James

[font=monotype corsiva][color=royalblue][size=4]Zain nodded and exited the room at the top of the building. He made his way along the old-fashioned hallway toward the landing. The rustic indoor area was beautiful, it reminded Zain of home. He began making his way downstairs. On the way down, he began thinking about the events of the last 24 hours. And now here he was, in Lon Lon Ranch, in the middle of the night with what was essentially a group of strangers. He hoped that things would work out. As he came to the foot of the stairs, he came across a room filled with chickens. There were perhaps twenty or so in the room, eating grains from the floor and clucking cheerfully. In the corner of the room was an old man with white hair. He was plump looking and fairly short. He was sitting on a small stool and leaning back against the wall. He appeared to be sleeping, despite the sounds coming from the chickens. Zain made his way through the room of chickens (which was no easy feat, he nearly stepped on one, which prompted it to peck at his leg as punishment) and finally, he was standing infront of the old man. The old man didn't budge. Zain leant down and shook him gently. And still, the old man didn't budge. Zain thought to himself for a moment and finally he reached into his pocket and pulled out a very small velvet pouch. He pulled the strings open and reached inside. He then produced a small handful of powder. The powder itself was shimmering in the light -- it appeared to change colour for no apparent reason. Zain sprinkled the powder over the old man's head. And in a moment, his eyes opened and he began sneezing violently.[/font][/color][/size] [b]???:[/b] Gah! What'r you doin'?! [b]Zain:[/b] Sorry, but you're the only one around at the moment. Malon is asleep! [b]???:[/b] Grr...what do ya want? [b]Zain:[/b] I need some milk. A man came here a short time ago and he was severely wounded. We need milk to help him heal more rapidly. [b]???:[/b] Fine. I'll go get some from the back room...but I hope you're prepared to pay! [b]Zain:[/b] Of course. [font=monotype corsiva][size=4][color=royalblue]The old man stood up (with some difficulty) and walked out of the room. And in a few minutes, he returned with a small bottle of milk.[/font][/size][/color] [b]Zain:[/b] Is this it?! [b]???:[/b] Hey hey...we make the best milk in Hyrule! This stuff is worth all the money you pay and more! [b]Zain:[/b] Hmph, alright...how much? [b]???:[/b] 100 Rupees. [b]Zain:[/b] Wha?! [b]???:[/b] I told ya...it's good milk. You young kids expect everything for free... [b]Zain:[/b] Fine. Here you go. What's your name by the way? [b]Talon:[/b] My name's Talon. What's it to ya? [b]Zain:[/b] Calm down...I just wanted to know. You seem a bit crabby in your old age... [b]Talon:[/b] :flaming: [b]Zain:[/b] Heh, thanks for the milk! [font=monotype corsiva][color=royalblue][size=4]Zain took the milk and made his way back toward the stairs. He could hear the man whimpering in pain and mumbling under his breath as he began walking up the staircase...[/font][/size][/color]

[color=royalblue]Hm, well, your summer is our winter over here...so I'll be dressing warmly and trying not to die from coldness. lol By the way, Adam...it's our birthdays today! lol. Happy birthday. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]This is one of those games which is cashing in on the whole "mass violence in the streets" craze, which GTAIII really brought forward lately. Problem is, violence isn't enough. It won't make a game good. GTAIII was fun because it had a plotline...many different characters/stories and a huge level of interaction and movement. I think some companies need to learn what makes a game truly fun.[/color]

[color=royalblue]As staff were previously allowed to have any size of avatar (and now that we've discontinued that for various reasons), I've raised the maximum dimensions for custom avatars from 60x60 pixels to 80x80 pixels. Therefore, there are three sizes of avatars to go through. The first size from 1-100 posts (50x50) and then the medium size from 100-500 posts (60x60) and then the maximum size at 80x80. Enjoy. :)[/color]

[size=1]Sorry to interrupt guys, but wouldn't this be a sparring RPG? Just wondering. :)[/size]

[color=royalblue]Horoscopes are based on the Zodiac, which is an ancient interpretation of the stars. Unfortunately, horoscopes have nothing factual about them. They aren't even astronomically particularly accurate. And usually, if you think about it, your horoscope talks in very general terms. "You'll have a good day today". If you believe it, then it will happen. That's just human nature -- it's like a placebo effect. Still, horoscopes can be fun to read. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]*sniff* Thanks everyone. :) I felt I had to redeem myself after the V4 update...it wasn't complete -- we should have stayed offline for longer to get it truly finished. I wanted V5 to be what V4 [i]should[/i] have been, if you get my meaning. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by BabyGirl [/i] [B][color=deeppink]I belive it looks rather nice, sir. Only problem I'm experiencing is a lot of red "x"s where graphics should be...but that's probably just a glitch on this computer of mine :)[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Yeah, I've had that a bit too -- but my connection is slow. When I reconnect, it's usually fine. People may notice a few technical glitches as the server adjusts (so that [url]www.otakuboards.com[/url] actually works). But I expect everything to operate fairly smoothly for the most part. Any techincal problems will be repaired shortly if they occur. :)[/color]

What do you think?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Armadillomon [/i] [B] They should be banned from the airwaves as well. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Ahh yes, banning. The cause of and solution to all of life's problems. :drunk: I personally think that the idea of reality TV is an oxymoron. I mean...in Survivor, are you ever in danger of dying? Of course not. You're surrounded by camera crews...it's all totally fake. If you got injured, they'd rush you to hospital. So therefore, it's not [i]truly[/i] a survival show. I think that after September 11, people are all too aware of reality and the dangers of the real world. In this context, shows like Survivor look silly and almost offensive in the way they try to portray "real" danger. :rolleyes: [/color]

[color=royalblue]I think one of the biggest problems is that Microsoft is coming out with too many American-centric games. I mean, nobody in Australia is going to want to play an NHL game...or really anything related to American sports (except perhaps NBA or something). I was looking at the Xbox game library at my local game store today...and I played Amped for a few minutes on the demo unit. I must say that the game lineup is too restricted...Xbox needs more Japanese RPGs and generally, more Japanese designed games. American companies are fine, but very few are really good with console software...most are suited to PC development. I had played Halo quite a bit previously, but this was the first time I'd played Amped. And I have two complaints about it. First, the visuals were very poor. Much worse than SSX: Tricky on PS2. And second, the controller (as I've said many times), was simply unmanageable. Now for this kind of game, perhaps I can get used to it. But the main stick (the left stick) is absolutely horrible...it doesn't have enough resistance. And the button placement on the right hand side is awful...it's too high up and too left-centered. I found my thumb almost rubbing the second stick several times. I'm listing these concerns because I think these are issues that MS needs to consider. The new alternative controller than MS is planning will hopefully go a long way to improving people's gaming experiences. If the controller is good, then the point of interaction itself is good. And the point of interaction is almost as important as the game itself. Let's face it, no matter how good a game is, you won't want to be fighting with the controller the entire way. So my main complaints are the controller and the poor game lineup. The controller isn't so much an issue in Japan (though I've yet to try a Japanese controller), but the game lineup is something which Microsoft itself could try to improve. It doesn't need third parties to pick up the slack -- if Microsoft is serious, it can truly focus its own first party studios on the task of broadening the game lineup.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by RicoTranzrig [/i] [B][COLOR=darkblue]I really like the overall system...Nintendo got to a Really good start with GCN and it has a very promising future. Even though it isn't really 128-bit...it's a lot easier for deleopers to program great games for and the S3 texture compression along with the progressive scan ability really pushes the limits of graphics and framerates to that of a PC.[/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Well, the Xbox is only 64-Bit, yet has more horsepower than the GameCube. So as I always say, bitrate is irrelevant. I think that the traits of a truly good console are, at the end of the day, its games. GameCube has the enviable position of being backed by Nintendo, who in many ways is the world leader in video game software development. Nintendo has consistently created standards which others follow, whether it be the invention of the light gun, the D-Pad or the entire platform game genre. The innovations are endless. The fact that so many unique and fundamentally high quality franchises find a home on GameCube makes the console a very special system. But moreover, third party exclusives like Resident Evil will also really round out the GameCube's content. Then you have titles like Eternal Darkness and Metroid Prime. Two games being made by second parties, but which have heavy input from Nintendo itself. For me personally, the GameCube represents everything that a video game console should. It's not there for the image, to listen to MP3s or to buy pizza online. It's there for games and games only. And that's surely a good thing for those who want high quality gaming experiences.[/color]

[color=royalblue][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]The three men entered the stables and began looking at the various horses within. The stables were quite large and there were at least sixteen horses within. Zain slowly paced back and forth by the nearby horses, attempting to choose one. Ralvenar sat on a chair near the wall, apparently locked deep in thought. While Lymous appeared to have already chosen his horse; he was standing at the far end of the stable, rubbing the nose of a large stallion. Zain heard the wooden door of the barn creak as it opened behind him. He turned around, to see who had entered. Just as he did so, his eyes met those of a beautiful young woman with long reddish brown hair. She was wearing simple Hylian peasant clothing and she was holding a small bucket of grains. She looked up at the three men and smiled.[/color][/size][/font] [b]Malon:[/b] Hello...can I help you gentlemen? [b]Zain:[/b] We're looking for horses...we need to get to Kakariko Village. [b]Malon:[/b] Oh. Well, what you see here is all I have. A lightning bolt struck the fence on our outdoor racetrack yesterday and two of my best stallions escaped. :( [b]Zain:[/b] Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. [b]Malon:[/b] It's okay...I think this strange weather is affecting us all. Even our horses. [b]Zain:[/b] Yes, definitely. How much do your horses cost? [b]Malon:[/b] It depends how well-trained you want them to be. We use a ratings system for horses...with five stars. A five star horse is the most well trained, while a one star horse is barely well trained. [b]Zain:[/b] Oh, I see... [b]Malon:[/b] A one star horse will cost you 500 Rupees. [b]Lymous & Ralvenar:[/b] Whoa :eek: [b]Malon:[/b] A five star horse will cost you 4,500 Rupees. [b]Zain:[/b] Uh, I guess I'll take a three star horse... [b]Lymous:[/b] I'll take a two star horse. :rolleyes: [b]Ralvenar:[/b] I'm not taking any horses. [b]Zain & Lymous:[/b] Huh? [b]Ralvenar:[/b] That is, none of the horses from within this stable. What about that black stallion outside? [b]Malon:[/b] We only just got that horse...we found it in the west of Hyrule Field...it was a stray...[i]very[/i] difficult to tame... [b]Ralvenar:[/b] If I can tame it, may I have it? [b]Malon:[/b] If you can train that horse, you can have it for 500 Rupees...same price as a one star horse. [b]Ralvenar:[/b] I think I'll take you up on that offer. :) [color=royalblue][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]Malon looked rather surprised at Ralvenar's offer. But she accepted nonetheless. However, morning was approaching. The sun dial just outside the stables was reading 6 o'clock in the morning. Zain and the others felt exhausted. They knew that they wouldn't be able to take their horses and go straight to Kakariko Village at the moment. Malon suggested to the others that they take a nap in the guest suite upstairs. The trio agreed without hesitation. Ralvenar decided that in the coming afternoon, after his sleep, he'd go out into the field and train that black stallion...[/color][/size][/font]

[color=royalblue][size=4][font=monotype corsiva]The first stalfos approached Ralvenar. It slowly lumbered toward him with outstretched arms. Ralvenar gripped his sword tightly and lunged forward. His sword smashed several of the skeleton's ribs, which were now scattered over the grass. The blow didn't seem to affect the skeleton a great deal; it continued moving toward him.[/color][/font][/size] [b]Ralvenar:[/b] Hey! How do we beat these things? [b]Zain:[/b] Cut its head off! [color=royalblue][size=4][font=monotype corsiva]Ralvenar could barely see the others, he only saw their silhouettes in the darkness. Lymous was pummelling a stalfos with his weapon, while Zain was putting his dagger away and fumbling with his Hylian sword, which appeared to be stuck in its sheath. Ralvenar paid the price for that momentary lapse in attention -- the stalfos struck him hard on the shoulder with its arm. Ralvenar howled in pain and stammered back for a moment, looking up at the creature's glowing red eyes. He puts his fingers to his lips and whistled, calling his two wolves. Both wolves immediately ran up beside him and jumped at the stalfos, knocking it backwards on the ground. The two wolves began tearing it apart ferociously, as Ralvenar regained his stamina. Lymous was still fighting his stalfos. And already, he'd cut off both its arms and several ribs, yet it was still attacking him. He stepped back for a moment and then jumped in the air, bringing his enormous sword down over the creature's skull. A loud cracking sound could be heard by the others as Lymous drove his sword right down the middle of the stalfos' thick skull. The skull cracked and tore apart, as the skeleton fell to the ground. Zain, however, wasn't so lucky. His sword was still somehow stuck in its sheath. As he struggled to remove it, the nearby stalfos pushed him hard, sending him sprawling backwards onto the ground. He fell right into a pool of mud, which splashed over his cape and tunic. The stalfos reared up and prepared to attack. It looked hopeless -- Zain had fallen on his arm and injured it. Lymous suspected that he'd broken his elbow, as his face was twisted up from the pain. He was in so much pain that he wasn't able to even attempt to take his sword. Lymous sprinted over toward Zain's attacker. He raised his sword in the air and closed his eyes. Zain and Ralvenar both looked up and saw it -- Lymous' sword was glowing bright red, with flames lapping at the blade from either side. Lymous opened his eyes and attacked the stalfos with a carefully aimed horizontal swipe, slicing its skull off in one single movement. The stalfos stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. It lay in the mud, lifeless. Lymous and Ralvenar both knelt down next to Zain.[/color][/font][/size] [b]Lymous:[/b] Zain! Are you okay?! [b]Zain:[/b] Ugh...my arm...my arm... [b]Ralvenar:[/b] What can we do?? It will take at least another hour to reach Lon Lon Ranch! [b]Lymous:[/b] It's okay, Ralvenar. I have the ability to heal...but it's going to hurt, Zain... [b]Zain:[/b] Okay...but please hurry... [font=monotype corsiva][size=4][color=royalblue]Lymous turned Zain on his side, to expose the wounded arm. He carefully lay his palm over Zain's elbow and closed his eyes. He began to concentrate and hum under his breath... Zain screamed out in agony as the bone in his arm began to rapidly repair itself. Ralvenar noticed a soft yellow glow appearing underneath Lymous' palm, as he continue to hum quietly. After what seemed like an eternity, Zain was quiet once more. He turned to face Lymous, a look of wonder on his face.[/color][/size][/font] [b]Zain:[/b] W-where'd you learn to do that? [b]Lymous:[/b] I always knew how... [b]Zain:[/b] Thank you...you might just have saved my life there... [b]Lymous:[/b] Hey, it's no problem. :) We're going to have to look out for each other... [b]Ralvenar:[/b] Indeed. Now come on...we only have an hour before we reach Lon Lon Ranch...we can all take a shower and get a good night's rest! [b]Lymous & Zain:[/b] Thank Din! [color=royalblue][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]Lymous and Ralvenar helped Zain to his feet. The trio began walking towards Lon Lon Ranch once more. On the way, Zain reflected on what had just happened. Why hadn't he just used his dagger to beat the stalfos? Or for that matter, why not just use his bare hands? He didn't understand what had caused such a lapse in concentration on his part. But he was thankful that Lymous and Ralvenar had been there to support him. The real question which bothered him was simply, if a stalfos had been so tough to beat, how on earth was he going to complete whatever quest Zelda had planned for them?[/color][/size][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Elite DBZ [/i] [B][B]The Xbox has been on sale in Japan for roughly 2-3 weeks now, and has sold only 4,300 machines. Where in the same space of time, Gamecube and Playstation 2 have sold almost triple that amount and they have been out for a very long time in Japan. I am saying this because I feel that microsoft could have done much better in selling the Xbox in Japan. One of the strongest factors is the size of the Xbox, I doubt many Japanese people who live in cities will want a console that takes up most of their living room. Another strong point is the Japanese software enemies that Microsoft has made, for example Konami, who were not impressed by the console and were certain it was not going to sell well in Japan, also strong ties that Sony and Nintendo had already made with game software companies prevented Microsoft from getting any big games being ported to their console. (MGS2 is going to be ported to Xbox but it will be no different and the Xbox's power will not be used to make the graphics better.) [/B] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Hm, I don't quite see why you're putting this up. I mean, I'm sure that by now, we are all aware of the Xbox's performance (or lack thereof) in Japan. Microsoft obviously doesn't have the right formula (or perhaps the right ideology) to conquer the market there. Still, there's really nothing new about this. I mean, Microsoft are obviously going to have to create more Japan-centric games...and they're going to need many more exclusive titles. Anyway, yeah...others can offer their opinion of what MS needs to do to be successful...I guess I just feel that this thread is perhaps a little redundant.[/color]

[color=seagreen][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]The trio stepped out onto the porch infront of Zain's door. Ralvenar was the last to exit the house. He carefully closed and locked the door behind them. Zain lifted his hood just a little and looked around. The gale was so powerful that a couple of small trees had been pushed over near the lake's edge. Several other small plants had been ripped out of the ground by the wind. Several people's gardens looked more like jungles than gardens; foliage was strewn everywhere and gardening tools were laying all over the ground. On the other side of the lake, Zain could see the local windmill. The blades of the windmill were spinning so quickly and the tower was shaking so violently, that it looked like the entire mill would topple into the lake at any moment. Zain turned and look back at the others. Lymous was busy adjusting his belt and Ralvenar was holding the top of his hood down over his forehead. Zain nodded to the two men and began walking forward across the grass, which seperated the various houses by Lake Hylia. The trio made their way around the west side of the lake. Zain noticed that the intensity of the rain was severely disrupting the surface of the lake -- it looked somewhat like the water was boiling hot, due to the bubbling and rippling caused by the rain. Zain felt sad when looking at Lake Hylia in such a state. At this time of night, it wasn't uncommon to see large groups of fireflies glowing over the lake's surface. Every now and then, one or two fireflies would dip down and drink from the lake's pure surface. It was a beautiful sight and one which had made Zain immensely proud of his Hylian background. Zain's thoughts were interrupted by Lymous, who ran ahead a few steps and pointed into the darkness.[/color][/size][/font] [b]Lymous:[/b] Look! There's the fence which divides Lake Hylia from Hyrule Field...we're not too far. [b]Zain:[/b] Lymous, we still have to cross the entire field to reach Kakariko Village... [b]Lymous:[/b] Yeah :( [b]Ralvenar:[/b] What we need are horses! [b]Lymous:[/b] Yeah, that's a great idea Ralvenar...but where are we going to get horses at this time of night? [b]Ralvenar:[/b] We could always try Lon Lon Ranch... [b]Zain:[/b] Excellent idea, Ralvenar! Besides...they might board us for the night. It doesn't look like we'll be able to reach Kakariko Village amid this gale... [b]Ralvenar:[/b] Indeed. Let's go, shall we? [color=seagreen][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]Zain approached the ladder which lay against a stone column, beside the fence. He climbed up and over the other side, followed by Ralvenar and Lymous. Finally, the trio were standing at the edge of Hyrule Field. The rain was so heavy and the wind was so strong, that it was incredibly difficult to see very far. They could only just make out the silhouette of Lon Lon Ranch looming over the horizon. It looked enormous from where they were standing. Still, it would take several hours to walk there. Zain unsheathed his dagger and held it close to him. He knew that the field was full of undead stalfos...and even though he doubted that the stalfos would emerge under such conditions, he knew it was better to be safe than sorry...[/font][/color][/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crazy White Boy [/i] [B]I would have preferred if they kept the game more in the same vein as its predecessor. I mean, if you're going to split the series, at least make them different kinds of games. Instead of making what is essentially another Soul Reaver, they should have made Blood Omen 2 a pure rpg Fifteen hours worth of gameplay pale in comparison to the orignal's massive quest. Plus, the puzzles are tedious, like in the original Soul Reaver. It's still an okay game, just taken in the wrong direction. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Yeah, the original was awesome. Silicon Knights (the original's developer) was saying that they probably wouldn't have taken the sequel in the same direction. SK is also working on Eternal Darkness for GameCube...which they've been working on for about four years now...it's looking incredible so far.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Megabakin [/i] [B] If you mean to be innocent is to lack maturity, then I can agree. There really is no such thing as a mature person, and no matter how mature a person acts, they will commit suicide if they get depressed enough. HAve you ever actually committed suicide and luckily survived it? I have. And until you are pushed to the limit you shouldnt assume (make an *** out of u and me) that all people who commit suicide are immature. I have to go soon, so I will be back later to check this topic out. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Innocent? Innocent is really the same as immature. Just as I shouldn't assume about you, you shouldn't assume about me. I'm not going to start spilling my guts here (because I think it would bore everyone), but I know more about this subject than you think. In any case, committing suicide is certainly an act of immaturity. That immaturity might be the inability to deal with one's emotions...the immaturity of not being able to talk to people around you...or perhaps even the immaturity of not recognizing your own symptoms. As I said before, immaturity doesn't necessarily mean silliness or whatever else...it can simply mean that you are either too young or too inexperienced to deal with a situation.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rocket power [/i] [B]Well, you're not the coolest **** either SS trunks; bleh, such an un-original Screen Name. The three guards entered the room, Ak's pointed sternly infront of their faces. Craig watched, kneeling down on a rafter above. The guards slowly inspected the room. One of them passed directly below Craig. Craig leapt into the air, and corkscrewed, drawing a ninja star, he threw it, and it hit the guard in the back of the head, piercing his skull, into his brain. The guard fell to the floor silently, and Craig landed without a sound behind a crate. Man, that was the crappiest writing I ever read. There was no flow, it kind of clunked together like your mom. :blush: But since Foredaddy doesn't care, I guess there is no harm. Yes, in order to post in this topic you [i]must[/i] know how to be an ***! Damn, you could've at least asked nicely! It seems you are surrounded in arrogance, and think just because you are better at RPGing it gives you more rights. So next time, be nice... [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]He started the RPG and thus, he has the ability to accept who he wants when he wants. Why do you insist on continually coming here and making a fool of yourself? It only makes you look like a pathetic, lonely little kid. Don't make me force my hand. Stay out of OtakuBoards. Anyway, enough arguing...you can continue the RPG as you see fit, SS Trunks. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by D. Dark [/i] [B] I do agree that doing it is selfish and wrong, but still not childish. What is your definiton of childish? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Children, by definition, lack maturity. Thus, childish could be seen as the opposite of mature. Suicide is a selfish act...but it is also an act which displays massive immaturity. That doesn't necessarily mean to imply direct foolishness or silliness...it means that the person in question simply lacks either the experience/knowledge/understanding to avoid suicide. Of course, there are many factors involved and I'm sure we could all go on and on about it...[/color]

[color=royalblue]Excellent advice, jcgoudy. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Excellent advice, jcgoudy. :)[/color]

[color=seagreen][size=4][font=monotype corsiva]The three spent the rest of the afternoon telling stories to one another and examining each other's weapons. Night fell sooner than expected. The windows of the houses surrounding Lake Hylia were emitting a soft yellow glow. But the various outdoor candles in people's gardens hadn't been lit, due to the still heavy rainfall. Mahl appeared in the doorway to the guest room, looking much healther than he had looked earlier in the day. He smiled and nodded to Lymous and Ralvenar and proceeded to put on his cloak and gather up his belongings.[/color][/size][/font] [b]Mahl:[/b] Okay. It's time for me to go. Thanks again for your hospitality, Zain. [b]Zain:[/b] No problem. :) Are you going to be okay? [b]Mahl:[/b] I'll be fine. My horse never gives up on me. [b]Lymous:[/b] There are thieves in Hyrule Field at night... [b]Mahl:[/b] Don't worry gentlemen...I will be fine. I'm used to taking messages from the Queen to all corners of the countryside. [b]Zain:[/b] Okay, well...goodbye Mahl. Have a safe journey! [b]Mahl:[/b] Bye all! [color=seagreen][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]Mahl waved and opened the front door. The power of the fierce gale was so strong that he nearly tumbled backwards. He braced himself and held his hood down over his face as he exited the house. The others could only barely hear the sound of his horse's hooves as he galloped away. Zain looked at the others. Lymous and Ralvenar were already standing and sheathing their various weaponry. Ralvenar's two wolves sat motionless infront of him. It appeared as though he had complete control over their behavior. A soft yellow glow appeared from Zain's room. All three men looked toward the direction of the light, as it grew stronger. Lymous slowly began unsheathing his sword, not knowing what to expect. The small light source floated into the room and landed on Zain's shoulder.[/color][/size][/font] [b]Phion:[/b] Hey hey...you guys look like you've never seen a fairy before! [b]Lymous:[/b] Eheh, sorry. We're just ready for anything I guess... [b]Phion:[/b] Hmph. I'm Phion...who are you two? [b]Ralvenar:[/b] I'm Ralvenar, pleased to meet you. [b]Lymous:[/b] I'm Lymous... [b]Phion:[/b] Heh, Zain...you're happy for these two to join us? [b]Zain:[/b] Don't be so suspicious, Phion. I'm sure you'll grow to like them. [b]Phion:[/b] Heh, maybe. [color=seagreen][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]A slightly awkward silence followed, which was broken by a sudden burst of thunder. The group looked out the windows and saw the entire lake light up from a flash of lightning.[/color][/font][/size] [b]Lymous:[/b] Geez...I don't know how [i]anyone[/i] can live normally with this weather... [b]Ralvenar:[/b] I'm hoping that we can at least get to Hyrule Castle in time... [b]Zain:[/b] I know you're not going to like the suggestion, but we should probably start moving tonight. If we move early, we'll be able to get there on time. The rain will be slowing [i]everyone[/i] down... [b]Lymous:[/b] Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it...we're definitely going to have to get moving tonight. [b]Ralvenar:[/b] Agreed. [b]Zain:[/b] Okay, get your stuff together and let's go...

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rocket power [/i] [B] I am not complaining on behalf of myself, but all others. And I do [i]not[/i] wish to come here, or follow your pity rules. I am saying how James is fixed on a perfect board, a dull board, with stupid members. All the old members get slack, but mostly I see hot-heads drumming around and beating drums. They aren't actually beating drums, but they are giving ban warnings. James, you simply cannot ban just because a respected member wants you to ban another member. It seems you have given me a command, I am not listening to you, but only James. You have said exactly what I described above, but only altered a bit. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I'm not at all fixed on having a perfect board. Threads like this one indicate that I have a long way to go in improving the site's content. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "James, you simply cannot ban just because a respected member wants you to ban another member". I rarely ban people myself and when I do, I [i]never[/i] ban anyone because I'm told to do so. People are banned because of their own behaviors -- [i]not[/i] because people don't like them or hold a negative view of them. In any case, you really should talk to me on AIM if you are interested in discussing the boards. What you've said here is nothing but ill-informed tripe...and none of it bears any relevance to the reality of the boards. It seems to me that I have directly or indirectly stepped on your toes and thus, you feel it necessary to come here for the sole purpose of complaining. As has been said a million times before, if you don't like our site, [i]do not visit it[/i]. There are a million forums on the Internet and this is only one of them. When people sign up, we ask that they follow our rules if they wish to post here. It's as simple as that. I don't have the time or the interest to explain every single facet of our operations to someone who is probably not even interested in listening. Furthermore, I don't see why everyone has to take this so seriously. This is [i]just a web forum[/i], people! Why is it necessary to pretend that this is Government corruption or something? It's a foolish waste of everyone's time and it achieves nothing. If you're happy to be a part of a boards where every second post is more idiotic than the last, that's absolutely fine with me. If you enjoy it, go for it. But don't think you can come here and cause a problem. I value intelligent discussion as much as the next person, and that is what OtakuBoards has always advocated. But your post is a strange mix of intelligence and utter foolishness. You can't pretend to want intelligent discussion while at the same time, you rant and rave and provide nothing of any real value to anyone. I've said enough here...everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I'm not worried about saying "if you don't like it, don't visit", because at the end of the day, the more reasonable people want to post in a place where intelligence and common sense is valued and not frowned upon. And this very fact is proven every single day -- I don't need to say a word; the success of this site absolutely proves my point.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by RicoTranzrig [/i] [B][COLOR=darkblue]Heh, no wonder some of the old stuff has to be delted...well, I really hope that our boards become unique...eventually employing new things besides speed and memory...[/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]As I've said before, we're going to be providing a fairly large update in May. This extra speed boost will [i]really[/i] help in terms of optimizing the boards for all users.[/color]