The Death Realm Could use Some Improvement.

I think the Death Realm would be less off-putting to players if one could be more productive while there. Having things to do there might help to encourage longer stays and would at least give people a reason to park their characters there. More role playing props and space to move around would be an improvement.

My point of view is from both a role playing perspective and a gaming perspective. It is my opinion that the death realm as it currently is, does little to promote either area of interest. Rather than just complaining about it, I would like to point out the problems that I see and provide what I think are possible constructive solutions.

What is good about it.

I like the dark and gritty feel that it has. It is a terrific place for dark, nasty RP that might not look right against a bright, sunny backdrop. Also, from a training/grinding perspective, you can die and come back immediately without penalty. Settings wise, there is a good bit of mystery to the death realm if you read the books. Visually, there are things that leave you wondering - like the huge skeleton and the citadel. This is great, visually.

What it lacks.

It feels barren and desolate. I get the death and loneliness angle, but I think the emptiness is off putting rather than haunting. Also, it does not look like there is room for habitation. Where do the people who live there stay? Why is there no evidence of this?

From a gaming perspective, it lacks things to do. You can train down there to a very limited degree, but once you run out of resources ( mana, potions, whatever ), you need to return to the upper level to get these things.

Also as far as space and mobility goes, it feels like you are on a long, winding track rather than on a plane. In many areas, you can only got forward and backward. It lacks width if that makes any sense. If feels like you are on a track or a roller coaster for the most part.

Things that I think would make it better:

To make permanent or long term stays in the DR plausible:

* A way to quickly replenish mana and hit points.
* More mobs to train against. ( diverse mobs with a full spectrum of difficulty)
* A place to craft and a source of resources

To make role play more interesting:

* Places to hide
* Jails and cages
* Usable devices for torture and restraint.
* Devices or places designed for rituals, sacrifices, and so on
* Kitchens with meat grinders and other morbid devices.
* Perhaps some way of communicating with those above - some sort of magical device for contacting the living and dead ( perhaps at the cost of one's health or something )

Just food for thought.

So... the votes are coming in a little at a time. The polls say no, but only time will tell. So what does the potential breakup of Scotland from the rest of the UK mean to you? Do you have preference as to where this goes? Any insights into what the implications will be?

Sound off

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/sep/18/-sp-scottish-independence-referendum-results-in-full

So here's a fun question that's kind a simple at face value, but gets a little more tricky as you dig into it.

What are you, exactly?

If you cut off an arm or a leg, you are still you.

If you could cut off everything from the stomach down and your arms, nose and ears, you would still be you, right? If so, then you are not these parts.

If with the aid of advanced life support equipment, you could cut off everything from the neck down and still live, you would still be you, right? There would be no loss of self...

And if someone else could have their head attached to your now headless body, they would still be themselves.. they would not be you. Right?

I wish for a grappling hook.

This item would be fired like a bow, and if it connects to the target, it would drag the user up to wherever it connects. The user would then need to perform a mounting manuver that enables them to stand on the nearest flat surface.

The item should be available via quest and should not require a mount to obtain.

An example of use:

1. Fire at top of cliff, statue, or tower to get on top.

2. Fire at side of wall to scale it. Once pulled up to the hook, you would need to lower yourself or climb from there.

3. Use it to safely lower yourself down the side of the winch or bronze doors cliffs to explore the chasm below or pick plants that grow on verticle surfaces. (spelunking)

4 Fire at npc or player to pull them to you - or you to them if they are more massive than you.

A Skill level could determine your chances of success, the distance at which you can connect, and your ability to move from the hook to a mountable surface.

 

There should be a meme for this photo!
(Either the whole photo or just the funny looking woman on the right. )

Any thoughts?



Original link ( Just in case they don't allow cross linking )
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/13/1392320975024/095c8705-318b-43c6-bea7-99aa4bdc56f3-460x276.jpeg

I found this by accident while searching for information about the literal use of the phrase "Here be dragons" on ancient maps. Anyways... its good stuff...

http://herebedragonsmovie.com/

Has anybody seen this show?

Anyone?

In all seriousness, I remember seeing very early episodes of this playing on the TV when I was a kid - back in the 70's. I liked some of the episodes, but others, I just didn't get at the time. I never really followed it seriously.

Fast forward about 3 to 4 decades. So I'm talking to my son and out of nowhere he starts talking to me about a TARDIS. I was like, "What the hell? Flashback!" He continues explaining to me about how its bigger on the inside than the outside, blah blah blah. I said yes, I know - It's used for traveling though time and space. He was shocked that I knew this and vice versa.

Anyway... I've taken a new interest in this show and have started watching the episodes from 2005 (Ninth Doctor). Is anyone else interested in this?

Try this.

Pick a city or place, any city, any place. You have five seconds to make your choice.

Read the questions below when done.





1. Why did you pick this place?
2. How many other places came to mind before you chose this particular one?
3. How many places do you know of in total? Ten or more? Twenty? Hundreds?
4. Of all the cities that DID NOT COME TO MIND when I asked you to pick one, where you FREE to pick one of these cities?
5. Would you agree that your choices and ideas are limited to those that pop into your head?
6. Why did that handful of places pop into your head? Do you know where they came from or exactly why they popped in there?