In the end the servers will be empty and without voice. Statesman shall move across the City and close the doors one by one. The City has been filled with villains to defeat and challenges to be met, and Skuls to be hunted. In the end, villains, challenges and Skuls lose their appeal when there are too few to share them with.
So Statesman will call back to him his 5 Children, Blaster, Controller, Scrapper, Tank and Defender. He will give them new life and new gifts and they shall move into new lands to begin the tales again.
To Defender he shall give the greatest gifts: The Knowledge that supporting your friends in need can mean much more than it has meant before in other lands. The Knowledge that with great power there comes great temptation to break copyright laws. The Wisdom of Fruit Salad and Pointed Sticks. Then Defender and her Children shall move out into other worlds and change them for the better.
But Defender, who is timeless and therefore changes not, shall say, "Do I have to?" Then, brothers and sisters, if we have all been very good, Statesman shall build us a new City.
- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
Ok, a couple words before I leave work today. Just as last time Jock, these are fantastic stories. And I'm glad that this incarnation of The Book of Jock has inspired so many new tales. If you recall from my reactions to the original thread, I am a big supporter of Darkity, and also believe that Storm's arrogance is disproportionatley large when compared to it's level of ability. (That's right, I said it. Fight me!).
Now if I remember the sequence correctly, we are approaching the end of these tales. Perhaps I am a bit naive, but I hope that the overwhelming positive response to this reincarnation would inspire Jock to begin a New Testament.
So, in closing, A toast:
To stories which can inspire and enflame,
And to endings which should do the same.
EDIT: Oops, posted too late. Move along, nothing to see here.
Congratulations, Jock.
I am certainly holding high expectations for these new stories 
No
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
I think you underestimate our fools, sir.
Why /duel is a bad idea
[ QUOTE ]
, and also believe that Storm's arrogance is disproportionatley large when compared to it's level of ability. (That's right, I said it. Fight me!).
[/ QUOTE ]
I won't fight you I will agree and support you. I can't stand storm people most of the time, I like my melee ATs, and they are always knocking them around out of my reach. Especially when I use my fire tank, totally ruins the effectiveness of my AoEs. Although I have teamed with a few stormies that knew how to work their build, and the team was very successful.
It's a good thing The Mighty Storm defender is so arrogant or otherwise constantly hearing from people who've chosen a playstyle that says 'I want to do alot of damage, but I don't want to take any damage--and I want everything to run up to me and stay next to me while it dies', how obnoxious and annoying they are, we might get upset and resign ourselves to playing one of the more passive tanker/scrapper *spits* -friendly primaries, like FF, Sonic, or Rad, and, in the process, miss out on something *we* find is fun. We wouldn't begrudge a tanker or *spits* scrapper their good time, except that, for some reason, when a tanker or *spits* scrapper joins a team, nobody gives them an earful of crap--instead they just make the effort to work around their playstyle--for instance, the tanker wanting to be the puller and center of attention for their aoes, or the scrappers *drinks milk* *spits* desire to wander off and stare at something shiny.
I'm not saying you're a moron if you can stand 50 levels of standing still while blazing aura kills whites. I'm definitely not saying that. That isn't what I'm saying.
What I *am* saying is that believing that I'm really great is the only way I can put up with being rejected half the time in an online game which is ENTIRELY ABOUT TEAMING WITH OTHER ************* ****** *** ** *********** people!!)(@#*!
so that's where I'm coming from.
I am reminded of a Tera Volta trial I went on recently. 4 Defenders, 4 Blasters. Crazy-fun, what with being able to really cut loose with my powers.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
, and also believe that Storm's arrogance is disproportionatley large when compared to it's level of ability. (That's right, I said it. Fight me!).
[/ QUOTE ]
I won't fight you I will agree and support you. I can't stand storm people most of the time, I like my melee ATs, and they are always knocking them around out of my reach. Especially when I use my fire tank, totally ruins the effectiveness of my AoEs. Although I have teamed with a few stormies that knew how to work their build, and the team was very successful.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed. Having a Storm Defender myself, I often find myself teamed with other Defenders or Trollers with Storm, almost all of which think it's perfectly A-OK to have Hurricane running all the time. I've actually seen them drop Freezing Rain and then push all the foes out of FR with Hurricane.
I have an Ice/Storm Troller who once teamed with a Storm Defender who was running Hurricane all the time and was constantly pushing critters off of Ice Slick. I actually had to send her a tell asking her to shut down Hurricane unless she really needed it. Tho she didn't get nasty with me (as most do when I politely ask them to not use a power that's causing more harm than good), she was definitely perplexed, and couldn't understand why Hurricane wasn't meant to be on all the time since it's a toggle 
Sigh...
But this problem isn't limited to Storm either. I was playing a DB/WP Scrapper over double XP weekend and was on a team where I was the only melee toon. And no matter how many times I politely asked for people to be mindful of what powers they used and when, and that as a WP Scrapper it's vital for me to keep everything grouped around me, the Ice/Devices Blaster was always firing off Ice Storm and tossing Caltrops right on top of me, the AR Blaster would open every battle with his M30 Grenade, and the Fire Blaster was always dropping Fire Rain. Oh yeah, and the two Peacebringers couldn't resist using their cone and AoE Nova powers and/or their KB Foot Stomp on the entire group of critters around me.
It got to the point where I just refused to chase things down anymore. I would hop into a spawn, sometimes get one attack off, and they would all go flying or running. And then I would just stand there doing nothing unless a critter came running within melee range of me.
I even suggested, repeatedly, that they let the Stone Troller lay down Stone Cages after I run in but before they attack, so they could use any power they wanted and wouldn't be able to knock things all over the place. I think they did that twice, and then couldn't be bothered anymore.
And then of course *I* start getting attitude cause I'm standing around doing nothing while everyone else is fighting.
Y'know what this game needs? Some kind of player rating system; kinda like a n00b meter. Some way of being able to see which players are experienced and which are total n00bs while you're in the search box looking for teammates. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
If it's a general concern, don't trojan horse it inside another complaint about storm defenders. In exactly the same way that I don't trojan horse an argument about people who desire healing as the main form of damage mitigation inside some kind of anti-empath screed (despite the fact that people desperately try to conflate the two concepts over and over again and blame it on someone else).
People are imperfect. Accept it. Embrace it. Let a fricking storm on the team, and quit whining.
[ QUOTE ]
People are imperfect. Accept it. Embrace it. Let a fricking storm on the team, and quit whining.
[/ QUOTE ]Learn about storm, so if the fricking storm you allowed onto the team dosen't know what she's doing, you can give sage advice.
Hurricane can be used several ways. One effective way I was the recipient of is to run up next to a wounded blaster. Knockback, repell, and -range serve nicely to protect.
I don't have a problem with letting anyone on my team, that is, until they've shown me they have no desire to be a TEAM PLAYER -- that is, they're only interest is to use their powers however and whenever they want, no matter how much it negatively impacts other players or the team.
If you want to be on a team, then you need to flexible enough to use powers that enhance the team while refraining from powers that harm the team. It's called cooperation. If you're going to use whatever powers you like whenever you like because you don't care how it affects the team, and have a hissy fit or attitude when the team leader politely asks you to modify your behavior and do what's best for the team, then you should limit yourself to solo play.
I give everyone the benefit of the doubt when putting a team together (unless I've teamed with that person before and already know they are difficult), regardless of their powersets. Hell, most of the time you don't even know their sets until after they've joined the team.
And if you think what I've written was a whine, you really need to get out more (and go visit some of the double XP threads in regard to the server caps). It's no more a whine than your posts are rants 
[ QUOTE ]
What I *am* saying is that believing that I'm really great is the only way I can put up with being rejected half the time in an online game which is ENTIRELY ABOUT TEAMING WITH OTHER ************* ****** *** ** *********** people!!)(@#*!
so that's where I'm coming from.
[/ QUOTE ]
I just think I am better than everyone else regardless of what I am playing.
*waves to the thread wandering way off yonder*
Hi guys! I have the next story if you want to stroll back over
This tale was the glittering prize for a race. It all started here .
- Jock Tamson, Who wishes he could have been there.
Oh, for a muse of fire that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention!
- William Shakespeare
The fire has grown cold now. No warmth remains in these ashes. I had thought my tales here were done. The Spirit of Defender herself had perhaps inhabited and inspired me for a while, but Defender does not sit long in one place as Tank might. Her's is a restless spirit. It might touch and inspire you for a while. You might mistake what it brings for your own greatness. As many a Blaster and Scrapper has learned, mistake Defenders might for your own and you will fall hard when her grace is withdrawn. So I sought to withdraw before I fell.
Yet here I stand again and stoop once more to build a fire in this hearth. Not because Defenders grace has touched me, but because it has touched others and their tale must be told.
In the distant land to which they have withdrawn, the First Children of Statesman argue. This is the way of the Children of Statesman when taken away from his City. They gather to discuss and argue. One day it came to pass that they debated the best set of companions with which to confront the Avatar of The Spider Statesman had recently placed near his City.
Certainly one of my family, said Tank. Someone must distract The Spider while others destroy his web. He is unassailable while it stands intact.
Youll surely need one of my kids, said Scrapper, To take care of all the dangerous brood he summons about him. Tanks kid will be too busy calling The Spider names. Someone has to take em down fast.
You will need some firepower to take down the web then, chuckled Blaster, a couple of my family to do that without having to run about like mad things would be wise. Besides, everything always goes better with the occasional large explosion.
Well you will need some of my grandchildren to protect you then, said Controller, or some of Defenders. Havent you always said we are strongest when we stand together sister? I think some of all our talents would be needed.
Defender smiled. Send enough of my children and it would not matter who else came.
Who would hold of The Spider? scoffed Tank. You would never have enough strength to destroy the web! cried out Blaster and Scrapper. They are right, agreed Controller, if not one of Tanks children, then one of my daughter Illusions children to help hold off The Spider or he would destroy all.
Let us see then, said Defender and moved her spirit out into the city.
J-BOT 247
Mental Giant
Bard Song
Dark Blue Demon
Vanessa Valentine
Esoterrorist
Totalitarian
Not Putzing
While others may debate about the need for a Child of Tank, while the Pugs may cry out for a healer, while others may worry about the team they take with them to confront The Spiders Avatar, the Children of Defender do not need to worry themselves. We adapt to what is needed. Statesman has yet to set before us a challenge that Defenders cannot meet. These eight Victors demonstrated this truth once more. Others will follow, but remember these names: The first all Defender team to complete Statesmans Task Force.
- Jock Tamson, Mythologist.
<3
Jock, did you post that when we completed it originally? I remember a post, but that one seems different than the original I'm remembering.
the story appeared in the original "in the beginning" thread shortly after the team completed it.
No
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
I think you underestimate our fools, sir.
Why /duel is a bad idea
[ QUOTE ]
Jock, did you post that when we completed it originally? I remember a post, but that one seems different than the original I'm remembering.
[/ QUOTE ]
That's it. I was afraid it was lost is as I some how failed to copy it into my Word backup. Thankfully, _Slim_ PM'd me a copy. May Defender bless him and all his Alts 
- Jock Tamson, Who only fixed a misspelling or two.
Awesome once again Jock! How many more do you have coming?
not enough
No
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
I think you underestimate our fools, sir.
Why /duel is a bad idea
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What I *am* saying is that believing that I'm really great is the only way I can put up with being rejected half the time in an online game which is ENTIRELY ABOUT TEAMING WITH OTHER ************* ****** *** ** *********** people!!)(@#*!
so that's where I'm coming from.
[/ QUOTE ]
I just think I am better than everyone else regardless of what I am playing.
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That's it. I was afraid it was lost is as I some how failed to copy it into my Word backup. Thankfully, _Slim_ PM'd me a copy. May Defender bless him and all his Alts
- Jock Tamson, Who only fixed a misspelling or two.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yay me!!!
*pounds chest*
RAWR!
Since I have no fan club I'll have to it myself...
[ QUOTE ]
J-BOT 247
Mental Giant
Bard Song
Dark Blue Demon
Vanessa Valentine
Esoterrorist
Totalitarian
Not Putzing
While others may debate about the need for a Child of Tank, while the Pugs may cry out for a healer, while others may worry about the team they take with them to confront The Spiders Avatar, the Children of Defender do not need to worry themselves. We adapt to what is needed. Statesman has yet to set before us a challenge that Defenders cannot meet. These eight Victors demonstrated this truth once more. Others will follow, but remember these names: The first all Defender team to complete Statesmans Task Force.
- Jock Tamson, Mythologist.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thus, we achieved immortality!
Agua Man lvl 48 Water/Electric Blaster
"To die hating NCSoft for shutting down City of Heroes, that was Freedom."
Here is the penultimate tale in the current collection. The STF in our back pocket, the All Defender Hami Raid was the next logical step, or so I reasoned.
We have tried...we have failed. I swear it is just a matter of getting sufficient numbers though. If barely 2 dozen of us can take down a Mitochondria, surely a zone full of Defenders could succeed.
Here then is my ode to our first attempt, which we went into with a bad plan...
- Jock Tamson, Who had fun none the less.
As the Children of Statesman are born into his city, they step forth weak and hesitant. Slowly but surely they learn their way and grow in knowledge and power. They face greater and greater challenges until at last they stand at a pinacle of power. Some then stand aside and pass their flame on to the next generation. A few linger a while and share their knowledge and refine their power. So that these few would have a challenge worthy of their measure against which to refine their abilities, Statesman set beside his City the Great Hamidon.
A Son of Tank and a Son of Scrapper were the first to come upon it:
"What is that cousin?"
"I do no know cuz. It is like something one would find in the back of a refrigerator written large. Let us confront it and see what we can learn"
..and so they learned the fastest way from the Land of the Hamidon to the place of healing. Clearly this was a challenge greater than merely two could meet. Support was sought. "Jello team Eleffem" they called out in the language of the Pugs. Soon a party of eight Children of Statesman set out to confront this strange new challenge. Little before had withstood as much. They strode forth into the Land of the Hamidon in confidence! They strode out of the place of healing in wonder. This was a greater challenge than even the Great Titan that once strode the land. Word was spread, the call went out, and soon a great multitude of the most powerful Children of Statesman where there gathered. En masse they attacked. En masse they fell.
Councils of war were called. Strategies were discussed in the meeting places. In time the Great Hamidon fell, and the victors were given rewards such as none had ever received before. The Great Hamidon did rise again, and again was defeated, until this too became routine and common place. The Hamidon would change and find new ways to fight back, the Children of Statesman would for a short time be shaken, but would always rise to the challenge. This is their nature.
The Children of Defender supported their cousins in this as is their gift and their curse for a rash question their Great Mother once asked. Many were content in this, but as they are their Mother's Children a few looked on and asked, "What do these others do that I could not? The Child of Scrapper there, we need him to defeat the parts of Hamidon that shrug off our blasts, but would we if enough Children of Defender took aim? The Children of Tank take the brunt of Hamidon's attack for us. With enough shared power could not Children of Defender do the same?", and so on.
Thus it was that a band of the Children of Defender gathered together to show that there was naught others could do they they could not. A score of them set out. Some took the role of the Children of Tank and looked to hold off the Great Hamdion's attacks from the others. Some took the role of the Children of Scrapper and sought to slay the aspects of Hamdion that are harmed little by attacks at range. Still more played the roles of Children of Blaster and Controller, seeking to quickly slay Hamidon's guardians. They were Children of Defender. They were powerful! Yet they failed.
A lesson was learned. We are not the Children of Tank, Scrapper, Blaster or Controller. Each has abilities we alone cannot fully match. We can achieve great things, but must not forget who we are. Do not seek to be what you are not. Find power in what you are.
- Jock Tamson, Mythologist.
This is the last of the original stream of stories I produced. I was running out of ideas and wanted to quit before I wrote something with an annoying amphibious character with a strange accent that nobody really likes. So this story echoes the first post and speaks of endings and new beginnings.
Before signing off, however, I did promise to post more if inspiration struck. Thus there are three more stories to follow this one. Then we will have to see if my Muse rewards me for this (happy) labor.
- Jock Tamson, Who has not even the smallest intention of leaving for WoW and doesn't know how TMS got that impression the last time.