Catching Up

Despite my preferences, my new job simply doesn't have any spare time in which I can take a few minutes to post a new blog entry.

Which is really too bad, considering the rather tedious aspects of the administrative functions I'm currently performing for projects in construction and nearing completion. But, I suppose it's what I signed up for. Particularly since I'm *finally* nearing the end of my internship, and preparing to sit for the architect's registration exam.

Still, I *have* to take some time for myself, to relax and unwind.

And, maybe...

in the process...

catch up on some of the going's-on within the Face Stabbing Misfits, and in DDO in general.

First up... DDO: Eberron Unlimited.

Yep, it's finally live.

Granted, some will say "but it's been live for nearly two weeks now!"

Well, that may be true, but it was *OVER* *A* *YEAR* in waiting.

Seriously. I refuse to cut Turbine a break over that one.

In the mean time, "Free2Play" has gone live as well. And we're even starting to see an influx of players, both new and old, as a result.

Of course, you've probably seen that Kruella and Craygar are back. Apparently, so is Meany. Who's next???

Now, in the process of Kruella and Craygar getting back into the swing of things, some interesting topics have been posted in the guild's Message of the Day.

Including a reference to Tramp Stamps.

Yeah, tramp stamps... tattoos.

Kru had first suggested that we all get tattoos. Then she changed her mind and decided that really, only Trin needed one. On what she referred to as "his buttflanks."

Yeah.

Sorry, Kru, but, despite the fact that Turbine has opened up all sorts of new possibilities for character appearance through add-ons in the new Turbine Store, I just don't see any "tramp stamps" or tattoos.

Besides, I like Trin's image... unblemished.

It's not my fault you can't accept Dwarven perfection, as it has already been presented to you.

Besides, Kru, if Trin were to have a tattoo applied to his already excellent physique, there's only one place you'd be able to find it...

My guess is that Craygar might have issues with you inspecting it. :-P

Of course, there's been other madness in the guild.

It's no secret that some of the guild's best members are the result of earnest and sincere recruiting efforts on the part of Kruella. She is, in fact, the one who recruited me into the Face Stabbers.

(Bet she's regretting that now...)

So, upon her return, she was officially conferred the title and responsibility of Guild Recruiting Officer.

But, I think that may have backfired on her, somewhat.

You see, Soulencer has already met the first prerequisite for becoming a Face Stabber...

He has a twisted sense of humor.

Which has manifested itself in a most interesting way.

Apparently, while I was away on a business trip for work, Soulencer had created himself a new character.

However, without myself or Belzur available to invite his new lowbie into the guild, he turned to the only logical alternative...

Kru!

But, apparently, Kru didn't realize who it was.

And, Soulencer, having such a twisted sense of humor, decided to have a little fun with it.

So much fun that Kru took to avoiding him, and refusing to admit him into the guild.

I think she became particularly frustrated with him once he began offering gold to join the guild.

But, it gets better.

Since Kru wouldn't admit him, Soulencer began asking Craygar for a guild invite, too.

Now, since Kru and Craygar are married in real life, it should be obvious that they *must* have discussed this "turd" that had been bothering Kru amongst themselves. So, as if there were any doubt, Craygar refused, too.

But, Soulencer didn't give up.

Nor did he reveal his true identity.

Instead, he kept pestering both Kru and Craygar until they both /ignored him.

I'm not sure whether you're aware, but the /ignore command makes it so the recipient doesn't hear *anything* from the /ignored character. And, as empirical evidence has shown, you can't even hear a fellow guildie within your current party if he's been /ignored.

So, Kru and Craygar thought they had heard the last of Soulencer's new lowbie, whom they didn't know belonged to Soulencer in the first place.

To them, he was just some random "turd."

Well, while driving across the plains of Kansas and eastern Colorado, on my way home from my business trip, I decided to give Belzur a call to see what had been happening while I'd been gone.

I had no previous knowledge of what had been transpired in my absence, but Belzur explained to me what had happened with Soulencer's new lowbie.

He also informed me that Soulencer had let Belzur in on the joke, so that Belzur wouldn't spoil the fun.

Belzur had first suggested that he should invite Soulencer's new lowbie into the guild, just to see how Kru would react.

However, the conversation took on a life of its own, and before long, it was decided that, since I'm notorious for inviting "stray cats" and "lost dogs" into the guild, perhaps it should be me that sends the invite to Soulencers new lowbie, *while* Kru and Craygar are grouped with me and Belzur, and anyone else who's heard the stories of this "turd" who's been stalking Kruella and her hubby.

To be fair, Kru, it might have something to do with the fact that you like to strip off and dance naked in public.

Maybe...

So, on Monday night, everything had fallen into place. Kruella, Craygar, Tanision, Belzur, Soulencer and I were all grouped together for some Gianthold adventuring.

After we'd been playing for a while, I sent a /tell to Soulencer, suggesting he make an excuse to drop party and switch characters, so that he could log in as Enob, his new lowbie, and nemesis of Kruella and Craygar.

At the same time, I sent a /tell to Belzur, letting him know what was about to go down.

Although Tanision had been aware of the harassment Kru and Craygar had been suffering at the hands of Enob, he didn't know that Enob was really Soulencer, though he suspected that whoever this Enob was, it was surely someone Kru was at least acquainted with.

Still, I kept the secret, and didn't let Tan know what was about to happen.

So, when the time was right, and Enob was finally logged in and ready, I spoke out in voice chat "Hey, Kru! I found us a new guildie, too!"

"Oh, yeah? Who???"

"Hang on just a sec..."

...

*ding!*

...

(in guild chat) Welcome, Enob!

"Oh, *NO*!!! Trin, no! You gotta boot him, like right now!"

Craygar joined in the stern protest, too.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I burst out laughing, and so did Belzur. And Tan joined in, too.

Particularly when I revealed that Kru (and Craygar) had been had.

Not thirty seconds after inviting Enob into the guild, Kru exercised her Officer's abilities, and booted him out, anyway.

Truth be told, I think she'd have booted me from the guild, too, if she'd had the ability.

Of course, I brought Enob back in, but he also logged back over to Soulencer to re-join the group.

Kru has had more than a few choice words about the whole thing.

I think she belives it's all been some sort of conspiracy. However, it was all a simple misunderstanding that took a rather humorous turn, and took on a life all unto itself.

Granted, torturing someone as nice as Kru is somewhat mean, but considering some of the many practical jokes that have been played on the various members of the guild, I couldn't help but play my part in the shenanigans.

Still, Kru promises that "revenge is a dish best served cold."

An apt line from Shakespear.

I look forward to it!

Keep it fun!!!