sword discussion continued on the solutions unlimited forums set up by gloria.

Im down for helping GM side quests when next i see yall. But for it to work to support the main story, we are going to need some over view from Ren (sheesh, switching between handles, character names and nick names is starting to become a chore, almost need a whos, who just to converse) on the who, what, when, when, where, and somewhat of a how. The last part would be for the stand in GM to do mostly but this is Rens story, and I dont want to throw such a spanner in the works that it derails the rest.

I actually like the idea. That would mean, that when you get back to the "main table" other characters are going to have to fill you in on what you missed.

and now for something completely different: The kitten just discovered dog food, and loves it. He now is attacking my water buffalo for his food. Its quite funny to see a 125lbs dog, that stands to my wifes waist being run off by something smaller then some of the dogs waste.

you guys sell your self short. Ever wonder why your traditional gang banger has his associates around? If marty is talking and Red Neck and Peles Flame thrower, stand behind marty and look intimidating then you are adding to the situation. Your helping marty accomplish what the party wants. Were a big team and none of us can do it our selves.( Not to mention Marty cant fight his way past a 5 year old boy scout, thats why he has people.)

If both of you Tag an Aspect for Marty, ON TOP of Martys already formidable social skills....holy crap......

Even if you cant add to the social situation that doesn't stop you from being eyes and ears, taking a perimeter post to get another view, watch people backs etc. During a surprise round, you might be the only one to act because you tagged your self with "over watch" or " totaly suspicious" or a million other things.

And remember a Fight Avoided is a Fight won, and that is always a success.

Part of the reason I and marty are always involved, in my opinion has a lot to do with who we are as people, because we (as in the real us) asks a lot of questions and we try to eliminate possibilities and find answers, were natural talkers. We still dont ask all the right questions or get everything done that we need, but thats why there are others around. None of us can ask all the right questions, i try, as an military/police officer I'm used to asking a ton of questions but i still dont get it right.

The whole team in my opinion has the ability to offer to the group, and Ren has done a great job at getting us involved. Melony actually has a higher investigation then Ian Fabian, Gloria and Le Flur are going to shine when we get into those chase scenes coming and our full wizzard is a researcher not a fighter. Bottom line is we are a team. Marty, Gavin and Ian cant ask every question. And sooner or latter there is going to be a lot of combat going on. Hell Ren even mentioned in his case files on the front page of the obsidian portal. Martial Law is coming to town and were about to be stuck in the middle of a 4 way war (sun fun and the need for guns).  And if the lobzillas are any indication of how brutal things are, im not sure Ian Fabian is going to make it. You actually have the ability to survive shots.

In the social situations certain characters are going to take a back up role, but that doesn't mean your not involved. In Combat most of us are going to be supporting those that can actually fight or running away to the sound of "brave sir robin." The difference is no one is going to die from purely social combat.

Its just a case of your time will come, hell you saved have the partys bacon once already.

Thats the thing about all our characters. We each have our own strengths.  Gavin, and You and even the redneck (with his massive gun skill) can potentially put down a crap ton of damage. But only really Bear and Gavin can protect them selves agisnt any of the big beasties out there, the rest of us will get a good beating out of anything stronger then your average thug....and we can attest to this as Lobzillas almost handed 2 characters their asses.  

Pirate and Gloria (and she knows a lot of influential people) are the "wheel men <----non gender specific.

Steve (knowing a lot of people), gavin (hey hes a full blown wizard he get billing in more then one role), my self (investigation and charm) and mel (skills most of us dont have) are the jack of all trades, we take care of alot of the non-combat things. Which right now we are involved in.

In literary terms were in the "rising action." Right now all our characters know is there is a problem and we need to find out more about it. Like every dresden novel ever, Dresden spends the first half of the book a) discovering the problem, b) finding out how deal with it, c) geting beating up, then  in the second part cowboying up and taking it out.  We are, and correct me if im wrong, in part A about to slide into part B.

Not to mention, per our characters it makes sense, Bear you play the heavy artillery and designed him as such.  Heck Tess has a problem playing gloria, cuz gloria is not nearly as intelligent as Tess is. I have to remind my self that agent fabian is a heck of alot nicer person then I am. Though i didn't really stretch my self that much, i like detective work hence the FBI agent.

 I think you did a good job with peles flame thrower. With out you the red neck, marty and I would have been in a world of doo-doo.

Exploding dead guys? Man.....

As for who one Green Bay beat the Steelers by 6 but it came down to Green Bay making a good defensive play with about a minute left to stall the Steelers drive. As for that half time show.....good lord that was horrendous. Jen even said "i thought the black eyed peas would have put on a good stage performance." That was bad in so many ways that it hurts the soul. 

The game was so so. Green Bay took the lead and kept it the entire game and at times almost blew it but the Steelers had 3 turn overs or the game would have been more exciting.

The commercials were ok. None made me laugh out loud, some were worth a chuckle but over all Jennifer and I were disappointed about the general lack of quality. To quote her once again "coke needs to get the add agency that the car insurance companies use. At least theirs are funny."

Yes, i will be gone next week, but its a good thing. I will officially take over command of my third command this weekend. Its a vote of confidence for me. Most guys get one, and some sections of the army dont even get to command (human resources, most MP's, Air Defense, few more).  I will say that ive been having a blast.

Bear,

 good job, ive looked over all of them.

Just remember the wetting of pants was because Lob-Zilla was trying to use me as a human piņata, not because the lob-Zillas were taking everything we threw at them and laughing at me, really.

That being said, im sure Ian is much happier with wet pants and a sea urchin in his shoulder, from jumping over a table and landing ass down in a lab awash from the broken remains of the very large aquarium,  then seeing what his insides look like on the outside of him. Ian will no long antagonize the lion fish next time he sees Calliope. And the next time Marty asks who the good lobsters are and taps on an aquarium the resounding answer will be none of them and we will proceed to call an air strike if available.

Ahem... Now we have to find out if Riley actually knew that his (rock...rock) lobsters were freaking capable of taking on (the combatants) 2 wizards, an FBI agent and a 2nd amendment loving, ATF hating redneck, not to mention a reporter, and a certain lovable rouge who will remain nameless who might not be able to go to red lobster for awhile. OR....Riley is clueless and those (rock...rock) lobsters were there to silence him if he found to many things out with his trips to the Med. Or Z is too paranoid and that was just REN wanting to dish out a little hate with a side of melted butter.

Fantazero - My particular model of the M&P40 was recalled because the finish was not set right so no it was not blood on the sights, it was a tad bit of rust. Seeing how that was my duty weapon, i couldn't just send it back to get the finish redone.

We learned 2 very valuable lessons...armor 3 is bad news, and for god sakes don't tap the glass of giant aquariums anymore.