In the paragon store till the 26 all character slot bundles are on sale for 50% off
1 slot is 240 points
2 slots is 400
5 slots is 800
Also to those of you who are tired of running winter stuff for costume peices you can now buy the winter pack in the store for 400 pp. and have the Winter pieces + Snowball power on -all- your characters. This sale lasts until the 31st of Jan.

Feel free to print one out and put it on your mantelpiece, or even send physical copies if you've got people still to send cards to. May whatever winter holiday you observe be a good one for all of us!

- CD, and it's a party game as well, "Spot the 'shop." The flying bird is a gimme, but can you find the other borders?
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows

Kim Jong Il, you ARE the Weakest Link, GOOD-BYE.
http://www.reuters.com/ar...th-idUSTRE7BI05B20111219
Kim Jong Il, dictator of North Korea, has departed this earth forever. Don't forget to wave  good-bye to him as you pass!
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.

Anyone know of a good program to use for downloading Fics off of Fanfiction.net? Output format doesn't really matter, though .html is preferred. The one I've been using the last little bit tends to leave a mess of HTML tags at the top and bottom of each file.
--
If you become a monster to put down a monster you've still got a monster running around at the end of the day and have as such not really solved the whole monster problem at all. 

Well, this is one of two builds that TK asked me to do, and this is the best way to get them to him, so here it is.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Icestryke: Level 50 Magic Stalker
Primary Power Set: Street Justice
Secondary Power Set: Ice Armor
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Heavy Blow

• (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50
  
• (5) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (11) Mako's Bite - Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (13) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (13) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50
  

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50
  
• (3) Luck of the Gambler - Defense: Level 50
  
• (3) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (5) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal: Level 50
  
• (15) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (15) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (17) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50
  
• (7) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (7) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (9) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (9) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff: Level 50
  
• (40) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50
  
• (11) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50
  

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50
  

• (A) Empty
  

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50
  
• (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Aegis - Resistance: Level 50
  
• (43) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (43) Aegis - Resistance/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (43) Aegis - Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (46) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%: Level 30
  
• (21) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All): Level 50
  

• (A) Red Fortune - Defense: Level 50
  
• (23) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (23) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (25) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (29) Red Fortune - Endurance: Level 50
  
• (42) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50
  

• (A) Red Fortune - Defense: Level 50
  
• (25) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (27) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (27) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (29) Red Fortune - Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50
  
• (31) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (31) Crushing Impact - Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (34) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (34) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense: Level 50
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (36) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50
  
• (31) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50
  

• (A) Hecatomb - Damage: Level 50
  
• (33) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (33) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (33) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (34) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod: Level 50
  
• (37) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (37) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (37) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Accuracy: Level 50
  
• (40) Efficacy Adaptor - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (40) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal: Level 50
  
• (39) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (39) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (39) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50
  
• (42) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50
  

• (A) Armageddon - Damage: Level 50
  
• (45) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (45) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (45) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (46) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod: Level 50
  
• (48) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (48) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Accuracy: Level 50
  
• (48) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Endurance: Level 50
  

• (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal: Level 50
  
• (50) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (50) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (50) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50
  

• (A) Empty
  

• (A) Numina's Convalescence - +Regeneration/+Recovery: Level 50
  
• (19) Numina's Convalescence - Heal: Level 50
  
• (21) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance: Level 50
  
• (42) Regenerative Tissue - +Regeneration: Level 30
  

• (A) Empty
  

• (A) Performance Shifter - EndMod: Level 50
  
• (17) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Recharge: Level 50
  
• (19) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy: Level 50
  

• (A) Empty
  

• (A) Empty
  

• (A) Empty
  

• 11.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
  
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
  
• 6% Defense(Melee)
  
• 6% Defense(Smashing)
  
• 6% Defense(Lethal)
  
• 10.69% Defense(Fire)
  
• 10.69% Defense(Cold)
  
• 6% Defense(Energy)
  
• 6% Defense(Negative)
  
• 6% Defense(Psionic)
  
• 6% Defense(Ranged)
  
• 10.69% Defense(AoE)
  
• 18% Enhancement(Heal)
  
• 62% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 82.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  
• 5% FlySpeed
  
• 198.8 HP (16.51%) HitPoints
  
• 5% JumpHeight
  
• 5% JumpSpeed
  
• MezResist(Held) 3.3%
  
• MezResist(Immobilize) 12.1%
  
• 11% (0.18 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 98% (4.92 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 7.56% Resistance(Fire)
  
• 7.56% Resistance(Cold)
  
• 10% RunSpeed
  
• 2.5% XPDebtProtection
  

• MezResist(Immobilize) 3.3%
  
• 18.07 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
  
• 3% DamageBuff(All)
  
• MezResist(Held) 3.3%
  

• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 10% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
  
• 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 12% (0.6 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 22.59 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
  
• 6% Enhancement(Heal)
  

• MezResist(Immobilize) 2.2%
  
• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
  
• 7% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 2% DamageBuff(All)
  

• 10% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 5% RunSpeed
  
• 3.13% Defense(Fire,Cold), 1.56% Defense(AoE)
  
• 2.5% XPDebtProtection
  
• 3.13% Defense(AoE), 1.56% Defense(Fire), 1.56% Defense(Cold)
  

• 3% Defense(Melee), 3% Defense(AoE), 3% Defense(Ranged), 3% Defense(Smashing), 3% Defense(Lethal), 3% Defense(Fire), 3% Defense(Cold), 3% Defense(Energy), 3% Defense(Negative), 3% Defense(Psionic)
  

• 3% Defense(Melee), 3% Defense(AoE), 3% Defense(Ranged), 3% Defense(Smashing), 3% Defense(Lethal), 3% Defense(Fire), 3% Defense(Cold), 3% Defense(Energy), 3% Defense(Negative), 3% Defense(Psionic)
  

• MezResist(Immobilize) 2.2%
  
• 1.26% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
  
• 2% DamageBuff(All)
  
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• MezResist(Immobilize) 2.2%
  
• 1.26% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
  
• 2% DamageBuff(All)
  
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• MezResist(Immobilize) 2.2%
  
• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
  
• 7% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 10% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
  
• 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
  
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
  
• 1.5% (0.03 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 10% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 2.5% DamageBuff(All)
  
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 12% (0.6 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 22.59 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
  
• 6% Enhancement(Heal)
  

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
  
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
  
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
  

• 13.55 HP (1.13%) HitPoints (Exceeded 5 Bonus Cap)
  
• 1.5% (0.03 End/sec) Recovery
  
• 10% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
  

• 12% (0.6 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 22.59 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
  
• 6% Enhancement(Heal)
  

• 12% (0.6 HP/sec) Regeneration
  
• 22.59 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
  

• 5% JumpSpeed, 5% JumpHeight, 5% FlySpeed, 5% RunSpeed
  
• 22.59 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
  

Currently lead by Andy Cramer, code-named "Nanoha", FESWAT handles the really difficult jobs. Section 6 is proud of being the group that gets the dirty end of the stick - they're tough enough, and good enough, and stubborn enough to get in there and get the job done. Bulletproof biomods and androids who join the Patrol often get assigned to FESWAT.
Section 6's biggest job during the Boskone War was their participation in the cleaning-out of the Hell-Hole in Space.
The Organization of Section 6 is based on practices and experiences of decades of actual operations, with Chief Cramer being a former Navy SEAL and at least two former SWAT members in the upper command of Section 6.
Section 6 is organized in three Subsections.
Section 6.1: Logistics and Reconnaissance
Utilizing means of human and signal intelligence, this subsection is the backbone of the entire Section, gathering intelligence about a target and planning an operation.
Section 6.2: Operations
Based around smaller units of four people, Operations is responsible for dealing with the 'everyday' needs of Space Partol, normally supporting local law enforcement units on larger settlements throughout Fenspace. Most Operative Teams have a fixed base of operation in local Space Patrol offices, while others are mobile.
All mobile Operative Teams are based in the White Tower when not on active duty.
Section 6.3: Special Operations
Based around four Operational Units, FESWAT Unit 1 through 4, with two teams of four operators and two sniper teams of sniper and spotter, they have access to one of the four Star Clippers of Section 6.
Each FESWAT Unit is based in the White Tower and are directed to any larger operation needing heavy support, or smaller operations with greater operational secrecy.

This came up on the Daz forums, in a thread about the dearth of realistic (or pseudo-realistic) armor models for female characters:

http://madartlab.com/2011/12/14/fantasy ... lady-bits/]Fantasy Armor and Lady Bits

A brief discussion of armor, "armor," and how to make somebody in armor as sexy as somebody in "armor".
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

Not Doug's usual style of music, I'll grant, but the subject matter is offbeat enough that it could still appeal to his sense of humor I think.



Do you want a taco? (taco!)

DO YOU? DO YOU?

Do you want a taco? (taco!)

DO YOU? DO YOU?

(taco crunching sounds)

Do you find every thought you have's about it?

Do you wake every second you're without it?

Do you feel like your very soul's on fire?

A BURNING DESIRE!

Do you hate anyone who keeps you from it?

Would you do anything until you got it?

Would you slay a thousand zombies and then then you gotta get one?

Do you want a taco? (taco!)

DO YOU? DO YOU?

Do you want a taco? (taco!)

DO YOU? (DO YOU?) DO YOU?

Do you feel inner peace because you hold it?

Would you fall and you stare if you had dropped it?

Does it meet every need you have inside?

YOU FEEL SO ALIVE!!

Do you crave all the simple pleasures of it?

Does the taste qualify the contents in it?

Can you claim that the taste is to know the mind of God?

What can I get you?

I would like 4,000 tacos and 1 diet coke

How many tacos?

Uh, that would be 4,000

Four THOUSAND tacos and 1 diet coke?

Yes sir.

Do you consume it or does it consume

Do you consume it or does it consume

Does it consume YOU?

Do you consume it or does it consume...

YOU!

Effect: Creats a giant (well, as big as it can be and fit in Doug's AoE, which is still a pretty big taco) animated taco that hops around biting people with its tortilla shard teeth and causing chemical burns with five-alarm sauce. Doug's ability to ride and direct it may be less than ideal, however. Alternately, if there are actually enough ingredients within range, he can use it to instantly restructure them into up to 4000 normal sized tacos, even if the materials are as raw as live cattle and standing (but fully matured) corn and tomatoes etc. Since the food is only changed in physical form, not conjured, it remains even after the song ends, though they may become quite bland if actual spices weren't available to be included in the making. The combat effect may be particularly effective versus the undead, also, which could be hilarious as well as effective if used in the Buffy step, even if it's just a bit of comic relief - troubles' all around, no one feeling energetic, and THAT's when a gang of fledges decides to strut out of an alley like they're somebody. "Don't worry, I got this," says Doug, who tehn proceeds to dispose of them with some spicy tex-mex. Watching the dust settle, (scooby A) bemusedly says, "You know, it has been a while since I had a good taco. Didn't Kahunaburger add them to the menu recently?" Fade out on the probability of finding pineapple in a Hawaiian themed fast food joint taco, and Dawn's assertion that it sounds yummy if so versus everyone else's skepticism.

- CD
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows

“Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible — not to have run away.”
– Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

As the current update thread has hit the 15 page limit I'm starting a new update thread...
And an obligatory update
Vathara has updated Embers with Chapter 59
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5398503/59/
--Werehawk--
My mom's brief take on upcoming Guatemalan Elections "In last throes of preelection activities. Much loudspeaker vote pleading."