Tetracapillactomist: Hello

[Badstench]

First, I copied your name from the thread in the game board... because my fingers kept falling over themselves trying to type it.

I haven't looked the word up yet... not sure that I want to, because my imagining of its meaning might be a lot more fun and empowering than the truth.

Second, "Hello".

Third, your comments on the nature of the contributors is a commonly held belief (by me, at least). Good folk on this forum.

I look forward to future comments from you... You exude intelligence, wit and interest. Heck, someone needed to take the mantle off me! ;)

Again, welcome.

[Lightwielder]

Though you may already be aware of me, as stated in your introductory post, I'll introduce myself. I'm Lightwielder, and my character is John Ardin. My reputation score and post count don't reflect it, but I've been here ever since the new Forum started, been playing Sryth for even longer than that, and I'm one of the Forum regulars.

I have a feeling we're going to get along rather well, Tetra. Welcome to our Forum.

[Taleria]

I look forward to future comments from you... You exude intelligence, wit and interest. Heck, someone needed to take the mantle off me! ;)

I must concur. My immediate thought when reading the post in the "GM correspondence" thread was, "This looks to be an asset to the community." It's good to know you've been lurking, so you get a feel for the way the community operates here. I don't have that kind of patience. I just jump in.

And *grins at Badstench*

[Tetracapillactomist]

...but judging by the sensation of suddenly risen temperature in my cheeks just now, I must have...

Hello, and thank you...

Yes, the friendliness encountered in this forum is rare elsewhere, and the welcoming can be momentarily overwhelming. You are definitely a select group and a community apart.
Although I have been reading forum messages long enough to form a firm and positive opinion about its contributors, your personal greetings still manage to surpass my expectations.

Badstench: whenever you decide to break the spell of the moniker's mystery, you may read the reply to Young Ned's question on my "user talk page", on the wiki - just take it with a grain of salt (hmm... better play it safe: take along a sizeable chunk of rock salt) - I'm afraid the post's tone is slightly 'off'(-putting). Oh, nothing too serious and not in any way offensive (except for its obvious offences against style and modesty - both unintentional), only that it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, and - in my view at least - failed... but the kernel of information is within, and valid.

Third, your comments on the nature of the contributors is a commonly held belief (by me, at least). Good folk on this forum.

... I'm glad to hear that - it would be nice to relax in a friendly circle every so often. I'm a bit of a living contradiction or paradox: a staunch but conflicted humanist (unguarded admirer of Thomas Mann, among others... but also of Albert Camus and André Gide, and even starker...), yet instinctively, cautiously and occasionally fatalistic and a touch pessimistic regarding humanity's future and 'nature' - although that may count as being realistic (?)...
Also, hints of injustice, unjust treatment of others make my brow implode, my nostrils flare, set my teeth grinding and get my dander up - which can lead to some charged 'correspondence'; not in the least relaxing, albeit sometimes cathartic. But 'nough of this - suffice it to say, I welcome the chance to 'kick back' with a mug of palo... :D

I look forward to future comments from you...

... well, here's one; "ask, and ye shall receive"... ;)

You exude intelligence, wit and interest.

... seriously: so many ways of addressing that, from mock self-derision (for example: "And those are just some of the odourless things I exude!"), to mock self-adulation and -importance (e.g. "Now, why waste time stating the obvious truths, when you could fabricate some wonderful lies about me?"), but leaving such things to the real Oscar Wilde and fictional Cyrano de Bergerac, I'll just say: at times, perhaps... and 'back at you'... :)

First, I copied your name from the thread in the game board... because my fingers kept falling over themselves trying to type it.
... and while reading this, it was you that made me fall out of my chair, laughing in full sympathy - I hope you don't think that I picked the name to cause such distress... :D

... clearly, you're no slouch at typing: I already nosed around and found your opus, though I've not yet embarked upon the adventure (being new, and splitting time across game, wiki, reports as well as forum leaves little more to spare...).

Well, I already had this reply of mine go bung last night (left it hanging after getting sidetracked), and it 'timed out on me', so I'll just press "submit" before some other real-life inconvenience knocks me off keyboard and chair...

P.S. of sorts:
I'd be a poor excuse for a sports fan on any given day, and have sparse patience watching events - and this may or may not interest you, or warm your heart, but I will nevertheless state that the Targa New Zealand is one of my favourites, while the All Blacks are all gold for me - and not just within the Tri Nations, Four Nations or rugby itself, but across all sports, among all teams...

[Tetracapillactomist]

Thank you Light - again, I think (see reply in GM-messages thread, regarding my use of "Light" as well - Light (Raito) Yagami).

Glad to hear from you, and glad too, for the vote of confidence; I see no reason myself not to get along, as even over any future difference of opinion that may arise, we can sit down around a virtual table and share an imaginary mug of palo (I seem to be fixated on that!:D), at the end of the day - and I doubt a better bunch exists with whom to share...

Oh, and yes, of course I'm aware of you, and many others too...
I've been far more active (from early on too...) on the wiki side - much to Scarbrow's consternation, befuddlement and distress ;) (I was - and perhaps still am!:eek: - fumbling around there like a drunken duck at a dockside tavern, sticking my beak into posts and walktroughs, editing and quacking away at my heart's content; you could say I took to it like a duck to water... well, a drunken duck, obviously; there may be some concern about staying afloat, given the circumstances.)

"The Codex":
As for my alter-egos: the 'stable' ("roster") is managed by Denadéin, although the only character that so far managed to get out of, and past the starting gates, is Sigynna Oiorpata, a none too burly, none too frail male, who seems to have arrived into the world of Sryth through something that turned out to be a Shadow Path, which opened somewhere along the north-western shores of the Black Sea, at the edges of his free-roaming tribe's homeland, in a world so similar, yet so very different from this one, of Tysa... Who knew that many of the wondrously horrendous and terrifying creatures of the olden tales had, in fact, a home?! A home they generally will not willingly share with this hapless son of the steppe.

(We'll have some fun later, perhaps, if allowed by time and circumstances, with this one's background...)

[Tetracapillactomist]

First, thank you, Taleria.

About being an asset: that'd be another vote of confidence - I appreciate, and hope I'll live up to it; as long as that doesn't require messianic qualifications, I'll try to pull my weight and not have others drag me along while I sit indifferently.

As to patience... well, at times it's there, at times it's missing :)
In fact, I nearly jumped in early on, but external circumstances pulled me away. Still thinking about posting, I jotted down some observations, which then felt done, 'fait accompli' (actually posting them felt as if I were just going to repeat myself) - and about that time I realized what a potentially steep learning curve I was facing, if intent on avoiding mistakes that I would later curse; so spoiler or not, I created a new character, and trying to avoid pitfalls, plot-traps and such, I charged headlong into the wiki-material and the forum's "Help"-threads. That was it, until Scar's prompt.

And if it weren't for Scarbrow's note asking for that post, my very first would still be pending... indefinitely. Anyhow: it suddenly dawned on me that entering the information on the wiki may not be enough, and failing to do the same on the forum no longer qualify as anything, but selfishness - so I jumped, broke the ice, and am now... free to sink.
:D
(Good, it looks like my posts are becoming shorter; soon, they may even be readable...)

[Scarbrow]

And now our new friend is trying to up the bar for Oldschool et al again by not double, but triple posting!:D

I find those posts to be highly readable, and downright amusing, to say the least. I'm glad you finally joined us here, TC

[Oldschool]

Ahhhhh..... lengthy and chain posts - YES!!!!

Now that there's at least two of us I spy a potential social group on the horizon. ;)

And Scarbrow...... three posts is one short from someone whose handle leads off with Tetra doncha think. :cool:;)

And TC from your posts and mention of surfing the forum I figure you have a fairly good read on the personalities on board but I still feel the need to say just kidding.

And I wholeheartedly agree with Scarbrow I enjoy reading your posts and am glad you finally decided to actively join us.

[thingirl]

Oh, lovely, another reply-happy ranter... JK ;)

Seriously, though, welcome to the Forum!

[spencer]

Welcome, Tetra, TC, or your full-length moniker, if you prefer.

Welcome Tetracapillactomist :)

I think that you will fit in "right nice." (you will have to imagine the Tennessee drawl)

[Tetracapillactomist]

Thank you all, "in order of appearance" (since my 'hat-trick', that is...):
Scarbrow, Oldschool, Thingirl, Spencer...

...the bacon-bits of irony (well, they're a "guilty pleasure" of sorts) swimming in smooth sarcasm are not lost on me, and are appreciated; I had a good laugh, but I understand the underlying messages, and don't intend to abuse the forum, your patience, and your individual sleeping patterns - of course, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions", as Scarbrow and others from the wiki can attest, based on my 'interventions' there. :rolleyes:

Not all posts will be 'virtual place-mats'; no... some will be virtual runners, area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting! :D Typographical carpet bombing, napalm, baby, saturation typing! The keyboard is mightier than the virtual sword, etc. But 'writing, not war'... 'more typing, less biting!' (Oldschool, how about these as slogans for the 'activist branch' of our future social club - I call that "thinking ahead" - I'm sure others would rather call it something else, with my head as the object, perhaps...)

By the way, Oldschool: now that you pointed it out, I'm thinking that I ought have gone the whole hog... and I only needed one more... ah, well, what's done is done.

That social group... what did you have in mind? Something like "Graphomaniacs Anonymous"? :D

Thingirl: don't worry, I'm guessing these early post are just introductory - think "floodgates" - open... :rolleyes: :) ...and thank you for the welcome.

Spencer: any and all. Thanks - I like that expression. Right nice...

As I'm evidently drunk on palo around here, I have only one question and gripe: where's my complimentary slab of virtual BBQ ?! :D
(...can't keep drinkin' on an empty stomach...)

(I'm so tired again, my eyes are refusing to stay peeled - disclaimer: I take no responsibility for this reply, if awful - I take all credit for anything remotely good in it... hmm, now all I need is a software to sell... ;))

Anyway, 'hanky noodle bendy', everybody's friendly, so... nice to be here - thank you all again!

[thingirl]

As I'm evidently drunk on palo around here, I have only one question and gripe: where's my complimentary slab of virtual BBQ ?! :D
(...can't keep drinkin' on an empty stomach...)


Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm a thinkin' Spencer left that to the Memphian. :) I'll just have to have you run on down to Corky's, or A&R, or Lennard's, or.....

We'll be needin' some of these then...
http://www.hotshoppe.com/images/products/corky_orig.jpeg http://leisureguy.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/pulled-pork-sandwich-1.jpg

[Oldschool]

By the way, Oldschool: now that you pointed it out, I'm thinking that I ought have gone the whole hog.......

.....where's my complimentary slab of virtual BBQ ?! :D


You're welcome TC. As for the quotes above and in the spirit of two birds with one stone......

http://www.jaylaymandesign.com/Design_Website/BBQ_files/Whole%20Hog%20BBQ.png

;)

[spencer]

Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm a thinkin' Spencer left that to the Memphian. :) I'll just have to have you run on down to Corky's, or A&R, or Lennard's, or.....

We'll be needin' some of these then...
http://www.hotshoppe.com/images/products/corky_orig.jpeg http://leisureguy.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/pulled-pork-sandwich-1.jpg

Some good choices there, TG, but even I know the best Barbecue in Memphis is
here (http://www.hogsfly.com/VisitUs.php)

[thingirl]

I disagree, kind sir. I haven't even heard of that place, and we pass 3 or 4 different Bar-b-cue places regularly. Although, that one is up in Bartlett.... Anyway, my Momma knows what's best. We always get Corky's when someone from out of town comes over. And those Northerner family of ours always says one of those three.

[spencer]

You're seriously eating barbecue in Memphis from a chain restaurant? *walks away muttering under his breath about transplanted northerners*

OK, I wouldn't really do that. Corky's is pretty good; we have one where I live. And, I am glad that the South is becoming more diverse with more and more people moving in.

[thingirl]

Isn't Corky's based in Memphis?

And while Dad, both sisters and I I may be transplanted, Momm is from VA. And, Being transplanted means I won't freeze as much as everyone else. :)

[Tetracapillactomist]

(title) ...well, in hog heaven now!

Oh-oh! Hijacked by hogs and hog-lovers galore!:D
Thank you all! I do believe my virtual appetite is sated (extinguished?;)).
(Who would have thought that as a result of my Falstaff/Porthos-channeling outburst, I'd end up never having to go hungry... in Egypt?;) Only kidding, you 'Memphi-maniacs'.)

You know, without the accompanying smell to aid the visual cues, that burger-bun sandwich (of shredded/torn/ripped pork shoulder?), looks to me like the gaping mouth of a warthog chewing good savannah grass - with the cut ends of the fries (?) towards the edge of the buns standing in for the hog's teeth and tusks;) ...well, "stays in the family"; alternatively, it could be an alligator chomping down on an unfortunate swine...

(Mind you, I always found warthogs likeable, funny and fairly brave, considering... http://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/446134/malawi-wild-boar-in-savanna-2.html)

So, Thingirl, Spencer: thanks for the exposé, it does awaken the omnivore in me (I had him for lunch...).

Oldschool: 'helluva' find, spot on. (I'm not sure if it ought, but the sign reminds me of Satriale's - mmm!, 'finger-knuckle-tendon sandwiches'...)

[Young Ned]

As I'm evidently drunk on palo around here, I have only one question and gripe: where's my complimentary slab of virtual BBQ ?! :D
(...can't keep drinkin' on an empty stomach...)

I'm pretty certain palo is the Srythian equivalent of coffee, not an alcoholic beverage, so I strongly doubt you could get drunk on it. Perhaps you meant jitters, aka root wine?

[Tetracapillactomist]

Have you ever managed to remain sober after several properly made "mugs" of something like that? If so, your built-up resistance is stronger than mine.:D Open your nostrils and sniff around the world: "coffees" like that are everywhere. Half your innocently coffee-drinking world is comfortably tipsy on spiked versions of it (using most anything - liqueur, cognac, vodka, schnapps, wine, whiskey, rum, brandy... if you can think of a drink, somebody else already has, before you).

But that's beside the point. I actually took "a warm mug of palo" to be a substitute for "a warm mug of ale", thick and comforting...
Why?
1)- because ale, not coffee, is served warm (coffee being preferred hot instead).
2)- because the world, generally, serves coffee in cups, not mugs.
3)- because root wine is sometimes referenced in connection with palo as being "stronger" (as wine and brandy are stronger than beer, usually).
4)- because fighting men and women (especially in a medieval or 'phantasy' setting) won't often be found 'talking feats' or 'kicking back' over a cup of coffee, tea or chicory.
5)- because the game never states that palo is strictly non-alcoholic.
6)- because the game never mentions that Tysa had prohibition imposed upon it (which, of course, would still not preclude palo being a "speakeasy special").
7)- because the word palo is 'cozily close' to ale (especially when pronounced a certain - obvious - way).
8)- because - and more importantly perhaps - I was reading and playing my role-playing narrative and game, and relying on my imagination, not yours; still, I didn't contradict the game.
9)- (and in conclusion), I just chose to take palo for ale, root wine for... let's say "brandy-wine" - but in the end, none of it matters, because if I choose to be an imaginary approximation of Falstaff, Porthos, Gargantua or any such character, I can "spice up" my own palo... and there's nothing Ness or the pilgrims can do about it.:p:eek::D:cool:

Anyway, Young Ned, there's no reason we shouldn't be able to sit down at a tavern table and agree to disagree while imbibing our own individual versions of palo...;)

In vino veritas.:)

[Young Ned]

Here's the in-game description of palo:

Palo is a common, popular hot drink throughout Northern Sryth .

It is derived from the bark of the palo tree (a medium-sized dark-skinned hardwood). The bark is boiled in water, and the resulting drink is dark, bold, and energizing.

The palo tree renews its bark annually. The bark is also a food that is prized by horntails .

If you can imagine the flavour of strong, black coffee, with a hint of roasted nuts, you will have captured the essence of palo.

Key points:

It's a hot drink, not merely a warm one.
It's produced by boiling part of a plant in water, like coffee.
It's dark, bold, and energizing, like coffee.
It even tastes like coffee.


True, it doesn't explicitly say that it is non-alcoholic, but it would be near impossible to produce alcohol by boiling bark in water. Alcohol has a lower boiling point than water, so even if the bark were saturated with alcohol to begin with, all the alcohol would boil away during the boiling process.

Based on all this, I think it's pretty unlikely that palo is alcoholic. It seems pretty obvious to me, from this description, that palo is intended to be Sryth's coffee. Sorry!

BTW, here in the U.S., coffee in restaurants is usually served in cups, but when people make coffee at home or at work, they nearly always put it into a mug. Plus, Google has 3.7 million hits on "coffee mug".

Edit: I agree it would still be possible for someone to spike their mug of palo with something alcoholic. I just don't get the impression it happens a lot in Tysa.

[Oldschool]

As long as that palo hasn't turned (http://www.sryth.com/ci.php?f_c=showinfo.inc&f_infoid=blightroot) everything should be fine.

As in O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Washington Hogwallop: I slaughtered this horse last Tuesday. I think it's startin' to turn. Musta got tired of that stubborn indifference...... :rolleyes:;)

[Tetracapillactomist]

Meh... go with my first option then, because one way or another, I'm getting drunk on it.

But you're right, fantasy has 'no leg to stand on', clearly:D; those are hard, unequivocal facts and descriptions kicking my imagination in its rear end.
The word "coffee" itself is right there! Thank you for your sobering intervention [sic], and sorry for letting my imagination run un(-fact-)checked.:)

Maybe I'll just have that cup of coffee then, after all. But I'm not paying anything over a wooden token for it - or else I'll strip and boil the bark myself.

@Oldschool: can you refer me to the nearest irreputable tavern that serves Blightroot? I don't rightly recall ever being offered it.

[Oldschool]

.....but it would be near impossible to produce alcohol by boiling bark in water..........


Hmmmmm.......... who says you have to boil the bark?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfUDVqWMhWs

Good movie and there is definitely an art to good moonshining.

I think the whole thing's up on YouTube for anyone interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3tbJrX-UmU

EDIT:

@ TC Sorry but Blightroot's a bit before my time and was part of the Festival of Blades (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/FoB). Although I think I recall some members taking it and then holding onto it and not using it so maybe......................... ;)

[Lightwielder]

Maybe I'll just have that cup of coffee then, after all. But I'm not paying anything over a wooden token for it - or else I'll strip and boil the bark myself.

If you want something warm to get drunk on, Tetra, root wine is served in many places, and is alcoholic.

John Ardin prefers palo.

[Young Ned]

But you're right, fantasy has 'no leg to stand on', clearly:D; those are hard, unequivocal facts and descriptions kicking my imagination in its rear end.
The word "coffee" itself is right there! Thank you for your sobering intervention [sic], and sorry for letting my imagination run un(-fact-)checked.:)

Well, I wasn't trying to quash the free rein of your imagination; sorry if I came across that way...

[Tetracapillactomist]

@Oldschool: good movie, good documentary too - O Brother... was my favourite for a good while (likely the best Clooney has starred in, thus far, even as I like his own projects and various others featuring him as well), and it still is among them, along with most of the Coen bros. 'catalogue'.

Thanks for the links on old Popcorn, I'll look for the doc - good subject, good story, well shot (absolutely no cheap pun implied, intended or otherwise connected) - and they bring up some good footage about the "thunder road"-runners. (I'll take footage of those runs over NASCAR any minute of any day too...) Johnny Knoxville was having fun, and no wonder...

(re. Blightroot: better make friends with "the criminal element" or look for "alternative markets", I take it... :))

@Lightwielder: oh, it's "just" fantasy (one of the 'highest functions' of the human brain - is the reason for the quotation marks...), so I'm fine - in real life I don't crave alcohol, can 'take it' some, but 'leave it' mostly - only figured that it suits the setting (in my mind, at least). Oiorpata can 'take it or leave it' as well, and does so...;)

@Young Ned: no harm done, that 'thing' is hard to quash - more so than my 'spirit' (pun intended, this time...:D). You were being factual - and there isn't anything inherently wrong with bringing one's mind to face the hard facts - from time to time, at least...;). That being said, imagination has its place and time as well. (But it's one thing putting facts and reality on hold and ignoring them for a time - and entirely another, trying to deny or contradict them, especially when the 'word of truth' itself stares you in the face...:))

[Oldschool]

and they bring up some good footage about the "thunder road"-runners. (I'll take footage of those runs over NASCAR any minute of any day too...)


Not footage but you might enjoy this. Actually folks that don't enjoy, follow, like, etc... racing might find it a good read. It's a feature article so it's fairly long but worth it imo. It also was the basis for a movie starring one of the Bridges boys - Jeff I think.

http://www.esquire.com/features/life-of-junior-johnson-tom-wolfe-0365

[Tetracapillactomist]

Did a cursory read of the first page - promising.

Postponing attentive read, but posting to thank you.

(In fact I like cars, along with some types of racing... only mentioned NASCAR because I found footage about the very same character Wolfe mentions, and found his story fascinating and his past 'unexpected'.:))