Maidens of the Kaleidoscope

~Bunbunmaru News~ => Letters to the Editor => Ask a *Blank* Archive => Topic started by: Chaore on July 28, 2011, 06:30:58 PM

Title: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 28, 2011, 06:30:58 PM
Greetings, as one of the Librarians, I've been asked to host my own session of Ask a Staffer this week. I don't have any Gimmicks planned, sadly, as I am both fairly uncreative and entirely to fantastical with the few ideas I have. We'll just be doing Ask and get a normal intelligible answer.

I'm certain you all know how this'll go from the previous 23 threads, so go ahead and start asking.

In the meantime I'll be petting my turtle diabolically.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hanzo K. on July 28, 2011, 06:37:41 PM
What would you say if a tuna-shaped marshmallow fell out of the sky to land at your feet?
What if said tuna-shaped marshmallow began singing Rigoletto, from start to finish?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Shadoweh on July 28, 2011, 06:39:08 PM
Rabbit stew *_*

Obligatory how did you find MotK?
Obligatory how did you become a staff member?
Obligatory what DO you do here as staff?

Sealed Evil in a Can? What were you thinking you crazy bunny?
Who is that moe moe guy in your avatar?
What kinds of stores do you enjoy writing?
What kinds of text-adventures do you enjoy running?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Iryan on July 28, 2011, 06:55:14 PM
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your life so far? Similarly, what do you consider your own greatest failure?

What kind of music do you enjoy?

Where are the yesteryears of yesteryear?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 28, 2011, 07:31:50 PM
What would you say if a tuna-shaped marshmallow fell out of the sky to land at your feet?
What if said tuna-shaped marshmallow began singing Rigoletto, from start to finish?

"...Who the hell makes a Tuna-Shaped Marshmallow?"

Promptly followed by flipping the fuck out and smashing the marshmallow under the heel of my foot to make it stop singing.

Rabbit stew *_*

I wonder what Shadows taste like...

Obligatory how did you find MotK?
Obligatory how did you become a staff member?
Obligatory what DO you do here as staff?

I found MotK solely through Rika's Garage. After finding out about Touhou (through the music, listed on TVTropes), I became interested in Danmakufu because it's 'make your own bullet hell game'. Eventually after skipping through the resources on the wiki, I ended up led here. I never imagined I'd stay at the time, but... here we are.

As for how I became a librarian, I basically just volunteered to help summarize stories for the fanworks listing and then proceeded to do more than my share of work. I particularly enjoy summarizing stories, so basically it was just like 'well that is the last one. RAWRO DO YOU HAVE MORE STORIES FOR ME TO SUMMARIZE GIVE THEM TO ME I DON'T CARE WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO THEM GIVE ME YOUR STORIES.'. This caught Rawro's eye, and as such when the librarian tag was rolled out, Me and Rou were chosen alongside Sakana to receive it.

At least, pretty sure that's how it went. I'm not a Rawrotologist though, so she could've had other reasons.

As for what I do- I summarize stories for the Fanworks Listing and upkeep it when people have requests like updates to their story's summary or the likes. I get called on less than I think I would for some reason, which is sad because it makes me worry people aren't using the listing much. We put a lot of effort into that.

I also do summary binges when we get behind and summarize 40 stories in the span of two days. But since Sakana is changing how we do things, I guess I won't be doing that anymore. >:

Sealed Evil in a Can? What were you thinking you crazy bunny?
Who is that moe moe guy in your avatar?
What kinds of stores do you enjoy writing?
What kinds of text-adventures do you enjoy running?

The entire point of GDIC Mafia was essentially 'Make Town Screw With Itself'. Sealed Evil in a Can was part of that, the original scum team was supposed to be completely cop proof, and the Defense Lawyer i think had more shots. Sealed Evil was generally also a case of 'this sounds neat'. Unless I gave town an Informed Townie knowing about Sealed Evil's existence, it really wasn't a fair role though.

The guy in my avatar is Lancer, from Fate/Stay Night. He is basically the best character, only to get shafted by Nasu being a jerk. He's also a Heroic Spirit like all servants, specifically C? Chulainn. This is all revealed within like the first day of the game so I'm spoiling nothing.

I do not write stores!

As for Stories though... I -don't- really write, besides the few Text Adventures. I'm simply not a very good writer. I think if I wrote something though, it would probably contain magic, I simply just find devising a bunch of characters with powers a lot of fun.

As for Text-Adventures... I've only run too, but I think I kind of enjoy Serious stories with a sense of humor. Still serious, but still able to make a few cracks here and there. CDO is probably the best example of this.

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your life so far? Similarly, what do you consider your own greatest failure?

What kind of music do you enjoy?

Where are the yesteryears of yesteryear?

My greatest achievement is probably getting into college. It sounds blase, but I really kind of scraped by on where I was going- If I didn't get the acceptance to my current college, I'd either have to go to my two back ups, or way up to a private school in Vermont.

My greatest failure all in all, I think was my inability to stay as happy and upbeat as I was as a kid. I let too many things get my down and make the word seem like a darker place. I don't think I can go back to thinking like I did now, and it's sad, because I was probably happier.

As for Music- Any kind, as long as the beat is good. Mostly the more upbeat stuff, though I know a few songs that are so downbeat it effects me greatly and they're wonderful.

According to google, A restaurant. (http://www.yesteryearspubandgrill.com/)
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Esifex on July 28, 2011, 08:16:38 PM
The bunny-eared existential crisis is your persona as a MotK Librarian. What prompted the bunny-avatar, and what prompted the null-existence trait?

Do you consider culling events from some of the stories in PSL to use as a baseline for a Danmakufu game?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Dead Princess Sakana on July 28, 2011, 08:28:17 PM
At least, pretty sure that's how it went. I'm not a Rawrotologist though, so she could've had other reasons.
Weeeell....

Oh, and on an unrelated note: Do you have any ideas for the three perma-librarians? I want to choose you, of course, but the other two slots (three total) should go to two other people whose hard work has impressed you.
Well, I think the choices are obvious: Roukanken and Chaore.

Those two have worked really hard, have finished their initial assignments in a flash and have taken quite a number of works that were unassigned. I'm sure everyone else worked hard as well (Esifex, for example) and just had less time or something, but those two really stood out to me.

:3

Anyway, questions.

What does "Chaore" even mean, or how did you get the name?
Five years from now, what do you want to have achieved?
What non-computer/console games do you enjoy, if any?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 28, 2011, 09:17:05 PM
The bunny-eared existential crisis is your persona as a MotK Librarian. What prompted the bunny-avatar, and what prompted the null-existence trait?

Do you consider culling events from some of the stories in PSL to use as a baseline for a Danmakufu game?

The bunny avatar is related to wayyyy back when I joined the forums, I took up an avatar of the Eclipse from Ragnarok Battle Offline. It's probably my most remembered Avatar, honestly- This lead to me being referred to as the Giant Enemy Rabbit, and my eventual inclusion of Bunny Ears on my MotK Persona.

The Null-existence trait was honestly me trying to say 'Do whatever you feel like with my 'character' and putting it in fancy terms. I never specified anything, (not even the bunny ears, thats how prevalent they are in people's vision of me) beyond the fact that my character could be anything as needed. It on it's own, eventually evolved into an essential trait and I'm glad with how it evolved. It was mostly because of me not putting thought and not knowing what to do with my 'librarian persona' that evolved to it being used, though. There's probably a parallel universe in where I did put effort in and became a Bunny Knight in Tarnished armor or something.

As for the Danmakufu game- Possibly! I consider ideas from everywhere possible of being taken and made into a Danmakufu game. Even though I don't know how to use the program, I could probably baseline a game from almost anything.

Weeeell....

Well what do you know. I'm a better Sakanatologist than Rawrotologist, seems.

What does "Chaore" even mean, or how did you get the name?
Five years from now, what do you want to have achieved?
What non-computer/console games do you enjoy, if any?

Chaore is a mixture of 'Chaos' and 'Gore'. It was thought up by a much younger me as a name for a character, and I eventually grew to like the name.

Five years from now... Hmm. I want to have a steady job, a place of my own, and be living comfortably. I suppose I don't aim very high, do I?

As for non-computer/console games... Uno! I used to play it a lot with my family as a kid. There were a bunch of old board games I'm trying to think of as well, but I can't name them. Especially one space game...
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Janitor Morgan on July 28, 2011, 09:21:53 PM
Why am I your favori--*shanked*

What is your favorite book?

Do you wish you were more involved here at MotK?

There is a windmill in front of you. How much time does it have to live before you tear it to shreds?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on July 28, 2011, 09:26:49 PM
Chaore! I choose you!

What are your favourite things to eat?
What is your favourite Touhou fanfiction?
Why do you like Nasuverse works so much?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Jana on July 28, 2011, 10:01:49 PM
Chaore is a mixture of 'Chaos' and 'Gore'. It was thought up by a much younger me as a name for a character, and I eventually grew to like the name.

So it's be pronounced something like "kaor" or something? Or do you mentally pronounce your name in another way (or not at all)?

Any favorite boss themes, both Touhou and non-Touhou?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 28, 2011, 10:25:09 PM
Why am I your favori--*shanked*

Stop making me dirty my knives damnit. I only have thousands of them.

What is your favorite book?

Tough one. I'm going to go with Ender's game though- Read it for summer one year, absolutely loved it. Tough to say why though, for some reason.

Do you wish you were more involved here at MotK?

Huhm. Maybe a bit, I feel like I don't do enough sometimes...

There is a windmill in front of you. How much time does it have to live before you tear it to shreds?

A long time. I hate the skill, not the building! The buildings are cool, power things and make flour all day erryday.

Chaore! I choose you!

Chao chaore!

What are your favourite things to eat?
What is your favourite Touhou fanfiction?
Why do you like Nasuverse works so much?

Hmmmm~ Bread. There is absolutely nothing Bread can not go with, and it's fairly tasty on it's own.

Shikieiki's Day Off. There's something to be said about something that can make me laugh that hard.

As for Nasuverse- I think it's a mix of the interesting abilities that start showing up (MEDP, Reality Marbles, Noble Phantasms), and a lot of just how well Nasu can mix serious and comedy. The stories can switch to something as comical as King Arthur going on a date to SAD KING IS SAD without missing a beat, and still maintain it's consistency. On top of that, when he wants to make you feel something, you god damn well feel it.

It helps hes someone capable of really taking advantage of his medium as well, FSN really shows off just what you can do with a Visual Novel. I'm looking forward to the oft mentioned Tsukihime Remake just because of the stark difference.

So it's be pronounced something like "kaor" or something? Or do you mentally pronounce your name in another way (or not at all)?

Any favorite boss themes, both Touhou and non-Touhou?

How it's pronounced... Myself, I kinda parse it as 'Chay-or-ey', though I've heard plenty parse it like that.

As for Boss themes... I think if I tried to list them, I'd end up running out of space, if just because oh god everything in RBO.

But if we exclude battle themes... I'm pretty sure I know what wins. (http://tindeck.com/listen/onnz)
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Tamer Anode/Cathode on July 28, 2011, 11:43:54 PM
Does me aspiring to be a professional librarian interest you in any way?

Do you know what hasenpfeffer is?

Would you recommend Mabinogi?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: E-Nazrin on July 29, 2011, 01:16:07 AM
Why do you have a turtle?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: De La Witch on July 29, 2011, 01:23:57 AM
Why is Daniel Day Lewis so awesome?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 29, 2011, 01:42:24 AM
Does me aspiring to be a professional librarian interest you in any way?

Slightly, It's something I don't hear many people say they want to be- Though I don't really think I'd make it as a librarian myself, so it's nothing I could really connect with you about.

Do you know what hasenpfeffer is?

I'm going to get these rabbit stew jokes a lot, aren't I.

Would you recommend Mabinogi?

Absolutely.

I have my few complaints, particularly about payed services (New status, not very), but the game is fantastic and really one of those games you really can get along fine with free. My complaints are really minor in the grand scheme of things and the game is both massive, amazing, and one of the best games I've played in a long time. Probably the only MMO that's kept my attention.

Why do you have a turtle?

I'm a turtle tamer. Why wouldn't I? (Disclaimer: i do not own a real turtle, i am too irresponsible)

Why is Daniel Day Lewis so awesome?

Dunno. Never seen anything he's in, he supposed to be some major big shot?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 29, 2011, 05:26:05 AM
You know what I'm gonna ask >=|



I'm pretty sure I know what wins. (http://tindeck.com/listen/onnz)

Almost as good as Rangflash.  (Ah Boomerang, one of the very few loner types to be actually awesome)
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Esifex on July 29, 2011, 06:03:06 AM
You're thinking of a number between one and ten.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Dr.Strafe on July 29, 2011, 10:23:03 AM
TONIGHT I DINE ON TURTLE SOUP?

Also, just what does a Librarian do here? How did you become one?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Shadoweh on July 29, 2011, 01:01:12 PM
Rabbit stew joke? *Shadoweh sharpens her knives* @_@
Also it's pronounced Keyore. :)

Do you think you take life too seriously?
What do you consider a relaxing day?
Why are you so mean to Chen? ;-;
Who are your favorites?
How would you describe your Mafia playstyle?
How was your experience running a Mafia game anyways?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 29, 2011, 06:21:43 PM
You know what I'm gonna ask >=|

Memetic Mutation, Clearly, much like the question.

In seriousness, you're a good man and one of the few people on the sight I feel I could actually trust if I met in reality. That holds a lot of meaning coming from me, as I'm a distrusting bastard when it comes to real life. I think it's because for all your mannerisms, you do it with a distinct air of fun in mind.

Or I could be insane. Probably that, really.

Almost as good as Rangflash.  (Ah Boomerang, one of the very few loner types to be actually awesome)

As much as I do love me some Rangflash, I actually like Whistle more for some reason. Both are great songs though. And Boomerang is pretty neat. 'Sup, dumped a dead body in your room, feel free to check it out for me kay?'

You're thinking of a number between one and ten.

 :o

TONIGHT I DINE ON TURTLE SOUP?

Turtle soup is actually kind of bland, according to someone much more experienced in the subject. I'd suggest you just stick to good ol' chicken noodle.

Also, just what does a Librarian do here? How did you become one?

As for how I became a librarian, I basically just volunteered to help summarize stories for the fanworks listing and then proceeded to do more than my share of work. I particularly enjoy summarizing stories, so basically it was just like 'well that is the last one. RAWRO DO YOU HAVE MORE STORIES FOR ME TO SUMMARIZE GIVE THEM TO ME I DON'T CARE WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO THEM GIVE ME YOUR STORIES.'. This caught Rawro's Sakana's eye, and as such when the librarian tag was rolled out, Me and Rou were chosen alongside Sakana to receive it.

At least, pretty sure that's how it went. I'm not a Rawrotologist though, so she could've had other reasons. I am the world's best Sakanatologist so you can clearly trust my word on this manner.

As for what I do- I summarize stories for the Fanworks Listing and upkeep it when people have requests like updates to their story's summary or the likes. I get called on less than I think I would for some reason, which is sad because it makes me worry people aren't using the listing much. We put a lot of effort into that.

Rabbit stew joke? *Shadoweh sharpens her knives* @_@
Also it's pronounced Keyore. :)

Oh dear.

Also what is Key Ore like, anyway? Is it the material made into Keys, or is it like, Ore with keys stuck into it?

Do you think you take life too seriously?
What do you consider a relaxing day?

Absolutely not. I think I don't take it seriously enough, actually- I'm far too laid back about things in real life, so I end up driving myself to deadlines and putting things off. Some people think I'm too "OMGWTFSERIOUS" 24/7, but they're mostly the types who think everyone must be comical all the time and i'm too stuck up for being serious even once in a while.

A relaxing day is probably a day where I can sleep in to 2 in the afternoon not giving a fuck and then wake up and go online to have fun with you guys.

Why are you so mean to Chen? ;-;
Who are your favorites?

Chen's Day Out was originally made at the time where I was still trying to beat PCB Normal. Chen managed to kill me out of nowhere a lot, causing my perfectionist nature to kick in and make me reset. This was all on my mind when I was designing the adventure originally- To be fair, since then, I've somehow turned Chen into a super kitty warrior, and the damage to gensokyo is spread all around.

My favorites are probably Komachi and Patchouli. I'm going to assume that is exactly what you mean by favorite.

How would you describe your Mafia playstyle?
How was your experience running a Mafia game anyways?

'Be as townie as fuck'. Due to my original few games where I came under a lot of fire for stupid stupid reasons, I've ended up taking a skittish and lurkish manner of posting and being very careful about what I do. As scum, this actually is why I'm fairly decent as a player- I'm good at knowing how to look good. As town, this is kind of poor because I'm too worried to properly scum hunt and don't push cases I think are better over what the consensus is doing. (Hi there K4U in Mafioso). It doesn't help I seem to be in a lot of trainwreck games.

My experience running GDIC was probably about 20x better than any game I've ever played. It was a blast talking with Serela in the mod QT and seeing the game in action with knowledge of how everything is going down. I should really take to co-modding or something.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 29, 2011, 07:48:37 PM
I can respeck.

So what do you do around the library, mostly? Just summaries, or do you ride people's asses too?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 29, 2011, 09:54:22 PM
So what do you do around the library, mostly? Just summaries, or do you ride people's asses too?

Mostly summaries. Riding on asses is not what was originally intended when the tag was made, so I don't really -do- that. Librarians are made for management of the library and our powers kind of reflect that, we can only do things like edit posts inside the library, and we have no actual power over other users. We do not have the ability or power to probate, ban, or otherwise alter other users. We also aren't on the inside with reports and the staff forum, so we aren't aware of going ons that the normal user isn't aware of. That said, we are basically capable of altering things in the library that need be altered- if someone needs their story moved to the bookstore, or a topic split or the likes, we can do that for them. We're just not made to ride asses, so I don't do that, and I'm -fairly- sure the other librarians don't either, with the exception of Sakana because he is supposed to ride asses.

You know, this post originally had a lot more ass riding in it. I think I like it better this way.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 30, 2011, 12:30:31 AM
Rate the Tsukihime heroines, and explain fully.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on July 30, 2011, 02:31:13 AM
What is your favourite book?

If you could observe any era of history without interacting with it, what era would you pick, and why?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Jana on July 30, 2011, 02:37:37 AM
I heard Mabinogi is having an x2 exp event while I'm at Otakon. Will you avenge me by getting lots of exp? :D
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 30, 2011, 04:06:21 AM
Rate the Tsukihime heroines, and explain fully.

This is going to contain spoilers for Tsukihime, if you ever intend to play the series, please skip this post!

I'MA VAMPIRE TIER-
Arcueid Brunestud: Arc is probably my personal favorite because she's awesome. Seriously, even if she does basically play 'twenty minutes turkish' for fully recovering her entire route, Arcueid is still presented as a powerful combatant. She also just tears shit up with her bare (if clawed) hands and can basically bend god damn reality to her whim. She's one of the strongest characters in the nasuverse, and it's obvious.

Personality wise, for a socially lacking character, she's probably the one heroine I'd actually spend a day just chatting with. She's funny and you actually can feel like you can talk to her without fear of reprisal. At the same time god damn can she scare the fuck out of you if she wants, she's imposing when she wants to be and when she says she will end you, you god damn know she isn't kidding.

Her past is probably the most basic of sob stories, but it still manages to hit you hard when you learn it. It kind of helps you would never guess that she's the emotionally repressed super weapon, unlike other characters using that trope. She's also responsible for a good deal of trouble that occurs in the entire game, but unlike most other characters in this regard, she has an actually viable excuse, so you don't blame her every time something bad happens. It's somber and downing, but it doesn't take away from her as a character and it isn't really overblown.

Also she has the best path. I will fight those who state otherwise.

MEIDO TIER-
Hisui: Hisui is second only because she can't measure up to the sheer awesome that is Arcueid. Instead though she is just so fucking adorable when you really look at her route a second time. You can see how much she actually cares behind her 'Doll-like' expression, proving just how not really doll-like she actually is. She single-handedly makes her route, filled with some of the most bizarre and frightening bits, actually pretty happy.

Personality wise, I'll admit I've never been a big fan of the 'emotionless' types, so at first she didn't have me sold. Then she flinched away during that one scene, and she became a lot more interesting. All the subtle hints that she cares about people are great, and she's probably the nicest person in the entirety of Tsukihime (Even if that's not exactly particularly difficult). She's understanding and she literally saves your point at one part of the game due to it. Despite this, she doesn't take shit too much and I think my favorite scene is when she outright -glares- down Akiha at the end of Akiha's route. God damn.

In terms of how her past plays, she pretty much plays support to her sister in terms of that, but the unique parts really compound how much she cares. I particularly like the scene you keep remembering during the course of her path. It's all d'aww.

STABBYSTAB PRIEST TIER-
Ciel: Ciel really gets a lot of shit she doesn't deserve, even if she's only coming in third on my list. She's awesome in her own right, and you can see why she's the 'rival' of someone like Arcueid. She's pretty much only held down by the fact oh god why are you so two-faced. She lies and tries to manipulate you with information the entire god damn game and it gets pretty tiring. She's not a bad person by far, and you learn this pretty fast when she can't go through with killing you when she pulls off a certain plan hinging on her doing so, but god damn does all the lying and misinformation wear on you.

I've never been able to pin down her personality though, mostly because half the time you're talking to her she's lying or trying to manipulate you in some manner. Skipping past that though I can forgive how terribly two-faced she is because she probably has the best and most interesting past of all the heroines, having the closest tie to the main villian of the game. You really get why she does all the terrible things and goes to such lengths to do what she does, because she doesn't know how easy you can solve everything and she want the motherfucker you're fighting dead fast. I don't normally like Immortality Sucks I Want To Die stories, but I make one exception for Ciel.

PSYCHO BITCH TIER-
Kohaku: Okay so, I'm going to dispel all notion of Kohaku as her outwardly funny and happy persona for this paragraph. She's frighteningly calculated and you can see exactly how messed up she is. She's noticably petty and crazy bitch and dear lord, if there is one person in the entirety of Tsukihime who could frighten me, it's probably Kohaku. This makes her a great character, and her past is probably the main reason why I wish that instead of Kouma we had Makihisa just so you could BREAK HIS GOD DAMN FACE IN, because of what the hell she does. You feel terrible for her and at the same time are frightened of what she's capable of, and she earns her god damn happy route.

I don't like her over the rest because of the whole 'Let's kill the entire tohno family' plan. Her plan hinges on Akiha going 'oh my god my father is a complete and utter cock', yet she still decides to off her as well. This just kind of... really makes her seem like a complete bitch, if it was just Makihisa and Mr. Allcaps, I'd be on board even if there were some...questionable decisions in there. She literally has no god damn beef with Akiha and abuses the fact she feels like she owes Kohaku to -kill Akiha-. Because of her father who she had nothing to do with. That's just the bitchiest bitch move I have ever seen.

She's still a good character otherwise though, and she's full of these nice 'ahahaha this is a person who spent most of their lives locked up in a room being raped this is terrible' moments and lines, such as BMW's 'She doesn't know who Saber is after seeing Excalibur'. She's also hillarious and fun when you're not exploring how horrible her past is. This is less than with Arcueid, sadly.

LITTLE SISTER TIER-
Akiha: Clonriginal is going to kill me for ranking Akiha last, I think. I just really really don't think Akiha matches up to all the other heroines. She's a fine character, and I do have that particular weakness to Tsunderes... but this really isn't what Akiha is. She's a complete and utter bitch most of the time and when Shiki says she's taking things out on the guy who wasn't able to be there for her, he's right. She's kind of amusingly the most petty in the game. You simply really don't connect with her all that well and everything but her route kind of drives you away from liking her, up until the end of the game where she is a rampant psycho bitch (With an excuse.)

The only thing she really has going for her is the end of her route, which is beautiful. This is spoiled by oh god most you still call her your sister as you're banging her. D:

This is all mostly my opinion though, and really with the exception of Akiha (She gets mild approval) they're all great characters and probably some of the best written I've seen in a long time.

What is your favourite book?

Tough one. I'm going to go with Ender's game though- Read it for summer one year, absolutely loved it. Tough to say why though, for some reason.

If you could observe any era of history without interacting with it, what era would you pick, and why?

Paleolithic. I think it'd be interesting to see the earlier years of humanity compared to watching something we actually have in written history. It helps most of history involves me seething at assholes that get themselves recorded and how stupid humanity tends to be.

I heard Mabinogi is having an x2 exp event while I'm at Otakon. Will you avenge me by getting lots of exp? :D

oh shit what. *Checks site* GOD DAMNIT I JUST FINISHED TRAINING MY DRAGON TOO. D:

That said, Hell yes! I've cashed in most of my quests but I can probably cash the rest in for MASSIVE GAINS. Hopefully it applies to exploration too~
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Tamer Anode/Cathode on July 30, 2011, 04:26:36 AM
Can I hug you and pet you and call you George?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 30, 2011, 04:37:38 AM
I wish that instead of Kouma we had Makihisa just so you could BREAK HIS GOD DAMN FACE IN, because of what the hell she does.

KAGETSU TOHYA SPOILERS AHEAD!

Kouma disappointed the hell out of me, because I kept expecting him to be someone way cooler.

When you see him for the very first time, my thoughts were "OH SHIT OH SHIT ROA'S NOT DEAD, IT'S ROUND FUCKIN' TWO HELL YEAH!" Then when I learned it was largely the summation of Shiki's fears, I became convinced it was indeed Big Daddy Tohno, simply because of how heavily Makihisa had presided over his early life. Then it just turns out to be this psychotic dude.

Who is cooler, Roa or SHIKI? Another dissertation, please.


EDITO!

Does this imply that you enjoyed picking answers calculated to piss off Ahika as much as I did?
Where are the Aoko's of yesteryear?

Considering your comparison of Ceil to Ahika, I would argue it's not quite there. Ceil lied to you because she was either trying to keep you from getting in too deep, or because she thought that you were the guy she was after. Ahika already knew you were in too deep, and lied to control you. Even when you told her the facts to her face, she still lied.

Also fuck you Ahika, you ain't my momma. I'll live my life my way.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 30, 2011, 05:05:42 AM
Can I hug you and pet you and call you George?

I am actually explosively allergic to hugs. In that I explode when hugged.

So it's ill advised you do so.

Kouma Spoilers

Holy shit that is exactly my thoughts. Seriously, Shiki is basically scared shitless of Makihisa in his early years- and instead we get this one guy who killed his father. That he saw all of once. Not even killing his father or anything. Literally, the only scene he sees, Kouma as 'Crimson Red Vermillion', is hardly impactful and honestly rather tame. I'm sure a eloquent and brilliant man could explain how over time Shiki has forgiven Makihisa and grown fearful of what Kouma stands for as an out of control individual, but I have one response for them.

We could be beating Makihisa's face in playing Melty Blood if it wasn't for Kouma. This is unforgivable.

Who is cooler, Roa or SHIKI? Another dissertation, please.

Roa. Seriously, Roa is an excellent villain even if you can poke fun at how he doesn't seem to know how to wear clothes and if he's kind of another sympathetic villain. He manages to be threatening in all of two routes he stars in and is presented a serious and pretty badass threat. He's cocky and punchable, but you know he has good reason to be so. He doesn't get any outright amazing scenes, and in fact he gets his ass royally kicked in Arcueid path, but he does it like a good cocky villian.

Most of the strength in Roa comes from Ciel path where you read that 'book' about Roa's history and start connecting with him, even a tiny bit. Really everything from Roa in Ciel Path is amazing, he's at his most threatening. Even if it does lead up to 'SURPRESS ROA IN MY ASS SHIKI'.

SHIKI on the other hand is...really, really, terrible. I don't find myself anything less than annoyed by a jackass jumping through my house claiming 'I AM THE REAL SHIKI STFU BITCH' and he is a petty jealous incestuous asshole. He makes me cringe in the worst ways, and literally the best part of Akiha path was kicking his shit in. This is ruined by him actually fighting decently.

That said, he's not terrible and the coffee scene with him is easily a great scene, for both's reactions, and shows that when hes not in awful incest jealousy villain mode he's a decent character. So basically he'd be better if he wasn't evil. It also makes Roa twice as dastardly, he stole a good character from us!

Does this imply that you enjoyed picking answers calculated to piss off Ahika as much as I did?
Where are the Aoko's of yesteryear?

It gained a hollow feeling because you could do almost anything to piss Akiha off. Woman needs to get drunk more.

I imagine waiting for her own story to finally get published. Can't wait for that to get translated~

Considering your comparison of Ceil to Ahika, I would argue it's not quite there. Ceil lied to you because she was either trying to keep you from getting in too deep, or because she thought that you were the guy she was after. Ahika already knew you were in too deep, and lied to control you. Even when you told her the facts to her face, she still lied.

Also fuck you Ahika, you ain't my momma. I'll live my life my way.

Yeah Ciel is excusable in her lies, she doesn't know that telling Shiki that Roa sucks and is probably also the real Tohno Shiki would solve everything because MEDP and Badassry, while Akiha on the other hand knows damn well she could clear shit up if she told Shiki, but it's just how conviningly two-faced she has to make things, even on her path, that ticks me off. The worst part is that she actually knows you're still in there. Her solution is to kill you both while you're still here because you'd theoretically be easier to kill than Roa, and could kill her as a bonus. She doesn't try to go 'You can fight him!' until she finds she can't kill you.

Akiha is worse in this regard, no question. No hiding the truth won't make things happy especially when you haven't actually removed all evidence damnit.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 30, 2011, 05:13:29 AM
Would you lecture us on Heroic Spirits?
Offer an alternative cast list for each of the seven classes, if there could be a proper 6th Grail War.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Fetch()tirade on July 30, 2011, 02:10:49 PM
What is your opinion of Shikieki? (Depending on who reads this thread, your life may or may not be on the line.)
What are your music preferences?
What is your favorite season?
What, in your opinion, is your area of expertise?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (decimals allowed), rate yourself as a person.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 30, 2011, 08:20:35 PM
Would you lecture us on Heroic Spirits?
Offer an alternative cast list for each of the seven classes, if there could be a proper 6th Grail War.

Gladly! Heroic spirits are in general, heroic individuals that have made a 'deal' with the world and are sentenced to act as the world's guardians. This mostly involves cleaning shit up every time some idiot fucks up and makes a magic godzilla or something, if a certain someone's comparison to a janitor is accurate. The world grants these requests and then removes the heroic spirit, upon their death, from the timestream. This means Heroic Spirits can be called to any point of time, even before they were born. Heroic spirits have a weapon or skill that symbolizes them called a 'Noble Phantasm', which is essentially a trademark from their life, King Arthur's, for example, would be Excalibur.

Heroic spirits are summoned during the holy grail war using the 'class system', which generally is an extremely picky system that chooses spirits based on their specialties and what they can do. The Heroic Spirits in most cases, are not actual heroic spirits but rather copies made by the Great Holy Grail. This means they are reliant on their summoner to provide Mana for them. Heroic spirits also are stronger or weaker based on how well known they are and where they are. It is also possible to summon fictional Heroic Spirits that never actually existed during the war, but only one instance is mentioned as far as I know, that being the Assassin of the 5th.

As for the 6th holy grail war, I'm going to work based on Fate ending- Great Holy Grail not destroyed, King Arthur ascended and no longer hogging the Saber spot.

Saber: Heroic Spirit George Washington.
I'm going to hell for this one. Assuming George Washington as a Heroic Spirit isn't too difficult, as you only need to assume A. He was in fact trained and fairly decent with a military saber B. He had the situation to make a deal with the war, his deal being America prospering would actually make some sense. He's also pretty well known, so he should meet the requirements to exist. He'd be a terror in America, but in Japan he'd probably be fairly weak.
Skills: Would probably include Riding and Commanding, perhaps a tactical skill or two. Probably low level as he isn't from the age of magic and such.
Noble Phantasm: White House- Yes. The entire White House. The original unburned version, at least. Perhaps changed by being summoned by magic to give George a homefield advantage he can use. Choosing a phantasm for him was kind of hard because George Washington probably did not have super magic weapons stashed away.
Chances of Winning: Slim. George Washington, while well known, is still mostly human. In a war such as the holy grail, He'd get a few good moments then die. But come on, George Washington written by Nasu. That'd be awesome.

Lancer: Heroic Spirit Sun Wukong.
A pole counts as a long-ranged weapon, and especially one like Wukong's. He fits the bill perfectly for being a heroic spirit, really, and even if he gets cleaned up to be human or something, not like there aren't other offenders of not being like their original form. I'm looking at you rider. i think.
Skills: Killing everything all day erryday. Prolly some Divinity as well.
Noble Phantasm: Ruyi Jingu Bang. Or the extendo pole you all know so well- It's pretty much a perfect fit, though I imagine with all the shit he stole from heaven there might be others.
Chances of Winning: Pretty High. Journey to the West is well known and Wukong is a god damn monster normally.

Archer: Heroic Spirit Hercules
Let's up the stakes! Hercules is noted to be able to be a multitude of classes, and is probably at his best as an Archer as he has his strongest noble phantasm.
Skills: Probably similar to his Beserker set, updated to reflect him not being crazy.
Noble Phantasm: I forget the name of it, but it's essentially a bow  and arrow set covered in hydraic poison. Deadly shit.
Chances of Winning: High. Hercules is a strong Heroic Spirit on his own, but he's really at his best by not being crazy and having a god damn powerful Noble Phantasm. To note, this is considered stronger than the phantasm that made him functionally invincible.

Caster: False Heroic Spirit Mickey Mouse.
Okay. Now I'm going to hell.
Noble Phantasm: Magical Castle: Disney.
Chances of Winning: Assured Victory. You do not mess with the mouse.

Rider: Heroic Spirit Genghis Khan
Probably too similar to F/Z Rider, but fits, I guess?
Skills: Riding and Leadership.
Noble Phantasm: Hmm. Maybe something like a vast stock of horses, so he always has a horse available?
Chances of Winning: Medium.

Beserker: Heroic Spirit Caligula.
In the same vein, probably a Beserker-like of the Fate/Extra Saber- Perhaps a bit too mild a choice for beserker, but I think it could work?
Skills: Not entirely sure what I'd put. Ahhh, this entry is becoming more useless each entry...
Noble Phantasm: Not sure what I'd put here either. I'm thinking either like, the knife that murdered him or a manifestation of something he did.
Chances of Winning: Lower than Washington's, if only due to the fact the beserker class is almost incapable of winning due to how uncontrollable they are.

Assassin: Unfortunately, due to how this slot works, it'd realistically have to be Hassan again. Because he's a douche, but assuming it wasn't-
Anti-Heroic Spirit Jack The Ripper.
The uncaught murderer who stalked the streets of London? Perfect Assassin material. Could've made his deal to never be caught or something.
Skills: Basic Stealth and the likes, focused on stabbing and fleeing.
Noble Phantasm: Unsolved Mystery- The manifestation of the fact Jack The Ripper was never unmasked. Makes it impossible to track him and allows him to blend into even the smallest of shadows, and always hides his face and body.
Chances of Winning: Decent. Probably wouldn't.

What is your opinion of Shikieki? (Depending on who reads this thread, your life may or may not be on the line.)
What are your music preferences?
What is your favorite season?
What, in your opinion, is your area of expertise?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (decimals allowed), rate yourself as a person.

I don't particularly like her. It's probably the reason Shikieiki's Day Off is a favorite of mine-  to make me enjoy reading about her so much is a feat. It mostly stems for her horrendous 'Ability to see Black and White', suggesting there is a definite wrong and right to everything, and that she has some god damn right to judge us all. It doesn't help she uses that ability to yell at everyone else, even if she does genuinely think she's helping them. Lady, stop telling people how to live their lives.

Maybe this stems from some hatred of the idea some jackass is going to be judging me and everything I did and saying 'how dare i not do x even if i thought x was the right thing to do'.

Musical Preferences are again probably rock leaning, anything with a good beat though.

My favorite season is probably fall, mild temperature and pretty leaves everywhere. And an excuse to wear sweatshirts!

My area of expertise is probably technological. I'm not really a programmer or anything, but it's probably what I'm best with.

4. If I'm generous.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 30, 2011, 08:45:45 PM
All excellent choices, Berserker Caligula made me jaw-drop with glee. But you missed a golden opportunity for Billy the Kid as Archer.

Also, I meant on the particular heroic spirits we know and love.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Tamer Anode/Cathode on July 31, 2011, 04:27:12 AM
What is a "rabbit slam"? Can I get that at Denny's?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: theshirn on July 31, 2011, 08:59:51 PM
You are the Human Village on Lunatic.  What do?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on July 31, 2011, 10:22:22 PM
All excellent choices, Berserker Caligula made me jaw-drop with glee. But you missed a golden opportunity for Billy the Kid as Archer.

Ooh. Good point.

Also, I meant on the particular heroic spirits we know and love.

Also ooohhh.

In that case, also sure, but I'll stick to the 5th holy war's cast on account of never having played Fate/Extra (never will because I lack a psp), and read Fate/Zero. With another important servant to how the 5th plays out. Spoilers below etc.

Saber- Saber is one of three 'Knight' Classes, along with Archer and Lancer. They've a reputation for being the strongest servant. While I have a feeling that probably is very very much a false dichotomy caused by the fact that it's probably easier to find an artifact for a strong hero known for using a sword than for a lance etc because a lot of famous people use swords, Saber is a monster and probably proves the dichotomy pretty fast.

Saber uses of course, a sword, but a hidden one due to the fact it shows off who she is right fast. This means she is using a weapon you can't accurately judge and watch, making it hard to block her blows. Couple this with the fact she also infuses her blows with Mana to make them hit damn hard, and that she's quick and powerful on her own, and in normal combat it's hard to match her. The only person who bested her in normal combat this war was Beserker, who I'll get to in a bit. She is however, also suffering from having a weak magus who can't properly feed her mana to keep her at full power though, so we don't even get to see her at full. Oh, and as a Knight class she has innate spell defense- In Saber's case you need essentially a wave motion cannon to break through.

Her Noble Phantasm, however, is what makes her pretty much indisputably the strongest. It's Excalibur. It can take down castles. If there is a situation she can't get out of normally, she can probably Excalibur the fuck out of it. Again though, not having the mana to use it more than once is a downside. She also has Avalon, if certain things happen, which is basically able to negate any attack. Combine the two and she's pretty much invincible at full.

As a character, Saber isn't my favorite servant, and if she wasn't hidden under a huge list of badasses and good characters, she'd be awesome. That said, I direct you to my BMW LP for my proper reactions to her anytime she shows up. She's awesome and I like her.

Lancer- Lancer is the second of three Knight classes, and focuses on long range weaponry and being quick motherfuckers. So which quick motherfucker do you get for your war? Cu motherfucking chulainn that's who. Lancer is outright said to probably be the fastest possible Lancer, and he shows by excelling in getting the fuck out of dodge. That's not to say he's weak though.

Lancer basically has three main weapons, one being a quick motherfucker and rapid assaulting. This typically does nothing to anyone. Two is the fact he has magic runes he can use. These runes can do a lot of different things, from setting shit on fire and blocking projectile weaponry to just powering him the fuck up. In a normal war this would probably get a lot of use and be heavily used. In this war...well, that's for later.

The Third is his Noble Phantasm, Gae Bolg. This is basically an instant death spell, straight down to surviving it through use of Luck. Stab the spear anywhere and it's result is changed to 'Hitting the Heart'. It's possible to survive it, but it's not very likely you can avoid taking a serious wound from it. The only way to dodge this move is to not let it happen.

Lancer is awesome. He's probably my favorite servant, if you haven't noticed my avatar. Probably has something to do with being half-irish. The thing is, Lancer gets shafted INCREDIBLY hard. First Route, he dies offscreen, even if it's fighting the good fight and going against one of the most overpowered assholes in the Nasuverse. He did little else the entire route. Second Route, he pretty much gets to play Hero and it's his finest moment, straight down to dying by setting himself on fire, AFTER taking out to jackasses and freeing a kidnapped ally, ALL WHILE HAVING STABBED HIS OWN HEART. Third Route he gets insta-gibbed by a new lame villain. Nasu kind of hates Lancer, I think. That said, The only reason he isn't more known for being universally badass is because he gets so few scenes.

Archer- okay so. Archer class, only thing that matters is they can spend time not connected to a master. Archer is extremely different than your typical archer, and really the most spoilery to talk about, so let me just get this out of the way. He's awesome because he summons swords and turns them into arrow bombs and can fight god damn well.

Archer is overhyped though. It's mostly because of the big secret involved in him that makes him twice as awesome, and the fact he gets a LOT of screentime, and is related to awesome scenes that don't involve him doing the awesome things. That said, he can have his moments and he's a great character. I just really find him a bit overhyped.

Caster- CASTERS ARE MAGICIANS. This war's caster was a bitch who casted super powerful spells and had a knife that could server contracts to make servants obey her. She dies like a chump most of the time. Second route is her swan song. She's really kinda boring as a character seeing as her fanatic devoting to her master while she strings him into doing what she wants is her characterization. She's just kind of a cheater and a bit of a jerk, and the best scene she's involved in is Rin kicking her ass.

Assassin- We're going to be ignoring Hassan and focusing on Sasaki because fuck Hassan. Sasaki isn't an atypical assassin as he's better fit to be a swordsman, and he is also the cannon example of a fictional heroic spirit. He's a person who isn't shown to have ever existed at one point in time, and instead is actually suggested to have been a farmer who just happened to stumble upon a super killing technique. He is likely not the actual person named Sasaki Kojiro and never actually fought Masamune or whoever he was rival to. He uses an overly long Katana and swift techniques, and isn't able to outright best Saber but is able to match her when using the high ground. His noble phantasm is a technique which is basically three slashes happening all at once.

Sasaki is awesome even if you don't see much of his because the fights with him are some great scenes. He comes with awesome music as well, and even if he doesn't really have characterization and is instead just kinda there to fight, that's characterization in itself. He just wants to fight, and god damn does he fight well. I like him. Hassan sucks and isn't worth mentioning.

Beserker- My love for you is like a Truck. A truck labeled 'Hercules' and rushing you with a giant stone axe to kick your fucking ass. Beserkers are a class that basically involves driving a heroic spirit mad and taking reason away to make them stronger. Hercules is already suggested to be an incredibly strong heroic spirit. They made him stronger.

...yeah, he's the guy who wrecked Saber's shit in normal combat. He's fast, massive, and incredibly strong. He is also functionally invincible thanks to his noble phantasm.

He still dies in all three routes. He usually dies in pretty awesome scenes so he's forgiven though. Beserker is a bit boring, but he's awesome and there's a good reason I'd like to see a sane Herc. He'd probably be a god damn badass.

Rider- Riders normally ride things. They're still Heroic Spirits though, though I dunno if they all fight similarly having not read Fate/Zero to see how that rider fights. FSN Rider however fights quickly and with odd weapons. She's not much in combat, though pretty damn fast, but her power lies in her noble phantasms, Bellerephon which summons a pegasus to kick your shit in, Bloodfort which melts humans and feasts on their power, and Mystic Eyes Cybele which turns people to stone because she's medusa.

Rider is pretty much plot important, and even then she doesn't do much in UBW and in fate only gets the honor of being the first target of Excalibur. In Heaven's feel though she kicks in full drive, becoming both important to the plot and overly all more active. As a character though she remains kind of bland, but she gets her good scenes and I'm driven to agree shes a pretty awesome character.

Archer from the 4th- Yeah so remember how I said some archers can act on their own. Yeah this guy has been acting on his own and sucking souls for a full 12 or so years, however long it was between the 4th and 5th. He's another not normal archer like archer, only being an archer because he shoots weapons around like a machinegun. This is because his noble phantasm has a million noble phantasms in it. That's literally all there is to his fighting style. ABUSE NOBLE PHANTASM MACHINEGUN 24/7.

He's pretty much the second strongest shown servant, next to
What a Beserker Arcueid should be
. He knows it as such and is kind of an annoying egotistical jackass who you enjoy seeing get his ass kicked. This makes the scenes he's involved in that involve his ass getting kicked awesome. I don't really like him because I guess you're not supposed to, but really he's a sexist overbearing egotistic villain, even if he's earned his ego it is really hard to like him. He is rightly an excellent villain in this regard though, and god damn he can be a magnificent bastard in his own right. I'll admit, I might've preferred him doing things more over the HF's big 'baddy'.

What is a "rabbit slam"? Can I get that at Denny's?

A Rabbit slam is a maneuver in which a Giant Enemy Rabbit crushes you beneath it in a magnificent slam.

I have been informed after several days of research, that a Denny's near you does in fact, have a Giant Enemy Rabbit, and you can in fact, order a Rabbit Slam at your local Denny's.

I don't know why you would though.

You are the Human Village on Lunatic.  What do?

Attempt to push my way into the location of another faction's and get a wall against my back and try and hold out and build up. In reality, die terribly because I was terrible at that game really.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 31, 2011, 11:57:54 PM
I am afraid you are wrong, because Hassan is actually awesome as fuck, and it is a tragedy that we cannot have Hassan and Kojiro at the same time. Hassan owns because he is his class; he's the reason why his class is a thing in Western culture, and unlike ninja, actually existed instead of being just folklore.  In fact, we can stretch this out a bit. We don't really know if Sabre's historical counterpart existed. We don't know if Cu Chulaintn existed, or any of the many Greeks who show up. We are very sure there was an Old Man of the Mountain, original and descendants, because we know of the deeds of the Order of Assassins. Even if distorted by folklore, we know there was a Hassan, even if that wasn't his actual name.

As well: Hassan is the only heroic spirit who isn't full of himself. He knows he's not the baddest cat on the playground, and makes no bones about it. So he plays trickybitched instead, and uses the terrain and things that the opponent doesn't know to his advantage. It can be said he doesn't win his own victories, as he usually relies on trickery, but I'd say he definitely bests his opponents. Hassan also gets credit, I think, for being a throwing knife guy. Too bad most of the heroic spirits are completely immune to that kind of thing. He's also one of the high points in HF, which is necessary given how much of that storyline is devoted to Cooking Mama and a villain who just can't measure up to the other two main ones.

But enough of this!

How do you reconcile the separate storylines in both major works? Or do you not even try?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 01, 2011, 01:25:58 AM
How do you reconcile the separate storylines in both major works? Or do you not even try?

Multiple universes. It kind of helps they're outright stated to exist due to the existence of big papa Zeltretch. Each storyline happens, just in a different universe. Hell, technically I imagine every bad end happens as well. Those 50+ ends were Shirou got his ass ganked? Those are the places Rin is probably drawing all those excalibur blasts from in the end of HF. The Nasumultiverse is a pretty crowded place, when you start including stuff like Fate/Extra as well.

It's pretty easy to reconcile seperate paths in a setting that literally confirms alternate universes. While there is of course, a favored storyline that'll get continued, all the storylines did actually happen. A good example would be the idea that
Archer
is actually Fate Route Shirou- or just that character's existence in general, as a timeline has to exist where he made that choice.

The more interesting question is if once Saber became a heroic spirit, if she got a thousand different books detailing how Shirou gets himself stupidly killed.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on August 01, 2011, 05:22:17 AM
That strikes me as largely making everything meaningless. If all the things happened anyways, than none of the choices made would matter. There's no point in choosing if all the possibilities happen anyways, you've lost all power to determine what does or does not happen. You could argue they're discrete universes that don't affect each other, but at the same time, Zeltretch's dagger has done exactly that. And given at least a couple endings involve that dagger ending up at the feet of a thing with practically infinite power and malice, following this theory it all the other realities would be screwed by default.

In fact, looking into the past, they'd all already have to be screwed due to past events that would cause bleed over. So, I don't think many worlds ideology can really apply here. Separate stories, perhaps, but separate ones sharing a reality? It wouldn't work in the long run.

That said, I generally prefer to think of them as just ways things could have happened. In all but HF, for instance, Gotou didn't deem it the proper time to move. In all but that one path, Kohaku wasn't able to get revenges by that point and let it slide until later, and so on.

Real questions: Who got robbed worse? Lancer or Chaos or Satsuki?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Esifex on August 01, 2011, 08:51:36 AM
Real questions: Who got robbed worse? Lancer or Chaos or Satsuki?

Isn't it sad, Sacchin ;_;
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on August 01, 2011, 10:08:08 AM
Why do you have such a strong appreciation for Nanaya?

And also, what do you think of Ryougi Shiki and how much better she is than Nanaya?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Mimachiro on August 01, 2011, 01:10:53 PM
What's the longest you've gone without sleep?

What's the most you've ever had to drink?

How much can you bench, bro?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 01, 2011, 02:03:09 PM
Real questions: Who got robbed worse? Lancer or Chaos or Satsuki?

Satsuki Chaos. This is including the striked out as well.

Lancer got robbed pretty hard in FSN, but he at least got Hollow Atraxia after, and even just including FSN- Lancer still got to play a major role in the second route. Chaos, on the other hand, gets well... The fucking awesome fight with him and that's about it, and it doesn't even change the second time you see it. I mean, it's awesome and it's a legitimate boast that he almost got to kill -Arcueid Goddamn Brunestud-, even if weakened, but that's pretty much -it-. It's the extent of his character- He is literally left nothing outside of being a vampire who decided to try and fight and absorb a weakened Arcueid. You never explore his motivations, never see any real depth to his character. Lancer you get the depth of how deeply he really should be one of the good guys, except for the fact a certain sneaky bastard has his claws on him. You constantly get reminders that Lancer -is- a heroic spirit, he's just on the other side of the war due to circumstances.

Chaos you get 'I AM CHAOS. I'M MADE OF 666 BEASTS. WHO ARE YOU'. Then he dies.

I'm not sure if this is really a robbing so much as Chaos being complete chaff, but seeing as I could see much potential for at least a scene like Roa's, coming to understand what led him to this choice to be a vampire, I'm inclined to agree he was robbed of a character.

Oh well, Toss it next to Satsuki Route in the Tsukihime Remake wishlist, then.

Isn't it sad, Sacchin ;_;

Yes. Yes it is. ;A;

Why do you have such a strong appreciation for Nanaya?

I think my strong appreciation for Nanaya mostly comes from the Tohno, or more accurately I love the fuck out of Nanaya Shiki because of the real Nanaya Shiki.

In the first place, Tohno Shiki/Nanaya Shiki's best scenes in the original were basically every time his blood as a member of the Nanaya family kicked in. Everytime that happened he went eleven kinds of awesome higher than the last. First time he cut Arc into 17 pieces. Second time he completely and utterly kicked Chaos' shit in. Third time he taught Roa why you do not mess with Nanaya Shiki. And so on.

The Nanaya most commonly refered to as Nanaya is basically this. All the time. This is wonderful and basically makes everything about him a smooth-talking murdering machine with god damn -style-. Not only that, his flanderization of how Shiki being a Nanaya would make him a murder happy psychopath also makes complete sense- because he originally appeared as a part of Shiki's head, of how he views himself as a Nanaya. All he really knows as a Nanaya is how he's drawn to kill the fuck out of people and do it well, and this is mostly because everyone he knows pretty much trips off his blood's reaction to 'something not human'.

In reality is Tohno Makihisa/Jerkface McJerk never killed his entire family, he'd actually probably be just as peaceful because the family was going to give up assassination.

It's funny because Makihisa ruins everything.

And also, what do you think of Ryougi Shiki and how much better she is than Nanaya?

Before I say this, I'll note that watching the KnK movies is on my to-do list, and that all I've read of KnK is the first chapter of the original light novel.

Ryougi Shiki simply never caught my attention as a character. Literally, it's probably because the first chapter of the light novel is basically 'Everyday life. By the way I have death eyes.' She... To put it in a word, simply has a rather dull personality and my first impression of her never made me really -like- her. She just seems like the normal serious type with a side of crazy. It doesn't help that she literally got her eyes by getting hit by a car and she literally is perfectly integrated into the magic society from the word go.

In short, she really seems like a prototype for the later Shiki, upgrades to personality and situation to make him more interesting included. I'm going to honestly guess that she's a late bloomer and things go seven kinds of awesome later though, just because it's Nasu. It's just hard to make time to read or watch KnK because Ryougi didn't pull me in at first.

I'll try and maybe marathon the first few movies sometime this week, if I do ask me this question again for a probably better opinion on her.

What's the longest you've gone without sleep?

First semester of college's finals, I stayed awake to make sure I didn't over sleep and miss any of them. I was up for around 80+ hours, living off of my medicine and caffeine.

I spent the spare time playing RO with Trance and Acidus instead of studying. And I wonder why I did so poorly on Calculus...

What's the most you've ever had to drink?

If you mean of any kind of liquid, I believe I've been known to in a full day, take down a full gallon of Arizona Iced Tea.

If you mean of alcohol, uhm, about a quarter a fancy wine glass of Smirnoff. I don't really like alcohol. Can literally count the times I've had it on my hand.

How much can you bench, bro?

Probably around 10 pounds at best. My arms are really thin and weak. I don't really know because I don't lift though, so don't quote me on this when I'm suddenly lifting more than that.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: communist unity (comm-unity) on August 01, 2011, 10:23:27 PM
You need to fight a holy grail war to save your ass. What heroic spirit do you summon/try to summon? What class?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Mimachiro on August 02, 2011, 03:46:00 AM
Where's the beef?

What's one thing you'd like to change about yourself for the better?

Do you see yourself as one day having a family, or will you be single for life? Why?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on August 02, 2011, 07:51:28 AM
Chaos actually had a lot of groundwork to be interesting in regards to forming his thesis about the nature of what the fuck happened to him, and whether or not anything could be truly made from that core uncertainty. Chaos could have easily been the main villain of a plot arc, if not a whole damn full out Type Moon graphic novel. He just wasn't in the situation to make it happen.

Also, the 17 pieces is exactly when Tsukihime kicked into awesome territory for me; before that it was kinda interesting. Then "oh shit, he's going to rap he-...DAMN SHIKI."

-Why is Rin associated with vehicular homicide while smoking?
-How's KoL?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 02, 2011, 05:56:09 PM
You need to fight a holy grail war to save your ass. What heroic spirit do you summon/try to summon? What class?

False Heroic Spirit Batman. Class: Archer.

There is never a situation summoning Batman can't solve.

Where's the beef?

Stolen by the EVIL CABBAGE PRINCESS. ARE YOU A BAD ENOUGH DUDE TO SAVE I-

Oh never mind they just gave into her demands. It'll be heading home safely to it's family soon enough.

What's one thing you'd like to change about yourself for the better?

Make myself less kind of...shy, to say. I think my meekness in relation to some things is pretty much the worst part about me. Even if i was the same every other way, I'd probably give myself 2 more points if I was a bit less shy.

Do you see yourself as one day having a family, or will you be single for life? Why?

Single. Mostly because I'd be a terrible father. And also a terrible husband.

I don't want to push the burden of having to live with me on anyone else.

-Why is Rin associated with vehicular homicide while smoking?
-How's KoL?

Probably because going crazy seems like it would be the normal path to the life-style Rin was trying to lead, especially since she likely wouldn't actually go anywhere. She'd push herself too far, take up smoking, get rejected by everywhere and everyone...

And then she gets the car keys.

...actually, now that I think of it, that's wrong because she was actually smart, even if she acts otherwise. Huh, I dunno then.

KoL is good fun. I think it helps that unlike most browser games, their isn't a concrete stopping point where it just becomes the same thing forever, and there is a lot to go before you reach a theoretical end point. And Jick and crew are always adding a lot of stuff.

Come to think of it, It may have me hooked.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Jana on August 02, 2011, 10:04:13 PM
HOW'S WINDMILL TREATING YOU?
Got a default-status in mind for when you're through with it?
What skill(s) do you want to train next?

Mabi stuff aside, are there any games you like to play alone?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on August 03, 2011, 05:41:07 AM
Who is your favourite character in Meduka Meguca?

Why do you like rabbits so much?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Mimachiro on August 03, 2011, 10:24:13 AM
Why did the Purvis cross the road?

What would you do if you ran into a Super Shim?

What's your favorite season of the year, and why?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 03, 2011, 05:26:51 PM
HOW'S WINDMILL TREATING YOU?
Got a default-status in mind for when you're through with it?
What skill(s) do you want to train next?

Windmill and I aren't on speaking terms. We've decided we both need time alone. That said Windmill is a douche and fuck them.

Not really! I'll probably look at what I'm doing and change it to 'Fuckwhatismostannoying' or something.

After Windmill is done... Probably critical hit and Smash, Some refining as well.

Mabi stuff aside, are there any games you like to play alone?

Yep! I'm honestly still enamored with the Etrian Odyssey series, and I'm pretty sure they're my fall to game if I'm bored with nothing else to do.

Who is your favourite character in Meduka Meguca?

Sayaka. She's literally the only character I didn't want to hit with a washbin at any point. She makes as many mistakes as the rest, and perhaps worse ones, but she's literally the only one I actually didn't think was just an idiot for making them. Maybe I'm just a sucker for stories like hers, actually, no scratch that I am and I'm fine with that.

Really, my only annoyance about her is something about the show, not her.

oh wait you meant MEDUKA MEGUCA.

Brazilian Night. Seriously that part made me lose my shit.

Why do you like rabbits so much?

It's the ears. They're just so...soft, and fluffy... I want to pet them and <3

Also probably because Bugs Bunny was one of my favorite cartoon characters as a kid.

Why did the Purvis cross the road?

Because the road couldn't cross him back.

What would you do if you ran into a Super Shim?

I'd placate him with red meat and run the fuck away.

What's your favorite season of the year, and why?

Again, probably fall. Wins out over winter solely because it's both much more bearable temperature wise and because leaves are god damn pretty.
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Mimachiro on August 03, 2011, 10:45:40 PM
ZUN and a beer youkai get into a fight; who wins?

How's the weather in your part of the planet?

Ever try climbing before (trees, mountains, etc.)? If yes, what's the highest you've gone?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on August 03, 2011, 10:59:09 PM
What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Do you have any addictions-- to food, to a drink, to whatever?

If you could pass any one message on to future generations, what would it be?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 04, 2011, 01:20:22 AM
ZUN and a beer youkai get into a fight; who wins?

The youkai. A beer youkai probably has control over alcohol, and since that is probably a great deal of Zun's body and his source of power...

Ofcourse, if the beer youkai had any other power, likely Zun unless they're the second coming of Yukari or something.

How's the weather in your part of the planet?

Pretty decent- We're barely 80 in comparison to other parts of the planet (lol 100+.) I've only really had the air conditioning on because my lappy has a terrible habit of overheating since it's a hundred dollar piece of shit.

Ever try climbing before (trees, mountains, etc.)? If yes, what's the highest you've gone?

I've climbed several false rock faces before when I was younger, I think several times I've made it to the top, which is...maybe a story or two?

I don't have the guts to do anything like that anymore though, I think.

What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Mild temperature, a comfy bed, and no one yelling at me to wake up.

Oh, and a computer to talk to you guys.

...

Come to think of it, doesn't that describe most of my days already...?

Do you have any addictions-- to food, to a drink, to whatever?

I'd never say something as harsh as an addiction, but I do have a weakness to Chocolate, Ice Cream, and Arizona Iced Tea.

Don't expect them to last too long around me.

If you could pass any one message on to future generations, what would it be?

"Greetings, I am assuming in the time that has passed at least three world-ending catastrophes have occurred. If so, Donut did it."
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Alfred F. Jones on August 04, 2011, 06:26:57 AM
Favourite book to read and re-read when you've got nothing else to do?

Favourite song to read that book to?

Think these'll be my last questions to ask you before this thread ends. Thanks for answering them all~
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Hello Purvis on August 04, 2011, 08:16:31 AM
Rate Shiki and Emiya. (And Ryougi, if you think you have enough datums there)
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Mimachiro on August 04, 2011, 10:36:14 AM
If you had to be trapped in a blizzard with any of the staffers, who would you prefer to be trapped with?

Have you ever been in a life threatening situation before?

You are Mima's next apprentice; what do you do?
Title: Re: Ask a Librarian 24- Chaore
Post by: Chaore on August 04, 2011, 07:15:36 PM
Favourite book to read and re-read when you've got nothing else to do?

Favourite song to read that book to?

Any book in the Hitchiker's Guide series. They're not my all time favorites, but Douglas Adam has a strange freshness to his writing that even when you've read the book a million times, I still find a new thing or two.

Embarrassingly, It took me a few years to finally get the infamous 'water' joke.

As for song- I prefer to read in silence, actually! Noise, even good noise, can be a bit distracting to read to.

Rate Shiki and Emiya. (And Ryougi, if you think you have enough datums there)

A fitting final challenge, I didn't get to marathoning KnK like I said I was, so rightly I'll skip rating Ryougi.

Shiki Tohno-

I like Shiki. He's literally what I would call a good guy, even if he does a ton of shit that normally I'd hate him for. He's not some mystical flawless super good being, he's actually rather screwed up and kind of a jerk at times. At the same time, you get the feeling he's not really a bad guy and probably end up not driving him into a shark's mouth all the time. It helps he's a pretty likable dude just by virtue of being pretty fun to read.

Shiki is also a complete badass once you get him going and holy hell do I love any scene that involves Shiki stabbing someone. Hell. Everything in Arcueid route pretty much solidly confirms that Shiki is a complete badass, and it only continues from there on. This is ofcourse promptly forgotten in favor of Shiki being the everyday dude (Which he is really kinda not) by the masses.

I'm looking at you BMW.

Shiki also has a great background past, and it really helps that it's properly spread out over the course of all 5 routes. I think every route at least adds something new to the mix. Everything about him that's traced back has a good and interesting reason why he's like who he is, and it makes him a really interesting character. Shiki is a character that has a lot of roots in his past as much of Tsukihime is about the past.

I give him a 9/10 mushrooms.

Emiya Shirou-

Shirou is the complete opposite of Shiki in that he literally bludgeons you over the head with how nice of a guy he is. Literally you don't get him killing people or acting like a jerk intentionally. The best part about this though is it -kinda works-. He does his bludgeoning in small shorts and one very big way which is plot important, so while he's beating you over the head with it, you're still liking him because he is a good guy. However, with niceness to match, he of course takes the typical flaw for this. Shirou is brain dead retarded, socially and mentally. It really kind of shows and can sometimes interfere with you adhering to the character.

Shirou as a main character, gets his highlights but... He's going to spend a lot of the novel just getting killed. There is literally a prize for getting him killed all 50 times in the game. Given, this is because unlike Shiki he isn't really supposed to be some super-strong badass. Shirou is literally kind of a joke as a magus and a fighter, and... It's not really a problem because it's what's intentioned. He's kind of useless, but you don't really hate him for it. It also makes it all the sweeter when he finally gets rolling and starts kicking some serious ass.

Shirou as a character is more based on the 'future' than the past- but this is mostly because of a choice presented by something he decided in the past. Shirou's overall theme is basically being a 'Hero' or not. Whether or not it's good to do good to others at the expense of yourself. This is liberally explored in all three paths and is basically how you remember 'This is a game about Shirou', and it's pretty much my favorite part of Shirou as a character, even if personally I don't entirely agree with the answers presented. It's the bulk of his characterization really, and it's engaging and questioning enough that you can pretty much excuse how bland Shirou's past kind of actually is.

I give him a 7/10 mushrooms.

I do apologize if this kinda doesn't explain my opinions well enough, just kinda woke up and typed this for...2 hours? Maybe it's a good thing this thread is at it's end.

If you had to be trapped in a blizzard with any of the staffers, who would you prefer to be trapped with?

Tough choice. I'd probably say it's kinda a tie between Sakana and Matsuri. Sakana would make good emergency rations, and Matsuri could be used as a fuwa fuwa blanket.

In seriousness though, probably Sakana. I get along with Sakana better than all the other staffers, and I get the feeling we'd probably be able to wait out the blizzard just talking and having fun.

Have you ever been in a life threatening situation before?

I've derped up and nearly missed getting pretty bad injuries, say, almost running to get hit by a car, plenty before, but I don't think I've actually literally been in a situation where my life is really in danger. I'm kinda lucky in that regard.

You are Mima's next apprentice; what do you do?

Studiously learn from her and then backstab her the moment she's no longer of use. I'm not gonna be her minion any longer than I have to be.

Besides. She's a ghost. it can't be that hard to banish her or something.

---

And that would be my thread down. It was a good deal of fun answering everyone's questions, but the week is up and it's time for me to make way for the next staffer.