Thorium Brotherhood Downtime Forum - Off-topic Discussion

Wendy's Training Videos from the 80's (no replies)

Kaphik — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:33:32 -0400

Dwarf Fortress (16 replies)

Brumboldt — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:23:06 -0400

So it has recently come to my attention that we have quite a few people who play Dwarf Fortress, I figured we should have a thread about it. Also if we have enough people interested, perhaps we should do a succession game and chronicle it a la Boatmurdered.

To start with, here is my first fortress. I'm still learning the game but it's quite a lovely place.

"The Dead Constructs"

Ode to a Fel Reaver (1 reply)

Ardelia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:38:21 -0400

Fel Reaver, O Fel Reaver, the terror of Hellfire
'tis many a noob's been flattened by thy fierce metallic ire!
Tall as a colossus! Drivn' by hell's own steam!
Pity a great thing like you has got no self esteem.

You've enormous iron arms, tremendous trampling feet,
A dragon 'round your portrait just to prove to us you're leet!
You survey your tiny victims with fearsome fiery eyes,
But God forbid you'd ever pick on someone your own size!

All newcomers to Outland live in fear your path to cross
As you stomp around the lowbie zone pretending you're a boss
But though you're level 70, gigantic, strong and great,
Your favorite target seems to be some green-geared 58.

As you wander the peninsula a-spreading fear and sorrow
Like a Steampunk devilsaur in a dystopian Un'Goro
Do you ever stop to think what sort of boss you might have made
If you weren't too chickenshit to face a twenty-five-man raid?

Fel Reaver, O Fel Reaver, the terror of Hellfire
'tis many a noob's been flattened by thy fierce metallic ire!
Tall as a colossus! Drivn' by hell's own steam!
Pity a great thing like you has got no self esteem.

Dragon Age 2 (Destiny trailer, et al) (5 replies)

Saraquael — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:15:02 -0400

So here's the new Dragon Age 2 trailer, titled "Destiny". It looks interesting.

Dragon Age 2 - Destiny

I'm still a bit torn regarding the move away from the Origins storylines to an established player character, but this does look kinda cool. Plus, we are getting Flemeth (Kate Mulgrue - great voice!) as out narrator, which is pretty sweet.

More Halo: Rech videos (no replies)

Kaphik — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:34:36 -0400

[www.joystiq.com]

I really haven't been this excited for a game in a long time, since Halo 2 actually. The story in Halo is awesome and I think the newest game is going to be the best yet. Although we do know the outcome already...

Rabbit Hopping! (no replies)

Kaphik — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:30:44 -0400

Apparently it's a growing sport: [www.urlesque.com]

Wanye Newton in Fallout New Vegas. YES! (1 reply)

Saraquael — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:48:01 -0400

From the story here: [www.escapistmagazine.com]

"He is Las Vegas," Bergman said. "He really brings that extra touch of Vegas class to the game... And whether he's reading news stories about super mutants or introducing a Dean Martin song, his personality comes through."

Dear Fallout New Vegas,

You had me at Wayne Newton.

Love, Me.

Bioshock Infinite (4 replies)

Saraquael — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:22:47 -0400

I not sure whats allowed to be posted in the daily thread.

I saw this and am excited. I'mm miss the oceans, but this looks cool.

[kotaku.com]

Plus, just the thought of summoning a murder of crows... sign me up.

@Renzojuken (8 replies)

Oscarvilly — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:00:58 -0400

Dear Renzojuken,

-Love Oscar

200g for disenchating help (2 replies)

squirrelthug — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:35:58 -0400

I have a bank tab and a half of greens from my leveling experience 1-80 and it's taking up a lot of space, I'd much rather have the mats to work with rather than selling all the greens and some blues. If you are interested send me a whisper on Sciurus my main. I'm usually on that toon, if I'm not send me a mail on when you are available an I'll try to work something out.

Killing Floor - The Movie (no replies)

Oscarvilly — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:51:27 -0400

Sergeant Powers from the Killing Floor squad after the aftermath in London goes to his local grocery to get some apples when two butthurt sirens decide to ruin his day. Sergeant Powers returns to duty once again with his level 6 berserker perk and a brand new melee weapon. :D

[www.youtube.com]

Rise of the machines (6 replies)

Whitechapel — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:14:29 -0400

So, how many folks here have e-book readers of some sort? Bee it a nook, a Kindle, an IPad, or a smart phone?

Ok, now now many of you folks would be likely to purchase an e-book to read on said device in the next month?

I heard something very very interesting in the past week. Seems that last month (june) was a pretty substantive month for the e-book. Seems that it was the first month in a particular company's history that an electronic format outsold the regular paper format for books. You want to know who that company was?

That's right, It was Amazon.

First month that they sold more electronic copies of books than paper, June 2010.

Now, guess the margin by which the e-book outsold the paper.

Invite to Ardelia's Wedding (no replies)

Ardelia — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:27:33 -0400

So, Berko pointed out that some of you might be in my general area. In case that is so, I'm posting invite info for my wedding! I know it's a long shot, but hey, it's worth it. :) Just to clear up any confusion, the address is a Mormon church, but we are not Mormons. It's a long story. >.< Also, don't worry about gifts. Just getting to meet some TBDFers would absolutely rock!

Date: August 14th 2010
Place:The Bearspaw Chapel, 1203 109th St, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

And here's the blurb from my facebook event page:

Come help us celebrate our wedding! The ceremony is at 1pm, with a reception to follow at 4pm, at the same address.

We are registered at The Bay (www.thebay.com), and donations toward our honeymoon would be gratefully accepted, but your friendship will always be the gift that we treasure the most.

RSVP here, or by emailing to emerald_isle_8@hotmail.com or calling us at 780-486-5115. Ask for Erin or Dave.
...
We hope to see you there!

Barbarians... the true masters of the mind. (3 replies)

squirrelthug — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:43:02 -0400

Someone started talking about D&D and I remember this screenshot I picked up on the net some time ago so I wrote it all out to post here. I don't really play D&D but I thought this was hilarious.

#1: That puts me at... :O -9 hp
DM: The manilith slices off one of your arms and the top of your head. (to the party) You have a nice view of his grey matter.
Party: :O
#2: See, that's why I prefer to kill things with my brain: so I don't get killed back.
#1: Shut up. :(
DM: It's your turn, by the way. You have Diehard, right? So you can still act.
#1: okay. I have no backup weapons, I die next round, I can't close without being stabbed... you said the top of my head was sliced off?
DM: Yes.
#1: I have a Quick Draw, so I throw my "grey matter" at the manilith.
DM: Are you serious?!
#1: i have nothing else and I'm going down anyway. Yes.
DM: Roll Fortitude to see if you survive long enough to actually throw it after tearing it out.
#1: 31 good enough? :D
DM: :) roll your attack.
#1: 1.
DM: You miss horribly. *rolls* the brain goes right past the manilith and keeps going. Anybody else in the line of fire? (all check the mat)
#2: Me.
DM: Roll to see if you hit him.
#1: ... 20.
#2: ... You killed me.
#1: *nods* With my brain.
#2: I! HATE! YOU! SO! MUCH!

As if it wasn't obvious enogh that Lucas has turned into a buttwad... (1 reply)

Kaphik — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:19:17 -0400

[www.nydailynews.com]

Old Spice... (1 reply)

Renzojuken — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:21:13 -0400

voice mail! Yep. We had a brief talk about this in the channel, and now this is created. I love it.

[oldspicevoicemail.com]

Nice mistake made by the ESRB... (2 replies)

Kaphik — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:30:42 -0400

Quote
WoW.com
During the recent Real ID catastrophe on the forums, many players decided to appeal to an industry source that might have been able to sway Blizzard to change its mind. These players contacted the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) as a Better Business Bureau-type middleman in this situation with their concerns. The ESRB itself has championed such causes in the past with its Privacy Online program, which is designed to help companies meet various privacy laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Since Blizzard recanted its decision about the forums, the ESRB faithfully followed up with those concerned.

Unfortunately, in that followup email, the ESRB exposed individuals to a new set of privacy concerns.

The letter and more information after the break.

The email reads as follows:

Thank you for contacting the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) regarding the policy recently announced by Blizzard Entertainment which would have required participants in its official forums to post comments using their real first and last names, and for expressing your concerns regarding potential privacy implications.

It is our understanding that Blizzard has provided an update announcing that it will not be implementing the above-referenced policy with respect to its forums, and users will not be required to post using their real names. You can read Blizzard's announcement regarding this most recent development at [forums.worldofwarcraft.com].

Separately, if you have questions regarding Blizzard's implementation of its Real ID option -- which by our understanding is unrelated to Blizzard's plans for its forums -- and/or the new capabilities this option offers, they will likely be answered by reviewing the information posted at [www.battle.net].

ESRB, through its Privacy Online program, helps companies develop practices to safeguard users' personal information online while still providing a safe and enjoyable video game experience for all. We appreciate your taking the time to contact us with your concerns, and please feel free to direct any future inquiries you may have regarding online privacy to our attention.

Regards,

Entertainment Software Rating Board

However, it appears as if the ESRB don't necessarily understand the basics themselves. In what could be called a rookie mistake, the ESRB did a Reply All to everyone who had emailed them with concerns, thus unintentionally exposing almost 1,000 email addresses to the other recipients.

I'm sure the irony of the last paragraph in the ESRB's letter isn't lost on anyone.

I GOTS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!! MUAHAHAHA! Well, mine is in there too. XD

Geeks + booze = Win! (no replies)

Azraphale — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:12:26 -0400

www.thedrunkenmoogle.com

There are actually very few drinks I wouldn't try, but the Boomer Bile and Poison Arrow are real high up on that short list. The Sonic the Hedgehog shot looks awesome, though, and they have a tasty-sounding mix for Kungaloosh.

How to avoid GearScore! (3 replies)

Kaphik — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:48:05 -0400

Have at it, haters. >:D<

A Query Query (6 replies)

Tchann — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:34:41 -0400

I'm crossposting this here from my LJ because I'm really trying to fish for as much feedback as I can get. ^.^;

In the writing world, a query is the first proposal of your book a prospective agent or editor will see. It's a few paragraphs, a handful of sentences that would actually work well on the back of your book to draw in new readers. It needs to grab attention and get the reader to actually crack your book open and read the story inside.

So of course, whenever I'm not editing my novel I tend to be obsessing over this tiny detail that will be incredibly important whenever the blasted thing is actually finished.

I've got two written up so far, and I'm throwing them to you guys. Tell me which one works, if neither one works, what might be good to include or leave out, etc. Please refrain from telling me if the idea is so terribly horrible you can't stomach it, because scrapping this thing isn't really an option anymore. ^.^;

-

Query One - The Direct Route

Every day is exactly the same for retail worker Charley Kuten...until a nice old man teleports her to a world of magic, prophecy, and an entire kingdom out for revenge.

Charley finds herself in the unfamiliar land of Kellynnia, trying to deliver the old man's message while hunting for a way back home. Meanwhile, farmer Rian sets out on his completely unrelated journey to find his missing father. The two meet through Tiremenya, the subject of a very inconvenient prophecy, who inadvertently intercepts the message that Charley carries.

Together, the trio find themselves headed towards Lokhaven, the source of a vicious war from a generation ago. This unwelcoming land is where Rian's father might be, as well as the answers to life, dimension hopping, and a few measly bloodlines.

Oh, and they just might save the kingdom along the way.

-

Query Two - Backstory Ahoy!

Once upon a time, a divisive war rocked the two kingdoms of Lokhaven and Kellynnia. The elderly Kellynnian Royal Seer gave one final prophecy - that the daughter born to the Queen of Kellynnia would be the most powerful sorceress ever seen. The kingdom rallied behind the birth of the princess and Kellynnia forced out the invading Lokhaven army, and life became peaceful once again.

Twenty years later, it's up to retail employee Charley Kuten to tie up the loose ends.

On her way to work one morning, Charley is involuntarily and magically yanked into the fantastical political mess. After a fair bit of her own adventures she meets Rian, a painfully naive farmer looking for his father, and Tiremenya, the prophesied princess herself. Together the three head out to find Rian's father, discover the truth behind Tiremenya's birth, stop a war in the making and maybe - just maybe - get Charley back home again.

-

And for those curious, the book is currently at 28 chapters, plus prologue and epilogue, and clocking in at 99,500 words and growing. Apparently editing in my case means adding more things in to make the plot make a bit more, y'know, sense.

Bionic Eye! (no replies)

Kaphik — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:50:12 -0400

[www.fda.gov]

Just like Steve Austin! Not the wrestler, the other one. :)

Send Bieber to North Korea (2 replies)

Kaphik — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:08:53 -0400

Vote here: [tweeter.faxo.com]

And follow the 4chan movement to send JB to North Korea.

Transformers are real! (1 reply)

Kaphik — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:26:11 -0400

[www.telegraph.co.uk]

Not dead yet! (no replies)

Kaphik — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:17:36 -0400

[www.wow.com]

Sci-fi's 13 Baddest Convicts (1 reply)

Azraphale — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:13:15 -0400

[io9.com]

Discuss.

Fallout: New Vegas and Fable III release dates! (17 replies)

Lucinius — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:36:29 -0400

E3 info has begun flooding the webs...

Fallout: New Vegas announced for Oct. 19
Fable III announced for Oct. 26

Oh! And the XBOX 360 Slim is currently shipping to stores. It should be on shelves within two weeks tops.

Entirely Random Question (6 replies)

Brumboldt — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:29:09 -0400

So I have a little project I am working on and I need to procure a piece of hard rubber about 5 in. square and about an inch thick.

I was hoping someone might have some sort of clue as to where I can look.

Planet Earth is jealous. (no replies)

Varrgas — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:47:48 -0400

Planet Earth wasn't invited to the Cataclysm Alpha, so it attempted to make its own ripoff version.

[news.nationalgeographic.com]

Ohio, where the cops are superheroes! (1 reply)

Kaphik — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:08:59 -0400

[www.daytondailynews.com]

Dio (4 replies)

squirrelthug — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:30:28 -0400

Rock legend Ronnie James Dio recently died at age 67, unfortunatly I had no idea he was fighting cancer till news of his death. He was really a great musician/performer and its sad to see someone so iconic to the music go.