages of garbage.
It would be nice if they focused on content, not length. Sometimes, there just isn't much to say about something you don't care about.
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
[ QUOTE ]
So should we blame the way schools teach students how to write? They're always giving out assignments with word count minimums, or page lengths on them. All that ever taught me was how to pad a 5 page, well written thesis with 5 more pages of garbage.
It would be nice if they focused on content, not length. Sometimes, there just isn't much to say about something you don't care about.
[/ QUOTE ]
I work in public education, and I endorse this message.
<tangent>
From Niven's Laws:
[ QUOTE ]
If you've nothing to say, say it any way you like. Stylistic innovations, contorted story lines or none, exotic or genderless pronouns, internal inconsistencies, the recipe for preparing your lover as a cannibal banquet: feel free. If what you have to say is important and/or difficult to follow, use the simplest language possible. If the reader doesn't get it then, let it not be your fault.
[/ QUOTE ]</tangent>
This post brought to you by the Thunderfire Campaign to Out-Weird the Internet.
Score so far: Thunderfire-0, Internet-157893678
[ QUOTE ]
So should we blame the way schools teach students how to write? They're always giving out assignments with word count minimums, or page lengths on them. All that ever taught me was how to pad a 5 page, well written thesis with 5 more pages of garbage.
It would be nice if they focused on content, not length. Sometimes, there just isn't much to say about something you don't care about.
[/ QUOTE ]
I would equate those exercises to my experience with hour long life drawings. I realized early on that there was such a thing as over-working a drawing, but my threshold, so to speak, for being done was usually fairly short. In order to give legitimate attention to detail on a live subject for an hour, you have to learn how to structure your effort so that you can actually use that time--how to look once, sketch, and then look again and refine. Forcing kids to write a 5 page essay may be a chore, but then, they're not churning out elegant Robert Frost style masterpieces--they're churning out 'tl;dr' and 'Lolz'. Benjamin Franklin's life and opinions can fill volumes. Telling someone to stretch it to 5 pages might force them to include actual content, which is ultimately important for when they hit college and (ideally) their writing becomes about their content.
On the other hand, I had a goofball non-professor bag lady who wanted me to stretch something straight-forward about fractals into 8 pages, which wouldn't have made a difference, since she kept telling me she didn't understand what I was talking about anyway. So, past a certain point, it's a waste of time.
(I've enjoyed this thread immensely, and so, when my boot-wearing bubble-gum-chewing muse spoke, I had to contribute a story of my own.)
When the Land of Shifting Time was new, Darkity ventured there alone to explore it, for she was bored and wanted to see the robots. Now Darkity was proud, because she alone of the Children of Defender did not share her gifts with any save her cousin Demi, Scrapper's daughter--which is a story for another time.
So when Darkity encountered a goth girl wearing a costume that mirrored her own, wreathed in the same dark shadows she favored, Darkity became annoyed. The interloper even had a sheep!
"Who are you?" Darkity demanded.
"I am a Child of Corruptor!" the other called back, "I am your nemesis and your Doom! I am... Dark Darkity!"
"That's a stupid name," Darkity said.
"Well, I couldn't think of anything else," Dark Darkity admitted.
Darkity laughed until her sides hurt. They hurt a lot, because Dark Darkity had zapped her with a moonbeam while she was laughing.
Soon a shadow-throwing, name-calling, hair-pulling, wool-shearing battle raged across the Land of Shifting Time, but all the Pugs could see was a big snarling mass of shadows, with an occasional limb, sheep, or face visible briefly. Indeed, Darkity and her nemesis could not see what they were doing most of the time, but that did not deter them.
"Dood. WTF?" the Pugs said among themselves. And word spread throughout the cities, and many of the descendents of Statesman and the Spider did gather, asking what was going on and wondering who would prevail and whether they should intervene.
Now Darkity found that the daughter of Corruptor's blasts (when one actually hit) were stronger than her own and that as she her strength faltered, the goth grew even more powerful and reckless.
Frustrated, Darkity cried out, "It's not fair! She's so mean!"
And Statesman, who was moving across the face of the zone, paused to ask, "Do you need help?"
Darkity trembled, remember the stories of Tanker and Regen. "Yes?" she said.
"Hmm..." Statesman said and passed her by.
But some who remembered times gloomy Darikty had come to their aid jumped into the darkness. And they could not see a thing.
And the children of the Isles, needing no greater excuse, rushed into fight them. And they could not see a thing, either, except for the sons and daughters of Stalker, who had their hands full not getting hit by accident.
And there was much ganking and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and tremendous property damage, until everyone was exhausted. Everyone except Darkity who--inspired by her friends' willingness to risk themselves for her--fought harder than ever.
Finally the gloom lifted and Dark Darkity could be seen trying desperately to catch her breath, along with her allies (except for Stalker's children, who could only be heard.)
"I have... (wheeze) to go home... (gasp) for dinner," Dark Darkity said. And she fled, leaving her sheep to hurry after her as fast as it could. The other villains all began to look at their watches and remember other things they had to do.
And Darkity decided things could have been worse.
I skipped the 16th. Why? I don't know, distracted I guess...
What was I talking about? Ah, yes.
This is the most recent story, and therefore the last for a while anyway. I wrote this as a Christmas present to the Forum, and to myself, to celebrate being off work for almost two weeks
Here is a tale of Trick in another strange land.
- Jock Tamson, Who would like to thank everyone who helped rebuild this thread.