Hitchin' a ride...

Well gang I am off to start my new career in the US Government near D.C, hitting the road this Sunday. Mrs Kanoosh, aka Makin Debt to our SG, will be staying back, finishing her Master's Degree. We hope to be a family unit again by summer next year at the latest. It will be about a week or so before I am up and running again, I would think. So until then, remember to fly straight, TP over caltrops, always carry break frees in Warburg and play in SG mode. Hope to be back soon.

Let's get it on!!!

Poster by Azrhiaz

Hero vs Villain!!!
Blaster vs Dominator!!!
Ice vs....umm......more Ice!!!

~Paragon Sports Weekly~

Family feud main events Pocket D Arena
by Chad Gladley

Colder has put the deep freeze down on demons and androids. He's traveled to alternate realities. He's saved the Paragon City countless times. However, his reality is about to get a little stranger as he faces down his next villain. We're not talking about Dr. Aeon or some other kind of Clockwork monstrosity. This time, he's fighting family.

"I think I know how we got this way but I'm not happy this is where it went," said Colder, taking time out of his patrols to sit down with us in a quiet cafe in Founders Falls.

You can hear the regret in his voice but also the resolve that this is something he has to do.

"She's been causing problems for a while now, saying it's because of me...that I went on to become something and she had to live in my shadow ever since. I take out villains...plain and simple. If it happens to be family, then so be it."

The words were as cold as his presence.

Colder says he didn't want to make such a spectacle out of it but reasons the arena would be the safest place for the citizens of Paragon City. He says if it's in a controlled environment, there wouldn't be any needless casualties or property damage.

"I know she would love to humiliate me in front of a crowd....beat me down you know? One on one...no excuses. She would love that. This arena challenge works into her ego and allows me to keep everyone safe. It works out for me but also works out for her and her sick mind."

Just how did this super-powered feud come to be?

"She's my cousin and we grew up together, before we had powers, before we had any of this," he says. "One day her powers manifested and she caught me really good in the face. She was sorry at the time and was concerned but deep down I think that's when she really got her first taste of power; she realized she can affect people with her gift and unfortunately she got off on affecting people in a bad way. That trauma happened to jump start my gifts and that's when I realized I needed to protect people from that kind of power and abuse. Innocent people shouldn't be on the receiving end of such power."

His body language begins to betray his emotions as he leans back in his chair and looks past me, almost envisioning an alternate reality like the many he's been to.

"We could have been heroes together...side by side. We could have taught each other so much and done so much good. I don't what it would ever take for us to fight side by side rather than against each other. Probably some catastrophic event for sure. Maybe we can put all of that aside after our match."

We were silent for a few moments. The waitress came and refilled my drink but not before asking the hero for an autograph. She explained that he saved her from a Circle of Thorns ceremony a year ago.

I couldn't tell if he was smiling under the helmet or bothered by her request. I then realized that no one has ever seen him without some sort of covering on his face.

So I asked if the accident he talked about earlier was the reason why he always had a mask on.

At that point, his police band communicator began to squawk and I knew he would be leaving without answering my question. He offered to pay for my lunch, saying that he recently had a windfall at "some auction thing" but I said it wasn't necessary. He extended his hand and I shook it. I couldn't believe it was the same cold hand that has frozen the likes of Dr. Vahzilok. It was the same hand that has touched the gloves of Statesman and Positron. It would be the same hand that will be raised against his own blood this Saturday.

It's Party Time!

And we have birthdays coming out the wazoo!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Colder and Hutokaze Remastered(June 29), Chica (June 28) and Tech (July 6) Karrnage also recently had one and rumor has it, Sword of Artemis is having a special day coming up soon also! Everyone grab some cake!

Gladiator Tourney was a LOT of fun!! Thank you to Deep for participating! Big smoochies for him! Having Ex Libris send him something special! Had a fairly decent turnout of 18 and Esh(a MM) won! 98th Engineer (scrapper) was second.




We have one more million in prestige to go before we can attain the first secure plot so THANK YOU to all who contributed thus far! We are also filling up again, so if you have a 50 you no longer play that much or would prefer to make money on, please move them to the Reserve. You can always transfer back for raids. Speaking of raids, would you like me to set another one up? I know the villains wouldn't mind having another crack at it!

Karr Jr

For those who've wanted to see a pic of Karr Jr, here it is:

Prepare for the day where he follows in his father's footsteps and joins the ranks of The Debt Brigade...

Marathon Over!

I hope you all enjoyed your Double XP weekend!! Anyone hit 50? I pretty much just jumped from toon to toon depending on who I was teaming with. Chuz went from 35 to 38, got a level on Ebriel on Guardian, 5 on a newbie brute, Vazkor on Infinity, and played Azrhiaz the rest of the time to try and hit that million prestiege mark. 50k more to go! However a hearty congratulations to Deep Puncture Wound for making that mark! Way to go! He is officially a Sargeant now in the DB! So thanks to all who earned prestiege this weekend! We are getting REALLY close to having the option of buying the first secure plot! That'll be great for when, and if IOPs ever come back out.

Just a reminder, the "I Got People" Gladiator Tournament is on Saturday at 5 pm Pacific/8 pm Eastern. There will be some CoX swag donated by NCsoft and the community co-ordinators and the grand champion will win 60 days of free game time, courtesty of yours truly! If you would like to sign up, please do so in the comments, or go to the official thread on the blue boards. Here is a link to a Gladiator Match How-To, if you have never run one and want to know how. Please come out and show those PvPers that you can kick their ass in something! :D

The next installment of "Ask a Dev" is out. Jay Doherty answers questions about his job as costume creator!

You've read it here first...unless you went to the official website

Woot!

I've been looking forward to this storyline and it's finally here. I love anything that encourages our xenophobia :)

Faathim needs our help from Lanaru the Mad...

Ok when I was on closed beat the salvage drops were nice with these Rularuu types. I promised Az I wanted to knock out this TF with her and before I disappear for a bit (new job! must move! oh my!) I would like to get it going within the next 7 days or so. Post some dates and times and I will try to firm up a solid spot for it. Throw your name in the hat with a date and time. I would prefer evenings and I am an East Coaster so anytime after 6 pm EST I should be able to make. This would be a late nighter for those of you closest to Japan, so I may flex my time a bit. I understand this makes Positron look short, so plan on packing a lunch...here is a synopsis I stole off a website:

The Saga of Lanaru (Levels 44 - 50)
Start: The Chantry
Members: 8
Villains: Praetorians, Nemesis, Rikti, Soldiers of Rularuu
Badge: Slayer of Madness

Summary:

1. Defeat all Rularuu in first cave - The Chantry - Defeat
2. Defeat all Rularuu in second cave - The Chantry - Defeat
3. Defeat all Rularuu in third cave - The Chantry - Defeat
4. Defeat Malaise and activate key - Storm Palace - 4 keys to activate
5. Defeat Mother Mayhem and activate key - Storm Palace - 4 keys to activate
6. Defeat Nemesis Army and activate key - Storm Palace - 4 keys to activate
7. Defeat Nemesis and activate key - Storm Palace - 4 keys to activate
8. Defeat Rikti and activate key of Fury - Storm Palace - 4 keys to activate
9. Defeat Rikti and activate key of Destruction - Storm Palace - 4 keystones to activate
10. Find Key of Destruction - Founder's Falls - Find Key
11. Speak with Azuria - Atlas Park - Visit
12. Find Key of Madness - Founders' Falls - Find Key
13. Speak with Azuria - Atlas Park - Visit
14. Defeat Baphomet and get Key - Outdoor Mission - 4 keys to activate, Defeat Baphomet
15. Use key on Monument of Madness - Storm Palace
16. Use key on Monument of Destruction - Storm Palace
17. Use key on Monument of Anger - Storm Palace
18. Use key on Monument of Torment - Storm Palace
19. Use key on Monument of Fury - Storm Palace
20. Use key on Monument of Hatred - Storm Palace
21. Use key on Monument of Malice - Storm Palace
22. Defeat Lanuru the Mad - Storm Palace - Defeat

Detail:

I am Faathim, called Faathim the Kind. You are beings of great power, both potent in might and dedicated to protection of the defenseless. I have watched your battles, and I have watched your triumphs, and I have come to think that you may be the ones who can stop a great destruction. The Madness that broke the world is gaining power beyond imagining, and may soon break the world once more. Or worse.

Go now, and fall upon the armies of the Rularuu. Destroy all of them within the three caverns I have located for you, and then return to me. There may be more to find within those caves than the Armies of Rularuu. I will say no more for now. For this great task, I will give unto you a great name. Task Force Vendetta you shall be called. Do this name honor, for it is all that remains of civilization long passed into memory.

PvPEC I Got People - Sat 6/23

Alright all you PvPers, I have to say it: I’ve had enough. I’m tired of chasing you all over the zones cause I can never catch up. I’m tired of all the zipping and jumping that makes me dizzy. I’m sick of getting hit upside the head with a range-boosted fireball when I think I’ve made a clean escape. I’m tired of hitting that emp dead-on with a snipe only to see “Unaffected” over her head. I’m sick of being web-naded from my safe spot in the sky, and weary of throwing up last night's meatloaf when I swoop in to nuke a mastermind. I’m tired of tiptoeing into the zone for a badge for an accolade and getting stomped by a big, mean scrapper. Tired of being held, slept, irradiated, slowed, ASed, and I’m so over that hospital. OVER IT! So your time has come and ya wanna know why? Cause I got people.

Yeah, that’s right. You heard me. I got people.

From my travels all over Paragon and the Rogue Isles, I’ve accrued quite a bunch of favors to be called in. So you better watch your back. I’m calling in all those favors and making sure those that fear me best play along and do what I say. To me they will rally and you, my friend, are going down. Hard.

The PvPEC presents “I GOT PEOPLE”
Gladiator Event
Saturday, June 23rd at 5 pm PST/8 pm EST
Pocket D Monkey Bar Arena Kiosks

Come one, come all, PvErs, casual PvPers, badgers, and PvP people! It’s time to level the field! You wanted an event where you could all compete and have a good time and this is it! Get out your Cogs and Button Man Gunners and come on down!

This arena event is open to all levels, heroes and villains alike. We will be running this 1 v 1 unless there is a massive turnout in which case we will do groups of 4 free for alls. Events will be run at the level of the lowest level participant. For example, if you are a 50 paired with a 30, you will run the event at welterweight (27-31). We will run this until there is only one contestant remaining. You are welcome to change your gladiators in-between events.

Prizes! For the first five people to RSVP to this event (and actually show up and participate) you will be the proud recipient of a COH bumper sticker! The last two finalists will win a fine array of really cool COX swag, courtesy of NcSoft and the community coordinators! The grand prize for first place is a time card for 60 days of free game time, courtesy of yours truly. However, the tournament winner will have to face my mastermind, Azrharn's gladiators for a final championship round to get it!

RSVPs definitely preferred, here in this thread or to @azrhiaz. Signups will also be taken in the hour prior to the event. The rules and arena/gladiator how-to’s will be given at the start time, though if you have never done a gladiator event you are welcome to ask for more information in this thread.

Please spread the word.

PS: All DB and friends can sign up here as well. :)

Heroes of the City

Congrats to our newest 50s: Deep Puncture Wound and Ahne Toreph! They dinged the big one within one mission of each other! A big thanks to all who helped them on the way! Would also like to congratulate Zero C on hitting the big 5-0 as well! Think it's time to schedule a raid to celebrate!!

---

Also like to say congrats to Violet Flames for hitting 50 yesterday too!

Statesman Taskforce Part the Second

When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.

BOOT TO TH' HEAD!

We know join our heroes in media res...

Back to Statesman on his yacht and inspirations were gathered again as Taskforce Guardian set out to conquer Doctor Aeon in his own laboratory. Barring the way in stood another quartet of Arachnos’ Most Wanted: Silver Mantis, Wretch, Barracuda, and Ice Mistral. Who were all summarily beaten and tossed into the interdimensional paddy wagon before being brought up on charges of assaulting licensed heroes by hitting them in the fists with their faces.

Little did we know that this was a cunning mad scientist ruse worthy of a Warren Ellis diatribe! They had lulled us into a false sense of superiority! One that would quickly come crumbling down in the face of the scientific might that was DOCTOR AEON!

The Doctor is In!

Dang echoes…

Doc Aeon proved to be a brick wall in our on-rush to justice. Despite the use of the power of the Vine Tree, Aeon hammered us but good for three straight tries before we learned to ignore his helpers, versions of himself from other timelines (neat trick), and went straight for the Doc in his shiny hamster ball. And thusly he went kicking, screaming and whining. Silly scientist. You’re facing the Debt Brigade!

The Debt Brigade Prescription... PAIN!

Back to I.P. once more to rally around for the final challenge; a visit to Grandville to face Lord Recluse himself! Legions of Arachnos troops on hostile ground stood before us as well Recluses’ four chief troublemakers. The walking tank-with-a-tail that was Black Scorpion. The flying, sword-swinging, lightning-throwing, endurance stealing, dress-wearing magician known as Sirocco. The razor-toothed threshing machine with its nearly CHEATING amounts of dodging ability that is Captain Mako. And the deadly, death-defying, emo flouncing, harlot of doom better known as Ghost Widow.

Any one of these villains would be a handful for any team. The challenge that lay ahead of Taskforce Guardian was simple in its elegance and deadliness. Engage and defeat all four of Recluses’ front line at the same time, then take him down in his most powerful incarnation ever.

Sounds easy, right?

Riiiiiight….

The Debt Brigade neatly sheared the front halls of Arachnos troops and cunningly set up a stunningly devious ambush for the Deadly Quartet. A single sniper's shot rang out and the trap was sprung.

What happened? Well Exhibit A shows the results.

What the tank sees or SHARK TO THE FACE!

Despite an excellent pull, Guardian ended up with both Ghost Widow and Mako. And the Debt Brigade discovered that just about every wild story spun about about the two of them were painfully true. Make no mistake, Taskforce Guardian acquitted itself quite well and pulled nearly every trick in the playbook, but to no avail. Mako would vanish only to re-appear over the corpse of a freshly butchered comrade while Ghost Widow shrugged off the full measure of Guardian's firepower, occasionally condemning someone to defeat in her spinning tentacles of doom. After nearly an hour of resolute but unchanging fortunes the Debt Brigade admitted defeat. We regrouped in IP and vowed to return.

Bored? Suffering from Altititus? Then...

...BAND CAMP IS FOR YOU!

Are these guys Paragon Police?

So we got bored and made some toons on Victory server. We opted to make our own SG, "Band Camp." Make a musical based toon and join the fun. So far the Blues Brothers, Willie Nelson, Chrissy Hynde, Wayne Newton, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Rock Lobster have joined...to name a few. You all are welcomed, your toon just has to be based on a musician, a band, a song, an instrument, or anything to do with music.


Will it help your toons on Triumph level up? NO! But it is fun and we have filled our Triumph server -- doh! This is just for fun and a nice diversion should you suffer from the desire to make a new toon...we all do in our household and until a pile is invented to stop us, I am sure we will strike again.

Statesman the Movie star? thpppppt

Eh?

Phase One Complete

Well after a very stressful weekend on test, Uprising is at last complete! It went over pretty well and we had a decent turnout. Ahne Toreph did okay in the Lethal Lottery on Saturday night. He didn't die much, but he didn't kill that much either. Okay, I don't think he killed anyone, but I'm content with not being face down the whole time! At least for now! Metoid also tried his hand at PvP and told me he was farmed quite a bit. My last match was against him and I had logged on to vent with the team and someone cried out, "That blaster has fly! He's going DOWN!" Movement is everything apparently in PvP and I learned that all the hardcore players have SS AND SJ and if you don't, you'll have a tough time keeping up, especially on the larger maps.

I don't know. To me, hanging out with the SG and coalies in the arena seems more fun than the big zippy leap fest I witnessed on Sunday with Megeara. He and I had some fun gladiator matches near the end of the Showcase, and I had a good time smooshing his level 46 MM with Azrharn. Who knew Meg even HAD a level 46 mm!! He's been cheating on us, all! I guess I don't feel so bad about Tp Foe-ing him into the undead fellas after all! :grin: j/k

Anyway, again, a big thank you to everyone who came out and supported me and the event this weekend. I appreciate it SO much.

I also want to extend a belated birthday wish to Karrnage!

June 1 PvP event was a...

...LAG FEST! So then I turned my graphics down to 800 x 600 with only 50% character and world details. ANNNDDD....it was still about 1 fps. So luckly there was Siren's Call instance 2, and it ran great! Plus I saw Ghost Widow and then ran into a mob of heroes and got PWNeD! Why is it every Hero sees a plant dom and rush to gank me first? FEAR! We pwnz them is why! Well Az was there, I know cause she died next to me in a lag battle, and Metoid was actually doing GREAT...he has a nice fly snipe/slug attack that befuddles the ground pounders. Not sure if anyone else made it out, but it was fun...so if you show to the next one remember...go to the newest instance, better frame rates :-) Lots of prizes handed out and of course the yellow titles were abound.