Pakkrat

As far as my experience goes, I found the front entry into Agrippa (i.e. entering pre-HU135) to be working as intended. I got my embroidered straightjacket and my name is on one of the padded cells at Detention Center Onorom. They let me out, only to ship me to Androzari on good behavior occasionally. I still suffer from Post Agrippa Stress Syndrome (PASS) and am seeing a Doctor of the Call Forward regularly. The end result for my Sentinel, having done Shields and Devices, is a steadily climbing quality of Tactical Advantage Omega (Beta for my Privateer) and Skirmish Omega. Post HU135, I find that getting that quality upwards towards 200% to be an after-adventure, cyber-intercourse ride on the manufacture terminals. The smoke afterwards happens at the hookah smoke-filled bar on Praetorium Mons, (because nobody goes out there to bother me). To be fair to the post-HU135 entry into Agrippa (the so-called back door via Kenlz), I /attempted/ to put myself in the point of view of the developer who wrote Agrippa. I found that, as that person, the new Live startup did not go as I intended and the Content of Agrippa post-HU135 to be stunted by forces I could not control. You see, the developer who wrote Agrippa.....did he or she know that there were going to be snags in the storyline progression due to the many issues the Sunrise server has suffered since going Live? No. The developer who wrote Agrippa wrote it purely on a whole timeline scale with the assumption that many new items up-and-coming would soon be available. Some items needed in the "back door" being found only in the not-yet-opened Der Todesengel sector as an example. Now, rather than run to another developer and ask that the back door mission requirement be changed, myself (your anchor rat) decided to mark the snag and wait. No doubt that those entering Agrippa through the back door to try Shields and Devices (I've not heard of any pilots who are attempting to find the NPCs that Growlz has spoken to about those entries), will feel the same bite as those who've found and suffered "Ammo Fer Kenlz", "Fire Fer Kenlz" and the elusive "Hurl Fer Kenlz". There must be "X Fer Kenlz" out there for Shields and Devices back door entries. This Reporter is willing to wager that there may be items those back door missions will require will also not be available yet. As said above, the developer who wrote Agrippa probably wrote the mission back door with the entirety of the timeline in mind. He or she did not know that upon startup Sunrise server would suffer technical difficulties. In conclusion, front door Agrippa is, in my book, Working As Intended and it seems to work just fine for all the insanity diagnoses I've endured from Imperator Agrippa and the abusive Architechti. Given the timeline entirety, because we can't have it all right now - right here, I believe that the back door into Agrippa through Kenlz is also working as intended, but suffers from the difficulties of the Sunrise server. <I'm repeating myself. Sorry.> Pilots, Progen, players, loyal EnB fans. Many of us who came to the Emulator wanted to see much of what we remembered from EA Live. Many of us who came to the Emulator are also eager to see what new stuff the volunteer developer team can dream up. For example: I have, for months now, alluded to Stanig's Progen Funhouse Themepark over the News channel. Embedded within the newsblurbs were prompts for the pilots to read the article For The Republic! and do the mission lines. For months the clues fell upon deaf ears. But then, slowly, pilots started hearing of Cassel's Wither, a Device that de-buffs Impact on targets. When that news got out, everyone who used Impact or had completed Agrippa - Weapons for the Flechette Beta and Omega wanted this beautiful device which stacked with Gravity Link 5, 6, and 7. Suddenly, Cassel's Wither was in demand and pilots wanted to know how to acquire one. This was thanks to the developers giving us something new and not seen way back in EA Live. We merely had to look and stop Raiding/boss-camping/cherry-picking/powerlevelling/etc./ad infinitum/ad nauseam long enough to find the themepark. Look, Ma! New Content! Even your anchor rat has submitted plot outlines, mini-missions, and sizeable aircraft carriers of suggestions to the Project. Some may see the server, most may not. But it is these ideas that are needed. Your reports, technical and in-game are helping. This is a work of love for the game, even though most of that love is re-directed to lower Wife Aggro and have a Real Life(TM). Keep up the good work, have patience, do what you can to help. And someday you too will get to wear your own name-embroidered straightjacket and have a permanent home at Detention Center Onorom. Posh. I am enjoying Agrippa. Live from Nostrand Vor, this is the Pakkrat.

A worthy topic, yet can it be moved out of the Roleplaying sub-forum? Not to be territorial or anything....... From the Situation Room at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

Gold Token usage was meant for "uber uns" and as such an OL150 toon generally has enough for at least one Token. You should have seen it when Beneficium Suggero first came out. He had a pricetag of 120mil for each Gold Token. So count your blessings you didn't have to shell out that much for one. He came down on his asking price when Progen started holding out on him. Then I splattered his price all over the Market, News, and General channel. The pen truly is mightier than the sword. It just works a little slower and subtler. From the Situation Room at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

If you intend to go through Agrippa with a Sentinel, my advice is to go through the front door (i.e. starting at OL/HU 100 and when your Collegia Faction is high enough) rather than trying the back door.    The contacts for sending Sentinels to Kenlz have not yet been discovered.  "Hurl Fer Kenlz" cannot yet be completed until Der Todesengel is opened.  So for Sentinels it's best if they do the tried and tested front door into Agrippa.   Having patience interpolated into my matrix at Arx Spartoi, this is the Pakkrat.

Throughout Stanig's Progen Funhouse Themepark, I watched my Red Dragon Faction carefully as I was forced to slaughter many Red Dragon Dai Lo Elites for the Republic. As I was pretty borderline, I became worried that the mission lines would kill my access to Smugglers' Run, (Blackbeard's Wake and Paramis). Looking on the Faction chart at www.net-7.org may help you decide how best to repair the Faction that is tied to that station. Pilots, consider the mission givers, which Faction they represent, and what they ask of you when deciding to undertake their missions. You will often be rewarded with their Faction at the loss of whatever Faction (if any) of the mobs you had to move against. This is another level of challenge to the social aspect in Earth & Beyond between pilots and NPC mission-givers. From the cartography department at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

From the office of Net-7 News, welcome back! Here are just a few flavor commands you might try to enhance or opt out from two new aspects of the game. /delag 100 is a nice command that lasts while you are in a single zone. Helps when there are many pilots present /rp is a command to send your chat to the [Roleplay] channel in yellow text; just in case you like to Roleplay your toon /n7newsoff and /n7newson are a couple of toggle commands if you wish to opt out of seeing my Net-7 News blurbs Do you like to Raid? /credit kill <toon name> helps your Raid Looter pick up after your mess for later distribution Hopefully, these few will add to your enjoyment of the Emulator Live experience. Reporting from NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

Myself, I did not create alts nor multibox in order to complete my Sentinel's run through Agrippa Shields and Agrippa Devices. Did the mission require the help of others? Yes. Was I social? Yes. Was it fun to cooperate with others? Yes. Was the mission line frustrating at times? Absolutely, but fun still in hindsight. So, I am one of those pilots who made ONE Progen and worked through the mazework of Agrippa Technologies. My Privateer had minor, if any, help from my Sentinel where possible. And that help only got him through Stage II Weapons which was approached from the back door via Kenlz. Agrippa is and has always been optional Content. Hence the Silver and Gold Tokens. If you like such challenge, you need to get Agrippa. From the forges of the Collegia, this is the Pakkrat.

To answer Mimir, I finished Agrippa by entering it through the front door with my Sentinel, Pakkratius. I have recently completed Stage II Weapons withmy Privateer, Pakkrateus, by entering Agrippa through the back door. I had no other alts with which to call upon. My help was from other pilots and my aid went out to all who could meet me long enough to crank out what they required. I did so without multiboxing and was both social and friendly as possible. I even went as far as to present quasi-in-character at times. Via satellite, this is the Pakkrat Sentinel 150 Privateer 145 Trader 51

I, in opposition, asked for help on many occasions and reciprocated to others who were slogging through Agrippa. Each time I felt blessed by incoming aid and a sense of pride and accomplishment for each time I was able to slip a needed system to another pilot. With such a mazework of missions, gatherings, manufacturing, research and galactic travel, I think that it set off the satisfaction from completing the line and also helping others. I see Agrippa, as difficult as it is both through the front door and the newer back door, as working as intended. Given that the back door is showing detail issues and time-oriented windows (Hurl Fer Kenlz requires entry to Der Todesengel), I can wait out the need to complete the "uber uns" segments. Like Byakhee's sig line in his forum posts, "If you are looking for challenging missions, you've come to the right place," don't engage Agrippa if you feel it's driving you nuts. Just purchase a system from an Agrippa-certified builder and enjoy Agrippa Technology like any other consumer. Agrippa was never intened to drive players from the game. Live from Nostrand Vor, this is the Pakkrat.

While we're on the topic of Stanig's Progen Funhouse Themepark, I believe in an interview with him, I learned a couple of things. One, I've noticed that once a toon finishes the mission lines all the way up to and completing Gratis Augustis Var's missions, he or she is beyond using the systems except Cassel's Wither. I used that device all the way up to Shield Tech IX, where I switched to the Skirmish Omega from Agrippa Technologies (and Pakkrat Industries, <- shameless plug). Two, in this discovery, I find that Stanig may have meant for a group of midlevel toons to work together to complete the themepark so that all could use the systms rather than over-grow the need for them. With that, I would suggest that if you begin the mission lines I intro'd in my article For The Republic!, do so with a few other toons and without that OL150 kill-joy that will topple the story with too much deux ex machina. Stanig meant that themepark to be story Content, over and above What Do I Get Out Of This? I think that the mission lines would be better enjoyed in a group of near-level, on par, and well-planned mix of classes. This Bud's for Imperator Agrippa and this is the Pakkrat.

If you still find you need your skill points refunded via the Call Forward, please see my article on the portal (i.e. www.net-7.org) in the Headlines News. It's titled How To Answer The Call Forward. It will, in one article, teach you how to prepare to have your skill points reset and refunded for re-distribution. There are many Sentinels out there that can perform the Call for you. Mimir still gives it up for free. *snicker* On location at the Place of Life, Arx Spartoi, this is the Pakkrat.

So as to not spoil the fun, here's a suggestion. Look in to my article titled For The Republic! in the Headlines news or the Progen News for details on Stanig's Progen Funhouse Themepark (as I call it.) The Device is level VII and debuffs impact. An alternative route to debuffing impact is the Skirmish Omega shield. The device may not come directly from Theodric Cassel as it has been some time since I completed that leg of the themepark. Tomorrow's news today, this is the Pakkrat

Well,        For starters, each sub-sect might have different starting Faction and affinities with other Factions.  For examples, the Sabura are aligned closely with the Sabine rather then the Collegia.  The Sev Tushnim are We Who Serve In Silence, giving aid to all regardless of race, class, or Faction and might have good ties across the board except for pirates.  The Malacore (Psis) might have good Faction with the Jenquai race even as they feel oppressed by the mainstream Terran population.  The Cenovar are self-exiles just after the Gate War and might have better Faction with those who craft or engage in sciences for science sake, without all that moralistic contraint of the Sha'ha'dem.  This is just initial thoughts on starting Faction.  A new matrix chart would have to be drafted for these sub-sects.     Then, look at the sub-sects and see what it is they do.  Sabura are Beta-caste Progen warriors, a secret project of the Sabine; they have a conscience where the Centuriata are pure soldiers.  Perhaps a skill that is given to them from the Sabine Order to replace, say Self-Destruct?  The Sev Tushnim are helpers.  Could they have concentrated in the realm of Jumpstart or other restorative skill to the stranded?  Might the Cenovar be builders of weapons without the moralistic or religious indoctrination of the Sha'ha'dem or the Sharim?  Will the Malacore, led by that enigmatic Psi of the same name, have more psionic skill(s)?  Just examples of small variations based on the descriptions of each sub-sect.      Finally, story lends itself to seeing each of these fringe sub-sects move and tweak the timeline, each in their own way.  Perhaps a few mission lines that address such in each Act of the storyline?   In answer to Terrell, this is the Pakkrat.

This is another long-shot, but here goes:        Without damaging the client, can the various classes be given sub-sects with slightly varying skill-sets?  Here's what I've managed to glean so far from the Earth & Beyond Storyline resource:   Progen Warriors       Centuriata       Sabura   Progen Sentinels      Reclaimers      Restorers      Specialists      Versatiles   Progen Privateers      Agrippa Architechti      Collegia   Jenquai Defenders      Shinwa      Sev Tushnim      Kokura      Kaojin        Optional:  Malefari (Mordana)       Shodakan   Jenquai Explorers      Sha'ha'dem      Cenovar Warlocks           Optional: Malefari (Mordana)       Shodakan   Jenquai Seekers      Sharim      Cenovar Warlocks   Terran Enforcers      EarthCorps   Terran Traders      InfinitiCorp      GETCo   Terran Scouts      Hyperia      Malacore (Psis)              Sorry, I was unable to find more on the Terrans.  Anyways, my idea is that each class has a baseline set of skills and maybe one or two skills variation from the base.  Will this upset game balance or harrow the client?   Creeping from the Archives at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

Before I get started answering these questions, lemme give you my credentials. My Sentinel entered Agrippa through the front door at around OL/HU 100, mainly because it took that long to garner the Collegia Faction enough to allow the Architechti to talk to Pakkratius. He finished both Agrippa Devices mission line and the Agrippa Shields mission line. These lines only required Silver Tokens. My Privateer went into Agrippa through the backdoor via Kenlz and his packmate, the infamous Growlz. Through a Gold Token, some shiny resource items and high-level tribute items to the rumored former Dog Soldier and her rogue Progen expatriates. This supposedly allowed him entry into Agrippa Weapons at Stage I, but for some strange reason put Pakkrateus at Stage II instead. Which fields can each ones learn weapons devices etc.? Each toon can enter Agrippa to learn the systems lines for each of his Build skills. My Sentinel completed both Agrippa Shields and Agrippa Devices. There are requirements of skill level and Faction in volved. What do I do with the white coins? Those are the Silver Tokens, useable through the front door of Agrippa Technologies. Go to Nostrand Vor and speak with the Architechti that teaches the skills you have on your toon. The Architechti are in the lounge. Anything else I missed that key for me to know. Here is your embroidered straight-jacket and we've reserved your padded cell in advance. Each toon will need help from other Agrippa toons. Agrippa Technologies is a maze of cooperation between Warriors, Sentinels, and Privateers. The builds feed upon each other and across classes. Each will need a component, system or experimental testing from another class at a few points. The end-mission systems are Progen-biased, meant for Progen use. Though Agrippa Technologies holds nothing against the other races, they do despise the Red Dragon and their rivals such as InfinitiCorp, Hyperia, GETCo, and Sundari. You will not want to be a pirate and enter Agrippa or you'll end up paying through the nose in fines, taxes, and ridicule by the Architechti at Nostrand Vor. A word of advice. Spread your non-Agrippa toons across the galaxy's starbases. This will save you Agrippa toon much travel time if you make use of the Account Transfer on the portal website. Basically I don't know where to begin for each Progen toon. First, you've leveled past HU135. This means you must enter Agrippa through the backdoor. Various vendors (weapons and systems) throughout the galaxy have been contacted by Growlz. She has clued them in on talking with her about entry into Agrippa if they are willing to part with "sumat shiny". This is the Gold Token. Growlz will take nothing lesser. Then when you have spotted a contacted vendor, he or she will point you to Kenlz. You will need to bring your Gold Token to him. He's been discovered parked among the rogue Progen packs in Lagarto sector. You can tell he will speak to you when you first enter Lagarto and target his 'nav'. A talk icon should appear. If not, then you've not done something right or your Faction sucks, or you're not a real Progen. Turning in the Gold Token to Kenlz at the insistence of Growlz, she will describe, as best her particular vernacular will allow, what you need to gather for tribute to her and her pack. Since you're past HU135, she wants some pretty expensive stuff and she knows you have the skill to produce for her rogue Progen. Can anyone say terrorist equippage? I knew you could. From there, Growlz will help you into Agrippa. Also what can the non progens learn Agrippa wise? Non-Progen can enter through the front door only and only then if they are given an Invite item that invites the non-Progen to Stage II. They cannot enter Agrippa at Stage I and cannot begin Stage III until they have finished Stage II. This is not all you need to know, but it will help get your chosen Agrippa toons started. From his padded cell at DCO, this is the Pakrkat. Pakkrat Industries - What can PI do for you? Sentinel 150 Privateer 139 Trader 43

As a Progen player of a Sentinel and a Privateer, I run with a combination of Impact (with Cassel's Wither device or Skirmish Omega shield as the debuffer), Plasma, and Chemical (using the VIII or IX Basilisk device as the debuffer). This mix covers many foes and their deflects. Though my role as a Sentinel and Privateer is slightly different than a Progen Warrior, your mileage may vary. From the tactics lab at Arx Magister, this is the Pakkrat.

Posted with permission, after some editing and augmentation. Note, I do not confirm that the ShadowWalker is a roleplayer, (even though he did approach this Reporter once or twice in-character). The following bio is for entertainment of the reader and reflects nothing of the player. [spoiler] History of the ShadowWalker by ShadowWalker As with most Shinwa, the ShadowWalker began his training as a warrior at a very early age. Quickly mastering most tasks set before him, he gained the attention of his instructors as well as his peers, sometimes with less than desired ends. Combined with an almost arrogant-like confidence, he was quickly branded as a would be know-it-all. It was only during his tour during the Gate War that Shadow's talents and confidence were truly tested to their very limits. Under the command of Ken'Shao Reacher, he quickly made a name for himself that would honor is family for centuries to come. "Shadow" became Reacher's right hand... his number-one assassin. When the mission had little-to-no margin for error and there would be the most minimal windows of opportunity, Shadow was sent. True to his calling, he never returned home with failure on his report. Less than a year after Ken'Shao Reacher stepped down from his position in the Shinwa, ShadowWalker was promoted to the rank of Ken'Shao and continued to serve the Jenquai proudly. Following nearly a decade of service and sacrifice, the ShadowWalker grew increasingly frustrated by the political binds that tied his hands & prevented swift action to what he perceived as threats to his people. He left the Shinwa without so much as a word beyond "consider this my retirement" and left to gather new perspective on his life and to listen for the universe's call once again. During this time of reflection, the ShadowWalker decided to make the most of his second passion... weapons. Even during his earliest days of training, he had an uncanny knack for the inner workings of weapon systems, spending most of his free time dismantling and reassembling both his personal weapons and those used by his ship. In a short order, the name ShadowWalker became known across the galaxy by all as the go-to person for weapons if only the best would do. It was through these actions that he crossed paths once again with his former commander and mentor Ken'Shao Reacher. It was when Reacher arrived to pick up a recent order of Pitbull plasma beam weapons that Shadow discovered his mentor had also parted ways with the Shinwa due to his own problems within the Jenquarum. Much to Reacher's surprise, he noticed the weapons crate he expected to find, bearing his name, was not to be found. Where it should have been sitting was an annodized black metal case with no descriptive writings... only the symbol that he once wore as the commander of the Shinwa. When Shadow bade him open it, Reacher could only stand in awe as he gazed upon the glimmering tools of justice he believed to be only a myth... Defender's Prides. Reacher noticed that prideful grin on Shadow's face that had gotten him into trouble on more than one occasion as he asked, "Where?.. How??? did you get your hands on these?" to which Shadow laughed and simply replied, "I have contacts now that you wouldn't believe even if I told you and by the way, that special item you requested arrived last night and is being loaded into your ship's cargo now. I must warn you though, it carries some of the most paranoid fail-safes I've ever seen. Once assembled it will only operate for your DNA sequence and you must assemble it yourself. I hope you didn't skimp on the emerald." Pleased at the sound of this, Reacher reached over the counter to pay for his purchase and to shake the hand of his old friend when Shadow stepped around the corner and embraced his former commander as he would his own father, "Your money doesn't spend here old friend." After a brief exchange of pleasantries the two parted company once again, but certainly not for the last time... something in Shadow's mind told him, warned him, that the call he was waiting for would be here sooner rather than later... and Reacher was the one person alive he wouldn't dare disappoint... (again) ---Classified and Encrypted--- The Hour of The Reaping: -Classified Eyes Only- The history books recorded the event as one of the worst docking bay accidents of our time, but that was the official version. Known only by those directly involved and those of the highest authority within the Shinwa ranks was a very different story. Until now the ShadowWalker's missions had been one-man operations, but today there would be another along for the show. A much younger Shinwa with exceptional potential and top notch scanning and surveillance skills was included. The mission seemed simple at first. A well timed explosive device was to be placed on the Terran vessel's docking collar, shaped in such a way so that only the targeted ship would be effected and the pilot instantly killed. Ideally, even the Observatory itself should receive nothing more than some chipped paint. "Shadow" always loved missions where he could show off his precision with pressure sensors and shaped charge detonations, a living, breathing perfection of performance. Then the young Shinwa assistant quickly sent a message to Shadow informing him that the configuration of the Terran ship wasn't entirely accurate to the reports and that the abort should be activated. Shadow, believing he had compensated for every possible variable, elected to proceed on mission. He had never returned to his commander with failure on the table and he wasn't about to start then. Knowing something was wrong, the young Shinwa raced towards the the docking collar to disarm it. However, within seconds the ship docked and the explosive charge vaporized the front half of the ship killing the pilot, nine civilians and the young Shinwa operative instantly. Although the target was eliminated and the true facts covered up, this was something that would haunt the ShadowWalker for years to come. He soon discovered that in the eyes of Reacher, success of this kind was worse than failure of any kind. Days later, while Shadow was preparing to resign his rank, something stopped him cold in his tracks... The silent hand of Reacher on his shoulder as he said "Come with me son." The details of that conversation are unknown, but Shadow was never the same man again. He had been humbled and was all the better for it. [/spoiler]

......and on the home front this evening: NOSTRAND VOR CITY - Beta caste Progen laymen lined the streets outside the NVC branch building of Agrippa Technologies to protest the difficulty of the curriculum and task line of the Collegia-backed Agrippa missions. "This has gone on far enuff and its ruined life for so many progens," said one protesting pilot. Many undereducated Progen civilians feel that the Agrippa line of systems is not worth the time and effort to research and develop. Collegia Forgemasters tapped Agrippa Technologies for research and development of Progen systems for use by Progen and call upon learned citizens of the Republic to attend the classes at Nostrand Vor City to earn their Symbols of Loyalty and manufacture their own systems for further distribution to the Rebpublic's worthy Warriors, Privateers, Sentinels, and other worthy candidates. This was done soon after the Collegia seceded from its parent Sabine Order Faction just after the Gate War. Their goal was to counter the monopolies of the likes of InfinitiCorp, GETCo, Sundari, and other minor conglomerates. "Agrippa is not for everyone, but it is accessible (strangely enough by the back-alley efforts of wanted Progen individuals) at any Hull Upgrade increment provided other factors and curriculum requirements are met," said Imperator Agrippa in an interview. Yet the backlash from frustrated pilots continues. Will the Republic be split along lines of those protesting Agrippa and the graduates? Is this schism genetic and worthy of Call Forward interpolation? The systems and ordinance from Agrippa Technologies continues to see use across the Republic. On location at Nostrand Vor, this is the Pakkrat.

Thanks but I'll join InfinitiSpellcheck instead. From the Editor's desk at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

"Guys, now that we're under way to our home station with all this loot, I'm gonna set my autopilot and go back in the back, to my cargo hold and start Dismantle on all this stuff at warp. Don't mind that I'm gonna rip this stuff down en route and save the delicious components for myself since I am a Privateer and this is how I roll. It's only fair since Jenquai Psi-master over there was a skill-whore the whole Raid. Besides that's what the skill's for, right? So, I'mma grab me one of those floating Yum-O-Rum we found and be in the back, okay?" Now, we all know that Privateers don't have this skill, save for the hint of it during character creation. But to the topic of skills at warp, I could see such a skill being quite handy, game-breaking maybe, even if it was to make things interesting in favor of the Privateer. Yes, Dismantle probably doesn't work this way, but my point is that there are a few imagined ways we can make Terrans and Progen overpowered as well. If you want to invoke story cannon, here's a naughty: While the Progen are masters of genetics and personal development, they have always been largely dependent on Earth's corporations for systems. That is, until the advent of the Collegia Forgemasters out of Nostrand Vor. Add to that, the inclusion of Agrippa Technologies contracts for the development of Progen systems meant for Progen use, (see the PDA description of the Collegia in the Faction tab). Hence, with Dismantle a Privateer can rip down plenty of systems, thus reverse-engineering anything not Progen-restricted. Add that to doing it at warp 5600+ (because I can travel that fast), and you have your fast-moving chop-shop in space. "Pakkrat, that's not the point of this thread," you might say. Yes, if we're to give story-based or canon-based justification to the Jenquai in their Skills (a.k.a. psionics), let us remember to do the same for the Terrans (who also have Psis), and Progen (who are also masters of cybernetics). What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Be careful what you wish for. The other two races are listening. One of them is very good at reverse-engineering anything the other two can come up with. On location at Nostrand Vor, loading up the Aromatic Chocolate, this is the Pakkrat. Edit Note: If it seems I'm harping about a missing skill for the Privateer, it's because I am. Threads about skills and their use are redundant until all classes are up to date with the skills they are supposed/advertised to have. Before you tap the Developers for more coolness in your Skills or Skills at Warp, perhaps catching all up to speed with their missing skills has priority. It does in my canon book. -P

Morganis: "..... and I think additional content is preferable rather than mocking around with something that may or may not work." Your Anchor-rat here, I've plugged roleplaying and storyline progression many a time since coming to the Emulator back in September. Now that we are N7 Entertainment Live, I'd like to second the above quote. I have been blessed with a lot of fun while Raiding and getting that ubercentric drop or drops from Raiding. I am in the camp of those that wish to see storyline content take that next step as well as game and server stability. I believe those that have focused on Raiding have been caught up in the trees and forgotten the whole forest. I've listened to Devs, past Devs, GMs, Advocates past and present. I've kept silent as your Net-7 News source due to the high emotions behind the above posts out of respect for the volatile situation. Raiding is not the end-all, be-all of this game, players. I wish to see the story progress and this bickering and whining, debating and counter-arguing is bogging things down in no small manner. Pilots have been aching to see the story progress, Roc (Deneb) re-opened, and the next chapter or Act of the Earth & Beyond Storyline enabled. But the Emulator team's manpower has been repeatedly called to answer hue and cry of players playing poorly. With more and newer Content, both Called Forward from EA Live, and the new and exciting stuff drafted by our Developers, comes more of your coveted Raids, more of your ubercentric drops, more of your printable systems, and so much more to enjoy over and above this infantile need to Raid and Raid excessively. The virtue I'm requesting from player-pilots is Patience. We all love this game, else we wouldn't be here, playing, giving feedback, entering positions, devoting free time to a volunteer environment. The Developers and no less, the GMs would love to see the playerbase enter the next chapter. That is part of the fun for them, to see the pilots enter the next phase of the story, do newer missions, explore newer tweaks on Content, and see what they can become besides game-Winners. Raiding isn't the game. If your Guild thinks this is so, then I don't want any part of your Guild, save as a Reporter of Net-7 News. If you're tired of hearing the same newsblurbs come from the [N7R] Channel, then change your focus to new Content. Stop the ubercentric madness and enjoy once more the world of Earth & Beyond. From the lounge of NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

Are you all SURE this isn't newsworthy? I've been told not to touch this topic over the Net-7 News, yet the more attention it gets from pilot-players, the more I want to go paparazzi on the trigger spawn points. Enquiring minds deserve the truth! Power to the press! From the hangar of NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

I use [Roleplaying] to advertise, in-character the Sabine Order's claim to fame, the Call Forward, rather than in Market where I generally get teased. This way, a pilot rather than a player can respond with a need for the service. From the Doctor's office at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.

A sidenote. I took the Bartle Gamer Psychology Quiz during lunch today. Your Anchor-rat scored: Explorer 80% Socializer 73% Achiever 27% Killer 20% "Explorer-Socializer" Thirty questions and your Net-7 News-rat has been relegated to the corner where they keep the Carebears, Wallflowers, and Social Butterflies. The Tribunal and Presidium is less than pleased. I shall have to slay many InfinitiCorp Paladins and Jenquai Patrol Cruisers to avoid demeritus ratings. On location at Arx Magister, this is the Pakkrat.

This is a reaching long-shot, but here goes, In another MMORPG, I saw a dropped item, looted item, or free-standing spawned item that was found by a player (through their toon). This item's description said something to the effect of: "This item begins a mission." This allowed the player-toon to begin a quest off of an item's initiation. I gave rodent thought to this phenomena. Can a pilot (a game toon) find, loot, or be given an item, device, weapon, or other system that is so mysterious (I hear sounds of Jenquai mysticism) that it sets off a mission line that cannot be completed alone by the discovering pilot. The pilot can space the mystery OR they can seek to muster a group of pilots to further probe the item's mysteries, a mission towards deeper truths of the item's history, significance, or destiny. What this does is to allow the player-pilot to become a mission-giver instead of a station NPC. Is the Earth & Beyond Emulator capable of such? This lends itself to roleplay should the discovering pilot choose to muster a team in-character. Just some Gouda for thought, From the writer's desk at NET-7 SOL, this is the Pakkrat.