Coile

Pious's work has already been nominated (we don't vote, we nominate, and one nomination is enough) but I would like to voice my reasons why the acting avatars are indeed worthy of a nomination and indeed worthy of a Creative Genius award.

The idea in itself is a simple one. Pious could have just posted instructions as how to make one and that would have probably resulted in one or two being done. I certainly would not have bothered.

What made this idea special was the offer to make such avatars for others. Even if the routine must be there by now they do take a lot of time and that is selfless work. Instead of just entertaining Pious has serviced the community. That, especially on this scale, is rare.

The idea is original in its execution. Avatars have populated the whole forum in an unprecedented manner. This phenomenon is something new and fresh. This idea is original. Written and drawn works are very deserving as well but they have been around, and will be around. This creative effort is one of a kind, a unique endeavor.

To commemorate this huge service to such a big part of our forum community I would love to see Pious receive the coveted and prestigious Creative Genius title.

More Then Meets The Eye (11.7.2007 - Coile)

"Say, we can act if we want to
If we don't nobody will
And you can act real rude and totally removed
And I can act like an imbecile"
- Men Without Hats

One of the downsides with Coile's HeroCorp work was that it could easily stretch into twelve hour workdays. A plus side was a lenient time card when he needed some personal time and no emergencies were hanging in the horizon. Thus it was that in the middle of the day Andre walked in Atlas Park to pick up his friend Diana Bright, also known as Love Angel. They were going to see a movie, but not alone.

Thinking it was a good idea Andre had invited his temporally misplaced granddaughter Angelique (Darksparrow) to the movie as well. The girl who was only a few years younger than he was trying to learn all the tricks that went with living in the era before the second Rikti war, and before the Jondahl war. That is, in a world that is not in ruins, decimated and full of deadly hunters dedicated to exterminate the humanity. So far Darksparrow had been in this time for half a year and was already trying her hand at make-up.

Angelique had learned from Andre that Diana was suffering from a severe case of combat shock resulting from the mission where they rescued Amber Banshee from the Hand of Andros. One of the few things that Angie had brought from the future was a locket in which she had a picture of an older Diana, something she called "the smiling woman". A cheer-up attempt in the vein of "People die every day. It is important that you survived." didn't garner the desired results and Diana was gloomy for a while after that.

Inside the movie theater Angie proceeded to do what she did best and that was salvaging. A soda machine fell under immediate threat of dismantlement until the other two taught how to "barter with the vending machine" which to contemporary co-humans was known as inserting coins into the slot. Andre paid for the tickets and also for the refreshments. Angie didn't even know she was supposed to be paying for anything and Diana's pocket money was tight so neither argued the point. Angelique was mystified to learn that popcorn she could eat with her fingers unlike the ice cream which Andre had insisted required a spoon. Now her trusty tools included a metal spoon that she used to devour the popcorn. Also a straw was an alien concept.

Inside the actual cinema was the next incident waiting. Angie spotted a seat that she immediately declared as hers. Too bad somebody with a ticket for that seat got there first. Only Andre and Diana reacting fast saved the day as Angie tried to jump the guy with her rather sharp and eviscerating claws extended. The guy left in a hurry and Angie could take over "her" seat.

As the movie started two things happened. Diana grabbed Andre's hand and did not let go until the movie was over. Every time a shot was fired she jumped and started to shake slightly and when one robot was torn in two she moved on to occupy Andre's seat for a time. Angelique on the other hand made no sounds, nor moved. She stared at the silver screen with her mouth open until it was all over. Then she became very excited, agitated even, demanding to be taken to the Autobots and telling Andre that they needed to prepare because one of the bad robots escaped and would bring reinforcements! Then she dashed out to look for the cars that had been in the movie and soon vanished from the sight. It was pretty evident that Andre's explanation that a movie was just a make-believe story had not entirely been understood. Diana pointed out that Angie obviously was Andre's grandchild and that silliness ran in the family.

Afterwards Andre walked Diana back home. In an hour he got a message from her that she would be going to France on a vacation for a week or two. A month ago her father had intended Andre to go with her but things had changed since. Andre had moved away to find out what he felt for the girl who was his best friend. In her own corner Diana had done her own thinking and when it came a time to compare the notes Diana had "just friends" to offer which left Andre with an unrequited love and a heart that had received once more a shattering blow. Ever since the boy had not even registered on Diana's parents' radar and the invitation to go to Europe had been canceled. He was not surprised. The parents had tolerated him only because they saw him as a strong groom candidate. As a friend he was just a handy human shield in a mission to take a bullet for their daughter.

Back in work he raved about the movie to his co-worker Kerry. Diana was an avid giant robot fan and Andre had grown up among hundreds of robots with the ND-unit being his mother. Later revelations around last Christmas had exposed his now dead sister Andrea (Coila) having been a construct as well so mechanical monstrosities with an ability to shapeshift into cars tapped a certain vein of interest in him.

Later in the evening Andre headed to Pocket D to unwind. First he met Nick (Nightschild[/b]) and pretty soon after more of his friends and associates followed. Chiaroscuro, Nene (Number Nine), Nadia (Light of Truth, not to be confused with the other Nadia who is Sword of Truth), Samuel Blayne and Aria (Keening Banshee). Some movie trivia was exchanged which left Andre feeling pretty lost as he was not in a great habit of watching movies. Also present were Mark, a hero with a secret identity Sable Lynx, and Jack (Project Rebirth), a case of cybernetically extended life for a British guy who got injured in the Rikti war.

After a few people had wandered off Andre was left with Nick and Aria to discuss the abysses of love lives. Nick shared Andre's sentiment that when a girl says she's not interested and there is a long history behind the answer there's no point in relentlessly pursuing her any more. Aria on the other hand with her faery wisdom swore on the bittersweet aroma of rejection and continuous courting to finally win the fair maiden over. The guys were wondering just how many times the ladykind expected them to run their heads against a wall before they could with grace let it go. Aria seemed to think that the great pursuit could go on until the dying day.

Aria left, Nick moved on to talk with Rachel (Vigilante Storm), a young Militia middle rank girl who was introducing Lost Vahzilok around. Andre's attention was grabbed by first Shadowplay who was interested in joining the Silent Tempest and soon after that Dee Dee Diablo, a recent recruit of the Tempest. She remarked that Shadowplay could try joining Militia because she'd heard that they'd take anyone. This [censored] both the Vahzilok and Scorche off something major and several more words were exchanged between Tempest and Militia members before Rachel dragged Scorche off for a private talk.

Andre let it know very clearly what he thought of Militia not doing enough, in his opinion, for Nightsparrow and Lady Cobra or about Crimson Archer wanting to leave Coile behind when he had fallen unconscious on the Amber Banshee rescue mission. What little trust and will to co-operate had previously existed between the two supergroups was deteriorating fast. The situation defused after a while and Chiaroscuro who had come back some time before now saw a better time to approach his teammates.

The talk then took a turn towards weird and the size of Andre's head was a topic for far too long for his own taste. The choice of topics did not exactly improve as Diana and her importance to Andre floated back up. Dee and Chi were at the opposite corner compared to Aria as they believed that the best choice would be to just forget about the girl and move on. Once again Andre had to disagree as his intent was to let things proceed on their own and not try to force any solution.

Shadowplay went to meet an old friend of his and eventually brought her to meet the others. Fusebox asked for Dee Dee's autograph but got a saucy doodle instead.

Andre decided to formalize the current living arrangement. Chi had been staying over in the four bedroom apartment that Andre was renting one room out of for two weeks now. Originally Andre had wanted the apartment be kept empty except for himself but his need for solitude had been spent already, so he asked Chi if he would like to sign a lease contract with Jay and the city hall and get one of the rooms officially as his. Then he made the same offer to Dee Dee who was looking for a more peaceful place to conduct her writing and composing work and also to give some distance to the girl she was sort of living with, Des. Both accepted. The fourth room was occupied currently by Savannah (Mischevious) who was intending to get her own place.

Before leaving Andre overheard the Militia leader Mer'de assigning a task of spying the Tempest members on Scorche, because he did not trust them in general and Coile in particular.

Back home Chi beat Andre cleanly in Wii bowling, as well as in pool.

(( Thank you goes to:

- Love Angel, for organizing the event. This shows again that all it needs is just one person with a vision and a dedicated posse of a few others to pull together a grand event.

- Sword of Truth and Light of Truth, for base design. The party area looked beautiful and had functionality. For those who took a glance around the base, Sword is responsible for the most of the current look.

- Chiaroscuro, for bartending. It's not the most glamorous job since the guy behind the bar can rarely engage in conversations because emoting making and giving drinks takes up a lot of time.

- Dee Dee Diablo and the rest of the Last Word for providing the event 'a soul'. A charity event in itself was a distinct idea but combining an IC cd with a music number made it feel unique.

- to all who came, because you made the event an event! I had a good time and I hope that everyone else did too! ))

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In my opinion, on the strength of the amount of work you've done, a nomination for Creative Genius should not be out of the question.

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A nomination is a given. If Blackdove doesn't beat me to it I'll pin it down with a few good reasons. But right now I'll head to bed.

Thanks for the latest, Pious!

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And I've settled on a .gif for Coile, with his eye plate. Coile (GIF)

Hope you guys like them. If not, feedback please.

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A minor detail. The eye plate rose higher so you can make it run to the edge of the picture. Otherwise it looks fab!

[ QUOTE ]
Now Coile, would you like A-Struck with that slideshow? Tech Scrapper right? I have an idea for another slideshow using an eye plate and your current avatar... should be interesting.

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Hmm. A-Struck. Why not?

Currently (well, for months now) Coile has been powerless on his own and thus not needing the plate anymore. He has two armours, namely the tech origin A-Struck scrapper suit and the blast capable powersuit that I use as one cossie slot for Coile. It resembled closely Steel Guard's suit (it was built by him) but that suit got devastated and left behind on Amber Banshee's rescue. His current blast suit has been put together from various parts by his temporally misplaced granddaughter Darksparrow. If needed I can show it to you IG.

Any amalgam derived from this would be fine. The plate can appear as a memento of the past but IC it hasn't been used since it burned Coile's powers out in the robot world.

If you fancy doing a slick slideshow like some have, there's a few more pics that might look wicked:

Michael 1
Michael 2
If mirrored, would work with Coile having the plate still
Another mirror one
Michael 3

Now I have a wicked urge to go and buy Smallville season boxes. >.<

Like it? That'd be like asking if I liked my avatar.

No, wait. I see what you mean.

Yesh, it rocks like a moose!

Works for me as well!

I have no idea who could be Coile in a movie. Thus I can offer no names, nor links to pictures. Hence making a request would be kind of out of line since the rules are not being followed.

However, if you're feeling adventurous with excess time in your hands (seeing how much you do all over the place this might be rather unlikely) you could use your own movie / actor knowledge and pick something suitable. For some months Coile has not used the eyeplate so that one handicap is not in the way, luckily.

If I manage to think of anything apart from Patrick Stewart I'll drop a link.

If you hook up with the right kind of crowd leveling back to 30 will be a breeze. Well, it'd take time regardless but if the company is right playing the missions and gaining levels shouldn't feel much of an effort.

Every now and then there's visible signs of RP on Defiant but they indeed are pronouncedly scarcer than on Union.

(( The Hand of Andros – contains adult themes

The events started in Hand of Andros If the first stories look confusing or dull, skip ahead to the email messages and discussions.

After Saffron had gone missing Search for Amber Banshee was launched.

The rescue effort was discussed in The Briefing Room - 15th June

This takes place in the late evening on 28.6.2007 ))

Coming Home

As the end is drawing near
Standing proud, I won't give in to fear
As I die a legend will be born
- Judas Priest

Around 8 PM Coile was informed by both Crimson Archer and Tygerboy that the Militia would be launching a rescue operation to get Amber Banshee back from the clutches of Hand of Andros. She had been gone for four weeks. Coile in turn called Love Angel to invite her along. Not because he thought such a high risk mission was the best place for the girl to be but because he had promised to her that when he went to hunt Andros people, she would be with him. Another person he had to keep informed was Kerry, a woman from his work over at HeroCorp. Just that afternoon all intel division people had been paired up for the duration of a local emergency with the Freakshow and Kerry had become Coile's ball and chain. Kerry elected to follow her work partner because he was known to do reckless things and she didn't want to explain to their boss why her partner had gone and died.

In Militia's base there were a few people with more coming as time went by. The ones to go after Amber were, aside of Crimson and Tyger, three others. Found who was a reconverted Lost healer, Dante Carver who was some kind of high class mystic and Redsight who was Crimson's cousin and also an Archer. The rest of Militia present (most notably Paragon Protector CR who was a long standing member and Hiyro and Silver.Eagle who were raw recruits) were told that they had to stay behind. This was a high risk operation against people who had no qualms about killing and used murder as a convenient tool at their leisure.

Crimson had obtained the information where Amber was imprisoned exactly through her Fey family and Dante had constructed a charm that would take the rescue party to where Amber was held. Such useful help from such fickle folk would carry a price that Crimson would later on pay. The details were not revealed to others. In the end of the briefing there were a few goodbyes uttered as it was quite possible that not all of those going would be coming back. The rescuers gathered and blinked out of existence, and back in reality completely elsewhere.

Upon arrival there was a rather surprised welcome party waiting. In seconds the guards were subdued and the cautios band of heroes pressed onwards. All that they had to go by was that Amber was in a cell someone in here. When the next contact with the enemy came it went all much by the book. Arrows delivered payloads and right after the close quarters combatants engaged the troops while others provided tactical support from range. Again the guards fell fast but put up a good fight delivering knocks around. This wasn't going to be exactly easy.

Third assembly of hostiles went out and down just as the previous ones. While each encounter proved to be an obstacle it started to look as if the heroes would manage the opposition rather cleanly. This misconception was blown apart as a guard exploded knocking Dante against the wall. It was not known if it was a self-triggered last resort, automatic after-death retribution or someone using remote signals but the effect was clear - no enemy soldier was harmless even when unconscious.

In an office room the group found two things. First was a laser array trap that Coile triggered and evaded only because of his new rocket boots. An EMP arrow later Crimson went back in and found a file whose cover said 'Amber Banshee'. Inside were details about the torture that she had gone through - with pictures. This propelled Crimson Archer to drive his team forward faster and harder. While a sound tactic it was reckless as Tyger proved a while later by walking through a doorway and triggering a nasty electric trap. Nothing would be safe. He pulled through however and the lifts took them one floor down.

On the floor below there were more and more guards. The lessons of the one fallen guy exploding had been forgotten and thus a downed guard suddenly releasing corrosive gas took the team by surprise. Kerry, Redsight, Love Angel and Tygerboy each took a dose. The rest dragged them quickly away which could have been the only thing that saved their lungs from turning into biological goo. After this the lesson stuck and later on a guard went up without inflicting any damage to the intended targets.

After a while a cell was located. Some people took their own time getting there due to no flight and locked doors in stairway which gave Coile enough time to note that the cell's air was being drained out. Tyger heard with his keen ears that someone was inside. While acid arrows and blasting through the wall instead of the sturdy steel door was contemplated Kerry went and got a beaten high ranking guard persuading him to help out with this. No one knows what kind of nightmares that guard would have for the rest of his life after Kerry had been inside his head. However with his handprint and a forcibly retrieved code the door was opened.

Inside was a man whose life had got to an end just mere seconds ago. This served as a reminder that it was possible to find what they were looking for and still be too late. Another reminder was not to stand still for too long. Redsight and Tyger both sensed a thermal source inside the man, building up fast. Everyone got out of the cell just in the nick of time before the bomb went off. Flames struck out of the door for meters.

The next notable event was coming across mechanoid sentries. As things were robots were a dime in a dozen with superpowered lunatics and as such seemed to be nothing more than scrap metal in the making, walking junkyard fillings with their fates so far unrealized. Alas, it was not as clearcut. Love Angel recognized the biggest hulking warbots from her time at Coile’s childhood home, around Christmas. Also Coile made a positive identification. The robots had been built by his father, Zirgei Kraft, who had originally founded the Hand of Andros. He had been killed by the women who were keeping Amber Banshee a prisoner, the same women who had killed Coile’s wife Nightsparrow.

The tactic would be to knock the robots down and then rip open a maintenance hatch under the right arm frying the control circuitry inside. Found had definite difficulties with combating foes who gave out no life signs so the plan was him to stay a bit behind. No one was paying much attention what was happening with him. Finally the metallic menaces had fallen and Coile destroyed one of them permanently. Kerry was working with another when Crimson sounded a retreat. Everyone obeyed instantly. It was only a safe distance away that Kerry noted that her work had been left incomplete. This sent Coile flying to the one unattended big robot in a quest to knock it out before something bad would happen. He was too late.

He only had time to shout that everyone should take cover behind a corner and fly to an apparent safety himself before the massive robot went sky high and collapsed the corridor partially. That’s when two things went wrong. First was Coile choosing an unscouted direction and flying into the firezone of several enemies. His suit was quickly overwhelmed. Love Angel and Kerry noted his plight and rushed to help despite Crimson’s orders to stay still. Everyone had to join the fray. In the end all the enemies lied still but so did Coile and his armour weighted considerably more than just a man. The problem of dragging him away from among the fallen was solved when one supermassive soldier exploded spraying acid. Tygerboy was hit badly by the acid as was Coile’s armour. In the end the others had to dig the leader of the Silent Tempest out of his suit and abandon it as useless. Crimson Archer seemed to think the very same of Coile. He advocated for leaving the unconscious man who had just been stripped of offensive capabilities to his luck. Others opposed such a notion vehemently. This moral dilemma was rendered obsolete when Coile regained his senses and got up.

The second thing to go wrong came up soon after. Redsight picked up Found’s current location which was not that much further away. Sure enough he sat leaning against the wall next to the elevators that would take them down one level. Only thing subtracting from the joy of a reunion was him missing his whole right arm that had probably been torn away when the robot had exploded. Love Angel rushed to perform emergency first aid to stop the bleeding. She was getting her money’s worth of field practice with washing the acid off of Tygerboy and now making sure Found wouldn’t just bleed to death. After a brief discussion it was decided that Kerry would carry the unconscious Lost convert as leaving anyone behind was foolish and dangerous. With Found missing an arm and Coile stripped of his suit the combined firepower of the rescue team was declining.

Dante determined that three out of four lifts were primed to go upon usage. A safe descent later Crimson once again breathing through his inhaler started to attract attention. It was nothing major, just atomized Bloody Bay meteor which seemed to drive the on the edge Militia field commander over the said edge. However the discussion was cut short when a siren went off. If anyone had harbored hopes of advancing undetected it was time to lose such misconceptions.

The next encounter went by the book. People took distance from the fallen foes while Coile and Love Angel disabled the robots. However the universe abhors except a vacuum also cocky people. Redsight and Tygerboy noticed ultrasound and rising heat inside the corridor walls. A desperate dash backwards prevented people from being torn to shred with the small concrete chips flying around. The problem was not solved even after the bang because the dust proved to be a real handicap for Redsight and Love Angel who had not recovered from the corrosive gas messing with their lungs.

Coile stayed behind with still unconscious Found because Kerry couldn’t fight properly with a heavy man on her shoulders. While the two useless members of the party remained put the rest sought out the last defenders of the subterranean fort among which were a few warbots. While others were moderately content Redsight noticed one robot still being active. Most didn’t have a clear idea what to so it was good that Love Angel and Kerry had paid attention to Coile’s instructions and were able to shut the metal behemoth down.

Then came the sour realization that the enemy base had been stripped off of its guards and there was no sign of Amber. Tempers started rising as desperation crept in when Dante sensed their quarry reasonably nearby. Amber was still one level below and even the necessary hatch was located, but it remained shut. Finally an unlocked computer terminal granted them access. Through the hatch the whole band descended into darkness.

Love Angel had at one point noted that this could be one huge trap. If that was indeed so the final leg could prove truly hazardous. Then again, heroes would not be heroes if they backed down in the face of the slightest danger. However heroes with a wish for a longer life expectancy should be both careful and also mindful when to assault headlong instead of using tactics. Luckily for the herokind these lessons are taught daily all around the world and the survivors start to learn at some point.

The first room was lightless until chemical arrows and magic provided illumination. It turned out to be barracks but unoccupied. Above the hatch closed with a loud clang. No way back now. The sole door opened with the knob and the corridor beyond was lighted softly. Tyger strolled carelessly around the next corner a few meters away and avoided the lethal barrage of high tech ammunition only with his superspeed. The welcoming committee was ready to receive the intruders. One again Coile stayed with Found as the rest gathered to do combat.

The devised tactic was no worse than any previous. A hail of distracting arrows to buy a second or two for the proximity combatants to close the gap and then just dealing the knuckle sandwich until all enemies were not asking for more. That’s how it went except one soldier getting a burst out just as Dante was charging at him. The shot ripped a sizeable chunk of his chest off spraying it around it a red mist. Dante collapsed immediately. Angel was by his side in seconds but there was nothing to be done. Try as she may Angel just got soaked in fresh blood without having any effect on how fast Dante was dying. The reality of it was that nothing at their disposal was going to prevent the inevitable. Only goodbyes remained and Dante asked the others to tell Saffron that he had come for her. Just as the life was losing its grip an otherwordly voice spoke “COME AND SEE” and Dante vanished without a trace.

The next three soldiers had no chance whatsoever to deal damage. They were taken out of the fight with all due efficiency despite their superior weapons and other gear compared to them compatriots in the upper levels. Nothing was standing in their way as the heroes led by Crimson Archer opened the door at the end of the corridor and found a room full of dead guards decomposing slowly. Among them were scattered a plethora of torture devices. The heroes backed away from the room slowly, and closed the door. That’s when Found regained his consciousness.

The only direction to go was a side corridor. It turned into a crossing shortly with the left fork leading to a red door, right one to a grey door and the door at the end of the forward corridor ending in a few stairs and a steel door with an opening at eye level with bars on it. Crimson Archer took a peek inside. Something made a popping sound and a heated projectile penetrated into Crimson’s left eye. The eye boiled out instantly and the projectile exited the eye socket through the side of the skull near the eye corner. Angel tried to tend to it to the best of her abilities but by then Crimson was so high of his meteor dust that pain was only a mild distraction if even that.

Tyger’s senses had established that Amber was beyond the door. However the steel refused to yield. Crimson got an idea of pouring the contents of all of his acid arrows into the lock to weaken it and proceeded to do so despite the acid eating his gloves. Then it was only up to someone to rip the door open. Tyger tried but his physique had suffered some horrible damage due to the acid spillage from earlier. Kerry who had lugged Found around stepped in and managed to pry to door open. Time for a homerun. Except not for all.

Angel was patching Crimson’s eye so that he could go and meet Amber. Coile was staying with Found who was mumbling gibberish in Rikti. Tyger and Redsight were standing by as Kerry cracked the lock. As the door came loose a guard who seemed not to mind all the flashes and smokes that had been shot in brought his terrible weapon to bear and squeezed out a shot. The first person to receive the ammo was Kerry whose side tore open sending her reeling back. An instant later Redsight’s head was vaporized. The time seemed to stand still for a small moment as the body stayed up, and then it collapsed spraying the red life liquid around.

Tyger launched a superspeed assault at the attacker while Crimson shot some arrows. That the man did not drop or even didn’t seem to be fazed meant that either the suit was a spectacular engineering stunt to withstand that much punishment or the person inside was a metahuman. Such speculations were rendered academic when a flaming arrow from Crimson’s bow hit the left side goggle that the soldier was wearing allowing an access straight into the brain matter. The guy literally dropped dead.

The corridor fell quiet. From the four cells present only one was occupied and a faint scratching could be heard. While Coile abandoned Found momentarily to go and check Angel who was just kneeling quietly Crimson and Tyger went to get Amber out of her detention. Kerry was cursing quietly but had managed to drain life force out of the supersoldier enough to not bleed slowly to death. They were finally at their goal but the price had been paid in blood.

Amber was in a bad condition. She had been missing for four weeks and starving for the most of it. All the wounds from the dedicated torture had become infected. The rib that Charisma had cracked upon capturing Amber was still broken. All in all what was rescued was a half dead woman who had no real presence of mind to appreciate her newfound freedom for more than a few seconds at a time. The remaining heroes convened and gathered together so that Tyger could reactivate the charm to take them back to their own world. Coile was holding Redsight’s lifeless body.

The charm did not work. Then, to make the bad situation worse, the lights gained a faintly red tint and a metallic voice from the walls noted that “countdown, three minutes”. Whatever they would need to do could not take more than three minutes. The grey door revealed only a kitchen. The red door was hiding a portal. There were remains of a few bodies, among them the lower half of what was left of Charisma after Amber’s devastating scream tore her upper body completely apart. The weary heroes had only eyes for the portal.

The controls were lifeless as was the portal itself but there were marks and signs all over the controls. For the first time ever Coile was not at a complete loss with such technology but that would in the end probably bring just more trouble. The signs were of Nictus origin which meant that Hand of Andros did not only dabble with illegal Rikti tech, they also had other dangerous lines of research. However this was not the first time Coile had had to work with a Nictus portal and by intuition he found two orbs that were needed to fire the portal up. Not without a code, tho. Amber kept trying to say it but her voice was too frail. Near the teleport ring where also Redsight was lying Found lifted his head and recited the code having read it from Amber’s mind. “DC-12.”

The portal kept open as long as the two red, runed orbs were pressed down and the code was typed in. Immediately if the orbs were released the portal closed down. In essence it meant that someone would have to stay behind keeping the orbs pressed as others escaped to safety. The voice called a half a minute mark.

Found went through first. At that time the grim dilemma had dawned on the people. Crimson was holding Amber, the very reason they had all gone through hell here. It was his duty to see the rescue complete. They stepped through. Tyger took Redsight’s body and tried to grab Love Angel on his way through but she evaded being rather determined not to leave Coile behind. Kerry who had taken a position behind the control panel as well was arguing with Coile who would keep the last portal open. The argument was cut short as Kerry clobbered him hard and threw the semi-conscious man to Love Angel. Then she fired the portal up and through the last pair left the death trap.

The other side was a warehouse. Tyger’s keen sense of smell pinpointed the location to Independence Port. The casualties were heavy. Redsight was dead. Dante Carver was dead. Crimson Archer had lost an eye. Found was missing a whole arm Tygerboy’s body was starting to give in on the extreme punishment that he had sustained now that the adrenaline rush was past. Amber Banshee was a delirious mess. Kerry was lost into another dimension. Love Angel was barely responding to anything with the post traumatic stress disorder encompassing her. Among all the damage Coile was standing and looking anxiously around with just a bump on his head, albeit missing his suit.

Love Angel was counting the seconds to when all hope for Kerry would be lost forever. Three. Two. One. A portal appeared! It hovered in the air for a while like a phantasm while the rest looked at it with sinking hearts. No one was coming through. And then Kerry dived to the safe side noting to Coile that the next time there is a timer at play arguing is a bad idea. She had used the remains of a two weeks dead woman to hold the orbs. As irony would have it the carcass belonged to Charisma, the woman who had captured and tortured Amber Banshee resulting in this rescue operation.

Kerry called for HeroCorp rides for the weary heroes. They were home. It was time to start mending.

(( This leads to The End of Innocence thread.

The plot is not over and Silent Tempest will be tackling the rest of Hand of Andros for some time to come. Excitement and hardball approach is guaranteed.

For people who fancy being involved please read the following:

- Rules of Engagement
- Rescue attempt signup thread
- Plots for Dummies ))

Touch the screen, touch the screen!

(a link to a music video by Genesis. Jesus He Knows Me. )

Yes. Just define her nature to include those powers and she is of natural origin.

My character has been in extensive interaction with two characters who display amazing abilities but are natural origin. One is inherently good by nature and gains her 'powers' through that goodness. It all is built inside her. The other has the natural power to affect small quantum states in a manner that bullets won't hit her just because she does not want them to. In a way she defines the universe around her but it affects only such small personal events that it does not break anything for other characters. Some might call it magic, as well. Depends on your point of view.

Your character's nature could be that she abhors attacks directed at her and through quantum states redirects those attacks against other attackers. Same principle could apply to healing.

A sign of a good roleplayer is that as experience accumulates they see what problems there can be, what mistakes there are to be made, and then take measures to prevent mistakes from happening and find ways to avoid clashes.

Experience takes time, and time is what usually defines a veteran.

So, there are good veterans who learn, and bad veterans who refuse to learn. As has already been said, a good beginner can easily trump a bad veteran in quality.

I have been a roleplayer for twenty years and MMORPG'ing for three. A veteran, most likely, how good I'm at it depends on perception. And I figure I definitely have lots to learn still.

I'd love to recap Coile's escapades but it comes down to laziness and lack of time. I find myself writing other stuff, and after a week from the last recap I find the whole task of putting together a comprehensive recap too intimidating. I know that others might settle for reading even a skimpier recap but I have this image in my head of what I should produce if I was going to produce something.

I don't often read other people's stories or recaps. I'm a slow reader which brings the element of not having time again into play. If the recap is relevant to me or my character(s) I'm more inclined to give it a go.

I'd like to nominate Blackdove's picture Rebecca.

I'd say go for it, Lunkie!

GG Wiki contains a lot of stuff that is not strictly relevant any more. Same fate would befall on future projects in the similar vein, unless there was some gullible guy who'd be actually maintaining the information value. And no, it's not going to be me.

Still, a fresh look at the current crowd and what's up wherver sounds like a good idea and I'd surely pitch in.

I can't really think of any special emotes that would widely indicate something else that what it says on the tin. Then again it's morning before cgetting offee.

There's BDSM club called Pits of Hell. Zortel can tell you more.

Paragon Inquirer is the worst example of scandalous yellow papers. Here's a link, tho it contains much more as well. Paragon Inquirer in Nightsparrow's scrapbook.

There was a guy named Jiffy Blakes who wrote for Daily Comet a column called Ground Zero. Jiffy was murdered so that's just a blast from the past.

A year ago there was a widely spread plot called Requiem War where Requiem tried to destroy the whole universe and the combined might of Paragon City's heroes stopped him. The most visible event was a horde of Council troopers attacking Paragon City to the point where about all but Atlas Park and Galaxy City was rendered warzones. Every Hazard Zone was a fierce battleground for a week and there were plenty of deaths. Everyone in Paragon City at that time should IC remember the event and have an idea what they were doing during the siege. (Some details are getting hazy over time so I may have remembered some bits incorrectly, like was Kings Row under a direct attack, or not.)

Then there's a lot of stuff that's more relevant to certain groups than to others and thus are by no means community wide. That's not to say that those things are not recognized by others but their impact is not as great.

Oh yes, as a final addition before my daring quest for black gold and a sandwich, there was the Tempest virus and as a consequence riots in Kings Row.

(( Disclaimer: I usually find it hard to promote my own character IC. It is easier to write damaging trash than praise. However this article sort of just pushed through as a natural reaction after over half a year of Paragon Inquirer's slanderous reporting.

Second disclaimer: If you find yourselves in a dire need of insulin after reading this then sorry, I used it all. I'll never touch chocolate again nor add ever any honey in my tea.

A version with layout and pictures will come later. This is posted now as it appeared in today's paper. -C ))

Paragon Times, 1.6.2007
by Erinella Dusk

The bald and the beautiful - The friendship beyond love

I am sitting in a comfortable and homelike living room in Atlas Park. To my left on a bookshelf there are beautiful decorative items that tell about taste and a broad sense of art at the same time. A section in the shelf is dedicated for awards and accolades. There are many.

In the apartment lives Diana Bright with her parents. She is the sole daughter of two hard working people and made her fame in various archery competitions during the past few years. The awards belong to her. She was once hailed as the most promising new talent and widely speculated to be a US champion before her twenty first birthday.

She is also a hero. She fights crime and evil as a masked hero Love Angel belonging to the Silent Tempest.

Diana Bright does not live alone. In addition to her parents there is a fourth person occupying the house. A man. He is not just any man. He is Andre Kraft who is also known as Coile, a hero with a mixed reputation and the leader of Silent Tempest. I am sitting in their living room opposite to them. They are both smiling.

Andre has been living with Diana for several weeks now. Ever since he lost his wife in early April. "Miss Nadia, miss Dustine and I agreed that it would be most wise that Andre comes to live with me.", says Diana. "Considering the situation it was the best thing for him." Andre seems anxious about the topic having the memories of his dead wife still causing deep sorrow. Diana presses closer which seems to sooth him. "I wished to help Andre! To make him feel better!", she summarizes.

Their friendship is a deep and unique one. Whenever either is feeling bad in the slightest the other is ready to comfort. This becomes evident very quickly even to the most absentminded. A concerned frown is met with a reaching hand, a touch that wipes the concern away. It resembles a subtle dance that is conducted with hands and directed by hearts.

One things must be mentioned at this point - despite outward similarities what these two have is not romantic love. The hazy line between platonic love and deep friendship is rendered meaningless. This relationship is not about lust and passion. Its cornerstones are complete trust and devotional commitment to the other's happiness.

Truth be told this friendship transcends any conventional view on the matter. When they explain what they have it leaves me baffled time and again but in the end it makes fearful sense. These two youngsters are roommates. They even sleep in the same bed. "If you trust a friend with your life, there is no worry that he will abuse that trust.", crystallizes Diana. But where does this trust come from? Is it the reason why Love Angel joined the Silent Tempest? Did it exist from the beginning?

I ask when did they first meet. Diana remembers it more clearly than Andre. "It was in Pocket D! I was just visiting and all and Andre was there! I had seen him before in the papers. And miss Dustine was there too and she gave me this magic bow. Andre was pretty oblivious to me then. We didn't even talk." Their first meeting has clearly been a topic in the past as well, as underlined by Andre. "If we never even talked then no wonder it slipped my mind."

When did they properly meet for the first time? "First time we talked was several days after seeing in Pocket D when Freedom Corp teamed me with him, Rakila and Phi in the Hollows.", remembers Diana. Andre recalls the same. "She was doing quite okays as a newcomer and helped us with the tasks that we had." I am interested if Andre at that time even remotely saw it possible that he would be living with her within half a year. "No no. No way! I was with nadia at the time and thought it would last forever, and Diana, she was kinda really young. Just sixteen. I was sixteen once, but that's still kind of a kid's age. Not someone you would live with." After that they engage in a banter who was more adult and how Diana thought that Andre was dying after receiving a knock on his head and proceeded to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation. "Well I didn't know how hard a head you have then!", she remarks.

How did Love Angel come to join Silent Tempest? Was it immeadiate for either? "Actually when he asked me to join later I was really surprised. And I had to think about it.", says Diana. Andre adds that the invitation was a result of careful thinking. She was seen as an asset to the team. "Yes, of course. Why else would I ask anyone to join? She had proven to be able to handle herself in tight situations. She was young but enthusiastic, capable and made the team stronger. There were a lot of reasons to invite her."

However becoming teammates which happened in November did not yet imply friendship. It came later. I am interested when was the first time that they thought of each other as friends. "Christmas!", exclaims Diana enthusiastically. She is seconded by Andre. "That's it, really. When we had the time to spend by just the two of us." He remembers a special moment. "I had cut down this tall tree and we decorated it. When it was finished we flew up hand in hand and put on the star." The fond memories seem to make him emotional.

Iit was not all a season of joy. "There were a lot of worries! A lot!". Diana shakes her head while Andre bows his. "I was quite sad and Diana sort of kept me afloat. Through all the hard stuff. I guess then I realized how much she cared about me." Seeing how Andre is now living in her house it brings to mind that she is there for him a lot. Does it work both ways? According to Diana it does. "Well, I never had such huge problems as he did, but yes, he was always there when I needed him." Andre seems to be surprised by this which is one of his topmost qualities. Acting on instinct without overanalyzing. Diana has to list examples for him. "Well of course you were, silly. Like when you told my parents about me being a hero, and during the time I got sick because of what followed from it, and when I got flu, and with my parents overall. It's just that there are not much bad things happening with me so you don't have so many chances as I do." She giggles happily and Andre seems to be at ease.

They have both of course changed since their early days. "She is still enthusiastic and capable, but now she's older, wiser and, more beautiful." Such assessment makes Diana blush. But has Andre changed? "He grew up a lot too! Became more responsible and all!" Smiling she adds, "And I like to think it is because of my good influence on him!" In a roundabout manner the man leading her team finally concedes. "Diana has helped me, in many ways."

Looking around the room reminds that these two youngsters do not share this apartment alone. Diana's parents live here as well and even with a hero license she is still a minor. "We explained them the situation, of course. And even now mom and dad are really cautious, but Andre has proven himself to be nice and reliable." Even with a good reason it must have looked peculiar to have a man living with their girl. Did they ever suspect that there was something more going on? "Oh, of course! I guess it all looked strange. But it is okay now.", says Diana. There were also some misunderstandings along the way. "Like when mom barged in my room several times while we were playing and just being silly." I remark that that does not sound like a round of Monopoly. Andre can shed some light into one of the incidents. "Well, for example when all those condoms fell from the box, and we were picking them up, and Jane walked in." This makes Diana's cheeks flutter with color again. "But that was silly because mom made me buy them. Then she didn't believe that we are just friends." Andre agrees. "We tried to explain that we just sleep together, but she insisted that there needed to be precautions, but that is just silly because we don't feel that way." Now that turmoil seems to be at an end. "It finally seems like they trust our word now and are cool about it."

Now Andre feels as if he has been accepted. "I think very nicely. I help around the house with chores, go shopping, help with all sort of stuff, like laundry, vacuuming, washing dishes. I help in kitchen, and I helped to pick a new vacuum cleaner. I'm sort of the man in the house when Diana's father is on a trip." A man in the house could be seen as a bold statement. However Diana concurs. "Oh yes! Well, as I said, they are still a bit cautious, of course. Because they don't really know him, but as time passes they are getting to know Andre just as I do. So yes, he is sort of a family member now. If they thought Andre is not worthy to be here he would already be thrown out." Andre himself feels, finally, reassured of his position. "I feel like I have committed myself to this household. This family. I feel like I have given a lot. And I will keep doing that because they are my family. I think I've proven my worth. "

All this makes it sound like a long term arrangment. Andre certainly is in no hurry to leave. "I like being here, and I'll stay as long as I'm allowed to. Diana is probably my best friend in the world and I get to live with her. Why would I wish to leave?" Diana seems to be taken by surprise being the best friend but believes in the assurances. This situation of course applies only as long as they live in Paragon City. Or does it? Diana might have to move away depending on which college she decides to go to. However for her it would not necessarily mean an end to their living together. "Andre can still be my roommate if I go somewhere." That would be a big change for sure. Would Andre be ready leave behind his current life? It is apparently something that he has not yet given much thought to as he ponders for a long while, but finally there is a resolution. "I'd move with Diana." Once again Diana herself seems to be surprised. "You would? Really?" Their dedication runs deeper than they have realized even if certain words have been spoken before. As Andre puts it, "We said we wouldn't leave each other, right?" Diana's questions about leaving friends, Silent Tempest and hero life are met with sound reasoning. "Well, you're my best friend and I like being with you. I can be a hero anywhere, and we can visit this place whenever, you know. We can fly."

Speaking of friends there were also suspicion among them, and even bouts of jealousy. However both wish to avoid speaking about their friends in this manner since they are not present. Diana has this to say about the current situation. "I think it is okay now." Despite some muttered, under the breath comments Andre does not disagree.

This kind of arrangement about living and sleeping together sounds quite unique. It is not common even among their other friends although their situation is not strictly isolated. Andre has shared a friendly bed with another friend and Diana would have if allowed. She explains, "People sometimes just need some closeness. Someone to be wth them. Just that." Would they be prepared to do this with anyone? Diana: "Yes, if there is a need, and of course if I know that person. I would not do that with complete strangers, of course!" Andre is a little more reserved. "I would feel comfortable only with people I really trust. I mean, for closeness. If sleeping arrangements made it necessary, I guess keeping enough clothes on and closing your eyes is enough." In both of theirs opinion this situation is special despite their closeness to others. "Andre is a special case, really. We know what's in out hearts and dreams because of miss Subaiku showed us that and there is no fear." Diana is referring to a mystical ritual where they both shared a dream and got to know each other on a fundamental level. Andre's final analysis mirrors what his best friend just said. "Diana is the one I can be with like this. She really is the special kind." With great tenderness he takes her hand. "Really special." The touching of hands is a physical interpretation of their friendship. It contains more intimacy than a passionate kiss would.

Just how long are they going to live together? "As long as Diana will have me around.", says Andre while Diana is more practical. "Until Andre finds a girlfriend, I think." Having a romantic relationship with others would disrupt their sleepovers. Or would it? Diana sees possibilities still. "I think it would a bit. I mean it would be a bit disrespectful to our girlfriend or boyfriend. Although if she or he approves it is okay. Like Nightsparrow said that we can do that but not in their bed." This of course implied a great deal of trust from Nightsparrow, Andre's now dead wife, as well.

Diana has a specific idea about her future boyfriend. "My dream is someone like mister Xan. Smart, kind and wise! And who cares about me and people. His looks are not important but being tall as mister Xan or dad would be really nice too!" She giggles and returns to reality. "That is just a fantasy. But I think he just has to be kind. " I cannot resist pointing out that by my observation Andre has been kind and attentive the whole time that I have talked to them. This seems to have escaped Diana's attention. The red tint on her cheeks compliments her features nicely.

Near the end of the interview I do something unprofessional and suggest that I would not mind a cup of coffee with Andre. I have two motives. One is to see their reactions and the other is even more straightforward. I would like to get to know this man better. For that I have also two motives. First he seems to be an interesting person worth getting to know better and secondly I see a deeper story in his life. Maybe I will write that, some day. Diana seemed first to favor the idea of a small date but her idea about having a cup of coffee seems to differ radically from the norm. "Well if you do, you must be really good! You know? And you must be sure that you want to be with him. Andre is not a guy for like, short romances! And if you hurt him in any way I will be really angry at you and you also should not come on to him like this fast, you know? Andre lost his wife, you know? And he is really not ready for any relationships now so you should wait really. And if you like really-really like him it will not be a problem to wait, right?"

I must confess being stunned by this outburst at first. I point out that people meet each other to see how much they like each other in the end. What Diana says sounds like I should be ready for a lifelong commitment if I ask a guy's phone number. She does not seem to regard such a view as wrong in any way. I ask if she really expects that from her future boyfriend. Readiness to commit to a lifelong relationship before he asks her for an ice cream. I fully expect Diana to see the strangeness of her expectations. Her answer is a hesitant "Maybe." I find it likely that she will come to marry one of her closest friends because no one else would be ready to commit to that extent. When I ask if Andre shares this view he explains how he has actually next to no experience about dating. "As I explained, Kitia lived with us practically after her aunt died. With Emmily we just got together, without going for movies or anything. Nadia I lived with before we became a couple. I guess Melanie is the closest I had for a date since we met in Pocket D a lot, but when we did it was just as friends without dating, and then I asked her to marry me." I can but repeat what I said to Diana how he also is likely to be with someone whom he has known for a while, and knows well. Perhaps the pieces will click before long and both will be happy with their respective soulmates.

Finally I ask the question that their friends and Diana's parents have already asked countless times. Is it possible that one day their friendship turns into love? Diana seems to be too preoccupied with some thoughts to offer a verbal answer. Andre has this to say. "Of course it's possible. I mean, what's impossible then? I could become a couple with you too, it's not impossible, you know? Of course, it's more likely with Diana than with you, but t's not saying anything about the actual chances still."

After talking about romantic literature I take my leave and depart the two sweetest people I have met in a while. They protect the innocents of the city, risk their lives in order to keep their loved ones and everyone else safe from harm, provide for the needy and try to make the world a better place for all mankind. As I walk across Atlas Park towards the station I feel warm inside. Happy. What those two have is contagious. I marvel at their courage to take on such a lifestyle despite what all the rest of the world expects of them. In Andre's words, "If you care for someone, it's what matters. Not what people might think or say."

I will let Diana conclude with her personal philosophy. "Even bad people can become good. Really. I know. And I know that there are more bad people out there but it's because people stopped thinking about others and they think only about themselves. If every tenth, or even more, person in the world would care a bit for others, we would have a beautiful world!"

Standing on the station ramp I look around and see that it is indeed a beautiful world. Thank you, Andre and Diana for your part in it.

I liked the pencil scetch already but the colours just brought the whole picture to another level. My first thought when I saw the sofa was that it was a good use of some existing texture. It was just that well done. It turned out to be selfmade, however.

Two things to happen next:

1) Coile will go back to the defected Crey scientist McNamara and ask a few more questions. Was he, after all, maybe in the complex when it fell under attack? Did he help the original Sword of Truth? And where is she now? If he wasn't there, how come he never mentioned that Trojan project had labs in the complex? He only spoke about the detention center.

2) Tempest will go back to the deserted Crey HQ and check out the XP Portal. The original Sword of Truth was already once before detained in another world. She could be again.

Good, then this can't happen!

Andre sits shaken by a table and craddles a cup of hot camomille tea between his hands. His voice is vibrant with shock and a healthy amount of fear. "There I was, looking at this plasma rifle thingy when this woman behind me opened her handbag and pulled out this tank. I kid you not! It was a tank, real one, life-sized and the last I saw of it was when it turned the corner towards medical wing and then I just ran and hopped into the teleporter and I'll never ever go to the Rogue Isles again! How she can fit a tank into a handbag I'll never know, and don't want to know either."

In SWG we ran a player city and and really, really tried to help those rp'ers who weren't on the exact right track yet. I fail to recall any success at all. Thinking back, only things that paid up were offering minor suggestions to styles. Every time that there needed to be a bigger effort it was wasted in the end.

So, in conclusion, I concur. Trying to hold hands and teach things probably will not work. Not that I want to discourage anyone willing to give it a shot, but personally I don't see myself going down that path again.

[ QUOTE ]
think you got the wrong thread, matey, this is for plot updates, not intros

[/ QUOTE ]

I like to think this thread to be more inclusive than exclusive. While there are other threads for some specific things they would not be in the wrong place in here, and introductions certainly fit in well. It can be classed as banter. (I'd use more smileys if I liked this stock, but I don't.)

And welcome, Aethan_Romn! I hope to bump into you in-game sometime!