WTF!?!

So, Update 1 was a bit of a surprise to me. I heard a few rumors about an impending update on Monday, but dismissed it. Turbine has a history of not keeping their word, so I've taken a rather cynical stance on so-called improvements to the game.

However, I was astounded when I tried to log in this evening and the game began downloading Update 1.

I decided to go shovel the snow that's fallen from the first half of the storm while my computer did its thing.

My internet connection isn't the fastest, so I decided to have some dinner after shoveling snow, without even bothering to check the game's progress. In fact, I thought it highly doubtful that I'd even be able to log in this evening.

To my surprise, the game had finished it's update by the time dinner was finished.

Wow!

Then I tried to log in...



Seriously!

What the... !!!

I have *never* had any free play time in this game.

And I have to *wait* to get in?!?

This better be good...

The End of DDO???

You be the judge...

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/95570-Dungeons-Dragons-Brought-to-Life-Using-a-Microsoft-Surface-Table

I know, I know... it's probably another form of vaporware.

But...

Some of us miss the days of gathering 'round the table for an evening of adventure.

It's just that it was sometimes a huge mess, what with all of the die sets, books, papers, figures, etc., strewn all about the room. Why not let the computer do all of that rule-keeping for you, and let you and your friends get together to hang out while you spend more time adventuring, and less time arguing about the rules or rolls, or whatever?

Oh... wait... That's what we have DDO for, right!?!

Well, in DDO, we aren't all sitting together in the same room.

Same *virtual* room, if we're all using voice chat.

Does anyone else wish they could play an adventure from the comfort of their living room recliner?

I do.

And, what about those headsets we all use???

Mine becomes extremely uncomfortable after more than about an hour.

Seems like this might make for a nice coffee table.

Could maybe even load it with other things, too.

Looks interesting, though. Would be nice to have friends over for a gaming session, and still have the benefit of computer assistance, but actually be able to share a social experience in person.

This one's interesting; I'll have to keep an eye on it.

In the mean time, several of us got together for some adventuring last night, and we found our way to the plane of Shavarath.

It's a fascinating landscape, for sure. And the monsters in the "outdoor adventure area" are certainly a challenge; we managed to find two of the rare encounters. And fought a relatively long, drawn-out battle to defeat them.

So long, in fact, that, while running PEBKAC, I was seriously depleting my mana pool. I *had* to launch the DDO Store and buy some mana potions, just to keep going.

What happens when I run out of Turbine Points?

I'm a subscription... err... VIP member already. I'm not about to use a credit card to pay for more Turbine Points. The wife would have my hide, for sure. Seems to me that players ought to be able to buy mana potions from in-game vendors, much the same way they buy healing potions.

Or, better yet...

How 'bout we finally give the crafting system a proper implementation, and allow player-characters to craft potions, scrolls, weapons, etc.???

I mean, shouldn't our characters be doing *something* when they aren't adventuring???

Just a thought.

In the mean time, I'm interested to see more of Shavarath, and the other Planes the folks at Turbine have opened up for us.

Keep it fun!

Where's Trin?

Quite a few people have been asking that question lately.

Rest assured, I haven't gone anywhere.

Well, I haven't left the game, anyway.

The truth is that I *have* been going somewhere.

Regularly.

I've been going flying.

That's right, I'm taking flying lessons.

I'm working on my Private Pilot Certificate.

Aviation has always been a significant force in my life, and my wife finally agreed not to let her fear of flying keep me from doing one of the things I've wanted to do all my life.

So, there have been quite a few evenings where, instead of running amok in the streets of Stormreach, I've been carefully studying maneuvers and proceedures, and preparing for my limited time in the cockpit.

I say limited, because I can only go flying once every couple of weeks. So, I have to make the most of that time.

However, studying for this does consume a considerable amount of time.

Approximately 45 minutes, every day.

So, if you don't see me in Stormreach, please forgive me.

I'm still here.

Just working on one of those things that's *very* important to me.

And, for those interested, the landings are getting good. I should be able to solo soon. Then it's on to cross-country and night flying. If I maintain a good track, I should complete my certificate sometime next Spring. We'll have to see how that goes.

In the mean time, many of the Face Stabbers who've taken a leave of absence from the game are beginning to return.

Even Meany is back.

So, now we're planning the FSM Reunion Raiding Tour.

Not all of the stops have yet been planned. We're working on that one.

I look forward to seeing everyone in game, even if it isn't as often as it once was.

Keep it fun, everyone!