Dave’s Good Stuff

I have a friend out in San Diego that’s been involved in computer gaming for as long, if not longer than I (perhaps even if you count the Pong game back in 1976) and certainly to a far greater degree. His website in college, all full of RPG goodness was one of the first I ever ran across on the web, and it was, coincidentally enough, hosted on KU’s servers mere sectors from my own.

For the last three years, he’s been working (volunteering) with a game developer studio in Vancouver on Sword of the Stars. They’ve bundled up all their releases and patches and everything and are selling it for $30.

These are the same guys that brought us Homeworld, so if you like space strategy games of epic proportions, check it out. It’s a labor of love for my friend, and he really loves knowing that others enjoy the fruits of his labors.

As for me, and to be honest, I’ve not played the game. My hectic schedule just doesn’t allow for much in the way of gaming these days. I’m posting this up here purely for his benefit, and in the hopes that one of the two or three of you, my faithful and loyal visitors, may find yourself wrapped up joyously in the universe they created.

I don’t know what it is, but I like it.

Zamak.fr

Because it’s just too funny… The Rick Astley bit is my favorite.

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life?

Indeed.

I making changes to some of my automatic deductions today, and I very nearly asked a customer representative the following brilliant question:

Can I fax you a copy of the voided check, or do you need me to fax the original?

I’ll buy this…

Ability Scores:
Str - 14
Dex - 15
Con - 14
Int - 13
Wis - 15
Cha - 13

Alignment:
Neutral Good- A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Druids- Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid’s Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast.

Alignment:
Lawful Good —– XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (29)
Neutral Good —- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (29)
Chaotic Good —- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (22)
Lawful Neutral — XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (23)
True Neutral —- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (23)
Chaotic Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16)
Lawful Evil —– XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Neutral Evil —- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Chaotic Evil —- XXXX (4)

Law & Chaos:
Law —– XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Chaos — XXXX (4)

Good & Evil:
Good —- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (18)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Evil —- (0)

Race:
Human —- XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (14)
Dwarf —- XXXXXXXX (8)
Elf —— XXXXXXXX (8)
Gnome —- XXXXXXXX (8)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Half-Orc - XX (2)

Class:
Barbarian - XX (2)
Bard —— (-6)
Cleric —- (-6)
Druid —– XXXX (4)
Fighter — XX (2)
Monk —— (-17)
Paladin — (-17)
Ranger —- XX (2)
Rogue —– (-6)
Sorcerer — (0)
Wizard —- (0)

Ok, for all my friends who are getting tired of so much mindless cycling drivel, I’ll tell you a bit about our Sunday evening at the Bordello of Blood.

For years, I’ve been wanting to go to the Phantom’s Feaste, and I finally did it. It wasn’t planned, really. A friend of mine who works the faire mentioned it, sparking a long dormant desire. Later that week, Amanda and I drove out to the faire grounds and bought two tickets.

Sunday finally arrived and we met said friend at the grounds at 6 to pick up the tickets. We didn’t have long to wait before the theater began. As the sun went down, I was glad I decided to wear layers. It got a little chilly, but at least the sky was clear and the dirt dry. All 130 of us stood outside the gates while the story began to unfold. There were vampires and ghouls and vampire hunters, taking turns walking around and involving the crowd. It took a little to get into the story and relax, but once I did, it was a lot of fun.

Split into groups, our guides let us through the faire grounds. A stunningly lit blood fountain marked the beginning of the journey, before they led us down dark, torch-lit paths, past empty shops, and shops that weren’t so empty. Murderous barbers, ghoulish chefs and undead brides were some of the inhabitants, all of which were fully in character and eager to make the most of the night. Through the church and the barely lit cemetery, we made it to the feast hall and found our seats in the back row next to a very loud, and very funny caged vampire captive.

The story continued there, and we were fully immersed in what amounted to dinner theater with a horror bent. The acting wasn’t always top-notch, but it was fun, and the food was great. This will absolutely be a regular annual thing for us. Next year, however, I’ll get the tickets earlier and go for Halloween night. :)

I have only one hard and fast rule for Halloween (actually, the entire month of October). It’s not my rule actually. It’s Stu’s rule that I’ve adopted as my own. If a movie is to be watched during the month of October, it damn well better be a horror/thriller movie. Scary is best, but oddly discomforting will work as well. Laughable is fine as well, so long as it’s lampooning the horror genre.

So far this month, I’ve seen… Read the rest of this entry »

All,

What are your favorite restaurants in the Lawrence/Kansas City Metro area? Anything… fast food, gourmet, family, ethnic… whatever.

Last night was the first hot chocolate of the season. Thank you, Lydia, for hooking me up so thoroughly last year. Your homemade hot chocolate is fantastic, and I have MORE than enough to last! :)