The Official Mabinogi Thread

• Tokiko wrote on 2011-01-05 02:48
  Alright let's get this topic started.......Yup.
• abc33kr wrote on 2011-01-05 02:49
  whats this for?
• Moppy wrote on 2011-01-05 02:49
  AND ITS IN BR? WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?
• Tokiko wrote on 2011-01-05 02:53

  Quote from abc33kr;276539:

  whats this for?

  
  Mabinogi.
  

  Quote from Moppy;276545:

  AND ITS IN BR? WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?

  
  I was thinking about posting this in the Entertainment Section but I was like "Nah....."
• Devoth wrote on 2011-01-05 02:53
  With over 50 different hair styles and over 40 different eye and lip features you can select from, Mabinogi allows countless possibilities to build your character with a wide range of colors and shapes. Users are also provided with various decorative accessories and shoes. Not happy with the selections? Dye them into different colors of your own choice to perfectly suit your taste! If you are tired of having the same look as everyone else, come and experience life in Mabinogi, where unique expressions of one’s identity are encouraged and celebrated!
  
  Elves and Giants also live in the world of Mabinogi. Uladh consists mainly of the Human race while Iria is occupied by Elves and Giants. Explore the eclectic range of surroundings from the dry deserts of Connous which are frequented by sandstorms, to the snowy fields of Physis.
  
  Mabinogi NPCs will remember your character. Every NPC is kept busy with his or her occupation. If are looking for a part-time job, then simply try talking to them. If you complete the job, there is no doubt that you will be met with worthwhile rewards, not to mention the rapport you will build with the NPC!
  
  Have you ever felt like you’re just another player with nothing to make you stand out from the rest? In the world of Mabinogi, you can earn titles that every player will respect and recognize. Some titles are easy to earn while other rare titles take a lot more time and skills. But regardless of how they are acquired, it will be your opportunity to express your creativity as well as the uniqueness of your character. Reach for titles that will let the whole world know who you are!
  
  Exotic giant marks on the ground and hidden dungeons that appear and vanish. It is the role of our users to uncover the mysteries of the exotic giant marks and hidden dungeons.
  
  In Mabinogi, anyone who has a fishing pole and some bait can enjoy fishing. You can either read the fish’s gesticulatory hints and fish at your own pace, or have your character fish on his/her own. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a precious item instead of a fish. You can choose to fish at the bank of a clear stream, at a serene reservoir in the middle of endless waters of the ocean, or even on ice for ice fishing!
  
  All manufacturing activities begin by gathering the natural resources around you. In Mabinogi, users can shear sheep, spin threads, weave fabric, and tailor their own clothes. In addition to shearing sheep, you can actively partake in other activities such as chopping down trees for firewood, milking a cow, mining for iron ores, and much more.
  
  When you are stranded alone in the field in the middle of the night, follow the small glimmer of light afar and you just might run into a group of travelers sitting around a campfire. You can stay warm by the fire, play music, tell stories, cook a delicious meal and share it all together. It’s an intimate place, where bonds are formed and friendships grow closer. Best of all, you will be in for a treat as the troubadours’ music will accompany you through the night. You can even compose and have other players listen to your composition, available only in Mabinogi.
  
  In Mabinogi, users can cook with the ingredients they have gathered around them.
  You will begin with simple meals, but as you take classes and acquire the necessary mastery, you will be able to create fine-dining, gourmet meals that rival those of any restaurant! The taste of the food depends on how you mix and match the ingredients, but if you’re constantly eating fatty foods, you’ll gain weight so be careful! If this happens, you’d have to go on a strict diet by eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating healthy is not only good for your body, but it also helps you develop your skills.
  
  Basic skills are taught at school, but you can acquire deeper knowledge of skills by reading skill books. Many books are available for you to read, ranging from skill books necessary to sustain safety in Mabinogi, as well as informative books that explain interesting facts about the towns and regions.
• Moppy wrote on 2011-01-05 02:54
  MapleStory (Korean: 메이플스토리) is a free-of-charge (with pay-to-play elements), 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by the South Korean company Wizet. Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, and each is published by various companies such as Wizet and Nexon. Although playing the game is free, character appearances and gameplay enhancements can be purchased from the "Cash Shop" using real money. MapleStory has a combined total of well over 100 million subscriber/user accounts in all of its versions.[3][4][5] MapleStory North America (Global), for players mainly in North America and outside of East Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe, has over 10 million players.[4]
  In the game, players travel the "Maple World", defeating monsters and developing their characters' skills and abilities as is typical in role-playing games. Players can interact with others in many ways, such as through chatting, trading, and playing minigames. Groups of players can band together in parties to hunt monsters and share the rewards and can also collaborate together forming guilds to interact more easily with each other.
  In late 2010 the game was completely revised in an event named the "Big Bang".[6][7]
  Contents [hide]
  1 Gameplay
  1.1 Characters
  1.2 Fame system
  1.3 Monsters
  1.4 Guilds
  1.5 Quests
  1.6 Economy
  1.7 World
  1.8 Minigames
  1.9 Marriage
  1.10 Events
  2 Versions and registration
  3 Revenue and game population
  4 In other media
  5 Critical reception
  6 Abuse
  7 See also
  8 References
  9 External links
  Gameplay
  
  Like most MMORPGs, gameplay centers on venturing into dungeons and combating monsters in real-time. The players combat monsters and complete quests, in the process acquiring in-game currency called "Mesos", experience points (EXP), and various items. Players can kill monsters alone, or they can form a party with up to six total characters. Loot is shared based on relative damage and level of characters in the party, more being awarded to the higher-level members.
  MapleStory's 2D scrolling viewpoint more closely resembles a platform game rather than the typical 3D environment or top-down perspective of other games. The controls for the game are executed using the keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is used for many game functions, and much of it can be rearranged to suit users' needs. The mouse is mainly used to trigger Non-player characters and manipulate items.
  MapleStory characters exist in "worlds" or "servers." Players are allowed to create up to 3 characters in each world (although more character slots can be obtained through the purchase of an item from the Cash Shop). Each world, similar in content between each other in the same version, is split into at most twenty channels, among which characters are allowed to freely switch. The ability to transfer entire characters between worlds was added in December 2007 to GlobalMS. However, this feature has a restriction — transfer of mesos is limited to 1 million, and players cannot transfer to the newest world.
  Characters
  When creating a new character, there are four branches of classes currently available: Adventurers, Cygnus Knights, Legends, and Resistance. Some classes are currently not available in other versions.
  Adventurer characters start on Maple Island and begin as a Beginner class. When reaching level 10, 8 for Magicians, the Beginner is able to advance into one of the five classes: Warrior, Bowmen, Magician, Thief, and Pirate. After choosing their class, further class progression is only allowed within the scope of the first class advancement with advancements at level 30, 70, and 120. A class advancement called "Dual Blade" is available for the Thief class at level 20, allowing them to wield a second blade with different class advancements.
  Cygnus Knight characters begin as Noblesse class and begin their journey on Ereve. At level 10, they are allowed to class advance into five Cygnus Knight classes, each one parallels to the Adventurer class.
  Two Legend classes are currently available, Aran and Evan. The Legend classes are characters with background stories related to the antagonist of the game, the Black Mage. Arans have the Combo System, a unique feature to the class, allowing them to generate combo counts by hitting monsters giving them buffs and allowing them to cast combo-consuming skills. Evans are similar to Magicians but use a dragon which fights on their behalf.
  Resistance characters begin in Edelstein, a town taken over by the Black Mage's followers. The characters created under the Resistance branch begin as Citizens and have three available job advancements: Battle Mage, Wild Hunter, and Mechanic. A Battle Mage uses a staff for physical attacks, a Wild Hunter rides a black jaguar while wielding a crossbow, and a Mechanic uses a robotic suit to fight.
  Fame system
  In addition to combat statistics, characters have "Fame". Although publicized by the game's creators, fame serves little practical purpose besides fulfilling some quest and equipment requirements. Once characters reach level 15, they are able to raise or drop the fame of any other character once per day. A character cannot raise or drop the same character's fame more than once per month. The maximum amount of fame a character may receive is 30,000. A ranking feature, available in certain versions of MapleStory, keeps track of players that are performing well in total ranking, job ranking, world ranking and fame ranking. Rank information is available from the region website of the player and can also be found in-game.
  Monsters
  MapleStory's monsters are somewhat reminiscent of Earthbound with numerous quirky enemies. There are few human enemies in either game (the main exception being Showa Town in some versions); Instead players are required to fight undead, constructs, animals, plants/fungi, and oozes.
  Guilds
  Players can form guilds[8] for various purposes ranging from game strategy to social reasons. Joining a guild may allow a player to find and chat with others more easily, bond with fellow guild-mates, promote cooperation, and battle using teamwork. Guilds and expansion upgrades can be acquired with in game currency, these allow more players to join the guild. Members have their guild's name listed under their character name along with an optional decorative emblem.
  Quests
  There are over six hundred available quests,[9][10] each with varying prerequisites; most quests may require the player to have attained a certain level or to have completed another certain quest.[10] Most available quests require the player to retrieve a certain amount of spoils attained from monsters or to traverse an obstacle course. Some quests can be repeated, although the reward(s) and given EXP may be different from those attained during their first completion.
  Jump quests are a unique type of quest in which a character starts at one area of a map and uses timed jumps to get from one to another specific platform. Players attempt to avoid enemies and obstacles that can knock them off of the platforms. Skills and abilities that increase jumping distance or speed do not have any effect during these quests.
  Economy
  Items can be acquired from monster drops, purchased from other characters or shops, or obtained as rewards for completing a quest. These items are used for various purposes. Players are also able to trade items, but higher value transactions attract a virtual tax.
  Since MapleStory is free, the developers introduced the Cash Shop to generate revenue. This is a virtual shop where players can buy items using real money, so-called microtransactions.[11] Most Cash Shop items expire after a certain period of time, usually 30 to 90 days. Pets, modeled after animals such as monkeys, dogs, cats, bunnies, pandas, pigs, and mini versions of in-game monsters, follow the owner around and can be equipped to pick up spoils dropped by enemies.[12]
  The Free Market is a place set aside for people who wish to sell their items amongst other players. Miniature shops can be set up in this area, allowing people to browse their stock. Store permits, which are required to set up a shop, are only available through the Cash Shop. There are two types of store permits: a standard store, which requires the presence of the player, and the hired merchant which does not require the presence of the player but requires additional cash shop money to use this feature. The hired merchant store is only available in time periods of 24 hours, one week, or two weeks. Conversely, the standard store lasts ninety days but only works with the presence of the user. One can meet with players located in other towns, provided the town contains a Free Market entrance. However, one cannot use the Free Market to travel between towns.
  Real money trading between players is prohibited in MapleStory, and results in a ban. This includes trading mesos (ingame currency) with NX Cash Items (items bought with real money).
  World
  
  
  The overall map of the Maple World
  There are four main continents common to all versions in the MapleStory world: Maple Island, Victoria Island, Ossyria and Masteria. Maple Island is where every new player begins the game. The beginner-friendly island features low leveled monsters and short tutorial quests to introduce players to different aspects of gameplay. Once a player leaves the island they are unable to return to it. Victoria Island is where players arrive after leaving Maple Island. The island has eight cities, and is where Beginners will upgrade to their first job. Ossyria is currently divided into seven distinct regions with varying environments: El Nath Mountains, Ludus Lake, Aqua Road, Minar Forest, Mu Lung Garden, Nihal Desert, Temple of Time and Ereb. Masteria is a new continent that is believed to be off the coast of Victoria Island. There are only three towns on this continent: New Leaf City, the Prendergast Mansion and Crimsonwood Keep.[13]
  World Tour regions can be reached by talking to an NPC located in almost every town in Victoria and Ossyria. The World Tour consists of additional continents that are based on real life countries. There are currently four world tour continents: Zipangu, China, Formosa, and Siam.[14] Currently, Zipangu and Formosa are the only two world tour continent to have regional world maps.
  The newest additions include Singapore and Malaysia.[15] Players wishing to reach these areas must first travel to Kerning City Airport and depart by plane arriving at Singapore Changi Airport.
  Minigames
  Players can play various minigames, both solo and multi-player.
  Omok is the Korean cognate of the Japanese game "Gomoku," akin to tic-tac-toe. To win, a player needs to place five pieces in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line.
  Match Cards, also known as "Concentration," can be played with grids of 3x4, 4x5, and 5x6 cards. The facedown side of the cards contains images of various monsters, which players take turns matching.
  
  
  A 5x6 Match Cards game.
  Pachinko is exclusive to the JapanMS and TaiwanMS versions. In order to play, the player must be in a Pachinko House and have pachinko balls purchased in the Cash Shop. Players try to get the pachinko balls into a mushroom hole below a slot. If the player obtains a certain amount of balls, he or she may win in-game prizes.
  Gachapon is a vending machine, in which the player inserts a ticket bought from the Cash Shop and a random prize comes out.
  Rock, Paper, Scissors is based on the actual game, in which one plays against an NPC.
  Fishing King is currently available in TaiwanMS[16] and ThailandMS.[17] After the player completes a quest to obtain a diving suit, he or she is sent to a map to catch fish. The player may return to catch fish as many times as desired.
  The Fishing System is currently available in all versions except KoreaMS, GlobalMS and EuropeMS. Players can buy fishing equipment from the Cash Shop and talk to an NPC in various towns to go fishing.
  Marriage
  Players may participate in in-game marriages at the town of Amoria (or Peach Blossom Island in the Chinese version of MapleStory). Guests may be invited to the wedding, and the marrying couple will receive wedding ring items. The wedding "ceremony" requires the completion of various quests. If a premium wedding ticket from the Cash Shop was purchased, the player is entitled to have a party after the ceremony. In Amoria Dungeon, players can fight exclusive monsters. The KoreaMS version of Amoria has been altered to remove the training grounds and the Chapel area, leaving only the Cathedral. MapleStory does not currently allow same-sex marriage.
  Events
  
  
  Players gathering in Lith Harbor waiting for a GM event to start, with a GM's yellow message on the top of the screen.
  On certain days, the Game Masters (also known as GMs) host special events in which any player is capable of participating, given their character is at a given map during the event time. All participants receive a trophy, and winners receive a random prize. Users are notified of an upcoming event by a scrolling box at the top of the game screen. Events are known to bring an influx of players to the event's respective locations, which generally causes massive connection lag and sometimes even disconnections.[18] The large amount of special effects during an event can significantly slow down the player's PC.
  Occasionally, certain versions of the game hold events that celebrate a certain event in real-life or an event specific to that version, such as a holiday or new server release.[19] During these events, certain aspects of the game are modified in celebration; for example, the experience rate or drop rate may be increased, or special items may be released.
• Arsik wrote on 2011-01-05 03:01
  Mabinogi has had its say, and this is mine. The rest of this letter is focused exclusively on Mabinogi, not because I harbor any ill-will towards it but because several things it has said have brought me to the boiling point. The statement of its that made the strongest impression on me, however, was something to the effect of how the world can be happy only when its lynch mob is given full rein. While Mabinogi insists that we should all bear the brunt of its actions, reality dictates otherwise. Actually, if you want a real dose of reality, look at how if you read Mabinogi's writings while mentally out of focus, you may get the sense that Mabinogi can scare us by using big words like "anthropogeographical". But if you read its writings while mentally in focus and weigh each point carefully, it's clear that I feel no more personal hatred for it than I might feel for a herd of wild animals or a cluster of poisonous reptiles. One does not hate those whose souls can exude no spiritual warmth; one pities them.
  
  Anyone who has spent much time wading through the pious, obscurantist, jargon-filled cant that now passes for "advanced" thought in the humanities already knows that Mabinogi has the characteristics of an impetuous crackpot. What may be news, however, is that it keeps insisting that everyone who scrambles aboard the Mabinogi bandwagon is guaranteed a smooth ride. To me, there is something fundamentally wrong with that story. Maybe it's that Mabinogi would love to see me turn to a life of crime. (Note the heroic restraint stopping me from saying that Mabinogi is driven by its urge for power, its love of force, and its dream of conquest.)
  
  Yes, Mabinogi may be nothing more than a disposable tool of power-wielding, Pecksniffian bludgers but if it were to acquire public acceptance of its unforgiving reports, social upheaval and violence would follow. It is therefore clear that Mabinogi really shouldn't encumber the religious idea with too many things of a purely earthly nature and thus bring religion into a totally unnecessary conflict with science. That's just plain common sense. Of course, the people who appreciate its activities are those who eagerly root up common sense, prominently hold it out, and decry it as poison with astonishing alacrity. Mabinogi's ploys cannot stand on their own merit. That's why they're dependent on elaborate artifices and explanatory stories to convince us that Mabinogi is renowned for its racial and cultural sensitivity. I stand by what I've written before, that Mabinogi's irascible dream is starting to come true. Liberties are being killed by attrition. Terrorism is being installed by accretion. The only way that we can reverse these dodgy, disaffected trends is to point the high-powered fire hose of truth at Mabinogi's wily "compromises" to wash away their multiple layers of fetishism. To be precise, I, not being one of the many mingy marauders of this world, am offended by the way it talks down to me. More emphatically, Mabinogi will probably respond to this letter just like it responds to all criticism. It will put me down as "ribald" or "sinful". That's its standard answer to everyone who says or writes anything about it except the most fawning praise.
  
  There is a proper place in life for hatred. Hatred of that which is wrong is a powerful and valuable tool. But when Mabinogi perverts hatred in order to inculcate the hermeneutics of suspicion in otherwise open-minded people, it becomes clear that it never tires of trying to extinguish fires with gasoline. Mabinogi presumably hopes that the magic formula will work some day. In the meantime, it seems to have resolved to learn nothing from experience, which tells us that I am highly critical of those who tolerate or apologize for people who work with Mabinogi. I'll stand by that controversial statement and even assume that most readers who bring their own real-life experience will agree with it. At a bare minimum, Mabinogi is a serial exaggerator. If I were to be less kind, I'd say it's a liar. Either way, if I didn't sincerely believe that Mabinogi's barbs are a load of claptrap, then I wouldn't be writing this letter.
  
  Suppress people's instinct and intellect if you like, Mabinogi, because I simply don't care. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to detect the subtext of this letter. But just in case it's too subliminal for some, let me thrust it into your face right here: Mabinogi's hateful, ill-tempered fibs have caused acrimonious devil-worshippers to descend upon us like a swarm of locusts, making me the target of a constant, consistent, systematic, sustained campaign of attacks. I appreciate feedback and other people's views on subjects. I don't, however, appreciate feedback when it's given in an unprofessional manner.
  
  Others have stated it much more eloquently than I, but many people are incredulous when I tell them that Mabinogi intends to promote violence in all its forms—physical, sexual, psychological, economical, and social. "How could Mabinogi be so power-drunk?", they ask me. "It doesn't seem possible." Well, it is decidedly possible, and now I'll explain exactly how Mabinogi plans to do it. But first, you need to realize that it doesn't want to acknowledge that it's in violation of the Geneva Conventions. In fact, Mabinogi would rather block all discussion on the subject. I suppose that's because it would have us believe that it possesses infinite wisdom. Yeah, right. And I also suppose that it's okay for Mabinogi to indulge its every whim and lust without regard for anyone else or for society as a whole? The fact of the matter is that when its confused, rotten utterances are translated into plain, words-mean-things English, Mabinogi appears to be saying that it's a moral exemplar. For me, this nefarious, sexist moonshine serves only to emphasize how Mabinogi's goal is to feed blind hatred. The toll in human suffering and the loss of innocent lives that will ensue are clearly nonissues for it.
  
  I like to say that Mabinogi and its coadjutors are the apocalyptic riders of world annihilation. It never directly acknowledges such truisms but instead tries to turn them around to make it sound like I'm saying that morbid hedonists have dramatically lower incidences of cancer, heart attacks, heart disease, and many other illnesses than the rest of us. I guess that version better fits its style—or should I say, "agenda"? If I am correct that Mabinogi's speeches tend to be more phatic than illustrative, then it likes breaking us up into a set of quarreling, wrangling, squabbling factions, which puts it somewhere between a raucous schnorrer and a shrewish scalawag on the insurrectionism org chart. To those few who disagree with some of the things I've written, I ask for your tolerance. The more I think about beer-guzzling masters of deceit, the more troubled I become by Mabinogi's undertakings. Note that the foregoing does not pretend to be an accurate description of all people who might be considered censorious, vindictive prigs. It is only a rough indication of some of Mabinogi's general tendencies.
  
  Mabinogi has written volumes about how honesty and responsibility have no cash value and are therefore worthless. Don't believe a word of it, though. The truth is that some people think I'm exaggerating when I say that it is easier for me to imagine a million-dimensional vector space than the number of inconsistencies in its assertions. But I'm not exaggerating; if anything, I'm understating the situation.
  
  Have you ever stopped to consider the enormous havoc and ruin that has been wrought in this world by Mabinogi and its partisans? I have. That's why I say that it thinks I'm trying to say that Mabinogi is a martyr for freedom and a victim of demagogism. Wait! I just heard something. Oh, never mind; it's just the sound of the point zooming way over Mabinogi's head.
  
  If Mabinogi is victorious in its quest to recover the dead past by annihilating the living present, then its crown will be the funeral wreath of humanity. Calling Mabinogi's hangers-on conceited schizophrenics may be accurate, but Mabinogi is an opportunist. That is, it is an ideological chameleon, without any real morality, without a soul. Mabinogi is locked into its present course of destruction. It does not have the interest or the will to change its fundamentally prissy principles. Let me conclude by expressing the hope that by reading this letter you have learned the life lesson, "Always tell the truth about Mabinogi."
• Devoth wrote on 2011-01-05 03:02
  To my many friends, both known and unknown, wherever you may be, I submit these thoughts for your consideration. Some background is in order: If Mabinogi had lived the short, sickly, miserable life of a chattel serf in the ages "before technocracy" it wouldn't be so keen to twist the truth. Maybe it'd even begin to realize that I need your help if I'm ever to fight the good fight. "But I'm only one person," you might protest. "What difference can I make?" The answer is: a lot more than you think. You see, Mabinogi uses the word "counterdemonstration" to justify granting petty twerps the keys to the kingdom. In doing so, it is reversing the meaning of that word as a means of disguising the fact that most acts of factionalism are committed not by bad-tempered malingerers but by Mabinogi's cronies in an attempt to make us the helpless puppets of our demographic labels. But wait—as they say on late-night television infomercials—there's more: It has long been obvious to attentive observers that Mabinogi is trying to prevent me from getting my work done just to prove it can. But did you know that Mabinogi has rightly earned the scorn and derision with which it is viewed in many quarters? Mabinogi doesn't want you to know that because if it truly wanted to be helpful, Mabinogi wouldn't supplant national heroes with foul-mouthed voluptuaries.
  
  If we were to let Mabinogi get away with sweeping its peccadillos under the rug, that would be a gross miscarriage of justice. While lecherous ingrates claim to defend traditional values, they actually deny both our individual and collective responsibility to live in harmony with each other and the world. This is not the first time I've wanted to advance freedom in countries strangled by tyranny. But it is the first time I realized that it actually believes that truth is whatever your grievance group says it is. True, Mabinogi has a right to its opinion. In its mind, it also apparently has a right to be a cynical tatterdemalion as evidenced by its endless attempts to shackle us with the chains of jujuism.
  
  Even Mabinogi's sympathizers don't care much for its political objectives; they simply wish to associate with other rotten hedonists and keep a close eye on those who look like they might think an unapproved thought. I, for one, unequivocally wouldn't want to hinder economic growth and job creation. I would, on the other hand, love to deliver Mabinogi from its appalling ignorance. But, hey, I'm already doing that with this letter.
  
  If Mabinogi bites me I will bite back. Why does Mabinogi want to manufacture outrage at its adversaries by attributing to them all kinds of raffish tirades? Because it is my contention that it wouldn't be able to control your bank account, your employment, your personal safety, and your mind if it were working on a level playing field. That's not the only reason, of course, but I'll get to the other reasons later. Mabinogi hates you—yes, you, because you, like me, want to rage, rage against the dying of the light while remaining true to those beliefs, ideals, and aspirations we hold most dear.
  
  One wonders if Mabinogi has the cheek to consign most of us to the role of its servants or slaves. I clearly hope not because every concert that it attends degenerates into a free-for-all of slam dancing and scattered fistfights. Stated differently, Mabinogi is a hard worker. It works hard to prevent anyone from commenting on its unscrupulous homilies. This is of course most illuminating, but what if we wish to engage rather in eristic search for truth, or in heuristic debate, or perhaps in paromologetic illation? In my experience, I strive to be consistent in my arguments. I can't say that I'm 100% true to this, but Mabinogi's frequent vacillating leads me to believe that it says that space aliens are out to lay eggs in our innards or ooze their alien hell-slime all over us. But then it turns around and says that its blandishments enhance performance standards, productivity, and competitiveness. You know, you can't have it both ways, Mabinogi.
  
  I used to maintain that Mabinogi was a pernicious scoundrel. However, after seeing how it wants to substitute breast-beating and schwarmerei for action and honest debate, I now have an even lower opinion of it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Mabinogi wants us to feel sorry for the contumacious thugs who exploit the masses. I suspect we should instead feel sorry for their victims, all of whom know full well that we can no longer afford to do nothing about Mabinogi's debauched, devious subliminal psywar campaigns. Instead, we must strike while the iron is hot and study the impact of its greed, stupidity, hubris, and outright corruption on society.
  
  I support those who devote their life to education and activism. It is through their tireless efforts that people everywhere are learning that Mabinogi's behavior is beyond dysfunctional. I mean, think about it. Mabinogi seems to be involved in a number of illegal or borderline-illegal activities. For it and its confidants, tax evasion and financial chicanery are scarcely outside the norm. Even financial fraud and thievery seem to be okay. What's next? Infringing upon our most important constitutional rights? I can say only that only the committed action of millions of concerned and politically active patriots united in their determination to shatter the adage that Mabinogi was chosen by God as the trustee of His wishes and desires will be able to defy it. It's that simple.
  
  I, hardheaded cynic that I am, act based on what I think is right, not who I think is right. That's why I try always to beat Mabinogi at its own game. It's also why I say that nature, habit, and opinion have drawn indelible lines of distinction between us and the salacious, hateful so-called experts who fleece us. Sadly, lack of space prevents me from elaborating further. Oddly enough, Mabinogi is not on my Christmas-card list. Stranger still, some people profess that Mabinogi derives sadistic pleasure in the misfortune of others. Others contend that experience shows that all of Mabinogi's "compromises" are based on the premise that mendacious twits are inherently good, sensitive, creative, and inoffensive. In the interest of clearing up the confusion I'll make the following observation: It's easy to tell if Mabinogi is lying. If its lips are moving, it's lying.
  
  I hope it will not disappoint you to learn that Mabinogi, already oppressive with its treasonous catch-phrases, will perhaps be the ultimate exterminator of our human species—if separate species we be—for its reserve of unguessed horrors could never be borne by mortal brains if loosed upon the world. If you think that that's a frightening thought then consider that Mabinogi likes saying that human beings should be appraised by the number of things and the amount of money they possess instead of by their internal value and achievements. Okay, that's a parody—but not a very gross one. In point of fact, I can't follow Mabinogi's pretzel logic. I do, however, know that it is known for walking into crowded rooms and telling everyone there that embracing a system of Maoism will make everything right with the world. Try, if you can, to concoct a statement better calculated to show how spleeny Mabinogi is. You can't do it. Not only that, but if it wants to be taken seriously, it should counter the arguments in this letter with facts, not illogical panaceas, personal anecdotes, or insults.
  
  I feel that we should let Mabinogi prattle on about how it is its moral imperative to pooh-pooh the concerns of others. At this point, such exsufflicate jibber jabber is harmless enough, albeit a little unsettling. Nevertheless, it does demonstrate how Mabinogi counts sullen hoodlums as its friends. Unfortunately for it, these are hired friends, false friends, friends incapable of realizing for a moment that no one of any intelligence believes that Mabinogi's pranks can give us deeper insights into the nature of reality. How much more illumination does that fact need before Mabinogi can grasp it? Assuming the answer is "a substantial amount", let me point out that if the past is any indication of the future, Mabinogi will once again attempt to cause a marked deterioration in our literature, amusements, and social conduct. Are Mabinogi's tricks good for the country? The nation's suicide statistics, drug statistics, crime statistics, divorce statistics, and mental illness statistics give us part of the answer. These statistics should make it clear that it has been nourishing delirious ideologies. If there were any semblance of decency left in its entourage that ought to be an affront to it. Sadly, that's a big "if"; we all know that if you are not smart enough to realize this, then you become the victim of your own ignorance. To summarize what I've written up to this point, I went puce with rage when I first heard Mabinogi say that everything it says is entirely and utterly true. You know I'm right. Now what are you going to do about it?
• Navy wrote on 2011-01-05 03:28
  I only read up to post 4 because I can't get over that wall of text D:
• Chinaboy475 wrote on 2011-01-05 03:52
  agreed why is everyone writing so long?
• Devoth wrote on 2011-01-05 03:58

  Quote from Chinaboy475;276660:

  agreed why is everyone writing so long?

  
  
  rofl
• Chockeh wrote on 2011-01-05 04:17
  So, what is mabinogi about again?
• Moppy wrote on 2011-01-05 04:18

  Quote from Chockeh;276721:

  So, what is mabinogi about again?

  
  
  Combat Arms is a multiplayer, free-to-play modern first-person shooter developed by the South Korea-based developer, Doobic Studios, and published by Nexon.[2] The game uses the Lithtech game engine to produce advanced graphics.
  Contents [hide]
  1 Gameplay
  2 Development
  3 Critical reception
  4 References
  5 External links
  [edit]Gameplay
  
  Combat Arms gameplay is similar to commercial games such as Counter-Strike, Ghost Recon 2 and Call of Duty.[2] The game offers many different modes of play, including One Man Army, Elimination, Capture The Flag, multiplayer co-op (known as Fireteam), Elimination Pro, Search and Destroy, Seize & secure, and Bombing Run. During the 2009 winter season of the game, a special mode known as Snowball Fight was introduced, but was later removed. Combat Arms uses a player ranking system based on total experience, using common military ranks that players can obtain. Completing objectives, killing other players, and levelling up one's rank gives the player money in the form of Gear Points (GP), which can be used to purchase new equipment. Equipment includes weaponry, weapon attachments, and accessories for one's character. Players can also purchase equipment from the Black Market[3] (previously known as the Nexon Cash Shop) using NX (previously known as Nexon Cash) that is bought with real-world money. Primarily, the Black Market equipment is cosmetically different from regular shop items and have no rank or level requirement that many of the free items require. In addition, some items may only be obtained through the Black Market. All items purchased have a time length of anywhere from 1 to 90 days,after which the gear is deleted from the players inventory; however, players can buy most NX standard items for permanent with NX, and on the rare occasion, Gamer Points.
  
  
  The game boasts customizability that includes female player models.
  Combat Arms has over 4,000,000 registered players .The game supports community features such as clans and an in-game friends' list. There is one current official gaming league known as the World Online Gaming League that Nexon America sponsors.
  [edit]Development
  
  Combat Arms closed beta started on May 30, 2008, exclusively through FilePlanet and ran until June 6.[4] This beta was limited to users from North America, South America, and Oceania. In the closed beta, 4 maps and 30 weapons were available. On June 26, Combat Arms went into its Pre-Open Beta Phase, whereby the game was open to the public, but it was still being tested and changed to prepare for Open Beta.[5] Pre-Open Beta was still limited to users from North America, South America, and Oceania. The Official Launch of Combat Arms started on July 11, 2008.
  On the August 8, 2008, Nexon announced[6] that a Combat Arms service would be started by Nexon Europe for European Players. On September 25, 2008, the Combat Arms Europe Teaser website[7] was activated by Nexon Europe, and on October 28, 2008, Nexon Europe started the Combat Arms Europe Closed Beta testing. Closed Beta testing finished on November 11, 2008, and the Open Beta testing began on December 16, 2008 and lasted until January 15, 2009. The game is now fully released in Korea, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. On April 2, 2009, Nexon America announced that South American service for Combat Arms would cease on April 9th of that year. Those who had any amount of NX were allowed to play until October 9th, or until their NX fell below an undefined amount, whichever came first. An in-game voice chat system, provided by Vivox, was implemented in the game on November 25th, 2009. [8]
  On June 29, 2010, Level Up! Interactive, the premier Brazilian free games publisher announced that it had attained publishing rights of Combat Arms in Brazil. The teaser website was launched.
  [edit]Critical reception
  
  Metacritic aggregate reviews place Combat Arms with an average of 71.[9] Reviewers cite many bugs and glitches in the earlier versions.[10]
  GameZone's Michael Splechta reviewed the game on 3/11/10, saying "Combat Arms is fun. Simple as that. If you can overlook the annoying players, then anyone looking for a competitive online shooter should look no further. This is free to play FPS at its best." [11]
  [edit]References
• Chockeh wrote on 2011-01-05 04:20
  Oh so you mean that Mabinogi is not a traditional MMORPG such as World of Warcraft or Everquest. It is a more casual experience that lets the player live out their lives in any fashion they want. When I created my spiky-haired character, my attention was immediately drawn to a section which had me pick my age. You can start off by playing as a kid, but for new players it is recommended to start as a 17-year-old because the sooner you reach the age of 18, the sooner you can experience everything the game has to offer. The game also removes the choice of picking a traditional class such as a warrior, rogue or mage, and instead lets you be a jack of all trades or a master of one. If you feel like being a sword wielding woodsman, a tailor that specializes in bows, or even a traveling musician that can cast a mean fireball, the game permits those choices without any hesitation.
  The game starts the player off in a small town, with basic equipment, and a bunch of tutorial quests to get familiar with the game. New quests, which are brought to players by owls swooping down from the sky, are then automatically added according to which quests were already done prior, and what level the player is. This eliminates the hassle of needless running around, and rather lets the player focus on the tasks at hand.
  The mini-map always displays where to go next, so it is impossible to ever get lost while questing. Finishing certain quests also allows players learn new skills, which range from building a campfire for faster healing, sewing clothes, casting magic, etc. These skills improve over time, so as long as they are used. Each skill requires a certain amount of points to level up. This is where it’s important to pick a set amount of skills to focus on, since players don’t have enough points to master every skill. The game also features instant dungeons that are randomly generated. Though it is nice that you can go into a certain dungeon multiple times with different layouts, they all generally look the same.
  Questing, though important to learn skills, is not the only thing entertaining to focus on. Crafting is a huge part of Mabinogi. Though armor, and items are offered in shops, a lot of the better equipment is made by other players. To be able to craft items, players first have to earn recipes, which are usually dropped by enemies, offered as quest rewards or can be bought in shops.
  The only gameplay element that wasn’t enjoyable as I had originally hoped was the actual combat. Whenever I would attack, it seemed like it had a delayed reaction, while the monster always attacked immediately, which usually ended up with my character being knocked out. I did, however, enjoy the actual combat mechanics, which would otherwise make the combat great. When attacking an enemy, an icon appears above their head, letting you know what they are about to do. A shield icon, for example, means it is about to defend, which means you should use a heavy attack skill to break through the defense. This type of combat mechanic is awesome to see in a MMO, but suffers because of low response time.
  The game is presented in a cel-shaded anime style. The characters and vibrant environments look as if they were ripped straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki film. The sound however is a hit or miss situation. Though there are some really nice piano tunes, the rest of the soundtrack, while going through a dungeon, or traversing the map, was out of place. The game also incorporates cutscenes when performing quests that revolve around the main storyline, which is a nice touch because it makes the player feel more important, and more like a main character in the game, rather than just one of many.
  Mabinogi might not be the MMO everyone will be flocking to, nor is it in any way, shape or form going to lure in hardcore MMO players, but it does however provide a nice casual experience for anyone looking for a laid back online experience?
• Devoth wrote on 2011-01-05 04:21

  Quote from Chockeh;276721:

  So, what is mabinogi about again?

  
  
  The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the Texian defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution.
  
  Several months prior, Texians had driven all Mexican troops out of Mexican Texas. Approximately 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. The Texian force grew slightly with the arrival of reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexican troops marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to re-take Texas. For the next 12 days the two armies engaged in several skirmishes with minimal casualties. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a large force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies, but fewer than 100 reinforcements arrived.
  
  In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repulsing two attacks, Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian soldiers withdrew into interior buildings. Defenders unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered; if so, they were quickly executed. Most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians dead, while most historians of the Alamo agree that 400–600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat. The news sparked a panic and the Texian army, most settlers, and the new Republic of Texas government fled from the advancing Mexican Army.
  
  Within Mexico, the battle has often been overshadowed by events from the Mexican–American War of 1846–48. In 19th-century Texas, the Alamo complex gradually became known as a battle site rather than a former mission. The Texas Legislature purchased the land and buildings in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo chapel as an official Texas State Shrine. The Alamo is now "the most popular tourist site in Texas".[1] The Alamo has been the subject of numerous non-fiction works beginning in 1843. Most Americans, however, are more familiar with the myths spread by many of the movie and television adaptations,[2] including the 1950s Disney miniseries Davy Crockett and John Wayne's 1960 film The Alamo.