Legolover-361

OOC: I actually envisioned Kratnik's cannon-arm as firing energy blasts; I didn't intend for shot to mean bullet or something similar. As for the casino, apparently I forgot. Dangit. Well, I have two retconning options: 1. Robbing a bank might be a better idea because there are fewer witnesses, and / or 2. a nearby casino might stash its money in that bank.IC: LoriEveningBank, Central CityWith the guards gone, Lori accessed the computers behind the desk. The security officer, thankfully, had already logged into the security cameras. Not so thankfully, accessing more sensitive information such as bank accounts required other passwords.Oh well. Lori couldn't digitally access any accounts, but he could see the other three guards en route to the front desk via a hallway from the vaults."Naka, hide," he said, running for a broom closet at the neck of the hallway. "I'll distract them."He had pulled the door open when the first enemy gunshot was heard. The bullet struck the side of the door opposite from Lori. He winced, repeated the action as another bullet struck the metal with a clang, and leaped into the closet, pulling the door shut behind him.When the guards pulled open the door and fired, their shots struck nothing but cleaning appliances bathed in gloom."He's in there," said one guard, firing a last, exasperated shot into the mop. "Probably has a Huna or something. You'd think it'd've deactivated after we shot him up like Swiss cheese, but--"Chink. He yelped and collapsed. A throwing star was embedded in his neck. The second guard only had time for one more gunshot before Lori emerged from his shadow and impaled him.That was more than a distraction, but hey, you took what you could get in Mata Magna.Lori didn't want to leave the bodies there, but he was running out of time. Naka was under strict orders from Scorum not to share her time manipulation powers with any of the other thieves or use it specifically to advance the mission; Lori cursed Scorum's desire to "test" his gang and ran for the vaults.

IC: LoriEveningCentral CityLight filled the glass front doors of the bank across the street. Lori, from where crouched in the shadows of an alley, could see a security guard sitting behind a desk, probably reading a book considering his position. Kratnik had been ordered to a nearby rooftop; he now waited for the cue to begin firing. Naka stood behind and to the left of Lori, her expression thoughtful behind the Vahi she had been granted to bring the trio to the present day.The guard behind the desk shifted slightly and glanced at what was presumably his tablet's clock. Another security officer appeared, his mouth moving as if he were in a silent film, and the one sitting down nodded and responded with something equally inaudible.Portions of the lane were illuminated with street lamps, but between the fuzzy coronas of light, there was room enough for Lori, with his Volitak and shadow powers, to slip between them and to one side of the doors. He turned visible momentarily and nodded to the rooftop across the street and to the left of the doors.The shot blasted through one of the glass panes. The guards started and, as Lori had hoped, called for backup and ran out of the bank in the direction of the shot. Two occupied, an uncounted number to go.Lori signaled to Naka and darted inside and behind the security desk.OOC: Minor bunnying.

I must agree with most of the points presented in the article. I think this is something of a risky move, especially because of its obvious focus on a narrow and young age range.The great thing about Bionicle was its appeal to young teens as well as kids, thanks to a story that took itself seriously and sets that offered a fair degree of complexity. Legend of Chima, on the other hand... Well, I'm not very familiar with the story behind the sets, but from what I've heard, it's no Bionicle; it probably won't offer LEGO that same breakthrough success.I'll probably try to acquire some of the sets nevertheless, but I'll wait to see how the story fares. I don't think the comparison works because making comics and video and online games for a toy series is different than making a TV series, video game, and MMOG. Every LEGO theme I know gets at least one complimentary online game. In contrast, Bionicle, one of LEGO's most successful themes to date, never got a TV series or an MMOG; Hero Factory got a TV series but not an MMOG; LEGO Star Wars got a video game and some TV shorts, but only after its success had been proven.That said, I'm sure you're right in that the LEGO Company probably won't suffer much financially if Legend of Chima doesn't meet expectations.

That should be fine, Dual Matrix, as long as the focus is on the flashbacks rather than the events 0 BGC.

I would like to ask if anyone wants me to re-enter Loophole for the next RPG contest. I don't want to re-enter it at the moment, but I'm open to changing my mind if enough people want me to do so.

IC: LoriNighttimeMountains north of Olford"I think we should pay a visit to Ga-Koro-Nui," said Lori. "Take money from a high-brow casino, bring it back so we can use it to 'legitimately' purchase some goods for a change. Naka?"

OOC: I'm assuming the Turaga are done their meeting and moving ahead with the plot.Also, the thieves aren't in Olford; they're in a cave in a mountain north of Olford.GM IC: Turaga TahuAfternoonPanel HQ, Central City"You have an Olmak?" was Kora's first response to Turaga Tahu's brief outline of the situation.It was an expected response. Though Kora was one of the Panel's closest confidants, he was not privy to all the Turaga's secrets. Probably the idea that he had been kept in the dark for so long about such a powerful artifact was surprising; the look in the De-Matoran's eyes suggested such.Tahu lifted his weight from the Panel chamber's main table and began his elaboration. The other Turaga stood to one side of the chamber, subdued and silent.By the time Tahu finished speaking, Kora's expressionhad replaced surprise with intrigue. "I see what you're saying," he said slowly as if approaching an epiphany. "There is a definite scientific basis to this. If time is another dimension, that means dimensional travel ought to also apply to the dimension of time... but then there's the question of whether the Olmak was designed with such capabilities. I don't know what the Great Beings intended the Olmak to do -- which is why you want me to study the mask, of course, but..." Having run out of words, he shrugged and inhaled deeply. "So, when do I start?""Preferably?" said Tahu. "Now."Kora nodded. "Right... Do you already have the equipment with the Olmak?""No; you'll have to bring it with you.""Okay.""Listen, Kora, this is supposed to be top secret. Do not reveal this to anyone."Kora nodded, his normally absent expression rearranging into his best approximation of acceptance. "Yeah. I know.""Then lead the way to your lab. Try not to leave anything that would require a return trip. We'll send you food, don't worry. We just don't want you flitting back and forth between your lab and the Olmak's hiding place.""Too easy to trace. Right." Kora's eyes were no longer focused on Tahu but on an unspecified point in the distance: his expression whenever he entered deep thought. "...Okay. Let's get cracking, I guess!"

OOC: I hope I didn't miss any posts by people wanting to join the heist... If I did, notify me ASAP.EDIT: Yeah, I missed a post. I've edited this post to remedy the mistake.IC: LoriNighttimeMountains north of Olford"Planning something?"Kratnik, Toa of Ice. Lori could identify him without looking because of the chill that spread across his left side. In fact, Lori had memorized most people's faces and names, if only because he had to know whom he was killing should the need ever arise.He nodded in response to Kratnik's question. "Something small, but I need to get out, you know?"* * *Several minutes passed before Lori returned to Naka. Kratnik remained a few steps behind and halted a little distance from Naka."He was the only taker," said Lori in response to Naka's unspoken question. The corner of his mouth curled downward. "All too drunk or too busy flirting." He added morons in a muttered aside to the floor, then returned his focus to Naka. "We should be fine with just us three, right? Better stealth that way."

IC: KynaeraMorningGa-KoroThough Kynaera moved aside to allow Anthyn room, the glare that lingered on the Valkyr for a second after the movement was one of barely disguised disdain. She needed no deep breath to calm her expression and her nerves, however, and resumed her mournful demeanor; her eyes she directed straight before her, just above the heads of the gathered Matoran, either to enhance her presence or to avoid the look on Anthyn's face, or perhaps both.

Happy birthday, Aderia and Alex!

Seconded.

This is definitely a factor in any RPG, Loophole not exempted. I apologize for the vague nature of my post, but I did intend what Krayzikk said: to have my post be open-ended in case another staff member saw something I did not. While I am the final authority of Loophole, I am neither omnipresent nor omnipotent and am open to corrections and / or other opinions (for example, the name of the country featured in this RPG).To clarify: If another staff member has a problem with your profile, you must consider that problem. If you have a problem with said staff member's problem, the Loophole staff will discuss it. I don't want you genuflecting in the co-GMs' presences (or mine), but do respect their authority in this RPG, please.I'm not going to revoke Krayzikk's warning because I believe that, in this case, it is justified. I am not -- well, perhaps I am the dictator of Loophole, but do not assume that something I say will automatically curtail the opinions of other staff members. It was not an official warning and thus does not count.

The Mask of Dodge sounds really similar to the Mask of Fate plus the Mask of Speed. Take out the part about the mask being as powerful as a Kanohi Nuva, clarify the Kanohi can't be used against a total surprise attack, and your profile should be fine. I think.

GM IC: Turaga VakamaAfternoonOutskirts of Ga-Koro-Nui"Tahu did indeed use the Kanohi once," began Vakama, "though even I scarcely remember the details now. Anyway, to answer your question... Yes, the Toa Metru did reclaim it after locking the Makuta in protodermis, though the time between the two events was much greater than two or three hours. I retrieved the Vahi myself about when we left with Matoran for the island Mata Nui."

IC: LoriNighttimeMountains north of OlfordLori skimmed the crowd. Entering the mass was unappealing -- he had a very healthy sense of his personal space -- but how else would he recruit a couple companions for the mission? Yell?After a moment's hesitation, enter he did, doing his best to avoid contact with anyone and looking for people not too drunk to add to his crew.OOC: Have Lori bump into your character if you want to join the burglary mission. I'll only wait a couple days before starting the mission, even if no one replies, for the purpose of moving forward the plot.* * *GM IC: Turaga VakamaAfternoonOutskirts of Ga-Koro-NuiVakama took Levacius's hand and shook it. "Yes, I was reminded by the person who alerted me of the appointment," he said, releasing his grasp and leaning on his staff. "Forgive me -- I'm tired and, well, old, and I can't remember things as well as I used to. Come! Come inside. I don't have anything prepared to eat, but I'm assuming this is a strictly business meeting."When both beings had entered, Vakama half-closed the door behind them and took a seat, indicating with his finger another that Levacius could use. "I'm afraid I don't remember all I placed in the draft of the autobiography," said Vakama with a chuckle, "but I'll do my best to answer your questions. Ask away -- though, uh, first, what connection do you have with the autobiography?"

Wait, the speed of time can be measured or at least ascertained through mathematics?

GM IC: Turaga VakamaAfternoonOutskirts of Ga-Koro-NuiA couple minutes after Vakama had finished his meal, in the middle of scrolling through menus on his tablet in his search for a "Last Caller" feature, his tablet buzzed and displayed an image of the area just outside Vakama's gate and an inflated head too near to the camera.Ah. His tablet was connected to his house's speaker. Vakama would have to remember that.A slightly static-muffled voice came from the figure's mouth: "This is Levacius, I have an appointment scheduled.""Not right now, I have an appointment I'm trying to confirm--" An awkward, seconds-long pause. "--oh. You're the appointment. Ah... hold on, let me open the gate... don't touch any flowers, by the way, or Nokama will kill you and me both..."Two buttons beneath the video feed displayed, in simple font, OPEN GATE and DISCONNECT. Vakama pressed the former, though the latter suffered a near miss on account of Vakama's index finger, which shook a bit with age.* * *A faint hiss sounded before the white gate's doors swung inward. Levacius was thus admitted into a slice of paradise: lush grass; a small garden; a couple trees; and a decently sized, brightly colored house. The walkway before Levacius's feet led to the house but also split to direct one to a similarly white not too far from the house and to the garden.As Levacius stepped forth, the house's front door also opened. Turaga Vakama, slow with age but still alert in his face, stepped onto his porch, leaned on his staff, and waited for Levacius to approach.

My goodness. BBCC 64 would be worth winning if the only prize were a victory image like that.Congratulations to all. Hopefully next contest, I can actually compete.

Your story may be saved on the old KanohiJournal database, but I currently don't have access to the old database of Lesovikk's Hiatus entries, so I will say you should re-post your story. (On the bright side, this gives you an extra chance to edit your entry as you see fit before reentering.)

Ah. Aha. Hahaha.Well... editing now.

GM IC: Turaga VakamaAfternoonOutskirts of Ga-Koro-NuiVakama's virtual tablet beeped.How odd. Few people attempted to contact him nowadays; he spent his time on the outskirts of civilization, rarely interacting with anyone apart from his brothers and sister. Who, then, would choose such an inopportune time as a mid-afternoon meal to contact him?The old Turaga had to hunt for the proper button on his computer before he could answer the call. The ID on his computer displayed PANEL HQ. "This is Turaga Vakama," he said."Turaga Vakama, sir" -- a youthful if tired voice answered Vakama -- "I'm sorry to bother you, but a 'Levacius' is requesting to speak with you about an autobiography."Vakama paused and thought, his eyes automatically directing themselves out the front window of his dwelling to the shore outside. "Autobiography?""He's been trying to get an appointment with you for two years.""Ah." Vakama did vaguely remember a series of similar calls about the matter. Most of them, his foggy memory indicated, were made during mealtimes. He did not want to be interviewed by a stranger for a book over which he had no control, but his many years of life had taught him that avoiding a thing was often more burdensome than the thing itself. "Right. Er, I am in the middle of a meal, so perhaps this meeting could be scheduled for later?""Of course, sir. On what later date do you wish to schedule the meeting?"Vakama took more time in formulating this reply. "I don't know," he admitted. "I'm not used to scheduling interviews and whatnot.""Of course. I'm sorry for bothering you, sir. Do you want me to patch Levacius through?""Um... yes. But please wait till I'm done eating."The operator's pause was brief but noticeable. "Right, Turaga. I'll have Levacius on hold till then.""Thank you."The computer emitted a click-beep, and an indicator on Vakama's tablet told him the call had been ended. Vakama sighed, placed the handheld computer back on the table, took up his utensils, and abruptly realized he had no idea whether he was supposed to call the operator back or not.Oh well.OOC: Edited because of a previous error on my part.

Oh. Whoops.I'll work on a reply to your post promptly.

I'm neither strong optimist nor strong pessimist, so I guess that means I'll get the best of both worlds...?