Zen

[color=sienna][size=1] Dude, thats awesome. I love the lettering particularly. I'm tempted to steal this banner, due to my current username and love for the character of Mugen. But damn, thats awesome. I love the color scheme too, very intense, alot like the character himself.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] I'm a popular guy, in the sense that alot of people from a wide variety of cliques, know who I am. In school, I hang out with a group of guys of varied backgrounds who all have different tastes. My closest friends, whom I hang out with the most with, are a group of 'different' people to say the least. There's no word really describe what we all are. One of the group wears Rainbow (the namebrand) Sandals and Plays Tennis. Another has all the Insane Clown Posse CD's and lives in a trailer. One skateboards and has really long hair, and loves C.K.Y. I have friend, whom we effectionally call "The Goat" (a beastiality joke) who is possibly the biggest redneck in the world. Another of the group is a HUGE video gamer (Final Fantasy Freak) and works out everyday. One of 'em is a chunky honors student who loves the WWE and video games. And I am a hip hop (*glares a Goldscorpion* fearfully*), dancing, video game playing, anime loving, martial artist who is half Greek. On common ground, we all love "Family Guy" and "Chappelle's Show"... heh. To say the least, we're an unorthodox little gang. And thats just the core members. We all branch out into other groups, and have friends in other cliques, many of whom we also share. Since me and my girlfriend sit together all the time at gatherings, our groups also meld. Her friends are goal oriented preps (whom I have no problem with). I guess I fall into the 'popular' (to a certain extent) in-between guy.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] [B]OOC:[/B] *Although the I posted the characters in order as to which they needed to be posted, I'll let it slide this time. Please, next time, take heed to the posting order. Thank you.* -Mugen[/color][/size]

[size=1] [color=red] (This RPG will contain extreme violence, possibly language and/or sexual themes, and long fight scenes. Veiwer Discretion is Advised.)[/color] Based on Historical Events. Inspired By Samurai Warriors. Highly Fictionalized. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [color=darkred][center] [size=2][B][U]Bushido[/size][/U][/B] [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/08/120px-CalSamurai.gif[/img] [B][U]The Five Principals of Bushido:[/U][/B] [B]Jin[/B] - to develop a sympathetic understanding of people. [B]Gi[/B] - to preserve the correct ethics. [B]Chu[/B] - to show loyalty to one's master. [B]Ko[/B] - to respect and to care for one's parents. [B]Rei[/B] - to show respect for others. [B]Chi[/B] - to enhance wisdom by broadening one's knowledge. [B]Shin[/B] - to be truthful at all times. [B]Tei[/B] - to care for the aged and those of a humble station. As written, this is the Way of the Warrior... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The year is 1553, in the Sengoku Era of Japan (starting in 1478). The provinces of Japan are in Civil War over control of the island country, as of this point, much blood has been spilt over dominance. Rising tensions between the rulers of the four main provinces is growing to new heights, as Oda Nobunaga continues his campaigns of dominance with great success, his usage of firearms in battle has severly changed the way the wars will be waged. Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen are eyeing each others province's over control, and a grand battle has been set to take place in the near future. All the while, Tokugawa Ieyasu takes many small victories all across the land, and is a constant thorn in the side of Nobunaga's army. With no end in sight to the bloody wars, life in the land of Japan has become a gamble of fate. Battles occur back to back, paranoia is widespread amongst all those who have power, and trust runs thin, even amongst members of the same clan. In this day and age, the strong are the only one's who survive. It seems, in this, the principles of Bushido have been forgotten. The blood of innocence is shed without regret. The weak have been exploited. The ethics of men have regressed into instinct. Deception is a weapon to often used. It seems that honor, is no longer a factor in life. Now all that dictates a man's life is there willingness to kill or be killed. This is what will build the legacy of many warriors, unless some brave fighters rise up, and end this war, before a nation engulf's itself with it's own quarrels. Many great warriors have risen, and many more have fallen. The hero's of the past have fallen, as have the ideals they defended, to a generation hungry for power. Little is sacred in this war, and all is at stake. A Man must ask themselves whether they have an ally or enemy in the one's they once trusted. The only one a man can trust, is themselves. In this war, blades must clash, in order to meet peace in the end. With each victory, the rivaling province's feel as peace is drawing closer and closer. But under whom will this peace rest? Who shall control the lands and dictate the live's of men after the blood has been washed from the country? In the middle of this grand war, questions asked will not be answered for many years to come... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center] [size=2][B][U]Chapter One:[/B][/U] Calm Before The Storm [B][U]The Warriors:[/U][/B] Kabuki Sakura (Sakura), Yagyu Hajime (SOE), Ueno Ayaka (Delta), and Zanzaro Korogata (Crusader). [B][U]Settings:[/B][/U] The Castles of Uesugi, The Castle of Takeda. [B][U]Events:[/B][/U] The four warriors from Uesugi and Takeda prepare themselves for the first of many epic campaigns against one another's armies at Kawanakajima. Sakura, Hajime, Ueno, and Koro prepare themselves for battle, and give insight into their own lives.[/size] [/size][/color] [size=1][color=sienna] Posters, make sure that you make some form of interaction between your characters if there on the same side. Make it aware that they do know each other prior to the posts. Have a history between one another. So, Sakura and Crusader' characters should interact as should Delta and Straight Outta' Ensley. Thank you, and happy posting. -Mugen[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] Okay, now sign ups are over, completely, no more exceptions. [B]Drake06[/B]: Your character cannot be ronin, so unless you change right away to a kingdom. Either choose Oda or Takeda. If you do not change, then you will not be in the RPG. [B]x kakashi x:[/B] Although I was not expecting a fourth Tokugawa general, I will make an exception for your character. But, just so all know, not all Tokugawa warrios will be taking place in every Battle Chapter at the same time. Now... [B]SIGN UPS CLOSED!!![/B][/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] Aaaaand... Sign Ups are closed! Thank you all for making signing up! You all have made it in. If, by tomorrow, one more person [B](Lan}[/B] does not sign up, I will start that night. I thank you all again, and I look forward to having a very good RPG. -Mugen P.S.- Sakura, your Bio is going to have to change a little at the end, cuz Delta changed over to Takeda so to even things out. Thank you.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] I actually liked the second episode, contrary to what others say. I thought the fight between Jin and the Assassin was pretty cool. And their meeting at the hot spring was hilarious. I usually don't laugh out loud at stuff, but that got me. [B]Assassin:[/B] "However... it is said that a male fire fly sometimes attracts another male..." *Glares at Jin* [B]Jin:[/B] "... Time to go..." That was good stuff. The fight was, as I said, pretty easy to look at. Very smooth, fast paced. I didn't expect the guy to actually match Jin, but I was wrong. Also, getting to see the tail-chasing side of Mugen was pretty funny. I think the episode was aimed more at humor and resolving the whole Ryojiro arc. Another funny moment... [B]Fu:[/B] "Okay... on three were gonna take out everything we got, even our secret stash, okay? 1.... 2... 3!" *Pulls out two coins. [B]Jin:[/B] *Pulls out three coins* [B]Mugen:[/B] *Pulls out two acorns...* [/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1][B]Ruby:[/B] Glad to have you on board. Again, I must say, this RPG isn't going to be highly true to history, so for all I care, you can make your rifle an semi-automatic musket for all I care. I just want it to play cool on the battle feild. If you want a fictionalized Matchlock, than please do. Give it a fictionalized name or something, like you would a sword. I'm not to keen on the history of guns, so I couldn't help you if you want to make your rifle a real gun, but if you don't wanna go through the trouble of making it a real gun, then please don't.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] I have a very strange family... My father has served in three different military branches, one of which, he still is. First, the Marine Corp. Then he served for about six years in the Army. Now he is a recruiter for the Army National Guard... so, yeah, He and my family have been around. My little brother is a strange red-head with a passion for the Madden NFL Series. He has waxed many an a** in that game, and has never lost... to any one. Ever... And he's only 12. My mom is a southern, small town girl who, after marrying my dad, would travel all over America, and eventually to Europe... twice. And my baby brother is a video game prodigy who, while only six years old, has beaten Halo 2 on Easy mode. But he can't even pronounce the games actual title. He calls it freaking "Kay-Low"! Also, he loves "Dude Where's My Car" and "Shrek". My grandparent's in Greece are small time rich-people, whom recently sold a Hotel for roughly three million dollars... (I havn't seen a penny....) My aunt was once on TV for MTV's "I Wanna Be A VJ" and worked for VH1. Also, she met Xzibit one day because she accidentally closed a door in his face at her work... One of my Uncle's is a Biker and owns a Custom Chopper Shop, and has met Jessie James. There's more, but I don't feel like typing that much...[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] [B]Delta:[/B] Yes, it is Uesugi Kenshin. I.E. his given name is Kenshin, and his clan name is Uesugi. [B]Sakura:[/B] Glad to have you aboard, look forward to your finished sign up. [B]Retribution:[/B] Because I have my best ideas when I am exhausted. [B]Crusader:[/B] As long as your sorcery is kept to something like setting your sword aflame and having explosive sword slashes. The only thing I don't want with sorcery is people standing back and striking people with lighting bolts. So, yeah, as long as its an active kind of battle sorcery, its cool. [B]Straight Outta' Ensley:[/B] Although it will be a while 'til Takeda is killed, yeah, I think I can make it work in. If you want, you can have your character work for Takeda and then decide to leave, but you gotta PM me when you want this to happen so I can work it into the story. Also, I love your username. (Straight Outta' 'Ensley', there's crazy a** brotha named Ice Cube...) I'm liking the replies so far. I need about two more sign ups. One for Takeda, and one for Oda, and I think we can then start. If I don't get those two, I may need to ask some one to switch off of Tokugawa to either or. So, try to be flexible. Thank you all. (Invite your freinds!).[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] I recently joined the Faustus RPG. For any that are curious, my character is based on an actual 18th century alchemist/necromancer named David Christianus, whom is played as my character's ancestor. He is famous for being one of the most widely known creators of a 'homunculus' artificial human. His accounts were never really true, but I thought it would be cool to have my character tied to the past like Faust is. Also, I thought my wolf-man homunculus servant would play a cool part in the story (maybe have a strange rivalry with the hellhound, Holly, maybe?), and he'll be doing most of the fighting for David, unless a demon romes too closely to him, in which he zap them with some sort of spell or curse from his ancestors' (yes, like a plural) note book. I hope this is all acceptable in this RPG... do tell.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1][center] [B]Name:[/B] David Christianus IX [B]Age:[/B] 19 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Nationality:[/B] German [B]Appearance:[/B] David is a tall, lanky fellow with long muscles and large hands and feet, which seem nearly disporportionate to his body. His skin is light and fair, common amongst his nation, his hair is a straight, dirty mixture of blonde and brown worn messily around his face. His eyes are hazel brown and clear, and always worn with a relaxed look. His jaw his thin and long, as is his entire face. He stands at an akward 6'1" and weights 150 lbs, exactly. He is usually seen wearing a dissheveled pin striped suit of black with an opened jacket and untucked under shirt with half the buttons undone. On his feet, he wears a simple pair of cloggy black shoes. [B][U]Weapons: [/U][/B] [B]Vormandwolf the Homunculus:[/B] David's bodyguard, created by the original David Christianus, an 18th century alchemist known for his homunculus creations. Vormandwolf is a humanoid wolf, often mistaken for a werewolf, he has the head of a grey-haired wolf, as his the rest of his body covered in similar hair. His hands are riddled with black claws in place of fingernails. His legs are human down to the knee, which under are legs of a wolf, which allows him to stand like a human, but run like a wolf, he wears a pair of long green pants to cover his unusual legs. To add to his intimidating appearance, Vormandwolf's eyes are a bloody red. Vormandwolf stands at a stocky 4'10", his body is thick with visible muscles, which contains his other-wordly strenght and speed. Aswell as possessing this, he is also a very intelligent being, possessing the mind of a human, and the fury of a beast. [B]The Tome of Christianus:[/B] An ancient book containing the personal notes of David's alchemist ancestor. Contains spells, incantations, and necromantic curses, all of which are cliff-noted for quick reference by David for his combat with demons. Each page contains the proper ingredients that David requires to perform any particular spells, which he has to constantly reload after each battle. David can, at a moment's notice, open the book, and unleash any spell from within it's pages due to his years of practice. [B]Skills:[/B] With the help of Vormandwolf, David is a valuable tracker and navigator. He is also blessed with a muscular body and has taken the time away from learning the teachings of his ancestor to learn martial arts fighting techniques, particularly Tae Kwon Do. He does this so he can further protect himself if all other attempts before hand fail. [B]Personality:[/B] Laid back, calm, and noticably arrogant, David is a youthful man with little doubts about his own abilites. Coupled with his self-confidence, David never shows his true emotions, always hiding it under an easy smile, when truly, underneath, he is calculating his movements and understanding his surroundings. Vormandwolf is furious in battle, and will do all it takes to protect David, but he is also a form of parental figure to David. He is always acting against his youthful mistakes and picking up the mess he leaves behind, Vormandwolf is a dedicated servant to David, and will always make sure his tasks are completed. [B]Character Snippit:[/B] David sat quietly in the library of his family's home, infront of a large table, stacked with books and papers, all of which appeared aged. David's home was a large and lonely place occupied only by him and Vormandwolf, whom David had inherited from his dead father's will. Life had been very harsh and lonely to David, whom found that the only support he would ever receive would be from himself, he had very much fallen into his studies, searching through book, tome, text, etc. to gain the knowledge from his ancestor's, who had left behind countless gifts of knowledge to him. David himself, wished to leave behind a tome of knowledge himself to his descendant, if he were to ever have one. A solitary knock came to the library's large wooden door. It was Vormandwolf, as to be expected. "Enter..." David uttered to him with a tired voice. Vormandwolf entered slowly. "Master Faustus would like to speak with you, sir.", the stocky wolf-man said in a placid tone. "That wash out? *Sigh*... Tell him I'm busy." David said, still peering into one of his books. "You don't look very busy to me." Spoke a voice all too familiar to David. David sighed again, and looked up to see Dr. Faustus standing behind Vormandwolf. "I don't remember saying you could enter." David said with a cocky smile at Faustus. *********************** I hope that is correct. Inform me if I need any changes. [/color][/size][/center]

[color=sienna][size=1] No, because Ruroini Kenshin took place about 300 years after this era. So far, I'm liking what I'm seeing. I especially like the originality of both your characters. SadBlue, who's samurai (while out of time period, but its okay) uses multiple weapons at the same time and Kiba's guy who is a Samurai by day and Ninja by night. I hope to see more soon![/color][/size]

[size=1] [color=red](This RPG will contain extreme violence, possibly language and/or sexual themes, and long fight scenes. Veiwer Discretion is Advised.)[/color] [B]Based on Historical Events. Inspired By Samurai Warriors. Highly Fictionalized.[/B] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [color=darkred][center] [size=3][B]Bushido[/B][/size] [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/08/120px-CalSamurai.gif[/img] [B][U]The Five Principals of Bushido:[/U][/B] [B]Jin[/B] - to develop a sympathetic understanding of people. [B]Gi[/B] - to preserve the correct ethics. [B]Chu[/B] - to show loyalty to one's master. [B]Ko[/B] - to respect and to care for one's parents. [B]Re[/B]i - to show respect for others. [B]Chi[/B] - to enhance wisdom by broadening one's knowledge. [B]Shin[/B] - to be truthful at all times. [B]Tei[/B] - to care for the aged and those of a humble station. As written, this is the Way of the Warrior... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The year is 1553, in the Sengoku Era of Japan (starting in 1478). The provinces of Japan are in Civil War over control of the island country, as of this point, much blood has been spilt over dominance. Rising tensions between the rulers of the four main provinces is growing to new heights, as Oda Nobunaga continues his campaigns of dominance with great success, his usage of firearms in battle has severly changed the way the wars will be waged. Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen are eyeing each others province's over control, and a grand battle has been set to take place in the near future. All the while, Tokugawa Ieyasu takes many small victories all across the land, and is a constant thorn in the side of Nobunaga's army. With no end in sight to the bloody wars, life in the land of Japan has become a gamble of fate. Battles occur back to back, paranoia is widespread amongst all those who have power, and trust runs thin, even amongst members of the same clan. In this day and age, the strong are the only one's who survive. It seems, in this, the principles of Bushido have been forgotten. The blood of innocence is shed without regret. The weak have been exploited. The ethics of men have regressed into instinct. Deception is a weapon to often used. It seems that honor, is no longer a factor in life. Now all that dictates a man's life is there willingness to kill or be killed. This is what will build the legacy of many warriors, unless some brave fighters rise up, and end this war, before a nation engulf's itself with it's own quarrels. Many great warriors have risen, and many more have fallen. The hero's of the past have fallen, as have the ideals they defended, to a generation hungry for power. Little is sacred in this war, and all is at stake. A Man must ask themselves whether they have an ally or enemy in the one's they once trusted. The only one a man can trust, is themselves. In this war, blades must clash, in order to meet peace in the end. With each victory, the rivaling province's feel as peace is drawing closer and closer. But under whom will this peace rest? Who shall control the lands and dictate the live's of men after the blood has been washed from the country? In the middle of this grand war, questions asked will not be answered for many years to come... Whom will you take oath under? Which clan shall you serve? Shall you serve the great [B]Takeda of Kai[/B]? Agressive in nature, master of a great many warrior. Will you swear under the God of War, himself, [B]Uesugi of Echigo[/B]? Master of strategy and a grand power. Will you wage war under the great defense of [B]Tokugawa from Mikawa[/B]? The man destined to be shogun. Do you wish to fight along side the great conqueror, [B]Oda of Owari[/B]? The ruler of many great lands, and demon of the battlefeild? The choice is yours, as you go out to battle, you search for an end to war, and the birth of peace, aiding your lord in find their path to greatness, and their conquest for peace... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color] [color=darkorange]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color] [color=sienna]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is my attempt at a samurai RPG, using what I know of martial arts, samurai culture, Bushido Philosophy, and (very complex) Japanese History. This is going to be a work of fiction, based on actual events. This RPG will one, [B]NOT[/B] be realistic to a pretty good point, it will [B]NOT[/B] be dictated by actual history, it will [B]NOT[/B] be a jumbled mess, and I will [B]NOT[/B] expect anyone to be huge history buffs just to take a role in this RPG. I will be taking full advantage of the chapter based system so that I can better control the flow of this RPG, so that no one gets confused of when, where, or why to post. I will give a order in which to post in at each chapter, give a small summary of what actions should take place as you post, and where these actions will take place, and at what time. This may be a slow moving RPG, so take your time in posts, and make them good as the need be. As long as we follow the simple rules placed down, we can all make this a great RPG. Example of a chapter: [B]Chapter #[/B] [B][Insert Chapter Name][/B] [B]Posting Order:[/B] Generic Boy, Blah Blah, and w00t (in that order) [B]Setting:[/B] Misty Battle Feild Near a large lake, surrounded by trees and shrubbery. 9:30 a.m. Cloudy, dark sky. [B]Actions:[/B] A private duel will take place between the three warriors to see who is the strongest... And thats it. From there on, its your to take. [U][B][size=2]Sign Ups:[/B][/U][/size] [B]Name:[/B] (Japanese, please... Feel free to use actual people from the Era or Made up characters.) [B]Age:[/B] (not under 15) [B]Sex:[/B] (you know) [B]Affiliation:[/B] (Oda, Takeda, Uesugi, or Tokugawa. Please break evenly...) [B]Class:[/B] (Samurai, Mercenary, Riflemen, or Ninja. Again, even out, please.) [B]Appearance:[/B] (Picture or detailed description will do fine.) [B]Weapon:[/B] (Katana, Nodachi, Waki-zashi, Naginata, Rifle&Bayonet, Martial Arts, Kama&Chain, whatever, be creative, it's an over the top work of fiction.) [B]Fighting Style:[/B] (Describe how your character fights in battle. High Acrobatics? Crushing Power? Needle Point Accuracy? Ninja Magic? Ace Gunmen? Be creative and over the top as possible.) [B]Personality:[/B] (kinda a gimme...) [B]Biography:[/B] (No need to be terribly long, but it would help if your character had pre-existing relationships with other characters. That would be good, just explain your characters life.) [B]Final Thought:[/B] (Base Description of your character in three words or less.) [B]Last Question:[/B] (Questions to ask me before the RPG starts...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [B][U]Rules:[/B][/U] 1. No Killing or Maiming Characters Unless Pre-Approved By Me and Player. 2. The RPG is over the top, but no God Mod Magic. (A Little Magic is fine though...) 3. Post With Good Content. Make It Good, Please! 4. Please follow the directions of the Chapter Summary to avoid confusion. 5. Post in order as set. 6. Please Notify Me if you are unable to post or confused as to what to post. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [B][U]Final Word:[/B][/U] Have fun please, make things cool and interesting. Feel free to jump twenty feet in the air, and crush five enemy soldiers in a single blow, if you want, just make the scene well written. Be original. Don't feel bad to be a gunmen, you can use a musket that shoots 20 rounds a minute for all I care, and use the bayonet like a sword! Not everyone has to be a Ninja or Samurai. Mix it up, and be original. Thats what I ask for. If everything goes right, this RPG will be last a long time, and still not get out of control. I notice the story isn't all that long, but the real story is going to be in the RPG itself. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy... -Mugen =================================================== [B]Name:[/B] Sukuzama Mugen [B]Age:[/B] 22 [B]Sex:[/B] Male [B]Affiliation:[/B] Tokugawa [B]Class:[/B]Self-Proclaimed Mercenary [B]Appearance:[/B] [URL=http://www.g8.inf.br/sc05.jpg]Mugen[/URL] [B]Weapon:[/B] Back-Holstered Double Bladed Sabre (a souvenir from his time in China). The blade is just as sharp as any Katana, but is also highly flexible. The handle is white ivory incrusted with golden Chinese characters reading "The Tsunami Dragon" down both sides of the handle. [B]Fighting Style:[/B] Mugen uses a strange mixture of Japanese and Chinese Martial Arts, and weilds them in a furious, blood thirsty style. Known for his lack of calmness (a talent that most Samurai possess), Mugen fights wildly and acrobatically, cutting, slashing, jumping, flipping, and attacking every which way. He consideres his entire body a weapon, as well as his sword, which is incrusted with his nickname. He fights wildly throwing his legs and cutting with his sword while also rolling and flipping to and through to dodge, and attacking with unseen and unimaginable force. This has earned him the nickname, "The Tsunami Dragon". [B]Personality:[/B] Mugen is a very care-free man at first glance, little known to those around him, he is much more complex. His arrogant attitude has gained him the dislike of many dangerous people, but the surprise of his humble demands gives him equally powerful employers. Mugen is a man who will fight for nothing more than a roof over his head and food in his stomache, which leads people to beleive he has other motives that drives him to fight. On the battle field, it is as if Mugen is an animal, his eyes become wild and his face takes on a blood thirsty masque. Many people beleive Mugen to be an unjust, and undiscaplined rough-neck, which is true to some point, but what they do not know about him is that he is also a seeker of peace in the world, and combats those whom he thinks are burdens in the path of peace. [B]Biography:[/B] Little is known about the past of the warrior known as Sukuzama Mugen. The only knowledge he lets out about his past in public is that he came into the war after a long time spent across the great sea in China. Little do his employers know that behind his amazing battle record lays a tragic history. Like many current warriors, Mugen had the misfortune of being born into the War's violence. His peasant mother and father were killed by Oda cannon fire during battle while he was still but a boy. Filled with greif, Mugen swore revenge on forces that killed his family from there on. He began his training by learning and studying the ways of war, by meeting up with traveleing Tokugawa soldiers on the road, he had them teach him the ways of the Samurai. Battle, ironically, was a natural talent to the young boy, who picked up the art of the sword quickly. He found a home amongst the warriors, and watched on the sidelines as the battles took place. His heart was filled with excitement by watching the battles, and he yearned to take place in one, someday. He wouldn't, however, for years to come. Hearing tales of legendary proportions about the martial arts from the great main land of China, Mugen left the Tokugawa battalion to stoeaway on a merchant ship, with nothing in his possession but a stolen sword from the Battalion. He was eventually found and put to work in return for the ride. While on the ship, he also took the time to pick up the Mandarin language. Landing down in Hong Kong with high expectations and a subtle understanding of the language, Mugen set out on a long journey to further his knowledge of war and battle. It wasn't long before his talent with Japanese steel had been taken the notice of the local master, whom allowed him to train with them in the arts of Wu Shu, in return that he work for them doing menial tasks. Looked down upon by the other students because of his foreign nationality,many times Mugen was victim to harrassment and beatings which would only toughen his mind and body. Never once did he fail to meet any demand given to him by a teacher, and he never let the ridicule of his fellow pupils get to him, it was not long until Mugen could better the older students, whom had been learning the arts for most of their lives. This gave him confidence, and eventually, arrogance to a point. Mugen, now at the age of 16, began showing up his native classmates in the arts, and began readying himself to leave back the Japan, in order to accomplish his goal of revenge. But before he left, the Master had one last task for Mugen to accomplish. As a challenge of true mastery, the five best pupils of the master were to face off against Mugen in a handicap match. Mugen was given an nothing more than a wooden stick to defend himself, and the match begun. It would end in less than five minutes, as Mugen proceeded to knock out or dibilitate all five of his opponents with the wooden stick, and returned unscathed. After the match ended, the old master rewarded Mugen with a sword that described the young man's coming and going into the schools. A flexible, traditional sword, engraved with the words "Tsunami Dragon". Proud of his accomplishments and confident in his abilities, Mugen left back to Japan. Once back, Mugen had to make a choice of who he would fight for. The only kingdom that made sense to battle for were those of whom he had originally learned the ways of battle from, the Tokugawa. Upon reaching the castle, Mugen offered himself as a mercenary to Ieyasu Tokugawa. Asked to prove himself, Mugen went on to the battlefeild at long last in a small battle against southern rebel forces. By the battles end, Mugen had single handedly defeated over fifty soldiers and the rebel's leader in combat. From there on, it would be history with Tokugawa as Mugen was taken in as an unofficial officer by Tokugawa under the title of 'Mercenary'. Mugen is now one of Tokugawa's most trusted officers and effective warriors. [B]Final Thought:[/B] Peace Seeking Berserker? (Subject to change.) [/color][/size][/center]

[color=sienna][size=1] You'd be hard pressed to find a rapper of color not using the big N-Word. You have to think that, since rapper's are all about rapping with the lingo they hear everyday, it would take a prominent role in their lyrics. Yeah, Tupac did use the word alot, but hey, there is a reason he rapped the way he did. The use of the N-Word (I say that out of respect), busting caps, hoes, and all that, have a reason. The way he was brought up was in between his father, a real street thug, all of his friends and the people around him, who mostly were thugs, and his mother, who was, of all things, a revolutionary Black Panther. I mean, his mom was pregnant with him in prison. So, yeah, him rapping about his surroundings and what he's been through has some reason to be as vulgar as it is. Rapper's don't look for kids to listen to there music, its not like they encourage it, and it's not their fault that it falls into the hands of children that young. But then again, I never really got into the whole Tupac thing. I never really listened to his music, so I have no place to say how his lyrics spoke to minors. Jay-Z, a rapper who has a similar vulgar style and talks about drug dealings in the past and gun toting, but then, he says things that tell you that thats not the way to go... like in "Izzo". "Hov' is back, life stories told through rap/ Niggaz actin' like I sold you crack/ Like I told you sell drugs; no, Hov' did that/ So hopefully you won't have to go through that/" Thats my defense for some MCs, who speak of the street life in a negative way. [/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] I live in the American South, but I got to be friends with alot of the more popular kids at my school, and I got them hooked on [B]Naruto[/B] and alot of them watched [adult swim]. Originally, they watched Family Guy, but they got into Trigun and what not, and so most of the boys in my class read manga. Usually, its borrowed from me or my freind Brad, who has the first two volumes of the [B]Trigun[/B] manga and a few of us watch [adult swim]. Yeah, sometimes a couple of upperclassmen will make fun of the freshmen watching cartoons, but then again, their the people failing out and what not, and also, alot of upperclassmen are my freinds and watch the stuff. So, the stuff isn't really ridiculed where I live, of all places. People don't take insults seriously where I live anyways, so when me and my freinds are caught having flashback memory conversations about DBZ or something, and someone opens there mouth, my bad mouthed bunch just turns around and say "******* you" in simily, and it stops about there. Lucky, I guess. Small towns need things to do, and I guess anime and manga are one of those few things as alternatives to playing paintball (which I do) and four-wheeling. The worst thing I've heard from a person is "Dude, you guys read comic books..." Or "Ha, you still watch cartoons..."[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] Dude, I had planned something like this with info from another site, after I saw his name in the dictionary. Hold on... Here's were I got it from: [QUOTE=pitt.edu]Doctor Johann Faustus Abstracted from the Faust Chapbook of 1587 Johann Faustus was born in Roda in the province of Weimar, of God-fearing parents. Although he often lacked common sense and understanding, at an early age he proved himself a scholar, mastering not only the Holy Scriptures, but also the sciences of medicine, mathematics, astrology, sorcery, prophesy, and necromancy. These pursuits aroused in him a desire to commune with the Devil, so--having made the necessary evil preparations--he repaired one night to a crossroads in the Spesser Forest near Wittenberg. Between nine and ten o'clock he described certain circles with his staff and thus conjured up the Devil. Feigning anger at having been summoned against his will, the Devil arrived in the midst of a great storm. After the winds and lightning had subsided the Devil asked Dr. Faustus to reveal his will, to which the scholar replied that he was willing to enter into a pact. The Devil, for his part, would agree: to serve Dr. Faustus for as long as he should live, to provide Dr. Faustus with whatever information he might request, and never to utter an untruth to Dr. Faustus. The Devil agreed to these particulars, on the condition that Dr. Faustus would promise: at the expiration of twenty-four years to surrender his body and soul to the Devil, to confirm the pact with a signature written in his own blood, and to renounce his Christian faith. Having reached an agreement, the pact was drawn up, and Dr. Faustus formalized it with his own blood. Henceforth Dr. Faustus' life was filled with comfort and luxury, but marked by excess and perversion. Everything was within his grasp: elegant clothing, fine wines, sumptuous food, beautiful women--even Helen of Troy and the concubines from the Turkish sultan's harem. He became the most famous astrologer in the land, for his horoscopes never failed. No longer limited by earthly constraints, he traveled from the depths of hell to the most distant stars. He amazed his students and fellow scholars with his knowledge of heaven and earth. However, for all his fame and fortune, Dr. Faustus could not revoke the twenty-four year limit to the Devil's indenture. Finally recognizing the folly of his ways, he grew ever more melancholy. He bequeathed his worldly goods to his young apprentice, a student named Christoph Wagner from the University of Wittenberg . Shortly after midnight on the last day of the twenty-fourth year, the students who had assembled at the home of the ailing Dr. Faustus heard a great commotion. First came the sound of a ferocious storm and then the shouts--first terrifyingly loud then ever weaker--from their mentor. At daybreak they ventured into his room. Bloodstains were everywhere. Bits of brain clung to the walls. Here they discovered an eye, and there a few teeth. Outside they found the corpse, its members still twitching, lying on a manure pile. His horrible death thus taught them the lesson that had escaped their master during his lifetime: to hold fast to the ways of God, and to reject the Devil and all his temptations.[/QUOTE] Kinda weird... Notice the left behind eye in his room... (I was thinking of originally making a Fullmetal Alchemist RPG with Faust as a bad alchemist... but hell, this sounds cool too, what you got.)[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] Dude, this stuff is hilarious! With a little direction, this could come into greatness! You gotta have a little more thought out stuff though... Like the Force... Rename the Force and call it "The Mack". "Young Duke... The Mack is strong within you..." Have like the Jedi Mind Trick, but have it be called "The Pimp Talk" or "Spit Game". Have the guy wave his jewlel incrusted hand, and have him say "You will gimme dem ends...". Have like the Twi'lek ho give you like a wad of credits! AHAHAHA! Thats golden... Lets not let this get sexist though... Ladies is pimps too (Go On Brush Your Shoulders Off). We need some pimpettes. Oh, and have them call Blaster Pistols "Peices". Theres alot that can be done here. Make Duke slowly turn to "The White Side"... he'll begin selling crack, but then takes it himself, and become sub-serviant temporarily to "The Man"... Or something like that. Have him meet a thug named "Run Solo" and his large wookie companion... "Chewchaka"... Hmmm... (Maybe a Mace Windu cameo having him utter "SAY WHAT AGAIN! I DARE, I DOUBLE DOG DARE, DAMMIT! SAY WHAT ONE MORE GOD D*MN TIME!!!")[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] [B]DAAAAH!!![/B] That is awsome too! Thank you for the correction.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] [B]Whoa![/B] I love it! Its great, thanks! I really like the inverted image on the banner, thats awesome! A thousand thanks! Its better than I could have expected.[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] I would like to request a banner and avatar set containing this picture: [img]http://akadotretail.com/shop/assets/photos/4047136530.jpg[/img] Make the avatar squarly show Mugen's head. No need for borders or anything. I like the pic the way it is. For the banner, make the image a little further to the left, showing he kanji symbols, and have in the lower left corner, in any kind of bold font, the word "MUGEN". Thats all, no banners, no added nothing other than the word in the banner. I thank all those who attempt. Thank you.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] Biggie Smalls was an artist a little before my time, while he did rap and come out during my life time, it was during a time when I was very young and didn't listen to music. But I have heard him and quite a few occasions, and just from those times, I found that he may have been one of the most intelligent MC's ever. Yes, he did talk about violence and sex and drugs in his songs more than anything, the way he did it was so intricate and so detailed, that it demanded respect. His vocabulary and delivery was nearly flawless. I mean, here is an example of violence in a line that just sounds so funny and so... amazing, that it demands some recognition: "I press it hard, leavin' creases/ Cuttin' up bodies and talkin' to the peaces/" or "N****z is mad cuz I get more butt than ashtreys/ But don't get mad, cuz I get money the fast ways/ Ski mask ways, and ransom notes/ He ain't handsome, but damn a n**** coked/" Thats genius to me...[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] Being a huge fan of Hip Hop, lyrics in rapping is necessary, because if they aren't any good, then the genre is really, really sub-par. I have alot of MC's who's lyrics I just can't get over. [B]Ludarics:[/B] (who is hilarious) [U]Hip Hop Quotables[/U] I curse so much just to get on they nerves/ I got kids "Actin a Fool" from the traps to the burbs/ My filthy mouth, it won't fight cavities or beat plaque/ So I shot the tooth fairy and put my old teeth back/ I take a **** on the equator, the size of a crater/ And make government officials breathe harder than Darth Vader/ It's the chicken and the beer that makes Luda keep rappin/ But no pork on my fork, I don't even SPEAK pig latin/ From yo' car to a crap game, no one rolls wit'chu/ One of Mini-Me's shoes got more sole than you/ So by the time you figure out why your record ain't spinnin/ I'm in the strip club smokin, with President Clinton/ I've been lookin for a woman just to put my stamp on/ But a lot of y'all are mo' stuck up than tampons/ So wash all ya sins away and stop playin/ If God's line is busy you might have to two-way him/ Then catch me in your backyard, playin croquet/ And when I'm drunk tell them kids, "Drugs are bad, mmm'kay?"/ Or watch me swing my chain at the Roscoe's off Pico/ Got seven cars, get all my rims at Chrome Depot/ And people think I'm bad, they say "Oooh he's so evil!"/ Cause I go on blind dates, with actual blind people (OW!)/ But my album's out the store, yours be on the shelf/ I heard you masturbate a lot, so y'all keep to yourself/ Cause these women want a man that stay up and stay strong/ Like the NBA, you gotta play hard or go home/ All that **** that y'all talkin, y'all can pop it to them/ Cause Ludacris'll beat you down with a prosthetic limb/ I put my FOOT so deep in yo' *** that you can smell it/ And yo' breath will turn to Foot Locker water repellant/ I take a look into your life and no wonder your so sad/ Cause you put up with more **** than a calostomy bag...fool/ [B]Jay-Z:[/B] (Who is my favorite rapper.) [U]Public Service Announcment[/U] Allow me to re-introduce myself/ My name is Hov', OH, H-to-the-O-V/ I used to move snowflakes by the O-Z/ I guess even back then you can call me/ CEO of the R-O-C, Hov'!/ Fresh out the fryin pan into the fire/ I be the, music biz number one supplier/ Flyer/flier than a piece of paper bearin my name/ Got the hottest chick in the game wearin my chain, that's right/ Hov', OH - not D.O.C./ But similar to them letters, "No One Can Do it Better"/ I check cheddar like a food inspector/ My homey Strict told me, "Dude finish your breakfast"/ So that's what I'ma do, take you back to the dude/ with the Lexus, fast-forward the jewels and the necklace/ Let me tell you dudes what I do to protect this/ I shoot at you actors like movie directors / [U]Takeover[/U] (a battle record) The takeover, the break's over n**** God MC, me, Jay-Hova Hey lil' soldier you ain't ready for war R.O.C. too strong for y'all It's like bringin a knife to a gunfight, pen to a test Your chest in the line of fire witcha thin-*** vest You bringin them Boyz II Men, HOW them boys gon' win? This is grown man B.I., get you rolled into triage Beatch - your reach ain't long enough, dunny Your peeps ain't strong enough, fucka Roc-A-Fella is the army, better yet the navy N****z'll kidnap your babies, spit at your lady We bring - knife to fistfight, kill your drama Uh, we kill you motherfuckin ants with a sledgehammer Don't let me do it to you dunny cause I overdo it So you won't confuse it with just rap music I don't care if you Mobb Deep, I hold triggers to crews You little ****, I've got money stacks bigger than you When I was pushin weight, back in eighty-eight you was a ballerina I got your pictures I seen ya Then you dropped "Shook Ones," switch your demeanor Well - we don't believe you, you need more people Roc-A-Fella, students of the game, we passed the classes Nobody can read you dudes like we do Don't let 'em gas you like Jigga is *** and won't clap you Trust me on this one - I'll detach you Mind from spirit, body from soul They'll have to hold a mass, put your body in a hole No, you're not on my level get your brakes tweaked I sold what ya whole album sold in my first week You guys don't want it with Hov' Ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov', nooooo! I know you missin all the - FAAAAAAAME! But along with celebrity comes bout seventy shots to your frame N****; you a - LAAAAAAAME! Youse the *** model for Karl Kani/Esco ads Went from, Nasty Nas to Esco's trash Had a spark when you started but now you're just garbage Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all to your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally" verse better than yours Matter fact you had the worst flow on the whole ****** song but I know - the sun don't shine, then son don't shine That's why your - LAAAAAAAME! - career come to a end There's only so long fake thugs can pretend N****; you ain't live it you witnessed it from your folks pad You scribbled in your notepad and created your life I showed you your first tec on tour with Large Professor (Me, that's who!) Then I heard your album bout your tec on the dresser So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin it wrong You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song And you ain't get a coin nigga you was gettin ****** and I know who I paid God, Serchlite Publishing Use your - BRAAAAAAAIN! You said you been in this ten I've been in it five - smarten up Nas Four albums in ten years nigga? I can divide That's one every let's say two, two of them shits was due One was - NAHHH, the other was "Illmatic" That's a one hot album every ten year average And that's so - LAAAAAAAME! N**** switch up your flow Your **** is garbage, but you try and kick knowledge? (Get the **** outta here) You n****z gon' learn to respect the king Don't be the next contestant on that Summer Jam screen Because you know who (who) did you know what (what) with you know who (yeah) but just keep that between me and you for now A wise man told me don't argue with fools Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who So stop with that childish ****, n**** I'm grown Please leave it alone - don't throw rocks at the throne Do not bark up that tree, that tree will fall on you I don't know why your advisors ain't forewarn you Please, not Jay, he's, not for play I don't slack a minute, all that thug rappin and gimmicks I will end it, all that yappin be finished You are not deep, you made your bed now sleep Don't make me expose you to them folks that don't know you N**** I know you well, all the stolen jew-els Twinkletoes you breakin my heart You can't **** with me - go play somewhere, I'm busy And all you other cats throwin shots at Jigga You only get half a bar - **** y'all n****z That's just a few of my favorite lyrics. Don't wanna make my post too long... Though I beleive I already have.[/color][/size]

[color=sienna][size=1] The battle arena was the lounge that I posted the most in, so, yeah, I kinda miss it a little, but once I became aware that I can battle in the Adventure Arena as long as the threads are actually coherent, I found peace in the loss. As said before, the area was getting quite spammy and crowded with amateurous fights and spars, and moving the whole idea into the format of the Adventure Arena has made it manditory for all spars to be 'good', to the point where it can be read. So, as long as spars are decent in there content, then the Battle Arena isn't really necessary anymore. (I do, however, miss those good ol' rap battles that used to run for 13+ pages. The good old days...)[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1] I was excited to see the first episode, and when I did, all my dreams came true! I loved it! Mugen (who has an uncanny resemblance to Spike Spiegel in more than just his voice) instantly took the role of my favorite character. Not only does his sword look awsome, but his fighting style has gotta be the coolest thing I've seen in anime since Haruko fighting with a Rickenbacker Bass in FLCL. Especially when [spoiler]he was about to be executed and he just spun out and started breaking, all the while kicking the weapons out of the hands of the executioners![/spoiler] That was sweet! I also noticed how ruthless he is, while still maintaining his floaty, light-hearted attitude (case in point being his counting a man's finger's by breaking them backwards). He's a real neat person. Also, I love his form of speech. ("Forget all the formal crap, coming at me one on one... I'll take all you b*tches on!") Jin is pretty cool too. He plays as a foil to the impulsive, wild fighter that is Mugen, by being cool, calm, and formal. I love the music too! Oh my Lord, the Music! I taped the episode and watched the beggining theme sequence about ten times, thats how much I loved it! I can't wait for the next episode! P.S.- The show is hilarious too! [B]Mugen:[/B] "I had a dream that I was surrounded by fire..." [B]Jin:[/B] "That wasn't a dream..." [B]Mugen:[/B] "So, you really were in a bathtub with your 'thing' hanging out?" [B]Jin:[/B] "Now THAT was a dream..."[/color][/size]