Ozymandias

Firstly, I'd like to say Zool laid out our purpose here beautifully. Thank you, Z for saving me from having to wring that much eloquence out of my own head. -->D"> Secondly, I'll tell all what the two loudest/most frequent complaints I hear are: 1)Commentary clutters writing posts far too often. 2)We Elders are too dang slow getting anything done. Both are very important, I'd say. As the Elder issue, I think what we may need to do is share duties more often; When we're off on vacation have arrange to have somebody specific pick the work, that sort of thing. As for post clutter, what would all of you say to limiting reviews, accolades and general opinions to The Critic's Corner? That's much what it was made for in the first place. Don't worry, nothing will be changed right at this moment. Right now, I'm just throwing out ideas. Titles have never seemed to be that big of a problem to me. I do know there are some who feel very strongly indeed that they need fixing, but beyond a select few, I've not heard anyone complain. Is there anyone I haven't heard? This is something the rest of the Elders and I are giving thought to, one way or another, because minority or majority, we want to alienate no-one if it can be helped. On a lighter note, what, if anything do you think we could use to add to what we're doing here? One suggestion that came to table not too long ago is a "mature" writing area. One for more adult content from coarse language on up. What say the masses? Interesting? Pointless? If anyone wants to e-mail me, its' always in the profile, ensabahnr@hotmail.com, I *will* mail you back. I love this place and everyone in it too. I want to see it and us succeed for a very long time.

Ozymandias reads over the Cabaret minutes with a low whistle and a shamed expression. Whew... I can see where I've got a lot of writing to do. I am very, very, very, VERY sorry for having been so delinquent in my duties the past couple of weeks. The reasons for that have two names: flu, and Holly. Yes, dear fellows, your Loremaster has been playing hooky, cannot speak, and is happily spoken for again. And he'll be on tomorrow morning!!!!!!!! Honest!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's serious. You get close enough to listen and you'll end up with a nastier bite than y'get from Falcon. But don't worry. He's all gums anyway. ;>) I just wanted to let everyone know I apologize for the slow response on my part, but it's been a mucho busy week for me, so I am hoping to hop on the computer in earnest tomorrow. For everyone who's been trying to contact me- I'll get in touch with you too. Promise. As for the Critic's Corner and other technical concerns, I look forward to having full admin privleges very soon and will gladly wade in up to my elbows [especially since I've gotten the distinct feeling that my schedule is the most flexible out of the Elders]. And we shall move all Eldership concerns along as fast as we can, as well. Thank you all again, n' see you tomorrow!

The crowd mills about as animatedly as ususal. Some juggle, some still chew at quill tips thoughtfully, blank paper in front of them, even at the bar. Many, though, look at the podium on stage expectantly. The Loremaster himself is scheduled to speak, and the word is he wants to talk to everyone. They continue to mutter amongst and to themselves, not knowing when he is supposed to arrive. The assembled very nearly start to drift back to empty writing desks and other muses when the microphone on on stage suddenly shrieks loudly. An embarassed Ozymandias gingerly pulls the mic stand back into place. "My fellow... dreamers," he trails off, thoughtfully. "Yes, I think that fits," mumbles the old man to himself. Quickly, he refocuses, and speaks out loudly again, voice echoing across the Cabaret. "It has come to my attention of late, that we, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, are not giving people what they want and what they need. Obviously, we need to change that. So, I ask you, The Elders, you, the Bards, you, The Heralds, Poets and Troubadors, you, The Quill-Bearers, Pages, and Initiates: What can we do for you? I see around me a wonderful community of friends, and of truly passionate, caring people, but I see one that fails more than a bit in its mission satement- Helping all of us grow as writers. So I put forth the question to ALL of you- What do you you still need? What can the Pen do for you?" I want very much to know everyone- and I mean everyone!-'s thoughts on the matter. Thank you."

Fortunately, the king of kings tackles him around the ankles just before he reaches the doorknob. "NO! Bad gatekeeper!!" Momma had a chicken, Momma had a cow. Dad was proud and he didn't care how!

"I don't flirt with Death. She just runs up and sticks her tounge in my ear." -Button slogan "Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat." -Button slogan "Never open the door to strange monkeys peddling fire." -I Am Weasel

Hey, Gyr's not such a bad egg.

"Punct"? "PUNCT"? See me after class, Mister Gwaihir. Now if everyone would turn in their books to Chapter Five: "The Lumpenproletariat Approach"...

Hm. A very good poem, Will. It's sad in a way I can't really place right now, but does have a very dismal fairy tale feel to it. I'm thinking rob the brothers Grimm's tales of justice, and you'd have a comparable flavor. If it was an exercise in demon exorcising, good show. If not, I'm no fan of the theme either. Self-destruction is the worst kind. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Poppycock. Utter untruth. Others may give theier lives to a cause (and yes, your motivation can be said to be a cause), we may give ourselves to a cause, but that doesn't make it right. Killing is wrong, be it yourself or others. No one should have to die without their lives being fought for, physically, mentally, spiritually (emotions are too volatile to trust entirely, so I excude them from the list). Every human life is precious, even sacred. We are truly unique, all of us, because down to the very last detail, there is on-one exactly like ourselves. We are important because we make a difference each and every day in the world. Whether it is for good or ill is entirely up to us. Even if your intentions are misread in something you do, it's still entirely likely something noble gone awry will impress an outside observer, to make a very simplified example. I'd go into a full chain reaction example, but that would take too long and be too... inappropriate, I think. Point being, we change things every day. We just don't always get a chance to or let ourselves see it. We are important because anything positive we do contributes in some (at least) small way to mankind treating each other all like the neighbors we are. That makes us a part of the "force of good", if you will. We *are* part of all that's right with the world, but only when we choose to be. It's up to us, and there's nothing on Earth that can stop any of us from doing some good in someone's life each and every day. That is your point.

EeewWWWwwwww...

With proper punctuation Mister Gwaihir. With proper punctuation. This is a place of learning, not an internet chat room. Thanks!

A link to the past, a link forward, backward, and inbetween. A link to the future. A connection to the future so vast and uncomprehending that I need to sit down and drink a beer. There, that's better. Now what was I saying? Ah yes, the postulate of the paradigm is inherently useless if you're not attached in some way. Not attached to the world, no.

If Pac-Man is the key to sea flor spreading, then it follows that Arkanoid will solve the degradation of the ozone layer! Eureka! Nyyark, it's brilliant! All we have to do is plot his exact mercator coordinates, and the trajectories making the greatest use of wind shear... Why, when all's said and done the plan to power vehicles by Goomba could be realized within the decade!!

Standing there by the fire, on the verge of a flood of emotion, Adelaide opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again in wonder as she realized she was holding a yellow rose- when no-one had handed her one. Then the gathering heard a deep, soft voice say, "A welcoming gift." From just outside the firelight, the confused young woman and the others saw a leathery skinned old man with bushy, dark grey hair stride forward, dark blue robe swirling. He smiled gently at Adelaide as he approached, and just as she was about to ask him who he was, the man stopped and bowed low in front of her. "I am Ozymandias, Loremaster here," he said simply. "Our house is yours."

Don't forget your summer assignment: How I spent my summer vacation at Ozymandias' house. A 3,501 word essay, to be typed, handwritten, and on my desk on the first day of the semester. POWERRRRRR...

Four swords hang above my head, perilous, tenous tethered. The points swing lazily in the breeze, glinting cruelly in the summer sun's gaze. One threatens my mind, to pierce all that I have worked for (and have shunned); to dash the greatest tool out onto the ground The second taunts cruelly, robbing me of power until its edge is dulled -on what, I already know. The third is a brutal taskmaster, threatening to bring all down, if it should fall, so I strain to keep it up The last, is the one that I would reach if I could, and grasp it in my hand; Its keen edge unrivaled in all things I contemplate, decide, and begin to cut one down. Edited by: Ozymandias the Elder at: 4/30/02 4:17:20 am

Game Community Notes: (a.k.a. what Archmage topics will most likely be brought up) Guilds Alliances of players formed by word of mouth (e-mail, messaging available in the game, and the Archmage Bulletin Board) and run not unlike small armies. Specific guild goals, rules, styles, etc. vary wildly, but most are run/behave according to *their* opinion of the best way to kill opponents and have fun while doing it. Most are. Some are only run to kill more efficiently, sadly. Positions Moderator- A bulletin board patrolman who is usually one of several people who make sure their particular Archmage bulletin board is used properly. They enforce player conduct rules for posting and generally (since the game's player community is so huge) have to be very hard line about discipline.

"I look at my life and realize that if I ever do have children, not sleeping won't faze me." -Me "You try to tell them the world's gone mad, but they don't listen." -Snoopy "With great power comes great responsibilty." -Stan Lee "Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see. Lately, it occurs to me...what a long, strange trip it's been." -Jerry Garcia "This too shall pass." -Book of Revelations "He was born with a gift of laughter, and a sense that the world was mad." -Sabatini "There is really only one way to describe the effect the smell of Ankh-Morpork has on the visiting nose, and that is by analogy. Take a tartan. Sprinkle it with confetti. Light it with strobe lights. Now take a chameleon. Put the chameleon on the tartan. Watch it closely." -Terry Pratchett "Where the games are made up, and the points don't matter." -Drew Carey "Although Junior didn't believe in mystics or in the various unearthly powers they claimed to possess, he knew that mystics who believed in themselves were exceptionally dangerous people." -Dean Koontz "You are old Father William, the young man said And your hair has become very white. And yet you incessantly stand on your head, do you think at your age it is right? In my youth, Father William replied to his son, I feared it might injure the brain. But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none, why I do it agin and again!" -Lewis Carroll "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends." -J. R. R. Tolkien "Now the halftime air was sweet perfume while the sergeants played a marching tune We all got up to dance Oh-h but we never got the chance Cause the players tried to take the field The marching band refused to yield Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died" -Don McLean "With malice towards none and lizards for all" -The cap from the bottle of Lizard Lava I bought on Saturday

Rrrrg. Fixed it, PROPERLY. {:>) Thanks again, Rez. Stupid sleep deprivation.

No Rez, nothing *specially* inscrutable. sigh. (edit, edit) Thanks. {:>) Edited by: Ozymandias the Elder at: 4/23/02 3:35:35 am

Ozymandias listens in awe, then drops to one knee, steaming pizza box outstretched to Gwaihir in supplication. I'm not worthy!

It's a rare writer who can really make me feel what they're writing of. Well done, and very glad to hear the therapy was successful. :>)

Suggestive *and* direct. Well done. High school was one of the worst/best times of my life. You bring back memories...

Ozymandias stands and applauds until his hands hurt too much to clap anymore. We need more of your attitude.

Trusting is hard, sometimes. But then it becomes easy again. Well said.