It's so weird how just a few years ago I was that awkward highschooler that played Nightmist because he was too poor to do anything else.

...Now I'm just that awkward university student. xD

I was able to finish my first year at McMaster University with 9.5/12 average. It was way different than what I was expecting, but I found that I was able to keep my balance after the initial shock. I guess that's what they're trying to test.

Those bastards.

By the way, I don't know what a 9.5/12 average means either xD
I think it's like a B+ or an A- or an 80%. What this means is that I get to renew my entrance scholarship: $2000!

That's a lot of Mac & Cheese.

Speaking of which, I've recently experimented with Mac & Cheese pizza. I ordered a Hawaiian pizza and poured Mac & Cheese all over it. Pineapples go surprisingly well with it.

In September, I'll be starting my major in Honours Biophysics. And after that, I'll be aiming for Med School. That means I've gotta start studying up for the MCAT! Phew, lots of work for me this year but I think I'll manage.

I've leased out a house with six other people (4 Engineers; myself, a science student; a buisness student; and a stranger who I don't really know that well, but he seems like a nice enough guy). In those four engineers is my girlfriend of over three years. We get the entire upstairs to ourself.

She told me that if I don't help clean the bathroom, we're through.

In my spare time, I'm still roleplaying over message boards and even playing D&D with some new people I met. A lot of them are really upset with me because our last D&D session was sometime in March with a killer cliffhanger ending (a professor at a magic academy cut open his stomach and when the PCs turned to leave, a bearded devil popped out! Not to mention, they're carrying an artifact of gross and evil power which they just recently found out is actually a fraction of a legendary Lich's phylactery). We haven't played since just because we live so far apart.

Squee still doens't drink or smoke anything. And I'm just fine with that. I'm saving hundreds of dollars. xP
(...Which, admittedly, I blew on D&D books. It's too damn easy to drop $200 or so on these books in just one trip to the hobby-shop.)

I'm working this summer at a factory doing manual labour. For me, it's at least the second layer of hell (the first is consists of my first two semesters in chemistry). The other day, I spent eight hours sweeping up an airplane hanger. On another, they made me sweep up a parking lot - then they yelled at me for using a broom and gave me a rake. How do you rake a parking lot?!

I have the feeling that my boss is just trying to make me suffer so much that I'll stay in school. Needless to say, it's working.

Anyways, that's about all I have to say. It's good to see that a lot of faces are still sticking around. I'm sure the game is much better because of you. It's also good to see that the game is making a steady (if not painfully slow) progression forward.

1-alt NM was a great push forward.

Next you'll need to make NPCs a bit more active. After all, they're characters and not just autamatons. Make it fun to go on a quest!

And because I'm a huuuuuge Forgotten Realms fan (What? You don't know what Forgotten Realms is? For the love of God, go read something about Elminster or Drizzt!), I'd say that greatest and most unique thing NM could do is have the staff play the role of gods with their own (sometimes hidden) agendas. What if Trevayne offered a massive amount of gold and jewels to a clan to go into the depths of Stadius' Realm to kill his trusted Seraph of Awesome and take his Amulet of Also Awesome?

Why, I think you'd have a good ol' Gods War on your hands. And everyone loves that!

Anyways, I'm rambling way too much. I'll end it here.

Take care of each other, Nightmist.

I'm basically testing how would nightmist look with icons that match each other and the rest of the user interface.

Possibly the sexiest idea ever.

http://i95.photobuck...Sayadincopy.gif
Just thought I'd point out that this image is from the Expanded Psionics Handbook from Wizards.

...And that picture of the bearded dwarf is also from another D&D book. I can't place it exactly, but I'm sure I've seen it before. I just thought I'd point that out.

It might seem abit unnecessery, though im a firm believer that small things do make a difference.

Truer words, my friend.

And after this gets put in, maybe we'll see Nightmist's own calendar with original holidays! And maybe even weather will begin to change in NM!

Oh, oh! And don't forget NM's own pantheon!

...Aww, golly-gee, I'm all aflutter now. xD

Zing!

Think of it like holding your breath. You just need to release it.

Or maybe a better analogy would be holding yourself in a really uncomfortable position, like standing on your head. You obviously can't do things you would normally standing up and it's pretty difficult to get up there (not to mention it requires a fair bit of practice). But coming down off that headstand is pretty easy, given, there's still the chance you'll botch it and hit your head off the corner of a table.

I think it'd be hilarious if a druid morphed and died because their body couldn't handle the rapid body changes.

Watch it. Love it. Cherish it.

http://www.gametrail...er.php?id=57998

Monty Oum has instantly become one of my favourite artists of all time.

(P.S. You might want to sit down.)

This was brought up before. I think we've all decided that this is how things work in Nightmist:



Edit: Picture by Creed on old forums.

hax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browncoat

Browncoat is a slang term from the space western TV series Firefly (and its big-screen "sequel", Serenity) for a member of the Independent Faction, which lost to the Alliance in the Unification War. It is also a nickname for fans of the series

I think in the end, Snoopy and I were thinking of the same thing.

I like /random to create a random number much better. It gives you that whole suspense thing. /pickplayer is boring.

I think you misunderstood what I meant (or maybe I'm misunderstanding something).

I think it's better if players, after a boss is done and through, all do a /random. Then the person who actually got the item forks it over to the person that rolled highest.

I don't think it's necessary to create a whole new system to deal with things like this.

Exclusively on the Nightmist 1-alt server. That is, only 1a Squee will be accepting money.

Mip's stats are:
Race/Class: Male Elf Initiate Druid. Str: 18, Int: 12, Dex: 19, Con: 18, Wis: 20, Chr: 21, Lev: 1, Exp: 0, HP: 20, MP: 20, Stm: 1.
This druid has not selected a morph.

Willing to settle for gold but would rather trade for a 4-stat or 5-stat mage (preferably Elf).

Edit: I've decided that putting 1a before a title would probably be best for distinguishing between 1-alt server and the normal one.

Don't really need this to be added to the engine per se. Players can do the same thing via an honour system.

...What? Don't trust the people in your party? Just don't invite them next time. Eventually, nobody will want to form parties with them and they'll never be able to get these items.

In a 1-alt server, I assume that reputation would be pretty important among the playerbase.

Should this happen, it sets a dangerous precedent.

Soon, we'll have to make a new forum subsection for staff nominations.

It's late here at McMaster University, but I find I can't sleep.

My mind wandered for a bit and I thought it'd be nice to let everyone know how I'm doing.

University isn't what I expected it to be and it certainly knocked me to the ground in the first round. That chemistry midterm that I failed really opened my eyes.

I'm a lot more grown up - a lot less naive. I've seen things and heard things and felt things; I think I qualify as an adult now (though I've never felt like it - don't think I'll feel like it in the future neither).

He-Who-Controls-Squee is now searching for an apartment to move into next year with a lovely girl (3 year anniversary in February). But he's been bad and has yet to tell his ever-so-strict parents. He will also refrain from referring to himself in third person for the rest of this post.

Aeryn will be happy that I took Latin as my elective (my others were second semester Calculus and the second physics - Crane will be happy about that one).

Tu ipse meis primis verbis Latinis docuisiti mihi. (Pardon if I made a mistake.)

Cyric will be happy to know (though I doubt he will ever read this) that I'm continuing DM'ing D&D sessions. I found a great group of people whose personalities are just different enough to compensate for each others weakness. Oh, the stories I could tell.

Oh! And yes, I remain alcohol free and drug free! My floor-mates all tell me that I'm already too drunk on life.

All in all, I'm doing well. My grades are high enough that I don't feel bad, but low enough that I want to achieve more. I even get the satisfaction of helping people who are struggling. It's good times.

Anyhoo, I've rambled enough. I hope you are all doing well and I hope you're doing your best to keep the realm safe (apparently we had a close call recently!). Until I next see you,

Keep each other safe,
Forever Squee of Draco Honoris

PS: (In Biology A-, Chemistry B, Latin A+, Math A, Physics B-. I'm doing well so don't worry!)

I like to believe my spelling is more provocative. Stick it to the man.

Forward: I've stopped playing this game. I write this adventure not because I want it to be put in, but in hopes that this will spark at least a little interest in the game staff. A little imagination goes a long way.

This isn't to say that staff aren't doing a good job and that their areas aren't inspired (I think quite the opposite), but I believe there are more possibilities for areas - possibilities that aren't based around experience or loots.

That said, I hope you enjoy what little I have to offer.

Title: This adventure starts in Arilin, requires free roaming by players (more on this later), goes through the Royal Forest, to a clearing in the Royal Forest (to be constructed), then leads either back to Harabec or to Arilin and Blackthorn (more on this later).

Story: Malik Of-No-Name-Worth-Mentioning was nothing out of the ordinary to look at. He was covered in the standard commoner grime for an Arilinian. His nose was slightly crooked after being broken at a young age. His black hair was matted and his teeth were beginning to yellow. He was average and nothing a young noblewoman, such as Lady Catherine d'Thronwal, skin like alabaster and golden locks reaching to her bosum, should ever had laid eyes on.

But love is young and blind and often stupid. Malik knew his place yet persued his crazed fantasy. He left daisies and love letters nearly everyday on the front doorstep of the d'Thronwal house in Harabec, always making that painful tread through the Royal Forest. And when no word ever reached him back, he assumed it was those noble bastards who would kill a love so pure and magical because of social ranking - the fact that his letters were always blown away and his flowers trampled on by unsuspecting visitors never occured to him. No, the love was too pure.

So here a band of adventurers find themselves - before Malik Of-No-Name-Worth-Mentioning, hearing his pleas and ramblings of a pure, mutual love. Reluctantly, they listen to what he has to say.

"...But don't worry! I have a plan - a brilliant one. Dressed as a noble myself, I will be able to sneak to the woodland ball tonight and there, Lady Catherine and I shall express our loves, embrace and then run away together! Oh, think of the children we shall have... Nine? Ten? A thousand children - my love is so great!"

• Malik requires a set of three items. The sets are:
  Knight SetChain Vest, Jewelled Sword, Alloy Studded Boots
  Wizard SetOrnate Robes, Staff of Elements, Gold Ring
  Cleric SetOrnate Robes, Staff of Serenity, Silver Amulet
• Based on this, Malik will change into one of his alter egos. He is then to be escorted to the Woodland Ball. The PCs will have to kill all monsters on sight (since Malik won't move unless everything has been cleared). Malik will cross with at least one wolf in the Royal Forest. Malik will call for healings if he falls to moderately wounded. Malik can be killed by other players. PCs should watch out for that. ;D
• Once at the Woodland Ball (this is actually a teleportation - Malik will ask if everyone is there and if a PC responds "Yes, we are here." then Malik will transport them to the Woodland Ball. If Malik isn't there (ie. if a PC isn't on this quest), they'll walk into a clearing of no real interest), Malik will walk over to Lady Catherine who sits at the smaller table and try to woo her. This should be a treat, because he's only full of cheesey pick-up lines.
  
  Things like, "Beautuous Lady Catherine, it seems there's a mighty wyrm in my pants and only you have the power to slay it."
  "I've brought a sheath for my sword, if that's what you're worried about."
  "You know, I bathed just last week so you know I'm free of mange."
  "Lady Catherine, your hips are like a never ending keg of ale - I'd tap that all night long."
  "Your bosum doesn't sag at all like my mother's."
  "What say you to a delightful romp through my pants?"
  "I never knew celestials flew so low to the Material Plane."
  "I think they might ask you to leave soon; you're making the other woman look bad."
  
  nb. This clearing for the Woodland Ball IS NOT the same clearing before the Royal Forest.
• After a few of those, the conversation makes a turn for the worse. Malik starts making demands and then grabs her against her will and they have a struggle. Suddenly, Malik falls to the ground, holding his head with both hands and crying out with agony. Lady Catherine tries to flee, ripping her dress as Malik reaches out with a clawed hand to stay her. He stands again, his body begins to deform and steam and that's when Malik becomes The Beast of Malik.
• Guards will attack Malik and attack the PCs if the PCs decide to attack the guards. Here the PCs make a decision. They can subdue all the guards and then go after Malik or simply kill Malik. If Malik dies, the PCs get Claw of the Beast and they can hand that in to the King of Harabec for a Crest of Heroism. However, if (and only if) the PCs subdue the guards and then defeat Malik using only healing spells (beam will count because it is basically a pillar of light), they will save Malik who will ask you to take him to his shack where he gives the PCs Malik's Tainted Charm. This can be handed to the priest in Blackthorn to be turned into the Charm of Desire.

Restrictions: None. A level 30 could probably do this on his or her own. Normally, I could see a party of three or four level 20s do this with appropriate difficulty.

Contents: Malik Of-No-Name-Worth-Mentioning is a little on the scrawny side and not much to look at. His black hair is matted down and his skin is covered in a thin layer of grime. His clothes are nothing more than rags and his teeth are beginning to yellow. He is in healthy condition.

Malik d'Raunfor is very obviously Malik in a knight's attire - to you, at least. A jewelled sword sits on his belt and his chain vest and alloy-studded boots jingle and clatter as he (clumsily) walks about. Still, he cleans up quite nicely, if you do say so yourself. This might actually work. He is in healthy condition.

Malik d'Kinorin is very obviously Mailk in a wizard's attire - to you, at least. His ornate robes are clearly too large for him and he often trips and stumbles, relying on his staff of elements for support, often yelping as he touches a fire-attuned section. However, he does wear that gold ring in a rather dignified manner. This could actually work. He is in healthy condition.

Priest Malik of Lathandar is very obviously Mailk in a cleric's attire - to you, at least. His ornate robes drag on the floor as he tries to walk with a calm expression, carrying after tripping on his own feet as if he meant to do it. The silver amulet and staff of serenity he carries glint in the light and, you have to admit, he does seem rather regal. This might actually work. He is in healthy condition.

Lady Catherine d'Thronwal is almost a vision of beauty. He golden locks spill past her shoulders, tickling her bosum. Her blue eyes have a soft expression and her delicate lips smile almost invitingly. It is no wonder she is the pride of the Thronwal house. She is in healthy condition.

The Beast of Malik is a horrible mix of human and demon. Horns begin to sprout from the head, drawing thin streams of blood. Steam rises from his back as if the flesh itself were burning. The tips of several tattered and dripping wings begin to sprout of his arms, legs and back. Uneven and overly large fangs begin to sprout from his mouth and everytime he tries to speak, only a gurgle can be heard. His sword wounds leave puddles of red blood while all others leave trails of black ichor on the forest floor. He seems to be in relatively healthy condition.

The Beast of Malik lashes out in a crazed frenzy, hitting you for 53 damage.
The Beast of Mailk releases a noxious vapour, stinging your eyes and throat, and dealing 21 damage.
You are poisoned.
The Beast of Malik cries out in agony, coughing up a black ichor. "...H-Help... me...!" multiple voices seem to echo from the beast's maw.
The poison hurts you for 6 damage.
The Beast of Malik picks up a clawed handful of ichor and swallows it, recovering from minor wounds.
The Beast of Malik falls to the ground, its demonic parts beginning to fall off, leaving the corpse of Malik Of-No-Name-Worth-Mentioning lifeless and steaming.
The Beast of Mailk cries with incredibly agony as the demonic parts are exercised, leaving a frightened and weak Mailk Of-No-Name-Worth-Mentioning on the ground, sobbing and soaking wet.

[*I have no how much damage a party of 3 or 4 level 20s can dish out, but I'd like the fight with Malik to be fairly long. Maybe twice the HP of a Wolf?*]

Guard of the Woodland Ball wears plate armour and holds a pike in a skillful manner. However, there is a sure glint of fear in the eyes of the guard as it fights on. The guard is in healthy condition.

[*About as tough as a Gnoll Guard with 3/4 HPish*]

The Guard of the Woodland Ball attacks you with its pike for 18 damage.
The Guard of the Woodland Ball attacks The Beast of Mailk with its pike.

Items:
Claw of the Beast: The largest chunk of what remains of the Beast of Malik. Surely, the King of Harabec would reward anyone who bears this.
Crest of Heroism: A gift from the King of Herebec for saving the life of a noble. The amulet is gold with a picture of a lion engraved on it. Armor 3. Can be equipped by: Everyone

Malik's Tainted Charm: You keep this charm wrapped tightly in cloth, lest whatever curse on it befall you as it did to Malik. Malik joked that only a priest that could seal away a great lich could ever hope to banish the curse.
Charm of Desire: This charm fits nicely on your ring finger. When placed in the light, the engravings read, "The greatest and least of all men are driven by desire." Armor: 1. Stats: +1 Con, +1 Cha

Draw: Mostly a chance to do some old-school adventuring. It's a relatively easy challenge but with a lot of NPC interaction. The rewards for this adventure are pretty minimal and the experience is pretty average.

Writing Sample:Commoner's Home: There isn't much here at all. The floor is made of rickety wood and vermin scurry past your feet. You can exit...
Commoner's Home: The floor is covered in dirt and you can clearly see rat holes in the walls. In the corner of the room, you notice a rug oddly placed. It dips in the center as if nothing were underneath it.

[*Malik won't let the adventurers down unless they've defeated his beast or him.*]

Malik's Shrine: Illuminated only by candlelight, this cellar-type room is stuffy and dank. A crude alter is surrounded by strange markings. Atop, a piece of cloth is wrapped around as if to nest something - however, that something seems to be missing.
Malik's Shrine: On closer inspection, you relize the markings are crudely made runes. You're confident that they're dormant because of the lack of care taken to make them but still, you remain weary. On the alter, you recognize a black painted starburst.

/examine - Etched on the floor before the alter, you read: Any method or means is justified if it brings about the desired end.

Woodland Ball: This clearing the Royal Forest is free of all hostile animals. No brazier is ever more than three yards from another, making a circle of illumination and warding off any wolves. Log benches have been sanded down neatly and many nobles sit next to one another, enjoying the dancing and music and the overall mirth of such an occasion.
Woodland Ball: Though much of the area is open space for dancing, there is clearly a raised table towards the northern end of the clearing. There many nobles sit and talk of small things - a nice break from their usual political and economical arguments and squabbles. A smaller table is reserved off to the side for the daughters and sons of the nobles, allowing them to mingle and woo as they please.

I haven't proofread this and I think I've included some things that just aren't possible with the game engine (they will have to be revamped so they have the same basic effect).

Also, I forgot to mention that the Woodland Ball should be a clearing in the shape of a circle.

Mmm hmm. Looks like I'm a big kid now.

I really quit Nightmist a long time ago but I thought now was a good time to leave a final farewell post.

I was able to pull 5 million gold in items out of the Nightmist economy. They are deleted (/destroy [item]) and will never show their faces again. ^__^

And though I feel bad about taking those from a friend, I think we both understand that pulling money out of Nightmist like that can really only help it.

I'll be moving out September 2nd into my residence on campus. I hope my roommate's nice.

And hopefully I won't get overwhelmed with all the work. Four years and I get my honours in science and then it's (hopefully) off to med school with me.

Hah, a doctor - I bet nobody thought that of me.

I don't like saying good bye but my friends know who they are and they'll ignore the fact that I'm using an over-used cliche.

There'll be no roleplaying exit for me. I built up this character and I don't think anything I write could really satisfy me. It would always be much too... less.

Thank you, Nightmist, for all the good times. And thanks for the not-so good times, either. It was a nice ride, full of jostles and hijinks but calm and peaceful times, too.

Good luck to everyone in whatever you decide to do.

Keep each other safe,
Squee of Draco Honoris

Well, seeing how Cuban hasn't PM'ed me or said anything at all to defend these accusations, I'm selling Squee to Trevayne for 5 million gold.

(I believe 4 million was his last serious bid, because of a PM he sent me.)

Thanks for your interest, everyone.

Nope, Squee is Canadian. He can't drink until another year has passsed.

...I can however, join the army and die for my country. Ironic how that works.

If they are fake bids, I have a good idea when the fake bidding started. I'll try to be as fair as possible.

Bump.