Nonek

Personally I don't really care what service other people use. I usually prefer GOG however as there are no achievements, the downloader is much faster, there are no pop ups asking me inane questions or advertising, I am never denied access to the products i've bought, the extras are easier to access, no multiplayer of course, and its fanbase is not quite so fanatical about GOG as Steam users are about that obese person whom they worship. I like the straightforward nature of GOG, one purchases a product and that is that, there is not so much artificial frippery to navigate.

"A home is not complete without a dog slumbering by your feet." Can't quite remember whom that should be attributed to, but i've always agreed with it. My English Mastiff Canthus is the loyalist, gentlest creature ever to grace our green and pleasant land, and despite weighing in at fifteen stones now still sees himself as a lap dog.

There are downsides to the game but i'd say they're very subjective, the WOW art design realy stands out in comparison to the first games semi realistic depiction, but stylisation has its upsides. I would say that they need two more character models, a muscular female (Cory Everson style) and a more athletic and slimmed down male. The humour is very "European" and was throughout all of the Divinity games, some may not care for this, others may like it. Like Bioware's sub par Joss Whedon lines it's all a matter of taste, personally I prefer more raucous or complicated witticism's. The turn based combat is one of the greatest strengths of the game, but if one prefers RTwP then that's a pity, because the combat system allows so much to be attempted and successfully executed that it really does delight. Environmental interaction is probably the most welcome return for myself, this feature has been abandoned for so long and any hint of it been hounded away by those whom want just a "core" experience, that its inclusion here is almost remarkable. Hopefully more games will push the boundary and make the leap back to when games were advancing rather than degenerating. It adds so much content and life. The lack of a day/night cycle and npc schedules is a feature that I miss, but hopefully it may be added at some point as Larian seems to be intent on expanding and adding to the game. Unfortunately the late game feels a little rushed, a bit more by the numbers than the glorious repast of opportunity we are faced with when exploring in Cyseal. The writing is functional and about on par with Bioware, though not quite as nonsensical, and the narrative generally works but doesn't really feature as a main point of the game. What Obsidian could do with this engine and their dialogue tools is a thought that has me salivating. I'm probably missing a lot of points but all told this is what stands out for me Sorophx, your own views are equally as valid however. I would say however that Larian have humiliated many of the recent AAA games i've played from far more experienced and large publishers and developers, hopefully this will spur others into including more features, fun, and content into their games rather than following the trend of degeneration. Edit: It's not the BEST GAME EVAH! It's a very good game in my opinion, and a herald of better times for our chosen genre hopefully.

Yes. Edit: But it was nice, raucous and funny toxic invective, rather than the usual, cutesy, lol so random stuff that passes for wit.

Yep. Although, sadly, they were very polite to the promancers when giving them the 'bad news'. If I was a dev, the announcement would have been far more... colorful. Like this: LOL (edit: saw this one in another romance thread here and just had to steal it) Whatever happened to Cultist? Chaps gifs always added a little levity.

I once played a rather inquisitorial Paladin (William DeBaskerville, order of the Roses Name) whom firmly believed that he bore a Holy Avenger, in point of fact it was a +1 sword with the usual light enchantment bound to it, and despite the GM informing me repeatedly that it was not, my character kept on believing in its potency. Thanks to various short term enchantments bestowed by our Wizard and the Paladin himself it served admirably and became in time a relic of William's chapel, having smote and slain innumerable banes of diabolical origins. William valued that blade to an enormous degree, praying upon it, binding holy prayer scriptures around its hilt, having his name carved across the quillons, and cleaning it with hideously expensive holy oil and scraps of cloth supposedly torn from the Martyr's robe. Hopefully Poe will allow such customisation for weapons we feel attached to.

Isabella can't even dress herself appropriately for the climate (when she comes from a much warmer climate) or combat (when she faces a melee every ten feet) and that is just one of the reasons why I dislike her, apart from being an unmotivated, incompetent slave. This is simply factual. Aveline I dsilike despite the fact she wears (artistically hideous Bioware designed) full armour because she's incompetent at her job, abandons it on a whim and needs the Protagonist to hold her hand during a date, like she's a blushing maid. The game tells you repeatedly that she's strong, but only shows you another unmotivated, incompetent slave. Much the same can be said for all of the other characters, but it was you who raised Isabella as the type of romance to be aiming for, I was merely suggesting that you try far better written characters Bruce, as you're hurting your own cause. If you're trying to insinuate that I obsess over clothing, no I observe poor design and writing as any critical mind should. Edit: Sarevok's spiky armour impractical, Varrik's bare chest idiotic, most of the women of Mass Effect pandering, Flemeth going from a crazy old woman to an obvious abomination Milf, NWN everything hideous and a clear step down from its predecessors, Jedi not wearing armour silly with no good reason, basically all of the art design of Bioware has been tremendously gaudy and ugly lately. I could go on.

An incompetent idiot slave challenges gender roles? Come now Bruce that's just wishful thinking, she is just a badly written and poorly concieved character appealing only to the lowest common denominator. If you wish for a character whom challenges a gender role then look at Lady Grace, the owner of the Brothel for Slaking Intellectual Lusts, she challenges not just gender roles but her very nature as a Succubus. The argument that Isabella is challenging gender roles by being too stupid to wear clothing appropriate to the climate (or wearing armour in a city that has combat every ten feet and is mainly inhabited by bandits) is silly in the extreme. One does not have to dress illogically to act sexually aggressive, or be so obsessed by sex that it's ones only salient point of conversation. It's good that people criticise such poorly made characters as all of the cast in DA2, as hopefully Bioware will hire some talented writers to make substantive and complicated characters, rather than these one note caricatures. Edit: If you want a liberated, free and powerful female role model look at Kreia, whom does not have to bother with gender, sex or any other transitory nonsense. She doesn't feel the need to spout cutesy inanities every second, or take part in cringeworthy "banter," as she pursues a philosophy and a goal that is far more important, moral and substantive. And she does it while spitting on the use of open force and vulgar displays of aggression, that is a truly liberated woman, whom rejects societal and religious roles to pursue her truth. Isabella is just a slave whom comes and goes at the bidding of others, and can do nothing herself, not even dress appropriately for the weather, when she comes from much warmer climes. She's a joke.

No Bruce i'm objective, you're presenting the biased viewpoint for romance and Stun against, I merely provide an ocassional ridiculous jape or make a point. I thought the relationships with Ravel and Kreia were extremely well done, thematically potent and well integrated, i'd be for such content. I'd be against objectively poorly made characters such as Isabella, and by putting her forward you harm your own cause. Edit: Think about your cause and your argument, then present with pertinent and favourable evidence, preferably garnered from first hand experience of the subject.

Biased is the word you're looking for Bruce. Try a better fact based defense and better inspiration old boy, my problems with the character arise from her portrayal and should be clearly evident to any unbiased view, they can't be refuted. Edit: If I were you i'd put forward Jahiera, Ravel, Kreia and a few others of similarly sterling quality, Isabella is a preposterous character aimed squarely at the lowest common denominator.

When I play let's pretend with the kids I don't need a computer. But seriously putting forward Isabella as a good romance option is really harming your cause promancers, she's an incompetent, idiot, unmotivated slave who can't even dress herself appropriately for combat or climate, and comes and goes for years at a time at anothers bidding. And she can only be "fixed" by the protagonists phallus, tongue or whatever, which is rather demeaning in and of itself. A blow up doll would have a better personality and writing, and you'd be spared the cringeworthy Bioware "humour" as well as the over emotional idiocy. I'd choose a better proponent personally, as i'm yet to see an argument for the feature that is not silly or ridiculous, such as the idiotic deep interactions only arise from romances.

I would include such general descriptions of the implements use in the item descriptions, available on right clicking or however poe handles it. Poinard: A slim strong dagger made for slipping through the cracks or weakpoints (visor, armpit, groin, back of knee) in plate armour or punching through mail and lighter materials, does little damage but has a high possibility of achieving a critical hit, and ignores a lot of armour. Pollax: Multipurpose can opener, meat tenderiser and butchers cleaver, effective whatever the opponent. Etcetera.

Was Annah one of Ravel's daughters? Should the Wall be torn down and should the Force be slain?

If I remember correctly (been a few decades since school) Iceland was for a quite long time free and independent, however this ended after the Sturlunga (Spelling) age, named after Snorri Sturlusson the great Saga chronicler. That was a period of chaos, kinslaying, robbery and general lawlessness that made the freemen decide to operate under a crown and its laws. Norway I think. Any reader of Tolkien should know the Anglo Saxon and Old Norse versions of the Futhark by heart.

Interestingly enough Icelandic seems to have hardly changed from Old Norse, strange.

I envy you Mr Woldan, haven't been to Iceland since the mid 80's, and with the wifes preference for Mediterranean and Carribean vacations (consisting of nothing but drinking and frying by a pool) I doubt i'll be returning any time soon. I think I recognise a few of those shots, especially the black beach with the volcanic columns out to sea, I believe they were heavily used in the Gerard Butler film, "Beowulf and Grendel." A truly stunning landscape, much appreciated.

Well after commiting far too many hours of my free time to this game i've come to one conclusion, Larian have absolutely embarassed most of the AAA crpg developers and publishers! Feature rich, fun, in depth and reactive to ones playstyle, compared to some of the latest rpg's i've played such as DA2, this is of a totally different and far superior class. I would say that it is only the lack of a day/night cycle, npc schedules, and narrative excellence that hold it back from taking Ultima VII's crown, though in terms of combat it has it beaten hands down.

Well with the reluctance to use any form of comparison due to Souls and their manipulation not existing in real life, then I shall simply state that I personally see no problem with the potentates of the Dyrwood and Vaillian republics retaining the services of Animancers for beneficial purposes, it seems eminently logical. It may not be popular due to widespread mistrust of the profession, but these are from what we have been shown semi feudal lords whom presumably do not have to rely on popularity. So long as they do not employ or condone Animancers whom practice the more negative side of the craft, then they will probably not have to fear revolt or the mob. Obviously extraordinary examples still remain viable, as well as works conducted in secret. And in the countryside one expects that an Animancer may well be hung, burned or beaten if revealing his identity. Edit: I was merely clarifying your last sentence stating repeatedly that Souls and their manipulation were real in Poe, not asking to discuss the nature of reality. This seems obvious.

What is real? That there are and have been immoral Animancers who commited unspeakable crimes in the world of Poe? Yes that is a fact that no-one is arguing over I don't think, and they seem to have set the modern dislike of the profession. Nobody would tolerate such crimes then or now, this seems obvious. However retaining the services of Animancers whom don't dabble in such things seems perfectly logical as well. As for examples of famed alchemists I always rely on good old Doctor John Dee, a genius as well as a man suspected of congress with the devil. Edit: Anyway one is off to bed, thank you for the interesting argument.

Doesn't everybody in Poe manipulate their immortal Soul somewhat, as one would assume that is one of the method of factually knowing of its existence, wouldn't they be more used to such things not less? As for the more educated experimenting in more questionable areas, wasn't that somewhat common in our own world. Alchemists who were suspected of dealing with the devil, entertained or were even retained by Kings, Queens and Emperor's. The educated middle and upper classes watching experimentation upon corpses with electricity, that promised revivification and sparked Mrs Shelley's most famous creation according to some. The fascination with the macabre and spiritualism that was catered to by ingenious frauds, and lapped up by the great and the good? Edit: Of course Animancers might be rightfully or wrongly judged to be guilty of harming a Soul somewhat, but also might be a legitimate means of also healing one, as Mr Sawyer suggests. Thus the course of action towards them becomes clear, keep a close eye upon them, employ the reputable moralistic ones, and hunt down those who create the Undead. Though I doubt it will be so simple a matter to execute.

The translation issue seemed pertinent in that the damnation of ones eternal soul was supposedly at stake, this was an issue of taking the Lord's words in vain and going directly against his mouthpiece on Earth. The similarity seems more than apparent for a true believer, you are tampering with the Divine will, surely that is what a peasant in Eora must believe Animancer's are doing? To any average man of the renaissance period surely his soul was just as real as those in Poe, and the presence of God was a fact because of the masses of supposed evidence around him, as well as his cultural and spiritual upbringing. To hear of men taking a stand against mother church, and commiting such unthinkable blasphemy seems quite apt to what Animancer's might be facing. Edit: But the core of the issue seems quite reasonable, the nobility are supporting Animancy for the beneficial everyday aspects it presents as a physician for the Soul, and quite obviously no-one in their right mind would support a rogue Animancer who has performed the experiments that result in Undeath. Barring extraordinary circumstances of course. Mr Sawyer also states that such experiments are rare, expensive and extremely frowned upon so there seems to be no illogical issues to me. Of course what goes on in secret and extraordinary circumstances will remain as uncommon knowledge, not to be talked of or speculated upon, merely exterminated by the most expedient method. Perhaps where the protagonist steps in?

I do apologise I had not perused your posts before submitting my own Mr Gromnir, I had merely been percolating on the subject and coming to conclusions. The first that it might be quite easy to handle and maintain a secret state of undeath as a Fampyr, and be an attractive and moral decision for some of the more egotistical individuals whom have trouble letting go. Thus the question on how much cannibalism they need to partake in. Of course an easily maintained condition might invite over-confidence, and thus danger from another direction. The second that to gain a more thorough knowledge and grounding with Animancy we might be more narratively or mechanically associated with it, and thus see the more common groundwork as a balance to such situations as are illustrated in my first example. As for the masses feelings towards Animancy, we have the same answer as before, they are wary of if not violently against the practice. This for me fits with their conception of the Soul, and to similar advances being greeted with scepticism and hatred by the peoples of our own renaissance era, such as the good book being translated to a non classical tongue. However as before I would hesitate to say that there is something wrong with Obsidian's conception of Animancy, as I simply do not have enough evidence to support that assertion. It seems logical enough from what information Mr Sawyer has provided us, at least to my method of thought. After all it is not so far removed from what Wizard's, Cipher's, Druid's and others are doing, we are not familiar with manipulating our Souls to achieve spectacular results, but for the inhabitants of Poe this is a (if not mundane) then acknowledged aspect of their own being. Animancer's taking that research and manipulation one step further is a rather natural and expected advancement in my view.

Two things occur to me since reading this information: One. A gentleman or lady of vast wealth, power and influence in the mortal realm may not wish to resign themselves to the wheel of birth, death and rebirth. In essence it is almost like a more thorough version of Nameless' reincarnation, and nothing but vague echoes remain from past lives, so an egotistical individual may well decide that their Soul being immortal, it does not matter whether it is reborn or not. They're not willing to let everything they are and have done go, tears in the rain etcetera, and so decide that they shall try to manage their undead condition and control it with the help of a studious and interested Animancer. In essence play the epilogue of Dead Money and realise that the hard thing is letting go. They may even see it as moral, to match move by move the machinations of fate, and thus defy the tyrannous stars. And the Animancer's role in their bid for freedom may not be entirely voluntary. Two. Given the information on the benificial everyday vocational activities of the average Animancer, one has to wonder whether they will play some role in the game? Whether as an individual whom the plot points one to, due to some condition arising from the narrative, or perhaps even as a number of individuals whom the party may have to consult due to certain game mechanics. A limited respec option, a remover of curses, or somesuch? Edit: How much human flesh does a Fampyr have to consume? One human can provide quite a feast, as a large mammal, and in the busy hubbub of a city a few missing people is hardly a noteworthy event. Especially if they are wisely chosen, and have not much social impact.

On the other hand Mr Avellone writes excellent...unusual...relationships, such as those between the Exile and Kreia, Nameless and Ravel or Deionarra, Cass and the Courier etcetera. Personally i'd be more interested in those kind of deeply disturbing and complicated relationships, rather than the traditional teenage ego stroking of romances.

With the kids away me and Mrs Nonek snuggled up and watched a DVD she'd been recommended, Storm of the Century, adapted from a Steven King work apparently. Really quite good, with the usual excellent sense of place that King puts into his work, the large cast is uniformly excellent and distinctive, and the antagonist though very simple works exceptionally well. Nice little morality play, remains ambiguous to the end.