I've discovered that the trick about quitting your job so that you'll have more time to work on your own projects (the "great American novel," a new boat, or -- as in my case -- a comic book) is that everyone that you know says, "hey, you don't have a job, why don't you come give me a hand doing >insert diversion task here< for little or no money. In my case, the activity of my social life is inversely proportional to my economic income.

On a very related note, I took to watching T.J. Hooker seasons 1 & 2 on DVD this week. Hooker represents the golden years (cue tv host Tom Massie: "GoooOOOOOoooold!") of Shatner television. The character of Hooker is somewhere between Dirty Harry and Joe Friday; a television recycling of the high-water points of previous TV cops into a confusing mess of ideology and practice. Hooker is a walking cliche: a "tough-as-nails" ex-soldier turned cop who left his cushy detective desk job to return to the mean streets of the unnamed "L.C." city as a beat cop with a rogue streak and a rookie partner. Confusingly, these beat cops spend more time solving major crimes (snipers, stalkers, gun runners, and other common television crime cases) than the plain-clothes detectives of the uncommonly mundane named "Academy Precinct." Shatner pulls it off with aplomb. If you've not seen it yet, get to it, cadet!

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More site updates. The art pages should be linking now, and I've updated the blog pages to include text from the previous 2 years of Wriphe.com. (Just in case anyone wanted to read my old wisdom; remember: wisdom doesn't get old, just the people who have it do.)

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I just returned home from my trip to Canton, Ohio, where Dan "The Greatest Quarterback of All Time" Marino was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. We were surrounded by thousands of Dolphins fans wearing Marino jerseys. The level of fanaticism was almost creepy.

We drove through Amish country to get there. I was really quite surprised to see that there is still such a high demand for carriage & buggy shops. When you think about it, they are already compliant with President Bush's new energy plan, so maybe they are ahead of the game, not a more than a century behind it. (Vote Amish in 2008! They are no strangers to federal government; look at C. Everrett Koop.)

In fact, the Amish may be one of the last reamining groups that someone can carelessly insult on the internet. They certainly aren't going to find out what you flamed them about.

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I had intentionally been ignoring this page because the new site was in the works. But then my mother came to town, and then football season started, and then GTA:San Andreas came out.... I do have my priorities, you know.

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The campaign moves along, eating my time. Both parties have done well, and I look forward to killing them all off, one by one.
Whoops. Forget I just said that.

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Central Trekgal - Upon King Gondarm's death in 434 CKC, Central Hurst annexed Trekgal into one nation under rule of King Erwin of Central Hurst. The new nation, called Central Trekgal, is by far the largest kingdom in the Central Kingdom, causing a great deal of concern among political watchdogs for the area's balance of power. The annexation led directly to Sewert declaring independence as a nation with the support of Arayis and Hartgrove.

North Hurst - King Wingard Hurst carries on the generations of hatred against his cousins in Central Trekgal. Now even more than before, the Hursts of North Hurst feel betrayed and rejected by their southern relatives. Their persecution complex has led to extreme fortifications made along the kingdom's borders. Travelers agree that North Hurst is the least friendly kingdom in the area.

Ranaloy - Ranaloy has remained an out-of-the-way and largely ignored nation since birthing the Thorgillian crisis. Kierrie Artphalen, AKA Aliam Halverick, brother-in-law of previous King Grath, assumed the throne peacefully after the wizard Trafar retired as governor in 419 CKC. The mountain kingdom has quietly prospered in the years since.

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Hatrtgrove - In 418, the ailing King Ryan held an open tournament to determine his successor. Though Baron Lustre the Fierce won the tournament, King Ryan declared the runner-up, a little-known wanderer named Ruurk, King of Hartgrove. King Ruurk has for years since held a tournament each year, reportedly in honor of his benefactor (although rumors widely-circulate that the mysterious Ruurk is instead searching for a particular unknown combatant).

Westin - Westin has thrived for years as Vincenton has grown in prominence. Now among the premier port cities on Arcland, if not the world, Vincenton has attracted fabulous wealth as chief supplier for the underground markets in Sewert. Still governed by the tradesmen's guilds, the wild city of the Central Kingdom has earned its reputation for attracting the ''undesirables'' forced out of other Central Kingdom nations.

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Spint - It has taken Spint many years to recover from the death of their Queen during mysterious circumstances at the end of the Thorgillian War. The war left a lasting mark on the political landscape of the country, as greedy dukes and counts vied for the throne in open courts and battlefields and backroom deals. At last, through the influence of neighbors Arayis and Hartgrove, nobleman Lord Luther Cerviax, son of the previous Vice Chairman of the Central Kingdom, took the throne for good. King Cerviax moved the capital to Durtik where his political allies can protect him from further hostile action by jealous rivals.

Lansin - Nortimer Yearsef was proclaimed King of Lansin on his 14th birthday in 423. As promised, Roman Stoop steps down as both Regent and High Priest of Pelor on the same day. Young Nortimer publicly excuses Stoop for his actions in the Thorgillian War 8 years ago, but the reputation of the Church of Pelor has already suffered greatly. Priest Verner of Arayis is named as High Priest but leaves the headquarters of the Church in Lansin, the last kingdom in the Central Kingdoms officially devoted to Pelor by the grace of King Yearsef.

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DnD 2004 -- In the 40 years since the Thorgillian Wars, Sewert has expanded dramatically under the leadership of Ico the Impossible. From the decimated remains of Apocalypse Night, the city has grown to the largest land-locked city on the entire continent. Ico's encompassing anti-magic dome is largely responsible for restoring the citizens' faith in their urban home's safety. Thanks in no small part to the leadership and knowledge of the millennia-displaced Ico, Sewert leads the civilized world in technological advancement. Considered a marvel of the modern world, Sewert is a shining beacon for humanity.

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IMPORTANT -- Homecoming returning characters should be level 21. New characters will start at level 15. Sidekick characters are to be level 12. IF you have questions, contact me. If I don't hear from you with your character by Monday, 12/22, I'll assume that you are not playing.

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