Marcian Tobay

As I'm playing The Radio's story arcs, I'm finding myself really enjoying the story telling in it for one noticeable reason: You never quite understand what is going on here!

This arc, like a couple others (Love you, Verandi!), revels in not giving you what you want: a full explanation.* Thinking about it, I find that I've an attraction to "incomplete" stories. Here are some examples:

• Ned and Chucks' parents' pasts in Pushing Daisies. While we are given insight into what they did, it never actually gets more thorough than "enough to cause trouble for their children".
  
• A Series of Unfortunate Events. The first 12 books are a murder mystery. The 13th book is an explanation of why the writer won't ever give the solution.
  
• The Path. If you've played it, you'll understand. Suffice to say, the game revels in how little of a story it tells. Even though you know it won't explain itself, it inexplicably keeps you willing to play just a little bit more, in the hopes that it might just change its mind an spill all.
  

This, however, has infuriated some loved ones of mine. I'm literally the only person of which I'm aware in my family tree that thinks Unfortunate Events wasn't giving an idiotic cop-out in its non-answer. The Path doesn't exactly get great sales. As for Pushing Daisies... well, its current titular status speaks for itself.

And I can appreciate that. There's something to be said for a fully thought out and detailed universe. To be perfectly fair, fans clamored for years for the details of the Star Wars Universe, going so far as to write what would border on libraries of explanations. "Classics" like Pride and Prejudice and Gone with the Wind are given sequels, official and not, that bring fuller closure to the story.

... and people will pay in blood if I don't find out who killed Trudy Monk.

Everyone, duck! The thesis is heading straight for you!

So, what about you? Do you enjoy not having all the details of a story, or do you want a complete explanation for what's going on? Does knowing every little inch spoil everything more than unanswered questions? Is The Radio inspired in its lunacy, or lazy in its lack of explanation?

Chatter on, lovelies!

~mt~


*Granted, Verandi does eventually have her denouement, it is a surprise that comes long after you actually expect one. Ergo, I count it.

Inspired by a Super Leaping crisis barely averted. See point #3.

Dear Randy,

I know your name isn't Randy today. Today it is Julius. Tomorrow, Pauline. Yesterday, Ben. Your name is different each time I see you, but it isn't your fault, and I bear you no grudge. Instead, I name you Randy, as in "Random NPC".

Anyway, Randy, you do so much for me in my time spent utilizing my super powers. I never take the time to actually show my gratitude. Always too busy keeping my ear to the ground for a chance to change the city in the only way I know how.

But my therapist says that I would be less bitter if I showed appreciation for the people around me. If I wrote out a nice, long list that demonstrated just what you mean to me. So here it is, Randy: A list of all the things you've done for me that deserve my thanks.

• Always carrying your money in a purse. It makes it easier for heroes to spot the criminals, and the criminals to draw the attention of heroes. Keeps things exciting on both ends.
  
• Shouting my latest accomplishments outloud when I'm with a team. That way, they always know I'm Top Dog.
  
• Hiring contractors to make sure every floor of every building is just jutted enough that my super leaping has a launch point, but not so jutted that it looks bad... or even so that one can be fully aware it exists.
  
• While we're on the subject of construction... thank you for making sure that every section of my city's buildings have a unifying structural theme. You aren't like other cities that updating building individually, thus having an anachronistic and honest appeal. No sir/ma'am, every building for each neighborhood was built at the same time with the same fashion sense. [b]That's[/lb] efficiency.
  
• Closing me off to temptation by never posting the hours for your restaurants. A person with my ambition has to stay trim. No time for food!
  
• Walking. Gads, walking. You remind me to stop and smell the roses. While that lesson would be more beautiful if I could physically walk, smell, or find any roses, it's still nice to know that someone out there gets it.
  
• Being named Wang sometimes.
  
• Keeping a cool head. Seriously, one time, during an adventure that took me to a bank, I saw a certain someone throw fire at you. You lit up like a horny match stick, yet still managed to stay exactly as panicked as the other Randys.
  
• Come to think of it, the answer might be more simple. In that case, thanks for having the foresight to wear asbestos to the bank.
  
• Thanks for having the common sense to stay away from places of super powered transaction. It would be annoying constantly being told how long I've been on patrol while I'm trying to purchase the human blood sample that will permanently increase my ability to mockingly berate someone... somehow.
  
• Also, for never asking me how enhancements work during interviews.
  
• Never going home. The fact that you're willing to walk circles all day, 24/7, just in the event that I need to know the official time in our city... well, that just deserves an IHOP gift card (enclosed).
  
• Being able to withstand more punishment than me. You give me something to which to aspire.
  
• Sometimes walking through the air in Paragon's City Hall. Though I've never seen it myself, I heartell it's worth the price of admission.
  
• And last, but not least... holding onto all of Azuria's stuff for her.
  

I've encouraged some other Supers to write you letters saying why they appreciate you. In due time, I hope you'll hear from them as well. Just know that you're cool, and I'd be glad to split the pancake with you.

Sincerely,

A. Snodgrass

You break my heart, but you're also charming and post cleavage avatars, so it's okay.

Does anyone know how to make those avatars that chance every refresh? I have a fun idea for one, but I lack the INT to make it happen.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Just found out that this song is amazing:

"Wishing Well."

Mega nerd points if you can figure out how it is that I just now realized it.

Certain games are awesome. We know this. You have to wonder, however... How did they pitch this at the meeting!?

So, I've devised a little game that goes like this: One describes how they -think- the business pitch must have gone in the weirdest way possible. At the end of it, enclose a link that will show what the game is.

No need to post answers, as they will be enclosed in the links. Just challenge yourself to come up with the weirdest (yet accurate) pitches and to try and figure out others'. Enjoy!


1) Okay, so, here's what I'm thinking, ya ready? Zoo creatures versus pirates. You're all zoo animals, and you have to take on a bunch of pirates. Sometimes, they're lava pirates. Other times, they're carnival pirates. Just... pirates, pirates, pirates! Oh, and the best part? Sometimes, you get to go again if you spell your own name correctly. I call it...

2) So, there's this genre of game that's flooding the market right now. Absolutely FLOODING! People love how complex the strategy is and how intense the action is as you try to out think the oncoming forces. Here's how we get on top: We dumb down the strategy and replace the action with gardening. Trust me, people will be falling over to play a game about strategic gardening. And the best part? The name!.

Word.

Hello, European players! Welcome, one and most! (except for you. You know who you are)

My name is Marcian Tobay, and I am honored to have given myself the honor of welcoming you to the merged forums weeks overdue. Now, there have no doubt been culture clashes, debates, and arguments over whether it's Color Customization or Colour Customization.

While I cannot settle everything in one post, I can do what I can. To that end, I have been composing, in my time off, a list of things everyone should know heading into this brave new world. N.A. peeps, this goes for you as well. Some of you are new, and some of you need reminding.

So, without further ado, here are some of the truths that we, as N.A. City of X players, have come to internalize:

• Issue #(Current Issue # - 2) was the best issue ever, and we long for the days that the Devs will return us to it.
  
• Scrappers and Masterminds are allowed to Alt+Tab out during the planning phase of a Task/Strike force.
  
• When Developers add to City of Heroes, Villains must scream "Devs hate villains" and burn their own toes.
  
• When Developers add to City of Villains, Heroes must moan "Devs cave to whiney villains" and singe their own phalanges.
  
• When your team fails, the player with the lowest number of veteran badges must annoyingly observe it's because you had no healers.
  
• Upon the mention of Healers, Lady Sadako willeth goeth into a rage. Eth.
  
• Ye shall refer to SexyJay as Sexy, even if he's not really your type. You means, he's cute and all, but, ya know...
  
• Poshyb is a brilliant, brilliant man.
  
• Arcanaville can math your face off. Literally. She's done it to Harvey Dent with fractions.
  
• Perfect_Pain has farmed more Behomeths than you will ever kill in story-progressive play. While you were reading this.
  
• Did you fall asleep in history class? PvPers and PvEers ain't never dance together. That's just the way things are.
  
• Any list of new features shall be met with a list of features that it is not. For example: Power Customization != Cathedral of Pain, Super Tailor != Power Customization, Cake != Truth.
  
• Round the N.A. Parts, any change to improve something is concrete and non-subjective proof that the developers hate it.
  
• Xury is amazing. Three people understand this.
  
• Jack Emmert is evil. The game only got better after he left.
  
• Jack Emmert is pure good. The game's only gone downhill since he left.
  
• Ultimus solo'd this post.
  
• Marcian Tobay's gender is ambigious. Pictures will be posted of M_T, people will refer to M_T properly, and M_T will post audio files, and people will refer to M_T incorrectly in 32 hours exactly.
  
• There is no forum cartel.
  
• That's what they want you to think.
  
• Don't ask about Uncle Bob.
  
• Always add to lists.

That's all I've got for now. *Checks watch* Look at the time. It's been far too long since I've started some Mayhem. Obey the final rule, N.A.'s and Euro's alike. I look forward to seeing what you all post (especially the Euro rules).

Au revoir!

~M~

Heya,

Just letting y'all know that I'm taking a break from City of X for a little bit and fully intend to be back sometime between 1 week and X months.

Putting my facebook in my sig so that y'all can stalk me. Every one of you rules.

... Except for you... You know who you are.

~m~

P.S. I know I post on the Justice section, like, once a month, but it's where I made the biggest group of dear friends, so I'm updating here as well, just to be safe.

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Co* covers all names very nicely.

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Still, I remain fond of CoX. Co* is impossible to actually say, unless you say CoStar, and that sounds funny. So in general speech, it's either CoX (only around people who know exactly what I mean) or City of Heroes.

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Even around those that know exactly what you mean are secretly tittering.

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Happy Birthday!

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Remind me to make the look on her face at the end my next avatar, after Kurt's finished a good run.

Whoa... seeing a thread full of and dedicated too 60 monthers kinda makes me feel like I'm look at my heritage... or ancestors... or som'ing.

Someone tell 'bout back in the day! Tell me of that great and glorious Wednesday!

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You can keep your heroic milk.

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This may the first time I ever sig a quote on these boards.

Applause to the OP. Some common sense right in thar.

I wonder if this can get stickied?

I wasn't playing with anything, and the permissions were still the same.

When I turned on my computer this morning, everything was back to how it was before.

I'm confused, but the issue is resolved. Thank you for your concern.

I'm sorry that this is not strictly City of Heroes, but I know this community better than any other, and I'm sort of panicking.

I have Windows Vista with three profiles on it. I just logged onto my main profile (Marcian). This is the one that I've been using for well over two years.

It thinks that it's never been logged onto before.

My documents, my settings, my programs... anything unique to this profile is completely gone. For cripe's sake, it thinks I want the Vista Sidebar, which it then starts up with sample pictures!

This includes both my City of Heroes game, and every program related to it. Screenshots, chat logs... my unfinished MA arc...




I have this Rescue and Recovery program that says it can reset me back to January, the most recent backup.

Is that my best/only option? Is there some way to reverse this? I won't act until I get advice.

Thank you, anyone, in advance.

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Hello hyperbole my old friend...

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Hyperbole! Dear friend! I haven't seen you in 52 years! What? You never left? I just turned around? Well, I feel like the world's biggest fool!

If NCNC offered a Lifetime Subscription one time purchase option, who would buy?

For those that don't know, it would be a one time fee of $250 - $300. Paid upfront, you are absolved from ever paying a monthly fee again, leaving NC's newfound love of cash stores as the only way for you to give them more dough.

They get more up front. You save more in the long run.

I would buy it, and I'm hoping to get enough momentum going that they add it.

So... you in?

All right, you win.

I've officially gone from "You sneaky rats trying to nickle & dime us!" to "Lifetime Subscription & One Click Purchases, please!"

This is astoundingly pretty.

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And how's about a little Stan and Lou in Cap au Diable?

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Oh... oh it's been such a long time in the making. I love it. I love it so much.