Shy

[quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]Man, do we ever over-think our own site. Haha.[/font][/QUOTE][size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards. Enjoy your stay. :whoops: I don't really care either way, but there does seem to be some backlash to the way the thing has swallowed the Lounge. Shrug. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]There we go. Thank you, Petie. It's almost hard to remember a time where we didn't have you to do all of the work for us. -Shy[/size] :whoops:

[size=1]There seems to be some... [i]concern[/i] over the Padded Room Party. Is it hurting activity? Is it promoting activity? I honestly can't tell, and I made the thing. Discuss. -Shy[/size]

[size=1][i]....well?[/i] -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I need to post my nominations tomorrow due to time constraints, so everyone has another day (24 hours as of this post) to put up theirs if they haven't already. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Oh definitely. We're just waiting on the posts from Aaryanna and company first. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Boo as a parkourist dropping dead from high heights. Gavin as a man who finds God, only to lose salvation before his death. -Shy[/size]

[center][size=6]Otaku[b]Boards[/b] Nifty Fifty[/size] [i]2009 Nominations[/i][/center] Welcome to the OtakuBoards Nifty Fifty of 2009! In this thread we will continue our grand tradition of awarding various aspects and members of our totally nifty community. Those of you new to the idea may have some questions... [size=4][b]What is it again?[/b][/size] To put it simply, it’s a list of the fifty members, threads, or things that have made theO's community great (‘nifty’) in the past year (that includes theOtaku and OB). You, the members, are going to nominate your favorites here in this thread, and the fifty best nominees will be chosen for the list. [size=4][b]So whoever gets the most nominations wins?[/b][/size] No. It’s about quality here, not votes. Make sure that your arguments are strong in your nominations, because that will be the deciding factor. To make sure that members from every clique and segment of the site is fairly represented, The Nifty Fifty Committee will be secretly assembled to compile the final list, The OtakuBoards Nifty Fifty of 2009. [size=4][b]What kinds of things should be nominated?[/b][/size] Anything, really. Members who really stood out this year, threads that had a big impact, great memories, current events that affected the boards or the main site in some way. Use your imagination, as we like a very broad spectrum of things to be present on the list. [color=red][size=4][b]What are the new awards?[/b][/size][/color] It has been decided that people do in fact like a popularity contest! As a result we are having public voting for certain categories of members and threads. These new awards are separate from the list of 50, although it is likely you'll see the same names on both lists. These new awards are: [b]Member of the Year[/b], [b]Male Member of the Year[/b], [b]Female Member of the Year[/b], [b]Staff Member of the Year[/b], [b]Otaku of the Year[/b], [b]Funniest Member[/b], [b]Storyteller of the Year[/b], [b]Thread of the Year[/b], [b]RPG of the Year[/b] and [b]World of the Year[/b]. [size=4][b]How do I nominate/vote?[/b][/size] I’m glad you asked! Here’s the simple form required for a nomination: [quote]1) What is it? 2) Why was it nifty? Additionally you may vote for any of the awards. A full explanation of your vote is not required for these, merely a name. (You may vote for the same item in multiple categories.) 1) Member of the Year: 2) Male Member of the Year: 3) Female Member of the Year: 4) Staff Member of the Year: 5) Otaku of the Year: 6) Funniest Member: 7) Storyteller of the Year: 8) RPG of the Year: 9) Thread of the Year:[/quote] That’s it! In the past we have prevented each member from nominating more than ten particular items, but this year you are welcome to nominate as many items as you would like. Post your nominations right here! All nominations are due by January 31st. The final results will be posted a few days after. [size=1]-Shy[/size]

[size=1]I notice we still have fields in our profile where we can include our ICQ number and MSN/Yahoo handle. It might just be the circles I run in but I don't think anyone actually uses those much anymore. Could we instead (or additionally) add a field for us to include a link to our Facebook or Twitter or Skype accounts? That's what the kids are really using today! -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I don't see the point of a rep system, but if I can hide it I guess it's a non-issue. I mean, once I learned I could block certain members I stopped complaining about them pretty much instantly. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Fine, fine. First post comes up Tuesday. You guys can post your sign-ups until then. I'm nothing if not eager to please. -Shy[/size] :angel:

[size=1]So... who wants to go first? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Although I'm really happy with the responses I've received so far, I think I'm going to hold off launching this anytime soon. After some careful thought I feel like the concept needs some more fleshing out, and I'd like to tackle those head-on in another project in the future. But again thanks for signing-up. It's only a matter of time before I throw something else together. -Shy[/size] :whoops:

[quote name='Nathan'][FONT="Arial"]I am not quite sure where you wish me to go with it once they arrive back home, but I am at least caught up with all of the current posts. Since Cole asked Fredrick to attempt to retrieve the artifact, I assume he would have further directions for him. [/FONT][/QUOTE][size=1]Cole is learning about the events in Vosper along with everyone else. Since he ordered his own expedition in secret it's going to be tricky for him to contact the others without getting caught. However, I assure you there are A LOT of other parties interested in the airship they discovered. Whoever plans on posting next from the Anovan group should contact me. There's a new character I'd like to throw into the mix. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Those small, single-line entries are supposed to be Twitter updates. It is my hope that players intercut their posts with pieces of the 'real' Internet. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Only a handful of major sports stars seem to stay faithful to their spouses, so this doesn't come as a major shock. I had been wondering why the story of the car accident had been receiving so much press attention, but now that I hear about the adultery and abuse allegations it makes a lot more sense. He's still a good golfer, though. This might effect some of his sponsorships, but at the end of the day he's one of the most marketable 'athletes' in the world. Tiger Woods is bulletproof. -Shy[/size]

[size=3][b]Part-Time Assistants Wanted (Downtown)[/b][/size] Date: 2009-12-01 1:14PM PST Reply to: [email]job-n3qfj-1490339933@kurtslist.org[/email]Part-Time Assistants Wanted from across the city to investigate STRANGE PHENOMENON happening both on the streets and online. I am looking for reliable individuals with a professional demeanor who have strong writing ability, knowledge of the occult, and their own transportation. Experience in social networking and word proccessing a +. Responsibilities include answering multi-line phone system, interviewing subjects RE: STRANGE PHENOMENON, heavy research and DEFENDING THIS REALITY FROM BEING BREACHED UPON BY THE OLD GODS. MUST WORK WEEKENDS. Please respond with some detailed information about yourself, salary requirements, and a photograph. [size=1][list][*]Location: City [*]Compensation: Negotiable [*]Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. [*]Please, no phone calls about this job! [*]Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.[/list][/size][FONT="Book Antiqua"][center][b][size=6]The Nameless City[/size][/b][/center][/FONT] Reality has shifted. The Ancient Ones have been bound out of this physical plane since the beginning of time, but have been slowly corrupting our thoughts, our emotions, and our views. Unknowing, uncaring, unthinking, the Internet has become a tool through which to spread the gospel of the Old Gods.Their will is spreading like a cancer throughout the hearts and minds of the entire world, and only a handful are prepared for what is to come next. [indent][b][color=red]deb0rah17[/b][/color]: Wut is going on with the sky tonight??? Not 1 star? [b][color=blue]AndiForShort[/color][/b]: RT @[b][color=green]Yog-Sothoth[/color][/b]: Imagination called up my shocking form ? only a congeries of iridescent globes, yet stupendous in its malign suggestiveness.[/indent] This is a world with frightening monsters, ancient cults and YouTube. We will be drawing largely from the work of H.P. Lovecraft, however the world is largely unaware of what horrors lie beneath its surface. You will be a small group of characters who have been hired to investigate what is going on in, around and underneath The Nameless City. It is my hope that together we can build our own mythology for this world and come up something truly unique. The Internet is a BIG part of this story. I hope to see blog posts, Twitter updates and the occasional video inter-spliced with your traditional storytelling. As always, questions, comments and concerns may go here. [size=1]-Shy[/size]

[size=1]I dunno. This site always goes through ups and downs in terms of activity. At the beginning of the year there was a larger push for new members, and we actually ended up with some good ones. Part of it obviously is that our member base is aging, so the same 16 year-old kids who had nothing but free time to post about Digimon (for example) are now 25, with jobs, relationships, school, and who-knows-what-else. I know I'll be hitting ten years of OB in April... yikes. This site has always been a bit of a contradiction anyway, since we're an anime message boards that is largely occupied by people who don't care much about anime. I know what continues to drive me to the site are the RPGs, and that's pretty much been the case for the past five years. I do agree that there's more we could do to encourage activity, whether that be bringing in new members or merely encouraging old ones to post again. I'm game for anything Sara suggests. Go figure. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]So I [i]think[/i] I know what's going on... [list][*][b]Gustave, Victoria Ann[/b] and [b]Liana[/b] are set to arrive in Brigit Town and meet [b]Cole,[/b] [b]Beatriste,[/b] and [b]Catherine Sara[/b]. [*][b]Leonhart Almagest[/b] is missing. He is unhappy with how the Czenovians were unable to recover the first artifact. He is aware that the next artifact is somewhere in Brigit Town, and that Gustave has a map of some kind. [*][b]Harrison[/b], [b]Macey[/b], [b]Lady Bavaria[/b], and [b]Ivan[/b] are headed back to Czenovia from Vosper, aware that the Anovans have uncovered a Xear airship. [*][b]Bella[/b], [b]Jack[/b], [b]Natalia[/b] and [b]Frederick[/b] are on board the Xear airship headed back to Le Monde. Natalia has been (for lack of a better term) absorbed by the airship and is piloting it. [*][b]Felix[/b], [b]Juste[/b] and [b]Elaine[/b] actually have the artifact, a large crystal with mysterious properties, and are headed back to the Island Citadel.[/list] I need to discuss with Aaryanna what to do next with her character, but I think this should give people an idea of where we are. Just shoot me a message if you're confused as to where we're going with this. -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/cole_dreadnaught.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/beatrist-chronicle.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/catherinesaraavatar.jpg[/img][/center][size=1][indent]It was late in the afternoon when a lone, black steamcar arrived at the Dreadnaught Estate, Cole’s spacious villa overlooking the Villette Mines. The small servant staff was in a rush, making every step necessary to prepare for the arrival of the housemaster and his new bride. The two had arrived unexpectedly that day, hours ahead of schedule, and there was still much work to be done. As a result there was no one prepared to greet the couple’s surprise guests. A lone driver exited the black steamcar and opened the passenger door, revealing Catherine Sara Almagest inside of the vehicle. Although the preceding years had not been kind to her brother Leonhart, Catherine was still a remarkable specimen of spirit and health. “Thank you again, Geoffrey,’ she said warmly as he extended his hand to her, “[b]You made excellent time in coming here from the aerodome.[/b]” “[b]It was my pleasure, Madame Almagest. I’ll see to it that your bags are delivered to your quarters immediately.[/b]” Catherine nodded and approached the mansion. Like so much of Cole’s sensibilities, his home displayed a certain brashness to it. Towering marble statues of various luminaries dotted the entryway, looking down at visitors as a man-made waterfall poured at the end of his enormous entryway. [i]Here[/i], she thought, [i]Was a man trying to make an impression.[/i] he had never thought much of his publishing efforts, but his positive influence on Beatriste could not be ignored, and for that she was grateful. “[b]Hello?[/b]” she asked sheepishly, wondering if her voice would be drowned out by the sound of rushing water echoing throughout the corridors, “[b]Is anyone home?[/b] After a moment a familiar face, Beatriste Elyse Almagest-Dreadnaught, appeared from around the corner. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of seeing her aunt. She quickly reached out to embrace Catherine, “[b]Aunt Catherine?! Whatever are you doing here?[/b]” “[b]I’m afraid I have some dire news, and you were both unreachable during your travel back to Brigit Town.[/b]” “[b]Did something happen? Are the children alright?[/b]” Catherine patted her niece on the shoulder, “[b]They’re perfectly fine. In fact, Gustave is seeing to it personally that Victoria Ann and her friend are delivered back to you safely.[/b]” “[b]That’s some comfort. I hope they’re not risking travel by airship again.[/b]” “[b]Is Cole here? My news concerns him specifically.[/b]” In a few short moments Beatriste located her husband, and Catherine began to explain the Xear symbol she had been contacted about investigating and her communications with Gustave. She was aware that Leonhart had arranged for a private expedition to locate Xear artifacts; but the first contact he had received from Macey Ellen indicated that the expedition was a failure. “[b]He was furious at what had happened, and repeatedly blamed the Dynasts for interfering with his mission. He said it was no longer a matter of pride, but of national defense. Anna and I had stepped out for a quiet dinner away from your father’s… tantrums, but when I returned I discovered that my office in Rosengard had been ransacked, and Leonhart was missing as well.[/b]” “[b]Oh my goodness, Aunt Catherine. Are you saying my father stole from you?[/b]” Cole thought for a moment before speaking, “[b]Did Leonhart know you were researching the Xear language for the Anovan State Library?[/b]” “[b]I didn’t think so, but when I looked over my belongings I discovered that many of my private etymology journals were missing, as were copies of my recent wires to and from Le Monde.[/b]” “[b]You know how my father is, Catherine,[/b]” Beatriste replied, “[b]He feels betrayed now, but I’m sure he’ll come around.[/b]” Catherine shook her head, “[b]Although I love your father greatly, that’s hardly my concern in this matter, nor why I had to speak to you personally, Cole. Being torn between two rival states as you are, I’m sure you can imagine how Czenovia would react if the Anovans recover this artifact.[/b]” “[b]With their typical xenophobia, no doubt,[/b]” Cole replied dryly, “[b]Oh. No offense, my dear.[/b]” “[b]None taken darling.[/b]” ‘[b]There’s an election in Anova very soon, and I’d hate to see my homeland use this as an opportunity to settle age old rivalries.[/b]” “[b]That’s hardly the worst of it. Isn’t it? The world has seen what lengths my father is willing to take in order to achieve his goals, and as much as we refuse to admit it, Anova sees the actions of the Almagest family as the public policy of Czenovia.[/b]” Cole nodded, “[b]The children and Gustave will be here shortly, and with them the location of the next artifact. We need to find Leonhart Almagest and reason with him before he takes extremes measures to get a hold of Gustave’s map.[/b]”[/size][/indent]

[Size=1]Does anyone have a good soup recipe? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I would like to use OB on my Blackberry. Does VB Bulletin have an answer for mobile users yet, and how quickly can we make this happen? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]It looks like I'll be in Seattle for a few days starting tomorrow? What is there to do for fun in Seattle? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]The big thing is that I want each of the teams back in their respective 'homelands' sp we can push forward to the next day and the next event. It's very important that Victoria Ann be in Brigit Town soon for the story to move forward. If you're still interested in the story I highly recommend you let me know, otherwise I'l likely be taking over writing duties for them. -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Felix_Achard.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Juste_Achard.jpg[/img][/center][size=1][indent]Over two hours had passed since Juste and Felix had set themselves up to sleep around the large, emanating crystal. However, it soon became very apparent that neither of the two men was able to sleep. Juste slowly rose to his feet so as not to alert Felix, and headed towards the ruins they had crossed earlier. â??[b]Is everything alright, Captain?[/b]â? Juste asked, â??[b]Did you hear something?[/b]â? Felix shook his head, â??[b]Not at all â?? in fact Iâ??m uncomfortable with exactly how quiet this evening has been.[/b]â? â??[b]The ruins of a lost civilization; itâ??s not exactly the most lively of situations.[/b]â? â??[b]This is very true.[/b]â? he said as he continued to walk, Juste followed a few steps behind, â??[b]Did you know that I served in Al-Ahmar before the Czenovian Revolution?[/b]â? â??[b]I did not. Iâ??ve read itâ??s a fascinating culture.[/b]â? â??[b]Oh it is. However I didnâ??t see much of it -- my time was spent on the outskirts of Lesteph.[/b]â? "[i][b]Lesteph?[/b][/i]" Felix raised an eyebrow curiously, â??[b]The City of the Dead?[/b]â? â??[b]Thatâ??s what they say, yeah. Iâ??m sure you know the story: several of Celcius Almagestâ??s most trusted alchemists were invited to Al-Ahmar to take part in a â??meeting of minds east and west.â?? It seemed harmless enough on the surface, but in truth they were being hired by Al-Ahmarâ??s government to construct something without Celciusâ?? knowledge. So ground was broken on Lesteph, an ambitious city constructed in the middle of a wasteland. No expense was spared, and the alchemists were said to have even developed a formula to transmute sand into water. It was supposed to be the crown jewel of Al-Ahmar, and thousands of citizens were invited secretly to celebrate opening.[/b]â? â??[b]But something happened, right? An accident?[/b]â? â??[b]A week had passed before Al-Ahmarâ??s government sent a search party into Lesteph, only to have their worst fears confirmed. There had been a miscalculation in the alchemy, or perhaps sabotage. The thousands of invited guests who had been consuming the newly-created water found themselves suddenly dead of severe dehydration. The citizens of Al-Ahmar were so horrified that they forbade the use of magitechnology and alchemy for decades afterwards.â? â??But even today, there sits an empty metropolis in the desert, slowly being worn away by the elements. That's the price of playing God....[/b]â? â??[b]Does recovering the artifact worry you, Captain?[/b]â? Felix thought about this for a moment before responding, â??[b]Iâ??ve been able to sleep through firefights and war zones: a simple crystal doesnâ??t concern me.[/b]â? Juste nodded, â??[b]Then what is it?[/b]â? â??[b]I donâ??t know how you feel, but I havenâ??t been tired since we came into proximity of the artifact, nor have I felt the smallest bit of pain from our injuries.[/b]â? â??[b]Now that you mention it, neither have I.[/b]â? â??[b]There are powers at work here are far beyond my understanding. My only prayer is that the Siefâ??s mission is a noble one.[/b]â?[/size][/indent]