Nonek

Fantastic review Lord of Lost Socks. I always thought that the central theme of the first Conan movie was strength, and Conan learning that it is not enough to simply be strong. Personally that's where I believe Thulsa Doom made a mistake in his translation of the riddle of steel, rather than flesh being superior to steel, it is simply that steel is only as strong as the hand which weilds it. This is emphasised by the scene where Conan shatters his fathers sword with his ancient Atlantean blade. As I remember the film was dismissed by the New York Times as Star Wars made by a psychopath, which was a little too harsh but unwittingly quite appropriate considering Mr Howards somewhat temperamental state of mind. Though I don't think Schwarzenegger was an ideal Conan, the film did somehow capture the spirit of the short stories and novel, in fact the only time Valeria really comes to life is when reciting Belit's line over an awoken Conan on the shores of the Vilayet Sea. Making use of what is arguably one of the better short stories. There was a sense of magnificent, bombastic theatre about the film which sat well with Howard's prose, and all told though I find the content troubling as a Howard fan, none the less i'd say it was a wonderful homage to the mans works. One I think he and the Cimmerian of titanic mirths and melancholies would approve of. Edit: One thing I did find interesting was Thulsa Doom himself, as an amalgam of many antagonists in Conan literature the cult leader was very well concieved. Using Mr Jones great nubian face, but pairing that with light eyes and straight hair suggested that he might be of a vanished species, and his powers of mesmerism and skinshifting both abilities inborn to that species. Mr Howard always seemed intrigued by such possibilities, not unusually so considering the speculation about the origin of species was far more vibrant and new at the time of his writing. Indeed Conan frequently tangles with great anthropomorphic apes in his adventures, and some of the Hyborian races are seemingly devolving.

I was speaking rather more of popular media created around my lifetime than literary works from the lifetime of humanity. Even within that scope, of course, there are obvious exceptions on both sides. Sorry if I came across as pedantic and picky Kjaamor, I just believe that a certain amount of horror and tragedy have been present in fantasy from the Saga of Gilgamesh onwards. Even the Ultimas, as bright and sunny a setting as one could ask for, where one is playing as an avatar of what is best in humanity, had some extremely disturbing scenes. Edit: As Tagaziel points out there have been eras which one would curse to be born in, when if the Mongols weren't slaughtering you then you might very well be one of those unlucky enough to see the Black Death arise. Still I agree that a satisfactory ending should be achievable at some cost and effort. 2nd Edit: Then again i'm a pessimistic Englishman, so one suspects a certain cynical bias is present.

I wouldn't say that this is a new occurence in media, Medea's actions towards her own children was rather horrifying, The ancient Greek heroes didn't exactly show their fallen foes much respect as evidenced by Hector's fate. Grimm's fairy tales often had absolutely horrific moments in their earlier incarnations, the Norse saga of Brennu Njal features an entire family being burned to death in their own home, Egil Skjallagrimsson puts an axe in another childs head at the age of eight, etcetera. There have always been extremely dark and horrifying elements in fantasy media, it's hardly a recent innovation.

Part of the reason why i'm personally more accepting of immigration is because as an Englishman I am one, allright my family were mentioned in the Domesday book and have been in England at least a millenia, but still this is rightfully the land of the indigenous stone age settlers who crossed the land bridge from the continent, and share a heritage with the Basque people of northern Spain. Nothing against Denmark, but I don't want to go back there, i'm rather settled.

When I grow up I want to be a microphone.

The dwarf soundset from Icewind Dale was almost perfect for me, I believe that it was the same old gent who performed as Kresselack and the Elder God in Legacy of Kain, Tony Jay if I remember correctly. Personally I always like old insults, swiving and such. Crude expressions in ancient languages are also nice, in my old p&p norse setting one of the characters would in the heat of anger chastise him enemies as Nithlings and Skraelings. Really angry character, a berserk, and this just added to his fearsome aura.

In essence I do believe a lot of this was our own fault, we had mass migration and had seemingly no limits upon it and more importanatly no infrastructure to absorb it. Migrants barely speaking English were dropped off in grim northern towns, allready hard pressed by economic downturn, and with local populations who barely travelled and were not particularly friendly to each other never mind complete strangers from half a world away. Thus began the formation of ghettos and slums where unemployment and crime ran extremely high, and there was no integration. A seemingly perfect breeding ground for radicalisation. I'm not trying to make excuses for the young men and women who choose to commit atrocities in the name of their non existent god, merely saying that we set up a perfect breeding ground for such behaviour, and now unfortunately we're stuck with it. One would agree however that the brave Muslim men and women who speak put against fundamentalism are the future hopefully, otherwise old Mr Powell may have been right, which nobody in their right mind wants.

The vagaries of circumstance, why did the Chinese who were the forerunners of so much innovation in the ancient world not have glass? One assumes that it was the popularity and usefulness of porcelain, so mayhap in Eternity some other form of mass communication fills the need of the printing press. Then again from what has been said we are looking at a timeline resembling the 16th century, so perhaps the invention of the printing press is due to take place, or allready has taken place and is being supressed by a church or political entity. One thing is for sure, the price of literature without the printing press will be astronomical, the work of scribes and monks was not cheap. Especially with the illustrated works of art we see in many old tomes.

Old English has a nice sound to it when recited, recognisable to some extent like the latin phrases of the Infinity spellcasting as well.

Deportation costs more than keeping them, thanks to the European human rights laws, and the possibility of mistreatment in their home countries. For a long time it was argued that keeping them in "Londonistan" was a good way of controlling and monitoring radicals, in actuality it just served to alienate the indigenous population and spread fanaticalism. A rather unintelligent move by the intelligence community. That and most of the offenders of recent atrocities were not from London but the slums of various midlands ex industrial towns.

The wife was rather put out when I told her that, in point of fact, the Spartan sent back from Thermopylae to warn his people by Leonidas ritually commited suicide immediately after delivering his message. Such codes of conduct sound like a fine feature, though hard to maintain.

No it's far worse! Only joshing, been up with the little ones all night (flu you know) so i'm rambling a bit trying to stay awake. Edit: To clarify I don't believe popularity negates criticism, nor do I believe Mr Ocelot should trust anything but his own judgement.

It's rather an interesting topic popularity isn't it? One could well argue that popularity is to be opposed at all costs if our history is anything to go by, what with religious crusades, slavery, facism and institutionalised sexism all being extremely popular in their day. Personally I don't believe it's that simple, I don't believe that popularity frees anything of criticism, I don't believe that one must oppose the popular at all costs, instead I would rather use discernment and moderation in judging each individual aspect. Some may call it nit-picking, I prefer to think of it as thoroughness. In the end I believe that a balanced view is the fertile breeding ground of advancement. Wandered a bit off topic what?

If I remember correctly: If your foe is stronger retreat, if equal then seek advantage, if weaker then attack.

"Better to live one day as a tiger, than a whole life as a worm!" "Whoever heard of a wormskin rug?" Edit: To be serious for a moment, my own humble thoughts on the same situation: http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/60413-impossible-odds/?hl=%2Bimpossible+%2Bodds

Apparently one has to only pay a pittance if one allready owns DX:HR, even less if the MIssing Link has allready been purchased. I believe somebody printed the exact breakdown in the randon video game news thread a while ago.

I'm fine with the gentlemen and ladies spending more time working on the game, and less making updates, i'd say let them have a week off and relax for their anniversary the same as the rets of us. I'm sure the game will be delivered and be of satisfying quality, which is what I payed for. Then again i'm a big wet flannel.

Personally i'd have stopped people walking back and forth to pick stuff up by having it simply disappear, but that's only a personal preference. I've been thinking about the issue of boobplate and chainmail bikini's etcetera (I bet you have,) and i'm not alltogether against having a character who flesh is protected by magic rather than steel, iron, linen and leather. However I do think that the obvious benefits in weight, agility and upkeep must come with some downsides, so what if the arcane process one uses is all too visible, squirming, twisting sigils and runes that cover the entire body. Imposing a comeliness penalty, a reaction penalty from anyone wary of magic, an upkeep cost to maintain the enchantments and perhaps other side effects over time. There's also the issue of climate and temperature, perhaps further enchantments to protect against the enviroment as well? Edit: Ones spelling continues to deteriorate.

Personally i've always preferred a skilled and apprentice trained craftsman to be making wonders rather than the itinerant adventurer, unless that adventurers class is described as a crafter. Your suggestions for research and innovation sound very fine to me indeed. What part the protagonist plays in the crafting might be interesting, for instance the Rogue adding his blood with its superior knowledge of weapons and killing, the Fighter manning the bellows as a tireless pumper, the Wizard scribing enchantments into the metal as it is hammered, folded and twisted or perhaps the Chanter singing a legend into the blade as it is crafted. The scene from the old Disney movie "Dragonslayer" springs to mind, where the apprentice works his magic into the dragonslaying spear as it is crafted by the smith, to end with the anvil upon which it was forged being split in twain by the weapon.

I think that statement succinctly hits the nail on the head, we're all looking for consistency in our playthroughs, the world and its players to react in a believable and logical manner. When they do not, when one is asked too many times to partake in nonsensical actions, then one feels a dissonance and percieves that there is no agency and no real point in playing. Betrayal at Krondor has a very nice example of subverting a soft limitation, *SPOILERS* ahead obviously. While travelling south to Krondor one may find Moredhel (big barbaric warlike elves) lockboxes, and deciphering them will result in uncovering a number of missives hinting at an ambush on the most populated road leading south. Changing to the coastal path will lead into a trap, which the Moredhel leader has crafted for the party, and reveal that those notes were carefully placed ruses relying on the players curiosity and greed. And of course one may well uncover this ambush as well, coming to the site forewarned and forearmed. *END SPOILERS* I found this very palatable, it did not just reward exploration as is normal, but rewarded an attitude where the player tried to stay one step ahead and questioned everything, and through doing so was able to adapt and overcome. Indeed the central mantra of the game seems to insist that nobody is trustworthy, refreshing cynicism.

Exaggerated somewhat for comic intent but unfortunately i'm related to the gentleman.

A filthy old manservant, lets call him Harold. Alcoholic, smells of urine,sweat, tobacco and old spice, teeth and hands brown from rolling his cigarettes. Coughs constantly, attacking his chest will result in muttered thanks, and a brief respite: "Thats got it." Extremely conservative, racist, speciesist and sexist. Has a derogatory nickname for every person he meets. Is fiercely loyal to his master, served in their family for millenia, and believes in old fashion values. Has a near limitless capacity for absorbing damage, as he's been around a lot in his youth, but is useless in a fight. Complains often however that you should be beating him more often, raping milkmaids and beheading the uppity peasantry, as that's a noblemans job. Can find anything his master fancies in any city, seemingly has more contacts and resources than an entire thieves guild. Never usually gives a straight answer: "Here and there, now and then, this and that." These are his usual responses to any questions. Has a son in training to take over the family business and a daughter making her living on her back as per family tradition, is fiercely proud of both of them. Looking forward to the day his son slits his throat while he's asleep and nicks everything he owns, as the family custom of succession dictates. Can lift and pack massive amounts of gear, fifty pounds more than the strongest character in the party. Has thirty two fatal and incurable conditions, plagues and injuries but doesn't complain about it too much, as he really enjoyed acquiring them.

Whom can be called the worst amongst us? Edit: It's me isn't it?

Personally I don't see this as a binary thing, there is nothing stopping an open world game from having a deep, complex and intriguing narrative as New Vegas, Betrayal at Krondor, Arcanum and the old Ultimas prove. Admittedly not every game has the budget or development scope to embrace interactivity, but when they do it seems obvious to me that they should, after all this is the key strength of the medium. That said, obviously there must be limitations because of the lack of a GM, and the superior human brain, thus my original question on what limitations are palatable. The red mist of Dead Money strikes me as a good example of a malleable barrier, along with the alarm system, in that both can be manipulated to an extent and yet still serve as an effective hard limit. Thus making the player clever and potent, and yet more satisfactorily constrained. The vagaries of weather and nature also seem more palatable, perhaps because of our intrinsic susceptibility to the elements. It was very refreshing to have to prepare and equip oneself for the trip into the northern reaches of the Serpent Isle in the game of the same name, and be punished if one should opt to ignore the repeated warnings. Of course for a high level party such considerations are lessened or vanish, as a single teleport can bypass what was previously impassable, or the weather can be tamed etcetera, which makes the designers have to work harder and smarter one suspects.

You have taste sir.