Kraahlix

Did you report this for news Bones? Seems like it would be one of the few important BIONICLE announcements to put up these days.

The only other thing I could do is ask Kelly M. how the social media training went. I don't know if he would know or not, but it's worth a try. Edit: And I don't know if the BZP staffers have done that or not.

It's not that they don't want kids giving them money, they just want to prevent issues via social media. =/

The reason it is circular is because there is nothing else to be said, but the topic is still active because it's an issue people really care about. There is really nothing we can do but wait.

All that we can do is wait to hear from him. 7 months doesn't make it the end any more than 1 month or 6 months did. I can't say it looks good, but there's honestly no use commenting on Greg's status any more until we know more than we do. Also, BIONICLE isn't over when new story serials aren't coming out. We just got six short stories canonized and there's another contest still in the works. We are still here, so BIONICLE is still here.

Oh yeah, I think it will be great. =)

Great news, can't wait. =)

Since this relies on Greg Farshtey, you'll find all the information/discussion related to him and BIONICLE's status here.

Sure, link me to it when it's up. =)

Hey, Jowm! Thanks for the rating. =) I think General Discussion is the place for fan podcasts, I believe that is what TTV and others post in. I'm not sure that having a channel would be beneficial, we already update three web sites with the new information when an episode comes out. We record Skype calls with http://voipcallrecording.com/, it's not the best solution for bitrate but it gets the job done. As far as general podcasting tips go:

• [*]Scheduling is important. Try to establish the best consistent schedule that you can. This is difficult for podcasts like ours where it is hosted over Skype across timezones, but if you can work something out, consistency is good.[*]Listener interaction is a must. Podcasting is about community, and talking with your listeners is just as important as talking with your hosts. That can include feedback, comments, Q&A, etc.[*]You have to stay motivated. Podcasting is a commitment that is not easy to follow through with but can be very rewarding. Not just in listenership, but the experience itself can be great even if your numbers aren't high.

I basically just rephrased Daniel Lewis's POD of podcasting; passion, organization, and dialogue. Those are the main things that are key to successful podcasting. Search him if you want to learn more. =)

Retribution.

The jagged coastline of ZakazNektann stood tall, arms crossed, watching wave after wave crash against the shore.He could hear the faint sounds of battle far behind him - the sound of steel clashing on steel, homes being destroyed, and the cries of Skakdi, his own race, dying.Typical.The Skakdi were a tampered-with race. Experiments that were run on Nektann and his kind had caused the inhabitants of Zakaz to gain many powers, which led to great dissention among themselves.Friends are not made among Skakdi - only acquaintances that do not betray each other as soon as others. Not a day went by without some sort of skirmish on the island - the inhabitants fighting each other, often to the death, over any disagreement. It was a wonder the Skakdi were not extinct.Krika, an agent of the Brotherhood of Makuta, was stationed on Zakaz. The island had been quarantined - no one was to come to it, and no one was to leave it. The Makuta enforced that law, among others.The Brotherhood was responsible for making the Skakdi how they were, and now they just penned them up. Needless to say, the Makuta were hated as far as Nektann was concerned.Nektann was not interested in following the commands of those he hated. He was a warlord. He would have his way.So what if he wanted to take a boat-full of machinery to Stelt and make some quick profits?No one would miss a dozen automated defense robots - Zakaz was crawling with the nektann, sentry-bots named after the warlord himself.The blue-armored Skakdi turned his gaze inland. Thick dust-clouds rose into the air, kicked up, no doubt, by a handful of brutes locked in combat, fighting for their lives.Hmm... Krika will have his hands full today.Nektann nodded to himself and dragged a crudely-crafted boat to the water. He began to load it with the nektann robots that he intended to sell on the island of Stelt.Skakdi's grins were generally large and hideously evil, and Nektann's only widened at the thought of the money that was about to make its way into his possession.

A trader's hut on SteltNektann had bartered on Stelt a time or two before. The traders were notoriously meticulous about their business, and today Nektann was not in the mood for standing around much longer while the trader inspected each robot individually."I'm not asking for very much," the Skakdi grumbled impatiently."Of course you're not. If you were, I would just deny your offer and report you to Krika for leaving your blasted island," responded the Steltian trader.It was a fair point - but an annoying one. Nektann ran his armored finger along the side of his Crescent Scythe, which emitted a shrill sound that caught the trader's attention and, perhaps, reminded him of his manners.The trader shifted. "You said the nektann can be programmed to attack intruders on sight, but not to harm those who are authorized?"We've been over this, moron. "I could demonstrate for you."A pause."Funny." The trader reached for his coins. "Alright, I'll buy. But I won't need any more, so don't bother coming back." He held out the payment.Nektann readily accepted the money, glad to be through with the trader and his attitude."'Pleasure." He had not, however, attempted to barter the price with Nektann, a quality the Skakdi preferred.And that was that - the deal was complete. Back to Zakaz.From inside the lowly lit hut, the trader eyed Nektann as the Skakdi exited the shop and boarded his ship immediately. He may have even heard Nektann humming to himself as he went.Now there was a sight.But Nektann would not have been quite so cheerful if he knew what Krika knew.The "Steltian trader" was not a trader. He was not even from Stelt.He was a Makuta.Krika shapeshifted, retaining his usual form. Where the seemingly-average inhabitant of Stelt stood a moment before, Krika now was - eyes still fixed on Nektann.Krika had read his mind. Nektann would go back to Zakaz and buy better weapons with his newly acquired money.But Krika would not give him that chance. Nektann had just become an outlaw, and punishing outlaws was one of the Makuta's favorite ways to pass the time.Krika gathered up the nektann robots he had purchased. He would make it to Zakaz long before Nektann would.

The seaNektann could not remember being this happy in quite some time. He had needed a change of scenery, and the coins in his pouch shifting with the rocking of the boat sounded like music to his ears. He was on his way back to Zakaz, and he would return richer than before.Nektann's thoughts turned to the new weapons he would soon purchase, and he envisioned the Skakdi whose existences he would end with them.Life is good. Nektann rowed. It was easier without the weight of the machines in the boat.He thought back to killing the boat's former owner earlier that day. That was the joy of being a warlord of Zakaz - people gave you what you wanted. One way or another.One day, even Krika will die by my hand.The Skakdi quickened his pace, with the Makuta in mind. It was not long before he jumped the remaining three yards to shore, money-sack in hand. Nektann hefted up a boulder, then tossed it at the nearby boat. It shattered into driftwood. There. Nektann smiled triumphantly. 'Tracks successfully covered.It was dark. Nektann began to make his way toward a city, planning to slip in quietly.He spotted a black-armored Skakdi brawling with a blue-armored Skakdi in the distance, a Spine Slug attached to the latter. For a moment vision-powers shot back and forth, then one of the Skakdi fell to the ground, lifeless. The victor limped in the general direction of the nearest city, but died of his own wounds long before reaching it.Nektann chuckled. Home, sweet home.Nektann heard a mobile machine approaching him from the side. Turning, he saw that it was a combat nektann robot. They were both still for a moment."Don't you have a post to watch?" Growled the Skakdi. Nektann turned away from the defense-bot and began walking away.The combat nektann's answer was in the form of a charged energy bolt. It hit the Skakdi warlord in the back of the head, driving him to the ground.Pain exploded and rage boiled up in Nektann. What is this?! He rolled onto his back and put his hands to his head. Everything was blurry.Another blast sounded in the near distance. Nektann dove to one side, barely avoiding a second attack. He grunted in anger. Why is it attacking me? Rising to his knees, the Skakdi tried to examine his surroundings. More nektann had arrived. Or was that just his vision acting up?Several more shots were fired.No. There are more.Nektann summoned his concentration and threw up a reflective barrier. He heard a few robots drop, destroyed by their own reflected attacks, but was ambushed from behind.The warlord struggled to remain upright. He bumped into one of the defense-bots, grabbed it and hurled it at another, buying himself a moment."Cease fire!" Bellowed Nektann, knowing that it wouldn't work.The oncoming nektann did not falter. He was surrounded.The situation struck the Skakdi then - someone had turned the nektann against him.Another round of energy blasts. Nektann leaped into the air, and landed on a master nektann, crushing it. Sparks flew. He tried to position himself outside of the ring of robots.Reflecting energy blasts whenever he could, Nektann desperately tried to fend off his attackers. Whenever he was hit, it would take the Skakdi far too long to regain his concentration and throw up the barrier again.He managed to destroy perhaps a dozen nektann robots, but despaired as he saw more joining their formation.Nektann was shot square in the chest, and skid backward on the barren plain. Anger coursed through the Skakdi. "I will rip whoever's behind this apart!"If there were any other inhabitants of Zakaz nearby, Nektann would have bribed them for their assistance. He cursed the black and blue Skakdi, whose corpses rested nearby, for having killed each other.Nektann's body throbbed in multiple areas where he had been hit. He estimated that around twenty-five nektann were advancing on him at this point. It was late, dark, and fatigue was wearing on him.This is not good.It was time to decide what to do. Nektann made a split-second choice to flee. It wasn't like he had very many options.Die now. Die later.Nektann ran. He was faster than the robots but he constantly had to dodge energy-blasts, slowing his pace dramatically.Knowing that the robots would pursue him until they were destroyed, Nektann ripped out of the ground any tree or rock that he passed and tossed it at the nearest combat nektann. And then ran some more.When bending down to do this for the fourth time, he was blasted in the side and knocked over.Nektann screamed into the night in frustration.I can't do this!Haunted by the very robots named after himself. It was like a nightmare.The chase went long into the night. Nektann hated his very life before long. He had downed a number of the nektann, but discovered that back-up units would soon replace them or they would be fixed by repair nektann.The Skakdi warlord had reached a dead-end. He was backed up against a mountain that he did not have the energy to climb.So much for options.He had given up asking himself how this could happen to him - who had programmed the nektann to attack him... He did not care anymore. He wanted rest. Or death. Whichever came first."I will die fighting. Not running," Nektann resolved to himself.He charged the horde of robots. The front-line crumpled when their energy-blasts were reflected at them. Nektann reached a combat-bot in two long strides, and shredded it to pieces with his claws. Another he grabbed by the leg and smashed against the ground.Nektann was shot. He did not stop.The Skakdi kicked at a black nektann with all his might. It flew backward, taking out a few robots in its path.Nektann continued to fight for his life. The formations thinned as he destroyed robot after robot. Just when he began to grasp a sliver of hope, he looked up.Lines upon lines of nektann were dropping down into the battle from the nearby cliff. The Skakdi was stunned at the sight.No.His attackers wasted no time in taking advantage of the warlord's distraction, firing at him from all directions.Nektann's body was ravaged with energy blasts. He was thrown against a rock by the sheer combined force of the attack, and fell limp to the ground.Nektann did not attempt to get up.He was pummeled on the ground for a few moments, an eternity to any being experiencing such pain. Then;"Enough."The voice did not come from Nektann.Immediately, all movement ceased. There was complete and utter silence.Nektann laid still on the ground, fighting unconsciousness. The voice came from above him.Something washed over the Skakdi. Was it relief... or dread?It spoke again. "Leave us."Once more, the gathered nektann obeyed. Soon, they were alone.The Skakdi fought to raise his head. Then he saw him.Makuta Krika.Nektann's face contorted with hate at the sight of his enemy. A growl escaped his wicked grin. They held each other's gaze."Get up... warlord." Krika taunted Nektann with the word.Immediately, anything Nektann had felt before, the pain, the fatigue, was gone. It was replaced with pure, unstoppered fury.Nektann rose to his feet, gripped his Crescent Scythe - and unleashed that fury.The night was filled with the sound of duel. Krika stood tall, stark white against the black sky, and wielding a lean blade. His mastery of the weapon was clear to Nektann. Whenever the Skakdi would execute a combination, Krika's blade was there to block.Nektann did not let it unnerve him. He knew the Makuta was toying with him. But if Krika got too cocky, just once, he would find something embedded in his chest.Another block. Nektann's Crescent Scythe was jarred in his hand. Krika's blade flew out from underneath of Nektann's, then smacked the Skakdi's head with the flat side.Nektann stumbled backward."What, Nektann? Did you forget how to fight?"Nektann did not answer. He had seen what Krika could do to other Skakdi. He had lost track of the powers that Krika had demonstrated on his kind, "keeping them in line." It was only a matter of time until Krika tired of exchanging blows, then the Makuta wouldn't hold back any longer.Krika took a lazy stab at Nektann. Nektann side-stepped, but just in time. He was slowing down."You oppress my people," said Nektann."Your people?" Krika slashed with his blade, then went back to blocking every attack Nektann attempted. "You are not concerned about your people. You broke the law today for your own selfish purposes and placed them in danger." Krika sneered. "Did you honestly think that you could get away with it?"The battle wore on.Nektann swung his Crescent Scythe overhead in an attack on Krika, but the Makuta reached out blindingly fast and caught Nektann's wrist. The power in his grip amazed Nektann.Is it over?No. Krika lashed out with his foot and kicked the Skakdi into the air. Nektann landed hard, and struggled to get up."Why are you doing this to me?" Hatred dripped from Nektann's every word.Krika laughed. "Punishing you? I would think it would be obvious."Silence. Nektann met his eyes and felt as though Krika were staring into his spirit."You are wondering how I knew that you left Zakaz."It was true. Nektann had just been thinking that.Add mind-reading to his list of fancy powers."Nektann, you simply cannot escape me."Krika's form rippled before the Skakdi. In a moment, Nektann was face-to-face with what looked like the trader from Stelt that he had sold to. Krika spoke from "the trader's" mouth."You said the nektann can be programmed to attack intruders on sight, but not to harm those who are authorized?" Krika winked at him.Nektann felt like so much mindless scum. I was played like a fool...Wait. Doesn't it strain Makuta to shapeshift? Or is that just a rumor?Krika had finished mocking Nektann and began to transition back into his usual form. Nektann did not hesitate any more. If it was true that shapeshifting was difficult for Krika, Nektann was not going to miss that opening in his defense. He lunged for the Makuta.Nektann reached him and grabbed Krika's head with both hands. He pulled them together until they were at eye-level - an inch apart, and let loose with his Flash Vision power. Intense white-light surged from Nektann's eyes and seared into Krika's.The Makuta howled. For a moment, Nektann felt victorious.Then Krika's transformation was complete. "Away from me." Nektann was thrown back by the Makuta's Kanohi Crast, Mask of Repulsion.Krika took a trembling step forward. Nektann was emboldened as he saw that his attack had been effective. He charged the Makuta again, raised his Scythe, and released a war-cry, but was repulsed once more.Krika shook his head. "You're a fool, Nektann."The Skakdi warlord was on his knees."You think you have power?" Krika continued. "You're trash."Then it began.Rain. Then thunder. Within seconds, lightning crashed around the Skakdi and the Makuta, tearing the landscape apart.Nektann looked to Krika. It was the Makuta's doing.He wondered what would happen next, but found out all too soon. Heat Vision struck Nektann's armor, scorching it. Before the Skakdi could bellow in pain, he was assaulted by unbelievable Sonic force. Krika summoned numerous cyclones to surround Nektann, if only to further set him on edge.Nektann could feel the shadows gathering around him. Krika was growing closer.A powerful gust of wind knocked Nektann off his feet. He was held down by nearby plants, unable to escape their grip.The Makuta's chaos raged around him.Nektann had never been so convinced that his very life was out to get him.Krika slowly approached the Skakdi, punishing him with excruciating pain. Nektann couldn't tell the difference between the Makuta's powers anymore. They were all pain. They were all madness."Do you see, little Skakdi? You will never, ever think to cross me again."In the fraction of a second, Nektann noticed what was sure to be a devastating assault of chain-lightning gathering at Krika's fingertips."NO!" Nektann acted then. Calling on the last reserves of his strength, he triggered a reflective barrier. When the chain lightning hit it, Nektann was forced back.Krika, however, was electrocuted with the attack's full force.At once, all of the Makuta's powers were negated. Nektann stumbled onto his feet.I have to get away, now! Nektann's legs weren't moving. He was still stunned.The Skakdi panicked. Where is Krika?Suddenly, Nektann felt the cold edge of Krika's sword pressed up against his throat.Everything was still.He heard the Makuta's steady breathing behind him. It was over."Krika." Nektann broke the silence. "You've... won." They were possibly the two most difficult words Nektann had ever had to speak.There was no denying it. The Makuta had defeated him.Krika's next words surprised Nektann."You have skill, Skakdi."There was a blur, and Nektann flinched. But Krika had lowered his sword.Nektann turned to look at him."Do not waste it."Then Krika vanished. Where he had stood was left only a small bag.The money.Nektann's body ached as he bent down to pick it up.On his way back to the city, Nektann could not help but feel something he never thought he would feel for a Makuta.A bit of respect... or something close to it.

Thank you for hosting this bones, and congratulations to all the winners. =)

Just to address some of the points brought up, he knows how old I am and has my number. I think I have done all I would feel comfortable with to get in touch with him. :/

Quick note: S&T Contest 6 should be able to wrap up soon. I talked with bonesiii a little bit, and helped him get the last details squared away. I am under the impression that he just needs to put the final touches and go through the process of announcing winners and making news stories out of it and stuff like that.

That's nice to hear. However, do you mind telling me how long ago this was? In any case, I'll be waiting.

I talked with him again today. =) Good to go. It will be nice to have new cannon stories in Greg's absence.

I'm getting the impression that GregF doesn't want to write BIONICLE serials anymore. I mean, maybe he's gone on for so long without writing any, he's finding hard to go back and start again. As a writer, this happens to me a lot; in fact, I haven't been writing for a while. I think the downtime is really what struck the BIONICLE story a fatal blow.Greg mainly continued the story for us BZP members, because we're the hardcore fans who haven't completely left BIONICLE and moved on to other things. Most of BIONICLE's former audience probably moved on to Hero Factory and Ninjago. So when BZP went down, Greg had no reason to write; I think this is backed up by the fact that the time between the Powers that Be and Sahmad's Tale's update were the longest at the time (3 months). Sahmad's Tale Chapter 7, which is the last update we've had so far, was uploaded back in June, during BZP's downtime. Since Greg was busy in the first place, he probably decided not to write until BZP came back.BZP came back in October, 3-4 months after the latest update. By this time Greg was probably totally out of it, especially with him writing novels for Ninjago and taking care of his family. I think Greg has lost that eagerness to write; you have a hard time writing something you don't want to. I remember, back in late 2010 and early 2011, Greg sounded like he was really enjoying what he was writing; he was going around dropping major hints on the Red Star, answering questions, and was talking about something like "the biggest plot twist yet" and so on. In fact, TPTB Chapter 3 came out a mere week after Chapter 2 of the same serial; I remember being very surprised. Even on his blog entries Greg sounded excited about it. And then with TYQ, with the whole GB contest, I could tell he was excited about the story. After that, the series of events which brought us to the low point we are at today began in quick succession, beginning with LEGO's new policy, which pretty much caused us to lose nearly all communication with Greg.Really, what Greg did with TPTB proves that if he wants to, Greg can find someway to fit writing the BIONICLE serials into his busy schedule. Even if Greg is busier now, he could probably find a way.Really, BZPower's downtime came at the worst possible time; not only did it harm the official BIONICLE story, it destroyed all contests that could have given us new storyline, or at least some interesting discussions. S&T Contest 6 is gone, as is the Lesovikk Hiatus Contest, as is Name the GB contest, all which don't seem to be coming back anytime soon.

Quick note: S&T Contest 6 should be able to wrap up soon. I talked with bonesiii a little bit, and helped him get the last details squared away. I am under the impression that he just needs to put the final touches and go through the process of announcing winners and making news stories out of it and stuff like that.You bring up interesting points about Greg's eagerness to write the story, as well as the downtime's effect on it. What you're saying makes a lot of sense. Although I probably agree with you, we can only speculate about the reason for Greg's absence beyond what Erebus reported in October. We know that his normal writing time has been occupied. He is likely very busy, but how his workload looks day-to-day we really don't know. The last time we knew about his schedule was like May of 2010. The only thing I can tell you is that I sent him a letter on Dec. 9th. We've met in person a couple times before, he knows who I am, and I gave him every method to get in touch with me and I haven't heard back yet. =/

Oh hey happy anniversary!

will episode 0 be put on the iTunes feed, because for some reason i can't access it on the podcast website

Why can't you? What happens?Be sure to check out episode 25, we had a great time recording it!

I sent him a letter on the 9th. I haven't heard back but I'll let you know if I do.

25 is recorded, just needs to be finished. =)

Good show. =) You're doing a good job hosting, Andrew.

Bink knows that B6 is over 13, so I don't think that would violate any rules.

Is that what the Social Media Driver's License is about? My impression was that it was essentially a course in marketing.

Doubt it, Greg isn't really hands-on with marketing. I think the course was what he can and can't do online while representing the company.

Give man some time folks. He's now a family man. Be little patiend. And it will be.

People should be patient, but it's also been months and months. BIONICLE was supposed to be supported through 2011.

Erebus wouldn't have heard any more, Greg hasn't logged on to the forums for almost a month now. Either he is still busy or the social media class whatever thingy went badly (for us).

I had a lot of fun playing SS at E3, but it was hard to get a good grip on the game when they drop you in a random dungeon with items that you've never used before and stuff. =P Definitely looking forward to taking it home.

Why isn't it on iTunes? I hardly ever have time to sit in front of the computer long enough to listen to a whole episode the most awesome podcast ever...

I think it was the right choice not to put this one on iTunes. New listeners could DL episode 0 to try out the show and get a bad first impression just by being lost and not having the connection with the hosts that makes it interesting.What you can do is download the MP3, and in iTunes click File > Add File to Library > Select episode 0 > Import. It will show up in your music section, but you can put it on your iPod just like a podcast and delete it when you're done. =)