I am apparently, the prototype of Dumbledore's character...
Before I prove to you in the Wizard community, your greatest fears...
Remember this originally was a child's book.
My set of D&D rulebooks are sacrosanct to me. But like the Holy Bible, there are areas of uncertaintly, fiction, and purposeful misrepresentation on the basis of legal reasons, like what happened to the West Coast office creative staff in 2006 for instance.
Not friends with the FBI? Go figure. It's occult literature, but that's not to say you don't have free speech either.
There are several occult-style 'restricted' books in my collection, Wizards of the Coast would rather forget, rather than have to re-visit again with their partner Hasbro in the future. These are becoming collector items at Amazon, tripling in original value brand new.
I might have said this already....
Campaign style books and those useless books like The Book of Dragon Magic or Faiths and Pantheons...those module-style collections of books, nah. Not me.
I have the rulebooks and they are completely exegesis in reference to Biblical Magic. Good overcomes Evil. Light is not without dark within these powers of myth, because hope, like charity, is the only reason I will let this slide with J.K. Rowling....in my Wizard Community.
Library. School of Thought. Guild. Lodge. Bar. Man Cave. Stage. Observatory. Office. Control Room. Kitchen Table. Coffeehouse.
Internet Chat Space/Bulletin Board owned by Hasbro, Bioware, Turbine and TSR.
Any thoughts?
Can I bend reality in your world enough to at least make you wonder...
Witches get burned at the stake. Not my scene on either side of the law/chaos equation.
Muggles is a term, something rather, canonical as it were, to the community; but at the heart of it, it's rare somebody will ever admit love had been your greatest strength.
Strength. Being strong, not strong-willed necessarily...but just good people. Miracles aren't Witchcraft per se, and vice versa.
Some message, huh. Be good and you'll be fine.
Thoughts? Remember when Harry went to trial and Dumbledore introduced his name...Brian at the end.
That's a polite nod to me.
Any thoughts?
Bwuh?!
Any thoughts?
Quite a few. Most of them include a beginning, middle, and end, are coherant and lead from one to another in a logical, if not obvious, fashion.
Why I put the pauses in.
Why you don't need much to be coherent.
Monty Python's Life of Brian
(Probably not. Too long ago, just coincidence...but it's a good prophetic coincidence.)
2009 History:
My personal experiences, and opinions with Attorney General Holder, the San Francisco mayor, the Oakland mayor, and the Governor of California from Nov. '08 to June '09; plus the Iraq government building bombings and also sudden the recent 'right wing' controversies over Afghanistan Strategic Policy Oct. '09, which by the way....
...have nothing to do with our military logistics in Haiti, which is why the leadership in DC will be reading your responses...
Is not why I'm on meds, munkin.
It's why they give them to me. To stop me thinking about their jobs.
Because there's monies involved.
And power.
And grown-up decisions.
Why you don't need much to be coherent.
Good thing no one tried to claim as such, no?
Harry Potter is not the best comparison to D&D as the whole "good, heroic adventures" is bull$#!t! All the best adventures are selfish, roguish bastards: the Anti-heroes, like Fathard, Elrich, and Conan. With heroic adventures, the DM has to lead them by a carrot to save their pathetic world. With anti-heroic adventures, they write their own adventures! As a blooger (from Playing D&D With Porn Stars) puts like this:
DM: A cleric has been found dead in the town square.
Player: Well why should we care?
DM: The church is offering a reward of 600 gold pieces to find the killer.
Players: Um, couldn't we just sack the church and make more than that? I mean, who was this cleric anyway? Maybe he deserved it...
Playing a selfish bastard is also really fun!
Scribe (repeat) - - -
Dungeons and Dragons v3.5 publishing at the end of 2006, had reached a creative endpoint. I would argue, the Wizards of the Coast had expanded the v3.5 rules beyond the scope in 2006. There are only three '06-'07 books I consider part of the body(corpus) of work, before publishing officially ended. Player's Handbook II, Complete Psionic, Magic Item Compendium, and the accessory book Rules Compendium, are all part of the corpus. Everything else is simply campaign oriented or development work. The Miniatures Handbook is optional, of course. So is the damn computer microchip.
2007 D&D v3.5 is the advanced version. It is the “official” TSR AD&D version and the version I still consider sacrosanct for all PnP gameplay worldwide.
This is a secular, religious neutral style game, yet kinetic. It will change dynamically. I own the first three iteration of the rules, called core books.
3.5v is the end. I will argue, so be aware this a sensitive area.
Role-playing, or just stating the facts here. Don't drift on me, stay alert. This is an adult writing, and the only Principal in me...young child...is the reality of my national reputation, including INTERPOL. Which as you may know, isn't exactly national.
Please don't tell me you are 'tween. I'll not expect you to be a man, or...let's go out a limb here, you're a teenage girl? Because I'm not exactly sure what the rules are these days...with internet and communication with a minor...
I'll not expect you to be a man...and let's say, hmmm....grow up any time more than you actually need to FINALLY...grow up. I own these books as part of the Gygax TSR corpus (body) of work. I am old as dirt, and very vain, proud even (*breathes deeply), plus...an ancient type immortal Role-Player, like...how shall I say, this Hobbit?
A Green Dragon mug of cold lager, Tea party-ers. 1776
Masons at the Green Dragon in Boston?
An ancient line, as the way some have said...like when the family line was questioned, about Heath's character in A Knight's Tale? Don't drift into a role playing fantasy in front of me, when the facts are on the table. Don't call to them, the dark side...in other words...like you belong to some religious Order, powerful enough to dispel them, as it were.
TSR
Tactical Star-ategic Simulations
I am as a Dragon's voice, vain y'see. Tactical-Strategic. Simply older, vain, cleverer...than any man you will ever know in your lifetime. War is my craft, a Wild Animal, a Wyyrm-Drake.
I tend to prefer the more complicated 'chess' style strategic games; such as the PC videogame Battle for Middle-Earth, or currently on my new XBox 360, Darkest of Days. These add a tactical dimension to the strategic sense of the typical 'world-wide' videogame. Any civilization God-head type element of the game, where the goal is to allocate/build resources, then move armies in a Risk boardgame type environment at that world-wide vantage point...
I am clever, y'see...strategic.
This D&D MORPG, otherwise, y'see..."simulates" what is actually done at the individual level in most online gaming worlds I think, combined with some type of combat type element added. It helps me, as you properly cannot play Dragon Age without the rules.
I'm not sure which works backward from what, but I do know the mechanics of gameplay can sharpen your cognitive abilities...depending. And it stopped with D&D version 3.5
Because the video game took an element away, which I've found in Baldur's Gate computer engines, but not on XBox360 for instance. Reason? You need a keyboard. Simply put.
So reach a 'crossroads' in the maxima minima, what is the proper economic balance? It's v3.5
Why? My age?! Hardly. My role-playing is much much more complex, than combat rules in the world of D&D minatures. The v4 turn-based combat works under the assuption, you get a do-over, a reset button. This is not always the case in a crafted high-level Epic-style adventure, because the spells are not in a world, where video Supermen from the comic books/movies type-o-game, had ruined the whole element of atmospherics, aestheticism.
Hasbro, WotC, these people are not in the interest of TSR, however, I can say, the quickened combat simulations, effectively shows me as a GM, how to quickly tackle a problem quickly, then process through straight turn-based combat efficiently, including low-level fireballs, lightning strikes and things, Dispel Evil. Typical spells, not unnecessary beams of rainbow light, which really, er...um....mage, illusionist...
...it's just plain magic-user, sorceror, or wizard. Mason. Mariner. Menace. Maced.
Meds are your friend.
No. Body chemistry is my friend, harpy.
There are three core rulebooks per iteration: Dungeon Master's Guide, Player's Handbook, and Monster Manual.
The required reading of v3.5, consists of five supplemental books: Deities and Demigods, Epic Level Handbook, Fiend Folio, Manual of the Planes, and Monster Manual II.
Some of these books were revised in later printings. These addendum errata can be found at the Wizard of the Coast D&D 3.5 archives
You will also find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about these books here. The 2007 "Rules Compendium" book, which definitively closed the published corpus, is also a good source and learning aid 'index'.
Malcadon deleted a post. Some of the argument...can't be understood when the record gets expunged.
I will leave it as is...but now the continuity of the thread may be just a little askew.
It's banter.
Rant is when I'm angry.
Billion Dollar Movie, is when I'm thinking like a director/writer...not producer.
I'm not going to discuss the Necronomicon, fanboys. Bruce Campbell does Spy supporting roles on USA channel sitcoms. I'm the guy with the Oldsmobile. That's the inside joke.
www.storyscape.net/bridge_necro.html
Is this thread supposed to have a point? It's been jumping from topic to topic faster than my "normal" thought patterns do.This is why I'm here, to make a point.
Dragon speaketh...was Revelation, and let's be clear here...
It's Revelation, not Revelation(s). And I hated the cgi body of Dragonheart, got the talking correct, but not that Eragon type of psionic telepathy, but as far as Red dragons, not Black Wyyrm/Drake Dragon in Reign of Fire...but a graceful red color...not blue, green, or white colors either.
But anyway, change of thought, why am I here...why am I here...Smaug...graceful, indeed...heavily fortified with plenty of meats...
Oh yea, because The Hobbit had a background.
We are Ringers. And I'm deep in meditative thought concerning the background of The Hobbit.
The coincidence of the site's domain name containing the word necro...is irrelevant to the Necronomicon word mentioned within the thread.
Screenplays and this many extras, it's about the Wingnuts in all of us, really, but it's also about Weta too...
...so it's personal, and very very complicated.
The White Council story stands to take a strong critical hit from the other screenwriters, unless the spiders are explained, and the marketing people realize the Bilbo story hunkers down under the stress of this explanation about Dol Guldur.
The spiders are so CGI five minutes ago with Harry Potter, but not Sauron. And that's the Witch-King, right? No. The other characters would not get what Smaug could do in the wider War of the Ring, but the Sindarian Elves would be completely oblivious to Sauron's Return. It's only the very Eldar Elves who recognize it, but don't really say it. And the Istari, Gandalf the Grey, he makes an appearance, maybe not as Ian McKellen, but who knows.
But the point is...the Widening of the War...is an appearance I'd like, because while District 9 was Apartheid...I'd like this idea about the widening of a war, it feels like a Cambodian message, or Pakistan lesson for the audience.
Because the ring is around, and Sauron hides, but seeks. He's getting stronger. But he's learned this time. Overwhelming force, but not necessarily, he's interested in the separation of the Five Armies. 3/4 of all goblins were killed, at the end of The Hobbit. This and the death of The Dragon would be very important to Gandalf, as the Necromancer won't actually appear as Sauron unless the ring was found by the Nazguul.
So the story should begin in a darker period, when The Hobbits get beyond the fence, into Mirkwood, where the Storm Crow immediately departs south for the White Council.
Sauron has no intent to launch from beyond Mordor, unless he has The Ring...but if he finds it, he has a foward location, straight at Elrond and The Shire.
We already know what will happen in The Hobbit. I can go buy a copy of the book right now and read it to you, if you like.
That's no more real than any other D&D world, and if you're so far divorced from reality that you're thinking it is real, you need to sell your D&D books, and check into a hospital.
You're beginning to worry me, really.
-Sarena
See my dislikes for my response.
I should have added Ringer-Haters.
Isn't that like eating your cake and having it too? Why don't you get engaged, or ignore me.
I don't care what you write, especially if you don't write. So.
So.
So.
So?
Could you try making sense?
for the one that comes up with the reference.-Sarena
I think this guy saw one to many Shoggoths.
None of you are discussing anything relevant.
I'm moving my 'grown-up' discussions over to the 'what do you want to talk about' thread, because, well...
None of you are discussing anything relevant.
Hi pot, I'm kettle.
Confrontational.
They raised the temple of Isis pillar for Cleopatra.
I saw the dust-storm.
This happened to me. I witnessed a team of SyFy cameramen capture vampires on film.
And lived to tell you munchkins all about it.
What did you do? Ride a Harley?!
That's your hero-worship?!
I'll tell ya', the deepest pits...
Don't call out to them. Don't disturb the water.
I witnessed a team of SyFy cameramen capture vampires on film.
I still find it hard to believe that someone in their marketting department thought "SyFy" was a good name change.
I still find it hard to believe that someone in their marketting department thought "SyFy" was a good name change.
Yeah, what the hell was the deal with that nonsense? Sci-Fi too perfect for 'em? Jeebus.
Don't quote me on that. I heard they had a trademark fight with someone and were required to make some sort of change.
Besides, they don't always show Science Fiction(which was their original mandate), so separating themselves a little bit from their geek core viewership. Me, I happen to like the way Sci-Fi was originally set up. Well, up until they started passing off grade C Schlock as Sci-Fi.
-Sarena
www.wired.com/underwire/2009/07/sci-fi-c...
-Sarena
If they have a trademark they can own, then they have enforcement rights, and can warp iot any way they like.
-Sarena
Boo. SyFy is lame. So sayeth the OTTer.
Amen, brother! The Reformed OTTers couldn't agree more (actually, the name reminds me of syphilis written in greek).
I just spent an hour, organizing a 20 page esssay, spread all over the floor of my living room. Just finding the copyrighted book online was enough of a pain in the butt, but speed reading the text file without the indentations and spacing was mentally depleting.
I'm numbering this...this is the last time I organize this...
I'm very busy at the moment, but clean-up and chores aren't necessarily the same as kitchen clutter. Listening to the local radio is a tricky affair, I often times grab a CD like the Queen of the Damned soundtrack to play Tricky's song.
It's got the libido of an Egyptian drumming style chant, techno loop. My neighbors think I'm into the Holy Lands of Israel, but actually...I think me and Egypt have some business in the future.
Remember how that actress died? I'm surviving but only with the emotional support of my local community, whom I've hypnotized with my bluegrass/funk/rock guitar.
If that's strange. Then visualyze this about the darkness. Ravens gather outside my home, and the local psychiatrists scare your children with thoughts of the Dark Lord in Dol Guldur, while they show them what they may end up as...
Now that's strange, because I guess I talk to them, nurture them, give them breads.
My notes on Sauron are quite extensive, plus take at least an entire hour of the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC to read out loud...since of course, besides the internet webpage Encyclopedia of Arda for the timelines, the Tolkien Bestiary, and the Atlas of Middle-Earth, I'm also reeading a research thesis on the strategies of Sauron. This is difficult and complicated to explain, but it distracts them from the nightmare of the news. I don't seem to have much of a problem with Big Brother activity, as I internationally travel on my job...and most people steer clear of me, as long as I'm not dating their daughters.
Because personally, I really never gave that much thought. It was the surveillance which annoyed me, and the latitude people take with my patience.
Remember how that actress died?
Nope. Which one you talkin' about?
Remember how that actress died?
Nope. Which one you talkin' about?
Well, Monroe OD'd and Tate was Mansoned. Help any?
This could have been me, if not for my rigid mental discipline and iron will.
Timecube?
Link it or it never happened or existed.
Looks like I have a new BAD RPG to review.
EDIT: Interesting. I'm supposed to be on a temp right now. Can't get my mail, but can post. I'll bring this to the attention of the mods. Odd.
I've not read through all the FATAL stuff, cuz I've only gotten to the mechanics stuff once I had put it down for a bit, but just looking at the crunch of the game it's horrible. It's so incredibly convoluted. The mechanics are horrible enough that there really is no need to get to the fluff as a reason why the system sucks.
Timecube?
Link it or it never happened or existed.
Looks like I have a new BAD RPG to review.
What, you kidding? Never heard of Timecube? That's like the godfather of Internet insanity. I read a bit of it every week, to keep my SAN points on an acceptable level. Not an RPG (though a satirical one was based on it, also reviewed on the - tragically defunct - Middle Finger Evolution, where I had my first contact with FATAL).
And I think you're overhyping FATAL. It's bad, yes, atrociously crippled, yes, but it's not really insane. The rules part is just really poorly done, and the racism and juvenile humor are more of a testament to the writers' failed lives than to their shattered minds.
Incidentally, I was considering running a FATAL PbP game on DnDOG at some point (minus the **** and racism, obviously, leaving only the hilarious trainwreck of a rules system like the Druidic Circles)... if you'd be interested, I can leave you a message should it materialize.
EDIT: Looks like it's been updated, I hadn't noticed the mentions to Obama before... the rest seems mostly as always, however.
I had a partial review floating around in RPG General Discussion at one time but I imagine it's slipped to the bottom of the pages over there.
Remember, the juvenile humor (I think you give them too much credit calling it juvenile) is actually part of the rule mechanics. Self defecation and all.
*clicks link to time cube*
Folks ya'll can expect a Time Cube review probably in the future.
Hopefully, I'll have my gaming rig back so I can at least vent any sanity points lost, on poor defenseless zerglings, orks, diablo demons, Horde, etc. It takes mass scale slaughter to get some of the horrors out.. which is why my 360 might not be the tool for the job.
So utterly random.
F.A.T.A.L at least there is a perception of reality. *Even if it's totally off base* This so far seems like the random scribblings of a 4 year old with broken fingers, high on speed, sugar, and smack.
This (Both the OP and Time Cube) still makes more sense than Scientology though.
And yes, I've read FATAL too (900 pages + cover, to be exact) - some parts made me laugh, some made me cringe, most left me with a feeling of meh. Tries too hard to be edgy.
It doesn't need to be the "political" document released by the 9/11 Commission, as was stated by Bill Clinton.
It simply could be my simple questions as a consumate professional and scholar. My unpopular questions about current events for instance, or the why no one will question authority, or why we feel it so necessary these days, to surrender our civil liberties for less and less scrutiny of the authority, who just happens to be in charge of our mutual security by democratic process, not dictatorial.
Am I not patriotic, am I not loyal...because I wouldn't support an undeclared war, which I felt would cause greater harm than any possible good? Is this not patriotism in a sense, to disobey my leaders in such obvious circumstances?!
What are some consistent accusations, the opinions in other words of people who judge me in a court of public opinion?
Prison, torture, or other extreme militant responses to relatively obscure threats to national security, for instance acts of terrorism against airplane travel.
Example: "you have broken the law, so now I place you on this internet website as an example of the worse criminals imaginable, or I reserve the right to argue to the Supreme Court you cannot be released from your sentenced incarceration on the basis of mental defectiveness?"
Is this not what happens, when prisoners can improve their lowly status within their own confines, when simply it is in their interest too assure sex offenders are intimidated by violence?! Is this not what I see on bulletin boards, when petty arguments give rise to brash accusations; completely unfounded to the innocent, but purely detrimental to the real crime control problems we have in this country?
Another common occurrence is the "med" opinion.
Pharmaceutical solutions for problems which solely exist through sociological and political norms, and have been those same problems for a modern industrialized country for hundreds of years, are nothing new, yet we prescribe the answer as if all of us are accredited professionals to disperse them.
newswire: The number of children aged 2 to 5 who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed powerful antipsychotic drugs has doubled over the past decade, according to research released on Friday. The research suggests that while it is still rare to prescribe powerful psychiatric drugs to 2-year-olds, the practice is becoming more frequent.
Why? I'm not particularly amused by the grammar police around here, probably liberal arts majors as would be somewhat expected in this forum, but at what point do we collectively say 'enough' with the pharmaceuticals already.
Has anyone ever read the story "Bitter Pill" published in Rolling Stone last year? byline: Created to treat schizophrenia, Zyprexa wound up being used on misbehaving kids. How the pharmaceutical industry turned a flawed and dangerous drug into a $16 billion industry... link
The reason I introduce this thread with the typical pariah complaints? I don't want to be the common denominator. I feel that at my age, and the things I've learned both through experience and my personal research since the college years, should NOT be immediately discounted as a sub-class to another's intellectualism; simply on basis of college degree, or social-economic status, or possibly something as simple as being a man. When I speak, I value peer review.
I value my professional credentials, and most of all...it's never been a 'holier than thou' attitude from me, to automaticallty dismiss others on the basis of critical analysis, scientific method, or even their artistic license to interpret historical events.
My next post is going to dwell on Legend Tripping.
This means the real-life imitation of elements from a well-known tale, often involve role-playing, and sometimes lead to ritual acts of vandalism and desecration, or worse.
Like serious crime.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_tripping
There is a morbid facination these days with the accursed.
A parsimony of dualistic philosophy, where the Devil has been created as an adversary.
It was not always the case in the ages of antiquity. Evil was not thought to be...pure.
The concept of pure evil did not always appear as an evil sentinent being, a spirit of some type, or otherwise corporeal incarnate being; possessing some consciousness, an ability to communicate to us. I know, because I read books about the history of the Devil.
I believe Dungeons and Dragons to be tribal, it's a social game. A gathering of like-minded associates, entertained by a common purpose, meaning the enjoyment of the game's rules. Somehow, through the shenanigans of a material world most likely, these 'legends' D&D strives to recreate in some gameplay, have been distorted. Either competitive gaming systems, music, movies, television, or even fictional books, distort the exegesis of antiquity's published works, or they seek to usurp it intentionally for fame/fortune.
There are very few academics of the myths, plus cultural aspects of past history, in particular most certainly the Dark Ages, who teach or talk about the supernatural in sensible terms.
In particular, I'm quite bothered by the History channel's reliance on Dispensationalism to explain the Holy Bible passages. Does anyone concur? It appears to me, the world-wide Christian view since the year 2,000 (now replaced with the year 2012); has an un-canny resemblence to the same fits, which inspired people during the year 1,000, to give all their possessions away.
I have lived the past ten years, wondering how my fellow countrymen could allow their crude understanding of Islam, actually, become policy in the highest offices of this land. They certainly have at best, a rudimentary understanding of the so-called Word's relationship to the teachings of Paul's diaspora Christianity, why would I seek their advice on matters pertinent to military victory over enemies? Some people cannot easily decimate the difference between even the most rudimentary contexts behind their religious literature, with that of symbolism, or even monstorous imagery.
And so that's where people like me, step in to dispel the notions some people may have gotten about my reputation as a D&D player.
Especially as a fan of the gaming system for almost 30 years of my life.
How come when I go into head shops these days, I'm presented with a lot of marijuana influenced 'spiritualism'? Isn't this Wicca facination very similar to the Dispentionalist beliefs like the Left Behind series, in other words, another belief system incorporating readily available published 'religious' works to the general public, but in the case of LaHaye, it just happens to be Wal-Mart instead of that local head shop? Is it not the very same thing?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrian_Wicca
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Farrar
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Farrar
www.controverscial.com/Traditions.htm
www.controverscial.com/Traditions%20Part...
I do not want to be known as Wiccan. And I take JK Rowling at face value, a successful author of fiction, much like Anne Rice, Tom Clancy or the others.
I'm a D&D player, and my bibliography/library might be a lot more different than any New Age classification.
In fact, it might be an occult label, but this does not necessarily mean I practice the teachings. Did you know they label the aisles for certain vitamin/flavored bottled waters in my grocery store, as New Age drinks? What does that exactly mean?! This nonsense needs to stop.
Some have written a thesis about the same very argument, I'm making now.
(Probably does grammar better than me, by the way.) anthonylarme.tripod.com/gc/index.html
Demons of The Modern World McGrath, Malcolm
Dictionary of the Occult Wedeck, Harry E.
Encyclopedia of Occultism, An Spence, Lewis
Here, Mr. Splitfoot Somerlott, Robert
Hidden Specter, The Tralins, Robert
History of the Occult Griffon, T. Wynne
Hitler & the Occult Anderson, Ken
Mapping The Occult: An Exercise In Religious Understanding Kollar, Nathan R.
Mystic and Occult Arts, The Gibson, Litzka & Walter
Occult America Godwin, John
Occult and Supernatural Phenomena Rawcliffe, D.H. Raw
Occult Explosion, The Freedland, Nat
Occult in America, The Kerr, Howard & Crow, Charles L.
Occult Power Holzer, Hans
Occult Roots of Nazism, The Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas
Occult Sciences in the Renaissance/A study in Intellectual Patterns, The Shumaker, Wayne
Occult World, The Esterer, Arnulf K. & Esterer, Louise
Occult, The Wilson, Colin
Occult/A History, The Wilson, Colin
Occultists and Mystics of all Ages Shirley, Ralph
Priestess of the Occult Williams, Gertrude Marvin
Telcult Power: The Amazing New Way To Psychic and Occult Wonders Dubin, Reese P.
This is the INCOMPLETE list of Director Guillermo del Toro's library:
The Nonesuch Dickens.
All Folio editions.
Crypozoology
Myth
Vampirism specially old original treatises
Ghosts specially old original treatises
Illustration
Comic
Art books
Animation books
Film books
MAking Of
Art Of
Rackham
Dulac
Nielsen
Fairy Tales
fairy lore treatises
Magic. Performing magic.
Con art texts, NLP, Body language, Cold readings, etc
Victor Hugo
Dumas
Marcel Schwob
Lovecraft
Machen
Blackwood
Dunsany
MR James
Joseph Sheridan LeFanu
Robert W Chambers
Hope Hodgson
Stephen King
Lieber
Charles Beaumont
Colin Wilson
Ray Russell
Dennis Wheatley
Ray Bradbury
Ramsey Campbell
Matheson
Ellison
Sturgeon
H.G. Wells
De Maupassant
MG Lewis
Dickens
Jane austen
Conan Doyle
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Victoriana
Ripperology
The Bronte sisters
Mary W Shelley
Roald Dahl
Juan Rulfo
Borges
JJ Arreola
Garcia Lorca
Agustin Yanez
Horacio Quiroga
Witold Gombrowickz
Sallinger
Truman Capote
Carson Mc Cullers
Isaak Dinensen
Willa Cather
Joseph Conrad
Hawthorne
Henry James
Mark Twain
Jonathan Swift
Dostoyevsky
Charles Fort
Crowley
Cayce
Ian McEwan
Flaubert
Kafka
Rudyard Kipling
HH Munro “Saki”
Lafcadio Hearn
Lewis Carroll
Calvino
Raymond Chandler
James M Cain
Donald Westlake
Cornell Woolrich
Bwuh?!
^ This.
The author is publishing it, Cherubaddon.
Go to the original website where it was published (since we both know which essays, we are speaking about)...called (blank-something or another-essays.com)...
I had a hard-copy (which didn't have page numbers), so I could immediately do (an exact) word search with parenthesis on Yahoo...
This brought up the author's name. It was at this point the cyber attack began, but I had the name. The author doesn't have the essays archived for free at his new website, of course...and you won't find a direct link. But you can go to the sitemap.
Navigate your way to the fantasy/science-fiction section. From there you'll find all their older archived stuff on Tolkien, including the two essays on Sauron. These cannot be found by search engine alone. I'm up against a lot of cultural monitoring by the establishment, and when they have a copyrighted piece of work...well, originally it was free release, but you get the picture.
They have an agenda to keep it censored from the General Public these days. Probably because whenever there's a lot of money to be made, then all of a sudden Ringers pop up out of the woodwork. And they wanna be Dudley Do-rights in the name of $...
...especially since I'm such a criminal (with those annoying rights like free speech) wandering the avenues of the internet giving away my creative forces for free...because you know...I'm good like that (to the D&D community).
It's a lot like sportsfans who cheer for teams in other cities, or all of a sudden became life-long fans because they got in the Superbowl. Shutting my bandwidth down is a hassle, but perseverance pays off in spades.
How come all of you are so nervous about threads being locked? Tough will being enforced by the mods, eh? Guillermo is a busy man these days, y'know. I know PJ just told the Harry Knowles website (and this is such a Fanboy thing to write about)...he's interested in gaming development.
Spoken like a true producer. They've locked up the script with Fran and Phil by now. My guess is the narrative will be heavily padded down by Frodo in almost every scene, the White Council story will take a backseat to Beorn and the Battle of the Five Armies...so, it might change for the extended DVD, but not when shooting actually begins in a few months.
I wrote about those type of things here, like gaming development, recently. Just as a sidenote, if tangents are allowed on occasion.
I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly…
I'm trying to think...has Bearden's claim about earthquake weapons gone too far, or is there empirical evidence?
I know the weather modification works, of course. But did he go too far with an assumption about the limits of his 'heating' of the atmosphere?
I mean, disturb the mantle of the planet, what is he kidding?
I left some new Energy policy directions for the scientific community (in acadamia) to peer review, over at dirtyfrank's new thread.
As far as the Vampire stuff, plus Shire-folk, er um...
I'm currently in negotiations with the fekkin' lil' folk...so please don't bother their meeting. I don't exactly have a lot of the good food...to go around.
I left some new Energy policy directions for the scientific community (in acadamia) to peer review, over at dirtyfrank's new thread.
Why would you think the academic community looks at this web forum for policy directions, or even looks at this forum to start with?
Does that make me crazy?
Crazy? I was once crazy...
They put me in a rubber room. I died in that rubber room.
So they put me in a coffin with rats. I hate rats! They make me go crazy!
Crazy? I was once crazy...
The author is publishing it, Cherubaddon.
Go to the original website where it was published (since we both know which essays, we are speaking about)...called (blank-something or another-essays.com)...
Erm... sorry, but no. Unless you were referring to your two brain hemispheres, "we" have absolutely no idea which essays we are speaking about. And another-essays.com doesn't exist. Couldn't you just provide a link - or, if the author is really so paranoid about hiding his essay, name & title? Would be of a bit more use to me.
Of course, we could just be reading one of the strangest trolls I've seen here. It can be hard to tell...
Also: Ending the thread in 3...
2...
1...
[link]
Of course, we could just be reading one of the strangest trolls I've seen here. It can be hard to tell...
I say that he's from the depths of the worst hive of scum and villany on the web, sent ot plague us with annoying trollishness.
*Shiver*
Remember the French Poet Troll guy?
Also: Ending the thread in 3...
2...
1...
[link]
That's who I think it may be. Can't say for certain, of course. Oh, there are a few others it could be. I have some totally unfounded suspicions.
-Sarena
Sorry, that could be on my end, but as you can tell...I was fishing you for information. This search was blocked by the 'powers that be', and I'm still trying to figure out why.
I have your links.
www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/
Obnoxious, either way. Seems to me like someone scrambled his frontals.
-Sarena
To quote the bard:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
Just for the sake of brevity, I don't really the time to 'twait', that would the French word for twitter...
I don't have the time in my day to respond with one line blow-by-blow nonsense posts over every response. I do have the time to participate in the forum, just not at a level where I am forced to do it one at a time, and only for the fact, mind you...you want your time...to be my time.
It just doesn't work that way in my world, munchkin.
DOOD!
The website merp.com isn't being censored by my IPS or Yahoo.com anymore.
Sorry, that could be on my end, but as you can tell...I was fishing you for information. This search was blocked by the 'powers that be', and I'm still trying to figure out why.
I have your links.
www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/
Did he dig up info on one of us?
DOOD!
Exactly. I still have found memories of Disgaea, I even picked it up for my DS when it came out. Dood is so much more badass then "dude" anyway.
It's making it very hard to not keep bursting out in that phrase...
I kinda prefer the PSP for things with voice acting. It's got better speakers...
Instead, I get... whatever you call this thread.
I looked into this thread expecting to find someone claiming that their real name was Harry Potter, and that they want royalties.
Instead, I get... whatever you call this thread.
Troll pit.
Instead, I get... whatever you call this thread.
Land of the LooLoo People?
All of us, I think.
I figured there was a possbility he took my post above his to be targeted at him though it was actually not leveled at anyone specific. So I decided to ask. Oh, I also was kinda hopin' to start a South Park Canadia type thing:
'Buddy? I'm not your buddy, guy!'
'I'm not your guy, pal!'
'I ain't your pal, buddy!'
And so on ...
Instead, I get... whatever you call this thread.
A shining example of the OTT?
Thanks and you're welcome.
5. The answer is 5.
But what's the quesiton?!
5. The answer is 5.
But what's the quesiton?!
Question.
5. The answer is 5.
But what's the question?!
Is the question important?
Is the question important?
Yes. The question gives the answer context, so unless the answer is structured in such a way that it can retain full meaning without the question, it is necessary to understand the answer.
Lets just asume that it was the answer to this thread.
Bah.
Bah.
says the sheep.
PS- The Cake is a Lie.
-Sarena
The answer to the question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is Forty-Two.
True but this thread isn't life, the universe and everything. I'm thinking though that the answer to this thread is most likely 5. It just seems reasonable.
The Cake is a Lie.
That's what Sten said.
-Sarena
It's 5.1233.
Glam-dorian is taunting me with rumours of cake...
No the answer is not 5.
It's 5.1233.
Glam-dorian is taunting me with rumours of cake...
How is it he fails to surprise me with this?
if you can tell me what I was doing when I posted last ;)-Sarena
No the answer is not 5.
It's 5.1233.
Glam-dorian is taunting me with rumours of cake...
How is it he fails to surprise me with this?
-Sarena
...
...
Country of origin?
No the answer is not 5.
It's 5.1233.
Glam-dorian is taunting me with rumours of cake...
How is it he fails to surprise me with this?
-Sarena
GLaDOS and there is something about cake at the bottom.
Threw in a British word, said something about completely inconsequential numbers, but here it's got it's own wiki entry, I mean who would have known.
for you DF, but only half of one, for taking the time to do a Google search and coming up with half the answer 
-Sarena
Well I understood 0% of the reference and really didn't care about it, but was like "hey, I have nothing better to do". so I go and do a 5 sec search and scroll down. oh and there is cake which is also in the reference. I figured I must had most of it with at least 5 sec of not caring and not looking stuff up. what was the reference? half-life or one of those horrible games? was it half-life? I can't remember but I think I saw that name in the search or something I didn't. can't remember though cuz it just doesn't seem that important atm.
I should also probably mention that in general I don't care much at all for references. if ya get it then cool but if not then well it was a bad job on the one using the reference in not knowing their audiance. what bugs me most though is when people make a reference/joke and then ask for people to name the reference. It's kinda like one of those "did you get my joke" thingies that kinda kills a joke and stuff. it just kinds of bug me and well to me it seems that women tend to do this a lot. I think my side note was as big as the post itself...
-Sarena
Can you use it in a sentence?
That, and it's nice to see a solid female lead that's geeky enough to realize the Cake is a Lie ;)
-Sarena
I was playing the original Valve version, not the Flash game. Portal is lots of fun, IMO. Certainly, it's more for thinking than your average FPS
I've not played portal but have seen a friend play it some. and as in play it I mean make two portals and jump into them leaving the character to fall through some temporal loop while we play D&D or something like that.
If someone wants to send me the game or knows of a way for me to get it with almost no effort and no money (on my part) I'll play it. maybe.
I, too, would like to play the original.
Sadly, I'm kinda saving money for FF XIII, and thus don't want to buy the Orange Box...
The orange box is like, twenty bucks. You might be able to find Portal cheaper as a stand-alone at some places. Final Fantasy XIII isn't coming out for two months. Just save an extra dollar a day.
...?
The orange box is like, twenty bucks. You might be able to find Portal cheaper as a stand-alone at some places. Final Fantasy XIII isn't coming out for two months. Just save an extra dollar a day.
Annndd... Maybe the new Pokemon games and a few others things are being saved for...
This thread is still made out of Platinum-encrusted Wyn.
?
Why would you want to encrust poor Wyn in platinum? :<
Also, I think this addle-cove berk of an OP's spent a bit too much time in the mazes. This is what happens when you tick off the Lady, Clueless.
-Sarena
www.astrosciences.info/Matrix2.htm
Down the rabbit hole...
I watch every film with anticipation though.
When she used the B-word for Dumbledore, I didn't really think too much about it at the time...other than perhaps a wry smile.
For me, the saga sums up pretty much, when I say...
...I went to wiki...read the spoiler ending to the Potter story, then perhaps...
Decided to be who I am anyway.
(Those kids sure did grow up through the years, didn't they?)
To return to the original topic(and I say this with much hesitation), I suggest you steal her name and make it your new one. That will show her.
Nah, Family Guy did it. James Woods steals Peter's ID, Peter steals his in return. Good show, but it's been played out now.
To return to the original topic(and I say this with much hesitation), I suggest you steal her name and make it your new one. That will show her.
Nah, Family Guy did it. James Woods steals Peter's ID, Peter steals his in return. Good show, but it's been played out now.
I missed that episode. Still, it is a proper way to deal with this situation. Then again, you might believe that stealing the pheonix of the namesake order, the other half of the halfblood prince's blood o rthe entireHogwarts castle (perhaps redecorating it in the process) would be more approppriate.
Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
It's like I got a copy-cat terrorist/murderer or something.
You are under my spell...
So...how did J.K. Rowling steal your name?
Shhhh! Quiet man! I'm lookin' for a bu ... er ... boat? Was it a boat I was supposed to find? Yeah, why not. A boat.
For the Lulz... For the Lulz... For the Lulz...
*stares*
I still can't see it.
I know, right? What kind of sadistic bastard would lie to us like that? There's obviously no boat there. Why would they compel us to stare at this picture in vain? Why? You know, I think the answer may lie in the picture itself. I think it needs another look.
Agreed. There must be a hidden meaning in the picture some where. We just have to find it by looking for it is all.
I just don't have any clues of what the meaning is yet is all...
Pigs.
Pigs.
Wait. There's pigs? An' here I was lookin' for a boat. I gave up a li'l bit ago cuz I couldn't find this phantom watercraft. Turns out, I was lookin' for the wrong thing! Thanks, man. I'ma gonna go look some more. Maybe I'll see them pigs you're talkin' about ...
I thought I had just seen part of the boat! Must have been seeing things.
Now I have to start all over...
I don't know if it's just me or what. I can't seem to find anything hidden in that pic.
Pigs.
Ironically I was not involved.
moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/01/28/elijah-woo...
I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall never see.
For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.
I don't want to scare you or anything, but this is going back to exactly what I described a few weeks ago, as you recall. And I don't mean 'weaponizing' new technology either, this is your typical sharky lawyer type stuff, these people are NOT engineers and scientists.
You're going to see this more and more...as briefs get passed around. The whole thing with the trolling, and the "cwazy" accusations (the word bat sh*t seems to be a dead giveaway), and the expursions/judgmental attitudes...
Remember, these people work with unlimited budgets, completely justified with terrorizing their own people, so it's going to be a little bit about intimidation of a crime witness, menacing, defamation of character, slander....
Basically as much as they can get away with, while still seeming like they are the good guys with a badge...
What I would watch out for though...is the NSA stuff, really. It's come in the form of DoS attacks, things like that. I imagine the Renton area staff, has this down by now, right? I mean, you guys in Washington State can handle a few charmers from the DC area, right?! I'm not an IT guy, but I know a little, at least for just the one IPS account...so they tend to let the locals deal with me, which I've managed to stay and cease at the front door lately.
(Keep the thread alive, go ahead, sharky.)
Yeah... Is there a number I can call to have my sanity returned to me at any chance?
Yes. 3.
Awe phooey. Now I dun and got meself a nemesis! Whoo!
You can blame me for that one, I only just saw the Hitchhikers Guide last night, my SO made me watch it. Never had any interest in seeing it, so I never did. Until it was forced down my retina. So, I just wanted to make a little outdated joke.
You should be blamed if for no other reason then not reading the books first.
Re: Caffeine
Eh. As drug dependencies go, it's pretty mild. A very mild performance enhancer for those that aren't adjusted to it, a very short withdrawel period (a day or two for most) with very mild symptoms, not much in the way of mood or perception altering... So yeah, far as drugs go, there are many, many, much worse addictions to have.
Re: Caffeine
Eh. As drug dependencies go, it's pretty mild. A very mild performance enhancer for those that aren't adjusted to it, a very short withdrawel period (a day or two for most) with very mild symptoms, not much in the way of mood or perception altering... So yeah, far as drugs go, there are many, many, much worse addictions to have.
Addiction is addiction and this behavior, once learned, can be readily transferred to other stimuli. Telling people it's ok is a bad idea. The first step to correcting the problem is admitting you have one, right? Well, with the way our society is today, if it's caffeine what's your problem, you ain't got one. Too bad it isn't true. Oh well, no biggie. The next time someone tells me they need a cup of joe or a Red Bull or whatever, I'm gonna call 'em a dirty junkie. Cuz they are.
No. It's far too commonly overused to actually be an answer to anything - even the things it's actually answer to. The incessant mentioning of that number is about as amusing as the constant Monty Python postings teenagers insist upon forcing upon us here. In other words, it's annoying. Very. 42 has thusly been officially stricken from anything resembling reality or unreality. It's time is, thankfully, finished. Move on already.
So you're saying itis no more! It has ceased to be! It'sexpired and gone to meet it's maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! It's off the twig! It's kicked the bucket, it's shuffled off it's mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!
I know, but I can't stand the taste of any kind of coffee. Even coffee that isn't really coffee, like French Vanilla or something. It's all absolutely disgusting, no matter how you make it, or how you drink it down. Energy drinks though? They have as much caffine in them as three full cups of coffee, and taste a hell of a lot better. I prefer AMP, Monster and Rockstar myself, Red Bull is kinda bleh.
Bleh. They all tast like crap and give about as much of an energy boost as a glass of tap water.
So you're saying itis no more! It has ceased to be! It'sexpired and gone to meet it's maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! It's off the twig! It's kicked the bucket, it's shuffled off it's mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!
You bastard.You should be blamed if for no other reason then not reading the books first.
I didn't even know that is was based on a book until you pointed it out...
Addiction is addiction and this behavior, once learned, can be readily transferred to other stimuli.
Um, not really. That whole "gateway drug" thing is pretty much a myth, except possibly as a social thing. Most people that regularly take caffeine don't do, and aren't tempted by, other drugs.
I didn't even know that is was based on a book until you pointed it out...
... I'm not talking to you.
... I'm not talking to you.
that's not very nice
Um, not really. That whole "gateway drug" thing is pretty much a myth, except possibly as a social thing. Most people that regularly take caffeine don't do, and aren't tempted by, other drugs.
Not a gateway drug, no. Addictive behavior is addictive behavior and people that learn it can transfer it to another stimulus. Trust me. I seen it. Addicts are addicts. It's the behavior, not the drug.
Not a gateway drug, no. Addictive behavior is addictive behavior and people that learn it can transfer it to another stimulus. Trust me. I seen it. Addicts are addicts. It's the behavior, not the drug.
Just because someone gets chemically addicted to something doesn't mean they're going to start getting addicted to other things. There's a huge difference between a psychological addiction and a chemical one. Caffeine is a chemical one, and the behavior doesn't transfer like that. I have no idea where you got that idea.
Just because someone gets chemically addicted to something doesn't mean they're going to start getting addicted to other things. There's a huge difference between a psychological addiction and a chemical one. Caffeine is a chemical one, and the behavior doesn't transfer like that. I have no idea where you got that idea.
Because chemical can become psychological. Simple, really. And, as I've said, I've seen it in action and still do. Addiction transferred from drugs to booze to smokes to caffeine to fishing, no less. The behavior can be learned and it can be transferred.
I have no idea why you think physiological addiction is separated from psychological. They can, and do, work hand in hand.
Because chemical can become psychological. Simple, really. And, as I've said, I've seen it in action and still do. Addiction transferred from drugs to booze to smokes to caffeine to fishing, no less. The behavior can be learned and it can be transferred.
And that's true of an addictive personality, but it has nothing to do with whatever they started with in most cases. If that were true, then you'd see a correlation between regular caffeine users and other addictive behaviors. Are there any? For that matter, any link between, say, WoW players and other addictive behaviors? If it transfers like that, then you should see something.
Me? I've never seen any addiction transfer like that that couldn't be attributed to an individual.
citation or stfu nubz
You can try any High School Psych class. Maybe even Health. Possibly Middle School. Physiological and psychological addiction can and do occur at the same time. That's why addiction is so much fun. For my story, come to my neck of the woods some time and I'll introduce you to the involved parties. They're family members, actually.
citation or stfu nubz
You can try any High School Psych class. Maybe even Health. Possibly Middle School. Physiological and psychological addiction can and do occur at the same time. That's why addiction is so much fun. For my story, come to my neck of the woods some time and I'll introduce you to the involved parties. They're family members, actually.
that's not a citation
"We've shown that the marijuana gateway effect is not the best explanation for the link between marijuana use and the use of harder drugs ... An alternative, simpler and more compelling explanation accounts for the pattern of drug use you see in this country, without resort to any gateway effects. While the gateway theory has enjoyed popular acceptance, scientists have always had their doubts. Our study shows that these doubts are justified."
that's a citation
And that's true of an addictive personality, but it has nothing to do with whatever they started with in most cases. If that were true, then you'd see a correlation between regular caffeine users and other addictive behaviors. Are there any? For that matter, any link between, say, WoW players and other addictive behaviors? If it transfers like that, then you should see something.
Me? I've never seen any addiction transfer like that that couldn't be attributed to an individual.
That's why I said 'can transfer'. Learning an addictive behavior that's approved of by society is a bad first step for someone with that type of personality.
that's not a citation
"We've shown that the marijuana gateway effect is not the best explanation for the link between marijuana use and the use of harder drugs ... An alternative, simpler and more compelling explanation accounts for the pattern of drug use you see in this country, without resort to any gateway effects. While the gateway theory has enjoyed popular acceptance, scientists have always had their doubts. Our study shows that these doubts are justified."
that's a citation
You mistake me for someone who cares enough to cater to your silly demands. Don't like the conversation, don't follow it. Capiche?
You mistake me for someone who cares enough to cater to your silly demands. Don't like the conversation, don't follow it. Capiche?
I know no one cares.... I just find it silly to argue things without having any basis of facts, when it's so easy to support your self with facts. It only took me about 30 seconds to find a proper citation.
I know no one cares.... I just find it silly to argue things without having any basis of facts, when it's so easy to support your self with facts. It only took me about 30 seconds to find a proper citation.
I'm not really arguing anything. The post that started all of this was mine. And it was largely a purpose built rant to make me seem a bit out there. Cuz that was my mood at the time. Why I decided to let myself be drug into some sort of 4e General type of 'debate' about something I don't particularly care about ... well, let's just blame it on my addictive personality, k? ;) Plus I know what I've seen. When someone argues against that, it sorta makes me not wanna play anymore.
Plus I know what I've seen. When someone argues against that, it sorta makes me not wanna play anymore.
I'm not denying what you've seen, I'm questioning if you're correctly attributing the causality.
Plus I know what I've seen. When someone argues against that, it sorta makes me not wanna play anymore.
I'm not denying what you've seen, I'm questioning if you're correctly attributing the causality.
Exactly, no one is going to question that you've experienced correlation, but causation is a whole other matter.
I didn't even know that is was based on a book until you pointed it out...
... I'm not talking to you.
Like I said, I had heard of the Hitchhiker thingie before, but I had absolutely no interest once-so-ever in watching {or reading it} and so passed it over as a bad job. My mistake, obviously.
This thread needs more TECHNO
Agreed.