The Search for Fuel

If you're anything like me, then you are constantly on a search for the perfect gaming drink. No matter who you are, if you do any extensive gaming at all then you can agree that nutrient intake is all but essential to the experience. Over time my tastes have changed. I used to consume vast quantities of diet soda, and sometimes still do, but since I usually play in the wee hours of the morning that caffeine consumption is not conducive to sleep before work/class/errands/life. Sometimes I drink instant cappuccinos (very high in caffeine) while other times it is Sprite or some other caffeine free soda. In the most recent months I've taken to keeping a supply of those sparkling, flavored waters in the fridge for such occasions. Today I thought I'd share my most recent addition to the list - custom teas. Generally I'm a big fan of English Breakfast, Lady Grey, Earl Grey, and Black Current teas. Every once in a while though they get old. A few weeks ago I discovered an old teabag of Hazelnut Vanilla tea in the corner of my cabinet. Once the flavor-of-the-moment a couple of years back, no one apparently makes this flavor anymore so I began to look for custom sites. Above is my most recent order from Design a Tea. The current cup of Amaretto Strawberry is pretty awesome, but I don't know if this is the next incarnation of gaming fuel yet. Allow me a few more cups and then maybe a decision can be reached.

DA:O - A Cursed Past

The Lady of the Forest is not amused.

Perra and Friends wandered into the Brecilian Forest last night, and in doing so encountered the Dalish. Since this major leg of the game was completed all at once, this shall be a longer, image heavy post. Of the four and a half main quests in Dragon Age that of the Brecilian Forest is perhaps my second favorite. My first would be the search for Andraste's Ashes. I don't care for the Ruined Temple, but an inexplicable affinity for the Gauntlet certainly exists. (I'm not certain that the quest for Andraste's Ashes can really be considered a main quest, but it is too long to be a side quest. Since it is essential to story progression, it is the "half" here.) Of all the main quests, this one is cloaked in the most in shades of grey. While certain decisions are clearly "good" or "bad," depending on your outlook, there is no true winner no matter what you decide to do. As an individual I love it when things are white and black, but grey storytelling is all the more compelling since it reflects reality. Ask me sometime about CDProjektRED's The Witcher. Now there is a game you can't win. No matter what path you take there are always unintended consequences. That, however, is another discussion for another day.  

As before, spoilers follow so continue reading at your own risk.

The Sega Genesis

Growing up the only system I ever owned (and even then it belonged to one of my siblings) was the Sega Masters system. From diaper wearing basketball players to Hang On, there are a lot of fond memories attached to that console. To this day my family still makes fun of the umpire from Great Baseball who cried "Faaa!" every time someone hit a foul ball. My next door neighbor had the 1st gen Gameboy, NES, SNES and subsequent Nintendo systems, but something I never had a chance to play was the Sega Genesis. Maybe it's due to my recent acquisition of Greatest Hits: Sonic Mega Collection Plus for the PS2. Perhaps it is due to a recent bout of retro nostalgia brought on by over indulgence in AVGN reruns. Whatever the case, I currently possess a burning desire to finally purchase the Genesis 1 and lock myself away for a caffeine fueled marathon. Practicality and grad school time restrictions dictate that this shall have to wait, but that doesn't mean that it won't happen. Consider it part of my non-existent bucket list.

Image: ars technica

DA:O - Amusing Oddities

Every once in a while I run across items or names in Dragon Age that make me chuckle. Below are a couple of ones that caught my eye during the last week or so.

Find this in the Caverns while searching for Andraste's Ashes

Dragon Egg - This is one of those "say what?" moments. You loot the dragon egg expecting to receive a baby dragon or the egg itself. Instead you discover Lifedrinker and a Small Clear Ice Crystal. What kind of magic is this? Even more to the point, what kind of logic does this make? Open egg, receive jewelry. Did you ever read that French fairy tale The Blue Bird where a princess comes into the possession of four magical eggs? One of her eggs contained a coach pulled by mice and another contained a chariot pulled by birds. That is what this egg makes me think of.

(The Ice Crystal only appears because I have the Stone Prisoner DLC installed. I do not remember what is in its place when Stone Prisoner is not activated ... if there is anything else at all.)

Loot from a chest in the Village of Honnleath (Stone Prisoner DLC)

Olaf's Prized Cheese Knife - This dagger is a source of never ending amusement for me. Not only is it the oddest looking cheese knife you will ever meet, but Olaf apparently loved this "knife" so much that he locked it away in a random chest and let someone else keep the key on their person. Oh yeah ... that villager's dead and Perra had no problems with looting his body.

Purchase this armor from Legnar in the Orzammar Commons

Shadow of the Empire - Purchasing this armor unlocks the Codex Entry "Shadow of the Empire" which reads

The Crows of Antiva may be the most famous and most expensive of Thedas's assassins, but they are not the most active. That dubious honor belongs to the Shadows of the Emperor, the personal cadre of killers employed by the throne of Orlais. This armor was made for use by the Shadows whenever the Grand Game should wander out of hand.

Dragon Age lore aside, however, we all know what this armor's name alludes to. Stuck? I'll give you a hint.

DA:O - The Cure, the King, and the Bloodmage

By the grace of Andraste be healed!

So here's the deal. Since I suddenly had demands on my time, not a lot happened the other night except the healing of Arl Eamon. The Sacred Ashes (surprise!) worked and the healing scene was followed by interactive conversations sandwiched between extended cut scenes. Even though this sequence involved very little actual playtime, the cut scenes imparted a good deal of plot advancing information. The minimal conversation also wrapped up Jowan's mini subplot. This post will be shorter than others since I've just a few thoughts to impart, but the next post will follow our heroes as they enter the Brecilian Forest.

 For the moment though, here there be spoilers so read at your own risk.

DA:O - Here There Be Dragons and a Dwarf Reborn

So ... dragons. I'm thinking they're significant, yes?

Perra's quest for the Urn of Sacred Ashes comes to an end. Surprisingly, this search for a human religious artifact forces her to reflect on the dwarven life she's left behind and who her future self will be.

It goes without saying, but spoilers follow so continue at your own risk.

Zork - The Old is Made New

The Zork Anthology is now available on GOG.com for $5.99! What a great way to finally have these text based classics on your modern computer while supporting a fantastic company.

It comes with the following:

- Zork I, Zork II, Zork III, Beyond Zork, Zork Zero, and Planetfall

- 2 manuals

- 7 additional documents

- 5 maps

The game is available for purchase here

Image: GOG.com