Sandy

I'm certainly interested in this project, it's been great to see the information grow during the weekend, and I really hope it will continue expanding in the future (so that this isn't just another of those two-week projects OB has seen during it's long history). My only grit is that currently Otakupedia is so heavily focused on nostalgy and reminiscense - generally stuff that the majority of the current active memberbase hasn't experienced. I haven't even seen any requests to make articles about current members or recent happenings in this thread yet. I guess I just fear that this project alienates the newer members and turns into an oldie fest... :/

[QUOTE=Baron Samedi][size=1]I'm currently reading [i]The Mallorean[/i] series by David Eddings. Sometime last week I happaned to glance at my bookshelf and saw 'Belgarath', which is a related story, set earlier on. After reading that I went and ordered out the five books of [i]The Belgariad[/i] which is the series preceding [i]The Mallorean[/i] and just yesterday I started on 'Guardians of the West' which is the first in [i]The Mallorean[/i] series. It's a fantasy series, which is quite solidly based as far as fantasy goes. It isn't like The Hobbit or other stories lie that, as the main characters are all human, and there is only one 'talking animal' kind of thing. Can be quite humorous at points, but it tells a serious story. It's quite a good series [all of them] and well worth a read for those who haven't.[/size][/QUOTE] That series was the one that dragged me into reading fantasy literature. Looking back now, having read hundreds of fantasy books, David Eddings' work feels so sweet and innocent but rather childish and clichéd as well. The setting is quite original, though, and the story is enjoyable in it's longevity and multiple twists and turns. Like you said, it isn't High Fantasy like the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms, but a complete world of it's own. I have to say, though, I liked the Elenium/Tamul -series better from Eddings. It was much more mature than Belgariad/Mallorean. As for me, I'm currently stuck reading Bruce Sterling's [B]Schismatrix[/B], which is said to be a classic sci-fi novel. I'm stuck because [I]really[/I] I should read all these books for school, so if I read Schismatrix instead I'd feel guilty. Now I just don't read anything. XP

[FONT=Palatino Linotype][CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-round2.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5]The Gathering[/SIZE] [I]"A group is so much more than the sum of its individuals"[/I][/CENTER] Her steps echoing from the stone walls on her both sides, Janet Peterson walked forward. She had lost her sense of direction a long time ago, and for all she cared, she could very well find herself back at that [I]dreadful[/I] graveyard. She thought about Mary and Steven, the two innocent children who she hadn't been able to save, and then she thought about her own three children. They were probably wondering where their mommy went. Who was going to take care of them if she died here? Their father was gone, had been for years now. Janet didn't have anybody else but the children. Suddenly she heard a cheerful laughter coming straight ahead. A small shadow ran across the corridor she was walking, disappearing to one of the narrower paths. [B]"Hey... Wait!"[/B] Janet exclaimed, and began to run. There the laughter was again! This time much louder. It was coming... behind her. Janet spun around and saw a ragdoll on the ground. It was missing one of its button eyes. Janet grouched to pick it up. [I]"Don't touch my toys"[/I], a demanding voice of a child said. Janet glanced up but she didn't see anybody. [I]"I wanna play!"[/I] the voice said far ahead of her, fading away. [B]"This is [I]madness[/I]!"[/B] Janet said in despair, squeezing the ragdoll against her chest. Then she saw it: a child, a girl walking to the path she was standing in. They stared at each others. [B]"Is this yours?"[/B] Janet whispered and showed the ragdoll to the girl. [B]"Of course not!"[/B] Feng Li laughed. [B]"I'm way too old to play with dolls!"[/B] [/FONT]

New cards for the second round have been sent to the seven players through private messages now. Two players received an extra [B]Life Card[/B] because they didn't lose either of their characters in the first round. The other five players were given a [B]Teleport Card[/B], which they can use to instantly transport one character from one place to another - no explanation needed. The next round will start shortly, so the race towards the exit continues!

I have now used up my [B]Life Card[/B] for this round to resurrect none other than the murderous [B]Ayame Hisa[/B]. Because of that, [B]no player[/B] will have to leave this event this round. Next round begins [B]tomorrow[/B] with whole new opportunities to reduce the number of characters [I]as well as[/I] players. I tell you, next round will be a [I]murderous[/I] one with nine characters and seven Death Cards! Perhaps I'll throw in some new cards for the players as well... ;D Here are the remaining characters: [indent][B]Ayame Hisa Callisto Obertelli Feng Li Janet Peterson Joachim Gale Kalas Harrison Lita Rossi Maya Ashnard Scott Sheppard[/B][/indent] Before the next round starts, you can explore more of the Labyrinth with these characters. It's been an exciting week inside the maze - I for one wouldn't want to be there myself - but can you make the next week even [I]more[/I] exciting? There's a challenge for you! ;D See you tomorrow!

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Kalas Harrison and Lita Rossi took a one final glance around the graveyard they and thirteen others had woken up in. It felt like such a sort time ago, but now it was just the two of them remaining there, at the Nexus. Both bloodstained, both having already seen more death than ever in their lifetime. [B]"So, shall we go then?"[/B] Kalas asked. [B]"I'm afraid of what lies beyond that hedge fence"[/B], Lita said quietly. [B]"Perhaps this madness is just the beginning."[/B] [B]"I'm sure the way out is just around the corner"[/B], Kalas assured. [B]"Whoever was the psychopath who put us all in these graves, we'll find it out and turn him in to the police."[/B] [B]"I find your theory hard to believe"[/B], Lita said, shaking her head. [B]"You mean somebody would bother to transport me from Italy and you from Australia and the others from [I]god knows where[/I] during our sleep, and just leave us lying in open graves? No, this must be just a bad dream..."[/B] [B]"I'm wide awake, I can tell you that. But we won't see who's right just by standing here. Let's go."[/B] Kalas took Lita by her hand, and together they left the Nexus. +++++ Not long after Kalas and Lita had left the graveyard, a figure rose out of one of the graves. It looked around, and saw the two butchered bodies lying on the stone plate. [B] "Interesting to be able to actually [I]see[/I] what they did to me"[/B], the reborn Ayame Hisa hissed maliciously. [B]"Now it's payback time!"[/B] [center][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-lifecard.png[/IMG][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-ayame.png[/IMG][/center] [/FONT]

I accept your assignment, Shy, but at the same time I feel it's directed towards me only. I don't feel White or Gavin felt attacked by the criticism they received, and their responses were nothing but civil and respecting, so isn't it quite unfair to give them the same task? :/

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Steven Lund followed the woman who had told her name to be Janet, and the little girl, Mary, through the seemingly endless maze. His feet were hurting and he felt a sting in his lungs. His steps were getting sparser and slower. [B]"Wait!"[/B] Steven shouted when the woman and the girl disappeared around a corner. [B]"I can't keep going! I'm too tired..."[/B] Janet and Mary returned to him. [B]"What's wrong, Steven?"[/B] Janet asked worried. [B]"Listen, we have to keep going! We're almost out of this [I]horrendous[/I] place!"[/B] [B] "No, we aren't"[/B], Steven said desperately, sitting down. [B]"You're just lying to cheer me up. We will never get out, not together..."[/B] [B]"How can you say such an [I]awful[/I] thing?!"[/B] Janet gasped. [B]"Come on, Steven! Let's walk just a little bit further, okay?"[/B] Mary suggested. Looking at the little girl's big sad eyes, he couldn't refuse. Steven nodded to his companions and got up. Practically dragging his feet, Steven forced himself forwards. He felt himself weak and vulnerable. Janet had been amazed when she had heard Steven was already thirteen years old. He really didn't look like it, but that was because of he was a sickly child. He had born way too early and had spent many years of his childhood in hospital. Doctors had been confident that he wouldn't live past ten years, but he had surprised them all. [I]"My little miracle"[/I], his mother had said. [B]"Look!"[/B] Mary squeaked in her high-pitched voice suddenly. She pointed forward to the end of a long path they had just turned to. There were three humans, one tall and two short ones, standing there. [B]"Hey there!" [/B]Mary shouted, waving her hand. Other of the little figures waved as well. [B]"Oh... It's just a mirror."[/B] Steven and Janet followed Mary as she sprinted to the reflection at the end of the path. [B]"How peculiar..."[/B] Janet said, examining herself from the mirror. [B]"What does a mirror do here?" [/B] [B]"It's not a mirror"[/B], Steven replied. Somehow he just knew it. [B]"It's a doorway."[/B] Steven touched the reflection, and it's surface turned to ripples. He pushed his hand through the liquid substance. Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and stepped forward. When he opened his eyes, he saw millions and billions of other Stevens staring back at him from millions and billions of mirrors. The whole space was covered with them. [/FONT]

Players, only two of you have used their Death Cards so far, but I would really appreciate if everybody used theirs by Sunday, because the next round is due to begin on Monday. Also, most of the characters are still quite shallow, so now's your chance to shape them up just the way you want. ;D Better seize that opportunity before it's too late! Remember that the Labyrinth doesn't have to be one huge hedge maze, there can be very varied environments inside it. Just use your imaginations to your advantage! ;D

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Feng Li walked in front of the two adults, Scott and Vanna. She tought that Scott was rather nice, but there was something really weird about Vanna. It was like she acted a whole bunch of years older than she really looked. And Feng Li felt real chills running down her spine when she got too close to the woman. Nevertheless she trusted both of the adults like a child that she was. She was actually quite happy with getting attention from two older people at the same time - that was a luxury she had never had with her real family. [B]"You know what?"[/B] she asked, suddenly stopping and turning around, and startling the two adults at the same. [B]"I've been wondering something... If I'm from China and she's from Russia, and you're from England, then how come we understand each other perfectly?"[/B] Vanna shook her head. [B]"Don't trouble your little brains with that sort of questions - this is just a dream."[/B] [B]"Yes, that's the most logical answer"[/B], Scott replied. [B]"Now, let's move on before I forget which way we came from."[/B] They walked onwards, turning left, then right, then left, then right, always the same pattern because Scott was certain it would lead them out of the hedge maze. Then Feng Li stopped again. She pulled her right ponytail as hard as she could. Then she turned to face the two adults again. [B]"See, I don't believe this is a dream at all"[/B], she said seriously.[/FONT]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Maya Ashnard had fallen on her knees at the same time the young girl had been brutally murdered. [B]"Merciful Allah!"[/B] she hissed between her gritted teeths. [B]"It [I]hurts[/I]!"[/B] She felt like her whole brain had swollen in a split second when the girl had hollered her death scream. Her mind was filled with thoughts that she couldn't recognize. It felt like [I]someone[/I] was trying to enter her head by force. [I]"No, go away!"[/I] she screamed in her mind. The thoughts got louder and more demanding, yet somehow Maya could sense great grief in them. But she wasn't going to give in. [I]"Go... AWAY!"[/I] Suddenly the pain was easing, the noise was fading, the thoughts were vanishing... Maya opened her eyes to see Lita confronting the killer of the girl. A dark, ominous feeling struck her. She [I]knew[/I] she had to get out of the place or she would be in mortal danger. She didn't just feel it, though. She knew for sure.[/FONT]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Janet Peterson had just gotten out of the [I]awful[/I] grave she had found herself in when she had awoken, and was observing the [I]dreadful[/I] gravestone that had her name on it, when she heard a [I]terrible[/I] scream coming behind her. She spun around just in time to see a young girl's head explode. "Oh my god!" she screamed, and so did all the other people in the area what looked like a round cemetery. Janet was still in shock to find herself in a strange place like this. Then she heard somebody burst to cry near her. It was a small girl, couldn't be more than ten. Janet's motherly instincts went on immediately. [I]"A little girl like that should not be seeing this!"[/I] her mind told her, so she ran to the girl and literally grabbed her along. The girl buried her face to her shoulder Then she saw a young, preteen boy, and took his hand. "[B]Let's go, children[/B]", she said in a voice that was surprisingly serene considering the situation. All she thought now was to get these kids to safety. She took the children to the tall hedge fence surrounding the field. There was no way to get over it, so they had to go through. She let go of the boy's hand and extended her now free hand to move the branches aside, but to her amazement they [I]withered[/I] away before she could even touch them! In no time the hedge had a human-size hole in it, and she pushed the two children through it. Without looking back or thinking what she had just done she followed them. She had to save these two! They were now in a winding corridor surrounded by hedges from both sides. Janet glanced at both directions. There had to be an exit somewhere near. "[B]Now children, run with me![/B]" Janet told the kids.[/FONT] +++++ [B]OoC:[/B] [SIZE=1]The children with Janet are Mary and Steven.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Tekkaman][font=Century Gothic][size=1][color=gray]As i've clearly stated in [color=indigo]post #7[/color], [color=indigo]Sandy[/color], using random characters to kill off other random characters - with no regard for morals or another's life - is fun! [color=indigo]=][/color][/color][/size][/font] [font=Century Gothic][size=1][color=gray]too bad that writing about it with fictional characters is as far as it goes...[/color][/size][/font] [left][font=Century Gothic][size=1][color=indigo]*Evil Laughter*[/color][/size][/font][/left][/QUOTE] Uh, Tekkaman... I think you kind of misunderstood the concept of killing. :/ The characters aren't the killers (well, some can be, but not all of them) - the dying should occur through the numerous traps and monsters located everywhere in the Labyrinth, although I'll of course accept characters killing each other (but shouldn't they have a motive then?). I'm also a bit confused about the "room" you described (since the characters all start at a field/cemetery in the center of the Labyrinth), but I'll read your post again to see if you changed locations. [B]Edit:[/B] Just to clear things up, I approve the killing of Constance, but not the "room" (because they weren't in one in any other player's posts), so you should edit that. Thanksies! ;D Hmm, wonder what happens to Ayame now that she's turned out to be a maniac right of the bat...? [B]Edit #2:[/B] Added a poll about the characters. The poll will help me decide which character I'll resurrect at the end of each round, so vote up! ;D (Note that the poll is multioptional.)

[font=Palatino Linotype][center][size=1]This event is rated M for Mature with excessive violence, crude language and possible adult situations.[/size] [i]Where legends come to life Where fairy tales are reality Where dreams are seen with eyes wide open Where there is no escape Where is the Labyrinth?[/i] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth3.png[/IMG][/center] [size=5][u]The Forewords[/u][/size] Welcome to Labyrinth. This will be the only out-of-character post you see in this thread, all other off-game discussion should be posted to the Labyrinth Nexus. To be allowed to post in this thread, you must be one of the seven players who have been approved to join this event. However, nothing stops you to read along as the story progresses, and the destinies of the fifteen strangers wandering inside the Labyrinth unfold. To the players, I?ll give some guidelines how to start this game. You are all (hopefully) aware that you are entitled to kill off one character per week, but [i]before a character can be killed, he or she must have been properly introduced in a previous post[/i]. That introduction can be done by any player, and it basically means writing to the game in the perspective of that particular character. If you have questions about this guideline, send them to me by private message or ask them at the Nexus. Other than that, there?s no limit to how many times you can post or what can happen in your posts. Please [I]note[/I] that I might have made some slight alterations to your characters, just to give them some more diversity. But enough talk now, it?s time to begin. Let?s make this journey through the Labyrinth a memorable one, people! [size=5][u]The Players[/u][/size] [B]BKStyles Eclipse Ezekiel indifference Sakura SunfallE Tekkaman[/B] & [B]Sandy[/B] [size=5][u]The Characters[/u][/size] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-ayame.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Ayame[/size] Hisa [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 24 [b]Origin:[/b] Japan [b]Occupation:[/b] Jewel Thief [b]Power:[/b] A common power of fairies, Ayame can shrink herself down to the size of a gnat, annoying and/or stealing anything she wants. Ayame is often seen busting through another's worn garments, wallet or jewelry usually in her possession. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-callisto.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Callisto[/size] Obertelli [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 24 [b]Origin:[/b] Italy [b]Occupation:[/b] Biology Teacher [b]Power:[/b] The ability to transform into one of three things: a bird, an elephant or a lizard. This is the power the cultural founder hero of the Bushmen, Tchue, had. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-constance.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Constance[/size] Breck [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 15 [b]Origin:[/b] Oregon, USA [b]Occupation:[/b] Student [b]Power:[/b] She has the ability to either briefly halt time for about ten seconds or to slow it down for about fifteen seconds. Leaving her or anyone within five feet of her if she chooses it the ability to move unaffected. Doing so takes a certain amount of strength so she is limited based on how rested she is. This power requires the use of a locket given to her by her grandmother that she wears all the time. This power comes from the ancient god Kronos as if to protect her from the same fate he visited on his own children. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-feng.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Feng[/size] Li [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 12 [b]Origin:[/b] China [b]Occupation:[/b] Child [b]Power:[/b] Within this child is embedded the spirit of the legendary Phoenix, the mythical symbol of fire, life and rebirth in several different cultures. Her greatest ability is to be able to heal the wounded, however since the strict rules of the Labyrinth, she is unable to revive the dead. Having a spirit of flame residing in her, Feng can control the element, able to make fireballs in her hands; this can aid as a light source, or for attacking an enemy. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-janet.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Janet[/size] Peterson [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 37 [b]Origin:[/b] Nevada, USA [b]Occupation:[/b] Mother of three [b]Power:[/b] She has gained the power of Mother Earth in that she can either grow plants or cause current ones to wither or to grow stronger. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-joachim.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Joachim[/size] Gale [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 16 [b]Origin:[/b] Germany [b]Occupation:[/b] High School Student [b]Power:[/b] Joachim wields the magically imbued ceremonial sword of Shinto Japanese legend known as The Kusanagi. The sword has the ability to control the many aspects of the spirit, and has thus imbued it?s power into Joachim as well. Joachim is also closely watched over by the Kusanagi, under it?s spiritual protection that the sword holds for it?s wielder. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-kalas.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Kalas[/size] Harrison [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 23 [b]Origin:[/b] Australia [b]Occupation:[/b] College Student [b]Power:[/b] He has the ability to manipulate air, creating what appears to be shimmering blades that will slice through various materials. This depends solely on their proximity to him and the durability of the item. For example slicing through wood is fairly easy where the wind blades would only scratch harder stone material. Though they lose their force rather quickly and only fly outward for about two feet. The last half foot being nothing more than a stiff breeze that would push an object away instead of cutting it. This power comes from the winged Argonauts Calais and Zetes, only instead of gaining the power to grow wings he gained the ability to manipulate air using his hands. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-keene.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Keene[/size] Dalsten [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 14 [b]Origin:[/b] California, USA. [b]Occupation:[/b] Child [b]Power:[/b] Power taken from Medusa herself, Keene has the ability to turn his enemies to stone just by looking at them when threatened; however, the object is petrified only temporarily. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-leon.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Leon[/size] Neméum [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 25 [b]Origin:[/b] France [b]Occupation:[/b] Lawyer [b]Power:[/b] Leon has acquired the amazing ability to change his form. His transformation is that in the likeness of a Nemean Lion. The Nemean Lion is an amazing creature, larger than a normal lion, with skin so thick that it is impenetrable to normal weapons, and deadly sharp claws and teeth. He can transform by will quite easily, but he will also sometimes morph when angered or agitated greatly, usually beginning with his eyes in a sign of warning. An added bonus is the fact that he's able to choose certain parts of his body to change; like eyes for better vision, ears for greater sound range, etc. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-lita.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Lita[/size] Rossi [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 18 [b]Origin:[/b] Italy [b]Occupation:[/b] Student of Music [b]Power:[/b] When Lita sings her voice soothes those who hear it, having a calming effect upon them. Her voice can calm beasts as well as people. If she sings for long enough people can be put into a kind of hypnotised state or even fall asleep. When Lita sings at a certain frequency she can heal any wounds on herself or those around her. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-mary.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Mary [/size] Summers [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 9 [b]Origin:[/b] England [b]Occupation:[/b] Child [b]Power:[/b] The gift of a Golden Arrow, which can cure as well as render the holder invisible and allow them to fly. This arrow was given to a priest named Abaris by the sun god, Apollo, himself. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-maya.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Maya[/size] Ashnard [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 39 [b]Origin:[/b] Egypt [b]Occupation:[/b] Calligrapher [b]Power:[/b] Maya upon awakening within the labyrinth has been bestowed with the ability of the shamanistic style of magic known throughout Norse mythology as Seid. Difficult to master, Seid magic involves the manipulation of certain aspects of the weather through highly concentrated incantations and hand motions. Because of the power of Seid, Maya is also more astute to the spiritual aspect of her surroundings as she can sense ill-omens and while she cannot directly communicate with the spirits of the dead, she can sense the presence of supernatural phenomena. Whether she can decipher any of it is not guaranteed, but is dependent on her own mental energy. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-scott.png[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Scott[/size] Sheppard [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 36 [b]Origin:[/b] England [b]Occupation:[/b] Architect [b]Power:[/b] Scott discovered he had the power to create bolts of lightning when he struck his fists against a hard object, or forcefully stuck his fists together. The force of the electricity created depends on how hard he strikes something and is also determined by his mood. The lightning bolts are a lot more accurate and less dangerous to others (that are not his target) when he channels them through objects that easily conduct electricity. These objects can be anything from metal rods, pipes, wires, or even tools such as a hammer. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-steven.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Steven[/size] Lund [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 13 [b]Origin:[/b] Ontario, Canada [b]Occupation:[/b] Child [b]Power:[/b] Just as Styx was bound to tell only the truth, he has gained a variant of that ability enabling him see the truth. This power makes it possible for him to see traps and the weakness in others. Though his young age makes it hard for him to completely understand how the information is actually useful. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/labyrinth-vanna.jpg[/IMG][b]Name:[/b] [size=5]Vanna[/size] Polunochnaya [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Age:[/b] 71 [b]Origin:[/b] Russia [b]Occupation:[/b] Retired Ballerina [b]Power:[/b] She was endowed with the might of the Ice Queen, an ageless spirit of winter. Her skin changed from wrinkled to frigid smooth, and her hair from dirty grey to pure white. The only thing that remained untouched was her cold and bitter heart. However, her true power lies in her ability to freeze anything she touches, enclosing it into a thick layer of ice. [center][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Labyrinth/round1.jpg[/IMG] [size=5]The Awakening[/size] [i]?Like all roads lead to Rome, all paths lead to the Nexus?[/i][/center] [i]Where is it? ?It must be somewhere here? But it?s so dark I can?t see anything? I have to find it! ?There? Something?s there? What?s that light? ?Like an opening door?Am I there?[/i] Constance Breck woke up to a bright sunshine. She thought it was really weird, since she had thick blinders in front of the windows in her room. She really wasn?t a morning person, and there was nothing she detested more than the phrase ?rise and shine?. Her awful dream still spun around in her mind as she sat up? and saw that she wasn?t in her bed anymore, but in some sort of rectangular hole. Sun was shining from a cloudless sky above. The walls of the hole were about three feet tall and made of dirt. Constance felt her stomach wrench. She had a bad feeling? ?[B]I must still be dreaming?[/B]? she whispered. Building up her courage, she stood up and climbed out of the hole. Just as she thought. ?[B]Aaah![/B]? She screamed because she was staring at a gravestone with her name on it. Quickly she got up and dusted her clothes. Then she took a look around. She was in a small circular field surrounded by tall hedges. There were more than a dozen similar graves located in a circle around the field, with a stone plate in the middle. Other people were climbing up from the graves, but Constance didn?t really notice them. She was drawn to the stone plate. When she reached the plate, she made out what was carved to it. It was a star ? like a compass ? with the word NEXUS written around it.[/font]

[B]BkStyles[/B] and [B]Tekkaman[/B], you hit spot on. Those are [I]exactly[/I] the reasons I didn't want any background information to the characters. [quote name='Doublehex']So we just do a bunch of one liners? @_@[/quote] I don't really understand what you're referring to with this one. What comes to the posts in the game, they can be as long as the player wants. One can use several characters in his or her posts at the same time, and switch point-of-views whenever he or she wants. Also remember that since a player can only kill off one character per week, there are lots of posts with no killing involved. Those posts are meant to deepen the fifteen characters, their relationships and their surrounding environments. Trust me, this will all become clear as the sky once the event commences. [center]+++++[/center] [B]Edit:[/B] Even though I have said the spots for the seven players have been filled, there's apparently one uncertain person of whom I don't know if they will participate or not. Thus, [B]there is still room for more sign-ups[/B]. So if you're interested in venturing to the dephts of [I]Labyrinth[/I], you still have a good chance of getting there. ;D [center]+++++[/center] [B]Edit #2:[/B] [strike]Alright, even though I haven't got any more sign-ups during the night, I won't postpone the start of the event. [B]The game itself will launch in 12 hours[/B] starting from now, so [I]if[/I] I haven't got new sign-ups by then, the game will be played by the following [B]six players[/B]:[/strike] [center]+++++[/center] [B]Edit #3:[/B] Labyrinth now has [B]seven players[/B], all anxiously waiting to unravel the mysteries of the maze: [center][B]BKSTyles Eclipse Ezekiel indifference Sakura SunfallE Tekkaman[/B][/center] Who will find the way out of the Labyrinth? The race towards the exit starts today!

[QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue] So in that respect I think this whole thing can also be a learning experience on how to address members concerns in relation to any current event. I?m not saying one side is right and the other is wrong. Only that I think an initial reaction to be defensive got everyone going in the wrong direction. ^_~ [/COLOR][/QUOTE] You can bet I've learned my lesson about this incident. ;D But if you look back at this thread, you'll see that there's nothing in my previous post I hadn't already said earlier. I got frustrated because I felt I was constantly repeating my words, which lead me to think that I was being provoked. Whatever the truth about that was, I think this issue has now reached it's conclusion.

[QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue] I know I for one would like to see more than just RPG?s as the other events like the quiz and nifty fifty were lots of fun. So I really think that this entire debate has been about not relying on past experience with RPG?s, because in the end it doesn?t really include the entire community very well. [/COLOR][/QUOTE] Heh, you're really making me look like I can't take any feedback from anybody, Sunfall. XP I actually did address all of the people who gave me their opinions, but only a selected few went on with how I'm not listening to them even though I should (and how I overdramatize everything and generally act like a retard etc.). I just didn't know what people wanted me to do when they said that the PMs were a bad idea or it shouldn't be based on a board game. Say "okay, I won't do that ever again" or "you're absolutely right and I was wrong"? They're just opinions, not the objective truth. I know my event isn't meant for everybody, and I have admitted that several times before, but if you look at the very beginning of this thread, and all the limitations Shy gave us, then you'll understand that it's not an easy task at all to create a game suitable for the whole community. I stand by my decision to make an RPG, it's what I do best and I know how to make it interesting. It would've been downright foolish for me to try something completely different in a [I]competition[/I]. However, if people are worried that I won't do anything else besides RPGs if I get chosen to be an Event Master, then I can tell you to relax, because I already have several ideas how to involve the majority of the community to the Event Forum. For [I]this[/I] particular event, I didn't see it necessary or even possible, due to the restrictions in time and duration, amount of threads and the fact that there's three events going on at the same time (which seriously divides peoples' interests). I got an idea that I thought was great, it passed Shy's judgment and tomorrow it'll launch. There's no going back now. ;D

[quote name='White][COLOR=DimGray][FONT=Tahoma]Sandy wouldn't have gotten half the criticism he did if he hadn't reacted so defensively.[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote] I don't get it. Should've I just crawled in front of everybody who gave me feedback, saying "yes yes, you're right, I'm sorry" instead of defending my views and decisions? I know I should've been more calm about it, but I didn't resort to namecalling like Papa Smurf or belittling like DeathKnight. I may be overly sensitive, but that's only because DeadSeraphim, Papa Smurf and DeathKnight have all flamed me in the past. Somehow those three are always eager to "share their opinions" with me. I have high faith in Labyrinth, but it does have it's flaws, I admit. However, so far the only [I]truly[/I] constructive criticism (which didn't have a taste of insult included) has come from Charles, Aaryanna and Aaryanna_Mom - they offered advice that could actually be used to change something. So I'm not the only one at fault here. Now I'm tired of this foolish argument, and I'm honestly relieved that Labyrinth starts tomorrow so all of you can see how it [I]really[/I] works (if it works, that is). ;D [quote name='Tekkaman][font=Century Gothic][size=1][color=gray]I would've said to Sandy, '...just take the helpful posts of the other members here and decide what to do later.'[/color][/size'][/font][/quote] Wise words, Tekkaman. Unfortunately I don't have the patience for that, which I admit is a bad thing.

[QUOTE=DeathKnight][color=crimson] Or are we giving it because we have opinions on how to improve it and, in theory, improve your chances at winning OI2? And in the course of us giving our opinions you have responded so poorly, with such irritating and persistent defensiveness that this has spun out beyond that into a back-and-forth exchange that seems like it will never end?[/color][/QUOTE] I see your (and Dead's and Papa Smurf's) criticism riddled with mockery and insults (which I haven't responded to until now), and I'm [I]supposed[/I] to listen to that?! What exactly do you take me for? So far none of you three have given me anything concrete to improve on. [I]You[/I] say Labyrinth doesn't interest anyone, Dead doesn't like the fact that it's an RPG and that it involves PMs, and Papa Smurf thinks it's wrong that it's based on some "obscure" board game. So you don't like my event, [I]I get it[/I]. If I were to listen to you, I'd have to change [I]every single thing[/I] in it. And, like I said, it's not an option at this point. I may be irritating with all these responses, but you guys are flaming me with your "we know better"-crap. I heard you the first time, so can we just stop this nonsense already?

[QUOTE=Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkOrchid] Sandy, the only thing I could see doing differently with yours is allowing more players. But then I didn?t construct the rules so I don?t know if that would be a problem or not. Perhaps having one group of seven start one week and then another group say the next week? That would make it more open in that more people could participate and it would potentially attract more people. Especially if you made the final decision as to who went into each group. It would add to the mystery of wondering just which group you would be in. [/COLOR][/QUOTE] That would be great [I]if[/I] there were more people signing up. So far, I have the seven I asked for, and I'm satisfied with all of them. Together we'll make this event enjoyable to outside viewers as well, I'm sure of that. However, I'm not expecting any more sign ups for tomorrow, although they would be a nice surprise. Thanks anyway, Aaryanna! ;D

[QUOTE=Papa Smurf]Are you [i]that[/i] trite or oversensitive that you can't even differentiate between mind games and actual criticism designed to help you? [/QUOTE] Then why don't I feel helped? I can't change my event anymore, I already have the players gathered for it and it'll launch full speed the day after tomorrow. I don't even [I]want[/I] to change it, I think it's great as it is even though you don't seem to like it. It doesn't embrace the [I]whole[/I] community, I admit, but a significant part of it. Suck it up and see it through.

[quote name='Papa Smurf] I, like others, have offered you feedback and criticism that you [i]should[/i'] be taking instead of throwing your usual pissy little tantrum.[/quote] What is there to take, honestly? According to you as well as a number of others, my game sucks, so the only thing I could do is to change it completely, or just give up. And that is [I]not[/I] an option. You can psyche and provoke me all you want, I'm not giving in. I don't understand where everybody has gotten this sudden urge to give me a piece of their "constructive" advice. Let me at least [I]start[/I] the game before you jump into conclusions. Come what may, Labyrinth is [I]my[/I] event, and if it doesn't make me an Event Master, then so be it. But couldn't you people at least give me a chance?

[QUOTE=Papa Smurf]Sandy, that's one of your major issues here. I'm a total freak when it comes to obscure boardgames (and general obscure games), and [i]even I've never heard of 13 Dead End Drive[/i]. I don't think anyone here has. So here you're basing your "event" on an obscure board game with a convoluted ruleset that is entirely better suited to a conventional, physical board with individual players right there, at a table, because those types of backstabbing situations are better orchestrated face-to-face. [/QUOTE] It maybe obscure and convoluted as an idea, but I've done my best to thoroughly explain the rules that apply to my event, and they shouldn't be unclear to anybody who has read them. It's not like I directly copied the board game here, of course I had to do much formatting to make it both suitable for online purposes and original. Besides, how can you claim that nobody has played the board game around here? Just because [I]you[/I] haven't? There's a link to a site advertising the game in the bolded name, unless you didn't notice. What are you even trying to do, get me to drop out of this contest? No matter how much resistance I get for my event, I'm going to pull it through with people who are actually interested in it, and in the end it's [I]Shy[/I]'s decision if it was good enough or not. Don't tell me it won't work before it has even started.

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial] There's your constructive criticism, stop bitching.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] Thank you. Honestly, thank you.

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial] Nifty Fifty, the Scavenger Hunt, the plain old Otaku Awards - everyone got behind those, they were for the most part accessible to everyone and had no crazy prerequisites for entry. On top of that, they were wildly successful - looks like events that cater to everyone have been created before to me. And what was the common attribute to all them? [i]They weren't RPGs.[/i]. [/color][/size][/font][/QUOTE] I wasn't implying that all events must be RPGs, far from it. I agree that Scavenger Hunt was innovative and appealed to everybody, but if I had created a quiz-type of event, everybody would now be putting me down for copying it. The same effect would've resulted from an award-type of event. It's a no-win situation. Like I said, I created an event that I thought would have great chances to be successful from earlier experiences, plus one I'd enjoy making. I'm just a human being, you can't really expect for me to come up with a whole new and sparkling concept that would revitalize the entire OtakuBoards in just ten days. Now I'll stop being on a defensive stance, because honestly I'm repeating myself, and you are provoking me to do it on purpose. You don't want to understand, DeadSeraphim, you just want to provoke like your habit is. [B]Charles:[/B] I completely understand your point-of-view, and I respect your feedback. At least you know what "constructive" means.