Gavin

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this poem when you told me about it Alex, well aside from the whole "it's going to be depressing" but reading through it I'm curious as to what prompted you to write it. To me at least there are several hallmarks to the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, but something about it says that it's not entirely based on New Orleans. The poem itself is well written, obviously designed to beget emotional responses, whether they be pity though that's perhaps not the best word, sorrow or even a sense of regret. I've never been good at enunciating my emotions properly but to me anyway, that's what the poem evokes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Given the fifty word limit imposed on the story, I have to say that you've done a great job Godel. While there's only fifty words, and thus there can't be huge detail, they way you've laid it out and written it actually expresses much more detail than is actually written, if you know what I mean. If you're willing I'd love to see more fifty word stories.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I share the general sentiment stated so far in regard to an all-out trade war, while it may seem like a good idea now, it would undoubtedly cause much more suffering on the Canadian side than it would on the American. I agree with you Ilium when you say tariffing specific things, that wouldn't have a major effect on Canada is the best way to go and seems most logical. What the American government has done is wrong but shooting yourself in the foot with an all-out trade war is not a good idea, given America's overall economic power. Like I said, better to stick to tariffing things that will really only affect America.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Goddess][size=1][color=#660000]The OB has only gotten better over they years. In fact, I've been here a little over 2 years now, and I've seen outstanding progress in quality of both threads, members, and the Boards all around. I don't see how this worn out issue with the rating system would boof the quality of the OB. Clearly, the rest of the forums break the clouds.[/size'][/color][/quote] [SIZE=1]I'm just going to nip in here and add to Annie's statement, in probably two weeks or so I'll have been around Otaku[B]boards[/B] for four years and I can't express fully how amazed I am in the rise in quality of the entire boards since back in 2001. If you want to see the difference in four years just take a gander at the RPGs from back in Version 3 and then compare it to what you'll see in the Arena now. I know the Ratings system won't have had a huge impact on the overall level of quality but it does given a person an idea of what to expect in an RPG he/she looks at. While I said it won't have had a huge impact, in my own view it has allowed people to be much more specific in what their posts detail. Those people involved now know the score of the RPG exactly and can much more easily match the tone set by the creator, which in turn can only increase the fluidity and quality of the RPG. While I accept that lately it seems to have been abused in the "just in case" scenario, I still feel it has had a positive effect overall.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Well given that it's the twelfth today, I suppose this post may be a bit out of date. Like most people, it wasn't until someone actually said to me that it was September 11th yesterday that I realised it's been four years since 9/11, and even then I had a hard time believing it's been four years. I don't honestly recall exactly where I was when I heard about 9/11, I know I was in school but actually where in school I don't remember. When I got home I flicked straight over to the news and just couldn't believe that something like that could happen, or why someone would do something like that. Yesterday was the All-Ireland Hurling Final, so I didn't get huge opportunity to watch to news, but it seemed that there was relatively little coverage of it compared to say Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. My thoughts on the subject are pretty much the same as James', while we outside of America may not see the event in the same gravity Americans might, that doesn't mean they don't have the right to grieve. While events like Hurricane Katrina are tragic, the are natural disasters and there's nothing sinister about them, terrorist attacks however are completely sinister and there in lies the difference.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Alright thanks for all the information, that clears up all of the questions I had about the RPG, which was keeping me from posting in case I'd end up making an *** of myself. I'll try and have a post ready for tomorrow.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. The last time this particular subject came up I agreed with Sage's position, while RPGs may not contain any reference to language, gore or sexuality, or even require an M rating, people seem to just stick them on as an "[I]in the event of...[/I]" scenario. This time around, I still hold that position, it's not necessary for every RPG to have an M-VSL rating just because something might occur, in my mind that's poor planning on the creator's side. The system itself is fine, though I think there should be an added rating somewhere between PG and M, a midpoint for RPGs that might have content above the PG rating but below the requirement for an M rating. The problem itself lies with the RPG creators who simply slap on the M-VSL rating because it's the safest bet, and because it basically gives people free-rein to post any kind of content they like. In my own mind the creator of the RPG should have a good idea of what the content for Square segment of it [the RPG] should be like. The rating system is fine, it's those who want a more mature Pokémon RPG and slap on an M-VSL rating to cover it that need to wake up. Heck I'd even settle for them using M-V, M-L or M-VL ratings, but I hate seeing all three together when only one may require the M rating. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Well given the fact that I'm male, I haven't had any of my pets mistake me for their mother but I can see where you're coming from with the question. I suppose the closest any of my pets have ever come to close to what you're describing would be Tony, an orange tabby cat I used to have the company of. Basically I found Tony as a kitten trapped in briars near the cattle sheds of my uncle's farm which is right next to us. He'd been meowing for a day or two before that but I couldn't find him, and when I did find him he was basically a ball of fur that fit in my palm. I showed him to my family and gave him some food and warm milk and let him off. In the beginning after that Tony wasn't exactly very friendly towards humans, but given a bit of time and some petting and spoiling he's changed his mind and became a pet. Tony himself as he grew older liked nothing more than to lie out on the grass, eat and be petted and rubbed, though not necessarily in that order. Any time I'd step outside he's amble up to me meowing and demanding to be played with, and more than once he'd come into the house and demand the same treatment. Of all the people he sought attention from, mine seemed the most necessary, he'd sleep outside my room on the windowsill and if he could come in the window and sleep in my bed. I know that seems as if he was just spoilt, but I found him only a few days after he was born and took care of him as long as I had him, so he probably thought of me as his parent. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I knew the Random Questions Thread was missing, but I didn't realise those other two threads were gone as well, though a cursory glance in the Lounge indicates the Caption Contest thread gone too. Well that's probably twelve or fifteen of my posts lost, which is a pain in the behind. I just hope that they can be restored, given Dagger has struck out that part of her post, if not I suppose we'll just have to start those threads again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I just had a question about the actual act of merging, as well as it's impact on the RPG as a whole. You said that a trainer merged would retain basic human form, though with some added Pokémon features and have access to the powers and abilities of said Pokémon. While that seems straight forward it is a bit vague and I was wondering if you could elaborate more on the actual process and end result of merging ? As well as that, are the battles themselves going to be Pokémon battles primarily ? Merger battles primarily ? Or a mixture of both in fairly even proportions ? I apologise if the question seem a bit silly, but it's just been something I?ve been unclear aboutfor the last while.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Hinata][COLOR=DarkOrchid][FONT=Arial] I agree with you to a point Gavin, P.S. long time no see.... but the problem with letting people pick would soon make it like the James Bond version of... AMERICAN IDOL. I think that's the best way to say in wish there is a possibility of picking a person 100% without talent and no insight to pull this job off. I personally wish Brosnan was still Bond but as we know all good things must come to an end. But I would like to see Bond end on a good note. They have perpetuated the character long enough and it may just be time to end it. But that has yet to be seen.[/FONT][/COLOR] [SIZE=1]Nice to see you to Angie, it has been a while. I didn't mean like American Idol, well actually in principle I did, but should Simon Cowell weasel his way into it I think I'd have to hunt him down and kill him. I suppose what I really meant was that people should have the opportunity to see each of the five minute clips and be able to judge who looks the best as Bond, but without the whole irritating Judges you see on Idol. In essence it would be just showing people these clips and letting them vote, no Simon Cowell, no audience, just the clips and the votes. As for ending Bond, my own personal opinions is that the Bond character should be replaced, keep the 007 title but replace the character. I mean if we were to go through the movies and try and tabulate Mr Bond's age, he'd probably be older than my grandfather. Last I heard they were also doing or considering doing, I'm not quite sure which a James Bond Junior movie, those of you my age might remember that cartoon show. It would definitely be lighter hearted than James Bond, though Junior was in his late teens and they could possibly, though it would require one hell of a script do a movie with Junior replacing his father. [/SIZE] [COLOR=DarkOrchid][FONT=Arial]All I can do with this comment Gavin is laugh. But you know what at least all the Star Trek main actors, original series that is[B] AND[/B] If they weren't dead. Got a chance to voice their old characters in Futurama. Hehe I liked the jarred head look for all of them[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]I had to laugh as I read that Angie, if Leonard Nemoy read that he'd be happy to know he's continued to act solely for the purpose of appearing on Futurama.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.[/SIZE] [QUOTE=Dagger]I didn't see the show myself, but I was under the impression that Filter was referring primarily to myO, our anime blog site/service, rather than OB. ~Dagger~[/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Indeed, I would have been surprised if Otakuboard's had been given the title seeing as we have only a relatively medium-sized section of the boards dedicated to anime. It is rather cool that at least part of the network got a mention on TV, though I have no idea what G4 is nor an access to it. Still three cheers for the Otaku network. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I personally find the only times my nerves affect me enough to actually be a problem is when I sit very important tests, such as my Junior Cert in 2002. I haven't done huge amounts of acting, and my last major performance was just over three years ago but I've never found acting to be terribly nerve wracking, in fact I find it rather thrilling. I suppose the main reason why I don't find speaking in front of others to be uncomfortable is because I've been doing it since I was much younger. Back as young as six when we were doing biblical plays, well as much as you can do biblical plays with six years olds, and I was the narrator. This meant effectively I was telling the story, at age six in what was then my local Church in front of maybe two three thousand adults. So in other words stage fright left me over a decade ago. I find tests get me all tensed up for one simple reason, I'm my own worst critic and suffer from bad self-doubt when it comes to my educational standards. Whenever a test is put in front of me I can feel my heart go up into my throat and just hope that it works out alright. I find breathing through my nose helps to calm my nerves and then I just do my best and hope that everything works out. Just out of sheer curiosity, did anyone else ever find signing up to RPGs written by other people after you'd just joined to be kind of unnerving ?[/SIZE]

[quote name='SaiyanPrincessX][SIZE=1]I read IMDB.com that [i]Daniel Craig[/i] is going to take the role as the new Bond, in [b]Bond 21[/b']. Though you won't find the title in his filmography section, you have to search. XD I'm not sure I'd like him as Bond. I saw him in Tomb Raider and didn't care for him much, then again its the only movie I've seen him in. He doesn't give off a secret agent feel though, or someone who sleeps with women at the drop of a hat.[/SIZE][/quote] [SIZE=1]I had heard that Daniel Craig had been offered the role, or at least auditioned for it but I didn't know he'd been the one selected to replace Brosnan as Bond. I have to admit that given Craig's run of films so far, I wouldn't be very confident that he can pull off the Bond image as well as someone else might. The latest film of his that I've seen is Layer Cake and I think he did rather well in it, though it's been a while since I've been the film itself. I suppose we can't really judge the man until we see him in the Bond role, and then of course it's down to the writers to come up with a decent storyline. What they should do is shoot a kind of three/five minute film with each person auditioning, clean it up to cinema standard and let people make their own decision.[/SIZE] [QUOTE=SaiyanPrincessX][SIZE=1]I'm not sure who I'd show in place of Pierce though either. Hugh Jackman would be an interesting choice, but I see too much 'super hero' with him after X-men. Someone who isn't very well known in movies would be the best bet in my opinion. Its annoying how movies tend to brand an actor in a certain role, in my mind.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]I think that's the appeal of James Bond, he's a kind of normal man capable of performing to a superhuman level, which is why I think only certain actors have that style needed to fill the role. I think Jackman could be a good choice for the role, though again I'd stick to my above idea of the three minute mini-film. As for the branding, that's why an actor on Star Trek always ends up directing instead of going on and continuing as an actor, or at least 95% of them do. [/SIZE]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=2]Well now that the posting order issues have been resolved we?d better get this show on the road. [CENTER]---------------[/CENTER] Jack sat back against one of the many doldrum-like rocks that dotted the landscape leading towards the compound/temple. He cast a half-glance over to Unhate, silently asking for an order, the ex-military man, whom Augur had come to both respect and admire nodded once. Never breaking eye contact, the order was unspoken but completely understood. Jack raised himself from his sheltered position beyond their cover and began to move slowly along the path Pygmalion and Joseph had taken a few minutes before. This was Jack?s first time in South Africa, after living in Ireland for so long any country with a lack of greenery seemed odd, sweat trickled along his brow as he gazed upwards and thanked God he?d followed advice and changed into lighter fatigues. The sun was beating down on his back, small patches of moisture forming under his arms and at the base of his back, the path east and uphill was more of a hike, but he moved swiftly making as little noise as possible. He found the two men laying on their stomachs a hundred or so meters from the next set of double-fence, they reacted to his presence at about the same time, Joseph however was slightly faster. Jack held up his hand to tell them to keep quiet and knelt down beside them, he?s eyes moved up along to the top of the hill, passed the double-fencing to the buildings, the chanting had grown quieter, obviously a bad sign. He looked to Joseph, then to Sam and held their gaze for a moment before dipping his head gently back down in the direction of the remaining Gold Team members, both men nodded and slowly rose from their position to a knelling one to mimic Augur. Jack?s head moved back to the camp, he had an odd feeling, definitely a precognitive one, but he couldn?t place his finger on it, he exhaled and quickly began the trek back down the hill in the cover of the shadow the buildings cast against the terrain. He smiled for a moment, for all this cult leader?s sun powers it was the shadow cast by the sun itself that would allow them to gain access to his stronghold. After only a few moments Gold Team was regrouped from recon and ready to plan their entry, Unhate looked from one squad member to the next before resting his gaze on Joseph. ?[B]Joseph, photos.[/B]? Reaching into his pocket Joseph removed as least twenty Polaroid shots and handed them gingerly to Unhate, Gold Leader thumbed through the photos for a moment. Even though Augur would get the most out of them, hopefully anyway, it was no harm to access the tactical situation they might provide. When he finally stopped examining the photos he passed them to over to Jack, the quality was surprisingly good given that Joseph had been using a Polaroid camera. Normally Jack didn?t do photographs, they were much harder to read than when he was actually near someone or something, seeing movement in real life, photos were moments captures only for that brief second. Most of what he got was emotion, a kind of elated glee that one probably felt when you though you were in the presence of a god. Finally he got something more than simple background emotion, the photo was of one of the cult members, a Russian or Eastern European made assault rifle hanging loosely from his robes, but it wasn?t what he saw that attracted his attention. Unhate seemed to have picked up on his detection, moving in next to him, ?[B]Report Augur[/B]? he enquired quietly. Jack?s index finger tapped against the man in the photo a couple of times before speaking in the same hushed tone. ?[B]This one, in about twenty minutes he?s going to get word his wife has given birth, and we?ll have our three minute window of opportunity while they change sentry.[/B]? Unhate grinned at Jack for a moment, ?[B]I suppose we should congratulate him if we get the chance then.[/B]? Jack nodded and smiled himself, before returning the photos to Joseph. They?d have to time it exactly right, but the future was something in Jack?s experience that didn?t change, quietly he knelt back down, his back facing that same doldrum-like rock as he checked his equipment before their insertion into the compound. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. One of the funniest moments from school I can recall would be when we were doing our fourth year show, Calamity Jane. I auditioned and got the role of Henry Miller which required me to pull of a good Southern American accent, which was basically a mixture of Foghorn Leghorn and Yosemite Sam. When we started doing the first rehearsals for the play we had a myriad of difference accents come out from Australian, to Indian, to English, and finally to a rousing Scottish accent which left the cast in roaring laughter. Other moment from the play included the collapsing to the steps onto the stage and the cross-dressing of one of the "tough guys" for his role. I suppose they're not really funny to read, but if you were there you'd just have to laugh recalling it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I don't believe I've ever eaten a fortune cookie, as the local Chinese restaurants don't seem to serve them instead using prawn crackers which give me a sick stomach. As for the little fortune inside, well I suppose there's only so many of them that can be thought up, it's a bit like Penguin bars when the replaced the little titbits of information with crap penguin-related jokes. [/SIZE] [quote name='Dragon Warrior']It might as well have said, "We're out of ideas, asshat, come back later!"[/quote] [SIZE=1]That has to be one of the funniest damn insults I've ever heard. Asshat, I'd be more inclined to laugh than feel insulted.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Personally I don't put any faith into the concept of ghosts or other supernatural apparitions, well except for angels but there are certain circumstances around which I will actually believe someone has seen one. As Ilium has said I think a lot of people who claim to have seen a ghost are simply giving in to an overactive imagination. When someone believes they are going to see a ghost, their mind will often ignore evidence that what they see and hear is no more supernatural than gravity.[/SIZE]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=1][B]Name:[/B] James Griffin [B]Age:[/B] 28 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Nationality:[/B] Irish [B]Appearance:[/B] [url=http://aimostudio.com/gallery/sketch/2005/20050321.jpg]Two[/url] [url=http://aimostudio.com/gallery/sketch/2005/20050312.gif]pictures[/url] of James, though the second is an artists sketch of him, rather than a real life picture. James stands just over the six foot mark and is athletically toned and inclined, his blond hair and blue eyes have made him a ladies favourite and a bit of a poster boy, though he gets very embarrassed when the subject is brought up. In terms of clothing he sticks mostly to what?s comfortable, a plain navy cotton t-shirt with light coloured jeans and a pair of white and grey trainers, when the weather is colder he usually dons a cream/off-white coloured jacket to keep him warm. [B]Pokémon:[/B] Venusaur, Walrein, Lairon [B]Biography:[/B] The first sound James can recall, even before hearing his mothers voice is the sound of the ocean, the lapping waves of the Atlantic gently sweeping against cliffs below his house, the sound is soothing, almost hypnotic in nature, it?s almost as if he?s listening to the heartbeat of the world. He was born on Inishmore, largest island of the Arans, just off the west coast of Ireland, a small bucolic paradise where life seems to run at a slower, more gentle pace. James? father Ger is and always has been a farmer, just like his father before him, he knows every rock, every tree, every blade of grass on Inishmore, he loves the land, loves it like a person because it?s as much a part of his family as his father or his sons. James? mother May run Inishmore?s Pokémon clinic, an intensely caring woman she spends her days caring for many of the older Pokémon who?s masters have passed on and can no longer take care of them, serene and gentle she is the yin to her husbands fiery and passionate yang, though both share an intense love for life. Growing up James tried to spend equal time between his parents, whether spending hours with his father getting his hands dirty digging up fresh vegetables, or merely reading quietly to many of the older Pokémon inside the clinic James just wanted to spend as much time with his parents as he could. It was working with his mother than James developed his love of Pokémon, though more specifically that honour falls to Bruce, a nineteen year old Mightyena under his mother?s care. Bruce was an old dog, his once black fur had turned a snowy grey, his once sharp eyes had taken on a tired and hazy look, he would spend hours sitting in his basket simply looking out at the waves, probably remembering his time spend as a young pup. While Bruce was usually quiet and inactive around people, when James came around a bit of life seemed to stir in the old hound, his head would lie between his front pays, his eyes open and focused with his tail wagging happily, James would sit beside Bruce for hours, reading his stories or just patting his back to let him know that someone still cared for him. However one day at age nine when James can to see Bruce he found his basket empty, with only a few stray white hairs remaining, calling frantically for Bruce with tears welling up in his eyes James ran to his mother. While May tried to explain to the boy that Bruce had lived a long, long time and that his dying was a natural thing, it didn?t take the edge of the hurt James felt. The small boy was heartbroken at the loss of his friend, and for a few days he could do nothing but think about Bruce and how he should have been there for his friend at the end. James? father noticed how despondent his son was over Bruce?s death, and in an effort to cheer him up brought him over onto the mainland to see the Irish Pokémon Championship, while James was aware that Bruce was an old Pokémon and had at one time been famous, he?d never actually seen a Pokémon battle before, much less a championship. He watches with a kind of muted awe as trainers and Pokémon worked together in harmony, his father told James stories about great champions from before when James or his father were even born, how some trainers had achieved the status of legend due to their skill and teamwork. Like so many other impressionable youths seeing a Pokémon championship sowed the seeds of desire in James? heart, he?d go on and become a great trainer and do justice to his friendship with Bruce. By age ten and a half, thanks mostly to his parents encouragement James had learned much of the basics and some of the more advanced lessons in caring for, raising and battling Pokémon, the next step in the ladder for James was to get his own first Pokémon and put his knowledge to use. While his mother?s clinic dealt regularly with injured Pokémon and those who had become old and infirmed, there were no young Pokémon to supply to young trainers, James would have to travel to the mainland again to the Connemara Pokémon Research Laboratory in order to get his first Pokémon. Entering through the glass foyer of the lab James felt his heart beating with anticipation, the staff were all kind and helpful in helping him to try and choose his first Pokémon but ultimately the decision fell to James. While moving through the section that dealt with grass Pokémon, James came across a Bulbasaur, he hadn?t seen anything like it before, was it a plant or an animal he asked fascinated ? The Bulbasaur seemed aware that it was being watched and in reared it?s head staring directly at James, it seemed the choice had been made for him. Over the course of the next seventeen and a half years James has matured into a very talented trainer, when asked what he believes his secret to winning is, he simply responds that having utter trust in his compatriots is the key, but a bit of luck always helps. Currently James is the Irish PFL champion and ranked in the top three in Europe and top ten in the world, he enters this tournament not for the glory but simply to gain a better understanding of himself, his own Pokémon and of Pokémon in general.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. My own take on this is that this is that it was a stupid thing to say and not very many people are going to take notice of it, with only a fraction of that tiny percentage actually agreeing with him and a tiny proportion of that percentage willing to take up arms and try to take out President Chavez. In other words, he might as well stick his head up his rear for all the good it'll do him, a true Christian doesn't spout such words of violence against another person.[/SIZE] [quote name='Molleta][COLOR=SeaGreen]As for this guy, I've seen him, and while he has the right to say whatever he wants, I will use the same right to say I find him nutty. I agree with Sage, that more than he, it is the [i]followers[/i'] that maybe a problem. Hopefully we don't have any rogue covert agent to do his bidding. lol Besides, does he think an assassination won't start a war? Has anyone heard of Archduke Ferdinand?[/COLOR][/quote] [SIZE=1]Hit the nail on the head, assassinating a country's leader is a very good way to start a war rather than avoid one, though if the Bush administration had intended to assassinate the Venezuelan President, I think it would have happened before now and looked like an accident. Either than or I'm reading too much Ludlum for my own good. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Alright, fully finished sign up as I promised Bill. [b]Name:[/b] Rogan [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] Thirty [b]Race:[/b] Goron [b]Appearance:[/b] Rogan is big, real big, big even for a Goron. He stands well over eight feet in height and weighs enough to slightly rumble the ground wherever he walks. Rogan's physical appearance is also a bit different from that of his kin, most Gorons sport a large rounded stomach, a holdover from their diet of delicious tasty rocks, a small outcropping of whitish hair on the top of their head and a small bit under their lower lip. Rogan on the other hand has a much flatter stomach compared to his kind, though it can't be down to eating less tasty rocks than everyone else, his kin will testify he eats as much if not more than anyone else. His hair as well is quite different to that of the average Goron too, growing out all over his head and spiking in triangles along the edges of his face and head as well his facial hair covering from the edges of his lip down his chin, the Hyrulean term being "smig". The final difference between Rogan and other Goron is that he wears clothing, it's not a fashion choice or a way to rebel against the Goron traditions but down to the fact that he spends much more time above ground than they do, and for a Goron the warmth of the Great Sea is still a little cold for them. His clothing is basically a pair of worn brown trousers, tan leather boots and a sleeveless cream coloured shirt. [b]Background/Biography:[/b] Rogan or Darogan to give him his full name was born like most Goron of his generation on Stonewatcher Island. Of all the races hit hardest by the Great Flood, the Gorons were probably hit the worst, their home Death Mountain was submerged and only a few places where their favoured tasty rocks could be found still remained above sea level. In short the Gorons faced possible starvation and extinction if something couldn't be done to solve their current problems. By their very nature the Gorons are courageous, loyal and generous but couldn't be described as the sharpest rocks in the outcropping, however fortunately for them a few Gorons seem to buck that trend, one of them being Darogan's father Darogal. There was an obvious solution to the Goron's plight, at least obvious to anyone who wasn't a Goron, for generations the Goron's had always lived in the mountains, going higher and higher as their food sources depleted on the lower peaks and so the idea of going back down the mountain to find food and warmth was a foreign concept to them. The simple answer to the Goron's problems was to start mining, Goron's are big and much stronger than any other race in the Great Sea and so mining wasn't exactly an activity they could claim wouldn't suit them. If there were only a few places where tasty rocks could be found above sea level, whereas before the Flood there were many places such rocks could be found, then simply excavating the ground underneath the islands should in theory produce greater quantities of their food. Now as I said before the Gorons aren't the brightest of sparks, but there was enough tasty rocks to keep them the going for a while up on the surface and the land above was warm enough to be tolerated by Gorons however their supply of tasty rocks wouldn't last forever and while Gorons tolerated the warmth of Great Sea's many islands there was a general consensus that a warmer place to live would be more preferable. It was Rogan's father who first started mining, and for a time it caused quite a stir with some Gorons saying it went completely against Goron tradition. However after only a few years the Gorons saw the great value of mining, not only would they have more tasty rocks to eat, potentially an eternal supply but also they'd be able to get closer to some of Death Mountain's volcanic rock which would suit their heat needs down to the ground. Twenty years before Rogan was born, the Gorons had transformed themselves from a people on the verge of starvation to respected miners and craftsmen, supplying much of the metals used by other races in their daily lives. The Gorons themselves spread out to many islands across the Great Sea, digging deep below the islands themselves and setting up thriving colonies, many of these Goron colonies insured the safety of passing boats by ridding the islands and surrounding waters of such potential enemies as Big Octos, Kargorocs, Sea Hats and Gyorgs. The Goron ability to work metals and stone has become something of legend, with many wealthy Rito, Hylians and Hyruleans coming from all over the Great Sea to procure high quality items, ornaments and tools. When Rogan was born it was assumed that he would, like his father establish a forge, spend his days creating implements to be used or sold, spend his nights feasting merrily with the rest of his kin, marry and start a family and generally lead what was considered to be a normal life by the Gorons on Stonewatcher Island. But Rogan had a strange fascination with the Great Sea, and as much as he enjoyed working in the forge with his father there was just something that drew him to the Great Sea. Darogal's answer to this was for the boy to spend a few years transporting Goron merchandise to the other inhabited islands of the Great Sea, although the Rito Postal Service was fast and very efficient there were certain large items that simply couldn't be carried by a Rito postman. Rogan was therefore elected to be the first merchant of Stonewatcher Island, a fancy way of saying that Rogan would be in fact a delivery boy. Whether or not Rogan realised he was a delivery boy didn't matter one bit to him, he loved the sea and the ship the Gorons of Stonewatcher Island built for him could only be described as magnificent. Rogan was just fourteen when he started as "captain" of his ship, though as he was the only one on board it would have been hard for him not to be captain. He's travelled the entirety of the Great Sea countless times, he knows every rock, every beach, every tree off by heart, he can navigate simply by using the stars at night or the position of the sun during the day. He's thrown every ounce of himself into being the best merchant he can be for the last sixteen years and it's really paid off, whenever his ship pulls into port on Outset, Crescent Moon, Windfall or Dragon Roost Island there's never a shortage of customers. [b]Personality:[/b] Rogan is for the most part a quite person, he's spent the last sixteen years at sea with only himself for the most part for company, though this quietness dissolves once he's among his kin or friends when in fact he'll talk your head off with tales of what he's seen or stories and rumours he's heard travelling the expanses of the Great Sea. When Rogan is eating however it is very inadvisable that you interrupt him, like all Goron Rogan eats only the rocks his people find edible, though he has been known on occasion to eat some non-Goron food it is simply down to taste as he derives no nourishment from it, ale on the other hand is one of his favourite drinks and as a Goron he could drink three or four barrels of ale and never become drunk. As with all Gorons, the concepts of honour, friendship, loyalty, courage and generosity are inherent to the nature of Rogan as well a fiercely good sense of humour. [b]Primary Weapon:[/b] Nereus' Shield [b]Secondary Weapon:[/b] Biggoron's Hammer [b]Items:[/b] Telescope, Spoils Bag, Deluxe Picto Box [b]Starting Point:[/b] Stonewatcher Island[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Edit: Done and dusted, if you'll excuse the pun [b]Name:[/b] John Edward Griffin [b]Nickname:[/b] Jack [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 37 [b]Appearance:[/b] [url=http://adventkane.250free.com/Ford.jpg]Jack[/url] Standing well over six foot tall and weighing in somewhere around the 215 mark most people who don?t know Jack take one look at him and step back. Those that do know him, well some of them that have earned his ire step back too, but most of them just give him a smile and he?s like a big teddy bear. Jack spends most of his time behind the bar, well at least a good portion of his time, as such he?s taken on the look of the saloon barman rather than the owner. An alcohol stained what-used-to-be white apron is wrapped around his midsection, covering over a pair of tailored dark navy trousers, some fine black leather shoes and the bottom part of a navy waistcoat. The shirt underneath is kept white purely because Jack buys white shirts buy the dozen so he can always have one when he needs it. The sleeves of said shirts are usually rolled up the elbow to avoid staining the cuffs, and he has two of those elastic things around his upper arms to make sure the cuffs don?t roll down again. When the time comes from Jack to put on a suit, well fancy just doesn?t cover it. The man?s wealth is most apparent in what he wears, fully tailored suits in a few different colours, leather belts and pairs of shoes that look like they?ve been polished for hours on end, and most importantly his white shirts to go with it. When the time calls for it Jack has known to wear a large cream coloured cowboy hat, though again only when the time calls for it, because simply put Jack isn?t partial to cowboy hats. [b]Personality:[/b] Unlike many of the misfits that inhabit Dustero you always know where you stand with Jack. If he calls you friend then he?ll do just about anything in his power for you, so long as it?s legal and if he calls you his enemy, well you?d not be too wise to go poking around his saloon or the consequences could be dire. He?s got a good heart and is willing to do a turn for someone if possible, but he?s also got a short fuse that tends to go off only when he?s overworked, stressed and has to deal with some out-of-town idiot. Jack's a cunning and eloquent bastard too, you don?t get to own Dustero?s most successful saloon if you don?t have the initiative to see business deals or opportunities wherever they present themselves. [b]Occupation:[/b] Saloon Owner [b]Hobbies:[/b] Stargazing, reading, playing cards and when the chance presents itself he likes to do a little cooking. [b]Weapons/Possessions:[/b] Aside from a Smith & Wesson six-shooter tucked into his holster, Jack is partial to a double barrelled shotgun he keeps under the bar counter and uses only when things get a little out of hand. Usually this is just a shot upwards to calm people down, but there have been instances where the gun is pointing forward when he fires. Aside from weapons, Jack keeps a small brass pocket watch his father gave him before he left Ireland, well over twenty years ago. This watch is possibly Jack?s most treasured item and as such he keeps it securely fastened to his waistcoat at all times. Other than the watch Jack?s only other possession of note is a brass telescope he picked up someplace or another in the last decade, exactly where only Jack knows and he not saying. He keeps it inside his and Gracie?s room and only uses it when the nights are good. [b]Other Information:[/b] Jack is married to Gracie Livingston, the lead showgirl of his establishment, and responsible for half of his clientele. Despite the age difference Jack is very much in love with Gracie and has been known to quite seriously injure individuals who try to hassle her, that is if Gracie doesn?t kick the stuffing out of them herself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I haven't see the film yet, in fact I haven't even seen a trailer for it yet so this is something of a preview for me. As a young child I always found the tales of the Grimm brothers to be very entertaining, as well as intelligently written, in essence they were stories for anyone. When it comes out methinks I'll have to go giver it a gander. [/SIZE] [quote name='Muse][COLOR=indigo][SIZE=1]No, I haven't. I saw him in Ned Kelly and was pretty let down. My best friend loves A Knights Tale, however, and has been trying to persuade me to watch it. I'm guessing I should?[/COLOR'][/SIZE][/quote] [SIZE=1]That would be a definite yes, while I'm not a huge fan of that film it is quite funny and very enjoyable for the occasional viewing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Of the top of my head I can't think of very many funny Irish place names, at least those that are genuinely funny in their own language such as Dan's example of Nasty. There are the cities (and counties) of Limerick, Cork and Mayo, as well as the suburb of Swords in Dublin but I don't personally find them funny though I suppose that?s down to the fact I've gotten used to them. A few homonyms would Fethard, pronounced the same way as feathered which I found rather funny when we first moved out to my current house. You could also throw in the counties of Kilkenny (also a city), which many South Park fans might chuckle at, and Offaly which sounds very close to awfully. And at this moment that?s all I can think of. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I agree with the general consensus, while you're not as wise at eighteen as you may been at say eighty, you have to start somewhere. At eighteen, aside from applying for an old age pension, I have the full run of privileges that all Irish adults enjoy and several such as tax that many if not all adults do not enjoy. I can vote in any and all elections, which I fully intend to do next year in order to tell the current Fianna Fáil government where to go for their constant blunders and tax-wasting policies. Back on subject though, perhaps twenty-one would be a better age to grant people the rights of an adult at, but given the current general maturity of young adults, you really don't do or think a whole lot differently at twenty-one than you did at eighteen and as such there's really no justification in changing the law. Some thirty year olds have the maturity of thirteen year olds and some sixteen year olds have the maturity of people twice their age. But as I said at the beginning you have to start somewhere, and to me eighteen seems to be the best place.[/SIZE]