Nonek

I would agree that the gentleman is a very talented writer (minus his latest books on Elric,) but I doubt the gentleman would admit to taking anything from old Mr Tolkien, as I remember he was rather dismissive of the old fellow. Epic Pooh was the phrase he used I believe. I'm pretty sure he has admitted that Kullervo was his inspiration, though many people argue that that Finnish hero inspired Sigurd Fafnirsbane, and thus Turin Turambar.

Isn't Elric himself based off of Kullervo from the Kalavela? I apologise if i'm mangling your fair language Finnish forum members, or have misremembered.

Sorry for introducing the term "Londonistan" Kroney, I agree that it's a rather ugly title, if it helps any I heard it from a French security expert we were employing a few years ago.

The one feature that I would like a return of is interactivity with the environment, that seems to have been totally abandoned since the days of Ultima, to the point where people don't believe that it is a part of rpg's. I think a major part of my disappointment with Baldur's Gate (apart from the setting) was the lifeless environment, it was undoubtedly pretty and evocative but unlike Ultima it felt like walking through a painting rather than being "in" an environment. The one thing i'd like much less of, so as to compensate, would be combat. Slaying endless droves of mooks doesn't particularly empower me or make me feel like a badarse, it makes me believe that the majority of foes are weaklings, that i'm a dumb, homicidal brute and have to mop up the waves like a cleaning woman. Cleaning Woman. CLEANING WOMAN. As Rigby Reardon would say.

Management training course. Had the unique honour of being told off for completing the days course in the first half hour, along with everybody else I just looked at our tutor while he objected to anybody exercising hard work and initiative. Finally snapped and walked out, changed the firms training contract provider this afternoon. I don't believe these gentlemen have ever worked in a real business, where timelines exist.

Is it me you're looking for? Edit: Lionel Richie aside, very nice to meet you sir, you gentlemen built a very nice community.

It was only a few centuries past that many Scots were Gaelic speaking crofters, I wonder whether the language could make a resurgence like Welsh and Cornish have, though obviously crofting is no longer a viable livelihood one would think. To be honest i'm far more worried for English cultural identity at the moment, for so long we have been the heart of the UK, and now with our union gone we face a new future. That and we are changing personality wise, with the rise of the cult of celebrity over achievements, the rise of emotion and beliefs over logic etcetera. The birth of a new outlook and identity is often a perilous time, as history shows.

You know i've read a fair amount of old Norse eddas and sagas, yet an actual description of Trolls still eludes me. In fact in various literature some aspects seem to contradict each other, or migrate to other fantastic creature, and the essence of what a Troll is remains fluid. Fascinating subject. But personally i've recently taken quite a shine to the distinctive Trolls of the second Witcher game, they were rather well designed I thought, despite being of the common bridge dwelling variety.

I do believe that our fair isles union will be so much poorer for the exiting of our Scottish brethren, a shame to see their brave soldiers, fine minds, cautious leaders and skilled craftsmen no longer amongst us. I sincerely hope life goes well for those north of the border, but I fear it may well not. I wonder how this will affect voting in the remainder of the UK, as traditionally any Tory gains are offset by Labour seats in Scotland?

The twin hounds(?) upholding the bulls head remind me of the two lions above the gates of Mycenae, was this an influence gentleman? And if so I applaud your taste.

Let's gather round the glow of our monitors and tell spooky stories long into the night, i'll go first: In a small town in Yorkshire a monolithic gothic nightmare stands, a church that casts its shadow over all the surrounding lands. Where hooded brethren scuttle and scrape, and the villagers cast down their eyes, lest they draw the attention of that awful presence. It was there in the year 1990 that the bells began to toll, echoing across hill and dale, roaring out their discordant song. Sheep fell silent, babes burst into tears, grown men paled and women ceased their friendly chatter. All eyes turned to that vast edifice of stone and misery. The great iron barred, oaken hearted doors swung wide to reveal a scene of misery and tragedy. I had been married. Edit: Rather excited, I will probably end up responding tomorrow however.

Personally I found the little scenes in NWN2 quite amusing but I do get Mr Magniloquent's point in regards to not caring for the characters, that game had possibly the weakest roster of characters that Obsidian have ever produced. Hopefully the characters in Pillars of Eternity will be vibrant, distinctive and thematically interesting enough that we are enthralled by any glimpse into their private lives. It might be interesting to have an npc stop say by a crumbling old house in a part of Defiance Bay, and ask the protagonists permission to investigate the place for a moment, for personal reasons, with the appropriate affects on disposition should one refuse, agree or delay their request. Edit: As others have pointed out I believe that downtime in camp would be a perfect opportunity for most interjections by the npc's, thereby making an oft debated feature far more palatable by taking advantage of the opportunity for character growth and plot advancement.

Rather disappointed with the anniversary episode, nice to see old smiley and John Hurt effortlessly outacting the entire cast, but that cast were what dragged the thing down for me. Guess the new series just isn't for me.

Playing the game (Ultima 7) this quest didn't feel like busywork, I had been waiting to find out what happened to Skara Brae, and that was one of the high points of the game. If explained in this fashion it seems like busywork, but while playing it felt like nothing but exciting exploration, with many side quests on the way and the usual massive amount of reactivity and activity in the world itself. The foreboding for Pagan was especially welcome, and is complemented nicely by the Forest Lord in the Serpent Isle. It was only really spoiled when we actually arrived there.

Helmets as well hopefully, Karranthian has some lovely examples currently on display in his armour thread, from various sources. NWN2 had quite a nice variety of headgear as I remember.

Very nice idea Tamerlane, I did like the look of surcoats in Drakensang. With hats, cloaks and other items of apparell in ones choice of colour I can imagine that distinguishing ones avatars becomes quite simple, along with the elipsoid marker under their feet lighting up when moused over.

English and England, i'm extremely boring in comparison to all of you good chaps.

Thank you for the reminder Khango, as I had not checked that E-mail in a while, unfortunately i'm voting turn based but no hard feelings sir.

Sir do you mean to inform me that I shall not be able to equip my fighting trousers? For shame sir! Edit: In all seriousness though I think half armour is quite sensible for a hiking, jumping and climbing sellsword. Full harness would be reserved for the battlefield I assume. The important thing is the feathered hats.

I'm afraid that I have to agree, the Realms were the weakest part of AD&D to me, even Greyhawk was more palatable. Not to mention Ravenloft, Athas, Planescape and Eberron. The Realms were a little too much of a monty haul campaign world for me, with an archmage every ten square feet. Edit: On topic however I think that recieving lore from the horses mouth (so to speak) is a very nice method of exposition, be that the writings on tomb walls, crumbling diaries to translate, summoned spirits or simple stories told in picture form, like the lore of the Hylden and Vampires presented in artistic form in Soul Reaver 2.

You know what they call a Big Mac in the Vaillian Republics? Le Big Mac? Edit: Have to rewatch Pulp Fiction, forgetting the quarter lb thing, may be senility though.

I believe i've seen this somewhere in the House of Commons.

Icewind Dales introduction was a very fine piece of narration, and personally I loved the art style, so I would be more than happy with such an introduction. As Sensuki states Mr Stier's or Richardson would be worthy candidates, with their rich and distinctive tones, though if I might add perhaps Simon Templeman or Michael Bell might be a good match also.

I have always been a little enchanted by the supposed Golden Mask of Agamemnon that was found at Mycenae, the black robed priests in Time Bandits wear something similar to rather striking effect I think.

I concur, downtime and simple character building are an amazingly overlooked feature in todays market, and I do not believe they have to be funny even, just so long as they demonstrate that the characters are believable and human. Ultima 7 had quite a broad array of little scenes that were purely flavour, and I for one enjoyed them immensely. The Witcher games built a nice sense of ambience through little and not so little features as well, Shani and the Blue Stripe's parties spring to mind. I personally also traveleed with Cassidy in New Vegas for this very reason. I think these feature serve quite effectively to remind us that we are not the centre of the universe in game, even if we know that we in fact are, they make the ego stroking far less blatant and clumsy.