Not Dead Yet!

A simple blog on Topplr run by me, a superhuman known as Shade.

[ee76q]

You rang?

[abjectadmiration]

I actually have nothing interesting to say really…but HEY, since you’re HERE, what’s next on my EH fanart agenda? Surely you’ll be willing to help me with this important issue

[ee76q]

Wow, would you look at the time, have to go live in a lead-lined bunker for a few years. Bye!

[viridianshade]

I have a few ideas if you need help. I was always really a fan of interactions between the protagonist and the Surgeon Butcher. Always creepy, always interesting.

[abjectadmiration]

Can anyone explain to me why we haven’t just nuked Duchess Epidermis yet?

[ee76q]

Something something environmental concerns?

[abjectadmiration]

Mhm, but you know. A blast site can’t move. A blast site can’t expand its territory. A blast site can be safely worked in to reduce damage.

But in general I’m probably too trigger-happy to be a good leader, so it’s a good thing I’m just a lump with a laptop.

[viridianshade]

I, uh. I can think of a few reasons. Environmental concerns being one, of course. Also, there's little point in doing so, I believe. I mean, even if she does try to expand her area, there's not really much AROUND her area that's... worth protecting by a nuclear bomb? And if we nuke her, we're probably going to lose that area anyways. Either way, she seems perfectly happy alone in her... whatever you call where she lives.

And, uh, it would send some pretty bad signals to superhumans. I mean, yeah. She's dangerous. But so are a lot of good people who didn't ask for their power. It's like saying they're willing to do ANYTHING to stop a dangerous superhuman. And how far does that go? Are they willing to kill someone who just recently found their power and is freaking out? Does that person deserve it? People would get really worked up about that sort of thing, I think. I'm not sure whether they should, whether those signals mean anything, but they would get worked up over it. And that's a huge reason not to do that.

[irradiantmadness]

I’m so goddamn pumped for the new game from Excess Harmony’s creators. I hear it’s got weird hermetic magic and stuff.

[viridianshade]

Wait, there's a new game coming out? Oh man, I loved Excess Harmony. Do you have a name?

[abjectadmiration]

pssst viridianshade what’s your killcount

With a separate count for supers and non-supers if you can

I’m not expecting a high number given the nature of your powers but it’s more important to keep track of than you’d think

[ee76q]

For legal reasons, I don’t recommend answering this question.

[abjectadmiration]

He’s a Benefactor, I’m not about to call any cops on him. I ask purely for statistical analysis reasons!

[viridianshade]

Oh, uh. Well, either way, it's zero. I haven't killed anyone , and to be fair, I'd like to keep it that way. It's easier to incapacitate than you'd think with my power. And I don't deal with many cases in which force is necessary, if any.

[abjectadmiration]

Gah, I get a little ahead of myself with that kinda thing, sorry :c

I don’t see the problem asking questions, though. No one HAS to answer them, so putting them out there don’t hurt nobody.

And buddy, all answers are good answers. It all goes in the HOT DOCS, no matter how trivial or ridiculous. Since you seem a little shy, I won’t interrogate you. Just share what you wanna, I got nothing but time these days B)

[viridianshade]

Ah, okay. I'll, just answer some questions. Or share some general facts, I mean, since there are no actual questions being asked. Yeah, I'll do that (copying and pasting a lot of the stuff you asked brittlegreen).

Name and alias: Not going to share real name, but my alias is Shade

Age/gender: 17, male

Power: I "phase" through solid objects. Intangibility, basically. It's a lot more useful for stealth than you'd think.

Side effect: Thorns grow out of my skin. Not as painful as you'd think.

Power color: Not quite sure? I believe is might be brown. Maybe. It's sort of hard to see with my power.

Who you work for: Benefactor's League (a smaller branch, I don't do major stuff)

Clearance level: Not sure? As much as a minor member of the League?

Rough estimate of date/time/place of power gainage: Around less than a year ago, when it was dark, on some road.

Any super relatives you may have: None that I know of? Although to be fair, if I had any I certainly wouldn't know about them.

Your opinion on Enigma: Isn't that the Third Network guy that can turn into smoke? Yeah, I've heard there are a couple "good" villains but I'm fairly certain Enigma isn't one of them. I'd rather that his(?) (unsure about gender) villainy just stop. I don't care if there's a punishment or anything as long as it stops.

Your opinion on 564: Sad? I mean, they're a mass murderer. A regular practitioner of genocide. But I mean, imagine getting stuck with that power. What if 564 was just an innocent person and went insane from the sudden power they got? I don't know, I just don't want to ignore that they're a person. Or at least were one.

Your willingness to sign my sigbook c: Hahaha... Umm.... no... Sorry? Sorry.

I'm, uh, I'm not really sure what else to put there (sorry for copying your previous questions word-for word, guess i'm a copycat. sorry). None of that is really secret, by the way (hence why I shared it). Someone could certainly find all of that on me easily if they cared enough.

[abjectadmiration]

You did not. |:[

And I’m not asking questions to hurt anyone, I just like to know things. Scribble ‘em down. Keep the details organized.

I feel bad for anyone who can’t find it in themselves to get excited about superheroes. Luckily I have enough excitement for everyone OuO

[viridianshade]

If you want I, uh, could answer a few questions. I mean, I can't answer everything (real name is off-limits for personal reasons, location is off-limits for security reasons). But, yes. I am a "super" as well. I, uh, sorry if I don't answer very well. (Also you may want to considering asking permission before asking questions. It may come off as rude, and some people may not react well. No that you're rude. I didn't want to imply that.)

[abjectadmiration]

So am I late to the Topplr party or WHAT

Please guide me, friends.

[ee76q]

I’m pretty sure some of the buttons do things.

And hey, another forumgoer on Topplr!

[abjectadmiration]

Aha! I was pretty sure you had one. I yoinked your art for my icon thingy, by the way. Think of it as free advertisement! For exposure, etc.

Now direct me to the supers, please. I have all these intrusive questions burning a hole in my pocket.

[ee76q]

Wait are you the person who keeps getting tempbanned from the Q&A threads?

And I’m not sure if there are any superblogs around here.

[abjectadmiration]

I was exonerated of most of my crimes!

[viridianshade]

I don't hang around the forums very much (I'm not certain if I've posted once), so I have no idea why you were tempbanned. I'm sure there's an interesting story there. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if I want to know.

[kilodactyl]

Well…. uh… what can I say… this is interesting. Apparently I’m a superhuman relative and I didn’t even know it until now. Wonder if I should change my forum status.

[viridianshade]

Ummm, what did, I mean, how did the superhuman's family react to finding out? You don't have to tell me who is, though.

[kilodactyl]

A jetpack? Awesome! How much?

Well you’ll have to talk to my employer but somewhere in the range of $300k. And they’re still just out of beta prototype level so we may require you to do some testing. And have proper clearances for stuff. But if you help with development, we may give you a special deal.

I am not sure I should really be posting this here but I don’t think my boss really cares. We talked about developing them last year but then other contracts got in the way. But it turns out there WAS a client who wanted some jetpacks, so that was cool! And based on our contract we were able to keep most of the patent rights, so we’ll hopefully be putting it on the mass market at some point soon.

[ee76q]

It’s the future now, and I want my jetpack/hoverboard.

[kilodactyl]

It’s the future in A FEW MONTHS OK!?!?! GOSH.

[viridianshade]

Jetpacks will be extremely hard to actually get. What we need are hoverboards. Hoverboards are a lot cooler anyways.

[viridianshade]

Uh, speaking of video games, I’m sort of interested in making one? I’ve already got a basic understanding of some coding languages, enough to start at least. There are also quite a few programs out there I could use. It would require a lot of learning and I don’t know nearly enough yet, but it’s a project.

Benefactor’s stuff comes first, of course, but it’s something to think about doing in my free time. I’ve already got ideas about how it would be like, if that’s anything.

[brittlegreen]

What kind of game are you thinking? I would playtest it.

[viridianshade]

Sort of like an RPG, heavily story-based. There are a number of party members of course, with the combat for each character playing differently. The main character, for example, draws chalk circles to create different spells. The concept is rough, nothing is concrete. Out of what is thought out is the story, actually, but I'm not really interested in making a book or a comic anything. A game seems more in-line with my interests. It would take ages to make though. Some time in the future. But yeah.

[viridianshade]

Uh, speaking of video games, I'm sort of interested in making one? I've already got a basic understanding of some coding languages, enough to start at least. There are also quite a few programs out there I could use. It would require a lot of learning and I don't know nearly enough yet, but it's a project.

Benefactor's stuff comes first, of course, but it's something to think about doing in my free time. I've already got ideas about how it would be like, if that's anything.

[viridianshade]

That, uh, that Anonymous guy is messaging me again, but I think that they got the wrong person? The things I was, uh, messaged make zero sense. Okay, one thing freaked me out because for a bit I thought maybe I did something bad and didn't know it, but then I sort of realized it didn't make sense? I-I don't know. I sort of don't want to anger the person by implying they did something WRONG. That would be a terrible idea. A worse idea than invading Russia during winter. Not that there's anything wrong with Russia! I didn't mean to imply that. It's just that Russian winters are very harsh. Well, uh, from what I've heard. 

Anyways, yeah. Maybe Anonymous was just trying to figure out what freaks me out. Which mean, which means that posting this is probably a bad idea. I should probably cut some of this out. But, uh, the fact that I'm not freaking out is proof enough I guess? Unless I'm faking this attitude I guess, in which case posting it is a good idea because it gives the bully misinformation? I- I don't know.

[brittlegreen]

Video Games

Ok so…I’m going to break radio silence again to ask an important question.

I’ve recently had a lot of time to play games, but the only problem is that … I ran out of games. Anyone got any good suggestions? I have access to a computer that’s pretty new and cool so don’t worry about the graphics capabilities, but I’d appreciate games that are cheap or free. Or like, sites where I can find a bunch of cheap free games, that ideally take a lot of time to play and have interesting game mechanics.

[viridianshade]

I, uh, I could give you a couple of suggestions, maybe. I’ll just put some of my favorites into a list:

Read More

[brittlegreen]

AHA! I knew you’d respond! :D

Hmm, I’ve heard of Spirit Feat but isn’t it just for one of those portable game systems? I think there’s a version out on qPad too, right? All I got is PC but I can look into it.

Actually I started playing Excess Harmony but GOSH NO, HUSK WAS WAY TOO CREEPY HOW DID YOU GET PAST THAT PART. I got stuck at the 5th tunnel and couldn’t figure out what to do after that. I even tried clicking all the walls but I couldn’t seem to get anything to change.

I’ve actually played Gateway and Gateway 2, they were excellent. 

Hmm, Wyvern Age seems like a good timesink. Oh yeah and there was that “Blockcraft” game that came out a while back but I dunno if I’m really into that kinda sandbox game. 

[viridianshade]

Yeah, Wyvern Age is great. The most recent one that just barely came out a lot more open world too. The entire series will last hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours.

As for Blockcraft, if you do play it, you need to use the mods. There are an enormous amount. My favorite mod pack is the Zogsbox, which basically includes most of the mods worth playing. It's insane as to the complexity it can add.

[brittlegreen]

Video Games

Ok so…I’m going to break radio silence again to ask an important question.

I’ve recently had a lot of time to play games, but the only problem is that … I ran out of games. Anyone got any good suggestions? I have access to a computer that’s pretty new and cool so don’t worry about the graphics capabilities, but I’d appreciate games that are cheap or free. Or like, sites where I can find a bunch of cheap free games, that ideally take a lot of time to play and have interesting game mechanics.

[viridianshade]

Excess Harmony: Really good indie game with an insanely good story. The things that the creator does to the protagonist are just terrible, but it's glorious at the same time. I'm having a hard time describing it, but it's my #1 favorite game of all time.

Spirit Feat: A puzzle game of sorts where you're a ghost with no memory trying to find who you are? Great if you like twists and trying to figure stuff out all the time.

Gateway: Another puzzle game where you have these two interconnecting gateways you shoot around. Hilarious dialogue, even if there's only one character who actually speaks.

Dai ni Kuni: Anger of the Grey Sorcerer: A favorite of mine. You have a group of minions who fight for you and multiple party members who you're all controlling at once, in real time. Not as hectic as it sounds, and the story is cliche at times, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wyvern Age: Oh man, I love this series. A set of RPGs with an insanely complex lore and gripping story. It's one of those stories where you make actions to change the world, and there is no "good" or "bad" meter to make things obvious, only the consequences. I'd start with Wyvern Age: Beginnings (the first one) and go from there.

Monitor: A beautiful indie game with a fun, almost puzzle like combat system. Too short for the magnificence that it is, but for every minute you play it you love it

There are others if you want to hear them? These are just my all-time favorites, I know a lot of others.

[brittlegreen]

It really confuses me when people treat me as a person and not just a scrap of haywire machinery that performs its functions poorly. Like, why do they do it? Why do they treat me like my emotions are intrinsically important?

I mean, they keep telling me I’m valuable and good, but usually I can see that people are just trying to get what they want from me, treating me as a useful tool, repairing me so that I can be of value to them. I like feeling useful and successful and making other people happy, so I guess that’s good. But sometimes it seems as if they actually care. I’m really not sure what to do with that.

[viridianshade]

But, then again, some of them might not feel that way? I mean, I don't think I'm the only one who shares the opinion that by being a person you are worth something. I know people who do, and I would think there are people other places who think that too. Those people might tell you that so you can get past your challenges, whatever they may be. I mean, words, spoken or typed, don't really cost anything. Maybe, maybe they're helping you because it helps you, a person, and nothing more.

Or, uh, maybe they genuinely like you? Like, personally they think of you as their friend or some other category in which they would care about you. And, even if you are broken and useless (and I don't think you are. I mean, everyone is broken somehow. being a little broken or useless doesn't mean you are without worth), but even if you are, then they can still care for you? People aren't heartless, at least most of them aren't. They might not care for everyone but the people they know or sympathies with they will probably want to help. Even if it doesn't give them anything.

And, uh, maybe these people or some of these people are using you. Making you better so they can use you. I, I can't imagine people doing that. Well, I can, but I don't want to. But if they are, I'm sorry.

My advice is that if what these people are doing, if it makes you function better and do better and genuinely be happier, then go with it. Even if it's not genuine (and I suspect it might be (genuine, that is (i can't say for certain though i don't really know your situation))), then if it's not hurting you or other people then it's still a good thing. So I'd say just go along with it, convince yourself is genuine, and if you notice that what they are doing is hurting you or other people, then just get out.

I may, I mean, I definitely don't know your situation. This advice could be completely inapplicable. It could even be the opposite of what you need. I'm, just, do what you will. I just hope you get better.

[viridianshade]

I-I'm not pathetic. I might have been but I'm getting better. I really am, I promise. Just because I don't do anything useful or ever help anyone or validate my existence... Just because... because...

I'm... I'm not going to listen to you. You're trying to hurt me. I don't know who you are or why you know my name (also please don't use my name people aren't supposed to know that) or why you are hurting people, but I think you should stop. I, I don't want to tell you to do anything, I want to ask. But I think I will tell you. Stop. Right now. Stop it. This helps no one. If this is your hobby you need a new one. Just stop it right now.

[brittlegreen]

Touchy, touchy. All the bite I expected and more. You and I both know I could just puppet you away, whenever I please. Take a building down. You keep lying to yourself. Never writing things down? I could always make educated guesses. I'm assuming you felt a bit touchy when you took half of a certain someone's face off. The camera footage was great on that one.

OH MY GOSH YOU ARE SO HORRIBLE. 

That’s all I have to say and If I keep looking at this I 

I’m gonna stop looking at this.

[viridianshade]

Anon, could you please stop bothering brittlegreen? Or could you, uh, please at least be nicer when you do it?  Like compliments or at the very least not bullying. Although maybe it's just better if you, um, stop messaging her at all. Please

I mean, there's no point. It just causes pain and it really doesn't get you anything. If you get joy from it, well, there's a lot of other things you can get joy from that don't hurt someone. Like, um, board games.Or video games I guess. Exercising, writing a story, whatever hobby you have other than hurting people. If that's a hobby of yours. It might not. Or I guess probably not I don't think that's really a hobby for anyone. Actually it's probably a hobby for some people but that's terrible. You should still stop doing it though.

Yeah, just stop.