What's white, furry, winged, angry at everything, and back in business as of now? Two unlucky angels discover the answer to this riddle in "Sadly Mythtaken".
Special thanks to eatpraylove for letting me borrow one of her agents, along with personally reviewing this mission to keep her in character!
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New mission! by
on 2016-04-11 01:42:00 UTC
Link to this
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More corrections. by
on 2016-04-16 02:08:00 UTC
Link to this
“Do I look like I care?” Asked Cupid, pouring the Bleeport into his Chalice.
Capitalization error. Should be obvious where.
“Wait, is Palutena saying that there are reinforcements coming?” asked Rashida.
As it stands, it may be confusing to the reader. I suggest that you clarify that it is the Aurum that are receiving reinforcements:
“Wait, is Palutena saying that the Aurum have reinforcements coming?” asked Rashida.
“Aside from a brief bit where the two parties reluctantly agree to work together, I don’t think we’ve got much to take note of,"
Which two parties? I'm guessing the Aurum and the Underworld Army?
“That can be arranged,” said Rashida, before she opened a huge portal and the POVs fell through with a few startled SNRFs.
We know that "snrf" is the noise the povs make, not an acronym. However, as written, it looks like an acronym. I suggest either italicizing or using quotation marks to clarify that you aren't using an acronym that no one knows:
“That can be arranged,” said Rashida, before she opened a huge portal and the POVs fell through with a few startled SNRFs. -
Your HTML broke. by
on 2016-04-16 03:27:00 UTC
Link to this
Fixed all of 'em. And as for the two parties, it was the half-bloods and the angels, since they were arguing with each other before that point in the fic.
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Some questions. by
on 2016-04-15 16:05:00 UTC
Link to this
The angels both looked at her, expecting to say something.
Is another "her" missing there?
... knelt down and picked one of the many sheers off the floor.
I don’t understand. Did you mean "sheets"? Or are the diagrams and illustrations Falchion noticed in the second to next sentence meant to be "sheer plans"?
Cat-on-the-Keyboard already asked about "creating bit a character". I would guess that it’s meant to be "creating a bit character", but apparently I didn’t pay enough attention to remember who this bit character would be. Sorry about that. I try to read everything that’s written for the PPC, but these aren’t my fandoms and currently I’m too busy with other things to do it justice.
HG -
Stupid GDerp on mobile... by
on 2016-04-16 00:12:00 UTC
Link to this
All of these were typos that happened when I wrote bits of this thing from my phone. Sorry! ^^; And as for your question, see my response below - the tl;dr version is that Chaos in the Heroes of Olympus series is canonically a soul-destroying void, so my guess was that Lord Chaos was a bit from the Kid Icarus continuum instead.
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Sorry this took me so long to read by
on 2016-04-15 04:47:00 UTC
Link to this
This is very compelling. It's also very clear; I enjoyed reading it despite not having read any of your other stories about these characters (although I didn't quite follow what exactly had happened between Cupid and Rashida, I got the general idea and liked reading about them working it out).
There are only two things which confused me. On page 24 one of Liliana's charges is, "creating bit a character who contributes nothing to the plot." Is this a typo? What's it supposed to read?
The Tempura Wizard seemed completely random to me. Was it the result of a typo in the badfic? Is it an aspect of the Kid Icarus universe? (I'm only familiar with PJO.) Was the portal supposed to be to a different universe? Or did you make it up because you thought it was funny? It was funny; I'm just a bit confused. -
A slightly belated response... by
on 2016-04-16 00:10:00 UTC
Link to this
...seeing as work
and SMITEhas been taking up most of my time. ^^;
The bit character was supposed to be Lord Chaos... I assumed it was a bit character because Chaos himself doesn't appear as a character in the PJO series (there, he's a great void, as well as the first primordial deity).
And as eatpraylove said, the Tempura Wizard is an enemy from Kid Icarus: Uprising that turns you to tempura and eats you, and since Liliana chose to stay in Skyworld in the end of the actual fic, it was only fitting to feed her to one. -
Tempura Wizards are a Kid Icarus thing. by
on 2016-04-15 13:59:00 UTC
Link to this
They turn you into tempura and try to eat you if you get too close to them.
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What is this canon *face is palmed* (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 07:15:00 UTC
Link to this
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Wiki mistake by
on 2016-04-13 22:32:00 UTC
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It would appear that the link to the mission on the Wiki main page is a link to the wrong mission.
Someone may want to fix that. -
Fixed. Thanks much. ^^ (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 23:02:00 UTC
Link to this
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"Fantastic Beasts" Teaser Trailer Analysis by
on 2016-04-11 13:02:00 UTC
Link to this
Here we go, ladies and Bruces! Roughly 8 hours ago, Warner Bros. released a teaser trailer for the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (part 1). Before I start my thoughts on the trailer, I need you to watch it with me, okay?
HERE IT IS
Now, for the analytical part:
[00:10] "You're an interesting man, Mr. Scamander."
Somebody's addressing Newt. This can't tell us much, but my thoughts are shown later on.
[00:17] A tiny creature is chilling inside Newt's waistcoat. My best guess is that this is a Bowtruckle.
[00:22] "Kicked out of Hogwarts..."
Whoever is talking, knows enough about Newt to know what happened to him at school AND that Dumbledore was the one who was against Newt's expulsion (similar to Hagrid's). Now, my assumptions are that this is somebody from MACUSA, perhaps a sort of spy (?), or somebody important enough to get info straight from the Ministry of Magic (I assume important things such as expulsions would reach the Ministry because of the Board of Governors).
[00:26] We get a shot of Tina Goldstein and Newt dressed all fancy.
[00:30] This may or may not be the inside of MACUSA, although it gives me also a bank-like vibes. Perhaps an American equivalent of Gringotts?
[00:36] Probably either a flashback, or beginning of the movie, showing us Newt arriving at one of the immigrant inspection stations; perhaps Ellis Island?
[00:50] Muggle safety lock, changing the contents of the suitcase. Pretty interesting idea.
[00:57] Inside of Newt's suitace (the safe side). We see a worn-out Hufflepuff scarf.
[01:07] Now THIS definitely is the inside of MACUSA, as we see a gigantic portrait ofThe Supreme DictatorMadam President Seraphina Picquery. Yeah, I'd say our "MACUSA is dictatorship" theory gets pretty solidified.
[01:09] Tina is dragging Newt somewhere with haste. My guess? All the beasts from Newt's suitacse had escaped already, and the authorities demanded to get Scamander in front ofThe Beloved Supreme LeaderMadam President.
[01:10] We see the American equivalent to Daily Prophet... I think it says "The New York Ghost"? If anyone with better eyes can figure that out, I'd be grateful. Now, what does the newspaper tell us?
- We have the equivalent of the Oblivators - Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance and No-Maj Obliviation - the FBCVNO!
- We see an International Wanted Poster for Alberto "The Rat" Macellarius. His bounty is worth 3 500 dragots, or 1 000 Galleons. Now we know that 1 Galleon = 3.5 dragots.
- Looks like the American wizards prefer to play Wizard's Checkers.
- In RL we have "Wrock", and the American wizards in the '20s apparently enjoy "WizzJazz"
[01:12] Here we have the Goldstein Sisters, Tina and Queenie, revealing something to Newt and Jacob Kowalski, the first majorMuggleNo-Maj character. I don't think it's the American equivalent of Diagon Alley, since we can see a bouncer at the other side of the door. Plus, Tina wears the same dress as in 00:26 so I'm gonna assume that this is a wizarding speakeasy.
[01:18] The people getting all the attention are Henry Shaw (with the tophat) and his son, Henry Shaw, Jr. Think of them basically as the Malfoys but No-Maj Malfoys. On one side of the crowd there are Shaw Senior's political posters (he's a Senator) and on the other side we've got a banner of NSPS - New Salem Philantropic Society - or, the 1920's Witch Hunters.
[01:20] We get a brief glimpse of Shaw, Sr.'s banquet, and Jacon's first encounter with Magic.
[01:24] Something's going down during Shaw, Sr.'s banquet.
[01:25] This is Modesty. The summary present her as a "haunted young girl" with "an ability to see deep into people". I'm getting some serious Luna Lovegood vibes from her.
[01:27] Tina and Newt escaping from somewhere (maybe MACUSA), and Newt releases one of his creatures? I have no idea what this may be. My first suggestion was an Augurey, but now I have no clue.
[01:30] One of Newt's beasts definitely attacked Shaw, Sr.'s banquet.
[01:31] We see people rushing out of a speakeasy, while other Apparate inside; most likely this is a police raid done by Aurors.Now the stone arches made me think that Newt and Tina may be escaping the Aurors from that speakeasyNah, she's not wearing that sparkly black dress.
[01:32] This is Percival Graves, an Auror and a right-hand man toHer DictatorshipPresident Picquery. I think he is the one talking to Newt at the beginning of the trailer.
[01:33] And adorable shot of possibly a Niffler doing a butt slide while holding onto somebody's purse.
[01:36] Newt and Tina running again from either the Aurors or wizard gangsters.
[01:40] Voice confirmation that it is Graves talking to Newt at the beginning. Also, "that thing" implies that in Newt's suitcase there was one pretty big and nasty beast that escaped (probably the one that crashed Shaw, Sr.'s banquet). Apparently, there's going to be a Sasquatch present in the movie, so my best bet is that that's our most dangerous escapee.
In the final shot we see Newt going into his TARDIS-like suitcase, and beckons Jacob to follow him... Newt is a Time Lord confirmed.
And yeah, that's my view. I'm sure I must've missed something so go ahead and add your thoughts. -
I AM EXCITE! :3 by
on 2016-04-11 23:05:00 UTC
Link to this
Though really, how soon will it be before we get a better look at the very Fantastic Beasts that the title says this movie's about? We'd better get another trailer showing more of them off soon, I swear...
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SO EXCITED AAAH! (nm) by
on 2016-04-11 22:25:00 UTC
Link to this
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Oh, This Will Be Fun by
on 2016-04-11 17:09:00 UTC
Link to this
At first, I told myself that I wouldn't get hyped up over another Harry Potter movie, but I obviously lied to myself.
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I've been gone for so long and I seek to gouge my eyes out by
on 2016-04-11 14:36:00 UTC
Link to this
Hi guys! I suspect no one would remember who I am due to my extremely long absence from the posting board, theatres been very busy and I just got to resting after a particularly long school year and I think I can't move properly for a while due to all the moving around I had to do.
Anyway, have I missed anything? Aside from that, I'm looking for bad Hobbitfics to burn my eyes with aside from the current one I'm reading which is eighty six chapters long. (Which is why I have lots of eye bleach and brain bleach in store right now) So do you guys have any suggestion? (I could remember one particular fic where a bunch of friends landed in middle earth due to a plane crash and one of them was screeching about not going onto the plane, I can't recall the title though.) -
Hello, nice to meet you by
on 2016-04-12 04:26:00 UTC
Link to this
I joined up a moth or so ago. I don't have any Hobbitfics for you, but I have this. *Hands you a worn and tattered slipper* I do theater too, but not to the point where it gets in the way of posting. Did you just finish a play? How did it go?
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Nice to meet you! by
on 2016-04-12 04:51:00 UTC
Link to this
Hello there! Nice to meet you and thank you for the slipper, I'm sure it will come in handy! Yes actually, I volunteered to be a director/stage manager/choreographer of a school play for Les Mis, it was an utter nightmare for me since I was balancing college with it. It went well though, the reception was good and everyone loved it. Though I think the cast and crew wouldn't wasn't to hear any of its songs for a while.
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I applaud you by
on 2016-04-12 05:10:00 UTC
Link to this
That does sound like a nightmare. I tried to direct once, in middle school, and I barely stayed sane (some would argue I didn't). Congratulations on doing that, and I promise not to talk about Les Mis around you. (Which should be easy, since I know nothing about it.)
-- Key -
I was on my last threads of sanity that time by
on 2016-04-12 05:14:00 UTC
Link to this
It's okay, theatre was not meant for the same as my professor had said. Thanks, I think I could live for some time without hearing the music even though I love the story and everything about the play and novel.
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Jokes on you, I remember exactly who you are. by
on 2016-04-12 03:52:00 UTC
Link to this
You work in theatres, you like names that have only three letters, you like The Hobbit, you move around a whole lot and you are unafraid of the dangers of eye-gouging.
Yeah, that's right. We're basically twins, at this point. Mental bond, and all.
I'd give you a gift, but it wouldn't be a surprise, then, would it?
Where's the fun in that? -
It's nice to meet you! by
on 2016-04-12 05:19:00 UTC
Link to this
Oh wow, I never thought someone would be so similar to me in interests. It's a pleasure to meet you , weird twin o' mine!
If the gift is a bad Hobbitfic then I'm all up for it along with getting hit by a train and my heart being eaten out by a velociraptor. -
Sorry, don't have a bad Hobbitfic. by
on 2016-04-12 08:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Which one is it, then?
Train or velociraptor? -
Re: Sorry, don't have a bad Hobbitfic. by
on 2016-04-12 12:52:00 UTC
Link to this
Velociraptor. Definitely velociraptor.
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I want to see the other boarders get on this. by
on 2016-04-13 02:38:00 UTC
Link to this
What would you rather be killed by?
Train or velociraptor? -
Train by
on 2016-04-13 05:11:00 UTC
Link to this
Velociraptors are cool and all, but they're much more likely to draw it out. And pain doesn't seem so bad when you're sitting idly contemplating it from your desk, but everything always hurts much worse than you expect it to.
Also, trains are much less likely to take down other people with you, as opposed to a suddenly appearing velociraptor.
And trains are exhilarating. Have you ever read the book "Cruddy," by Lynda Barry? That girl is obsessed with trains. And I'm reading it right now for class, and it's a lovely book, so train. -
I was considering that, by
on 2016-04-13 06:42:00 UTC
Link to this
But the buggers are pack predators, right?
The type of things that just sort of wait for you to be distracted by a bright light, or something, and just swarm on you.
I'm not saying that it'll be as quick as a train death, but I doubt it'll be torture level.
And, let's be honest, who, out there, can brag 'I was killed by velociraptors.'
Be the first, I say. - Trains? by on 2016-04-13 05:17:00 UTC Link to this
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Welcome back! *tosses Spikes* by
on 2016-04-11 22:14:00 UTC
Link to this
And wow, people ending up in Middle Earth via a plane crash? That alone is ridiculous in of itself. *shakes head*
As compensation, have a pocket-sized Smaug! Warning: Keep him away from strangers and your valuables. I am in no way responsible for his instinctive urge to hoard shiny things and set fire to anybody who tries to take them away... or anybody else, for that matter. -
I'm actually fine with the Girl in Middle Earth trope by
on 2016-04-12 05:12:00 UTC
Link to this
No, really, I am, I fully support ideas like that. But when it's always some unfortunate accident or a trip or something weirdly unexplainable I don't like it. And when the girl is fated to save the sons of Durin but it turns out they can't fend for themselves and they turn out to be whiny, I get a bit irritated because I was hoping for the girl to be able to prove herself capable of protecting the people she's supposed to keep safe. And I really don't like unexplained reasons of falling into ME like "Oh, you're a Tolkien fan? Lemme just drop you right into Middle Earth just when it's starting to take a turn for the worst! Enjoy!" I'm a salty noodle about that.
I think a plane crash should have killed them, I'm not even joking, I absolutely think they should've died. Or if they really want to survive, they'd have injuries, not bruised.
Thanks for the Smaug, I'm gonna have him burn some Sues if I get irritated enough. Oh damn, I'm gonna have to hide all my shiny stuff, but other than that I think we'll get along just fiiiiiiine. (Actually no, I don't know if a tiny dragon is going to like me that much. oAo) -
Hello, returnbie! by
on 2016-04-11 19:55:00 UTC
Link to this
It is good to see you! I'm quite new, myself, so I was not yet here during your first reign on the Board. Have a box of chocolates. Bleepolate is on the left side, to help with your quest to read badfic.
*shakes hand* I hope to see you around. :)
-Vee -
Hello there! by
on 2016-04-12 05:03:00 UTC
Link to this
It's nice to meet you, friend! Thanks for the chocolates - and the bleepolate - I appreciate it! In return, here, have a tub of popcorn, I'd offer you some migraine pills but I don't know if you're in need of it yet. It's a pleasure making your acquaintance!
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Welcome back! by
on 2016-04-11 19:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Have this mini-sparklewolf. Not the Twilight mini, an actual small sparklewolf. You know, the furry OC kind.
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Thanks for the nice sparklewolf! by
on 2016-04-12 04:59:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm sure I'll find a suppose for it somehow! And thank you for the warm welcome! :D
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Welcome, returnbie! by
on 2016-04-11 18:24:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm afraid I can't help you with your quest for Hobbit badfic, for I dare not seek it out for fear of what I may see. However, I can offer you this Datapad. Perhaps it will aid you on your quest.
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Thanks for the welcome! by
on 2016-04-12 04:58:00 UTC
Link to this
Thanks for the warm welcome, mate! And the datapad, I don't think the faint of heart - or easily angered people - should be looking up bad Hobbitfics, unfortunately, I'm terribly stupid and a bit masochistic, so I'm seeking out people who could pinpoint me to bad Hobbitfics.
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Welcome back! Have a piece of gum. (nm) by
on 2016-04-11 16:47:00 UTC
Link to this
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Thanks for the gum and the welcome! :D (nm) by
on 2016-04-12 04:55:00 UTC
Link to this
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Hello returnbie. by
on 2016-04-11 16:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Hope this year will be more peaceful for you. And have a pot of black-hole coffee. It will get you back on your fight in no time.
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Re: Hello returnbie. by
on 2016-04-12 04:54:00 UTC
Link to this
I hope for the same, but knowing how theatre is for my school, I doubt it. oAo Luckily it's summer break for us so I'm just resting and writing again. Thanks for the black hole coffee I'm sure it'll help me out! :D
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Returnbie! *glomp* *poke* by
on 2016-04-11 16:19:00 UTC
Link to this
Have this plate of fresh welcome-back SPaGhetti!
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Thank you! (nm) by
on 2016-04-11 17:03:00 UTC
Link to this
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Weclome back, Rie! by
on 2016-04-11 15:38:00 UTC
Link to this
Sorry to hear you had a rough year, but it fills me with cheer to know you're in the clear!
. . .
Sorry. That just kind of came out.
—doctorlit is srsly glad you're back, though -
Re: Weclome back, Rie! by
on 2016-04-11 15:49:00 UTC
Link to this
Rhymes brighten my day, thank you for the welcome! :)
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Returnbie! *Glomp* *Boop* by
on 2016-04-11 15:01:00 UTC
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Welcome back! Have this random Munchkin card:
...Well then, it seems you've been ducked -
What a nice duck of doom! by
on 2016-04-11 15:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Thank you for the warm welcome! That's a very nice munchkin card if I may add!
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What a nice duck of doom! by
on 2016-04-11 15:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Thank you for the warm welcome! That's a very nice munchkin card if I may add!
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I actually remember you! :D by
on 2016-04-11 14:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Welcome back! Make yourself comfortable, and have a slice of Infinite Pizza.
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Thanks for the pizza! :D by
on 2016-04-11 15:45:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm sure it'll be handy for me! XD
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Welcome back! by
on 2016-04-11 14:51:00 UTC
Link to this
You've missed a lot, and I'm going to humbly point to the various Year pages on the Wiki as your guide, since I have no idea who you are.
It's very nice to meet you, though. Here's a bucket of popcorn to eat while you watch badfic play out! -
Thanks for the guide and the welcome! by
on 2016-04-11 15:52:00 UTC
Link to this
It's much appreciated, as well as the popcorn!
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hello returnbie! by
on 2016-04-11 14:38:00 UTC
Link to this
Welcome back! Here, have this gerbil. He's very friendly.
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Oh wow thanks! by
on 2016-04-11 14:48:00 UTC
Link to this
What a nice gerbil, I'm going to take care of 'im! Thank you for the warm welcome!
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New Mission! by
on 2016-04-11 22:26:00 UTC
Link to this
In which we find out Za'kiir's intense love of Portal.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PO-_kqhvDiKHhZUl0KVUE3LZE6cMnbyW0Fo6i49nloM/edit?usp=sharing -
Re: New Mission! by
on 2016-04-18 16:43:00 UTC
Link to this
I like how he explained those funny leg-things.
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A note from the Uncanonical Department of Inaccuracies. by
on 2016-04-15 19:05:00 UTC
Link to this
Since you are probably not able to report to our office behind the Creativity Shield, please hit yourself over the head with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and speak, "The figure guarding the entrance to Albus Dumbledore’s office is called a gargoyle, not a golem".
If aforementioned book is not available, you may also use Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but those will hurt more.
Attached below are some additional notes non-Agent Hieronymus took while investigating this mission report.
The Snowdrop, Inofficial Head of Department, Uncanonical Department of Inaccuracies
... fear tinging her voice as memories of the famous game’s implied darker side told of ran through her head.
I get that somebody told Natalie of the game’s implied darker side (and hope I got this right), but can you really say this with so few words or are there some words missing?
Natalie laughed bitterly as they walked out the room with the other wizards and witches.
I’m not entirely certain, but I believe this should be "out of the room".
Moody laid out a plan for how to to get to the test subject
Too many "to".
(In training room 4218 B:)
The agents looked at them down in shock.
I’m not aware that the agents are somewhere up from where they can look down. Should this word just not be there, or did I miss something?
... nor that the everyone else had left the room.
This "the" should certainly not be there.
Yeah, that was strange. Fortunately we weren’t forced to watch Byte replace Harry.
HG -
To The Snowdrop: by
on 2016-04-16 19:55:00 UTC
Link to this
I am sorry for the inaccuracy. The badfic called it a golem, and I was stupid enough to not check to see if it really was a golem. As per your suggestion, I shall do some editing right now. Thank you.
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Aperture Science by
on 2016-04-14 09:09:00 UTC
Link to this
We do what we must, because we can...
(Dang it, you have that song stuck in my head now!)
Look at me just talking when there's science to do...
(I am aware that that line is later in the song, but it's appropriate) -
Nice work! by
on 2016-04-13 14:19:00 UTC
Link to this
That's certainly one of the stranger crossovers I've seen people handle. I loved the gag at the end with Za'kiir singing "Still Alive." I wonder what happened to make Natalie that scared of the Portal games...?
Couple minor things...
"muggle-use wand"
Capitalize "Muggle".
"and laid it in the Four B Bag "
Missing a period after "Bag," and I'm not sure it should be capitalized unless it's a magical item, like a Bag of Holding. What is a Four B Bag, anyway?
"We will be adult wizard and witch this time.”"
Missing a quote mark before "we" and an "an" before "adult".
"richly-colored wizard robes clothes them both"
Should be "clothed them both".
Again, congratulations and good luck with your next mission! -
Editing done and an explanation to your quesion. by
on 2016-04-14 01:27:00 UTC
Link to this
As described on Natalie's page, she owns a blue satchel into which she puts the necessary tems for a mission: food, water, their nomrla weaponry, various tools, etc. And she calls it "The Beautiful Bag of Badfic Breaking", shortened to "The Four B Bag."
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And thanks! (nm) by
on 2016-04-14 01:27:00 UTC
Link to this
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It's me, sorry. (nm) by
on 2016-04-11 22:27:00 UTC
Link to this
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Despite everything, it's still you. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 06:25:00 UTC
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Aaargh! Met to post that in a different spot! Sorry! (nm) by
on 2016-04-11 22:28:00 UTC
Link to this
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Wednesday Pluggage: Speaking of tournaments... by
on 2016-04-13 11:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Generic
Surface
Is
Back!
... but not with actual PPC content. ^_^;
For the past four years, I've known exactly what the next Generic Surface 'story' will be. For the past three years, I've had it 95% completed. I've just... never actually posted it.
Time to change that.
Generic Surface: Battle Royale
(Would you like fries with that?)
Battle Royale #0: The Bracket
Yes, it's a tournament, a series of duels between Lego minifigs - most of them from those wonderful blind bags they're still doing, some additions from my own pieces. There can be only one victor. Place your bets now!
The bracket is above. I'll be posting these in four-strip chunks as Wednesday Pluggages, so here: have the first three battles.
Battle Royale #1: Jane Goodall v. Steve Rugged, Space Captain
Battle Royale #2: Mr Tumnus v. TIE Pilot M-25
Battle Royale #3: Sheila v. Deirdre
Let battle commence!
hS -
Them characters . . . by
on 2016-04-13 15:01:00 UTC
Link to this
Other than Jane Goodall and generic TIE pilot, I don't recognize anyone. Are they all from some property, or are some of them made-up personalities?
—doctorlit is impressed the space man still has functioning vocal cords after a chimpanzee attack to the front parts -
Hmm, who've we got? by
on 2016-04-13 15:23:00 UTC
Link to this
Jane, Tumnus, and Sheila are Collectible Minifigs. The names are my own assignment (as indeed is true all the way through).
The TIE pilot is from... some Star Wars set, I dunno, they all look the same to me. [Ducks]
Deirdre and Steve Rugged, Space Captain are from a trip to the Lego Store - they had a 'build your own minifigs' thing, so I did. ^_^ I think there's another one of those in here somewhere, too.
Checking the bracket, the only fandom characters in there are Sherlock and the Watson Twins. Then there's a few historical (Ramasses and Cleopatra, and I guess Leonidas and Spartacus count), a handful of 'real people' (who are nothing like their counterparts), and... yeah, a lot of 'what does hS's head say'.
(Of course he has functioning vocal chords. He's Steve Rugged - Space Captain!)
hS -
... Richard Hammond? by
on 2016-04-13 19:26:00 UTC
Link to this
That Richard Hammond? The Top Gear one?
... He's goign to pass a fight by rolling a car on the opponent or something, I'm calling it. -
^_^ (nm) by
on 2016-04-14 09:15:00 UTC
Link to this
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> MSPA Readers: Contemplate the end. by
on 2016-04-13 11:49:00 UTC
Link to this
This morning the final act of Homestuck was released (obviously, major spoilers), thus marking the end of a story that has spanned several years and several thousand panels.
I've not been on this ride for as long as some of you guys, but I'm not sure I'm ready to see it stop. I literally just watched the ending animation (and what an animation), so I am still sorting out my feelings on it, but what are your thoughts? Feelings on the end, and the fact that it's ending? -
I'm disappointed, unfortunately. by
on 2016-04-13 20:50:00 UTC
Link to this
The ending feels tacked on and not very satisfying. I mean, the animations were beautiful and all, but what did the characters accomplish? How did they grow through these fights? What did they learn?
Unfortunately, the answer is...not much.
Spoilers and ranting lurk beyond this point. You have been warned.
Let's look at Karkat, for an example. He was requested to accompany Kanaya to meet with her Denizen. Echidna tells Kanaya that it is important that Karkat be kept out of the battle because he is important to the future universe. So he gets KOed by Kanaya and left on LOFAF. He wakes up in a dream bubble and joins the Ghost Army, where he is a joke. He makes the first charge, and is immediately owned. He wakes up on LOFAF. He gets into a fight with the weakest (fighting-wise) of the Felt, and is immediately owned. We get a lovely moment of him crying. He eventually triumphs over that single, relatively weak member of the Felt. End of Karkat storyline. He accomplished nothing. He learned nothing. He didn't grow. He might as well have not even been there.
Karkat deserved better. So did Kanaya, Terezi, Vriska, and even Gamzee. The same goes for various Lalondes and Striders; for Egbert and Crocker, English and Harley.
Before, we were shown a battle lost because of bad decisions, but when it was corrected, we didn't see what the good decisions could do.
We were shown Aranea unlocking Jake's latent power, and it going out of control. We didn't get to see what happens when his powers manifested naturally.
We were shown a world in which Karkat and Kanaya were powerless to help the people they cared about. We never got to see them become stronger, there wasn't any need for it.
We got to meet Calliope and see her get her life back, and then watched her get pushed aside for a God-like version of herself who didn't really do very much and wasn't very interesting.
Most of what happened didn't really matter, and some of the few things that could have mattered (Dirk's heroic death, for instance) were undone.
It just all felt really weak. We had a "bad" timeline that was interesting and significant, but we traded it for a "good" timeline that was boring and insignificant.
So...yeah. Just kinda disappointed.
-Phobos -
>ST: Fondly regard creation. [Spoilers] by
on 2016-04-13 16:48:00 UTC
Link to this
...Mr. Hussie's Wild Ride is over. It's actually over. Well, he does mention an epilogue, but the main part is over.
All that matters is that Can Town is real, Dad Crocker, John, and Jane survived, and Caliborn is defeated. That ticks all the "happy ending" boxes for me. I can be at peace now.
Now I can continue my wild speculations on classpects in peace, without the stress of having my favourite characters killed off to appease Hussie's mad designs. -
Welp, time to catch up. by
on 2016-04-13 16:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I got stuck on the part where everyone is sitting around talking on the frog disc, because seriously, so much text, but I guess I'll just have to power through that.
I came to the party late myself, but I got sucked in because I just had to stick around long enough to figure out whether Hussie actually knew what he was doing or not. It turns out he did! Or he's just an absolute master at BSing his way out of corners, which is almost the same thing. Anyway, it's been fun, and I'm interested to see how it all works out.
~Neshomeh -
>Neshomeh: Catch up. [Spoilers] by
on 2016-04-14 18:27:00 UTC
Link to this
I caught up. And... I guess I don't have any particularly strong feelings one way or the other. I'm content.
While I do agree with Phobos that the ending felt rushed, and that—as several characters observed themselves—most of them lacked narratively satisfying endings, I also feel like it was explained well enough that I'm okay with it. I think it was Davepetasprite^2 who talked about how the contributions of every single doomed timeline mattered, and all came together to result in this final victory. So, we got all the character growth, the struggle, and the sacrifice. The fact that it didn't happen to these particular iterations is the point. Heroes always struggle and die so that other people can have relatively happy, carefree lives. In this case, the people they struggled and died for were themselves. Homestuck is just meta enough to get away with crap like that without it annoying me.
It would have been really nice to see the full contrast that Phobos talked about, though, between the bad timeline and the good one. That way all the efforts of the doomed iterations would have been more rewarded.
What I really, truly believe is that Homestuck needs a second draft now. This is a great first draft, with loads of entertainment value for its own sake and even greater promise, but now it needs editing to prune out the BS that isn't needed (especially in the first three acts), tighten up the plot, and maybe develop that ending some more.
I kinda hope that, in five, maybe ten years or so, we'll get that second draft. Maybe in the form of an animated series or something. That would be sweet.
For now, I'll just reflect fondly on the journey to get where we are now. It's been great.
~Neshomeh -
Well, it means I can at last have a life... by
on 2016-04-13 13:03:00 UTC
Link to this
Without people badgering me to read bloody Homestuck. =]
Having finally finished the damn thing (I wasn't interested to see where the story went as eager for it to be over with), I still don't like the art style at all and the seizure-inducing flashing images are a particular bugbear of mine. That said, Collide and Act 7 are actually pretty good examples of how to show story without dialogue - hell, without text. That's good storytelling, even if I don't think Homestuck has a good story. Sprawling, yes, world-bestriding, yes, but good? A chacun son gout, I suppose.
Still, given that I legit despised the damned thing when I started reading it two years ago, that's probably progress. You've come along way, Homestuck, and I am so proud of you. For a narrative that can be described as "what if the cast of your standard Teenagers-Who-Save-The-World plot of Western kids shows was - get this - bad at it", with massive influences from a vast panoply of animé series as well, it turned into this very grandiose space opera thing. And it still found the time to give a moral at the end, like all those kids shows:
Live well and love well, for everyone who can't.
Pretty good moral, as far as I'm concerned.
-
"Thirty Hs" Legendary vote by
on 2016-04-13 13:42:00 UTC
Link to this
As some of you may remember I posted a topic relating to the lack of legendary status for Thirty Hs. While it was discussed a vote has not occured.
As a reminder: Initial searches results in 3 for "HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," and 2 for "Thirty Hs." A Sonic The Hedgehog parody has been updated within the required time frame, but does not appear in searches. It was originally published in 2005.
I vote for. -
My guess is for the sake of story (nm) by
on 2016-04-14 00:08:00 UTC
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I guess so. by
on 2016-04-13 23:56:00 UTC
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Like, I'm with everybody who doesn't actually see what the big deal is about assigning the label, but in this case I'm coming down on the side of "I don't see why not."
Besides, this thing has fanart. That's kind of impressive.
~Neshomeh -
What SeaTurtle and doctorlit said. (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 16:18:00 UTC
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Seconded, thirded, fourthed or whatever. (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 21:08:00 UTC
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I may be late on the boat here, but... by
on 2016-04-13 15:42:00 UTC
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...why is everyone suddenly so concerned about which fics are Legendaries or not? Like doctorlit said, bad is bad and we don't need to go around slapping labels on things before missioning them.
I don't think we need to go around and make it a contest about who can find and mission Legendaries. That sorta makes it... Iunno. Like a bragging contest. -
No vote. by
on 2016-04-13 14:45:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm really not interested in what fics are or aren't labeled "legendary;" awful is awful. I'm still missioning "HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" regardless of how it's categorized.
—doctorlit piston-kicks a planet -
I vote for. by
on 2016-04-13 14:12:00 UTC
Link to this
There are even more search results for me, "Thirty Hs" basically fills the entire page with the fic.
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Economy of the PPC by
on 2016-04-13 15:39:00 UTC
Link to this
I think I saw how agents aren't paid, yet there are mentions of them paying for drinks in the bar and their food in the Cafeteria.
Does the official armory charge for weapons, or is that just the one out in New Calecdonia?
I heard something about how there is some sort of requisition account for certain items, like a better chair.
Do some agents have problems because they have less opportunity to steal stuff from badfic?
What I'm really wondering is if feminine hygiene products are provided, or if people have to barter for them. -
Some actual answers. by
on 2016-04-13 16:18:00 UTC
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(Answer numbers may not align perfectly with question numbers.)
1/ Agents are paid. In theory. In practice the PPC is chronically short of cash, so there's a lot of... non-monetary pay. According to Selene and Kaitlyn: "We get paid room, board, medical fees, psych fees, repairs, equipment, and reasonable requisitions." That includes the aforementioned chair, and probably official weapons and the like. I don't think I recall anyone paying in the Cafeteria, either, though I may be wrong; I don't think it's common, either way.
2/ Neither Kaitlyn nor Selene are good negotiators. Kaitlyn likely just accepted whatever was offered, and Selene was busy being mentally unhinged. Given that this is the PPC, I suspect every agent's pay arrangements are different. (Agents Vemi and Penny were Discworld assassins, and got their guild fees paid in weapons, for instance.)
3/ There is, despite this, a lot of money rolling around in HQ. You can pay in a dozen different currencies at Rudi's, and there's loads of shops in New Cal. I guess this is supported by a) whatever agents bring from home, and b) a lot of barter and trading. You can probably get a good price for chocolate - you certainly could ten years ago.
4/ Every agent has enough to eat, wear, and work with. But if your agent likes to drink or gamble, but can't scrounge up enough badfic junk to fund it, then yes, they probably will have problems.
5/ That is a really interesting question which I don't think has been answered. ^_^ I would love to see someone write a conversation with the Quartermaster, trying to explain precisely why they count as essentials (the QM being the Morning Glory, of course).
hS -
Looks down by
on 2016-04-18 16:31:00 UTC
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Y'know, I was expecting someone to be quietly discussing the birds and the bees with the Flower, possibly with some squicky descriptions.
Luckily I have a mind like a steel sieve. -
With regards to point 5... by
on 2016-04-13 19:18:00 UTC
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One would very much hope so. You said it yourself (or rather Kaitlyn and Selene said it themselves): agents get both medical provisions and reasonable requisitions. Feminine hygiene products, to my mind, count as both; it's a medical necessity not to contract, for instance, toxic shock syndrome when you have a job like an Assassin's, but it's also a reasonable request on behalf of everyone else that people not bleed all over the place.
Sometimes, y'know, I'm really grateful I'm a trans woman. =] -
Yeah, being fertile was not fun. (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 16:23:00 UTC
Link to this
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Now explain that... by
on 2016-04-13 20:19:00 UTC
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... in terms HQ's most self-centred Flower can understand. ;) This is the PPC, after all - 'reasonable' is not in abundant supply.
(As long as it's funny, obviously.)
hS -
Ficlet response: "Uh, guys? Upstairs sent this." by
on 2016-04-14 13:28:00 UTC
Link to this
A/V Division Technician (and former JMC First Technician) Albert Sproggins looked up at one of the other techs. He was cradling what looked like a large tin box and an old-fashioned slide projector, primarily because that's what they were, so Albert got up from his report and helped him with the weight.
"Thanks, Al."
"No trouble, Mike. What've we got here then?"
Mike ran his fingers through what remained of his hair and sucked in air through his teeth. "You're not gonna like it, Al. It's a No-Drool."
Albert went pale. "Oh, sod."
"No, Morning Glory, actually - oh, right, that's a British thing, sorry. Uh. Yeah. Apparently we're all supposed to watch this thing."
"On a scale of one to the planet leave videos from 'Yperdrive," Albert said slowly, the letter H entirely vanishing from proceedings, "how bad's it going to get?"
"Alien sex is dangerous sex," Mike quoted.
"Oh, smeggin' 'ell. Why haven't you put this in the bunker with the rest of the poxy things?"
"Because it's worse. You smell that kinda musty smell? Someone's got their hands on three-million-year-old developing fluid."
Albert's mouth fell open. "Christ on a bloody bike. From 'ome?"
"You know anywhere else that's got it?"
"Nobody likes a smartarse."
"Look, I need you to go get everyone while I set the projector up. We've got to know whether or not this thing is dangerous."
"Why me?"
"C'mon, man, I don't want everyone to hate me."
Albert sighed theatrically as he wandered off. "You don't drink tea, you great prannock, they already do."
---
The assembled Technicians sat, lounged, perched, and in one case flapped (quite how a sword-billed hummingbird called Eric had become an A/V Technician nobody was entirely sure, but he was the only person who knew how to fix the photocopier) as they awaited the display. Newer members of that merry band were excited by Albert getting out his not-very-secret stash of cakes; upon seeing them stacked on the nice plate with only a couple of chips in it, veteran technicians went a bit pale. Mike sat down next to one of the editing team and wordlessly handed her a stuffed rabbit to cling to.
Albert "Right. Everyone. Standard No-Drool review protocols are in effect. No phones, no recording, no running, no diving, no piddling in the shallow end. Also, since Jazminder's with us today, nobody else eats the iced buns in the pink wrappers, they're gluten-free and they've got Tru-Blood in them. Also, for those who don't know my 'ome continuum, this is a Timeslide. We can enter the photograph, but why you'd want to is beyond me. Okay, think that's everything, sick buckets are up by Dave's workbench in the usual spot. Eric, get the lights, will you, mate? Mike, you're on projection duty."
The house lights dimmed, courtesy of Eric perching on a handy crank, and the slide projector fired up.
A slightly grainy image of a gangly black woman filled the projection screen. "Hello. My name is Antrilovorasilendar, known in this place as the Notary. Today, we will be discussing why feminine hygiene products are necessary with object lessons in what happens when substandard or insufficient supplies are available. The projector provided is a transmat device keyed to my voice, so you will be accompanying me for key segments where audience participation is key to understanding the issues that need to be addressed. Next slide."
The slide changed and a far less pleasant vista was suddenly, for lack of a better word, on display. The Notary looked seriously ill, and there was all manner of stains on the floor of the shot.
"First," the Notary said hesitantly, her eyes glassy, her rail-thin body covered in nothing save for a prodigious and angry rash, "we shall be discussing in detail the symptoms and causes of toxic shock syndrome, using myself as a, as a test bed..."
---
Seven hours later, the A/V Division emerged from the lecture, brows soaked with sweat and clothes stained with... stains.
"I want my mum," said Jazminder.
"I think we all do," Albert replied.
"Well you can't have her, she's mine."
"Ow," someone else piped up from the floor.
Mike made his way to the front of the crowd, pausing briefly to smash his head against the wall. "I think we should go see Medical. Uh. Polly from Editing isn't looking so good. Everyone else? Bleepka. Go get. And send the bill to the Nightshade."
Albert paused, a lone figure amidst the stampede. "Why the Nightshade?"
"Because we can tell her exactly what happened and whose fault this is."
"Mike?"
"Yes Al?"
"D'you think we'll ever be able to feel love again?"
"Doubt it."
"Thought so." -
Oh, fer cryin' out loud. by
on 2016-04-14 17:48:00 UTC
Link to this
*shakes head* The cause is a noble one, I guess, but in my capacity as a reasonable person I feel the need to point out that making your own supplies is a) more environmentally friendly, and b) arguably better for your ladyparts. It's not hard if you know what you're doing.
Poor Lolus is probably having fits. This stunt warrants a serious ass-kicking. Once, y'know, you don't have a temperature of 105, or whatever the Gallifreyan equivalent is. Point is, I'm coming over.
*sighs, shakes head some more, gathers medical supplies*
~Jenni, butting in.
(( Disclaimer: The above statements do not necessarily reflect the actual views/practices of the management.
(( Personally, I figure this is one of those things that it's okay to take for granted as a writer, like bathrooms and everything that goes with them. Still, it is interesting to consider where all that stuff comes from. Who is actually in charge of procuring large amounts of toilet paper on the down-low? And how do the agents manage in the field, especially if cross-continuum contamination is to be avoided? {= D )) -
"Your assistance is neither wanted nor appreciated." by
on 2016-04-14 18:34:00 UTC
Link to this
"I am fine. Sickness passes and will not kill me, however unpleasant the symptomatic period may be. In the end, I emerge triumphant with my stated and unstated goals achieved, and that matters considerably more to me than whether or not it is possible to cobble together the jam-rag equivalent of a shotgun shack out of three dead hamsters and a kebab skewer.
"As for Lolus, the entire experiment took place in a fast-time field so I had time to prepare the slides and presentation; for him, I was gone for intervals of an hour or two at the most. Since I am an active field agent in the Department of Floaters, he shall have to cope with longer absences than that. Or would you rather he accompany me into a badfic to be, for instance, attacked by the incandescent genitals of a possessed fire elemental? That, for reference, was my first mission, and it's been pretty much downhill from there. I don't know how adept Suvians are at caring, even the pSuedo-varieties such as yourself who seek only the thrill of saving a life that hangs by a thread, but one imagines you draw the line at using a dragonet as ablative armour. That's what the human's for. So do not expect my door to be open to you should you ever deign to grace me with your glittery and benighted presence, our business is thoroughly concluded, now go away before I fetch the push-broom."
-- The Notary, butting heads.
((I'd use the same disclaimer, but yeah, it's the Notary, I shouldn't have to point out that the Lonely Sod's views are not my own. =] ))
((I tend to assume that, er, less than entirely scrupulous former agents took to nicking replicators and the like from various badfic, and that (if/when they pegged out) Stores or Operations comes in and hoovers up those kinds of personal effects so that they can get their hands on raw materials. Still, even in our rather more enlightened society, female hygiene is seen as a non-essential purchase because reasons. It might need some of the PPC's more obstreperous members to get the point home that no, this is a thing that needs to change.)) -
You say the sweetest things. ♥ by
on 2016-04-14 19:08:00 UTC
Link to this
But seriously, as usual, you have both willfully misunderstood my point and grossly exaggerated everything you possibly could in an attempt to cast me in a bad light. It's kinda cute that you still think it will work.
Just to be absolutely clear, I am not concerned about your time away from Lolus. Blues and greens are fairly notorious for spending long stretches away from their Impressors. I am concerned that you don't seem to understand that your physical distress will cause him emotional distress. If you don't get that, we are so not done.
And yes, I enjoy the act of nursing. So Sue me.
~Jenni
(( Oh, I'd forgotten about replicators! Heh, that probably answers that.
(( But yeah, modern society does need to get its act together on women's health. No argument there. On that note, have an interesting, probably NSFW Buzzfeed article with video about guys experiencing a simulated period, and how they feel about it. )) -
"I'm not in physical distress." by
on 2016-04-14 19:37:00 UTC
Link to this
"I was briefly afflicted with a debilitating infection under controlled conditions. I didn't get shot. I'm fine, he's fine, I'd rather have a molten glass sandwich than spend another moment in the company of an atrocious White Knighting Suvian probability manipulator, your presence is demonstrably unnecessary. Besides, if you attempt to arrive unannounced, I will simply retire to my TARDIS and go somewhere else in Headquarters; it would likely set me on fire several times in the process, but that is far more palatable than being around you. I'd say it would be an excuse to leave Clown Town, but this is Headquarters we're talking about.
"Of course, I could hardly stop you from finding me once I had landed; you do, after all, make your own luck. One wonders how many times you'll have to do that before this season's most fashionable anklet starts delivering jolts, especially since word from DoSAT is they've been considering upping the voltage for repeat offenders. Perhaps some curious soul will video your frenzied convulsions and share it with your superiors. I do hope so.
"Lastly, Lolus has imprinted on me, largely because I feed him kebabs and fuss him. If I wanted to, and if my hand is forced, all I have to do is touch him with my bare hand and initiate telepathic contact. Such an action, with all my memories of the War, would likely reduce him to a gibbering, brainless husk or make him vanish between. Afterwards I will simply requisition a new paper shredder from Stores and be about my business as normal. Do not darken my door again, you sanctimonious little human. Learn your place."
--The Notary
((I'd say it was a Slap Slap Kiss kind of deal, but the Notary's so much fun to slap that it's difficult to get people to stop... =] ))
((And yeah, I saw that video ages back. It's interesting, and it ties into my firm conviction that if men suffered appalling cramps and sprayed blood from their genitals for roughly a week in every four, there would have been a cure by now.)) -
Oh, good. by
on 2016-04-14 21:32:00 UTC
Link to this
Good thing I did announce my intent, that is, so we can skip the whole melodramatic avoidance thing. ^_^
It saddens me that you still don't get certain basic things about me, though, darling. Even if probability manipulation were a thing I regularly indulged in, like, ever in my entire existence, I still wouldn't have to in order to find you. I'd just have to follow the complaints about the madwoman camping out in the corridor, shouting at people for breaking regulation 449j or whatever. You do a very excellent job of putting off people who aren't as good as I am at ignoring over-the-top defensive BS.
Maybe I'm confused, though. Are you currently infected with a particularly nasty strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria known for its rapid progression and serious complications, including shock, seizure, kidney failure, and death, or did you have antibiotics on hand in the fast-time field? 'Cause at first it sounded like this was still a thing, and now it doesn't.
I'm gonna assume you don't actually intend to threaten Lolus' life. Unlike all the rest of this, that would make me angry, and incidentally also demonstrate a degree of psychotic instability that I'd be required to report to my superiors regardless of my personal feelings.
See, I know exactly what my place is. : )
~Jenni
(( Well, Notary'd have to stop, too, wouldn't she? Seems to me that's the really hard part. {= ) )) -
"You fail to comprehend, as is the wont of humans." by
on 2016-04-14 23:33:00 UTC
Link to this
"By being me, by having the memories I have, I am a risk. I cannot Bleep my brain into oblivion like your own degenerate species; instead, I have had to develop my own coping mechanisms, about which I shall only bore you with the details if and when I am forced at gunpoint into a therapist's office with you as a therapy buddy. All I have to do is touch him with my hand and he will know what I know. This is not a threat to his safety, it is simply a statement of fact. You would not accuse Rogue of the X-Men of threatening behaviour just because she brought it up in conversation.
"And you do manipulate probability, and you do it in the field, and I've got proof. I read the reports on your little jolly to Blood Raining Night. You went off alone to find this Sakura woman and emerged with her, when the Words of the badfic in question stated quite clearly that she was chained up in the dungeon. Or do you make a habit of secreting heavy-duty bolt cutters about your person in case you might need them? How very... convenient it must have been.
"The fact that I am talking to you now, very much against both our better judgment, should be proof positive that I am well enough to do so. Unlike the human, I am not obliged to use a speech-to-text device when writing my reports, but I am doing so anyway. You will note the absence of any onomatopoeic vomiting noises or sudden pauses while I dash to vacate my bowels and dry-retch. When I do things, I prepare for them, and I try to prepare for as many eventualities as possible. You, on the other hand, just engage in rubber-hose cryptography with the entire multiverse until you get what you want.
"One does have to wonder why you bother. But then I remember that Suvians have to be the hero, and have to save people, and then I have no need to wonder any more."
((Oh Notary. U so godawful-excuse-for-a-sentient-being. =] )) -
Ah-ah, no take-backsies. by
on 2016-04-15 02:50:00 UTC
Link to this
If Rogue said "If I wanted to, and if my hand is forced, all I have to do is touch him with my bare hand to"—now I'm paraphrasing—"reduce him to a lifeless husk, and it won't even bother me, so leave me alone or else," I would certainly take that as a threat, because that is what that assemblage of words implies, as you are quite bright enough to know without me having to tell you.
Still, I'm glad you didn't mean it.
But now we have to deal with your shameful fallacy in deducing a general rule from a non-representative case, ignoring the special circumstances of that case. Just because I can do something doesn't mean I always do that thing. I don't always manipulate probability any more than you always go around telepathically demolishing people. Which, again, you know quite well, and are only pretending otherwise in an adorable attempt to rile me up.
I remain unriled. Frankly, since you're not at risk of dying horribly, I'm doing this for fun now. Having to work for my reward is way more fun than cheating. You can generalize that one. ^_~
~Jenni
P.S. Her name is Kagome Higurashi and I didn't "go off" to find her, I was brought in specifically to deal with a chapter with her in it. Come on, you're above such simple mistakes! -
"Time Lord memories are not infinite." by
on 2016-04-15 13:03:00 UTC
Link to this
"It just looks that way. I apologise for the error. However, when it comes to general rules from non-representative cases, I put it to you that aside from in non-representative cases wherein one's hand is forced, one does not launch a nuclear missile.
"As for your reward, well, if your reward is time spent dealing with the Oncoming Form then I question your definition of the term. Still, it's not like I have anything better to do with my time; the human is shooting scripts for her benighted television show, the ConCounOfGaInEx minutes are typed up, Lolus is currently draped over my lap like a stole that missed, the sicknesses that affected me. My life is perfectly fine, and has no need of assistance from a Suvian anthropomorphic wishing-well; I am merely choosing to engage with you - against, it must be said, my better judgment - because it's always fun watching the powerful try and fail to be normal.
"Own it in future, little god. You could rule these grey halls with no effort at all, but you instead content yourself to slum it with the normies and dress like Kurt Cobain's bag lady years. It would take but a moment, for luck is on your side, and the universe is yours to control. So control it. No Suvian can stand to one of their own, no wraith could infect another canon. No more agents dying, so far away from home as to make the concept of it meaningless. No more twisting and misshaping of the multiverse to fit the whims of a panoply of child demons. Peace in our time. You could be the hero your kind begs to be, bestrider of worlds, master of fates. Instead... you are small and ordinary and duller even than myself, which must take some doing. Is this, perhaps, what happens when the divine become truly old? When boredom or senility takes inexorable root and forces you from majesty to scrabbling amidst Generic Surface corridors? I can but wonder." -
Nah, I was never very majestic. by
on 2016-04-15 16:02:00 UTC
Link to this
I leave that to my properly deific cousins. Enough of them threw their hats in that ring that I see no particular need to do the same.
Heck, this isn't even slumming it. Slumming it was when I spent a time or two as a fox, or tried to be a decent healer in times when people still believed in the restorative properties of crocodile feces. Talk about meaningless death.
But, the thing is, you spend enough time among mortals and you start to learn things about them. I figured out a long time ago that death and free will matter. I can't just wipe pain, suffering, and bad choices away and expect people to be happy about it. On the contrary, rampantly flinging power around whether anyone likes it or not tends to get you labeled as a monster in most cases. Trust me, I found that out the hard way. What you might call my childhood was full of learning experiences like that. It's more or less why I've settled here, where I can at least sometimes admit what I really am without suffering more than the occasional insult and, of course, the indignity of this fetching jewelry. It's supposed to come off soon, so that's good.
I'm not infinite, by the way. I actually have significantly less power to sling than I did back in the day. Old age is indeed something I have to deal with eventually, though I'm not quite on the point of going senile yet, I hope. : ) By that point, a physical form will probably be quite beyond me, so you won't have to worry about what happens then. I'll just drift aimlessly through the Void and finally vanish, like a puff of smoke in the breeze.
In the meantime, I mean it positively when I say that I, too, have nothing better to do than chat with you. I'm off-duty, Henry is on a Sprout activity, and Su is on a mission. I consider this an excellent use of my time. We could even, y'know, do it in person, assuming that doesn't constitute a nuclear-strike level of hand-forcing. Do you maybe want to clarify that, since we're approaching a more even-keeled level of discourse?
That in and of itself would not be my prize, for the record. From where I sit, the stakes are rather higher than that, and I'm quite prepared to play the long game.
~Jenni -
((OOC: Er, chaps. Quick question.)) by
on 2016-04-15 17:08:00 UTC
Link to this
Am I going a bit overboard with this? I mean, the Notary's the one posting, definitely, but should I rein her in a bit for the Board? I don't want to make people feel uncomfortable...
-
((I don't see any problem.)) by
on 2016-04-15 17:41:00 UTC
Link to this
((Then again it takes quite a lot for me to actually see a problem, so I'm probably not a good yardstick for that.))
-
(( If it helps... )) by
on 2016-04-15 17:37:00 UTC
Link to this
Neither Jenni nor I are at all upset, because none of it is actually personal. That doesn't make it okay, of course, but just in case anyone's worried for my/her sake, you don't have to be. {= )
And, like, the fire-lizard thing is way not cool, but we're pretty satisfied that it's a bluff. Correct me if I'm wrong, Scape, but my read is that the Notary made a calculated strike at one of Jenni's known buttons (she's self-appointed caretaker of HQ's fire-lizard population for a reason), but once it was made clear that an actual line was nearly crossed, she backed down. There are SOME rules of engagement here.
~Neshomeh at work. -
((Your read is absolutely right.)) by
on 2016-04-15 18:12:00 UTC
Link to this
((Though if you want to get technical, it was less that a line had been crossed and more that the Notary realized she was overextended on that front and couldn't hold that position without undermining her other ones. She's not always very smart. To paraphrase Yu-Gi-Oh: The Abridged Series, her pwan is gweat.))
-
"The gods play games with the lives of men." by
on 2016-04-15 16:28:00 UTC
Link to this
"You deny your power and your heritage for the sake of... what, exactly? Personal satisfaction? The feeling of contentment when you do something without your abilities, when with a wave of the hand you could heal the sick and bring the rain? You have a very laissez-faire opinion of mortal races, Suvian, and it is my opinion that your particularly indolent brand of benign neglect can only go so far.
"As for your shock collar being removed?In order for that to happen, I am given to understand that the proper accreditation will need to be submitted to the Medical Department, signed off by Doctor Fitzgerald, and enacted. Let's just say I wouldn't get your hopes up if I were you, Suvian... though of course you could embrace your powers and make the universe believe it never put one on you in the first place. It's not cheating if you're the one in charge of the rules.
"I am also only too happy to file a restraining order with Legal, and should that miraculously cease to exist, I will file another. Time Lord memories are imperfect, as stated above, but I am careful when I'm of a mind to be. Leave me to whatever fate awaits me, little god. My people touched mortal worlds only lightly; it would serve you well to follow our lead."
((Dissemble, redirect, constantly attack, rinse and repeat. The Notary, everyone, so proud despite a fall from grace. That paragon of the Rassiline virtues; self-abnegation in the face of the machine, obedience, and only being intelligent enough. Should she ever follow Jenni's lead and be a puff of smoke amidst the stars, most people will go "Who?" and those who don't will go "Good riddance." And this is the only way she can parse her existence. What a piece of work is Tree.)) -
Wow. And to think, I grudgingly respected you once. (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 13:08:00 UTC
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I never took you for a fool, Morgan. You disappoint. (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 17:39:00 UTC
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Oh man, this drama is delicious. by
on 2016-04-15 18:31:00 UTC
Link to this
It almost makes me wish I joined the Council so that I'd be able to see this firsthand. Almost.
-E -
"Don't you have a gun to be fellating, Grunt?" (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 19:23:00 UTC
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Nah, I got bored of that and wandered over here. by
on 2016-04-15 19:36:00 UTC
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How's life?
-E -
"This conversation is over." (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 20:07:00 UTC
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Aw, I just got here. (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 21:11:00 UTC
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"People claiming to respect me are imbeciles or liars." (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 13:12:00 UTC
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... I need another drink. by
on 2016-04-15 13:30:00 UTC
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((Shame. I quite liked the plot-arc in Gallifrey Bickers where Morgan grew to see the Notary as a valuable - if irritating - member of the team. ~hS))
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((Well, yeah, so did I.)) by
on 2016-04-15 13:38:00 UTC
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((The Notary's just a chronic depressive who has self-loathing down to a fine art. In her words, from an upcoming story: "Of course I drink. If you were in my company 24 hours a day, you'd drink too."))
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((Not so 'just'.)) by
on 2016-04-15 13:54:00 UTC
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((She's also aggressively insulting/attacking someone who tried to help her, and - however much she might deny it - threatening to kill her fire-lizard. Which are the parts that have finally made Morgan turn away completely.
Because yikes. ~hS)) -
((It's how I used to operate.)) by
on 2016-04-15 14:41:00 UTC
Link to this
((There's altogether too much of how angry and disgusted I can get in the Notary. Aggressively trying to push people away, self-neglect, pushing buttons that they have... yeah. More of it than I'm comfortable talking about in detail. It's why she hasn't just muted Jenni or Morgan. She might rationalize it as "I want them to see me beat them the only way I know how, which is the only way that counts", but really it's because she's emotionally crippled to the point of a personality disorder and is terrified of what happens if it ever gets fixed, and even if it does get fixed, all she has to do is catch a bullet at the wrong time or bang her head on something and out comes the artron energy and back to square one. It's happened before - you've seen the Fun Notary. She's in pain and she's no good at dealing with it and she really does not care about... anything. And unlike the rest of the internet, not giving a toss about anything at all is something I am choosing to present as the deeply unhealthy mental state it is in real life.
((Some days I wonder if I make the Notary suffer too much, and then I get distracted and wander off somewhere else. =] )) -
... I don't get it. :( by
on 2016-04-14 14:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Did the Morning Glory send that video down to them with a false label? Was that deliberate? Wh...why did the humans in A/V need to be taught about feminine hygiene? Surely they already know? At least the ones who have anything to do with it? Why did a bunch of techs sit/get transmatted through seven hours of the Notary without shutting off the projector/hacking the transmat?
About the only thing I do get (after some thought) is why they're going to the Nightshade: she's the MG's nominal boss.
I am confuse.
hS -
Basically? The Notary sent it to the MG first. by
on 2016-04-14 14:27:00 UTC
Link to this
Also I meant to add in more technobabble from the Notary's end about how that wasn't gonna fly, but I... forgot.
Yeah, it's been one of those weeks. -
So did the Notary mislabel it? by
on 2016-04-14 14:28:00 UTC
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... I'm trying to imagine her deliberately putting the wrong label on something. Nnnnnnope, not working.
hS -
The MG didn't so much mislabel it as... by
on 2016-04-14 15:14:00 UTC
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Well, give the A/V Division techs a proper warning for what the hell was on the tape.
(the notary putting the wrong label on something was basically what consisted her rebellious teenage years. that and the poetry) -
I still don't get it. ^_^ by
on 2016-04-14 15:22:00 UTC
Link to this
It's a No-Drool
Alien sex is dangerous sex
Someone's got their hands on three-million-year-old developing fluid
None of those sound like an accurate description of 'the Notary does Your Body And You'. And I have no idea how 'JMC First Technician' + 'three-million-year-old developing fluid' + 'Timeslide' = 'Gallifrey'. Is... is this a thing that I should be recognising? I was assuming Albert was from some random 'verse I've never heard of, up until the Notary's appearance meant he had to be Whoniverse.
So yeah, I still don't get it.
(Despite this ongoing conversation: the fact that you responded to 'now tell the Flowers that' with a fic of your agent literally doing just that makes me inordinately happy. ^_^)
hS -
Lemme clear some stuff up, then. by
on 2016-04-14 16:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Timeslides are from Red Dwarf. Specifically, the title of the episode in which they feature is "Timeslides" (Series 3, Episode 5). Kryten develops some film with three-million-year-old developing fluid that's gone a bit strange over time and allows people to walk inside the boundaries of the photograph if the negative's developed as a slide. For example, Lister uses it to steal Hitler's briefcase and (temporarily) become the most disgustingly wealthy human being to have ever lived.
JMC First Technician Albert Sproggins is also from Red Dwarf, though not (haha) specifically from Red Dwarf. JMC stands for Jupiter Mining Corporation, the company that owned the crimson short one, and First Technician is a rank on board. Basically it was someone in charge of a maintenance shift - A Shift got the jobs like fixing broken drive plates and stuff, while Z Shift got to fix the chicken soup machines when they started dispensing blackcurrant squash. Which shift Lister and Rimmer were part of should frankly be obvious.
"Alien sex is danger sex", however, is a quote from the grossly underrated Hyperdrive, a much later BBC series about space travel being a bit pony. I misquoted it, for which I apologize. The scene in question is from Series 1, Episode 2, and may be watched here. Of note is a really early appearance in a lead role by Miranda Hart, so that's nice.
The whole business here is that the Notary is deliberately infecting herself with as many disgusting things as possible, photographing the process, developing them as Timeslides, and sending it to the Morning Glory to prove a point. This is exactly the kind of ridiculous lengths to which she will go in order to win an argument, get her way, or generally make a nuisance of herself. I am also adding to her presence as kind of memetically unattractive, in the "Oh sweet Jesus nobody wants to see this ever" sense. This is why the MG labelled it a No-Drool; if I've misunderstood the exact nature of a No-Drool vid, then, well, that's on me. Still, I like to believe that the Notary is so categorically unattractive that she's starred in a few, possibly involving Captain Jack Harkness (whose response to the Notary was, one imagines, "never in a billion years"). =]
Finally, thank you! I do try to make people laugh, so even when it falls as flat as it did just now it's good that I got to make you happy with my creative output. =] -
I... do get it! ^_^ by
on 2016-04-14 18:54:00 UTC
Link to this
I still don't quite understand why there's Timeslides and transmats in the same video (surely one or the other is enough?), but the story as a whole makes sense.
Per their first appearance, No-Drool videos are shown to agents who have given in to lusting; they consist of smut the agents emphatically don't want to see, presumably in an effort to commit genocide against their hormones.
There is precedent for non-canon characters being shown (Mal - oh, stars, I'm going to have to check - Maeluiwen was a fanfic parody Sue who apparently hung out in HQ for a while, or possibly on the Board, it's a bit wibbly-wobbly, ha ha), so the Notary is certainly a possibility as a star, and 'that unattractive Time Lady with a bunch of super-weird aliens' would certainly qualify as No-Drool material. The disease aspect probably less so; they're supposed to be anti-lust, not anti-ability-to-cope-with-life-ever-again. I suspect the hardiest A/V techs will now be tasked with clipping out the pure-video aspects to make an actual No-Drool tape.
The one thing I still don't get (I know, I know! I'm awful!) is: I thought this was about feminine hygiene products? What does the Notary giving herself STDs have to do with that?
hS -
She isn't giving herself STDs. by
on 2016-04-14 19:17:00 UTC
Link to this
She's giving herself stuff like toxic shock syndrome because that's what you can get from substandard and/or poorly designed tampons. There's a whole bunch of other stuff, but I left that unspoken because, well, there's only so much of it I was willing to write in a ficlet on the Board. =]
The transmat was there so that the onlooker can't escape out of the photograph when it's time for the, er, interactive portion of the lecture. Maybe it was necessary, maybe not, but the Notary's very methodical when it comes to her stupidly overcomplicated plotting. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that one world or another lost a fine supervillain when she was born a Time Lord. =]
The honour of editing that particular piece of fantabulous wonderment may well fall to Albert and Mike. I think they earned it. They're not technically in Editing, but the A/V's a Division rather than a Department, which implies to me that it's small enough that everyone in there can do at least a competent job at everything else. -
Then I don't get it again. :( by
on 2016-04-15 07:41:00 UTC
Link to this
"...how bad's it going to get?"
"Alien sex is dangerous sex."
~
that's what you can get from substandard and/or poorly designed tampons
Plz to explain how one gets from A to B. I is lost.
hS -
That's just a quote for context. by
on 2016-04-15 09:32:00 UTC
Link to this
Albert and Mike are talking about how disgusting the slideshow is going to be, not specifically involving sex or STDs. Considering the informational video they're quoting features a man's groin literally exploding in a shower of pus, blood, and baby cephalopods... yeah.
I am beginning to realise my writing is dense with references to things nobody else remembers or ever heard of to begin with. This is a problem. I need to be much, much clearer with my stuff. =] -
O...kay. by
on 2016-04-15 10:01:00 UTC
Link to this
Then no, it's not a No-Drool video, since it apparently has nothing to do with smut. Unless I guess people have redefined the term since Nenya came up with it, but who would do that?!?!?!
hS -
Gotcha. by
on 2016-04-15 13:10:00 UTC
Link to this
I was using the No-Drool thing as a convenient shorthand for "this will do horrible things to your brain, have the Bleeproduce handy". I was obviously in error and I apologise; I just couldn't think of a canonical thing that would have the same... cachet, for want of a better word. No-Drool is immediately recognizable, people know what it means without having to really think about it, and I was coming from the position that No-Drool videos got their anti-lust properties from being as unerotic as physically possible - which is why the Notary was in them, suffering from a series of advanced infections.
Perhaps it could be repurposed as a memetic weapon, like a self-replicating virus that clogs up systems and displays it on advertising hoardings and the like, but maybe that contravenes the Geneva Convention. One does have to wonder what sane person would want the Notary within one mile of a civilian population. =] -
Checking my facts. by
on 2016-04-15 13:50:00 UTC
Link to this
(Since everyone else seems to always take me at my word, I guess making sure hS isn't talking rubbish falls to me.)
I've just checked the Wiki article, and there are four references for No-Drool videos. Three of those just list characters, but the fourth is the original, and Nenya actually makes it clear what she had to watch:
"Separate videos. But she had all the mithril lingerie bits on, or off, as the case may be. And they cut out all the bits with the hot male elves shirtless. And the Librarian–"
It is pretty clear that the videos (okay, to nitpick, specifically the Maeluiwen video) was smut. Given her story (which still exists!), it was almost certainly lesbian smut. Which you may recognise as being a thing lots of people enjoy watching. This suggests... six possibilities:
1/ Nenya is straighter than a laser beam and is thoroughly squicked out by naked women.
2/ Nenya knows Maeluiwen quite well, and is thoroughly squicked out by the thought of her doing anything with anyone, female or otherwise.
3/ Maeluiwen is horrifyingly hideous, and this fact just goes unmentioned in her story.
4/ The videos are horrifyingly gruesome, and the fact that Maeluiwen was naked is purely incidental.
5/ Nenya was mostly horrified by the travesty against canon.
6/ "It's just a [story]/I should really just relax...!"
My money's on 1, 5, or 6, though a modified 3 is a possibility (Maeluiwen is horrifyingly unattractive to Nenya). Whatever, I still think that No-Drool videos are smutty, not gruesome.
hS -
Fair enough. by
on 2016-04-15 14:44:00 UTC
Link to this
Please don't take all the previous as me having a go at you, I really wasn't and I'm sorry if I came off that way. It's just, well, I should have done a lot more research before writing that.
I want to impress people on the Board and, well, this is what happens with a rush job. =/ -
Makes-things just called. by
on 2016-04-14 14:47:00 UTC
Link to this
He want to know what caused the simultaneous explosion of all the CADs, C-CADs, etc in the DoSAT. (And Captain Dandy want to now how the duck a Chracter Replacement of an Agent made it to HQ.)
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*picks up Makes-things the mini-Technician* (nm) by
on 2016-04-14 14:57:00 UTC
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There is no need for money post Reorganistation (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 15:46:00 UTC
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Wait, there isn't? :O (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 15:58:00 UTC
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of course I could be wrong (nm) by
on 2016-04-13 16:27:00 UTC
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Or you could be right! by
on 2016-04-14 14:10:00 UTC
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The PPC is a communal creation - if you're seeing something that wasn't deliberately written in, that'd be great. Can you give any more details why you think that?
hS -
To quote the reorganisation page by
on 2016-04-14 14:32:00 UTC
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"The destruction of the ... extremely small budgets of the PPC."
I assumed that meant pay and stuff -
Re: To quote the reorganisation page by
on 2016-04-14 14:50:00 UTC
Link to this
" . . . the destruction of the Department of Internal Security, the formation of the Board of Department Heads, and the extremely small budgets of the PPC." "Destruction" isn't connected to the clause about budgets here; it's saying the Reorganisation resulted in the current low budgets. (Since the PPC isn't getting income from the MS's under-the-table trading between worlds anymore.)
—doctorlit gets paid partly in perks too, really
-
Who wants to play Fill the Plothole? by
on 2016-04-15 10:57:00 UTC
Link to this
So hey, it's been almost a year since we played this. Anyone up for a game?
The rules are simple:
1/ I post a set of plothole-ridden summaries for fanfics.
2/ You write short stories making those summaries make sense (known as 'filling the plotholes').
Told you it was simple!
(No, you don't need Permission. No, you don't need a beta. Yes, multiple people can do the same summary, so no, you don't need to 'claim'. Yes, you should write something quick and off the cuff to entertain us all.)
To avoid the usual 'how very dare you only pick summaries from your fandoms?!', I've just used the fandoms from the last six missions we had posted. So thanks to silenthunder, SkarmorySilver (twice), eatpraylove, Hardric, and Iximaz for providing fandoms to work with.
#1 Harry Potter: loving him was burning red
when you graduate hogwarts, you're both excited, and terrified. somehow seventeen, doesn't feel as old as it did, back when you were eleven, and brand new to this magical world. for your fifteenth birthday, james gave you a necklace, but for this one, he gives you a ring.
hS notes: First person is always funny.
#2 Portal: When Aperture Got Bored
With Wheatley back from space and Chell back from who-knows-where, GLaDOS has nothing to worry about. But one day, she got bored, and decided to engage herself, P-Body, ATLAS, and Chell in a series of sports... much to her disapproval she is forced back into a human's body. What insane adventures will they get stuck into? Also, Chell has just about everyone on speed dial...
hS notes: It's kind of shocking how many humanized robots there are in Portalfic.
#3 Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus
Hazel, Thalia, Piper, and Annabeth formed a band one day because they hoped to leave their life and tour the world. After a turn of events, their life ends up being pretty great. What'll happen when their record company wants them to go on tour? Will they go, or will they stay? (Percabeth, Jiper, Frazel, and Thaleo)
hS notes: Okay, I admit I just went with this for those four obviously-OCs in the brackets. ^_^.
#4 Kid Icarus: Kid Icarus Uprising 2: Hades Revenge
New angle Cloud joins Pit in a new aventure with plot twists, acton, and a batle for the very word. Rated T for curses, but it wil be gods sayin dem, so it's funy. I hav a covar know, makin tis stroy is evan butter!
hS notes: Don't know the canon, so you get an obvious troll.
#5 Lord of the Rings: Elleth of Light
"How does she know for certain?" I asked, continuing to press my body against the tree. I ran my fingers across the ridges of bark; hoping the wisdom and strength from this aging giant could somehow find its way into my heart. "When is our Lady Galadriel ever known to be uncertain?" Such a response was hardly a welcomed one/ 10th Walker, New Character, Read and Review!
hS notes: What is she doing to that tree?!.
#6 RWBY: Neapolitan with an Extra Scoop of French Vanilla
Wow, what could be worse, a sudden end of semester party, where four schools finest, usually meaning their oldest students, turns it into a frat party of epic proportions. Well how about a drunken Knight that got hooked up with a really quiet party girl? How could THAT go wrong?
hS notes: Don't know the canon, so you get an obvious AU.
#7 Harry Potter: Harmless
Sirius Black was bored. And when Sirius Black is bored, bad things happen. But this time it's not too bad... is it? Sirius comes up with the clever idea to time travel to the year 2000 to see themselves in the future. But is it really all that they hoped? And more importantly, will they destroy the timeline in the process?
hS notes: Yeah, no way that could go wrong...
#8 My Little Pony: The Ultimate Life Form
My creators saw life as a challenge to overcome; something to surpass. To succeed life is to succeed creation itself, and in doing so, to transcend the boundaries of mortality. Because if you can create something greater than life, what are you but a a god? Meanwhile, a unicorn scientist tries to break through the fabric of reality, but doesn't account for the consequences.
hS notes: The possibilities of 'scientist breaks through fabric of reality' are just endless.
#9 Jurassic World: Repeated problems
Dr. Henry.Wu has created a new hybrid. The same problem as the indominus rex happens and they must stop it. Read and find out. Please R&R
hS notes: Seriously. Yup.
Go team!
hS -
I'm up for a challenge: Here comes #3 by
on 2016-04-17 21:31:00 UTC
Link to this
(Hope I didn't go far from the original goal)
Hazel, Thalia, Piper, and Annabeth formed a band one day because they hoped to leave their life and tour the world. After a turn of events, their life ends up being pretty great. What'll happen when their record company wants them to go on tour? Will they go, or will they stay? (Percabeth, Jiper, Frazel, and Thaleo)
Annabeth was not pleased with the news she heard. The first message she received in the morning was for her and the girls to visit Aoide Records. Over the last couple of weeks they were performing on both private and public events, and the entire band was hoping for at least few days of break (Annabeth especially, since that was her only chance to see Percy). Instead, when she, Thalia, Piper, and Hazel all arrived at their recording company, the first revelation she heard made her almost spit out the water she was drinking.
“You want us to go where!?”
The company’s CEO, a young blonde man wearing an expensive-looking leather jacket, yellow t-shirt, and aviator shades, beamed her a dazzling smile.
“Barcelona,” he repeated. “I’ve heard it’s quite lovely this time of the year; I’m sure you’ll be adored there! And it’s going to be a wonderful promotion tour.”
He clasped his hands and looked around from one girl to another. All of them had rather vague expressions. Finally, Annabeth spoke again.
“Listen, Apollo…”
“Ekhm...” The CEO cleared his throat and looked at the daughter of Athena from behind his shades. He gently nudged his head towards the people in the hallway; managers, sound crew, and other performers. “We’re not alone, Miss Chase.”
“I mean… Mr. Lite, we agreed for this ‘tour’,” Annabeth made air quotes with her fingers, “as long as it was only around the country. Don’t you think that going overseas might be a little… difficult in our current state?”
“I’m sure it’s gonna be fine.” Mr. Lite smiled again. “I'll send you all the details soon. Now run along, get a good rest, enjoy the rest of the week off! We have Europe to conquer!”
***
"So, are we going or not?" Piper was the first one to speak, after the girls left the studio. They all agreed that after hearing this they all needed coffee (and chocolate, in Hazel's case). "I mean, we agreed for this feint only for the sake of the quest, but now we're going to cross the ocean again."
"The Senate is not going to be happy about this." Hazel added. "So close to the Ancient Lands? Last time was a must, but now?"
"Now it's a must, too," Annabeth replied. "Two months after Gaea's defeat and we still hadn't hunted down all of her minions. All the monsters roaming free, all the Ancient heroes that pledged their allegiance to her... And now we learn that they are leaving the country."
"Your Senate will have to deal with it," Thalia said. "The sooner we end this whole pretending the better. Seriously, why did you have to pair me up with Valdez of all people?!"
"It was my mom's idea." Piper raised her hand slightly. "She said that we all need to have 'secret lovers' for the media to talk about, and since you're the only one without a boyfriend..." She looked at the daughter of Zeus apologetically. "I'll treat you for lunch after we're done with all of this. For a week."
"I guess that means we're going?" Hazel asked, and looked at Annabeth.
Daughter of Athena nodded. "No choice. Let's meet up with the boys and see how their part of the quest goes."
#PleaseDon'tHurtMe -
I like how you didn't make it an AU by
on 2016-04-18 02:47:00 UTC
Link to this
The idea of the characters pretending to be in a rock band as a cover for an investigation is. . . not exactly typical of the PJO universe, but much more plausible than the summary. (It doesn't quite fulfill the prompt since they're not trying to "leave their life." Unless said trip takes them to the Underworld.)(I mean the ancient entrance to the Underworld; they're clearly not going to San Francisco. I wonder if it still works?) And Apollo as a music company executive makes a lot of sense.
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Well... technically they do "leave their life" by
on 2016-04-18 06:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Since they left their respective Camps.
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Oh God the band touring the Underworld is hilarious by
on 2016-04-18 03:39:00 UTC
Link to this
"I think the problem you're all having is that the Underworld's... kind of a downer place."
"Leo, the problem was not that the band was down. I think the problem may have had something to do with the fact that the Stonehenge we commissioned from your Dad was in danger of being crushed by a child!"
"Okay, okay, he's still not great with metric to imperial conversions, you don't have to make a big thing out of it."
"Making a big thing out of it woulda been a really good idea!"
((With my profoundest apologies to This Is Spinal Tap.)) -
LOL (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 11:58:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Elleth Lite. by
on 2016-04-17 05:43:00 UTC
Link to this
'Ssssh, it's okay. It's going to be okay. You're among friends,' John T. Elf whispered to the tree, placing a thick, cosy blanket over some branches.
'It - it was awful,' The tree whimpered, a pathetic and unwelcome shudder running through its colossal, age-worn trunk.
'Please, if you could just explain what happened,' John said quietly, worried that his voice would cause the wooden behemoth to tumble to the ground in a great pile of elf-crushing leaves and branches.
'First,' The tree sniffed. 'First she started with the questions.'
'That's awful,' John said, not getting it.
'I don't even know what a Galadriel is! Why would she ask me?!' The tree moaned, releasing a great, rustling sob.
'It's okay, it's okay,' John said, carefully pouring some of his tea on the tree's roots.
'Thank you,' The tree whimpered, soaking the tea into its roots with a faint 'Schhwooooorp'* noise.
'She began - began,' The tree paused. 'My bark...'
'She ran her fingers over your bark?' John asked, face wrinkled with horror.
'The ridges... wisdom and strength, all of it.'
'This will not do,' John hissed, standing. He was getting it.
'I will find her.'
'Be careful,' The tree whispered. 'She has taken much from me. She is no longer lite...'
'What is she?' John asked, gripping his spear in vengeful hands.
'Elleth Heavy.' †
*Trees actually sound like this when they absorb tea. Try it.
†This is the second funniest joke I've made in fifteen years. If you think that's good, wait until you see the first funniest one. -
That was fantastic. :D (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 08:07:00 UTC
Link to this
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Just wait until you see the first best one. by
on 2016-04-17 09:26:00 UTC
Link to this
But seriously, cheers.
-
Kid Icarus Uprising 2: Hades Revenge by
on 2016-04-16 00:28:00 UTC
Link to this
4 Kid Icarus: Kid Icarus Uprising 2: Hades Revenge
New angle Cloud joins Pit in a new aventure with plot twists, acton, and a batle for the very word. Rated T for curses, but it wil be gods sayin dem, so it's funy. I hav a covar know, makin tis stroy is evan butter!
Because there had to be at least one response for my favorite fandom aside from Pokemon. :D
----------
"Lady Palutena?"
"Yes, Pit?"
"What is this weird pointy thing with spiky blond hair doing here in your temple?"
Palutena looked first at her servant, who was standing at the door to her chamber, and then at the corner in front of her. She chuckled before responding, "Pit, this is Cloud Acton. He's a New angle, and he'll be joining you in... How do I word this..."
She pulled out her spectacles and put them on before reading the letter she had receieved that morning. "...a new 'aventure' with plot twists, acton, and a batle for the very word. Either the writer of this message has questionable grammar, or we're going to be fighting to protect grammar itself."
"Who am I supposed to see, then? The god of language?" asked Pit, fluffing his wings indignantly. "I don't even know how to read!"
"You? Illiterate?!" Cloud looked about as surprised and slightly insulted as an acute spiky-haired angle could get. "Everyone and their DOG knows how to read, you idiot! Why haven't you learned how yet?"
"You'll have to do that very, very quickly," said Palutena. "We may have to round up some missing letters across the land... Perhaps there may be some running around right now that have escaped this very message!"
Right on cue, a stray lowercase letter d ran by. Pit and Cloud followed it with their gazes, speechless, and then looked back to her.
"Anything else we need to know?" asked Cloud. "I could use a little help if I am to gain any more dimensions than this."
"Apparently, we're supposed to be saying curses now, us gods I mean. Does that mean I get to turn whomever's causing all these letters to fly off the sheets."
"Hades? That's my first guess," said Pit.
The letter d ran up to Palutena's leg and muttered something, accompanied by a lowercase i. She pursed her lips. "No, not Hades... Hades Revenge. No relation to the Hades we defeated, apparently. It seems that all the letters are whispering this person's name out of fear."
"But why would Hades Revenge want to scare away all these letters?" asked Cloud.
"One way to find out," said Pit. "I'll go get my Orb Staff. It's about time I learn how to spell!" -
^_^ by
on 2016-04-16 09:37:00 UTC
Link to this
I hadn't even noticed that - 'for the very word'. Excellent. And the notion of an illiterate (really?) canon character on a quest to save grammar is a thoroughly charming one.
"He began because his goddess commanded it. By the end, he had learnt that the rules of language were even more inflexible than hers."
Or something.
hS -
I don't know any of these canons well enough to write by
on 2016-04-15 17:44:00 UTC
Link to this
But I do know enough Percy Jackson fans to know that those names in brackets aren't OCs; they're ship names. Percabeth is Percy/Annabeth, and the others are. . . Google says Jason/Piper, Frank/Hazel, and Thalia/Leo. I don't know who hald those characters are, but I assume anyone actually familiar with the canon would.
--Key is tempted to write one of these anyway -
Oh, I know. by
on 2016-04-15 20:33:00 UTC
Link to this
But we've definitely had 'ship names interpreted as characters' in Fill the Plothole before. (We've actually had Plz R&R as a character before now...)
hS -
Oh my goodness, that's amazing ^_^ (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 07:08:00 UTC
Link to this
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That PJO summary interested me enough to give it a try :P (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 18:24:00 UTC
Link to this
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On the subject of the PJO prompt... by
on 2016-04-15 18:16:00 UTC
Link to this
I am getting an amazing Bad News/Spinal Tap vibe from that one. Like, that's what I'd do if I knew Thing One about the canon in question.
"I could play Stairway To Heaven on her guitar at age 12. Jimmy Page didn't even write it until he was 22. I think that says a lot." -
#9: Repeated Problems (Jurassic World) by
on 2016-04-15 10:59:00 UTC
Link to this
Dr. Henry.Wu has created a new hybrid. The same problem as the indominus rex happens and they must stop it. Read and find out. Please R&R
"You called?"
Claire Dearing turned away from the window and smiled warmly at Owen Grady. "And you came."
Owen gave her a lopsided smile. "I do that. What's up?"
Claire grimaced and half-turned, gesturing out of the window. "They let Dr. Wu back into the lab."
Owen stared at her. "Tell me it's not another hybrid."
"I would if I could." Claire walked up to the glass and pressed her hand against it. "Only trouble is, it's not showing up on the cameras."
"... did you let him use frog DNA again? I thought there was a general conclusion that no good has ever, ever, ever come of that."
"I didn't let him do anything," Claire snapped. "The new CEO-"
"I hear he's been making unauthorised helicopter flights," Owen cut in. "Sounds... familiar."
"I swear, it's just like having Mr. Masrani back." Claire sighed and looked down at her tablet computer. "And Mostly Cretaceous World is full to capacity... all I need now is for my sister to call and say Zach and Gray are coming down-"
Claire's phone buzzed. Her eyes widened, and her gaze snapped to Owen as she pulled it from her pocket and put it to her ear.
"... hello?" A voice on the other end, and Claire slumped in relief. "Oh, Vivian, yes, hello. I was wondering if you'd had a chance to pull together those files...?"
Owen tapped the glass that looked out into the apparently-empty pen. "Claire?" he said. "What do you want to do about this?"
Claire covered the phone's mouthpiece. "It'll show up soon enough," she hissed. "What, do you think I'm going to open the doors? Honestly, Owen, I do learn from experience." She rolled her eyes and turned back to the phone. "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. That sounds good. - wait, my sister did what?"
A reminder that a) you can still do this one even though I have, b) you should fill a plothole, and c) concrit is appropriate even for these little stories.
hS
-
It seems I'm not a teenager anymore by
on 2016-04-15 13:56:00 UTC
Link to this
Seeing as I'm twenty as of today! So you darn kids, get off mah lawn :).
Party in the Slightly Too Big Auditorium anyone? -
Happy birthday, you rusty codger. by
on 2016-04-16 02:22:00 UTC
Link to this
You're so bloody old, I think I can actually hear the arthritic creaking of your ancient, aeon-worn joints.
Don't type too fast, mate! Your fingers might collapse into fine particles of dust, and what'll you do then?
My present to you is: A pair of dentures.
Who knows how long those teeth'll last for? -
If he's old, what am I? by
on 2016-04-16 02:47:00 UTC
Link to this
I mean, I'm about two years older. Birthday's coming up soon, in fact. And I shudder to think how ancient hS, Nesh and the rest of the oldbies are.
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Basically dead. by
on 2016-04-16 03:32:00 UTC
Link to this
Piles of dust on the floor, been rotting for centuries, dug up and being showcased in a museum, students in Ancient History doing assessments about you.
Old. -
Happy Birthday! *tosses Spikes* (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 00:54:00 UTC
Link to this
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Happy Birthday! by
on 2016-04-15 21:59:00 UTC
Link to this
And remember you're now one fifth of the way to 100.
-
Happy birthday! by
on 2016-04-15 20:02:00 UTC
Link to this
Have both Black-hole coffee and black-hole chocolates, please.
I'd be happy to go to the party but beware. Being a twenager is way overrated. -
Happy birthday! *blows noisemaker* by
on 2016-04-15 19:57:00 UTC
Link to this
Here's a ghost-shaped mini-Missingno! Its name is sunstone, it doesn't eat, and like all mini-Missingno, it has a rotten sense of humor. Have fun!
-
*cakefetti* by
on 2016-04-15 15:29:00 UTC
Link to this
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE
HOPE NOBODY MAKES YOU BLUE
AND YOUR CAKE DOESN'T EXPLODE IN GOO!
*blows noisemakers* -
Happy birthday, Tomash. by
on 2016-04-15 15:26:00 UTC
Link to this
Many happy returns!
-
GRAB THE CHAIR, BOYS! WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BUCKET-KICKER! by
on 2016-04-15 15:00:00 UTC
Link to this
HIT IT!
Happy Birthday my olde friend.
It seems this horror show will never end.
Any moment's your last breath,
Here is to another day closer to death. -
Happy birthday! by
on 2016-04-15 14:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Have some boxes of dubious origin! They all have very pretty bows. There might be a hamster or something in one of them, or perhaps just a jar of Marmite. Who knows? Enjoy your day of birth, and have fun celebrating with traditional (or non-traditional) human customs!
-Vee -
Happy Birthday! by
on 2016-04-15 14:43:00 UTC
Link to this
Have some mint and orange cookies! They taste how growing up feels. ;D
-
Ooh! Happy birthday, friend! by
on 2016-04-15 14:00:00 UTC
Link to this
Have a good one! And here's some virtual cake and some bleepolate! Enjoy your Name Day!
-
Why is every fic ruining minor yet important characters? by
on 2016-04-15 13:58:00 UTC
Link to this
Every writer in the Hobbitfics I've read is antagonising Dáin II Ironfoot because of reasons as well as every Thorin/OC fic is removing the importance of Thorin III Stonehelm by having their OC be the mother of the last reincarnation of Durin and yeah, I know Lee Pace's Thranduil was a dick but I don't think he's a villain.
These are a salty noodle's words because she's reading an eighty six chapter fic where her special snowflake OC who has Thorin, Beorn, Thranduil, Legolas, and Dáin lusting after her. And she's twenty two years old but looks to be fourteen. Also, why does she have to look like Legolas' mother? I've been screeching like a pterodactyl since a while ago.
I'm a Thorin/OC writer, but it's also a challenge for me to see if I could come up with decent characters and not characters like this Special Snowflake. And so far, I think I'm alright. Anyway, I'm a very salty noodle right now since this OC is meant to save the Durin sons and she's so whiny and incapable of defending herself.
Oh yeah, special snowflake OC has been given super powers by the Valar for....reasons I guess. She's basically a Maia now with her power. ...ing hell. You know, the blessing of the Valar could have sufficed since that means they approved of your quest to save the Sons of Durin. But no, they had to give that OC powers. If you are capable of saving these three dwarves, you won't need powers, you will prove yourself capable of defending your wards. Not dependent on THEM to protect you.
Ranting noodle is done now. -
You forgot Denethor. by
on 2016-04-15 17:16:00 UTC
Link to this
Granted, he doesn't appear in the Hobbit, but fact is his character got slaughtered. (something I only really understood after reaading the books)
One of my brothers said about this that these minor characters passed through the Character Blender because the pulic needed antagonistic figures who weren't a flaming eye or a dragon only appearing through a few scenes, and that was more easier to slaughter minor characcters not exactly behind the heroes...
However, I admit I also find that pretty dumb.
-
ICEP: Are you still alive? by
on 2016-04-15 18:09:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Are you still alive?
Seriously, I haven't heard from you in weeks. And you've been avoiding me for months now. Message me back or swing by? C'mon, Lara, don't freeze me out.
—'Nix -
I'd like to request the entire ICEP portion be deleted. by
on 2016-04-15 21:30:00 UTC
Link to this
The top can get modified so we don't end up with a giant set of loose threads, but it's been pretty well dismantled and even if people decided to reply anyways I no longer have the motivation to do so.
-
Um. by
on 2016-04-15 18:24:00 UTC
Link to this
What is this, exactly?
-
Okay, I'm sorry, who are you? by
on 2016-04-15 18:24:00 UTC
Link to this
I know it's the same person posting but neither agent you've posted under is in the Wiki save for the ICEP address book.
So... if you don't mind me asking, what's going on? -
Clarification, and an apology. by
on 2016-04-16 11:04:00 UTC
Link to this
Or at least, hopefully an apology.
I apologize for being so brusque in response; no one on the board deserves that. Des and Iximaz didn't deserve that kind of reply. I should have held off on posting anything until I wasn't as ridiculously tired as I was and actually capable of reacting and responding reasonably; I just hadn't thought that I'd get sledgehammered with two replies in the same minute questioning what was going on, and it caught me off-guard.
Again, I'm sorry. -
Okay then by
on 2016-04-16 16:03:00 UTC
Link to this
A proper apology means owning up to what you did wrong and taking responsibility for it.
You weren't brusque. You openly accused Iximaz and Des of ganging up on some poor newbie because that's just how they operate, while at the same time managing to tell Iximaz off for "jumping to overly aggressive conclusions" and "instantaneously suspicious".
Claiming that you were "sledgehammered" by getting two confused messages to your RP thread makes no sense, especially since it's very clear from your answers to both Iximaz and Sergio Turbo, that it wasn't about the number or timing of the messages but rather about the people posting.
I don't know what your problem is with Iximaz and Desdendelle and I don't care. No really, I don't. What I do know, is that Iximaz is leaving now and you can't even cough up a real apology for your attack on her. -
Clarifying something: by
on 2016-04-18 09:39:00 UTC
Link to this
I know for a fact that July's apology was sincere. She is absolutely sorry that she a) accused Iximaz and Desdendelle of ganging up on people, and b) did so in such a 'brusque' (to use her word) manner.
The fact that she didn't spell out all the reasons behind her apology doesn't mean that it wasn't honest.
hS -
Seconding. Also, my position on all of this. by
on 2016-04-18 17:40:00 UTC
Link to this
I know July is sincere, and since Iximaz has stated that she's not leaving because of this, we should all let it go at that.
As for the rest, I wasn't going to say anything at all, but I don't think that's fair, so here's my position: I have not and will not engage in discussion with Data Junkie or their friends, because I believe that nothing productive can come of speaking to someone who is not acting in good faith. I gave them the benefit of the doubt in the Prompts discussion. I will do so no longer.
I would like everyone to bear in mind that "but so-and-so acted badly, too!", even if it's true, is not a valid defense of one's own bad behavior, and you should not accept it.
I implore you all: Henceforward, do not feed the trolls.
If you would like my opinion on anything that's been said here in the last couple of days, please feel free to e-mail me. My address should be linked in my username, but if not, it's on my wiki user page.
~Neshomeh -
Thank you for the clarification by
on 2016-04-18 10:31:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm glad to hear it. I'll add that I wasn't trying to stir up drama, I honestly did read her post as much less sorry (if that's the right expression) than you tell me that she was.
-
Out of the line. Please apologise. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 17:17:00 UTC
Link to this
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Considering July's history, that's perfectly reasonable. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 19:27:00 UTC
Link to this
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Oh no, you don't by
on 2016-04-16 19:56:00 UTC
Link to this
I stand by my post. I believe that JulyFlame should apologize to Iximaz and Des for making personal attacks, not just for being brusque. But I will not have you try to hijack my post and make it about something else.
You have a problem with her, take it up with the community at large. -
Re: Oh no, you don't by
on 2016-04-17 07:41:00 UTC
Link to this
I would counter that I was not trying to make it about something else. I was saying July has a history of making personal attacks and asking her for a real apology, while unrealistic, is not out of line.
-
Re: Oh no, you don't by
on 2016-04-17 13:37:00 UTC
Link to this
I made a post about how July acted in this thread. You then brought up history and made a personal attack on her in general, which was exactly what I was criticising her for doing. And I know you'll say that July was in the wrong and you're in the right, but that's not how it works.
Now everybody is all about defending her from your attacks, rather than looking at what she did and considering whether that apology wasn't rather half-hearted. To put it on another way, you just turned her into the victim.
Look, I don't doubt that you have the evidence you say you have, so please, dig it up and put it forward. I know she herself made a post like that once, so you have every right to do the same. -
Interesting point by
on 2016-04-18 01:27:00 UTC
Link to this
I am, in fact, in the process of gathering all the evidence I had at one point. Sadly some internet decay has set in and some of it is no longer recoverable. However, July has, amazingly, provided ample logs in which she is blatantly attacking newbies, so it's been slightly smoother going.
-
Data Junkie: please just stop. by
on 2016-04-18 09:39:00 UTC
Link to this
You said, somewhere in this morass:
I could just make a sham backhanded apology, blame the person I'm apologising to when they don't accept it, then pull up ancient chat logs and claim there's a conspiracy against me when people call me out on my behavior, but that'd be petty and manipulative, right?
You are, right now, doing the third one of those. Please look at what you're doing and just stop.
hS -
Eh, okay by
on 2016-04-18 23:55:00 UTC
Link to this
For the record, I wasn't even gonna touch the logs until people started asking for proof of what I was saying, and I never said there was any kind of conspiracy against me.
But, y'know, whatever. I forgot that this is the same forum where, when we had someone making homophobic remarks, the ones who got in trouble were the people who said that doing so was wrong. -
... and you've just lost the benefit of the doubt. by
on 2016-04-19 07:40:00 UTC
Link to this
Hi, everyone who wasn't actually there: Data Junkie is not misinterpreting, or misremembering, or even just shading the facts: they are flat-out lying.
The incident they were referring to with this:
when we had someone making homophobic remarks, the ones who got in trouble were the people who said that doing so was wrong.
Went roughly like this:
-Someone who had previously made homophobic remarks asked for Permission.
-July denied it on the basis of those previous remarks.
-Some people - myself included - said that a single incident was not grounds for summary banning from the PPC.
-Data Junkie's friends objected, and pointed out that there had been multiple incidents.
-Most of the people who had said Jacer shouldn't be banned retracted and apologised.
-Data Junkie's friends continued to harass, harangue, and flame everyone who dared say that anything they were doing was in any way wrong, including flaming. This behaviour continued through a full rewrite of the Constitution forced through by them.
-The one person who dramatically 'left' at that time later returned, and picked up the same pattern of flaming and harassing anyone who disagreed with them on anything, often on the basis of that same thread.
The bahaviour of the people Data Junkie characterises as 'the ones who got in trouble' was enough to nearly cause myself and Neshomeh to leave the PPC. They did cause at least one newbie to quit. The 'trouble' they received in return was Neshomeh asking them to respect the Constitution.
If you want to read the whole thing, it's here in the archives. Go decide for yourself who 'got in trouble' if you don't believe my account. Was it the person who quit the Board over having the Constitution cited at them, or the people who were yelled into silence every time they said anything?
Or if you can't stomach the original thread, go and read this follow-up to see who was 'in trouble'.
Data Junkie is lying. Data Junkie is trolling. Neshomeh and Scapegrace are right:
Do not feed the trolls.
hS -
If I recall correctly... by
on 2016-04-19 08:18:00 UTC
Link to this
"Data Junkie's friends" weren't the only ones disgusted that you, Nesh and Annabee defended Jacer. Unless you wanna count July among my friends. I mean, sure, I do count a few of the other oldbies (who I am not naming out of respect for their desire to stay out of current board drama) as friends, but I doubt you were referring to them either. In fact I'm pretty sure the "friends" you mean was exactly one person: Tray-Gnome. Who admittedly did flame Jacer, and was admonished for it, but so was everyone else who said Jacer's opinion was bad. And yes, Tray's exit was very dramatic, and yes Tray later came back, but then, if I remember correctly, Tray also left again, because of you this time.
Admittedly, I may be slightly off. I am, at this point, relaying events remembered second-hand and I can't figure out how to read that archive of yours. -
Good point that the main flamer in that incident left by
on 2016-04-20 02:10:00 UTC
Link to this
Would have been a bit more palatable if you'd apologized for misremembering. We all remember stuff wrong. I've been on the wrong end of arguments because I remembered something wrong.
-
Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 12:03:00 UTC
Link to this
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I'm no longer certain you're not trolling yourself by
on 2016-04-19 18:25:00 UTC
Link to this
While my previous posts you replied to with this repetition were... let's go with "snide", this one is literally me relaying events as I recall them.
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Do not feed the trolls. by
on 2016-04-20 00:54:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm just refusing to engage with you in any meaningful sense and encouraging others to follow my lead. It doesn't matter if all you're doing is relaying events as you purport to remember them: you're completely, demonstrably wrong, and we've got the evidence to back up that assertion in a Google Spreadsheet you claim a convenient inability to read. You are not arguing from a position of good faith; you are simply here as a malicious gossip.
I say again: do not feed the trolls. -
Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 01:39:00 UTC
Link to this
-
And you know that because...? by
on 2016-04-17 07:49:00 UTC
Link to this
Making repeated groundless accusations like is getting really grating.
Stop. That. Read. The. Ducking. Constitution.
Understood? -
And for the record by
on 2016-04-17 08:29:00 UTC
Link to this
Just because things happened before your time, does not mean they never happened at all. It is possible, probable even, that when someone makes accusations about an established member of the community, that have personally seen evidence to support their accusations.
-
Yes, your 'evidences' are overwhelming... by
on 2016-04-17 10:14:00 UTC
Link to this
I mean,your word is clearly ironclad and how could I dare doubt something that was told, not showed. Your previous insults seem so trustworthy.
It is possible, probable even, that when someone makes accusations about an established member of the community, that solid evidences are needed. -
Dude, he's not making it up. by
on 2016-04-17 20:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm not getting involved, and I have long since lost track of those chat logs, and I think he's going about this in an utterly asinine way, but he's not lying. That absolutely happened.
(To be fair, the Boarder known as Tray left because they got really upset at Huinesoron for perceived slights. Not because of July.) -
Then he should have used evidences. by
on 2016-04-17 20:21:00 UTC
Link to this
If he's so hostile because of past issues, he should have brought them up in a rational and reflected way, without trolling and poisoning every thread. He just sunk any credibility as thoroughly as Ken Akamatsu sunk Negima when his editors began acting funny with his author's rights.
Morever, it is years-old evidences. I hope that people are able to change for the best in such time. -
I don't like getting into these anymore. by
on 2016-04-17 22:45:00 UTC
Link to this
I would also like to believe that people are able to change for the best in years. However, I would note that Data didn't just jump into random threads with July in them and start yelling; he responded to a behavior that he saw as similar to the sort of thing that used to happen in the IRC, four-five years or so ago.
No, I don't think it was necessary. In fact, I'd really have preferred it not happen. And, if it were to be brought up, ye gods do I not want to see those dirt-sucking, bone-grubbing chat-logs again. Ever again. But you may want to be careful what you wish for. They don't really paint anyone who's in them in a good light. July, me, Data, Caddy, Miah, Dann - every one of us comes out looking like a jerk. Data's using the reference to remind those who were around what happened. If you really want a refresher course, I'm sure more than one person has those logs.
But saying "This is a serious behavior problem, and it's been going on for a long time," is not a Constitution violation. Yes, even if the person is "an established community member." July has been gone for years, but was around for years before that - Data is in the same situation. Neither of them has more credibility than the other.
Saying "This person is a jerk and I don't like them" is, a violation, and . . . eh, why am I even bothering? This kind of no-holds-barred everyone-gets-mad drama is the whole reason I stopped posting here. I think I'm done here. -
I'm sorry for bringing back bad memories. by
on 2016-04-18 05:48:00 UTC
Link to this
And for showing the sensibility of a rusted nail. I shuldn't have reacted so strongly. It doesn't benefit anyone.
Data, from what you said had reasons for reacting the way he did. I reacted this way because... Well, because I'm an idiot, because recent events didn't sit well with me, and because I wasn't the only one rusted nail around.
I guess indeed that using these logs would be a bad idea. But ... No I should stop going that road.
Again, sorry for you, Vixen. Should have calmed myself a long time ago. Doesn't benefice anyone here. -
Only thing I have to add is it's "they" not "he", but yeah (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 01:11:00 UTC
Link to this
-
I know for a few reasons by
on 2016-04-17 08:25:00 UTC
Link to this
For one, I was a frequent sparring partner back in the IRC's heyday. For another I personally witnessed her bullying Aster Corbett and Digital Socrates, and was shown logs of her interactions with Bronwyn and her talking about Tray Gnome and melancolicPoet behind their backs. If you like, I'm certain I can dig it all up again. It's not like this is the only community she's done it in either. We've had people from other communities who were interested in joining but refused to when they found out July was a member because they've been a target of hers. Go ask around the Imperium Nova chat and I suspect you'll get a whole mix of reactions about her based on who you ask.
Of course, last time this was brought up as an issue it was dismissed as an "IRC problem" because, as we all know, the IRC is not part of the PPC for real. I figure now that she'd done it on the board, July's behavior was no longer an "IRC problem" but a genuine problem. -
Pleas stop, Data. by
on 2016-04-16 19:31:00 UTC
Link to this
If you don't want to help calm things down, don't stir them up further.
-
That was unnecessary. Please apologise. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 16:50:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Perhaps next time you ought check the archives. by
on 2016-04-15 18:29:00 UTC
Link to this
Instead of jumping to overly aggressive conclusions and being instantaneously suspicious? Particularly for something part of an entry that dates back years, which implies that the writer has also been around for years.
-July. -
I was actually looking through the archives just now. by
on 2016-04-15 18:31:00 UTC
Link to this
But I don't think being confused and asking for an explanation counts as being overly aggressive.
-
Okay, let me put it this way. by
on 2016-04-15 18:35:00 UTC
Link to this
Both you and Des posted in the same minute.
You were both no doubt talking about it the moment it popped into your attention.
You both- and I know how you operate- were probably quite galled at the idea of some greenhorn going and doing such a thing on the board without you knowing whom it was.
I am not impressed.
-July -
Dude, seriously. by
on 2016-04-15 20:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I, too, was baffled and a little suspicious about someone popping up out of nowhere and RPing with themself, which is not normal, average, frequent, or expected behavior. This is despite vaguely recognizing the agent names, even. I might've said something, too, and I would certainly not have gone digging through the Board archives first even if I weren't at work, especially not the spreadsheeted ones that take bloody forever to load and search through. "Who are you?" and "what are you doing?" are perfectly reasonable questions when the answers are not in evidence. It's also reasonable for more than one person to have and express feelings, even at the same time.
If you know something the rest of us don't, would you kindly enlighten us?
~Neshomeh -
I'm going to drop this for now and return later. by
on 2016-04-15 20:08:00 UTC
Link to this
Because I'm clearly not rational at the moment enough to be talking with other people. I had an opportunity to upload something I had been working on to the board and I took it, because we're in port, despite having recently finished a 21 hour work day.
For that I apologize. I should have waited or clarified or something.
Either way it's too late now and I'm not going to further airing out dirty laundry on the board when I'm clearly not capable of handling anything with any sense of reasonableness. -
I'm sorry, do you mind if I do this? by
on 2016-04-15 19:58:00 UTC
Link to this
I feel like I'm missing something, because as far as my knowledge of English language goes, "if you don't mind me asking" doesn't imply aggression, does it?
From a strictly semantic point of view, disregarding how I feel about any one of you personally, I didn't see any phrasing suggesting "being instantaneously suspicious" either.
So unless it's something personal, I don't think bringing it up here was a good move, July. -
July, I think you're being too harsh. by
on 2016-04-15 19:37:00 UTC
Link to this
Looking at Ix's messages, it looks like she was just confused because someone started posting their agent interactions on the main Board out of nowhere. That'd be confusing to anyone! Assuming that she wanted to put someone in their place or whatever seems to be assuming a lot of malice unfairly. Saying things like "if you don't mind me asking" or "I'm sorry" really don't sound like she's trying to be aggressive, either, it sounds like how you phrase things when you don't want someone to get hurt or insulted.
-
July? Out of line. by
on 2016-04-15 19:12:00 UTC
Link to this
Go read the Constitution. Really, do it. Now.
-
Kindly don't tell me off for that. by
on 2016-04-15 19:53:00 UTC
Link to this
I know what I am saying and why.
-
That sounds familiar (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 08:49:00 UTC
Link to this
-
I assume you didn't mean to be Anon, Data Junkie? (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 08:58:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Well by
on 2016-04-16 19:30:00 UTC
Link to this
I was mostly going for "let's point out a pattern of behavior while attempting to not color it with my own personal history with July." So no I was actually anon on purpose.
-
Okay... by
on 2016-04-16 20:31:00 UTC
Link to this
I won't judge July because I've got far too many misshaps on this Board,and most above all because that's wrong.
Let me be clear dude. You do not duck up this Board for vandetta. Last time I'm being polite here.
Please take back your flames and stop that. -
Is "patterns of behaviour" REALLY the hill you wanna die on? (nm by
on 2016-04-16 19:51:00 UTC
Link to this
-
I mean by
on 2016-04-17 05:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I could just make a sham backhanded apology, blame the person I'm apologising to when they don't accept it, then pull up ancient chat logs and claim there's a conspiracy against me when people call me out on my behavior, but that'd be petty and manipulative, right?
-
May I be frank with you? by
on 2016-04-17 09:46:00 UTC
Link to this
I believe my friend's version of events over yours, a person I barely know who I haven't seen do anything but antagonise and throw their toys out of their pram for... well, one assumes attention. Wow. What a truly unpredictable happenstance that nobody could possibly have foreseen.
I would bring up more points here in July's defence, but it'd be completely pointless to do so because you do not argue in good faith. You are here, as far as I'm concerned, for one purpose and one purpose alone; the character assassination of a dear friend. And you think you can get away with it because she snapped at another dear friend of mine who happened to be one of the most popular people on the Board.
Well, you can't.
I'm not a PG. I don't have any power or pull on the Board. But then, neither do you. You're just a toddler howling on the shop floor because Mummy let someone else ride in the trolley instead. I find your attitude not only repugnant but in active breach of everything in the Constitution, and far, far too reminiscent of the vicious, unpleasant little fishwife I used to be to feel comfortable sharing a forum with you.
And hey, maybe other people are akin to secondary targets as well. I wouldn't be too surprised if getting July's friends angry enough to shout at you because of how you treat her is something you consider an added bonus, because it is a Law of the Interwebs that the person who gets angry loses, regardless of why they're so incensed. If so, you really need to look up the Constitution, mister Agent Of Change. Your behaviour is unbecoming of anyone in this community, regardless of whatever perceived slights July threw your way back before you buggered off, and it needs to stop. NOW.
Sorry to rant, chaps, but this needed to be said. Yes, this whole thing is a mess, but Data's just adding to it. -
being frank is all well and good... by
on 2016-04-17 16:04:00 UTC
Link to this
but saying things like "percieved slights" makes it pretty obvious both how new your are and how willing you are to minimize accusations.
-
Okay, this stops here. by
on 2016-04-17 16:17:00 UTC
Link to this
I believe my friend over a troll. This is not a difficult concept to wrap your head around. However, this is the last I shall say on the matter:-
Everyone reading, I implore you. Do not feed the trolls. Do not engage Data, do not engage this most recent anon, just let them spew their vitriol and move on. This has to stop, and it has to be the users who give a damn about the Board and its community who stop it.
Let's leave these pathetic people to their hatred and get on with our lives. -
i mean, sure by
on 2016-04-17 16:26:00 UTC
Link to this
labelling anybody who says things you don't want to deal with as a "troll" is definitely a good way of doing things, instead of assuming they're someone burned by July's toxicity.
Take it from me, kid, you don't know who you're dealing with. You've never had to deal with her talking behind your back, with the manipulation, with the mind games.
And you know what? Maybe you're one of the lucky ones! Maybe you never will have to deal with her shit!
But believe me, if she burns you, you'd wish you'd listened, because there isn't here who'll listen to you. You're just proving it. -
Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 16:38:00 UTC
Link to this
-
by all means ignore me by
on 2016-04-17 16:41:00 UTC
Link to this
just remember that the ppc does not have a good track record of dealing with toxic individuals. may want to do something about that.
-
Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 17:05:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Dude... by
on 2016-04-17 07:42:00 UTC
Link to this
You should really read the Constitution again. Here, let me give you the link. You seem to have difficulties for finding it.
-
Then can you explain? by
on 2016-04-15 20:00:00 UTC
Link to this
Because I think I know those two well enough to say that they aren't evil co-plotting backstabbers or anything of the sort.
-
And the reasons are... ? by
on 2016-04-15 19:59:00 UTC
Link to this
Sorry for intruding, but you're quite aggressive here, and I'm curious (as everyone, I guess) to know what's going on with this thread and these characters.
-
Uhm... I think I went a bit too blunt here. by
on 2016-04-15 19:50:00 UTC
Link to this
I apologize for that.
But, well, the point is, you've been implying that Iximaz and Desdendelle, two Boarders known and trusted enough to be appointed Permission Givers, decided to deliberately plan to dogpile against someone, with the only proof being a time coincidence and the tone of both their posts being just of confusion.
(In fact, I am rather confused myself about this thread, too. Mind someone in the know explain me what's going on with those ICEP posts?)
I think you owe an apology to the both of them. -
Our posting together at the same time was a coincidence. by
on 2016-04-15 18:35:00 UTC
Link to this
But thanks for jumping to conclusions.
-
Subject: Saaaandra by
on 2016-04-15 18:09:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Saaaandra
I'm worried about you, really.
—'Nix -
Subject: Oh Saaaandy by
on 2016-04-15 18:10:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Oh Saaaandy
Don't make me unleash Grease lyrics on you. I'll do it.
—'Nix -
Subject: C'mon! by
on 2016-04-15 18:10:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: C'mon!
How much Mexican food is it going to take to bribe you into talking to me?
—'Nix -
Subject: Don't be dumb. by
on 2016-04-15 18:11:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
Subject: Don't be dumb.
Since when were you this needy? And don't you dare Sandra Dee me.
I'm not ignoring you, I'm just stupid busy because it turns out there are way less people who actually know Star Wars than they think they do. -
Subject: Then educate me. by
on 2016-04-15 18:11:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Then educate me.
Since you disappeared and left me to my own devices. Staring at video of empty corridors in hopes of something happening is boring, don't you know?
Wait, how does that work? Doesn't everyone know Star Wars?
—'Nix -
Subject: Patience, padawan. by
on 2016-04-15 18:12:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
Subject: Patience, padawan.
I'm sorry your job is so easy.
No, they just think they do, because of pop culture and seepage and all that, or maybe they saw at least part of the trilogy featuring Anakin but never all of the old movies or just caught bits and pieces and they filled in the rest because of What Everyone Knows.
So I've been busting my butt since Christmas when we found out a bunch of people Sorting didn't actually know canon. That's on top of the usual workload, not to mention the increasing trickle for HP because of new canon incoming.
I haven't had a caffeineless day in months, HQ time or otherwise. -
Subject: Does this make you Yoda? by
on 2016-04-15 18:13:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Does this make you Yoda?
Someone has to protect HQ.
I never thought about it like that— kinda like how a bunch of agents haven't read LotR but still know enough from exposure because of that fic explosion in the early 00s? And then from the Hobbit films?
And geez, that long!?
Want me to swing by with a Bloffee when I get off?
-'Nix -
Subject: Yoda, really? by
on 2016-04-15 18:14:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
Subject: Yoda, really?
Yes, that long.
We're looking at an explosion just as big or bigger than when the LotR films happened.
And there's supposed to be a side film coming out before the next one for this trilogy, too. -
Subject: You're definitely not played by Alec Guinness. by
on 2016-04-15 18:15:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: You're definitely not played by Alec Guinness.
Right, I'll pencil in to expect a surprise Sue or fangirl stampede or something and watch my screens extra close.
Oh yeah, Rogue Squadron or something, isn't it? There's a trailer out.
—'Nix -
Subject: Wait what. by
on 2016-04-15 18:15:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
Subject: Wait what.
There's a trailer out for Rogue One.
No one told me! -
Subject: Oops? by
on 2016-04-15 18:16:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Oops?
Go me?
—'Nix -
Subject: I'm going to kill you. (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 18:17:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
Subject: I'm going to kill you. (nm) -
Subject: Oh frak. by
on 2016-04-15 18:18:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Oh frak.
You can't kill me, I'm needed!
—'Nix -
Subject: Sandy? by
on 2016-04-15 18:19:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: Sandy?
MURDER IS NOT THE SOLUTION HERE.
—'Nix -
Subject: You can't kill me if everyone else is looped in. by
on 2016-04-15 18:19:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Sandra Lara [smlara.console145890as890903av89988.rc454.DOI]; [all.PPC]
From: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
Subject: You can't kill me if everyone else is looped in.
It's not a good idea!
Please don't let her kill me?
—Agent Phoenix Socorro, DIA -
Countermeasures by
on 2016-04-15 18:48:00 UTC
Link to this
To: Phoenix Socorro [prelief.console559481a341vg19542.rc1963.DIA]
From: Terabyte [console741312as100001q31325.rc7787.DIA]
Socorro,
If personal safety is your concern, then I belive that the Department of Finance's offices would be a safe place to hide as they are used to dealing with agents that are less than satisfied with their salaries. In fact, I believe their doors have recently been reinforced, if that is any comfort to you.
As for appeasing Agent Lara, I recommend dispensing a link to said trailer and bribes in the form of foodstuffs.
-Terabyte
-
Leaving the PPC. by
on 2016-04-15 19:11:00 UTC
Link to this
I've been thinking about leaving for a while now and it's become clear that me sticking around any longer would just result in me making more of a nuisance of myself. I keep stepping on people's toes no matter what I do and me leaving would make everyone a lot happier. There's no point in staying.
It was fun while it lasted, I guess.
Feel free to reclaim My Immortal. I'm not coming back.
Sorry for being such a bitch. -
You're not a... by
on 2016-04-18 16:18:00 UTC
Link to this
I see anger, stress, and reasons to lash out. Hopefully you'll feel better soon.
-
Okay... by
on 2016-04-18 04:10:00 UTC
Link to this
I wasn't coming back either, but I have to say something in response to this.
I'm fairly sure I know how you feel. I know I felt like I was stepping on people's toes every which way. But I don't think you leaving will make anyone who knows you happier.
I doubt anybody noticed me vanishing, but for me, seeing you go is as much of a shock as if hS were to declare he was leaving. You're part of what made this community a happy place for me.
In the end, nothing I say can change your mind, so I'll just say this:
Whatever you do now, if you approach it like you have your writing here, will be amazing. Farewell, and good luck. -
Goodbye. Have a plate of SPaGhetti for the road. by
on 2016-04-17 07:01:00 UTC
Link to this
.
.
.
*a tear wells up in the corner of my eye* -
I'll miss you. by
on 2016-04-17 05:11:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't think any of this was your fault. I... thank you for everything, even though I haven't been active.
I hope you don't mind if I send you an email sometime. I know I was never the most active of people, but you've been a good friend.
Good luck, Big Sib. -
An open letter to Iximaz. by
on 2016-04-16 20:24:00 UTC
Link to this
Dear Iximaz,
I haven't been around long, I know, and I hope that you'll read this. If not - that's alright too. I want this to be out there in case you ever do come back. First off, I respect your choice. I've been in a similar position before, and I understand how it feels. I hate to see you go, Iximaz, but if you truly feel that's the right decision, I will not stop you. Instead, if you're still lurking, I hope that you'll read this. Sure, it's probably not the most interesting, but I want to let you know how much you've influenced the PPC, and on a more personal level, me.
I stumbled across the Protectors of the Plot Continuum in December, after a falling-out with a roleplay forum. That's a long story that I don't want to get into, but it does have a happy ending. I'd been searching for a Mary-Sue test directed towards the Sherlock continuum; Alexis Gilmore popped up as one of the results. Curious, I read the mission "Get That Thing Called Beauty Out of the Detective's Eyes."
I loved it. After tearing through many of the works of Lily Winterwood, I explored the Wikia, as one does. Soon, I stumbled across the Aviator.
I was entranced. Rina and Randa were hilarious, the stories were well written, and the pair of them worked so well together. I read every mission, including the ones whose fandoms I didn't know. (They were a bit confusing, but it was still amusing to watch your protagonists try to keep themselves sane). I giggled; I cringed; I stared at the wall and said, "You've got to be kidding me." The fics were that bad, and your missions were that good.
Zeb was easy to adjust to - yes, I missed Randa, but who wouldn't love the adorable, innocent little Pokémon? Zeb is so sweet, and I enjoy his interactions with Rina. Zeb is innocent, childlike, and it was a fresh contrast to the Rina-Randa dynamic.
Oh, Iximaz. I will be very blunt when I say this: You are the reason I joined the PPC. I was overjoyed when I met you, and loved the Time Lord cosplay you posted. It was an honour to deduce your photos, and I was amazed that someone like you - an oldbie and a Permission Giver to boot! - would even bother looking at anything I'd done. You've inspired me greatly, and I want to take this time to say thank you.
Thank you so much, Iximaz, for everything you've done for this place. Thank you for cracking me up on a bad day. Thank you for tackling some of the worst fics ever. Thank you for making me squeal with delight at the subplots within the Aviator and Zeb's timelines.
This will be the only time I'll say it - please come back. You will be very sorely missed. If you don't, please know how much I admire you, and will continue to admire you. You don't give yourself enough credit.
That is all. Go wherever it is that you need to go; make your own adventure. I know you will, and I know it will be fantastic.
Yours sincerely,
Ivy Matilda Blue -
This is probably for the best. by
on 2016-04-16 19:36:00 UTC
Link to this
While I would hate for you to think July's behavior is your fault (Considering no less than six other people have left as a direct result of her actions in the past) at the same time, this place is incredibly toxic at its core so I can't blame you for wanting to leave.
-
Okay, what is your problem? by
on 2016-04-16 21:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Because you clearly have one. Deliberately mentioning the amount of people that left supposedly because of July indicates you want to jump on the flame train and spread some hate of your own.
Also, what a delightful contradiction - you say that the place is toxic, and yet here you are, spreading your wonderful poison on everything.
This is what you deserve right now. -
Oh buddy by
on 2016-04-17 04:52:00 UTC
Link to this
There is History here. What it really boils down to, though, is July is a bully and excellent at gaslighting and playing the victim. I figured she'd maybe calmed down a bit since most of her old targets left and she didn't actively engage me anymore, but I figure if she's gonna start up with old behaviors, why shouldn't I? (Before someone says that I should be the bigger person, nah. I'm all about that petty lifestyle.)
If you are referring to this + previous behavior on my end, I have Problems with how a lot of things are handled around here, and I enjoy agitating for change. -
If you have such problems, why not state your case? by
on 2016-04-17 18:57:00 UTC
Link to this
Not in this thread, but in one of its own. Start a thread outlining what problems you see and what you'd like to be done, and we can all have a calm, mature discussion about it.
-
Well... by
on 2016-04-17 19:24:00 UTC
Link to this
There was this.
-
I see. by
on 2016-04-17 19:40:00 UTC
Link to this
That's an interesting read, though long settled of course. However, he seemed like he had issues with the PPC other than just the permission process, hence me making that invite to start a discussion. I felt it might be better to broach the subject that way than to keep derailing this into the "Data hates July/possibly the PPC" show.
-
Ekyl, I'd never met you before, but I'm glad you're back by
on 2016-04-19 05:52:00 UTC
Link to this
*resumes lurking*
-
I mean if you want me to make a whole separate thread... by
on 2016-04-17 23:21:00 UTC
Link to this
I guess I can. Be probably a better idea than replying to Hardic's post a few threads down. As for the "possibly the PPC" part, I don't hate the PPC I just have some issues with how it is run currently and the general attitudes towards certain things, but I have difficulty putting it into words all at once so I mostly call things out as I see fit.
-
"this place is incredibly toxic at its core" (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 07:38:00 UTC
Link to this
-
And that's something that needs to change by
on 2016-04-18 23:59:00 UTC
Link to this
Hating the PPC would mean I hate the people here, and honestly I'm pretty cool with most of the ones I know. Slightly frustrated because we have a few newbies who assume they know PPC history better than someone who has been here for more than six years, but, y'know, that's always been the case.
-
Then why do you feel it is inherently toxic? (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 08:08:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Hm. That's hard to explain, but I'll try. by
on 2016-04-19 08:40:00 UTC
Link to this
We have a core base of oldbies who are so firmly set in the status quo that they refuse to consider alternatives, and a community that has grown up around that core to the point that any attempt to point out flaws is seen as inherently bad. Every time something has changed it has taken massive amounts of effort and/or huge amounts of drama. Not only that, but the reputation of these members is seen by a significant portion of the community as unassailable, to the point that calling them out when they do something wrong, or arguing with them, is akin to blasphemy. And it's not just recent. Other people have seen and commented on this before me.
When we encounter a community issue, people are reluctant to put their foot down, or even tell the person off beyond "go read the constitution", which, by the way, is actually the opposite of what the constitution says to do in article 7. On the IRC we handled things differently. We had mods, and then we had Designated Arbitrators, and once we had those in place, plus some rules of our own, the place was relatively easy to manage until everyone left. Here on the board the very limits of the technology prevent that, so a different sort of attitude has grown up, one of non-engagement. However I can tell you that if someone is determined, or just doesn't see the error of their ways, refusing to engage them is not an actual deterrent from them saying whatever they want.
Not only that but missions that seemed funny once just seem kinda mean now. The whole "going into someone else's story and killing off their characters, then publishing it for all our buddies to sit and laugh at" thing doesn't really sit very well with me anymore, and lord knows I'm not the first person to become disenchanted with the mission structure. I think we've lost more oldbies that way than anything else. Honestly, my time spent away from the semi-insulation of the PPC and out among the rest of fandom-based internet has led me to see all forms of fanfiction that aren't obvious trollfics as a treasure, because someone did their best to write this, and had the courage to put it up online where anyone can see and comment on it. Just because I don't like the story, or even think it's bad, doesn't make it worth mocking.
There's more, but honestly it's late and this is all I've got at the moment. -
Article 7, which you invoke. by
on 2016-04-19 22:50:00 UTC
Link to this
"Everyone deserves an honest second chance - which means, initially, a chance to stop, explain, and/or apologise. This means that, if you believe that someone is engaged in any violation of the Constitution, but particularly Articles 1-3, it is critical to make sure they understand what they are doing wrong, so that they can make amends. Explain it to them yourself, or ask a third party to do so - but the key word is explain. Telling someone to shut up because their opinion is unwanted does not constitute a chance."
Now, I've been back for about a week, and I'm mostly ignorant to the events of the past six or so months in this community, I'll admit as much upfront and go so far as to say maybe it makes me unqualified to participate in this discussion at all. However, I'm not sure I see where this has been contradicted - in most places where somebody invokes the Constitution in response to somebody else's behaviour, usually I've seen them either link the article in question, or outright quote it, as I have. Furthermore, that "explain" is a key word, and it sounds like the issues people are having with your behaviour have been explained, at length - are you telling me you have absolutely no understanding of why people might have a problem with your actions, in light of what I've read in the post where hS makes his case for a ban? I'm not sure article 7 supports your case as well as you think it does. -
Here's the thing by
on 2016-04-19 23:07:00 UTC
Link to this
The reason I invoked Article 7 is because there haven't been any attempts to explain that I've seen. There's been endless repetitions of "you're breaking the constitution" but nothing explaining why what I was doing constituted an actual violation and not just something people didn't want to see. In fact, when VM defended me, and said that I was not making any of this up and I wasn't breaking the constitution, said repetitions mostly stopped. hS has said that I made personal attacks but I genuinely do not see where that is the case. I brought up history, I was sarcastic and brusque, and definitely more than a little snide, but no where did I engage in an ad hominem attack, because I believe that kind of thing is pointless and only makes the person doing so look bad. I did, admittedly, ignore requests to stop from everyone but hS, but my reasoning was that everyone else asking simply didn't have the proper context for what was going on, and they didn't understand what I was trying to do. The reason I stopped after hS asked me to is because, despite my various grievances with him, he has been around far longer than anyone else involved, and therefore, unless he'd just managed to forget the events of three or four years ago, he definitely had the right context to understand what was going on. Also he pointed out that I was about to make myself a hypocrite.
-
Hmmmmmmm. by
on 2016-04-19 23:48:00 UTC
Link to this
Well, here I might be out of my depth because I've missed a lot, so anyone who's seen more of all this feel free to step in. I did see the discussion from VM that you point out here, and I do agree with some of the spirit of it - there were points where you were very clearly expressing a concern that current actions were matching up with past patterns of misbehaviour. However, it also seems like you doggedly pursued this long after the matter was settled and everyone else considered it dropped, even despite being asked to at least temporarily let it go. There's also the fact that it's obvious from the way all this talk has gone on that this has been going on much longer than the past couple days. I'll have to do some reading or talk to some of the others to get fully caught up, though.
Of course, with how thoroughly I'm being outvoted, this discussion might unfortunately be moot. -
Very well; I propose a ban. by
on 2016-04-19 20:51:00 UTC
Link to this
Specifically, I propose that Data Junkie be immediately banned.
Data Junkie has repeatedly condescended to and attacked newer members of the Board for questioning them.
They responded to a polite and neutral request to stop their behaviour with an attack on the person asking, and have in general ignored all such requests, however phrased.
They have misrepresented and downright lied about past events in order to defame, insult, and score points off those they see as their opponents.
They have engaged in repeated personal attacks, and have been quite clear in their belief that the PPC's rules of civility do not apply when they consider themself wronged.
They have engaged in deliberately disruptive behaviour in the past, and have expressed their intention to do so in the future.
They have in this very post expressed their vehement disapproval of both the ethos and spirit of the PPC, and its primary purpose of mission writing.
They have expressed neither remorse nor apology for a single one of these actions, nor any other they have taken, and have shown no recognition that anything they have done is wrong.
For these reasons, I say that Data Junkie should be immediately banned from the PPC in all its aspects, and I look to the Board to decide whether this should be done.
hS -
Taking over tallying duty. by
on 2016-04-21 22:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Ban
Permaban: Huinesoron, Neshomeh, Sergio Turbo, Phobos, Scapegrace, Desdendelle, Iximaz, TheShyIon, sjosten (9)
12 month ban: Hieronymus Graubart (1)
6 month ban: Hardric, Storme Hawk, eatpraylove (3)
Unspecificed temporary ban: Seafarer (1)
Voted for banning: 14
Do Not Ban
One last chance: Ekyl, Badger421 (2)
No action, wait a while: Cat-on-the-Keyboard, Delta Juliette, PoorCynic, doctorlit, Alleb (5)
No action: EileenAlphabet, VixenMage (2)
Voted against banning: 9
Other:
Is Data Junkie: Data Junkie (1)
Abstain: Tomash, Matt Cipher, Larfen J. Stocke esq., SkarmorySilver, DawnFire (5)
Vocally abstained: 5
Total:
14/23 in favour of a ban, which are slightly more than 60%. 5 people have abstained. 1 is Data himself. 21 people who have posted in the first page have not said anything yet. -
Put me in under no by
on 2016-04-22 19:52:00 UTC
Link to this
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256
Having thought about things some more, I'm with Delta on this. That is, I'm voting no because I don't like the circumstances of this vote. However, I call on Data to voluntarily take some time off, think things over, and potentially come back and apologize. I think around 3-6 months vacation might be a good idea.
Part of my problem is that Data's post upthread of the call for a ban could be seen as daring the community to go ahead and ban him. Since tensions were rather high with Iximaz leaving and Data's general conduct, hS took the bait and called the vote. I'm also rather unhappy with the fact that a permaban was proposed in this case (IIRC Jacer was banned for a year? for worse conducs).
I think it's also telling that the vote hasn't been anywhere near a consensus on this ban, like it usually is. This fits with my view that bans (as opposed to a consensus "you should leave for a while") are either for a long pattern of bad behavior that hasn't been corrected after explanations or for doing something seriously outragous that Is Not Done Here.
Another issue is that we had a troll trying to push the ban, which did not make the vote any less contentious.
I think there's some debate to be had on whether Data's reached the "persistent pattern of bad behavior" lever yet. But holding that discussion in the form of a ban vote was not a good move. I think that, if some of us are still unhappy about all this, we should reopen this topic once, say, this thread gets close to falling off the front page.
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You do not recall correctly. by
on 2016-04-23 10:33:00 UTC
Link to this
Jacer was permanently banned and had their IP blocked, by me. Y'know, for the record.
hS -
This thread is close to falling off. by
on 2016-04-22 20:56:00 UTC
Link to this
It's hard to tell because it's so long, but one new topic is gonna push this one off. Just so you know.
~Neshomeh at work. -
In that case... by
on 2016-04-22 22:20:00 UTC
Link to this
I'll do what's been done with the Pokemon tourney threads and just repost the thread when it falls off.
-
I'm changing my vote. by
on 2016-04-22 15:54:00 UTC
Link to this
After reviewing both the current evidence and Data's past actions more thoroughly, I will support a 12 month ban.
-
I actually change my vote to an abstention by
on 2016-04-22 06:04:00 UTC
Link to this
The more I read about this case, the more I realize that I don't know enough about Data Junkie and their past behavior to understand what would work best to resolve this conflict.
--Key -
Put me in for 6 months. (nm) by
on 2016-04-22 01:43:00 UTC
Link to this
-
I don't check the board for two days... by
on 2016-04-21 14:20:00 UTC
Link to this
… and suddenly everything is on fire (or the Internet equivalent thereof). Sheesh, I really can't leave you folks alone.
There's no doubt to me that Data Junkie's posts have been disruptive and mean-spirited. Some of the things said in the April 6 Permission thread set off the first alarm bell in my mind. I didn't say anything then, nor did I say anything in the following threads, because I thought everyone else had things under control. Adding my voice just seemed like jumping onto the dogpile. Then, when things got more heated, I chose to stay out of it because I didn't think I could make it any better (not feeding the trolls, I suppose).
That being said, I'm not sure that a permaban is the solution. I'm not really sure what the solution could be, especially since this troll (which I apparently missed — two days!) has muddied the waters. Juliette's proposal of waiting for heads to cool before creating a new thread to gauge everyone's thoughts properly seems like the ideal way to go.
Otherwise, I suppose I would support a six to twelve-month long ban. -
Latecomers to all this, in a nutshell: by
on 2016-04-21 19:49:00 UTC
Link to this
I still don't know how to embed images here. -
Ha! by
on 2016-04-21 21:34:00 UTC
Link to this
Yeah, that's how I feel, and I noticed this about 2/3 through the original drama.
-
Tally update: by
on 2016-04-21 16:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Following this one
Unqualified ban: 9
Temporary ban: 5 (+Hieronymus, +eatpraylove?)
One more chance, under threat of banning: 2
No action taken against Data Junkie: 7 (+PoorCynic)
Stated abstentions: 5
Data Junkie: 1
Total is 28. 14 for a ban, 15 against (one way or another). All votes are IP-verified.
hS -
Maybe I'm just misunderstanding it by
on 2016-04-21 16:38:00 UTC
Link to this
But surely isn't the entire point of abstaining to not want your vote counted in any way shape or form in the current poll? And not to have it included under one of the categories anyway. I think it would be a fairer statement that the total is still at 28, with 14 for the ban, 9 against and 5 abstentions (can Data Junkie really vote on a matter specifically involving him? I didn't think so).
-
There is a third option. by
on 2016-04-21 16:58:00 UTC
Link to this
Abstentions can also be seen as a vote for whatever the majority turns out to be, which at present is "ban." I.e., "I have no opinion, someone else please decide."
I can just imagine that people would be screaming if hS had gone that way with it, though.
~Neshomeh -
I disagree. by
on 2016-04-21 16:42:00 UTC
Link to this
This isn't a vote on 'should we change this thing to A or B'. This is a vote on 'should we take this action'. People who choose not to vote are clearly content for the action not to be taken, and therefore should be counted under 'no'.
And Data Junkie is listed separately for just that reason. But until and unless they are banned, they are a member of the PPC community. Would the 9 people who think they should be allowed to stay agree to them not having a vote? I doubt it.
hS -
I don't like it... by
on 2016-04-21 16:49:00 UTC
Link to this
I mean, I'll admit I'm only going off how we run things when we're picking committee members for our Ultimate Frisbee team at Uni, but the person who is being voted for doesn't get a vote, and those who abstain are kept as a third category and not include in whether they want someone in a position or not, otherwise are you saying that if we do not know enough about a person to say that they'd be a good health and safety officer we are actually saying we don't want them as a health and safety officer regardless? It's probably not the best example, but the point I'm trying to make is that people abstain for a reason, they don't abstain to then be included in the 'no' category, they abstain because they want to stay neutral.
-
Let me try to clarify by
on 2016-04-21 16:56:00 UTC
Link to this
The vote is really, at this point, "In Favor" vs everything else. This is actually a way to balance the scales toward the subject of the potential ban. The abstaining votes go toward the default. In this case, "no ban" is the default option, as it should be.
For instance, there are 100 people in a group: 10 vote in favor of a ban. 2 vote against it. 88 abstain from voting. Should the ban happen? There is overwhelming 5-to-1 support, after all. If abstaining works how you say (which is a legitimate thing in many systems) then the ban happens. If abstaining is counted how hS has been doing it, then clearly there is not enough support in the group to ban someone.
It isn't a bug, it's a feature. It keeps too small a pool from getting someone banned.
-Phobos -
I disagree with this. by
on 2016-04-21 17:02:00 UTC
Link to this
As far as I'm aware, "abstain" means "I don't think my opinion should count", not "default". Making "abstain" votes default to, well, the default, makes the "abstain" vote a "default" vote in another name. I really don't like this; there's very little point of having two votes for "default" and no vote for "keep me out of this".
It might be a feature, but it's definitely a bad one in my opinion.
TL;DR, I mostly agree with Storme Hawk.
-Des
PS: If hS doesn't want to, I can keep the tally instead of him... once whether "abstain" counts as "no ban" or "abstain" is decided, anyway. -
In some ways the point is moot by
on 2016-04-21 17:27:00 UTC
Link to this
As I've said on another post (I don't know how to link stuff, sorry) if we generally work on 60% support being needed to pass the vote, I believe there are no circumstances in which is there a situation where there is enough support for the vote to ban to pass. I'm more annoyed by the fact that, as Des has said, abstaining is now being taken to be agreeing to the default vote, than caring about whether this (or really any) vote passes or fails.
-
I donÂ’t like to say this, but hS does it right. by
on 2016-04-21 19:46:00 UTC
Link to this
There are certainly differences between saying
"I want everybody to cool down before there even should be a voting",
"I don’t know enough and thus don’t want to be responsible for this person being banned", and
"no, there aren’t enough reasons to ban this person".
But banning somebody is serious business (so not what we want to do here) and shouldn’t be done lighthearted. In my opinion, it should require a majority of the Boarders who did see the ban request and had a chance to respond, it having been up for a reasonable time. Since determining how many Boarders didn’t come out of lurking mode appears to be impossible, it should at least require a majority of the Boarders who showed up to say anything. And if I remember correctly, it was actually a vast majority for the two bans I have seen.
14 of 29 Boarders who evidently did see the request aren’t a majority.
On the other hand, I didn’t follow the tallying in detail and thus don’t know how many "no, there aren’t enough reasons" Data Junkie actually got. PoorCynic’s (and others?) response was rightfully counted as "No (immediate) action taken", although he clearly stated that, if he had to vote now, it would be a temporary ban. I will not call for another vote just because it’s next week and people supposedly have cooled down, that wouldn’t feel right to me, and also I’m a coward and don’t want to take the hotseat. But if I spot a new reason, this may change.
I guess what we get here, if nobody else speaks up, is the result that got the least votes: "One more chance, under threat of banning".
HG -
I suggest... by
on 2016-04-21 17:32:00 UTC
Link to this
There have been a couple different questions about the process we're using. I suggest one of you start a new thread to hash it out and put it in writing for the future, so we don't have to worry about errors of process again. (Though I note that this is the first time in over ten years it's been a problem; take that how you will.) This could be a potential addition to the Constitution, even.
But I ain't leading that discussion. It's time somebody else steps up and gets see what it's like in the hotseat.
~Neshomeh -
But y'know what, I've given up caring. by
on 2016-04-21 16:44:00 UTC
Link to this
If people want the vote to stay open, someone else can keep the tally, and someone else can close it when they think it's done. I've done the best I could; now I'm just worn out.
I'll keep thwacking Toroll over the head if it shows up again, though.
hS -
That's not what I'm saying either... by
on 2016-04-21 16:52:00 UTC
Link to this
Even taking into account the things I've said, even if you don't include the people who have abstained there still isn't enough of a majority to give the ban. I don't want the vote to stay open, I'm merely wondering why you are putting people in a category they don't necessarily want to be put into.
I'm sorry for being a pain, but I felt like it had to be said. -
Fine. Whatever. You win. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 16:54:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Dammit I don't WANT to win, I just want to understand... (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 16:55:00 UTC
Link to this
-
You know what. Fine whatever, let's just leave it here by
on 2016-04-21 16:57:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm sorry for bringing it up at a time where you obviously don't want to talk about it further. I should of seen the signs and in my own bullheadedness I ignored them and tried to get the answers I wanted. I'm sorry.
Storme Hawk -
Now that I've had a boring drive to calm down: by
on 2016-04-21 17:40:00 UTC
Link to this
It's not you.
It was the sudden realisation - not then put into words - that a vote to ban had become impossible, whatever the numbers said. The people who are arguing that we need to wait to discuss it would see it as vindicating their views, and dismiss the whole process as Illegitimate.
I'm sorry for growling at you. Not your fault.
hS -
As someone leaning towards "wait to discuss it" by
on 2016-04-22 05:52:00 UTC
Link to this
I would not see a vote to ban as illegitimate. I know that I would need a wait and more discussion in order to make a good decision, but maybe others wouldn't need that. If the majority of the Board thinks an immediate vote would be best, I will accept that.
Then again, I can be easygoing to a fault and am actually abstaining, so I'm maybe not the best representative of the case.
--Key -
Oh, look, you know what? by
on 2016-04-21 16:36:00 UTC
Link to this
It's obvious at this point that there isn't enough support for a ban. 3/5 of the Board have responded, and the votes are split 50:50.
So there you go. Voting's over, do whatever.
hS -
Voting for non-permanent ban by
on 2016-04-21 12:29:00 UTC
Link to this
*Sigh* I really don’t need this drama.
What happened in the permission rules thread was annoying, because I’ve been there (still a shiny Newbie) when the permission process was changed, and watched the reasons and the effort put into it. But we got a clarification of the rules out of it, so Data Junkie may have achieved something good there. I still believe it could have been done in a less hurtful way.
When Data told Ix that "this place is incredibly toxic at its core", I was tempted to say that I see only one person who doesn’t actively try to make it less toxic. I didn’t, because I’m careful to not post while I’m angry. I spot some posts that imply that Data can be less vitriolic when they try, but I’m afraid that is not enough.
I actually remember the terrible mess that was made in Jacer’s permission thread. It must have been one of the first things I saw on the Board, when I, after reading TOS and OFUM, looked around to see what else might be there. No, it didn’t scare me away; reading everything on The Complete List of PPC Fiction just took another year, before I returned to the Board and joined. Actually, I liked how in the follow-up that resulted in the First Amendment to the Constitution, everybody tried to make the PPC a better place, and that’s one of the reasons why I did join in the end. (Do I see a pattern here? Is it always necessary to hurt people before we improve? Do I actually agree with Data about this? I certainly don’t agree that it’s impossible to argue with the Ancientbies.)
Anyway, I did read through most of this mess again in the archives. (Apparently, it’s impossible to fully read an archived post that is too long to fit the height of my notebook’s widescreen.) As could be expected, real life is a bit more complex than a seven line summary, but hS is much closer to the truth than what Data tried to make us believe.
And then we got this invitation to put our collective foot down.
I can understand people growing out of laughing about half-sane (at best) “contract killers” murdering beloved (by some) OCs. I can even understand them still wanting to keep the PPC as a place to meet friends and talk about everything (except badfic?) we talk about here. But this doesn’t work.
Writing missions is not all the PPC is about. But it is our origin and the toxic (to badfic) core of the PPC. Making the PPC a better place that isn’t the PPC anymore will not happen as long as I have a say on it. And attempts to make the PPC a better place by means that are actually counter-productive must be dealt with.
Still, permanent bans are so permanent. I feel always bad when we have to do this.
I ask Data Junkie to stay away until they changed their attitude. I have no idea how long this may take or if it will ever happen, but since you need a number, I’d say one year.
This is a last chance. It is not an invitation to return just because one year has passed. If need occurs after one year and one day, I will vote for a permanent ban.
HG -
I Did Not Realize We Even HAD an Archive by
on 2016-04-21 15:57:00 UTC
Link to this
Jacer was before my time here, so it's interesting to actually read verbatim what she said.
Apologies that this doesn't exactly fit with the discussion, I just wanted to thank you for enlightening me with the knowledge that this archive exists. -
Guess what? by
on 2016-04-21 07:34:00 UTC
Link to this
When I said I wouldn't delete anything, I was assuming you weren't going to make it easy for me.
Recordkeeping: Toroll in this subthread posted consistently from two IP addresses, 63.147.70.46 and 77.247.181.165. I don't know if our IP wizards can get anything out of that.
hS -
IP wizard? I like the sound of that... by
on 2016-04-21 13:44:00 UTC
Link to this
What I can say is this, the IP checker I used traced the second to the Netherlands and found it to be a Tor server, however the first IP address went back to Washington, Seattle and doesn't appear to be a Tor server from what I can see.
Now just before I went to bed yesterday (well technically today) I noticed that Toroll was posting between certain times each day, and from the incidents they were mentioning I gathered that it was becuase they were either still in education or only a year or two out of it, whilst in a job that they probably had to work 9-5 in. Looking at the times they posted I gathered they were American and either on Central time, or West coast time, which I wasn't sure and couldn't confirm without them posting more until they had to go. In fact I was actually going to ask you hS next time I was online if you, or anyone else still did the polls about 5-6 years ago and had anyone answer they were in the age range of 12-17, and lived in central or western america in the hope to narrow it down.
That was as far as I got, but it seems the majority of the situation has been resolved for now, I would however say to keep on the look out, I was looking up stuff about Tor last night and its seems it is notoriusly difficult to fully block people who use its services.
Storme Hawk -
Unfortunately... by
on 2016-04-21 13:58:00 UTC
Link to this
... I think some of the hits might be Delta Juliette on admin duty editing posts. The IPs don't match hers, but I think that's the right approximate part of the world for her, and some of the posts I deleted make more sense if you assume they were Nameless Adminned.
hS, not too good at the 'Nameless' part right now -
I touched a couple of posts... by
on 2016-04-21 14:59:00 UTC
Link to this
The one re-titled "I continue to troll", and the one in which they said things about they/them pronouns. That would have come from a work exit ip, which I believe resolve by geoIP to Seattle or Portland. My posts last night came from my home box, which is a different provider (and this is my phone, which is yet another.)
- You missed one. by on 2016-04-21 07:47:00 UTC Link to this
-
Abracadabra. [Post explodes] (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 07:54:00 UTC
Link to this
-
To Toroll: Is this what you meant by, by
on 2016-04-21 07:43:00 UTC
Link to this
"I'll disconnect myself from the ...ers who motivated this in the first place"? Because it doesn't look like disconnecting to me.
I'll say again what I said the last time we chatted: forget this community and take care of yourself.
—doctorlit has been worried about you, for the record -
What did I miss? by
on 2016-04-21 08:19:00 UTC
Link to this
All their posts are gone, but your reply sounds like they gave an explanation of some kind?
-
From what I could see... by
on 2016-04-21 08:28:00 UTC
Link to this
They were gloating about how they used this vote to spread discord and hoped that Data would be accused, blah blah, I'm a supah speshul complotah, blah blah.
You would swear that was a glitterbag saying this. -
No, no. To clarify: by
on 2016-04-21 08:29:00 UTC
Link to this
I was asking Doctorlit specifically about the bit they were quoting and responding to.
-
I believe... by
on 2016-04-21 08:36:00 UTC
Link to this
...that doc knows or suspects who Toroll is, and is referring to a private conversation between them.
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Correct, from years ago. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 12:19:00 UTC
Link to this
-
This was originally a reply to Toroll. by
on 2016-04-21 07:38:00 UTC
Link to this
I kind of figured it would leave a [Deleted message] stub. How odd.
hS -
Okay, really? I object. by
on 2016-04-21 06:33:00 UTC
Link to this
((There will be a separate thread regarding name changes going up in a bit.))
I think everyone needs to take a moment and put their drama-llamas back in their respective pens. Multiple threads have spiraled wildly out of control, and I honestly can't tell who is overreacting the most in all of this. (Probably the anonymous troll.)
I strongly object to calling a drumhead court-martial, mid-Drama, with a permaban on the list of options. Not only is it not something we've done before (to my memory, forgive me for not digging through history), it's a pretty much guaranteed way to get a bad result and set a bad precedent. If we want to revisit this topic (and I think we should), we should stop, wait until tempers have cooled, and then consider what actions are appropriate.
I do think that Data is in the wrong here - dredging up old drama doesn't make things better, especially when different people had vastly different interpretations of what was being said and implied at the time. (The one thing that I do remember clearly from some previous drama-fests has been talking with other people afterwards and hearing what they were seeing - I have yet to see a drama-fest where everyone agreed on what was being said, implied, and meant, even with all the posts squarely in front of everyone.)
But. We have only ever permabanned people for incredibly serious reasons, or aggregiously long patterns of misbehavior. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone gets emotional (VM can testify that there have been times that we could hardly type for pent-up anger), and I absolutely object to making anything resembling a permanent judgement while there's this much blood in the water.
I also have concerns with other peoples' behaviors in the last several threads. A lot of people have overreacted and fired off angry, aggressive responses to perceived insults, and along with claims of bad faith flying back and forth, we have a troll openly admitting to acting in it.
If you must, please consider this a vote against the majority, whichever way it goes - I do not believe that consensus is possible at the moment, or that a show of hands mid-Drama is going to make this community a better place.
-Delta Juliette
(Who is, to borrow a term from Seafarer, a fellow victim of Trainwreck Syndrome.) -
Current tally: by
on 2016-04-21 07:53:00 UTC
Link to this
Changes from this one
Unqualified ban: 9 (-Hardric, -Storme, +TheShyIon, +sjosten)
Temporary ban: 3 (+Hardric, +Storme)
One more chance, under threat of banning: 2
No action taken against Data Junkie: 6 (+Delta Juliette, +doctorlit, +Alleb)
Stated abstentions: 5 (-doctorlit, +DawnFire)
Data Junkie: 1
Total is 26. All votes are IP-verified.
In the event that the nays carry the day (matters are currently at 12 for some kind of ban, 14 against including Data Junkie), please be aware that I will not be gathering evidence or proposing a ban in the future. Someone else can go through the heartache of being told how unreasonable they are for doing that, I can't be bothered facing it again.
hS -
For the record, I won't do it, either. by
on 2016-04-21 16:17:00 UTC
Link to this
My original plan was "personally refuse to talk to Data, avoid them as much as possible," so assuming this falls apart (in which case congrats to the troll, you win this round), I'll be going back to that. I only said anything to start with because I didn't want to leave hS out there by himself.
I fully believe this won't stop with July, hS, and me if no action is taken here. Time will tell; it always does.
~Neshomeh -
With respect, I disagree. by
on 2016-04-21 07:39:00 UTC
Link to this
I feel like we're all mature enough to deal with Data Junkie's behaviour rationally. I agree that a permaban should not be an option, but I don't think that potentially removing from the Board someone who's dragging up bad memories for several people is a bad precedent.
Also: welcome back! -
Hm. I agree, but... by
on 2016-04-21 07:43:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't think that people are currently behaving rationally enough to have that discussion - it should be had, and I do think that dredging up old drama is potentially ban-worthy, but I think everyone could use a weekend before we dive into it.
Also: Thanks! -
Again, with respect... by
on 2016-04-21 08:06:00 UTC
Link to this
But I'm not sure that you can make that call for other people. I like to think I'm being rational; I haven't seen anyone flaming in the voting section of this thread, and I trust members of this community to know whether they're capable of delivering a reasoned judgement.
I don't think we should abandon this vote. Deferring the end of the vote so that people have a chance to change their mind before it counts, I could possibly get behind. But I don't think it's necessary. -
Uh, whoops. by
on 2016-04-21 08:51:00 UTC
Link to this
This was supposed to be in response to this post:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=199610;article=295295;title=PPC%20Posting%20Board -
Fair enough, but also... by
on 2016-04-21 08:50:00 UTC
Link to this
I was sort of curious what was said in the post he was responding to, but I suppose that might be moot now. If doc is inclined to share that's his call of course, be it here or I can always email him.
-
Fairly sure he replied to hS. by
on 2016-04-21 08:55:00 UTC
Link to this
I was here, and I didn't see anything else from the troll. *shrugs*
-
And respectfully... by
on 2016-04-21 08:35:00 UTC
Link to this
I have a few opinions on the matter, most pressingly that it's after midnight and I really should keep this brief...
Most significantly, I don't think that we're going to get a consensus out of this vote. If that happens, we're going to need to have a longer conversation about what is and isn't acceptable, and how we respond to it - or we're just going to sweep everything under the rug and try to ignore it again. I'd rather push us towards the first option.
Secondly, I think that coming to a ban/no-ban decision on the spot pushes towards the under-the-rug option, and I'm not sure how happy I am with that, regardless of the decision that gets made here. I'm not terribly happy with how quickly people have started calling troll, or accusing others of talking in bad faith - while I dislike Data's behavior, I also dislike things that other people have said and done.
And thirdly, you're right, I definitely can't make that call for other people. My opinion (and vote) goes towards more discussion, but that's only a single vote - and a lurker / not-very-involved-in-the-community vote at that. -
I think waiting doesn't help. by
on 2016-04-21 21:44:00 UTC
Link to this
The proper time to deal with something like this is as it happens. Yes, we don't want to sweep something like this under the rug. The thing is, I believe that delaying action actually contributes to the sweeping, because nobody wants to bring something like this up after people have put it behind them.
Basically, while we agree on basically everything, we're coming to different conclusions on how to avoid the problems you foresee. (For the record, I also think some others were out of line, and that does need to be dealt with.)
(I'm kinda upset that Iximaz's departure thread got so thoroughly derailed, too. And that you had to come back straight into this mess. :-( ) -
Hope you'll be spearheading that, then. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 09:27:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Yeah, jumping on Juliette's bandwagon. by
on 2016-04-21 07:17:00 UTC
Link to this
I know I just said I was abstaining from voting before, but . . . Juliette is right. There should be no vote right now. Not only has too much anger been going down lately, but Torollémon has added too much confusion to the mix. We all need to slow down and put things off until we've all calmed. A more civilized thread will give the troll fewer opportunities to take advantage of our feelings, as well.
—doctorlit -
I agree with you. by
on 2016-04-21 06:46:00 UTC
Link to this
Waiting until we can regroup and figure out this mess of umpteen different responses seems wise, not to mention all the trouble the inflamed tempers--mine among them, even though I didn't post--and an active troll have caused. A new, more orderly thread (perhaps moderated; at the very least, more calmly added to) would be a good idea, I think.
We're the PPC: We have our issues, and we're not perfect, but it seems to me that if there's a corner of the internet where decency is more normal than its opposite, this is it. I say we wait until we're more our normal selves than we are at the moment, and then deal with this issue.
-Alleb, who hopes she makes sense, as she's extremely tired at the moment -
One more thing from me, which is my vote. by
on 2016-04-21 04:46:00 UTC
Link to this
Or rather, my non-vote: I'm abstaining. If something changes my mind about that, I'll post--and you'll know it's me by the IP and the probable longwindedness--but so far nothing has. And there I'm leaving it, primarily because I'm tired and on mobile and you most likely don't actually need it.
~DF -
Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 02:01:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Do not feed the Torolls. =] (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 01:58:00 UTC
Link to this
-
If I may ask... by
on 2016-04-21 01:03:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm sure you've seen my post further down this thread, but I wonder if I might get a direct answer instead of an estimate. Why did you impersonate who you did? And why was doctorlit the only person you impersonated whose response was more than just the subject title?
I must say, even though we stand on different sides at the moment, your plan was well executed, besides potentially misjudging when Phobos would be on. Although I wonder if I really should say 'your plan'. For all we know another person may have done it and you're just jumping on the bandwagon and trying to lay claim to it all. -
This was originally a reply to Toroll. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 07:38:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Wonderful... by
on 2016-04-21 07:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Now the glitterbags and their Z-rated plots are coming directly to this Board rather than staying in their badfic. Fortunately, this is PPC, a madhouse filled to the brim with people expert in deling with that matter...
-
A meagre effort. by
on 2016-04-21 01:40:00 UTC
Link to this
For someone who thinks so highly of her manipulation skills, your master plan fell to pieces surprisingly quickly. Maybe you aren't as smart as you think you are.
...
Actually, you're definitely not as smart as you think you are. I mean, you're trolling. Honestly. -
Pardon, but have I spoken to you before? by
on 2016-04-21 01:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Your style of writing seems familiar, but I can't place it. In any case, I'm confused: did you expect me to call out the discrepancy only because of my post further up on the page, or because we've interacted before?
-Alleb -
Ah... by
on 2016-04-21 01:24:00 UTC
Link to this
So the opposite to what I was thinking. Interesting, interesting indeed.
-
Oh come on. by
on 2016-04-21 01:23:00 UTC
Link to this
You're like, the worst gorram supervillain ever. I wouldn't even call you that but you monologue, posture, and preen like one. Only your plans are drek. Look, if the PPC were that easy to break up, it would have happened long ago just from sheer force of the amount of arguments that happened. If you have been around as long as you seem to have been, surely you'd remember that.
(Also, PS your Homestuck reference was stupid.) -
You give her too much credit by
on 2016-04-21 01:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Her master plan would have lasted only 40 minutes longer if Phobos hadn't caught her. I noticed the discrepancy in Alleb's IP address at that time, and I would have brought it up.
So, yeah. Boring unoriginal troll is stupid and not worth talking about.
(Though I'd also like an answer to your question) -
Wow, okay. by
on 2016-04-21 01:15:00 UTC
Link to this
Turns out I gave her too much credit, too. I guess people who hate will never understand this community.
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Her? by
on 2016-04-21 01:13:00 UTC
Link to this
Whoever said they were a she?
- She did. by on 2016-04-21 01:16:00 UTC Link to this
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Awww... That ruins my theory by
on 2016-04-21 06:08:00 UTC
Link to this
That this is a former Boarder who was kicked out for be an enormous drama-llama and attacking the people he had asked to beta for him, then returned a couple of months later with a post where he wowed to destroy us all. But unless I'm really mistaken that was a guy.
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This isn't Ammo Guy's style, no. by
on 2016-04-21 07:27:00 UTC
Link to this
Also, I highly doubt Ammo Guy would be able to work TOR to this degree.
-
Besides, Bullet Bill already came back. by
on 2016-04-21 13:39:00 UTC
Link to this
And informed us at length about how he was going to be the next Tim Schafer and make us all very, very sorry we'd been mean to him.
This was met with exactly the reaction you'd expect. -
I actually think... by
on 2016-04-21 06:48:00 UTC
Link to this
..that it's Jacer, the big bad herself. Though I also considered zdimensia. I mean, it's clearly someone who hates us, and a former Boarder. And zdimensia threatened vengeance on us just as much as Ammo Guy did.
Eh, why am I even still discussing the lame troll? Who knows? :-( -
Don't be absurd. by
on 2016-04-21 07:21:00 UTC
Link to this
It's clearly Dr. Doom, come to wreak vengeance on the Nameless Admin for her terrible defeat in issue #43 of Brilliant Board Comics.
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I don't believe it! by
on 2016-04-21 01:17:00 UTC
Link to this
Again I post a moment too late!
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She did. by
on 2016-04-21 01:16:00 UTC
Link to this
Way down near the bottom in a post that should probably be deleted before Nesh sees it. I'd link it, but I don't remember how. HTML is a pain.
-
Cool, I must've missed that. by
on 2016-04-21 01:19:00 UTC
Link to this
Oops
-
Excuse you? by
on 2016-04-21 00:32:00 UTC
Link to this
When last I checked, we acted as a community. We discuss matters as a community, and we most certainly do not "ignor[e] blatant forgery of votes and [go] ahead with [...] ban[s]" simply because we want to be rid of someone. That is not how this community has operated in the past three years--not once, unless I missed something major--and, to my knowledge, it has never acted that way. Whoever you are, you are obviously unaware of how this community currently operates--and, to be clear, I say 'currently' only because I haven't been a Boarder since the very beginning and would prefer that any replies you might make to me fall into what I have personally experienced.
And, ha. As to the results being "sadly predictable"? Seriously, what in the world did you think was going to happen? Apart from your assumption that hS might just ignore everything, that is? We responded. We condemned the forgery. We were rightfully angry at having someone post under our names. What in the world else would we have done--giggled about it and welcomed the impostor to come join us, oh, haha, well done on the prank? Yeah, no.
(I also question your reasoning for choosing Data as a target. If you've been paying attention, for example, you should know that a, not everyone here is mad at them, and b, they have friends here who are, surprise surprise, not voting to ban them. Also? If hS or anyone else running a ban vote ignored "blatant forgery of votes" and went ahead with it? We would have a BIG problem, and it would definitely not end with the vote. Ignoring for a moment that just about everyone who was impersonated came out and said that they had been impersonated and oh, by the way, here's my real vote? If the ban had gone ahead under a vote that everyone knew was falsified--well, I'm pretty sure the next discussion/argument would be about that. And with that, I'm back to my point of--you don't know us. You really, seriously do not know us--or if you do, you most certainly do not appear to understand us or the way we function.)
And one more thing? /slow claps/ Congratulations. Your last little aside is both petty and ensures the continued slipping away of any potential positive feeling anyone might've had towards you. (You might also want to check your history before you insult someone based on using 'they' as a singular pronoun--according to Oxford Dictionaries, it's the revival of a practice that's been around since the 16th century. It just fell out of use somewhere around the turn of the twentieth century, from what I can tell. But really, even without that--I identify as female and present (if I'm using that term correctly?) as female. I don't think I've ever been misgendered in my life, except by someone using a language they don't know very well. And I'm still wincing at your comment attacking someone's choice of pronoun and identification with that pronoun. Just stop. When even a never misgendered ciswoman is wincing, there is a problem here. So, gee, how about you consider apologizing to Data for calling them speshul because of their gender pronouns, and then get lost?)
I really, truly hope that whatever problem you have with the PPC community is one that you can move past. Because this is seriously, seriously ridiculous and, in so many ways, petty. Go out and do something useful and positive with your life, why don't you? I'm positive that there are so many more constructive things you can do with your time than sit around trying to annoy an online community of writers.
And that's it. That's pretty much all I have to say here. I'm going to go do something constructive now myself, and hang out with my friend who wants some company. See ya! (Or not, as the case may hopefully be).
Good evening, 'Toroll'. Feel free to pick up your sanity at the door on your way out--that is, assuming you ever were a Boarder and left it there on your way in to begin with. If not, just bye. /waves/
Evening to everyone else, too :) Don't know about you, but I believe we can stay a community and not be 'broken apart' by a troll, of all things.
~DF -
*applause* (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 00:39:00 UTC
Link to this
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..this whole place breaks apart. by
on 2016-04-21 00:11:00 UTC
Link to this
We won't. We're better than that. :-)
-
Get stuffed (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 23:47:00 UTC
Link to this
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Paging the Nameless Admin... (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 23:47:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Actually, I'm pretty sure Dann's been spotted here within... by
on 2016-04-21 00:33:00 UTC
Link to this
...the last month.
Just, you know. In the interest of clarity and stuff.
~DF -
I vote no. by
on 2016-04-20 18:41:00 UTC
Link to this
They've already said they're taking time off; I find a ban redundant.
Historically, bans are reserved for people who: harass other members using outside mediums, or use demographic information to attack and harass members, or harass members repeatedly, over a series of repeated incidents, showing a behavior pattern.
I cannot believe we are voting on a permanent ban based on two adjacent threads surrounding one drama issue… which was started by two people who were not Data. They pointed out several things they see as serious, recurring issues in the PPC (I happen to agree with some, but that's neither here nor there) and also pointed out a behavior pattern they perceive as toxic and harmful. Yes, they were rude about it. But our response is perma-ban? I can't get behind that. -
Current tally: by
on 2016-04-20 20:25:00 UTC
Link to this
Unqualified ban: 9 (-Hardric, -Storme, +TheShyIon, +sjosten)
Temporary ban: 3 (+Hardric, +Storme)
One more chance, under threat of banning: 2
No action taken against Data Junkie: 3 (+VixenMage)
Stated abstentions: 5 (+Larfen, +Skarm)
Data Junkie: 1
Total is 23. All votes are IP-verified.
It would be very helpful if the people advocating a temporary ban would specify what they mean by 'temporary'.
Also, could someone please show me where Data Junkie said they'd take time off? I haven't run into it, and I don't have the heart to read the whole sharding thread again.
hS -
I'd say about six months by
on 2016-04-20 20:59:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm not sure if a year is too long, but I think it should be a period that can be described as 'long enough'
-
See, here's the thing. by
on 2016-04-20 22:59:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm in favour of a ban. But really, what's to stop Data Junkie waiting six months and pulling the exact same stunts again? Because time does not seem to be a problem to them.
Bans, in this sense, are meant to be a time for reflection and self-analysis, and I'm not at all convinced Data Junkie will use their time away to do that. Quite the reverse, in fact; it is my firm and fervent belief that they will simply let their darker urges fester.
A twelve-month ban seems adequate to me, but I will urge one thing: that this be Data Junkie's very last chance. This whole thing is entirely down to two people having hated each other several years previously; one has been trying to move on, and one has not. If this happens again, then there have to be more far-reaching consequences.
Data Junkie's on record as saying they want more to be done about the toxicity in the PPC, that toxic members are just left to their own devices and this needs to change. Fine by me.
Let's start with them. -
Thirded. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 23:46:00 UTC
Link to this
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What're you thirding, for the record? (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 09:32:00 UTC
Link to this
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Six-month ban. I think I misclicked. -_- (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 18:27:00 UTC
Link to this
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This is actually me, in case anyone was worried. (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 01:21:00 UTC
Link to this
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Six months seems fine for me too. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 21:24:00 UTC
Link to this
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They said it... by
on 2016-04-20 20:28:00 UTC
Link to this
...here. And I seem to remember zdimensia being banned for six months or a year or something? So one of those.
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About six months, yeah. by
on 2016-04-20 20:33:00 UTC
Link to this
Then she came back under an alias and was banned permanently as consequence, IIRC.
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Yeah, I was there. by
on 2016-04-20 20:37:00 UTC
Link to this
Trainwreck syndrome here. Why do you think this was the thread I came out of exile for?
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zdimensia was a year, I think. by
on 2016-04-20 20:37:00 UTC
Link to this
The Nameless Admin said she was banned until August, and that this was done in the previous year. That means the ban was at least eight months, so I'm guessing it was a full year.
hS -
So... by
on 2016-04-20 19:14:00 UTC
Link to this
You're okay with this, then? Do you, personally, agree with what that says about me and hS now? I need to know.
~Neshomeh -
Ugh, no. Not in the slightest. by
on 2016-04-20 19:34:00 UTC
Link to this
I remember the Jacer incident, yes. I remember that Tray and a few others attacked Jacer for reasons the rest of us didn't understand, that several of us oldbies (and non-oldbies) told them off for it. Data may have forgotten that I was one of the people who Tray didn't speak to and blew up at for that, but I have not.
I also remember that Tray never apologized to any of us, and held the grudge against hS and you to the point where they did make unbased personal attacks against you both repeatedly and probably should have been banned at that point. (But I don't think Data was around for that bit, due, IIRC, to family priorities taking time.) I also - as someone else has pointed out - acknowledge that memory is malleable and unreliable, even with logs.
Look, what it comes down to for me is this. I remember how July acted on the IRC and Board, I remember her repeatedly bullying people and driving people away who she didn't approve of. I agree with Data that it has been an incredibly toxic behavior, and understand their incredulity that it seemed to be tolerated for so long - even protected by behavior norms (or., "don't rock the boat"). I, unlike Data, am rather still hoping she's grown up (as have we all - ye gods would I hate to meet the person I was in 2012), and isn't continuing it - that this was a one-off problem, not the repeating of a pattern. But I absolutely can't blame them for jumping to that conclusion, not for getting defensive when everyone either called them a liar, or defended July, or both.
And I don't like the precedent this sets. -
Okay, good. by
on 2016-04-20 20:54:00 UTC
Link to this
You said you agreed with some of what Data's saying, and didn't mention what you don't agree with, so I was very worried.
So, what SHOULD hS and I be doing about this unprovoked attack on our character, then? They've said they're not going to take anything back and won't promise they won't make similar "jerky remarks" in the future, so in your opinion, what other recourse do we have?
I guess I just want to make sure you know this isn't only about July. I know you have strong feelings about her, but that's not the only issue here.
~Neshomeh -
I don't know. by
on 2016-04-22 16:46:00 UTC
Link to this
I honestly don't have a solution. I think Data's right in that there's a sort of institutional complicity about this whole topic (of toxic behavior, etc). I think they were wrong to pin that on "oldbies," especially you and hS specifically. Also, I think it's probably been well and above obvious to most people that I don't care for the Mission format myself, given I've never written a serious one, and haven't read or commented on one in years.
But mostly, I'm utterly sick of drama. Looking down thread, I saw July say something rather uncalled for, others react and/or overreact, and then Data, in a fairly rude manner, point out that they saw it as a behavior pattern. In no particular order, others who haven't been here as long called them a liar; they called the whole 'Board a toxic place and implicated you, hS, other long-standing oldbies, in why; you, hS, others, defended yourself; Data got increasingly frustrated and defensive; a ban was proposed.
Again, a major part of my disagreement here is that I strongly dislike the precedent it sets. This "person said something mean - Permaban" is never how we've done it, and it's deeply alarming. -
I think you're missing some stuff? by
on 2016-04-22 22:26:00 UTC
Link to this
Basically, as far as I see it — this isn't "person said something mean — Permaban"; in that case, we shoud have proposed to ban July. What we have here is "person tried to use an incident to bash someone they have bad blood with, replied rudely to other people, and said they'll do so in the future", which is a different horse entirely.
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See, that's where my perspective differs. by
on 2016-04-22 22:36:00 UTC
Link to this
I see it as "one person saw someone saying something mean, and took the opportunity to point out that they saw this as a repeating behavior pattern that went back several years."
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Well... by
on 2016-04-23 00:04:00 UTC
Link to this
Operating on the assumption that "several years" goes back to 2012, at least: as far as I remember, July was, em, biting back then and is still biting now. However, I've never seen any malice from her. On the contrary: usually she has a good point in mind.
Further: as soon as July posted this, Data should've backed the hell up. While posting while sleep-deprived is a stupid idea, it's no more than that. Judging someone for their grouchiness (or bluntness, or whatever) when sleep-deprived is really, really harsh. What Data did wasn't "point out a repeating behaviour pattern", it was, pardon my vulgarity, shit-stirring. As far as I'm aware, they didn't post in that thread because they thought July needed calling out, they posted there because there's a lot of bad blood between them and July and they viewed that incident as an opportunity to sling mud at her. -
I Support the Ban by
on 2016-04-20 18:31:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm honestly mostly typing here just so hS doesn't see another (nm) post from someone who hasn't shown up in this thread yet and think the identity thief guy found another way in. But yeah, I think a ban of some kind is probably necessary.
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I... support the ban. by
on 2016-04-20 17:22:00 UTC
Link to this
Data Junkie's been fighting with... I don't know how many people anymore. For days. They've had plenty of chances to stop, been called out many times, and... I can't see how this *isn't* bad for the community as a whole.
I don't know. I just don't know. It seems like everything has gone wrong, all at once.
But I think this would... help. I certainly don't think it would hurt. -
My response to this entire thing in a single sentence: by
on 2016-04-20 17:22:00 UTC
Link to this
What. The. Flock. Am. I. Staring. At.
With all that being said, I pointedly refused to get involved in all this, especially because almost every single time I tried to have a say in drama got me in trouble. And honestly, I still feel that way, and even though I cannot condone Data Junkie's behavior in any capacity, the inclusion of that Toroll was the point where I decided that none of this makes any sense anymore. I think the community at large will have to have the final day on this one.
So, speaking as the real SkarmorySilver, I abstain from voting. -
I... I abstain from voting. by
on 2016-04-20 13:32:00 UTC
Link to this
I wasn't around for the whole incident with previous members of the Board, and even if I were I would need time to know them better, form my own opinion, and then I would have something to say in their case.
I don't know Data that much. Strictly from the way their posts are formed, I would think they are trying to make a change they think is necessary, regardless if the others think so, too. To give you an example, I don't believe the Permission system is in need of a change. About his opinion on the missions? I obviously disagree, since that would shake the entire foundation of the PPC.
Now, about his behavior towards others... I'm not going to say anything that hasn't been said. I consider July a friend, and I choose to believe her over Data, whom I know almost nothing about and who doesn't make a good impression recently.
I do not like to be toyed with, and if we had any proof that Data has any connection to that trolling piece of [BEEP], I would vote in favour of the ban. For now, though, I abstain. -
As do I. by
on 2016-04-20 13:54:00 UTC
Link to this
I mean, he's coming off a bit rude, and while I doubt his intentions are 'black-cape-spiky-armour-evil-laugh' bad, I certainly disagree with his methods of getting them sorted.
He attracts some bloody weird people, too, but it doesn't really seem fair to blame that on him.
I just have the barest idea of all the scaffolding on this monolithic drama castle. I know him more than I know you lot by two or so conversations.
And I don't know you lot a lot. -
Honestly? by
on 2016-04-20 14:06:00 UTC
Link to this
To my mind, the whole question of whether Data Junkie is being malicious or just rude is answered by this exchange:
Huinesoron: Data Junkie, please stop.
Data Junkie: Okay, I'll stop, it wasn't my idea anyway. Oh, and I'd forgotten you're a bunch of bigots.
I can't see answering a request to stop with a line like that (the original, which is linked, not my paraphrase) as being anything other than malicious.
hS -
I'd rather leave it to you fellows to judge that, is all. by
on 2016-04-20 14:41:00 UTC
Link to this
As you've proven: more experience and whatnot than me.
-
Umm...? by
on 2016-04-20 14:32:00 UTC
Link to this
Snarky - yes, rakish - absolutely, bash and impudent - sure, malicious - ehh?
And sure, I could vote in favour after what he said to July, and for stirring this whole excrement storm, and how he mocked the Organization itself ("this place is incredibly toxic at its core"), but I do not judge on a base of one event. You know him better than I, hS. -
That's a bit of a question, though. by
on 2016-04-20 14:58:00 UTC
Link to this
How accurate is it to judge someone on their perceived personality?
Even if it is just to work alongside their actions (had Data been a tad more mature earlier, he'd have been given greater benefit of a doubt when he pissed people off, et al,) surely that's an incredibly subjective thing?
I suppose deducing that someone won't let go of something because they haven't let go of something isn't too insane, but I think that 'You, individual human, who holds personal bias out of no fault of their own, know him better,' might be a bit dangerous.*
I mean, I'm doing the exact same thing as you are, but that's just because I'm a coward who doesn't trust his own judgement.
*If that wasn't clear enough, I'm not having a go. I swear. I've got biases, you've got biases, they're like opinions and arseholes.
We've all got them, except for elves. -
Correction: I don't know Data Junkie at all. by
on 2016-04-20 14:43:00 UTC
Link to this
I've had various run-ins with the people they used to hang out with on the IRC, but if Data Junkie was one of the people who attacked me at various times, I haven't bothered to attach their name to the memory.
All I know is what's happened in this incident, and in the one a few weeks back where they decided to discuss the Permission process by calling me - personally - 'lame' and lazy on the basis of their misreading and partial reading of my posts. Which, I admit, did not dispose me to think fondly of them, but I deliberately haven't used their attacks against me personally as an argument here.
hS -
Current tally: by
on 2016-04-20 13:41:00 UTC
Link to this
Unqualified ban: 9
Temporary ban: 1
One more chance, under threat of banning: 2
No action taken against Data Junkie: 2
Stated abstentions: 3 (Matt Cipher, Tomash, doctorlit)
Data Junkie: 1
There are 50 people who have posted on the current front page (not counting the anon, or Toroll). 18 have currently voted, abstained, or been the person under discussion.
hS, reclaiming sanity by way of spreadsheets -
*temporarily de-lurks* by
on 2016-04-20 13:29:00 UTC
Link to this
I vote in favor of the ban. Don't think I need to say why.
-
Voting. by
on 2016-04-20 12:50:00 UTC
Link to this
Normally I'd say give Data another chance. He (they?) certainly didn't get to zdimensia's calibre, or (heh!) Rifle Calibre Guy's. However, Data managed to bring someone impersonating other people into the whole affair, which is definitely a worrying precedent. Further, I find the way they seemingly meant to use the incident Iximaz and I had with July to attack July especially reprehensible.
So no, I don't want him around, and since he kept that grudge against July for so long (without resolving it off-Board), I am inclined to think he is not going to learn, either. I vote for a ban. -
I vote no by
on 2016-04-20 11:41:00 UTC
Link to this
After thinking on it, sleeping on and generally mulling it over for so long that I was sure that when I finally got around to post, it would all be over, but then weird stuff happened.
My no is based on something of a technicality. I was around for the whole Jacer incident and it made quite an impression to say the least. On one of the yearly surveys I even commented on it.
What I'm getting at is that I was there to witness it and I do not remember it the way Data described it, but neither do I remember it the way Huinesoron summed it up.
And to people who might suggest that I simply read the archive; that whole clustermess nearly made me quit the PPC and just looking at some of the posts made my stomach tighten. I'm not reading through it again.
So I can't sign off on the idea the Data deliberately misrepresented that thread, simply because they remember it differently from other people, because so do I.
This does no mean that I condone their behaviour in general. I might still have been for a ban, but Cat-on-the-Keyboard's post made me think about things.
Data, if you're reading this "I'm likely to still occasionally make a jerky remark or two if I'm upset because my default setting upset or passionate is "Everyone else has no gorram clue why can't they see things the way I see them" and honestly that's not a very useful setting," is unacceptable.
You don't get to be a jerk just because you've informed us in advance that you're going to be one. -
Since apparently there's someone pretending to be me... by
on 2016-04-20 09:48:00 UTC
Link to this
I feel I should clarify my position:
Ban their arse for good.
We do not need people like Data Junkie on the Board or in the community. We do not require them. And most importantly, we do not deserve them. We do not deserve pathetic people coming back to sling mud and hurl insults at people.
One does have to wonder why someone would bother impersonating me. My personal theory - and forgive my sounding paranoid - is that whoever this is wanted to torpedo the vote and make Data Junkie look like the victim of harassment from outside sources, so they could play the hero and make everyone legitimately calling for a ban look bad. Whoever you are, you do not speak for me. I do. And I'm better at it.
In any event, I was and remain in favour of the ban. Indeed, I'm in favour of a permanent ban, because the last time they went away for years? All that appears to have happened is that they stewed in their own vitriol and waited for a chance to dredge all this BS back up again. A permanent ban will ensure that this level of harassment and hostility will not come out of his mouth again.
Sorry if I sound emotional. I am emotional. They hurt my friend. And I am not going to put up with it any bloody more. -
Changing my vote by
on 2016-04-21 04:17:00 UTC
Link to this
I didn't realize that there had been an incident before when Data Junkie had been temporarily banned. I think I don't understand this situation well enough and probably should abstain.
Especially now that I'm rereading my own proposal. That would not work.
--Key is still a newbie -
Hold on, they weren't. by
on 2016-04-21 04:30:00 UTC
Link to this
Data Junkie hasn't been banned before. They just went away from the Board for a long while, then popped back up, and now we're here.
~Neshomeh -
Current real votes: by
on 2016-04-20 09:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Huinesoron: Ban.
Hardric: Ban.
Neshomeh: Ban.
Sergio Turbo: Ban.
Ekyl: One more chance.
Badger421 (possibly): One more chance.
Storm Hawke: Ban.
Phobos: Ban.
Seafarer: Temporary ban.
Cat-on-the-Keyboard: Voluntary temporary departure and mediation.
Everyone except Badger421 is using an IP address they've used previously; Badger's I've explained in a comment to that post.
hS -
Dear Toroll: Well done, I hate you now. by
on 2016-04-20 09:12:00 UTC
Link to this
I hate you for making me go through every single post in this thread to check their IPs so I can wipe your trolling from the face of the Board. But I'm doing it.
This has the added advantage(?) of erasing your lying IP addresses. Good fun.
hS -
Future Toroll posts will be similarly wiped. by
on 2016-04-20 10:00:00 UTC
Link to this
I would just delete them, but there's a chance someone could post from a public wifi spot or something and come off as a false positive. I'd rather have the ability to revert.
hS -
Stupid question, 'cause I was asleep: by
on 2016-04-20 17:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Is Toroll an actual person or just what we're calling whomever did this? Just wondering if someone came forwards and said why they were doing all this or whatever while I was sleeping.
-
Tor + troll. My coinage. Because puns help. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 18:15:00 UTC
Link to this
-
*Cough* That's not a coinage. by
on 2016-04-20 21:09:00 UTC
Link to this
This process is called "blending", since you use two existing words. A coinage usually is when you create a new word that is completely made up, and there's no way of tracing its origin to other words. Need an example? Here's Lewis Caroll:
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."
I count at least 11 coinages/neologisms.
And now I shall shut up and suppress my inner picky linguist. -
But if you want to be properly pedantic... by
on 2016-04-20 22:10:00 UTC
Link to this
... you should correct your statement that 'there's no way of tracing its origin to other words'. At least one coinage in Jabberwocky, 'beamish' (as in, come to my arms, my _____ boy), has a very clear origin: it comes from Beamish, which is a living open-air museum aka 'historic village'.
Wikipedia (which Neshomeh has already cited) also describes 'cyberspace' as a neologism, despite it being created by blending.
The OED also allows 'to coin' to mean 'esp. in a bad or depreciatory sense: To fabricate, invent, make up (something specious, pretentious, or counterfeit).'. I think Toroll fits all three of those. ^_~
hS -
About "cyberspace" by
on 2016-04-20 22:30:00 UTC
Link to this
It's actually a compound. An endocentric compound, to be specific; it consists of a head, i.e. the categorical part that contains the basic meaning of the whole compound, and modifiers, which restrict this meaning.
In this case, cyberspace is a compound where space is the head and cyber is the modifier, and is understood as "the notional environment in which communication over computer networks occurs." (Oxford Dictionary)
Yep, I will correct myself on "tracing the origin", since 'Beamish' was an unfamiliar term for me :P -
I could be wrong, but, by
on 2016-04-20 22:45:00 UTC
Link to this
I suspect hS is having you on about "beamish." Speaking of the OED, it apparently contained a definition of the word predating Jabberwocky, but it's nothing to do with a historical village. It's simply "beaming, happy, cheerful," from beam + -ish.
~Neshomeh -
: ( Am not either. by
on 2016-04-20 23:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I may simply be /wrong/, but that's certainly what I was told when I visited the place years back. Probably decades actually...
hS, too old -
Ah, sorry then. {= ( by
on 2016-04-20 23:13:00 UTC
Link to this
I confess, "Carroll made up a word based on a modern tourist attraction" sounded silly to me. Plus, "Jabberwocky" is from 1871 and the original Beamish museum doesn't seem to have been a thing until the late 1900s. Maybe they were having you on? (Or were also just wrong, of course.)
~Neshomeh -
It's entirely possible. by
on 2016-04-21 09:36:00 UTC
Link to this
Though Beamish the village existed long before that, I assume... yeah, I'unno. I'm pretty bad at spotting when I'm being lied to, so.
hS -
If you want to get really pedantic... by
on 2016-04-20 21:41:00 UTC
Link to this
It's a portmanteau, wherein the meaning of the two component words is combined as well as their phonemes. Wikipedia also contains a definition of a portmanteau as a kind of blend word that combines the beginning sound of one word (Tor) with the end of another (troll), and that applies here, too. {= )
~Neshomeh -
Since we're being pedants... by
on 2016-04-20 21:50:00 UTC
Link to this
The word is a portmanteau; the process is a blending. Blending produces portmanteaux; coinage produces neologisms. ;-)
-
I rest my case, Your Honour! by
on 2016-04-20 21:59:00 UTC
Link to this
:P -
Okay, no. by
on 2016-04-20 22:20:00 UTC
Link to this
Done my research now. Portmanteaux are only one type of blend word, and based on hS's post, blending is a subset of coinage. I'd say blend words still count as new words.
It's all very complicated.
(Also: squeeeee Edgeworth!) -
Well, they do... but they don't. by
on 2016-04-20 22:25:00 UTC
Link to this
Both blends and coinages are word-formation processes. The typical process of coinage usually involves the extension of a product name from a specific reference to a more general one. For example, think of Kleenex, Xerox, and Kodak.
I'll take an example from an OFU - Hogwarts Fanfiction Academy, to be specific:
"I believe Ron coined the term 'Mini-Aragogs'..."
And this is where 'coinage' is used correctly; Ron used a specific reference - the fact that the HP minis look like Aragog - and coined a new term.
(Also: Franziska > Edgeworth every day!) -
Uh, right. by
on 2016-04-20 22:35:00 UTC
Link to this
So now you've narrowed the definition of coinage to "proper nouns being changed into words"?
Based on every online dictionary I can find, coinage just refers to the creation of a new word or phrase, with no particular requirements as to the origin of said word or phrase.
As for "Mini-Aragog", how is that not a blending? "Miniature" + "Aragog". Taking bits of each word to produce a new word, right?
So, to my understanding, all blends are coinages. -
Well, dictionaries do generalize things often, don't they? by
on 2016-04-20 22:41:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't thing a common dictionary would elaborate on a linguistic definition, especially if there is that thing called 'polysemy'.
I'm not saying those processes aren't very closely related, but there are those subtle differences between a compound, a blend, or a coinage. I think this explains it quite nicely. -
Clicked that link. by
on 2016-04-21 03:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Electrocute is a combination of electric, and execute?
That's so...
stupid. -
Okay. by
on 2016-04-20 22:58:00 UTC
Link to this
Even the article you linked says this: "The earliest blends in English only go back to the 19th century, with wordplay coinages by Lewis Carroll in Jabberwocky." That seems to imply that blends are considered to be "coined", don't you think?
-
For the record... by
on 2016-04-20 22:17:00 UTC
Link to this
This little gem of lighthearted linguistic nitpicking is the real PPC to me. You guys have all brightened my day. ^_^
~Neshomeh -
Good. by
on 2016-04-20 22:21:00 UTC
Link to this
That was part of my intention - even in this mess, we can still learn from each other and have fun. ^_^
-
I'm always up for linguistic nitpicking. by
on 2016-04-20 22:20:00 UTC
Link to this
Linguistic nitpicking is best nitpicking. Or historical linguistics. Or anything connected to that.
-
Huh. by
on 2016-04-20 21:21:00 UTC
Link to this
You learn something new every day. Thanks, Matt!
-
De nada. by
on 2016-04-20 21:34:00 UTC
Link to this
It's the subject of my research paper, so I must have that knowledge. Spreading it, however, is optional.
-
Aaaaaah. by
on 2016-04-20 18:20:00 UTC
Link to this
That makes sense. When I checked the Board and people were suddenly referring to the impersonator by a username I found myself wondering.
-
Yes, the proposal was me. by
on 2016-04-20 07:58:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't blame at least one person for thinking it wasn't, though.
For verification: here's an Ardolindo post with the same IP.
It's my home PC, whereas I usually post from work or (yesterday) a hotel room.
I am not behind the IP-spoofing fake votes.
hS -
Sorry if I'm pranoid... by
on 2016-04-20 08:15:00 UTC
Link to this
Cat, do you also post on mobile?
I've got two differents ID for you here
50.0.91.137
76.254.50.1
The true Hardric, hoping he's only paranoid. -
I do by
on 2016-04-20 15:03:00 UTC
Link to this
I am right now. Yesterday I used two different computers. Oh, and my mobile doesn't have data; I use WiFi, so that might result in lots of IP addresses.
--Key doesn't really know how computer stuff works -
I'm pretty sure literally nobody thought you were. by
on 2016-04-20 08:02:00 UTC
Link to this
Just for what it's worth.
-
The only person who could be interpreted as doing so... by
on 2016-04-20 09:58:00 UTC
Link to this
... is doctorlit with "There is something toxic in this community, and it's the person who tried to turn this into a "sides" thing, and fake this b;asted vote." But I'm assuming that's just directed at Toroll and that I'm missing whatever the point of the '"sides" thing' part was.
I hadn't even read that post when I said it; I just figured it was worth saying, since I proposed the ban in the first place.
hS -
No no, definitely talking about Torollololol. by
on 2016-04-20 14:36:00 UTC
Link to this
I guess I let that other post get a little overwrought . . . Just, after my username was used to attack someone else, I felt personally offended that Torolleon had presumed so much about my opinion on the matter, based on my one post defending July which (I don't think?) said much particularly negative towards Data. And then I gave in to my bad habit of psychoanalyzing people, and came to the conclusion that El Torollo was seeing this as a simple black-and-white issue, and assumed no one in the community had a more complex feeling on the matter than "ban nao" or "no banz."
And then I ranted. I absolutely wasn't thinking about you, hS, and I'm sorry I was so unclear. :(
—doctorlit got a little worked up last night, no lie -
I don't think they were trying. by
on 2016-04-20 15:06:00 UTC
Link to this
To represent your actual vote, that is. I think they were throwing as many yes votes as possible into the mix, without bothering to consider how people might actually vote. It was disruption, not an attempt to skew the vote.
And you were right to be worked up. Posting under someone else's name is a violation of the basic rules of decency and trust.
-Phobos -
I'm not so sure. by
on 2016-04-20 18:59:00 UTC
Link to this
All of the other posts by Toroll just had the subject line filled in, only the one impersonating doctorlit had anything else written in it.
I don't think the choice to impersonate doctorlit was purely one to get as many yes votes as possible, I believe that it may have been either a more personal attack on Data (not that I'm saying they are a victim overall, more that Toroll may have something against them), or it was an attempt to make it seem like the posts were genuine that backfired when they got the pronoun's wrong and thus went back to the simpler sort of posts. If it's the latter it was a bit of poor research and timing for Toroll, if its the former, it's more malicious and perhaps implies that Toroll had a bit more knowledge of the PPC, at least perhaps the older PPC, than we are assuming they have.
Storme Hawk
Who's kind of afraid they're getting a bit too paranoid and becoming too much of a conspiracy theorist.
P.S. That's got me thinking, maybe Toroll is trying to make us all paranoid, it's a good first step if they're trying to pull the PPC apart, i.e it's something I would do if I were to attempt something similar. Although once again, it may just be my paranoia popping up. -
For the record by
on 2016-04-20 05:27:00 UTC
Link to this
I know for a fact the (other) anonymous poster who was posting in the July stuff is not the same person here. I know who that was, and they're someone who mostly just lurks instead of posting now due to issues similar to my own. I'm not gonna out them unless they give me express permission to do so, but at least one other person in this thread is also friends with them and can back me up when I say they wouldn't ever stoop to this, should their identity become known.
I haven't actually seen anyone suspect them, especially since I'm sure anyone who payed attention just thought it was me, but I figured I'd throw that out there. -
I did think that was you. Sorry. by
on 2016-04-20 05:42:00 UTC
Link to this
Thank you for clarifying.
-
Re: impersonation (what's all this, then?) by
on 2016-04-20 05:04:00 UTC
Link to this
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256
I strongly disapprove of the impersonation of Board members that we have seen in this thread. I hope that this is some outsider troll trying to get a rise out of everyone. The other option means there's a Boarder that felt the need to stoop to vote-rigging to accomplish whatever their plan is. In either case, I'm very disappointed in our Tor-using friend, and I believe they should stopthis . I'm also rather curious as to *why* someone would feel the need to impersonate Boarders.
I don't have an opinion on the vote right now. I either wasn't here for or don't remember the big ball of IRC drama that has been brought up, so I can't comment on that. I read many of Data's recent posts as attempts to stir up drama, which is something that we, as a community, would rather avoid. Whether this all adds up to banworthy conduct, I haven't decided.
I also don't like that someone (who could be suspected of being Data) made several rude or inflamatory posts anonymously. That's Not Done here.
Given the sort of crazy things that've been going on in this thread, I'm cryptographically signing this post (and I plan to sign posts about this topic with the same key). Name's clickable, and it's the email address associated with the key I'm using. Feel free to send GPG mail there to check me on that. Key ID is 2388E924.
- - Tomash, who would be doing the Stern Professor Glare if he weren't just a TA
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v2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 -
Possibly stupid question: by
on 2016-04-20 05:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Doing the cryptograph stuff is all well and good, but if someone were bent on impersonating you couldn't they just copy paste it?
-
Public-key crypto (aka, rampant CS nerd-out) by
on 2016-04-20 05:46:00 UTC
Link to this
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256
Yay, I get to nerd out about theoretical CS!
So, broadly, I'm using a public-key cryptosystem. In this case, GPG. The idea behind this sort of thing is that I generate a keypair, which contains a public and private key. I tell everyone the public key, and keep the private key secret. If you "apply" one key to some message and then apply the other key to the result of that, the original message comes out. However, undoing an application of one key is extremely computationally difficult[1], so the only way to retrieve a message that's been locked with a private/public key is to use the public/private key to unlock it.
If you want to say something to me secretly, you apply the public key and send me the result of that. Then, since I'm the only one who knows the private key, I'm the only one who can finish the math and read your message. In reality, there's a few other things you have to do to make this more secure, but yeah.
Signatures (which is what I'm using) are the opposite process. I take my message[2] and apply my private key to it to create the signature. Then, anyone can take my public key and apply it to the signature. Then, they check if the message they're seeing is what I've signed. If that happens, that means that I (or at least, someone who has my private key) signed the message.
So, no, they can't copy paste the weird block at the end, unless they plan to repost, bit for bit, the message it was attached to. Otherwise, checking the signature will show that the message was tampered with, because the text it's attached to won't match what was signed.
[1]: The underlying cryptography involves choosing two large primes p and q. Then you take N = p * q, and find e and d such that e * d = 1 (mod (p - 1)(q - 1)). This means that (m^e)^d = (m^d)^e = m (mod N), but given N and e, finding d requires factoring a number that's a product of two primes. So, I tell you N and e, but keep d secret. (Finding d from N and e requires time proportional to (something > 1) to the 4096, in our case.)
[2]: Sorry, lied. What I do is run my message through (in this case) SHA256, a function that goes from data to a 256-bit integer in a way that is currently impossible to generate collisions for. That is, if I tell you the SHA356 output (or hash) I want, you have no way to create an input that is different from mine and gives that hash without at least NSA-level computing power. Then, I do the signature thing to the hash, which is close enough to signing the message and avoids some other attacks.
(Let us pray that there is no polytime algorithm for prime factorization, that P != NP, and that quantum computing is impractical)
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v2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=d7aR
-----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -
That's brilliant by
on 2016-04-20 06:33:00 UTC
Link to this
I'd heard of public-key encryption before, but only in the vaguest sense. I don't understand all of what you said, but I think I get the gist.
How do we apply your public key to the signature, though? That seems to be a necessary step in making sure your posts are from you. And is there by chance any simple way that the rest of us could set this up? (Simple= doable by someone who has never taken a course in computer science and has only taken math up to Algebra II, but is willing to do some reading.) I'm not used to researching this sort of topic, so I'm having trouble finding instructions for either process.
--Key signs this message with a meaningless signature -
*stares* *applauds* by
on 2016-04-20 06:08:00 UTC
Link to this
While I definitely did not follow all of that (or perhaps even most of it), I applaud the sheer (perhaps only perceived?) complexity involved, and, in fact, the fact (heh) that you're doing this. It's pretty cool/interesting.
~The Real DawnFire, who is already starting to feel like a Holy Musical B@man! character from that signature. Though I suppose it should be @TheRealDawnFire for accuracy, and I should be complaining about some annoyance named...I'm not sure what having already taken DawnFire, and so now I look like a fake DawnFire...?
Okay, right, probably time to stop following the reference trail. The reference trail from a Starkid musical that most people here probably haven't seen.
(That was fun, though :D Also, I'm now in the company of Superman, at least in reference land, so I'm doing well!)
~DF
PS: If a vote shows up claiming to be from me, and especially does not have a whole lot of text attached, it's very likely not from me. I'm not currently planning to cast a vote, *especially* not in the next, oh, seven hours or so, but if I did suddenly decide to...yeah, it *definitely* wouldn't be very short. As you can probably tell. Good night! -
I oppose banning Data Junkie by
on 2016-04-20 02:37:00 UTC
Link to this
Data Junkie has stated in this thread that they intend to take time off from the PPC even if not banned. As I see it, the main problem with their behavior was that they persisted in an argument that the original disputants had resolved. Taking time off would fix the problem in the short term as well as give them some time to reflect on their behavior, formulate an apology, and reframe their concerns in a less combative way. I am entirely in favor of discussing the purpose of the PPC (why write missions, what counts as a flame, how should disputes be resolved), but I think it would be more productive to do so in a more emotionally detached, philosophical way.
I propose a temporary ban on this topic. Specifically, I propose that everyone refrain from discussing the purpose of the PPC, Boarders' personal histories, and their opinions on the structure and functioning of the Board for a period of. . . a week sounds good. During this week, we will all reflect on this discussion, think about how we could have been more diplomatic, rethink our positions, figure out how true our accusations against other Boarders are, etc. At the end of this week, a designated mediator would start a thread for the re-discussion of the issue, where everyone will apologize and vote on whether or not we need to keep discussing any topics related to this dispute.
The ideal mediator I think would be someone who has followed this discussion but was not heavily involved in it and was present for the past incidents referenced. I match the first two criteria, and am willing to mediate, because I love mediating.
--Key hopes we'll be able to get along -
Bravo, Cat. by
on 2016-04-20 03:48:00 UTC
Link to this
You said everything I wanted to better than I ever could.
You've got my vote for mediator if the Board agrees with your idea. -
To clarify by
on 2016-04-20 02:58:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't think that everyone involved in this disagreement was out of line. I do think that if in a week everyone looks over their posts with an eye to figuring out if they were out of line (not if others were out of line), any further discussion will be a lot more civil.
--Key -
In light of fraudulent posts... by
on 2016-04-20 02:32:00 UTC
Link to this
Do we call this vote off? Recount? Figure out something else?
-
It's easy enough... by
on 2016-04-20 02:41:00 UTC
Link to this
...to tell the fakers. Particularly now that the real people are noticing. All the (nm) votes, plus "doctorlit". I think we should just keep going.
-
I'm talking on principle in some part. by
on 2016-04-20 02:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Namely, someone, maybe multiple someones, is playing shenanigans and pretending to be people in order to influence the vote. Whether it's easy to spot which ones are fake or not, on principle it kind of throws a spanner in the whole thing.
-
Shall we vote... by
on 2016-04-20 02:48:00 UTC
Link to this
...on whether to restart the vote? Or just wait and see whether hS calls it off? I don't see a point in starting again, since that'd just lead to everyone repeating what they said here anyway.
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I think we could wait and see. by
on 2016-04-20 02:58:00 UTC
Link to this
Not to mention, we have to see what the impersonated people actually choose to vote for - Phobos went with pro-ban, while Cat went with anti-ban, for example.
-
I really just want attention. Look at me! by
on 2016-04-20 00:24:00 UTC
Link to this
Originally posted as Alleb: I'm in favor of this. (nm)
-
Attention: I did not post that. by
on 2016-04-20 02:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Someone has used my name. I never said that, and I'm very angry.
-Alleb -
But at the end of it all, I'm just a boring troll. by
on 2016-04-20 00:05:00 UTC
Link to this
Originally posted as DCCCV: Yes, absolutely (nm)
-
golly by
on 2016-04-22 00:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I have had a bad day already. I am half close to going insane. Can someone give me a good summary to what just happened?
Gadzooks. -
Well... by
on 2016-04-22 01:32:00 UTC
Link to this
There's a vote going on about banning Data Junkie, for reasons which are outlined in hS' initial calling for a ban post. A troll stepped in and posted as several people, including you, who then noticed what was happening (Phobos was the first) and got angry about it. The troll was using Tor to disguise her (she eventually spoke up) IP address, hence hS terming her the Toroll (Tor+Troll), and her posts have now been wiped for the most part. (She stated goals of trying to tear apart the PPC, blah, blah, completely misunderstanding the community, blah, not knowing hS too well either, blah, blah, my post somewhere in this mess titled 'Excuse you?' probably gives a fair idea of some of what she said in her first substantive post). Apart from that...hm. hS has now passed on vote tallying duties, Desdendelle has taken them up, and there's continuing discussion going on as well as a discussion in a different thread on banning procedure. The vote is also still continuing, to my knowledge; feel free to vote or abstain or vote with specifications, etc, etc.
That's the most recent stuff, anyway. Hopefully it's understandable...if not, hopefully someone else can fill you in more clearly. But this should hopefully at least make a good start.
~DF -
Yes, with conditions. by
on 2016-04-20 00:03:00 UTC
Link to this
Probably this is what would happen anyway, but I'm in favour of a temporary soft-ban.
Like hS says, Data has repeatedly been rude, with no apparent understanding of why they're in the wrong. They've misrepresented things, and been condescending.
But they haven't caused the perfect storm that I've seen before, with zdimensia and... others. I think that if we tell Data everything they've done wrong, all laid out neatly, then ask them to leave and cool off, then we've done enough.
And that way, if they come back and do it again, they've been warned, they've had their transgressions explained, and they'll eat a hard ban in about ten seconds.
So, yeah. Ban.
(For the record, I understand how sometimes, people just don't see that what they're doing is hurting others unless it's explained in simple terms, which is why I'm feeling lenient. I'm quite ready to submit to the superior wisdom of others, though.) -
Additional thoughts. by
on 2016-04-20 07:23:00 UTC
Link to this
Let me be clear: I oppose an IP ban. Nothing Data Junkie has done warrants that. In fact, they've been far more civil than anyone else I've ever seen faced with a ban.
Regardless, they have done some unpleasant things, and I think an apology is in order. If that's not forthcoming, well, see previous post.
The other anon poster, though, who Data has just revealed? Well, anonymous flaming really gets on my nerves. I think looking into an IP ban for that address is probably in order, unless that person wants to come forward and own their statements, like Data has. -
I don't know why... by
on 2016-04-20 09:30:00 UTC
Link to this
... people think an IP ban is something special.
I tried to make this very clear last time: if you are banned from the PPC, you are banned from the PPC (forever, for five minutes, whatever people choose). You get told to leave. Hopefully you do that.
If you don't leave when told to, your IP address gets blocked as a technical enforcement.
If you post from multiple IPs, as the Toroll is doing, you get your messages deleted on sight instead.
They're not different levels of banning. There is one ban, and two ways to enforce that ban if the person doesn't stay away when told.
hS -
I meant... by
on 2016-04-20 20:21:00 UTC
Link to this
...I oppose a permaban unless/until Data either breaks a temporary ban or does something really bad.
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I could support this. by
on 2016-04-20 00:06:00 UTC
Link to this
I feel it's a good balance between my vote of "no ban" and the fact what I've heard of Data's behaviour really does need to be addressed. It's more of a suspension than an outright ban.
-
Glad you agree. by
on 2016-04-20 00:13:00 UTC
Link to this
You're the one who convinced me not to jump straight to permaban.
-
Ruining other people's days makes me feel good. by
on 2016-04-19 23:30:00 UTC
Link to this
Originally posted as Phobos: I'm with Neshomeh, Data needs to be banned. (nm)
-
Adding to the real Phobos' comment... by
on 2016-04-20 01:36:00 UTC
Link to this
IPs are plainly visible on the Board. Did you really think nobody would notice yours doesn't match his?
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Actually... by
on 2016-04-20 01:41:00 UTC
Link to this
So I got curious and checked. Roughly half the votes in favor of the ban do not match the posters. Doctorlit, for example, was not Doc. Most, if not all, of the (nm) votes are frauds.
-
An addition in light of Phobos's remark by
on 2016-04-20 01:43:00 UTC
Link to this
Most of the IPs are from random locations in Europe. I know for a fact Doc is in AZ, and not... Sweden I think the IP checker said it was.
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Of course not. Swiss cheese is disgusting. by
on 2016-04-20 03:55:00 UTC
Link to this
Of course, American cheese is inedible so
—doctorlit likes sharp cheddar best -
You must mean Swedish cheese by
on 2016-04-20 05:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Which actually sounds good to me.
--Key also likes sharp cheddar best -
Oh, how bizarre. by
on 2016-04-20 06:04:00 UTC
Link to this
What my parents have always called swiss cheese is actually made in North America.
Why.
Why.
—doctorlit just Why. -
No. No way. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 06:36:00 UTC
Link to this
-
While that is true... by
on 2016-04-20 01:40:00 UTC
Link to this
I post from no fewer than five different computers. Two at work, two at home, and my phone. Lots of IP addresses.
-Phobos -
I don't know who you are... by
on 2016-04-20 01:08:00 UTC
Link to this
...but you are in for a world of trouble right now. Did you actually think that you could vote in my name and I wouldn't notice or care? Did you think Nesh (which is how I actually refer to my wife on the Board, by the way. Know your mark, at least.) wouldn't notice or care? Even if that is the case, I have something very important to say to you:
Kindly ... off.
I do not need you to speak for me. I can make my own decisions and I can cast my own vote.
What were you thinking? Seriously, if you feel like fessing up to this you can email me (baridthetroll @ gmail . com) because I would love to know that you were thinking anything at all. Because this was dumb. Really, think about how dumb this was. Just take a second and look at it. You didn't need my vote. You didn't. The vote is overwhelmingly in favor of a ban. Even if you did need my vote, all you had to do was wait for me to cast it. Or if you were impatient, which you clearly were, then you could have emailed me and asked me to vote. But you didn't do that. You did the stupidest thing you could do in this situation.
Now that we have that out of the way, I will actually cast my vote in favor of the ban.
-Phobos, glad he had time to cool down before he posted. -
This whole situation gets weirder and weirder. o_o (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 01:25:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Now I'm just insulted. by
on 2016-04-20 03:15:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm not worth impersonating, then?
Is that how it is?
My opinion doesn't have enough sway, does it?
That's fine. That's fine. -
That's actually a very good point. by
on 2016-04-20 03:29:00 UTC
Link to this
Why did whoever did this impersonate who they did? Some, like doctorlit, Desdendelle, Phobos I understand, they are relatively big names in the community. But why some of the less well known people as well (no offence meant)?
I mean the obvious answer is to try and act as a smokescreen, but then how did they choose which ones to impersonate, it's obviously not random, or at least it's a small pool to work from if it was random, so there must be some connecting factor between all the people chosen, one that (atm) I can't see (granted it's 3:30 am here, but still, something to ponder). -
People who'd all participated in the Data stuff? by
on 2016-04-20 03:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Just a random stab in the dark admittedly.
-
I thought that at first too by
on 2016-04-20 03:47:00 UTC
Link to this
But then Alleb and DCCCV haven't posted on any of Data's stuff that I can see, and [EvilAI]UBEROverlord and EileenAlphabet have posted on Data's stuff but haven't been impersonated yet.
The reason I say yet is in case its a bot that's posting the messages instead of a person and it'll simply run until told to stop. I don't think it would be too hard to set up but I don't knoow for sure as i don't really touch that sort of stuff. -
Very strange. by
on 2016-04-20 03:49:00 UTC
Link to this
I really wouldn't know where to begin on figuring this out, except someone really wants to stack the vote in favour of banning Data - but let's be honest, the case for a ban was already very strong, and this just kind of soiled the whole thing. Whose yes votes do we know for a fact are real? Neshomeh's and Phobos', post-impersonation?
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Yes, and... by
on 2016-04-20 03:55:00 UTC
Link to this
...Hardric's post has his typical grammar problems (due to him being French... I think), and Sergio Turbo's IP at least matches his known location. Plus Storme Hawk. And me.
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Curses, swordsaged again. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 03:56:00 UTC
Link to this
-
That is the best version of "ninja'd" I've ever seen. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 04:24:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Yes votes. by
on 2016-04-20 03:53:00 UTC
Link to this
Well I know I wrote my post. So that's me, Neshomeh, Phobos (post-impersonation), Sergio Turbo, Hardric and Seafarer, or at least all of their IP's seemed to check out.
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All right, cool. by
on 2016-04-20 03:56:00 UTC
Link to this
I wanted to get a headcount of which votes were actually real, just to have it out of the way. Though Seafarer's yes vote seemed to lean more towards a temporary suspension than a permaban.
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How many votes are actually needed for a ban? 60% majority? by
on 2016-04-20 05:10:00 UTC
Link to this
I can't find it on the Wiki.
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IIRC... by
on 2016-04-20 07:25:00 UTC
Link to this
...every vote I've seen on the Board has been simple-majority. I don't remember any non-unanimous ban votes, though.
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I can't recall if a minimum amount has ever been said. by
on 2016-04-20 05:14:00 UTC
Link to this
Last time there was a vote for a ban, it was unanimous. Maybe hS is just looking for a clear consensus one way or the other? Counting the votes we know to be real, it looks like thus so far:
Yes: Neshomeh, Phobos, Storme Hawk, Seafarer (soft yes, no permaban), Sergio Turbo, Hardric
No: Ekyl, Cat-on-the-Keyboard, Badger421 -
Probably a clear consensus by
on 2016-04-20 05:40:00 UTC
Link to this
Asking for a vote, then deciding on the criteria for winning when everyone sees what the results are sounds. . . corrupt. Like something someone would write a Department Head as doing, as a joke.
Doesn't look like we're at a clear consensus yet: 5.5 to 3. -
????????????????????????????? (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 03:16:00 UTC
Link to this
-
It's the principle of the thing. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 03:24:00 UTC
Link to this
-
It gets worse. by
on 2016-04-20 01:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Look at all the (nm) votes. They've all been posted from IP addresses in various parts of Europe, which makes me suspect that someone is using proxy servers. I don't know if it's Data, but if it is, then I'm changing my vote to quickban, because that is just. Not. On.
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Looking at it... by
on 2016-04-20 02:23:00 UTC
Link to this
DCCCV's and Desdendelle's messages both came from a server in Romania, scapegrace's is from Finland, Phobos' and doctorlit's are from Sweden (and the same company in Stockholm in fact), Cat-on-the-Keyboard's is from France, Alleb's from the Netherlands and Matt Cipher's is from Hungary. Everyone else's seems to check out as far as I can tell.
I may try and get in contact with a friend to see if they can make any more sense of it than I can (or even get further than I can), but I don't know how free they are at the moment. -
Further investigation by
on 2016-04-20 02:38:00 UTC
Link to this
All of the IP addresses are from 'Tor Exit Router's' from the Tor Anonymity Network. Well, all of them bar one that is. The only one that doesn't send me through to Tor is Alleb's one (91.228.151.52) which doesn't connect to anything. This may just be my internet not working correctly, or it could be from an unprotected router, that could be the perpetrators. I don't know.
So on the chance that it may lead to something I put it back into the IP checker and found that the IP belongs to one Paulus M. Hoogsteder trading as Meanie, with this address in the Netherlands: Populierendreef 442, 2272HG Voorburg, NETHERLANDS. So I put this into Google Maps, which shows it as a house in quite a nice area of The Hague.
I'm afraid without more information I can't do much else, but I've potentially found the address and alias of the perpetrator if nothing else.
Storme Hawk -
Result of running Alleb's through IP tracker. by
on 2016-04-20 02:42:00 UTC
Link to this
http://i.imgur.com/8HmDiNu.png?1
Linked because I don't know how to embed images on this format. -
If you don't feel like clicking by
on 2016-04-20 02:45:00 UTC
Link to this
-
Hmm... by
on 2016-04-20 02:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Matches what I found well enough, although it's interesting that yours implies it's another Tor exit router as well, something that I either missed or didn't pick up on. Still it was worth a shot.
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Nah, Homes by
on 2016-04-20 01:53:00 UTC
Link to this
If I wanted to cause havoc like this, I'd sign my name to it. This honestly isn't the first time we have had problems with this. The IRC had to jump servers because we had an issue with name-stealing, and at one point we briefly had people sock-puppeting another boarder (who had actually left weeks prior) to attack someone else, though that was way back in... 2010 or 2011, so it's probably not the same person. Phobos is right, it's probably someone who just wants me gone.
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Data pointed that out upthread, yeah. by
on 2016-04-20 01:49:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't know if it's him, I doubt he'd make up a bunch of votes in favour of his own ban, but either the board's IP stuff is weird or someone is pulling shenanigans.
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I saw. by
on 2016-04-20 01:51:00 UTC
Link to this
That'll teach me to take ages checking IP addresses. XD
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Let's not jump to conclusions, here. by
on 2016-04-20 01:49:00 UTC
Link to this
It could just as easily be someone who wants the ban to happen.
-Phobos -
It could also be nothing. by
on 2016-04-20 01:54:00 UTC
Link to this
I just looked up the IP the Board assigns my posts when I'm posting on my laptop, and it seems to think I'm posting from just outside Wichita, Kansas. Which I'm most assuredly not.
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You may be a special case. by
on 2016-04-20 02:00:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't even see an IP for your posts. But if you look at all my posts, they all should have the same IP, unless my service provider switched locations, while someone like, say Alleb, has an IP that definitely does not match the one for their ban vote. Admittedly, I suppose it could be a combo of what you just said plus what Phobos said about posting from a separate location, but usually the continents match up if not the actual location.
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So, to be sure. by
on 2016-04-20 02:02:00 UTC
Link to this
You see neither 45.47.170.210 nor 2604:6000:e7c2:b500:84b2:ea81:9c71:c7c2 on my posts? Because I do see IPs for almost everyone who posts. I'm getting more and more inclined to chalk this up to the Board being weird and archaic, but then, SOMEONE just tried to impersonate Phobos so I doubt it's all nothing.
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Well by
on 2016-04-20 02:11:00 UTC
Link to this
I see 2604:6000:e7c2:b500:84b2:ea81:9c71:c7c2 but I didn't think that was a real IP
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It is! by
on 2016-04-20 02:13:00 UTC
Link to this
An IP tracker tells me it's just outside Wichita, as I noted in a previous post. My IP on the Board seems to keep randomly bouncing between this and my actual IP, which I also supplied.
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Very odd (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 02:19:00 UTC
Link to this
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It's IPv6 (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 02:12:00 UTC
Link to this
-
That's a bit different. by
on 2016-04-20 02:00:00 UTC
Link to this
Well, assuming you're in America. The checker I'm using gives Chicago and Herndon, Virginia as options. I think IPv6 is a bit less accurately traceable.
The other guys are on IPv4, and none of them are in Scandinavia (or France, or Hungary, or Romania), according to the IP addresses they've had before. -
You're right. by
on 2016-04-20 01:50:00 UTC
Link to this
That was a bit of a jump. Sorry, Data.
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It's cool by
on 2016-04-20 01:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Honestly, while I'm waiting to see where this goes, I like your suggestion the best. Even if I'm not banned I'll probably take some time off.
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I've kept out of this until now. by
on 2016-04-19 23:15:00 UTC
Link to this
But I feel like I need to say my share now that a decision point has been reached.
As much as I may not openly admit it, I am a believer in giving people another chance to set things right, I have only got as far as I have today because other people have held that stance about me, and so I honour them by having that stance towards others.
However with that said and done I do not honestly believe another chance will set anything right, the case is too strong, the truth too irrefutable for such a belief to stand up for Data Junkie, they have pushed too far, hurt and potentially alienated too many people I think of, and care for, as friends for me to stand by my normal stance or for me to remain neutral.
With deep regret and a hope that the consequences of these actions affect everyone involved for the better. I say, ban Data Junkie.
Storme Hawk -
An Ammendment. by
on 2016-04-20 18:47:00 UTC
Link to this
Seeing as at the time of my original post I was thinking it was either a permanent ban or no ban at all, I voted for the permanent ban. However, I find myself agreeing with Seafarer, that perhaps a better way to resolve this situation would be a temporary ban, especially seeing as Data is saying that they want to leave anyway, I feel that enforcing said leave for a certain amount of time is a better idea than permanently banning them.
Storme Hawk
Whose basically changing their vote from permaban to temporary ban, in a whole lot more words. -
I'm with Ekyl here, I vote no. by
on 2016-04-19 22:47:00 UTC
Link to this
For pretty much exactly the reasons stated by Ekyl, I'd prefer they be given one more shot. I'd much prefer to settle this amicably.
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On IP evidence, this is a possible Toroll post. by
on 2016-04-20 09:31:00 UTC
Link to this
I haven't blipped it because 1) its IP matches one of Badger421's fairly closely, and 2) Badger421 has posted elsewhere in this thread and not commented on this.
hS -
Don't worry, it's me. by
on 2016-04-20 09:58:00 UTC
Link to this
I just forgot to confirm it.
Not sure why my IP would be different, though. Maybe it's because I post from my phone? -
I dunno. Your IP wanders quite a bit, though. by
on 2016-04-20 10:13:00 UTC
Link to this
It looks like you're split between various numbers in 172.58, 172.56, and 208.54.86. I thought I saw a 208.56, but might be misremembering.
I'd guess that one of those is your phone... yeah, looks like the 208 one is registered to a mobile company. The others are both in the same city.
Anyhow, glad it's really you. ^_^
hS -
Huh. Weird. by
on 2016-04-20 10:38:00 UTC
Link to this
I only ever post from this phone, but you're quite right, my IP is all over the place. Something to do with timezones, perhaps? My schedule is somewhat unpredictable.
I don't know. Technology is very much not my area of expertise. -
Posting more words hides my insecurity better. by
on 2016-04-19 22:25:00 UTC
Link to this
Originally posted as doctorlit: I think it's for the best
He's become a major issue ever since he came back.
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Whoa Whoa whoa, this is not me! by
on 2016-04-20 03:36:00 UTC
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Ever since hS proposed this earlier, before I left for work, I was planning to sit out on this vote. I swear, this was not me!
—doctorlit is actually extremely angry over this impersonation -
It's happened to almost every "yes" voter. by
on 2016-04-20 03:46:00 UTC
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We're trying to figure out who exactly is doing this and why. Definitely an awkward situation all round. Sorry it's happened to you, though.
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And a "no" voter (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 05:49:00 UTC
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Right. by
on 2016-04-20 05:53:00 UTC
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What I think I was trying to get at was that most of the "yes" votes seemed to be from impersonated members. Though maybe my count is off since there seem to be plenty of yes votes from the real posters.
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Well, they hadn't read me as well as they thought, had they? by
on 2016-04-20 04:36:00 UTC
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You hear that, impostor? It turns out, people aren't on-off switches! My post defending July did not mean in any way that I disliked Data! And I had no intention of voting to ban him! And I've stayed in contact with the boarder formerly known as Tray-Gnome ever since that freakign Jacer nearly tore us all apart! Because I DO NOT LET GO OF FRIENDS. EVERYONE here is my friend, EXCEPT YOU, the person who pulled these shenaniganS!
In fact, you just proved Data unquestionably right about ONE THING: There is something toxic in this community, and it's the person who tried to turn this into a "sides" thing, and fake this b;asted vote.
This is a COMMUNITY. We are a TEAM HERE. We work together to MAKE STORIES. SSo frgigging stop trying to turn us against each other and ACT LIKE IT.
(Ekyl, obviously, this isn't aimed at you; it just happens to be the place where this all tumbled out of my head. Sorry 'bout that.)
—doctorlit is way disappointed -
The only thing that offends me... by
on 2016-04-20 04:44:00 UTC
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...Is you thought I couldn't tell from context you weren't directing any of that at me. ;)
This really is a mess, though. I mean, seriously, this would've been a pretty straightforwards vote without all these shenanigans. -
Sorry, Doc by
on 2016-04-20 01:45:00 UTC
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My reaction was, as I mentioned, knee-jerk. You definitely didn't deserve it, especially since this is a fraud post.
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Oh. And you already knew it wasn't me. by
on 2016-04-20 03:44:00 UTC
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Sorry for my freak-out just above. I saw my name in a place I didn't put it, and I panicked.
—doctorlit has his own knee-jerk reactions -
Ouch, doc by
on 2016-04-19 22:28:00 UTC
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I thought we were friends, and you can't even respect my pronouns. Honestly the vote doesn't bother, since I expected it to basically be one-sided, but that does.
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Is it possible he forgot? by
on 2016-04-19 22:33:00 UTC
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But yes, let's remember Data prefers to be identified with gender neutral pronouns (correct?), even if we are discussing banning them. Most here have held to that, I just thought it worth putting up as a reminder since there was this slip here.
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Eh, most likely. by
on 2016-04-19 22:34:00 UTC
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Doc is a great guy, I just got a bit knee-jerky. (Also you are correct.)
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Whoops by
on 2016-04-19 22:28:00 UTC
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For got a "me" in there. The vote doesn't bother me.
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Oh gorrammit (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 22:29:00 UTC
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I vote no, perhaps too late. by
on 2016-04-19 22:24:00 UTC
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In so doing I feel a little divided, because I understand your points, and I also understand Data has had plenty of chances to correct their behaviour - but sees said behaviour as not in need of correcting. You make a very strong case for a ban, but in the event there might be any chance, however slight, for amends to be made and for that step to not be necessary, I'd like us to at least try. Perhaps one last chance to avert this course and settle things amicably, and if they mess this up, they're gone?
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For the record: I really did post this. by
on 2016-04-20 02:12:00 UTC
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Because now it has to actually be said.
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How do we know your confirmation isn't fake? by
on 2016-04-20 03:02:00 UTC
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Kidding, I believe you. It sounded like your position as stated elsewhere, and the fake votes were all pro-ban.
--Key -
I vote for the ban. by
on 2016-04-19 21:49:00 UTC
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I don't think I need to give reasons - hS, Hardric and Neshome already said everything that was needed to say.
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Confirming that was me, BTW by
on 2016-04-20 09:10:00 UTC
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Though I am rather interested in the faker's motivations...
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Neshomeh said it. by
on 2016-04-19 22:02:00 UTC
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Neshome may looks like her, but that's still a mini.
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Neshomeh is Neshome. by
on 2016-04-19 22:13:00 UTC
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Definitely not Neshoyou. *g*
~Neshomeh -
I so regret this joke now. {= | by
on 2016-04-20 03:54:00 UTC
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Everything under my name in this thread is actually me, for the record. Checking my IP should bear it out, I hope.
Not saying any more tonight. Too angry.
~Neshomeh -
Yeah, everything checks out. by
on 2016-04-20 04:24:00 UTC
Link to this
Just for the record, I never doubted you were, you know, you. If that helps at all. This whole thing is really weird, hope you're feeling better tomorrow. I've fired you an email just to check up.
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I impersonate others to get people to like me. by
on 2016-04-19 21:49:00 UTC
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Originally posted as Desdendelle: I vote yes as well (nm)
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For the record? Not me. by
on 2016-04-20 06:46:00 UTC
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I went to bed two hours before that post. This is very, very worrying.
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I think causing trouble makes me smart. by
on 2016-04-19 21:48:00 UTC
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Originally posted as Scapegrace: Definitely (nm)
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I think hiding my IP makes me clever. by
on 2016-04-19 21:47:00 UTC
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Originally posted as Cat-on-the-Keyboard: This seems like a good idea (nm)
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The nerve! by
on 2016-04-20 02:01:00 UTC
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Like real!Phobos said, know your mark. I would never cast such an important vote as this because something "seems like a good idea." I would carefully consider the issue and write at least a few sentences about why I made that decision. I'm wordy.
--Key, who is still thinking it over -
I am a lying troll. by
on 2016-04-19 21:42:00 UTC
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Originally posted as Matt Cipher: I agree (nm)
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Obviously not me. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 13:02:00 UTC
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I'm in favor. by
on 2016-04-19 21:30:00 UTC
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I was gonna go with shunning as per article 10.5, but since they've expressed quite clearly that "if someone is determined, or just doesn't see the error of their ways, refusing to engage them is not an actual deterrent from them saying whatever they want," I guess that leaves us with banning as the only option.
But, you know, since I'm one of those core oldbies who are so intolerant of change and all, feel free to not count my vote in the final tally. I'll happily leave it up to this generation to decide whether they want to put up with this dren or not.
~Neshomeh -
Have we actually tried refusing to engage on the topic? by
on 2016-04-20 01:50:00 UTC
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This seems a little fast to me. I don't know Data Junkie well, but do you know for sure that taking a break from discussion wouldn't lead to either them taking back what they've said, or reformulating their concerns in a way that's more useful and less trollish?
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Almost exactly the same as Neshomeh: by
on 2016-04-20 17:01:00 UTC
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I asked in a neutral manner for them to stop, and they responded by throwing a massively painful past event in my face. Not mentioning anything that can in any way upset them has no effect on their willingness to cause pain.
hS -
Well, I tried, at least. by
on 2016-04-20 16:57:00 UTC
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What I got out of it was them digging up the most painful, degrading experience of my entire time here, for no good reason, and with zero respect for the actual facts of the matter. I do not like me and people I care about being more or less libeled for lulz, and since they've now doubled down and said they won't take any of it back, yes, I am sure. I am 100% disinclined to give them another chance to hurt me or anyone else.
But you are quite free not to take my word for it that keeping this person and their attendant anonymous woodwork-dwellers around is a bad idea. Like I said, I leave it to you lot to work it out for yourselves. I won't stand around and be accused of forcing the PPC to dance on my strings. It's your community, and I'll go along with whatever the community as a whole decides.
~Neshomeh -
I will not feed the troll. *salutes Scapegrace* (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 01:50:00 UTC
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*receives the salute* by
on 2016-04-21 02:25:00 UTC
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*puts the salute in a nice walnut display case with the other nice salutes*
*takes a photo and sends it to Salute Collectors' Monthly*
*brevity may be the soul of wit but levity is its heart* -
I can answer that one! by
on 2016-04-20 02:17:00 UTC
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A) Definitely not taking back, no. B) Maybe? Who knows! I'm bad with words and tend to speak out of emotion than logic, so until I can get better there, I'm likely to still occasionally make a jerky remark or two if I'm upset because my default setting upset or passionate is "Everyone else has no gorram clue why can't they see things the way I see them" and honestly that's not a very useful setting, though the arguments that have come out of it have occasionally helped in the past in situations outside of the PPC.
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I'll vote yes. by
on 2016-04-19 21:22:00 UTC
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I won't tell anythng about the flames, since I participated to this, but the fact that Data Junkie is hostile to the very concept of mission, and that means being hostile to the very existence of PPC.
While the idea of people having the courage of posting their stories is something I can acknowledge, badfic targeted by the PPC are stories where the faults are so blatant that I won't insult someone by telling that's their best. For instance, speaking of Percy Jackson, the concept of a character being a child of Artemis, or one of the Big Three after WW2, show a disrespect of basic canon whose it's better to laugh than to cry about it. And I'll remember to Data Junkie that missions can also be about trollfics.
If they disapprove the very core of this world and community, why the duck are they sticking around? -
Slight change. by
on 2016-04-20 18:59:00 UTC
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Not necessarily a permban. They are going away from their own accord, and... guess that too stern judgement are too easily causing something irreparable.
So 'ban' for now, with letting the possibility for return. Without pardon a community is doomed. -
Something to note re: missions. by
on 2016-04-19 22:26:00 UTC
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It's perfectly possible to contribute to the PPC without doing missions. Most of the stories I have in the works aren't missions! But I do see most of the points you're making - I suppose I just wanted to head off the potential "if you don't like missions you don't belong in the PPC" argument at the pass. If nobody is saying that, I apologise.
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Yeah, PPC HQ is its own world by
on 2016-04-20 01:46:00 UTC
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Which I like just as much as missions. It seems to me perfectly possible that someone would want to stick around for the sentient flowers and well-developed OCs from all different canons.
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I feel it might be best. (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 06:05:00 UTC
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Then leave and rid us of your bile. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 09:28:00 UTC
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Are we talking about the same person? by
on 2016-04-17 06:39:00 UTC
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Because let me tell you, July was the one who helped me a few months back when I didn't just step on somebody's toes but I broke their bloody legs. She provided me with all the support I needed, helped me to see that I should let it go and I won't change what happened, and ever since I joined I can't say a bad word about her. Sure, she's snappy sometimes, and definitely agitates easily, but then again who isn't?
What you are doing is not "agitating for change". You're not a bloody revolutionary, who will make a new world out of the old one's ashes. You are rubbing salt on the wounds and helping nobody. -
Yeah by
on 2016-04-17 06:51:00 UTC
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This is the same July that talked me out of suicide twice. However, she's also the person who bullied Bronwyn, Tray Gnome, Digital Socrates and Aster Corbett, among others, until they left the PPC. She's done the same thing in other communities too. Just because someone helps people when they feel like it doesn't mean they don't also have a pattern of lashing out at people over the slightest things. Even some of her own friends and former friends can at least attest to that much.
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Data? by
on 2016-04-17 14:38:00 UTC
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That was all years ago. We were all younger, and less mature, and not as good at interacting with others. It sucks, it's bad memories, but for goodness' sake, can we please move on? Can we forgive people for things they did half a decade ago, and accept that people change?
Back in the time period you're talking about, July and I would get into some big argument just about every other day in the IRC. It was pointless antagonism, and I still feel embarrassed about it today, but here's the thing: July is, beyond a doubt, my closest PPC friend right now. I am a better person today than I would have been, thanks to her and Vixenmage taking me to task whenever I said something baldly ignorant, and I'm grateful to them for it.
We all have bad days. It sucks, but it happens. I'm just really disappointed, Data, that you've taken advantage of July's bad day to dredge up bad stuff from years in her past to paint her as a bad person.
Data, please: let's all grow up. Let's all move on.
—doctorlit -
it really isn't ancient history. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 15:39:00 UTC
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In Internet Years it's like last century. by
on 2016-04-17 18:18:00 UTC
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If you hold a grudge for five years, you have a problem, man. You, not the world.
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With respect I am going to disagree by
on 2016-04-17 18:36:00 UTC
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I believe there are circumstances were it is appropriate to maintain negative feelings towards someone for a very long time, perhaps even until the end of one's life. Without knowing all the facts, maybe this is one of those circumstances. I will agree that five years seems like a long time, but it may be one of those circumstances where it is justified.
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Speaking as someone who is? by
on 2016-04-17 18:50:00 UTC
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Yeah, it's... really not one of those. Don't feed the trolls, lads.
Sorry to butt in, but this whole sorry affair has affected me rather deeply. I can't abide it when my friends fall out, and the only thing worse is watching my friends get pilloried by people who have no business doing so. Yes, July can be prickly and Ix has her own issues. That doesn't give every Tom, Dick and Harry with an axe to grind carte blanche to savage either party's good name. -
"Prickly" by
on 2016-04-17 23:17:00 UTC
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Yeah. I thought like that at one point too.
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Do not feed the trolls. (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 03:20:00 UTC
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Oh dear, Scape seems to be stuck by
on 2016-04-18 03:24:00 UTC
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Does anyone know how to reboot a Scapegrace?
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Do not feed the trolls. by
on 2016-04-18 03:53:00 UTC
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The only thing I will do is apologise for not using your preferred pronouns (or indeed asking what they were) when talking about you. That was wrong of me and I'm sorry for it; one must, after all, hold to standards of behaviour, regardless of who they're talking to or who is attempting to get a rise out of them.
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Stepping back from the frontline, Scape. I'm sorry. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 19:06:00 UTC
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Don't be sorry. Just do better. That's what we need now. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 19:23:00 UTC
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(sigh) Right as always :) (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 19:28:00 UTC
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That aside, this is neither time nor place for it. (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 18:49:00 UTC
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"Discussing" is generally more productive than "agitating." (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 05:53:00 UTC
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You can't fight in here, this is the war room! by
on 2016-04-16 21:05:00 UTC
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But no, seriously, let's break it up here folks. Data, if you have some kind of grievance with July, I would say you should probably discuss your differences among each other, in private; I remember some of the details, enough to know you don't like her particularly much, but I don't feel it was necessary to derail this topic into a shot at her. I'm not sure I get where you're coming from with "incredibly toxic at its core" re: the PPC, but this isn't the time or place; email me if you'd like to talk about it, maybe. I just got here, I missed the big kerfluffle, but skimming through posts it does seem to me as if you're going out of your way to stir things up just as they settle down, and that really isn't acceptable. Let's remember what this topic is for, all right?
Everyone else, I think the point is made and your displeasure expressed; there's no need for further piling on. This thread is for wishing Ix good tidings, not tearing into each other, so let's try to pull up from this instead of having two blowups in as many days. -
Ah, missed your message. Sorry. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 21:09:00 UTC
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No worries. by
on 2016-04-16 21:18:00 UTC
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I'm not saying it to get on anybody, I just wanted to ask both sides in this to back off a bit, because the last thing we need is more people at each other's throats.
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You are so far out of line you can't even see it. by
on 2016-04-16 19:45:00 UTC
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All you've done since coming back is try to stir up trouble and harass other Boarders. I urge you to read the Constitution and think really, really hard about how much more of this crap the rest of us are willing to take.
I will tell you one last time. Stop. Bloody. Stirring. -
Please, stop that. by
on 2016-04-16 19:43:00 UTC
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Your behavior disgraces you, and mocks the situation. In fact, that's the the most toxic thing I saw until now. This Board is one of the few nice spots on this Web, please stop these attacks.
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Dude? Shut up. Right now. by
on 2016-04-16 19:40:00 UTC
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I'm leaving for my own reasons. Stop trying to make July look like a villain. Now.
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Is that really definitive? by
on 2016-04-16 19:44:00 UTC
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I... sound like a broken record, but i cannot believe this is happening Ix. I would wish to understand why, to know if we could do anything to help.
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I don't know. by
on 2016-04-16 19:47:00 UTC
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I meant it yesterday and I still mean it now. I might change my mind in the future but right now, I doubt it.
Only reason I came out of hiding was to tell Data he crossed a line.
(By the way, Data, if you think the community is so toxic, you're more than welcome to leave.) -
Aha by
on 2016-04-17 04:57:00 UTC
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Well I am glad it's not because of July exploding at you a few threads back. As for me leaving, I prefer to stay and see if I can't be an agent of change.
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Why? by
on 2016-04-17 07:00:00 UTC
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I mean, really, what's she going to do?
What'll be the outcome if your mission doesn't succeed?
What could she possibly do that we can't just... ignore?
I'll be very surprised if she wages an attack on the board with an army of Uruk-hai, is all I'm saying. -
What by
on 2016-04-17 07:38:00 UTC
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Look "my mission" (assuming you mean my desire for change) and my issues with July are completely separate. I am not even certain I comprehend where the rest of your post came from unless you're reading way too much into my posts and seeing what isn't there.
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What're you changing, then? by
on 2016-04-17 08:03:00 UTC
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Is it relating to that toxic core you were going on about earlier?
I can't say your current method seems very constructive, but what do I know?
I haven't been here half as long as you. -
At the moment, nothing by
on 2016-04-17 08:18:00 UTC
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A couple of weeks ago? I was trying for the overly complicated, unnecessarily restrictive permission process. I failed there, but I did get some folks to agree with me. Next week, who knows?
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Ah yes, that. by
on 2016-04-17 10:30:00 UTC
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The "overly complicated, unnecessarily restrictive" task of, er... writing a short piece of writng to a specific brief. Which any reasonably competent author can bang out nae problemo.
You're trolling at this point. Please stop. -
Godspeed, then. by
on 2016-04-17 08:53:00 UTC
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Except when it starts drama.
Might want to put it down to Demi-God, at that point. -
I genuinely hope you'll change your mind. by
on 2016-04-16 20:15:00 UTC
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Take time to think about it. I guess I'll stop pestering you with that. For now.
Please do not make this the last goodbye. -
I Clearly Missed Something by
on 2016-04-16 18:13:00 UTC
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Like, I know I disappeared for a bit, but I just really didn't see this coming. I mean, if you're set on leaving, I don't know if there's really anything I can say to change your mind. Good luck out there. It won't be the same without you.
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I hope you change your mind by
on 2016-04-16 16:06:00 UTC
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I know I very rarely post, but I do an awful lot of lurking and you are wonderful both on the Board and as a writer of missions.
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? by
on 2016-04-16 15:58:00 UTC
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I admit, the thread below goes mostly over my head (though I do know JulyFlame, at least), but you've always been the sort to bounce back from things - or at least push through them.
You've been a good sort the whole time I've known you, for sure - if anything, I've had concerns I was annoying you, sometimes!
If you do intend on leaving, and on not writing anymore, then I guess I will just be mad at the world (not you, though - I couldn't be mad at you if I tried).
Dai Stiho, Iximaz. /o -
What? by
on 2016-04-16 14:59:00 UTC
Link to this
Okay, I admit that you writing faster than I can read sometimes grated on my nerves. You’ve been called out for making the PPC "too dark", there may have been one or two other occasions I don’t remember clearly, and I’m aware that not everything happens on the Board, where I can see it. But this doesn’t outweigh all the good you did here (I don’t need to list this, just look further down). You aren’t a nuisance, you certainly aren’t a bitch, and you will be missed.
HG -
Hmm. by
on 2016-04-16 06:18:00 UTC
Link to this
Well, obviously, if you're set on leaving and determined that this is for sure what you want to do, nothing I or anyone else can say will convince you to stay. However, should you choose to leave, make sure you're making your decision for the right reasons - make sure it's what you are happy with, not just what other people might or might not want. I'll admit I've obviously missed a lot and have no Earthly idea what might have brought this on, but I do think it's important you reflect on this and make sure any decision you come to is what you feel is best for you. If that is still leaving, then good travels, none of us can stop you, but make sure you won't regret doing so in a week's time, if that makes sense.
Of course, if you've left and don't intend to ever return, there's every possibility you won't even see this post, so maybe I'm talking to air. But I thought it was a point worth making. -
I agree with everyone else's feelings here, by
on 2016-04-16 04:11:00 UTC
Link to this
So let me just add this:
After five years of watching the Board, the people who have made the biggest impression on me are Huinesoron, Neshomeh, and you. You were the first person to welcome me, you're a wonderful writer, and from everything I've seen, you're a wonderful person too. We won't be better off without you, we'll be sad to see you go. We're a community, and I think it's pretty clear we want you to stay.
I don't know if you'll read any of our messages, but if you do, and you still decide you want to go, then good luck. We'll miss you. -
The most important thing to remember: by
on 2016-04-16 04:01:00 UTC
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You will always be welcome back here. You are our friend, and we care about you. And you are definitely not a bitch.
—doctorlit is available for talking, if talking is a thing that needs doing! -
If you think that's the right choice, by
on 2016-04-16 03:19:00 UTC
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Then who are we to stop you, right?
Who else deserves control over your decisions other than you?
Not bloody me, that's for certain.
Nobody thinks you're a bitch, and I can guarantee that you're a far better person than you think you are. Everybody is.
Good luck wherever you end up. -
I don't know what to say.... by
on 2016-04-16 00:10:00 UTC
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...but I can still try. I'm not sure if Iximaz is going to read this, but I know that people consider her to be wonderful. I would know that for a fact, as she would often be the first person to welcome newbies to the board. Heck, she even glomped me. I can somewhat understand why she made this choice, but at the same time, I can't.
If you're reading this, know that:
I will honor this choice of yours.
From what I can tell, you don't step on anyone's toes.
You leaving wouldn't make anyone a lot happier.
Maybe there is no point in staying, but why not?
It was fun while it lasted.
And as for being such a b****, don't be. You weren't.
Good luck, Iximaz, you shall be missed. -
This community will not be better without you. by
on 2016-04-15 23:14:00 UTC
Link to this
I know it may not be easy now, but try to remember some of the good you've done for us, even the smallest of things. Think of all the times you or something you brought to us managed to make even one of our days slightly better.
You have written literal novels-worth of stories that have made people in this community laugh or smile or think.
You helped turn a few silly musings into an awesome, popular tournament which I look forward to participating in each year.
Your activity helps all the time to bring life to this board. Without you, this place wouldn’t be the same.
If you make a mistake or if something you do upsets someone, I can assure you, it will be forgotten in time. Nobody is judging you poorly. No one is keeping a running tally of your mistakes, and I can say with certainty that no one is happy to see you go. If you have any doubts, just look at the outpouring of love that are the responses in this thread.
I would ask that you reconsider leaving us, but if you really feel like it would be better for you if you went, then I at least urge that you consider something less than forever?
I hardly post, and we don't know each other very well, so maybe what I'm saying doesn't carry much weight. It would be wonderful to still have the opportunity to change that, though.
Whatever you decide to do, I earnestly wish you the best. It’ll never be the same without you. -
Don't. Please. by
on 2016-04-15 22:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Especially saying such lies as "me leaving would make everyone a lot happier"
You may have done mistakes - who doesn't? - but it's the same with everyone of us.
And you surely have contributed to this community way more than any harm you might have caused (which, in fact, I don't think you have) -
From one dead weight to another(?) by
on 2016-04-15 22:16:00 UTC
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Like others have said, I don't think you are a nuisance. I admit to having similar feelings sometimes.
You post content. Good content. I think we all appreciate that. Take a minute to look back on everything you have created for the PPC.
If you are feeling down, maybe try going into lurk mode for a while. Check the Board once in a while, skim through the new missions, just try to stay connected. And if you want to become a full time lurker like me, then please take a seat at the Quasi-Not-Real Tea Party. -
How are you a nuisance, exactly? by
on 2016-04-15 20:04:00 UTC
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Every time you've made a post, it's been positive...I don't recall you being involved in any drama...and your missions are genuinely entertaining.
You've tackled some of the worst fics out there, kept the missions funny and worth reading, and have an original, clever story behind your agents.
If you want to leave, okay, that's your choice, but we'll be sad to see you go. -
Before you go, please know that without you... by
on 2016-04-15 19:54:00 UTC
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...There wouldn't have been a Percy Jackson mission that would attract my attention.
...There wouldn't have been 207 pages of two agents going into a canon that I barely know about and keeping me entertained enough to read through the whole 6 parts.
...That I wouldn't have met all of these awesome people that I'm glad I met.
In my opinion, you're one of the greatest authors in our current time. So do what I do, laugh and don't let it get to you.
-Mattman, currently working on his permission request, something he wouldn't have been doing if it wasn't for you. -
I have some pretty wicked deja vu now, you know? by
on 2016-04-15 19:44:00 UTC
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I wonder why? Oh, I know... because I did exact the same thing. Remember? And the reasons were pretty much the same:
- Making a nuisance of myself: check
- Stepping on people's toes: forget toes, I stepped on whole legs!
- Thinking it will be better without me: triple check
- Feeling like the public enemy #1: I assume check.
Look, the point is, whatever happened between you and some selected people (and I'm not gonna pry about it), it shouldn't affect your interaction with the entire community.
I know, I know, you're probably gonna go with "it's not your business", "stop pestering me about it", etc., but my point is, I've been through this. This exact way of thinking. It's not exactly a thing to be talked about in public, and you probably won't talk about it in private (at least with me), but I don't think this is a good choice you're making. If you need, take a break, even a long one, but don't forsake those two (?) years of fun.
Also, about you calling yourself a bitch... Who says it's always a bad thing?
So take your time to think about it, Iximaz. Running away is not always the best option. -
Eh, what? by
on 2016-04-15 19:31:00 UTC
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I must have missed something during the last months I read this Board, because I pretty much fail to see how exactly you're a 'nuisance'. You're a great writer, someone who's great ere at the PPC, whatever it is on this Board or during RPGs.
I'm someone pretty insensitive, and I've got many mayhaps on this very Board. I totally fail to see any ocurrence where you behaved that way. And I'm sure I cannot be the only one thinking that you're a great person.
Please, don't leave this Board on an impulse like this. Bad days happen to everyone, and I'm sure you will regret this decision in no times.
And the fun will last as long as you want, you only need to go on and take it.
Please, do not leave. I discovered PPC through the Original series and TV Tropes, but that's your writing who hooked me up for good. It shows how awesmoe you are.
Now, if you think you need some time out, take it. But I'll be damned if that's farewell here and now. -
Like I said, she may not read this, but I also support this. (nm by
on 2016-04-16 01:01:00 UTC
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Make that six who approve of this. by
on 2016-04-16 00:51:00 UTC
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I did not expect Iximaz of all people to say anything like this, and to be honest? Her leaving the community for good would be painful for all of us. And this is coming from someone who had a falling out with her on a personal level a while ago. Regardless of how we feel about each other, though, I love her work, and I look forward to seeing more every time. Her leaving would leave quite a few stories hanging, which means we'll never get to see any closure for her characters. And that's a Very Bad Thing.
Iximaz, you can take a break and lurk at any time. But please come back as soon as possible, and at least think about what you're doing before you unknowingly hurt all of us in the long run. -
Fifth-ing this! by
on 2016-04-15 22:56:00 UTC
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"Eh, what?" pretty much summed up my reaction to this bolt from the blue. You're one of the most active content posters here at present and have been for quite some time - and I certainly have seen no evidence of your 'being a nuisance'.
Please take some time to think on this, and if you do go, remember you'll be welcome back any time. -
Stay, Ixi! Please? Listen: by
on 2016-04-15 22:30:00 UTC
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Now I have no idea where this notion that you're an awful person came from, but I think you're a great person and a great writer. You accomplished so much and paved the way for those who follow your ambitious path.
I'd rather you not go, but if that is what you wish, I won't protest anymore. -
I'm in total agreement with Hardric here. (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 21:57:00 UTC
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Same! Please don't go! (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 19:46:00 UTC
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Ditto here (nm) by
on 2016-04-15 19:34:00 UTC
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Don't you hate it when... by
on 2016-04-15 20:11:00 UTC
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A character is just...butchered and has all the originality sucked out of them?
Context: (Minor Spoilers for the CW show Legends of Tomorrow)
Last night was the Jonah Hex episode, something I had been looking forward to for a while. Jonah Hex is one of my all-time favorite comic book characters, and I - naive waif that I was - assumed the actor would be right for the role, the personality would be more thought-out than "Growly Clint Eastwood Clone", and he'd actually be the two fisted, pistol-usin' character he had been for almost forty years.
Apparently I am a silly because...yyyeah, that was...that was bad.
Sometimes I really wish we could tackle Canon works, I must say. -
I know it's too early, and I shouldn't judge, by
on 2016-04-19 02:48:00 UTC
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But I can't be the only one who's terrified of the upcoming live-action Ghost in the Shell movie, can I?
It's a Japanese story set in Japan about Japanese characters, so they made one of the least Japanese women I've seen in my life play the lead (Japanese) character.
They've whitewashed the name, too. Just Major - no Mokoto, or anything foreign or scary like that.
I'm curious to see what else they'll whitewash.
P'raps they'll whitewash the setting, so it's in the proper, good old USA.
Maybe they'll whitewash all the robots, so that they're just very large white men with very stoic faces.
Perhaps they'll whitewash all the themes of transhumanism and existence, and make them something more comfy and western, like, I don't know, the incredible honour and power of the American military.
Shouldn't judge though, right? -
I'm suspicious as well. by
on 2016-04-21 01:18:00 UTC
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Full disclosure, I haven't seen the original Ghost in the Shell or any trailers for the new one. (I have seen that picture of ScarJo with a black wig that looks straight out of "Lucy", though.) I'm saying I'm suspicious because whitewashing a film has a track record of ending badly for a film's publicity, box office, crew, and creators. As evidence, I present:
http://www.themarysue.com/ridley-scott-exodus-whitewashing/
http://www.themarysue.com/gods-of-egypt-whitewashing-fail/ This particular movie about Ancient Egypt was also an actual box office bomb.
http://www.themarysue.com/geopolitics-of-horror-natalie-dormer-the-forest/ As another white person interested in Japanese culture and history: No. Absolutely not. You shouldn't have done that, or been allowed to do that.
http://www.themarysue.com/pan-panned-panic/
Among plenty of others, including that live-action Death Note movie that might or might not still be a thing. -
I wonder how long it'll take before they realise it. by
on 2016-04-21 02:16:00 UTC
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I mean, you can only run down so many old women before someone takes your car keys off you, right?
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Bro, you are right to judge by
on 2016-04-19 06:58:00 UTC
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For the record they whitewashed the whole cast, and the writer's reasoning was that "there are no good Asian actresses". For the record, the writere, Max Landis, is the same guy who gained notoriety for going on a twitter rant about how no one likes original movies after every other movie of his bombed.
Here's a source, for those interested: http://bossip.com/1304167/ghost-in-the-shell-writer-defends-whitewashing-new-movie-by-claiming-there-are-no-good-asian-actresses/ -
I'm glad that people make things like these. by
on 2016-04-19 07:17:00 UTC
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I was getting a tad worried with throwing accusations of racism around, so it's nice that he just sort of stepped up and outright said 'Ayup, I'm racist.'
'Blame the culture, not the film industry!' He says.
As we all know, modern culture and modern media are completely separate, so much so that light observed is distorted and when one looks at the other, they're actually looking 300 years into the past. -
Not sure if it fits the bill... by
on 2016-04-18 18:27:00 UTC
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But there is one, no two things like this in my mind: Wrhammer End Times and Age of Sigmar, aka 'Let's destroy one continuum with bad changes so the pigeons... eh, consummers stop talking about advancing the stoyline or more creative stuff' and 'Let's sell more Space Marines, in Fantasy and ever more pricier.'
Their ducking loss. If you're also a disgruntled Fantasy fan, check Kings of War, or Warhammer for half the price, and Mathias Eliasson's work. This guy has more creativity than their whole studio. -
Optimus Prime in Age of Extinction. by
on 2016-04-16 14:36:00 UTC
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I don't care what Dad says on the matter, that Optimus was COMPLETELY OOC. He's robot Jesus, he doesn't get that ferociously angry. The moment he said "I'll kill you all" to humans is exactly when I finally realized "hey... Michael Bay really freaking sucks at Transformers."
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I hear you, Man. by
on 2016-04-18 21:07:00 UTC
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IF Optimus would EVER get angry enough to yell at Humans, that's all he'd do - he'd yell. He wouldn't threaten, he wouldn't pull his weapons...he'd give them one HELL of a talking-to.
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Exactly how I feel about Keanu Reeves as John Constantine. by
on 2016-04-15 20:46:00 UTC
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Thankfully, Matt Ryan saved the character in the TV show.
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You pretty much sumed up many PMMM's fans wish... by
on 2016-04-15 20:14:00 UTC
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One that would be almost worth talking about it with the alien furball of Hell. Before killing them 100 times.
Ducking Rebellion and ducking need for some sequel we're still waiting... -
If Rebellion was a fanfic, I would've sporked it to death. by
on 2016-04-18 22:15:00 UTC
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The way the omniscient and omnipresent Madokami (canon by her own admission, episode 12) was pretty much taken by surprise and "split" by Homura into Madoka and Law of Circles (Homura who had pretty much no reason to have the power to do that), is a plothole big enough to fit the Death Star in.
That's aside the fact that there was no need to take Homura, who we know hss got a psyche that can be defined as "in pieces held together by paper tape", and put her into a freaking grinder. No wonders the dust that came out, Homurakuma, bears no resemblance to Homura Akemi... after all, if you take a cristal and grind it, the dust often is of a different color.
There's a point beyond a character's trials and suffering become meaningless, and Rebellion got well past it. -
And there is te problem of the 'sequel'. by
on 2016-04-18 23:02:00 UTC
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If at least they finally released it, we could see if they were up to something which could salvage the situation... But no, we ended up with more and more manga spin-offs. Not that I complain about them, but they could have fielded that sequel a long time ago.
And I am as a principle viciously biaised against pointless suffering inflicted to any characters, or even intense suffering, for that matter. DeusAngstMachina is the trope I hate the most with Karma Houdini and its relatives.
Yes the plothole is quite large here. Reminds me of Matrix (Why the duck plug humans to this Matrix? It only gives them means for rebellion, attacking the machines, and reaching other humans easily. Why the machines maintain this useless expense of energy that only help rebels?)
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Where have all the RPs been? by
on 2016-04-15 20:21:00 UTC
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I mean we seem to be in a tad of a drought story wise (as in not as many missions and especially RPs). Perchance a Plort adventure?
-MTC, who is succumbing to peer pressure and signing stuff -
Well I just posted a sort of one (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 18:31:00 UTC
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Well, I just turned in my last major assignment by
on 2016-04-15 21:18:00 UTC
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Apart from stuff I need for May, that is. Hopefully, this means that I'll be getting the Purim RP up sometime next week--early on, if all goes well. So that's an upcoming, if now quite belated, RP.
/hands over a Signing Stuff Club badge and vanishes/
~DF
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'sup? by
on 2016-04-15 21:01:00 UTC
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Hey folks, sorry for the long disappearance but my life's been pretty thoroughly consumed by college and such. What've I missed?
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Hey, question by
on 2016-04-20 06:19:00 UTC
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I remember an Ekyl from the IRC ages ago, but I thought that I also remembered the name being tied to the baorder Name blipped. You're welcome. ~Nameless Admin. Is that the case or was I mixing up two completely different dudes?
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Yes, but I prefer nobody use that second name. by
on 2016-04-20 06:22:00 UTC
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The whole reason behind the switch was basically taking my real name out of public view.
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Oh, whoops (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 06:29:00 UTC
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You know, I think I recognize your name. by
on 2016-04-17 02:26:00 UTC
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In fact I'm sure of it. Why I recognize it, though, that I am less sure of. Initial brain-wracking suggests something to do with math.
As to what's happened, I'm afraid I can't tell you much. I only started posting last month, and before that I wasn't paying particularly close attention.
Anyway, take this this Replica Holocron, perhaps it will entertain you during your archive trawling. -
Nice to see your name pop up again. by
on 2016-04-16 21:50:00 UTC
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Hope you've been doing well. As someone with his college years not too far in the past, I can relate to feelings of life-consumption.
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Yours too. by
on 2016-04-16 23:02:00 UTC
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I'm in Boston College these days, so I'm in a better place than this time last year at least. Maybe when I get a bit I'll finally update some of those stories I was keeping you in the loop about.
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Sup, favored rival? by
on 2016-04-16 20:15:00 UTC
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Frenemy? Nemesis with friendifits? Friend with frequent enmity?
I don't know. Clearly it is one of the above. -
Lots. Also, welcome back! by
on 2016-04-16 18:27:00 UTC
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Here's a box of peanut butter granola bars!
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You've missed heaps. by
on 2016-04-16 04:42:00 UTC
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Heaps.
Welcome back.
Heaps. -
So it seems! by
on 2016-04-16 06:31:00 UTC
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Some of the things I've noticed:
* The IRC is gone and, accordingly, Iric in Plort is fallen (why?)
* Iximaz is leaving at least temporarily
* Something about new RPs?
* Discussion about how HQ's economy works
* hS still does Wednesday plugs
* A boarder I never met has passed on :(
* Stuff -
The IRC is not gone-gone... by
on 2016-04-16 13:47:00 UTC
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Just gone from the Board header because it's basically deader than disco — most of the time there's nobody there. The channel is still up, though.
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Technically... by
on 2016-04-17 05:04:00 UTC
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The channel only exists when someone is in there. There are no more official Ops, no Bot, the channel has even be de-registered. I dunno when it happened, but I logged into Mibbit one day and it was gone. So personally, I just kinda gave up on it.
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I still go on it by
on 2016-04-18 03:34:00 UTC
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And I'm the only one in the room, so.
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Interesting to know. by
on 2016-04-17 07:57:00 UTC
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Disappointing, of course, but it's been years since people really used the IRC.
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A query. by
on 2016-04-16 11:23:00 UTC
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Did you have to trawl through six months or so of archives to get that information?
If you did, I will laugh heartily. -
That's a little rude but I doubt you meant it that way. by
on 2016-04-16 18:38:00 UTC
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Anyhow, those were observations from the very start of the archive trawl.
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Oh, bugger. by
on 2016-04-17 04:51:00 UTC
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Sorry, honestly. I can't apologise enough.
I was aiming for facetiously dickish, but that sort of stuff doesn't seem to work through text.
One of these days, I'm going to really, honestly, actually piss someone off.
Thanks for being so chill about it, though.
Good heavens. -
Hey, there. by
on 2016-04-16 04:26:00 UTC
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How goes stuff?
—doctorlit -
Welcome back! *tosses Spikes* (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 00:56:00 UTC
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Hello returnbie. by
on 2016-04-15 21:08:00 UTC
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Since you've got agents, I'll let the black-hole stuff aside, though you can help yourself with the coffee and/or the chocolate, and give you a self-updating guidebook of all the deathtraps in the multiverse. Let the glitterbags suffer the IO's wrath for once.
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*Surfaces from a Plort wiki surf* Returnbie! by
on 2016-04-15 21:06:00 UTC
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Welcome back! Here's a Sword of Swordiness, just do sword things with it.
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I vaguely recognize the name... by
on 2016-04-15 21:02:00 UTC
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Nonetheless, welcome! Make yourself comfortable and have a slice of Infinite Pizza
As for what you've missed? Well, Board archives will show all. Both good things and bad things. -
True. by
on 2016-04-15 21:29:00 UTC
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I was hoping to spare myself trawling through six months or so of archives, admittedly.
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The PPC Pokemon Tournament, and a somewhat random music plug by
on 2016-04-16 01:50:00 UTC
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With Iximaz having left the board, who is about to organize the rest of the tournament? Unfortunately, I am busy most of the time.
Any other volunteers?
Also, my current mood is really being influenced by this. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xPxGIhH3NYU -
I shall be taking over. by
on 2016-04-16 02:18:00 UTC
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I have gotten permissions to edit the doc from Iximaz. Unless someone objects, it will continue as planned.
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Thank you. (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 02:36:00 UTC
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Er... let's not get ahead of ourselves here. by
on 2016-04-16 02:08:00 UTC
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Why don't we give it a bit more time before declaring the need for a new organizer? The tournament thread's still on the front page, battles aren't happening exceptionally fast, and the doc doesn't seem to be going anywhere as of yet. There's no need to rush ahead.
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Paging Skarmory and Desdendelle by
on 2016-04-16 02:11:00 UTC
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Skarmory: Pardon the delay, but I have a few comments on your mission.
Des: Sorry for leaving your question hanging for so long; Real Life got in the way. Here's your answer. -
Thank you kindly. :) (nm) by
on 2016-04-16 03:27:00 UTC
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Thank you for the answer. by
on 2016-04-16 02:19:00 UTC
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It looks like my guess wasn't that off the mark, considering.
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Polling the Community/Possible RPG by
on 2016-04-16 18:30:00 UTC
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For the past four years or so, I've been working on a novel series on and off. It has mostly been off for the past past four years, but that's neither here nor there. I had set it aside for a few months recently and I find myself at a bit of an impasse. I have effectively hit a wall with essentially the most important character in the series.
Basically I am looking for input on a character's species. So the basic set up is this:
There has been a supernatural war raging since the days of Cain and Able (or Pandora's Box if you prefer). In this world there are the supernatural mainstays: Vampires, Werewolves, Angels, and Zombies. As well as other creatures as they may arise (I have yet to determine how long the series will go, and thus am uncertain as to what other things will make an appearance).
Some basic facts about the races listed thus far are going to be needed. Zombies are basically Left 4 Dead style common infected. Faster than Romero Style, but otherwise the classic zombie. There are also likely to be Voodoo Zombies which will be well Voodoo Zombies.
Vampires are modeled after Stoker's Dracula, White Wolf's Vampire the Masquerade, and the Hellsing Manga. In other words these are apex predators and highly dangerous. They do not sparkle in the sunlight. The most ancient ones are basically completely unaffected, the youngest one will burst into flame. The more ancient they are the more powerful they are.
Werewolves are more in line with more modern interpretations. They have some degree over the transformation, the older and more powerful the more control (I think you might be starting to see a trend, the older a creature is the more powerful it is). Transformation is the Wolf-Man style (such as in the film Van Helsing) These are not the overgrown dogs sometimes seen.
For Angels, think St. Michael the Archangel. Or any of Magic the Gathering's Angels. Essentially Winged-Humans that serve, let's call it order (for now). Generally their purpose is to protect humans from the other creatures. But they can fall from their purpose (and at least one will).
Zombies are only created through the spread of the infection through bites (or the Voodoo process). The other main races are immune to becoming Zombies. Humans do not get any such luck.
Vampires can either be born or sired. They can be born to two Vampire Parents only. Vampires can be sired by draining a human and then giving it some of the Sire's Blood. Sired Vampires have less respect, but are otherwise capable of the same things purebloods are. Humans and Vampires can interbreed creating the fairly standard Dhampire (think Blade from Marvel Comics). Vampires cannot breed with Werewolves or Angels.
Werewolves are only created through the spread of the Werewolf curse through bites, but only during the full moon. Any Werewolf-Human offspring will be a regular human. A Werewolf-Werewolf offspring will also carry the curse.
Angels are only born. They cannot be created in anyway (except for any divine power that may or may not appear). A Male Angel-Female Human will produce a child with sensitivity to the supernatural, an immunity to the other races (i.e., cannot be transformed into one of the others.) A Female Angel-Male Human will produce an Angel with a weaker overall cap, they will never be quite as strong or fast as a pureblood, but are still winged-humanoids, etc.
So the bottom line: The wall I've hit is determining what race I want to make what will eventually be the protagonist of the series, but may not ever be the PoV character, he certainly will not be for the first book. So basically I am asking for input on what the community things. I am currently thinking a pureblooded Angel, but am not certain. The only requirements I have for this character are: Not a Zombie and Not a pureblooded Human. A pureblood human would be internally inconsistent with the story and I just do not want my main character to be a Zombie for reasons.
Also depending if people are interested I could turn this into a RPG here on the board. While I have not put a lot of the story to paper, I have the universe pretty well created and fairly consistent at this point. -
I meant turning this into a community RP by
on 2016-04-16 22:12:00 UTC
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If there are enough interested. You can also count this as the sign up thread if you are interested.
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Taking a 4th option. by
on 2016-04-16 21:22:00 UTC
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You could go for a ghost. Someone just died, and for the first time, can see what is going on. Just a completely neutral party. For some reason, he/she is still around. Questions: do you become a zombie post-mortem, and does said zombie retain intelligence?
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Responses by
on 2016-04-16 22:10:00 UTC
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As to the ghost, I had not planned on using them at all. It comes to my own personal feelings on the supernatural, which is why I will likely not use demons either. But the first book is actually designed to be a mystery were a regular human starts piecing things together on their own, but will find themselves in way over their head.
As for zombification, the infection starts to spread as soon as an individual is bitten. As part of how my version of the zombie virus will work it will kill off all but the most basic instincts in the brain. Basically just the need to feed. But it will not actually require death. Largely because I want to leave it open for the possibility of a cure. Basically my ultimate plan with the Zombies is to completely shatter the masquerade. The introduction of the zombies will basically start the final act. -
Ah. by
on 2016-04-16 22:20:00 UTC
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So then the first book is about a human uncovering secrets, and the next few books are about the real protagonist, one of these races. That right?
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Effectively yes. by
on 2016-04-16 22:29:00 UTC
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The protagonist will have a role in the first book, but is more of a supporting character. But it will ultimately be his story from there on out. But I am prone to experimentation, so he may switch between "active hero" or "passive support" throughout the entire series depending how it goes.
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Hm. by
on 2016-04-16 19:46:00 UTC
Link to this
Interesting, but I'm not entirely sure what to say. I mean, from what I've interpreted a half-angel seems to fit the bill, but there's just not enough information here on the plot to suffice.
As a RPG, this could easily become interesting. I'm not a huge fan of the supernatural fantasy/urban fantasy thing but I'm sure someone likes it. There's enough here to make it interesting but not so much that one could be restricted beyond reason(unless, of course, there's more to this).
I hope I've made that clear. I sometimes have trouble putting my thoughts down, and I think I haven't misinterpreted anything. -
Sorry about vagueness. And basic Plot by
on 2016-04-16 22:25:00 UTC
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Part of that stems from not having an outline. I do not like using them for writing, it takes away flexibility in my mind.
Let me sketch the basic plot out. This is a series of undetermined length as of now. One can imagine this as three phases or acts.
Act I serves as an introduction of the series. Effectively a character serves as an audience surrogate and discovers that there is a whole supernatural realm that has always existed alongside the world we know. Basically as a result of the Spanish Inquisition and Counter-Reformation a set of rules were put in place to keep humans and supernaturals safe from each other for the most part. This lead to a cold war between warring sides, and the supernatural began to fade into myth and legend. This brings us to the modern day. Where a veteran homicide detective gets a haunting case that seems to defy logic. She then stumbles upon an ancient conspiracy and then things happen.
Act II. The masquerade starts to break down. Regular people are getting suspicious not everything is what it appears. Our true villain is introduced. The Cold War between supernaturals heats up. All out war between supernaturals and humans is imminent.
Act III. All out war. I have yet to decide how this will end. -
Sounds like a good story. by
on 2016-04-20 04:55:00 UTC
Link to this
I especially like how you're grounding it in real-world history. The human detective seems to be your main character, right?
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She is for Book 1, but I intend to change that as it goes on (nm by
on 2016-04-21 20:47:00 UTC
Link to this
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Why not just write book 1 and see how it goes? by
on 2016-04-22 06:17:00 UTC
Link to this
Maybe in the process you'll figure out some detail that will make it obvious who your next protagonist should be.
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Also, sorry, I don't want to RP. by
on 2016-04-20 05:01:00 UTC
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I'm already involved in an RP along slightly similar lines (parallel fantasy realm, political drama), and it's taking a lot of the time and energy I use for this kind of thing (it's a LARP. We're doing it in the hallways at school during passing periods and lunches, so: energy-intensive).
--Key -
What's it about? by
on 2016-04-16 19:03:00 UTC
Link to this
More specifically, what's will your protagonist's story be about? What going to happen to him? What's his role in the story when he does start to become important? Is there one of the three potential species that makes good sense? Or, on the other hand, is there one of them that will make it difficult? (Conflict, yay! Obstacles, yay!)
Another angle to consider is, what are the relationships between the different species? What is your character's relationship to the other characters? Should it mirror the interspecies relationship or be different? Like, if werewolves and vampires hate each other, and one of the other characters is a vampire and you character is her friend, it would make sense for him to not be a werewolf, but it could make for great conflict (Yay!) with everyone else, who don't like them hanging out. -
The long term question by
on 2016-04-16 19:25:00 UTC
Link to this
Ultimately the set up is that there is a masquerade that keeps the average person from realizing that there has been a war between supernatural forces that has been going on since the dawn of time. Essentially Order vs. Chaos. Not Good vs. Evil, because that's cliched. The lead up to the story set approximately now is that each group has their own things. The WWs want to be left alone, Vampires want to control everything and ensure their food source is well kept for. Angels are there to protect humans from everybody else.
Then along the course of the first book (I do not like planning out much further, because I like flexibility) only partially follows the protagonist, it is there to basically allow the readers to ask the questions. The main character in book one is basically a detective who stumbles across this ancient war and gets caught in the middle. The protagonist regardless of race wants to keep humans safe for one reason or another. If a Vampire keep the food source safe, Werewolf, would take more work but largely thinks if humans are safe less likely to hunt for his kind. Angel, it's his duty.
Any of the races will work. They all have reasons for wanting to keep humans safe and keep the status quo between sides. So naturally the masquerade will start to break down chaos will be unleashed and the protagonist and his organization will seek to maintain order.
Another way, is this a Vampire protagonist will have Blue and Orange Morality. A Werewolf will largely be a true neutral (just keeping me and mine safe) Order/Chaos or Good/Evil do not have any meaning for him. And an Angel will essentially be Lawful/Good.
Part of the entire premise of the story is breaking down the barriers on the sides. Ultimately a big bad is going to come along and threaten the entire world. And the disparate groups will need to come together to stop it.
As for relations, a rough timeline can be sketched out. From the beginning of the conflict Werewolves and Vampires have been at war. Kind of the standard Fangs vs. Fur that originated from a misunderstanding and the fact that the Vampires looked at the wolves as nothing more than animals that threatened their livestock. Angels were always present in small numbers (roughly 20 worldwide kind of thing) to try to keep humans safe. Up until the Spanish Inquisition there was a very broken masquerade, then during that time period it came to a head, and the Inquisition's real purpose was to cut down the numbers of the supernaturals (a Knight-Templar Angel was leading it). The Angels fractured and seemingly disappeared while the Werewolves/Vampires essentially agreed to truce and a cold war has been going on ever since. Skip to the modern era and someone is playing the sides off against each other to start a war between all the races that will likely wipe out humanity.
As a result of this, the time the book starts at an organization has been formed by representatives of all three groups to try to keep order. Naturally millennia old grudges do not go away so easily so there are external and internal existential threats to the organization. Basically any of the three could work, which is why I am asking.
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OT: Storium! by
on 2016-04-16 18:36:00 UTC
Link to this
Hey guys, I don't know if you've seen this thing pop up, but a couple of us had a run-in with the game designers two years ago(?), and it's a lot of fun. It looks like they've progressed a lot since the start, and I'm really psyched to try it. Does anyone want to jump into a test campaign?
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This looks cool! by
on 2016-04-17 17:44:00 UTC
Link to this
Also, hello everyone, I'm back! If we are starting a game, I'd love to join!
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Well... by
on 2016-04-17 19:38:00 UTC
Link to this
It's pretty open, and free to join, so I was kind of figuring several people would want to start games. It doesn't seem like the kind of thing that lends itself to 6+ players at once.
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Yosher! Where have you been, buddy?! (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 19:08:00 UTC
Link to this
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I am interested by
on 2016-04-17 09:17:00 UTC
Link to this
Though for me to participate it might need to start relatively soon, due to my own time constraints and other personal reasons.
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A writing game to play with friends?! by
on 2016-04-17 06:36:00 UTC
Link to this
None of whom really enjoy writing?!
That's jolly good, that is!
Salt aside, this looks awesome.
I'd ask to join a test campaign, but I, er. Don't know how, don't know anyone's emails, am kind of a stranger here, timezones, et al. -
Wait a minute. by
on 2016-04-17 09:01:00 UTC
Link to this
I realise now that the problems are actually irrelevant (especially timezones. As if leaving a story unwritten for a night will make it get embarrassed and call its dad to come pick it up, or something.)
I can probably join, if you so desire. -
This looks neat! by
on 2016-04-17 05:19:00 UTC
Link to this
I'd like to play, if you'll have me.
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Yeah no problem, what's your username? (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 07:13:00 UTC
Link to this
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Predictably, DataJunkie (nm) by
on 2016-04-17 07:42:00 UTC
Link to this
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That looks really cool! by
on 2016-04-17 00:14:00 UTC
Link to this
I might give it a go, if I have time. I skimmed through a random game, and it seemed professional and put together. The writing was pretty good, too. I'm interested, if my schedule allows. :)
-Vee -
I would do this, by
on 2016-04-16 22:24:00 UTC
Link to this
but I'm not over 18 years of age, and my parents don't know about this yet. I'll have to ask them. If things succeed, then oh, absolutely. the stuff I've been RPing in is going really slowly at the moment, so why not?
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They actually appear to have an "18+" filter, which is nice. by
on 2016-04-17 03:38:00 UTC
Link to this
And something to tell your parents!
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What a coincidence! by
on 2016-04-16 21:48:00 UTC
Link to this
I stumbled across Storium the other day and was going to put it up on the Board when I had the free time. From what I've read and seen, this looks like something that's right up the alleys of both me and many people here. I would totally be down for at least giving it a test run.
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... that looks fascinating and I don't understand. by
on 2016-04-16 20:58:00 UTC
Link to this
What does... how does it work? What do you actually... do?
hS -
I think the best advice is honestly to watch the intro video by
on 2016-04-17 02:42:00 UTC
Link to this
...and then play a test run! I've got one going now, I'll invite you.
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I still don't really understand it... by
on 2016-04-17 08:04:00 UTC
Link to this
(bit of a theme with me, lately), but it does look interesting.
Unfortunately I have no desire to play any game that has Data Junkie in it, so unless you've got multiple running, I guess I'll have to pass.
hS -
Fair enough. by
on 2016-04-17 19:20:00 UTC
Link to this
I didn't intend to step back into a tangle of 'Board-drama, but also this seemed like something aimed pretty much precisely at you. So I'll just let you know next time I'm starting a game - this one's just a test-run.
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... This is Scape crack. by
on 2016-04-16 20:12:00 UTC
Link to this
This is pure and unalloyed Scapenip. I want all of this now. =oD
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Hmm, seems interesting... by
on 2016-04-16 19:24:00 UTC
Link to this
I don't have a massive amount of free time at the moment but I'd be willing to try it out.
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Oh man, that looks amazing. by
on 2016-04-16 19:07:00 UTC
Link to this
I'll have to give it a try when I get back.
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OT: Magic the Gathering Music by
on 2016-04-17 03:41:00 UTC
Link to this
If any of you are familiar with the YouTube user "joshscorcher," you may know that he's been putting up music videos featuring artwork of the various Magic the Gathering factions set to music fitting their respective personalities. I'm no MtG player (and neither is he, he's only interested in the lore), but OMG, is the music good! It was his Boros video that introduced me to the band Sabaton.
You may be asking which video sent me scrambling straight to the Board. It's this one, the Azorius Senate set to Mozart's Dies Irae.
This link will lead you to the full playlist. So far, he's put up (aside from the aforementioned Azorius):
Selesnya to Baba Yetu
Boros to Sabaton's Gott Mit Uns
Rakdos to Ready to Die
Golgari to O Death
Izzet to Weird Science and
Orzhov to Collective Consciousness
Check it out! -
The Only Downside Is There Are Only Seven (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 13:38:00 UTC
Link to this
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Don't worry... by
on 2016-04-18 21:12:00 UTC
Link to this
...I'm sure the Dimir, Simic, and Gruul videos are in the works. I hope they are, anyway. Two of those are in my top 3 Guilds list.
-Phobos, Dimir Guildmage -
Somehow, PPC Liking the Dimir Doesn't Surprise Me by
on 2016-04-18 23:01:00 UTC
Link to this
Not that they're both shadowy organizations that deny their very existence to the outside world so they can collect as much knowledge as possible while killing a host of people. No, that would just be silly.
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Is it bad... by
on 2016-04-19 03:23:00 UTC
Link to this
... that the Rakdos song reminded me of the PPC? It definitely seems like the DMS's message to Mary Sues. "Get ready to die, get ready to run, we're coming after you," etc. It's so creepily gleeful about it, too. Maybe it should go on the next PPC soundtrack, if it's not finalized yet.
~Neshomeh at work. -
The Thing About Ravnica's Guilds... by
on 2016-04-19 04:22:00 UTC
Link to this
Is that everybody fits into all of them a little bit. I'm super Vorthos and we don't talk about mtg very often, so I'm afraid you'll have to indulge me for a moment, because I really want to break this all down.
Azorius: A bureaucracy headed by otherworldly geniuses that establish the rules for the rest of Ravnica/the PPC in order to ensure peace and justice, but just as frequently cause agitation and a shortage of supply. So, basically the Flowers.
Boros: The PPC and the Boros are both zealous crusaders against villainy and chaos. We stop at nothing to exterminate threats to our society.
Dimir: I kind of explained this one already, but just so it's all collected in one place, I'll say it again. We're shadowy organizations that deny even existing so that we can assassinate people we really dislike while we accrue large amounts of knowledge.
Gruul: The Gruul see themselves as the last remaining warriors who can truly champion the cause of the natural world. Or at least, they used to. Honestly, the Gruul are more of a grim reflection of the PPC than a straight parallel: an example of what happens when we take our duties so far that we forget why we started in the first place.
Golgari: Our work isn't pretty. Our work isn't clean. Our work isn't even moral. But you know what? It has to be done. Everyone else relies on us to make things work normally, so while they may look at us as vile or wicked, they also know that we have to be that way.
Izzet: Question 1, does this thing explode? Question 2, if previous answer was yes, how quickly can I have this thing? Thanks DoSAT/Izzet, you're great.
Orzhov: We are an unparalleled force of glory and greatness. Our leaders are so strong that they have existed since the dawn of our organization. Ignore the savagery, ignore the power plays, and ignore the deception. Because let's be honest, we aren't the most morally grand group in the world, but we think we are, and it's the thought that counts, right?
Rakdos: Kill the Sues! Kill them all! Aha! Haha! Hahahahaha!
Selesnya: You know what the problem with the rest of the world is? They're not us. If they could just understand, if the Suethors could just see what we see, there wouldn't be any problems. And don't listen to the critics. We know our knowledge is pure, the will of the gods and/or authors themselves.
Simic: So, I know everyone says that tenth walker fics and stories by young teens and all that are a bad idea, but we could make it work. Trust us, we're professionals or something, we know what we're doing. And if not, we can just mission our own fics. Surely, making one creation just to get rid of a previous creation is still a good thing.
I think that's all of them. This went on for kind of a long time, but hopefully you get the idea. And if not, TLDR: Ravnica's guilds are super cool and the Magic writers made these groups all relateable on some level.
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Permission Beta request by
on 2016-04-18 16:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Anyone who gives me their email can have their private copy of these files.
Kelly and September, the discussion on why DAC got shut down
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x8w05NFvSPj-4lC93DslHTBF9DOgbOR1q5lpTMJi4mg/edit?usp=sharing
Random prompt... the brackets mark where I need to do research.
The Firefly roleplay without the in-mission notes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nQ88VA8Z1sc8n6M78UYa3rIo-414avFF2rkUcP4Wr_c/edit?usp=sharing
I don't think I actually fixed anything since last time.
Kelly and Injerd - present tense get a mission
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17CqXUDCybZaoia8Z4jtPo52AocmSVOfw9hgJUcmul0U/edit?usp=sharing
I actually don't like writing in present tense. I'm including Injerd in a prompt because I might end up using her first.
Characters
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oYxAHh69rvTqc-qOrtkuswJzH-2jYkKHPiR9zNa8ODY/edit?usp=sharing
I don't know why I bother. The ones that aren't voices in my head yet aren't going to stick to the script for long. -
If I go AWOL by
on 2016-04-22 16:26:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm still interested in a beta. If I look like I'm missing, it's because I'm going through some things and sometimes getting to a library is difficult. I did find one that's not so loud, but it's a bit of a drive.
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A word of advice... by
on 2016-04-18 22:36:00 UTC
Link to this
I'd recommend against posting the links to your beta material publicly. Beta reading is meant to be pre-access and behind closed doors, so that you can improve your content prior to public release. I'd also advise to ask your betas if your material is ready prior to requesting Permission; that's something you didn't do last time and we all know what happened then. ^^;
That being said, I'm very sorry for not being able to beta at all until now, due to my job and other commitments taking up most of my time. I'll make it up to you as soon as I can, though given my schedule I can't guarantee I'll be able to do as much as other betas can. And anyway, I'd suggest getting multiple betas to help you out, as at least two or three would be better to catch stuff one alone could miss. -
I have limited internet. by
on 2016-04-20 15:11:00 UTC
Link to this
I never know when I'm going to be on next, so it speeds up the process to let a volunteer grab things directly. There aren't any nibbles yet, but hopefully it doesn't mean anything.
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Trouble finding stories. by
on 2016-04-18 17:06:00 UTC
Link to this
There are a few stories that I have in mine to do, but I don't have a good one for September's first mission.
Both of these seem like the charge list isn't long enough.
The first one is NSFW
fanfiction.net/s/11601940/1/
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3857283/1/Chapter-4
This one seems like it might not be a wow-bang mission.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5120113/1/The-Lost-Girl
I think this one should be her third at the earliest.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/243350/1/Remembering-Jada
I do not want to do "It's not a blender" or whatever that Star Trek one is... too many charges and I'm probably going to avoid trollfic.
I kinda want to make September the Sci-fi partner and Injerd the Fantasy partner. But September would be writing a letter about the rewrite.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1444418/1/Halfheart -
Question by
on 2016-04-18 16:55:00 UTC
Link to this
If the story that's being sporked is in present tense, does the mission have to be in present tense as well?
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A note: by
on 2016-04-19 07:53:00 UTC
Link to this
There is no rule that I'm aware of against writing missions in present tense. However, it's pretty uncommon in general, and (like Des said) is usually only used as a gag or a brief obstacle when it turns up in badfics.
~DF -
Right. by
on 2016-04-19 15:38:00 UTC
Link to this
You can try and write it, but it will be very hard to pull off properly. It's like writing in the second person.
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The Only Way I Could Really See It Working... by
on 2016-04-20 04:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Is if you wrote the mission in first person. I'm not sure how you'd write an Agent PAIR in first person without using the same perspective flipping that we use a charge, but it could be neat if done correctly. It would just be really hard to do correctly, and also pretty much wreck any ability to do a crossover mission, since your style of writing missions wouldn't mesh with anyone else in the PPC.
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Present tense works just fine in third person. by
on 2016-04-20 18:04:00 UTC
Link to this
At least in my experience of reading and writing it. I've never tried a PPC story in it that I remember, though I certainly could give it a go sometime--could be interesting.
As for first person... interestingly enough, I used it for part of a currently mostly finished mission, for a couple of reasons. It wasn't the agent's default setting, though--but that would be very interesting to try out, and I wish I'd stop getting so many ideas right now, because it isn't at all the best timing /stares down brain/
But yeah, third person present tense can work very well, until it jars you out of it and you go 'wait, this is in present tense? I didn't realize until just now'. And so on. But it does work.
~DF -
Um... by
on 2016-04-20 15:15:00 UTC
Link to this
How does "I actually don't like writing in present tense." imply that I'm going to be doing it all of the time?
I have messed with first person, though I'm not great at it. Captioning for the blind actually has third person objective. -
At This Point, We've Shifted the Topic a Bit by
on 2016-04-20 17:57:00 UTC
Link to this
Your previous post has made the rest of us (or maybe just me) start talking about how a present tense mission could work out. I'm not necessarily prescribing that you make use of any of this, I'm just thinking out loud about what might work.
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Ah, okay. (nm) by
on 2016-04-22 16:24:00 UTC
Link to this
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You just stick with one agent. by
on 2016-04-20 10:03:00 UTC
Link to this
Like Narto or Huinesoron, and where have my line-breaks gone? Burning stars.
hS -
No. by
on 2016-04-18 21:14:00 UTC
Link to this
However, you can use "being in present tense for a while" as a gag. Just... not the whole mission, it makes it a pain to read. Same goes for script, centre alignment, italics, second person, etc etc.
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Beta call! by
on 2016-04-18 23:53:00 UTC
Link to this
I've finally managed to complete my second mission. It's LotR movie-verse, so canon expertise would be nice, but is not necessary. A good SPaG beta would be most appreciated, along with general flow and feel experts. Two to three betas will be all that's necessary, I believe. The mission is sixteen pages. Please put your email address below, and I will share the Doc with you!
-Alleb -
Beta call closed! by
on 2016-04-19 16:55:00 UTC
Link to this
I have enough now; thanks everyone! I've shared the Doc with everyone who replied to the beta call. For some reason, the Board isn't letting me post beneath Skarm and Matt. Or, maybe it just isn't showing up for me, and so there's about five identical messages down there. If so, sorry!
-Alleb -
Hi! I'm up for that! by
on 2016-04-19 12:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Send a link to my new gmail account: cassieheathakascapegrace at gmail dot com. That's gonna be the one I use from now on, since I got sick of having to constantly swap between Google accounts when I wanted to beta stuff and talk to my friends at the same time. =]
We should talk more in general. I never did get around to telling you about Red Dwarf, did I... =] -
Shared! by
on 2016-04-19 16:51:00 UTC
Link to this
I know that feel. Swapping Google accounts is a pain.
I agree; and no, you never did! I'm very curious now.
-Alleb -
I'll look it over! (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 00:46:00 UTC
Link to this
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Shared! (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 16:51:00 UTC
Link to this
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Put me in, coach! (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 00:29:00 UTC
Link to this
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E-mail is clickable. Send it over! :3 (nm) by
on 2016-04-18 23:56:00 UTC
Link to this
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Happy Velociraptor Awareness Day, everyone! by
on 2016-04-19 00:31:00 UTC
Link to this
Here, have a floof.
[src] -
Yay, murderous floof *hugs* by
on 2016-04-20 03:13:00 UTC
Link to this
My school has a mural of a velociraptor on the wall outside the director's office. I might take a picture of it for you all if I remember.
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Murderchickens are the best -erchickens. ^_^ (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 07:57:00 UTC
Link to this
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This was why I was surprised you picked Fire... by
on 2016-04-19 12:13:00 UTC
Link to this
For the Pokémon tournament. You can have your very own Pokémurderchicken! Who's that Pokémon?
Iiiiiit's Archeops! Possessor of one of the best statlines and attacking typings in the game, along with pretty much the worst ability in Defeatist - if Archeops's HP drops below 50%, its Attack and Special Attack get halved. Which is terrible. So you use it lategame and with a lot of support, but when you do, it can work really, really well! Especially if you can Baton Pass some boosts to it or give it Tailwind support. =] -
We need a proper Velociraptor 'mon next gen. Just sayin'. ;) (nm by
on 2016-04-19 12:54:00 UTC
Link to this
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In this, we are of one mind. =] by
on 2016-04-19 13:12:00 UTC
Link to this
I'd also like a glyptodon (Glyptomon?) of some description to show up, but I have a feeling the Chesnaught line is the best we're gonna get on that score. Also, looking at Chesnaught some more, I am struck by how much I wish Breloom could learn Needle Arm. =]
Oh, and if you wanted, I was quite eager to get back into our crossover. I've had to change my gmail account, so if you wanna chat further, talk to me on Hangouts at cassieheathakascapegrace. I've been terribly lax about doing that, and it needs to stop. =] -
I always thought Chesnaught was a Glyptodont, actually. XD by
on 2016-04-19 17:24:00 UTC
Link to this
And I'll try to get back to you after work today, which for me usually ends at 4:30 PM EST on weekdays. I feel the same way about our collab, and now would probably be the best time to continue it, since otherwise all I have on my to-do list, mission-wise, is a Legend of Zelda mission, and I don't think that should take too long for me to finish. Hint hint ;)
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I am now sufficiently aware. by
on 2016-04-19 02:50:00 UTC
Link to this
That thing shouldn't be as cute as it is, but it is.
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How adorable. ;) (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 01:39:00 UTC
Link to this
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PPC Pokémon Tournament Thread the Third by
on 2016-04-19 06:51:00 UTC
Link to this
Since it's been bumped off the front page again, have another link to the rules doc.
The next battles are:
-Storme Hawk vs SeaTurtle
-Hardric vs SkarmorySilver
-Voyd vs DCCCV — DCCCV, you have until tomorrow to finalise the time of your match with Voyd, lest you be disqualified.
-Data Junkie vs Desdendelle -
I think I am withdrawing by
on 2016-04-23 19:49:00 UTC
Link to this
My internet will be very spotty over the next while. So I am going to withdraw from the tournament.
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Very well. (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 20:04:00 UTC
Link to this
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Paging foofooman3! by
on 2016-04-23 19:19:00 UTC
Link to this
I was wondering if you would be up for an exhibition match with our Monotype teams. Any time you're free, hmu. =]
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Oh, speaking of! by
on 2016-04-24 00:52:00 UTC
Link to this
I meant to ask for an exhibition match you after your last battle. I'd really been looking forward to battling you before you were knocked out. What do you say?
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Sure! I'm out all day today, so does Monday work for you? (nm) by
on 2016-04-24 15:53:00 UTC
Link to this
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Sure! I'm free around 11 AM EST and after 2 PM. How's that? (nm) by
on 2016-04-24 18:51:00 UTC
Link to this
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Revenge between the Champion from last yea and his opponent? by
on 2016-04-23 23:14:00 UTC
Link to this
I would pay to see that. Do not let that give you nasty ideas.
Seriously, I'll hope you'll do this match. -
Mattman, when would you be ready for a match? (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 18:46:00 UTC
Link to this
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Hardric vs Mattman the Comet. by
on 2016-04-23 23:31:00 UTC
Link to this
He's Boomstick and I'm Wizard and it's our job to analyze their weapons, armors and skills to determine who would win, a Death Battle.
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Yes, yes I am boomstick (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 23:41:00 UTC
Link to this
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K.O.! by
on 2016-04-23 23:41:00 UTC
Link to this
Where Hardric s put to rest for good.
(I want the head of the guy who created the Magic Guard ability.) -
Congratulations to Mattman! (nm) by
on 2016-04-24 16:26:00 UTC
Link to this
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In about an hour or two, name is clickable (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 21:07:00 UTC
Link to this
- BIRBS VS. GHOSTS IS NOW LIVE! by on 2016-04-23 18:16:00 UTC Link to this
- Hardric vs SkarmorySilver. by on 2016-04-23 18:16:00 UTC Link to this
- K.O.! by on 2016-04-23 18:28:00 UTC Link to this
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Congratulations! *confetti* (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 20:23:00 UTC
Link to this
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I am officially scared of Magic Bounce now. GG! (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 18:29:00 UTC
Link to this
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I'm curious. by
on 2016-04-23 21:50:00 UTC
Link to this
Those couple of turns where you tried to TWave/Whirlwind Mega Sableye — were you predicting a switch?
Also, about Hawlucha: it's a good idea to put 4 EVs in HP so it can get Unburden from two Subs (assuming you're running Sitrus Berry + Substitute and not, say, Normal Gem + Quick Attack or Power Herb + Sky Attack). -
That was just me being a terrible player. by
on 2016-04-23 23:27:00 UTC
Link to this
My default course of action is to try and inflict a status on the 'mon in play, heal off any damage they inflict, and then smash 'em to kingdom come. Unfortunately, that kinda makes me a one-trick Ponyta in terms of strategy, and the muscle memory thing doesn't help at all. This isn't the first time Magic Bounce turned this strategy against me, you know. XD
I'll keep your advice in mind should I use Hawlucha in next year's tourney ;) In retrospect, I should've taken a cue from you and put Drain Punch on Moctezuma for both damage and healing, but that probably wouldn't have mattered in this case because Ghost is immune to Fighting anyway. -
Generally, what you want to do with Hawlucha... by
on 2016-04-24 04:37:00 UTC
Link to this
Is to run a set like this:
Hawlucha @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 12 HP / 244 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Acrobatics
The 12 HP EVs, as mentioned, are there to make Hawlucha's HP divisible by 4 so you could get proc Unburden and get a boosted Acrobatics with two Substitutes. If your opponent breaks your sub in one hit, you sub twice then use Acrobatics or Drain Punch. If your opponent doesn't break your sub in one hit, you Swords Dance as much as possible without taking a hit — Hawlucha hits like a truck after one SD boost and basically outspeeds everything that doesn't carry priority. The other thing to watch out for, of course, are 'mons that carry sound moves like Hyper Voice and 'mons with Infiltrator. Hawlucha also doesn't like statusers with priority (anything with Prankster, basically). -
Whoopsie. XD (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 18:17:00 UTC
Link to this
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Ready. by
on 2016-04-20 00:30:00 UTC
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Ready when you are, Stome Hawk. Currently waiting in Writing, so just wander over there and let's get this party started!
- Match starting! by on 2016-04-20 00:52:00 UTC Link to this
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On that day the earth shook by
on 2016-04-20 01:16:00 UTC
Link to this
AKA watch the battle here
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-361484309
Close and well fought. Good luck to SeaTurtle in the losers bracket. -
GG to you both. :) (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 13:49:00 UTC
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Well fought! by
on 2016-04-20 01:22:00 UTC
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Go for the gold! May your Excadrill's Iron Head carve a path to glory.
...and now to pull out Banzai the Torterra and give him some love for our upcoming match. Poor thing has been benched up until now. -
My body is ready. by
on 2016-04-19 23:58:00 UTC
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Fasoula, I have pretty much all friday to battle. Do you have any other ideas for times?
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I may or may not be available Friday. by
on 2016-04-21 15:23:00 UTC
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That depends on whether or not I can crunch out this research paper in time. If I manage it, I'll be available after 5 PM EST. I'll notify you here, then meet you in the Writing room. How does that sound?
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Well, I managed it! by
on 2016-04-23 05:10:00 UTC
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... Just in time for Friday to end. Is there any other time you're available? I'm free all weekend.
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I have Sunday somewhat free. by
on 2016-04-24 03:07:00 UTC
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I will be on around 4 o' clock Pacific. That good?
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Potentially. by
on 2016-04-24 09:34:00 UTC
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I am going to be leaving home in the morning and have no idea when I will be getting back. Once again, I'll let you know on the Board if I'm here in time.
At this point though, it seems the progression of the rest of the tournament is hinging on us getting on with our match, so I may just copy my team to my mobile so we can battle on the go. I'd hate this tournament's thrilling conclusion to be delayed much longer because of my inconvenient schedule. -
I'll be in the Writing room whenever you're ready. (nm) by
on 2016-04-24 20:19:00 UTC
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- Ok, the battle: by on 2016-04-24 21:37:00 UTC Link to this
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And so it ends! by
on 2016-04-24 21:57:00 UTC
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Good game, DC. Wish you the best!
-
About that... by
on 2016-04-19 14:01:00 UTC
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Considering my limited Internet time, my dad's strictness, and my tendency to flake...
I'm going to give it to DC. I have the attention span of a magpie. So—
OH IS THAT A SHINY PATHFINDER BOOK? -
Making sure: by
on 2016-04-19 14:59:00 UTC
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You are forfeiting the match?
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Yep. (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 15:01:00 UTC
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That's a shame. by
on 2016-04-19 16:32:00 UTC
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Guess that you cannot always do as you would. Still, I'm sorry for you.
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Very well. by
on 2016-04-19 15:32:00 UTC
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DCCCV, you're up against Fasoula.
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Des, did we ever decide on a time for our match? by
on 2016-04-19 07:01:00 UTC
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I sorta lost the thread.
- I said something, I believe. by on 2016-04-19 07:29:00 UTC Link to this
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In that case, this Tuesday works for me. by
on 2016-04-19 07:33:00 UTC
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I'll get online as soon as I wake up, assuming I don't get kidnapped by my parents and forced to do anything.
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I'm online now by
on 2016-04-19 18:30:00 UTC
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I'm ready whenever you get online. I may step away for a minute to do some dishes but I'll be back soon, so if I don't immediately reply, just give it a minute. You can find me as Junkieofdata in the Writing and Tournament channels by the way.
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No longer online by
on 2016-04-20 07:19:00 UTC
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I've got work in the morning and it's 2 am here so I need to go to bed.
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Sorry for not showing up. by
on 2016-04-20 08:09:00 UTC
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I kind of went to bed earlier than expected — couldn't keep my eyes open.
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It's cool. by
on 2016-04-20 23:22:00 UTC
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I'll be online for the next several hours, and all of tomorrow, so whatever works.
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Help with critique by
on 2016-04-19 16:36:00 UTC
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Alright, so my friends asked me to critique an original fiction they wrote, but I'm not sure where to start other than spelling, grammar and clichés. Any kind of advice would be very much appreciated.
-Kelpie -
Well... by
on 2016-04-19 22:51:00 UTC
Link to this
You can:
-tell them about whether or not you enjoyed the story
-leave comments as you read about what your reactions to just about everything are, even if it's just that you think a line is funny or a character is growing on you
-tell them what you think of the characters. If applicable, tell them what else you'd really like to know about these characters, and if they feel like people to you.
-if you spot things that make no sense or that look like plotholes, these are useful things to point out
-let them know what emotions you experienced while reading (this can also be left in comments at the appropriate points)
-tell them your favorite lines (and why)
-tell them your favorite character (and why)
...and a whole lot more, but that's probably a good start! Hope it helps.
~DF -
Awesome by
on 2016-04-20 02:03:00 UTC
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Thank you so much! I was just a little hung up on where to get started. :)
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:) by
on 2016-04-20 05:55:00 UTC
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What's the point of learning from experience if you don't share your knowledge? Glad to have helped :)
~DF
PS: Okay, yes, there are other points to learning from experience, but they're irrelevent to this message and are therefore being ignored...even as the postscript about them begins to nearly double the length of the message. Anyway. My point is: you're welcome. And also, I ramble when I'm tired. It's rather fun at times. ~DF -
I may be of service by
on 2016-04-19 16:39:00 UTC
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E-mail is clickable.
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I turn *trains go by* today! by
on 2016-04-19 17:11:00 UTC
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It's my birthday! My first birthday in the PPC, actually. In all my *microphone feedback* years of life, I've never had the pleasure of being part of online community quite so nice as this one. So I'm glad I get to spend my *drowned out by Generic Crowd* birthday here.
Alright, so, I'm a rather private person. I haven't told anyone on here my age (or any other information about me, really) and I doubt I ever will, but I'm curious; how old do all of you think I am?
-Alleb -
I MISSED A BIRTHDAY?! by
on 2016-04-21 02:10:00 UTC
Link to this
*gasp* How dare I? To atone for this terrible offence, I present you with an enormous block of chocolate dusted with platnium, because platnium is cool.
Also, have some Dubious Boxes. I'm really not sure what's inside, but the one on the left is shaking. It's probably safe...
I hope you've had a lovely day, and all those birthday sentiments.
-Vee -
Woohoo, chocolate! by
on 2016-04-21 18:06:00 UTC
Link to this
*gingerly takes Dubious Boxes* I hope these don't explode or anything...
I did, thank you! It was excellent.
-Alleb -
Have another shovel! by
on 2016-04-20 13:59:00 UTC
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This one digs up major artifacts. Watch out for the intelligent ones.
As for my best guess... I'd say 16 to 22. -
Yay, new shovel! by
on 2016-04-21 01:14:00 UTC
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That reminds me of something. I can't find the image, so I'll just quote it: "Video games are so weird. 'Hey, you just killed that giant goat man, have some shoes you're not intelligent enough to wear.'"
Excuse me while I go dig up some artifacts. ^_^
-Alleb -
Happy Birthday! by
on 2016-04-20 03:56:00 UTC
Link to this
Here, take this birthday pizza, it's tradition in my family.
As for your age, I'm going to guess early twenties. I don't really have a reason, but I trust my instincts. -
Delicious! by
on 2016-04-21 01:11:00 UTC
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Thank you! Hum, birthday pizza doesn't sound like a bad tradition at all. That should be A Thing.
-Alleb -
Larfen is on the case. by
on 2016-04-20 02:54:00 UTC
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I might look a bit like a bowling ball that's been wrapped in a thick layer of fat and lard, but let me tell you, I have the brain of a super sleuth, the nose of a bloodhound, the eyes of a hawk and the fabulous legs of a Peruvian supermodel.
I've got you figured out, Miss.
You are 117 years old, and are the oldest living woman in the world.
Congratulations, Susannah Mushatt Jones!
Happy birthday, and don't die too soon, you old bird, you! -
Changed my mind. I'm with Larfen. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 04:50:00 UTC
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Egads, you've discovered my secret! by
on 2016-04-20 03:10:00 UTC
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I am, indeed, the oldest woman in the world! Great, now I have to find a new screen name. Dangit, Larfen!
Seriously though, that made me laugh quite a bit. ^_^
-Alleb -
I learn from the best. by
on 2016-04-20 03:21:00 UTC
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I've had a whole three post conversation with Ivy.
Pretty experienced. -
As a certified wizard... by
on 2016-04-21 02:52:00 UTC
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...I can confirm this as fact. Good job, Larfen. I'm proud.
-Vee -
I don't think I'll ever be as good as you, Ivy. by
on 2016-04-21 03:04:00 UTC
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I mean, you're both a wizard and a sorcerer!
How can I compete with that? -
Hush now, my dear prodigy. by
on 2016-04-21 03:19:00 UTC
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You're rather capable yourself in the magic department. Someday you will earn your wizard badges and wear a purple cloak in public.
-Vee -
Ah, that explains it. by
on 2016-04-21 01:10:00 UTC
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Well, now I have to test out new screen names. Erhm... Alleb2 it is.
-Alleb2 -
Happy birthday! by
on 2016-04-20 01:36:00 UTC
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Have a large swishy skit made out of fruit roll-ups! My guess is that you are in your late teens: younger kids are often too foolish to protect their personal information in any way, shape, or form; and when adults protect their personal information, they often don't worry as much about age, since pedophiles aren't going after them any more.
--Key is not Ivy and never will be
P.S. Hey, you know how parents tell you that the nice person about your age could easily turn out to be a pedophile? Does anyone tell the pedophiles that? Has their been a documented case of undercover pedophiles accidentally seducing each other? I'm sure this has happened, but I can't figure out the right keywords to search. Each sending each other fake pictures stolen from other people's profiles. . . I wonder what happened when they found out. Did they feel victimized? -
Thanks! by
on 2016-04-20 03:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Yeah, young kids don't belong on the internet. 'Tis a scary place.
I've... never thought about that. I kinda hope it's happened, honestly. That would be hilarious.
-Alleb -
Supposedly pedophilic stalkers have their own online groups by
on 2016-04-20 04:48:00 UTC
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Where they talk to each other and "share tips," etc., so they'd recognize pretty quickly if someone was pulling a typical trick on them. But the Internet's a big place, and people are spacey, so who knows, it probably has happened.
You refer to anyone younger than late teens as "young kids!" You are probably somewhere in your 20s!
--Key is still not Ivy -
Well, I thought you actually meant young kids ^_^ by
on 2016-04-21 01:09:00 UTC
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But most teens could probably still be called young kids. *in best old man voice* "Dad gum whippersnappers! Get off my lawn!"
-Alleb -
That settles it, you're over 80 by
on 2016-04-21 03:50:00 UTC
Link to this
You're so good at that.
I tend to refer to young teenagers as "young kids" because I'm friends with a lot of them and don't want to be taken for one myself *shrug*
I'm not being consistent in this thread, am I. Okay.
--Key should go home -
Of course I'm over 80; I'm the oldest woman in the world! by
on 2016-04-21 18:10:00 UTC
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Everyone's a young kid to me.
Mm, that's understandable.
Ah, it's fine. I'm never particularly consistent either.
-Alleb -
Happy birthday! by
on 2016-04-19 23:13:00 UTC
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I honestly never thought about your age. If you don't feel comfortable telling us about yourself, I totally understand and won't force the issue. Have a box of chocolate cupcakes. ^_^
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Thanks! by
on 2016-04-20 03:04:00 UTC
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I don't think about age much, either, but I prefer to be cautious. Ooh, cupcakes!
-Alleb -
Happy Birthday! by
on 2016-04-19 23:06:00 UTC
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I always got the feeling that you were a teenager. So, uh, 18 today? That's my best guess.
(Actually, you remind me a lot of an old friend, so my guess is probably influenced by her age) -
Thank you! by
on 2016-04-20 03:02:00 UTC
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Perhaps, perhaps. Or maybe Larfen is right and I'm over a hundred. ^_^
-Alleb -
Happy birthday! by
on 2016-04-19 23:24:00 UTC
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Have black-hole chocolates and black-hole-coffee.
Now, for the age-guessing, I'll go for safety and someting between late teens and early twenties -
*gobbles chocolate* by
on 2016-04-20 03:03:00 UTC
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Thank you!
Late teens to early twenties, eh? Very interesting.
-Alleb -
Sorry for the mispost. (nm) by
on 2016-04-19 23:25:00 UTC
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...Clever girl. by
on 2016-04-19 18:28:00 UTC
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Because of that, you're not getting a song! :P
.
.
.
.
.
Nah, I couldn't do that *nods at the Band*
GRAB THE CHAIR, BOYS! WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BUCKET-KICKER!
Happy Birthday my olde friend.
It seems this horror show will never end.
Any moment's your last breath,
Here is to another day closer to death.
As for your question... Hmm, I always assume people to be in their teens (even if they're in their 30s... BUT THEY LOOK LIKE TEENS, DANGIT!), therefore I'm gonna guess 17-ish, max. 19. -
Ah, I get the "bucket-kicker" thing now! by
on 2016-04-20 03:01:00 UTC
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Nice song! Thank you!
Ha, yeah, I usually guess teens as well.
-Alleb -
Happy Birthday! *tosses Spikes* by
on 2016-04-19 17:27:00 UTC
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And I'm guessing mid to late teens? You seem mature enough, of course, but your pauses between posts make me think you're in college or something, IDK.
-
*yelps and dodges Spikes* by
on 2016-04-20 03:00:00 UTC
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Thanks for the birthday wishes! Are you right? Are you wrong? We may never know! *grins*
-Alleb
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In which Apollo fails at archery by
on 2016-04-19 20:48:00 UTC
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So the trailer for The Trials of Apollo was released
Check it out here
-Mattman, who may or may not be posting his Permission Request soon -
One of These Days, Riordan Will Do Something I Don't Adore by
on 2016-04-20 01:59:00 UTC
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Today, apparently, is not that day.
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Not the first time in happened, actually. by
on 2016-04-19 21:12:00 UTC
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Apollo was sentenced to a year of servitude to a mortal as punishment for killing Delphyne.
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Permission Request Take Three! by
on 2016-04-20 00:16:00 UTC
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After about 20 days since my last attempt I am once more ready to present Matthew and Ajax of RC# 637R3K7M8.
Once more my planned fic is Annabet's Brother, where you know it's bad when whatever Matt Cipher is gonna call this Mini is spawned by the title alone.
Special thanks to SkarmorySilver, eatpraylove, DCCCV, and Bramandin for providing their beta services. -
I'll take a look at this a little later. by
on 2016-04-20 17:02:00 UTC
Link to this
After I've had my tea and breakfast. It'll be nice to do something normal.
If another PG gets here first, though, they should feel free to have at it.
~Neshomeh -
Okay, so. by
on 2016-04-20 20:18:00 UTC
Link to this
It is now my pleasure to say: Permission Granted!
It's not perfect—your betas unfortunately missed quite a few technical errors and some general clunkiness, such as the "quest" line somebody else mentioned—but I'm sure that will all improve with time and experience, so I ain't fussed.
The characters look fine; my only comment is that I'm not sure you understand the two parts of tsundere. The tsun tsun side is the aloof, angry side; the dere dere side is the sweet, lovey-dovey one.
I'm very glad to see you've reined in the ADHD shenanigans without dropping that aspect of the character, him being a self-insert and all.
Specific comments on the prompts follow.
Random Prompt
I love this bit:
He kept moving, dodging and occasionally chopping food out of the air with a stale baguette or shielding himself with a trashcan lid. He found that the deeper he went the more of a selection there was of food. Case in point; an agent who’d stuck a stick into an entire watermelon and was using it as a warhammer.
“Really?!” Matthew complained, blocking the (very sticky) blow with his trashcan lid.
I don't know where Matthew got a trashcan lid, but I don't particularly care. The mental images are great. ^_^ (To point out one of the technical errors, though, that semicolon should be a regular colon. Oh, and a comma would be very welcome here: "the deeper he went, the more of a selection" etc.)
Does the grape-themed guy with the grape-themed gun use grapeshot ammo? ... I guess he doesn't. But he should.
This piece contains lots of descriptions of moves and stuff from franchises I don't know. I found a bit tiresome, but not exactly bad.
The narrative style is inconsistent, though, and that made it an odd read. I'd recommend either going with a hardcore story-telling narrator or introducing your exposition more naturally in future pieces. Either way can work. It could be a lot of fun to have a snarky, all-knowing narrator talking directly to the audience, a character in its own right. It's just weird and intrusive when it only happens sometimes.
Control Prompt
Overall, this piece feels much more polished and has a consistent narrative voice. It's not as fun, but that's okay. I do really like the censorship joke. (Did I comment on this before? I feel like I did.)
And... that's that. So, good job! Work on the SPaG and whatnot, but otherwise, go forth and spork with goodwill!
(And I'll get around to fixing Matthew's blood type soon. Making any changes requires redoing the whole thing from scratch, is all.)
~Neshomeh -
Slightly belated congrats, Mat! (nm) by
on 2016-04-23 22:05:00 UTC
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Congrats, Matt! (nm) by
on 2016-04-22 16:58:00 UTC
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Congratulations! (nm) by
on 2016-04-22 00:08:00 UTC
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Congrats, Matt! (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 05:13:00 UTC
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You did it! by
on 2016-04-21 02:05:00 UTC
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There it is!
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Gratz! by
on 2016-04-21 01:04:00 UTC
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Well, I guess you are perfectly welcome to use my beta services anytime. I promise I will do better. *donthurtme*
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We did it, Mattman! :D *high-fives* (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 23:25:00 UTC
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Congratulations! *tosses Spikes* by
on 2016-04-20 22:05:00 UTC
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Good luck with your first mission! :D
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*Mattman is very happy* by
on 2016-04-20 20:31:00 UTC
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On the Random Prompt: The Narrator being his own character was always a plan for my stories.
(On the agent cards: The images I included are also updated, so you should probably use the ones I included with the email)
-Mattman, who is gonna go and create his character pages on the wiki. -
Conga-rats, Mattman! by
on 2016-04-20 21:54:00 UTC
Link to this
Here, have a Valkitty to chase all of those congaing rats.
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Woohoo! Congrats! (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 21:27:00 UTC
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HAH! There ya go, mate! :D by
on 2016-04-20 20:55:00 UTC
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PARTY TIME!
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Congrats for the Permission! by
on 2016-04-20 20:54:00 UTC
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And a gift too: self-updating guidebook from all the deathtraps in the multiverse. For giving the glitterbags the karmic death they deserve anywhere your agents will go! Or kill them in a way you won't have to worry about corpse disposal.
Good luck with your fist mission. And all the other which will follow. -
It worries me how many of those book ya got, mate. (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 20:55:00 UTC
Link to this
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Blame modern days. by
on 2016-04-20 21:30:00 UTC
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Today, replicating texts and programs seems more and more easy. Could give one to the Department of Experimentations someday. I'd found interesting to know how many glitterbags would need to die to reach the finaal piece of the Tombs of Horror. (And I hope I'll find a glitterbag who can be dropped in this Tomb despite it's a D&D module.)
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My Two Non-PG Cents by
on 2016-04-20 04:45:00 UTC
Link to this
Understand, first of all, that you should take my advice with a grain of salt, especially if a PG disagrees. That said, this is the PPC, and you guys have this weird habit of letting me be critical of things, so let's dive in:
In the random prompt, one of the first lines refers to "said quest." It's possible that I simply missed it, but I didn't see any previous mention of a quest and/or mission. Not a huge problem, but I'm somewhat surprised it slipped past you, since it's near the very beginning of the story.
Continuing the discussion of the random prompt in particular, the explanation of the Dragon Shot simultaneously went on longer than I would have expected, and left me more confused than when I went in. You set up the rest of the scene well enough that if you had simply said "He had more pressing matters to attend to, like a grape-themed gunslinger about to unleash a powerful finishing move, the nonlethal Dragon Shot." it would still have conveyed your message without pulling away from the action to explain what's going on.
A more minor point though: the part where Matthew explains to Ajax what a Sengoku Driver is fits alright, as it's before the fight starts, so taking time to explain doesn't pull readers out of the action, and having one Agent be confused about a specific part of a continuum is a generally accepted way to tell the reader what that specific part is. However, since Ajax has been in the PPC for a longer period of time, and the rest of Ajax's actions indicate that he's well traveled from his time as an assassin, AND you later saying that they're one of only a few teams that work in the Kamen Rider canon, shouldn't he already know what a Sengoku Driver is?
Also, you forgot a comma after the interjection Yes at the beginning of the paragraph where you explain what Matthew and Ajax are doing.
One last thing about the random prompt: why refer to the Agents that Matthew and Ajax fight as replacements? The Nora replacement especially seems like it would have been easier to just say she was a hammer-wielding Agent, and indicating that every Nora replacement have a corresponding Ren replacement came across as plain weird. And while it makes sense that the easiest way to justify having a Kamen Rider in the fight would be to make them a former replacement/Sue/background character/whatever, I don't see why you tell us what particular character our grape-blasting-friend was based on after he's already been defeated. If you really wanted to communicate this fact, it probably would have been simpler to either include it as banter between him and Ajax, or have Ajax deduce the fact in a similar manner to how Matthew decided his opponent was a Nora clone. This last one would also serve to further indicate how much knowledge Ajax's experience with the PPC has granted him.
One problem I have with the control prompt is how often you abbreviate things. I understand not wanting to write out Puzzle & Dragons every time you mention it, but spelling it out once or twice before switching to an acronym would be helpful. Similarly, it seems odd that Matthew's internal thoughts/the narrator would abbreviate Ironic Overpower. The fact that Ajax says it normally later on, and that these are the only two instances of it being mentioned, further convinced me that it would be more clear if you simply called it the Ironic Overpower. I'm more okay with using PJO, since it's Ajax and Matthew talking to each other, so if they understand the acronym, it makes sense they would use it.
Speaking of the Ironic Overpower, you seem to imply that it doesn't apply in DI. I know it's the Department of Improbabilities and all, but this seems just a bit too improbable. Actually, after going through a bit while looking at this point, your description of DI leads me to believe you have it confused with one of the Internal Departments. If that isn't the case, I actually have further questions about why you believe DI (the Department of Improbabilities) has offices, and would have only had Matthew reading about Sues, and not actually going into fics.
Another thing from the same general part of the story that strikes me as odd is how you use "speaking of which" to segue into the console going off, but then it takes two lines of dialogue and a whole paragraph between them to actually get to the console making its usual ruckus. Using the segue usually indicates an immediate action based on the segue, so this delayed reaction just feels off.
In the last line of the control prompt, by the way, you forgot an apostrophe in "partners."
The only real critique I can think of for the bios themselves is the format. I think it would have served you much better to avoid the columned approach you used, and to have instead put headings into the text to indicate a change in overarching topic. That, and you misspelled four as for in the explanation of Ajax's powers.
Overall, I noticed that you have a plethora of one or two sentence paragraphs. Sometimes, this is not only acceptable, but puts a helpful emphasis on what's happening, such as during the food fight where, "The rider charged without hesitation." The brevity of this description is a nice parallel to how instinctively and quickly the rider fights, and highlights the action well. Other times though, the sentence doesn't denote an action of enough gravity to warrant its own line. An example where you probably could have combined the sentence with the previous paragraph with ease would be where you describe Matthew's keeping pace with Ajax. Yes, it's a rather long sentence, but it ties in with the event of the last paragraph, and isn't a heart-pounding action line, so it doesn't really need to be isolated. These super short paragraphs often indicate to the reader that you're padding to make the story look longer, which I honestly don't think is what you were going for here, so I don't want you to give off the wrong impression.
One other thing that affects your writing overall that might be seen as an issue is the tone. I, for one, think that your narration style is fun, and its lighthearted nature shows that you do enjoy what you're writing. However, while I like it in general, it is generally discouraged to use the narration as the delivery for your jokes too often, and the more comical style you use might make people especially apprehensive about this. As such, I recommend scaling back a bit, and writing in a slightly more objective fashion. A lot of your parenthetical asides, while amusing, could probably be cut out without affecting the tone or events of the story, and would reduce what some readers might see as forced humor. In addition, there are a few cases where you address the audience directly, which you should either avoid entirely, or use significantly more. Using the narration as a character can be a useful tool for comedy, and that seems to be your primary goal, so I won't say it has no place here, but you should bear in mind that this is not the style that PPC usually uses, which would make potential future crossover missions more difficult, and that this style is much harder to find a good balance for than simply ditching the idea entirely.
My final critique (I promise, I do go over some of the things I liked after this) is something I touched on earlier in specific examples, but I think applies to your writing as a whole: you explain a lot of things, but leave some other things unexplained. I, for one, am not familiar with Kamen Rider or Puzzles & Dragons. Walking into these two stories, I knew very little about either canon. Despite this, I think you explained things far too often, especially in your random prompt. The format for the prompt samples didn't help with this, as you're supposed to have a reasonably brief story, but especially in the middle of a fight scene, it pulls the reader out of the story when you take time to explain what something is or does. Yes, there are cases where you'll have to explain how something works, and sometimes you won't have the ability to deliver that explanation naturally through dialogue, a character's inner thoughts, or some other in-story method, and you'll have to tell the reader in the narration. You should only do this sparingly though. Look at the part of your story where Ajax activates his Talaria. I have no idea what a Talaria is. I assume from the context that it is some kind of magic that either makes Ajax faster so he can track down the rider, or stronger so he can actually fight the rider once he finds the poor sod. Immediately after typing that sentence, I googled what it means (winged sandals, for anyone who made it this far without looking it up themselves), and I was pretty much right. What I'm trying to say is: you've done a good job of establishing what's going on, so when you come to a part that you suspect a reader might not immediately understand, you should ask someone who you're reasonably sure is unfamiliar with the concept (probably a beta reader, possibly just a friend or family member) if they can guess from the context. If they can't you should consider explaining the idea, but you should usually ask first and explain later.
Now, to prove I'm not a totally cynical jerk, here are some things I like about your stories and bios:
A positive I found in the random prompt, was that I like the idea of just footnoting visual references. While I would normally suggest just describing the item, the images you used indicate that it would take more text to describe than would really be worth the effort, so in order to still convey your vision of the scene in a succinct manner, I think you made a good decision.
One thing that I see that I think is very important is that Matthew has a personality. Based on him being a human from World One named Matt and you being a human from World One named Mattman, I'm guessing he's basically you. A mark of a lousy character writer is where the author's avatar in the story is just an every-man, and isn't particularly interesting. There's a fine line between being a drama hog and being bland, and I think you succeeded in finding it. I do want to ask though, while your bio says that Matthew sometimes "might sound like an asshole," I didn't get that impression of him from the writing samples, except for maybe the part where Matthew leaves a note for a hypothetical genderbent Ren to take better care of her husband. Was this due to the prompts you used simply being a bad fit for showing this character trait, or does the bio overstate his rudeness?
Speaking of less than outgoing Agents, let's talk about Ajax. First of all, his powers are understandably complicated, but your comparing them to the more generally understood Pokemon types was a good idea, and I think it let you communicate your idea clearly. Further, while I can see his hydrokinesis and umbrakinesis being very powerful, most of his actual powers seem to be focused more on status effects or helping his team, so he strikes me as a support mage character, which assuages some of my concerns. But Ajax isn't only his powers, which is a point in your favor all on its own. His personality does not immediately remind me of darkness, water, or Hermes, and while it wouldn't be disastrous if he did, it would pigeonhole the character into being the darkness/Hermes guy instead of just being Ajax. And who Ajax actually is seems to be consistent, relatable, and fit with his history. Basically, you knocked it out of the park. He strikes the right chord of being experienced and jaded, but not emotionless, and being stoic and cynical without being spiteful and unlikable. Long story short, good job on Ajax.
On the note of your Agents, they get along well, but not like best friends, which I can see leading to some good stories. I imagine it will take a while for Ajax to fully warm up to Matthew, but I just described Ajax as stoic int he last paragraph, so that was probably going to happen anyway. Plus, exploring how Ajax copes with having a loose cannon (compared to himself and Levy, at least) as a partner in the wake of almost losing his last partner/best friend/leader/potential love-interest will be useful to grow him further from his, as you put it, "rudimentary personality."
In fact, and this isn't really positive or negative feedback, just advice, the one potential issue I see with these two interacting is that Ajax clearly has more going on. That's not to say that you should make Matthew more complicated, just that you should keep in mind that, while you clearly have plans for how Ajax will grow as a character, you should ensure that Matthew has his time in the spotlight as well. You seem to have done a good job of that so far, with the random prompt clearly favoring Ajax (though, that should only be expected when your options are to follow the gamer/student or a god/sorcerer in a fight) and the control prompt letting you show things more from Matthew's perspective.
All in all, you definitely have a few kinks to iron out, but they're not to major, possibly excepting the tone and explanations, so I can only hope I'll be seeing Ajax and Matthew in a full mission soon. Good luck. -
To clarify by
on 2016-04-20 13:05:00 UTC
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On the point of the Sengoku Driver and the Kamen Rider verse: The Kamen Rider verse is a lot like the Super Sentai, and by extension the Power Rangers-verse (in fact Kamen Rider and Super Sentai share a 'verse), each season cycles in a new cast, theme, and costumes. So while Ajax has operated within the 'Verse before, it was mostly in fics where it's the Mary Sue is an orginal creation, as per usual in the 'verse.
On the Nora replacement: I was already blatantly homaging the RWBY Volume 2 premiere episode, so I had to include a character from that somewhere. Also Ren because Nora doesn't do anything without him for the most part. Also the note was a tongue in cheek joke on how they really should be together, but not.
On Levy: Yes -
Ah, Now That Makes More Sense (nm) by
on 2016-04-20 18:38:00 UTC
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I don't think you should really thank me. by
on 2016-04-20 01:20:00 UTC
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I didn't really do much. School stuff really got in the way. If things still don't work out, I will try to actually help this time, promise.
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Not a PG, just saying: Hope you make it! by
on 2016-04-20 01:20:00 UTC
Link to this
I skipped the random prompt, since I don't really like reading fight scenes, but I read the control prompt, which seems competent with frequent flashes of good, and thoroughly in the spirit of the PPC. My thoughts as I read:
-I like your description of Matthew being bored. An impatient agent is going to be funny to read about. Saying "How did he know this?" seems a bit superfluous to me, though; most people can tell when they're bored.
-This might just be me, but I think it's better not to use tautological descriptions unless you're trying to suggest that the thing being described is confusing or that the character doing the describing is inarticulate, because, well, they're not very descriptive. I've read about RCs of many different sizes, none of which I would compare to any of the high school classrooms I've been in. This didn't actually get in the way of my imagining their RC, but it was slightly irritating.
-Some of your sentence structure is a bit odd, but the more I look at it, the more it seems like a character quirk of Matthew's or just an eccentricity of the story. Either way, it doesn't impede reading and is rather nice, actually.
-Are you censoring your characters or not? Decide; having both threw me for a moment. Creative curses seem to be PPC standard, but I guess it's up to you.
-Matthew's only seen the movie?! Or is the fic movieverse? Either way, this is going to be hilarious. (I've been warned away from the movie, so I haven't seen it, but if it includes a scene with Aphrodite's daughters in a hot tub with a bunch of satyrs, and this is the scene that establishes that there are many demigod siblings. . . I suspect that's all I need to know).
Overall, I feel like Matthew's character came through very strongly here, and he seems like someone who it will be fun to read about. Ajax is not as sharply drawn, but he seemed to show up more in the parts of the random prompt I read/skimmed. I hope you get to make this spinoff.
--Key, who doesn't even have Permission
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Popping in to say hi and a couple other things! by
on 2016-04-20 22:07:00 UTC
Link to this
Hey! How have you all been? I am currently studying abroad in Central Europe, though this weekend (the 23rd to the 25th) I'm going to be in London, so if anyone would like to drop by and say hello please let me know!
I'd also like to bring an offering to the DMS and DOGA. This fic appeared in the Bagginshield tag for no apparent reason (mistag?) and upon reading it I found some particularly egregious timeline and geography errors (such as being able to get from the Shire to Erebor in a month) as well as complete defamation of the character of Thorin Oakenshield (and to a lesser, more fanon-y extent, his sister Dis). Please feel free to give her a particularly heinous death especially considering she shot a Black Arrow (apparently now lined with mithril and diamonds) through Smaug's eye and into his brain.
Also, trigger warning for rape. Because of the complete defamation of Thorin's character.
That all being said, what have you guys all been up to? I see some new faces! Hello newbies and people-who-aren't-new-but-I-haven't-seen-before. -gives lemming repellent- -
Hi, Lily! by
on 2016-04-22 01:23:00 UTC
Link to this
Good to see you back here :)
Mithril and diamonds? In a Black Arrow? Seriously? I mean, I suppose they're both very hard substances, but...*no*.
We should really finish those cowrites at some point, though I expect right now isn't great timing for you (and honestly isn't for me either). We know where to find each other, though, so there's that.
Anyway. Enjoy London, and I hope you have been and continue to have an awesome time in Prague! I will...hopefully make some more substantive comment on, well, everything at a point when I'm not tired and on a break from cleaning (whee, holidays!) (but also, whee, clean room!!) My point, though: it's good to see you here again, that badfic is whaaaat just from the description, and I wish you a lot of continuing fun and good learning. And we should finish writing things, and why exactly am I summarizing what I just said...?
Er. Anyhow. Welcome back :) It's good to see you on the Board as opposed to in passing on Tumblr. /hands Swiss Bleepolate and Gummyblee Video Cameras/
~DF -
Heya Dawn! by
on 2016-04-22 08:35:00 UTC
Link to this
It's great to see you here as well, I do notice you in passing on Tumblr too (and can't remember if I ever sent you PMs about the hilarious 'imagine yourself' blogs which are... all walking recipes for Suedom...)
And yes, I guess someone doesn't know that the Black Arrow is supposed to be black as opposed to the colour of mithril. Or diamonds.
You're right, the cowrites are like, what, three years late? But it is kinda currently too hectic for me to even bother poking at the documents, and who knows if the Circle fics still exist (the Sue Lord one got taken down halfway through which is...Problematical). Still, whenever you're ready, drop me a line and we can try to catch up. :)
Prague is simultaneously the most beautiful and the most cheap, which are an excellent combination. 10/10 would recommend, even if my Czech is only good enough to order food. -
Welcome back! (nm) by
on 2016-04-21 07:04:00 UTC
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Aaaaand . . . by
on 2016-04-21 07:05:00 UTC
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What are you studying while studying abroad in Europe?
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Filmmaking, actually! by
on 2016-04-21 11:15:00 UTC
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I'm in Prague right now as an international student at FAMU, which is one of the oldest film schools in Europe, cradle of the Czech New Wave, yadda yadda. We just wrapped production on a short film about vampires and we're going into postproduction very soon (as in, after my trip to London). I'll drop a link on here whenever it gets up onto Vimeo or something for you guys, if you're interested.
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You better drop us links! by
on 2016-04-21 12:29:00 UTC
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We are your first and biggest fans, and we want to see everything you do!
—doctorlit is like, super-proud and stuff -
Thou shalt not glomp, thou shalt not glomp... by
on 2016-04-21 06:18:00 UTC
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I kid, I kid.
Seriously though, it's great to see you around, even if it is just a drive-by.
I think I'll steer clear of the fic you brought with you for now, but take this Great Eagle figurine. Perhaps it will bring you better fortune when you seek Hobbit fanfiction. -
Welcome back onBoard by
on 2016-04-21 06:02:00 UTC
Link to this
Of course, I've been lurking on/following your exploits in Europe, so for me you haven't really been away, but it's still great to see you pop in at the old mansion.
I clicked the link and didn't get further than the title, before going what-the-huh?-is-this?! I'm going to need to take this slow and with lots of tea.
Also, "rent-an-angry-mob.com" is the best description of Tumblr ever and I'm stealing that and using it everywhere. ^^ -
It's funny seeing PPCers on Tumblr. by
on 2016-04-21 11:18:00 UTC
Link to this
I occasionally get people popping by my blog there to comment on the missions, and I've definitely seen your url on my dash once or twice.
(The other day, I thought I saw Araeph lurking around in the A:TLA tags and I was like... no waaaaay.)
I in turn stole that from one of those posts about people who got their posts taken out of context and then were suddenly and unexpectedly inundated with hate anons and reblogs so, you know, really easy to raise a mob on that site.
And yes, that fic is... Interesting. Take all the tea you need. And maybe a bucket of Bleeprin, too. -
I know right?! by
on 2016-04-21 12:02:00 UTC
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I am actually very fond of Tumblr and I've learned a lot from hanging out there, but it can be pretty ... intense, so I usually only make short visits.
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Ten-shun! Oldbie on deck! by
on 2016-04-21 02:30:00 UTC
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Welcome back, Lily Winterwood. A pleasure to have you back! We've kept the Board tidy and clean, just as you left it*.
*I lied. We tried. Really. But the ypurs got loose and, well, it was a wild ride. -
Greetings, Lily, scion of Winterwood. by
on 2016-04-21 02:09:00 UTC
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Hello.
I've read some of your stuff, and I enjoyed it. Apparently you're famous, too, or something like that, so good job there.
But you're not here for that, are you?
I must give a gift. A gift suited for one such as you.
I bestow upon you: the moon.
All of it.
Yes, even that part.
Now all you need to do is go up there and get it!
Congratulations! -
*mumbles* Do not fangirl, do not fangirl... by
on 2016-04-21 02:03:00 UTC
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Well. I failed at that. At least you can't hear my mental squeals over the Internet.
Whoo. Okay. Breathe.
Before I lose it, I'd like to say that I love your agents and your work in the Sherlock continuum. They're hilarious. Lots of giggling ensued, especially in the Tabitha Watson story. That one still makes me burst into sudden fits of laughter at random times of the day, which tends to prompt strange looks from my peers.
I think I'm nearing the end of my ability to stay coherent. Anyway, it's fabulous to meet you, Miss Winterwood! Have a chocolate.
-Vee -
Fangirls? Really? by
on 2016-04-21 11:21:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm always a little mildly surprised when I hear that people actually read those missions, oh man. Thank you. I'm so glad Ellie and Chrissy are so entertaining for you. And Tabitha Watson was... an Interesting fic so, you know. As Miss Cam always says, easy reading is damn hard writing, and it goes doubly so for missions. :'D
Thanks for the chocolate! -
Hello, Ms. Winterwood! by
on 2016-04-21 01:43:00 UTC
Link to this
Welcome back! Have an urple ocarina, and some wilver earmuffs to block out the noise! I think you checked back in right when I first joined, about a year ago, but I doubt you remember me.
-Alleb -
Yeah, I tend to pop in once or twice... by
on 2016-04-21 11:13:00 UTC
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Every other year or so, sometimes during a blue moon... but hello!
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Welcome back! by
on 2016-04-21 01:13:00 UTC
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This is my first time greeting a returnbie, so I don't really know what to say.
.
.
.
Anyhow, I guess I'll claim that fic you've graciously offered us. Someone really does need to take care of any use that tries to throw dirt on Thorin Oakenshield's name. I assume that this will be the first fic I spork when I get permission, then.
Otherwise, here is a picture of a stick figure representing Samuel De Champlain. (I ran out of things to give a while back.) -
Welcome back to the Board! by
on 2016-04-21 00:37:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm working on my fifth mission and have what I'm praying is an extremely convincing trollfic lined up for my sixth. Real life-wise, I'm on yet another round of revisions to my history honors thesis in addition to my other homework. Hopefully I can get everything done before Monday, since my defense is next week...meep.
And you probably noticed the major drama llama (thank you, IAHF) going on below with regard to Iximaz leaving. All I'm going to say about it is that I'm sorry she's leaving, and it would've been much easier to handle without a troll showing up. -
Dai Stiho! :D by
on 2016-04-20 22:43:00 UTC
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Boy, am I glad to see you on the Board! Hope you're having a good time over there in Europe as well. :)
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Hello person I have on facebook! by
on 2016-04-20 22:41:00 UTC
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I might have to look into that fic, it's been a while. Do you plan to stick around or is this just a drive by, out of curiosity?
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Yes, please do! by
on 2016-04-21 00:40:00 UTC
Link to this
I think this is more of a drive-by, I only really popped in because the fic was genuinely awful and I wanted to vent about its terribleness in a forum that isn't Rent-an-Angry-Mob dot com (Tumblr), and also to let people here know that I'll be in London this weekend.
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London? This weekend? by
on 2016-04-21 20:22:00 UTC
Link to this
Okay, so... want to meet up? ^_^ I don't think we've done planning a Gathering in two days before now, but there's always a first time.
Kaitlyn and I are free all Sunday, and big chunks of Saturday (might be missing Kaitlyn for bits of it, though). So... yes/no/maybe? (There's... not a lot of time for maybe.)
Storme Hawk, Scapegrace, and (if he's still around) the Irish Samurai might also be interested, but obviously if you're not there's no point email spamming people.
hS -
Alas, London's out of the question for me. by
on 2016-04-22 09:20:00 UTC
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A combination of flat-broke and working weekends. Sorry to disappoint... if indeed it is a disappointment. =]
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No can do I'm afraid by
on 2016-04-21 22:56:00 UTC
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I've agreed to head back to see my family this weekend and I'm helping out at Church on Sunday.
Storme Hawk -
The spontaneity of this Gathering is what makes it fun! by
on 2016-04-21 20:30:00 UTC
Link to this
My flight gets in so late on Friday that it'd be practically Saturday, and I'll be staying at an Airbnb near Greenwich, but all I really have planned are an event at the British Library Saturday evening at 7pm, and to go check out the Complete Walk on Sunday. Other things I would love to see are pretty much the usual tourist sites, and maybe try to get the Sunday evening show of Hamlet at the Globe. But I'm definitely down to meet up with you guys, especially if you know good cheap eats in London ;)
You can definitely email me for my phone number if you want to meet up! That goes for anyone else in London too C: -
Well, now. by
on 2016-04-21 21:24:00 UTC
Link to this
What do you think of as the usual tourist sites? Since you're in Greenwich, I assume you'll be visiting the Meridian (and presumably also the Prime Meridian Bin); we've not actually done that, so that would be cool.
Other than that... what're you interested in seeing? You can look at the outside of the big tourist sites for free, but going inside can be cripplingly expensive. The museums are free, though! (Natural History, Science, and British, at least, and I think we've taken Gatherings through all of 'em.)
So for the third time... what do you want to go look at? We've got loads of stuff.
hS
PS: Though if you say you want to climb the memorial to the Great Fire of London, I think Kaitlyn might scream at you. ^_^ ~hS -
That would be amazing. by
on 2016-04-21 21:35:00 UTC
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I think even if I don't get into the shows, I'd definitely like to see the outside of the Globe and Buckingham Palace, get a view of the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben -- but that's all exteriors. I'd love to go through the British Museum, though!
I think portions of what I want to see are covered in The Complete Walk, which I'll be doing Sunday, so there's definitely overlap between things. -
... whooooa. by
on 2016-04-21 22:00:00 UTC
Link to this
The Complete Walk looks supremely awesome. Can-
Okay, I was about to say 'Can we join you on that?', but I've just realised that 37 10-minute films comes to 6 hours of footage. Are you planning to watch everything, or just browse?
Anyway, the walk will take you past the Globe, and ends at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. It also starts right opposite Westminster Palace andBig BenWestminster TowerElizabeth Tower (is apparently its name now), and if you start out in Trafalgar Square, you can walk from there to Buck House to Westminster in... half an hour or so.
(I have just noticed that, for the Queen's birthday, the Street View icon around Buckingham Palace is Her Maj. It's adorable.)
So yeah, you can actually do all the exteriors as part of the Complete Walk. The British Museum would be a separate thing, though. Unless one wanted to do a morning visit to the museum, then hop on the tube to get to Trafalgar Square...
No, I'd probably suggest you dedicate one day to the Museum (-s, if you feel like hitting Natural History or Science - or Victoria and Albert, I think they're free too, covering Art), and the other to... well, walking.
I think I'm rambling. Deduce from the above what I mean, and reply to it; it's the only way you're getting any sense out of me.
hS -
Well, that's splendid. by
on 2016-04-21 22:08:00 UTC
Link to this
I could see sort of an itinerary forming: I'd get in early, try my best to check in/drop off my luggage at the airbnb, and spend Saturday morning at the British Museum (is the War Museum also free? I heard that one was interesting) and go to the British Library event at night, and then Sunday I'd do the Complete Walk (most likely sitting through just the ones for my favourite plays) alongside getting the exteriors. You and Kaitlyn and all others are free to join me, of course! I'll also be doing some portions of this itinerary with some fellow Shakespeare nerds from Tumblr (namely the British Library event and the Complete Walk) so that'll definitely be interesting.
Oh! I forgot! I also gotta check out Baker Street and the Sherlock Holmes Museum! I can't write like, a dozen missions for BBC Sherlock and not do that, pssh. And also do you know if there's anything Tolkien-y in London? I know the majority of that is out in Oxford but still, worth a shot. -
Worl... by
on 2016-04-22 08:20:00 UTC
Link to this
... there's a direct train line between Baker Street and Charing Cross (the best station for Trafalgar Square). So you could slot it in before the Exterior Walk; or it's not too far from the British Museum. And yes, the Imperial War Museum is apparently free entry (which I didn't know!).
I think we'd have the easiest time coming across Sunday morning, joining you for part of the Exterior/Complete Walk, then running off halfway down. We're happy to visit Baker Street as well, depending on times (and if you want to throw it in as an afterthought there, rather than devoting part of Saturday to it). Do you have a time arranged with the Shakespeare nerds?
Random dissociated notes:
-We'll almost certainly be around over lunchtime, so we can try to research up somewhere to eat.
-We may or may not be dragging small children along with us, depending on what my parents say.
-I know of no Tolkien connection to London, sadly. :(
-This is exciting!
hS -
Success! by
on 2016-04-22 08:29:00 UTC
Link to this
I think I'll just museum through Saturday then, with Baker Street/British/War, and then we can totally meet for the Walk on Sunday. I only heard from the Shakespeare nerds that they wanted to do it Sunday morning but I'm not precise on the times, so yeah.
Lunch sounds like a great plan as well! And it'll be such fun to finally meet you guys for this mini Gathering after spending so many years wishing I could be at a Gathering, haha. -
Excellent. by
on 2016-04-22 09:21:00 UTC
Link to this
If you can get a time from Teh Nurds, then we can arrange to meet about an hour previously in Trafalgar Square (which is accessed from either Charing Cross or Embankment stations; Embankment is on the Circle Line, so it's a lot easier to get to, but a slightly longer walk); I suggest the base of Nelson's Column, on the principle that it's very hard to miss.
Though if they say 'we rise before the break of day! Forth to the South Bank ere six o'clock has passed!', we may have to rethink that.
hS
(PS: I'm assuming you'll/they'll be walking from Westminster to Tower Bridge, rather than doing it backwards; if you/they plan to do the latter, I'll have to recalculate.) -
I got times! by
on 2016-04-22 10:12:00 UTC
Link to this
Teh Nurds are meeting up at the first screen just south of Westminster Bridge at 10AM when they first turn on and will be doing it forwards, yes. We can meet at Nelson's Column sometime before then. 9AM should work for me provided I don't do too much drunk!Shakespeare the night before.
So if that's fine with you two I'll see you then! -
Looks like we'll be there a tiny bit after nine. by
on 2016-04-23 18:59:00 UTC
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Precisely when depends on the trains, really; it can be a bit of a wait at Tower Hill.
Looking forward to it!
hS -
Sounds good to us. by
on 2016-04-22 11:21:00 UTC
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I'll wear my SO t-shirt so as to be recognisably embarassing.
hS -
Hi, Lily! {= D by
on 2016-04-20 22:27:00 UTC
Link to this
I'm glad to see you're still around these here parts. I've wanted to tell you, I made some supplemental decks to go with your Headquarters Against Humanity. I'd love to get a game going sometime, since I missed out the first time around. If you're available, so much the better, since it was your idea to start with. {= )
Also, that fic. I'm afraid to read it too far, but the first chapter alone is pretty funny. Her name is Emerald, sheesh. I guess Hobbit ancestry explains it, but it's still pretty darn silly on a Dwarf. Even a half-Dwarf. And what a munchkin she is, too. "As she was half hobbit she was able to walk unseen and sneaked into the King's study." Riiight. At which point she is not caught and filled with pointy objects because...?
I've got too much on my plate to take this, but someone ought to have an interesting time with it.
~Neshomeh -
Ooh, shiny! by
on 2016-04-21 00:38:00 UTC
Link to this
I can't see the cards themselves since I think you have the deck unlisted but I'd be down for a round or two! Let me know when you've got a game up.
She's not full of pointy objects because Big Folk are incapable of looking down. ;'D -
Oh, phooey, I forgot. by
on 2016-04-21 02:21:00 UTC
Link to this
I think they should be visible if I link them individually, like so:
The Original Series (TOS-themed)
The Flowers (most of the Flowers, anyway)
FicPsych (FicPsych-themed)
Neshomeh's Archive (Neshomeh-and-Phobos–themed)
Neshomeh's PPC All-Stars (theme: assorted stuff I just like)
All of these are open for suggestions, by the way, everyone. I always meant to open them up to the Board, but I forgot 'til now.
~Neshomeh -
Ooooh, shiny! by
on 2016-04-21 11:12:00 UTC
Link to this
I am very interested in taking them out for a test game or two, yes definitely. :'D
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Those are beautiful by
on 2016-04-21 03:38:00 UTC
Link to this
Also, hello Lily Winterwood! Nice to meet you! I'm a nondescript newbie who is definitely not dang irking even slightly.
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AIEEEE! YOU'VE RETURNED! by
on 2016-04-20 22:22:00 UTC
Link to this
I've read a few of your missions with Eledhwen and Christianne, and gods, they're flockin' gorgeous! Even though we've never spoken to each other before, I bid you a warm welcome back to the PPC Board! *tosses Spikes*
Please ignore the entire fiasco going on near the bottom of the front page, by the way. I don't think stuff like that's a common occurrence around here, and I'm very disappointed with everything that transpired, but I'm in no place to do anything about it AFAIK, so... yeah. Moving on.
And from what I can tell from the summary, this fic is apparently just the first part of what seems to be a SERIES. UGH. WHY. I'm tempted to send a certain horse and demon duo into this mess myself, but alas, I've got lots of other plans for all of my agents, and my canon knowledge of the world of Middle Earth is a bit rusty anyway. Maybe Neshomeh can handle it, though? Maybe you can take it up with those of us who know The Hobbit and related works better than I do, who knows? -
Yeah the sequel literally just went up. by
on 2016-04-21 00:51:00 UTC
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...and the trainwreck gets worse and worse and I think Bilbo is getting dragged into this mess at last. The Sue literally keeps Frerin alive so that he can be her rebound from her terrible marriage with Thorin. Why. #letthorinlive
I did briefly glance at the...very long... thread. Wank is not really my cup of tea so unless this calls for a revision of the Constitution I'll pay it no mind -whistles- -
Hello returnbie! by
on 2016-04-20 22:17:00 UTC
Link to this
Have blackhole coffee, chocolates and a self-updating guidebook from all the deathtraps in the multiverse.
Hope you'll stick around. Thngs are... a little bit rough at the moment, but this madhouse is still great! and thanks for the gifts. -
Apparently I'm looking at a livin' legend... by
on 2016-04-20 22:15:00 UTC
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Well then... may I offer this slice of Infinite Pizza?
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I was just rewatching that episode! by
on 2016-04-21 00:41:00 UTC
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I love Gravity Falls so much. -noms-
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Whoa, blast from the past! by
on 2016-04-20 22:13:00 UTC
Link to this
Hello Lily!
Haven't seen you for a long while! Here, have a pair of Shiba-inu!
Also, never had the chance, so: I really, really like your missions. They're so much fun to read.
-Des