magicaddict | A Lot Of Nothing...

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Current Music: Bryan Adams - Summer of '69 (Woof Woof)

A Lot Of Nothing...

...with some short, brief periods of a hell of a lot to punctuate it. This week, the up well and truly took the down to the cleaners.

Firstly, the low point of the week involved the biggest waste of five hours I have ever had the misfortune to know (and I have watched The Blair Witch Project in my time). I go in to the labs on Thursday evening, hoping to do some essential work on the office PC that can't do on Saturday because I'll be at the 24hr. The 1.36 office PC is the only PC on the planet that I can access and contains both the software and the information I need to do the work I want to do. I arrive at 5:30. There is someone else using the machine. Fair enough - I'm barely part of the group these days and gave no warning I was coming, so I go away and wait.

For two and a half hours.

As five past eight rolls around, I finally get up the courage to go and ask the guy if he's going to be much longer, to have him respond with "Oh, you should have come and asked - I haven't got the internet at home and was only surfing Youtube since five."

Rage. Modicum.

I finally get onto the PC and try to fire up Hotmail, where my work is sitting, waiting for me to manipulate it with said software. Hotmail is broken.

Rage. Major.

I try, unsuccessfully, for a further two and a half hours to download this 3.6MB file. Half past ten rolls around, time for home as I haven't eaten yet, and the University's T1 connection finally takes the finger out of its ass and the 3.6MB downloads in about a second.

Rage. Massive.

Wearing a slightly ragged grin, I attempt to browse the file to make sure I have it for next time. It is corrupted and cannot be opened.

Rage. McFeegle.
_______________

As previously mentioned, however, Saturday rolled round just in time, and the 12th Annual Tournament of Arms saw the the Duellin' J-Man himself make only his sixth ever appearance in a game with monsters. Seeker Juilin Fortrayre returned to the active service of Baron van Heusen, after being browbeaten by his two younger sisters about keeping the family end up. He turned up hoping for a weekend away from rune revision. He got daemons up the jacksie.
Major, major kudos to Alex and Nat for managing to create an event in which everyone, regardless of their level or class, was able to feel useful if they pitched in. I had hoped, and asked, for this, knowing several months in advance that I planned to be making use of it in a very direct manner, and got it in spades. Almost couldn't have gone better from his perspective.

Juilin entered the unpowered contest for a laugh, and while I'm not sure the concept of facing Brend in the first round is a joke, it's certainly funny. He was given an honourable mention as the most inept contestant in the competition, so counts himself as having won more than the majority of people did. That's his story and he's sticking to it.
The linear on Sunday to resolve the plot involved his volunteering to go daemon slaying as the party would probably need the healing, which is by far the best thing he does (besides crack sexual innuendo and act like a cocky bastard). Turns out that it was useful, though came at the cost of his legs getting broken on repeated occasions (is anyone else seeing a trend emerging among freedom priests?), and taxing the party's fixing abilities rather more than he had hoped. That said, every damage call after the first encounter was enough to break an extraneous limb of his, so being hit only four times could have been worse. He prepares a solution as we speak.

The reaction of the other characters was generally positive, and while I had planned on having him out more often from now on anyway, he's beginning to realise what he missed. Hopefully he can get back into the swing of things over the summer if the conversation in Warren's car on the way home holds any water, and there will be several mid-level games during the holiday. The only problem with him is, ironically, the ease of playing him.

I can slot in and out of Juilin (woof woof - see what I mean?) at a split seconds notice - he is by far the simplest character I have ever played. This, unfortunately, revolves around the fact that he is a paper thin character abstract with no actual reason to exist, save possibly to make every female character in the system giggle and blush. I can't do in-depth conversations involving him, as he hasn't got any depth to plumb and find out about. What you see is what you get, and this is against just about every sensibility I have on the subject of characterisation. It is great that people like him, but he remains, on at least a couple of levels, boring to play. The only challenge is not getting my legs broken, or possibly charming people enough to heal them.

So fair and foul a character...
_______________

And because everyone else is doing it, and I bit:

'Tell me what your character thinks of mine, and I'll tell you what mine thinks of yours!

Be specific if you only want to know what one character or other thinks, or you might get it from anyone who has an opinion.'

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Go on then :)

Juilin on Kadija: Seems like another intelligent, pretty new recruit to the pathfinders (they seem to get a lot of those *thinks happily of Anneri*), but they didn't happen to meet for any meaningful conversation over the weekend - possibly being joined at the hip to your boyfriend has its disadvantages, though having never tried being joined at the hip to his boyfriend, he couldn't say for certain. She certainly seems to have her head well screwed on with regard to what she wants to do (other than her boyfriend), but has a tendency to go all heroic and dissappear off into the distance when the more experienced hang back. Still, it hasn't done her any harm as of yet.

Nimbus on Kadija: Has not yet died for her cause, so possibly is not aware of how deeply she cares for it, though equally possibly is capable enough to know and not have to.

(deleted comment)

Juilin on Heulwyn: A completely unwitting yet rather damning indictment of precisely how far he has fallen behind. She may have said they worked well together, but that was back when the enemies he was guarding her from didn't remove his legs in one swing, and she wasn't slinging enough fire over his head to give his stylist forty fits. Wonderful to see her back safe from the Nykrull lands along with the rest who made it, even more wonderful to hear about her engagement, and a comfortably familiar face among many new ones, though more than anyone else a stark representation of the work he has to do to get back on track.

Rhinyn on Feliana: Must be good at what she does, as while whispered rumours are rife, there isn't a scrap of evidence. Also, if it wasn't for the constant, and overwhelming, presence of the thought of Evenstar occupying his every waking moment and various other circumstances, dear sweet holy fuck would he hit that.

Lorr on Feliana: Has done well for herself by making use of her own abilities and those of others she knows can be relied upon. A good example of what you can do when you balance trust well.

That's Lorne, not Lorr. I don't think those two ever met.

*kiss* Me please?

Juilin on Prospera: If half the things he has heard about the Nykrull expedition are true, she deserves every honour and ounce of respect she has gained as a result of it. It's a pity that someone so young has not only had to see what she has seen, but has had to push her interests aside in favour of those who were under her command, but while she may never be the same, she's still standing. That's a damn good start, and in time, she may be willing to take a mild emery board to some of those barbs. Losing them is a bad idea, but her experience has made her so very wary - so offensively defensive - that it may hurt her more in the long run.

Juilin on Tempest: Take care, treat with respect, mind your language. He once read a book praising the amazonian sense of humour, but has also read several that tell of the insitutional prejudice inherent in their society. He knows he would be hard pressed to control himself if those opinions were expressed openly, so it is better to remain slightly distant, if polite and correct, in the hope they are not.

Nimbus on Tempest: Someone who commands where others will not. More a warrior in the mind than some that claim the title, less than others.

Sorin on Afina: Bitch, please. Needs to get over herself, and over his knee. Or not, and a long way away instead. Anyone with that much emotional baggage is never a good idea to keep around for long.

Pieter on Alaina: His sun, his moon, his starlit sky. Without her, he dwells in darkness - come, tonight, let him worship her in his arms, let them bore the night sky with their talking, and wake the dead with their lovemaking.

Lorr on Jayan: Prejudiced and narrow minded - a great pity. Not everything you are told is true.

Matt on Janie (knew there was one I'd forgotten): Dumb bint who can't see how much she is being used. Nice apartment, but so mind bendingly shallow he wonders what her sire saw in her. No, strike that - he knows exactly what her sire saw in her.

*waves and pokes the meme*

Nimbus on Chan: Quiet, yet waiting for something. More than one side, seen only once, but present. There is more inside.

Pieter on Ali: Almost scary how fast she has come on, but then he can hardly talk. Hopefully she won't do anything more drastic than crap herself when one of her spells go wrong - it would be awful if anything worse were to happen to her.

Matt on Lynn: Pawn. Unwitting pawn. Willing, yet unwitting pawn. Three good reasons to not associate. Why she got put in charge is obvious, as is why she was killed.

Jack on Diana: Ebon. Blue hair, shiny deathsuit. That's nice. Used to be fun to be around, and probably still is, but fun kind of loses its shine when you've seen what he has.

Meme I...

Juilin on Llandriel: Can't see what all the fuss is about. Seems to be viewed with either disdain or ridicule by a fair chunk of those who know him, yet also seems to have his heart in the right place, knows how to beat things up with authority, and makes Heulwyn happy, so it must be something else that he's missed. Some subtle checking would be perhaps be in order to find out, but conversely why bother? What other people think is precisely that. Good luck to the man.

Jarreth on Dream: Another in a long line of caste marked individuals who suddenly become very ineterested in talking to him as soon as he turned up. Oh, how things may change one day - interested won't even come close to describing it.

If you don't mind

Daenaram - Was a fool. Is now dead; this is not surprising. Was stupid enough to join the military, and not smart enough to recognise his own weaknesses. Waste of an elf.

Cumberland:
Juilin - A nice and interesting character, shame he didn't do more with the Avante-garde as it would have been interesting to get to know him. No bad thing he didn't get caught up in the Nykrul campaign, though.

Linte:
Nimbus - Is intrigued by him and is concerned that he's not really capable of
looking after himself. Wishes he was faster though. Feels that if it weren't for him being a druid they could make an effective team, as Linte could speed him up enough to make him really effective. Still feels guilty for taking him through the cave, and will do what he can to step in and rescue him if need be.
Julin - interesting, very colourful in every sense of the word. Would have been interested in talking to him more given a chance, just out of curiosity.

Juilin on Cumberland: Why on earth the old duffer didn't get out more when he was younger is a constant mystery. Still, after the reports and hearsay started rolling in, it was even better to see him back safe and sound from the away mission. At least he's now got to see all sides of the world in his time.

Juilin on Linte: Sir, put her down. For one moment. Or get a knife and fork - you shouldn't eat with just your face.

Nimbus on Linte: User of the arcane. A failing.

Juilin on Aurinyan: A mage giving another one chair shots. This is quite surprising. Must have a massive ego, and be entirely confident in his own power. It'll be funny, and slightly tragic, to watch him fall, as long as it isn't too nasty a fall.

*meme poke*

Daenaram on Syntariel: Should have patrolled more - less humans, less women, more competence who doesn't big himself up. probably doing very well for himself these days.

Vaexarius on Ymgeleddwr: A right pain in the ass who has no concept of the dignity of others. Will probably be dead in a few years, which won't exactly be a downturn in events.

Juilin on Brend: Anyone who is paired against me in a fight and waits for me to start laughing before they start themselves is alright in my book. Probably one of the few people with as much wall-to-wall charisma as me - shame about the clothes. Other than that, excepionally fine swordsman and definitely someone to have on your side - your front side - when a fight kicks off.

Juilin on Anders: There is an art to wearing many colours. Some have it, others take up pathfinding.
No idea however how he manages to stay hidden wearing that explosion in a dye factory, but dear Gemini does it work, and whatever works is obviously good on more levels than not. Get thee to a stylist, man!

Rhinyn on Dantarian: Without him, I would never have had any idea that the most method to disarm traps is to spread your legs as wide as possible. Didn't get to speak to him for any length of time, but clearly has the respect of those he works with. Very good start, and almost always earned in the right way.

Lorne on Dantarian: Strangely absent during the recent upheavals. I dearly hope that those two events have nothing to do with each other, and for the moment, and very happy to give benefit of the doubt.

Meme me...

Vaexarius on Helyanwë: Chatted about necromancy as though it wasn't one of the most sickeningly corrupted forces in the world that we know of. Didn't even give it the respect you give a common enemy. Needs to be taught before she is shown.

Juilin on Helyanwë: Attractive elf in an attractive skirt, and very fast with those swords. Obviously had enough time to get very, very good at what she does, and is now reaping the rewards in every manner they are available. She's got herself a trophy boyfriend, commissioned rank and a lot of people backing her up, and good luck to her. If she didn't deserve it, I'd be surprised.

Juilin on Jysella: A bit too interested in the entropic side of life for my absolute liking, but had a very nifty stabby stick. Hopefully hasn't gone insane yet and is doing well - haven't seen her around for ages.

Nimbus on Winterlight: A user of the arcane. Foolish and dangerous.

Rhinyn on Lewenna: When you walk around with someone that nails on your arm, you're sitting pretty from the start. While I wonder what she did to deserve it, someone obviously decided she did and that's enough to earn more than a little respect from me. Rather intolerant of fools, definitely someone to be on your best behaviour around.

I'll bite :)

Daenaram on Phoenix: One of the weakest people I have ever met, in dire need of protection in just about every situation. She was so special, so willing to listen, and so pathetic at times. We cannot choose who we fall in love with, nor would I change it if I had been given the chance again, but I saw the fault lines as well as the polish. I'm probably going to hell.

Rhinyn on Ehlonna: Unsure what she wants out of life. Good poetry, though wihtout enough rhythm for my liking, but really, really needs to watch what she says and does. People who speak from the heart at all times often end up coming out with something best left unsaid. I could give you one shining example, but I came altogether too close to dying myself at that point, so I'd rather not go into it.

Tiny on Springs: I didn't know they made biker toys in that size.

Pieter on Mel: Please, please learn to use a sword better - heart attacks all round when she goes barrelling past us and out the other side. One day she'll get herself properly hurt, and we'd all feel terrible (well, most of us would, anyway). She seems to be lacking in an absolute direction in her life since her apothecary went up - hopefully the priesthood will fill the gap nicely.

Matt on Elsie: Not only ugly, but a wannabe as well. She was into this shit before it happened to any of us, and is literally revelling in it. Someone put her out of our misery. Please.

Juilin:
Tanner: Like Jysella, I have to grant approval to his attitudes and methods. Expectations of Seekers assigned to military activities were low, however he has beaten them back. If a properly respectable uniform or garb can be arranged, he'll fit right in.
Calum: He's working when others are drinking, drinking whilst others are working, fighting when it's fun and making fun when others are fighting. A bit up himself, but he's cool.

Nimbus:
Calum: Seems deeply unhinged and frighteningly powerful. Be afraid. Grand Master Tacticus wrote: Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Matt:
Tom: I'll get you yet. I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to have you broken and made to beg for forgiveness. It will be your's and Janie's right of passage into total submission.

Daenaram on Bregan: Absolute fanatic who beats up on the savage twats that the Baron hires to do his dirty work. Very funny. Got his head screwed on with regards to killing undead, but lost it in entirety somewhere down the line and is now something between a hopped-up goblin and zealot no.5.

Vaexarius on Trian: What a fucking ponce. Learn to fight and come back when you've grown up.

Juilin on Tanner: Now there's a surprise - a priest of order who doesn't, as a rule, have a iron bar up his ass. An intelligent, rational, reasonable person to talk to, who seems to have a very magnanamous view of the path he walks. Hopefully we'll get to work together again - it would be a shame to see someone that capable as a warrior and commander not putting themselves to good use.

Juilin on Calum: Got a little overawed at first, poor boy, but warmed to the challenge quickly. Obviously a thinking man, and that sets him in very good stead. I wish him every good fortune in the future - every hero knows it favours the bold.

Nimbus on Calum: A warrior who maybe sees more than the length, breadth and depth of life. Perhaps this is dangerous. Perhaps it is fortuitous.

Rhinyn on Stormclaw: Enough of a reputation preceded him that I knew to never, ever, get in his way. A great pity that all I was able to see of him was his death knell - I imagine that I could have learned vast quantities by observing him at work.

Rhinyn on Tasker: Needs to get laid in the worst way. I'll sub him the cash if he can't find it himself.

TJ on Oct: Run, rabbit. Always the paranoia, assuming the world was out to get him, that no-one can be trusted. Not bad strategy, but some can take it too far. Never seen someone go through as many phones, contact lists, houses in the attempt to live life with a thirty second escape factor. Pity.
Throw away the phone, move house, change your friends...you'll never run far enough, not now. I can see you, James - don't for one second think you've seen the last of me.

Tiny on Talks: If I hear one more story about that bloody TZ, I'm going to start grilling him. I'd bet Bertha he hasn't been to half as many places as he says he has, but still seems to be able to handle himself well and better in fights. Give me a gag for him, and we'll get on just fine.

Matt on Tom: If I'm right, and I usually am, this man has it coming, and "it" is far worse than death could ever be. All the alarm bells ring - every single thing I have been forcibly taught to watch for is arrayed in almost textbook fashion, but he hides his tracks well. Very little evidence. I may be wrong, but I doubt so very much that I am. Type IV all over: Play your games - they won't do you any good when faced with someone hefting a baseball bat. Your time will come, and I will be there...no-one escapes The Fury.

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A Lot Of Nothing...

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Cross posting for completeness

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