Mathias

I've built up a tolerance for my children. Can't be too much of a difference.

I wouldn't, but I'm not into getting the latest and greatest anime. I'm bumming off Sledgstone for borrowed shows.

Might have to rent that one.

I think we'll let your scores degrade until a day before you get back on and then you'll be whomped by our impressive skills.

Like I know. Sledgstone will answer later.

He he he. You're so cute when you're angry.

Keep posting! The arcade kicks in after 15 posts, or Sledgstone decides to grant you mercy.

Don't rush things luke6104. Make some posts, get comfortable in some of the topics, and after a few hundred posts, I'm sure Sledgstone might consider you. Post some links to a few of the skins you've made, so we can get an idea of your oh so impressive skills. I for one became a moderator within three months. If you check out the Roleplaying section you'll see why. Of course, giving my BROTHER a few virtual noogies from Ohio to New York helped as well.

Make more posts and then you can!

What do you mean the Cobra leader was actually a mutated snake man? Oh, they'll screw it up into a friggin B movie that'll appear on our worst movies ever thread.

I love you too Kelene! You know, I'm living the American dream. I have a wonderful wife and I'm doing the baby sitter without regret! X'D

Thanks for the signature! Kelene loves it!

Rubber, <snort>, ha ha ha X'D

Good one! X'D

Half the site has question marks and weird characters. I'm assuming I don't have the Japanese language files, or it would come up right. Oh well, the mechs still look sweet.

I read somewhere that the universe is actually looks like a giant brain. If so, I bet that void could be where the spinal chord could form, or we're looking out through the unformed nose.

Hey Sledgstone, anyway you or Ladywriter can put together a little Fruits Basket signature featuring Tohru Honda, Kyo Sohma, and Yuki Sohma for my little lady Kelene? Perhaps one of the scenes where they were walking together down the street. Let me know! You can move this to the signature request page if you want.

The many episodes of just talking with nothing being done or time killer episodes just bore me out of the series. The predictability of it all was very annoying as well. The whole main guy turns good guy has been run into the ground since the anime debuted as well.

That sounds COOL! Okay, someone had to say it.

<looks around each corner> Now I'm afraid to look around each corner in fear of a femme fatal who will come after me for my ... passwords. Of course, I have the ultimate armor in the world, my wife. She'd kick the ass of anyone who'd come after me!

I'm enthralled by the story. I can't wait to read the next post! Curious, Dana/Jones isn't just a computer hacker, it sounds like she's a pretty good profiler to boot!

Interesting. What is a Crye? I'll read the Ridge post to see if you explained it there.

I try to write fight scenes like R.A. Salvatore, though mine are lacking in comparison. Read the Drizzt books to get a since of his fighting style. He doesn't detail every single motion, just enough for your mind to fill in the gaps which works wonders.

Welcome.

The concept of fight scenes for roleplaying and stories are the same. Apply the five parts of a story to your fight scene. 1. ExpositionIntroduce the characters and establish who is fighting, whether it's the main characters, supporting cast, or extras. Describe their parts in appropriate detail, such as the main character has two paragraphs, supporting cast has one paragraph, and extras have one sentence. Not exact, but you get the idea. 1. Example "So which one of you is the assassin sent by the debt collectors? Am I fighting you or him?" asked the handsome, blond haired Duke Morrow in his shining chainmail armor. The two comely guards standing on the balcony put their hands up defensively. The first guard in his dull red tunic responded. "Debt collectors, sir? I thought this was just another Torrel plot to take over our kingdom. Sorry sir, we're just extras who fight in the background." The duke looked puzzled for a moment, his chin wrinkling as a result. "Then why did you speak with me? You're not supposed to have any lines. Hell, you two don't even have names." "I'm sorry sir, I forgot my place." Responded the nameless guard who lowered his unadorned head in shame. "Now that's better." The duke nodded in satisfaction, his helmet glittering off the setting sun. "Hey now, don't I get a say in this?" The other guard, who Duke Morrow had already forgotten about, asked indignantly. "No!" Shouted the duke and the black-clad assassin sneaking up on the duke from behind. The all too ordinary common guard in a dull red tunic was quickly hushed by the noble and the mysterious assailant. 2. Complication Is everything as it seems? Why did this fight start in the first place? There has to be reason for everything that can be justified in the eyes of the reader. If they can't justify the fight, why are they going to even care. The complication is usually the start of the fight, or the leading cause of it. If you're forcing the fight where their shouldn't be one, the reader will pick up on this and grow bored or annoyed. The complication, though this may sound contrary, should not be complicated. Keep it simple stupid, or the reader won't be able to or possibly care to continue. Of course, you can't stop reading this article, because you've already fallen under my spell. Your interested in what will happen next. 2. Example The guard nodded his head, motioning to the midnight black assassin crouching silently as he closed the gap to the duke. "Perhaps you should look for someone with a bit more color, or at least has a better description than us." The first guard opined. "Now what did I just finish telling what's his name over there? Weren't you listening?" The guard made to speak again, but the man's throat suddenly exploded in a burst of crimson. The second guard fell shortly after. He too had a dagger now lodged in his neck. The assassin walked up to stand next to Duke Morrow. "Seriously, do you let all of your extras get this much attention in your stories?" The assassin folded his midnight leather gloved arms across his chest in frustration. "If so, I'm outta here now." "Actually, only the second guard was an extra. The first guard was more like a supporting character with his contribution to the story, " The first guard managed to mouth a silent "thank you, sir," before passing out. "but ... hey, aren't we supposed to be fighting?" "I suppose we should, I've been paid an awful lot to be here, so I might as well do the deed. En guarde, il Duke." 3. Rising Action Any good fight isn't over in a single round. Sorry Tyson. Most fights are not one sided. If they were, people would get bored. Describe the scene with vigor and importance. Use the environment to add complication and creativity. Pump up the importance, details, and creativity as you edge towards the climax of the fight. The fight is about to go one way or another, but what caused it? Was it the cut over the eye that has disadvantaged the opponent, or the kick in the ribs that knocked the air out of him. The fight is raging harder and faster, and though the action is moving faster, you can't skim over the details just because you are eager to reach the climax. Describe the anticipation of the next stroke, the surprise in his eyes, the fear of the inevitable. 3. Example "You know, you don't have to kill me." Duke Morrow announced with trepidation after parrying another dagger thrust. The onslaught of slashes and thrusts kept the duke on defense. Though the assassin only wielded a dagger, the ferocity of his own attacks had left him open to the agile man who already scored several wounds on him. He heard his guards now banging on the barred door. All he had to do now was buy some time for them to break in. "Why's that?" The assassin asked, not really caring for an answer. His mind was focused on the battle as he looked for possible attacks of opportunity. "I'll pay you double what you're getting for you not kill me. See, now you don't have to do it." The duke was bluffing of course. His magistrate had already stolen away his money and estate. He assumed his attacker was hired by one of the many debt collectors he now could not afford to pay. "Sure I do, you see that's how things work in the real world. People work for money. I have kids to feed and a lovely wife to care for." The assassin stepped back briefly, wiping away what the duke could only assume was a tear. "Truly?" The duke let his guard down momentarily, his longsword held loosely at his hip. "Na, I'm just pullin' your leg guvner, so you'd make a mistake." A dagger seemingly appeared in the assassin's left hand. Moments later the green-tinged blade sprouted from the duke's abdomen. "Just like that." The duke fell backwards a few steps before collapsing to one knee. He was stunned by the stomach wound, but more so to his pride in falling for such an obvious ploy. "Damn you! Have you no honor?" "Nope." 4. Climax It finally happens. This is the turning point in the fight where everything has been decided. You may have lead the audience to a false climax, only to have the defeated turn the loss into a victory at the last moment. This scene should have the most action and intensity. Don't hold back. Keep the reader's in suspense and on their tippy toes. Describe the flare of emotions as the inevitable smacks them across the face in pure shock. Remember, adjectives are a writer's best friend. 4. Example "Ah ha, I have defeated you monsieur." The assassin turned his back to the duke and walked to the outside balcony with arrogant confidence, stepping over the fallen guards in the process. He turned around briefly to offer a slight bow with an elegant flourish of his cape. "The Torrels bid you farewell, oh great duke. They have grand plans for your people." "The Torrels?" Duke Morrow coughed up blood, but more importantly at the moment he pondered the implications. The Torrels were no simple debt collectors. They were nobles of their neighboring nation the magistrate reportedly escaped to. "It all makes sense now." "Oh does it now? Do you want to take a stab at it?" The assassin crossed his arms again, curious to see if the duke figured it out. "Yes, the Torrels wanted my land, so they bribed my magistrate to transfer my money to their coffers." The duke struggled to stand on both legs. "The merchant's of my fine town found that my debts couldn't be paid. The Torrels just happened to have cash on hand, and in exchange for compensation they would support a secession of this kingdom to the Torrels." The duke wobbled slowly towards the assassin who backed up to the edge of the balcony. "Finally, the only one who could stop it all from happening was the ruler of the kingdom, Duke Morrow, me." The duke stopped five feet away from the man. The assassin clapped heartily, unabashed in his praise. "Well done Duke Morrow, ruler of this fine kingdom. Sadly, your brilliant mind has solved the puzzle too late. You see, the poison on that dagger there," he pointed to the duke's abdomen, "will soon run its course. When that happens your heart will fail and all shall come to pass as you have surmised. Your precious guards will break down the door just in time to find you dead." He laughed haughtily. The duke wiped the blood from his lips and pulled the dagger out of his abdomen with a painful jerk. The assassin readied himself to jump over the balcony. "There is one thing you have forgotten." "What is that, your lordship?" The assassin sneered. "The first guard was actually a supporting character." The assassin's face blanched as he found that the first guard was not quite dead. The seemingly dead man's grip was sound enough to hold the assassin in place. The guard smiled defiantly. "You can't kill me, I'm a main character." The assassin pleaded. "To hell with that, you pompous ass. I've demoted you to Mid-Boss." The duke tossed the dagger at the assassin, hitting him squarely on the forehead with the blunt of the handle. The guard loosened his grip at the point of impact. Though the dagger didn't kill him out right, the fall from the balcony should have done a pretty good job of that. 5. Resolution Bring the fight to a close, toning down the adjectives in the process. The fight is pretty much over at this point, or coming to an end. Though the fight may be over, our job isn't. Everybody wants to know what happens afterward. Whether they all live happily ever after, or in this more limited fashion, what happens after the fight. 5. Example The barred doors burst open as a multitude of guards rush in to secure the room. The duke falls to the ground, spent from his last endeavor. A female cleric rushed to his aid. "Don't worry, my Duke Morrow. I'll take care of you." He heard her say as his eyes darkened. "Poison." Duke Morrow whispered before the world went dark. The next day, the duke was ushered back into the light. "What happened?" He said as he tried to sit up. His head immediately started to swim without his permission. The nurse gently laid him back down. "You have been healed sire. It is a good thing you mentioned the poison, or I might have noticed it too late. You will be up on your feet in no time." "What about the assassin?" The duke asked, taking comfort in the nurse's care. "He must have escaped, because the guards couldn't find him." A familiar voice answered, though it sounded strained and came with no little effort. "Dammit. They always seem to get away, don't they?" The duke regaled. He paused for what seemed like minutes. "Who said that, do I know you?" The duke questioned. "I'm the guard from last night sir." The guard replied. "Oh yes. It was Ronny, right?" The duke assumed. "Ronny what?" The bewildered guard, Ronny, asked. "Your name, good man." Duke Morrow reaffirmed. "Actually, it's Serral, sir." Ronny corrected. "What happened to the other guy?" The duke wondered. "The other guard in the red shirt. That was..." Ronny started to say when he was interrupted by the duke. "Yeah, yeah, him. What happened?" "Oh, he died, sir." The duke looked over at the guard, now wearing the bright blue and gold garments of the medical ward. "You know Ronny, you look better in blue." "Thank you, but my names Serral, sir." Ronny pleaded. "Whatever, Ronny." Duke Morrow waved him off before drifting off to sleep. "Whatever."