My Little Pony XXVI: Applebloom to Zecora! [Archive] - Page 2

SiuiS

2011-10-04, 10:47 PM

AVATAR WORK

here we have the first two that I did as roughs.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/cd6292b4.jpg

PROS
- more detail; gritty character lends itself better to my art style
- succeeds at intimidating Mafioso posture

CONS
- hand/cane position anatomically wrong (looks good though)
- bust style not what recipient wanted

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/ac3660ec.jpg

PROS
- shows whole body
- good practice

CONS
- body to covered; works best as a bust/portrait
- anatomy defies standard ideas of positioning; huge arms + tiny legs = implied perspective fail
- cane came out wonky

-

From these I learned a bit more about my strengths. Having the diamond dog be fully clothed would work much better than having partial clothing such as a single vest or open blazer. Tie is a hit (though I'm considering a bow tie).

DIAMOND DOG ANATOMY
D-Dogs have thick, pop-eye style forearms, and stubby, comically sized rear legs. Their elbows are ball and socket joints, and frequently bend "backwards" when the elbow is above the head.
For example; the first attempt had elbows below the head, hands below the elbows. Unless the cane was 10" long, the elbows would be above the shoulder, and the forearms would slope down sharply. Weird.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/498827eb.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/7b1cf983.jpg

Their usual vest style gives them a strong triangular silhouette, broad shouldered. In reality, they are scrawny buggers with splayed arms. Posture is horrific, though I suppose that could be why the avatar uses a cane- to stand tall over his fellows.

The second anatomy example uses the same head shape as the leader of the D-Dogs, as does the first example avatar. The other head styles are these;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/0e0d060c.jpg

Of which I think the second would be good, but not as strong a choice. The leader has the pointed, "chiseled" jaw one expects from a criminal master. Same with the eyes; flat lines underneath, rounded tops and yet strong brow ridges give him a mean, calculated and hate-filled look. D-Dog head #3, the one with down ears, could get the same effect with effort, and has a more pleasing head shape when discounting the eyes. The two could be mixed if needed.

STYLE OF DRESS

Looking at previous attempts, I have to change my stance;*

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/84b011ea.jpg

The Sher Khan, fully cloned look does wonders for the D-Dog physique. Like any good Mafioso uniform, it hides apparent weakness and gives a sense of stability and bulk that looking at the exposed, stooped torso doesn't.

The hat is a fixture that will stay. It's nice. Positioning though;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/4fd0f03b.jpg

Works best at the leve (#3)l, or even the head tilted forward design (#1). Looking downwards, where you can see the underside of the hat brim, gives less a sense of strength. We want him staring forward like he's ready for a fight;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/442aa313.jpg

SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION

I suggest the following.
Fully clothed D-Dog, tie tucked into blazer.
Either
— leader head (as current) with no eyepatch (keep acar)
— bigger D-Dog head with eyepatch
Facing camera, hands on cane
Hat brim level with camera

Alternate poses considered where looking at pocket watch, arms folded with cane inside (looking over shoulder lime in Dexam's avatar), or hands steeples in front of face, holding cane (showing just eyes and maybe nose; works best as close up and not full-body).

I can try pretty much anything, but I won't be able to help you out unless you can think of specifics. The more detail you give me, the less I will let you down. This is not an Art of the Dress style episode! XD

If you can Think of the picture you want in your mind, and give me detailed descriptions, I'll work on it for you. Otherwise, we're going to continue with phoneavatar tag. I'm fine with that, but I suspect both you and Thanqol are rip-roarin' and ready for the next phase :smallwink:

-

You guys suck. The more I think about it, the more I realize that horrid, barely scraping by why am I doing this? Feeling was enjoyable. I will go over the scrap story and see if I can make it presentable enough for mixed company.

-

Working seven days a week puts a big damper on my free time. I'm jonesin' to geek with other people, and I suspect Braz would, um...
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/83bcc52d5d4e735a1154ccfc40711a85/27393%20-%20Cupcakes%20artist%3Azooboy18%20pinkie%20pinkie_ pie.jpg
Be upset if I were to spend more time on the online videogamings, even if only the gearings of the third war.

Heavens help me, I think I'm going to have to look into the pony RP threads :smalleek:
Thanqol, make November come faster!

-

Braz? Honey? What happened to the bathroom mirrors? And the oven door? And all the other conveniently mirror-like surfaces in the apartment?

-

How do you star something on Equestria Daily? I've never figured it out and I want to start rating stories that I like.

They often don't show up. I don't know what it is but I haven't been able to rate anything for months. Irritating.

Ah, I see the culprit. It was my crappy, out-of-date version of Opera that refused to display the little stars thingy. It worked when I opened the page with my crappy, out-of-date version of Firefox. Thanks for telling me where to look though.

Aww, this means I have a crappy out-of-date iPhone. http://i.imgur.com/BsGGR.jpg

Curses, these threads move so fast.

Hi Rappy! How ya doin?

Still around, and still watching. It's just that I'm quietly watching from the shadows of the thread. Always.

Yes, even then.

Even When... We...

...

Even when we're--

http://i.imgur.com/KtAOH.jpg

Hmph. The more clever ponies we get, the less awesome I become.
I must find a way to fix this. To the SELFIMPROVEMENT-O-TRON!

otakuryoga

2011-10-04, 10:47 PM

Curses, these threads move so fast.

Still around, and still watching. It's just that I'm quietly watching from the shadows of the thread. Always.

Yes, even then.

so...you are saying you like to watch... http://i.imgur.com/Ala5e.jpg

yeah...i dont think that even rates a blip on the strange-ometer in THIS thread

Announcement:
I've been listening to tetris songs ALL DAY, ponythread. This is your fault. :smalltongue:

ooooooo, bad news then... they have this up over on EQD atm
3.) The complete history of Soviet Equestria arranged to the Melody of Tetris http://www.youtube.com/embed/YMFVY57dksE

Kris Strife

2011-10-04, 10:52 PM

I'm currently in a half-comatose state (yay, no sleep and then work!) so I'm just gonna say thanks, everypony. :smallsmile:

*either caffeinates or tranquilizes, based on personal preference*

Roninhirox

2011-10-04, 10:56 PM

Why doesn't Fiddler on the Roof have an all Pony cast that would be so much better.

Edit: Also why does it have to be so long?

Kindablue

2011-10-04, 11:10 PM

This is the best ED banner I've seen:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r12WrF_W7Zs/TovMqrMmQVI/AAAAAAAANQY/QnEmnsKAmcI/s1600/eqd_banner_el.png

Thanks all. Today was a better day, though it was busy. This week has apparently just decided to kick me around...

Sorry to hear that. If it makes you feel any better, I would sacrifice drifters to you. I would say virgins, but school started recently and those aren't in season.

Why doesn't Fiddler on the Roof have an all Pony cast that would be so much better.
Not pony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAoaCHdTJY), but, well... I'm kind of one note, you see.

Rappy

2011-10-04, 11:11 PM

Hi Rappy! How ya doin?
I've been doing alright. Writing stuff for my own personal projects (urban fantasy, not Pony), still kinda geek fangirling over John de Lancie essentially reprising Q with Discord in this season of MLP, reading various stuff, playing video games (Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked in particular)... The usual.

so...you are saying you like to watch... http://i.imgur.com/Ala5e.jpg
...Well played. http://i.imgur.com/gMCGS.jpg

Roninhirox

2011-10-04, 11:17 PM

Not pony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAoaCHdTJY), but, well... I'm kind of one note, you see.

Ha awesome, I think Kurgan owns that cd its awesome, also it all I can hear when they sing in this movie.

Zevox

2011-10-04, 11:29 PM

This is the best ED banner I've seen:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r12WrF_W7Zs/TovMqrMmQVI/AAAAAAAANQY/QnEmnsKAmcI/s1600/eqd_banner_el.png
*GL-fan-nerdgasm*

Okay, gotta save that! (And now I suddenly want to see Fluttershy as a Blue Lantern or Star Sapphire - not sure just at the moment which is more appropriate. Oo, and Angryshy as a Red Lantern. And Discorded Fluttershy and/or Pinkie in the Sinestro Corps. [Sheesh, just how many kinds of Lantern can Fluttershy possibly fit as anyway?].)

Since I'm on Ponibooru and posting at the same time, have some d'aw:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/05735d354d9fe03532d98a2cc9d00ea4/67291%20-%20Baking%20artist%3Athedarklordkeisha%20derpy_hoo ves%20dinky_hooves.jpg
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/312892bc057f6eba15932a3efe1cd81d/67254%20-%20artist%3Asorcerushorserus%20clouds%20fluttershy %20moon%20sleeping.png

Also, Ponysona!
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/a0cb778cd76ac7d04eeaf285dfec601c/54222%20-%20Persona%20Persona_4%20Ponysona_4%20artist%3Adw1 482%20clothes%20crossover%20fluttershy%20socks%20v ideo_game.jpeg
Wow this is bigger than it looked on Ponibooru.

http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/ed110da32ece462395bb01b1f13e967b/14593%20-%20Persona%20Persona_4%20artist%3Amihaaaa%20crosso ver%20gummizanagi%20gummy%20parody%20sword.png

And also, this image genuinely scares me:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/9be969c872aed135f593181daa02ecb2/67267%20-%20Dexter%27s_Laboratory%20celestia%20deedee%20mee mee.jpg
Zevox

Kris Strife

2011-10-04, 11:32 PM

Beeskee

2011-10-04, 11:34 PM

I'll just leave this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsh1W4X43kQ) here...

Kindablue

2011-10-04, 11:44 PM

*GL-fan-nerdgasm*

Okay, gotta save that! (And now I suddenly want to see Fluttershy as a Blue Lantern or Star Sapphire - not sure just at the moment which is more appropriate. Oo, and Angryshy as a Red Lantern. And Discorded Fluttershy and/or Pinkie in the Sinestro Corps. [Sheesh, just how many kinds of Lantern can Fluttershy possibly fit as anyway?].)

Here's some more:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/920c95bb336ec58de7be8c017826ad8a/35742%20-%20Blue_Lantern%20Red_lantern%20Sinestro_Corp%20St ar_Sapphire%20agent_orange%20applejack%20fluttersh y%20green_lantern%20indigo_tribe%20new_guardians_o f_equestria%20pinkie_pie%20rainbow_dash%20rainbow_ dash_always_dresses_in_style%20rarity%20spike%20tw ilight_sparkle.png
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqet7goW4k1qkibivo1_500.jpg

ETA:

Clearly she'd be a green lantern. What is The Stare but concentrated will power? :smallwink:

Fear.

I'll just leave this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsh1W4X43kQ) here...

Get some headphones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyUDW2q_BGg).

Kris Strife

2011-10-04, 11:48 PM

Here's some more:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/920c95bb336ec58de7be8c017826ad8a/35742%20-%20Blue_Lantern%20Red_lantern%20Sinestro_Corp%20St ar_Sapphire%20agent_orange%20applejack%20fluttersh y%20green_lantern%20indigo_tribe%20new_guardians_o f_equestria%20pinkie_pie%20rainbow_dash%20rainbow_ dash_always_dresses_in_style%20rarity%20spike%20tw ilight_sparkle.png
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqet7goW4k1qkibivo1_500.jpg

Fear.

She can only use it by defeating her own fear, and it lets her resist even a cockatrice's gaze.

Eakin

2011-10-04, 11:51 PM

Beeskee

2011-10-04, 11:54 PM

A Luna scene from episode 4 already leaked on Youtube! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBe5bQ1wZtI)

It's so weird to hear her voice with actual lines!

This would probably be the only thing that would make me actually listen to that song all the way through...

Luna had speaking lines at the end of episode 2.

Kindablue

2011-10-04, 11:55 PM

She can only use it by defeating her own fear, and it lets her resist even a cockatrice's gaze.

She didn't really resist the cockatrice, though. She just made it so scared that it stopped before she was completely turned to stone.

Topaz

2011-10-05, 12:03 AM

Eakin

2011-10-05, 12:06 AM

This would probably be the only thing that would make me actually listen to that song all the way through...

Luna had speaking lines at the end of episode 2.

She got like 3 words, that hardly counts

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 12:15 AM

A Luna scene from episode 4 already leaked on Youtube! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBe5bQ1wZtI)

It's so weird to hear her voice with actual lines!

What do you think Applejack bursting in at the end was about? That sounded like her.

http://ponyfictionarchive.net/images/gallery/galleries/Macros%20-%20Dash/dash%20not%20sure%20why%20i%27m%20okay%20with%20th is.png
Ironically, very nice video for the song

Zevox

2011-10-05, 12:23 AM

Fallen Angel

2011-10-05, 12:51 AM

...And some of us are working to make others very drunk.

...

Or extra-sober. I don't know what's worse :smallannoyed:

You do know making somebody Knurd is a warcrime in some places?

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 12:54 AM

Just to refresh any memories: could anyone wishing to remark on leaked stuff from future episodes keep it to (marked) spoiler blocks? Some of us would rather avoid that and just watch the episodes blind. Thanks.

Zevox

If we get any real spoilers, we'll do that.

The link was to PonyRoll. :smallbiggrin:
(Pony rickroll. ;)

Edit:

Season 2, Episode 4 spoiler:

It has Luna in it.

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 12:55 AM

must re....resist...must not ruin....birthday present of Luna Episode

Fallen Angel

2011-10-05, 01:03 AM

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 01:14 AM

Triple Distilled Vodka.

It's mother's milk.

Oh how I miss it. (Got put on some pills a while back. ****ing ******* doctor knew I wanted sleeping pills, gave me anti-depressants. ****ing ******* was probably getting money on the aside. ****er..)

You have to be careful in how you ask for sleeping pills, since a lot of folks who are depressed ask for those so they can commit suicide.

If you want to sleep, try NyQuil or one of the things you can get in a drugstore without a prescription. And BE CAREFUL, since they make you sleepy and forgetful you can forget that you've already had some that night and take more.. Someone I knew of died from ODing on them that way. Best bet is to put your nightly dose next to your bed and keep the container in another room.

It's still not a good idea to mix any of that with alcohol tho.

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 01:15 AM

Triple Distilled Vodka.

It's mother's milk.

Oh how I miss it. (Got put on some pills a while back. ****ing ******* doctor knew I wanted sleeping pills, gave me anti-depressants. ****ing ******* was probably getting money on the aside. ****er..)

Truer words were never spoken. Though I do prefer brandy myself.

Also ya I know a few people who that happened to. Its stupid, and full of all sorts of not pg enough language for the thread. I avoid that happening to me by simply being to poor to ever go to a doctor and instead self medicating. Usually with copious amounts of ponies. They have been know to cure stress, depression, social anxiety, and several other problems. Though they have been known to cause insomnia, drinking, ponysanity, and strange looks when you pull out your new cell phone and the background is ponies and the ring tone is fluttershy. But don't take my word for it I'm not a doctor, but take hers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frm3mjy9l8c

Noctemwolf

2011-10-05, 01:21 AM

Whoever it was that linked to the "Through the Eyes of Another Pony" Story, congratulations. Your going to manage to keep me up all night trying to finish reading it. :smalleek:

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 01:26 AM

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 01:32 AM

One of the forums I'm on has a thread that you post in when drunk. It's pretty hilarious most of the time, and the mods delete it and make a new one about once a week so that no one has to stay embarrassed by their less conscious half for longer than they deserve to.

We had a doctor in this thread, once. He proscribed us cowboy hats to keep from going crazy.

Sounds legit.

Anarion

2011-10-05, 01:41 AM

We had a doctor in this thread, once. He proscribed us cowboy hats to keep from going crazy.

In retrospect he may not have been the most qualified to do so.

Is it a point of interest that I clicked the "spoiler" and just sor of enjoyed the video? Pretty sure that's not supposed to be the typical response.

Hm. Let's go look at Silly message board games.

Sounds like a highly skilled medical professional. Probably a graduate of John's Hoofkins university.

And uh yeah, that was the first time I've ever listened to that song all the way through. This confuses me.

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 01:45 AM

One of the forums I'm on has a thread that you post in when drunk. It's pretty hilarious most of the time, and the mods delete it and make a new one about once a week so that no one has to stay embarrassed by their less conscious half for longer than they deserve to.

Sounds legit.

Post drunk, what a novel idea. *Takes another drink*

Hmm Possibly to legit.

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 01:50 AM

Wow, I'm not the only one...

Ponies can make Never Gonna Give You Up worth watching, that's gotta be some kind of record or something.

Whoever it was that linked to the "Through the Eyes of Another Pony" Story, congratulations. Your going to manage to keep me up all night trying to finish reading it. :smalleek:

I'm glad you like it. :smallsmile: The author hangs out in the last chapter's chat sometimes too. Not 24-7, but pretty frequently.

Vorpalbob

2011-10-05, 02:02 AM

Bronies, I just realized this:
We're having a Luna/Halloween Episode. Which means, Friendship is Magic + Luna + This Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqotjvlvhd8) = The Best Halloween EVER!!!
http://i.imgur.com/oRBHJ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/O73if.jpg

Your link set me on a marathon of Nightmare music. I'm also an actor/singer, and for my next audition, unless I'm given a specific piece, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1HX80u5x4&feature=related) is the song I'll sing.

And because of you, as I sing, I'll be thinking of ponies. :smalltongue:

Noctemwolf

2011-10-05, 02:10 AM

I'm glad you like it. :smallsmile: The author hangs out in the last chapter's chat sometimes too. Not 24-7, but pretty frequently.

Seriously, this guy's got some talent! Never thought something could be taken this far and still be so awesome. On to Chapter eight...

Dexam

2011-10-05, 02:45 AM

Aotrs Commander

2011-10-05, 03:45 AM

Tie is a hit (though I'm considering a bow tie).

Obligatory Bow ties are cool!

Braz? Honey? What happened to the bathroom mirrors? And the oven door? And all the other conveniently mirror-like surfaces in the apartment?

Nice one Braz! It's for the best!

She's actually taken it rather well, considering...

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

2. I'm back at work, being harrassed by clients, and generally suffering the effects of acute sleep deprivation. Basically I feel like Applejack during Applebuck Season, except no baked bads, bunny stampedes, or launched co-worker incidents (yet). However, now that I think about it, I can't see a how a bunny stampede could *NOT* improve things around here... Note to self: find a way to make this happen.

3. Ponies are still awesome.

1. Good news.

2. I prefer to use orbitial bombardment in situations like that myself, or just a sudden, unheralded Maximised Disintigrate on the most annoying person - that usually silences and cows the rest as soon as the dust settles...

3. Yes, they are.

Also, as I suspected, Nod is marginally less borked in C&C 3 by the patches.

Thanqol

2011-10-05, 05:38 AM

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 05:51 AM

In other news, I feel the need to confess that I'm very jelly of the spoilered RPs in this thread and have no idea how one goes about joining/setting one such up. :smallwink:

Pick a Character, randomly hop in! :smallbiggrin:

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 06:51 AM

Friendship report from Dominoes Gungahlin:

I've got a co-worker named Greg. Big guy, lovely personality, the kind of guy who just seems born to be great.

So, Greg gets a call. "Hello, Dominoes Pizza."
"I want to cut myself."
"... Would you like a pizza instead?"

I love Greg.

(We've had that crank call a few times. One of the managers had a rather different approach to the problem. I couldn't exactly make it out through all the shouting, but I'm sure I heard the line "No you want to cut your face!")

I also had a few spare ponies that I didn't know what to do with - Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are as far as my pony ambitions go (with the exception of a few customs I'm thinking about commissioning). A friend gave me a g3 Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy came with a random noncanon pony. I decided to tip my hat to the primary demographic and give my spare Rainbow Dash to a little girl whom I met on a delivery. Hopefully she'll learn something about friendship from her.

In other news, I feel the need to confess that I'm very jelly of the spoilered RPs in this thread and have no idea how one goes about joining/setting one such up. :smallwink:

I continue to find evidence that workers who enjoy pizza jobs are the cream of the humanity-crop.
My favorite crank was the one where they order a pizza without toppings, cheese, sauce or crust. The one guy who agreed was surprised to find we charged the full $10.99 for a box, and even more surprised that we actually ran his credit card.
His neighbor called to thank us for the free pizza that I insisted was complimentary with purchase of box. For those wondering what the hay I'm talking about, I kept the crank caller on the phone, got all the info I needed, and when he realized I was going through with it, panicked, and gave me the address for the house next to his :smallbiggrin:

You've been having RPs of the spoiler'd variety for weeks with Raz_Fox for a while now. Except for the spoilers bit. OH CELESTIA YOU'RE NUDISTS
Insomnia and sorrow suck. Well, insomnia sucks. In other news, somepony needs to use This complicated system (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/266/d/b/pony_tales__us_letter_by_catspaw_dtp_services-d49v97y.pdf) or perhaps instead this simple one (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ShylNaVPRa7U8GmPayAtBhTOXZin07zkNVmvf6eSKks/mobilebasic?pli=1&hl=en_US) to do a PbP. It would be interesting, to be sure.

Hm. Speaking of RPs, I seem to have misplaced a couple posts. Sloppy copy/pastejutsu on my part... To the search bar!

...

Later. Bed now.

Soras Teva Gee

2011-10-05, 06:54 AM

Here's some more:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/920c95bb336ec58de7be8c017826ad8a/35742%20-%20Blue_Lantern%20Red_lantern%20Sinestro_Corp%20St ar_Sapphire%20agent_orange%20applejack%20fluttersh y%20green_lantern%20indigo_tribe%20new_guardians_o f_equestria%20pinkie_pie%20rainbow_dash%20rainbow_ dash_always_dresses_in_style%20rarity%20spike%20tw ilight_sparkle.png
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqet7goW4k1qkibivo1_500.jpg

Gahh that's all wrong! Twilight as GL is a cop out because she already has a GLRing though Rarity is of course correct but Spike is not the one with much anger in him... that's Flutterrage

My own list:

Red = Flutterrage
Orange = Rarity
Yellow = Pinkie Pie
Green = Rainbow Dash
Blue = Twilight
Indigo = Applejack
Violet = Spike

Gamerlord

2011-10-05, 07:18 AM

Thought I might let everyone know a week or so in advance that during the New York Comic-Con I will be gone for most of the day around the 15th or 16th. It will be interesting to see how much ponies have taken it over, seeing as how at the last convention I don't think FIM had aired yet.
@Dexam: Glad to hear your wife is recovering well!

Nameless

2011-10-05, 07:23 AM

That's... uh.. freaky. I just re-read those chapters last night.

*opens chapter 2, no problems*

It worked for me, but I realize that isn't particularly helpful. It shouldn't be doing that to you. I mean, it *couldn't* do it directly, there's nothing special in Google Docs that makes computers reboot. confluttershy.jpg (http://gyropedia.wikia.com/wiki/Confluttershy) (Edit: By that I mean it's doing it indirectly, I'm not saying you weren't having a problem that you obviously are.)

Have you had issues with your computer rebooting or such like that before? If so, it might be related to memory or networking, since Google Docs does use a bit of memory, and it opens up a chat type connection thingy as well. (That's what the stuff on the top right is, I didn't know about it for a while...)

Clearing your web browser cache might help, or if you have a ton of stuff open, closing any unnecessary programs. Also, maybe closing the chapter 1 page and using the main story page (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/08/story-through-eyes-of-another-pony.html) on Equestria Daily to open the next chapter might help.

Sorry you're having problems. I know how much unrelated technical issues can spoil an otherwise good thing. :smallfrown:

No worries. I managed to open chapter 2 with no problem though. I was confused because I couldn't read chapter 1... but it did amuse me. :smallbiggrin:

the_druid_droid

2011-10-05, 08:02 AM

ETA:
Fear.

Come with me next to this Twilight-shaped rock,
and I will show you fear in the eyes of a Pegasus.

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

2. I'm back at work, being harrassed by clients, and generally suffering the effects of acute sleep deprivation. Basically I feel like Applejack during Applebuck Season, except no baked bads, bunny stampedes, or launched co-worker incidents (yet). However, now that I think about it, I can't see a how a bunny stampede could *NOT* improve things around here... Note to self: find a way to make this happen.

3. Ponies are still awesome.

1.) Glad she's doing ok!

2.) Ouch. Hope things improve, or someone brings you coffee/tea/your favorite caffeinated beverage soon

3.) Eeeyuup

Friendship report from Dominoes Gungahlin:

I've got a co-worker named Greg. Big guy, lovely personality, the kind of guy who just seems born to be great.

So, Greg gets a call. "Hello, Dominoes Pizza."
"I want to cut myself."
"... Would you like a pizza instead?"

I love Greg.

(We've had that crank call a few times. One of the managers had a rather different approach to the problem. I couldn't exactly make it out through all the shouting, but I'm sure I heard the line "No you want to cut your face!")

I also had a few spare ponies that I didn't know what to do with - Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are as far as my pony ambitions go (with the exception of a few customs I'm thinking about commissioning). A friend gave me a g3 Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy came with a random noncanon pony. I decided to tip my hat to the primary demographic and give my spare Rainbow Dash to a little girl whom I met on a delivery. Hopefully she'll learn something about friendship from her.

In other news, I feel the need to confess that I'm very jelly of the spoilered RPs in this thread and have no idea how one goes about joining/setting one such up. :smallwink:

As some have said, jump on in! If you need a place to start, I am looking for someplace to use my excellent clockwork pony [/shamelessplug]

Insomnia and sorrow suck. Well, insomnia sucks. In other news, somepony needs to use This complicated system (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/266/d/b/pony_tales__us_letter_by_catspaw_dtp_services-d49v97y.pdf) or perhaps instead this simple one (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ShylNaVPRa7U8GmPayAtBhTOXZin07zkNVmvf6eSKks/mobilebasic?pli=1&hl=en_US) to do a PbP. It would be interesting, to be sure.

Hm. Speaking of RPs, I seem to have misplaced a couple posts. Sloppy copy/pastejutsu on my part... To the search bar!

...

Later. Bed now.

Sorry to hear about the insomnia and sorrow :smallfrown: But I agree that such a PbP would be excellent! Someone should really get on this...

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 08:18 AM

Pick a Character, randomly hop in! :smallbiggrin:

I have considered this from time to time, though virtually any and all OCs that I come up with are essentially just another copy of myself on the big Venn diagram that is my personality. Heck, Ido himself is technically an OC.

Guys, I'm RPing myself.

Guys, I didn't sleep very well last night and I fear my mental state is less than awesome right now.

Though when that happens that reminds me that I should make an acceptance to my pinkie pie nomination, because that is when i most best would sound like the best choice.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 08:35 AM

Once again, I find myself noting that the scarriest thing to a writer is a blank piece of paper (or a blank word doc).

Someone badger me into starting actual writing of my Psychonaut Pinkie Pie fic (aka, Piece of Mind). :smallbiggrin:

Badger badger badger badge- Wait. I've got a better one. And points for whoever catches the reference. Weedle weedle weedle weedle weedle...

Yeah I'm still worried about something going wrong. I really need a job. I'm super-happy to be getting this one, because it involves something I love a LOT. Thank you for the congrats. :smallbiggrin:

That is awesome. And in this economy it's a blessing to actually land a job, never mind one in a field you truly want to work in.

Definitely, the world is stuffed full of bad news, but there are a lot of good things too. They get buried under the bad sometimes, newspapers and TV news shows make more money selling the horrible tales of woe than they do from telling everyone the good things that are going on in life. So it takes way more effort to find the nice things, and more energy to hang on to those as well.

I hate that the news is only motivated on ratings, and that negative stories and slander/partisan politics (*points to FOX News*) get those ratings. It's a vicious downward cycle that's next to impossible to break out of. Well, until you discover the magic of online news and RSS feeds / FARK.

Oh gosh California Girls is playing on the office radio, and it sounds SO DANG WEIRD that's it's not sung by Pinkie Pie, and about Ponies http://i.imgur.com/0yCfw.jpg

You mean that terrible knock off by Katy Perry? She did it SO wrong it's not even funny. Nopony can compare to the unbridled musical aptitude of the Pinkie.

It's not really a "descent", it's more of a "surpression". It's as if a small part of my brain has been infected by a mental virus. The rest of my brain tries to keep said virus at bay, but it likes to come out and play sometimes. I know a good game. But it's not so bad. It's called "Pin the Tail on the Pony" I just have to work at it some more. You can be the Pony. http://i.imgur.com/9QvF1.jpg

...You're starting to sound like Lix here...

I'm reading Progress (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6982210/1/Progress) right now. It's about Luna learning how to adjust to the world after a long absence.

That's also a fantastic read. Although poor Luna and those damned baseballs. XD

HOODYHOO!!
it's now official...i get Luna episode on the 22nd for my birthday!!!!

That is awesome! And Happy Birthday!

I would say a minimum of 10,000 with a liberal estimate being 100,000.

My vote goes to somewhere between 100,000 and 500,000 Bronies worldwide, and that guess is including both active online bronies, inactive bronies that just watch the show, and closet bronies.

Yay, dreams of midnight just went up on ED. :smallbiggrin:

AWESOME. FIVE STARRED SO HARD.

May I ask what is the reason given this time? It is mystifying considering some of the other material they do let through. :smallconfused:

Agreed. I'm seriously curious as to what exactly the pre-readers said.

I'll admit I've squeed over some stories being posted, and a male 16-year-old squeeing is... well let's just say it disturbed me that it happened.

I've seen worse. A LOT worse.

Spoil'd for pre-reader response text.
Here's what I sent:

Here's some of the stuff I got back.

Fair enough, I'd had issues with overloading sentences in the past.

I never switched anything. :V

I've never had a reviewer say anything about this, but if the reviewer representing the common man said so...

Ironically, it's explained in more detail in chapter four.

Characterization is another weak point of mine; I've done power projections, run tests on how far Cloudsdale could drift, rewrote half of the American Civil War to accomodate for the existence of Cloudsdale, but it's difficult for me to create a compelling character.

I had (http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/res/38874.html) it (http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/res/47098.html)reviewed (http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/res/49238.html) before (http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/res/53085.html#53589), but I guess it wasn't enough. After most of these I made pretty extensive revisions, so I guess the new errors just replaced the old ones.

It's probably more of a 'not their cup of tea', but I'm guessing the issue may reside some dissonance between the reviewers and the pre-readers.

Honestly, if the response is because 'it's not their cup of tea' that's their problem. Their job as pre-readers isn't to filter fics by personal preference, it's to ensure the fic is well written and polished enough on its own laurels to be good enough for the general population of EqD.

Sometimes the stars don't show up. I often need to reload a couple of times. Make sure you wait for a few seconds after each reload, they're slow even when they are there.

General Derpy is the best Derpy:

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/275/8/7/the_new_royal_guard_test_pg__by_equestria_prevails-d4bfvr0.jpg (http://equestria-prevails.deviantart.com/art/The-New-Royal-Guard-test-pg-261081468)
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/277/5/2/general_derpy_by_equestria_prevails-d4bt6pg.jpg (http://equestria-prevails.deviantart.com/art/General-Derpy-261702196)

Derpy looks SO badass in the second picture.

Yes, even then.

Y-You saw that? http://i.imgur.com/0bxcP.jpg

yeah...i dont think that even rates a blip on the strange-ometer in THIS thread

Wait, the strangeometer in this thread even works? I figured it's baseline was so high that it ERR.

You can't zero a scientific scale to 20 metric tons is all I'm sayin'.

This is the best ED banner I've seen:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r12WrF_W7Zs/TovMqrMmQVI/AAAAAAAANQY/QnEmnsKAmcI/s1600/eqd_banner_el.png

...Dat Rarity. So saved, that is awesome. Although there's no Tom! No de-elemented Rarity is complete without her faithful sidekick Tom!

A Luna scene from episode 4 already leaked on Youtube! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBe5bQ1wZtI)

It's so weird to hear her voice with actual lines!

What do you think Applejack bursting in at the end was about? That sounded like her.

Aaaargh why do I have to be at work. Quoted so I can guaranteed find it again.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep up with EqD now on that note? I don't have my RSS feed on my work laptop so I can't check articles as they come in. Every day when I get home from work I come back to 50 - 55 new articles to go through. All of my free time. There, and this. I can't keep up with Ponychan anymore. It's kind of depressing.

http://ponyfictionarchive.net/images/gallery/galleries/Macros%20-%20Dash/dash%20not%20sure%20why%20i%27m%20okay%20with%20th is.png
Ironically, very nice video for the song

Because Applejack is best pony!

We had a doctor in this thread, once. He proscribed us cowboy hats to keep from going crazy.

In retrospect he may not have been the most qualified to do so.

Is it a point of interest that I clicked the "spoiler" and just sor of enjoyed the video? Pretty sure that's not supposed to be the typical response.

Hm. Let's go look at Silly message board games.

Psychoshutin is a doctor! He did these for me! *Wiggles face tentacles*

Granted I asked to be turned into a pony... The closest he could do was Mind Flayer Pony hybrid thingy.

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

2. I'm back at work, being harrassed by clients, and generally suffering the effects of acute sleep deprivation. Basically I feel like Applejack during Applebuck Season, except no baked bads, bunny stampedes, or launched co-worker incidents (yet). However, now that I think about it, I can't see a how a bunny stampede could *NOT* improve things around here... Note to self: find a way to make this happen.

3. Ponies are still awesome.

1. That is incredible news, I'm glad to hear that.

2. I feel you there man. If you work at a pet store per chance then the bunny stampede should be easy. Otherwise it's a bit of a tall order.

3. SHHHHHHHH! If you say it loud enough they'll hear you! And nopony can know that we like ponies!

Thought I might let everyone know a week or so in advance that during the New York Comic-Con I will be gone for most of the day around the 15th or 16th. It will be interesting to see how much ponies have taken it over, seeing as how at the last convention I don't think FIM had aired yet.

Aaargh, lucky. I want to go to that so badly. However I'll be at FurFright that weekend and I already have a hotel room reserved. What can you do though, you know?

I have considered this from time to time, though virtually any and all OCs that I come up with are essentially just another copy of myself on the big Venn diagram that is my personality. Heck, Ido himself is technically an OC.

Guys, I'm RPing myself.

Guys, I didn't sleep very well last night and I fear my mental state is less than awesome right now.

Though when that happens that reminds me that I should make an acceptance to my pinkie pie nomination, because that is when i most best would sound like the best choice.

Every single character I've ever had has aspects of myself in them. I pick one aspect of myself as the main aspect of said character, and then work backwards from that. For example, I like to drive fast; and that translates to running / flying in Equestria. I knew I wanted an earth pony, so I then worked backwards to create Jade.

I grew up on a farm and love to sing. I took those to aspects, made them Haybuck's main motif, and then worked backwards to create a backstory, personality, and visual presentation that would likely lead to said main motif.

It's not a bad thing. You know yourself better than you know anyone and anything else. After all, you've been inside your own head for your entire life. If you can be creative and still keep it under that umbrella of expertise, all the better!

Grif

2011-10-05, 08:41 AM

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

2. I'm back at work, being harrassed by clients, and generally suffering the effects of acute sleep deprivation. Basically I feel like Applejack during Applebuck Season, except no baked bads, bunny stampedes, or launched co-worker incidents (yet). However, now that I think about it, I can't see a how a bunny stampede could *NOT* improve things around here... Note to self: find a way to make this happen.

3. Ponies are still awesome.

Glad to hear your wife recovering well!

Friendship report from Dominoes Gungahlin:

I've got a co-worker named Greg. Big guy, lovely personality, the kind of guy who just seems born to be great.

So, Greg gets a call. "Hello, Dominoes Pizza."
"I want to cut myself."
"... Would you like a pizza instead?"

I love Greg.

(We've had that crank call a few times. One of the managers had a rather different approach to the problem. I couldn't exactly make it out through all the shouting, but I'm sure I heard the line "No you want to cut your face!")

I also had a few spare ponies that I didn't know what to do with - Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are as far as my pony ambitions go (with the exception of a few customs I'm thinking about commissioning). A friend gave me a g3 Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy came with a random noncanon pony. I decided to tip my hat to the primary demographic and give my spare Rainbow Dash to a little girl whom I met on a delivery. Hopefully she'll learn something about friendship from her.

In other news, I feel the need to confess that I'm very jelly of the spoilered RPs in this thread and have no idea how one goes about joining/setting one such up. :smallwink:

You never cease to amaze me Thanqol. I wish I can do half the things you do in a pizza store. :smallbiggrin:

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 08:44 AM

Oh, I love it oh so much when I miss posts because no amount of morning coffee is enough morning coffee.

Friendship report from Dominoes Gungahlin:

I've got a co-worker named Greg. Big guy, lovely personality, the kind of guy who just seems born to be great.

So, Greg gets a call. "Hello, Dominoes Pizza."
"I want to cut myself."
"... Would you like a pizza instead?"

I love Greg.

(We've had that crank call a few times. One of the managers had a rather different approach to the problem. I couldn't exactly make it out through all the shouting, but I'm sure I heard the line "No you want to cut your face!")

I also had a few spare ponies that I didn't know what to do with - Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are as far as my pony ambitions go (with the exception of a few customs I'm thinking about commissioning). A friend gave me a g3 Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy came with a random noncanon pony. I decided to tip my hat to the primary demographic and give my spare Rainbow Dash to a little girl whom I met on a delivery. Hopefully she'll learn something about friendship from her.

In other news, I feel the need to confess that I'm very jelly of the spoilered RPs in this thread and have no idea how one goes about joining/setting one such up. :smallwink:

That's an amazing response to that. Your manager doesn't exactly have the right idea there... While 99.9999999999999999% of the time it's a prank call, that one in one trillion that it's not... :smalleek:

And the story about the g3 Rainbow Dash made me D'awww. You must have made that little girl's day.

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 08:53 AM

Wait, the strangeometer in this thread even works? I figured it's baseline was so high that it ERR.

You can't zero a scientific scale to 20 metric tons is all I'm sayin'.

yeah, we had that problem...then we blew a few million internets to buy a top of the line industrial rated one...the entire forums budget of internets in fact...thats why we have been getting so many 500 errors lately

and this...this is just awesome
Apparently this huge Fluttershy poster thingy is chillin at the tallest building in Oslo. It's supposedly created with Post-It notes... Pretty crazy!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IW4ICFNtQY0/TowdlnZH-fI/AAAAAAAANSg/Eq_0IJKCCCk/s1600/FLUTTERSHY%2BCLOSE%2BUP.jpg

aaaaaand...EQD has popped the 50 million hits mark

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 08:58 AM

yeah, we had that problem...then we blew a few million internets to buy a top of the line industrial rated one...the entire forums budget of internets in fact...thats why we have been getting so many 500 errors lately

In complete and total legitimate seriousness, I am convinced that's our fault. I mean, who else moves the kind of traffic we do in terms of either post count or data piped through the site ( tags, etc)?

and this...this is just awesome
Apparently this huge Fluttershy poster thingy is chillin at the tallest building in Oslo. It's supposedly created with Post-It notes... Pretty crazy!
[IMG]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IW4ICFNtQY0/TowdlnZH-fI/AAAAAAAANSg/Eq_0IJKCCCk/s1600/FLUTTERSHY%2BCLOSE%2BUP.jpg

Wait that actually exists somewhere? I literally had a dream about doing the exact same thing in my office last night (except it was Rainbow Dash and there was a Sonic Rainboom in the back). Holy crap.

Also, proof we're taking over. PROOF!

Lix Lorn

2011-10-05, 09:40 AM

This is a good thing, correct?
...sort of. xD

and I've been listening to THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLjpTtxH4Jo&feature=youtube_gdata_player) all day, and I blame you.
Just cuz I can~
Wha?
No, blame me for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdaKZW48KU&feature=related) instead.

Bronies, I just realized this:
We're having a Luna/Halloween Episode. Which means, Friendship is Magic + Luna + This Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqotjvlvhd8) = The Best Halloween EVER!!!
http://i.imgur.com/oRBHJ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/O73if.jpg
Naaaah. THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaKiMShXpC8) song! Luna's not used to people being nice to her.

Is it a point of interest that I clicked the "spoiler" and just sor of enjoyed the video? Pretty sure that's not supposed to be the typical response.
Yeah, I've always done this. xD

Obligatory Bow ties are cool!
Sometimes I forget you're a british lich. xD

Nice one Braz! It's for the best!

She's actually taken it rather well, considering...
Tell me or I glomp you. :smalltongue:

I have considered this from time to time, though virtually any and all OCs that I come up with are essentially just another copy of myself on the big Venn diagram that is my personality. Heck, Ido himself is technically an OC.

Guys, I'm RPing myself.
I made a character who is the epitomisation of all that I am and want to be. She is the ESSENCE of a self insert.
Today, I found something new about her/me. It was distinctly odd.

Badger badger badger badge- Wait. I've got a better one. And points for whoever catches the reference.
MUSH-ROOM MUSH-ROOM!

...You're starting to sound like Lix here...
Isn't it great? http://i.imgur.com/ROEne.jpg

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 09:50 AM

I made a character who is the epitomisation of all that I am and want to be. She is the ESSENCE of a self insert.
Today, I found something new about her/me. It was distinctly odd.

So... You want to have the powers of a Goddess? Actually this doesn't surprise me. Who wouldn't?

MUSH-ROOM MUSH-ROOM!

I meant the weedle thing. http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

Isn't it great? http://i.imgur.com/ROEne.jpg

Why yes, yes it is! We could always use more shipping related chaos in this thread! It's as if Metal Mask, Lix, Phoe, and Midnight weren't enough! They didn't manage to create thousands of clones and influence them with the ship note, nooooooooo.

Since this might come off that I have a legitimate problem with all of the shipping and gender bending and bondage and everything in this thread, I don't. I legitimately mean the more the merrier. :smalltongue:

Nameless

2011-10-05, 09:58 AM

...You're starting to sound like Lix here...

Isn't it great? http://i.imgur.com/ROEne.jpg

Why yes, yes it is! We could always use more shipping related chaos in this thread! It's as if Metal Mask, Lix, Phoe, and Midnight weren't enough! They didn't manage to create thousands of clones and influence them with the ship note, nooooooooo.

Since this might come off that I have a legitimate problem with all of the shipping and gender bending and bondage and everything in this thread, I don't. I legitimately mean the more the merrier. :smalltongue:

Wait... I'm still normal!
*holds out hands*
AH! MY THUMBS! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY THUMBS!? http://i.imgur.com/fhwi8.jpg

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 10:01 AM

Wait... I'm still normal!
*holds out hands*
AH! MY THUMBS! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY THUMBS!? http://i.imgur.com/fhwi8.jpg

Quite simple, my dear Nameless. Ponification. There's no suppressing it. Just let it happen! Let it alllll out!

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 10:03 AM

Every single character I've ever had has aspects of myself in them. I pick one aspect of myself as the main aspect of said character, and then work backwards from that. For example, I like to drive fast; and that translates to running / flying in Equestria. I knew I wanted an earth pony, so I then worked backwards to create Jade.

I grew up on a farm and love to sing. I took those to aspects, made them Haybuck's main motif, and then worked backwards to create a backstory, personality, and visual presentation that would likely lead to said main motif.

It's not a bad thing. You know yourself better than you know anyone and anything else. After all, you've been inside your own head for your entire life. If you can be creative and still keep it under that umbrella of expertise, all the better!

I made a character who is the epitomisation of all that I am and want to be. She is the ESSENCE of a self insert.
Today, I found something new about her/me. It was distinctly odd.
My trick, is that while I do have a good handful of personas, they literally are all exactly me, differentiable from each other in that they are very VERY specific aspects of me and my life. I am the one who's spent the most time in my own head, heck that's where I spend MOST of my time it feels, so it's pretty natural for me to simple compartmentalize myself into the different hats that I wear on a day to day basis (which, ended up being the chief mark between myselves when I draw them). Like Ido, Ido wears his captain's hat of bemused confusion. Others, such as Zod, he's usually got his [Zod] gamertag floating above his head. Bossman took a while to find a good hat, but he eventually settled on the black and white Dr. Seuss hat he found that seemed to hold a +5 to his intimidate and serious business checks.

That said, I do have OCs that float around in the nether somewhere, but none of them are ponies, and I've had a darned difficult time thinking one up. I could try and import one over, it technically could work, but I don't think I'd be happy about it since it'd be an awkward execution, and I'd have to find a Bill's Hat level of justification as to why he's suddenly in the ponyverse http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Ponysona... there is an opening for the brony aspect of m'self, but I put way too much work into it for that guy to show up any time soon ^^;; Maybe... maybe before season 3 I'll have decided on his name. Until then, I'll just look wistfully from the sidelines, and continue to let the other circles have their fun :smalltongue:

Nameless

2011-10-05, 10:04 AM

Wait that actually exists somewhere? I literally had a dream about doing the exact same thing in my office last night (except it was Rainbow Dash and there was a Sonic Rainboom in the back). Holy crap.

Bronies are telepathic...? http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

Quite simple, my dear Nameless. Ponification. There's no suppressing it. Just let it happen! Let it alllll out!

I've given you my mind... LET ME KEEP MY THUMBS! http://i.imgur.com/DrMmg.jpg

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 10:08 AM

That said, I do have OCs that float around in the nether somewhere, but none of them are ponies, and I've had a darned difficult time thinking one up. I could try and import one over, it technically could work, but I don't think I'd be happy about it since it'd be an awkward execution, and I'd have to find a Bill's Hat level of justification as to why he's suddenly in the ponyverse http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Let me tell you a story Mr. Ido...

So, you know Jade, my current OC, right? She's gone through quite a few iterations over the years. First, she was my car. Yep. My first car was a Teal Oldsmobile Alero, and I named her Jade. She had her own personality, and I knew that car like the back of my hand.

So, when she finally went the way of the pipers, I decided to "honor" her by creating an OC which kind of matched the personality that the car had. This OC was an Anthromorphic Rabbit of the same color.

I then went onto a Role Play based around Battle Royale, except with original characters. Jade made another appearance there as a Tomboyish High School Student who plays the drums in a Metalcore band.

And then I decided I wanted a female earth pony OC. Guess who showed up again! You don't need to shoehorn it in, it can just kind of flow on its own like I made happen. None of the continuities are linked, they're all just... Evolutions of the character. The car was v1, the filly is just v4.

Bronies are telepathic...? http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

Apparently! Although he missed the right pony! DAMN IT! We must develop this magic! Wait, technology? Magitech?

I've given you my mind... LET ME KEEP MY THUMBS! http://i.imgur.com/DrMmg.jpg

Butbutbutbutbut... http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

Grif

2011-10-05, 10:11 AM

Bronies are telepathic...? http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

I've given you my mind... LET ME KEEP MY THUMBS! http://i.imgur.com/DrMmg.jpg

Thumbs? Silly filly, with hooves like ours, who needs thumbs? http://i.imgur.com/ROEne.jpg

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 10:13 AM

Naaaah. THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaKiMShXpC8) song! Luna's not used to people being nice to her.

You guys are absolutely souring me to the episode when this stuff (probably) won't appear in it.

I can totally see either of those songs being sung by the pony crew, which makes the realization that they probably can't use them sting all the more.

Unrelated note, am I the only one that actually gets more sad when you see this rarity emote? http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 10:17 AM

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 10:19 AM

Unrelated note, am I the only one that actually gets more sad when you see this rarity emote? http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

No, I do too. Although it's only when somepony else uses it. When I use it... :smallbiggrin:

Also I just noticed your location. Are you actually from Connecticut, or do you just like the related pun? If you are... DUDE. I GREW UP THERE. http://i.imgur.com/EvxT1.jpg

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 10:23 AM

Also I just noticed your location. Are you actually from Connecticut, or do you just like the related pun? If you are... DUDE. I GREW UP THERE. http://i.imgur.com/EvxT1.jpg

Um... both? Born, raised and lived my entire life here. I saw someone use Connecticolt as a town in one of the fanfics I've read and since then I've just liked the sound of it.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 10:27 AM

Um... both? Born, raised and lived my entire life here. I saw someone use Connecticolt as a town in one of the fanfics I've read and since then I've just liked the sound of it.

That's kind of awesome. I didn't think anypony else from the thread was from anywhere near me.

Dexam

2011-10-05, 10:30 AM

2. I prefer to use orbitial bombardment in situations like that myself, or just a sudden, unheralded Maximised Disintigrate on the most annoying person - that usually silences and cows the rest as soon as the dust settles...

Cows? Wouldn't that require Baleful Polymorph? :smallconfused:

...

Oh, I see what you mean. That's a tad extreme... I'd just like to release horde of adorable stampeding bunnies into an office building for the HORROR (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy-0ZwgeSvc) lulz.

I have considered this from time to time, though virtually any and all OCs that I come up with are essentially just another copy of myself on the big Venn diagram that is my personality. Heck, Ido himself is technically an OC.

Guys, I'm RPing myself.

Okay, here's the secret: all RP characters start out aspects of the interwoven tapestry that makes up your own personality. Take a little bit of one of those aspects - a seed, if you will. Plant that seed in the great garden of gaming, and let it grow by feeding it on interactions with other characters. Initially, when RPing the character, continually stop yourself and ask not "What would I do?" but "What would the character do?". Pretty soon you might find that some of the answers will surprise you, and the character will sprout and develop into full grown personality. You know you've made it when you're having arguments with the character that you've created. More than once when RPing I've stopped myself and said "You know, that's a pretty stupid thing to say or do" and the character has replied "You might think it's stupid, but it's what *I* am going to do."

On that note - have some awesome fanmusic by PepperBrony (a.k.a. Foozogz). These two tracks have been sending chills down my spine and tingles through my body:

Sparkle (Season Rebirth) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxq2JPJHLB0) and Forever Dreaming (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-k2-8TRxGs)

http://i.imgur.com/BLHA3.jpg

Nameless

2011-10-05, 10:32 AM

Apparently! Although he missed the right pony! DAMN IT! We must develop this magic! Wait, technology? Magitech?

Man, we're gonna have to hunt a whole lot of unicorns for this...

Butbutbutbutbut... http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

No excuses, mister! Hand them over! http://i.imgur.com/2E2Va.jpg

Thumbs? Silly filly, with hooves like ours, who needs thumbs? http://i.imgur.com/ROEne.jpg

But then how else would I play the MLP theme tune on my guitar? http://i.imgur.com/BsGGR.jpg

TheAmishPirate

2011-10-05, 11:02 AM

Here's my guide to roleplaying character generation honed from message-board DnD since I was a freshman in high school.

1. What do you want the character to do
2. what kind of character WOULD do that
3. How would the setting react to that kind of character
4. How is the character doing right now?
5. How did the character get there.
6. Come up with a name (AAAAAAARG hate that part, at least ponies have puns)
7. Hammer down a few backstory points

Keep it simple to begin with, flesh out through play.

This, this, a thousand times, this. The best character ideas I've had have sprung up as a character is being played. Seeing them in action, something about their personality and the situations they find themselves in just clicks and you suddenly start realizing backstory details that you just thought of, but totally have fit the character this whole time.

Also, name selection can go fall in a hole because it is a meanie meanie-pants.

Okay, here's the secret: all RP characters start out aspects of the interwoven tapestry that makes up your own personality. Take a little bit of one of those aspects - a seed, if you will. Plant that seed in the great garden of gaming, and let it grow by feeding it on interactions with other characters. Initially, when RPing the character, continually stop yourself and ask not "What would I do?" but "What would the character do?". Pretty soon you might find that some of the answers will surprise you, and the character will sprout and develop into full grown personality. You know you've made it when you're having arguments with the character that you've created. More than once when RPing I've stopped myself and said "You know, that's a pretty stupid thing to say or do" and the character has replied "You might think it's stupid, but it's what *I* am going to do."

This is something I struggle with a lot with my characters, and something that is a major risk to including yourself in a character. Yes, every character starts with a speck of their creator, but that's all you want to add; a speck. Too much, and you find that your thoughts and your character's thoughts are similar 90% of the time. Which makes it incredibly easy to ignore that last 10% of vital character difference, and before you know it, you're just RP'ing as yourself. I've fallen into that trap numerous times, and only some last-minute character flaws that popped up as I was playing them kept them separate from me.

On a side note with that, it's also amusing to give your characters bits and pieces of an old personality of yours. Give them flaws that you overcame. It's easy to RP because you've actually been in their shoes, but it's also easy to keep their personality separate from you because you've spent so much time and effort not being like them.

Huh. When did this post turn into a minor rant about character creation? Have a FillyTwilight:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/newsfeed/000/182/231/67409%20-%20artist%253AKP-ShadowSquirrel%20celestia%20filly%20spike%20teache r%20twilight_sparkle.jpg?1317828305

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 11:06 AM

But then how else would I play the MLP theme tune on my guitar? http://i.imgur.com/BsGGR.jpg

the same way Octavia plays her Cello...lots of practice and a determination to show those uppity unicorns that you CAN play an instrument without magic!

Aotrs Commander

2011-10-05, 11:17 AM

Mando Knight

2011-10-05, 11:36 AM

6. Come up with a name (AAAAAAARG hate that part, at least ponies have puns)
And humans don't?

Quick first name generation:
1.) Find a meaning (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MeaningfulName).
2.) Search names by meaning, choosing an appropriate linguistic root.

Quick last name generation:
1.) Determine a verb or noun (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LukeNounverber) that describes the character and/or the character's family.
2.) If you need to disguise the name, translate into another language.

Atreyu the Masked LLama

2011-10-05, 11:40 AM

Nameless

2011-10-05, 11:44 AM

the same way Octavia plays her Cello...lots of practice and a determination to show those uppity unicorns that you CAN play an instrument without magic!

I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but in reality, you can't play the cello with hooves.

Geno9999

2011-10-05, 11:46 AM

And because of you, as I sing, I'll be thinking of ponies. :smalltongue:

Mission Accomplished!:smallbiggrin:

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 11:49 AM

I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but in reality, you can't play the cello with hooves.

You aren't supposed to be able to roast marshmallows with your hooves either, Applejack manages just fine.
http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/src/131527787176.png

It's magic, I ain't gotta explain... You should know where that's going.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 11:50 AM

I heard the MLP theme song while listening to National Public Radio today on the way to work. :smallsmile: Sure, it was the intro into a story about advertising to kids and the ethics involved, but it still made me smile.

That's kind of cool. It's always awesome to hear the best theme song ever when you're not watching the show.

I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but in reality, you can't play the cello with hooves.

...
Challenge accepted. Now I need to find a Cello and some socks.

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 11:56 AM

I usually start with asking myself a few questions:

1) What horribly destructive way do I want to be able to kill people that snaps the game engine in half?

2) Is there a least/most appropriate character I can spoof/use as a base/annoy everyone with?

3) Can I do a silly voice?

and 4) Can I do all of the above at once and make everyone else at the table cry?

That's the tabletop method! Unfortunately I get roped in DM so much I... well don't quite remember the last time I rolled a new character.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 11:58 AM

...
Challenge accepted. Now I need to find a Cello and some socks.

Socks... hurrhurrhurr. :smallwink:

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 12:00 PM

erikun

2011-10-05, 12:01 PM

This would probably be the only thing that would make me actually listen to that song all the way through...
It isn't a bad song though, despite it's overuse.
It goes well with Robo's theme, as well. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_XvOAF8zk)

Lix Lorn

2011-10-05, 12:01 PM

So... You want to have the powers of a Goddess? Actually this doesn't surprise me. Who wouldn't?
Duh. xD

I meant the weedle thing. http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg
Oh. Sorry.

Wait... I'm still normal!
*holds out hands*
AH! MY THUMBS! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY THUMBS!? http://i.imgur.com/fhwi8.jpg
xDD

Nameless

2011-10-05, 12:03 PM

You aren't supposed to be able to roast marshmallows with your hooves either, Applejack manages just fine.
http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/src/131527787176.png

It's magic, I ain't gotta explain... You should know where that's going.

That doesn't count as reality. http://i.imgur.com/jgqXQ.jpg

Although she could be using some glue. Or duct tape.
But then how would she get the duct tape on to her hooves. ARGH! Pony logic hurts my head! http://i.imgur.com/0yCfw.jpg

...
Challenge accepted. Now I need to find a Cello and some socks.

*takes out some popcorn*

Eakin

2011-10-05, 12:07 PM

I heard the MLP theme song while listening to National Public Radio today on the way to work. :smallsmile: Sure, it was the intro into a story about advertising to kids and the ethics involved, but it still made me smile.
Someone at NPR is a brony. MLP has shown up twice on wait wait don't tell me and this further reinforces my suspicion

Aotrs Commander

2011-10-05, 12:14 PM

That's the tabletop method! Unfortunately I get roped in DM so much I... well don't quite remember the last time I rolled a new character.

I do like, 75% of the DMing of our weekly group (and, priorly, groups), and fair chunk of our day sessions... So I feel your pain!

You know how Thanqol posts those delight anecdotes about pizza delivery that sometimes give you faint hope for humanity? I'm now going to balance it out with some Stupid.

Some of you know I've been periodically harping on about Shapeways (the place I get my 3D printing from) fraggin up their new model page, which is where you buy the prints and the designers put all the detail in? And that had geneated a feedback thread with no less than 50 bug or functionality points to be fixed, addressed or corrected? Two weeks before they did their big price change? That is being fixed far too slowly?

Yeah, they all but admitted that the new design was to make it look more like twitter/youtube/facebook etc.

*skullpalm* You're a ruddy webshop, you muppets!

If you aren't following the example of ebay, Amazon and, I dunno SAINSBURIES, you're doing it wrong! (I mean, for crying out loud, ebay takes like 1% of the UK spending.)

And quoting research done by Some Guy on the internet (even if he may have published credentials) dating from 1997 (and itself mainly referring to, not webshops, but about more general reading) does not make you look convincing! (Espcially since the chap, on looking at some other links, actually rated Amazon as one of the better designed websites...)

Guh. I just know some snotty-nosed Uni graduate is behind this, it just has that mark of someone who thinks he/she/it knows everything (or at least better than big business...)

Ahem. Sorry, you know I have a low tolerance of Wllful Stupid.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 12:41 PM

I think Exalted has some good questions to ask yourself when making a character.
Spoilered for length.
• What was your family life like? Were you raised by both parents? Did one or both of them die? Do you have brothers or sisters? Are you married? To more than one person? Do you have any children? Is anyone else in your family one of the Chosen?
• Where are you from? Where your character comes from will have an impact on his appearance, his native language, and many customs and attitudes.
• When did you meet your companions? Do you get along with your companions? How long have you known them? How did you meet? Do you share any goals? Do you all work for the same city or organization? Are there rivalries among you?
• What motivates you to be a hero? Do you seek riches or undying glory? Do you simply enjoy exercising your impressive powers? Is your agenda based on revenge, social justice or ethnic and religious loyalties?
• Who or what do you worship? Has your Exaltation caused you to revere the Unconquered Sun? Do you still hold some previous set of beliefs, or do you believe mortals should worship your godlike power?
• What would drive you to commit murder? Do you casually slay anyone who denies your divinity, or is life precious and yours to protect? Is killing an Exalt or a god any more or less acceptable than killing a mortal?

Some game/setting specific stuff, but I tried to filter out what I could without butchering the grammar/point. The last question is also pretty non-pony, but it's still something to think about for general character creation.

Beacon of Chaos

2011-10-05, 01:22 PM

Wiltshire? but that's even further away. no Pony things and stuff for us then. http://i.imgur.com/BsGGR.jpg

Aw, sorry bro, but family comes first.

"Alright, I'm kinda bored. I think I'll go crawl TV Tropes for a few minutes. Random page... loading... AUGH (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou)!"
EEK! Oh lord, the pic links to Cupcakes. Cupcakes has it's own page ._.

Just to refresh any memories: could anyone wishing to remark on leaked stuff from future episodes keep it to (marked) spoiler blocks? Some of us would rather avoid that and just watch the episodes blind. Thanks.
Seconded. While I did watch the discord stuff, I kinda want all the Luna stuff to be a surprise (assuming my daily trips through Ponibooru don't spoil it for me).

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.
Glad to hear it.

Every single character I've ever had has aspects of myself in them. I pick one aspect of myself as the main aspect of said character, and then work backwards from that...

-snip-

It's not a bad thing. You know yourself better than you know anyone and anything else. After all, you've been inside your own head for your entire life. If you can be creative and still keep it under that umbrella of expertise, all the better!
Yeah, likewise. It's so much easier to roleplay a character when you can find something in common with them.

Come to think of it, that's probably why I tend to have a hard time playing Diamond Tiara over at Canterlot.

...

Yes. I play Diamond Tiara. By choice. Shut up.

I also play Lyra, and narrowly missed getting Princess Celestia but lost to app to someone else (I still say my app was better. Why yes, I am bitter about it, why do you ask?). Oh well, at least I can still play her here, right your Highness? :smallsmile:

...Do I know you?

...

Sometimes I forget you're a british lich. xD

For some reason "british lich" just looks weird when written down like that. I keep trying to mentally switch the sh and ch. x_x

So... You want to have the powers of a Goddess? Actually this doesn't surprise me. Who wouldn't?
I sure do. I'd gladly take the gender switch required for such a thing if I got near ultimate power with it :smallbiggrin:

Not that the villains in my games are sometimes any better, Cthulu Juju the Psionic Demon Monkey I am looking at you and you are the one I am looking at and it is you that is the one under my observation that I am watching...

Wat.

I mean, that's awesome but... wat.

I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but in reality, you can't play the cello with hooves.
I'm not familiar with that word. What is... "reality"? http://i.imgur.com/I0AiJ.jpg

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 01:24 PM

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

Good to hear that she is ok. Hope you can all get some rest soon.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 01:31 PM

Socks... hurrhurrhurr. :smallwink:

...Oh Celestia damn it.

Oh. Sorry.

There's no need to apologize. O.o

That doesn't count as reality. http://i.imgur.com/jgqXQ.jpg

Although she could be using some glue. Or duct tape.
But then how would she get the duct tape on to her hooves. ARGH! Pony logic hurts my head! http://i.imgur.com/0yCfw.jpg

I believe that all ponies have a little latent magic. As such, they are able to manipulate things as though they have fine motor skills in their hooves. It's a magical attraction field that the ponies have learned to manipulate as we have learned to manipulate our fingers for fine motor skills.

*takes out some popcorn*

I'm not kidding. I've never played the Cello before so I won't be /good/, but I will play something. The way Octavia holds her bow, I'm convinced that with enough practice a human could do similar.

Someone at NPR is a brony. MLP has shown up twice on wait wait don't tell me and this further reinforces my suspicion

I sure do. I'd gladly take the gender switch required for such a thing if I got near ultimate power with it :smallbiggrin:

You know what? Same, actually.

erikun

2011-10-05, 01:49 PM

Come to think of it, that's probably why I tend to have a hard time playing Diamond Tiara over at Canterlot.

...

Yes. I play Diamond Tiara. By choice. Shut up.
Huh, I'd thought that Canterlot was just a bunch of OCs.

For some reason "british lich" just looks weird when written down like that. I keep trying to mentally switch the sh and ch. x_x
Perhaps we could shorten it up to "Britlich" then? :smalltongue:

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 01:52 PM

Perhaps we could shorten it up to "Britlich" then? :smalltongue:

I second this notion!

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 01:59 PM

Holllllly gosh you guys that's a lot of OC help you're throwing in the air there! Th... thank you so much? I wasn't expecting this kind of response >_>;

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 02:02 PM

Holllllly gosh you guys that's a lot of OC help you're throwing in the air there! Th... thank you so much? I wasn't expecting this kind of response >_>;

You're asking an extremely creative community how to create compelling and usable original characters; a community that's literally guaranteed to have Role Played at least once in their lives to boot.

Really, how could you not expect a massive response? It's everypony's area of expertise!

tonberrian

2011-10-05, 02:19 PM

Lix Lorn

2011-10-05, 02:23 PM

Trixie

2011-10-05, 02:27 PM

This pony advertisement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gvaw4XNjAw) is recently popular in our TV. What do you guys think? :smalltongue:

Swarowski's crystals, heh heh :P

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 02:29 PM

This pony advertisement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gvaw4XNjAw) is recently popular in our TV. What do you guys think? :smalltongue:

Swarowski's crystals, heh heh :P

Trading... cards?

Aotrs Commander

2011-10-05, 02:30 PM

Perhaps we could shorten it up to "Britlich" then? :smalltongue:

*skullpalm*

I'm starting to agree with the last line of SiuiS's sig...

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 02:32 PM

You're asking an extremely creative community how to create compelling and usable original characters; a community that's literally guaranteed to have Role Played at least once in their lives to boot.

Really, how could you not expect a massive response? It's everypony's area of expertise!
Well when you put it THAT way you make it seem as though my insecurities are completely unfounded here or something http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Now... now I gotta think about an OC. Actually no I should think about work, then my Elf!Twi character for D&D tonight (Owlysius returns/joins the party!) and behind that I should devote some cycles to OCtimes.

ScionoftheVoid

2011-10-05, 02:35 PM

tonberrian

2011-10-05, 02:35 PM

YOU
:smallfurious:
(KISSES)
:smallfurious:

:smalltongue:
Having a kismesis is fun.

Hate-flirting with a crazy shipping goddess is not the most sane thing I've ever done, but I admit, it does have its perks.

It also isn't the most insane thing either, which is somewhat more troubling.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 02:38 PM

...Oh Celestia damn it.

Someone had to say it! :smalltongue:

You're asking an extremely creative community how to create compelling and usable original characters; a community that's literally guaranteed to have Role Played at least once in their lives to boot.

Really, how could you not expect a massive response? It's everypony's area of expertise!

Not mine, I'm a total hack. :smalltongue:

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 02:39 PM

Hey ponies!

I just caught up on Season 2 so far. Discord is awesome.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to follow pony thread for a while (like, four threads, I think). Since I'm not crazy SiuiS, I'm not going to go back and read all of that. Anything interesting happen then, or should I just file it away under "equine shenanigans"?

Equine Shenanigans. All of them forever.

YOU
:smallfurious:
(KISSES)
:smallfurious:

:smalltongue:
Having a kismesis is fun.

Awww. You have a kismesis? Lucky! I only have a Morail and a... Oh **** what's the word. The quadrant humans have too.

Well when you put it THAT way you make it seem as though my insecurities are completely unfounded here or something http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Now... now I gotta think about an OC. Actually no I should think about work, then my Elf!Twi character for D&D tonight (Owlysius returns/joins the party!) and behind that I should devote some cycles to OCtimes.

Oh man, I hear you on the whole "oh crap so much to do" thing. I need to get a rental car back by 5 PM, I also need to make it to my second job to fix a projector, and I have to be ready for D&D by 7. Oh and the kicker? I can't start until 4 when my full time job ends.

I am so glad my boss is a Playgrounder too, just like my co-worker and I. I can very much so get away with GitP traffic, he legitimately doesn't mind. :smallbiggrin:

I would also be interested in what's happened recently, because as it turns out I was spending numerous hours every day just keeping up with ponythread. I cannot do that while I am at school. :smallfrown:

Wishing you well, but I will not be regularly reading the thread for a week or two (though I'll be looking for the requested summary until the end of the week). I'll go back through what I've missed eventually, but not soon.

I would be in the same boat if... Well, see above. Also, I'm new so I don't know how to do what 90% of the tickets are requesting so FREE TIME.

Hate-flirting with a crazy shipping goddess is not the most sane thing I've ever done, but I admit, it does have its perks.

It also isn't the most insane thing either, which is somewhat more troubling.

...What is the most insane thing you've done then?!

tonberrian

2011-10-05, 02:43 PM

...What is the most insane thing you've done then?!

Well, there was this one time, when I tried to Storytell Exalted...

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 02:45 PM

Well, there was this one time, when I tried to Storytell Exalted...

Okay. Okay that wins. Good god man.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 02:46 PM

Trixie

2011-10-05, 02:57 PM

Trading... cards?

Trading cards? :smallconfused:

No, these are random toy bags, I believe.

erikun

2011-10-05, 02:57 PM

Pokonic

2011-10-05, 02:59 PM

Attention, Ponythread!

May I have your attention please!

Anyway, now that I have your attention, I wish to make aware of a little thing going on a few forums down in case anyone was not aware of it.

We are currently doing a community game (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217103) right here that involves ponies, and the creation of a little town, with a little twist. Even if you dont wish to join in proper, you can still put in your two cents on what we have done so far.
A warning before clicking, tho: don't click if you dont like epic sagas or tales of friendship or magic.

"Message ends"

Eakin

2011-10-05, 03:13 PM

Episode 3 or the second season should be airing this Saturday (if I remember correctly)

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the next episode isn't until the 15th. Then another new ep On the 22nd which repeats on the 29th

Source is what I remember seeing on EqD

Kurgan

2011-10-05, 03:17 PM

...
Challenge accepted. Now I need to find a Cello and some socks.

To be fair, I think that it would be more accurate if you did it while wearing shoes on your hands, rather than socks (or both if you prefer).

This pony advertisement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gvaw4XNjAw) is recently popular in our TV. What do you guys think? :smalltongue:

Swarowski's crystals, heh heh :P

A few of them look alright, though I'm not a fan of some of the designs there. The glow in the dark wings are nifty, and they do meld surprisingly well with the rest of the pony, though on a few of them it just looked tacky. All in all, so so, but probably not my cup of tea for a pony fix.

....and I just thought of how nifty it would be do use glow in the dark minis for dnd...

Lix Lorn

2011-10-05, 03:24 PM

Hate-flirting with a crazy shipping goddess is not the most sane thing I've ever done, but I admit, it does have its perks.

It also isn't the most insane thing either, which is somewhat more troubling.

Well, there was this one time, when I tried to Storytell Exalted...
Good god, are you kismesis to yourself?!

I have three quadrants. ^^
All I need is an/to be an auspistice.

tonberrian

2011-10-05, 03:30 PM

bondage

There's debauchery here! Debauchery, debauchery, yay!

Okay. Okay that wins. Good god man.

Good god, are you kismesis to yourself?!

Look, somepony has to do it, right?

Though the more I look at Mutants and Masterminds, the more I feel that porting over to that system would make it much more feasible. Maybe.

Tectonic Robot

2011-10-05, 03:36 PM

AVATAR WORK

here we have the first two that I did as roughs.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/cd6292b4.jpg

PROS
- more detail; gritty character lends itself better to my art style
- succeeds at intimidating Mafioso posture

CONS
- hand/cane position anatomically wrong (looks good though)
- bust style not what recipient wanted

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/ac3660ec.jpg

PROS
- shows whole body
- good practice

CONS
- body to covered; works best as a bust/portrait
- anatomy defies standard ideas of positioning; huge arms + tiny legs = implied perspective fail
- cane came out wonky

-

From these I learned a bit more about my strengths. Having the diamond dog be fully clothed would work much better than having partial clothing such as a single vest or open blazer. Tie is a hit (though I'm considering a bow tie).

DIAMOND DOG ANATOMY
D-Dogs have thick, pop-eye style forearms, and stubby, comically sized rear legs. Their elbows are ball and socket joints, and frequently bend "backwards" when the elbow is above the head.
For example; the first attempt had elbows below the head, hands below the elbows. Unless the cane was 10" long, the elbows would be above the shoulder, and the forearms would slope down sharply. Weird.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/498827eb.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/7b1cf983.jpg

Their usual vest style gives them a strong triangular silhouette, broad shouldered. In reality, they are scrawny buggers with splayed arms. Posture is horrific, though I suppose that could be why the avatar uses a cane- to stand tall over his fellows.

The second anatomy example uses the same head shape as the leader of the D-Dogs, as does the first example avatar. The other head styles are these;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/0e0d060c.jpg

Of which I think the second would be good, but not as strong a choice. The leader has the pointed, "chiseled" jaw one expects from a criminal master. Same with the eyes; flat lines underneath, rounded tops and yet strong brow ridges give him a mean, calculated and hate-filled look. D-Dog head #3, the one with down ears, could get the same effect with effort, and has a more pleasing head shape when discounting the eyes. The two could be mixed if needed.

STYLE OF DRESS

Looking at previous attempts, I have to change my stance;*

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/84b011ea.jpg

The Sher Khan, fully cloned look does wonders for the D-Dog physique. Like any good Mafioso uniform, it hides apparent weakness and gives a sense of stability and bulk that looking at the exposed, stooped torso doesn't.

The hat is a fixture that will stay. It's nice. Positioning though;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/4fd0f03b.jpg

Works best at the leve (#3)l, or even the head tilted forward design (#1). Looking downwards, where you can see the underside of the hat brim, gives less a sense of strength. We want him staring forward like he's ready for a fight;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/442aa313.jpg

SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION

I suggest the following.
Fully clothed D-Dog, tie tucked into blazer.
Either
— leader head (as current) with no eyepatch (keep acar)
— bigger D-Dog head with eyepatch
Facing camera, hands on cane
Hat brim level with camera

Alternate poses considered where looking at pocket watch, arms folded with cane inside (looking over shoulder lime in Dexam's avatar), or hands steeples in front of face, holding cane (showing just eyes and maybe nose; works best as close up and not full-body).

I can try pretty much anything, but I won't be able to help you out unless you can think of specifics. The more detail you give me, the less I will let you down. This is not an Art of the Dress style episode! XD

If you can Think of the picture you want in your mind, and give me detailed descriptions, I'll work on it for you. Otherwise, we're going to continue with phoneavatar tag. I'm fine with that, but I suspect both you and Thanqol are rip-roarin' and ready for the next phase :smallwink:

Avatar stuff:

All right, yeah, I see what you mean. I really didn't put that much thought into the concept behind this! At least you have a totally awesome sense of aesthetics.

I see where your going with the Sher Khan thing. That probably does look the best, so let's just go with that. I think the head #1 with just the scar sounds good, as well. I kind of want to see the whole "holding a pocket watch with cane under armpit" thing. It sounds interesting.

I was imagining a different look then the whole bust effect, but if you think that that would look the best, then by all means go ahead. Thanks for working with me on this. It's really, really cool.

Guys! I realized something! Fluttershy is just like Magrat Garlick! Well, not just like her, but similar. Which makes me really want to read a Witches-mlp:fim crossover fanfic.

Nameless

2011-10-05, 03:39 PM

Aw, sorry bro, but family comes first.

I thought we had something special... http://i.imgur.com/BsGGR.jpg

I'm not kidding. I've never played the Cello before so I won't be /good/, but I will play something. The way Octavia holds her bow, I'm convinced that with enough practice a human could do similar.

I want video evidence. :smallbiggrin:

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 03:42 PM

Trading cards? :smallconfused:

No, these are random toy bags, I believe.

These blind bags are incredibly intriguing for me. I was such a sucker for boosterpacks back in the day when I rocked the pokemon card scene, and that 20 minute window of time when my friend tried to get me into the star trek tcg. I probably wouldn't be able to resist buying at least one blind bag if I saw it on the shelves. I've got a good enough pokerface at the checkout line I think I could pull it off :smallamused:

Oh man, I hear you on the whole "oh crap so much to do" thing. I need to get a rental car back by 5 PM, I also need to make it to my second job to fix a projector, and I have to be ready for D&D by 7. Oh and the kicker? I can't start until 4 when my full time job ends.
Hah! My D&D session is at 7 too. In fact, I'm just about to bum out of work for my hour long commute home to quickly level up my sheet and scramble over to the DM's house, because I can never seem to level up any sooner than exactly one hour before the session starts, ever. I'm such a good player >_>;;

Hey ponies!

I just caught up on Season 2 so far. Discord is awesome.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to follow pony thread for a while (like, four threads, I think). Since I'm not crazy SiuiS, I'm not going to go back and read all of that. Anything interesting happen then, or should I just file it away under "equine shenanigans"?
I can't help but wonder if we should, not necessesarily as a part of the OP (because heaven konws Trixie already has enough to do, poor filly!) but maybe as a twice-threadly post we have a brief summary of what happened in the last 25 pages. Nothing big, just a rundown of the big ticket items.

Oh, and to add to the list of things that happened, at some point there was a mass kidnapping outbreak that I showed up late too, and was forced to kidnap and hold myself hostage for a period of time, before I was forced to break in and rescue myself so I could start posting again. Also a massive music dump per request, and about a billion fanfics, which I think is the fandom's hourly output at this point.

Kurgan

2011-10-05, 03:43 PM

erikun

2011-10-05, 03:50 PM

There's debauchery here! Debauchery, debauchery, yay!
Oh sure, ask for the one image I couldn't locate. It's the one "explaining" Fluttershy being tied up form episode 2, for the curious.

So instead, you can just have some Tom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYbYwanVEEQ).

And have some Derpy (http://equestria-prevails.deviantart.com/art/The-Best-Night-Ever-261641424).

And our own Deadly, who wrote Fillystata (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/08/story-fillystata.html), is writing up a sequel. (same link)

Metahuman1

2011-10-05, 03:52 PM

This also involved ponies riding tank brigades to victory.

Was the only part that *I* needed to hear. Though I realize it was not directed at me anyway.

BTW: Does anypony know when Season 2 Ep 3 Airs? I was so mad I though it was gonna be this weekend and I'd actually be able to watch it live on TV when it first hit and then it was just a rerun!

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 04:01 PM

Oh sure, ask for the one image I couldn't locate. It's the one "explaining" Fluttershy being tied up form episode 2, for the curious.

You mean this one?
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/268/3/a/flutterwhy__by_csimadmax-d4axie4.png

Was the only part that *I* needed to hear. Though I realize it was not directed at me anyway.

BTW: Does anypony know when Season 2 Ep 3 Airs? I was so mad I though it was gonna be this weekend and I'd actually be able to watch it live on TV when it first hit and then it was just a rerun!
15th with the long awaited Luna episode the 22nd.

erikun

2011-10-05, 04:05 PM

You mean this one?
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/268/3/a/flutterwhy__by_csimadmax-d4axie4.png
Yep, that would be the one.

BTW: Does anypony know when Season 2 Ep 3 Airs? I was so mad I though it was gonna be this weekend and I'd actually be able to watch it live on TV when it first hit and then it was just a rerun!
Eakin mentioned the 15th, above, so a week and a half from today.

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 04:09 PM

and this...this is just awesome
Apparently this huge Fluttershy poster thingy is chillin at the tallest building in Oslo. It's supposedly created with Post-It notes... Pretty crazy!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IW4ICFNtQY0/TowdlnZH-fI/AAAAAAAANSg/Eq_0IJKCCCk/s1600/FLUTTERSHY%2BCLOSE%2BUP.jpg

The first rule of Project Harmony is that the public Q&A sessions will be held every Tuesday at six.

I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but in reality, you can't play the cello with hooves.

She's a bassist. I've seen horses in the real world play bass, though it usually takes an over the hill coach and an inspiring montage for them to get as good as she is.

I'm not kidding. I've never played the Cello before so I won't be /good/, but I will play something. The way Octavia holds her bow, I'm convinced that with enough practice a human could do similar.

I know a cellist and a friend of one of my friends is a double bassist, and I would definitely try this if I had any idea how I would explain it to either of them. Also, though it's obviously not quite the same thing, there are plenty of great real musician who are either completely missing fingers or missing a lot of their intact fingers' functionality, like Django Reinhardt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV6AB3WsNcM), Horace Parlan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ChrHNGrVc), and Tony Iommi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9jqcgnpGKw). If you care enough about the music, you can overcome any handicap. Including being a horse.

Hey ponies!

I just caught up on Season 2 so far. Discord is awesome.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to follow pony thread for a while (like, four threads, I think). Since I'm not crazy SiuiS, I'm not going to go back and read all of that. Anything interesting happen then, or should I just file it away under "equine shenanigans"?

And thus ends The Time Without Hipsters, yet another dark chapter in the history of the Ponythread.

Aotrs Commander

2011-10-05, 04:27 PM

Thanqol and Esper wrote a bunch of stories, I hear they are good, but I haven't gotten through them yet so I cannot say for sure (though knowing them, its good).

Aotrs went to his wargame convention, and beat the tar out of someone whom he regards as a strategic and tactical genius. This also involved ponies riding tank brigades to victory.

Oh yes, and after a screaming fit of rage, I levelled up. So I'm even more Epic and awesome now, which I confess I am sure, many of you - who am I kidding - all of you thought was impossible!

(And to save you searching for my awesome - and because I love tooting my own horn and I just realised that that sounds really dirty now confound you ponies I blame you Lix - here is a repost of said pictures, just for you tonberrian:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/Twilightteleportstragedy.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/ItmustbeTuesday.jpg)

Eakin

2011-10-05, 04:30 PM

And thus ends The Time Without Hipsters, yet another dark chapter in the history of the Ponythread.

You know, I kinda wish that Discorded Twilight had turned into a hipster. It seems like it would have fit her pretty well.

"Elements of Harmony? Yeah, I was studying those BEFORE the pilot episode"

EDIT:

Equestria Daily post confirming S2E3 "Lesson Zero" for 10/15 (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/09/episode-3-to-air-on-october-15th.html)

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 04:35 PM

Equestria Daily post confirming S2E3 "Lesson Zero" for 10/15 (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/09/episode-3-to-air-on-october-15th.html)

That's a genuinely awesome pun. :smallbiggrin:

Eakin

2011-10-05, 04:36 PM

That's a genuinely awesome pun. :smallbiggrin:

.....aaaaaaaand I just saw the pun. Well played, Studio B, well played indeed

Deadly

2011-10-05, 04:39 PM

No comments on my fiction fragment? :smallfrown:

Ah well, here's the finished chapter, at last: Mare in the Mirror 6 (http://adcoon.deviantart.com/art/Mare-in-the-Mirror-6-261887797)

Took way too long to write, but I think it ended up OK. If anyone follows the story, do let me know what you think. I would love the feedback.

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 04:44 PM

That's a genuinely awesome pun. :smallbiggrin:

.....aaaaaaaand I just saw the pun. Well played, Studio B, well played indeed

I feel like I'm missing something (again). Someone mind explaining the pun?

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 04:49 PM

I feel like I'm missing something (again). Someone mind explaining the pun?

Less Than Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8TsEr7CK9s)

Beacon of Chaos

2011-10-05, 04:51 PM

Why am I not surprised? (http://tomreplies.tumblr.com/)

Anyway, today's image dump includes cute Luna anthro:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/5f98185b4ae87a1e8bce18d9b87366e5/67371%20-%20anthro%20furry%20luna%20pixiv.jpg

And a pretty good human Trixie.
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/462e51e6e88769f5eb0ffeefbccaa850/67202%20-%20The_Great_And_Powerful_Trixie%20Trixie%20artist %3Akarzahnii%20humanized.png

Rainbow dash gets all the mares
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/2539db284d238f73d87def992390992e/67347%20-%20artist%3Acaptain_mwai%20comic%20panties%20rainb ow_dash%20rarity%20twilight_sparkle.jpg

Who's a silly pony?
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/448498005c4d957062a7ce88c72c6836/66192%20-%20artist%3Atess%20cute%20diabetes_never_felt_so_g ood%20pinkie_pie%20will_cause_diabetes_and_various _heart_problems.png

And some sexy Pinkie and Rarity anthros:
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/3ddc5728e27072b64030e374c9617a9e/67312%20-%20anthro%20artist%3AIopichio%20furry%20pinkie_pie %20rarity.jpg
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/ce30b5c3ff3746435a135ccdd3d70f06/67314%20-%20anthro%20artist%3AIopichio%20furry%20pinkie_pie %20rarity%20socks.jpg

Huh, I'd thought that Canterlot was just a bunch of OCs.
Nope, cast characters are available, but you need to apply for them for the "mane" RP board. Or there is a freeform section where you can play whoever you want.

That's a genuinely awesome pun. :smallbiggrin:
I don't get it.

EDIT:

Less Than Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8TsEr7CK9s)
...are you sure that's what it's referencing?

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 04:59 PM

EDIT:

...are you sure that's what it's referencing?

No, it could also be a reference to the book. But that's it.

Mando Knight

2011-10-05, 05:04 PM

No, it could also be a reference to the book. But that's it.

I think it's more likely that it's not a pun at all, but rather that Twilight needs to be reminded of a "Lesson Zero," that is, the lesson that forms the foundation of all the other lessons, even if you don't realize it as you start lesson one... similar to the Zeroth Law of Robotics.

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 05:07 PM

I think it's more likely that it's not a pun at all, but rather that Twilight needs to be reminded of a "Lesson Zero," that is, the lesson that forms the foundation of all the other lessons, even if you don't realize it as you start lesson one... similar to the Zeroth Law of Robotics.

Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 05:18 PM

Ten quotes in (actually twelve, sorry Lix and T_Fox, might not get those back up) and decided to use the cleared window for something I've been kicking around. I'm also going to refer to folks by pony and not user name, for ease of me typing ;P

Griffon steel. Actually closer to iron, and not an alloy. Kept a secret by the griffons out of a combination of secrecy and antisocial tendencies, griffonsteel (a name which sounds more impressive in the original griffon, of course) is found only in the mountain range the griffons call home, and only in any appreciable amount beneath the main hall from which all of their lineages derive; Gryphonmont.

Griffonsteel reacts to pony magic be generating a similar effect, usually of opposite vibration. Unrefined, it quivers slightly when activated, becoming much more violent in it's motion when directly targeted or associated with the magic, especially that of a unicorn.

The energy generated by unicorn magic has waves and troughs, I it were measured. The vibration of griffonsteel vibrates (I want to say oscillates but I can't be sure that's not just my love of big words) such that it's troughs match the magics crests, and vise versa.

Under normal circumstances this just causes a chiming sound, occasionally interfering with the magic. In Gryphonic judicial systems however, it has a more sinister (for ponies) or practical (for griffons) application. A ring or twist or whathaveyou of griffonsteel applied directly to the horn of a unicorn almos entirely shuts down their magic. Any active use of magic is "conducted" throughthe metal, activating it at full power - the unicorn effectively grabs their own bone structure and violently shakes it, causing constant pain, disorientation, and vertigo. The disorientation and lack of coordination continue for a while afterwards, but most unicorns quickly find that not only is their magic disrupted to the point of uselessness, but it's use causes dire pain.

Ponies accused of crimes in griffon lands are almost always given a chunk of the metal to prevent escape. It can, if refined, actually conduct and even generate magic (which coincides nicely with Dromer's particle theory, actually) but the combination of griffons not saying anything unless asked, and the few surviving unicorns having bad associated memories, this valuable mineral goes unharnessed except by the most nefarious of criminals. And a certain GoC ninja pony.
Thoughts?

Metahuman1

2011-10-05, 05:31 PM

Oh yes, and after a screaming fit of rage, I levelled up. So I'm even more Epic and awesome now, which I confess I am sure, many of you - who am I kidding - all of you thought was impossible!

(And to save you searching for my awesome - and because I love tooting my own horn and I just realised that that sounds really dirty now confound you ponies I blame you Lix - here is a repost of said pictures, just for you tonberrian:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/Twilightteleportstragedy.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/ItmustbeTuesday.jpg)

In defense of the other guy, not only were they the new and improved awesome ponys, and toy's that are show accurate, but they were the size of the TANKS!

But seriously, that is Win. And I'd never though I'd say that to a Lich. Like, ever.

And regarding Anthro Luna, not normally my tastes but I'd make an exception for that in a heartbeat!

Brazen Shield

2011-10-05, 05:32 PM

Guys. Guys I have to get a shot.
T_T I don't wanna shot. I don't wanna....
*bawls*

To make this post more pony friendly:
I wonder if the ponies have a shot? Like a flu shot or a shot to numb pain?

Lix Lorn

2011-10-05, 05:33 PM

(And to save you searching for my awesome - and because I love tooting my own horn and I just realised that that sounds really dirty now confound you ponies I blame you Lix - here is a repost of said pictures, just for you tonberrian:
(pats gently on skull from behind)
I'll get you one day.
:smallsmile:

(hugs Braz extensively)

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 05:36 PM

The energy generated by unicorn magic has waves and troughs, I it were measured. The vibration of griffonsteel vibrates (I want to say oscillates but I can't be sure that's not just my love of big words) such that it's troughs match the magics crests, and vise versa.
That's destructive interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)), if you want big words.

Under normal circumstances this just causes a chiming sound, occasionally interfering with the magic.

If I understand you correctly, this is a beat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)), the warbling sound you get when two sound waves are just out of frequency with each other.

Thoughts?
I like it a lot.

Topaz

2011-10-05, 05:40 PM

This pony advertisement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gvaw4XNjAw) is recently popular in our TV. What do you guys think? :smalltongue:

Swarowski's crystals, heh heh :P

You know Friendship is Magic has officially made it big when you get commercial knockoffs.

Though the more I look at Mutants and Masterminds, the more I feel that porting over to that system would make it much more feasible. Maybe.

I'm an experienced M&M GM (2nd and 3rd editions) and while I don't really know Exalted, I did conclude that trying to port Scion over (I run M&M and play Scion on alternate weekends) was a mistake. Then again, that had mostly to do with how Fate and Legend work in Scion, so Exalted might be different (all I know is that I've heard Scion described as Exalted Lite).

And some sexy Pinkie and Rarity anthros
Rarity and Pinkie with Garterbelt?

Thanqol

2011-10-05, 05:48 PM

As some have said, jump on in! If you need a place to start, I am looking for someplace to use my excellent clockwork pony [/shamelessplug]

I would take you up on the offer.

My trick, is that while I do have a good handful of personas, they literally are all exactly me, differentiable from each other in that they are very VERY specific aspects of me and my life. I am the one who's spent the most time in my own head, heck that's where I spend MOST of my time it feels, so it's pretty natural for me to simple compartmentalize myself into the different hats that I wear on a day to day basis (which, ended up being the chief mark between myselves when I draw them). Like Ido, Ido wears his captain's hat of bemused confusion. Others, such as Zod, he's usually got his [Zod] gamertag floating above his head. Bossman took a while to find a good hat, but he eventually settled on the black and white Dr. Seuss hat he found that seemed to hold a +5 to his intimidate and serious business checks.

That said, I do have OCs that float around in the nether somewhere, but none of them are ponies, and I've had a darned difficult time thinking one up. I could try and import one over, it technically could work, but I don't think I'd be happy about it since it'd be an awkward execution, and I'd have to find a Bill's Hat level of justification as to why he's suddenly in the ponyverse http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Ponysona... there is an opening for the brony aspect of m'self, but I put way too much work into it for that guy to show up any time soon ^^;; Maybe... maybe before season 3 I'll have decided on his name. Until then, I'll just look wistfully from the sidelines, and continue to let the other circles have their fun :smalltongue:

That's an interesting process, and seemingly quite removed from mine. Mine involves creating people I can't imagine the thought processes of, exploring them, and then, if they work, integrating them with the core. It's not so much refining myself as it is expanding on myself by making me think in ways I never considered before.

Okay, here's the secret: all RP characters start out aspects of the interwoven tapestry that makes up your own personality. Take a little bit of one of those aspects - a seed, if you will. Plant that seed in the great garden of gaming, and let it grow by feeding it on interactions with other characters. Initially, when RPing the character, continually stop yourself and ask not "What would I do?" but "What would the character do?". Pretty soon you might find that some of the answers will surprise you, and the character will sprout and develop into full grown personality. You know you've made it when you're having arguments with the character that you've created. More than once when RPing I've stopped myself and said "You know, that's a pretty stupid thing to say or do" and the character has replied "You might think it's stupid, but it's what *I* am going to do."

The seed part is the tricky part here (I think of it in terms of aiming/preparing conditions for momentum). I've got a method for it that works wonders for me, though. I give each character an Ideal - what their perfect world and enlightenment looks like, and then I come up with a flawed version of the Ideal that will lead them down the wrong path. And the characters literally write themselves from there.

And oh good, I'm not the only one who argues with his own characters (I might still be the only one who does it outside of the actual games though).

Hey ponies!

I just caught up on Season 2 so far. Discord is awesome.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to follow pony thread for a while (like, four threads, I think). Since I'm not crazy SiuiS, I'm not going to go back and read all of that. Anything interesting happen then, or should I just file it away under "equine shenanigans"?

YOU.

POST MORE.

YOUR AVATAR IS ADORABLE.

Ten quotes in (actually twelve, sorry Lix and T_Fox, might not get those back up) and decided to use the cleared window for something I've been kicking around. I'm also going to refer to folks by pony and not user name, for ease of me typing ;P

Griffon steel. Actually closer to iron, and not an alloy. Kept a secret by the griffons out of a combination of secrecy and antisocial tendencies, griffonsteel (a name which sounds more impressive in the original griffon, of course) is found only in the mountain range the griffons call home, and only in any appreciable amount beneath the main hall from which all of their lineages derive; Gryphonmont.

Griffonsteel reacts to pony magic be generating a similar effect, usually of opposite vibration. Unrefined, it quivers slightly when activated, becoming much more violent in it's motion when directly targeted or associated with the magic, especially that of a unicorn.

The energy generated by unicorn magic has waves and troughs, I it were measured. The vibration of griffonsteel vibrates (I want to say oscillates but I can't be sure that's not just my love of big words) such that it's troughs match the magics crests, and vise versa.

Under normal circumstances this just causes a chiming sound, occasionally interfering with the magic. In Gryphonic judicial systems however, it has a more sinister (for ponies) or practical (for griffons) application. A ring or twist or whathaveyou of griffonsteel applied directly to the horn of a unicorn almos entirely shuts down their magic. Any active use of magic is "conducted" throughthe metal, activating it at full power - the unicorn effectively grabs their own bone structure and violently shakes it, causing constant pain, disorientation, and vertigo. The disorientation and lack of coordination continue for a while afterwards, but most unicorns quickly find that not only is their magic disrupted to the point of uselessness, but it's use causes dire pain.

Ponies accused of crimes in griffon lands are almost always given a chunk of the metal to prevent escape. It can, if refined, actually conduct and even generate magic (which coincides nicely with Dromer's particle theory, actually) but the combination of griffons not saying anything unless asked, and the few surviving unicorns having bad associated memories, this valuable mineral goes unharnessed except by the most nefarious of criminals. And a certain GoC ninja pony.
Thoughts?

I endorse this because it means Jayden can have a guitar that she can play USING FIREBALLS.

Broaden the application beyond just unicorn incapacitation (Most unicorns aren't legitimate threats to griffons unless their special talent is battle specific) into general sound/vibrancy and think about the implications you can draw from that. Musical instruments, alarm systems, weaponry that deafens/scares off opponents.

This, this, a thousand times, this. The best character ideas I've had have sprung up as a character is being played. Seeing them in action, something about their personality and the situations they find themselves in just clicks and you suddenly start realizing backstory details that you just thought of, but totally have fit the character this whole time.

Also, name selection can go fall in a hole because it is a meanie meanie-pants.

You know Jayden's original draft was as a gothic moe introvert? Boy she disabused me of that notion.

(I reconciled that dissonance by making that Jayden schoolgirl-Jayden)

I love name selection, and I love naming other people's things. It just involves defocusing your mind and playing word association, looking for sounds that work.

This is something I struggle with a lot with my characters, and something that is a major risk to including yourself in a character. Yes, every character starts with a speck of their creator, but that's all you want to add; a speck. Too much, and you find that your thoughts and your character's thoughts are similar 90% of the time. Which makes it incredibly easy to ignore that last 10% of vital character difference, and before you know it, you're just RP'ing as yourself. I've fallen into that trap numerous times, and only some last-minute character flaws that popped up as I was playing them kept them separate from me.

On a side note with that, it's also amusing to give your characters bits and pieces of an old personality of yours. Give them flaws that you overcame. It's easy to RP because you've actually been in their shoes, but it's also easy to keep their personality separate from you because you've spent so much time and effort not being like them.

My approach works great for this. Characters become thought patterns rather than the other way around. See, the main challenge is understanding how a character thinks - and it's possible to understand how people think without being them, or liking them. Think about the people you know really well, like them or dislike them, and figure out how they think - great way to start building thought patterns.

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 05:53 PM

Braz, honey. You tore out chunks of your own flesh with tweezers out of spite. You aren't allowed to be afraid of needles.

Kindablue, yeah, sort of. I had a general over-all idea, and though I love explaining things I found the more I delved into SCIENCE the more hokey it got, so I stopped. I'll try and get all technical on it though, just for you :smallwink:

@ anthros: wow. Artisitcally the rarity is fantastic. Thought one was "save for dissection". The Luna is nice, but too 12-year old girl to be wearing a see through chemise.

And something I found while looking for a (de)motivator for Nameless, which is now topical.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/239/5/6/demotivational___furries_by_jarredspekter-d2xfsn3.png

EDIT: Thanwol, from experience, the chargen is the same between you and everypony else. You're just aware in the metasense that that is what you are doing and embrace the results. It's a language choice and awareness function.

On the griffonsteel, it's pony magic specifically. There are other applicIons I'm saving for future endeavors, and as very few ponies are into SCIENCE I'm leaving it's exact properties beyond already decided uses vague. Who knows? Someone with an actual understanding of physics might have a great idea.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 06:10 PM

That's destructive interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)), if you want big words.

If I understand you correctly, this is a beat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)), the warbling sound you get when two sound waves are just out of frequency with each other.

I like it a lot.

It sounds like a combination of resonant frequencies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonant_frequency) AND destructive interference. Unless the griffonsteel is constantly vibrating on it's own, the use of magic triggers it to vibrate, and the vibration just happens to occur on such a wavelength that magic is disrupted rather than amplified.

Actually, if you want to steal an idea for a future twist, that property of the material suggests that, with a bit of tweaking by a suitably curious unicorn, the material could be altered to AMPLIFY magic rather than disrupting it. This would be a potent weapon for any unicorn battlemage.

Equestria's own "Manehatten Project" if you will

EDIT: added link FOR SCIENCE!

Topaz

2011-10-05, 06:17 PM

These blind bags are incredibly intriguing for me. I was such a sucker for boosterpacks back in the day when I rocked the pokemon card scene, and that 20 minute window of time when my friend tried to get me into the star trek tcg. I probably wouldn't be able to resist buying at least one blind bag if I saw it on the shelves. I've got a good enough pokerface at the checkout line I think I could pull it off :smallamused:
I've been thinking about just buying the twelve-pack (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11872842).

Kurgan

2011-10-05, 06:18 PM

Huzzah, found an old wireless connector, so I can use my own computer once again! Loads a bit slower now, but hey, better than nothing at all. Looks like the problem was that the place I plug my "get internet" cord in is shot, so until I figure out a way to fix that, here we are.

Guys. Guys I have to get a shot.
T_T I don't wanna shot. I don't wanna....
*bawls*

To make this post more pony friendly:
I wonder if the ponies have a shot? Like a flu shot or a shot to numb pain?

Eh, shots aren't too bad. Good luck though.

Equestria seems too much like an ideal world to have diseases, viruses and the like. Unless what we are seeing is a highly idealized version of it, and just off screen are sweatshops and labor camps.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 06:22 PM

Eh, shots aren't too bad. Good luck though.

Equestria seems too much like an ideal world to have diseases, viruses and the like. Unless what we are seeing is a highly idealized version of it, and just off screen are sweatshops and labor camps.

Well, they have nurses and food poisoning...

Besides "A friend is sick" sounds like a good basis for an episode... Calling it now, some pony will have to have either their tonsils (probably a CMC) or their appendix removed at some point. :smalltongue:

Kurgan

2011-10-05, 06:26 PM

Well, they have nurses and food poisoning...

Besides "A friend is sick" sounds like a good basis for an episode... Calling it now, some pony will have to have either their tonsils (probably a CMC) or their appendix removed at some point. :smalltongue:

Ok, you have me there. I suppose I should narrow it down to there being no terrible wasting sicknesses. For example, no bubonic plague, polio, influenza or the like. Sweetie Bell being sick is one thing, Sweetie Bell getting giant puss filled sores of liquid pain is something completely different.

Either that, or Equestria is a lot less of a utopia than we are shown. Perhaps the entire series is a propaganda reel by Princess Celestia to blind people of the great injustices of pony society.

Tectonic Robot

2011-10-05, 06:27 PM

Guys! Guys! Guys!

I just watched an episode of MLP:FIM.

ON MY TELEVISION!!!

err... yeah.

Woohoo...

Mando Knight

2011-10-05, 06:27 PM

Braz, honey. You tore out chunks of your own flesh with tweezers out of spite.
Filing this under TMI.

Needles aren't bad, though. Or maybe that's because I was psychologically hardened against their terrors due to ongoing treatments to reduce allergic reactions in my early years...

Kindablue

2011-10-05, 06:27 PM

Kindablue, yeah, sort of. I had a general over-all idea, and though I love explaining things I found the more I delved into SCIENCE the more hokey it got, so I stopped. I'll try and get all technical on it though, just for you :smallwink:
One day, man, one day you're going to open your door and get a frilly powdered glove to the face. And on that day, you're going to wish you hadn't made fun of Kindablue so much. But seriously, the physics of the real world don't have any place in a cartoon like this, obviously, and I'm not suggesting that, but you can use some of concepts and language from the real world to color the idea.

Trixie

2011-10-05, 06:29 PM

I've been thinking about just buying the twelve-pack (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11872842).

Technically, that's just collector set. I think you miss out on 'character cards' and pony bags, though, had I have chance to buy that at that price where I live, I would, it's almost 2-3x cheaper :smallfrown:

Grif

2011-10-05, 06:41 PM

Well, they have nurses and food poisoning...

Besides "A friend is sick" sounds like a good basis for an episode... Calling it now, some pony will have to have either their tonsils (probably a CMC) or their appendix removed at some point. :smalltongue:

Knowing the show's humour. It'll probably something as benign as a hiccup. :smalltongue: Mark my words, the one sick would probably be Pinkie Pie.

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 06:44 PM

new drawfriend time

Role Reversal
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b53j8dIIshk/TozM-T4noyI/AAAAAAAANU4/2-cUP0-za4o/s1600/67486+-+Bonbon+Lyra+artist+Egophiliac+sitting.png

Yarr!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQPFqKmg7YQ/TozMyaxEX5I/AAAAAAAANTk/uQlZPwfmt30/s1600/67414+-+apple_bloom+artist+miketheuser+pirate.png

D'aaaaaaawwwwwwww
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A2TB1ucM8k/TozNBlW_CCI/AAAAAAAANVI/jtsRkog3VMI/s1600/sweet_dreams_fluttershy_by_sorcerushorserus-d4bui2f.png

and the grand Finale...this one NEEDS to be animated
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0h7nw7VOnM/TozM207PnqI/AAAAAAAANUA/4GsKigTVRYQ/s1600/flutterhug_by__colaeuphoria_by_ilovebakso-d4bfpvk.png

Grif

2011-10-05, 06:45 PM

TheAmishPirate

2011-10-05, 06:49 PM

That last Fluttershy pic seems very off to me.

That said, Captain Apple Bloom to the rescue!

Oh good, I'm not going to be the only one seeing that face in my nightmares. :smalleek:

I think it's something about the mouth and nose. The mouth is way too small, and the nose is too big.

That being said, d'awwww'd at the first Fluttershy picture.

Bayonet Priest

2011-10-05, 06:52 PM

Guys! Guys! Guys!

I just watched an episode of MLP:FIM.

ON MY TELEVISION!!!

err... yeah.

Woohoo...

Ohmigod! I did that once too! *brohoofs*

Ok, maybe that's a bit too excited but it was pretty cool getting to see the season premier on TV instead of Youtube. I thought I had missed it but it came on again immediately after. It was Saturday morning so my dad was out of the house otherwise I never would have been able to watch it without my him going all Hank Hill on me.

He'd have been all "Bwaah" and then "Son I am disappoint" :smalltongue:

Brazen Shield

2011-10-05, 07:04 PM

Braz, honey. You tore out chunks of your own flesh with tweezers out of spite. You aren't allowed to be afraid of needles.

THAT DISGUSTING THING WAS NO PART OF MY FLESH!!!

Wow. This whole conversation make me seem a little crazy...

To be fair, I tried suffocating it first but it just wouldn't die. I had no choice but to... handle it. http://i.imgur.com/D4C8X.jpg

Eh, shots aren't too bad. Good luck though
The last time I got a shot (five years ago) I had a full blown panic attack. After which the idiot who gave me the shot told me I'd have to hurry it up cuz they neded the room.

Filing this under TMI.
Sorry...

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 07:08 PM

Filing this under TMI.

THAT DISGUSTING THING WAS NO PART OF MY FLESH!!!

Wow. This whole conversation make me seem a little crazy...

To be fair, I tried suffocating it first but it just wouldn't die. I had no choice but to... handle it. http://i.imgur.com/D4C8X.jpg

Sorry...

Honestly, I kind of want to know the rest of this. Otherwise, it'll just annoy the crap out of me...

But at the same time, I'm afraid to find out.

Nah, Pinkie being the one who gets sick is too obvious... I like the idea of Pinkie being the one that has to take care of the others after they get sick. :smalltongue:

If it's an appendix, clearly, it need to be Dash, because she would be the most likely to show off the scar to gross the others out. :smallamused:

Grif

2011-10-05, 07:13 PM

Honestly, I kind of want to know the rest of this. Otherwise, it'll just annoy the crap out of me...

But at the same time, I'm afraid to find out.

Nah, Pinkie being the one who gets sick is too obvious... I like the idea of Pinkie being the one that has to take care of the others after they get sick. :smalltongue:

If it's an appendix, clearly, it need to be Dash, because she would be the most likely to show off the scar to gross the others out. :smallamused:

No, if you want to go by show canon, Twilight getting sick would be the most obvious one, her magic spurring on shenanigans. :smallbiggrin:

http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg *Hiccup*
*Turns Spike into a tree*
http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg Uh oh.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 07:17 PM

No, if you want to go by show canon, Twilight getting sick would be the most obvious one, her magic spurring on shenanigans. :smallbiggrin:

http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg *Hiccup*
*Turns Spike into a tree*
http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg Uh oh.

Everyone but Pinkie... And Rarity get sick?

I think they'd be be funnier as caretakers than they would as patients.

Twilight casting random spells, Fluttershy sneezing loud enough to rattle the windows, Applejack not able to work the farm and Dash being stuck in bed. :smalltongue:

the_druid_droid

2011-10-05, 07:21 PM

On the griffonsteel, it's pony magic specifically. There are other applicIons I'm saving for future endeavors, and as very few ponies are into SCIENCE I'm leaving it's exact properties beyond already decided uses vague. Who knows? Someone with an actual understanding of physics might have a great idea.

Speaking as a proud science-pony: I'll see what I can cook up...

Actually, if you want to steal an idea for a future twist, that property of the material suggests that, with a bit of tweaking by a suitably curious unicorn, the material could be altered to AMPLIFY magic rather than disrupting it. This would be a potent weapon for any unicorn battlemage.

I bet MatSci classes are a lot more fun in Equestria.

Filing this under TMI.

Needles aren't bad, though. Or maybe that's because I was psychologically hardened against their terrors due to ongoing treatments to reduce allergic reactions in my early years...

I know that feel, bro.

----------------------------

Random pony RP, take one (Second Hand's introduction):
The day was warm and sunny, and the weather team had made sure there were no clouds in the sky, but on the road to Canterlot, at least one pony was oblivious to the weather's charms. Sitting on a little hill by the side of the road, Second Hand had pulled out his not-so-little bag of tools, and was working away intently with something that appeared to be attached to one of his rear legs. Closer inspection would reveal that it was the leg itself he was tinkering with, as one of the bolts had started to work lose, and replacements were hard to find.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 07:24 PM

Everyone but Pinkie... And Rarity get sick?

I think they'd be be funnier as caretakers than they would as patients.

Twilight casting random spells, Fluttershy sneezing loud enough to rattle the windows, Applejack not able to work the farm and Dash being stuck in bed. :smalltongue:

Sounds like Braz had a tick or some other type of small insect parasite and used tweezers to remove it... vigorously. Am I close?

Rarity taking care of other sick ponies would be awesome. She'd be so grossed out and afraid of contagion she'd put together some sort of incredibly fashionable biohazard suit

Grif

2011-10-05, 07:26 PM

Sounds like Braz had a tick or some other type of small insect parasite and used tweezers to remove it... vigorously. Am I close?

Rarity taking care of other sick ponies would be awesome. She'd be so grossed out and afraid of contagion she'd put together some sort of incredibly fashionable biohazard suit

I demand a biohazard suit Rarity now.

And also her in a Resident Evil crossover. Because you know Rarity as Jill Valentine would be hilarious.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 07:32 PM

Rarity taking care of other sick ponies would be awesome. She'd be so grossed out and afraid of contagion she'd put together some sort of incredibly fashionable biohazard suit

This is exactly what I'm hoping for, especially if we have cartoonishly mucous filled sneezes or upset stomachs. :smalltongue:

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 07:44 PM

It sounds like a combination of resonant frequencies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonant_frequency) AND destructive interference. Unless the griffonsteel is constantly vibrating on it's own, the use of magic triggers it to vibrate, and the vibration just happens to occur on such a wavelength that magic is disrupted rather than amplified.

Actually, if you want to steal an idea for a future twist, that property of the material suggests that, with a bit of tweaking by a suitably curious unicorn, the material could be altered to AMPLIFY magic rather than disrupting it. This would be a potent weapon for any unicorn battlemage.

Equestria's own "Manehatten Project" if you will

EDIT: added link FOR SCIENCE!

Oh fine, ruin my future plot device with your pointing out my obvious contrivances :smalltongue: :smallwink:

S has a constant blindsense function thereby.

each 'batch' has a subtly different frequency. All unicorns can activate any particular piece, but there is a difference in potency of up to +/- 10%.

When refined, and alloyed win other metals, it's properties can be grossly altered. It can also be magically refined, but it's much more time consuming, as without proper procedures, the unicorn working on it will just give himself a headache.

Pegasi can use it as well, with a much greater chance at low effect. It must be refined, at least magically, in all but the most talented of cases. Rainbow Dash, for example, could use it but it would just enhance her already-immersive attributes; speed and rainbow anima. She couldn't use it to do anything weather-related without expensive refinement, because she doesn't generate weather-related magic.
Pegasi need the material close to the skin, and it only activates during extended or empowered flight when they use their latent magic. It also generates an anima banner as it channels the energies used. It may or may not diminish their power as they channel it into different venues.

Earth ponies are an interesting breed. They require the most modification of material for any benefit, but are also the ones least affected. For Pegasi and unicorns griffonsteel is a game changer. For earth ponies, it's hat optional supplement that could stand some more support and doesn't change their build at all.
Due to it's properties, griffonsteel can only be used by an earth pony if it's a piercing or otherwise extends into the skin. Horseshoes would work, slightly, and are the go-to device for the occasions when the griffons have to actually suppress an earth pony's talents.

Specific uses, such as Thanqol's weaponry, would be unique to the pony and couldn't be mass produced; it would have to be alloyed properly, enchanted, and tuned to the specific pony's magical frequency.

Guys! Guys! Guys!

I just watched an episode of MLP:FIM.

ON MY TELEVISION!!!

err... yeah.

Woohoo...

*brohoof*

The first time is always an experience. Ponies... So. Pretty. In. Big. Size. *droops hypnotically*

One day, man, one day you're going to open your door and get a frilly powdered glove to the face. And on that day, you're going to wish you hadn't made fun of Kindablue so much. But seriously, the physics of the real world don't have any place in a cartoon like this, obviously, and I'm not suggesting that, but you can use some of concepts and language from the real world to color the idea.

man, that would suck. At that point I wouldn't even have had coffee; the glove would probably knock me senseless XD

And I was trying to say that, of the ponies who could apply science-y terms, I'm horribly unqualified. I mean, hay! I practice(d) holistic medicine, spinal fluid manipulation and shiatsu. I'm three chunks of quartz and one mismatched mythology away from being a hack.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 07:48 PM

No, if you want to go by show canon, Twilight getting sick would be the most obvious one, her magic spurring on shenanigans. :smallbiggrin:

http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg *Hiccup*
*Turns Spike into a tree*
http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg Uh oh.

http://i.imgur.com/1aYkh.jpg Ummm... could you do that again Twilight? But maybe more in this direction? You know... if it's not too much trouble...

Brazen Shield

2011-10-05, 07:51 PM

Honestly, I kind of want to know the rest of this. Otherwise, it'll just annoy the crap out of me...

But at the same time, I'm afraid to find out.

Sounds like Braz had a tick or some other type of small insect parasite and used tweezers to remove it... vigorously. Am I close?

Haha. Kinda. I'm going to let SiuiS tell this story. He was there and I'm sure his reaction to it is much too awesome for me to explain well. XD

Twilight sneezing magic around randomly would be awesome. If only to see who else she turns into a plant XP

Raz_Fox

2011-10-05, 08:01 PM

You've been having RPs of the spoiler'd variety for weeks with Raz_Fox for a while now. Except for the spoilers bit.

T-those were... RPs?

http://i.imgur.com/pi5Ee.jpg

Oooooooh. Okay. Yeaaaah. Those were, um, totally groooovy RPs. Which were fiiiictional. Yessssssssssss.

http://i.imgur.com/jq6VL.jpg

Okay, here's the secret: all RP characters start out aspects of the interwoven tapestry that makes up your own personality. Take a little bit of one of those aspects - a seed, if you will. Plant that seed in the great garden of gaming, and let it grow by feeding it on interactions with other characters. Initially, when RPing the character, continually stop yourself and ask not "What would I do?" but "What would the character do?". Pretty soon you might find that some of the answers will surprise you, and the character will sprout and develop into full grown personality. You know you've made it when you're having arguments with the character that you've created. More than once when RPing I've stopped myself and said "You know, that's a pretty stupid thing to say or do" and the character has replied "You might think it's stupid, but it's what *I* am going to do."

Huh. I usually think of characters as being like blends, like recipes - a touch of this character, a dash of that character, some of this aesthetic, a little more of the quirky, and a little bit of me. But that little heart is hidden, and it doesn't come out except in the best characters.

I think my favoritest character I ever played on these here forums didn't become truly awesome until I discovered the little bit of me in him: his drive to protect his siblings, and to be the responsible big brother, despite his innate drive to hedonistic and wasteful ways. And then he just kept evolving from there, becoming the person that he wanted to be instead of the person that he was.

Once I figure out how to reliably replicate this phenomenon in my original fiction, I'll be in business.

This, this, a thousand times, this. The best character ideas I've had have sprung up as a character is being played. Seeing them in action, something about their personality and the situations they find themselves in just clicks and you suddenly start realizing backstory details that you just thought of, but totally have fit the character this whole time.

Indeed, indeed. You speak truth, good sire.

Life update, for those who care:

1. Wife came home from hospital this morning, and is okay but somewhat tired.

Awesome, man! Truly and amazingly awesome!

Consider this an e-hug to the both of you! Or at least a hearty, cheerful slap on the shoulder, and an invigorating grin.

Note: invigorating grin might instead be creepy. No refunds.

2. I'm back at work, being harrassed by clients, and generally suffering the effects of acute sleep deprivation. Basically I feel like Applejack during Applebuck Season, except no baked bads, bunny stampedes, or launched co-worker incidents (yet). However, now that I think about it, I can't see a how a bunny stampede could *NOT* improve things around here... Note to self: find a way to make this happen.

Not so awesome. What can be said but press on, stiff upper lip, and look forwards to the prize that is being run for. Don't falter, don't give up, and never surrender. Just keep running until you can run no more, and then keep running, though it costs you everything.

3. Ponies are still awesome.

Preach it, brother.

You aren't supposed to be able to roast marshmallows with your hooves either, Applejack manages just fine.
http://www.ponychan.net/chan/fic/src/131527787176.png

It's magic, I ain't gotta explain... You should know where that's going.

Y'know, that's funny, it kind of looks like...

http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

Applejack is Pony Wolverine.

Guys. Guys I have to get a shot.
T_T I don't wanna shot. I don't wanna....
*bawls*

Look on the bright side in every situation, Miss Brazen.

At least I'm not the doctor administering the shots! Aha! Ahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

[color="green"]*brohoof*

The first time is always an experience. Ponies... So. Pretty. In. Big. Size. *droops hypnotically*

My first time watching ponies on my massive TV was also my first time watching it with my siblings. It was also the original airing of The Best Night Ever. http://i.imgur.com/2lTPE.jpg

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 08:11 PM

Honestly, I kind of want to know the rest of this. Otherwise, it'll just annoy the crap out of me...

But at the same time, I'm afraid to find out.

Well, ok.

[Tangent] [squick]

Braz goes to bed. Being more nocturnal, I stay up to play some videogames with Xanatos (who needs to get his flank back on the thread, rass'n frass'n), and settle in for a soothing night of turning into a giant centipede and devouring the flesh of my human enemies.

After 15 minutes, Braz comes out and looks at me from the hallway. I look at her. She is holding up her hand, palm in, like she is warding away an attack Chinese style.

She then turns her hand around, showing me the vast pool of blood filling it. I switch off the mic and get up to see why she is A) calmly B) bleeding lime a stuck hog.

Turns out there was (emphasis on past tense) a wart on her hand, just at the index finger/palm junction, normally neatly covered by the thumb. Instead, there is a 5mm crater of torn flesh, from which she has been calmly gougeing, grabbing and yanking away chunks of skin. Warts apparently form a bulbous root that she was Hel-bent on removing.

I actually had to leave, as sympathetic tactile thoughts were really getting to me. Cuts, stabs, bashes scrapes and bruises, whatever. This was... Something else. On the upside, it really makes me feel better about my humanity; that's not something I'd be comfortable inflicting on another. :smalleek:

Nah, Pinkie being the one who gets sick is too obvious... I like the idea of Pinkie being the one that has to take care of the others after they get sick. :smalltongue:

If it's an appendix, clearly, it need to be Dash, because she would be the most likely to show off the scar to gross the others out. :smallamused:

don't think they would go the obvious route. I expect it would be a "don't kill yourself bending over backwards, even when you mean well". At the end, an all-better Twilight chides the impromptu nurse for getting herself sick when "I had planned on just sleeping through the last few days anyway."

Tectonic Robot

2011-10-05, 08:23 PM

Well, ok.

[Tangent] [squick]

Braz goes to bed. Being more nocturnal, I stay up to play some videogames with Xanatos (who needs to get his flank back on the thread, rass'n frass'n), and settle in for a soothing night of turning into a giant centipede and devouring the flesh of my human enemies.

After 15 minutes, Braz comes out and looks at me from the hallway. I look at her. She is holding up her hand, palm in, like she is warding away an attack Chinese style.

She then turns her hand around, showing me the vast pool of blood filling it. I switch off the mic and get up to see why she is A) calmly B) bleeding lime a stuck hog.

Turns out there was (emphasis on past tense) a wart on her hand, just at the index finger/palm junction, normally neatly covered by the thumb. Instead, there is a 5mm crater of torn flesh, from which she has been calmly gougeing, grabbing and yanking away chunks of skin. Warts apparently form a bulbous root that she was Hel-bent on removing.

I actually had to leave, as sympathetic tactile thoughts were really getting to me. Cuts, stabs, bashes scrapes and bruises, whatever. This was... Something else. On the upside, it really makes me feel better about my humanity; that's not something I'd be comfortable inflicting on another. :smalleek:

..........

D:

This Brazen Shield we're talkin' about? You live with her/him?

Thanqol

2011-10-05, 08:33 PM

*Squeal* An assignment of mine got upgraded from 5/10 (pass) to 9/10 (high distinction) because the tutor admitted he made a mistake in phrasing the question and I answered the question that was asked rather than the one he thought he was asking. Highest mark in class. Eeeeeee!

Huh. I usually think of characters as being like blends, like recipes - a touch of this character, a dash of that character, some of this aesthetic, a little more of the quirky, and a little bit of me. But that little heart is hidden, and it doesn't come out except in the best characters.

I think my favoritest character I ever played on these here forums didn't become truly awesome until I discovered the little bit of me in him: his drive to protect his siblings, and to be the responsible big brother, despite his innate drive to hedonistic and wasteful ways. And then he just kept evolving from there, becoming the person that he wanted to be instead of the person that he was.

Once I figure out how to reliably replicate this phenomenon in my original fiction, I'll be in business.

That sounds exactly like my Ideals process in action.

Random pony RP, take one (Second Hand's introduction):
The day was warm and sunny, and the weather team had made sure there were no clouds in the sky, but on the road to Canterlot, at least one pony was oblivious to the weather's charms. Sitting on a little hill by the side of the road, Second Hand had pulled out his not-so-little bag of tools, and was working away intently with something that appeared to be attached to one of his rear legs. Closer inspection would reveal that it was the leg itself he was tinkering with, as one of the bolts had started to work lose, and replacements were hard to find.

It was a bedraggled young earth pony who slowly walked towards Canterlot.

Bronze for her coat, gold for her mane, streak of silver across her brow and mark of a dove in a thunderstorm on her flank. She looked regal, wealthy, proud, aristocratic - the eye kept looking for a crown that wasn't there. In a rather jarring contrast, she wore a bulky and intimidating metal saddle-machine-generator-thing, swarming with twisted wires and cables and humming ominously. Red wires attached silver metal buzzers on her hooves and tied into her tail to the monstrous backpack.

She was also soaked to the bone. There was strange thick, grey smoke seeping from the interior of the device, with a distinctly acidic smell to it. Ever so often, the power gauge on the machine spiked up, sending a brief electric shock through the pony. The jolts shook her but they didn't even break her stride or draw her attention.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 08:34 PM

DAMN Braz, you know they make wart remover, right? Or that you can just get it frozen off at a dermatologist? Or that the viral ones sometimes just go away on their own?

You're way more hardcore than I expected

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 08:35 PM

Guys. Guys I have to get a shot.
T_T I don't wanna shot. I don't wanna....
*bawls*

To make this post more pony friendly:
I wonder if the ponies have a shot? Like a flu shot or a shot to numb pain?

Shots aren't all that bad, but then again I went through training to be a phlebotomist and have had more needles jabbed into me than i care to count. Though I guess the last time I got a shot did suck but that's cause it was a flu shot that i got at the beginning of an 8 hour shift so by the end of it I was all sorts of flu sick.

Also man ponies are eating up more and more of my time that I need for other things, like school and my job that starts next week, maybe I should cut back. Or maybe I will start reading fallout equestria ya that sounds like a nice sane plan.

erikun

2011-10-05, 08:38 PM

..........

D:

This Brazen Shield we're talkin' about? You live with her/him?
Yes, that Brazen Shield and yes, she is a she. At least, if I understand correctly.

[color="green"][Tangent] [squick]

Braz goes to bed. Being more nocturnal, I stay up to play some videogames with Xanatos (who needs to get his flank back on the thread, rass'n frass'n), and settle in for a soothing night of turning into a giant centipede and devouring the flesh of my human enemies.

After 15 minutes, Braz comes out and looks at me from the hallway. I look at her. She is holding up her hand, palm in, like she is warding away an attack Chinese style.

She then turns her hand around, showing me the vast pool of blood filling it. I switch off the mic and get up to see why she is A) calmly B) bleeding lime a stuck hog.

Turns out there was (emphasis on past tense) a wart on her hand, just at the index finger/palm junction, normally neatly covered by the thumb. Instead, there is a 5mm crater of torn flesh, from which she has been calmly gougeing, grabbing and yanking away chunks of skin. Warts apparently form a bulbous root that she was Hel-bent on removing.

I actually had to leave, as sympathetic tactile thoughts were really getting to me. Cuts, stabs, bashes scrapes and bruises, whatever. This was... Something else. On the upside, it really makes me feel better about my humanity; that's not something I'd be comfortable inflicting on another. :smalleek:
[Tangent] [squick] response
I actually figured it would be something like that. Her response made me think a zit or something... although gouging your hand out until it is badly bleeding is perhaps a bit too far.

I hope you had some bandages and cleaning alcohol on hand for that.

Topaz

2011-10-05, 08:39 PM

Flutteralert!

Now on ebay, a handmade Fluttershy plush with a sound chip (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280748267692)!

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 08:39 PM

Y'know, that's funny, it kind of looks like...

http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

Applejack is Pony Wolverine.

Brony-to-Brony telepathy strikes again. I was thinking that after shortly I posted it.

Anyways, I was think about what Dangereaux Crossings (I really love saying that name) actually does for work. When I came to the idea that he is essentially a teacher/Steve Irwin, basically he teaches about dangerous wildlife such as the ones found in the everfree forest like manticores, ursas etc. and basic survival things. These are the things he loves, the things he knows, and the things he does. But then I had the realization, how does he demonstrate these things as safely as possible without subjecting anypony to (life-threatening) danger?
Meet his coworker and assistant [name needed]:
http://i.imgur.com/E6oWo.png
http://i.imgur.com/yhqbw.png
She works as a cameramanpony essentially, using her magic to record clips with Crossings of whatever is needed. She can then project these recorded memories for anypony she wishes. Thus demonstrating the dangers of [insert place or creature here] without any chance of bodily harm to anypony (except Crossings).

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 08:41 PM

..........

D:

This Brazen Shield we're talkin' about? You live with her/him?

Worse- we're dating.

And all my really good knives have slowly disappeared. She claims to not know where they are.

...

http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/1de91a391800d973d96b3256168dcc18/10982%20-%20Cupcakes%20artist%3Athat-technique%20blood%20pinkamena_diane_pie%20pinkie_p ie.png

It's too bad our sleep schedules are so different <<;

Eakin

2011-10-05, 08:54 PM

Brony-to-Brony telepathy strikes again. I was thinking that after shortly I posted it.

Anyways, I was think about what Dangereaux Crossings (I really love saying that name) actually does for work. When I came to the idea that he is essentially a teacher/Steve Irwin, basically he teaches about dangerous wildlife such as the ones found in the everfree forest like manticores, ursas etc. and basic survival things. These are the things he loves, the things he knows, and the things he does. But then I had the realization, how does he demonstrate these things as safely as possible without subjecting anypony to (life-threatening) danger?
Meet his coworker and assistant [name needed]:
http://i.imgur.com/E6oWo.png
http://i.imgur.com/yhqbw.png

She works as a cameramanpony essentially, using her magic to record clips with Crossings of whatever is needed. She can then project these recorded memories for anypony she wishes. Thus demonstrating the dangers of [insert place or creature here] without any chance of bodily harm to anypony (except Crossings).

Obviously something that plays off of cameras. And Photo Finish is taken.

Here's a couple random camera words I can think of, see if any strike you as appropriate to her character.

Focus
Lens
Reel
Fade
Iris
Flare
Gaffe
Cut
Filter

Maybe Iris Roughcut? I like Iris as her first name

Edit: Also, if she's projecting her MEMORY of the events can she add commentary, or make subjective edits?

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 08:56 PM

Braz, I empathize with you entirely.

[tangent][potential squick]
I'm prone to ingrown nails on my toes and fingers and have had to do some digging to get rid of them/get rid of the pus afterwards.

Well, with Twilight, if she's randomly releasing magic with every sneeze, can't exactly just get some bed rest. She's a danger. :smalltongue:

And Dash and Applejack would probably have to be forcibly restrained, and I don't see Fluttershy as being the type to let her being ill keep her from taking care of her animals.

Rarity and Pinkie having a minimum of stubbornness/responsibilities/ability to cause magical chaos, plus Rarity being easily grossed out and Pinkie being... Well, Pinkie, would make them having to take care of their sick friends absolutely hilarious. :smalltongue:

But yeah, one or both of them getting sick at the end of the episode would be fitting. :smalltongue:

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 09:02 PM

Obviously something that plays off of cameras. And Photo Finish is taken.

Here's a couple random camera words I can think of, see if any strike you as appropriate to her character.

Focus
Lens
Reel
Fade
Iris
Flare
Gaffe
Cut
Filter

Maybe Iris Roughcut? I like Iris as her first name

Edit: Also, if she's projecting her MEMORY of the events can she add commentary, or make subjective edits?

I do rather like the sound of Iris Roughcut... not sure on it yet but that is definitely a good one.

To the question, let's go with... Yes she can edit and commentate on the projections.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 09:10 PM

I do rather like the sound of Iris Roughcut... not sure on it yet but that is definitely a good one.

To the question, let's go with... Yes she can edit and commentate on the projections.

It's definitely better than the first name I thought of; Iris Lensflare

And I only ask because I love to see the Unreliable Narrator (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnreliableNarrator) trope played for laughs, a la How I Met Your Mother

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 09:11 PM

That last Fluttershy pic seems very off to me.

That said, Captain Apple Bloom to the rescue!

yeah but it would be sweet if it was animated so she started small/far away and got bigger/closer to you :smallredface:

also in case you have not heard..... Steve Jobs passed away earlier today
http://img.ponibooru.org/_images/4c0083a87785e026e971eabd45e4eca3/31276%20-%20america%20american_flag%20july_4%20rainbow_dash %20salute.png

EsperDerek

2011-10-05, 09:14 PM

Midnight is Learning
Leo nods and sighs, hanging his head. "I know... There are those who give in to temptation, give in to less than good natures. I know my group has flaws, that it's not big enough to do everything we want to do. I know all of these things. I made a similar argument myself at first, with an added 'Why did you let what happened to my world happen?' I don't know how to answer you, I never liked the answers I got."

"However, I've also seen what happens if we don't try. I told you the Multiverse works like an intricate machine. Damage or some disruption in one tiny part of it can spread, cause entire realities to just... Cease to exist. I can't let someone's failure or evil actions hurt an innocent, not if I can do anything about it. I don't want to see another Equestria become as broken as mine was."

"And I'm glad you don't think it gives me some kind of position or authority. I want you to treat me like an individual. I don't want you to judge me based on the actions others in my group, or previous Exalts made anymore than I think you'd want me to judge you based on Snips, Snails or Blueblood." He raises his head and holds out a hoof to her. "Will you give me a chance to prove myself with my actions, my words? Will you let me try to be your friend? Please?"

OOC: Ugh, so much drama. But hopefully this will help clear the air between them. I'd much rather them get along, so they can focus their combined efforts on those who deserve it. Like Blueblood Senior! :smallbiggrin:

Dexam, I hope everything will be okay. I can only imagine how worried you must be. :smallfrown:

Midnight is Learning
*Midnight watches as Leo bares all that out, and occasionally her eyes gleam green. She's not the only one in there who is listening to him. As he offers his hoof, there's a pause, and then Midnight reaches out, grasping his hoof in hers.

"Alright, then. Especially since you appear to be painfully aware of things, and I don't sense any arrogance." She smiles. "I'm all about giving ponies a chance. If no ponies had ever given any of my Mommas a chance, or a second chance, then I never would have been born. Everypony deserves it."

She flicks that stray lock of hair out of her eyes, but it simply slips back down between her eyes again.

"I don't like being enemies with anypony anyways."

Guys. Guys I have to get a shot.
T_T I don't wanna shot. I don't wanna....
*bawls*

To make this post more pony friendly:
I wonder if the ponies have a shot? Like a flu shot or a shot to numb pain?

Braz, lemme tell you a story. When I was younger, I was deathly phobic of needles, to the point where I had to be held down while they were administered. It was that bad.

Now, for my injury, I have to have a needle every four weeks. But it used to be every week. I'm not afraid of needles anymore. They're old hat.

I totaled it up, and over the past two years, I've had somewhere around seventy injections. If I can manage that, you can manage one. I know you can. :smallsmile:

Brazen Shield

2011-10-05, 09:17 PM

Look on the bright side in every situation, Miss Brazen.

At least I'm not the doctor administering the shots! Aha! Ahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

http://i.imgur.com/qxCE8.jpg

..........

D:

This Brazen Shield we're talkin' about? You live with her/him?

I am very much a 'her' ^^ and SiuiS and I are bf/gf/room mates. Been living together for going on a year and a half now. We were dating before that.

DAMN Braz, you know they make wart remover, right? Or that you can just get it frozen off at a dermatologist? Or that the viral ones sometimes just go away on their own?

You're way more hardcore than I expected.

Braz, honey. You tore out chunks of your own flesh with tweezers out of spite. You aren't allowed to be afraid of needles

I tried to suffocate it but it just wouldn't die

XD

Wart remover never works, though I do use it as a way to reach the root faster. I've had this wart for over a year and have had one in the same spot before (my first, that I also removed in such a way)

I work too much to make an appointment to get it removed by freezing and THE DAMN THING HAD PISSED ME OFF FOR THE LAST TIME.

And... Thanks? I think ><

Shots aren't all that bad, but then again I went through training to be a phlebotomist and have had more needles jabbed into me than i care to count. Though I guess the last time I got a shot did suck but that's cause it was a flu shot that i got at the beginning of an 8 hour shift so by the end of it I was all sorts of flu sick.

Yeah, my coworker just went through the blood drawing part of her med assistant training and said much the same.
I just don't like needles ;(

Yes, that Brazen Shield and yes, she is a she. *At least, if I understand correctly.

You are correct!!

[Tangent] [squick] response
I actually figured it would be something like that. Her response made me think a zit or something... although gouging your hand out until it is badly bleeding is perhaps a bit too far.

I hope you had some bandages and cleaning alcohol on hand for that.

[Tangent] [squick] response
Warts are notorious or being bleeders. Pressure worked just fine after I was done digging. I couldn't see after the first few second because of all the blood so I had it under running water the rest of the time. That and the blood cleaned it well enough to where it didn't get an infection of any sort. Now I just have to see if I got all of the root or if the ****er will grow back >>.

Worse- we're dating.

And what does that mean!

Edit:

Braz, I empathize with you entirely.

[tangent][potential squick]
I'm prone to ingrown nails on my toes and fingers and have had to do some digging to get rid of them/get rid of the pus afterwards.

And now you know where I got the practice and the pain tolerance~

Edit2:

Braz, lemme tell you a story. When I was younger, I was deathly phobic of needles, to the point where I had to be held down while they were administered. It was that bad.

Now, for my injury, I have to have a needle every four weeks. But it used to be every week. I'm not afraid of needles anymore. They're old hat.

I totaled it up, and over the past two years, I've had somewhere around seventy injections. If I can manage that, you can manage one. I know you can. :smallsmile:

*sniff*
Kay.http://i.imgur.com/2u0gC.jpg I don't really have a choice anyway... Stupid foot and the not working correct-like

Strife Warzeal

2011-10-05, 09:39 PM

Braz, lemme tell you a story. When I was younger, I was deathly phobic of needles, to the point where I had to be held down while they were administered. It was that bad.

Now, for my injury, I have to have a needle every four weeks. But it used to be every week. I'm not afraid of needles anymore. They're old hat.

I totaled it up, and over the past two years, I've had somewhere around seventy injections. If I can manage that, you can manage one. I know you can. :smallsmile:

Story related, sort of:
In a similar vein, last year I was suffering from constant fatigue among other things. I was sleeping easily 15 hours a day. This lead to taking me to my doctor finally, who ordered some blood tests. They drew 4 vials of blood the first trip. They found nothing from these tests, so next week they drew 3 more which whoever actually tests it managed to mess up (something about exposing it to light). I believe we had to draw another three the next week to replace those when we found out. This is when we found out the problem was severe Vitamin D deficiency (It was like 10 where the 'regular' levels are supposed to be 35 or something like that) I think we went monthly after that to monitor it. I was out of school from Thanksgiving to March approximately.

We still haven't found out why it was so low, because it wasn't like I didn't spend time in the sun and I ate properly.

Anyways the point of that story is after having a total of like 15-20 vials of blood drawn over a month, the whole 'we need to stab you', like esper said, "I'm not afraid of needles anymore. They're old hat." I also became friends with the phlebotomist because we went so many times.

I really wish I knew MLP:FiM was awesome at the time, that would definitely have made the hours I was awake be much more enjoyable.

Pokonic

2011-10-05, 09:40 PM

Hey ponythread, guess what? I just made 100 dollers from a bet!
Based on Ponies!
I am rich! All-powerful! All due to EDs insane view ratings!

M̶̨͙̝͕̳̪͍̙͔̙̪͈̟̱̝̣̗̰̰̆͒ͥ̄͐͒̈͊̈͒̆̅ü̉̌̓͒͛҉̶̙̳̥̲̻̻̠̺ ̼͚̮͉͕h̢̨͚͚̼̙̭̠̬͍̺̠͌ͦ̊̀͛͢͞a̵̵̴̼̫̫̘̥͚͍ͮ̑ͤ̑ͦ̊ͥ͗͛̍̉̈̏̈ ͎̺̖͕̻̼͚̩̬ḩ̶̷̢̪̗̬͈̯͕͎͚͉̱ͩ͊ͥ̑̎ͨͬͧ́̀ͬ͢ͅa̒ͬ̔ͥ͗͆ͪ͋ͥͭͤ͘ ̶̧̡̞̪̖̘͍̮͟ḩ̛͉͇̱̮̝̪̥̫̺̝̭̙ͪ̾͂̽̿͗͊̽̄͑̾͋̓́̀͘a͛̽ͨͮ͊̽ͤ̚ ̧̲̪̯̱̙̻̠͖͓̥͈̯͉̥̩ͦ͋͒ͪ͟ḥ̶̸͓̹̟̫̝ͥ̿͐ͣ́a̷̢̡̮̬̱͇͒̐̋̍h́̓ ̧͔̱͍̰͖͚̦͈̳̩̰͚̦̮̫̼̍̇ͭ͡ͅả̬̳̙͉̞̭͖̗̼̭̠̹̹̭̤͌̐̈́̔ͭ̾̈́̈́̚͡͝ ̲͇̘h̢͇̹̫͓͎̜́ͦͬ̓͂̀͗̆̌ͬ͛͐̌̌́͠͠a͈͇͓̤̪̹̫̜̗͍̙̽ͬ̆ͨ́ͣͪͫ͝͝ ̫̜̗h̪͍̰̫̯̼͎ͦ̓ͨ̄͗͌̈́̍̄ͬ́̚͜͡h̡̘̥̘̙͈̝̯̪̩̜͎̝̃̾̍͂ͭ̏̓̎̀͘a ́̇ͮ͏̫̱̗̟̱̺̤̠̠͈̤̬̯̮̰̱̗́̕͠ḩ̡̠͉͍̫̠ͩ̐̋̂͋͗̄ͪͪͨ͆͑ͬ͌̌̓̚͢ ̭̲͍̭͙a̐ͣ̃͆̍̂͊ͮͨͯ͏̵͓̖̺h̡̜̰̳̩̜͈̙͍͎͔̲͕̩̹̥͌ͭ̍ͩ̽̀͘ā̏̅̏ ̢͕̬͎̣̠̮̝͕͔̞̆̏̓̆̆̏̍̊̂ͭ̊̽ͭ̚͡h̸̛̫̤̫͖̙͓̣̩̙̖͙̳̖̰̠̿̅̑̅a̚ ́̈́̃̂̏ͫ͠҉̷̢̤̭̪̩ͅḧ́̊̂ͤ͑̅ͧͦ̆̎̾ͭ͋̎͏̱̬̩̮̹̹̀͝͠ả̆͂̐ͣ͊͗ͬͨ ̸̔͒̒̈́ͬ̊҉̴͖͈͚͇̱̯͜!̡͇̖͉̤̪̹̦̽̅̄͆̀̕͢
Soon, it will all fall into place, yes...

Thanqol

2011-10-05, 09:41 PM

Biology/Medicine, y u so gross?

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 09:41 PM

Midnight is Learning
*Midnight watches as Leo bares all that out, and occasionally her eyes gleam green. She's not the only one in there who is listening to him. As he offers his hoof, there's a pause, and then Midnight reaches out, grasping his hoof in hers.

"Alright, then. Especially since you appear to be painfully aware of things, and I don't sense any arrogance." She smiles. "I'm all about giving ponies a chance. If no ponies had ever given any of my Mommas a chance, or a second chance, then I never would have been born. Everypony deserves it."

She flicks that stray lock of hair out of her eyes, but it simply slips back down between her eyes again.

"I don't like being enemies with anypony anyways."

Midnight is Learning [We could probably use a title change :smalltongue:]
Leo smiles and politely shakes Midnight's hoof. "Thanks. It means a lot to me. I'm kind of hoping I'll be around for a long while, and it's always good to have friends..." He releases her hoof after a bit, and smiles.
"So... Can I help you with anything? Maybe prank your Blueblood, provided he's the pompous jerk he is in about ninety-five percent of all Equestrias or run some errands?"

And now you know where I got the practice and the pain tolerance~

I'm weird about my pain tolerance actually. Depends on what kind of pain and if its constant or not. If it's an ache I can tune it out. I've not noticed that I got a thorn in my leg, or that I scratched myself until I notice, or someone points it out for me, that it's bleeding. I've managed to close my fingers in a sliding van door and not notice until I tried to walk away.

Sharp stabbing pains, stomach aches, anything that itches or if it comes and goes in waves? It's "Oh god I'm gonna die!" :smalltongue:

EsperDerek

2011-10-05, 09:45 PM

I have long since joked that I am going to end up with track marks on my shoulder, like I'm doing some sort of weird way of injecting heroin or something into my system. :smalltongue:

Oh, one thing being in constant pain does for you: Improves your pain tolerance massively. I shrug off pretty much any sort of minor pain or hurt these days, because, damn it, I've felt worse!

Tectonic Robot

2011-10-05, 09:48 PM

I just watched Swarm of the Century (On my TV! Yeah!) and I gotta say the Discord episodes were a lot more serious then the rest of the season. Things got borderline grim, amirite?

Eakin

2011-10-05, 09:57 PM

I'm weird about my pain tolerance actually. Depends on what kind of pain and if its constant or not. If it's an ache I can tune it out. I've not noticed that I got a thorn in my leg, or that I scratched myself until I notice, or someone points it out for me, that it's bleeding. I've managed to close my fingers in a sliding van door and not notice until I tried to walk away.

Sharp stabbing pains, stomach aches, anything that itches or if it comes and goes in waves? It's "Oh god I'm gonna die!" :smalltongue:

And I'm the exact opposite. The little itches and persistent aches drive me nuts but the sharp stuff takes me a couple seconds to register, and by that point the initial shock of whatever pierced/crushed/smacked some part of my body has worn off and I can deal with it a little more rationally.

I'm gonna seem like a wimp compared to some of you but the worst pain I had was when I wrenched something in my neck in the middle of a training class at work, then had to work the rest of the day with the pain slowly building and reducing my range of motion, then drive home and lie down on a hard surface with a towel supporting my neck.

Not enough Acetaminophen in the WORLD.

Vorpalbob

2011-10-05, 09:57 PM

I just watched Swarm of the Century (On my TV! Yeah!) and I gotta say the Discord episodes were a lot more serious then the rest of the season. Things got borderline grim, amirite?

Grim they were, but awesome. I truly appreciate that a show, that is ostensibly for children, is willing to go to those darker places.

And get John De Lancie to sprinkle it with a healthy dose of his brilliance. (Trekkie SQUEEE)

Eakin

2011-10-05, 10:08 PM

I just watched Swarm of the Century (On my TV! Yeah!) and I gotta say the Discord episodes were a lot more serious then the rest of the season. Things got borderline grim, amirite?

Yeah, Discord was way more threatening than NMM in her two part episode. Just goes to show how far the production team has come over the season.

Even swarm of the century had in jokes for adults. Like a blazing saddles reference, or the fact that the entire episode was lifted straight from Trouble with Tribbles.

Roninhirox

2011-10-05, 10:10 PM

I come bearing pictures of ponies

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-the-party-pony.jpg

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-it-tickles.gif

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-equestria-girls.jpg

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-scootaloos-new-clopfic.jpg

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-i-haven-no-idea-whats-going-on.gif

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-i-obey-her-every-command.jpg

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-my-vision-for-the-world.jpg

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 10:30 PM

Eakin

2011-10-05, 10:50 PM

Brazen Shield

2011-10-05, 10:51 PM

Spoiler for tangent: shot update

So got that shot. It hurt and it sucked but I didnt get a panic attack which is good I guess. Got the shot because my foot problem, one that made it hard to walk or work, got so bad one day I couldn't walk without extreme pain. (I did anyway, and was promptly sent home by my manager because I was in tears)

So I got that shot of cortisone today, and now I can't walk again. First my foot was numb, like tingly-asleep-foot numb, and now it feels like I have a Charlie-horse that stretches from the middle toe to the middle fatty part of the bottom of my foot. I just can't win

The California Girl's Pinkie Pie, VERY well done! I thinks that's my new favorite!

otakuryoga

2011-10-05, 10:51 PM

Illustrated picture to go with Scoot's fic: A chicken sitting on a dictionary.

well played sir, well played indeed

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 10:53 PM

I'm weird about my pain tolerance actually. Depends on what kind of pain and if its constant or not. If it's an ache I can tune it out. I've not noticed that I got a thorn in my leg, or that I scratched myself until I notice, or someone points it out for me, that it's bleeding. I've managed to close my fingers in a sliding van door and not notice until I tried to walk away.

Sharp stabbing pains, stomach aches, anything that itches or if it comes and goes in waves? It's "Oh god I'm gonna die!" :smalltongue:

Aye, only add in whether I, another, or circumstances inflict the pain. I can jab myself all to hey as needed, but somepony else jumps in and BAM! I'm crawling with subcutaneous ants made of fire, feasting on my nerves :smalleek:

Random circumstances warrant less crying, more swear+punch something. It's weird.

I just watched Swarm of the Century (On my TV! Yeah!) and I gotta say the Discord episodes were a lot more serious then the rest of the season. Things got borderline grim, amirite?

Eyup. It's a point of plot (giggety) that the season openers are more epic in scope, serious, focused (Er, kinda) and different.

-

Random query. I am has XBOX llive, but a dumb, default account name because it's only free to change once.
Should I rename it Starry Notions or WizardPony?

I defer tou your wisdom, ponythread.

Forum Explorer

2011-10-05, 11:11 PM

Just wanted to say thanks to everypony who linked those fics for me to read. :smallsmile: They all seem to be quite good and entertaing and have been the perfect thing to wake me up.

BlasTech

2011-10-05, 11:14 PM

Wellp, I've gone through and put together a chapter-by-chapter framework for the MLP/Firefly fanfic that's stuck in my head. But not 100% yet on the flow of things. Should probably go back and work on it some more before I begin drafting the chapters ... or do you guys find that you tend to re-write/change your plot significantly once you start writing?

Might post the synopsis or chapter-by-chapter framework here if anyone is interested in having a look and providing feedback =3 (Even if it's limited to "MLP/Firefly will never work because they are simply incompatible in terms of subject matter" ... because, yes, that is something that I've definitely been wrestling with, although I think I've got something workable. Even if it's a bit ambitious for a first MLP fanfic ><)

Y'know, that's funny, it kind of looks like...

http://i.imgur.com/CXTge.jpg

Applejack is Pony Wolverine.

Nonsense, that role in the MLP verse goes to Filigree the Gryphon. (Props to anyone who knows what I'm talking about)

Random pony RP, take one (Second Hand's introduction):
The day was warm and sunny, and the weather team had made sure there were no clouds in the sky, but on the road to Canterlot, at least one pony was oblivious to the weather's charms. Sitting on a little hill by the side of the road, Second Hand had pulled out his not-so-little bag of tools, and was working away intently with something that appeared to be attached to one of his rear legs. Closer inspection would reveal that it was the leg itself he was tinkering with, as one of the bolts had started to work lose, and replacements were hard to find.

It was a bedraggled young earth pony who slowly walked towards Canterlot.

Bronze for her coat, gold for her mane, streak of silver across her brow and mark of a dove in a thunderstorm on her flank. She looked regal, wealthy, proud, aristocratic - the eye kept looking for a crown that wasn't there. In a rather jarring contrast, she wore a bulky and intimidating metal saddle-machine-generator-thing, swarming with twisted wires and cables and humming ominously. Red wires attached silver metal buzzers on her hooves and tied into her tail to the monstrous backpack.

She was also soaked to the bone. There was strange thick, grey smoke seeping from the interior of the device, with a distinctly acidic smell to it. Ever so often, the power gauge on the machine spiked up, sending a brief electric shock through the pony. The jolts shook her but they didn't even break her stride or draw her attention.

What's the dealy-o with these things anyway? Just jump in and start posting? :P

Congrats on the assignment upgrade btw. Nice to see a teacher who is willing to admit a mistake.

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 11:20 PM

I've been thinking about just buying the twelve-pack (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11872842).
That is a very tempting offer... only I already have my three favorite official ponies, so I'm not sure how I'd handle having dupes... I mean I already don't know where to have the ones I have now without raising too many questions >_>;;

That's an interesting process, and seemingly quite removed from mine. Mine involves creating people I can't imagine the thought processes of, exploring them, and then, if they work, integrating them with the core. It's not so much refining myself as it is expanding on myself by making me think in ways I never considered before.

The seed part is the tricky part here (I think of it in terms of aiming/preparing conditions for momentum). I've got a method for it that works wonders for me, though. I give each character an Ideal - what their perfect world and enlightenment looks like, and then I come up with a flawed version of the Ideal that will lead them down the wrong path. And the characters literally write themselves from there.

And oh good, I'm not the only one who argues with his own characters (I might still be the only one who does it outside of the actual games though).

I love name selection, and I love naming other people's things. It just involves defocusing your mind and playing word association, looking for sounds that work.

My approach works great for this. Characters become thought patterns rather than the other way around. See, the main challenge is understanding how a character thinks - and it's possible to understand how people think without being them, or liking them. Think about the people you know really well, like them or dislike them, and figure out how they think - great way to start building thought patterns.
So I'm totally jamming most of your post into one quote even though it wasn't all at me but TOO BAD I'm going to respond to it anyway!http://i.imgur.com/jaolo.jpg

That's pretty wild to me, to start with a character, THEN work out their thought processes. As a personal note, I am an INTJ on the Myers Briggs scale. I am nothing if not someone that thinks and analyzes things on what is probably an absurd scale. I like to build systems and toy with worldviews. It is very difficult for me to envision a character and to NOT see them as a three dimensional person from the start, and try to pick apart their thoughts and motivations. If someone or something falls short of that it's hard to see past them as merely a 2D entity that serves a single purpose, be it a running gag or what all else have you.

I have a ball looking at characters and figuring them out. It makes it easy to understand why people do what they do, and it makes it hard to see other people's interpretations when they go off model, or my perceived model at least. It's even harder for me to start from scratch and make a new character, because I want to give them that spark of personality depth right off the bat. Only trick is that's an amazingly huge undertaking for a blank slate, and it's hard for me to think of a seed to grow an OC out of, and not have it feel like a gimmick, like this character's entire state of being is dependent on that one foundational seed. http://i.imgur.com/2c0gc.jpg Characters ARE thought patterns, it's hard to separate the two ideas for me, but then it turns into the old chicken/egg problem.

I am proud to have exactly one OC to my name. He hasn't shown up here or most places, and he's forever a WiP, but he's mine to play with and to tinker. Maybe one day I'll post something. And even then, he was originally an aspect of myself, as a GMPC that was going to be in a homebrew campaign a friend and I were putting together. That fell apart, but I've held onto that story, and since then he's grown apart from me. (That said I'd love to work on that story, but I can't pick characterizations for the *rest* of the party. Doh >_< )

I guess I can say that I do argue with my own OCs, if one considers my circles OCs in and of their own right, haha. But that's almost like a visual representation of my conflicts of interest. I do plan on making that a story one day (the sooner the better) in which the different aspects of myself are narrating my own life, and maintain a running dialogue with themselves, and occasionally me in real life, to the confusion of those around me. This... this is a thing that has been known to happen for real. http://i.imgur.com/2lTPE.jpg

Name selection is TONS of fun, and something that I... wait for it... overthink all too easily. Sometimes you just gotta think of a name and run with it. I'm a fan of secret significance behind names, I like to see how long it takes people to find and point them out.

Kris Strife

2011-10-05, 11:20 PM

What's the dealy-o with these things anyway? Just jump in and start posting? :P

Well, pick or make a character. We mostly use OCs, but we've also had CrazyLyra, Blueblood, Trixie, the Main Caste, and Celestia. I think we had crazy Luna at one point.

Then just jump in and start posting. :smallbiggrin:

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 11:25 PM

I got really behind in this thread.

Have a derpy. <3

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISvAD6E7m-g/To0KiksPNKI/AAAAAAAANV4/_dHcvWVgA_8/s1600/Clipboard01.png

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 11:26 PM

I got really behind in this thread.

Have a derpy. <3

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISvAD6E7m-g/To0KiksPNKI/AAAAAAAANV4/_dHcvWVgA_8/s1600/Clipboard01.png

A fellow derpy lover! We must become friends hi I'm Ido.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 11:30 PM

So, I am exhausted, so I am just doing a quick response post and then going to bed. Full time work sucks.

To be fair, I think that it would be more accurate if you did it while wearing shoes on your hands, rather than socks (or both if you prefer).

Yeah, definitely.

I want video evidence. :smallbiggrin:

Don't worry, I plan on it!

BTW: Does anypony know when Season 2 Ep 3 Airs? I was so mad I though it was gonna be this weekend and I'd actually be able to watch it live on TV when it first hit and then it was just a rerun!

October 15th is when the new actual episodes start up.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/239/5/6/demotivational___furries_by_jarredspekter-d2xfsn3.png

YES. Thank you SiuiS. Thank you.

[COLOR="Magenta"]Flutteralert!

Now on ebay, a handmade Fluttershy plush with a sound chip (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280748267692)!

...
SPOILERED FOR FINANCIAL STUFF: Do not open if you care about how much money I have. (Trust me it makes sense. I just know that flashing money can be considered in very bad taste but that is not the point of this image I promise aaagh paranoia go away!)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3299/allofmymoney.png

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 11:31 PM

Opera.
.
.
.

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 11:32 PM

SPOILERED FOR FINANCIAL STUFF: Do not open if you care about how much money I have. (Trust me it makes sense.)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3299/allofmymoney.png

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

Nooo, as great as that is saving your money is even greater long term =0

Eakin

2011-10-05, 11:32 PM

SPOILERED FOR FINANCIAL STUFF: Do not open if you care about how much money I have. (Trust me it makes sense.)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3299/allofmymoney.png

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

ATTENTION PERSON WITH POOR IMPULSE CONTROL! WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED! STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY! REPEAT: STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY.

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 11:40 PM

Wellp, I've gone through and put together a chapter-by-chapter framework for the MLP/Firefly fanfic that's stuck in my head. But not 100% yet on the flow of things. Should probably go back and work on it some more before I begin drafting the chapters ... or do you guys find that you tend to re-write/change your plot significantly once you start writing?

Might post the synopsis or chapter-by-chapter framework here if anyone is interested in having a look and providing feedback =3 (Even if it's limited to "MLP/Firefly will never work because they are simply incompatible in terms of subject matter" ... because, yes, that is something that I've definitely been wrestling with, although I think I've got something workable. Even if it's a bit ambitious for a first MLP fanfic ><)

Aye. Once a writin endeavor is underway, it's a lot like exploring a cave. Going in, you know it runs north, bears east, is about 3 meters wide/tall, rough, and ends in a big room.

Actually going through, you see things that just didn't occur, because they were irrelevant at that level. The floor undulates. There are columns of rock formed by stalac- and stlagm-ites. You come across a pool of blind fish, and realize that you should have been mentioning the ever-growing puddles you've been coming across this whole time, and have to go back and foreshadow. Etc.

Writing is an arduous process, because an idea, and a well-written idea are different by magnitudes. I suspect folks like Thanqol and Raz use ultrasound and echolocation to map out more specifics than my line, circle, and approximations.

What's the dealy-o with these things anyway? Just jump in and start posting? :P

Congrats on the assignment upgrade btw. Nice to see a teacher who is willing to admit a mistake.

Aye, just jump on in. You see something a character would respond to, respond as that character. If it becomes more than a one-off joke, label is as RP and go to town.

Well, pick or make a character. We mostly use OCs, but we've also had CrazyLyra, Blueblood, Trixie, the Main Caste, and Celestia. I think we had crazy Luna at one point.

Then just jump in and start posting. :smallbiggrin:

I did a drunk Luna for a bit, until I foisted her off on MCerberus, who then almost lost her to the shipnote'd and lovestruck RebelHero.

And then a giant cthulhlu-esque construct of Pinkie's head, animated by the resonant memories of the pink one cultists had a tea party with a log.

We sort of get carried away with this stuff.

-

Not going to go through all me quotestuffs jus Now, so;
TITANIUM FOX (JADE)!
I'm gonna start making a sparse synopsis of stuff as I go through my quote walls. Could you help me out, keep a separate document wherein you right an overview of the thread? I'll do the same and post it every now and again.

Folks who want catchup; how far back should I start? Give me a thread number, sil vous plait.

SiuiS

2011-10-05, 11:43 PM

DON'T DO IT MAN

You can get hundreds of Fluttershys made for you at that price :smalleek:

Or hay, you could go visit this mysterious UK fillyfriend, if you want all the savings gone in one swoop. but I cannot call you friend, and in good conscience let you do it.

Seriously, the current bid is $200. Email the producer or find their deviantart accept, and be all "I have $300 cash in hand. I want a Fluttershy in the next 60 days. Do we have a deal?"

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 11:43 PM

Goodnight everypony!

Have some pic-a-tures:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/newsfeed/000/182/519/67579%20-%20Its_me_or_the_dog%20buttershy%20cupcake%20flutt ershy%20parody.png?1317862317
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/newsfeed/000/182/462/it_keeps_happening_by_uzumaxi-d4bwxgq.png?1317857011
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/182/461/keep_hittin___repeat_by_candyandbiffle-d4bwzyh.png?1317856956
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/newsfeed/000/182/480/tumblr_lslyhtApvy1r2tw6wo1_1280.gif?1317858418

Eakin

2011-10-05, 11:45 PM

Good work pony thread! It took like 8 threads but you finally got me to break down and change my avatar from "stabby dude in a black cloak" to something pony.

Now I just need an element!

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 11:46 PM

A fellow derpy lover! We must become friends hi I'm Ido.

Howdy. ^.^

Derpy rocks.

<--- See?

(Source (http://shiro.deviantart.com/art/Derpy-Hooves-200465835))

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

... that might be a bit much to spend, and you never know when an emergency will come up. It's your money though. :smallsmile:

Capt. Ido Nos

2011-10-05, 11:46 PM

Good work pony thread! It took like 8 threads but you finally got me to break down and change my avatar from "stabby dude in a black cloak" to something pony.

Now I just need an element!

Is the element of stabby taken? Siuis did you have that one covered?

Howdy. ^.^

Derpy rocks.

<--- See?

(Source (http://shiro.deviantart.com/art/Derpy-Hooves-200465835))
Not going to lie, I've seen that picture before, and it's still one of my favorites of her. So great /)^3^(\

But seriously, I can't decide which of the mane cast is my favorite, but it doesn't matter, because whoever I decide will only be second favorite, with Derpy at the top <3

Topaz

2011-10-05, 11:47 PM

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.
I posted that because I figured someone might have a legitimate interest, but NOT to encourage anypony to spend money they shouldn't.
I would feel really bad if I was responsible for that. http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

Edit: Yeah, commissions are the way to go.

Mando Knight

2011-10-05, 11:48 PM

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.
This is a fairly bad decision, especially if your bank charges for large withdrawals. For $12K, you could easily hire someone to make a high-quality Fluttershy plushie. I would make you one for $12K, though I would have to teach myself how first.

Titanium Fox

2011-10-05, 11:49 PM

Opera.
.
.
.

Eeeyup. Opera is best browser. http://i.imgur.com/gEfq6.jpg

Nooo, as great as that is saving your money is even greater long term =0

ATTENTION PERSON WITH POOR IMPULSE CONTROL! WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED! STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY! REPEAT: STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY.

Butbutbut... Fluttershy! (In seriousness, I do want to, but I know exactly how irresponsible that would be, and do not intend to actually do so. I did consider it, but I couldn't actually go through with it.)

Not going to go through all me quotestuffs jus Now, so;
TITANIUM FOX (JADE)!
I'm gonna start making a sparse synopsis of stuff as I go through my quote walls. Could you help me out, keep a separate document wherein you right an overview of the thread? I'll do the same and post it every now and again.

Folks who want catchup; how far back should I start? Give me a thread number, sil vous plait.

I would honestly say start from here and move forward. Make going through the backlogs kind of a "rainy day" project, if you wanna split them 13 and 13 that would be cool with me.

Also I don't know precisely how well I'm going to be able to keep up with this. At least until I get settled in at work. Time = No lately.

Also, are you thinking a document containing our quote-posts? Or just like...

TOPICS:
*Fluttertree Conspiracy
*Out in the Cold
*Season 2 Episode 3 Spoilers and Discussion
*Lix successfully clones herself, self shipping ensues
*etc...

DON'T DO IT MAN

You can get hundreds of Fluttershys made for you at that price :smalleek:

Or hay, you could go visit this mysterious UK fillyfriend, if you want all the savings gone in one swoop.

...Wow. Okay yeah. Point. I need to go to bed, not look at ponies on ebay. I think this might end poorly if I do.

I posted that because I figured someone might have a legitimate interest, but NOT to encourage anypony to spend money they shouldn't.

I would feel really bad if I was responsible for that. http://i.imgur.com/LWZja.jpg

This is a fairly bad decision, especially if your bank charges for large withdrawals. For $12K, you could easily hire someone to make a high-quality Fluttershy plushie. I would make you one for $12K, though I would have to teach myself how first.

I'm calm, I'm calm. I think I had a minor hemorrhage at seeing one that's actually show accurate (don't get me wrong the other ones are cute but you can still tell they're amateur). Don't worry, it's not going to happen.

...I guess now take it at face value for the lulz?

...P-Please? http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

Grif

2011-10-05, 11:53 PM

Good work pony thread! It took like 8 threads but you finally got me to break down and change my avatar from "stabby dude in a black cloak" to something pony.

Now I just need an element!

Element of Stabbing has not been taken as far as I can tell. :smallsmile:

Wellp, I've gone through and put together a chapter-by-chapter framework for the MLP/Firefly fanfic that's stuck in my head. But not 100% yet on the flow of things. Should probably go back and work on it some more before I begin drafting the chapters ... or do you guys find that you tend to re-write/change your plot significantly once you start writing?

Happens all the time. Especially if you suddenly get THAT IDEA that demands to be written into your story.

Eakin

2011-10-05, 11:56 PM

Is the element of stabby taken? Siuis did you have that one covered?

Not going to lie, I've seen that picture before, and it's still one of my favorites of her. So great /)^3^(\

But seriously, I can't decide which of the mane cast is my favorite, but it doesn't matter, because whoever I decide will only be second favorite, with Derpy at the top <3

I don't really FEEL stabby. Is the element of Treachery taken? That's vaguely related, and I did manage to rick roll several of you a few pages back, that's a LITTLE treacherous. At least by Equestria standards

I'll ponder this and figure something out before thread 27. Can someone repost the list of what's taken?

Beeskee

2011-10-05, 11:58 PM

Heck, for $1,000 you can buy a book on how to make plushes, and pick up a ton of material and filling, and make all the ponies you want...

...

Hang on I need to go buy a book.

MCerberus

2011-10-05, 11:58 PM

TOPICS:
*Fluttertree Conspiracy
*Out in the Cold
*Season 2 Episode 3 Spoilers and Discussion
*Lix successfully clones herself, self shipping ensues
*etc...

*There's a picture floating around that clearly shows Fluttershy sleeping with Rainbow Dash

*We need to find a way to make Midnight's life more complicated. Love triangle worked, but maybe Blueblood II could have a saucy 'improving' of their meeting published as part of a book

*Valve Hub can't count to 3

*Already happened. Twice. In the past 10 seconds

*et al

Kindablue

2011-10-06, 12:06 AM

man, that would suck. At that point I wouldn't even have had coffee; the glove would probably knock me senseless XD

And I was trying to say that, of the ponies who could apply science-y terms, I'm horribly unqualified. I mean, hay! I practice(d) holistic medicine, spinal fluid manipulation and shiatsu. I'm three chunks of quartz and one mismatched mythology away from being a hack.

I don't actually own a frilly powdered glove right now, but there are a lot of metropolitan areas between us--I'll find one. And you're looking at it backwards. That's the perfect excuse for misusing jargon. If Deepak Chopra can be on TV all the time claiming that the Heisenberg uncertainty principle is the ticket to financial success with no one ever calling him on it, then you can get away with using literally whatever science-y terms you want as long as they sound legit.

Anyway, test tomorrow, I should be asleep.

Thanqol

2011-10-06, 12:06 AM

What's the dealy-o with these things anyway? Just jump in and start posting? :P

Congrats on the assignment upgrade btw. Nice to see a teacher who is willing to admit a mistake.

Apparently! That's what I'm going with!

And yeah, I think the fact that I've been immensely on-topic in his classes encouraged him to take another look. You know the type of class where the tutor asks a question and nobody answers and then they gotta answer their own question? Never happen in a tute I'm in these days. Ponies helped me overcome my social phobias/apathy.

So I'm totally jamming most of your post into one quote even though it wasn't all at me but TOO BAD I'm going to respond to it anyway!http://i.imgur.com/jaolo.jpg

That's pretty wild to me, to start with a character, THEN work out their thought processes. As a personal note, I am an INTJ on the Myers Briggs scale. I am nothing if not someone that thinks and analyzes things on what is probably an absurd scale. I like to build systems and toy with worldviews. It is very difficult for me to envision a character and to NOT see them as a three dimensional person from the start, and try to pick apart their thoughts and motivations. If someone or something falls short of that it's hard to see past them as merely a 2D entity that serves a single purpose, be it a running gag or what all else have you.

Trying to develop a thought process in abstract is, in my experience, doomed to failure. Without living the role a bit you're essentially building stereotypes on stereotypes. Think about it this way - without roleplaying the character you're constructing, you can't learn anything about them. Actually playing the character is the system you use to analyse a thought pattern.

A character that works is, for me, one who can be put in any context or setting and be a viable character in that setting. Emotions, moods, base assumptions and destinations. And that involves reducing the character to a few basic foundational principles, and then looking at whatever world through the context of those principles. Aim and release.

I have a ball looking at characters and figuring them out. It makes it easy to understand why people do what they do, and it makes it hard to see other people's interpretations when they go off model, or my perceived model at least. It's even harder for me to start from scratch and make a new character, because I want to give them that spark of personality depth right off the bat. Only trick is that's an amazingly huge undertaking for a blank slate, and it's hard for me to think of a seed to grow an OC out of, and not have it feel like a gimmick, like this character's entire state of being is dependent on that one foundational seed. http://i.imgur.com/2c0gc.jpg Characters ARE thought patterns, it's hard to separate the two ideas for me, but then it turns into the old chicken/egg problem.

My process for coming up with seeds involves strange word association games and stuff. Abstract terms. Echoes, Victory, Isolation, Volume, and Pride were the words that directly lead to Jayden. A set of themes that I can see everywhere in the character. Words like that form the foundations of thought patterns.

My point here is, for me, if you do character gen right then characters will write themselves.

I guess I can say that I do argue with my own OCs, if one considers my circles OCs in and of their own right, haha. But that's almost like a visual representation of my conflicts of interest. I do plan on making that a story one day (the sooner the better) in which the different aspects of myself are narrating my own life, and maintain a running dialogue with themselves, and occasionally me in real life, to the confusion of those around me. This... this is a thing that has been known to happen for real. http://i.imgur.com/2lTPE.jpg

Heh, sounds cool.

Name selection is TONS of fun, and something that I... wait for it... overthink all too easily. Sometimes you just gotta think of a name and run with it. I'm a fan of secret significance behind names, I like to see how long it takes people to find and point them out.

Names must:
- Have a nickname/affectionate version
- Be able to be shouted
- Sound reasonable at every level of shortening/lengthening.
- Colour the personality of the character who grew up with that name.

Jayden Brackman/Mavel:
Jayden: Androgynous, soft, memetic, sounds good no matter the volume/emotion, particularly easy to say while exasperated. Mavel: (Mother's name) Low-brow, sugar-sweet pop-star-ish, links to Marvel. Brackman: (Father's name) Cold, scientific, ugly, harsh, sounds like crunching rocks and is True.

Sound matters more than meaning.

Grif

2011-10-06, 12:09 AM

I don't really FEEL stabby. Is the element of Treachery taken? That's vaguely related, and I did manage to rick roll several of you a few pages back, that's a LITTLE treacherous. At least by Equestria standards

I'll ponder this and figure something out before thread 27. Can someone repost the list of what's taken?

Here we go (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11914578&postcount=6).

the_druid_droid

2011-10-06, 12:11 AM

What's the dealy-o with these things anyway? Just jump in and start posting? :P

Congrats on the assignment upgrade btw. Nice to see a teacher who is willing to admit a mistake.

As others have said, come up with a character and jump on in! The water's fine!

*Squeal* An assignment of mine got upgraded from 5/10 (pass) to 9/10 (high distinction) because the tutor admitted he made a mistake in phrasing the question and I answered the question that was asked rather than the one he thought he was asking. Highest mark in class. Eeeeeee!

Congrats! Something like that happened on one of my homework assignments a while back, and it was a big relief to get the regrade back and see the change!

It was a bedraggled young earth pony who slowly walked towards Canterlot.

Bronze for her coat, gold for her mane, streak of silver across her brow and mark of a dove in a thunderstorm on her flank. She looked regal, wealthy, proud, aristocratic - the eye kept looking for a crown that wasn't there. In a rather jarring contrast, she wore a bulky and intimidating metal saddle-machine-generator-thing, swarming with twisted wires and cables and humming ominously. Red wires attached silver metal buzzers on her hooves and tied into her tail to the monstrous backpack.

She was also soaked to the bone. There was strange thick, grey smoke seeping from the interior of the device, with a distinctly acidic smell to it. Ever so often, the power gauge on the machine spiked up, sending a brief electric shock through the pony. The jolts shook her but they didn't even break her stride or draw her attention.

RP Time:
A strange sound brought the clockwork pony out of his focus on self-repair. The mechanical humming grew louder as he glanced up, catching sight of the approaching stranger as she appeared from around a bend in the road. There was a soft whine of servos adjusting as his gaze flicked between the striking earth pony and the equally striking machine she carried.

Certainly, Second Hand was no stranger to mechanical devices, but most ponies treated them as novelties or status symbols; it was rare to see pony and machine so integrated (outside himself, of course). His surprise might explain why the only greeting he could come up with was a monosyllable.

"Wow."

After a moment, the clockwork pony recovered, and it dawned on him that the smoke might not be an original design feature of the machine.

"A-are you alright?"

ATTENTION PERSON WITH POOR IMPULSE CONTROL! WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED! STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY! REPEAT: STEP AWAY FROM THE BID KEY.

I need to keep someone like you around at all times...I'd probably spend much less on Amazon <.< >.>

Aaaand I think it's time for bed now! G'night thread!

Thanqol

2011-10-06, 12:15 AM

RP Time:
A strange sound brought the clockwork pony out of his focus on self-repair. The mechanical humming grew louder as he glanced up, catching sight of the approaching stranger as she appeared from around a bend in the road. There was a soft whine of servos adjusting as his gaze flicked between the striking earth pony and the equally striking machine she carried.

Certainly, Second Hand was no stranger to mechanical devices, but most ponies treated them as novelties or status symbols; it was rare to see pony and machine so integrated (outside himself, of course). His surprise might explain why the only greeting he could come up with was a monosyllable.

"Wow."

After a moment, the clockwork pony recovered, and it dawned on him that the smoke might not be an original design feature of the machine.

"A-are you alright?"

"Hm?" The gold-coloured pony looked up from her own thoughts, and then reflexively bowed her head. "Good afternoon. Do not concern yourself about my wellbeing; I merely learned an important lesson about waterproofing."

The formality was crisp and practised, politeness taking absolute priority over the hint of bafflement in her eyes.

I need to keep someone like you around at all times...I'd probably spend much less on Amazon <.< >.>

I have a phobia against spending money in general.

Beeskee

2011-10-06, 12:23 AM

Probably an old one, but still awesome:

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-dont-push-my-buttons.jpg

Eakin

2011-10-06, 12:34 AM

Probably an old one, but still awesome:

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-dont-push-my-buttons.jpg

Poor women is never going to live down signing those modeling contracts in her filly days.

"I was young and foolish and needed the money! Pink hair was ALL THE RAGE!"

Somebody's getting banished to the moon for Pinkestia

Kris Strife

2011-10-06, 12:36 AM

*We need to find a way to make Midnight's life more complicated. Love triangle worked, but maybe Blueblood II could have a saucy 'improving' of their meeting published as part of a book

*Already happened. Twice. In the past 10 seconds

I think we need to combine the two of these. :smalltongue:

Cause it's either that, or... Hey, Lix, would you like to play Exalted Pony Lix too? :smallbiggrin:

OracleofWuffing

2011-10-06, 12:37 AM

Seeing that bidding stuff there makes me wonder if I should make that printable model I'm working on a Fluttershy. She's probably my favorite, but I really shouldn't use an existing pony for something to print like this. Also, just looking around to see if anyone else has ponies on their Shapeways, I did come across a few...

Twilight Sparkle (http://www.shapeways.com/model/311959/), only one I saw in color-printable-readiness.

Rainbow Dash (http://www.shapeways.com/model/304668/), I'm jealous of this guy's wings but there's no way that's going to play well in the colored material.

A blank pegasus (http://www.shapeways.com/model/322673/), maybe Fluttershy based. I like the seams he's got going there, but those look like really thin wings. :smalleek: Painting the head/hair area would get frustrating, too.

Eakin

2011-10-06, 12:39 AM

I think some of our more ship happy members need to go review the forum Sexual Harassment Policy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1LSZyd801-s)

otakuryoga

2011-10-06, 12:47 AM

I think some of our more ship happy members need to go review the forum Sexual Harassment Policy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1LSZyd801-s)

that was AWESOME!!

Eakin

2011-10-06, 12:57 AM

that was AWESOME!!

I KNOW RIGHT? http://i.imgur.com/Dy4NS.jpg

I was SO sure the video it was based on was a spoof of some kind. But I looked at the source video and it honestly looks like something a human resources department would whip up, so now I think there's roughly a 63.7% chance that it's genuine.

SiuiS

2011-10-06, 12:59 AM

Eeeyup. Opera is best browser. http://i.imgur.com/gEfq6.jpg

Why?

I would honestly say start from here and move forward. Make going through the backlogs kind of a "rainy day" project, if you wanna split them 13 and 13 that would be cool with me.

Also I don't know precisely how well I'm going to be able to keep up with this. At least until I get settled in at work. Time = No lately.

Also, are you thinking a document containing our quote-posts? Or just like...

TOPICS:
*Fluttertree Conspiracy
*Out in the Cold
*Season 2 Episode 3 Spoilers and Discussion
*Lix successfully clones herself, self shipping ensues
*etc...

I would think more like the list, except anything of real note could be done in a paragraph or two, rather than just a bullet point. I would also prefer we do it in tandem, if only because we each find different things important; some things we both quote, sure, but there are also differences which lead to a rounded perspective.

Given the nature of the project though, I think I'll establish a set of google docs to record the annals of pony. Annals. Two Ns. Good gracious you people are dirty-minded.

I am the quotesman, why not take it up a notch to archivist? All I need is a tutorial on how gdocs works on the iPhone, and I'm set. Or to buy that desktop Thanqol made me want.

...Wow. Okay yeah. Point. I need to go to bed, not look at ponies on ebay. I think this might end poorly if I do.

I'm calm, I'm calm. I think I had a minor hemorrhage at seeing one that's actually show accurate (don't get me wrong the other ones are cute but you can still tell they're amateur). Don't worry, it's not going to happen.

...I guess now take it at face value for the lulz?

...P-Please? http://i.imgur.com/RBgwp.jpg

It's cool. You just triggered my contingencies with specific numbers.

Winning the lottery is a life changing event because I'm poor. Always have been. It's not even a money issue, but an outlook one. I could live the next ten years at a dead-end job I love in a $600/month one bedroom apartment, because I have what I need; integrity, friends, imagination and hobbies.

2 million in the bank at 1%+ interest (not hard to find at that level) generates 20k a year - average salary for the first 3 years somepony works. Add a job you love, and boom! Set for life. If I win the lottery, random friends and family are getting accounts worth 2mil each, and if they ever ask for a cent I'll punch their lights out XD

$10,000 USD specifically - what you considered bidding - is an adventurig fund. Get supplies (backpack, water skins, rations, walking stick, change of clothes, extra socks, prepaid phone, medkit, overcoat, hat), put $500 on your person spread out in $5-20 increments, and squirrel away the rest in a prepaid debt card. Then go backpacking across the country, with plenty of money for hotel rooms, taxis, and a flight home if you wuss out.

That is to say, it is an amount of money I have specifically put a lot of romanticized thought into, so I had an immediate idea of how you could make it more worth your while.

... More words I throw out, more condescending I sound. I really need to reevaluate my communication processes...

I have a phobia against spending money in general.

Me too! It makes it all the stranger that I seem to run out so fast XD

Eakin

2011-10-06, 01:06 AM

2 million in the bank at 1%+ interest (not hard to find at that level) generates 20k a year - average salary for the first 3 years somepony works. Add a job you love, and boom! Set for life. If I win the lottery, random friends and family are getting accounts worth 2mil each, and if they ever ask for a cent I'll punch their lights out XD

$10,000 USD specifically - what you considered bidding - is an adventurig fund. Get supplies (backpack, water skins, rations, walking stick, change of clothes, extra socks, prepaid phone, medkit, overcoat, hat), put $500 on your person spread out in $5-20 increments, and squirrel away the rest in a prepaid debt card. Then go backpacking across the country, with plenty of money for hotel rooms, taxis, and a flight home if you wuss out.

That is to say, it is an amount of money I have specifically put a lot of romanticized thought into, so I had an immediate idea of how you could make it more worth your while.

... More words I throw out, more condescending I sound. I really need to reevaluate my communication processes...

You can do WAY better than the 1% a year return from a checking account, even playing conservatively. At 1% a year you're losing real wealth to inflation all the time. But I totally agree about using money to have an adventure or experience rather than just buying a thing. People who do that are happier according to my favorite scientific journal, Articles I Read Somewhere On The Internet One Time.

BlasTech

2011-10-06, 01:08 AM

SPOILERED FOR FINANCIAL STUFF: Do not open if you care about how much money I have. (Trust me it makes sense. I just know that flashing money can be considered in very bad taste but that is not the point of this image I promise aaagh paranoia go away!)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3299/allofmymoney.png

...S-Should I do it? I'm hovering over the bid button. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

I say the NEIGH!!

[color="green"]

Aye. Once a writin endeavor is underway, it's a lot like exploring a cave. Going in, you know it runs north, bears east, is about 3 meters wide/tall, rough, and ends in a big room.

Actually going through, you see things that just didn't occur, because they were irrelevant at that level. The floor undulates. There are columns of rock formed by stalac- and stlagm-ites. You come across a pool of blind fish, and realize that you should have been mentioning the ever-growing puddles you've been coming across this whole time, and have to go back and foreshadow. Etc.

Writing is an arduous process, because an idea, and a well-written idea are different by magnitudes. I suspect folks like Thanqol and Raz use ultrasound and echolocation to map out more specifics than my line, circle, and approximations.

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I'm starting to think I should just say the high-level planning I've done so far is good enough and start getting "into the cave" so to speak and writing up chapters. However, I did see some writing advice that stated "plan plan plan plan" is the way to go for best results, hence why I wanted to check before moving off that stage.

That said, while I think I have a handle on the "Actions/Events" cave system I have a feeling I need to take another look at the "Character Progression" layer of things and see if that makes sense. I have a feeling that will be the harder one to plot out properly, and I've always found that to be the one that makes or breaks a story.

Element of Stabbing has not been taken as far as I can tell. :smallsmile:

Happens all the time. Especially if you suddenly get THAT IDEA that demands to be written into your story.

Yeah, the scene that just demands to be included. The concept that just clicks to explain why someone does something. That will come in time once I get writing I guess.

Here we go (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11914578&postcount=6).

Can I grab Element of Smiles? (If that's ok :smallsmile:)

I think some of our more ship happy members need to go review the forum Sexual Harassment Policy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1LSZyd801-s)

I'm kind of scared to click that link ... thankfully it's a moot point until I get home where youtube is no longer blocked :P

Rappy

2011-10-06, 01:36 AM

I'm kind of scared to click that link ... thankfully it's a moot point until I get home where youtube is no longer blocked :P
It's worth clicking when you get home. Truuuust in uuuus. http://i.imgur.com/RsI1d.jpg

Beeskee

2011-10-06, 01:52 AM

That video is hilarious. :smallsmile:

Moar Derpy

Derpy's custom Gala dress (http://drchrissy.deviantart.com/art/Derpy-Hooves-Dressed-for-Gala-197374456)

Derpy's Gala dress as designed by Rarity (http://c-puff.deviantart.com/art/Derpy-Gala-Dress-216264132)

Mail, Derpy style (http://ganton3.deviantart.com/art/INSTANT-DERPY-EXTRA-217760078)

Grif

2011-10-06, 01:59 AM

Can I grab Element of Smiles? (If that's ok :smallsmile:)

Sure. :smallbiggrin:

Now, for some DisQordin' (http://ganton3.deviantart.com/#/d4a6hjl)!

Thanqol

2011-10-06, 02:02 AM

I think my favourite take on Derpy is Hardworking Derpy. The Derpy who believes in herself and gives 100%, damn the consequences.

Beeskee

2011-10-06, 02:06 AM

I definitely prefer that over the ones where she's some form of damaged goods. Let's face it tho, like any background pony with no lines or written personality, she's such a complete blank slate that people can fill in with *anything* and it will fit. I've seen some things where she has a PHD in theoretical physics.

If she didn't have crossed eyes in the first episode, she wouldn't have stood out at all. I'm glad she did.

C-c-c-combo breaker. Not Derpy. (http://peperoger.deviantart.com/art/Refreshing-260921140)

BlasTech

2011-10-06, 02:32 AM

It's worth clicking when you get home. Truuuust in uuuus. http://i.imgur.com/RsI1d.jpg

Wellp, if the element of Honesty vouches for it, what's the worst that can happen?

*Watches the video*

... wat

*dies (from Laughter)*

Nameless

2011-10-06, 02:32 AM

I got really behind in this thread.

Have a derpy. <3

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISvAD6E7m-g/To0KiksPNKI/AAAAAAAANV4/_dHcvWVgA_8/s1600/Clipboard01.png

I d'aw'd and lawl'd all at the same time. /)w(\

Kris Strife

2011-10-06, 02:59 AM

Probably an old one, but still awesome:

http://chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-dont-push-my-buttons.jpg

Hey, Midnight... :smallamused:

I think my favourite take on Derpy is Hardworking Derpy. The Derpy who believes in herself and gives 100%, damn the consequences.

I definitely prefer that over the ones where she's some form of damaged goods.

I've seen some things where she has a PHD in theoretical physics.

These aren't really mutually exclusive. A combo canon cannon: Derpy has a degree in theoretical physics, but when Pinkie proved that physics don't actually work in Equestria, it "broke" Derpy. She's still smart, just mentally discombobulated just beyond absentminded professor, and with a degree that doesn't have much use. So, in between being Dr. Whooves' companion, she's the town mailmare/delivery person, Carrot Tops' fridge raiding roommate and a mother. :smallbiggrin:

Dexam

2011-10-06, 04:03 AM

First of all, thanks to everypony for their best wishes, hugs, and concern.

Five weeks to go... http://i.imgur.com/NOiOY.jpg

This, this, a thousand times, this. The best character ideas I've had have sprung up as a character is being played. Seeing them in action, something about their personality and the situations they find themselves in just clicks and you suddenly start realizing backstory details that you just thought of, but totally have fit the character this whole time.

This is what I was talking about when I said to feed the character and let it go. Very few characters spring to mind fully-formed. Creation is a positive feedback loop - they need interaction with other characters to know how they act and react.

This is something I struggle with a lot with my characters, and something that is a major risk to including yourself in a character. Yes, every character starts with a speck of their creator, but that's all you want to add; a speck. Too much, and you find that your thoughts and your character's thoughts are similar 90% of the time. Which makes it incredibly easy to ignore that last 10% of vital character difference, and before you know it, you're just RP'ing as yourself. I've fallen into that trap numerous times, and only some last-minute character flaws that popped up as I was playing them kept them separate from me.

I agree with adding a speck of the creator remark. That is what I mean by the "seed". In many of my characters, I've taken an aspect or two of my personality and isolated it in order to explore it. A couple of my characters... they are not nice people, and don't really belong in a ponythread. To be honest, I kind of didn't like them, and they scared me a little.

The seed part is the tricky part here (I think of it in terms of aiming/preparing conditions for momentum). I've got a method for it that works wonders for me, though. I give each character an Ideal - what their perfect world and enlightenment looks like, and then I come up with a flawed version of the Ideal that will lead them down the wrong path. And the characters literally write themselves from there.

Interesting... I shall have to give that a try next time I want to flesh out a character concept.

Ok, you have me there. I suppose I should narrow it down to there being no terrible wasting sicknesses. For example, no bubonic plague, polio, influenza or the like. Sweetie Bell being sick is one thing, Sweetie Bell getting giant puss filled sores of liquid pain is something completely different.

Either that, or Equestria is a lot less of a utopia than we are shown. Perhaps the entire series is a propaganda reel by Princess Celestia to blind people of the great injustices of pony society.

Spike caught a cold at the end of Winter Wrap Up, so clearly viruses exist, and are transmissible from equine to dragon.

Consider this an e-hug to the both of you! Or at least a hearty, cheerful slap on the shoulder, and an invigorating grin.

Note: invigorating grin might instead be creepy. No refunds.

Not so awesome. What can be said but press on, stiff upper lip, and look forwards to the prize that is being run for. Don't falter, don't give up, and never surrender. Just keep running until you can run no more, and then keep running, though it costs you everything.

Preach it, brother.

1. Nothing wrong with creepy grins. *stares, grinning*

2. And that's just the nature of my job. Miss a day or two, and stuff just piles up. :smallsigh:

3. I have been. Some of my real life friends who I think would be total bronies if they would just watch the show are proving to be resilient.

Names must:
- Have a nickname/affectionate version
- Be able to be shouted
- Sound reasonable at every level of shortening/lengthening.
- Colour the personality of the character who grew up with that name.
<snip>

Sound matters more than meaning.

Agreed - how a name sounds is vital in reflecting the nature of the character. Essentially, the name is summary of the character - just look at the Mane Six and many of the supporting characters for perfect examples of this.