Mangrale

Otium Ventures [MHA Updated (New Character Added)]

Forum City Stories _{|Independent OCs||Status: Open|}

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RP Tags ▌ Anime/Manga ▬ "Fandom" ▬ Modern ▬ Sci-Fi ▬ Slice of Life ▐

Overview

The short of it is that I would like to explore an anime-esque setting inspired by the exceptional mod for Deus Ex called "The Nameless Mod", the details of which I've linked here. That being said, this is indeed one of those ideas which I've had a hard time wrapping my head around, but there's a chance I may have a handle on it enough to consider trying to explain it. Even so, there's a fair chance that I'll get some things wrong, so corrections from anyone contacting me is always welcome. Here goes!

The plot for the original mod functioned within a sort of literal city depiction (as I think the word is) for the old Planet Deus Ex forums. As far as I can tell, this isn't a virtual reality realm where real-world people operate avatars in their free time, but a literal planet, "Forum Planet", made up of multiple "Forum Cities", each corresponding to fandom communities centered around popular gaming IPs. Examples given were places like PlanetHalfLife and HaloPlanet, centralized hubs complete with their own surrounding countrysides also in theme to their respective fandom. Therefore, as you would expect from a city built by fans of Deus Ex, PDX is a shadowy, conspiracy-riddled burg of corrupt corpos, crazed cultists, and mysteries around every turn.

Of course I love a lot that this setting provides, but I would also like to diverge from just strictly folowing what's laid out in TNM in some key ways. First of all, I would like the "fandom" that's affiliated with this RP's Forum City to be fictional, a made up game similar to Deus Ex, but not quite. Functionally, I'd want to keep things like multiple approaches to situations and augmentations, but I'd also like to incorporate certain elements from other inspirations of mine, like Mega Man Zero/ZX and Ghost in the Shell.

What follows is my attempt to make a starting-off foundation that I and anyone interested can help build off from, all with the notable handicaps of neither having (1) written within a cyberpunk setting before, nor (2) fully engaging with an internet forum in my entire life. But if even that doesn't scare you off, then please keep in mind that there will almost always be room to expand upon these ideas, and I would ask anyone contacting me to be willing to brainstorm with me, as I may need all the help I can get.

Background

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Project Maxim

► Project Maxim

In the year 200X, the up and coming video game developer Crosscom, fresh off their acquisition by Parallax Systems, had reached perhaps their greatest milestone yet with the release of the highly anticipated spiritual successor to their home computer sleeper hit Stray Blades, eventually being known for its detailed RPG elements, ambitious level design, and reasonable price tag. Now after so many years, Exolution was poised to pick up where its predecessor left off, only this time to amazing critical and commercial success.

Eager to use all the leadership experience and technical expertise he'd earned from helping to revitalize the decision simulator genre with his critically acclaimed reboot of the Everybody Dies series, lead studio director Sullivan Meyers envisioned a cutting-edge yet not too distant future of cybernetics-fueled international espionage and world-shattering conspiracies, one where the player's actions well and truly mattered, a remarkable first for the industry. In an interview with Big Hunt Gamers soon after the title's June debut, who themselves had given the game an emphatic 10/10, he opened up about his experience while implementing this most renowned feature.

"You could say that, if most playthroughs seemed like a series of happy accidents, then making the thing was even more so. For months after fully implementing the Butterfly System, I'd always arrive for the day to hear that the play testers ran into something. And as the project lead, my mind is all 'Oh boy, what's the problem this time', but half of the time it'd turn out that they just ran into an in-game event or situation that surprised them we'll say. I always got the sense that we were onto something special every time that happened. (Chuckle)"

- Sullivan Meyers

Yet it was unclear at the time of the interview if even Sullivan could have guessed what the long term reception to his new project would be. While the original sold exceptionally well, easily fueling parent company Parallax's interest in a sequel, it soon became clear that the gameplay features on display in the budding franchise weren't the only things that were perceived as ahead of their time. Over the course of their flexible, lengthy campaigns, players would find all manner of themes and predictive occurrences of wold-building as per the setting. Many were easily dismissed as harmless worldbuilding, but in the cases of some elements, renewed interest would ripple throughout the gaming community and beyond, debates sparking over the series' uncanny ability to predict real-world events in advanced.

Otium Ventures [MHA Updated (New Character Added)]

Hero's Reverie _{|Independent OCs||Status: Closed|}

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RP Tags ▌ Anime/Manga ▬ Fantasy ▬ Medieval ▬ Slice of Life ▐

Overview

I might have a more elaborate fantasy setting that I'm working on now and again (may be introduced in the future), but this particular post is centered around more open-ended ideas, settings and concepts that I'd like to explore but ultimately don't have a dedicated project in mind to use them in. As such, I'd like someone willing to take my prompts or at times nascent-level world-building, and in turn be willing to fill in the blanks as far as their character(s) and associated details. I may muse on things like pairings, that can involve your character when I'm explaining an idea, but if you ultimately have ideas that you prefer to run with, then by all means tell me and maybe we can work something out. And finally, if you yourself have your own completely original fantasy ideas that you'd like to show me, then I'm fine giving it a look.

Character #1 _{|Male OC // Name TBD||Status: Unvailable|}

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Prompt A

► The Wyvern's Last Secret
However peculiar or mundane the beast's egg appeared to be at the time of its discovery, no one could have been prepared for what you discovered one fateful day. Through some unreal manifestation, the dragon (or wyvern more accurately) would assume a new, drastically more humanoid form. While the idea of individuals forming bonds with certain dragon-related creatures may not be unheard of, it was surely rare for one to be capable of switching between these two forms, one that can easily carry you as its rider and the other measuring the size of a person. In this state, he can speak the way a human could while still retaining a measure of the tremendous power he's inherited from his powerful, if perhaps somewhat enigmatic lineage. What his legacy will be, on the other hand, is up to you.

The Rundown

"The Wyvern I've Found Is A Young Man!"
I know I've saved someone some time by saying that right there. This was rattling around in my head for a long while but I've never gotten around to putting it out there until now. I realize that an idea like this is really out there so I'm not expecting anything to come of it. I'm decidedly more attached to the dynamic of an unlikely friendship of this kind than major details of the setting, plot or even the tone (though perhaps a darker one may fit better here).

Worth mentioning is that I'm playing with the thought of YC naming him in the case of YC, or a relative of theirs, hatching/raising him, though I will do it myself should it come to that. Keep in mind that he is intended to grow and mature depending on how he's raised and your own actions throughout the story. Lastly, when contacting me, I expect you to at least give me some indication of what you want to see in this story (story elements, plot details, key features etc.). Equal input from both of us is what I'm looking for here.

Concept #1 _{|Cross-Reality Grand Fantasy||Status: Unavailable|}

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Description

► From Different Worlds
This generally stems from the notion of having an interesting gimmick at the center of some epic fantasy adventure. In this particular case, it's the idea of our two characters, as we write them, originating from two different fantasy worlds, realities, or timelines that intersect in some way and through some fantastical means. As always, I'm open to any ideas you bring to the table (maybe even "isekai" if you really crave something like that), but for anyone that wants me to throw around some possible ways to approach the subject, then I'll try and describe them the best I can. Feel free to suggest ideas incorporating select features from any of these.

1) Pure fringe Mandela Effect nonsense where our characters just one day find their respective realities consolidated into one (or the one they shared merged with another), having the clear memories of their former lives while most if not everyone else having no knowledge of the phenomenon occurring. This can have a number of applications, like going from being a nobody in one world to royalty in the next, a villain to a hero (if things should be so black and white), or vice versa.

2) Instead of an event, there is either a singular point / location or multiple points / locations where worlds intersect. This can be a part of a larger plot that our characters can find themselves in the middle of, perhaps forcing an unlikely partnership that sees them set out to right the worlds once more. Maybe what's perceived as ghosts within old or mystic ruins are actually people of another world who may yet view you in the same way in their world. That opens the door for the worlds to intersect in other interesting ways. I suppose what I'm describing might look like a good deal of LoZ games, but I'd really like for us to go our own way with it.

3) The plot centers around a sort of "cross-reality conflict", where wars and alliances alike are set across different realms. Wholly different worlds can be involved or even alternate-realities where characters can be pitted against an alternate version of themselves for the sake of their world's survival. We may even attempt something different to all out war, where the powers that be see to it that champions from across the "multiverse" are pitted against one another for the survival of their worlds. if not some other great prize in its own right.

Otium Ventures [MHA Updated (New Character Added)]

My Hero Academia _{|Fandom OCs||Status: Open|}

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RP Tags ▌ Anime/Manga ▬ Superhero ▬ School ▬ Modern ▬ Slice of Life ▐

Overview

While giving thought to the AU route in the past, I've honestly been more interested in writing within the world of the anime itself despite very much preferring OCs above all else. Speaking of which, I have a few character ideas that I'd like to run with, some of their backgrounds originally being centered around an American east-coast city that I'm building up. Should you really have no preference one way or another, I would really like to set a few "chapters" there first and foremost before looking into scenarios set in other parts of the world. At this stage, I intend to focus on one character at a time, presenting them as well as the possible settings and/or scenarios surrounding them here. I'd then ask that anyone interested please feel free to look at their linked CS and, if you're still on board, go ahead and PM me.

Character #1 _{|Male OC // Aden Parish||Status: Available|}

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Scenario A

► The Boy Born of the Underground
Rising from the ashes of the turmoil wrought from the earliest days of quirks, Millennium City stands as The Enduring Star of the West, where some of the greatest heroes the world has ever seen challenge one another to reach new heights of fame and power. Yet there are few challenges in recent memory more daunting than when Hurricane Reynard made landfall, ravaging huge lengths of the shoreline before cutting a path of destruction deeper into the city. And whereas precautions were in place to ensure that casualties were kept at a minimum (including many publicly available storm shelters), the devastation was such that the occasional unfortunate soul would find themselves caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was while taking shelter from the turbulent tempest under some vaguely accommodating wreckage that you'd, through one series of events or another, find yourself in the company of one such a person, a lonesome 12-yr-old named Aden, his uncommonly aquatic visage waterlogged from the nearby floodwaters that surged nearby the two of you. Injured and exhausted though he was, it was clear that his troubled thoughts were elsewhere, a deep seated-melancholy that superseded his mortal fears, even his mistrust of you specifically, should this have been the first time the two of you met.

In truth, the enigmatic boy was lost in more ways than one, such that you quite possibly wouldn't be able to appreciate then and there. The innocent, child-like desire he shared with many his age was at odds with the life he was born in and around, what he was all but destined to become. Beneath the at times superficial celebrity of hero culture fostered by the great and good by society, lies a veritable sub-culture where the nigh endless conflict between order and chaos is fought far closer to its source. With its inner workings concealed from the wider public as a whole, you could have lived your entire life without hearing anything of the major players that make it, not to mention the city itself, what they are and indeed have been for so many people since generations passed.

Within the shadows between heroes and villains, that which doesn't kill you only makes you...

a stranger...

The Rundown

^{Sorry I couldn't resist. :p}
Simply put, it's MHA but in what is legally distinct from NYC and centered around the criminal underworld and organized crime. And as you might have guessed, Aden is the son of a mob higher up (likely not the top guy, but one of their subordinates). I've left who your character as pretty ambiguous, so you have a good deal of freedom on that front. I will say that there are some dynamics that appeal to me more than others, but I'm open to hearing what interests you first if you do feel strongly one way or another.

Also worth mentioning is that I more view that above scenario I described as background, since I'd prefer to pick up the story years in the future, typically at a point where Aden is a great deal more mature and can truly make his mark on the (under)world.

Character #2 _{|Female OC // Mariette Blanc||Status: Available| ^New!}

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Prompt A

► Silver Winged Heroine Training
The life of a professional hero wouldn't be the first choice of career path her parents would have wanted for her if they had their way. All but set for life since before she was even born, Mariette would have been destined to an easy life of privilege that would have just about ensured her safety from the ongoing plight of heroes, villains, and those unfortunately caught in the middle. Yet her life would change when Hurricane Reynard struck Millennium City, her misfortune in being caught within one of the affected areas nearly costing her everything if not for the efforts of the brave rescue heroes that fateful day. Ever since, a fire had awoken within the young girl, her earnest wish to emulate her saviors driving her to risk it all in hopes of becoming the best hero she can be. While normally about as assertive as she looks, Mariette is determined to prove to everyone, including herself, just what she's capable of.

The Rundown

I told you I was terrible at coming up with new quirks. Believe what you will, but that is by far the biggest reason for why the second character on here is a moth girl. Now if you're willing to work with that, I'm pretty open for whatever you want with her, as I don't really have a set story in mind with her compared to Aden. Sure I'm leaning more towards "anime/manga continuity" OCs still, but if you'd rather a setting change from "Millennium City" (as I've mentioned in Aden's scenario), then I am indeed open to the idea. I may yet have it so that she was either born in or had at one point lived within said metropolis, but I'm fine with the idea of her moving to the city of your choice to formally start her hero training.

And that's more or less what I have on her. I'm certainly going for a different approach with her, which hopefully someone will appreciate, as I'm sure they would be over the fact that she's an actual student, in line with what most would point out is sorta the point of MHA to begin with. So if that's your thing, then feel free to put forth how you want YC and her to meet, whether through classes or before the year begins, as childhood friends, rivals, almost whatever you want really. And if it sweetens the deal any, I can even play as more students and other characters as the story progresses, so long as you got the patience for it.

A Wannabe GM's Roleplay Selection: What RP Should I Make For The New Year?

@seanmcchapman Fair enough. I probably will end up linking it when the time comes. Have a good one. :)

@CalicoNextDoorWell first of all, thanks for the commenting.

Now then, if there's anything specific you'd like me to elaborate on, go ahead and tell me. For now though, I'll see about summing up the main idea behind the setting as best I could.

I wanted the setting itself, in its broadest sense, to allow for a good variety of storylines, not just the one that I might have settled on in the event of a group RP. There are civilizations (homogeneous or otherwise) of all kinds, dispersed throughout the cosmos, and under normal circumstances many of them would never come in contact with each other. Instead however, some species, like humanity would happen upon strange wormholes in their attempts to explore across the stars. These spacial phenomena form a network that spans across the universe, and as you would expect, conflicts arise as worlds collide.

Now can you expect major groups in a storyline, whatever it ends up being, to be determined typically by species, (i.e. Group Representing All Humanity, Group Representing All of Alien Civ A, etc.)? Not necessarily. Sure there could be dominant authorities, but there could also be dissenting parties, criminal elements, resisting colonies, two-faced corporations, secret agendas, and plenty other things that make a setting richer than you would have otherwise thought at first glance.

One of the plotlines for the Astral Nexus group RP, the one I was leaning towards most heavily in the first post up there, would have involved a secretive mission wherein the group would have been compelled by in-story necessity to use this vessel, designed to accommodate modular compartments, anything from crew quarters to fabrication centers, making for player choices to open opportunities throughout the story. Suppose I was rather inspired by games like XCOM when I thought of the idea.

Like I said, let me know if you have anything specific to ask about the idea overall. Major details would come with a full-on interest check, probably of the 1x1 variety by the looks of it. Again, thanks for stopping by.

A Wannabe GM's Roleplay Selection: What RP Should I Make For The New Year?

Hey guys! It wouldn't sit well with me if I let this thread just stay unused, so I thought I'd update anyone interested on where my thoughts are after about a month of mulling over my options.

As I said in the post above, both Projects A & C could possibly be adapted for 1x1's in the future. But as for something Durango related, I've since sought out a free-to-use map maker to get a sense of generally what it'll take for something as grandiose as my original, mechanics-driven RPG idea, and my findings pretty much come down to: quite doable, but not something I'd be willing to put myself through and sink time into for just a handful of players.

Now something altogether tighter and shorter within Durango's setting, that I can absolutely manage. Expect a more focused experience surrounding a band of characters from different backgrounds (from new arrivals experiencing the world for the first time to more seasoned survivors already making a living within the primal frontier.) What it lacks in an open sandbox, I hope to make up for with a more concise story, perhaps even taking into account the choices in background for your characters.

As an added perk, instead of starting out with no dinos and having to tame them in-game via a random encounter table as per the original idea, we can just discuss beforehand what creatures any of you would like to have tamed already, under certain restrictions of course. There will of course be more opportunities to fit in some taming into the story, especially when it comes to the "higher tier" creatures.

I am curious to know if this new approach appeals to you guys, especially the three of you, @RedXIII, @Dark Cloud, and @seanmcchapman. Let me know if you're still interested in being a part of something like this.

On the other hand, if anyone else would like more information on Assault Ogre or Astral Nexus, then I'll accommodate as best I can.

1x1 role-play! Open!

Hello there. I hope you've been enjoying your time at the Guild so far.

If I may make a suggestion that may help you along. The "1x1 Roleplay" section is more a space for roleplays already in progress. What you have here is essentially a "1x1 Interest Check", the page for such posts can be located here. I hope that makes sense.

Sorry if you would have rather I PM'd you instead. I thought it'd help just in case others wanted to say more or less the same thing. Have a good one.

A Wannabe GM's Roleplay Selection: What RP Should I Make For The New Year?

@seanmcchapman
Ha ha, very funny. XP

Even if this proto-IC doesn't get much traction, I could see myself working on these ideas now and again. Projects A & C might start out as 1x1s, but for Durango I might dabble with making a functioning game map first of all (something I've never done before but it could make for some nice experience).

A Wannabe GM's Roleplay Selection: What RP Should I Make For The New Year?

@RedXIII@seanmcchapman@Blackmist16
Thanks for the comments guys. I honestly wasn't expecting Durango to receive so much support right out of the gate, being from a really niche mobile game and all. On the other hand, mech-based RPs do come around pretty often, and I suppose there is plenty more uncertainty involved with a space opera. Really I'd be pretty glad to happen by an RP with dinosaurs that wasn't JP/JW related too.

A Wannabe GM's Roleplay Selection: What RP Should I Make For The New Year?

Hello anyone who happens to catch this early stage IC of mine.

I've been on this site for a decent amount of time now, but while I've attempted joining the occasional group RP, I could never really last for very long, whether I ultimately become unable to keep up with it or otherwise find that I couldn't see myself being a part of the campaign in the long term. In the end, I may yet only be able to follow through with RPs that I lead myself. That's definitely something I'd like to find out in the not too distant future.

Of course, I hope it's understandable enough that before I proceed with the work needed to make that happen, I would first want to know which of my concepts and idea, if any, will have enough interest behind it to make it worth the effort. Below are three projects that I feel comfortable enough to bring to everyone's attention, those that I could possibly see being expanded to the scope of a group RP, though of course only one can be worked on at a time.

And so, I'd appreciate it if you guys could let me know what you would like me to develop into a full RP over the course of the new year. As the chosen project develops further, I'll probably have a better idea of how many players I could accept, but for now it might be safe to expect openings of about 5 - 10 for each (though it is entirely possible that I end up taking proactive measures to avoid becoming overwhelmed as I have been in the past).

With that in mind, I expect the interest from those of you kind enough to engage with this thread to drop off by at least half by the time the chosen RP is ready. So if nothing else, I'd like to gauge the level of interest these concepts will get on a random day. And if this IC fails to get the sort of attention I feel is necessary, then I'll know that these ideas of mine probably aren't meant for group RPs. Kind of a shame, but the important thing is that I know now rather than later.

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Project Selection

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Project A

Assault Ogre Online _{│Tactical Shooter & Piloting VRMMO in a Modern-ish Age│}

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Potential RP Tags ▌Casual ▬ Sci-Fi ▬ Military ▬ Slice of Life ▬ Anime/Manga▐

Okay so in short, I'm aiming for a combination of Gun Gale Online, Titanfall, and Armored Core as far as the "VR game" part of the RP is concerned. Now the Armored Core influence is key when it comes to what to expect from the "gameplay loop", shall we say. In so many words, the RP will center around a special competitive event to commemorate the release of the titular VRMMO, an event separated into successive "rounds", each one taking place on different days.

Now I can't promise that this won't end in a tournament to determine the ultimate victor, but for the most part, the game map will encompass an entire planet, wherein participants will take on missions (likely one per "round") as freelancers amid an ongoing conflict among NPC factions, all the while building up their gear and honing their skills to meet other competitors in combat. Adapt to survive, form alliances, and become the last pilot standing - that whole thing.

The thought of making this stat heavy has crossed my mind and might be something I pursue further if interests in general push in that direction. But for the first version of this game, I'll be aiming for a quick and easy-to-manage approach to weaponry, defenses and abilities on the part of pilots and their mechs, or at least as close as I can arrange.

Project B

Durango: Pioneers _{│Survivors Journeying Within a World of Ancient Beasts│}

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Potential RP Tags ▌Casual ▬ Advanced ▬ Fandom ▬ Modern ▬ Ancient▐

This could be seen as a pseudo-tribute to the most interesting mobile game I've never played, and will never be able to, this one here. Now I'm not going to straight up call it an isekai, but I will say that the premise centers around people across the world coming into contact with a strange spacial phenomenon and finding themselves trapped in a primitive world filled with dinosaurs (essentially).

I don't claim any critical knowledge of paleontology at all, but the moment I became privy to the existence of the Zebraceratops, I've been having doubts as to the game's scientific accuracy. It's not that I'm complaining, and in fact I have no desire to stick feathers where they accurately should be. That does however raises the question: How much "fantasy" should be tolerated in approaching creature concepts. This is certainly something I'd like to discuss before committing to any of the more abnormal beasts players may come across.

At one point, there were a fair amount of gamey mechanics I would have liked to make a part of the RP, such as a map to facilitate open-ended travel, and character skills/inventory/equipment. Finding that sweet spot between engaging depth and overly complicated slog would be the key. There is plenty to be said however, for keeping things simple, especially if we want the project to be completed quicker. Let me know what you guys prefer.

Project C

Astral Nexus _{│Adventure and Intrigue Across an Ocean of Stars│}

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Potential RP Tags ▌Casual ▬ Sci-Fi ▬ Superhero ▬ Future ▬ Anime/Manga▐

This idea sort of sprang up from noticing a lack of anime sci-fi/sci-fantasy RPs when compared to straight fantasy, as well as just a general interest in an outlet for interesting character (occasionally alien) concepts. With that in mind, I'm cautiously optimistic in saying that if all goes smoothly, I might be able to afford offering the particularly industrious players a way to submit their own playable races to inhabit the universe. I'll likely set limits on how many submissions I can accept, along with parameters as to where these cultures will fit into the wider setting.

Well as you could probably guess with "Anime/Manga" being one of the tags, the science involved in world-building is gonna be pretty soft when all is said and done. Expect some fairly ludicrous phenomenon to explain away what makes the universe work (possibly even including super-human abilities), but applied consistently enough so that everyone knows generally what to expect in most circumstances.

What inspired my interest in an RP of this kind was actually the game Infinite Space for my original DS as well as the more recent FTL. I'm interested in a more character driven story, revolving around a crew of individuals finding common cause in a heroic mission. I intend for the ship to be customizable and upgradable as the group progresses, to suit their method of meeting the challenges set before them on their voyage. It's tempting to say that "choices will matter" when it comes to how the group interacts with the elements they come across, but dynamics like that can only come from proper implementation on my part. I will give it a shot however.

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I hope that even what little information I was able to muster for each project was enough for you guys to at least approach a decision, but I'll try and entertain questions as best I can, even if/when a project is chosen. Thanks for reading this far, guys. Feel free to let me know what you think and have a nice day. Oh right, also Happy New Year.

Mangrale's Miscellaneous Character Showcase

I might as well update this thing. It's probably a bad idea, but it's hardly the worst one out there given current events. Also, the above "bumps" are still largely relevant, so consider those if nothing else.

I'll get to any offers that come my way sometime tomorrow. Later guys.