The spirit of Lao'Jin Grand Master Shaof told Velea and I of two more masters that we needed to see along our conjoined paths of redemption and learning, but this came with a warning as well, "Your path to understanding Jin is almost complete. Only two tests remain. In the hills to our east lie two Jin masters, waiting to give you your final tests. What you have been through up to this point will seem trivial. These masters will test every fiber of your being – pushing your strength, intelligence, wit, and resolve to their breaking points."

"Master Garu will test your faith. Master Ashaine will show you the true nature of Jin. Return to me when both tests are complete."

Read more »

Our training with the Lao'Jin masters had led Velea and I to Master Kaol on the outskirts of Tanvu, where he awaited evacuees from the Ghost Wind Academy in order to quietly integrate them into city life. When we approached him he cautioned us to be careful in the city where the Emperor had taken up residence and his troops abounded, and Ra'Jin warriors looked to eradicate practitioners of Lao'Jin. He left us with some cryptic advice, "In order to complete your training, you will need to seek out the true masters. Take some time and explore the city, carefully. When you are ready for your final tests, head out of the city to the abandoned hotel in the south. You will know what to look for. Good luck, and be careful."

Read more »

I started out with Vanguard when the preorder folks went live. Things were a little buggy as far as social server going up and down constantly, but I always figure you're taking your chances with a brand new game release.

I did okay with the initial quests. I'm a human sorcerer in kind of an arabian culture. I think the main city is Khal (I hope I'm spelling that right).

I started playing mainly (okay only) because my husband has been so excited about Vanguard and he abandoned me in WoW. I picked my character based on his starting character choice so at least we could try and adventure together.

My first complaint, and this is a huge issue for me, is that it's so freaking dark! I mean I'm getting eyestrain trying to see (and yes, I do have my torch turned on). If I could figure out how to brighten up my monitor without hurting it I would do that. And the day to night cycle seems to happen fairly quickly. I feel like I've barely had any daylight and then it's night again. Grrrrr.

My second big issue didn't happen until I reached level 7 and there started to be a death penalty. I respawn at the altar just fine, but my gear is all at a tombstone in BFN. Let me get this straight. I'm fighting something (with all my armor and gear) and it beats the crap out of me and kills me. Now I get to run back to where it killed me, naked and unarmed, and try my luck again. Who's idea of fun was this? Body run can be bad enough. Body run naked and unarmed is just sadistic. Yes, I know you can get little baubles to soulbind gear to travel with you, but I'm not exactly rich as a starting character.

I have somewhat enjoyed the crafting mini game. I started out as an artisan but got frustrated with trying to find resources and not getting killed. I switched to tailor and took cloth gathering and skinning. I figured (rightly) that skinning is a multitask operation. I get adventuring xp for killing the critter and crafting xp for stealing it's hide.

I have been dabbling a bit in diplomacy. It's definitely different. I wish I could figure a way to get more cards. Some of the early quests I've gotten I have not been able to get past. I've gained some experience in the meantime so I suppose I need to hunt up the people and give it another try.

I haven't been thrilled so far, but I'm going to keep trying in the name of marital harmony (either that or find another hunting buddy in WoW).

I will say that so far my experience with the community has been reasonably good - except for all that dang WoW bashing in general chat.

Velea and I lay on the top of the grassy bluff, overlooking the narrow strand between the agitated ocean and the rocky cliff protecting Tanvu from the worst of the weather. Beside us in the wind-whipped grass lay a Lao'Jin refugee and a pair of full sacks. Directly below us was a house, hidden from view from most of the top of the cliff. Just off shore lay a dragon boat riding high at close anchor. One of the boats that I remember well, having been transported in one just like it to Sheng Village such a short time ago. Clearly visible in front of the house was a battle between monks fighting in two different styles.

Read more »

Master Tallon Darkfist stood before Velea and I upon the sandy banks of the estuary opposite from the port city of Tanvu staring across the water at the governor's mansion that the Emperor had taken over for his own residence less than a year before. In his hands he held a scrap of parchment with the last words of a Lao'Jin monk killed by a kojuko manhunter on the roof of a nearby monastery. The chilly winter winds roared down the estuary making his robe and the scrap of parchment flutter. "The kojuko must be stopped, but first we have much training to do. The path to Lao'Jin is a long and difficult one, and I must see you further along it before I set you to cleansing this area of the kojuko infestation."

Read more »

Master Fhungusu and Master Kanjaro had set my feet upon the path of redemption, to give me the opportunity to cleanse my chi of the stain it had incurred while following the commands of my superiors in the Imperial Army. It was up to me to make the effort to change, however, and the first step was learning humility. I went around the small village in little more than my underthings serving the inhabitants of Dellerjuba Village with my martial skills. The sea breezes, especially after I took a swim in the cold waters of the estuary to find a lost heirloom, reminded me of how bare I was before the Masters, and that the shield of the Empire which I had hid my actions behind had been removed. After taking these first steps, Master Kanjaro introduced me to Velea, another on the same path as I, and sent the two of us off to find Oki, a young student of Jin whom he believed could give us some insight as we chose our paths.

Read more »

In case you hadn't heard, well, crawl out from under whatever winter blanket you've been hiding under, and drag it down to your computer, because you're about to miss out. Vanguard has been released. My hope is that you pre-ordered, because rumor has it that stores are already running out of copies. And I have to say that I'm not surprised in the least. I'm totally hooked, and have been since playing back in beta. Let me explain why.

Read more »

The wind started by Master Fhungusu in Sheng Monastery brought the salty tang sea air to my nose and goosebumps to my bare legs, arms, and midriff from where my Imperial armor had been removed. The redolent odor of dead fish suddenly assaulted my nose, letting me know I wasn't in Sheng Village any longer. Suddenly, the physical and psychic wind Master Fhungusu had created subsided and my muscles that had locked at his nerve touch released their control of my body.

I opened my eyes. I was in a small village on the ocean, with buildings that looked weather-tight, but unfinished and not yet silvered with age. Sheds had completed roofs, but no walls or doors yet, and paths had not yet been laid from building to building. In front of me was a woman in peasant clothing: boots, trousers, and a homespun shirt.

Read more »