BULiK

thats a threat folks, i dont know if the forums can handle that many sigmas in one place

OOC: invoking the sacred 24 hour rule on this one, homies IC: Vrill [Ko-Koro, Wise Man's Archive, The Backroom] Having prepared his defensive fortifications to satisfaction, Vrill suavely reached into a hidden pocket to extract and light a smoke to distract himself as he relaxed and recollected his energy. The Cy-Toa was listening, but he seemed aloof, his optics either focused entirely on the door ahead of them or utterly lacking focus and a mere reflection of the internal stillness in his softly pulsing heartlight. Fenn was asking questions, as always. Seeing the distinct truths within the fractals of each snowflake they encountered. Perhaps Antidermis was not a new discovery, but a forgotten lesson from battles long buried. Certainly interesting, but even if a century-old case in another Koro held clues to Antidermis's effects, Vrill failed to see how that would impact the task at hand. He was fighting a silent battle in a proxy war of truth and stability, not researching alchemical substances. From the sounds of things, the people who were supposed to be fighting Makuta (instead of the shadows within that Vrill pursued) already knew how to deal with Antidermis... even if they kept it from Vrill and Muir. But maybe Fenn was going somewhere with this - after all, that analytical determination why he was here.

IC: Kreigero [Echelon's Lair] Kreigero shot the Ta-Matoran a glare that could flash freeze a hoto as she issued a correction. "Make it up to us now by making sure we make it out alive. That's all that matters."

Correct! I just logged on and loaded into nimbus station to test and everything is still running.

The server is down? I've rebooted it just now. Re: loading screen issues, other players have had strange "stuck in loading screen problems" in the past for no known reason. If the problem doesn't resolve itself after multiple login attempts, let me know and I can attempt to do a tricky manual fix. The /skip-ags is specifically for skipping the quest for the avant gardens survival minigame. Ah, looks like you're stuck finding a client from unofficial sources then, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

that is... very different from the community-shared clients I've seen. Maybe the steam version launches some kind of server browser or client updater first instead of the game client proper? Similar to other MMOs launching a launcher. Look for a `legouniverse.exe` and see if that opens up the full game client with the login screen with the animated minifig and whatnot.

IC: Kreigero [Echelon's Lair] "Untie y-y-y-yourselves," Kreigero reminded her fellow travelers again. She sheathed her knife but kept a hand on the grip. Realizing that this was likely their last opportunity to speak freely with the other Matoran, the trapper spoke up once more. "I did my best, but whatever happens happens."

strange - have you confirmed that at the bottom of the login screen it points to my server?

TBH I didn't even know it had a steam release back in the day. I would say yeah, if steam lets you install the client still, you should be able to modify the client in the same ways to connect to custom servers. Community-provided "unpacked" clients will let you fix modify certain files to fix some issues like the survival minigame, but that can also be bypassed so off the top of my head I'd guess it would work too.

I just tested and I am able to connect to the server, so I am not sure what the problem is. Try to verify that your boot.cfg is loading properly by the text at the bottom of the login screen, which should say the "Unofficial BZPower Darkflame Lego Universe Server" with the IP as "dlu.bzprpg.com", instead of the default text of lego universe with the IP of "127.0.0.1". Sometimes if the boot.cfg isn't properly set up or upon logging out, the login screen points to 127.0.0.1 instead of the correct location of this DLU server.

IC: Long Dihunai [Ga-Koro, Docks, Yukanna, Interior] Dihunai looked almost surprised. The whole point was to get Yumiwa back on track, not to arbitrate - Dihunai wasn't privy to as much classified knowledge as the Rora, how could she give good direction without kno - Actually, Dihunai knew just as much as Yumiwa did about the present moment's opportunities and crises (the unknown dragon and the onfolding sabotage of the Ryuu): very little. After a moment, the warrior drew her battle plan in prose to show her reasoning. "Focus on the immediate, given this is a dynamic situation. To make a good decision, we need good information. There is a threat, but we must read our opponent, tell if she is within striking distance or not, preparedness, et cetera: those details determine the response in any battle, be it a duel or a brawl of formations." Dihunai paused to reach her tendrils of flame out into the ideatalk plane once more to listen, as she had occasionally throughout their confinement below decks. Even indoors, there were ways to be situationally aware of the wider battlefield. "I told you to give Ayiwah the space to flex her muscle, but sometimes you must also be by her side to show you're invested in her mission. The situation is more secure now, I think it's best to go outside, show that the Rora supports her allies and will not be intimidated." "Everyone will see that statement and it will strengthen your stance for the future," Dihunai concluded, continuing to use the terms of her trade in lieu of terms with more diplomatic finesse. "A stumble is not the end, so long as you recover your balance before your opponent exploits it." "Whoever chose to attack us, make sure that all they have accomplished is demonstrating our strength and wisdom."

IC: Long Dihunai [Ga-Koro, Docks, Yukanna, Interior] Dihunai crossed her arms. "We all heard the stories of his fury unleashed to cover the final retreat to the docks. One could only hope to have a soul burn so bright. The fearless can make their enemies cower and turn even the most dire fights into winnable ones. Inokio understood this." "If you tame your fears, when the next battle comes, your example will make your Menti fearless as well. I believe that is the best chance m-our people have."

IC: Long Dihunai [Ga-Koro, Docks, Yukanna, Interior] It was with immense restraint (and admittedly, an awareness of how on edge everyone was) that Dihunai did not slap sense into the Rora then and there. The champion's palm still twitched out of want, however. "You're afraid you can't help?" "This is not a matter of mythical feats, long-winded legends, or acts of the gods. Your people will help themselves, so long as you continue to empower them to do so. Just as a captain does not man the helm or rig the sails, you can't let your eagerness to personally contribute narrow your vision - being able to see the wider battlefield from the height of a soaring dragon is your greatest power." "You think our mothers cursed us to witness the flame die? Good. Embrace opportunity to rise and lead, to strengthen your roots instead of being another leaf in a family tree defined by someone else who is long dead." "We're in a dangerous new land of foreign friends and enemies? Good. A crisis forces tribes to join together. Injuries callous and create strength." As if to emphasize that spirit, Dihunai bashed a fist against her chest, but it stopped short of her body and instead momentarily revealed a tapestry of flaming dragonscale beneath the wisps of ethereal smoke and luminescent sparks of soulfire scattered by the impact. "Your mothers once tried to subjugate mine. Conflict grew dire and much was lost, but it let us turn inward and foster the fires in our hearts until our own selves now are as strong as they have ever been. If there is any draconic legend I can tell you, it's that the great dragons always survive, no matter their number. It is said that long ago they personally taught my teachers' teachers this lesson." "Do you know how many of my sisters wish they could have fought in alongside the first Rhonyu, back when they were Xhanoks? To have their life or death carry meaning to generations beyond, inspiring the children in the clans they forged? Regardless of if you wanted it, you have the power to help your people, it's your job to not squander it." "How? Your empire protects you so you can push onwards, and see formations and weaknesses within the armies on our doorstep with clarity instead of just the tips of their blades. You have to prioritize so you can execute, while letting your leaders lead." Dihunai reached out an arm in an offer to raise the Rora on her feet as she consolidated her lesson to a simple point of action. "Ignore the Ryuu, trust your admiral to do as she must. Prioritize and execute: what is the most important thing for you to do right now?"

Thanks for letting me know there was an issue! The server has been rebooted.

IC: Nichou [Ga-Koro] "Is that where the name came from?" IC: Long Dihunai [Ga-Koro, Docks, Yukanna, Interior] Dihunai had not expected the Rora's answer to be a question. She did, however, correctly predict that it would be a non-answer. "Kanohi Dragons are the embodiment of all that we aspire to be. Strong. Wise. Free." The ninja's posture straightened in indifference. "But that was not a Kanohi Dragon, and I am not here to tell stories. What is your point?"

OOC: wtfffff that was OCTOBER?!?!?! Quoribay from Ga-Wahi via Ta-Wahi i guess. took wayyy too long. i'll blame it on the not-thesis. IC: Quoribay [Obsidian Outpost] ...so as I was saying, THAT'S why Illicia didnt get in on the job in the end. To fast-forward here, once I made sure I had hit up everyone else I might need, I took the cablecar up to Obisidian Outpost, and figured out the last few bits of my master plan along the way. When I got off the lift full of Ta-koronan carpetbaggers (one of whom being the unwitting source of the widgets I used to pay the toll - By the way, how RUDE of them to give a toll! Talk about criminal - wait, actually, forcing tolls on cablecar passengers is just legalized hostage taking, I can't really blame them, that's actually genius. If I had thought of that one back in the Shadow Hapaka days I might not have had to run so much. Respect the grindset. Anyways as I was saying, when I got off the lift to be honest I was impressed with what the Outsiders had done to the place. It wasn't an outpost so much as a fortress. Really been spruced up lately, across the board. Almost reminded me of how Pala-Koro was back in the day. At least I wasn't on the run like when I took a detour through there way back when - I really got to take in the sights as I made my way to the big kahuna of the joint to give the pitch of a lifetime. OOC: @Nato G set the scene however you like, Quoribay wants to meet with Minnorak for train heist prep

OOC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKH7b6HDKGQ IC: Kreigero [Echelon's Lair] And now the ghosts were gone. Now there were options. Running was hardly an option, hiding even less so, but there were options. Even one Kreigero remembered from earlier... The wounded Ko-Matoran put a hand over her chest, clutching the brooch of her cloak. She shivered as she took a deep breath of the harsh air around them. By the time the air had left her lungs, she had made her decision, regardless of what the other two Matoran thought. There was no time to explain, and she knew they would be conflicted anyways: Savrehn too stupidly brave to let Kreigero take such a risk with herself, and Atamai too stupidly stupid to stupid STUPID! Now was not the time for emotions, however. Kreigero had a job to do and she didn't know how long she had to do it. "Untie yourselves," she reminded the others before getting to work. She unfastened her cloak and rushed to take it off with one hand, her other still holding her dagger from earlier. The trapper used the blade to slash off a the majority of the snow-white cloak from the brooch. A few barely audible clicks turned Reyal's head from his watch over the door. He moved to his hunting partner as she knelt down and used what cloth remained attached to the brooch to tie it around the Hapaka's neck. The huntress spoke a few phrases to the animal in a whisper. The Ko-Matoran pointed to the toa's footprints leading along the ice walls and made some strange hand signals. The Hapaka's optics held a strange wisdom beneath their stillness. He licked Kreigero's Kaukau, blurring part of the tinted visor, and then trotted gracefully down the trail of snowy footprints and out of sight. Kreigero took the rest of her cloak and began to try to further cover her head wound with it. Perhaps Reyal would make it to Ko-Koro safely. Perhaps a sanctum guardsman would let him inside the city gates. Perhaps Rhanus would remember the tattered pennant of a rare yet recurring patron. Kreigero did not have much to hope, but the sliver she felt in that moment would be worth whatever potential reprisal may follow the inevitable reopening of that door.

IC: Nichou [Ga-Koro, Plazas] Had Nichou ever seen that much beach before? Or the monolithic Kaukau's falls like so? Perhaps from a distance, but never up this close. The Onu-Matoran leading the strange trio looked almost lost as he led his allies through the streets, probably because he was lost. It became immediately apparent that there was an increased commotion above the already bustling energy of the new fleet in the harbor. Nichou wasn't sure what was going on but he could feel that something was off. Nichou felt as if he was a bystander about to witness an event that would happen any moment now, and yet, he simultaneously felt in his heartlight that he was being watched. OOC: My posts are never late, nor are they early. They arrive precisely when I mean them to. Most of the time.

OOC: https://youtu.be/3bjEpLoL0ls?t=9 IC: Vrill [Ko-Koro, Wise Man's Archive, The Backroom] Tracked from the Sanctum? Not good. At the very least, from the sounds of things, Cyrix probably only saw Vrill in his black-armored 'Syzygos' persona, or at worst, thought his typical crystalline color was a disguise to look more Ko-Koronan. Just a 'general suspicion', though? Vrill glanced to his lie detector, and Muirtagh's face told him that Priicu wasn't being coy. This could only mean one thing: Cyrix knew something Priicu didn't. Something he didn't want Priicu to potentially leak. Something Vrill would have to unearth during the inevitable interrogation. The Cy-Toa set down the slab of crystal, cracked his knuckles, then closed his optics as he raised one arm to the sky. In his mind's eye he saw the creation in front of him, and he envisioned its beautifully predictable destruction for a few silent moments. Lines. Angles. Rectangles. Length. Width. Depth. Not a crystal column. Pages. Interlinked. Within one bar. Bars. Like a cell. Had he ever been in a cell? Cells. Distinct. Yet together as one. Unity. Cohesion. Truthfully both were destiny. But not for long. Duty would forge the future. Vrill gave a karate chop with a surprisingly ferocious force. The paradoxical blow delicately made contact with the large bar of crystal and stopped completely with no visible effect. For a moment it appeared as if nothing had changed. Vrill sighed and collected himself. The Cy-Toa tilted his head to the side, his neck giving a satisfactory pop from the stretch. The collection of perfectly fitting sheets of crystal topped over neatly like dominos. The deck was loaded. The game would begin soon.

IC: Vrill [Ko-Koro, Wise Man's Archive] As Vrill walked to the desk, he answered Priicu by drawing his sword and leveling it perpendicularly to the floor. From the edges on both sides grew a translucent blue-green crystal that took the form of a stool. The Cy-Toa wordlessly sat down on his creation, reached his arms over the desk in front of him, and cracked his knuckles. He clapped his hands together and closed his eyes to more easily visualize his task, and spoke as he began his printing press kata. "Cyrix is looking for me. I need to know why. What he and his friends will and won't say is the fastest and most reliable way to tell us that. When accusations start flying, Fenn will be doing most of the talking. He'll find the truth whether they say it or not. I'm just the innocent bait." Vrill pulled apart his hands slowy and in between the black-armored palms was a solid block of rectangularly arranged crystal. It prismatically refracted the desk lamp's glow into various shades, the constantly uneven distribution of minute internal imperfections distorting the ground truth behind his creation into a turbulent array of differing perspectives. The detective didn't need to open his optics to see the falsities of the clear substance in front of him - he had his sixth elemental sense that could feel the reality in his hands. That was what mattered. The rapidly-growing crystal was solid and couldn't lie like the light that carelessly bounced through it. "But before we get there, Priicu, I have another request. To best ensure that we're on a level playing field, I need to know everything he said about me."

So if you're johnny blocksville does this mean this is Brakas? edit: testing if edits work...again

An announcement: I made a mistake on the server and accidentally permanently lost the names of any characters who didn't have a custom name. If you log in and your character's name is just a number, please give me that number and the name you want that character to be and I will manually fix it. You can either post this in this topic, or in the discord server All the important information is still fine, however - it's just the names.

Yeah, what he said.

Hmmm... Well, there's a certain group of professional and neophyte adventurers forming in Ga-Koro soon, although not short on volunteers by any means. Mostly, if not all, are Matoran, too. Maybe for Timak to learn to be a Toa he has to remember how to be a Matoran...

If submarines aren't your style, I'm putting together a train heist crew soon. And for those that have been waiting for it, apologies for the delays, though there might be some progress soon if I get around to it.