Flagons and Fists…

Vlahos pulled the stool nearer to the wooden bar and heard it creak as he sat down on it roughly. His massive frame dominated the room, a Nordic warrior of over six and a half feet, garbed in furs, a chain mail sleeved shirt hidden beneath the layers, on top of his worn leathers. He had had this armour for years, and it had never let him down once. He ushered for the barmaid, a beautiful young woman, herself of Nordic decent, to bring him his usual. Vlahos leaned back and looked around the tavern, it wasn’t particularly full, but that was how he liked it, quiet. He looked back again as the young woman placed the flagon in front of him once more and winked as she walked away.

Vlahos grimaced beneath his thick grey beard; he was getting to old for all that nonsense. He thought of telling her she should know better, but resigned himself to draining the flagon almost instantly. The thing about Nordic peoples that you should know if you ever meet one, if that they have a near unquenchable thirst for mead or ale, no matter the quality. This is twined by a near unbreakable limit on how much they can consume, and it is said that when an army returns from battle they can drink the town dry, and still be ready to fight the next day. Of course, this means that if you meet one, a drinking contest is very much out of the question.

Typical of most Nord’s Vlahos was of peak physical build and stature. His height as mentioned previous was enough to dwarf even the best of fighters. This, twined with his extreme muscular structure, and look of grim determination meant that very few questioned him or his sayings. He had fought on many battlefields over his long life, taking his broadsword to many a foe. His most famous, and indeed tragic of battles came in the war against the frost giants of Helvond. His comrades had been slain to the last, and he alone had defeated the chieftain of the frost giants Melkond in single combat. He had then took it upon himself to wander the lands, a fable to most of his people, something legendary that all looked up too. He had no time for this however, he was more content with hunting down the last of the frost giants himself and avenging his fallen warriors for the price they had paid.

Vlahos stroked his beard and wiped the foam from his thick moustache. He knew he could drink several more flagons of this stuff the barkeep called ale, but after spending many months in the empire of the southerners he had taken a liking to their sweet meads. He hid this fact from many Nord’s he met on his journey, but he was most annoyed when he realised that in leaving behind the grasslands and forests, he had also forgone the pleasure of a good drink. Still, he thought as he swirled his finger round the bottom of the flagon, this ale warmed the soul, and he would need it on a night like tonight, cold and bitter.

It had been a most unpleasant month in the mountains. The northern winds had brought a deathly chill over the world’s edge. The Nord’s lived in the most remote of locations, walled by mountains around their empire, if it could be called as such. This meant that the winds never struck the villages themselves, but the snows it brought did. He had been snowed into this small community for almost a week now, helping deal with a pack of ravaging Orcs that had killed a few of their best warriors. He had decided that it would be worth the gold to help them out, even if it was no challenge for him. It would pay his way back to the Southern plains in the spring and give him some gold to repair his armour if it got damaged. He looked down at his leather, and smoothed over the rough tear in the side. The Orcs blade had sliced clean through it, but gladly not pierced the skin. He smirked at the way he had smashed the foul creatures head into the rock face, it had been most pleasing to see.

Behind him, the tavern door opened and a chill wind blasted the occupants. A few roared in discomfort and yelled for the newcomer to close the door. Vlahos turned and frowned; a pair of men in armoured uniforms of deep red slammed the door closed and shook the snow from their shoulders and hoods. They were guards from the town further down the pass, and they looked like they meant business. Vlahos turned back to the bar and the barmaid once more. This was none of his business, after all he’d be gone soon, and he didn’t need guards on his back as well as Orcs. He concentrated back on the flagon and decided to have one more, tipping it towards the young woman once more and nodding his thanks as she filled it once more.

The guards behind him took seats along side him at the bar, they were surly looking fellows. One looked like he’d never seen a hot spring in his life, a matted beard and dirty face glaring from the coif around his head. The second was smaller, a young man it seemed. He looked fresh from the fields of battle, a look of determination on his face, which was scarred and seemed almost blasted red raw by the chill icy winds of the Dales. Vlahos nodded to them and turned back to his drink. He had a deep hatred of these authority types, abusing their power, but he would keep himself to himself. He did not turn as the larger of the two moved off towards the stairs following the barkeep up the stairs. He frowned, this was not something normal. The guard loosened his blade in its sheath. Vlahos’s hand automatically slid towards his broadsword and grasped the hilt. If anything did happen, he would be ready.

A shout echoed from above, as if answering his question. He heard the draw of steel and the thud of something slamming into the oaken floor above him. Vlahos looked to the barmaid in front of him and saw the look of terror on her face. Quickly he drew his sword and with one swift motion brought the hilt of the heavy weapon into the face of the guard next to him. Taken by surprise the man had no time to draw his own weapon and with a satisfying crunch he heard the mans nose break as he toppled back onto the floor with a thud. Vlahos turned and grimaced the tavern was now full of running people, all trying to get out of the tavern before they got caught in the fight, but they were stopped as two more guards in red uniforms pushed their way inside through the wave of escapees, swords drawn. Vlahos sighed; this was not what he had in mind.

From the staircase, the surly looking guard bathed in blood which slipped down his tunic thundered down and landed hard on the ground floor, looking at his fallen comrade, nose splintered into pieces and blood seeping from his mouth. Vlahos turned, he was surrounded. The two men at the door had moved around him, and this surly one had taken a position to his right.

“This wasn’t your fight old man” The one said, moving forwards slowly. “All we wanted was the protection money.”

Vlahos snarled. “I knew the guard were corrupt, but to the level of petty protection money, that is low.” He moved his broadsword inside his grip, clasping it with his two mighty hands.

The guard in front of him yelled, and charged forwards bringing his sword through the air above him, Vlahos stepped to the side and let the blade of his enemy sink into the bar itself, sticking fast. With a roar, Vlahos slammed his sword into the back of the guard, hilt first, slamming the unsuspecting attack into the bar, head smacking against the wood before he slumped down to the floor. The second lunged at him, bringing a sword to his face. Vlahos brought his up quickly, blocking it with a clang of steel on steel, before bringing his fist towards the mans jaw, slamming it home and sending the guard flying backwards onto the floor. He winced at the pain in his fist and turned to face the surly looking guard that had jumped down the stair case.

The man charged, sword low and arms wide, and tackled Vlahos sending them both flying across the room, smashing through chairs and tables before colliding with the wall on the other side. Vlahos lost the grip on his sword and saw it clatter to the wooden floor a few yards away and snarled in pain as he smashed into the wall with a thud. He brought his two fists down on the mans back, smacking him hard, but the guard just wouldn’t go down. He felt a fist slam into his stomach and winced, winded from the punch. Regaining his composure, he brought a knee high towards where the mans head should be and heard again that resounding crack as it connected. The man stumbled backwards and stood up straight clasping his nose, his sword still in his hand.

Vlahos took the initiative and lifted a chair from the floor, throwing it hard at the guard; it smashed into him and sent the man to the floor. Vlahos rushed forwards, scooping his sword from the floor and flipping it into the air with one motion, twisting it in the air. With a war cry that shook the room he raised it high and thudded it down into the mans body. He felt it slam into the mans chest, puncturing the chain mail and searing skin, before cracking the wood beneath him. He twisted the blade and grimaced as the mans expression turned from one of pain to instant shock. He grunted and withdrew the blade, looking round the tavern, so much for a quiet night.

He turned and walked to the bar; stepping on the guard he had left there, hearing a wince as he winded the man. He leant over and saw the barmaid quivering behind it, clutching a small dagger in her hands. Vlahos grabbed her arm and lifted her up onto her feet.

“Take this”- he dipped into the large mass of furs and pulled out a few gold coins - “and tell Brusef to watch who he sends after me this time” He clasped her hand around the coins and turned, sliding his sword into its leather scabbard once more.

Moving to the tavern door he grasped the wood and yanked it open, the cold chill of the wind biting at his bare skin. He grimaced; it was time to move on….he had nothing to stay for now. 

Last Stand…

Halvahs stood atop the grassy mound and looked down at the combat whirling below him. He turned and signalled the archers behind him to fire, with a whisper of bows on the cold morning air, the arrows flew from their bows and sliced through the enemy below, skilfully placing the shots in between their own comrades and thudding into the skin of the Orc’s that battled in vain. Their flimsy wooden shields and leather armour was no match for the arrows of the elves. Halvah signalled the charge, and the archers slung their bows on their backs and drew long silver blades from the sheaths at their sides. As one, they leapt over the mound in one graceful leap and descended on the carnage below.

Halvah, like many dark elves, was typically toned and muscular. His armour of bright gold glinted and rustled on him, the interlinked mithril chain as light as feathers. His hair too, was a deep black, almost mystically so, and seemed to flow like water across his shoulders. He was, however different in one way. All dark elves of this region were blessed with a deep, rich, purple skin that radiated honour and royalty to those around them. Halvah’s however had an ocean blue skin tone, like that of the seas around his homeland. He did not know why, but for some reason he seemed blessed with this un-natural (to him at least) skin. It, did not matter to him however, as with all things in dark elf society, you were praised for you skill with a bow or sword, and not on the way you looked, that…for many was a bonus, as the warlike nature of the dark elves meant that few looked handsome.

Halvah’s descended on the combat and let his bright silver blades dance around him, slicing Orc flesh as he slipped between his comrades who too were taking down many of the enemy with graceful strikes. As Halvah slipped into his last strike he thudded the blades into the back of a wailing Orc and twisted hard, snapping the creatures spine, before letting it, limply slip to the ground in a heap. He looked around at his elves, his proud unit of deadly warriors and saw that none of them had fallen. The other unit, on the other hand was far worse for wear. Several of their Elvin kindred were laid dead, hacked apart so viciously by the blunt instruments of war these Orc’s called weapons. He bent down and closed the eyes of the nearest elf, whispering in his native tongue, a lament of passing for the brave warrior.

He stood and brushed the black blood from his face before turning back to his unit. They would have to rest at some point today, but for the moment the battle raging further south demanded their attention, after all, he couldn’t let his brother have all the glory. After a minute of rest, he signalled for them to march on, leaving the bodies for the crows. It wasn’t a noble end for his kin, but they would understand his haste. The Orc’s had pressed further into their woodland realm than he had imagined, burning villages and killing on masse. He had never seen them so organised before, and so something within him smelt of a bigger, higher purpose surrounding this attack.

A thin warrior, bow held in hand raced to his side from behind in the column. “Commander, the scouts tell of an entire Orc battalion ahead. Should we send for reinforcements from Ithillian?” He seemed nervous, but it didn’t show under his armoured helm.

Halvahs pondered for a moment. “No, we will see this with our own eyes first, and then, if needs be send for reinforcements from Ithillian.” He put a hand on the elf’s shoulder and gripped tightly. “Prepare for battle warrior”.

The elf walked slower for a second, before falling back into line with his comrades. It wouldn’t be long before the hit the river Andruin, and this battalion of Orcs. Halvahs had reservations about the size of this battalion, or its skill, especially for the likes of his unit. He knew reinforcements would be helpful, but the glory would be his today, never mind that of his brother. He would be too busy defending the city itself to be any help here, and needless to say he would claim the glory, as always. He pressed them on, making their way from the forests and down to the rivers edge. The bridge over the Andruin was a well guarded fortification, and this would indeed be where the brunt of the Orc attack would fall. But, what he saw…nearly made him drop to his knees in disbelief.

The bridge was in ruins, bodies of elf and Orc lain across its stone built edges. Smoke billowed from the towers that guarded the bridge, flames licking from the tops like macabre candles. There was no-one, nothing around, all was deathly quiet save the call of the crows as they circled above. They were too late, the battalion had broken through. He turned to his unit, all of whom looked grim, and filled with anger at the sight before them. Halvahs composed himself and led them down to the bridge itself, along the blood stained river bank to the stone path that led onto it.

As they crossed the looked down at the fellow kindred around them, all burnt and broken, elves as well as Orcs. It looked like something terrible had swept through this place with the force of an army twice this size. He had never seen the gate of Andruin fall before, but now all seemed much worse, if they could break this crossing, how were the others faring, the less well-guarded ones? He muttered in elvish to himself and continued across the bridge to the blasted gate, but as he did, he felt a low rumbling from all around him, something was physically shaking the very foundations of the bridge, it had to be something large, very large. As he turned to look back at his kin, a tap on his shoulder made him look back towards the blasted gate, Halvahs froze.

From the other side of the gate, a creature almost half as tall as the towers around them slowly crashed towards them. It was darkest grey, looking almost like a dragon, and yet with no wings or scaly skin. It seemed more mystical than that, as if pieced together from the very ether around it. It stalked forwards, head low…eying the Elves on the bridge. Halvahs did nothing, before slowly drawing his blades from their sheaths and gripping them tight. The elves behind him notched their arrows and pulled back on the strings, the creak of ancient wood sounded as they held the shot, awaiting his order. The creature saw them, as if noticing for the first time and roared, it was like nothing Halvahs had heard before, deep and guttural, like a horn of the Northman and yet laced with what was unmistakably a hiss of some kind. It bounded towards them, smashing through the gate towards the long narrow bridge.

Halvahs grimaced and shouted back to his unit “FIRE!!!” He yelled, arrows shot past his face and towards the shadowy creature. They thudded home, but seemed to disappear into the darkness of the beast, absorbed into its very being; it did not halt, and came straight for them.

It was too late too avoid it now; they leapt at the beast swords drawn and danced around it as it slid towards them across the stone. Halvahs and his elves slipped to the side, barely escaping the charge. However, as they balanced on the edges of the bridge one of their kin was caught by the creature, its gigantic mouth ripping at him, and flinging him from the bridge like a rag doll. They looked on in anguish as his body dropped into the murky waters of the Andruin with a splash and concentrated back on the beast.

Halvahs ordered his kin to attack, they leapt at the beast slicing at it with their blades, and seeing the blades cut the creature, but seeming to do very little to the beast itself. They dodged its flailing arms and gnashing jaws, but as they did it would slowly take them down, smashing their bodies into the bridge, or sending them flying into the air. Halvahs dodged through the bodies and the limbs and ducked under the creature’s arms, He looked back as he saw his kin get ripped to pieces by the beasts, screams of pain filling the air. He jumped and landed on the creatures arm, and as it lifted let himself fly upwards for a second before dropping onto its back. He took a second to shake the shock from his limbs and felt the skin of the beast beneath him. It was a grey, and surrounded by what felt like water, except it was black, and solely around the body of this beast. He didn’t know what to do.

He looked back up as he saw another of his kin fly through the air and smash into the stone of the tower nearby, breaking uncomfortably. Halvahs resolved himself, and twisted his blades in his hands, pointing them down and yelling plunged them down into the back of the beasts’ neck. The blades drove home, and he heard the screech of metal as it seared through the skin of the beast, it flailed and tried to bat him from its back, only now noticing the pain of the annoying elf on its back. He caught a sharp blow across his left and was sent flying from its back landing heavily on the stone bridge, his head smacking into the floor and sending a dull haze through his vision.

He looked up, through blurred vision to see the beasts swing around madly, smashing into the towers on either side before rocking back and toppling into the waters beneath them. It splashed into it hard, sending a torrent of water high into the air, falling like an un-natural rain on the bridge, soaking Halvahs wet through. He grimaced and covered his face, before brushing his hair from his eyes. It was quiet once more, nothing stirred. Halvahs looked down at the bridge once more, none of his kin had made it, and the few that were here on the bridge were crumpled, their armour, their strength, nothing against that beast. He wondered, what could have brought such a thing to these shores, it was nothing he had seen or read about before in his life.

He groaned and pushed himself to his feet, he realised his blades were now deep beneath the waters now, family heirlooms lost, for the cost of twenty five elvish warriors. It didn’t seem right. He turned just as something caught his eye. Halvahs stopped and looked back; a unit of Orcs was making its way towards the bridge, led by a towering Ogre. They noticed him and with barked orders lumbered towards him. Halvahs smirked, and picked a pair of elvish weapons from the ground, twirling them in his hands and facing the oncoming horde of creatures. He blew hard and the hair in front of his face moved out of his vision. Slipping into his fighting stance he narrowed his eyes and tensed his muscles.

 

“Bring it...”

Yay...Monday once more. If you could hear me say that you'd feel the sarcasm lacing my voice at this very moment. Well, what can I say...its pretty typical on this day, the start of a new week...and obviously more and more work. Thankfully, I didnt have to get up too early this morning, but it was still a pain, especially considering the annoyance of having to eventually fall asleep last night. On the bright side, I sat down in bed and worked on a story that I've been deciding upon for a long time. The spy/thriller genre is intense to say the least, and its given me much grief this weekend.

 

Also...with that in mind I think I'm going to back to fantasy writing after I've finished this short story. It seems a shame to leave it, but this just isnt what I enjoy. The main thing is, that with fantasy I can use my own imagination and let everything flow easily, plus I'm not confined to the boundaries of reality, and for the most part I can do what I want, when I want...just gotta have that dedication to sit down and write...for a long, long time. One thing that does strike me with this is dedication. The amount of background involved in creating a world is immense and for what its worth I bow down to the authors and writers that sit down and plan every last detail of a make-believe world. Its hard...and they deserve a lot of credit.

 

The thing that seems to strike me everytime I write now, especially considering fantasy is the same view I have in my mind...everytime. If anyone has played anything based on Baulders Gate etc/Icewind Dale you will know the character of Drizzt. Well, I have a certain image in my mind...drawn from one of his books...of a dark elf, like him...bow slung over his back and wrapped in tight furs...trudging through the snow...two long blades sheathed at his side...struggling against the icy wind. Then, as he struggling, he hears a growl on the air and turns to face a large, black shagggy wolf...stalking towards him...the ensuing fight is hard to sum up, but to make it interesting, the snow...and constrast of bright crimson on white is startling to imagine.

 

A game that need full credit for a lot of things is Kingdom Under Fire. The battles in that are something you should certainly experience as a writer of fantasy...it will be your main source of how to make brutal/hard hitting battles seem realistic in your writing. Another source that is invaluable is that of LotR's. Obviously those battles are something to look at in greta detail, especially if your going for that powerful, emotional side to a battle rather than the gritty side.

_____________

 

On a completely differetn subject...I'm fed up....I really am seriously pissed off...almost exclusivly at this very moment. At this veyr moment I could very gladly punch someone in the face...very hard...and not feel bad about it. I think, in good old normal gaming fashion, I shall take my aggresion/pain/feelings out on a game of some sorts...Its always good to cut up a few villagers and fry them with lightning...that works...always.

 

On a serious note..I'm just going to write a bunch of swear words now...

 

FUCk...SHIT...BOLLOCKS....CRAP...TWAT...DICK FACED MOTHER FUCKER....IDIOTIC WANK TWAT....PISS FACED SHIT TWATTER....ahh..much better...and for those of a nervous dispossition...just forget that bit and read the lovely writing stuff I said earlier.

 

Annoyed....

 

N...Nin....Oh I cant be bothered...

A recent thread on Fable-2.com got me thinking. If we had three wishes to ask for whatever we wanted, what would we ask for? Now, this struck me as a very important question...as thinking about it you're immediatly handed endless possibilities as to what you could do. The obvious one is to ask for wealth of unimaginable amounts and then live out your dreams like that and keep the other two for later...

 

BUT...what if there was something else, a lot deeper than that which could be gleamed from this. I mean if you think about it there are literally thousands of questions that no-one knows the answer too. The most ultimate question of all would obviously be "Why are we here?" And Im sure he Genie would be stumped by that one, after all...thats something that no-one could probably comprehend or understand.

 

Then, theres the little things that make you wonder. Why does the wind blow? What is Gravity? Why are humans the most intellegent species on the planet? What makes us so unique? Why is THIS the right spot in the galaxy for our Earth and what was the chances of it happening? Things along those lines are obviously soemthing to think about...

 

It made me think, would you be realistic about your wishes? Would you wish for things that you'd always wanted...or things that were impossible?

 

But...as I said, makes you think...dont it.

_____________

 

Another thing happened over the weekend, the re-claiming of Moby as one of my favorite artists. Not only has he got some good songs, but for the purposes of enjoying a relaxing afternoon, Moby wins hands down...no other music relaxes a hard Ninja days work. This, and some good gaming coming back to me. I've picked up Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes and Dynasty Warriors 5 once more...and intend to play them to the maximum. Also...had an amazing scene in my head of how good a KufH movie would be...the rain storms, the bloody battles, the massive special effects...Phantagram, get your ass in gear...

 

All thats left is to enjoy Top Gear (returning with the Hampster!!)...so enjoy your Sundays people...

 

 

No fewer that 21...yes...21 reported posts in my flipping inbox today. I thought "Oh, no need to worry...I can enjoy my Saturday" but looks like things can still go wrong.

 

But hey...I'll deal with that later when I can get onto the forums.

 

After all, I've enjoyed my day of freedom...got back with the guys and worked out that geeky obsession once more. I must say Munchkins is possibly one of the funniest thing you will ever do as a Geek...especially if your back-stabby, and ruthless enough to shit on everyone else whos playing. It really is that loose and fun to play...brilliant.

 

Also, started on Mordhiem campaign...and yet again my Champion fails to pull the magic out of the hat, going down to a measly Clansman...I mean where were the Karma Gods when I needed them....crap I tell's ya!

 

Anyway...not that anyone cares, but I'm gonna shell out on a few good movies tomorrow if I can.

 

- V for Vendetta

- Bourne movie series (Identity/Supremacy)...

 

So...wish me luck.

Well, all is going incredibly well. I've come to the conclusion that Live Spaces is the 'Thinking Mans' Myspace. Sounds strange, but it seems a lot more sedate and well, less messy than the blogging tool mentioned hence. So, I'll be using it a lot more...even if you dont read it, lol.

 

My search continues for a few games...looking on Ebay has never been something I enjoy doing, and I much prefer to see what I've brought and check it out before I spend my hard earned cash (except I dont have a job...but ignore that for the sake of my ramblings). At the moment my games on the outlook are God of War, suggested to me by someone...I really would like to get this, and from whats been said of it, its one of those games you HAVE to play. I've enjoyed the Youtube videos of the game, but it always leaves me feeling guilty that I havent found it yet.

 

The second game, is Legend of Dragoon (see a Sony pattern forming here?). Been looking for it, every since I re-brought a Playstation last year with Final Fantasy. I have to say my memories of that game are still as clear as they ever were, I remember sitting down and playing that with my brother for hours and hours. We even found the good old 'Turbo' button on the controllers so we could watch the spells at maximum effect, something that would never happen unless you had fingers so finely tuned they could tap at 100 presses a second. Thank God for that little button...

 

So far the search isnt going well, since both these games have seemed to vanish into the ether of British gaming store...and no-one wants to stock it it seems. I could understand Legend of Dragoon considering its age...but a hit like God of War?? Seems like a conspiracy to me.

 

So...if anyone reading this, in the UK feels like donating to me one or the other of these games, I can see a charitable donation coming your way.

 

On another topic, Fable-2 is now entering its next stage of life. The site is under going maintenece and will be revived with an all new Vbulletin system for the forums in the near future. So, if your wondering...theres your answer. I feel a certain dedication to the site of late, and think that this could be a good step forwards in the development of our community, our sensible...proper community.

 

Also, signing up to projectego.net has given me more bredth of knowledge concerning Fable. Its good to look into the wider community and enjoy what others are saying. As they say, its a Global Village nowadays and its good to know people all over the world.

 

Also, my writing will be slowly taking a back seat for a while. I feel like Im forcing myself to write more and more now, and that isnt how I like to do things. So, sorry to dissapoint those people that read ToD and Fable:Hero but for the time being, thats on hold while I work on other more important things in my life. As well as that, I'd like to say a thankyou to people for sending me reading material to pour over these last few days. Its a joy to read into other peoples universes and creations and especially exciting to see characters develop.

 

My aim for now is to finish these fanfics off to a fair level...when I get back in the writing mood and then move onto something more original. After recently watching Bourne Identity/Supremacy I've had an need to write along those lines, enjoying some spy/thriller shorts if I can. This, as well as the involvement in Project Ibun II is something that has always fascinated me...and I imagine theres a lot of reading around the subject.

 

But...again thats something I've been doing for a while. After all watching shows like Spooks (BBC1) and movies like Leon etc...and games like Hitman has given me an insight into the world of espionage and undercover workings. Its all very interesting and I'll keep those of you with some interest in the know as to how it develops.

 

Overall, it seems as if this has been a good start to what promises to be an amazing year for me. Its all really turned around since October last year and it seems as if its all going to be getting better by the day. And, for all of you still not sure if this year will turn out good, do what you enjoy and make the most of it.

 

Well, after what seems like an extraordinarily long blog today I can only say have a good weekend. Also...before I go, a mention to how cool this weekend is going to be. Mordhiem/Pizza/Poker/Munchkins! and a whole lot of other geek-fest things will make it something to remember, also Homecooked meals area a bonus.

 

Signing off...

 

Ninja...err...Ben.

 

(Sorry, force of habit)

In a strange...strange way of looking at things, I have begun to play my Xbox (original) more and more. I'm beginning to think the Next-Gen isnt all it was cracked up to be. I mean, sure when I play Oblivion it looks pretty...but if I turn it off to play on Fable or Halo:CE...am I missing something?

 

I have to say, my selection of games is limited at the moment...

 

- Gears of War

- Oblivion

- Dead Rising

- NHL 2K7

- Marvel Ultimate Alliance

- Dead or Alive 4

 

And however much I play these games...they just aint as fun as my Xbox ones. I mean, I've sat down and played Hitman: Blood Money and Fable for ages today, and never had so much fun. Added to that a sudden craving for any kind of Dynasty Warriors/Samurai Warrios game and I think I'm slowly slipping back into the Old Gen??

 

I think I have found the solution however, Xbox Live. The lack of connection too it for me means that offline gaming has had to become the forefront of my experiences, and this is something I do enjoy more now. Dont get me wrong, I'd love a session of Halo 2 online with a few mates in Slayer or Zombies...and I think thats what would pull me back into the Next-Gen. For the short time I played Gears of War online I was amazed, that would be why I would stick with the game, but alas the 48 hours ended too soon.

 

My perogative now has become to enjoy single player...offline gaming to its full. Also, nothing like Split-screen to while away a few hours....especially with some cool party games.

_________

 

On a completely somewhat un-related topic...Fable-2.com. Is it me, or does off-topic seem to have become a mission for a lot of members? Even with a warning it doesnt take long for them to stray once more. Still, there is still polite and frank discussion...and everyone enjoys it, so who am I to complain?

 

But anyway...what with the new changes for Fable-2.com and the things to look forwards too this year, and beyond...Its all looking pretty snazzy on the horizon.

 

Enjoy your day...and watch for Ninja's.

A long time away....lol.....

 

Well..maybe I should enlighten you...

 

Remember these websites people...

 

 

 

All important websites people!!