Holder of the Pointy Stick

Notice

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:30:52 GMT

Quick notice: there's been a GM update on the Lucent/Scorch/Immortal Brigade/Lucidia fiasco. Posting here so it doesn't clog everyone's home page. The post's here: http://databank.livejournal.com/355336.html

GM response

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:27:08 GMT

Responding to the actions in chat, where in response to Scorch's claims of torture Vessar spirited her away to protect her from further violence against her person, at the same time upsetting Lucidian authorities who had insisted she remain behind. The following press release came from Lucent on the matter, sometimes ahead of Lucidia's notices, sometimes behind: http://gaspar-logan.livejournal.com/635.html

Lucidia's stance is that this is a clear violation of city-state sovereignty, and if it can happen to a large and powerful state like Lucidia it could happen to anybody. Lucent's basically paving the way to interceed on anything they don't like with everyday people wandering about suddenly called "field agents". Their own requests for some return to normalization of affairs and trade are dismissal of the agent, formal apology for the actions, and either the symbolic return of Scorch for trial in Lucidia, or trial for said crimes within Lucent (including slavery with intent to consume, breeding of slaves with intent to consume, mass arson, destruction of property, murder with intent to consume, and consumption of sentients). With things going as they are, though, Lucidia is also offering slight reductions in import and travel tarrifs to those nations who are willing to make gestures (often symbolic) in their favor.

As well, Lucidia is quick to point out that the Immortal Brigade acts in a region outside of Lucidia's area of immediate control, due to a reduction in technological and magical Affinities preventing the Watch from operating with standard training, so their actions should be treated as a seperate city-state.

I'll break the response down by city-state style:

In advanced states, be they technologically advanced, magically, or psionically to the point where slavery is merely tolerated as an outsider thing, the press release pulls some heartstrings, but also draws a lot of attention over the phrase "Emergency diplomatic powers": aside from the obvious governmental concerns about Lucent starting to view themselves as some form of global police, local editorialists latch onto this and drum up newspaper sales and other media attention by condemning this overstepping of authority, asking who's next and how far they'll go. There is, though, universal condemnation from governments about the actions against Scorch... just that they feel it should have been left to Lucidia - a nation which clawed its way very violently out of slavery a few generations back. This view isn't hindered any by delicate offers of reduced tarrifs on both trade and travel by Lucidia.

In less advanced democracies, there's a bit more sympathy to Lucent's case - the typical viewpoint is that it happened to someone else, and they're good and just. This viewpoint is more common the closer to Lucent you get, to the point of favoring Lucent for nearby states. Trade with Lucidia is less common for them, limited to specific nonessential industries, and not exactly supplying the larger city-state with resources.

In less advanced dictatorships, the sympathy falls towards Lucidia. While there's more self-government in the large city-state than they themselves have, Lucidia at her core is still kin to them, and a valuable place to sell mined resources. Their more "serf-dom" social style, while not technically slavery as people can leave if they want to, makes them wonder heavily about what 'human rights' violations Lucent may see while Lucidia has a known history of leaving states that don't attack them or their allies alone. The slight reduction in cost of exporting materials to Lucidia for their proclimations doesn't hurt any.

In low Affinity democracies, where slavery is common (they can't vote, after all), there's many worries about takeovers... tempered by a desire to appease more advanced nations by decrying any abuse of property that may have taken place while supporting the right to punish a slave who is out of line. They will, though not worried about Lucent teleporting because of their own Affinities, voice support of Lucidia's sovereignty in this matter.

In low-tech dictatorships, where slavery is even more common, the issue boils down to "who do we hate more?" In the end, for most of them, they end up paying lip service to Lucidia in exchange for someplace to dump raw ores, secure themselves in the knowledge that Lucent's teleportations won't work where they are, make it a point to travel just to see what should be an amusing show of Scorch's torture, and Lucent citizens found poking their noses where they don't belong disappear quicker than usually happens.

As well, a reply to Lucent from the Immortal Brigade (formerly known as UNP remnants):

The following statement was released by one Elifan D'Argos, ranking representative of the Immortal Brigade, approximately three days following Lucent's announcement. It was released in person in all high-magic Nations (with appropriate scheduling where necessary), and via televised medium in high-technology Nations. In those Nations lacking either, conferences would be held over the following week to ensure coverage.

"The Immortal Brigade does not accept Lucent's proposal of extradition on the grounds that any alleged incidents would have taken place outside of Lucent's sovereign territory and would not have involved any Lucent citizens or those being granted asylum by that nation at those times.

"Lucent, or any other nation, is more than welcome to send observers to any of our active relief sites. We would ask that they accompany personnel or materiel to assist with our efforts in aiding those less capable, but by no means require such accompaniment. A list of active relief sites and the efforts being undertaken there will be appended to this statement.

"We have always been an open organization dedicated to the betterment of our world and will continue to be such. If Lucent feels comfortable communicating with what they consider to be a terrorist organization, then we would be happy to reveal our budget and standard operating procedures."

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:09:48 GMT

An addendum to the prior post - Watch involvement doesn't have to happen, remember. It's an "if you call" thing for most minor things. Larger things, though, might be something that should get their attention - like a very large explosion, that sort of thing. I'd say it'd be something to OOCly hash out, like a Watch player asking if people would want an official response.

Lucidian Government - Registration and the Courts

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:41:53 GMT

Alright, after an issue in chat, a few things got hashed out OOCly. [edit]Side-note: those involved had charges dropped on self-defense causes.[/edit]

Firstly, as that's what I got to first, for your ID card handles all points of registration and identification. There's a code on it that can be scanned to firstly verify it from the state archives. That's what many bouncers will do when presented with something they think might be a fake, as readers that will retrieve basic data are relatively cheap. For the hospitals, this is tied into your medical records as well, and they can use some bio/magical/psionic metrics to determine who someone is if they don't have this card. The same idea works with your rap sheet for the Watch - what you've been involved with, and the results, will show up if you have your ID or not.

This record, at the "bouncer and higher" level, has all forms you publically admit to having, and an emblem on the physical card itself indicating that you are a shapeshifter. For the police, it's a wider matter so they can tell that, yes, you are that giant t-rex.

Secondly, on the courts - they're seperate from the Watch, which is why I've asked Watch players to let me know on arrests. Many player characters don't make it to trial, at least from what's come in so far. Obvious cases of self-defense are dropped by the prosecution arm of the courts, as an example, and options to a trial are presented if the charges allow.

And yes, I'm staying away from exacting definitions of what constitutes murder, or self-defense, or so forth... as I don't really want a role-playing system that takes a lawyer to read the rules on.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:10:12 GMT

Okay, annual "do you want a Christmas card?" post. I'm putting this up publically, all comments screened. Gimme an address, and I'll do my best to send you a card.

If you want my address, please indicate either a similar LJ entry, e-mail, just that you want it noted to you, or some other method of contact that I can send it with; I'm not posting it here at the moment.

Affinities and ramifications thereof

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:04:01 GMT

I've mentioned before that the Watch isn't involved so much as a military as it is an extended and more potent police force. The biggest reason is that Lucidia City State (LCS) is unable to deploy their technological and/or magical superiority upon their neighbors, but can fairly easily mop the floor with the lower-technology weaponry of their hostile neighbors. Thus, a standing traditional army is of limited concern to them, more important is a keenly aware defensive group that is continually occupied to some degree, but not so much that they cannot remobilize to defend the city. Thus, the Watch, and its focus and doctrine of citizen protection and service.

Wait, you ask... why can't they take the fight to them? Simple... to do so, they (used to a high tech Affinity) would have to fight within the low-to-mid tech Affinity that most neighbors have, meaning outfitting an entire force for that technology level, training them, and being able to charge an enemy in their own homeland with their children at their backs and with easily defended terrain. Their enemies have large populations with very crafty generals... chances of victory would be slim to none.

So, that's part of how Affinities impact the world of Lucidia. I'll probably come up with some more... effective word for it, but most people just call it "the world".

Basically, a place has some level of Affinity for a certain concept of tech, magic, psi, or such else. High tech Affinity doesn't mean it has "an Affinity for high tech", but rather it has a high Affinity for tech. No tech Affinity would mean that even the basic concepts of technology would have a hard time - levers wouldn't give quite as much mechanical advantage, knives wouldn't cut as well, and so forth. "Natural" things aren't impacted as much, as this is based primarily on the concept: how an abstract dreamer (remember... dream relm) percieves it.

Changing course from what I've spoken of privately... if your origin is of magic, tech, or what-not but you don't actively need it to live... you'll just be increasingly lethargic and limited in abilities in a low or no Affinity area for that concept. If you actively need it to exist, though... that's where we're starting to talk "comas to lethal".

Artistic pimping (cross-post from FA)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:58:33 GMT

Okay, I'm here pimping two artists that you may not know about... Both are very wonderful people, both are open to commissions.

The first (by virtue of me having known her longer) is the highly talented and very wonderful Onnaevilsmith who's presently taking commissions with information here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1039713/
I don't know if she's still open for her Christmas badges, last I saw she still had a few slots left. Can't hurt you to ask! (she might hit me, but it's a chance I'll take). An amazing example of these of Krinele

The second, who just finished two very wonderful flat-colored pieces for me, is Tatious~ She's doing a hundred these for the obscenely low price of $15, and... yeah. If you decide to commission her from my journal, please let her know you came from me. If you'd like to see what she's done with my girls, take a look at Molly & Krin. Oh, and of course you can talk regular commissions with her too~

Thanks for reading... I hope that these two exceptionally talented young ladies can get the business they're looking for!

LCS laws, on slavery and superheroes

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:59:25 GMT

Continuation of prior entry, on the laws and policies for Lucidia City-State.

The most consistant conversation I had was on slavery, second most was people rolling around and asking what this law would be like or this law. Well, at least I have someplace to aim my own creativity...

Discussion with Erica and Foxen has settled my thoughts on slavery down, and it ties into the city-state's history.

Prior to the now-Empress stepping up and helping liberate the valley, Lucidia Valley was a very war-torn region, fought over by several mid-tech (think WWI era) groups. Once free, and looking back at a long oral history of failed governments... this warrior magess who could probably toast them all with a gesture seemed like a good choice for benevolent dictator. She's worked in an efficient, though carefully watched, system of delegation with input from the people on who should be appointed. Relations are strained at best with the local slaver states, as those are the ones that oppressed the Lucidians. Thus.. trade relations aren't at the top of LCS's priorities, though it is becoming something increasingly important to the other states. They're one of the few ports in the region, and certainly the only one capable of handling large deep-ocean freighters.

Thus... slavery is technically tolerated within LCS's boundries, but it's practically more trouble than its worth. To start, you must register entry with LCS upon arrival - an annoying task. Also, escaped slaves who stay for more than a few days are granted free status, and any restraints are removed. Recovery teams... well, they aren't exactly helped. [edited]Laws don't allow for searches of private property, for example.

On the other hand, LCS doesn't really have the resources to handle a large number of escaped slaves on the government's side. There's plenty of social groups, though, that operate across "civilized" borders through many wealthier nations that share LCS's stance. Chances are that you can find help getting a job or finding a city-state that's more agreeable to your tastes through them.

Vigilante laws are one of the other big ones, triggered by conversations with DM, and again furthered on by talking with the Foxen and Xenix...

Superheroes are very useful when dealing with Supervillains. While the Watch is capable of handling these intrusions, "Domestic Adventurers" prove handy in their ability to focus more on one specific target, and provide the city-state with a cheap source of counter-villany. Superheroes need need to register, though their actual identies are very carefully safeguarded. There are limitations on civil suit or criminal penalties as long as adequate measures are taken to minimize damage to lives and properties. That is to say, if a rented building is damaged in a firefight, the owner has fairly limited recourse other than his tenant. If damages are excessive (bashing through walls without reason), then that's a different story.

That's what I've gotten for now.

Watch Playbook

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:06:06 GMT

Here's the news. As some of you have noticed, there's a Lucidia City Watch that polices (and protects as a military) Lucidia City and the area surrounding it. So far I know of two characters that the people I've approached about being startup Watch officers have created, Officer Ovenbird and Miyia Amynta. However, we need a good playbook on what laws are in force, policies for how to enforce the laws, and the minutia of general procedures.

For this, I want input from my players. For the Watch to succeed as an in-character answer to in-character problems, we're going to need popular support from the players as understanding that this is part of their role-play. I envision them as a force to provide (semi)realistic results from actions, a sense of continuity and development, and a way of potentially starting some good in-depth role-playing adventures. To put that in a nutshell, I want their actions to result in something that's still enjoyable to play out, rather than just "oh, time in the slammer". Things like community service, either domestic or... abroad if the need arises.

So thoughts on some general stuff? Age for access to restricted substances (alcohol, opiates, tobacco, etc.) for instance, handling of creatures that produce the stuff (as it's already come up), Watch pursuit regulations, food labeling requirements (warnings of magical effects on candy would be included), potion making regulations, vigalante laws...

You get the drift. If we can come up with some good IC reasons for the lot of this, I think we'll end up with something that we can largely agree is a good idea.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:25:03 GMT

So... stupid me forgot to book hotel for ACen right away.

I've got one at the Embassy Suites now, as the Hyatt was booked solid.

Xai, Foxen, I've got you two down as roommates. Who else, as I'm not taking more than four in the room.

Profile JS

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:20:25 GMT

I've switched the javascript over to an external .js file, and set the loading of the edit buttons into the body's onload functionality for the page - if you have javascript enabled, it'll take over in place of the default "type a line number in here" bit.

Some things that happen:
"+L" drops in a link field, which have many uses. You can omit the description and just have a basic "speaks for itself" link that's easy to manage, with automagical "(2, 3, 4, ...)" lines for when you have more than one reference link.
In the header for the link field, "+L" will add a new link to the existing field... so if you have a field for "Key Art", use the button to the right of that title to add another seperate piece of artwork.
Take Krin's profile as an example. I can use the up/down buttons next to each individual picture's title to move them up and down as I'd like, and the "+L" next to Key Pictures or Cards to add another picture to that field.

As well, you can omit the title, artist, and any URL's to get it to display just the description you type in. You could use this, as an example, to help organize different combat skills or powers.

I don't have a converter button, yet... which would translate a single text field into a description for a single link field which you could then expand upon. It wouldn't be particularly problematic, just... people would probably expect it to break it up intelligently, and javascript is not known for adaptable intelligence.

Continuing saga

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:57:55 GMT

Okay, the javascript is letting you make a new text field on the fly, though a planned update will have an "insert before" link available too for individual rows. However, right now I'm working on some more core functionality that... isn't editable at the moment. A few examples are up in Krin's profile... and I think I have it rigged that it'll update it properly when fed the information. The next phase is "simply" to put that into the editor, and make it so it can create the new lines, support them in templates, that sort of thing.

This will be obnoxious as all &$*@, that is all.

Minor update

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:19:28 GMT

Or major, if you're one of the many, many people who've said that the profile editor's kinda annoying to sort fields with.

I've implemented optional javascript (currently working in firefox~~, not in IE~~ ~~[needs bug testing, but it works...]~~ [[okay, got a good alternative set]]) that turns the "at position:[box]" deal into more convenient up/down buttons, which will likely eventually become images. Just click the button at the top of the page saying "Enable JS for testing" to try it out.

Eventually, this will become the default behaviour of the body's "onload" event, causing it to automatically load up/down buttons for those whose browsers are set to enable javascript.

Coming soon: adding fields with javascript, and link fields.

Writer's Block: Who's your BFF?

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:46:03 GMT

Who is your oldest friend (i.e., the friend you have known the longest)? How often do you see or talk to each other? Do your close friends tend to stay the same year after year or change over time?

View 1419 Answers

Well, sheesh. Subject not fully related to actual question... for oldest friend, going to go with, as Xai has been calling him today, Monsieur Piffendent, a/k/a knightof_silver, a/k/a Psycho Fox (of WAR). His birthday was the 4th, yay.

Besides him, for people I still talk to... then there'd be Xai - currently oceandezignz, and Oni (mazokuoni). Rest of y'all are acuaintances.

Timing wise... well... yeah. Once a year for actually seeing each other, by and large, then chatting daily on messengers. This group of close friends has stayed largely the same since '05ish, when I kinda lost daily contact with Karol, so... yeah, I'd say it's pretty sedate who I will actually call a friend.

Now, pardon me while I snip off a few tags from this.

Present course

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:58:30 GMT

Okay, I've done some thinking, and come up with some general rules for developing that should help make things go faster. First and foremost: advanced functionality will require javascript.
What this means:
In profiles, adding new lines on the fly will be javascript... as will adding any "link" fields, such as those presently seen in Krinele's profile. Editing them, or adding any from a template, will be a little bit supported without, but don't bank on being able to add fifty different pictures by different artists.
For threads, basic posting won't require js, but if you're GM'ing you'll probably want it to get the most out of things. Basically, for it to chop down your options to something streamlined and auto-adjusting, you'll need javascript. The form will be just too long and complicated otherwise, with little notes of "only chose this line for character X only", etc. As well, things like setting foreground and background color when first posting or replying to a thread, rather than editing, will be a javascript-only dealie for the same reason.

Oh, and as someone's asked for this... present mods:
Myself (duh...)
DM Kocher (our entry area/free-for-all RP forum that doesn't exist yet mod)
Bob (I have no idea where I want to shove him, but dammit I want him to work, maybe just a general moderator thingy)
Xai (as-yet nonexistant and really frightening me forum for creative endeavours... this thing's a whole different ballgame, folks)
Benny (like Bob, I value his judgement enough to want him to be able to have a say when he needs to, but don't know if I'll assign him anything specific...)

And... that's actually it that I know of for participating mods. By virtue of being the GM of Litanaea, Xenix has/will have some moderator privledges there... though not as much as someone with mod rights. I'm really not sure about running this as a "one mod, one forum" type thing, I'd rather just have a bunch of people who respect each other well enough to work together, and can step in where they need to without worrying about stepping on anyone's toes.

Paid!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:50:14 GMT

Okay, the ACen group's paid for. Huzzah. Thanks all who could jump in this early, and if there's a bunch who want to register before the second cutoff (up to Jan 15), then someone else will need to be the group leader/payer. Mostly what it takes is someone willing to pick up everyone's badge, and pay for them up-front then accept money however the group's okay with.

For those curious, doing the math gets me the following values:
Full weekend price: $38
Child weekend price: $8

For those in my group - I can accept check, money order, paypal, and actually prefer cash-at-con... unless you have to bail, in which case check, money order, or paypal's prefered.

Cheers, peeps~

Badgers

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:25:44 GMT

As we've hit the magic ten, I'll be going ahead and closing down the group in about an hour (1:30 Pacific time) - basically just before I leave for work I'll pay for it. Cheers, get a registration in soon if you want the present rate ($38!)

Again, the group number is: CBH0DRJ-1CWLME6-5W

ACen registration time~

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:01:10 GMT

Okay, it's ACen registration time again... and if I can get ten people by the 30th, I'm going to go ahead and pay it. Basically, I missed the ball a little bit here, trying for a late swing and all that. The present tier is $40... I'm tempted to just say "however many are in by then are in", and find someone "not ready yet but trustable" to handle any Tier 2 registrations... that'd be Oct 1 through Jan 15th.

Anyhow, my own group number is:
CBH0DRJ-1CWLME6-5W

Again, tentative cutoff of the 30th, early in the day my time. If I have serious interest (20 people total...) , then I can go ahead and bump it back to the 15th, as that'd bring it down to $40 for that tier in the spirit of "better deal for everyone" as two dollars off for a full registration is kinda... blah. Woo, two full dollars. I should do a happy dance for that.

Desktop Meme

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:04:34 GMT

Suppose I'll share this... eesh. I consider the rules optional. :p Anyhow, this be Suzuka's (that is to say, the laptop's) wallpaper at the moment.

Desktop Meme Rules
* Anyone who looks at this entry has to post this meme and their current wallpaper.
* Explain in no more than five sentences why you're using that wallpaper!
* Don't change your wallpaper before doing this! The point is to see what you had on!

Why... well, I needed a wallpaper that wasn't HP's generics and I had a copy of at 1920x1080. So I grabbed Kacey's "Puffers" and put it to use. Go ahead and guess why I have a 1920x1080 copy of that without her web watermark~

Rainfurrest

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:55:50 GMT

So, due to situations beyond my control... I'm looking for someplace to stay for Rainfurrest. Ah well, should be only a minor setback and all that... sent out an inquiry, but looks less than likely. So... if you're going, know someone who is, or even just live in the area and wouldn't mind a houseguest... yeah. >.>'

Comments screened, don't be shy. I can provide entertainment, ya know, like a Wii or PS3, for the duration. I just need someone I can trust fairly well and all that.

In Transit

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:59:00 GMT

HP gave me an estimated build by date of Sept 16th for my new laptop. It had a picked up status at FedEx's Shanghai facility on the 10th, at 11AM local time. It's now registered as in transit, and I have an estimated delivery date of the 16th. This may make Rainfurrest more... interesting than I had expected.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:21:42 GMT

So... apparently my hotmail account's ten years old.

...

Yeah, that's about right. Got it when I was in college. Eeeeesh.

Threads!

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:19:04 GMT

Well, I got the new thread page working, and the thread display. However, new threads are presently (pending me getting the reply and edit funcitons working) locked down to admin level. So... sorry folks, it'll be a while still.

But, at least, the forums page has something going for it!

Laptop...

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:24:33 GMT

Okay, I've ordered a new laptop as this one's... falling apart. I'd post pictures, but it's kinda embarassing what happens to a 5 year old laptop. Suffice to say, there's cracks near the screen, hinges, broken fan grating, and a dent in the keyboard.

Amazingly the stubborn little beast is still operational, an Acer TravelMate 4001LCi. Missing a good 5 out of 12 rubber pads on it... eesh. One of those things, or more of the adhesive holding it on that's kinda askew now, managed to mark up the first copy of Elrean that I'd gotten from Oni. Wasn't ever going to mention it, especially after the new print with the fixed boobie got here, but... yeah. I was kinda upset at the computer.

Not the cause for the dent in the keyboard.

Then there's been how the system clock battery sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I don't think it's so much that it's failing, as if it was dead, it'd be dead-dead and just not work... no, I think there's a connection loose. Maybe a new clock battery would indeed fix it, but... I don't have the energy to do that, particularly considering the physical problems it has.

Like the broken grates on the fan housing, and the lid issues already mentioned.

Still, this thing has done me proud. It was the one that stayed on for almost five hours each day at one ACen advertising the artists there. It's made several cards while at the convention itself... actually, I don't think anyone who I talk with now has ever seen me with a laptop other than this one.

So... it'll be a switch, to go from this one to this, an HP HDX 18t. I opted to get the 3 year accidental damage protection plan for some reason. >.>' No idea why, nooooo.

Quote...

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:18:36 GMT

From Metroid Prime, a space pirate notice:
"Unauthorized Metroid feeding is strictly prohibited"

Hehehe...