Profile for Thralni

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Of what little we have... in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #22
Well spoken, TM. I agree with every word in that post.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Deathmatch Tournament -- Round One, Part One in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #34
quote:
Originally written by Delicious Vlish:

BTW. Vlish are not slimy. We are mammals. Smooth and dry. Harrumph.
You have tentacles, so in my book you are slimy :P . Being stubborn is something I got from my mother, so don't pay too much attention to it.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Deathmatch Tournament -- Main Thread in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #32
quote:
Originally written by Zeviz:

Slarty, thanks for putting the effort into this. I am particularly enjoying the character cards. :)
I think that's the best thing of this contest, actually. I saw I'm a nephil and have flight. Thanks for that.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Deathmatch Tournament -- Round One, Part One in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #28
#1: Infernal: She will just throw an enormous amount of insults at Excalibur, who will get more and more angry, until he simply explodes.

#2: Difficult... I say DV, because Priestly spells will not be able to hurt the slimy Vlishy body.

#3: How about none? They are allies, so they won't want to attack each other. What, I have to choose? Oh... Um... Lord grimm. For silence doesn't help here.

#4: Oh god. I'm a nephil I see, so I won't be slow at all. I will be nimble and fast. If you put that together with flight, I'm very fast flyer, so i don't see how Andra's clubs can help her. I will be in the air before she can even say "how do you do." Chickens can't fly, so they will stay on the ground, but who says they will care vegetables? I'll throw some chickens at her, who will attack her dress. If she clubs them all, I have a problem. Of course, I have the chicken gods on my side (I'm their prophet, so they, strictly speaking, are my allies.) I'll just call them for some help, and Andra will be KO in no time.

I win. (How subjective was that)

#5: Nalyd. Lazarus will be too drunk to fight.

#6: Randomizer: Mickey mouse is stronger than Pinocio. That is, if ADOS doesn't get help from RW, he won't win, but as we can't be sure of that, Randomizer will win. For now.

#7: Nikki: Everybody who listens to Nikki's poems will be so amazed by their beauty, that he or she will no longer want to fight him.

#8: Saunders: Fluffy Turtle huglification rules.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Of what little we have... in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #18
quote:
Originally written by Lenar:

At 23 votes, Bahs and Exodus tie for first place, with Frostbite in third.

A certain unnamed writer should take this into consideration.

And suddenly pops up in my head: "I'm not sure if, still, he will do any designing. His ego was badly damaged with the "devastating" reviews of Exodus. I think he should get over it."

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Spoon feeding the player: clues in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #14
You can't believe how relieved I am to see the poll results. Of course, keep on voting: the more the merrier. I do want to say some things about what I read in the topic.

Lenar: the ask about feature is something I will be implementing, as I already thought of it some days ago. Nice to see though that other people get the same idea as myself.

Eschar: What you said about "seen before" will be implemented for the same reason as with Lenar. For example, if you have, say, a Slith in your party and you see a typical Slith item, then you will of course know what it is. Same goes for a party that saw that same item earlier on. And although it might not know who's item it is, they will know that it is the same and there might be a connection (like with the Vahnatai in Avernum 3, for example).

Tully: I understand that point of view and I sympathise with it. I must honestly say that this is exactly which made me make this poll. Otherwise I would just have gone ahead and make this a total thinking scenario.

In general: I'm very positive about thewse results. However, although I sympathise with the ones that just want a fun game to play, I don't think I will do a whole lot for you. I will, of course, write a walkthrough. Even if I won't be trying to make the player think for once, I would have put in a walkthrough. This goes without saying. I will also put in the "ask about" feature, as I wanted to do that all along, and same goes for Eschar's suggestion, though I might not put the "luck" parameter in. Nature lore of course, though. I have already used it a lot in TNS (See the screenshot back on my website titled "searching for a good spot to camp"? Well, that uses nature lore to actually find that camp + hints to point you in the right direction).

Thanks to all of you who took the time to express their opinion. Others are of course more than welcome to add on what others said, or of course comment on my plans.

I think it becomes more and more apparent how mind-driven TNS will be. That's why I ask people's opinions. Given the fact that TNS will be, in some way, alike The Zakazi Run, and in more ways alike Exodus, and I saw what great faults these scenarios have, I thought I have to do something that makes TNS outstanding compared to these too. In other words: learning from their mistakes to make TNS better. Part of this is asking people's opinions to make sure that what I make is what most people want.

[ Monday, April 30, 2007 22:27: Message edited by: Thralni ]

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Spoon feeding the player: clues in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #0
(The full question is at the very end of this post, just so you know)

Most scenarios, if not all, for BoA, have a very simple principle: the party has to find the bad guy, and does it by collecting clues. With most of them, if not all, this is done in a way in which the player is sort of told what the party thinks. An example:

"You found a scroll, saying yada yada yada. It looks as though the goblins have something to do with this. Go tell random mayor/captain #5 about it."

I suppose this has to be done in the scenarios in which it happens, for a reason already being stated in the example: "Go tell random mayor/captain #5 about it." This basically means that we are bound to a system in which dialogue spoon-feeds the player, by telling him stuff he himself probably didn't even think about. This is what Exile did a lot better. In Exile, one didn't have to state that "this is that." The party could find a clue, think for himself about it, and try asking certain words to random mayor/captain #5, which is a good thing. An other reason could well be that has become a standard to immediatly tell what things could be, so, naturally, every designer does it, which is a pity.

And here is what my question comes in: In TNS, you collect clues too, but you are most probably not going to really tell anyting about it to anybody. So I thought I might as well try to break lose from the standard things, and do it differently: I won't give any hint about the clues, and the player will have to identify for himself what the clue says. My question is, what do you prefer: think about clues on your own, without the designer giving any form of hint whatsoever, or the traditional spoon feeding (like in the example)?

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 29 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

function launch_voter () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=vote;pollid=klXHvvkSUqIF"); return true; } // end launch_voter function launch_viewer () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=view;pollid=klXHvvkSUqIF"); return true; } // end launch_viewer function launch_window (url) { preview = window.open( url, "preview", "width=550,height=300,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status,menubar=no,scrollbars,resizable,copyhistory=no" ); window.preview.focus(); return preview; } // end launch_window IMAGE(votenow.gif)     IMAGE(voteresults.gif)

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Of what little we have... in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #10
I don't know if it's entirely fair, for I didn't play all scenarios. As it is now, TV scores above most other scenarios I played for simply not being annoying.

And wow! Somebody voted for WtRM! God bless ya!

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Blades of Exile Source Code in Blades of Exile
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #31
quote:
Originally written by Andrea:

quote:
Originally written by Gaara of the Funk:

That thing's still not done?! How many freaking years has been under development?!
Five years as of around this date. I'm quite sorry that progress on my pet personal project hasn't been quite rapid enough for your taste; I've been unfortunately busy going to school, holding down a job, seeing my girlfriend, having friends, and generally living my life.

You must understand not everybody lives a life. Personally, I didn't meet many of those, but they exist.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Dialogue problem in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #7
No, it works correctly with relocate_character. It worked when I was aphatesting things a bit. The problem you described did occur with march_party, though, when I tried that call in WtRM for doing something similair.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Deathmatch Tournament -- Preliminary Nominations in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #131
quote:
Originally written by Nija_Halycron:

What the hell is IT WITH YOU AND FREAKING MUFFINS?????
What's wrong with muffins?

*frown*

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Deathmatch Tournament -- Preliminary Nominations in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #119
Oh nice, I'm in. Thanks to the ones that nominated me, and my parents, my teachres and my deceased cat. I have no idea how this works, so I think I'd better read the inmstructions sooner or later.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Dialogue problem in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #4
I could have, and I appreciate the comments, but the question still isn't solved. So is there anybody who could see a reason for the dialogue not to work?

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Dialogue problem in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #2
Text 5-8 will eventually be used for the second language, so they are there with a reason. I checked again, and all flags are set as they should be at that point. I guess I'll check again.

Teleport party does have a sound, though, doesn't it? I think you can activate or deactivate the effect, but can you get rid of the sound accompanying it too? If not, then I don't think it would be of use.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Dialogue problem in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #0
Fort some reason, no text is displayed, except for the questions, in the following dialogue node:

begintalknode 1;
state = -1;
personality = 9;
nextstate = 1;
condition = 1;
question = "Fersor";
text1 = "Fersor, mighty chieftain of Hirpirdihra, is sitting in front of you on an old, wooden chair. He seems tired of life and he looks at you with begging eyes. He speaks:";
text2 = "Adventurers. Have you thought about my question? have you thought about any consequences: for us and for you? We know you serve a nation, we know you can't just help the enemy. Still, we ask this of you. What is the answer?";
text3 = "You walk towards Fersor, who is very glad to see you. He is thrilled you are willing to help him and his folk out of Avernum, out of the pit you want to get out of too.";
text4 = "_What are you doing here!_ Fersor immediatly stands up and asks you to leave. You refuse, but he even gets angrier. You are soon standing out side of the palace.";
text5 = "";
text6 = "";
text7 = "";
text8 = "";
code =
if ((get_flag(250,0) == 0) && (get_flag(4,2) == 0)) { // intro - not answered question yet
remove_string(3);
remove_string(4);
remove_string(5);
remove_string(6);
remove_string(7);
remove_string(8);
}

if ((get_flag(250,0) == 0) && (get_flag(4,2) == 1)) { // intro - said yes
remove_string(1);
remove_string(2);
remove_string(4);
remove_string(5);
remove_string(6);
remove_string(7);
remove_string(8);
}

if ((get_flag(250,0) == 0) && (get_flag(4,2) == 2)) { // intro - said no
remove_string(1);
remove_string(2);
remove_string(3);
remove_string(5);
remove_string(6);
remove_string(7);
remove_string(8);

relocate_character(0,28,10);
relocate_character(1,27,10);
relocate_character(2,26,10);
relocate_character(3,25,10);

end();
}
break;
I couldn't spot anything in the flags that might make it so that all if statements are triggered and all lines are removed. I wondered if one of you could find out what the problem is? The problem doesn't arise in any other dialogue node of this same script I made.

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Hi from the freetalk master in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #6
Heya. Been a SW fanatic for long?

Even if you're not, the chicken gods smile upon ye.

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Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Blades of Exile Source Code in Blades of Exile
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #7
Halleluja I presume, but since I design for BoA already, I probably won't do anything for BoE. Still, good move Jeff! You probably made quite a bit of this community very happy.

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Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Splitting one PC from the party in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #26
And there comes back the problem I wanted to avoid: i want the party to be out of combat mode, as I'm sure it will irritate most players that they won't be able to move in normal mode. I didn't test the kill thing yet, but I already coded it, and it will stay there unless it doesn't work proparly.

It seems like a very interesting thing, though, to use in a puzzle. I will keep it in mind.

So even though I won't use it for what you suggested it, I'm sure I will find an other use for it.

[ Wednesday, April 25, 2007 04:15: Message edited by: Thralni ]

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Graphics Hoard Unleashed Upon Ye in Blades of Avernum
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #46
Ephesos: Those trees are really extremely beautifull. When i get the chance to use them, I certainly will.

[ Monday, April 23, 2007 05:49: Message edited by: Thralni ]

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Learn how it's done. in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #23
(1) What's your main goal in life?
Getting a nice job, a nice wife and nice children.

(2) If you won a million dollars, what would be your first thought?
-Um... No, that can't be, I always lose.

(3) When you are mad; do you usually stay angry or do you yell to release the anger?
It depends what I'm angry at. If it's a person I usually try to calm down, when it's an object, I start screaming, jump on the bed and hit the bed as hard as I can. When I calmed down, I continue with what I was doing.

(4) Tell us an anecdote of anything that happened to you today.
I'm very tired, because I played Call of Duty 2 right now on "hardened" level. The constant stream of bullits plus the enormous din eventually got hold of me and I had to quit the game, otherwise I wouldn't have lived long enough to type this. I think i might be understanding now just a bit how D-Day felt like.

(5) What's your current Philosophy on life?
Sleep is good.

(6) If you created a deadly disease, what would you call it?
Filbert?

(7) What should you be doing right now?
Sleeping.

(8) If this were Southpark, what character do you think you'd be?
Don't watch it, sorry.

(9) What occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid ?
Pilot or architect.

(10) What happened to those dreams?
Nothing. Right now I want to be a biologist.

(11) Describe the last dream you can remember.
That would take too long a time...

(12) If you were a supermodel, which supermodel would you be?
Good god, um... I don't really know any...

(13) If you had to live in a hole, what kind of creature would you be?
A bird.

(14) If you could have one thing right now, what would it be and why?
A soft blanket, because I'm very tired. In all other cases, I would have opted for a beer, as I didn't have one for two weeks now.

(15) Name one thing about you that embarrasses you.
My flows of tyspos. It seems neevrndeing.

(16) Do you usually walk around your house with sandals or barefoot?
My mother ordered me to wear slippers.

(17) Have you ever gotten something you really wanted but thought you wouldn't get?
Probably.. to tired to name anything at the moment, though.

(18) Name one thing you are presently excited about or fascinated by.
The human brain.

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Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Splitting one PC from the party in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #20
Maybe I'm just naive, but I trust my players to just read the readme, and thus read they should not resurrect their fallen comrade if they don't want to break that part of the scenario.

Also, what I meant with my earlier comment about using godparties: What I meant was that hacking through will not win the puzzles for you. Upon rereading it, I thought it might have been a little unclear, because what people might have understood is "You won't win the scenario," which of course isn't true. No, the puzzles I try to design will make you think about what to do, and hacking through all the enemies will probably get you nowhere. You will have either to attack a very specific thing or do a series of specific things, after which you can defeat the enemies. So that's why a god party may not be usefull.

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Play and rate my scenarios:

Where the rivers meet
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Give us your drek!
Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Outdoor Fight Terrain in Blades of Avernum Editor
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #2
For as far as I know, in the outdoors only outdoor scripts work, and nothing else, until you get into a town. All terrain/creature and town scripts do work there.

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Play and rate my scenarios:

Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Stuff to stop confusion in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #4
In before the lock.

That said, I like eating muffins.

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Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
VTech in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #88
I just read the thread, and something that was said, struck me as spot on. Now, I'm talking as a foreigner who doesn't know to much about Americans, American society and politics. I'm just curious what people think about it.

"When a person intends to kill, and in large numbers, they will get the guns regardless." By Stareye.

I agree with this a hundred per cent. I don't know what it was with that guy, what his motives were to kill, but if he found it necessary for one reason or another, he would have done so. Even if there would have been no gun, I think, he would have found a knife. So while I think that having less unnecesary guns is always good, these sort of tragedies can always occur. With or without the law. I do agree with the ones stating that chances are minimilized if one can't go out and buy a gun just like that.

What Synergy and Drew said, I think, is also very true. A boy in my class asked me a couple of weeks ago, if I thought that a frog is an intelligent animal. He said the following:

A huge group of frogs who all know each other, sit on a piece of land. They all face an unknown enemy, sitting perfectly still (it is unknown, so the frogs wouldn't immeditaly run away, and it's sitting still, so it won't scare the frogs). However, that unknown enemy also has food. One frog goes to the food, and while eating it, he is violently killed. This happens a few times, but eventually the frogs don't go near the food and the enemy, as they "know" what will happen. My answer was that his has nothing to do with intellect: it's instinct. I don't know if I'm right, but I thik it's a similair situation as on Vtech: we people see a gunman killing people, and that's why we don't go near him (I could have stated this, and it was stated, without this long story. Just thought it was interesting).

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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00
Random stupidity (supposed to be funny) in General
Master
Member # 5977
Profile Homepage #3
Is this inspired by the movie 300? It reminds me an awfull lot of it. Aldous is Leionidas, Anna is his wife?

EDIT: Damn! beaten by Alo.

[ Friday, April 20, 2007 22:06: Message edited by: Thralni ]

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Where the rivers meet
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Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00

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