Gaming Outpost Discussions

Gaming Outpost Discussions » Recent Posts http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Gaming Outpost Discussions » Recent Posts en-US Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:19:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/search.php M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36191 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:47:08 +0000 M. J. Young 36191@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ There is no word in the bird's language for "insects", and when you try to come up with the word for a "bat" it's the same as the word for a "bird". When you press for the details, you find that all flying insects are also birds, and all crawling insects are "four-legs". Apparently that designation has more to do with their stance than the actual number of legs. ***** "I expect that there are those that deserve to die, and probably they die. Then of course there are those who die who probably didn't deserve it. Death comes to all eventually, and sooner if you don't do what you need to do to live. If you don't do what you need to do to live, would that mean you deserve to die? Perhaps that's what you mean?" --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "Count Shawn Fighting, Shawn Kelley continues play" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/count-shawn-fighting-shawn-kelley-continues-play/page/2#post-36190 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:52:10 +0000 M. J. Young 36190@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ As Shawn returns after a vacation of his own, we're moving this to a new thread, <a href='gamingoutpost.com/groups/m-joseph-youngs-games/forum/topic/count-shawn-kelley-present/'>Count Shawn Kelley Present</a>. --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36189 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:02:46 +0000 Oak 36189@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What of insects, or of bats?" -=- "Ah, this all has to do with my story, the tale I sketched to you in song just now. For it is a tale of a wretched unworthy fellow, and of a great king he served. This fellow had jobs, things he had to do, things he was required to do... and yet did not do them. And the king was indeed very angry, for the conduct of this fellow was so utterly negligent and so utterly wretched as to be worthy of death." "Have you any such things in your experience, among your people? Things that are so important to do, or not to do, that those who transgress are worthy of nothing but death?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36188 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:29:09 +0000 M. J. Young 36188@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Oh, yes, all of the two-legs are bigger than birds, even bigger than predator birds; but no, if they fly they must be birds. That's just obvious. The ability to fly is the definition of a bird." ***** "If I didn't make sure that my woman and her children were clothed and fed, she'd be very angry, and she's not so easy to live with when she's angry, and she's not so easy to escape, neither. As to the king, I suppose if he couldn't do his job we'd get another king. I really don't understand what you're about in all this." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36187 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:10:55 +0000 Oak 36187@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Are all of the two-legs about my size? Are any much larger or smaller? Do any look much different, as if they are a different type of creature than I? Do any of them fly?" -=- "Why do you have to do anything? What if you didn't do your job? Or what if your king didn't do his?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36186 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:35:12 +0000 M. J. Young 36186@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "I see two-legs, four-legs, snakes, and birds; I see predators and harmless. Two-legs are usually harmless, but they are egg-stealers sometimes. Most four-leg predators can't reach a nest easily, so only have to be watched when getting food. Predator birds are the dangerous ones." ***** "Well, we all have our jobs, that is, what we have to do. I have to keep my woman happy and fed, and get food and clothes for her children. That's my main job." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36185 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:23:52 +0000 Oak 36185@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What creatures do you see in these woods?" -=- I consider thoughtfully. "Do each of you have jobs, or things that you are required to do?" M. J. Young on "Harry's Game" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/harrys-game/page/30#post-36184 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:45:09 +0000 M. J. Young 36184@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ In an unusual divergence from my usual practice, I am letting Harry reset to this point and continue play with the character as he is here described, in a new world in a new thread in a game I am running, as <a href="http://gamingoutpost.com/groups/m-joseph-youngs-games/forum/topic/ring-for-harry/">Ring for Harry</a>. --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36183 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:56:05 +0000 M. J. Young 36183@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Odd. I see creatures eating what is not food sometimes, and was glad they did not know what food was; but I never considered that something might be food for them that was not food." ***** "Ruled? The King's job is to make sure everyone has food and shelter, and can enjoy life. If we find anything that might be used for trade, such as human coins or jewelry, we give it to him so he can use it to get what we need if necessary. He's required to play the fiddle for our dances, and to know the songs to keep us entertained. But we have no law, if I understand the way you use that word." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36182 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:46:42 +0000 Oak 36182@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "I'm sorry, but my food is different than your food. I don't know where your food is." -=- "Ah, good questions all. Very well then, let us be sure we understand together the context of my story..." "Now, you previously mentioned your Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Therefore, I take it that your people are organized into a kingdom, and ruled by a king. Is this so?" "How are you ruled, then? What is your law? If your king gives a command, is it to be obeyed, or is it to be ignored?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36181 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:42:58 +0000 M. J. Young 36181@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Food". It appears that the bird's language does not have a different word for whatever it is. ***** "Aye, but a rather sketchy tale it was. Where were you lost, when were you blind, and what dangers have you faced? It's hardly a proper tale. It's a bit like saying, 'I went somewhere and something happened and I came back.' Where did you go, and what happened? Or did I miss something?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36180 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:19 +0000 Oak 36180@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What do you like to eat?" -=- "Ah, but I already did... though there are many hidden treasures within it that are worthy of further detail. You heard the song I sang when we first met. Have you ever heard the like of it before? What did you glean from it? For that song is the heart and soul of my story..." M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36179 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:53:35 +0000 M. J. Young 36179@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you know where there is any food close at hand?" ***** "All right, then--you first. Tell me your story." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36178 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:32:54 +0000 Oak 36178@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Thank you for talking with me. Is there any way that I may be of service to you?" -=- "But do you not share stories among your people? Why bother with ever speaking of Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna, even amongst yourselves, if it is nothing but a lie to distract?" "I suppose that you have a point about control... but I love and serve the LORD my God by loving and serving those around me as best I can. Bridging the gap from strangers to friends won't happen unless someone is willing to reach out, and risk, and be vulnerable. So I freely initiate taking such risk, in the hope that others will also. And you are a good example. With all that your folk have suffered from humans, you would scarcely be inclined to initiate such risk with me. The only hope, slim though it might be, is if I do so first. Is it not so?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36177 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:49:57 +0000 M. J. Young 36177@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Your suggestions of what else there is seem only to confuse the bird. The word for "beauty" appears to suggest primarily sexual attractiveness in a mate; changes in temperature are not other than facts about the world that must be endured; he doesn't really pay attention to ground where he cannot land other than to keep going until he finds a place where he can. ***** "You have a strange idea of the use of stories, stranger. But then, if you're right, that knowing someone's stories helps you understand them, that would be all the more reason why you shouldn't tell your stories to strangers--understanding others lets you control them, and so being understood makes you controllable." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36176 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:35 +0000 Oak 36176@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What of the beauty of the forest, or of the great waters you fly over when you follow the sun, or of the rising sun's warmth on a chilly morning, or of the coolness of a breeze on a warm afternoon?" -=- "Some stories can be for such base things, but not all. Stories may recall worthy events of the past, such as Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Stories may convey great truths by illustration or parable. And the stories that folk treasure in their hearts help me understand and know them better. Is it not so?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36175 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:42:36 +0000 M. J. Young 36175@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Other things? Sometimes I thank the maker for my territory, mate, and food. Sometimes I sing warning to my mate that there is a predator in the area, whether a bird hunter or an egg stealer. What else is there?" ***** "Why? Why do humans think anything at all? They find that we're hard to catch, and figure that we must use magic, and then they think that magic can do anything at all, so we must be able to conjure untold wealth, magical healing of whatever ails them, or anything else they can imagine. Many of my kin have escaped the grasp of a human by making unbelievable promises that the humans then stupidly believe--begging your pardon, I'm sure. As if a pot of gold would be any use to someone living in the woods!" "To my thinking, the best service you could do to me and mine would be to forget you ever saw me and never mention it to anyone. The sooner humans stop believing we're out here, the safer we'll all be." "Sharing a song or story? Well, you've heard the bird sing, and I dare say there are other birds with other songs. And there's a fellow comes through from time to time, with a stringed instrument that's not a fiddle, who sings stories to the humans that camp in the woods not far from here. But what's a story but a lie told to distract?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36174 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:49:14 +0000 Oak 36174@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What things do you say when you sing? Is all your singing related to territory, mating, and food, or do you ever sing of other things?" -=- "But why do the humans think you have pots of gold, or wishes, or whatever other nonsense? Are there none that have ever been friends with your people?" "Well, I am grieved at how your people have suffered, and I understand how I might not be welcomed among them. It is a pity, for given half a chance, I think we could learn much from one another. Are there any other ways I might be of service to you and yours?" "Are there any other folk in the woods that might enjoy sharing a song or story together?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36173 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:05:43 +0000 M. J. Young 36173@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Why would I converse with other kinds of birds? It's about territory, mating, food. If a bird is dangerous I hide, if it's non-competing I ignore it, and if it competes I tell it to leave." ***** "Seek them? Have you some power to travel to the afterlife and return?" There is some disdain in his tone. "No, stranger; they're dead, and that's the sure of it. It only takes so much torture trying to get a pot of gold or a granted wish or some such nonsense before it's too much and we expire. Our crime is that we aren't what your people want us to be, and for that we are executed." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36172 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:55:02 +0000 Oak 36172@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you ever converse with other kinds of birds, or are you unable to understand their speech? Can you converse with non-avians?" -=- I listen to his words with increasing dismay. "I demand nothing of you, though I would welcome your friendship. But I had no idea your people have been suffering at the hands of mine. From my heart, I am sorry." I ponder thoughtfully. "I cannot undo what has passed, but perhaps I can help now. If many have been caught, never to be seen again, would you have me seek them? If any are still alive, I could search for them, and perhaps find them, as I was able to find you. And, if any could be rescued, I could exert myself to try to free them... if your people would have me make the attempt." M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36171 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:57:18 +0000 M. J. Young 36171@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Flock? I do not understand what you mean. The paths get crowded when all are going the same way." "I know that the creator of birds is great and deserves to be praised for giving us all this world to enjoy." ***** "Curious about humans? The only thing that interests me about humans is how to stay out of their sight, which is usually a lot simpler than this. You're short-lived and superstitious creatures, and many a poor fellow has been caught never to be seen again, or to have escaped with harrowing stories of how their captors demanded wishes, or pots of gold, or some such nonsense. And what, pray tell, would you be demanding of me?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36170 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:25:11 +0000 Oak 36170@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you flock together with others, or only with your mate and offspring?" -=- "The LORD God Almighty created all things. And it is written, 'All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD', and 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'" "Do you know anything about the LORD? What have you heard?" -=- I smile warmly. "I don't mind. I know well that I am still but a stranger, and not of your folk. But I would be keen to learn of you all, and to call you friends." "Are there bards among you? I am something of a bard, though I have much to learn, and stories and songs of your people would mean much to me. A worthy history should not be forgotten, but passed on from people to people, and from generation to generation." "Besides, are you not also curious about others? I was not in your history until a few minutes ago, yet was I not interesting enough for you to want to observe and learn something of?" I finish with a good natured twinkle in my eye... M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36169 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:18:58 +0000 M. J. Young 36169@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Oh, yes, I follow the sun when it takes the warmth away, but come back when it grows too hot. There are places where the lakes are vast and wild, and do not quench the thirst. There are different trees beyond that, and it is not so easy to build a nest; it is easier to have young here in these forests." ***** <blockquote>Are any of your folk sick?</blockquote> "Sick? Oh, that thing where bodies stop working right because other creatures overwhelm them. No, we don't get sick, thanks all the same. Anyway, why would the gods of men care about us?" <blockquote>Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs?</blockquote> "Aye, that we have; but we're not so keen on sharing with the humans, if you don't mind me saying. Our stories and songs are our own, and what would it mean to you if Beren Briarfoot went on a great quest to win the love of Princess Alyna, who loved him anyway, and to prove that he was worthy of her hand, when he didn't know that he was actually the rightful heir to the throne, his uncle having never told him that his father had been the king? It's not your history." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36168 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:23:58 +0000 Oak 36168@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you travel far when the seasons change, and the leaves begin to fall? What other places have you seen, and what are they like?" -=- "Ah, my seeing you was not by my own might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD my God. For I have been traveling about the forest, meeting and greeting folks, and ministering to their needs as best as I can. And I heard rumors of other folk dwelling here, and came seeking to meet and greet... and found you." "Are any of your folk sick? I would be happy to pray for them, if you wish. The LORD has been very gracious, and has healed many of the nearby sick human folk recently." "Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs? As you may have seen, I have a heart for good songs and stories, and would love to hear more." JohnA1nut on "To Adam, MJ, etc." http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/to-adam-mj-etc/page/4#post-36167 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:08:12 +0000 JohnA1nut 36167@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Those posts are like pantyhose. No Nonsense. You were so close too....... Tell me something. How does it feel to drop out of a Marathon 10 feet (two posts?) away from the finish line? Why am I asking you? Because you just did it. You'd know that if you read it. I really thought you were stronger than that. I'm disappointed that I was mistaken. You failed your endurance test. And so close to seeing it through too. M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36166 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:33:19 +0000 M. J. Young 36166@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote>"Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?"</blockquote> "All day. Well, I did go looking for food a bit earlier, but I came back." ***** "Rather hasty of you, to be givin' your name so freely to strangers. As for me, call me dimwit and slowfoot, which is what they're sure to call me when they find I was seen by a human. Still don't know how you managed to do that." --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "To Adam, MJ, etc." http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/to-adam-mj-etc/page/4#post-36165 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:28:28 +0000 M. J. Young 36165@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Actually, I only read the first couple sentences of the first of those two forum posts, so I still haven't read it. You've definitely worn down my tolerance for nonsense; but I didn't get terribly angry, I just decided not to read any more nonsense. --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36164 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:33:29 +0000 Oak 36164@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ OK, I'll continue the conversation until my language tap runs out. "Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?" -=- I blink as I see the creature, and give a friendly nod of greeting. Then, without making any threatening moves, I begin to sing. Quietly at first, hoping to avoid scaring him away, and hoping to attract him with the music... and the lyrics... Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun. I give another quiet friendly nod. "Peace be unto you, friend. Well met. I am John, though some call me Oak. What is your name?" JohnA1nut on "To Adam, MJ, etc." http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/to-adam-mj-etc/page/4#post-36163 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:56:54 +0000 JohnA1nut 36163@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ I really thought you were going to see this thing through. All I can say is I think God gave you an endurance test and you failed it. And so close to the end. Whatever happened to "I am obligated to read all emails and forum posts"? You've probably figured out by now, that was that email I've been trying to get you to read. You seem to read forum posts and not emails. I told you that if you read it and replied to it, it would end this forever. You doubted me (kind of understandably) but this time, I was prepared to back it up. If you had read and replied to that, you would at this time be reading me giving you public, written permission to block all email communications and my access to the forum if I mentioned this again. Since you didn't read it and reply to it, you're not getting that. Of course, if you do read it and reply to it, you will get that. I am fully prepared to back it up this time. So you see, one way or the other, it will end if you read and reply to that post. Ya know what did it? This whole time I've been tapping myself on the forehead and saying "You're not in here!!!" But then, you finally got it through to me. You're also tapping yourself on the forehead and saying "And you're not in HERE!!!!!!" (Doing Therapy) M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36162 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:25:24 +0000 M. J. Young 36162@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Concerning "exploring" the vocabulary, my thinking is that 1) you must want to say something specific to have any contact with the appropriate words and 2) you must actually say it to hear them. By analogy, if you're thinking of explaining something to someone, you think conceptually; it is not until you actually speak it or write it) that you come up words like "eschatology" or "cloud server", because your knowledge of language is responsive to your need to communicate specific ideas. Thus if you are thinking about what to say to the bird, you will have a feeling for what it is possible to say, but you won't know the words themselves without speaking them (or singing them, in this case). You pray your prayer, and suddenly, in the woods a few feet away, you see a small man-like creature, less than two feet tall, dressed in leaves, dark hair and eyes and a pug nose, startled that you have noticed him. --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36161 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:54:39 +0000 Oak 36161@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?" I don't know how long I will have this connection to the bird, so I do my best to telepathically explore as much vocabulary as possible, in the hopes that my perfect memory will help me to be able to converse with birds in the future... -=- I am trying to perceive magical beings that actually do inhabit this forest. In the same way that the traveler's thoughts about "bandits" and "robbing hood" led me to seek the actual leader of the actual bandits that inhabit this forest, the traveler's thoughts about "magical beings" lead me to seek the actual magical beings that inhabit this forest. After all, I seek to meet and greet and befriend and witness to actual inhabitants, not non-existent figments of someone's imagination... :) JohnA1nut on "To Adam, MJ, etc." http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/to-adam-mj-etc/page/4#post-36160 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:01:20 +0000 JohnA1nut 36160@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ You assumed that I knew about the bombing. There's a very small, minuscule, tiny, subatomic, infinitesimal part of me that can kind of sort of maybe see some of your reasoning, but seriously. As much as I talk about guns, as many nonsense emails as I write, as much as I talk about random topics, isn't reasonable, just possible, that I would have mentioned an interest in military history before then? I know you're into gaming. You know I'm generous and here to help. Having someone with a vast knowledge of military history and strategy would be a godsend to a game designer. I just did an analysis of a movie based on Pearl Harbor. I have every reason in the world to babble incessantly about it to no end. If I knew the minutia of the attack, don't you think there would have been a bombardment of emails about the bombing? You still don't know me. You don't know me at all. You knew I was interested in TIME TRAVEL!!!!!!!! You had no reason whatsoever to think for a moment that I knew a damn thing about the bombing!!!! If I was interested in the Pearl Harbor bombing and had a vast knowledge of it, wouldn't I have been flooding your inbox with trivial nonsense about it? It proves that you would rather assume something than go with your known facts!!!!!! You don't know me. If you knew me as well as you seem to think, you never would have for a moment thought doing an analysis of Final Countdown meant that I had an interest in Pearl Harbor. You would have known that I have an interest in TIME TRAVEL!!!! Changing the past is a bad thing. A man I've known as Mr. Young instilled that in me. You had no reason whatsoever to think I knew the attack, and every reason in the world to think I WOULDN'T want to warn them!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW ME!!!! Seriously, I want an answer. Did it never occur to you that my interest in Final Countdown had nothing whatsoever to do with Pearl Harbor? That it was just a coincidence? Seriously, I want to know. I gotta get this straight. This is my one unanswered question. Don't get me wrong, I probably would have sent me there too. Inspired by Final Countdown in a different way. I'm surprised I didn't see it coming. The reason you sent me to Adam was because you thought I knew the attack. I might even have looked for a ref that knew the attack, regardless of whether I thought the player knew it. But, if not for that assumption, you might have been running the game. You might have sent someone else to Adam. You gotta admit, if you had been running it, it might not have gone so badly. I don't think sending a completely newbie gamer to an untested ref was the smartest decision, but given the circumstances, I really can see why. I might have done the same thing. Regardless of intent, the result would have been the same. The point though, is that Mr. Young does not know John "A1nut" Cross nearly as well as he seems to think. You're one of my most respected friends. I'd give just about anything, short of selling my soul and a few other things to take back a lot of the things I have said to you. My mom trusts you enough to let you stay at her house should you ever come to Columbus. I really love you. You're too patient, I think. Makes you a target. You don't get rid of the bullies by being a pacifist. I don't argue with Eric. Not for very long, anyway. He might just be better at explaining things. Or it could be something else. THANK YOU for allowing the transfer!!!! If there exists another world which could screw me up like Pearl Harbor, it was probably Terminator. I keep thinking about how I made Sarah suffer and stuff. I can't wait until I'm reincarnated into the life of the John "A1nut" that completes that world. I love you man. Ya know, I know you think about offing yourself. I do too. Part of me wants to die just so I will no longer be a burden to you. There's a part of you that wants to die so you don't have to deal with me, I just know it. We're soulmates, my friend. (Doing Therapy) M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36159 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:40:29 +0000 M. J. Young 36159@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ There does seem to be a concept of "ancestor" that extends beyond the avian to the creator of avians, something of the same way "father" is used of "God", a sort of "The Ancestor" conception. It is nowhere near as theological as that, but the bird has a recognition of a race-creator. Ah, the magical beings that a traveler believed haunted the forest. Clarify this for me: are you trying to perceive magical beings that he believes inhabit the forest, or magical beings that actually do? I note that the prayer involved gave a specific description of a specific individual you wished to see, but the description you give is going to have a significant impact on what result you get. --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36158 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:30:52 +0000 M. J. Young 36158@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Icarus nods thoughtfully. "Of course, there is the aspect that the Germans are going to attempt to manipulate you to weaken their enemies, and in the process attempt to strengthen their own operations. Eventually you're going to need an endgame. Have you given any thought to that?" --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "To Adam, MJ, etc." http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/to-adam-mj-etc/page/4#post-36157 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:27:38 +0000 M. J. Young 36157@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote>Besides, you said that your characters were always very careful. That means you have NO IDEA what it's really like to be a cocky n00b.</blockquote> Well, that might be true. I started my gaming career behind the screens as a Dungeon Master, and it was a few weeks before I had a character in Metamorphosis Alpha. That was a real learning experience, as the referee decided it was easier to give me amnesia than to create a backstory for me. Then a few weeks later I had a Gamma World character, and that is a terribly dangerous fatal game (E. R. Jones ran it one time, rolled a random encounter, saw a player character killed in seconds, and decided it was much to dangerous a game world for his liking--probably a major reason why he came up with the idea of characters versing out instead of dying). I learned to be very careful. I carried that into other games. On the other hand, I am probably relatively careful in reality, so it's hard to say. As to liking police, they make me nervous. I've been arrested more than once on various minor problems, and been ticketed more than once. I've also been pulled over for stupid reasons. The most recent was when I was driving out to pick up Evan at his girlfriend's, and as I made the last turn I saw that the car pulling out across the way was a state trooper. When he pulled me over he said that I was hugging the fog line--which I admitted I was, because I knew there was a police car behind me and that it had often happened that police cars pulled out abruptly to pass, so I like to be out of the way--and that my third brake light was out. That latter concerned me, until the next day when I discovered that a '93 Jimmy doesn't have a third brake light. I almost wish he'd given me a ticket for it. But I've been in accidents, and it's good to have the police on the scene. And when I've been arrested, I've never fought. I have at times wondered what it would take to commit suicide by police weapon, but that's the kind of thing in which I always worry that I would actually live, and so be the worse for it. So if I am arrested, I generally go quietly and hope I can find a way to fix matters once I'm in custody. --M. J. Young