Katana

[size=1][color=royalblue][b]Foray:[/b] (for?ay) [i]noun[/i] 1. A sudden raid or military advance. 2. A venture or an initial attempt, especially outside one's usual area: an actor's foray into politics. This Thread Pertains To: Number 2 * * * Alright, I've already lost this thread once. I?m not exactly feeling creative right now. X3 In the beginning of December, I developed a need to learn the mystical art of how to CG in Photoshop. We?ve all seen those fanarts ? the ones that completely blow you away. And I wanted to get in on it too. I?ve got quite a long ways to go, but I?m making my way down the path. Armed with my craptacular* drawings, a can of soda, and a bright new day for Photoshopping, Kat began her adventure. So now, she decided to give you the ones she actually likes instead of having you suffer the immeasurable pain of the beginnings. - -;; [center][url=http://www.randomthunk.net/ps/CGVI.jpg][img] http://www.randomthunk.net/ps/CGVI_tn.jpg[/img][/url] Originally Drawn By: [url=http://aiyanna.deviantart.com/]Aiyanna[/url][/center] I didn?t draw this, as it can be plainly seen. If you have a bone to pick, then it goes off to Aiyanna, not me. There isn?t really too much I despise about this piece, nor is there anything I really, really like. I will say that the outline is a tad too chunky and the tree isn?t exactly ?lifelike?, but it serves the purpose. Also, the background is not pixely. That?s a brush to try and crate some variant in the night sky. -.-;; Apparently, people in my normal (aka, school) life find this quite amazing, particuarlly my world history teacher. He just came around while I was drawing, picked off the printed picture from my desk, turned to the class and said, ?Hey, isn?t this really good?? :3 [center][URL=http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zephyroscgxiv3nw.jpg][IMG]http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9981/zephyroscgxiv3nw.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/center] I actually drew this one, quite happy to say. I?m really in love with this piece?err, I just made it like four days ago, that might be why. ^^;; It was a really simple calligraphic line drawing that got scanned in. Through the magic wand tool and the color overlay function, I managed to get the entire thing like a nice, smooth outline. Though, I really do want one of those graphical tablets? This was also when I was rethinking my approach to eyes. By fiddling with two layers, a gaussian blur, and a linear dodge function, I found the winning combination for highlights. The hair, however, still has some ways to go. XP He?s a pirate! [center][url=http://www.randomthunk.net/ps/CGVIII.jpg][img] http://www.randomthunk.net/ps/CGVIII_tn.jpg[/img][/url] Original Drawing: [url=http://www.paradox-lost.com]Dave Lister[/url][/center] I claim absolutely ? in every way, shape, and form ? no ownership to the original drawing. It was made by Dave Lister, creator of a little-known webcomic called Paradox Lost. To tell you the truth, I was extremely bored one afternoon. After browsing around the PL archives, I decided to take this pic and run with it, seeing how far I could CG until I got bored again. :3 It turned out that I really liked it. And what was the reason for picking it? With the exception of eye and hair color, the girl [i]looks exactly like me[/i]. The comic of ?Persimmon? hasn?t been mentioned since this was posted up about two years ago, but it?s still fun to look at the art. If there was one thing to really change about this, it would be the layer of ?skin details? ? the lines for the fingers, chin, and such. Otherwise, I?m very pleased with how this turned out. (And Aiyanna was flabbergasted when she sorta stumbled upon it from my website.) That?s it for now. All of my CGs turn out completely different from the previous because I keep doing new and/or different things every time. Until next time? PS: And yes, randomthunk.net is my domain. You know you want it. * When I say ?craptacular? I mean in the fact that, in the world of internet and fanart, my drawings are just sorta in the middle of the road. There are way more better than me?though I?m not the worst. X3[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]... I need to print that out...again...and post it up in the band room before anybody realizes...I have st34lth like ninj4. X3 And...[/color][/size] [quote name='Dragon Warrior']Go ahead and make a SIS banner. It'd be an honor and make us feel appreciated.[/quote] [size=1][color=royalblue] Horrah! I stole the Akbar font! :3[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1]Wow, those are so...cute? Maybe "cute" is in the wrong context, but it's pretty much in my area of describance. The animations seems quite helpful to me...you know, I'm the idiot that makes the stroke in the wrong direction and things don't flow as well. :3 I'm not too sure how much I like the numbers. I would watch these things and be screaming "NEXT STROKE!" but the number would add that extra millisecond of wait. - -;; That sounded incredibly lame... They are quite neat, though I echo Dagger up 'thar. I'm not too fond of the "zoom in flash" thingie. Fading seems to be the best option, at least at the end.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Dude, I need to print that out... Seeing as how you've taken a lot of the physical abuse in SIS (ah ha, ha, haha...), it's pretty amusing to see that your buddy Sean is actually getting some. Was he feeling gracious or did you want revenge? X3 Another thing I must admit...I printed off twelve of my favorite SIS comics and brought them to school for my friends. They particuarlly liked "This Just Got Awkward" and "What's That Have To Do With It?" One could see us walking around the halls all day screaming out, "My inner torso just exploded!" "Good thing we saved money on car insurence by switching to Geico!" And "The Chosen One". They had a joke of that on "I Love the 90's". ("Why don't you just take the red one and the blue one? Get the best of both worlds.") Apparently not for you. X3 (You stole my idea. I was gonna make a Slackers In Slacks banner. Geez man.)[/color][/size]

[quote name='Doukeshi][SIZE=1']Heh, certaintley know how to make it difficult don't you katana ^_~[/SIZE][/quote] [size=1][color=royalblue]Aw, I'm so sorry, Doukenshi. - -;; If you want me to fix something, than I can do that... See, this is what I mean by screwing things up. X3 Cookies and milk still avaliable.[/color][/size]

[quote name='Ezekiel][SIZE=1']Oh, Retri, now that I've completed my piece does that mean I can sgn up again?[/SIZE][/quote] [quote name='Retribution][SIZE=1']Great question, Doukeshi. There's no rotating this list -- you go straight down, and if we hit the bottom, then we have to stop until someone else steps up.[/quote][/SIZE] [color=royalblue][size=1]*shot* And I've done my piece. Actuallly, I created it after seeing Athena's piece and deciding that people were being too dark and angsty. XD *shot again* No not just that piece, but the whole Worm entirely. It's been rather dreary. So I was glad to see Shi no Tenshi's bright piece...with GREEN! I have no idea what the hell I was doing...though I loved the pic of Saladin (War of Genesis). And indeed, that is my own hand...lots of jewelry...I scoured my box for some neat pieces. Fresh baked cookies for anybody who can figure out what's written on the hand. A glass of milk for whoever figures out what song it's from. XD And without further ado, [url=http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/8484/otakuboardsgraphicworm64nj.jpg]clickith[/url]. Here's hoping I haven't screwed up anything.[/size][/color]

[quote name='Ezekiel][SIZE=1']You know...KKC did it, so I figure, why the hell not?[/SIZE][/quote] [size=1][color=royalblue]...*points to self* - -;; I had two versions of this: the one that you see and one that had a really interesting grungy edge. Like...it wasn't using a sroke, but instead it went into the message background and looked cool. Then Photoshop decided to freeze, so I lost that part. :3 [img]http://otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25169&stc=1[/img] And I managed to utilize...BOTH PICTURES! If you stare realllly hard (until you start to bleed or something), then you'll see that the first pic is the backgroud-thing. Ugh. I'm tired. [img]http://otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25170&stc=1[/img] Ah. Cropping. Where would I be without you? I wouldn't be surprised if you want some fonts changed, but other than that...yeah. If you want anything else changed, feel free to say so...*head drops on keyboard*[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]There's now an Underground thread for Keepers...it's in the Arena Underground. X3 And yeah. ------------------------- The flames were licking their way around the forest. As Cade slashed and hacked at the Shai'r, a thought corssed her mind. And after three seconds, she decided to voice that thought. "DAMN YOU TARREN AND CHUCKING FIRE INTO THE WOODS!" Her cry went unnoticed...or unreplied, depending on whether Tarren was willing to risk his pride or not. It was probably option B. He rubbed off on Cade as a man of virtue and righteousness...in other words, a person that made her sick to her stomach in perfection. She groaned as three more Shai'r stumbled their way towards her. "Three - two - one -!" Cade reached into her pocket in a flash, drawing out the tri-blade. With that in her left hand and the sword in her right, she proceeded to slash away at varying ranges before chucking the knife into a male-looking Shai'r. The fire was spreading, encasing the Keepers and the Shai'r in a ring of their campsite and dense forest. The creatures were coming from outside of the fire. Those that moved slowly ended up burning until disappearing in a haze of black. After a while, the Shai'r numbers were diminishing until a number of around fifteen or so were left. "Go for it!" Reeve hollared as the Keepers, surging with determination, leapt in for the kill. In recklessness, some were injured, but they kept on going. The night was almost over. Cade, blood spurting from her left arm, slashed another Shai'r acorss the throat, causing the beast to split and implode into dust. Whirling around, she recalled bumping into Kain, fighting back-to-back with Marrick, getting hit in the shoulder by Alena, and almost killing Tarren by mis-interpreting him as a Shai'r. All in all, the fight was panning out into part amusement for the youngest Keeper. With a final whirl of his scythe, Zihark took down the final creature. After a moment's pause, he reached into a pocket on his vest, drawing out the book he had been reading earlier. "That was fun," he uttered, barely audible above the crackling flames. "You suck," Cade groaned, looking around at the fire. The ring, she noticed, wasn't exactly that binding afterall...the path of fire started to straighten out. With intrigue, Cade followed this path until coming upon a riverbank. "A river..." she murmured, dipping her blade into the water. The area around the sword started to bleed in dark red and black, drifting downstream. It was the blood and haze of the Shai'r being cleansed away. She sighed. Finally, after a solid hour of battle, the fight was over. The moving water brought a sense of peace to her while the flames crackled in the background. The voices of her fellow Keepers whispered into her ears as they pondered how to put out the fire. The phrase of "Stupid Tarren" and "Dammit Tarren, why did you have to go and chuck firewood into the forest?" was repeated a few times, causing Cade to smile. Cade dunked the sword in further, her hand engulfed in the water as the Shai'r blood was cleansed off. She inhaled deeply, her face close to the water in an attempt to breath in cleaner air as opposed to smoke. A fleshy arm, exposed in places to the bone, suddenly shot up from the water, latching onto Cade's wrist. With a single strong tug, it had pulled her into the water "SHIT - !"[/color][/size]

[center][size=3][font=Book Antiqua][b]Keepers of the Seventeen Seals: Underground[/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][color=royalblue]Alrighty folks, I believe it is time that Keepers gets an underground thread. Now that everybody has met up, things are definitely going to start happening. In order to avoid as much confusion as possible, this thread has been set up for possible ideas on a variety of topics. However, if you are planning something with just one or two other people, please PM them instead. Uh?um?[/color][/size] [center][size=2][font=Book Antiqua][b]The Keeper?s Report [/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][color=royalblue]This is basically a member status area. [+] If after two pages you haven?t posted, you will be temporarily known as ?inactive?. [+] However, if the posts don?t come in that fast, and you haven?t posted after a page, you will also be known as ?inactive?. [+] Any problems that have occurred in real life that prevent you from posting are asked to be PMed to Aiyanna or myself. [b][+] Takamor?e (Tarren Archxian) [+] Aiyanna (Ciara Ayame'Liluye) [+] Illusion (Reeve Barringer) [X] Raya (Alena Eredluin)[/b] - Inactive [b][+] Ecstasy (Merrick Reid) [+] Sin (Kain Crushak) [+] Katana (Cadeillina Nitara) [X] Ikillion (Zihark Zunova)[/b] ? Computer trouble[/color][/size] [center][size=2][font=Book Antiqua][b]Seals[/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][color=royalblue]Currently, no Seals have been discovered. [/color][/size] [center][size=2][font=Book Antiqua][b]Current Events[/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][color=royalblue]As of right now?the group?s being attacked by its first group of Shai?r. It?s been suggested that the Seal of Mercury (Cade?s), the Seal of Current (Marrick), or both be discovered in order to put out the fire. ?Yeap. It?s all up to how things pan out. [/color][/size] [center][size=2][font=Book Antiqua][b]Future Events[/b][/font][/size][/center] [size=1][color=royalblue]Nothing planned yet. [center] - - - - - - - - - - -[/center] Alrighty, that?s it for the moment. Post any ideas or questions here. It?s open ended here, do whatever you like.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Wow, you seem to be a popular banneree. XD I saw this, liked the images, and rushed off to experiment with some new brushes and some turtorials. ^^;; As a disclaimer, you're probably either gonna like the set or absolutely hate it. I dunno why, it just sorta ended up that way. And I swear, I had a better vision in my head, but sometimes, it doesn't really transfer to Photoshop..at all. X3 [img]http://otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25153&stc=1[/img] Banner. I wanted the background to be darker...but...the effects didn't look right. Anything can be easily changed. [img]http://otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25154&stc=1[/img] Avatar. [i]Which I actually like. [b]Which I actually put thought in to.[/b][/i] Creepy. XD So uh...yeap. I had to create this twice, because right before I was saving it, the computer just randomly reset on me. And I dropped the S-bomb. - -;;[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]OMG!!!111!! It's Pumpkin! I remember doing that Memoirs of a Geisha set for ye! - -;; I must thankith thee, first off, for requesting a [i]fun[/i] banner. I swear, I think about half of the OtakuBoards people need some Zoloft or something. Filled with such angst. Hehe. I love that word. ANGST! [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25134&stc=1[/img] There's the banner. I personally find the quote very true. Turn the most angsty, evil character into a chibi and the fangirls go insane. Hence the chibi Itachi. Very angsty guy. Very kawaii in chibi form. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25133&stc=1[/img] Enter the avatar. And holy crap, I actually didn't scrap this together in three seconds! X3 If you would like anything changed, just say so. @.@ The cuteness...[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Her war cries were nothing more than a series of deep (for a female) yells, echoing around the forest but stopping right at the bustle and noise of the town. She could see the look in Marrick's eyes. A look of certainty, and yet, with an undertone of sympathy. It was revolting. He was doubting her. Cade swung her sword down, being immediately parryed by Marrick's gauntlet. She grinned. He smirked. "You think I'm doubting you?" The two rushed back, skidding against the ground. Cade winced slightly as dirt dug into her fingernails. Dirt was annoying to pick out, and always seemed to mutate into more. She quickly stood up and ran forward while Marrick stood stationary. His torso was only protected by his unarmed right arm. Cade was almost at a perfect attack position. But right at the last moment, she ducked to the right. Marrick flung out his right arm, landing a punch to her shoulder. Cade winced, her sword flying down out of reaction rather than her own force. Marrick's eyes shot open wide, and had just enough time to redirect her sword with his claws. The sword, however, nipped [i]his[/i] shoulder. "Neither of us is winning," Cade said, rolling her shoulders. She was already imagining the bruise that was to come. "Now now, don't give up yet," Marrick replied, brushing a hand over his slightly wounded shoulder. "I asked to spar with you because you looked pissed." "I was. I thankith thee for that. Now c'mon, how about [i]you[/i] attack [i]me[/i] for once, neh?" Marrick quickly took the invitation, rushing forward with speed Cade wasn't quite expecting. Her body tensed for an instant before she rasied the sword, shifting it into an easily moveable position. The gauntlet struck. The sword held. But what Cade noticed, however, was if she were to twist her sword around, and have the gold wrapping shove off his wrist.. She quickly twisted her blade. The gold smacked right where she had planned it to. And, as a final manevour, Cade pushed in a surge of strength, shoving Marrick off. The two looked at each other, eyebrows tight, eyes in clear focus. They were panting in unison. If one listened closely, they could've heard their hearts beating in unison as well. "I'm...not..." Cade stopped, blinked, and stood up straight before sheathing her sword. Marrick raised an eyebrow (like in a "what the hell?" fashion not a "surprised expression?" way) as she went to the tree her tri-blade knife had embedded itself into. With a jerk, she managed to free the blades, running her fingers over each grove before flipping it back into a circle and into her jacket. "You're not what?" "I'm not...I'm not...I'm hungry." "You know what, so am I." Marrick slipped the gauntlet off his wrist and tied it back around his waist. "You're a good opponent, Cade, if a little weird." "Same goes for you, dearest Marrick." "Even the weird part?" "Even the weird part." The two stood there, looking straight into each other, expresionless. Finally, the expressions cracked, revealing grins. "Alrighty folks, I think it's agreed, we're hungry. So...we're off to raid - I mean buy - things from the vendors. Less go."[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]HAHAHA! Holy crap, I remember that! Me and my friends do that in school randomly - "CAMOFLAGUE! I am - a tree!" Good times. Anyways, I've created a banner for ye with images from the 4Koma Full Metal Alchemist book. X3 It has Ed and Al randomly dancing around, and it drove me insane while making it. Best term for it is "randomosity"...ah, how I love that word. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25123&stc=1[/img] I used a hue and saturation colorizer on the two, but if you want the black any white, then just say so. ...If you want any text, just say so. If you want anything changed...just...say so. Ugh. [b]Edit:[/b] Holy crap, it's you Aiyanna! (

[size=1][color=royalblue]With the self-help group looking awkwardly at each other, Cade decided it was time to do something...else. She (the girl with the baggy pants/clothes) escaped from the conjoining of Keepers and shifted off about fifteen feet away. After a moment of silence, Cade exhaulel, drew her sword, and turned back to face the group. Somebody was now muttering one thing or another. The help session was still going. In a split-second decision, Cade charged forward, her sword crossing her abdomen, and made noises like that of screams, yells, and challenges. Her target, Tarren, noticed the crazed baggy-panted girl charging at him, but didn't have any time to move. Right when Cade thrashed her sword to the front and almost struck Tarren's collarbone, she stopped. "Spar?" There came silence. The murmur ceased. Tarren stared at her, eyebrow cocked. "What...the...hell..." "Spar dammit, spar!" Cade waved her sword around. "C'mon! I'm bored, this is boring, we're not a self-help group!" Zihark had gone back to reading. He flicked a page lazily, muttering a reply of, "Nah, we're not stable enough to be a self-help group..." "Doesn't 'self-help' mean 'one helping themself'...?" Kain added, receving glances from Marrick, Reeve, and Alena. "...Whaaat?" Marrick grinned. "Of course. And in no way, shape, or form are [i]we[/i] a group meant for helping." "Helping mankind," Reeve replied. "Ah geez, don't be so lame," Kain answered. Reeve replied by sticking her tongue out. "Now now, children..." Alena said, removing a small flask from her belt. She popped off the cap, raised it to her lips, and, in a manor that didn't seem relavant to her, swigged it down. "Chain drinker," Kain murmured to Reeve, who snorted before slapping her hands to her mouth. "Dammit Tarren! I challenge you to a freakin' spar! What, do I have to glove slap you?" "Might assist," Ciara replied, swinging the glaive off her back. Cade looked at her, sword brandished. "What? What's with the glaive?" "I called Tarren in a spar." "When?" "Five minutes ago." Cade swung her sword down. Ciara quickly responded, bringing her glaive in a circle before counting the move. She pressed down, sending Cade off balance. "Damn you and your legnth extension! Guess it's what you want for being so short." Ciara grimaced, released her weapon, and flung backwards, knocking herself into Tarren and Merrick before pushing herself forward. And Cade moved out of the way, sending Ciara sprawling into the grass. "God dammit," she muttered, a slew of swears coming from under her breath. She stood up, rubbed her chin, and turned to Tarren, walking towards him. Peeling off one of her gloves, Ciara grasped it in her free hand and sorta slapped his neck. "I challenge you...to a duel!"[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]The very first reaction is pretty much "What the hell?" Especially that one. But otherwise, these are pretty amusing. I've just kinda been checking up on them every now and then to make me giggle. ^^;; And in the end, I love the comics involving Bart the Barbarian, since they're just so damn funny. But my favorites would have to be "Great Minds Think Stupidly", "Pool Party", "High Baffoon", and "What's That Have To Do With It?"...you gotta love it. I'm not if I would call it "randomosity at its best", but Slackers In Slacks [UPDATED DAILY] comes pretty close. XD By the way, just what is the font used on the comics? X3 I doubt you hand-draw the text, because that would be a pain after a while.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Cade raised an eyebrow. Not even fifteen minutes ago, she had been in the coffee shop. Thirteen minutes ago, she was on top of crates, yelling. Ten minutes ago, she was introducing herself to Tarren and Ciara. Five minutes ago, they had gone to the grass. Now, it seemed that hordes of people were suddenly coming to them, claiming to be Keepers. [i]"Though...it's not exactly like everybody knows who or what the Keepers are."[/i] She stood up, stretched, and shook her head. "Alrighty! We're all Keepers? Keepers of the Seventeen Seals?" Various ways of saying 'yes' met her ears. "That's good." She paused. "Um...now what?" Tarren groaned, but stood up to assist. "If we're all here, then I assume...first, we need to know each other's names." "That would be good," Ciara said from her spot, a smile on her face. "Well," said a young man, a bird on his shoulder, "I'm Marrick Reid." "My name is Reeve Barringer," said a fairly tall female, bowing her head slightly. "Zihark Zunova is what I'm called," replied another male, not even looking up from his book. "You can dub me as Kain Crushak," said another young man, a wide smile on his face. "Nice to meet you guys," Cade said, putting her arms behind her head, "I'm Cadeillina Nitara. Call me Cade." "Tarren Archxian," he said, his expression finally relaxed a bit. "And I go by Ciara Ayame'Liluye," Ciara said. Everyone besides Cade and Tarren looked at her, confusion on their faces. "You and your damn long name..." Cade muttered, her eyes drifting off to the hillside. She squinted her eyes, making out the shape of a human. Turning to Marrick, she said, "Hey, bird-guy...Uh...Merrick." He looked at her, eyebrow cocked. "Can you send your bird over towards the hill?" "Jade, you mean? Why?" "There's somebody there. Somebody...I think we want to know."[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]^^;; Here I am, again, with an avatar. [img]http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4040/trainzero5gq.jpg[/img] It's another one of my random experiments (like my current banner :3), but I think it turned out prety neat. Also, I tried to put your name on it, somehow, with various fonts, but...it just didn't look right, ya know? It's kinda like how the banner turned out, with the small amount of text, because things just didn't look that exact. But hey, it looks cool, right? XD If you want anything changed, just say so.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]I've heard of Black Cat...I know what it's like, the characters, and etc. Also heard it's being made into an anime now the the manga is over. Anyways, I just created a banner, to see if you liked it or not. I can create an avatar, no problem. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=25096&stc=1[/img] Like it? Hate it? Want something changed? X3 Just say so, and I'll fix it right up to what you want.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]The cup was drained, a residue of grounds left in the bottom. "Ugh. I hate when this happens." Cade sat up, setting coins on the table to pay for her drink. Buckling her sword back onto her waist, the young Keeper left the coffeehouse. A random server called out, "Thank you, come again!" A wave of salt-tinged air greeted Cade as she stepped into the open street once again. She closed her eyes, grinning at the satisfaction of being by the ocean once again. Her homecity had been located by a lake, which she visited often. But oceans were cooler. Oceans were large and endless, stretching out to the horizon and beyond. They emcompassed the majority of the earth, having power over everything. It was a power Cade wouldn't mind having. She walked on from her post in front of the coffehouse, fairly certain they were beginning to think she was a soliciter. The street was now growing into the more culture part of Makeda, it seemed, for there were musicians, dancers, and the random entertainers attempting to earn some cash. But still, the vendors went on, because in a city with docks, there are ships, and ships means goods. It's obvious, neh? Cade groaned, gazing out onto the sea. "This sucks," she said outloud. "I can't find anybody." There was a moment of silence before sheer brilliance and/or insanity took over. Turning to the street, she clambered her way onto a stack of crates reaching about eight feet in the air. Cupping her hands around her mouth, Cade yelled, "ARE THERE ANY KEEPERS HERE?!" A ripple of silence, lasting only an instant, flashed through the crowds. But there had indeed been a response. Two young adults - one a tall and burly male and the other a petite yet roughened female - turned their heads at the calling of Cade. Her eyes snapped across the crowd before settling on the two of them. A grin spread across her face. "Praise the gods!" Cade shouted, leaping off the crates and landing in a run. It hurt, seeing as how humans don't have shock-resistors, but the enthusiasm and rush she felt surged over the pain. At last, two Keepers. She hoped. "Err...you okay?" the female asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Cade nodded furiously. "My name is Cadeillina Nitara," she said, bowing her head. "Please call me Cade." "Uh...likewise, I guess. I'm Ciara Ayame'Liluye, but you may call me Ciarra." "And I'm Tarren Archxian." Nothing more, nothing less. Cade smiled widely. "It's a relief to finally meet you. I am determining that you two are Keepers, correct?" Their reaction of silence and a smile from Ciarra confirmed the answer of the question.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=darkslategray][i]The pages were thin, crinkling at every turn. It resembled the traditional Bibles, and, in a way, it was like that. A relic from the past, one that seemed ancient and yet new. But the pages never tore, and even throughout the years, they had retained their strength. Perhaps this book held a good story afterall.[/i] Prologue.VI [i] ?The Keepers passed on from this world and transitioned to the next. But their purpose was to not go unnoticed. The First Gods realized the danger the world was in once the Keepers had left. Their destinies were handed to a new generation of mortals to keep the world in peace. ?The beginning of an era?and the continuation of a legend. So we begin?the tale of The Keepers of the Seventeen Seals.?[/i][/color][/size] [center][size=3][FONT=Book Antiqua]Chapter.I[/FONT][/size][/center] [size=1][color=darkslategray]The stage was set. Eight Keepers were chosen, born and raised, not knowing their purpose until they were set to accept the reality of the world. Through good and sin, pride and humility, failure and success, they pursue. Each has tasted the tools of the Soulless, and each must make a decision. Will the last Seal be brought back together and rid the world of the Shai?r? Or will the Keepers be overtaken by the dark, a precursor to the end of the earth? [center] * * *[/center][/color][/size] [size=1][color=royalblue]Finding a woman wandering the streets of the port town Makeda wasn?t unlikely. But finding one wearing breeches was. Cadeillina Nitara glanced around uneasily at the merchants. Their eyes were going from her hair to her clothes before shooting to her sword sheath. The simple black leather was loosely wrapped in a gold-tone metal ? either a symbol of wealth or a sign of a thief. But from the layers of shirts she wore, the obvious answer was: wealth. ?Hello there,? Cade said, turning to a fruit vendor. ?I was wondering if you have any oranges. I?m fresh out and man, they taste good. Packed full of energy too.? ?Ahahaha, in fact, we [i]do[/i] have some oranges!? the bronze-skinned merchant replied, his voice chipper. ?How much would you like? Eight? A dozen?? ?Actually, I was wondering?? Her eyes looked at the fruit the vendor held. ?Oh?I?m sorry sir, but I?m not too fond of those?they?re really bland tasting by the point they get that big.? Cade bowed her head. ?I apologize for the inconvenience.? And without further delay, she walked off towards another fruit cart, this one selling foreign fruits. With her food pack reprieved of its orange deficit, Cade decided to make a stop at a coffeehouse. The aroma of roasting beans drew her to the shop, leading her in like a lamb to the slaughter. Although not a particularly good analogy to the situation, its meaning held true. ?One cup of the dark roast, please!? Cade said happily, suddenly in a good mood. Any place that had a coffeehouse was awesome, in her opinion. But once she had sat down, placing her sword to lean against the wall, her mood turned serious. It had been over six months since she had left her comfortable lifestyle in order to fufill her duties as a Keeper. But so far, she had found no sign of a Seal, nor of any of the others. It was aggravating. Afterall, had she not fought so many men with her blade, injuring countless and killing one? Though it had been for her quest, the thought still haunted her. The fact that she had taken a life was nervewracking. The sudden placing of a cup of coffee at the table made Cade snap from her thoughts. She thanked for the drink, and, once the server had left, resumed her thinking state again. Cade?s gaze was set upon the steaming black liquid in front of her, casting an amber-colored reflection of the girls two different eyes. ?Find the other seven,? she muttered before picking up the cup. ----------------------------------------------------------- ?Writing this made me crave an orange? But besides that?well, this is the beginning. Aiyanna told me to start, since she?s currently off at some conference band thing. Ahem. Your character doesn?t have to be in the port town (Makeda), but if you want to get the characters together faster, then maybe you should. I dunno, nor do I mind what you do. Just remember that none of the characters have their Seals yet. So go forth, Keepers, and rid the world of the Shai?r! But don?t forget to have fun! ^_^[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Excellent, most excellent. I am quite satisfied with the amount of thought and quality put into these sign-ups. I hope that the RPG proceeds like this. Keepers of the Seventeen Seals should appear in the Arena tomorrow, either in the afternoon or evening. Raya, Ikillion, once your bios are finished, you may join in as well. Random Fact: "Keepers" is based off of a never-finished story by Aiyanna. The RPG was originally "Keepers of the Thirteen Seals", like the story, but we figured more characters would be needed (since there are six in the original). Hehe. ^_^ The journey begins soon![/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Ahh, finally, I post. Lemme just say that wow, I am really impressed by the posting quality we?ve got here. Thanks a lot guys! And if it wasn?t for me, there wouldn?t be this great story. Aiyanna belittles her writing too much. ^^ *killed* ---------- [b]Name:[/b] Cadeillina Nitara (AKA, Cade) [b]Age:[/b] 16 [b]Height:[/b] 5'4" [b]Weapon of Choice:[/b] [url=http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/176/kotssword1kq.jpg]This[/url] puppy right here. The gold-metal wrapped around it is more of a status symbol than anything else. [b]Secondary Weapon:[/b] [url=http://japanimation.com/j-store/shop.cgi?page=/goeast/swcyc.html&cart_id=402564.2076]Tri-blade [/url] knife. Everything explained in the link. ^^;; [b]Powers:[/b] [b]Seal of Mercury:[/b] Her first seal generates the element of water and, with practice, can be changed into various forms. The water created acts just like the real thing, except for the fact that it can flow out of the water. This Seal also slightly increases her speed and depth underwater. [b]The Rush Seal:[/b] For a brief moment, Cade can focus her excess energy to a particular spot on her body, whether it be her legs, her fists, or even her ears. These hone the area?s skills to the straining maximum, which enable her to do things like jump twenty feet in the air, break a man?s skull with one punch, and hear things from long distances away. But it lasts for mere seconds and, if used excessively, leads to troubles and even failures of her heart and lungs. [b]Background:[/b] Her family, although fairly affluent, aren?t quite as rich as the public believes. Cade?s father works in the King?s Court as a doctor, so she?s learned some basic things along the way. [b]Bio:[/b] Cade grew up in distance to her family. She had a yearning for adventure and danger, much like the stories of old she had heard as a child. Her great-grandfather had been a knight, but ever since the war finished, the country had lived in peace, and many took up the mundane, ordinary jobs. That was when the Shai?r were weak. In the time that Cade grew up in, the need for chivalry was back. Exploring the lower levels of her family?s estate one day, Cade accidentally stumbled upon the ?history cellar?, which held documents, weapons, jewels, pottery, relics, and suits of armor. Throughout the years, she taught herself how to use the weapons, going off in her free time to observe the practices of the fencing clubs. As a woman, Cade had to take lady?s classes, though they were never her style. She hated the things that women were supposed to love ? meaning make-up, dresses, and attempting to get an hourglass shape. Cade, being the stubborn person that she was, ended up wearing breeches and tunics instead of skirts and blouses. The instructor, furious at the young girl?s impudence, ended up screaming, ?Why don?t you just go off and be knight, why don?t you?!? And of course, Cade shouted back, ?It?s better than choking myself with a bodice, you old hag!? ?Although, the final straw was when Cade got her ?gorgeous thick hair? cut to her earlobes. From then on out, Lady?s classes became hell itself. At age fifteen, Cade finally ditched home, taking with her the tri-blade knife and the sword (known as the Gold Rune). Left behind was a note that simply read, ?Be happy. I?m gone. Be proud. I?m a Keeper of the Seventeen Seals.? [b]Appearance:[/b] Her hair ? wild, jagged, and earlobe length ? is a brownish-gold, naturally streaked in a dark brown-black. She has a smooth, polished facial structure, with eyes that are blue and brown (the right, then the left, respectively). Cade?s clothes, baggy and layered, strongly resemble [url=http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6416/kotssdesign5xv.jpg]these[/url]. She wears khaki pants and brown leather hiking boots. [b]Personality:[/b] Stubborn, strong, sometimes rude, easy-going, tomboy. She doesn?t give up easily, but likes having fun. [b]Misc.:[/b] Cade likes to draw and write on pretty much any surface. Whether rock, sand, dirt, bark, or parchment, just give her the tools and she?ll scribble away. She also likes coffee, tea, bread, rice, and oranges.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]The first banner is fine. I mean, it could be better, but since it's your first, it's quite nice. I echo with what Stuart said. But then there comes the second... I mean, the first thing that popped into my head was "No. Just...no." Because, quite simply, it looks like it was made in MS Paint. After your first banner, I'm surprised that you made this. The picture on the left is quite pixely, and the one on the right is distorted. The font's okay. The font face itself is fine, but the colors hurt. o.O;; Oi. But what you really need to do is sit down one day and see what all the "Layer Effects" can do. Then you get to create the ever-nifty glows, gradient overlays, pattern overlays, drop shadows, inner shadows...XD (Sheesh, you people! It's like - RAPID FIRE POSTING AWAY!)[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Here's the thing: You can't really be taught how to make a banner. The majority of Photoshop tutorials focus on various techniques and functions rather than teaching you to, persay, make a Winamp skin or whatever. Really, the only way to learn how to make a banner (for the OB or anywhere else) is by looking at what others are doing, having resources, and developing your own style. It takes a while to get used to Photoshop and manevour around it with ease. In fact, many people that use Photoshop non-professionally will tell you that they don't know what everything does. But back on topic. If you look at a (good) banner and wonder just how they were able to make it, here are a couple of answers: Brushes, textures, filters, and even the simpliest of hue and saturation. After discovering brush sites, I pretty much only use those on my graphics because of how nifty they are. Textures are nice to use because you can be lazy and put those in for a background or an overlay. And filters? You experiment. I'm sorry for not really giving you any help. However, I can steer you in the direction of [url=http://absolutecross.com/tutorials/]Absolute Cross[/url], [url=http://www.planetphotoshop.com/tutorials.html]Planet Photoshop[/url], [url=http://hybrid-genesis.net/indexxx1.html]Hybrid Genesis[/url], and, my personal favorite, [url=http://magicbox.ti-fi.com/]The Magic Box[/url]. They are my random resource sites for brushes, textures, and effect tutorials. Hope [i]something[/i] helps. = =;;[/color][/size]

[color=royalblue][size=1]Wow, this is rather amusing. It's an interesting idea to have this whole chain of critique because I (and many others) wonder just how our sigs look to other people. I like putting the random quotes in mine. ^^;; Err, okay. *cough* Let's get this going. Well [b]John[/b], I guess your overall set is about a 7/10 or so. The banner reminds me of those "what the hell are we doing?" moments. But no, it's snowmen! And somebody ran over the snowman! It's those very random and dumb things that make me laugh. I love things that are fun. The avatar could use some work. I'm really trying to determine what the hell is going on, since I'm seeing a person, a tennis racquet, and some sort of explosion. By itself it's, persay, unique and different, but the blue-ish background just throws it off. I'm guessing you were trying to make it blend into the background, but missed. By the way, the hex color of the background is #F0F0F0. X3 Thank you random buttons.[/size][/color]