Thursday, December 25, 2003
Thursday, December 11, 2003
GeoURL
Stumbled upon GeoURL while browsing blogwise. Seems to be a popular indexing service used by the blogs there so I decided to join the bandwagon. Apparently, it indexes websites (URLs) according to geographic location (longitude/latitude).
I found my geographical coordinates at Heavens Above.
Check out my neighbors by clicking on the GeoURL button at the bottom of the sidebar to your right (you may need to scroll). It looks something like this:
Game on.
I found my geographical coordinates at Heavens Above.
Check out my neighbors by clicking on the GeoURL button at the bottom of the sidebar to your right (you may need to scroll). It looks something like this:
Game on.
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Mortality
(or, Disjointed Thoughts On A Recent Funeral)
My grandfather died last week and was buried just this weekend. I haven't been to San Miguel regularly since my childhood summers. In fact, the last time I remember going there was back in December 2000, when my lolo first had a major seizure.
There's never been an organized reunion in my family. Everyone goes their own way. I'm not even sure that I'll recognize some of my cousins if I happened to pass them in the street. Such a dysfunctional family... Ironically, Lolo Narding's passing away made us all return to San Miguel, and made us plan for a semi-regular get-together. There are times when I wish I had been more empathic.
I remember my childhood in that small rural town, capering all over the countryside with my cousin, Maricel (the only cousin close to my age on my father's side), bike rides with my grandfather (he fashioned a seat that can be set on the bar in front of the bike's actual seat so one can ride along comfortably), puto and kutsinta and chicharon and pastillas from carabao's milk (or was it goat's?) made by my great grandmother, ghost stories of the many old houses in town... those summers are long gone, but their memories will be always remain in my heart.
May the random cosmic forces bless his life-force.
My grandfather died last week and was buried just this weekend. I haven't been to San Miguel regularly since my childhood summers. In fact, the last time I remember going there was back in December 2000, when my lolo first had a major seizure.
There's never been an organized reunion in my family. Everyone goes their own way. I'm not even sure that I'll recognize some of my cousins if I happened to pass them in the street. Such a dysfunctional family... Ironically, Lolo Narding's passing away made us all return to San Miguel, and made us plan for a semi-regular get-together. There are times when I wish I had been more empathic.
I remember my childhood in that small rural town, capering all over the countryside with my cousin, Maricel (the only cousin close to my age on my father's side), bike rides with my grandfather (he fashioned a seat that can be set on the bar in front of the bike's actual seat so one can ride along comfortably), puto and kutsinta and chicharon and pastillas from carabao's milk (or was it goat's?) made by my great grandmother, ghost stories of the many old houses in town... those summers are long gone, but their memories will be always remain in my heart.
May the random cosmic forces bless his life-force.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Anime and Mecha d20
Finally got around to downloading the Anime and Mecha d20 System Reference Documents from Guardians of Order the other night (this is probably the first pen-&-paper-RPG-related thing I've read in months, since I got hooked on RO).
From what I've skimmed, the Anime d20 SRD offers point-based character creation, adds in Tri-Stat Attributes, and tinkers with a few nuts and bolts to add a more cinematic anime feel to the d20 system. New classes are drawn from popular Japanese animation concepts such as the Pet Monster Trainer, Magical Girl, and Mecha Pilot. The standard D&D classes are also broken down and modified to bring them in-line balance-wise with these new classes. So, essentially Anime d20 is BESM converted to d20. I'd prefer to stick to either standard BESM or even Tri-Stat dX for my "fast-and-fun" games though.
Now, Mecha d20 brings mecha-creation rules to d20 in much the same way that Big Robot, Cool Starships did to 1st Ed. BESM. Mecha in the rules set is not limited to classic mobile suits or super robots though but can be extended to include any vehicle. One thing that caught my eye is the Attributes, Booster and Chobam Armor. o_O Now I want to run a Super Robot Wars campaign with this! >.<
Still trying to find enough time to launch a Tri-Stat dX campaign. Something with mecha would be cool but high fantasy wouldn't be bad either. If anyone's interested, leave your idea here or email me; maybe we can set something up, even over the 'net. ^_^V
Game on.
From what I've skimmed, the Anime d20 SRD offers point-based character creation, adds in Tri-Stat Attributes, and tinkers with a few nuts and bolts to add a more cinematic anime feel to the d20 system. New classes are drawn from popular Japanese animation concepts such as the Pet Monster Trainer, Magical Girl, and Mecha Pilot. The standard D&D classes are also broken down and modified to bring them in-line balance-wise with these new classes. So, essentially Anime d20 is BESM converted to d20. I'd prefer to stick to either standard BESM or even Tri-Stat dX for my "fast-and-fun" games though.
Now, Mecha d20 brings mecha-creation rules to d20 in much the same way that Big Robot, Cool Starships did to 1st Ed. BESM. Mecha in the rules set is not limited to classic mobile suits or super robots though but can be extended to include any vehicle. One thing that caught my eye is the Attributes, Booster and Chobam Armor. o_O Now I want to run a Super Robot Wars campaign with this! >.<
Still trying to find enough time to launch a Tri-Stat dX campaign. Something with mecha would be cool but high fantasy wouldn't be bad either. If anyone's interested, leave your idea here or email me; maybe we can set something up, even over the 'net. ^_^V
Game on.
Very Secret Diaries of the Fellowship of the Ring
"Day Three Million Five:
Am bored. Have been waiting for Middle-Earthlink guy to come and install DSL in Barad-Dur since second-age. Will use palantir as alternative to personal ads, as am lonely."
—The Very Secret Diary of Sauron, Cassandra Claire
Now that The Lord of the Rings Return of the King is just around the corner, you guys may want to brush up on what has happened in the previous two installments by reading the hilarious "very secret diaries".
Oh, and watch the trailers here (trailers of the upcoming movie; not a parody).
Game on.
Am bored. Have been waiting for Middle-Earthlink guy to come and install DSL in Barad-Dur since second-age. Will use palantir as alternative to personal ads, as am lonely."
—The Very Secret Diary of Sauron, Cassandra Claire
Now that The Lord of the Rings Return of the King is just around the corner, you guys may want to brush up on what has happened in the previous two installments by reading the hilarious "very secret diaries".
Oh, and watch the trailers here (trailers of the upcoming movie; not a parody).
Game on.
Monday, November 24, 2003
A Battery of Tests
Recent spam on the friendster network led me to the Quiz Me webpage. Below are the results of a handful of tests I took on a whim.
Gods, I miss her.
Gods, I miss her.
My Color
|
Am I or Am I Not? That is the question.
|
Are you Addicted to the Internet?
The Are you Addicted to the Internet? Quiz at Quiz Me! |
Oh, man...
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Untitled
now i cannot speak,
i lost my voice,
i'm speechless and redundant,
'coz I love you's not enough,
i'm lost for words.
-- greenday, redundant (from the album, nimrod)
i lost my voice,
i'm speechless and redundant,
'coz I love you's not enough,
i'm lost for words.
-- greenday, redundant (from the album, nimrod)
The Real Deal on Philippine Culture
A batchmate of mine sent this URL (Get Real Philippines!) via our highschool batch's yahoogroup; pinoys out there may want to check it out. I found it a very amusing read, but it's not news, though. We Filipinos certainly do have festering culture. Still, I'm damned proud to be part of it.
Game on.
Game on.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Friday, November 14, 2003
Landfall
(or Dawn Of A New Day)
I've been trying to reconcile what I'm truly feeling for the past few weeks. Something (or more appropriately, someone) suddenly came up and swallowed me whole. And the funny thing is, I was actually glad it happened.
Before she came, I was nursing my wounds from a previous battle, wounded and hovering on death's door. I was beginning to slide back into my previous Darkness, that ugly misshapen thing that had once consumed my being and spat it out, angry, forlorn, and cynical. I was getting sick of people leaving me. Leaving with promises that they'll never forget me and yet breaking them almost immediately.
But now she's here--my Muse, my Inspiration--and I've thrown my fate to the whims of the random cosmic forces of the multiverse, hoping that she will be the one. That this time, it's for real. That this time, it's forever. Because I will gladly face opposing odds, just to be with her.
It's finally sinking in, this new reality. The last battle was not the final one. I am still standing, thanks to her healing hand. My beloved's hand.
And here I am poised upon the brink of the future, thinking, I am so thankful she decided to stay...
Game on, all.
I've been trying to reconcile what I'm truly feeling for the past few weeks. Something (or more appropriately, someone) suddenly came up and swallowed me whole. And the funny thing is, I was actually glad it happened.
Before she came, I was nursing my wounds from a previous battle, wounded and hovering on death's door. I was beginning to slide back into my previous Darkness, that ugly misshapen thing that had once consumed my being and spat it out, angry, forlorn, and cynical. I was getting sick of people leaving me. Leaving with promises that they'll never forget me and yet breaking them almost immediately.
But now she's here--my Muse, my Inspiration--and I've thrown my fate to the whims of the random cosmic forces of the multiverse, hoping that she will be the one. That this time, it's for real. That this time, it's forever. Because I will gladly face opposing odds, just to be with her.
It's finally sinking in, this new reality. The last battle was not the final one. I am still standing, thanks to her healing hand. My beloved's hand.
And here I am poised upon the brink of the future, thinking, I am so thankful she decided to stay...
Game on, all.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Farewell To A Friend
As I was updating my blog links today, I took a peek at Enelya V.'s pRO journal and got quite a shock. It's been closed! o_O
(Now that I think about it, my Inspiration mentioned the fact to me in passing a week or so ago... but a lot's been happening then for the fact to sink in.)
Enelya V. was a great acolyte in Rune Midgard (yes, on all three servers), and a good friend as well. Her absence will surely be missed. Those of us who struggle against the final days of our world have lost a valuable ally.
Game on.
(Now that I think about it, my Inspiration mentioned the fact to me in passing a week or so ago... but a lot's been happening then for the fact to sink in.)
Enelya V. was a great acolyte in Rune Midgard (yes, on all three servers), and a good friend as well. Her absence will surely be missed. Those of us who struggle against the final days of our world have lost a valuable ally.
Game on.
Sevrin's Knighting
I've mentioned Sevrin Astergarden's reaching knighthood earlier. Here's a screen cap taken a couple of hours before her knighting, showing the two taking a much needed break after some frantic combat in the fourth level of the Payon Caves.
And this one's taken while we're celebrating her knighthood; she's already wearing her knightly armor here:
And this one's taken while we're celebrating her knighthood; she's already wearing her knightly armor here:
Fynn Elenium, Assassin
Should have posted this earlier but didn't feel like it. Here are pics of Fynn as an assassin (he joined the ranks of the assassins some time last month).
Oh yeah, Fynn's really blue-haired. I made a mistake with his previous pics (see Fynn Elunium, Thief of Morroc). Thanks to Mai for pointing it out ^_^. One more thing, Fynn's surname is "Elenium", unlike the Rune Midgardian armor-upgrading ore (which is "elunium", of course).
 |  |
Oh yeah, Fynn's really blue-haired. I made a mistake with his previous pics (see Fynn Elunium, Thief of Morroc). Thanks to Mai for pointing it out ^_^. One more thing, Fynn's surname is "Elenium", unlike the Rune Midgardian armor-upgrading ore (which is "elunium", of course).
EarthBound!
From my retrogaming news front: I just finished EarthBound on the SNES! I've had a copy of this game for some time but I only managed to find enough time to sit down and play it this month. Now that I've played through and defeated Gygas (the game's final uber-menace), I'm wondering why this game isn't as famous as it should be. Sure, the graphics, battle scenes, and story may not be as cool or as angsty as other RPGs on the SNES (particularly Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, and Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals) but EarthBound has a charm of its own: it doesn't take anything, even itself, seriously!
EarthBound: The War Against Gygas! is actually called Mother 2: Gygas Strikes Back! in Japan, since it's the second game of the Mother series (the first game was Mother on the NES, but it wasn't released in the US; Nintendo of America translated it but scrapped it before release; the prototype ROM got out though and was dumped by DemiForce).
The game is set in a world like our own 1990s Earth, and tells the story of four kids who are destined to save the world from an evil force called Gygas. Along the way, you meet a talking space bee, demented policemen, skate-thrashing street punks, Mr. T (yes, Mr. T), a Blues Brothers parody (The Runaway Five), insane cultists who worship the color blue, flying saucers, living piles of puke, dinosaurs, a village full of beings all named Mr. Saturn, a town infested with zombies... And then there's also the background music ranging from blues to a weird ambient techno-thing. The list is long and the weirdness never ends. Well, until you get to the end of the game, that is.
The battle engine is menu-driven, similar to the Dragon Quest series', where you choose which action each character takes every round. You fight un-animated enemies on a psychedelic background of swirling colors, and there's a text box that tells you the effects of the combatants actions. The game varies the text for certain enemies so you don't get the usual "So-and-so attacks!" and instead have "The Spiteful Crow pecks at your eyes!" as well as "New Age Retro Hippie uses a toothbrush!" (Yes, both are examples taken from the game itself). Combat is fast and fun for the most part, with the challenge factor amped a few for the bosses. Most bosses have a weakness you can exploit though.
I highly recommend EarthBound for RPG fans. This is a game that deserves to be up there with the classics.
Earthbound Review Rating:
Gameplay: 9/10
Story: 9/10
Graphics: 9/10
For more information on Earthbound and the Mother series of console RPGs, see starmen.net, which is probably the best Earthbound-related site out there.
Game on.
A New Look
Okay. I've finally done it. And I think it's not pretty. Grabbed a template from somewhere of the net (*cough* blogskins *cough*) and modded it with my meager html skillz (thanks, maystar! ^_^). It'll have to do until I learn more and/or find time to redesign.
Also added whole new stuff on the sidebar thingy off to your right. Cool Blogs includes links to my inspiration's and her friend's RO journal (Sevrin and Mirielle, respectively); it'll fill up with other blogs of note when I update in the future. Check out also the Online Comics I read: currently only Sluggy Freelance and RPGWorld right now.
In other news, Sevrin Astergarden has reached knighthood in pRO Loki. Congratulations, Lady Sevrin! Fynn is looking forward to more adventures with you in Rune Midgard. May we always get the rarest drops! ^_^
Game on, all.
Also added whole new stuff on the sidebar thingy off to your right. Cool Blogs includes links to my inspiration's and her friend's RO journal (Sevrin and Mirielle, respectively); it'll fill up with other blogs of note when I update in the future. Check out also the Online Comics I read: currently only Sluggy Freelance and RPGWorld right now.
In other news, Sevrin Astergarden has reached knighthood in pRO Loki. Congratulations, Lady Sevrin! Fynn is looking forward to more adventures with you in Rune Midgard. May we always get the rarest drops! ^_^
Game on, all.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Fynn Elunium, Thief of Morroc
Here's my only character on the pRO Loki server (shown is his combat stance where he wears a dorky Hat and one of those annoying Smiley Masks the King of Prontera keeps promoting, and his sitting position, while waiting for his date in a room at the Pronteran Inn):
Selrotta, Archer Inept
Blitz's constant travelling companion, Selrotta is also a member of A.E.G.I.S. Adventurers. She calls herself "Archer Inept" but she's a better shot than Blitz ^_^ (she's shown here wearing a Red Bandanna).
Laire Allicran, Knight of the Rune
And here's a picture of my knight in pRO (wearing a Helm and Sunglasses... he lost his Phantom of Opera Mask in the 7-day rollback 'coz I was playing with it at the time >_<;;):
Blitz Harper, Fate's Falcon
Here's a picture of my hunter in pRO (he's wearing an Apple O' Archer, Purple Glasses, and a Flu Mask):
Saturday, September 13, 2003
An Acolyte's (ongoing) Tale
Not a flash movie, but definitely cool, here's the ongoing account of an acolyte's journey through Rune Midgard: Enelya Vardamir's Adventures in Philippine Ragnarok Online. This daily journal chronicles Enelya's thoughts, experiences, and hopes, on both pRO servers (Chaos and Loki). May fortune smile on you, good cleric!
Friday, September 12, 2003
An Assassin's Tale
Here's a flash movie that'll touch the hearts of most RO players out there. It uses text-based illustrations and BGMs from RO and .hack. It's Japanese-created, and the "Engrish" is pretty bad in most places... but somehow, I was too caught up in the story to notice the typos and grammatical errors. Enjoy!
"Assissin is a very strong job!"
"Assissin is a very strong job!"
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Returning to the fold...
Hi, everyone. I'm very sorry for my absence this past few months. But like I said in my previous post below, "Ragnarok Online has taken over my life..." Heh. Well. Since the game's beta test period in June, until it ended last August, and up to now, which is the second week of pay-to-play service, I've adventured, explored, fought, died, loved, laughed, triumphed and lost in Rune Midgard. And I am looking forward to more experiences still.
My pRO Characters
Here's my two characters in Philippine Ragnarok Online (pRO). They're both on the Chaos server (I've not created any characters for the Loki server yet).
Blitz Harper Hunter Lv. 60/30—Also known as "Fate's Falcon", this mysterious hunter hails from the Forests of Payon. He has travelled the length and breadth of Rune Midgard as an archer, from the Mandragora-infested woodlands northwest of Prontera City to the Hode-spawning ground south of exotic Morroc in the Sograt Desert. Together with his guildmates and a few other travelling companions, he has braved the depths of the Pyramids in Morroc as well as the Coal Mines north of the magical city of Geffen. After these wanderings, he returned to Payon to join the Hunters. He now hunts the Argoses and giant Argiopes on Mt. Mjolnir, with his falcon, Beat, and the huntress Selrotta and her falcon Chopper, as his constant companions. As the world spirals ever closer to Ragnarok, it is yet to be seen what part Fate's Falcon will play...
Guild: A.E.G.I .S. Adventurers [ Fate's Falcon ]
Pet: Rottie Lv. 3(poring)
Laire Allicran Knight Lv. 63/35—this self-styled "Knight of the Rune" once wandered Rune Midgard as a swordsman, fighting the ever-growing monster tide, and aiding those in need. He has since been inducted into the ranks of the Knights of Prontera. While he has mastered the skill of Cavalry, he currently eschews riding Pecopecos. He has fought against the Golden Bug at the end of the Pronteran Culvert, but was unable to defeat it; the reason why Thief Bugs still infest the underground waterways. He has also explored the Undersea Tunnels beneath Byalan Island, helping keep the monster population there in check. He has also taken part in the A.E.G.I.S. Emperium Hunt which scoured the caverns of the Orc Dungeons. Recently, he was last seen near the Sunken Ship, just off the coast of the merchant-city of Alberta, looking for Success, to commission the hard-to-find master blacksmith for the forging of two star-wrought katanas, one with the power of the winds and another with fire. As Ragnarok approaches however, he knows the weapons will be of little help, but he has no choice but to try.
Guild: A.E.G.I.S. Explorers [ Knight of the Rune ]
Well, that's all for now.
Game on.
My pRO Characters
Here's my two characters in Philippine Ragnarok Online (pRO). They're both on the Chaos server (I've not created any characters for the Loki server yet).
Blitz Harper Hunter Lv. 60/30—Also known as "Fate's Falcon", this mysterious hunter hails from the Forests of Payon. He has travelled the length and breadth of Rune Midgard as an archer, from the Mandragora-infested woodlands northwest of Prontera City to the Hode-spawning ground south of exotic Morroc in the Sograt Desert. Together with his guildmates and a few other travelling companions, he has braved the depths of the Pyramids in Morroc as well as the Coal Mines north of the magical city of Geffen. After these wanderings, he returned to Payon to join the Hunters. He now hunts the Argoses and giant Argiopes on Mt. Mjolnir, with his falcon, Beat, and the huntress Selrotta and her falcon Chopper, as his constant companions. As the world spirals ever closer to Ragnarok, it is yet to be seen what part Fate's Falcon will play...
Guild: A.E.G.I .S. Adventurers [ Fate's Falcon ]
Pet: Rottie Lv. 3(poring)
Laire Allicran Knight Lv. 63/35—this self-styled "Knight of the Rune" once wandered Rune Midgard as a swordsman, fighting the ever-growing monster tide, and aiding those in need. He has since been inducted into the ranks of the Knights of Prontera. While he has mastered the skill of Cavalry, he currently eschews riding Pecopecos. He has fought against the Golden Bug at the end of the Pronteran Culvert, but was unable to defeat it; the reason why Thief Bugs still infest the underground waterways. He has also explored the Undersea Tunnels beneath Byalan Island, helping keep the monster population there in check. He has also taken part in the A.E.G.I.S. Emperium Hunt which scoured the caverns of the Orc Dungeons. Recently, he was last seen near the Sunken Ship, just off the coast of the merchant-city of Alberta, looking for Success, to commission the hard-to-find master blacksmith for the forging of two star-wrought katanas, one with the power of the winds and another with fire. As Ragnarok approaches however, he knows the weapons will be of little help, but he has no choice but to try.
Guild: A.E.G.I.S. Explorers [ Knight of the Rune ]
Well, that's all for now.
Game on.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Ragnarok Online has taken over my life...
This June marked the start of the beta test period for the Philippine Ragnarok Online MMORPG*, and it also marked a fundamental change in my life.
On June 11, I acquired the free Ragnarok Online CD and immediately installed the game client. Then I connected to the 'net, created a game account on the Level-Up Games site. Noting down the password they provided, I launched the game, which then proceeded to download the latest patches, a process that took all of 20 minutes on my 56.6 modem. Finally, I was able to enter the game itself! And it was then that I got hooked. I'd find myself waking up during the wee hours of the morning just so I can adventure some more with my character during the off-peak hours....
As MMORPGs go, Ragnarok isn't actually that groundbreaking. But the anime-ish 2D characters and the rich 3D world both combine to provide a certain magical charm. Most of the game is mindless hack-and-slash, but it offers the same thing the popular Muti-User Dungeons do: a dynamic world populated by "real" people where adventure lurks around every corner.
The Philippine Ragnarok Online beta test will last until August after which Level Up Games will most likely switch to a prepaid scheme just like their "chat game", OzWorld. As if I needed another vacuum for my money...
So until I join Ragnarok Addicts Anonymous, you can catch me on the Philippine Chaos server as the swordman, Laire Allicran, who specializes in two-handed swords...
*Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game
On June 11, I acquired the free Ragnarok Online CD and immediately installed the game client. Then I connected to the 'net, created a game account on the Level-Up Games site. Noting down the password they provided, I launched the game, which then proceeded to download the latest patches, a process that took all of 20 minutes on my 56.6 modem. Finally, I was able to enter the game itself! And it was then that I got hooked. I'd find myself waking up during the wee hours of the morning just so I can adventure some more with my character during the off-peak hours....
As MMORPGs go, Ragnarok isn't actually that groundbreaking. But the anime-ish 2D characters and the rich 3D world both combine to provide a certain magical charm. Most of the game is mindless hack-and-slash, but it offers the same thing the popular Muti-User Dungeons do: a dynamic world populated by "real" people where adventure lurks around every corner.
The Philippine Ragnarok Online beta test will last until August after which Level Up Games will most likely switch to a prepaid scheme just like their "chat game", OzWorld. As if I needed another vacuum for my money...
So until I join Ragnarok Addicts Anonymous, you can catch me on the Philippine Chaos server as the swordman, Laire Allicran, who specializes in two-handed swords...
*Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
What's Up?
I swear, my posts are getting rarer and rarer by the week... Anyway, back here in the Philippines, the Holy Week had ended with Easter Sunday. The vacation time was much-needed and refreshing allowing me to catch-up with my RP gaming. Yep, had a marathon D&D session starting last Wednesday up till Easter Sunday (well, not actually a marathon but pretty close to one). I was taking my gaming group through the Sunless Citadel and they're almost done with the place. We'll probably see the final battle next session... Which reminds me to set up the Forge of Fury module as a sequel.
What I'm Doing...
... on my PC:
Pleurghburg: Dark Ages -- point-and-click adventure game by an independent company, Gaspop Software.
Icewind Dale 2 -- CRPG based on the Baldur's Gate engine modified for D&D 3e.
Legion Saga 1–3 -- Suikoden-esque CRPG created using RPG Maker 2000.
... on my bedside table:
The Path of Daggers -- 7th volume of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
... on my TV:
Alias -- cool spy drama series on AXN.
CSI -- 21st century Sherlock Holmes set in Las Vegas; also on AXN.
Rave -- fantasy anime; again, aired on AXN.
... in my head:
The 2nd installment to the Golem Destiny, a series of stories I've recently started.
That's all for now, folks. See you all later, and game on, always.
What I'm Doing...
... on my PC:
Pleurghburg: Dark Ages -- point-and-click adventure game by an independent company, Gaspop Software.
Icewind Dale 2 -- CRPG based on the Baldur's Gate engine modified for D&D 3e.
Legion Saga 1–3 -- Suikoden-esque CRPG created using RPG Maker 2000.
... on my bedside table:
The Path of Daggers -- 7th volume of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
... on my TV:
Alias -- cool spy drama series on AXN.
CSI -- 21st century Sherlock Holmes set in Las Vegas; also on AXN.
Rave -- fantasy anime; again, aired on AXN.
... in my head:
The 2nd installment to the Golem Destiny, a series of stories I've recently started.
That's all for now, folks. See you all later, and game on, always.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Golem Destiny
It's been a while since I've posted anything here. I've had problems with my computer, and real life's been hectic as well. Anyway, I've started another weblog over at we::blog. It's called Golem Destiny, and it's supposed to be a serialized story of sorts: a sword and sorcery romp through another world plagued with wars and gigantic walking weapons. Check it out! There's not much at the site right now except for a short teaser, but I plan on changing the template soon, as well as starting the story...
Game on!
Game on!
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Monday, January 27, 2003
Wrestle d20
It's finally out. Wrestle d20 is a pen-and-paper RPG about professional wrestling, based on the d20 Modern SRD. Players create their own professional wrestler complete with signature moves and styles, and fight it out in various circuits. This wonderful RPG pharaphernalia is being published in electronic format by Fantages Studios. I contributed the descriptions to some of the wrestling moves in the game. If you're both a wrestling fan as well as an RPGer, you'd like to take a look at this ruleset. Wrestle d20 is being released as a 5 different modules at RPGnet Mall (I think the first 3 modules are already out; the others released at a rate of one module per week).
Icewind Dale II
Just got this sweet game last week, played a few hours' worth, and then settled down to write this. The game uses the tried-and-true Infinity engine, used by Bioware in Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, among other AD&D CRPGs. This time, though, it's been modified to reflect the 3rd Edition of the D&D game system. Finally, a single-player game based on D&D 3e! The game also features a familiar interface (at least for fans of the Baldur's Gate games as well as Planescape: Torment), tough battles, and an action-packed storyline set in the past of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Had to stop playing after getting my entire party wiped out by a bunch of goblins...
Man, half-goblins are tough. But I'll definitely return for more hack-and-slash fun...
Game on!
Man, half-goblins are tough. But I'll definitely return for more hack-and-slash fun...
Game on!
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Friday, January 10, 2003
My iRL D&D Stats
Took this online quiz at
http://blanchard.virtualave.net/war/dndstats.html
and here's what I've got:
Strength 13
Dexterity 9
Constitution 11
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 12
Charisma 15
Actually, not so sure about my answers (especially the Strength part which asks you how many pounds you can benchpress... it's not like I can easily look that up on my ID, along with my bloodtype...) Still it's quite amusing...
Game on all.
and here's what I've got:
Strength 13
Dexterity 9
Constitution 11
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 12
Charisma 15
Actually, not so sure about my answers (especially the Strength part which asks you how many pounds you can benchpress... it's not like I can easily look that up on my ID, along with my bloodtype...) Still it's quite amusing...
Game on all.
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Been There, Done That
I've had a relatively fruitful Christmas vacation:
1) Finally finished reading Robert Jordan's A Crown of Swords as well as Piers Anthony's Dragon on a Pedestal (reducing the Wheel of Time and Xanth reading backlogs...)
2) Played through The Longest Journey (PC/Graphical Adventure) and Final Fantasy IV (PSX/RPG - rerelease of the classic SNES game), resulting in a reduced gaming backlog.
3) Done preliminary research for my graduate seminar topic and thesis proposal...
Despite that, there's still a thousand things that need to get done:
1) Study for my oral comprehensive examination due this summer...
2) Read Robert Jordan's A Path of Daggers and Piers Anthony's Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn.
3) Finish Final Fantasy V on the PSX and Zork I on the PC (using the sweet WinFrotz client).
4) And all those other things that deserve my attention but can't think of right now, since if I did, I'd probably be typing this the whole day.
Well, so many things to do, so little time. But I guess that's just how it goes...
Game on.
1) Finally finished reading Robert Jordan's A Crown of Swords as well as Piers Anthony's Dragon on a Pedestal (reducing the Wheel of Time and Xanth reading backlogs...)
2) Played through The Longest Journey (PC/Graphical Adventure) and Final Fantasy IV (PSX/RPG - rerelease of the classic SNES game), resulting in a reduced gaming backlog.
3) Done preliminary research for my graduate seminar topic and thesis proposal...
Despite that, there's still a thousand things that need to get done:
1) Study for my oral comprehensive examination due this summer...
2) Read Robert Jordan's A Path of Daggers and Piers Anthony's Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn.
3) Finish Final Fantasy V on the PSX and Zork I on the PC (using the sweet WinFrotz client).
4) And all those other things that deserve my attention but can't think of right now, since if I did, I'd probably be typing this the whole day.
Well, so many things to do, so little time. But I guess that's just how it goes...
Game on.
Friday, January 3, 2003
Guess Who's Back!
Happy New Year to all of you!
I've had some technical difficulties in the past weeks or so, but thankfully I'm now back and ready for more ranting and raving.
That's all for now, but there'll be more later. Have to go forage for food....
I've had some technical difficulties in the past weeks or so, but thankfully I'm now back and ready for more ranting and raving.
That's all for now, but there'll be more later. Have to go forage for food....
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