Profile for Micawber
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Displayed name | Micawber |
| Member number | 2759 |
| Title | Agent |
| Postcount | 1104 |
| Homepage | http://www.anthonygoreham.net |
| Registered | Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
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| Author | Recent posts |
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| 30 Skill Points To Spend -GF2- in Geneforge Series | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 10:18
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Well, I wouldn't bother taking parry to such a high level - the game is no fun to play when you outclass the monsters. It's also possible to beat Geneforge 2 using Haste + Strong Daze, but quickly very boring. Myself I would stick to the knitting - the key stats are Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence and Endurance. I'd plough Matteo's spare skill points into these expensive skills. Even 30 points won't go far but it will be worthwhile in the long run. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Complex Core is still red on map -GF2- in Geneforge Series | |
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Agent
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 10:11
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quote:You mean you like to cheat perfectly? ;) -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Getting mold for the witch (E1) in The Exile Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 10:03
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She is Erika. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| what's up with the spiral crypt? in The Exile Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 10:00
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Well no. Gorvifal is a vampire, and I believe you need to do a bit of move mountaining in order to reach him and his treasure. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Suspicious Package in The Exile Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 09:58
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It's possible to get the identify spell without stealing Ernest's book. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Restarting or continuing? in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 09:51
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I think it's worth re-starting if you got your skills wrong (e.g. neglecting first aid) or if your party's leveling up is unbalanced. I try to get roughly the same amount of experience penalty/bonus for each PC but in practice it doesn't always turn out that way. It irritates me if one member of the party is lagging behind in levels, so I would tend to rebalance the party to avoid that. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Rentar's keep [SPOILERS] in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Wednesday, April 19 2006 09:45
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I think that switch is meant to be unswitchoffable - after all if you beat this level you win the game, so you do deserve to fight a few golems. [EDIT: Apparently you need mechanics skill 16 to deactivate it.] There are different types of golem all of which need a different type of spell to kill them. There are red ones, yellow ones and green ones I seem to recall. Try fireblast, lightning spray, and icy rain on each one they are all vulnerable to something. [ Wednesday, April 19, 2006 12:36: Message edited by: Micawber ] -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Should I Buy...? in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Tuesday, April 18 2006 13:27
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If you like Geneforge, definitely buy Avernum 4. If you don't like Geneforge, try the A4 demo before buying. I would say in its defense that A4 does manage to avoid some of GF's biggest irritants (such as realtime townmode and the insane grid). I feel sad about the elements that ought to be there that aren't (such as sea travel, and non-linearity), but I do think there's enough fun in A4 to make it worth buying. I particularly like the revamped spells, magical efficiency, first aid, some of the crafted items, and the opportunity to fight in the Spire arena again after all these years. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| what is the ring of endless magery for? in The Exile Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Tuesday, April 18 2006 13:04
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Doesn't it also provide some sort of protection? Edit: Yes that's right it provides 4 levels of defense. Not bad for a ring. On testing I am reminded that the ring provides 45 spell points. This is more than a medium energy potion (30) but less than a strong energy potion (60). [ Tuesday, April 18, 2006 13:09: Message edited by: Micawber ] -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| The Push, Hide, and Loot Maneuver (And Miscellany) in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 16 2006 22:59
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Pleased to see that end-combat-party-is-whizzed-to-location-of-lead-character has returned in A4. Very useful for sneaking past pylons, spraying shrubs, etc. My favourite trick in the trilogy was using the infinite shop for useful potions (heroic brew, protection brew, knowledge brew). If you buy all of Silverlocke's potions she re-stocks, allowing you to buy infinite amounts of invulnerability! I don't see this as cheating - in Exile nearly all shops were infinite and rightly so IMHO. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Soul Crystal Contents (Av2 & 3) in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 9 2006 12:49
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Cloud of blades level 2 can be learned from the library in Moon, or from the church of the divine lucre in the holy valley. I would be in favour of replacing that Khazi with a Rakshasa, if possible. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Darkside Loyalists in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 9 2006 00:35
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On the main level of Fort Saffron is a sign (and an automap note) saying "Staircase - To Cells". Go up the stairs. Walk west down the corridor to the portcullises and wheels etc. Head south, and east round the corner. There is a black door with some rubble lying nearby. Open the door, and go down the corridor. You pass some fungi, and you enter the Scree Caverns. Keep going and you encounter some hostile pylons. This is the bandit lair. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| A3: Heavily Biased Toward the Light Side? in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 9 2006 00:25
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Loss of 1 point of reputation isn't that serious. Although personally I always try to avoid the divine lucre patrols (on horseback). You know, you can even pay 5000 to join the church of the divine lucre. This also decreases your reputation, so Jeff is even-handed. You do at least get left alone by the patrols (as well as a boost to magery). -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| coffin caves A2 in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 9 2006 00:15
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You need to look closely at the symbols on the two scraps. First, work out which is the top half and which is the bottom half. (There is a torn edge which splits the two halves.) Copy the symbols down in order from top to bottom. You will find a sequence of 5 symbols. It goes round-shaped thing, line-shaped thing, cross-shaped thing, line-shaped thing, round-shaped thing. (Personally I don't think the symbols are very clear.) You need to work the button, the lever and the wheel in the sequence indicated by the *-shaped things. If you see what I mean. [ Sunday, April 09, 2006 00:17: Message edited by: Micawber ] -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| 15,000 Coin Limit? in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Friday, April 7 2006 15:22
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Yeah, the 64k was illustrative rather than precise; if the limit was indeed of this magnitude it would be 65536 (=2^16). In terms of game experience, my PCs in Avernum 3 have definitely exceeded 70,000 experience, so I would guess that this particular number has a maximum ~128k or even higher. Whatever. To get back to the original question, for purely practical reasons there does have to be a limit of some sort, but I do think the limit Jeff has set in all three Avernum games is annoyingly and unnecessarily low. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| opinions on Avernum IV in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Monday, April 3 2006 12:17
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quote:So why did he add tedious creatures like pylons, turrets and shrubs? They're really repetitive, if fighting turrets isn't busywork I don't know what is. :( For me there is no obvious creature missing from Avernum 4 - we have all the traditional sliths, nephils, spiders, bandits, ogres, goblins, undead, cave giants, drakes, golems, vahnatai, etc, etc. Even the chitrachs make a re-appearance, dammit. I just wish he hadn't added the trap-monsters. :mad: -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| opinions on Avernum IV in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Sunday, April 2 2006 04:34
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quote:No it wasn't about graphics it was about combat strategy. Jeff wanted to write a GF-style game in the Avernum world. But it results in a world that's unrecognisable - impossible to believe that A4 takes place in the same world as A1-3. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| opinions on Avernum IV in Avernum 4 | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Saturday, April 1 2006 22:07
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I think it depends on whether you like Geneforge or not. If you prefer Geneforge to Avernum or find them equally enjoyable, then get A4. If you preferred Avernums 1-3 to Geneforge then I think A4 is going to be a bit disappointing, however YMMV. The threads Kel referenced have already covered the ground of what's wrong with A4 fairly well - concentrating on the technical engine matters (and the egregious plot). Actually for me I find the engine is liveable-with and as for the plot, it never stopped me enjoying A3 so it won't stop me enjoying A4 either. No, my top gripe with A4 is that it throws away too many in-game features of the world of Avernum and imports too many from Geneforge. No more traveling by water, no more secret tunnels. Instead instant travel and shopkeepers who only stock 1-2 of each item. Also the monsters - I don't want to see submission turrets, crawlers, artilas, pylons, spraying shrubs or spawners in my Avernum games. They belong in Geneforge, which up until now has been a separate world. The spawner in particular was a real slap in the face - and in fact the toughened-up "chitrachs" were suspiciously like clawbugs with a facelift. Edit: Adding to list of things imported from GF. [ Sunday, April 02, 2006 04:28: Message edited by: Micawber ] -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Just because we all love census topics in General | |
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Agent
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written Saturday, April 1 2006 14:06
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A Jacobite then? -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| 15,000 Coin Limit? in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
Member # 2759
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written Saturday, April 1 2006 14:00
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quote:From a programming point of view, the numerical values are finite and have a fixed length. In the Avernum code I think I am right in saying that no number can exceed 64,000 values. The game enforces a cap in order to avoid weird errors - like negative gold (which has been known to happen in the Exile games). -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Just because we all love census topics in General | |
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Agent
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written Friday, March 31 2006 22:22
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quote:Er, he didn't - he was executed. After 10 years as a republic, Charles's son (Charles II) was made king. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| 15,000 Coin Limit? in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
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written Friday, March 31 2006 21:57
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Well, the 15000 limit in A3 is at least less miserly than the 9000 limit in A1. The most expensive things to buy are the special skills - anatomy, parry, blademaster, magery, etc. Generally I get around the gold cap by buying every level of these skills as soon as they are available which brings my gold rapidly down to zero every time. By the time I've got as far as 5 levels of all the skills available, it's pretty much the end of the game. If you don't need the money, don't pick up the loot. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| The most boring spell and monster in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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written Friday, March 31 2006 21:51
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Most boring spell? I'll go with summoning - when the monsters cast it it drags the combat out for longer, while when you cast it it costs a lot of energy and potentially stops you gaining experience. Most boring monster? I'd say guards, actually. Very tough with lots of health but without any interesting abilities to make it challenging. In E2 I remember you sometimes met entire parties of guards and it took AGES to kill them all, without being any sort of threat. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| There Is/There Are in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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written Friday, March 31 2006 21:35
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There's also a pattern of speech issue - in written dialogue, for example in literature, grammatical "mistakes" are often copied from local usage, hinting at things like accent and rhythm of speech, which can less easily be conveyed in print. I'm not saying that's what Jeff is doing in this case; but the use of "there's" with a plural is fairly common in speech. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |
| Xian Skull (A3) in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Agent
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written Tuesday, March 21 2006 04:35
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Except then he'll just complain how dark it is inside, and how much your gloves chafe... you'll never get away. I dumped the skull outdoors - so as not to inflict it upon anyone else. -------------------- "I can't read this thread with that image. But then, that's not a complaint." -Scorpius Geneforge 4 stuff. Also, everything I know about Avernum | Avernum 2 | Avernum 3 | Avernum 4 Posts: 1104 | Registered: Monday, March 10 2003 08:00 |