Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dreams
Perhaps all of us will one day find our location and path in the myriad of time.
Meanwhile, all we can do:
Wait and walk the path set by life.
Posted by Denunciator at 5:24 PM
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Genuflection
R&R plix.
Posted by Denunciator at 9:26 AM
Friday, May 22, 2009
Is MSEA any different from Maple Korea?
Patcher Notice for Version 072
Dear Maplers,
The upcoming patch 0.72 includes:
EPISODE 2 (PART 1)
Episode 2 Launch Events
A series of surprises await you as MapleSEA Episode 2 unfolds on the 20th May 2009. Check out what we have in store for you:
MapleSEA Episode 2 login page now sports a new look!
2x EXP events running from the 22nd May to 28th June 2009 on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check www.MapleSEA.com for more details.
Sales event running for a month from 20th May till 19th June 2009. Each week, all items under a specific tab will be sold at a discounted price of 20%. Stay tuned to our updates to make sure you don’t miss out any of the good deals!
Dual Language Game Client
Chinese language is now available in MapleSEA in the newly launched Gemini world.
Gemini World
A brand new world starting with 15 new channels is launched in MapleSEA. The Gemini world provides more room for adventures in Chinese language! In celebration of the launch of Gemini world, 2x EXP events will be held 24 hours from 20th to 31st May 2009. An even better news is, it will become a 4x EXP event when it is overlapped with the 2x EXP event for MapleSEA Episode 2 launch!
Knights of Cygnus (Preview)
Preview the Knight of Cygnus in-game trailer and quests before the actual launch coming real SOON!
Family System
With this new system, you can guide the young adventurers around Maple World. Invite them to join your family as a Junior so that you, an Senior, can share your hard-earned knowledge with them. Skilled and well-trained Juniors will increase your reputation and bring you various Privileges of the Famous Adventures, which include EXP and Drop Rate boosts! Seek out Leader Al at Lith Harbor for more information.
Timeless Temple & Pink Bean
Let Corba transform you into a dragon so that you may cut through vicious winds to reach the Temple of Time, a mysterious temple in the sky. However, beware! It is whispered that within the temple dwells the strongest monster in Maple World, one that has yet to be defeated. Enter at your own risk…
Elin Forest & PQ
Elin Forest is the last place in Maple World where prehistoric monsters roam, accessible only by the Time Control Room in Helios tower. Yet, a Black Magician is trying to poison the forest! It is now up to you to stop him. (Hint: You will need at least a party of four!)
Maker Skill
Now all Maplers above level 45 will get a new skill! Simply visit Moren in Magatia town to learn the Item Maker skill after completing a quest. This skill enables Maplers to create equipment and is leveled up by completing quests instead of the regular SP. Stimulators can be used with the Maker skill to create better items, but there is always a 10% chance of failure.
Mu Lung Training Center
Only by surviving the Kung Fu Panda Master’s challenge, will you earn the title of a master! Prove yourself by taking up the challenge from Mu Gong, the Kung Fu master from Mu Lung Training Center and achieve different colored martial belts to signify your grade. You can reach the training center at any one of these locations: Mu Lung, Ellinia, Kerning City and Orbis town.
Free Pet Snail Roonie
Get the free pet, Snail Roonie when you complete a quest at level 15! This pet comes with free accessories that not only help you loot monster drops, but also recover your HP and MP. Just remember to free 6 slots in your inventory (1 Pet slot)for the pet and its accessories (5 Equip slots) and your pet will take care of the rest! Unfortunately, nothing lives forever and the same goes for Snail Roonie. So use Pet Roonie wisely.
Monster Book
Getting panicky from the information overload in Maple World? Now, there’s the Monster Book encyclopedia containing information of mob drops, monster location and various stats to help you. The best news is you will be granted a buff for each card collected (capped at the first 5 cards).
Title System
Daleer, the Priest of Honour, is here in Lith Harbor to reward medals for various achievements in Maple World! Once a medal is awarded to you, you will receive a title under your character’s name. Titles like The Legendary Hunter and Donation King are renewed every month.
Horned Tail
Dragon Stone can be acquired repetitively by completing the quest for “What Horned Tail left…”.
It can be used only once per each Horned Tail necklace.
When the members are remaining in the previous map, you cannot proceed on to the next map.
During the stage 1 and 2 in the Horned Tail cave, you cannot proceed to the next map without attacking the monster.
Mini Dungeon
Mini Dungeons’ time limit is extended to 2 hours.
Channel Transfer and Cash Shop entry are available from Mini Dungeons.
Monster riding is available in Mini Dungeons.
No more running into other users in the Mini Dungeons.
Mini Dungeons locations are now added in the World Map.
New EXP Table
With the new EXP table implemented, you can now level up more easily with about 70% to 80% of the effort you used to put it.
4th Anniversary Event
Maple Anniversary Drops!: Monsters all over Maple World will be dropping 1st and 2nd anniversary Maple weapons, Maple Hats, and Maple Shields. Monsters will also be dropping Maple Leaves and Sunshines for all the exciting 4th anniversary quests and events, so be sure to grab those drops to exchange them for special items!
Upgrade Your Weapons!: Go to the Maple Admin NPC to exchange your old 1st and 2nd anniversary weapons and 1,500 to 2,000 Maple Leaves for a 4th anniversary weapon, Maple Hat, Maple Shield, or Maple Earrings!
4th Anniversary Scrolls: If you have 1,500 Maple Leaves, you’ll be able to acquire a scroll from any Maple Admin NPC that’s exclusive to the 4th anniversary weapons!
Here is a list of the scrolls you can get: Scroll for Ear Accessory for INT Scroll for Shield for DEF
Scroll for One-handed Sword for ATT Scroll for One-handed Axe for ATT
Scroll for One-handed BW for ATT Scroll for Dagger for ATT
Scroll for Wand for Magic ATT Scroll for Staff for Magic ATT
Scroll for Two-handed Sword for ATT Scroll for Two-handed Axe for ATT
Scroll for Two-handed BW for ATT Scroll for Spear for ATT
Scroll for Pole Arm for ATT Scroll for Bow for ATT
Scroll for Crossbow for ATT Scroll for Claw for ATT
Tiank Monster Card – Take the chance to exchange Maple Leaves with Tiank to get rare monster cards for your Monster Book collection. Go speak to Tiank from the Lith Harbor.
4th Anniversary Level-up Event – Receive Maple Leaves every time you level up! All you have to do is click on the light bulb icon that appears above your head after leveling up, and you will receive Maple Leaves from the Maple Administrator automatically.
4 Candles
4th Anniversary Celebration Cake
Maple Leaf in between the lips…
Making Maple Syrup
Cassandra’s New Information
The material of the Mysterious Fabric
Francois’ Latest Work
MapleSEA Speed Quiz – Cassandra has prepared a special quiz for you to find out how well you know MapleStory. Answer the names of the NPCs and monsters correctly and be rewarded with EXP and Maple Leaves.
Disappeared Mysterious Fabric
Mending the Maple Cape
Alcaster’s Advice
Party Quest
Party Quest category is added in the quest window. It is available when you reaches 5 levels lower than the actual level required for PQ.
Moon Rabbit PQ is revised. Bring the remaining Rice Cakes to NPC Tory in the Short Cut map. Once Tory has accepted an enough amount of Rice Cakes, he will reward you with a Rice Cake Hat.
New reward additions are included in the Ludibrium and Orbis Party Quest.
Map
The Forest of Patience map can only be entered once per day.
The Deep Forest of Patience map can only be entered once per day.
You can search for the Treasure Chest in Subway Area once per day.
The Delivery System is not available in Zakum’s Altar, Horned Tail Cave and Pink Bean map.
Skill
Common Skill for all classes edited
Warrior Awakening skill can be leveled up to level 5.
Maple Warrior master level increased to level 30.
Warrior job skills revised
Warrior skill “Power Strike” initial damage has been increased to 165%. Damage after mastering remains the same.
Warrior skill “Slash Blast” initial damage has been increased to 72%. Damage after mastering remains the same.
Spearman skill “Hyper Body” effective period increased to 300 seconds.
Fighter skill “Rage”, upon mastering, increases attack by 12.
Page skill “Threaten” applies to boss mobs. Effective period increased up to 120.
White Knight skills “Blizzard Charge” and “Ice Charge” damage increased to 110% upon mastering.
Paladin skill “Blast” attack range increased
Paladin skill “Sanctuary” cooling time decreased to 20 seconds.
Hero skill “Enrage” cooling time decreased to 6 minutes.
Dark Knight skill “Berserk” HP use limit changed to 50% upon mastering.
Mage job skills revised
Mage (Fire/Poison) and Mage (Ice/Lightning) Skill “Elemental Amplification” attack increased to 140%
4th job magician skill “Big Bang” charge time decreased to 1 second.
Ice/Lightning Arch Mage Skill “Chain Lightning” extra damage increased.
Bowman job skills revised
Hunter, Crossbow Man short distance attack range decreased.
Hunter, Crossbow Man short distance attack damage increased.
Ranger, Sniper skill “Strafe” initial damage increased to 71%. Damage after mastering remains the same.
Bowmaster skill “Concentration” effective period increased to 240 seconds.
Marksman skill “Piercing Arrow” charge time decreased to 1 second.
Marksman skill “Snipe” cooling time decreased to 5 seconds based on mastered skill.
Hunter skill “Arrow Bomb” damage until initial mob attack increased.
Thief job skills revised
Chief Bandit skill “Band of Thieves” attack range increased.
Chief Bandit skill “Assaulter” moving range increased.
Chief Bandit skill “Pickpocket” calculations revised.
Night Lord skill “Ninja Ambush” range increased.
Shadower skill “Boomerang Stab”; delay after using this skill decreased.
Pirate job skills revised
Outlaw skill “Flamethrower” and “Ice Splitter” attack range increased.
Viper skill “Dragon Strike”; delay after using this skill decreased.
Viper skill “Barrage”; delay after using this skill decreased.
Viper skill “Energy Blast”; delay after using this skill decreased.
Captain skill “Rapid Fire” damage increased to 170% based on master level.
Captain skill “Battleship”; when battleship is disabled, waiting time is changed to 90 seconds for all to ride again.
While using Viper skill “Transformation”, can use all skills except for “Oak Barrel,” “Double Fire,” “Demolition” and “Snatch”.
While using Viper skill “Super Transformation,” can use all skills except “Oak Barrel” and “Double Fire”.
Viper skill “Energy Orb”, extra damage added.
Inventory
Click the “Fold Inventory” button on the top right of the inventory window to view all the available slots in a glance. Clicking the same button again will unfold and close the expanded window view.
The inventory slots (Eqp, Use, Etc) can be expanded in the Cash Shop. (Cash, Ins are not available)
Clicking the “Expand Inventory” button in the Item Inventory window will bring you to the Cash Shop for slot expansion.
Slots in the Storage can also be expanded in the Cash Shop.
Tutorial
Deciding stats when creating a character by rolling dice is removed.
All characters will be given the same stats to start out with.
Beginner’s skill “Three Snails” does not require snail shells.
Auto distribute function is added in the Character Stat window. Remaining AP (Ability Points) will be automatically distributed suitable for job & level upon clicking the button.
An “Occupation recommend” quest is available when you reach level 8. You can still choose your preferred job if you do not like the job recommended by the Maple Administrator.
If you choose the recommended job, you can move to the job town directly instead of taking the ship from South Perry.
The required stat for 1st Job advancement has been removed. All newly-created characters will start up with the same stats.
You can still choose your preferred job regardless of the current stat.
Stats will be automatically re-distributed when making the 1st job advancement.
Recommended skill will be marked in skill window for the 1st jobs.
Party
The function for Finding Party is added in HotKey [O] button.
Search party among all users in the same map without additional registration.
Function to refuse party search is added in the game option.
Wedding
Propose ring can now be purchased with Mesos at NPC Alegro in the wedding village. Unnecessary propose ring can be sold back to NPC Alegro.
Item
The drop rate of the “Piece of Time” has been adjusted higher.
Drop item option is increased:
Master Monsters will drop better items compared to regular monsters.
Boss mob will drop better items than Master Monsters.
Quest
Quest system interface is revised. Chain quest will be shown with different icon, and the order of the chain quest will be available in the quest window.
Click the “Find NPC” button under the Available tab in quest log to see the location of the quest start NPC.
Button key [Q] is added in the quest alarm window [L] to open the quest window.
When you register a new available quest, [Q] will blink.
Buddy Window
Buddy Window interface has been revised. You can have a maximum of 100 buddies and categorize them into different groups.
Etc
Fee for meso trade and item sale in the Free Market has been downgraded.
Monster
Monster level will be shown on the left side of its name.
Monsters in Victoria Island are re-located.
Legendary Hair Coupons
Released in Henesys, Ludibrium, Singapore CBD, Malaysia and Leafre near the beauty shops.
EPISODE 2 (PART 2)
Knights of Cygnus
For the first time outside Korea, you get to be part of the Knights of Cygnus legend! Releasing in early June, the Knights of Cygnus transformation will be available to all players with at least one level 20 character. Prep yourself for the Legend is coming…
Item
New Equip items are added. Up to level 110 items will be dropped by monsters, and items over level 110 will be included in Gachapon.
:o
Posted by Denunciator at 8:05 PM
Memories of nobody
Today happens to be the last day of Week 9, 3 days before the IHE Exam. Before anything, I'm sure I've pissed a lot of people off by talking incessantly about the Gamefest that's being held at Suntec this weekend.
Click here to find out more.It's just... MapleStory was honestly the 1st MMO I've ever played in my life, and it's really a shocking experience to see that it's gone so far under the stead of the newest developments.
Okay, so on with my opinions on something else. A rhetoric question: would it be right to occupy the aisle seat, leaving the inside seat blank, when the people are standing together like sardines in a tin? I was really pissed off, not for myself, but rather for the old man standing behind me: although he wasn't really "old" per se, he was still a senior citizen, and he looked weary, barely able to keep his balance holding the plastic bags of groceries. Should the woman have just moved aside, or even INSIDE, to let him take a seat, instead of sleeping? It's not asking her to GIVE UP her seat.
Really, people have got to be considerate.
That concludes my post for now. And now, to experience MapleStory Episode 2.
Posted by Denunciator at 7:12 PM
Thursday, May 14, 2009
15th birthday.
You'll never guess what I wished for.
Posted by Denunciator at 9:37 PM
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
12th May, 2009
1st day of school. Pretty much uneventful.
I've finished 1/2 of my math: up till trigo functions. Seriously too damn tired.
Posted by Denunciator at 8:02 PM
Monday, May 11, 2009
Death
There are ten reasons why people die.
Loneliness.
Time.
Sacrifice.
Nihilism.
Despair.
Destruction.
Intoxication.
Madness.
Greed.
Rage.
Why?
Posted by Denunciator at 8:50 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009
THE ANIME LAWS OF PHYSICS
#1 - Law of Metaphysical Irregularity
The normal laws of physics do not apply.
#2 - Law of Differentiated Gravitation
Whenever someone or something jumps, is thrown, or otherwise is rendered airborne, gravity is reduced by a factor of 4.
#3 - Law of Sonic Amplification, First Law of Anime Acoustics
In space, loud sounds, like explosions, are even louder because there is no air to get in the way.
#4 - Law of Constant Thrust, First Law of Anime Motion
In space, constant thrust equals constant velocity.
#5 - Law of Mechanical Mobility, Second Law of Anime Motion
The larger a mechanical device is, the faster it moves. Armored Mecha are the fastest objects known to human science.
#6 - Law of Temporal Variability
Time is not a constant. Time stops for the hero whenever he does something 'cool' or 'impressive'. Time slows down when friends and lovers are being killed and speeds up whenever there is a fight.
#7 - First Law of Temporal Mortality
'Good Guys' and 'Bad Guys' both die in one of two ways - either so quick they don't even see it coming, OR it's a long drawn out affair where the character gains much insight to the workings of society, human existence or why the toast always lands butter side down.
#8 - Second Law of Temporal Mortality
It takes some time for bad guys to die... regardless of physical damage. Even when the 'Bad Guys' are killed so quickly they didn't even see it coming, it takes them a while to realize they are dead. This is attributed to the belief that being evil damages the Reality Lobe of the brain.
#9 - Law of Dramatic Emphasis
Scenes involving extreme amounts of action are depicted with either still frames or black screens with a slash of bright color (usually red or white).
#10 - Law of Dramatic Multiplicity
Scenes that only happen once, for instance, a 'Good Guy' kicks the 'Bad Guy' in the face, are seen at least 3 times from 3 different angles.
#11 - Law of Inherent Combustibility
Everything explodes. Everything.
First Corollary -
Anything that explodes bulges first. Second Corollary -
Large cities are the most explosive substances known to human science. Tokyo in particular seems to be the most unstable of these cities, sometimes referred to as "The Matchstick City".
#12 - Law of Phlogistatic Emission
Nearly all things emit light from fatal wounds.
#13 - Law of Energetic Emission
There is always an energy build up (commonly referred to as an energy 'bulge') before Mecha or space craft weapons fire. Because of the explosive qualities of weapons, it is believed that this is related to the Law of Inherent Combustibility.
#14 - Law of Inverse Lethal Magnitude
The destructive potential of any object/organism is inversely proportional to its mass.
First Corollary -
Small and cute will always overcome big and ugly. Also known as the A-Ko phenomenon.
#15 - Law of Inexhaustibility
No one *EVER* runs out of ammunition. That is of course unless they are cornered, out-numbered, out-classed, and unconscious.
#16 - Law of Inverse Accuracy
The accuracy of a 'Good Guy' when operating any form of fire-arm increases as the difficulty of the shot increases. The accuracy of the 'Bad Guys' when operating fire-arms decreases when the difficulty of the shot decreases. (Also known as the Storm trooper Effect) Example: A 'Good Guy' in a drunken stupor being held upside down from a moving vehicle will always hit, and several battalions of 'Bad Guys' firing on a 'Good Guy' standing alone in the middle of an open field will always miss.
First Corollary -
The more 'Bad Guys' there are, the less likely they will hit anyone or do any real damage. Second Corollary -
Whenever a 'Good Guy' is faced with insurmountable odds, the 'Bad Guys' line up in neat rows, allowing the hero to take them all out with a single burst of automatic fire and then escape. Third Corollary -
Whenever a 'Good Guy' is actually hit by enemy fire, it is in a designated 'Good Guy Area', usually a flesh wound in the shoulder or arm, which restricts the 'Good Guy' from doing anything more strenuous than driving, firing weaponry, using melee weapons, operating heavy machinery, or doing complex martial arts maneuvers.
#17 - Law of Transient Romantic Unreliability
Minmei is a bimbo.
#18 - Law of Hemoglobin Capacity
The human body contains over 12 gallons of blood, sometimes more, under high pressure.
#19 - Law of Demonic Consistency
Demons and other supernatural creatures have at least three eyes, loads of fangs, tend to be yellow-green or brown, but black is not unknown, and can only be hurt bladed weapons.
#20 - Law of Militaristic Unreliability
Huge galaxy-wide armadas, entire armies, and large war machines full of cruel, heartless, bloodthirsty warriors can be stopped and defeated with a single insignificant example of a caring/loving emotion or a song.
First Corollary -
(from Adam Barnes)
Whenever a single war machine (mecha, starship, etc.) goes up against an entire army, the army always loses.
#21 - Law of Tactical Unreliability
Tactical geniuses aren't....
#22 - Law of Inconsequential Undetectability
People never notice the little things... like missing body parts, or wounds the size of Seattle.
#23 - Law of Juvenile Intellectuality
Children are smarter than adults. And almost always twice as annoying.
#24 - Law of Americanthropomorphism
Americans in Anime appear in one of two roles, either as a really nasty skinny 'Bad Guy' or a big stupid 'Good Guy'.
First Corollary -
The only people who are more stupid than the big dumb Americans are the American translators. (Sometimes referred to as the Green Line Effect) Second Corollary -
The only people who are more stupid than the American translators are the American editors and censors.
#25 - Law of Mandibular Proportionality
(from A. Hicks, Tom Williams, and Ben Leinweber)
The size of a person's mouth is directly proportional to the volume at which they are speaking or eating.
#26 - Law of Feline Mutation
(from A. Hicks)
Any half-cat/half-human mutation will invariably:
1) be female
2) will possess ears and sometimes a tail as a genetic mutation
3) wear as little clothing as possible, if any
#27 - Law of Conservation of Firepower
(from Tom Williams)
Any powerful weapon capable of destroying/defeating an opponent in a single shot will invariably be reserved and used only as a last resort.
#28 - Law of Technological User-Benevolence
(from Tom Williams)
The formal training required to operate a spaceship or mecha is inversely proportional to its complexity.
#29 - Law of Melee Luminescence
(from Tom Williams)
Any being displaying extremely high levels of martial arts prowess and/or violent emotions emits light in the form of a glowing aura. This aura is usually blue for 'good guys' and red for 'bad guys'. This is attributed to Good being higher in the electromagnetic spectrum than Evil.
#30 - Law of Non-Anthropomorphic Antagonism
(from Tom Williams)
All ugly, non-humanoid alien races are hostile, and usually hell-bent on destroying humanity for some obscure reason.
#31 - Law of Follicular Chromatic Variability
(from Spellweaver)
Any color in the visible spectrum is considered a natural hair color. This color can change without warning or explanation.
#32 - Law of Follicular Permanence
Hair in anime is pretty much indestructable, and can resist any amount of meteorological conditions, energy emissions, physical abuse, or explosive effects and still look perfect. The only way to hurt someone's hair is the same way you deal with demons... with bladed weapons!
#33 - Law of Topological Aerodynamics, First Law of Anime Aero-Dynamics
*ANY* shape, no matter how convoluted or odd-looking, is automatically aerodynamic.
#34 - Law of Probable Attire
(from various sources)
Clothing in anime follows certain predictable guidelines.
Female characters wear as little clothing as possible, regardless of whether it is socially or meteorologically appropriate. Any female with an excessive amount of clothing will invariably have her clothes ripped to shreds or torn off somehow. If there is no opportunity to tear off the afore-mentioned female's clothes, then she will inexplicably take a shower for no apparent reason (also known as the Gratuitous Shower Scene).
Whenever there is a headwind, Male characters invariably wear a long cloaks that don't hamper movement and billow out dramatically behind them.
First Corollary (Cryo-Adaptability) -
All anime characters are resistant to extremely cold temperatures, and do not need to wear heavy or warm clothing in snow. Second Corollary (Indecent Invulnerability) -
(from Nyctomania)
Bikinis render the wearer invulnerable to any form of damage.
#35 - Law of Musical Omnipotence
Any character capable of musical talent (singing, playing an instrument, etc.) is automatically capable of doing much more "simple" things, like piloting mecha, fighting crime, stopping an intergalactic war, and so on...especially if they have never attempted these things before.
#36 - Law of Quintupular Agglutination
(from Daniel Mikula)
Also called "The Five-man Rule", when "Good Guys" group together, it tends to be in groups of five. There are five basic positions, which are:
1) The Hero/Leader
2) His Girlfriend
3) His Best Friend/Rival
4) A Hulking Brute
5) A Dwarf/Kid Between these basic positions are distributed several attributes, which include:
1) Extreme Coolness
2) Amazing Intelligence
3) Incredible Irritation
#37 - Law of Extradimensional Capacitance
(from Jason Bustard)
All anime females have an extradimensional storage space of variable volume somewhere on their person from which they can instantly retrieve any object at a moment's notice.
First Corollary (a.k.a. The Hammer Rule) -
(from Ferdinand Pelayo)
The most common item stored is a heavy mallet, which can be used with unerring accuracy on any male who deserves it. Other common items include costumes/uniforms, power suits/armor, and large bazookas.
#38 - Law of Hydrostatic Emission
Eyes tend to be rather large in Anime. This is because they contain several gallons of water, which may be instantaneously released at high pressure through large tear ducts. The actual volume of water contained in the eyes is unknown, as there is no evidence to suggest that these reservoirs are actually capable of running out. The reason water tends to collect in the eyes is because Anime characters only have one large sweat gland, which is located at the back of the head. When extremely stressed, embarrassed, or worried, this sweat gland exudes a single but very large drop of sebaceous fluid.
#39 - Law of Inverse Attraction
Success at finding suitable mates is inversely proportionate to how desperately you want to be successful. The more you want, the less you get, and vice versa.
First Corollary -
Unfortunately, this law seems to apply to Otaku in the real world...
#40 - Law of Nasal Sanguination
(from Ryan Pritchard and Jason Aylen)
When sexually aroused, males in Anime don't get erections, they get nosebleeds. No one's sure why this is, though... the current theory suggests that larger eyes means smaller sinuses and thinner sinus tissue (see Law #38 above). Females don't get nosebleeds, but invariably get one heck of a blush along the cheeks and across the nose, suggesting a lot of bloodflow to that region.
#41 - Law of Xylolaceration
(from Lyndon Harris)
Wooden or bamboo swords are just as sharp as metal swords, if not sharper.
#42 - Law of Juvenile Omnipotence
(from Erin Alia)
Always send a boy to do a man's job. He'll get it done in half the time and twice the angst.
#43 - Law of Triscaquadrodecophobia
There is no Law #43.
#44 - Law of Nominative Clamovocation
(from Luiko-Ysabeth and Adrian Hsiah)
The likelihood of success and damage done by a martial arts attack is directly proportional to the volume at which the full name of the attack is announced.
#45 - Law of Uninteruptable Metamorphosis
(from R. A. Hubby)
Regardless of how long or involved the transformation sequence or how many times they've seen it before, any 'Bad Guys' witnessing a mecha/hero/heroine transforming are too stunned to do anything to interrupt it.
#46 - Law of Flimsy Incognition
(from Conrad Knauer)
Simply changing into a costume or wearing a teensy mask can make you utterly unrecognizable to even your closest friends and relatives.
Copyright by Ryan Shellito and Darrin Bright, who have graciously granted permission to copy, distribute, edit, and add your own laws, so long as you leave all the credits intact.
Posted by Denunciator at 10:16 AM
Confrontation
I can think of no better way to start my new life in Singapore without being depressing. Perhaps it is one of my natural thought or emotional processes, if you could take that as an explanation. Emotion is but the interpretation of your hormonal changes with respect to a matter or person. Taking it at face value, of course, there would be no purpose in feeling anger or any other feeling towards anyone or thing. This is termed "detachment". Detached to life, I may be, but I feel anchored by mortality: the knowledge that one would die at any time.
Perhaps this is why I am more human than anyone I know: I try too hard to feel. Even as I type this, I'm thinking of what emotion to conjure. Should I feel happy? Or sad? Or confused? Even confusion itself would be better than just robotically putting finger to keyboard, just typing out line after line of meaningless text.
As the drums of my life thunder on, pushing me towards the precipice of death, I finally understand: I was not made to be me.
---
Life thus far has been kind to me; I hope it will continue to be kind.
---
There is really no meaning in continuing to read the text laid out below unless you're intent on blowing your brains out reading what you know to be a socially-smote taboo.
---
Monday - UneI always hated Mondays: it implied school. Or was purgatory the right word? The tedium of school life drove into me like a piledriver, driving me to the abyss of sleep - if sleep were described as the inert periods between activity.
The bell tolled in the city square just as the minute hand on my clock shifted infinitesimally, pushing the time to six am. Out the window, I could see the light sifting through the thick cedar trees, bathing my entire bedroom in a warm golden glow. The perfection of the topaz topping my staff showed up even more clearly, light beams diffracting in just the right way to emphasize the different parts of my small bedroom; at the foot of my bed, I had a study table, clean even after the previous night's study. To the right, there was a small floor space, then there was the door; the wall beside it was covered with a bookshelf - all my stuff was on it: weapon, robe, gloves... and books. To a magician, intelligence and knowledge was the most important things. There was a soft crow outside the window; a blue bird was flying towards the newborn sun, its plume shining, outmatching even the glittering sea in beauty. Sighing in content, I allowed myself a couple of minutes of indulgence. I smelt the morning dew, heard the rustling of the grass in the morning breeze, felt the softness of my bed. "Hey, Ben!" The soft tone broke the silence in a melody, reality rising in a crescendo above my lucidity, pulling me towards consciousness. Sitting up, I looked out the window, and an angel smiled back. His eyes stared into mine, the heartbreaking hazel eyes perfecting the expression. Although he was so much more perfect than I was, I felt no jealousy - we were practically brothers, inseparable limbs, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt that relationship.
"Get up, sleepyhead! It's almost seven!" For a moment, I was confused as to why I was awake so early; he was shocked. "You mean... you don't remember...?" Oh crap! For having forgotten about our agreement... "I... I'm sorry!" I felt my heart ache; a tear rolled down my left cheek. Instantly, he had teleported behind me, a cold finger catching my tear. I felt his embrace, saw his right hand on my stomach, his left hand on my cheek. Glancing to the right, I looked at his perfect face - it was a mask of agony, agony that I should cry for that. "It's okay, don't cry..." he murmured, his soft voice singing in my ear. I sighed as he tilted his head slightly, his lips resting against my collarbone. A long moment passed, a frozen moment of perfection, then he abruptly pulled away. "You'd better get dressed," he said, turning and walking out of the door. Immediately, I leapt out of bed to retrieve my robe.
---"
Ten minutes later, we were standing in the courtyard behind the school, ready for another day of magical training. He was again standing behind me, so close that I could feel the coolness radiating from his limbs. His hand brushed against mine, and a piece of paper appeared in it. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I uncrumpled the paper and glanced down. There were just two words: "Ten", and "back". Understanding, I crushed the paper, whispering, "Burning Hand." My hand glowed for a moment, and I unclenched my fist; ashes drifted to the ground. I heard a soft chuckle behind me; I couldn't help but smile as well. "Today, we'll be having a lesson on ice spells. Everyone spread out; leave five feet between each other." The giant courtyard was soon filled with noise and people; somehow, we found our way into a perfect rectangular formation without aid. I suppose in that area we're talented, I smirked internally. "What do we use this much space for?" Someone asked, his voice carrying across the meadow clearly. "Watch."
The sky darkened; icicles fell from the dark clouds, striking the ground with a surprising silence. Where they struck, a field of ice expanded, but it wasn't really a field - just an imaginary circle which froze everything within it. The meadow glittered with whatever little sunlight could stream through the darkness. "It looks kinda like my paradise, sans the lake," his voice murmured. Shocked, I turned; he was standing there. "Aren't you supposed to be five feet away?" I asked through gritted teeth. He grinned. "I don't care." I rolled my eyes. "You somehow have the ability to make me smile even though I'm not in the least bit amused," I said; his face lit up with happiness. "Really?" I nodded, trying to keep my face straight... and failing.
"What's so funny?" The voice was cold, lethal. Instantly, he jumped to my defense. "I was telling him something." The teacher narrowed his eyes. "It would appear you have no need to heed instructions. Demonstrate, then, the spell I have just used." I rolled my eyes. As if that would be a problem... The teacher continued, grinning, "If you can even cast a spell." Everyone laughed. Conversationally, he retorted, "The advantage of being the least liked person in a class is that you tend to practice more. Blizzard." The already overcast sky disappeared entirely, leaving a single gap; the sun shone down on him, lighting the area closest to him. Under his breath, he muttered, "Get out of the way." In the instant I shifted, a freezing spear crashed down, freezing a radius of almost two meters. Everyone gasped. Beams of ice fell down rapidly, glowing like lamps in a dark night... which was what they were. I stepped up behind him. "You didn't tell me," I said, accusingly; he apologized. "Nonetheless, you were amazing," I said, laughing. The teacher was nowhere to be seen - probably went off to hide. "Free period!" a magician said, and everyone dispersed. It was still just past eight in the morning. Again, that perfect piece of eternity.
And again, that shattering melody. "What about now?"
---
The forest was silent as we stepped into it, walking down the rarely-used path. Ancient trees towered over us, muffling the rustling sounds as we stepped on the long-dead leaves. Small beams of sunlight shone through, enough to light the path, but otherwise leaving the forest relatively dim. As we tread down the small path, a serenity that I didn't deserve fell over me, masking my doubts at walking so far into unknown territory. Beside me, he was completely at ease, his arms moving along with his swift steps. I felt clumsy beside his graceful movement, wondering, not for the first time, how he managed to hold himself like this. Although he happened to be one of the least popular people in our class, he was, as far as the girls in the school were concerned, a heart-throb. Probably contributing to his popularity index, I thought, as we walked even further. Around us, light was beginning to fade, the dimness slowly progressing to an oppressing darkness. "How far more?" He shook his head, a slight smile lighting up his face. I felt my breath catch. "Please?" He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Just a little. Hold on, okay?" I bit my lip and stared down at the forest floor, trying not to visualize the unseen canopy and what might be inside.
This was probably why I didn't notice where I was going, until I was knee-deep in cold water. Shocked, I looked around: I was at a lake. Perhaps it would be wrong to call it a lake, for it was hidden deeply in a forest, light barely filtering through. The dimness was not unwelcome, and I felt the throbbing danger fade. Turning, I saw him - he was standing in a patch of light, eyes shut; he looked as if he were bathing in sunlight. Uneasy, I decided what to do next - my robe was wet, but I couldn't possibly take it off; casting a fire spell might end up in disaster. Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, all I could do was wait... And wait I did. It was nearly ten minutes later that he finally sighed and opened his eyes.
"Shall we take a dip?"
Posted by Denunciator at 9:51 AM
Friday, May 8, 2009
Resurrection
As you can see, I'm back. Nothing to post; I'm doing a survey. Perhaps later.
Posted by Denunciator at 9:08 AM