Sandy

[quote name='Premonition'][COLOR="77656"]So if something like beer is legal, marijuana should be too.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] Your logic is so fallable that it's a wonder you can't see it yourself. You're basically saying that because something else that's dangerous is legal, then this other thing that's less dangerous (but still dangerous enough) should be legal as well. You simply cannot make such connections between two different things. You also have to remember that alcohol has a long and colorful history with humankind. Really, if it was invented in modern times it would be made illegal, just like tobacco would. But I guess you and the other pro-marijuana people just don't want to see the reasons against it. Denial is a powerful defense, I give you that.

[quote name='Retribution'][font=Arial]Why are we protecting people from themselves? Isn't part of being an adult the ability to make personal decisions and not have the government unnecessarily intervening in their private life?[/font][/QUOTE] I already said it in my previous post, but since not all people are the responsible, considering adults you make of them, drug use is not a private matter, but it touches all the people near the user. And adults aren't the only users, kids and youth are much more easily drawn to begin drug use than grown-ups. I personally don't care much what people do to themselves, but they don't have any right to hurt people around them because of their own selfish habits. That's where I draw the line, and so does the vast majority of people too, fortunately.

[quote name='Boo'][size=1]What are you talking about? Marijuana is perfectly legal and normal.[/size][/QUOTE] You Dutchmen are all potheads, that's why it seems normal to you. XD But in all seriousness, this world does not need for another legal drug - enough tragedies have been caused by tobacco and alcohol. And not just to the users, but also to their nearest and dearest, neighbors, innocent bystanders, victims of drunken driving and the slaveworkers at tobacco fields, just to name a few groups. There's only two reasons why those two are still legal: because they've become a habit (or addiction) to so many people, and because some people make awful lot of money from their preparation, distribution and selling. Really, we don't need to add marijuana into that equation, no matter how much "healthier" it is compared to the other two (which is just as ridiculous a reason as saying some car is friendlier to the environment - it's still damn unfriendly to it, no matter what).

[quote name='dragoonreaper'] (OoC: New and improved. Lets just hope people find it interesting again Sandy.)[/QUOTE] Wait, what does this have to do with me? XP

Just as a curiosity, I have replaced the images of the dead souls in the first page of the game thread with ones that have reversed colors. This is because there's a limit on how many images can one post include, and I have ran into that limit several times already. This time I didn't know what else to remove to make room for new images, so I decided to combine the Death Cards into the character portraits. So if an image of a character has reversed colors, it means that the character is dead. ;D

A new soul has been put into play. Enora Isago will find out that the last moments of the Ragnarok are upon both the gods and the souls. Note that even though Enora comes from a future where Bellanna has won the game, it's not necessarily what will happen. Maybe Enora's arrival is the very thing that changes the flow of time. ;D And Baby Kenneth is still in play, so he could be involved in that as well.

[B]Malkav:[/B] the "g" is pronounced like "j".If you want to know the origins of the name, [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almagest][U]visit here[/U][/url]. ;D [B]D'Ann:[/B] your and Sakura's characters are 27 years old, as I didn't see that Sakura had also switched her character's age. And Macey's pet project is supposed to be [I]top secret[/I], so of course it won't be discussed in a newspaper article. ;P You people might have already noticed it, but my character is the only one missing from the text as well, but that's simply because he will be introduced to the family early in the game.

[FONT="Palatino Linotype"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]The tension rose quickly again around the pool in the nearly-abandoned Valhalla. With so few souls left, the brothers and sisters of Paraxis were getting nervous. Paraxis's empty eyes widened when he saw that a new kind of card had been played. "Finally..."[/COLOR] [CENTER]~~~~~ [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-enora.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-timetravelcard.png[/IMG][/CENTER] She had been waiting for this journey for years now, ever since she had been chosen as the Emissary to the Past. Enora Isago's heart had pounded with pride and excitement as she stepped into the portal that would bring her back in time a thousand years. She had left her three companions, sixteen children and hundreds of children's children and their children behind to get a glimpse of the time of the Revelation of Love. Exactly thousand years ago the Goddess had appeared to the humankind and brought with Her the message of love and peace. [I]"Wage not war, but make love instead"[/I], She had taught them. And a miraculous sensation had filled them all, and ever since that day everything had been lovely and beautiful. Or so Enora had always been taught. She as a Judge of Love knew all too well that humankind was incapable of restraining itself from strife. Sure, the Earth she lived in knew no boundaries between genders, sexualities, skin colors or ages, but when a hundred billion individuals are forced to inhabit one small planet and it's satellite, great problems were bound to arise. But Enora Isago was an idealist. She was certain that her journey through time would bring an answer to the people of her time - even though she couldn't return there herself. Enora would find out just what had happened to make the Goddess suddenly reveal herself. So as she stepped through the portal of light that carried her one thousand years to the past, she didn't know what to expect. But what she then saw on the other side she would never have believed to be even possible. [CENTER]~~~~~[/CENTER] [B]Name:[/B] Enora Isago [B]Gender:[/B] Female [B]Age:[/B] 125 [B]Origins:[/B] Cairo, Egypt 3007 [B]Occupation:[/B] Judge[/FONT]

[quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium] It would be good to also have a tree diagram, but this is definitely not a necessity. [/font][/QUOTE] Like I said, there [I]will[/I] be a family tree diagram posted in the game thread. As in, a picture of a tree with the character portraits hanging from it and lines connecting the characters together. ;D

The auditions are now closed, and a new Chronicle has been posted on the first page of this thread to reflect the characters chosen into the game. There will also be a [B]family tree[/B] posted alongside the game thread tomorrow. It should clarify just who is related to who in what way. This is because we made some clarifications and adjustments to your characters' internal relations. The biggest changes would be that we made [B]Dawlish/Blayze[/B] to be [B]Daedalus/Gavin[/B]'s son instead of a cousin, that [B]Morphia/Chikara Kokoro[/B] became the half-sister of Bavaria and [B]Jack/Malkav[/B] like we agreed, and that [B]Eva/Sakura[/B] and [B]Macey/Raiha[/B] are now twins. The rest of the adjustments are more minor. The tree will also include the years of birth (and in case of some NPCs, death) for each member of the family. If you wonder about it, the current year in the game is 709 YD (Year of the Dynasty), and the Mine War took place in the years 665-666 YD. If you still have questions regarding your character, please ask them here. ;D

Due to the faster pace we're seemingly going to have until this ends, I have made another adjustment to the rules: From this point forward, anyone who has lost all their souls will have [B]only one post[/B] to try and earn their way back into the game. Now I think we will soon either see some comebacks and creations, or gods falling from their heavenly thrones... ;D I'm glad to also announce that there will be a [B]special reward[/B] for the winner of this game, compliments by myself. ;D You'll all see it when this thing is over.

[FONT="Georgia"]People, the sign-ups are now closed. We have also reached a decision on the players already, and they are in alphabetical order: [INDENT]Aaryanna Aaryanna_Mom Blayze Chikara Kokoro Cyriel Darren Gavin indifference James Malkav Matt Muse Neuvoxraiha Rachmaninoff Sakura SunfallE[/INDENT] Congratulations, the eighteen of us will have a blast, I'm sure of that. Also note that a new issue of [B]the Chronicle[/B] is up at the Backstage thread, featuring the Almagest family. And my apologies for the ones who didn't made the cut. It was a really tough decision, but we had to choose from a few very similar characters, and leave out those who we didn't feel fit the world we've created very well. In any case, Shy will be starting the game tomorrow on [B]Wednesday[/B], so keep your eyes on Theater main page. See you there![/FONT]

There has been another change in the rules: from now on cards will be given when you reach [B]4 Death Points[/B]. I think this will bring us back to speed, and finally reach conclusion to this game. ;D You guys know me, I hate to leave my games unfinished, and in this case we're so close to the end that I will not give up. There [I]shall[/I] be only one god!

[quote name='Arispa'][size=1] I am in no position to take care of a child right now, and won't be in the near future. I don't turn 18 for another year and some-odd months, so it's okay. I'd much rather be happy and safe and able to support said children. :)[/size][/QUOTE] I hope you have heard that you can use this thing called [I]protection[/I], too. Sex doesn't lead to getting a child automatically, nowadays. ;P Sorry to sound so sarcastic, of course it's wise to prepare in case of an "accident", but if both sides use protection, then you really shouldn't have to worry about it.

[B]Chikara Kokoro:[/B] Yes, one of the three heirs of the Dynasty is female. Her name is Augustine Beauteous, and she is renown of her vanity. If you want to play as her personal bodyguard, it's totally possible. [B]Cyriel:[/B] Your character can be a half-sister to Bavaria and Jack Deacon. It makes her much easier to be implemented into the family tree than if she were a grandniece. ;D

[quote name='Chikara Kokoro']I'm really interested in joining this RP, but there are a few things I'd like to have explained before I feel comfortable posting a sign-up. The occupation of royal police guard interested me the most, and I have a few questions concerning that job. What kind of weapons/armor do they use, if any at all?[/quote] The RPGs (pun intended) use mainly batons and shields when patrolling, but they can be armed with swords for emergencies as well. Shooting weapons are still so heavy that they are only used in special situations such as warfare, but who knows what the development of Magitechnology brings with it... ;D [QUOTE]Is there a gender limitation (i.e. males only)?[/QUOTE] Although the guard is very male dominant, there can be a few women serving there, for example as personal guards of female royalty. [quote]Also, the possibility of blood relatives who weren't yet aware of being related to the Almagest family was brought up, and I was wondering how this was possible with the last name law. Is there a way for this to happen other than illegitimate children?[/QUOTE] Being an illegitimate child is naturally the only way that someone can be related to the family without knowing it (unless one suffers from amnesia or something), but I think the sign-ups have enough "bastards" already. If you want into the game, you better hurry, because we will close the sign-ups at the start of the next week (Wednesday most likely).

[quote name='Matt']BTW, is there anything in particular you would like for me to change with my character? I'm really desperate to get into this RP, and will do whatever you request in order to do so.[/quote] I find it odd that an aristocrat whose real occupation is a reporter is also a warrior. In my opinion there are already too many weapon-specialists in the family, but that's just me. Also, if we choose you, I'd like to skip the NPC parents and make your character the son of Daedalus as well. But that's not something that affects whether or not someone gets into the game. Everyone else can also expect some minor switches in how your character relates to the family, although I'm not going to touch your characters' ages or closest relationships. I just want to cut down unnecessary NPCs and bring the characters closer to each other. ;D [quote name='Cyriel'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]I hope my sign-up isn't overkill or anything...since it got kind of long =_=;; If there are problems, please let me know, and I will edit to your heart's content! I know it's not a close relative of the Almagests, but (like Malkav) I thought it'd be more interesting coming from Lady Bavaria's side of the family.[/FONT][/QUOTE] I really like the detail you put into your character, but I have two requests: Firstly, she shouldn't be so distantly related to Bavaria. Remember that Bavaria herself is young (I'm thinking under forty), so your character could very well be her little sister, even (and thus the little sister of Malkav's character as well). Secondly, it would be great if your character would have one focused occupation, instead of doing a bit of everything. I do love the fact that she's in the social circles, and the way you tied her to the Almagest household is great as well.

[quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]By the way, do you know when this might start? Seems like there's been a huge amount of sign-ups in a pretty short time.[/font][/QUOTE] We are thinking to start this next Wednesday. There could be a few more sign-ups coming based on the PMs I've got, but we will close the auditions when the game starts. Yes, the amount of sign-ups we've gathered is magnificent. It's a shame that not everyone will make the cut, unfortunately. :/

[quote name='MistressRoxie'][color=#9933ff] Did you know Finland is the country with the most lakes in the entire world? *_*[/color][/quote] Yes, "the Land of a Thousand Lakes", I'm aware of that. ;D There's actually over a hundred thousand lakes, but who's counting? XP The capital, Helsinki, which is the city I was born in, is by the sea, though. The lakes are inland stuff. [quote name='MistressRoxie'][color=#9933ff]It looks like your boyfriend snagged a hottie. Congrats to him. ^_~[/color][/QUOTE] I'm very lucky to have snagged a guy like him, as well. ;D But thanks for the compliment, Roxie!

Since this thread has been revived, I'd like to post an update of myself as well. These photos are from this autumn, taken near where I live (which is a small city by a lake). My hair has changed twice from these pictures, btw. ;P [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/omakuva20.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/omakuva21.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/omakuva22.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/omakuva23.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/omakuva25.png[/IMG] The last one is my personal Bridge to Terabithia, we just found it in the middle of a little forest with my bf. Absolutely enchanting. ;D

I find nothing wrong with your sign-up, James. I'd like to notify everyone that there's new section has been added to the first post of this thread, [B]The Dramatis Personae[/B], which has all the non-player characters in the game in a simple checklist. It will be updated when the game progresses as new NPCs are introduced. I will also include any NPCs featured in the background stories (such as family members) of those characters we eventually choose into the game. ;D

Mike,don't panic please. ;D If there was something completely wrong with your character, we'd let you know. And Omega, to answer your questions, my opinion is that a greater variance in ages would be welcome, since there's especially many men in their mid-twenties in the sign-ups now. I'm not saying that [I]you[/I] should switch your character's age if you don't want to, of course. And I don't mind an outsticking tongue, if the picture is otherwise suitable for the theme and the character. ;P

[quote name='Andrew'][size=1]Picture's changed, as much as I resent it. I can see why you have an issue with the dark skin tone but meh, it's changed now. [/size][/QUOTE] I'd say it's an issue if one of the members of all-white family is black. XD Of course a black (or any other skin color) character would be very interesting addition to the family, but obviously two white people cannot produce a black heir, so he or she couldn't be related to them by blood. Unfortunately, your new picture is just as "unportraitly" as the last one. I don't see how you can think of a musclebound oriental monk as a Victorian aristocrat... :/ And [B]Blayze[/B], we don't need a full-body picture, but your picture didn't lack in size but in quality - it was too pixelated. Hope I didn't confuse with my picture switch too much, heh. ;D Finally, [B]Omega[/B], I would have to request you to change your character picture to something more Victorian and aristocratic as well, for reasons mentioned earlier.

I've always wanted a mirror ceiling. You can imagine why - if you want to. ;P Whoopsie, there goes that [E]-rating...

Thanks for the offer, Kathy, but I actually have made a chart of my own already. Despite how it might show, I know a thing or two about family trees as well. ;D Honestly, I only know [I]one[/I] man who has had a child when he was over 50, so will you guys please stop calling me out for that? XP I never said it was unheard of, let alone impossible. Case closed, okay? On another issue, upon closer inspection I have noticed that many of your character's pictures have some problems in them. Let me give you a rundown. [indent][B]SunfallE:[/B] your picture may be a [I]bit[/I] too cropped to make it look like a portrait. Would you happen to have a full-body picture of that girl? You could also use [url=http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/talesoftheabyss/art-007.jpg][U]this one[/U][/url], I think she looks remarkably similar to your character. [B]Raiha:[/B] as beautiful as your character's picture is, it [I]might[/I] be too blurry to make it look like a painting in frames. It's still passable, though, but would it be too much of a problem to find a clearer picture? [B]Blayze:[/B] [url=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Final%20Fantasy/ff12-chara-basch.jpg][U]here[/U][/url]'s a better quality version of your character's picture. We'd rather use it instead of the one you posted, if that's alright. [B]Andrew:[/B] I'm sorry, but Zelgadis simply cannot be a black-skinned person, since he was born to a white couple. Would you mind finding a more suitable picture for him, one that could be imagined as a painting? [B]Muse:[/B] your character's picture isn't very portrait-like, either. Could you find something more aristocratic for Henry's portrait, please?[/indent] These notions shouldn't be taken personally, I'm being nitpicky about the pictures for a reason, since I'm going to construct the family tree using the "framed painting"-versions of those pictures. So I'd be very grateful if people would follow these instructions. Thanks in advance, guys!