Sandy

Hmm, the post count titles were something that was somewhat important to my ego back in the day. I didn't spam for them (or else I wouldn't be here anymore), but I did always anticipate the day when my title got upgraded. Made it all the way to "Otaku" until the big update, when I lost 500 posts from my post count. X( But yeah, I'm a happier person now when I don't have to obsess about my title (I really thought back then that the higher the title, the more respect I would get - yeah right!). I still check on my post count and ranking in the member list, but that's just my own quirky thing... ;P To answer the topic at hand, I somewhat miss the old days when it was much easier to talk with people around here and answer to topics (not having to read through a series of "short novels" like so often nowadays), but on the other hand many things are much more organized and civilized now. I'd be reluctant to see things revert to their old state. Anyways, I'm too attached to this board to leave it anymore, it has really grown into me. It's the only website that I have been visiting the whole time since I started using internet. OB is my online-home, with all of its lovely and annoying neighbors living here with me. ;D [size=1]PS. To me the poll contains two options that are practically the same ("no major changes" and "things are the same"). Anybody notice that? :/[/size]

Yeah, the game thread it is. ;D And it's perfectly okay to post several times during one game - just don't move on to another one until you've gotten the points from the first. Glad to hear you're working on it, I was beginning to get worried that it'd be impossible to write anything about these games I chose. XP I know it's [I]hard[/I], but that just makes it more challenging, huh?

All Melinoë could see around her were the blurry shapes of her two companions, although the other, called Liquid, was almost invisible in her own element. Still, she was there, she could sense her presence. It was a whole new sensation, breathing underwater without any gadgets, oxygen tanks, nothing. Only her whip, Acheron, twirling around her, channeling it's magic into her... [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][CENTER]~~~~~~~~~~[/CENTER] She sat in a chair in a bunker room with concrete walls. There was nothing in the room except a large table, another chair with another person, and a surveillance camera in the middle of the room, right above her. "So, Melinoë... Tell me about this whip of yours. Reports said it... changed in the underwater river at the Temple of Aton." "Changed, yes. The spirits of Acheron forged it into anew. My mother must've had something to do with that..." "Instead of burning in an ceaseless fire, you say it now glows with a cold aura?" "Yes." Melinoë looked at the masked man sitting opposite of her. The Arbiter, leader of the Legionnaires. [I]"Is he toying with me?"[/I] she asked herself. [I]"He knows all the answers, but still insists on asking all these questions! Irritating..."[/I] "And the name? It said it had a new name? Acheron, after the river?" "Yes. Look, you already know these things, they're all in the reports...!" "Have you tested it's new powers yet?" "What... powers?" Melinoë asked before she could stop herself. The cursed man had piqued her interest. "Ask it." Melinoë hesitated, but then reached her thoughts to the Acheron, placed on the side of her loin. Then she heard it... Eerie sounds... Like the crying of whales and dolphins... Underwater... They echoed from the concrete walls. The lights dimmed, and reflected patterns of waves. Melinoë felt the air escaping from her lungs, but the whip told her it was alright. Just as she felt she was about to drown, everything reverted back to normal. Melinoë looked at the Arbiter, who acted like nothing had happened. The red gleam in his eyes told the truth, however. "I might have use for you and your whip soon. Be prepared." With those words, the Arbiter rose up and left the room. Melinoë couldn't help but to let out a hiss. That man really got on her nerves! How did he know?! [CENTER]~~~~~~~~~~[/CENTER][/COLOR] Tetros brought her back from her thoughts by waving his hand in front of her face. He then pointed down to the ocean floor. Slowly Melinoë could make out hundreds, thousands of lights below them. They had found it! They had found Atlantis!

Glad you appreciated Mog's thoughts! ;D I only had [I]that[/I] idea once I started writing the post, but it was good for me to stop and ponder each of your performances thoroughly. I hope it helps everybody at least a little. But [B]about the order, it's totally free[/B], except remember that you can only play one game, then you have to wait for the scores from me before you move on. ;D Practically that means one or few posts per game. Just to prevent you from not rushing this through, and to keep myself organized as well. Oh, and there can only be one player in a game at the same time, so with four contestants and four games, it's first come first served. This also prevents you from rushing things. I want to give points to each game you play separately, so that for once I don't have to rank all of you at the same time at the end of the challenge - let the scores decide this time! ;D Since I suck at maths, the result will probably be a surprise to me as well, once the points are totalled. I just hope everybody participates in this with at least the minimum of four posts, so that things won't get any more complex. XP Okay, have fun with the nostalgy shot, guys! [I]Games On![/I] ;D PS. If this post doesn't make any sense, it's because I'm dead-beat tired. X/ Sorry...

[FONT=Century Gothic]In a darkened room somewhere at the CPU, Mog the Moogle was sitting in a huge armchair (which in reality was only huge in comparison to the tiny creature), watching the faces of the four remaining Survivors from a screen. He took the time to look back on each of their performances in the past. [I]"[B]Lara Croft[/B], the Tomb Raider... Kupo, she's been equally strong in almost everything, a balanced package I must say. When she was in a team she lost only twice, but in the individual phase she hasn't shined very brightly..." "Then [B]Yuna[/B], the famed Highsummoner/Sphere Hunter/Popstar. She's surely has gotten to places, and in this competition she's practically bouncing off the walls with enthusiasm - often losing concentration at the same. She has many talents, but being a jack of all trades and master of none isn't always the best strategy..." "What about [B]Krystal[/B], the Shaman Fox, then? Her performance has been top-notch in almost every challenge, but I have a feeling she has a problematic habit to focus on minor details instead of seeing the "big picture", kupo... But strong, definately, so strong!" "Finally, [B]Ling Xiaoyu[/B], who I've nicknamed "the Pink Fist". She's a cutie, almost as adorable as me, and has thus flown under the radar for most of the competition. She surprised everybody in the last challenge, however - even me, kupo! Hidden power, the most potential kind..." "Four female Survivors, each with their own pros and cons... Only one can win, though, so a few more tests are necessary to tell that one apart from the others. This game is nearing it's end... kupo."[/I] With a little sigh, Mog switched off the computer screen and left the room to talk to the four contestants that were already waiting in the main hall. "Xiaoyu... Krystal... Lara... Yuna... Only you four remain to participate in the fourth challenge, that will take you to the roots of videogaming, kupo. The name of the game is... [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/OB%20Survivor/arcade.gif[/IMG][/CENTER] And here are the rules for this round: [INDENT]1. Upon entering the Retro Arcade, you will find four portals, each taking you into a different "old school game": [B]Donkey Kong[/B], [B]Tetris[/B], [B]PacMan[/B] and [B]Space Invaders[/B] 2. You will have to play [B]three[/B] of the four game by yourself, [B]individually[/B], kupo. 3. You may find out that this is much more easily said than done, as you will go [B]into[/B] the game to play, meaning that you are in the center of events - defending against aliens, rescuing the girl from the gorilla, running away from ghosts while eating pills, and trying to avoid being crushed by falling blocks. 4. After you've played one game, you must [B]wait[/B] for me to give you [B]points[/B] from your performance through a PM, [B]before you can proceed[/B] to the next one. 5. Points are awarded according your overall [B]playstyle[/B], special [B]strategies[/B] you've applied in the game, and of course the [B]fun-factor[/B] as well, kupo. Maximum amount of points from each game is 100, making the total 300 max. 6. The contenstant with [B]most points[/B] after everybody have played through three games, will be announced as the winner, and will be automatically in the top three.[/INDENT] "Are the rules understood, kupopo? Then... Survivors ready, cause it's [I]Game On - Old School Style![/I]"[/FONT]

To celebrate the new mission of the Gold Team, I'd like to present [B][url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?p=714683&posted=1#post714683]a new contribution to the Art Thread[/url][/B], featuring Melinoë with her two team mates. Check it out, and don't forget that the Art Thread is open for everybody! ;D

Even though it's been ages since there's been a new contribution to this thread, I'd like to present a quick drawing about the new composition of the [color=gold]Gold Team[/color]. [url=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/legionnaires-goldteam2.jpg]Click here![/url] It features Tetros (Baron Samedi), Melinoë (me) and Liquid (Takuya) diving into the Mediterranean Sea in search of the legendary Atlantis. I know it's not colored nor shaded, but I made it in like a half an hour, so hope you like it anyway! ;D

Yay, what a great fourth OB-anniversary present for me to finally see one of my creations getting mentioned in one of these awards! ;D This year's (and partially last's as well) OB Survivor has been great fun to both the host and to my knowledge the players, and the fun is still continuing at the Arena as the end of the game draws nearer and nearer. So muchos thankies to all of you who nominated OBS:GO! to be among the Nifty Fifty, I feel so proud! XD *blush*

Alrighty, I'll try to start the second last challenge by the end of this week, but due to undone schoolwork, friends visiting and my duties as a boyfriend, I can't guarantee anything. The ending of this game is starting to get near... I'd estimate that Game On! is over by the end of March. It's been a long road to this point, but it's been a blast with you guys. ;D Let's finish this journey together, as well! [I]Game On![/I] [B]EDIT:[/B] And the twelfth challenge is on! Good luck, everybody!

White, you became the fourteenth person voted out in this competition - a great position, but not quite enough for victory. Four people continue on with the game as things get even more exciting. ;D [I]G-g-game On[/I]!!!

[FONT=Century Gothic]"So be it, kupo", Mog said with a nod after Xiaoyu had made her decision. The red-clad plumber - the only remaining male contestant in the game - sighed and waved his hands up in the air, like surrendering. "Ai ai, mamma mia! It seems-a like this is the end-a of me, Mario!" With those words, he began to evaporate into tiny particles. [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/OB%20Survivor/delete-Mario.jpg[/IMG] After he was gone, Mog turned to the four remaining contestants - Yuna, Krystal, Lara Croft and Ling Xiaoyu. "It looks like the former team of Heroines is still strong, with all the remaining survivors being female, kupo. You all have really earned your place in the final four, kupo, but the game gets tougher with each passing challenge and Team Council, and soon there will only be one, ultimate winner left. Waiting for that - and the two remaining challenges before that - it's [I]Game On[/I], folks!" [/FONT]

I'm sorry, Rai, but it's another tie. My last post in the game thread has been [B]updated[/B] with this info, so be sure to check it out. This time it's between [B]Krystal/Solo[/B] and [B]Mario/White[/B]. Yuna/Sakura was the third to get votes, but with only one, she's still in the game. I know who you voted, but you still have a chance to change your decision. After you made it, please post it into the game thread. This is the spirit of the [I]Game[/I], so keep it [I]On[/I]!

Heh, actually I haven't played Kingdom Hearts (or Silent Hill, or Starfox Adventures, [size=1]and now I'm wondering what I'm doing hosting this competition[/size]), but I'm pretty spoiled when it comes to it, so although I wasn't sure, I took the risk and assumed that you meant Oblivion. ;D I've now received three votes out of the five, all of which are to different persons. I'm sensing that it really is "every man for himself" at this point in the game...

The eleventh challenge, [B]Château du Mog[/B], is now officially over. The winner turned out to be Ling Xiaoyu/Raiyuu, so congrats on gaining the immunity! ;D I'd like to give some feedback on how the challenge went in my opinion, just so nobody would feel that the judging was unfair: [B]Raiyuu[/B] won with his versatile, emotional and interesting storytelling, and he wasn't afraid to use references from several games. Additionally he attached this challenge to past events in the game. [B]Solo[/B] was also good, but his posting was too concentrated on describing one puzzle (as well as it was done, but still), and he made the mistake of only including one monster from Krystal's own game (which was kind of taking the easy way). [B]Doukeshi's[/B] posts were a bit unclear, even though the mood and the emotional charge in them was good. I just didn't know which games you were referring to, and it was some times hard to follow what Lara was doing. [B]Sakura[/B], I know I should've probably given more detailed instructions for this challenge, but I didn't honestly expect somebody to cling onto stuff revolving only around his or her character's own game. All that FF-stuff... As much as I love FF, it just didn't fit this challenge. This was all about using your own imagination and crossing borders between videogames, making a whole new adventure for the character... I now know I should've elaborated that more, but I was kind of disappointed at your writing. :/ Well, you have three-in-four chances on getting to the next challenge to rise back up! ;D [B]White[/B]... What can I say? I loved your first post in this challenge, and the Pacman-reference was intriguing, but you apparently lost time and/or motivation to pull this through... Well, all is not lost, and I hope you will stay with us if you aren't voted out next. With that done, I'll now lay back and wait for the votes to pour into my PM-box. ;P Again, one contestant will be deleted from the game. You know the drill, so [I]Game On[/I]!

[FONT=Century Gothic]Lara Croft materialized to the emerald green field outside Château du Mog, where the proprietor was already waiting along with Yuna, Ling Xiaoyu and Krystal. Mario was apparently still inside. "It's good to see I'm not last", Lara said, handing the radio over to Mog. He placed it next to a black weapon resembling both a key and a sword, a statue of a sinister looking warrior carrying a huge katana, and a clear crystal sphere. "Hmm, it's taking too long, kupo. I better go check..." The tiny moogle fluttered to the glass-wall castle. After a while he teleported back with a trembling Mario. "I-a... I-a got lost-ah... I'm-a sorry, so so sorry..." the plumber muttered with his teeth clacking. "It's alright, kupo. Although you are now automatically discarded." Mog turned to face the four females. "Apparently the women are on a winning strike despite the merger. We'll return to the CPU and see which of you four wins the immunity this time, kupo." Once the votes were cast, Mog went to count them, and then brought the result to the contestants. "Three people were voted tonight, kupo." The five contestants looked at each other. Xiaoyu took Krystal's paw into her hand. "[B]Yuna[/B], with one vote." The High Summoner sighed with relief. "[B]Krystal[/B], with two votes." The blue fox nodded, guessing that this would be another tie-breaker situation - only this time it wasn't up to her to decide. "And [B]Mario[/B], with two votes as well, kupo. This means that you, Ling Xiaoyu must decide which of these two contestants get's deleted: [B]Mario[/B] or [B]Krystal[/B]." Xiaoyu let go of Krystal's paw and buried her face into her hands. Krystal hugged her and whispered that it was alright. "I'd prefer sooner than later, kupo..." Mog exclaimed, frustrated. [/FONT]

Alright, so Sakura, Solo and Raiyuu have all completed the challenge, with White and Doukeshi still working on it. I can reveal that at this moment I'm thinking that a certain one from the first three will win this round (I'm not saying who just yet), but White and Doukeshi still have a chance if they make an effort. Just make haste, because I'm thinking of closing this challenge by Friday. I'll be announcing the winner then, whether you two have reached the conclusion or not. I'm not doing this out of malice, sorry if it seems so, but I'm just worried that the game will turn stale if we linger on for too much. Great writing though, everybody! You've really made Château du Mog a lively place. ;D

So... is this supposed to be a prologue to a forthcoming story, or just an idea for one? I don't want to put down your creativity, but there's little that's original in your concept. The names, perhaps (well, except Arnor, which is a country in LotR), but almost nothing else. The farm-boy that becomes a hero through a hidden ancestry, the medieval kingdoms, the dragons, the elves... All of that has been dealt with countless times before in countless fantasy novels. LotR is one, but also "Wheel of Time"-series by Robert Jordan, "Memory, Sorrow & Thorn"-quadrilogy by Tad Williams, "Dragonriders of Pern" by Anne McCaffrey, not to mention the beginning of "Dragonlance"-saga by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. This is but a handful of fantasy books that feature a similar setting. I've read quite a few, so I can tell. I'm sorry, but you really should try to steer away from clichés, unless you know how to use them to your advantage (which is very hard - I've tried and failed). Just so that I wouldn't only be bashing your story, here's some hints on how to make a more original stuff: - For one, do not make a main character a teenage farm-boy who discovers that he's the heir of a king/wizard/deity etc.! I don't know why, but oftentimes fantasy novelists are hesitant to use female main characters, probably because they can't relate, but it wouldn't hurt to try... - Try to use some other fantasy creatures than dragons. Griffins, perhaps, or sphinxes, or manticores, or phoenixes, or rocs, or sea-monsters like hydras or leviathans, or [I]anything[/I] besides dragons! Not all fantasy has to deal with dragons, honestly! - Same goes to the fantasy races like elves, dwarves and such. If you can't come up with your own, at least use some of the lesser-used races, like fairies or minotaurs or werepeople. - Saving the world is a well-accepted base for any fantasy story, but it doesn't have to be so straightforward, does it? Good vs. evil is one major cliché that isn't even true in reality. By adding more colors, so to speak, the story will get more interesting and appealing. - If you can't find different kind of inspiration from western fantasy novels, might I suggest looking into oriental mythology, or even Japanese anime and role-playing games? There's much that's strange to us westerners there, but with that strangeness comes freshness and innovation. Different cultures offer us "hobby-writers" many new ideas other than the medieval fantasy-setting that's present in so (too) many fantasy novels out there. Hope this rant is of any help to you. I just want to add that it's not that I don't like your story, I just have heard it too many times before.

Okay, no surprising twists for this challenge, because a) it doesn't seem to need one after all, and 2) I can't think of a good one. XP I like what you've come up with so far, but it wouldn't harm to put the imagination gear even more higher (or something like that... I bad with English figures of speech. :P ). You really want to win this one, don't you? ;D Only four's [I]Game[/I] will move [I]On[/I]!

Alright, just because I want this game to move on eventually, I'm declaring that the current challenge is due to end at the [B]beginning of March[/B]. I won't give an exact date, but work towards that. ;D Now I'm pondering if I should add a twist of some sort to the challenge, just to make it more interesting... ;P What do you contestants say, does it need one?

I have been dreaming about having a pair of colored contacts when I get enough money (i.e. when I get a job). I've had glasses since the fifth grade, so I'm pretty accustomed to them, but if I were to get myself contacts, they would definately have to be colored ones. One green and one purple would be great. ;D Of course, by the time I can afford them I would be too old to atually have the guts to wear them... XP

*pats White on the back* It's alright, it doesn't matter who's first... (I do this a lot at the kindergarten I have practical training in. ;P ) But phew, you really had me worried for a moment, White, because I really thought you were going to find your treasure in your first post! But the last twist was a complete lifesaver for you. ;D Keep it On! (The Game, that is...)

Yeah, there's no rush. Just try to get this challenge over with in few weeks. Prolonging stuff only tends to kill the game. ;P It was good that you opened up the contest, Rai, perhaps now the others will follow soon... I was beginning to get worried. XP

If you want a deadline, I can give you one, but with so little left of this competition, I'd like to take time with this challenge. The last two will both be quite short, as it is... No hurry, then. ;) So this is your chance to show that you [I]really[/I] belong to the final four, guys! ;D [I]G-g-g-game On![/I]

[FONT=Century Gothic]When Mog the Moogle summoned the five remaining contestants to their eleventh challenge, each of them had their mind on the looming final. They all were so close, although not quite there yet... Lara Croft, Yuna, Ling Xiaoyu, Krystal and Mario stepped into a line in front of the host of the game. "Welcome, kupo, to face a contest that's my personal favorite so far - and the most demanding one you will encounter in this game, I might add, kupo." "I like to call it [SIZE=3][B]Château Du Mog[/B][/SIZE]." [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/OB%20Survivor/place-mogcastle.jpg[/IMG] "The rules for this challenge are simple, but they also leave much depending on each of you, kupo." [INDENT]1. All five of you will [B]inflitrate[/B] my custom-made magical castle, where your objective is to [B]find a treasure[/B] and bring it back to the CPU. 2. Each of you will navigate through the maze-like castle, avoiding the [B]traps[/B] I've set there, kupo. 3. The trick is that I've also invited the most horrendous, gruesome and lethal [B]monsters[/B] of videogaming history to guard the castle. Who are they, it's up to you to see for yourselves, kupo! 4. What comes to the [B]treasure[/B] hidden inside the castle, I'm not going to reveal that either. By the end of this challenge, I'm expecting to see five items in front of me, out of which one hopefully is the right one. The [B]bringer[/B] of that treasure will be the [B]winner[/B]. 5. Just to not make it too easy for you, all five of you will be [B]stripped out of all your weapons and special skills[/B], so you'll be reverted to the very first phase in the history videogame characters - a mere pawn. I'd advice you to [B]rely on stealth and wits[/B] to avoid the enemies and traps, kupo. [/INDENT] "I hope you are ready the enter my Château, because it's [I]Game On[/I]!" With those words, all five contestants were suddenly teleported out of CPU, with all their arsenal and other belongings left behind. [/FONT]

Sorry, [B]Baron[/B], it was apparently Crash's time to go. :/ Cazillion thanks for participating! ;D Well well, five people are left, and the game is getting more and more intensive. Only three challenges remain, and I will try my best to start the next one this weekend. But before that, I again have to beg you guys to post into the game thread, so I don't constantly have to edit my previous posts. Pretty please? ;P Anyway, Game On! [B]EDIT:[/B] And the [I]Game[/I] is [I]On[/I] again! The eleventh challenge, Chateau Du Mog, has launched! I expect you to have lots of questions about this particular contest, due to the vague instructions. The main point of this challenge is to enter the castle without your natural powers or any equipment, and find a treasure there, all the while avoiding the legendary videogame monsters and sneaky traps lurking behind every corner. As players, your [B]objective is of course to do this as good and interestingly as you possibly can[/B]. This is also a very demanding mission because so much is left open - the [B]interior[/B] of the castle (which can of course vary greatly from post to post), the [B]enemies [/B] encountered (they really can be from any videogame ever made), and even the [B]treasure[/B] you are looking for. The winner will be of course the one with best posts, but with this group of RPers, anybody can be the one. That person's treasure will automatically be the right one, of course. ;D So, any further questions?