Blogging; My Conundrum

Hey Gang,

So recently I've been contemplating wether I should update my blog and post more often. It's left me scratching my head most of the time, walking away with a borderline answer.

I love the blogging community. It's an awesome palce to express myself (like I'm doing now), and it definitely gets the creative juices flowing. It's actually theraputic in a way. It's nice to check up on what others are doing and what's the latest news. I really enjoy hearing feedback from my readers on my posts, such as what I should change or add to a certain post or even the whole site in general. It's also pretty awesome when you meet someone in game who's read your posts and recognized you. :)

But then there's a darker side to it...

I initially started a blog in hopes of becoming more popular way back in early 2009. Sure, it's not the purest intention; but it could have been a lot worse. I could have been founded on free items from KingsIsle, or to initiate drama in the community, or even all three combined. Thankfully, it was only fame. However, that intention has grown to be much more fruitful and giving to the community. When I realized how great we are as a whole and how no one was quite "more popular", I had a change of heart. I realized that I should blog BECAUSE I want to, because it would help the community, because I could express my ideas. It was truly an eye opening experience for me.

There's always real-life issues too. I've recently had thousands upon thousands of workloads of homework that's very difficult to keep up with. I barely have time for Wizard101 alone, and when I do, I'm usually not doing anything for myself. Usually I'm helping my friend Paige Whisper who just returned to Wizard101 catch up with the rest of us who've been here ever since the launch of Celestia and ever before then.

While I try and sort out what I'm going to do about blogging, I'd like to update you on my current progress in Wizard101:

Life's been going pretty good in ye olde Spiral. Oran, with the help of Ryan RainCaller, finished Celestia and obtained Legendary Rank. After an incountable amount of WaterWorks runs, I've managed to complete the gear sets on half my characters (Diana, Luke, Patrick, and Mycin), obtain three partially complete gear sets (Oran- Hat and Robe, Noah- Hat and Robe, Valdus- Hat and Boots), and sadly only one wizard who has not even ran the WaterWorks yet (Gilroy). Gilroy and Oran also finished WinterTusk and achieved their school respective Level 58 pets. I'm currently working on my 9th wizard, Amber Drake. I'm really excited to start another Fire Wizard; from what I (barely) remember, Fire was a TON of fun.

I've also been working on "Perfect Pet" training. I'm currently breeding a coral of Nightmare pets to be used for Luke. I'm really hoping to train the Scarecrow and get some decent talents; I really like the Scarecrow and the card it is. However, at the same time, I'd really miss Beau, Gilroy's Fierce Hound. So many possabilities...

So I really have to go. Care to share any insight on my puzzle? Thanks!

P.D.

P.S: I hear a new Mega Bundle is finding its way to Earth soon :) stay tuned to GDCOA!

Update 10/8/11

Hey Gang,

Video says it all:

See ya in the Spiral,

P.D.

New York Comic Con!

Hey Gang,

So I have something AWESOME to tell you...

I'M GOING TO THE NEW YORK COMIC CON!!!!!!

Now, I know for a fact that KingsIsle won't be there (sad right? The one time I get to go to an expo, I miss out on my favorite gaming company! I actually wrote to them to see if they would consider coming, so I really hope they'll reply with some good news). Anyway, I'll be recording videos (not with me in them, of course! Just my voice! :D) of what it looks like including some different Comics, Anime, and Video Games they have there to play, so if you have something you'd like to see, go ahead and let me know! I'll try to stop by everything that people ask (however, if I don't get to it, I'm sorry!). That will be from October 14th to October 16th, so watch out for that!

See y'all around,

P.D.

All I Want For Christmas Is You ... At My Party!

Hey Gang,

So you heard it right, I'm hosting a Christmas party!

*Ummm ... Luke ... it's the middle of September ... why are you posting about this?*

Good question, curious readers! One of the reasons I'm posting about this so early is simple for availability. See, with my Wizaversary, I had to reschedule the day because someone had already booked the day for their own Wizaversary. See, I booked the day about a month in advance, whereas the other wizard had been talking about it for a pretty long time, so it was obvious to me that I needed to reschedule. It's just nice to have first dibs and not have to worry about different days being available (and hey, you CAN'T break the international protocol of dibs!).

My second reason is simply because of time constraints. There are a lot of items I want to fill my Sunken Palace with, including rare and (very hard to make) crafted items. Therefore, it's going to take a lot of money, reagents, and time to get this party up to the caliber I expect it to be; I hope for it to be much bigger than my Wizaversary.

Here is the details of the party:

Luke GoldHorn's Jinglebell Rock Party!

Who: Why, you of course!

What: Christmas Party

Where: Gilroy SkullFlame's Sunken Palace

When: Friday, December 23rd, 8:00 P.M. EST (7:00 CST, 6:00 MT, 5 PST)

I'm expecting to have a lot of people, so please, spread the word and I hope you can show up! I'm going to try to get some contests going, so stay tuned for those too. I'm going to post these same details up when the date comes (much) closer, so don't feel pressured to keep coming to this particular blog post.

Hope you can make it and spread the word!

P.D.

My Opinion of the Sunken Palace

Hey Gang,

So I know it's been a while since I blogged or made a video. You see, I've been moving, and school's coming up tomorrow, so I've been trying to enjoy my time in game as a casual player that also tweets a bunch. So what have I been up to? My latest project has been leveling my second Life alt, Oran FoeHammer. For those of you that don't follow me on Twitter, I made a goal to have Oran at Legendary by September 6th, 2011 (which is in fact tomorrow). I'm sad to say that I did NOT reach my goal. Oran is currently Level 55 and beginning the Floating Land questline. The only real play time I have left is tonight. With this new Sunken Palace (that I'm fixing up to talk about) begging me to decorate it, I'm fairly certain that Oran will not reach his intended goal.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase; my pros and cons of the Sunken Palace. I'll start with the outside, and work my way in. In case you're uniformed of the deets of this house, it runs your pocket for 10,000 Crowns or 100,000 Gold. I have also started decorating this house as well, so you will see furniture items (if you are looking for pictures of the house plain, I'd recommend checking YouTube or The Friendly Necromancer's Blog Roll):

Pros:

1. The Entrance: The entrance to this grand castle is amazing! Let me just point out that the street lamps and the bushes are housing items so I do not confuse anyone. It really looks like you're walking into a fish bowl! I love it! :)

2. Passage on the Side Leading to the Boat: I really like this passageway off the main entrance simply because it's simple. It cuts down traveling time and it blends into the scenery.

3. The Ship: For the sake of clarity, I'd like to point out that the boxes are housing items. I really like this piece in the house. It's what the player's have been asking for ever since last October, and it just adds to the fishbowl feel I described earlier. This is what I love about KingsIsle; they listen to their players.

4. The Marketplace: For clarity, the food carts and fountain are housing items and do not come with the house. I really like this area, but I couldn't find a good name for it, so I called it the Marketplace, however it can serve as a forum, courtyard, or other rooms.

5. The Walkway: For clarity, the wooden benches are my housing items. I really like this stone walkway at the entrance of the house. I've actually nicknamed it the Boardwalk (that's what I was going for with the wooden benches!).

6. Stairs to Master Bedroom with Sitting Area: I really like the spiral stairways leading up to the master bedroom because it adds class to it. I also really like the sitting area off to the right of the stairway.

7. Sitting Area: The chairs, the bookshelves, the fireplace, and the piano are all my housing items. I really like how there's a specific room to sit down and chat with your friends. I also really like the chandelier!

8. Guest Room: The best thing about this room is that it can be anything! You can make this into a sitting room, library, guest room, and much more! It has a lot of potential which makes it a great room for housing!

Cons:

1. The Cave: While some may like the cave (I'm actually in the process of turning this into a Dragon's lair), I find it to be really ... random. I don't know, it just seems out of place and alienated, and it doesn't have much potential.

2. The Ship: Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the ship! But do you see how the lights are on? I want to go IN the ship! How cool would it be to be able to go into an area that still had air in it?! I personally think that would be awesome.

3. The Toll Buildings: Again, don't get me wrong; the toll buildings are actually one of my favorite features of the house. However, I really want to be able to go inside! I want to see what it looks like in there! I feel like it'd be awesome!

4. The Pedestals (also, Water): This change follows the pattern of the last. All I want from this is to be able to place a statue on the pedestal. I think it would be amazing if I could place my statues there. Also, a little side note (it's a bit short to be an actual stand alone con), I think the water shouldn't be as murky. I understand that some people like it murky, but I feel that clear water like in Calypso's instance would be really cool!

5. The Water: I simply cannot stand all the water! Why, you ask? For two reasons: 1. Because I cannot place objects in the water, and 2. It takes up a TON of housing space! Either of the above (or both!) need to be fixed, because it gets to be a bit too much!

That's really all I can think of at the moment. I'm thinking of hosting a Christmas party at my Sunken Palace instead of a Halloween party at the Wizard's Watchtower, but there's penty of time until then, so I'll be sure to update you by the last week of October with a date and a time! I also wanted to take the time to say Happy Birthday Wizard101 and Christina IceDreamer! We have such a great community and game here, and I just wanted to say thanks to both of those important idols! I'll catch you guys later!

P.D.

My Opinons on the Wizard's Watchtower

Hey Gang,

For those of you who have access to the Test Realm (and even some of you who don't), you'd know that there are two new houses available at the Crowns Shop (10,000 a pop, or 100,000 gold). Well, one of these houses (my favorite of the two, actually) is called the Wizard's Watchtower (the other is called the Sunken Palace). Today I'm here with you to talk about my opinions of this new house (and maybe some other time I'll talk about the Sunken Palace. I'm going to start with some things I liked about the house, and then move on to the things that can be improved (Note: I've actually started decorating in the Test Realm because I'm pre-planning for a party I'm gonna have for Halloween, so your going to see some housing items):

1. Hallway on the Second Floor: I really like the look of this hallway on the second floor of the Wizard's Watchtower. It gives a really good castle feel, and the mosaics of the dragon only enhance the feel! The carpet blends in very well too, tying the whole room together without you having to even place a housing item! Good job KingsIsle!

2. Dragon Statue, Dragon Feet Columns, and the general Second Floor (Library-like Room): This is just ... wow. First (and most obvious), the dragon statue is great! I love the fire coming out of its mouth. And the fact it's standing on top of the main circular bookshelf just makes this preinstalled feature even more amazing. I also like the library feel of the second floor. Another well done KingsIsle :).

3. Observatory: The view is stunning in this room. And the size of the telescope is huge! The mosaics of the dragon are a nice pull together of the room, and I really like the wood floor and the preinstalled wallpaper. Very nice!

4. Opening Room: The opening room is stunning as you see the giant library pillar pulling the room together. Again, I really like the library feel and the dragon decor.

5. Staircase to the Dragon: Again, this part of the house gives me that "castle" feel that I absolutely love about a home. The rug is a nice touch, and I love the preinstalled torches and banners of dragons.

6. Dragon's Lair (Smog/Hobbit Reference): When I saw this, I literally laughed out loud. If you've ever read (or seen) The Hobbit, you'd know who Smog is, and you'd know how this scene was inspired. Bottom line: AWESOME!

tehehe, anyway, let's move on ...

7. Dragon Claw Lagoon: I really like this feature because it gives the house a location. It tells you, "Hey, your house isn't just on a random island. Your house is centered around a giant and probably ancient statue of a dragon claw". I like anything that gives my house a better definition. :)

8. Castle Entrance: This is just a really cool sight. Again, like the dragon claw statue, it gives your house a location: on the top of a waterfall. I really like the glowing orbs on the pedestals and the dragon keeping watch over the entrance of your house, as well as the observatory in the backround. Very pretty :).

Things That Could Change (This is where I can have some fun!):

1. The Dragon Claw Lagoon: When I first walked around in the house, I thought that little opening in the rope fence was telling me to venture into the whirlpool of a lagoon. When I found out it was just there for looks, I was pretty disappointed. We should be able to go into the whirpool. It could lead into a secret dungeon or cave full of water. Heck, it could lead into a half underwater zone of your house! I'll revisit this point later...

2. The Random Rope: I don't have much to say about this point, since it's pretty short and simple. I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture, but the lowest arch has a rope fence preventing you from going under this. I'd really just like to know why. There doesn't seem to be a reason for it (it looks big enough to travel under) and it really downgrades the look of the house.

3. The Dragon's Lair: This place is perfect as is, except for one small thing. I want to be able to place housing items in this area. As of the current moment, you cannot do so. I'm not sure if this is a current bug, but I have some housing items that would make this room cooler than it is now.

4. This Wall (in the entrance of the staircase): Now this isn't a mandatory change (just an idea suggestion), but why not move the spiral staircase behind this wall and make this room more like a side room instead of a tiny room with a huge spiral staircase in it. I'd also like the ability to place housing items in this room as well.

5. Another Wall (in a the hallway direct before the hallway filled with mosaic windows): Again, this is a great opportunity to add a secret room or hallway. Or better yet, make it another part of the house. It just seems like a loose end that could make the house a lot better than it is currently.

6. Series of Bookshelves: Another secret room suggestion. They could make this another spiral staircase to the dungeon or cave that the Dragon Claw Lagoon leads to. I personally think this a very good idea, but hey, we all have our opinions, right?

7. The Observatory: I'd like to make a side part of this room directly where the camera is pointed to be designated as a bedroom. There are only a few houses with designated bedrooms, and to me it kinda defeats the purpose of a home if your wizard doesn't have a place to sleep. Also, make a spiral staircase from the hallway to this room instead of teleporting me there (since we do see it as a tower from the outside).

Well, that's what I would change! Feel free to voice your opinions on what I thought or tell me what you like/ want to see changed! Until next time!

P.D.

The Commons Courier- Episode Three

Hey Gang,

Episode Three of The Commons Courier is here!

Hello withces and wizards of the Spiral, and welcome to Episode Three of The Commons Courier! After a semi-long break, I, Luke GoldHorn, am back to take you through this awesome Spiral we are graced with. Stay tuned as I talk about recent news in game, give PvP tips, interview Cassandra GriffonDreamer from Witchwarrior101, answer questions, and much more! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to submit your entries to the Jackpot Segment and submit your questions!

***Jackpot Segment Winners***

1. NicholasLionRider

2. Senthose365

3. Ethansherr12

Thanks for entering, and the winners should receive a code by Sunday (8/14/11) latest!