Idran1701 (10:12:07 AM): Hey, Shaun. :O
(At work, remoting in, and slightly bored.)
CGNakibe (10:12:23 AM): Doom. How goes?
Auto response from Idran1701 (10:12:23 AM): Work
Idran1701 (10:12:41 AM): Okay besides that. You? Any classes today?
CGNakibe (10:13:13 AM): Nope. Not today.
Idran1701 (10:13:18 AM): *nod*
Idran1701 (10:13:31 AM): Anything up with you, then?
CGNakibe (10:15:01 AM): Right now? Not particularly. Might have to do some projects a bit later.
Idran1701 (10:15:25 AM): Oh? What sort?
Idran1701 (10:15:39 AM): Also: This is pretty amazing.
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8951187&publicUserId=4549175
Idran1701 (10:34:16 AM): Isn't that just awesome? :D
CGNakibe (10:34:46 AM): Man.
Auto response from Idran1701 (10:34:46 AM): Work
Idran1701 (10:37:03 AM): Anyway, what projects have you got? :O
CGNakibe (10:44:06 AM): Oh, I've got one project for mathematical modelling, and another couple for my programming languages and Operating
Systems classes.
Idran1701 (11:18:23 AM): Aha. Cool.
SOrry, had some actual stuff to do. :P
CGNakibe (11:18:34 AM): *gnaws*
Auto response from Idran1701 (11:18:34 AM): Work
Idran1701 (11:18:45 AM): What have you got in mind for modelling?
CGNakibe (11:19:07 AM): Actually was going to model the customer flow of a restaurant.
Idran1701 (11:19:13 AM): *nod* Cool.
Idran1701 (11:19:27 AM): Has anyone tried to pull you intoC OMAP yet? :D
CGNakibe (11:21:56 AM): COMAP?
Idran1701 (11:22:06 AM): The undergrad national math modelling competition.
CGNakibe (11:22:14 AM): Naah. Not yet.
Idran1701 (11:22:19 AM): *nod*
Idran1701 (11:22:40 AM): My math tutor from middle school was on the winning team for that in '98. :D
CGNakibe (11:22:56 AM): Awesome.
Idran1701 (11:23:17 AM): http://www.carroll.edu/~kcline/mcm.pdf
This is his paper about it.
Idran1701 (11:23:41 AM): He got his undergrad degree at EOU but went off to Colorado for his PhD.
Idran1701 (11:25:03 AM): I took a small class in it too,b ut I never did the contest.
Idran1701 (11:25:20 AM): I actually used D&D for my project. :D
Idran1701 (11:25:45 AM): One of the few times I let my nonacademic nerdery get mixed in.
Idran1701 (11:28:18 AM): Mine was modelling the impact of different changes in PC stats to odds of success in a one-on-one combat with
creatures of varying strength.
CGNakibe (11:28:31 AM): Heheh.
Idran1701 (11:28:45 AM): I might even still have my stuf fon it here. :D
Idran1701 (11:29:16 AM): Ah, nope. Aw. :(
Idran1701 (11:31:30 AM): Anyway, what about those other projects? What are they about?
Idran1701 (11:47:19 AM): *poke poke*
CGNakibe (11:48:11 AM): Oh. Um... Not sure what the Operating Systems one is. But the one for Programming Languages is to program a mini
language in Lisp
Auto response from Idran1701 (11:48:11 AM): Work
Idran1701 (11:48:17 AM): Oh, wow, cool.
Idran1701 (11:48:40 AM): You come up with a funny acronym for the language's name yet? :D
Idran1701 (11:49:17 AM): From what my CS professor used to say, that's why half of the languages out there were made.
CGNakibe (11:51:41 AM): Justin, a gay guy is working on a langage named Lisp. I think anything I can do would only improve it. >:P
Idran1701 (12:44:06 PM): Haha.
CGNakibe is away at 1:02:01 PM.
CGNakibe returned at 1:27:44 PM.
CGNakibe is away at 1:57:56 PM.
CGNakibe returned at 6:25:05 PM.
Idran1701 (6:26:22 PM): Hey! Welcome back. :O
CGNakibe (6:26:40 PM): What's up?
Idran1701 (6:27:00 PM): Not much. Telling Pervy about Twilight. :/
CGNakibe (6:27:08 PM): Ewww.
Idran1701 (6:27:12 PM): Yeah.
CGNakibe (6:27:23 PM): Don't tell me you got some of it on you. >:\
Idran1701 (6:27:34 PM): It's tragic vampire fiction, only with all the tragic characteristics of vampires removed.
Idran1701 (6:27:40 PM): They sparkle in sunlight, Shaun.
Idran1701 (6:27:42 PM): They sparkle. :I
CGNakibe (6:27:47 PM): I'm aware.
CGNakibe (6:27:57 PM): I also know that the later books have extra squick factors to it.
Idran1701 (6:28:00 PM): Oh?
CGNakibe (6:29:22 PM): Werewolf falls in love with main character girl's UNBORN daughter. No reason just "PERFECT LOVE YAY!"
CGNakibe (6:29:28 PM): Its generally BAD writing, as well.
Idran1701 (6:29:31 PM): ...What?
CGNakibe (6:30:17 PM): No lies.
CGNakibe (6:30:22 PM): Just horrible truths.
Idran1701 (6:31:14 PM): :(
Idran1701 (6:32:12 PM): The horrible thing is I know exactly why it's so popular, and it's still so bad.
Idran1701 (6:35:23 PM): Anyway, though, feel up for a side session tonight?
Idran1701 (7:04:03 PM): :O?
CGNakibe (7:05:12 PM): Yeah, I think I could manage that.
Idran1701 (7:05:18 PM): *nod* Cool.
Idran1701 (7:05:23 PM): When do you want to get to that?
Idran1701 (7:09:55 PM): I'm actually good to go now, if you are. :D
CGNakibe (7:31:34 PM): Ready, I think.
Idran1701 (7:33:20 PM): Need a reminder, or do you remember where we left off?
CGNakibe (7:33:58 PM): Might need that reminder.
Idran1701 (7:36:39 PM): Arian and Karin were talking about his job plans when the faction pulled Arian in, asking him to head out and
speak with someone the Bleak Cabal had in their asylum, someone with a reputation for divination.
CGNakibe (7:37:10 PM): Ah. I recall some of this now.
Idran1701 (7:40:56 PM): Ready when you are. :O
Idran1701 (7:41:12 PM): <BEGIN AT YOUR LEISURE>
Idran1701 (7:52:00 PM): (*poke poke?*)
CGNakibe (7:52:32 PM): I hope this'll work as well as I think it will.
Idran1701 (7:53:31 PM): *Karin nods to Arian, as the two head down the street towards the Gatehouse, the headquarters of the Bleak
Cabal* Do you have anything in mind yet?
Idran1701 (7:54:03 PM): *she's dressed up a bit more than usual, just for the sake of appearances, but not too much; they are heading to
the border of the Hive, after all*
Idran1701 (7:59:18 PM): (*more pokings* :P)
CGNakibe (8:00:01 PM): I haven't thought much beyond trying to barge my way in like always. *grins slightly* Probably should fix that
before we get there, I guess...
Idran1701 (8:01:00 PM): *laughs quietly* Well, it's your decision. I'm just here to help if you need it.
CGNakibe (8:04:33 PM): Probably need a decent reason to see a diviner even here, I suppose...
Idran1701 (8:05:51 PM): Yeah, especially an insane one.
Idran1701 (8:06:32 PM): You'll probably need to figure out a good excuse. *smirks*
CGNakibe (8:06:50 PM): Back home we'd ask if there WERE any sane diviners.
CGNakibe (8:06:59 PM): But then, being able to see weird stuff can probably do that to you.
Idran1701 (8:07:20 PM): *laughs* I guess so.
Idran1701 (8:07:30 PM): Did you have many there?
CGNakibe (8:08:54 PM): A few, perhaps. I heard a few nations used them while publically denouncing them.
Idran1701 (8:09:13 PM): *nods*
Idran1701 (8:09:55 PM): Well, once you figure something out, tell me what it is, okay? I don't want to be left floundering in the dark.
CGNakibe (8:13:11 PM): I'm honestly thinking that the excuse would have to be something that they'd approve of as well. And would
probably require an unusual touch.
Idran1701 (8:13:32 PM): Eh...I'm not sure what you could think of that they'd automatically approve of.
Idran1701 (8:13:37 PM): How much do you know about the Cabal?
Idran1701 (8:17:54 PM): (*pokity*)
CGNakibe (8:18:06 PM): Not nearly enough, I'd admit.
Idran1701 (8:18:45 PM): They're...one of the odd ones out amongst the factions. They don't really have any opinion on the deeper truths
of the Multiverse.
Idran1701 (8:18:49 PM): ...Well, that's not right, exactly.
Idran1701 (8:19:07 PM): Their opinion is that there are no deeper truths. No meaning or pattern or guiding philosophy.
Idran1701 (8:19:19 PM): Things just happen.
Idran1701 (8:19:50 PM): So they just try to help people that need it, since they don't think the multiverse will. The homeless and insane
mostly.
CGNakibe (8:22:07 PM): Hm. That does make it sort of harder to see something, then. But what sort of interest would they have in
divination at all, then? I mean, other than seeing things from a distance?
Idran1701 (8:23:59 PM): I don't think they do. I think he's just a barmy they're keeping in the Gatehouse along with the hundreds of
others.
Idran1701 (8:24:13 PM): He just happens to be one that can see the future. *shrugs*
CGNakibe (8:24:51 PM): Thinking about this the wrong way around, then, I guess. Maybe what they're really doing is considering
themselves helping him stay off the streets?
Idran1701 (8:25:18 PM): Him and all the rest, yeah.
Idran1701 (8:31:06 PM): (Seems like you might be distracted or something? :P)
CGNakibe (8:32:04 PM): (Perhaps a little)
CGNakibe (8:32:11 PM): (Back in a sec. HUNGRY)
Idran1701 (8:32:15 PM): (Kay. :O)
CGNakibe is away at 8:42:37 PM.
CGNakibe returned at 8:51:16 PM.
CGNakibe (9:02:37 PM): (Egg drop soup is simple, right?)
Idran1701 (9:02:47 PM): (No idea! Never heard of it.)
CGNakibe (9:03:40 PM):
(http://www.google.com/search?q=Egg+Drop+Soup&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a )
CGNakibe (9:03:47 PM): (Whoops. Hm.)
CGNakibe (9:03:59 PM): ( http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa090701a.htm )
CGNakibe (9:04:05 PM): (There. The link I wanted to actually go for.)
CGNakibe (9:04:41 PM): (The recipe is pretty basic, really. Its just beaten egg "dropped" into chicken broth)
Idran1701 (9:04:47 PM): (Aha.)
CGNakibe (9:05:10 PM): (I did a slightly more fancy version for myself. Still good, though.)
CGNakibe (9:06:17 PM): (Took some seasoning vegetables from our freezer, sauteed them in butter and ponzu sauce, then poured in the
chicken broth. Heated teh chicken broth till it was just about to boil, then slowly dropped the egg in)
Idran1701 (9:06:23 PM): *nod*
Idran1701 (9:06:25 PM): *()
Idran1701 (9:06:27 PM): (How was it?)
CGNakibe (9:06:42 PM): (Actually good. Maybe better than the restaurant we just came from. XD)
Idran1701 (9:06:46 PM): (:D)
Idran1701 (9:06:53 PM): (Anyway, we can pick back up whenever you're ready.)
CGNakibe (9:07:17 PM): So I suppose the real question is why would we need to see this apparently sanity-lacking drifter?
CGNakibe (9:09:23 PM): Doubt we could be relatives... But... Hmm.
Idran1701 (9:09:47 PM): Especially not since he's apparently been there for a couple hundred years.
Idran1701 (9:13:42 PM): Well...who else would go visit a crazy person?
CGNakibe (9:14:17 PM): Healers, perhaps. Not like we could manage that. But...
CGNakibe (9:14:25 PM): Do they allow any charity organizations to come in?
Idran1701 (9:15:04 PM): They are the charity organization here, mostly. *slight frown* There's a few others, soup kitchens and the like,
but not nearly enough.
Idran1701 (9:15:11 PM): I guess it could work, though.
Idran1701 (9:17:45 PM): You want to try it?
CGNakibe (9:21:23 PM): Sounds like the best idea we can come up with.
CGNakibe (9:21:33 PM): Well, that I've got right now.
Idran1701 (9:21:35 PM): *nods* Okay. You'll have to take the lead, though.
Idran1701 (9:24:06 PM): *Soon, they begin to crest the hill leading up to the edge of the Hive, where the Gatehouse spans, a massive
wall spanning the street. A gigantic gate stands at the entrance to the building, like a massive portcullis, although the bars stand 15 feet
apart, easily giving enough space for the needy to enter.*
Idran1701 (9:25:06 PM): *Lost souls numbering in the dozens if not hundreds mill about the entrance, waiting for their chance to enter the
building and get the help they need. Mixed in are a handful of artists plying various nihilistic works - music, paintings, and poetry
devoted to the meaningless of existence.*
CGNakibe (9:29:23 PM): *tries not to stare at the number of people here that juts... buy right into this...*
Idran1701 (9:29:55 PM): (Think emo, but beatnik-style, and without the self-pitying.)
Idran1701 (9:30:39 PM): *glancing around a little shamefully, she keeps her head lowered and her wings pulled in as she walks with
Arian through the crowd and towards the entrance*
CGNakibe (9:31:04 PM): *w* An... interesting crowd they have here.
Idran1701 (9:31:33 PM): *w* ...The ones that aren't here are the worst off, I'd say.
CGNakibe (9:34:13 PM): *just heads towards the entrance, trying not to smirk at some of the rather... well... unusual folk*
CGNakibe (9:34:42 PM): *w* I daresay a few are here because they think that this is the popular thing to do.
Idran1701 (9:35:16 PM): *The gate leads into a tall tower, five stories tall...when they get near the gate and look inside, though, it's
apparent that it's less a tower, and more a circle of rooms around an open courtyard with an odd tiled pattern set into the floor.*
Idran1701 (9:35:45 PM): *But they can't quite step through before...* 'Ey, end of the line, berk!
Yeah! We've...we've...we've been here first!
Idran1701 (9:37:25 PM): *taking a closer look, he can now tell that the crowd of the needy is actually a snaking line of people,
weaving all throughout the area in front of the Gatehouse...beyond it, even, down the street and into the Hive proper*
CGNakibe is away at 9:47:30 PM.
CGNakibe returned at 9:47:54 PM.
CGNakibe (9:48:37 PM): IM: Okay, just what I need about now. A long wait for aggravation.
Idran1701 (9:48:52 PM): ...*w* So how're we getting in?
CGNakibe (9:49:50 PM): *w* I have one idea, at least.
Idran1701 (9:50:06 PM): *w* You're not going to blow something up, are you?
CGNakibe (9:51:25 PM): Oh, Sorry we're late. We were told that there was a need for extra helpers today, but if you've got enough
hands now... *shrugs*
Idran1701 (9:52:47 PM): ...*w* Arian, I don't think that will...
*one of the Bleakers at the gate looks him over* ...You're not one of us. Pike it, berk.
CGNakibe (9:53:28 PM): *w* Figured. Hm.
Idran1701 (9:53:44 PM): *prods his side, w* If you'd warned me I could have disguised us.
CGNakibe (9:54:04 PM): *w* Sorry about that. I've only got half a plan as it is. Hm.
Idran1701 (9:54:20 PM): *holds in a snicker*
Idran1701 (9:59:16 PM): *glances around*
Idran1701 (9:59:23 PM): ...*w* Maybe we should step back to think about this.
CGNakibe (9:59:29 PM): *w* Good idea.
Idran1701 (9:59:47 PM): *Karin starts moving away from the crowd and towards a nearby alley*
Idran1701 (10:01:55 PM): I've never really been here before...I didn't know what to expect.
CGNakibe (10:02:08 PM): Nor did I, honestly.
Idran1701 (10:02:20 PM): Well, I'm sure one of us can think of something.
Idran1701 (10:02:35 PM): I could turn us invisible, but with so many people there, we'd probably bump into someone.
CGNakibe (10:03:12 PM): Which would ruin it entirely. And that line is so long that we'd probably never get in anytime soon if we had t
o wait.
Idran1701 (10:03:37 PM): I know.
Idran1701 (10:03:58 PM): You've got that ability, can you...I don't know, imagine up some kind of solution?
CGNakibe (10:06:49 PM): Well, hm. Perhaps if he came to us this would be simpler... Although...
CGNakibe (10:07:02 PM): Hm.
Idran1701 (10:07:17 PM): Do you have an idea in mind?
Idran1701 (10:07:34 PM): (Keep in mind it can't be anything too crazy. No higher than a spell he could cast. :O)
Idran1701 (10:07:48 PM): (So nothing more powerful than about a 3rd-level spell.)
CGNakibe (10:07:57 PM): (Well ahead of you, actually. Passwall?)
CGNakibe (10:08:42 PM): Wait.. no.. that might not work. I don't know what part of the building he might be in.
Idran1701 (10:08:55 PM): Well, we don't need to get in to him.
CGNakibe (10:08:56 PM): I was wondering if there was a handy door...
Idran1701 (10:09:01 PM): We just need to get in instead of waiting in line.
CGNakibe (10:09:01 PM): True.
Idran1701 (10:09:38 PM): (Hmm. Technically fifth level...I'll allow it, but it'll have a penalty with it.)
Idran1701 (10:09:49 PM): (You can try it or think fo something a little more reliable. :O)
Idran1701 (10:15:41 PM): (Dimension Door's close, and it's one level lower. But it'd be Arian alone.)
Idran1701 (10:17:12 PM): (Also, just for convienance sake, I'll let you use 3e SRD levels instead of 2e levels. They're pretty similar
anyway. :D)
Idran1701 (10:17:19 PM): (And that way you don't have to go from memory.)
Idran1701 (10:28:42 PM): (*pokity poke?*)
CGNakibe (10:29:33 PM): (Hmmm. Sorry. Got lost in this bit I'm trying to do in a game. Its... frustraing. A bit, anyway.)
Idran1701 (10:29:55 PM): (Aha. No problem.)
Idran1701 (10:29:59 PM): (Making or playing?)
CGNakibe (10:31:32 PM): (Playing, though I've thought VERY HARD about making lately too)
Idran1701 (10:31:47 PM): (Heh. *nod*)
Idran1701 (10:32:13 PM): (Reply when you can, then. :D)
Idran1701 (11:02:03 PM): (What game is this, by the way?)
CGNakibe (11:02:23 PM): (King of Fighters '94. Its been a LONG time since I tried to beat it. still haven't yet.)
Idran1701 (11:02:27 PM): (*nod*)
CGNakibe (11:02:48 PM): (Huh. Must not be my night for magic. Best I'm getting is Message, and nothing more interesting)
Idran1701 (11:03:13 PM): (You can go a little above third, I'll just give you a penalty.)
CGNakibe is away at 11:20:56 PM.
CGNakibe returned at 11:20:58 PM.
CGNakibe (11:29:28 PM): (I'm honestly thinking the best I can find is Whispering Wind without going over. Still)
Idran1701 (11:33:01 PM): (Heh. *nod*)
CGNakibe (11:33:27 PM): Well. I suppose I could try to speak to him from here...
Idran1701 (11:33:51 PM): (Want to break for now, give you time to mull it over and stuff?)
Idran1701 (11:34:16 PM): (Plus I imagine it might be getting late for you. Though I don't know how long you planning on staying on
tonight, so maybe not.)
CGNakibe (11:34:42 PM): (It is getting a little late, honestly.)
Idran1701 (11:34:47 PM): (*nod*)
Idran1701 (11:35:26 PM): (Continue tomorrow? :O)
Idran1701 (11:41:00 PM): (And maybe by then, you can think up some more ideas. You can be as creative as you want, so long as it's
something Arian could imagine the universe to do/be/happen. :D)
CGNakibe signed off at 11:42:23 PM.
CGNakibe signed on at 11:44:49 PM.
Idran1701 (11:45:04 PM): Oh, I thought that was you going to bed.
CGNakibe (11:45:20 PM): Probably should. But Trillian crashed first.
Idran1701 (11:45:24 PM): Aha, heh.
Idran1701 (11:45:28 PM): Well, that's what I'm doing.
Idran1701 (11:45:42 PM): Night! :D