Golden Sun: The Trading Card Game.

As the blog site is acting up at the moment I shall post my ideas here.

When it is working again I will utilise the number one technique one learns whilst at University, Crtl+c Ctrl-v.

Recently while being ground into the dust by my friends Vampire Life Gain deck we got to talking how awesome Golden Sun is. Now for those of you out there that don’t know what Golden Sun is (and I know my 5 readers in Russia might not know) it is a freaking awesome game where you awesomely go around doing awesome stuff with awesome magical critters dubbed “Djinn”.

Anyway he then had a brilliant idea; Why not make a Golden Sun trading card game?

Well the most obvious answer being; It is incredibly hard to do so, we haven’t had any previous experience in the field of making a collectable trading card game, our views on the rules would be HEAVILY tainted on Magic: The Gathering, if anything it would be more suited to fit into a Dungeons and Dragonsesque game as Golden Sun itself IS an RPG. All of these options fluttered around my head before noticing I was at 2 life and he had 3 Vampire Nighthawks out with a Sanguine Bond out and I did not want to anger the great Shaun.

“Sure, why not?” I answered before getting ploughed in the face for 12 (curse those Tendrils of Corruption).

And so began the long arduous task of creating one.

It is very much a work in progress and things are open to change at any time because of how incredibly buggy and imbalanced everything is but thoughts and problems would be nice.

Oh and to go on with the somewhat Trading Card Game direction this post is taking look at this:

Now look me in the face and tell me that that wouldn't be an awesome tool to have on something like, oh I don't know. A 3DS!

Just playing a game of magic and whats that? I have a 3DS? BAM! Characters are coming out of the cards limbs are flying everywhere. That girl finally finds me attractive.

Everyone wins.

Well maybe except the guy whose limbs are flying everywhere but Nintendo! Do you hear me Nintendo? You need to make this happen!

Ahem.

Anyway, back to this Golden Sun Trading Card Game, which if it makes any money at all will just fuel my Magic: The Gathering addiction.

Basically you have Two Adepts of your Choice.

These Adepts can be equipped with different Djinn. You may set one Djinn a turn.

You also have Location cards which act a bit like Field cards in Yu Gi Oh or Enchantments in Magic.

They only last for one turn though.

You also have Psynergies. To cast these you must tap the appropriate amount of Djinn of that element.

Oh and Summons as well! They are awesome!

Oh screw it; this is from his email.

·         Each player has 2 Adepts he or she controls. At any time during a turn, you may call for an ally using Djinn, inviting a guest into the party.

·         Each Adept begins the battle with 30 health. Allies will have a specified health.

·         Adepts gets 3 abilities. Allies get 2. They can be offensive signified by the +X (the + signifying positive damage), neutral given by a 0 (meaning it does not affect health), defensive given by X (the number signifying the defensive capabilities of the ability) and healing with –X (the – meaning negative damage is applied to a player).

·         Damage can be specified in two synonymous ways. +1 is equivalent to 1 Physical (or Elemental) Damage. Same with Health: -1 is equivalent to 1 Health.

·         Each ability will identify a target. Single target means one Adept. Two targets means two Adepts. “Each” means all Adepts on one side. However, a single target offensive ability cannot be used on an Adept in your party. Similarly, a single target healing ability cannot be used on an opposing Adept. Simply put: you cannot damage allies or heal enemies.

·         Other than basic abilities or Djinn, Psynergy, Allies and Summons will have a cost for their use and the currency being Djinn. For example: the Mercury and Mars Summon “Ulysses” specifies the use of 2 Mercury Djinn and 2 Mars Djinn.

·         When attacking, your opponent must announce any and all defensive or neutral abilities they wish to use (offensive and healing abilities may not be used for defense unless specified by another card). You must then announce all special conditions and abilities you are using (Djinn, Psynergy, Location, Residual Effects from last turn etc.) to attack them.

·         Djinn can be set to any Adept, regardless of element. Djinn used for their abilities will unset for 2 turns. Djinn used to unleash Psynergy will unset for 1 turn. Djinn used to invoke Summons will unset for 2 turns. And Djinn used to call for allies unset for 2 turns.

·         Locations can only be played at the beginning of a turn.

·         (Element) Djinn Boost X. Means the ability in question deals X more damage or prevents X more damage when set with a Djinn of the specified element. If no element is specified, any element Djinn will provide the boost. However, if for example the ability specifies Mars Djinn Boost 2 and only 1 Mars Djinn is set, the ability will only deal 1 extra damage. When the second Mars Djinn is set, the full boost is attained. When a third Mars Djinn is set, there is no extra boost.

·         Offensive and Defensive abilities are also given an attribute. They can be Elemental or Physical. Elemental Defensive abilities will only reduce damage from Elemental Offensive abilities, Physical Offensive abilities will deal the full amount of damage and vice versa.

·         Certain cards can be played upside down. For example the summons Procne and Thor share the same card. The player may choose which way to play the card, but may only play it one way before it is discarded.

·         Certain Summons, Psynergy and Djinn will increase or decrease attack and defense. These will say something along the lines of: “3 Physical damage to one Adept. 2 Physical damage to another Adept. Flip a coin: Next turn Defense -1.” The term ‘Defense -1’ means any defensive abilities used to stop Elemental of Physical Damage will be able to prevent 1 less damage than usual.

·         “Flip a coin: Next turn Defense -1.” Means, flip a coin and call what you will. If you win, you win the effect specified; in this case, next turn your opponents defensive abilities are weakened.

·         A ‘Negative effect’ is anything such as the effect described in the rule above. If an ability specifies that you remove any negative status effects, it means that effects such as the one above no longer apply to the targets specified in the ability.

      

So yeah... it is very rough and we have made a plethora of changes since then. We are currently toying with the idea of making certain cards Shiny and Mythic Rare that we can hoard and sell for MASSIVE amounts of money.

In Retrospect

The whole idea where I was going to update this thing daily somewhat fell hard on its face, quite hard.
So to make it up to you, my loyal viewer, I will preform a quaint little song and dance routine.

Or instead I could entertain you with these cool facts.
ICE BLOCKS WERE ONCE MADE OF WATER!

SAVE ME!

D:



On another note:
BAM!



Enjoy.

And so it begins.

In an effort to stop me going insane I have compiled all my aspirations into a small metaphorical ball to present to you in daily form my recent going ons. This outlet will prove useful when I decide to become a criminal mastermind and need to air my grievances of the world as well as goad my inevitable arch nemesis.
"But wait!" I hear you cry due to the small camera I have placed in your room, "Isn't that the whole point of  a blog? Haven't you been doing this all along anyway."
Oh hahahahahaha! I reply in a jolly fashion. Don't be so naive child, have you not read my previous entries and if not then why are you complaining about the change of direction this blog is changing if you have not invested any interest into it already?
You really are shallow and immature. Shame on you.

So while straightening my tie and feeling smugly superior I carry on.

With my parents in Singapore and my sister somewhere in America, I have acquired the house all to myself for the next few weeks. Already, after 12 long hours in solitude I have started to notice some side effects to my isolation. The fourth finger on my right hand has swollen up a tiny bit and my apathy has increased marginally by a factor of 2%. I put both of these symptoms down to the lack of communication with the outside world, leaving me in a very much 'out of the loop' state of mind.
Without other human beings around me to try to spark up conversations I have grown weary of the day to day musings of life as life itself has no meaning. What is the point of my pitiful existence if it has no impact on the outside world? And how am I possibly going to measure my worth as a human being if I cannot interact with the outside world to determine my overall impact.
As such even musing about the meaningless of life has no meaning as I have no way to verify my claim that life is meaningless.
They say the first 12 hours is the hardest. Personally I would like to meet this 'they'. They have said a lot of things in the past which I have not been happy about, often with no references or data. This group of people who call themselves 'they' should be more closely monitored as they could spark up civil interest and unrest according to this latest study that I read somewhere.
Being out of the loop is an unnatural feeling. Has a war started in Korea yet? Have we discovered a new source of fuel to quiet the masses? What has happened to Oprah?
OH TELL ME WHAT OPRAH DID!? LIKE! WHAT DID SHE EAT FOR LUNCH!? I NEED TO KNOW!

So anyway, 12 hours down of my self inflicted solitude and only 350 odd left to go.

The Lonesome Knight!

The knight was young for the straggle moose

Not a day over thirty five

So I wonder why it let him loose

Why it let the brave knight survive?

Some speculate that the moon did help

The rather dashing young man

By raising the tides and sending in kelp

To distract the moose while he ran

Others say the moose took pity

Of the knight, all bound up tight

For it did snatch him from the city

And let me tell you it was quite a sight

There the knight was playing poker

With his horse along as well

He was out of chips, bet his super soaker

With a kidney he could sell.

The cards were flopped the hands were queried

His opponent raised some Sauce

Reluctantly the knight quite wearied

Offered up his horse

But his horse said “Neigh!” and cantered off

Leaving the knight alone

The cards were shown, he was at a loss

He admitted he got pwned.

His opponent then, unsheaving a knife

Demanded the other kidney

The knight objected “I need that for life!

Of your presence you shall rid me!”

A brawl was started, the knight but one

The others had a plenty

With their numbers they did overcome

One knight is no match for twenty

Broken and maimed the knight hobbled out

Into the bustling city

He hit a cart, stepped on a lout

The resulting case was not pretty

Alas the knight was overcome

By the lout and his friends they

Did pummel the knight who was but one

The thugs were a plenty

The knight was setting a course for home

when he did trip over his son

He helped him up, “Why you’re all alone”

Then he saw what the son had done

His arms were slashed, his liver missing

The son did rise “from the east

They came with swords and snakes a hissing

They said they needed a feast”

The knight rose up while his son sat down

The situation was bad he deduced

The last thing he saw before blacking out with a frown

Were the horns of a lone straggle moose.

Thus ends the tale of the Lonesome Knight

Even though there are some loose ends

The bad guys were captured their wounds were healed

And Everybody made amends

Except for the straggle moose

It  is of course on the loose

Hunting down maidens
Playing some raiden

Which is quite a feat if you have hoofs. 

Two Peanuts

Breaking his 2 month long silence our Author pauses and deliberates what to write about next.
Pen poised and mind at the ready he slowly inches his way over to the lever of inspiration which he must pry free with the stick of hard work unleashing it from the cruel harsh grips of laziness.

And thus he writes:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Bobby was not your ordinary peanut, oh no. Bobby was what you would refer to as a special nut.
You see Bobby was different from all the other peanuts. While the other peanuts would play their special peanut games with each other Bobby would be excluded and shunned from the group.
It barely bothered Bobby, or at least that is what he told himself. It gave him more time to himself, it gave him more time to think.
Bobby liked to think.

"A bright lad, bright lad", Mr Hersworth, Bobby's algebra teacher would say of Bobby while puffing on his pipe, "A tad bit quiet though, and a little bit...special".
"Oh yes, I would say he is extremely bright, although he is also a very strange boy, very special." Was how Mrs Tennytot would describe Bobby.
Though the truth was that all the teachers at Little Peanutington Elementary were a tiny bit afraid of young Bobby. Bobby intimidated them, they gave them the willies.
He would always sit upright and pay attention to whatever they said, adsorbing all their words. He was like a sponge, no a vacuum, sucking in everything into his little peanut head.
You see Bobby listened and that was the most unnerving thing about him. Bobby listened to everything.
Bobby liked to listen.

It was sixth period and the school day was nearing a close. The minute hand was slowly meandering towards the number twelve and all of Bobby's classmates were restless with the seemingly endless possibilities that stretch from the long hours of three until dinner...


I WILL CONTINUE THIS AT A LATER DATE!
BUT NOW! DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS BECKONS!

Short Story

Some of my more astute viewers might remember a story I posted late last year regarding an onion, chemistry and a Little Black Shirted Man.
Well the Fruvivor competition this year was pretty much the same so here is a totally original STORY!
Enjoy!





As one sweeps the universe for all its mysteries one often forgets to notice the little oddities that lie close to home. From the Pistol Shrimp’s unique way of stunning fish to the Cordyceps fungus’ fascinating way of population control there are so many oddities that we glance over simply because they have become the norm. Perhaps the most interesting oddity that we have grown to forget, one that is more interesting than the Pistol Shrimp, more fascinating than the Cordyceps fungus and more odd than a metamorphous of a caterpillar is a small group of dedicated people who have devoted their lives to remind the world of the loss it has sustained. Through them, the world may relive the essence of joy, the power of knowledge and the friendly smile that united nations. Through them, the world may remember Tyler.



Our story takes place at the First Church Of Tyler, located on a hill by the river. It is a grand place indeed, with pillars that reach up to the sky and the walls adorned with paintings of Tyler. It reminds the world of what it has lost.

“And so,” Droned LBSM sporting a Little Black Clerical Outfit, “We must live each day as Tyler intended. We must grasp all possibilities and make them our own. We must be as Tyler was, loving caring and above all logical. And I hear you wonder, ‘But how can we be as Tyler was? How can we be that perfect?’ well do not worry. We can never be as Tyler truly was, only a pale shadow compared to him. He does not expect us to be as him, only that we continue on his legacy. Go in peace brethren.”

“And shall Tyler light the way.” Responded the congregation as one.

“That was an excellent sermon you gave,” said Sammy as the congregation moved out onto the lawn.

“Thankyou Brother Sammy, I felt Tyler’s spirits run through me today.”

“So you still feel him then?” Questioned Sammy, “It’s just that lately I have not been feeling the spirit of Tyler as I once did, I just wonder if it is possible if you were able to-”

“Now Sammy,” interrupted LBSM, “We both know the Great Tyler doeth move in mysterious ways.”

“But I just feel that my passion is fading, my mind has been slipping. Wouldn’t it be possible for you to just give me-”

“No, I am afraid not. Now if you excuse me I have to attend to the books.”



Somewhat disappointed Good Sammy left the alter and stumbled outside into the light wondering what had become of himself and his faith. He had once been a devotee of Tyler, one of his firsts. He did as Tyler did and ate what Tyler ate. He was the model devotee, a shining example but then the incident occurred… they never did find the body.

“Hey Sammy!” Interrupted Kayla as he stumbled by, “How you going?”

“Yeah alright I guess,” responded Sammy despondently, “It’s just that-”

“That’s awesome! Look, what do you think of this necklace Raph bought me? I think it is so brilliant, it matches my eyes and it sparkles if you hold it just right.”

Sammy let Kayla’s words wash over him as he took in his surroundings, the sun was up but there were a few storm clouds on the horizon. The reflection of the lake caught Sammy’s eye as English Sam juggled a ball expertly from foot to foot. His windswept hair and glistening muscles complimented his figure. Sammy scowled. He should not let such thoughts enter his mind. It was against everything that Tyler stood for but even so- He became aware of a buzzing sound entering his unconscious.

“Hello? HELLO?” said Kayla eventually breaking through. “I said what do you think?”

“Oh yeah,” responded Sammy, “Yeah, it’s good.”

“Cool, look Raph and I were going to go and see this hilarious new romantic comedy and then he said he would take me paddle boating and everything! Can you believe it? Oh look, Here he comes now! Squeal! Look I’ll catch up with you later. Bye!”

Sam had never heard anyone pronounce the word ‘squeal’ before. He filed it away as an oddity only Kayla could reproduce.



He wandered on following his subconscious to the lake.

“HEADS!” came the shout as a soccer ball careened out of nowhere and knocked Sammy to the floor.

“Sorry about that Sammy,” puffed English as he extended his hand, “You really should look where you are going.”

“ I know,” said Sammy as he took English’s hand, “I’ve just had a lot-” What was this feeling? Like electricity almost. He never had noticed it until now. Never thought about it until now. Never realised that until now…

“You’ve just had a lot?” Questioned English, somewhat perturbed by the sudden silence fallen over Sammy. “You’ve been drinking again?”

“What? Oh no! No, I’ve just had a lot on my mind. A lot on my mind”

The silence stretched out again, reaching into the dark depths of time and blocking all surrounding noises as it recklessly freefalled into oblivion. Then, like a match suddenly being struck in a dark cave English’s voice flashed out.

“You can let go now.”

“I’m sorry?” Replied Sammy.

“You can let go of my hand now.”

“Oh yes! Um… sorry about that. Don’t know what came over me.” Replied Sammy, flustered by this experience.

“Look, are you ok?,” Asked English, “Because you do seem a little pale.”

“Yeah, it is just that I haven’t been feeling Tyler lately and… I don’t know.”

“Well… do you want to talk about it?”

“Huh?”

“I said, do you want to talk about it?”

“Well it’s just that. Life isn’t fair is it? I mean, why did Tyler have to leave us? After all he did for us why did he have to go?

“You were close to him weren’t you?” Interjected English.

“I was one of his chosen few, I took in everything he said and studied all his teachings and then he just vanishes! After ending poverty and discovering clean fuel he just ups and leaves. He had to go and die before even saying goodbye to me! To his closest devotee.”

“They never did find the body did they?”

“He could unite the nations with his smile but he couldn’t stop the darkness that dwells in the hearts of men, try as he might.”

“I had a hard time too but I got through with a little help from my friends. Tyler would have wanted us to continue his great message not wallow in self pity. You of all people should know that.” English flashed Sammy an encouraging smile.

Sammy smiled back. “You’re right, you always are. Come on, lets play some ball.”





They played for hours that day. And while Sammy tried to put it out of his mind he could not help noticing the sweat whipping off English’s shirt as he bounced the ball. The skill with his feet as he dribbled it around and all the while English’s charming face, shining through. Placing a beacon of hope and kindness on an otherwise drab day. Never before had Sammy felt such feelings of nervousness mixed with joy. Whenever their eyes crossed he could not help it but to grin and feel slightly embarrassed. Perhaps, just for those few short hours, Sammy finally forgot and lived in the present.

“Hey English!” he shouted as he passed the ball back somewhat shocked by the words coming out of his mouth.

“Yeah?”

“I just want to say that you are a true friend.”

“Thanks man.”

“Wait there’s more…” he hesitated, “ I have always admired you and that I shouldn’t try to deny my feelings anymore and so I just want to say-“

Sammy looked at English, their eyes met and for a moment, the world stop. The ball bounced harmlessly down the hill as English replied as soft as a breath of air “I know.”



The rain came thundering down from the skies as Sammy and English locked gazes. They stood there for what felt like hours just savouring the moment. Savouring this feeling.

“We should,” interrupted English breaking the spell, “We should probably get out of the rain.”

Looking around they noticed their surroundings for what seemed the first time in ages, it was nearing the night time and all the Tyler Worshippers had already left for home.

“Quick! Back to the church!” Shouted Sammy, “It should still be open.”

Sammy and English rushed to the great double doors of the church. Each of them grabbing a handle they pulled with all their might finally falling to the floor of the church.

“Man, I am completely soaked,” Panted English as he got to his knees. The discerning faces of Tyler surrounded them, discerning them.

“You’re going to catch a cold with all those wet clothes on,” whispered Sammy as he got off the floor, “That wouldn’t be good at all.”

English shivered as Sammy reached to unbutton his shirt. He always had lusted after Sammy, just that he never dreamed this would actually happen. He noticed the lean body of Sammy bent over him through the now translucent wet shirt. His hands shaking he reached up and started unbuttoning Sammy.

“You big dummy,” English whispered as his breath condensed on Sammy’s neck. “You’re going to get a cold too if you leave your shirt on.”

Sammy let out a moan as English touched his chest. “Your hands are so cold.” Sammy said.

“Well lets warm them up them.” English replied.

Slipping off his own shirt English tentatively removed Sammy’s. Their bodies glistening in the dim light of the church. Droplets of water shining off their bodies, sweat intertwining with rain.

Sammy reached up and stroked English’s hair.

“Come on, I’m ready.”

Lightning struck, thunder rolled. The light’s of the church were activated to reveal a startled LBSM at the top of the stairs.

Sammy let out a startled scream. “LBSM! Look! I can explain! It’s not what it looks like!”

LBSM let out a knowing smile, “It’s ok Brother Sammy.”

“It just started raining and we came inside here and then we were worried about catching a cold so we-”

“I said it is ok Brother Sammy.”

“I just wanted to please Tyler all alo- Wait… you are ok with this?”

“Why of course I am,” Replied LBSM, “If this is what you truly want then I am sure Tyler will be understanding.”

“I’m not going against Tyler by following my heart?”

“Of course not Brother Sammy, You do not love Tyler any less because you also love another man. Why I remember my first time with Lionel and Jim…”

Sammy felt English’s hand on his shoulder as LBSM recounted his story. “Everything has turned out all right then has it? Do you now understand what Tyler had in store for you?”

“I think, I think I do. Thankyou Sam.” Said Sammy.

“Hey that’s what friends are for.”

“And then there was this other time with Raph, boy that was brilliant.”

“I hate to interrupt but if there any place we could get some rest?” Inquired Sammy.

“Oh yes! So sorry, there is a special room out back that I keep stocked for special occasions like this. Just down the hall and on the right.”



Another happy ending, mused LBSM as he moved the alter to reveal a secret passage. Descending the stairs he smiled as he removed his Little Black Clerical Outfit and revealed a Little Black Skin Tight Outfit.

He passed a hall adorned with Tyler’s pictures and by the monitors showing Sammy and English comforting each other. He absentmindedly picked up a whip while he mused life’s oddities.

Isn’t it an oddity, he thought, that they never did find Tyler’s body.

He opened a locked door to expose a dejected human chained to the wall. At a certain angle you might have reflected that this person might have been quite handsome some time in the past. You might also have commented that his smile might have bought the nations together.

“Now,” Said LBSM, “Where were we?”