NoReturnPoint

So I know that you guys just had an RPG contest, but I wanted to gage the response to this idea. I've only got the basic intro written, but I thought I'd go ahead and put it out there for peer review: Wish You Were Here It was a night to remember. Ra-Metruian citizens had gathered in masses for the one-night-only performance of Balso and co.; masters of element manipulation who combined their elemental powers in a performance that encompassed dance, sparring, gymnastics, and special effects. Their entertainment style was so unique, it had inspired a category all it’s own: the art of the toa-dance. Matoran of all walks of life had scrounged their savings for weeks to attend the once in a lifetime event. The show had not disappointed. The troupe had already spent two hours retelling the ancient tale of the fall of Makuta, yet none of those watching had even considered leaving. Finally, the curtain had fallen, giving the audience a short intermission to stretch and speculate about the next act. The crowd chattered excitedly, waiting for the curtain to rise and reveal the next act: a three-way “battle” between three toa kaita. Suddenly, a bell rang, and the curtain rose to reveal- -nothing. Absolutely nothing. No one was there. The toa had vanished, completely and utterly gone. For days afterward, the sudden disappearance of Balso and co. was the talk of the town. An official investigation was launched by the Ra-Metru security force; which led nowhere. It wasn’t a kidnapping; all of the performers’ belongings had disappeared with them, and they had seemed to know they would disappear. Most had made up wills for their remaining possessions in the last month. But why had they disappeared? Where did they go? These questions were left unanswered; as one by one, Toa of all types began to disappear…

IC (Wheryu): "Very true," Wheryu replied, ducking under a gnarled limb as he made for the bridge that would take them towards the Bright-Star. "In my biased opinion, the most appreciation for the arts. So how long have you been here?" OOC: How long would you say it'd take for us to get there? -NRP

Hey, guys, I had a thought: What if Stannis brought a whole new "Mata Nui" to the original world when he banished Makuta? Would that fulfill the terms of the mask? That would explain the islands, the Dasaka, and everything else. -NRP

OOC: That's what happens when you consume 6 cups of coffee while on painkillers and with a splitting headache xP For future reference (a.k.a. until my head clears), it's Wheryu. IC (Wheryu): "The Bright-Star inn it is, then; Mr. Haitao," Wheryu replied, with a slight chuckle as he added, "Though I might have to use you as a crutch before we get there." He began to stroll in the general direction of the Bright star, and threw an ice-breaker over his shoulder as he began to walk. "So what brings you to Le-koro? Our carefree dispositions don't exactly attract many serious thinkers, much less Ko-koronians."

, I can A friend and I used to pass notes in matoran in class. It's too bad we never got caught -NRP

Agreed.

Ok, another newbie question here I'm not usually a bandwagon jumper, but since I'm new to this, and it'd help me gain experience in RPG writing by playing with more experienced players; are there any large groups-taverns-places of high interaction at all times- that I could join? -NRP

That is my answer to you, Mr. IHodor. That, and the fact that the age of the culture is irrelevant to the argument. the realness versus un-realness is the point of the argument. Edit: In my focus on your point, I didn't see what you did there till now. Nice, and none taken *Sigh* only a few posts into a new forum, and I'm back in debate club. except that it's completely and utterly ridiculous to compare a fandom of a product without any real impact on... anything really, to what's probably one of the most intriguing cultures on Earth. This would be like comparing the culture around Tolkien fans to Rome. Sure, they share some common ground, but it's ultimately dragging down something to the level of a bunch of nerds who talk about elves and if the guy would've liked Peter Jackson's adaptations (the answer being 'no', most likely, Tolkien hated the BBC audio adaption of LotR for 'getting the voices wrong'). I don't believe so, sir. Both the Japanese system of life and the Bionicle fandom have traditions, beliefs, and unspoken rules; both have a dedicated following. My general rule is: If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck; no matter how old or young the duck is, or what colors of feathers it has There may be different species, but they're still ducks. -NRP

IC (Whryu): The toa of air got up stiffly, popping his neck and loosening his muscles before walking over. He walked across the platform, and stood next to the other toa, examining the artwork. It's an amazing piece, Whryu thought, looking over the excellent shadowing and defined lines that almost seemed to bring out color in the piece, despite the fact that it was done in pencil. "I would like this gift very much, but not without some sort of recompense for the obvious care you put into into it. What would you accept, Mr.-" -NRP

Something that always fascinates me is, whenever someone makes a positive or negative statement about culture, you can usually find a valid opinion that states the opposite, to some extent. If someone answers, "yes", to this, then my gut reaction would to consider the alternative; all old cultures began young, and new culture-forming does not arbitrarily stop at any point. On the other hand, if someone answers, "no", then I would object that the longer a culture is around, the deeper significance it may take to the lives of those in it. Now you're identifying with your very ancestors, and that is intensely meaningful. So, I don't think it's a simple question. Maybe you didn't mean it to be, just giving my two cents. I don't know whom you are quoting, me or Mr. TPA, but since you quoted in my font color, I'll assume it's me. And I agree with you, although cultures can mean more or less to you depending upon how it affects your life. Bionicle means a lot to me, and so it's culture impacts me strongly. However, my hereditary culture is Scotch-Irish, yet it doesn't affect me since my interaction with it is limited (I live in America). Like you said, you say one thing, I think the other automatically This conversation is more about human nature than Ninjago -NRP

IC (Whryu): Still not moving his head, Whyru spoke, minutely twisting his head to get a better look at the body of the figure that had emerged from behind the sketchbook. He seemed about Whyru's height, with a small build. He seemed to be an artisan, and Whyru would guess a good one at that. "The name's Whyru," he said. "Can I please move now, I'd rather not walk hunchback for the rest of the day." -NRP

So far as that goes, then, I defer to both of your judgment and memory about the ripoffs. In that case, then, Mr. Bonesii and Ms. SC I move back to my first question, and the point I made at the bottom of my last post. That is my answer to you, Mr. IHodor. That, and the fact that the age of the culture is irrelevant to the argument. the realness versus un-realness is the point of the argument. Edit: In my focus on your point, I didn't see what you did there till now. Nice, and none taken *Sigh* only a few posts into a new forum, and I'm back in debate club. I don't know how to say this so you'll understand. I've tried time, and time, and time again to tell you. Whether or not they were intentionally offensive, if they did something wrong, it is not wrong to call them out on it. You said as much yourself (after you didnt say so yourself). The line, whether intentionally or not, mangles Japanese culture in numerous ways, and it is perfectly fine to call Lego out on it. And I do agree with that point, Ms. SC, but I add that this is your prerogative. You are offended, and chose to be so for the reasons you have given. I am not. So when it comes down to the bottom line, it's a personal decision by each and every person, and cannot be determined by someone else for you. I refer to sumiki's and bonesii's excellent arguments. -NRP

Ms. SC, I believe my 2nd point still stands, although it should be rephrased. Should I take the Chinese ripoffs as an insult to Bionicle fans and the Bionicle culture? As to your second point, I don't see how it could be an insult, since the comparison is about "real-ness" versus "un-real-ness" As far as the Bionicle fan culture goes (just look at BZPower's bionicle discussion history ), Bionicle is "real," and the Chinese versions are "un-real," since they carry neither the storylines nor the powers of the original characters. I might add, however, that some of the stuff being debated here is making people offended, and I think there's a point there to be made. I am choosing whether or not to be offended, the choice is not made for me. Whether someone is offended or not is a choice, not an absolute. There's a reason that we use the phrases "no offense meant" and "none taken." -NRP

I'm new to BZPower, and I realize that I'm walking on eggshells, so I'm just going to ask a couple questions: 1. I don't feel like the question of "Who's offended?" has been answered, so I'm going to add my voice to those whom have asked the question. I'm a huge fan of Japanese culture. I am a brown belt in a mostly traditional Judo dojo, I love the Japanese culture, and I have Japanese friends (friends I might add who enjoy ninjago). I'm not offended, I think it's humorous; because it's not meant to be a representation of Japanese culture. If it were, I would be truly offended. 2. So should I take the Chinese offense of creating BIONICLE ripoffs as a racial slur to Americans, since it misrepresents the BIONICLE culture? And with that, I respectfully withdraw (unless someone addresses me directly). -NRP