Confessions of an Altaholic

Retail Hell?

2011-01-28T11:06:00.001-05:00

Acts of Gord/

I never update except when i find a new linky to post...I found an old one.

2010-11-22T09:15:00.001-05:00

Giving rites to the fallen

2010-06-13T22:02:00.002-04:00

In a forest’s glen, not far from the crushing sounds of the sea against a nearby cliff, lie the remnants of a battlefield. Blood from wounds only minutes old sprinkles the snowy blanket that recently coated the surrounding area. Dozens of bodies litter the ground, their faces and dress all showing the signs of men and women who were prepared to die for their causes. Standing at the edge of the battlefield are three figures, a man and two women. Their weapons are still at the ready, and their attire sharply contrasts against those they have slain only moments before. One of the women is wrapped from head to toe in a cloak that seems a size too large. It is this woman who moves first, who kneels in front of one of the dead. The cloaked woman appears to stare at the remains of the man that lays butchered before her; his crimson tabard hiding the blood stains well, but not the wounds that caused them. He is not alone; a sprinkling of his cohorts lay nearby in similar poses of death. She speaks, not to the companions at her sides, but in actuality to no one at all.

Her voice is raspy and her words seem to make the air colder than it already is. "So far the mighty have fallen from grace. What once was a great man serving a great order is now just carrion for the scavengers."

The two at her flanks both seem to recoil a little as the woman bends over the corpse, her bony almost clawed hands sliding out of her cloak and gently caressing the face of the deceased man. The tall, thin Elfin man on her left brushes a few loose strands of his silver hair back behind his ear and quickly turns his head slightly towards the troll on her right.

"She is doing it again, isn't she Ny? I hate it when she does this."

The fiery haired troll gives the elf a small smile, her lips spreading just far enough apart to show more than a little of her razor sharp teeth. The grin quickly fades as she watches what she knows will now come to pass.

The bone-handed woman does not seem to acknowledge the elf’s words as she speaks again. "May the light you tried to serve so hard in this life guide you in the next." Her hand slowly slides down the deceased man's face and chest until stopping over his heart, her fingers spreading out and pressing hard against his chest. "For as long as there is light in this world to protect the living, there shall also forever be a shadow cast over the dead."

A dark green light seems to glow within the chest of the deceased, spilling out from the wounds in his body. The body rapidly begins to change, first its teeth and jaw growing many times larger than the rest of the face. Next, the flesh seems to rot weeks in a length of time only slightly longer then a moment. This newly created creature immediately stands up and stares obediently at his creator, patiently waiting to be commanded by his master.

As she finishes her ritual she speaks one last time, "And it is that shadow that shall serve me now until the day I die again." She lets her cloak flow freely in the cold blowing air as her raven hair and long dead face are seemingly rejuvenated by the cold. She then turns her soulless icy blue eyes towards the gates of the Keep atop the cliff in the distance. "Come my friends, we have some funerals to arrange."

The group starts to leave the glen, the undead woman leaving last. She stares over her shoulder at that which they had wrought, and she seems somewhat saddened and almost reluctant to leave. She waves her hand in an arcane gesture, and turns away, leaving the forest as little more than a memory. Slowly, with nothing but the silence of the departed to welcome it, snow begins to fall again. Within a few minutes, all signs of the battle are buried by the snow.

Essay Paper on MMORPGs

2010-05-19T23:00:00.002-04:00

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game or MMORPG for short. Many different online games have given themselves these labels. I am going to be discussing the main points these games have in common and what I think can make one game have more players then others. The target audience, graphics, story, controls, teaming style and cost are all factors in choosing the best MMORPG for any given person.

The first thing that these types of games need to do is to decide on their target audience. Some may try to corner a specific sub-market, such as City of Heroes or Champions Online. These two separate games both try to target the standard comic book reader. Other games such as World of Warcraft, try to appeal to every type of video game player. The most simplistic and “cute” game on the market is Free Realms, a game which targets children and those with small amounts of disposable incomes.

Graphics tend to run the entire gambit in MMO games. Some games are simply two dimensional games with 16 bit graphics, while other games are forever pushing their graphics to the highest and most extreme levels. In general, “better” looking MMO’s tend to do better in the long run because they have more instantaneous appeal. Games like Free Realms however have proven graphics do not necessarily need to be cutting edge to be considered good.

Storytelling is another thing that takes a lot of time to work on and decide in these styles of games. Your standard MMO player wants to be able to become “lost” in the world they are playing in. A good MMO plays like reading a book from your favorite author. However, if you don’t like the way the protagonist would do something you can change the outcome, since YOU are the protagonist. To create both this feeling and to keep players drawn to your game over time, you need to make sure that the story of the world you created will keep them interested. While not every player “wants to be the hero” you will find that more often than not, they do.

Ease of controlling is the next thing, and this tends to be the make or break moment no matter how much effort you put into making your game look gorgeous. Even if you put a large amount of effort into making sure the world has a totally logical story, with no plot holes and an amazing timeline, if your game is too hard to play then you will lose most the players within the first hour of playing. You need to go back and think about your target audience and make sure the way of playing the game appeals to them. Innovation might help, but it still needs to be something that the person playing can figure out relatively easily.

The most controversial point of any MMO is teaming. Some players would prefer to never team up with another player. Others want to be teamed from the moment they start, till the moment they stop playing each time. This means that your game would most likely need to appeal to both types of players, or you instantly lose half your audience. The best MMO’s make teaming optional but rewarding. You may not need to team up with others to play the game, but it generally is considered “more rewarding” by enticing players with either prettier rewards or rewards that make the game slightly easier.

The final thing any MMO needs to decide on is cost. In this there probably is the highest amount of diversity than any other section, except graphics. Common types of payment include: Microtransactions, One-Time Fee, Free-to-play, Subscription, and any combination their-of. A microtransaction means instead of a larger payment, the game tends to have many smaller possible transactions. This usually is either a simple cosmetic change, or giving the player access to something that can only be acquired in this manner. One-time fee games tend to be more like the old fashioned video game, where you buy it once and never have to worry about the cost again. This style of game is becoming increasingly rare, however when it is combined with microtransactions it is a very common game type.

Free–to-play games have essentially stolen the thunder from one-time fee games, since who can pass up a game that is free? The majority of these also offer microtransactions, though a small number instead generate their revenue through advertisements. But when it comes to the “standard” payment option, many MMO’s are subscription. This is generally an automated reoccurring fee that must be payed monthly to continue to play the game. This was the original MMO payment model and it has remained strong, though recently is has begun to be combined more and more often with the microtransaction methods.

The best MMO in each Category in my mind would be the following:

- Target Audience: World of Warcraft, more than any other game has crossed all lines in attracting players of all types.

- Graphics: Aion, a Korean import, has defeated many stronger games in certain markets purely based on looks.

- Story: Dungeons and Dragons Online, the original RPG in most people’s minds, has the largest amount of source material to draw on.

- Teaming: City of Heroes, a game that scales its difficulty based on the number of team mates, makes teaming a purely optional matter for 99% of its players.

- Controls: Everquest, since it was the original MMO on the market, is a game that has the controls which “just feel right” for your standard MMO player.

- Cost: Free Realms, while contrary to the games name is far from free, does however tend to offer most players the best bang for their buck.

So what is the greatest MMO? It is hard to choose a game that can compete in all these areas. In all honesty I am left with only one, Guild Wars. This amazingly simple to learn game has one of the most in depth story worlds, is a one-time purchase, though it offers minor cosmetic bonuses as microtransactions, looks amazing for its system requirements and can just as easily be played solo or teamed. All of this combined arguably make it the best MMO on the market. This is why it is no surprise to most gamers that this amazing game is getting a sequel.

So, anyone want to play?

Of things to come

2010-03-27T11:41:00.000-04:00

The preacher looks down upon his flock, and he finds himself wanting more.

The soldier looks at his companions, and he finds himself angry at his course.

The prophet looks upon his believers, and finds himself righteous amonst men.

The princess looks across her lands, and finds herself lacking her desires.

The mechanic looks at what he had created, and finds he wishes he never had.

The jester looks at those he once knew, and finds it time to weep.

The guardian looks at his charge, and finds his blade.

The shadow looks at what he has done, and finds himself complete.

The rest

2010-02-04T14:43:00.003-05:00

Humans, Eladrin and Halflings will remain unchanged.

This gives 3 groups of three, which I like for now.

The Tech races. (Human Dwarf Halfling)

The Fey races. (Eladrin Elves Centaur)

The Dark Fantasy races. (Goblin Hobgoblin Bugbear)

If a player wishes, i will also add in three Draconic races, and three elemental races, but only if players push for one of those styled races.

Centaur

2010-02-04T14:36:00.002-05:00

Centaur

Racial Traits:
Average Height: 7'0" - 7'6"
Average Weight: 750-100 lb

Ability Score: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
Size: Large
Speed: 7 Squares
Vision: Low-Light

Languages: Common, Elven
Skill Bonuses: +2 Nature, +2 Perception
Fey Origin: Your ancestors were native to the Feywild,
so you are considered a fey creature for the purpose
of effects that relate to creature origin.
Undersized Torso: Despite their Large size Centaurs use weapons as if they were a size smaller.
Wild Step: Ignore difficult Terrain when you shift.
Wild Charge: You can use the Wild Charge power once per encounter:

Wild Charge Centaur Racial Power
Encounter
Standard Action, Personal
Effect: You charge and deal an extra two damage on succesful attack. 4 at 11th level, 6 at 21st.
Note: You may substitute an at-will melee attack instead of a basic attack at the end of the charge.

Dwarf

2010-02-04T14:33:00.000-05:00

Dwarf
Average Height: 4´ 3˝–4´ 9˝
Average Weight: 160–220 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 5 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Skill Bonuses: +2 Dungeoneering, +2 Endurance
Cast-Iron Stomach: +5 racial bonus to saving throws
against poison.
Dwarven Resilience: You can use your second wind as
a minor action instead of a standard action.
Dwarven Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency
with the throwing hammer and the warhammer.
Encumbered Speed: You move at your normal speed
even when it would normally be reduced by armor
or a heavy load. Other effects that limit speed (such
as difficult terrain or magical effects) affect you
normally.
Stand Your Ground: When an effect forces you to
move—through a pull, a push, or a slide—you can
move 1 square less than the effect specifies. This
means an effect that normally pulls, pushes, or slides
a target 1 square does not force you to move unless
you want to.
In addition, when an attack would knock you
prone, you can immediately make a saving throw to
avoid falling prone.

Skargoblin (Bugbear)

2010-02-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

Skargoblin (Bugbear)
Average Height: 6' 10˝ – 7' 2˝
Average Weight: 350–400 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity
Size: Medium
Speed: 5 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Goblin
Skill Bonuses: +2 Intimidate, +2 Stealth
Oversized: You can use weapons of your size or one size
larger than you as if they were your size.
Predatory Eye: You can use predatory eye as an encounter
power.
Predatory Eye Bugbear Racial Power
You maneuver into an advantageous position and strike your foe
with ruthless determination.
Encounter
Minor Action Personal
Effect: If you have combat advantage against a target, you
deal +1d6 damage on the next attack you make against
that target. You must apply this bonus before the end of
your next turn.
Increase extra damage to +2d6 at 11th level and +3d6
at 21st level.

Lungoblin (Goblin)

2010-02-04T14:21:00.003-05:00

Lungoblin (Goblin)
Average Height: 3' 4˝ – 3' 8˝
Average Weight: 40–55 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence
Size: Small
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Goblin
Skill Bonuses: +2 Stealth, +2 Bluff
Goblin Reflexes: You gain a +1 racial bonus to your Reflex
defense.
Goblin Tactics: You can use goblin tactics as an at-will power.
Goblin Tactics Goblin Racial Power
You avoid your enemy’s blow and cleverly slink past his defenses.
At-Will
Immediate Reaction Personal
Trigger: You are missed by a melee attack.
Effect: You shift 1 square.

Hobgoblin

2010-02-04T14:17:00.003-05:00

Hobgoblin
Average Height: 6' 2˝ – 6' 8˝
Average Weight: 220–280 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Constitution, +2 Charisma
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Goblin
Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 History
Battle Ready: You gain a +2 bonus to initiative checks.
Life of War: You grant non-hobgoblin allies within
5 squares of you a +1 racial bonus to initiative
checks.
Hobgoblin Resilience: You can use hobgoblin resilience as an
encounter power.
Hobgoblin Resilience Hobgoblin Racial Power
You shake off an effect that would cripple a lesser warrior.
Encounter
Immediate Reaction Personal
Trigger: You suffer an effect that a save can end.
Effect: You make a saving throw against the effect.

Elves

2010-02-04T13:42:00.002-05:00

RACIAL TRAITS
Average Height: 5´8 ˝–6´ 6˝
Average Weight: 150–220 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma
Size: Medium
Speed: 7 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Elven
Skill Bonuses: +2 Nature, +2 Perception
Elven Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with
the longbow, longsword and the shortbow.
Fey Origin: Your ancestors were native to the Feywild,
so you are considered a fey creature for the purpose
of effects that relate to creature origin.
Group Awareness: You grant non-elf allies within
5 squares of you a +1 racial bonus to Perception
checks.
Wild Step: You ignore difficult terrain when you shift
(even if you have a power that allows you to shift
multiple squares).
Life Thief: You can use Life Thief as an
encounter power.

Life Thief Elf Racial Power
With an insta.
Encounter
Immediate Reaction
Trigger: You use a melee attack that drops an enemy to 0 hit points.
Effect: The enemy dropped by the attack dies. If the enemy had an intelligence of two or less, you add 1 week to your lifespan. If the enemy had an intelligence of three or more, you add half of that creatures remaining lifespan to your own.
Notes: This ability does not work on Fey or Plants, unknowingly using this power on an undead has the opposite effect, it lowest the Elf's life span by half the time the undead has been animate. If any creature that was the subject of this power was brought back from the dead, the amount of lifespan added by this power is lost. The elf has no ability to know how much life is added by this power except keeping count themselves.

Elves

2010-01-29T06:38:00.002-05:00

The naturally short-lived elves are children of the natural world, similar in many superficial ways to fey creatures, yet different as well. Elves value their privacy and traditions, and while they are often slow to make friends, at both the personal and national levels, once an outsider is accepted as a comrade, such alliances can last for generations. Elves have a curious attachment to their surroundings, perhaps as a result of the cause of their sometimes incredibly long lifespans. Elves who dwell in a region for long find themselves physically adapting to match their surroundings, most noticeably taking on coloration reflecting the local environment. Those elves that spend their lives among the short-lived races, on the other hand, often develop a skewed perception of mortality and become risk-takers, the result of watching wave after wave of companions age and die before their eyes.

Physical Description:
Although generally taller than humans, elves possess a graceful, fragile physique that is accentuated by their long, pointed ears. Their eyes are wide and almond-shaped, and filled with large, vibrantly colored pupils. While elven clothing often plays off the beauty of the natural world, those few elves that live in cities tend to bedeck themselves in the latest fashion.

Society: Many elves feel a bond with nature and strive to live in harmony with the natural world. Most, however, find manipulating earth and stone to be distasteful, and prefer to use wood over stone whenever possible.

Relations: Elves are prone to dismissing other races, writing them off as rash and impulsive, yet they are excellent judges of character. An elf might not want a dwarf neighbor, but would be the first to acknowledge that dwarf's skill at smithing. Elves are fascinated with humans, as evidenced by the number of half-elves in the world, even if they usually disown such offspring. They regard most Goblinoids with distrust and suspicion.

Alignment and Religion: Elves are emotional and capricious, yet most value kindness and beauty. Most elves are chaotic good.

Adventurers: Many elves embark on adventures out of a desire to explore the world, leaving their secluded forest realms to reclaim forgotten elven magic or search out lost kingdoms established millennia ago by their forefathers. For those raised among humans, the ephemeral and unfettered life of an adventurer holds natural appeal. Elves generally prefer melee despite their frailty, those who don't preferring instead to pursue classes such as druid and rangers.

The Twist - See next post.

D&D Post:

2010-01-27T06:55:00.003-05:00

So, I have decided to start work on a custom campaign setting from scratch, using the Pathfinder/d20 ruleset or 4e rule set, depending on which fits the setting as it advances.

For this first quick short post as I get ready to head to work here are some basic ideas I will be going with.

My plan is to change everything that is "standard" in DnD and other fantasies but alter it slightly.

Elves - Will be long lived (sort of) nature lovers as is the stereotype but it will be for drastically different reasons.

Goblinoids - Will not be the "dumb cannon fodder" of the typical DnD world. They will be portrayed as intelligent and devious, not idiotic and meek.

Magic - Magic items will be very similar to Earthdawn or 7th sea, few permanent magic items exist, any that do have a story.

Anyways ill post more to twitter while at work, just remember my phones letter p is broke so things might not make perfect sense.

Interesting city building style game

2009-11-17T15:30:00.002-05:00

Evony - A city building game

Vampire: The Night Chicago Died

2009-11-05T11:19:00.003-05:00

Well, for now at least it seems that I have no real motivation to play MMO's at this time, so instead I'll talk about what I plan on doing in my next table top game.

I plan on running a game set in Chicago using White Wolf's old World of Darkness game Vampire: The Masquerade.

I plan on the game starting in the 1920's and over the course of the first few sessions slowly advance the time-line a few years at a time until I get to a more "modern" year like late 80's and early 90's.

This would serve multiple reasons, placing the players in key events in Chicago over the years, making the characters have at least a minimum of what passes for friendship to a vampire, and it would put me close but not quite at Gehenna if I want to go down that route for an eventual campaign finale.

Horde toons updates:

2009-08-28T19:30:00.002-04:00

Ritesgiver (Frost Undead Death Knight): 70
Hellblood (Demonology Orc Warlock): 42
Barkhoof (Caster Tauren Druid): 46
Atalai (Survival Troll Hunter): 45

Gonna shot the junk right into my eyeballs.

2009-08-28T10:23:00.002-04:00

I'm playing WoW again.

I've been playing hordeside, which has been quite a fun change of pace. New races, new quests, new zones (face it, how many alliance players EVER go to swamp of sorrow, stonetalon or the barrens, other then to run THROUGH them).

Last night, I got my horde death knight to level 70, which wasnt really the goal, as the real goal was exalted with the Mag'har and Ogrimmar of which I am getting close with each every day.

I love the changes to BG's. Time limits in WSG, XP for completing objectives. I like being able to get mounts, and a renewed interest in battlegrounds is a renewed interest in a few old pvp mounts.

Of Table Tops and 5d8

2009-06-13T20:12:00.002-04:00

I have recently joined a long going game at a comic book shop not far from my new place. I will not be able to attend full time untilla fter the show. But once I start showing up I plan on keep an in-character log. I'll post it here.

I'm hoping to go for a cleric of a good deity. If I can find one that is both martial but light/healing based ill be happy.

I never really update.

2009-06-08T06:27:00.002-04:00

Guild Wars, Guild Wars, Guild Wars.

I have moved, not far, but far enough to distract me from the online world.

Guild Wars, is probally my current reigning champ as best mmo I have played. Mostly due to its mix of MMO and Single Player qualities. This is an MMO that I can play solo and still do all of the same content as a typical "5 man team" with no real loss of anything.

The Gear is the same.

The Stats are the same.

I can play in small play sessions with little/no feelings of "not enough time".

Dont get me wrong. A few other games will allways be with me:

Nexus, has been an allways will be my first mmo-love. Even if I did get banned once for something I never did.

City of Heroes. Has, and allways will have the best character creation process of any MMO of this decade.

World of Warcraft, the gateway drug for so many new players in the MMO-field, the heroine of sword and sorcery heroics.

Ragnarok Online. Ubercute, ubercool.

Eve...actually...I still hate Eve.

Catch Up

2009-05-01T22:25:00.001-04:00

Dinged 50 for the first time in city of heroes.

Started playing guild wars again, much more fun now that they've revamped it so much since launch.

Enjoyed using the MA system in city of heroes, got myself a large stockpile of tickets to work through, heh.

I'll add more later.

I know I need a real post soon.

2009-04-21T22:55:00.001-04:00

Awesome Game

Useful city of heroes links.

2009-04-19T07:51:00.002-04:00

Mob Resistances

Mobs with xp multipliers thread

City of data, amazing site, raw numbers only. Zero fluff.

Amazing paragon wiki post detailing attack mechanics in city of heroes

Of web games and intertubes.

2009-04-19T07:42:00.003-04:00

My Brute

My Mini City

Urban Rivals

Whats I've been doing.

2009-03-24T11:23:00.002-04:00

Playing Bomberman '94 on the Wii.

Cursing at steam for lying and saying my pc can handle Mass Effect and Dawn of War 2.

Cursing at the laptop for what it considers "Handling" of those games.

Enjoying Dawn of War 2, in very small doses, so as to keep the nausea of playing it on the laptop to a minimum.

Enjoying City of Heroes, especially my new swarm of low level tankers, especially my Dark/Dark.

Enjoying the Issue 14 beta for city of heroes.

Loving the MA from issue 14.

Hating the MA from issue 14.

Dropping missions every 3 days for extra prestige in City of Heroes.

Talking to Alan. who has transferred his alliance alts in warcraft to another server to play with work budies. God bless him.

Heading to the bar with my awesome real life friends weekly and enjoying one of the coolest bartenders I've ever had the pleasure to serve me and my not so rowdy but sometimes raunchy yet allways roughhewn friends.

Job hunting IRL. Low-leveled Jack of all trades (master of none) LFW. Accepting all /tells.

Hanging out with my grandfather, bless his forgiving soul, for I know mine wont be at his age.

Watching BSG.

Getting angry at BSG.

Being satisfied with BSG.

Laughing at BSG.

Being satisfied with BSH, especially the dancing robots. Dance robots dance.

Being happy to have such a great wife.

Helping my wife as she is working on her digital portfolio, aka doing any menial man-bitch work she needs done.

Expanding my culinary pallet and skills.

Watching the office, kings, dollhouse, andromeda, startrek: voyager, with my wife.

Attempted (failed) to get wife to play city of heroes.

Somehow walked into an adult store with my wife, which spawned some hillarious comments about me being so "innocent" no matter how corrupt I am.

Laughing my ass off as I play "The Maw".

Braking and raking and wracking my brain as i played through "Braid".

Retro gaming it with the Super Mario RPG, Shining Force 2, Phantasy Star 1-4, Kid Chameleon, and the Ogre Battle games.

Reading every book and magazine in my apartment, except the ones that mike left me.

Cooking, a lot.

Eating, a lot more, exercising more so as to not gain any weight. Working out fairly well.

Still LFW.

Tried to play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Made fatal mistake, invited dave to play a game with an x-men in it. Red ring of deathed my 360.

Sent the 360 out to be repaired.

Recieved someone elses mail and cellphone, got confused, and delivered it to them, somehow thinking, this was the normal thing to do.

Played a drill game on my DS.

Spent some quality time with my cat CJ. Little bastards got a pretty good personality when hes not vomiting.

Discovered that my wife and me should have been born into each others families. The woman loves spicey food, and has a passion for tacos that not even my Chicano cousins can live up to.

Sexual harassed my friends J R and Joel.

Discovered, that, no really, I really do hate Joey.

Learned that jumproping in my apartment is loud.

Watching Heroes.

Playing Warcraft II.

Playing Warcraft III.

Downloading littles demos on steam.

Played "passage". Actually got so sad from playing I curled up next to my wife and wrapped her arms around me while she was sleeping.

Made pretend I was "too much of a man" to mention that till now.

Applied at literally hundreds of different places, and now am willing to kill the next person who tells me I am overqualified.

Watched Watchman.

Reread Watchman.

Decided to updated blog with my longest most rambling post ever.

Essentially, proving that altaholism, isnt limited to any one game, or even games, but the embodiment of my life.

Soooooooo true.....

2009-01-24T13:16:00.001-05:00

for those of you with a sense of humor - why men are just happier people.

this was forwarded to me earlier in the week.

Men Are Just Happier People:

NICKNAMES

1. If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
2. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.

EATING OUT

1. When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
2. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY

1. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
2. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

BATHROOMS

1. A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel .
2. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS

1. A woman has the last word in any argument.
2. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE

1. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
2. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

SUCCESS

1. A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
2. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

MARRIAGE

1. A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
2. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

DRESSING UP

1. A woman will dress up to go shopping, go to the gym, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
2. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL

1. Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
2. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING

1. Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
2. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house..

Blindbeards Barstories: Blinded but Loved

2009-01-06T13:22:00.002-05:00

"Aye lad, so ya ken to ken why me name inna me given, eh?"

"I winna start from me birth, but I thin ya ken how tat was."

"Ya see, I was wit a group o hunts, we ha traveled din to the loch to deal wit tha wench Ol' Sooty. We slowly came up to tha cave but sooty wa nowhere to be glanced. Nother hunt decided iffa we wen tis far we winna return empty handed. 'e fired twice inna a cub, din hell i'self broke loose inna our midst, Ol' Sooty was close nuff tha when she heard tha shot she charged from higha inna mount. Tha sap who fired was tha first to die. Quick like I fired at the venging mother, she chargin from one of us to tha next, winna there was none else ta charge but me she came at me."

"Tha first slash hit me straight cross the face, and all I kin see wa me blood streaming down and outta me eyes. I figed I was dead either way, so I went limp. Ol' Sooty fell to it, but the wench decided to keep her food fresh an dragged me inside with me dead comrades. I layed inna pile of dwarven rot two days, din me best to breath sof anna not move. Third day, she came fo me. Weak and blind I grabbed for any weapons close to arms reach. I found what I kin only guess was the leg bone of another hunt. I swung it over me heard and heard a poppin sound as I gouged out the wenches eye. She bit down hardlike on me firing hand an' ripped off me trigger finger. Quickly like, I reached down an stuck me fingers inna the other socket and pulled. Even like, I reached down and grabbed me skinnin knife and climbed aboard her back stabbing inna her neck. She struggled good for a time, but her strength faded in as her blood came out. I lay victorious and beaten convinced of me own death."

"I felt a cub come up, and start licking up the blood on me face. Too weak to fight it off, I prayed to the titans. Thin the cub did the unthinkable, it grabbed me by me clothes and started pulling me din the mount. Time passed and I heard the familiar sounds of the loch, the cub dragged me to it. I climbed inna it and drank me fill. Then washed the caked blood from me eyes. Thats when I saw it for me first time, the cub winna one of soots. It was white like that of the royal iceclaws that have served dun morogh hunters, thats about all I could see was the white of its fur, me eyes being mangled forever, but twas the most gorgeous think I'd ever seen. With the cubs help I made it back to Thelsamar. She winna leave me, so I kept wit her. It seems that sooty was mad with grief at the loss of her kin and she bearnapped one of the beasts from its mothers. Least tha the story a druid spun me. I dinna care, I call her friend, I think she calls me the same, and everyone else calls me Blindbeard."

Sites Issues

2009-01-05T10:50:00.003-05:00

It seems I'm having some issues with DKPsigs, the site I used for my little armory buttons, I may need to switch to a different site or remove the tags alltgoether. I havent decided which yet. In other news, I have come up with a way to both keep myself happy while playing WoW and in addition practice writing skills I havent used recently. I plan on keeping a diary for whatever toons I happen to be playing. While it wont be 100% accurate to the game, it will remain close to the lore. Durants Diary was the first but hopefully it wont be the last.

Durants Diary: Day one

2009-01-05T09:56:00.006-05:00

Northrend Expedition, Day One

The chilled air on this boat is bad enough, once I arrive in that cursed land I can only hope that we will track down the new location of Naxxramas. Multiple men on the ship have stared at me, a few even called me traitor more then once. It would seem that they hold little love for me. I remember when the Knights of the Crusade were considered Heroes of the alliance, when Alexandros and Abbendis led us against the horde at Blackrock Mountain. Now, we are "traitors"? I admit Taelen and Isillien may have taken things too far, but not all of us have fallen blind with our hatred. My parents killed on the day that "Prince" Arthas returned from the north. My brother-in-law died during the last assault on Naxxramas before it fled to this Wasteland, my sister gone missing ever since. I deserve to hate the Scourge!

Maybe I have fallen into the crusaders madness. If it is so, then so be it. However the Scourge will pay for what they have done to my family. If I am to be considered a traitor to my peers then so be it.

However not everyone on this expedition has turned cold to me. The Vice Admiral was glad to have an experienced soldier on board. The ships cook seems to have gone AWOL and Keller has offered me the position, hoping that it may breed some kind emotions between myself and the rest of the soldiers. I hope it works, this will be a long and lonely trip with no friends.

Malmuria, wherever you are, I hope the world is finding you better.

Feel The Burn (Out)

2009-01-03T19:27:00.001-05:00

And Fight it.

I feel that oh so familiar feeling.

MMO Burnout.

And I am trying my best to fight it.

Lets see how this works.

On another note: I dinged 70 on my warrior. Woo.

Totally unrelated to WoW, but totally awesome.

2008-11-22T17:21:00.001-05:00

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling

objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates

and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear,

I nevertheless must eat something in order to

keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of

escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their

feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly

demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made

condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I

was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.

However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my

confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what

this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of

my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try

this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and

snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -

and seems to be more than willing to return.

He is obviously retarded.

Set of Sets

2008-11-19T02:27:00.004-05:00

Fyer- Imperial Red
Jaderose - Felcloth
Reprieve - Black Mageweave

Lishanya - Nightscape
Ravenya - Viper
Skyclaw - Wicked Leather

Facet - Mooncloth
Radere - Glyphed
Whispershot - Tuxedo
Blindbeard - Heavy Scorpid
Cadell - Twill

Malmuria - Scarlet (Done)
Durant - Ornate Mithril
Caimbeul - Deathknight Blues (Done)
Matushka- Heavy Mithril

For my friends.

2008-11-10T20:56:00.003-05:00

Garrosh Hellscreem says: Thrall... Warchief... your armies await your command. Let me lead them to Northrend to remove this undead menace!

Lady Sylvanas Windrunnre says: Yes, Thrall. The time has come to kill Arthas. You can take my grand apothecary with you. His knowledge will be invaluable against whatever the Scourge will throw at you.

Grand Apothecary Putress says: It would be an honor, Dark Lady.

High Overlord Saurfang says: Warchief, it is clear that Northrend represents the gravest threat to our people, and that we must act against it. But this foe is unlike any other. caution must be advised.

Thrall says: My soul burns for revenge, but the elements tell me to think clearly. The Lich King is a ruthless opponent... one who must be handled carefully.

Thrall says: We will send scouts to assess the situation. I will also convene with the Lady Proudmoore and see what plans the Alliance has.

Garrosh Hellscream says: Gragh! I cannot take this! While you talk and deliberate, our enemies grow stronger! Were it my choice, I would have put all our available forces onto that frozen rock and conquered it for the Horde!

Thrall says: If this is a trap, it is one I will not blindly walk into! Do not make the same mistakes as your father, Farrosh!

Garrosh Hellscream says: After all that he did for YOU and YOUR people? MAK'GORA!

Thrall says: You challenge me, boy? I don't have time for this...

Garrosh Hellscream says: So you refuse? Is the son of Durotan a coward?

Thrall says: Inside!

Garrosh Hellscream yells: Your duties as warchief can wait. For now... we fight!

**big fight, garrosh definitely a warrior, thrall definitely the bad ass shaman he is, but garrosh manages to pull the upperhand and win**

Thrall yells: GYAH!

Garrosh Hellscream yells: Hah! So, son of Durotan, what--

Herald of the Lich King yells: PUPS OF ORGRIMMAR! HEAR ME, BRASH UPSTARTS OF THE HORDE! TREMLE, AND KNOW YOUR DOOM, FOR THE LICH KING'S GAZE IS FIXED UPON YOU!

High Overlord Saurfang yells: Warchief! Scourge forces are attacking Orgrimmar!

Thrall yells: We will finish this another time... son of Grom.

**Big scourge attacks, lots of abominations and frost wyrms, sylvanas is so bad ass**

Herald of the Lich King yells: ARGH! THIS SMALL VICTORY WILL AVAIL YOU NOTHING! COME! COME TO NORTHREND. MY MINIONS ARE WAITING, AND THEY ARE HUNGRY...

Garrosh Hellscream says: Well, Warchief? What say you now? Will you send me to Northrend?

Thrall says: Saurfang...

High Overlord Saurfang says: Yes, Warchief?

Thrall says: Marshal our forces. Contact our goblin shipwrights. The Horde prepares for war!

High Overlord Saurfang says: As you command, Warchief!

Lady Sylvanas Windrunner says: Excellent... most excellent.

Ding! * a lot

2008-11-10T14:52:00.002-05:00

Blindbeard, 42
Whispershot, 56
Radere, 58
Malmuri, 58
Skyclaw, 58
Jaderose, 58
Lishanya, 58
Matushka, 58
Fyer, 59
Reprieve, 59
Durant, 62
Cadell, 70
Facet, 70
Ravenya, 70

Role-playing: Jaderose and Fyer, Part 1

2008-10-24T11:58:00.003-04:00

Jaderose and her twin sister Fuchsialily were born at the height of Gnomeregan Expansion. Their parents were both engineers who worked on the first set of Automated Thermodynamic Training And Craftsman Killers (A.T.T.A.C.K) bots.

By the time the girls had reached maturity their differences started to become apparent. Jaderose was allready building her own pet techbots, dressing them up in homemade dresses and setting them to terrorrise her sister. Fuchsialily was possibly the worst engineer ever however, incompetent at anything that required her to think outside the box, instead she simply barricaded herself in her room studying books.

When the girls became legal adults, they both shocked their parents. They left home, together, allthough not for long. They shared Jaderoses first mechanostrider on the ride to Ironforge. The moment they reached the city gates though they parted and went their seperate ways, kind words were exchanged but rarely true.

Jaderose spent the next decade helping to build the Deeprun Tram, a marvelous feat of engineering she was very proud of whatever work she put into it. The day it opened she was wearing her favorite new black dress and all smiles. When the first set of dwarves and gnomes were getting on Jaderose saw for the first time since she arrived in Ironforge her sister Fuchsialily. Lily was traveling with a dwarven woman and the two seemed totally oblivious of the engineering marvel they were about to set foot on.

The machines started up and all the gears and widgets started turning and churning. Thats when it happened, an explosion rocked the tunnel. Dark Iron dwarves filled the tunnel and began their assault. The dwarven woman traveling with lily slid two daggers out of her cloak and jumped down into the fray. Lily herself pulled out a strange metal rod the likes of which Jade had never seen. She aimed it at one of the Dark Iron attackers and a fireball flew out and struck down one of the Dark Irons. The dwarf threw one of the Dark Irons into the grinding gears of the tram, but noticed a moment too late the horror this would create. The tram started grinding straight up and two children started to fall into the fray below.

Moments before they hit the electrical rail Lily appeared magically and grabbed the children and teleported back up next to the engineers handing the children to Rose she noticed her sister for the first time, she smiled and then teleported down next to the dwarf again. A quick shout to the dwarf and the dwarf quickly climbed out of the tracks, a smile crept across the face of the gnome as the dark iron dwarves started to run torwards her. When they were allmost upon her a few of them started to notice the way her hands were moving, but it was too late.

Lily exploded in a gigantic wave of flames that spread in each direction. The dark irons were incinerated and she smiled again as she teleported back up to the platform. Rose ran over and gave her sister a gigantic hug.

The two spent the night together telling stories and what their plans entailed. Lily was now going by the name Fyer due to the way the dwarves described her innate magical talent, she was heading to stormwind to train with the mages there. Rose was proud of her accomplishments here and was planning on heading back to Gnomer to see their parents and to find another project to work on.

Notes to self on powerleveling:

2008-10-13T11:39:00.003-04:00

Remember to level up alans druid a bit more before starting the level grant process on asger.

Reprieve, jaderose, radere, lishanya, whispershot are all 45. At level 55 he will have 27 gifted levels. If I can manage to get them all to level 50 He can grant the 5 of them all to 55 no problem.

I say 55, because i think that arounds the point fyer will ding 57/58, which has been the ultimate goal of this entire process, to get my mage out to outland where mage gear is plentiful.

Remember to check jaderoses mail within a week, she has runecloth awaiting her from these runs.

As to my wifes account, she is current at levels 43 and 51 on her two toons ive been powerleveling... and entirely out of gifted levels.

The toons she will be granting to are Matushka and Malmuria. Who are 46 and 40 respectively. This...should be pretty easy, if I get her 43 to 55 at the same time as getting my 40 to 52 she will have gained 5 gifted levels, easily enough to break 50 on my 46. Minor issue here, dont want to power level that toons beyond 52 really, need to move her to argent dawn after that for farm slaughtering.

I will continue to NOT level grant to my melee hunter. Half the fun is in watching him level on his own, even if those god damn whelplings refuse to drop. Though, starting tommorrow he should become a hell of a lot more fun with the changes hitting Mongoose Bite and Aspect of the Beast.

All together this is shaping up nicely to be finished before Wrath comes out. That goal of course being to get every alliance toon I have up to level 50 before wrath goes live. With a little help from my friend mike, I might be able to ding 40 on all my horde toons shortly after that.

Of course this all does beg the question, since I am not a hardcore raider, if I cant get my friends to run instances with me once they all start reaching the level cap, will I burn out, most likely, yes.

On real life friends and virtual worlds

2008-10-12T13:10:00.004-04:00

This post can be blamed on the copious amounts of alcohol consumed by me last night.

As many of my readers know, you know, all four of you, I do my best to hang out with my friends at least once a week, this has gotten a bit harder as I live up to an hour and a half away from some of my friends and as I am still in the process of learning how to drive, so I put a little bit of extra strain on the relationship by having them drive down to my place the majority of the time.

My one friend brought up a few good points though on MMO's especially wow being counter intuitive to our friendships.

I am now trying to think about this in multiple ways.

On one hand I love it because it gives me a stress reliever after work, it lets me hang out with some of my friends who I wouldnt see on a regular basis or with friends that I do hang out with on a regular basis even more.

On the other hand though, time spent playing WoW or any MMO really is time not spent with friends.

Friends are important far more then pixels.

The question is where is the middle ground.

When does the MMO stop being away of helping you and your friends hangout and start being a hindrance to you and your friends hanging out.

Obviously there is a threshhold at some point where. It passes away from one and into the other.

Exactly when does downing bosses for "epic loots" and virtual achievements surpass real life friendships and good old fashioned bonding moments.

I'd like to say never, but I know its not true. Especially with my own quirky personality type. I know that somedays, I dont want to talk to anyone, I just wanna zone out, play my mindless video game and relax.

But the rest of the time, would I rather hang out and have a few drinks with friends, go mini golfing, bowling or watch a movie. (Even though, movies are spending less and less time in a theatres, and I find the idea of getting together with friends to sit in a dark room and not talk to be counter intuitive, maybe I should specify dinner and a movie. Well, I have now.)

So my dear readers, again all four of you, relax, take a breather from your video games once in awhile ang go hang out with your friends more. Whenever scheduling allows it, have some fun with someone face to face, not just computer to computer. Even if it really is just the old fashioned lan party where everyone drags their computers to one guys house to eat pizza and play video games. Or staying up all night playing a mindless video game on the Xbox. The important thing is to be together, to enjoy your friends company, to have a good time, and to be able to laugh with each other.

That bonding moment is a very important thing, and dont let it pass you by. Unlike video games, our lives dont have a reset button and their are no replays.

Socialism and the MMO: Revised

2008-10-12T13:06:00.003-04:00

Had this post sitting on the laptop for over a week and I simply forgot to post it:

This may sound like a weird comment, but you'd be surprised how few people believe in this, and how many lie and say they do but dont the moment they can advance themself.

What am I talking about?

I'm talking about putting others and the whole before yourself.

If I am a raider in a top raiding guild, and an item drops that is a slight upgrade for me, should I willingly bet on it with my DKP.

Short Answer: Yes. (I don’t want to go into the idea of a DKP-less system, not yet at least)

Remember, hording your DKP will actually slow down yours and your guilds progression as you won’t be wearing gear that you otherwise could be. Team before self.

However this fails to bring up something else very important.

Raids Progression as a Whole.

Should I still bid high on an item if in my own case I would only see a 1-5% increase in my dps if should a slightly under geared but loyal member of the guild equip it their own dps would go up by 5-15%.

Short Answer: No

Why?

Simple, when you are talking about something that is a group effort, it tends to be better to keep as many people as close to possible. It increases the chances of success. However there is still time at which I may disagree with my own post even.

Specifically because I think gearing up your tanks should always be the “top” priority. I look at the tanks like the police/military in this situation. If they aren’t up to par or above the level of others then the entire situation falls apart.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying that a 1% upgrade for a tank should outweigh a 5% upgrade for someone else. That goes back to the whole better for the whole taking priority.

This obviously is hard if not quite impossible to achieve due to the fact that most people always put themselves first.

I think its better to help others before yourselves occasionally, and if it means passing on an item to help another guildie before yourself, it should be done, especially if you know they’ve been trying at it a lot more then you. Remember, after all is said and done, we are all playing these games to have fun. I’m not asking you to stop having fun so others could. However if you can help someone else have fun, and it doesn’t hinder your own, I think you should. Who knows maybe one day they’ll return the favor, and maybe its already your turn to return it.

But Hey, im just another member of the faceless masses of the internet the only difference between me and you is I actually make my opinions known. If you don’t agree with me, say it.

Blackrock Depths

2008-10-11T03:59:00.000-04:00

Oh how I loathe you.

I love this instance for a lot of things.

But my inability to powerlevel myself there sucks quite a bit.

I have to thank my friend Dave for helping me level my mage in there, it really is appreciated.

Mostly because I hate my mage with a fiery passion the likes of which few have ever experienced.

It's done. I've reached my first milestone.

2008-10-11T03:54:00.004-04:00

When I started this blog, part of my goals were to ding level 40 on every alliance alt.

All 14 of them (Number 15 coming when I get to make a death knight).

The sad part?

It happened when I was asleep.

Yup.

I had been in scarlet monastarey with a friend and I got tired and fell asleep on the couch next to my computer.

My wife, seeing me as the pitiful wreck that I am, and being a WoW player herself, she walked over and finished the runs for me.

Yet another reason I love her.

I'm also resolving myself to post here at least once a week untill wrath comes out, then hopefully moreso after that.

The next goal of course is to slowly get all of the alliance alts torwards 50 and to get them started on their titles if/when possible.

When I showed my friend that list earlier his only comment was that It's not likely I'll get them unless I quit my job.

I'd like to prove him wrong, but hes probally right.

Some of those I have little to no control over. Especially Salty. That WILL be hard and is also the only one I'm having second doubts on.

Anyways, its 4am, my wife is allready in bed now and I should probally crawl back to sleep.

Titles, oh how you taunt me

2008-10-10T12:54:00.002-04:00

These will be my goals over time for my alliance characters to achieve certain titles, some of these will be far easier then others.

Facet Elder
Matushka Matron
Radere of the Shattered Sun
Reprieve The Hallowed
Durant Chef
Malmuria The Argent Champion
Fyer Loremaster
Jaderose Brewmaster
Cadell Salty
Lishanya Explorer
Blindbeard The Seeker
Ravneya Ambassador
Skyclaw Guardian of Cenarius
Whispershot Flame Warden
Caimbeul Bloodsail Admiral

Socialism and the MMO

2008-09-30T09:23:00.005-04:00

This may sound like a weird comment, but you'd be surprised how many people believe in this.

Especially me.

What am I talking about?

I'm talking about putting others and the whole before yourself.

If I am a raider in a top raiding guild, and an item drops thats a slight upgrade for me, should I willingly bet on it with my DKP.

Short Answer: Yes. (I dont want to go into the idea of a DKPless system, not yet at least)

However this fails to bring up something else very important.

Raids Progression as a Whole.

Should I still bid high on an item if in my own case I would only see a 1-5% increase in my dps if should a slightly undergeared but loyal member of the guild equip it their dps would go up by 5-15%.

Short Answer: No

Why?

Well, I'm about to head out to work so I dont quite have the time. expect it though to come within the next two days.

Sometimes I think its better to help others before yourselves, and if it means passing on an item to help another guildie before yourself, it should be done, especially if you know theyve been trying at it a lot more then you.

Direwbrews Direbrew

2008-09-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

Sweet mother of god that fight has way too many stuns. Period.

Role-playing: Radere, Facet, Matushka, Reprieve

2008-09-23T13:28:00.002-04:00

Radere - Radere is meant to have been around since the seperation of Eredar and Draenei, as such he remembers the war and fighting. He is also meant to be one of the Eredar who didnt join the burning legion.

Reprieve - Has been a priestess of the Naaru for as long as she can remember. Allways gifted since birth with the power of the light and shadow she has become a battle field medic in recent years.

Facet - Was a mage who gave up the path of the arcane to master the elements and help guide his people along with the broken ones back to their shamanistic roots.

Matushka - Was a midwife who drew up the blade during the original war with the burning legion. She has never looked back, but she has allways kept her love of children and innocence.

Maintenance Day Bordeom

2008-09-23T13:16:00.003-04:00

Maintenance/Patch Day

What does that mean to me?

Boredom.

Why?

Because its my day off.

Anyways, it does inspire me to post about the game.

Brewfest is underway. Tonight I'm hoping to run BRD and get a friend of mine one or two of the mounts as well as mounts for one of my alts and my wifes main character.

I am also hoping to actually play tonight, since yesterday Comcast decided to cancel my internet for no reason.

My goal is to get all the alliance characters on my main account up to 40. its taking awhile but im enjoying the different class types.

Also I'm doing my best not to power-level any characters past a level at which I've played them before.

I'm glad that I'm actually playing with friends again, I enjoy the game far more when I team up with people I like rather then total strangers who are usually gonna trashtalk each other and myself... and not in a good way like when my friends JR and Joel do.

Now I just need to come up with a way to lure more of my friends into the game without making them total addicts so they are still willing to hang out in real life.

Massive Overhaul

2008-09-16T15:09:00.005-04:00

Okay.

Yeah.

That was major.

Okay, so lets see if I can remember all of what I did.

I set up pictures with links to my alts above level 10 on the right sidebar.

I kinda like it. Looks kinda cluttered though....so....not sure if that will stay.

I also set up links to the RSS feeds of a lot of the webcomics I like to read.

Why?

Honestly, because I'm lazy.

What do I mean by that?

Well, now I can simply look at this page instead of checking each individual webcomics.

I also set it up if I ever get any watcher/followers, they can be seen at the bottom.

Sad, this is probally my largest post to date, and it has nothing to do with being an Altaholic.

In addition I set up links to all of my favorite WoW blogs and news sites.

Big Red Kitty

WoW Insider

Big Bear Butt

Resto4Life

Melee Hunter/Yes, these bruises are from fighting

Manias Arcania

MMO Champion

Wow, I just noticed that when it comes to WoW...half my favorite sites to look at our dedicated to hunters and druids, heh.

Considering I am going to be starting an orc warlock soon (going demonology) maybe I should diversify my reading a bit more.

Role-playing notes:

2008-09-16T11:13:00.000-04:00

Part of the reason behind my many alts is the fact that a lot of my characters have to be a specific way in my head.

Ravenya for example is an ex-priestess of elune, who joined the druid ranks the moment they were opened to women. While she still carries her faith for elune she has allways been more in touch with nature itself.

Jaderose is an example of what happens when a gnome goes too far. Not only is she an accomplished engineer she is also a warlock and has started down that dark path in search of greater knowledge. Be it on machines or a summoning circle. Knowledge is power.

I have othercharacters with stories even minors ones I can make but at the moment I am still way too sick and also rather tired to post.

Beta

2008-09-15T18:53:00.000-04:00

I'm in the beta now, thanks to a friend who already got one invite getting another.

What? You though I was the only altaholic? Ha!

Anyways, I am quite happy to announce that death knights are quite fun, got mine to 58 in a night, and boy was it fun.

In other news, I'm glad I can log in and check on progress in the different classes myself.

Good questing, everyone.

Bored at work

2008-09-09T12:46:00.001-04:00

Okay. As expected I am bored out of my mind at work.

So I'll update my new character lists. I have twenty available character slots. My goal is to have at least one of each class. I also decided that I want two deathknights druids shamans and paladins. I also liked the idea of having multiple hunters. One of each spec plus a melee hunter. I also decided then that I would need a third druid.

18 of those 20 slots are now filled or reserved. 13 alliance toons. 5 horde (one of each race).

This blog is going to get used a lot. heh. Since I got a lot of work ahead of me.

I'm back

2008-09-09T12:46:00.000-04:00

I am now back from my honeymoon and resisting the urge to play spore.

I am also going to try and make posts from my mobile. That way I can get something done while at work.

Leveling refered.

2008-08-15T14:47:00.000-04:00

Some notes. It seems you get triple xp for the quest as long as its green or better, and triple xp from mobs when you are within three levels of each other.

Nobody really reads this...

2008-08-08T14:55:00.000-04:00

but ding, 24 on my new leveling enhancement shaman.

Also, ding 26 on my leveling shadow later speccing holy priest.

May I return, to the beginning

2008-08-08T11:20:00.000-04:00

Got my new feral druid up to level 12.

Was just glad to have finally gotten bear form. Far more annoying then I remember.

Also got Revanstalker up to 10 and tamed him a crocolisk.

Hunters always get so much easier once you hit level 10.

I really should try and burn some of the rested off of my shaman and priest. The shaman is fun. The priest...not so much.

Alts and Instance: Leatherwearing Physical DPS

2008-08-05T23:26:00.000-04:00

Triprunner Dungarees

These are amazing for all hunters, feral druids, rogues, and soon, enhancement shamans.

They are incredibly simple to get if you can have a friend run ya through the instance.

In theory you can have these as early as level 25. You wont be finding better until 40, almost totally guaranteed.

Of course this is from a purely DPS standpoint, better does exist for sruvival, but your DPS you survive by killing the enemy faster, right?

Refer a friend

2008-08-05T20:21:00.000-04:00

Sucks that ive allready referred most my friends.

Anyways, more news later.

Trade skills and alts.

2008-08-04T15:36:00.000-04:00

One thing that is nice about having so many different characters is the fact that I am slowly getting a nice collection of trade skills across all my alts. I am actually debating now setting it up across all my various alts to have one of every trade skill and its various subtypes.

Except blacksmithing.

Blacksmithing is the devil.

Far too painful for me to want to level more then once.

Of course a key point in this idea, is who gets what skills.

Three types of tailors...three cloth wearers....well thats simple enough.

My warrior is an alchemist. That has three types also, so eventually ill have to make two more.

My dwarf hunter is a gnomish engineer...not that its ever helped me much but the flying mount will one day be mine. My warlock is a goblin engineer.

My moonkin druid is a tribal leatherworker. My newest troll hunter will be going dragon. Perhaps my new druid should go elemental.

Wow, its frightening how many different types of professions their our, when you go into subtypes.

I wonder if other people ever have this dilemna.

Actually it must be worse for non altaholics since they only can fit two skills on their character, and maybe an alt or two they enjoy.

Allways remember...

2008-08-04T09:55:00.000-04:00

To restock up on food/water.

To buy a couple potions and reagents.

The cost of potions at lower levels might cost more then the repair bills if you die, but the amount of time you save is invaluable.

If you find yourself dying more then twice on a single quest, take a breath, stop, relax, try moving onto a different area, doing those quests and come back.

Database sites are your friends, its good to train every level but depending on your class and spec, there are some levels that you can wait to head back to town.

My charcters on Kael'thas

2008-08-03T23:27:00.001-04:00

Lets see I have.

Ravenya - My first 60 as well as my first 70. A former bear druid, recent convert to moonkin.
Cadell - My angry little welshman. Cadell is my great white hunter. All his pets are dwarven in flavor and white.
Facet - My level 70 Draenei Shaman. Jeweler and Gemcutter. Elementalist and hater of nagrand.
Durant - My Human Warrior.
Jaderose - Tech savvey warlock
Fyer - My first character and my most ahted, she recently dinged 48, but I find mage levleing to be painful.
Radere - My new shaman going enahncement.
Sanguinas - Blood elf paladin. My first paladin to get past level 25.
Reprieve - My priest, she ahs been rerolled at least 10 times. Currently a level 20something draenei.
Lishanya - My ultimate treasure hunter, dwarven rogue tracker of herbs ore and treasure.
Truefist - My "fistweapons hunter". Dont ask.
Skyclaw - A new feral druid. Hopefully one day will replace Ravenyas spot as my favorite character.

Revanstalker

2008-08-03T23:24:00.000-04:00

To go with the new blog, I also started a brand new character "Revanstalker" a green skinned green haired troll hunter.

This character was made for a few different reasons, mostly because I love the troll bow animations, and I have a friend who plays mostly horde type characters.

Heres to hoping I eventually get him up high enough for a pet. Heh.

The start of something new...

2008-08-03T23:21:00.000-04:00

So...my name is Wren, and I am an altaholic.

For those who dont know what that is, I shall try and pass it on in the simplest way I can.

I love leveling, trying different character types, and specs. I love doing things odd and different purely because I can. I like to set up little "concept" characters and to play any character at any time for any reason. Unlike most, I rarely have a"Main" for long. I don't have the time nor the patience to raid or pvp. I enjoy leveling, and this...is my diary.

The Diary of a Man addicted to leveling.

2008-08-03T12:07:00.000-04:00