Howl's Moving Castle - Absolute Perfection from Studio Ghibli

Howl's Moving Castle(100/100) 

This is my very close second favorite Studio Ghibli movie. It has wizards, witches and wars. Everything you could want in a movie. Beautiful scenery and exciting magic...also some very interesting life lessons to be learned. Howl's Moving Castle has a easy to follow storyline that most children will be able to follow and love. If you are not a child don't worry about getting too bored because the storyline is intense enough to keep everyone of all age groups interested.


This is truly a magical tale about two people who fall in love.



A quick summery:
The story starts out with a young girl who is a hat maker. Unfortunately it seems she happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time...however after you watch the movie a few times you will realize her fate gets tied into that of Howl's and the entire storyline is destined to happen over and over and over again. The young hat maker is closing up her shop when an ugly woman enters the place and curses the young girl so she will eventually meet up with Howl and deliver a letter.
The moving castle itself doesn't look much like a castle at all but a sort of run down collection of buildings on moving legs. As we proceed through the movie we learn the castle is magical and being held together mostly by the power of a fire demon who has made a deal with master Howl.
The wizard in question is fighting both sides of the war trying to make the senseless struggle end. He has at least two aliases and two places of residence in either of the major cities that are at war. He eventually gets called to serve in the war for both sides.

Eventually he keeps pushing his magical skills too far and turns into a massive raven when he fights off the battleships. After too much longer the storyline gets a little tangled and you will have to see it to believe
 it....so I certainly suggest watching this movie.

At the very end of the movie we get a glimpse of his new and improved moving castle....if you are like me then seeing castle in the sky is something only in dreams.

Spirited Away a Studio Ghibli Film

My third favorite and most recent film. Directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki released in July 2001 spirited away is a tale about a little girl who wanders into a land full of spirits and gods. No surprise here Miyazaki usually uses a young girl as the heroine to his stories...generally in disarray and surrounded by something chaotic.



 

The story starts out with a small family of three. An over manly father, a little dainty wife and their little girl. The father apparently got a new job in a new town so the family just got uprooted and moved. They apparently get lost trying to find their new home...and imagine that the father decides to take a path through the woods that he thought was a shortcut....He starts to drive faster and faster until he has to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting a statue.
The statue is is front of the entrance to a tunnel...a tunnel that leads to an abandoned amusement park. Its truly a beautiful place. The adults decide to explore while the little girl screams in protest. Eventually they start walking down a street with vending shops on either side. There is no one around, but food is laid out on counters. The adults start to stuff themselves with no regard, but the little girl does not want to anything to do with the food. Her parents wont hear anything of it and they keep eating and eating the father even says "Don't worry Daddy's got cash and credit cards."...how American of him. The little girls goes off to investigate a while more. She discovers a bridge leading to a large building, and there is smoke billowing out a large stack. There she meets another boy, who looks human, who tells her "You shouldn't be here" ...she goes back to find her parents have turned into large pigs and there are odd spirits working all of the little shops. There are lights being light and the sun is setting...the little girl, Chihiro, races back to the tunnel but there is a vast sea of water separating her from the human world.
Chihiro starts to freak out and begins to turn transparent. The boy she met earlier, Haku, appears to help her by giving her a small piece of food form the spirit world.






Chihiro has wandered into the world of the spirits, more specifically a bath house where spirits of all sorts are able to rejuvenate. If she wants to stay in the spirit world she must get a job at the bathhouse, which is owned by a very mean witch named Yubaba. Chihiro has to sign her name away in order to get the job, everyone who works for Yubaba has to sign their name away...that is how they are all controlled.
Chihiro has a few minor adventures after that....she lets in a mysterious spirit called "no face", she frees a great river spirit from pollution and she falls in love with Haku. Eventually she even gets her parents back, they of course have no idea what happened during the time they were pigs.

Ravage Approved: Disc Golf ...what is "discing" or better yet "frolfing"?

According to Wiki

Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000 established disc golf courses as of 2010, approximately 87% are free. The game is played in the United States and more than 20 other countries around the world.

This game does not take strength but steady fluid motion and patience. I usually only throw three different disks, however I have up to nine in my bag. There are all kinds of disks...and I believe here shortly I may help new players to find the proper disk

I will be starting somewhere in Ames Iowa...

Once Upon a Time I had an Idea for a Game

The Main Outline for this game can be found at the link below..

Ravage Ritual the Outline

Game Outline made by Micheal Williamson. If you've got question he can help check out  

Micheal's Blog

The world will be set up as follows: Armageddon has cast the world into peril past the point of destruction. Out of the ashes colonies have come together in order to rebuild and start anew...unfortunately order has no chance to guide the world. Beast of all sorts have gotten stronger than humans could have ever anticipated....Fractions have sprouted up to put order back in its proper place however other groups have banded together to make sure that same order will never again come to rule...

Fire Empire: This is where the Mechanical Warriors will come from. This is the militaristic empire of the world. This is also where players can access a bank to hide/transfer/spend their money. It will also be the location of the virtual office for the stock exchange. This is obviously the strongest safest place...and most coveted out of all the regions. The population of the fire empire will be maintained and citizenship will not be easy to gain...however this is the location where all the money can be kept safe....an evil necessity.

Water World: Salmon...Tuna....Sharks....Pirates mostly. This area will be a good place to farm for everything....meaning its easy to get EXP, Rare Items, Crazy Mobs, Fast Cash however....Pirate NPCs will attack you often. Illegal items/Controlled items will be found and made here.

Lawlessness will rein supreme in these areas. This area will also be the larges on the map based on the fact that its the Ocean.

Desert:  Rogue's can gain great knowledge from hanging out here.This is a harsh climate where little grows but there are still plenty of things to be found...difficult things to come by for sure and the best place to find spare parts. If you think you are going to be a builder of anything you should think about getting into the desert. The place all electronics go to die...the sand hides secrets and harsh enemies. There will be medium control here...only in areas where players can interact with other players will there be an occasional Fire World NPC to enforce. The sand does not cover much of the map however an oasis has sprung up deep in the desert.

Skies:For those of us with wings. The skies are a regions of great tectonic collision. Massive mountain chains have scarred the landscape. This region is a cold wasteland with dangerous Mobs however gaining access will allow a user to get to other regions secretly. Towns have popped up on mountain sides at important junctions. It just so happens that Fire NPC's are not really allowed here and there is little else know about the lofty hideouts. Hunters may find it necessary to search this place.

Forest: The rest of the land will be covered in areas of varying vegetation and foliage. All sorts of wonderful things grow here...this is will be the place most of the new people will hang out before they can gain entrance to any other region. Pine forest near the mountains to a jungle rain forest by the sea. A place every adventurer has quests and plenty of mobs to kill...There will be a few areas where users can team up and take down an instance together...All sorts of magic users will gain knowledge from this area. 

After you download the game and register a new character you enter the game and there is a little cut scene...(camera from above so the player watches his character fall and then a command prompts the user.
"Where will you land?" at this point you are given like 4 different responses
-Water
-Hard Earth
-Snow
-Trees/Plants
-Nothing

Depending on the response the the question the character will begin to be generated....he lands upon one of the four choices. Gets up slowly and in whatever environment he lands in he begins to wander and gets swarmed by some tiny insects/fish/bugs/blobs or whatever and he/she will get another command prompt
"What will you do?"
-Run/swim/climb
-Fight
-Give Up
-Hide

And so on for a little longer....eventually our user will get knocked out and someone will come to save him/her unfortunately the new player has passed out.
We come back in with our new character lying in bed all bandaged up...there is a mysterious NPC lurking about...There is more chatter for the player to create a name and get the most important items in the game.
Okay so here is where I start talking about the good stuff...the stuff which will separate Ravage Ritual from all other games. These next few items are a must have for this game to work as I wish it to...

Every player starts off with 1 noob bag and 1 noob book along with his soulbound item he received from answering the questions.

New Player Items:

The noob bag: This is just a small bag that can only hold a few items. Bigger and better bags can be made or bought of course. Through the in game currency trading system. Some boss mobs may drop a bag or instructions explaining how to make bags...
The noob book: The book is to record the users progress in learning new combat/magic/ranged/close quarter whatever. The noob book is very small and cannot hold much progress so our user must complete some quests to obtain a bigger book...also he/she will have to locate the trainer to learn more about skills...aka how to upgrade them or other ones available at his/her level.

The command prompt device: The best piece is what is really important. It will be the medium for the player to interact with the world he has fallen into. The soul bound item will be specific to character class and specialty. However for the first release there may be only one or two classes (warrior/ranged) with the elemental specialty you can potentially make anything from healer to assassin.
The item will actually be represented as the command window for a computer...maybe a little more user friendly with some tabs to look at inventory, maps, equipment, talent tree, but the best part will be the "learn" tab. This is where players will have to collect letters/runes/glyphs and input them in a correct sequence to gain knowledge of certain skills. Once knowledge is acquired then the player can transfer the command to his/her book and use the new command in the world.
Example:   The first quest will get the player ready for this sort of command entering system...he/she will have to kill some bugs or rodents but when you walk in the door the rats/bugs start attacking you and you've got no commands memorized your noob book is empty and you die quickly....you pop back up next the the NPC who gave you the quest....he apologizes and then the player gets a run down on how to copy the command to his/her book so it can be used in combat. First command the person learns is simply "Hit". So you go and own those rodents/bug and accumulate a few new letters and some new colored stones. These are how players will learn new things, get exp, and attribute points to be used when he/she levels up. 

A few noob quests will follow and after the user gets an idea of how things work he/she will chose a region of the world. All places will be pretty much free to join except for the Fire Nation. In order to get into the fire nation there will be a secret code only given to those deserving.
After some other regional specific quests the user will then be granted citizenship and begin to obtain resources and prosper as the region prosper.
At that point the user can either go exploring, create a base, form an alliance, or simply search for other bases and players to attack.


...there are too many legal issues to deal with

The life of the ravaged

If you are like me then you have just recently graduated from college (1 or 2 years) and are currently looking for a job. The search goes on and on....resumes go out to every business in your field. Weeks and weeks pass with no call back or interview. The debt you racked up is sitting like a mountain over your head with no way to make money to pay your bills...the world looks like a ravaged war zone.

However there is always hope. Keep trying...keep sending out resumes and calling the companies you want to work for...keep at it everyday. Don't waste time trying to make a change in the world...just realize the world is much bigger than yourself and you must find your place like an ant in a colony.

Eventually you will get an interview...and hopefully a second interview. Unfortunately you will run into snags at every corner and nothing can change that however everyday the sun will rise. Hopefully you have people in your life who love you and will help you in your struggle.

Back Alley Merchant: Santa Set (8) brand new in box

Back Alley Merchant has for sale today a Set of Santa Clause 8 pieces in original box and brand new.

Email me at RAVAGE for more information and payment details. 

For this lot I have a mint condition collection. Eight original Santa Clause piece set still in the box. For the Santa lover in every family...keep everyone in high spirits with this very rare collection.

Get this item soon before it is too late.

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The next day the rain will fall...this is the seventh video log

Here we have as the title describes...the seventh video log. I am not sure yet but I feel as though I may have to start keeping video logs of different times in my life. This whole set is from a troubled time in my life and I have found much more peace since then.

Especially now that I am without job....I could not be any more happy. My life has been a small struggle over the past few months...anyhow

When I got home from work there was a dog in my room!!!

I got a call from April while I was at work...she told me there was going to be a dog in my room...

Her name is Sammy and she is very well mannered. I took her to my favorite park and went exploring a bit....

Ravge Lifesytle...video log number four

 

Here we have another example of what my life was like a while ago...currently it is crazy and I am not able to post often.

Don't worry I am still on the search to better my knowledge in gaming and development....the ritual cannot stop now. This blog is my flagship as of now so I do my best to keep current...thanks for following.

Technique of the Dragons

 

I had a major ninja phase for a while...and I still do stick to the ultimate ninja secret of sneaking around and ambushing people, however I have stopped practicing. I still do have plenty of paraffin so I could probably find some opportunity in the future. 

Next on the path for the ravaged ones...learn the language

More and more people are joining with me to complete an ultimate goal. This video game must be revolutionary...a breath of fresh air to the world. People will have to learn to get better at this game...

What language am I going to use?
This question is difficult to answer because I frankly have no idea....I was actually planning on using an engine that needed not much more than a few points and clicks of the mouse. I will not learn anything making a video game this way....and it does not seem like I will find anyone who can volunteer their time for free. No one really seems to be willing to help me write up the code....
How can I blame anyone...I expect to ask a few nerds to script for me a while and pay them some change. Welcome to the real world ravag3 ...no one has free time for me even if it is paid.

There is only one thing to do...I said the idea of this game will be to learn and gain more knowledge. It looks like the only way to achieve anything would be to learn the language myself....
Python mabe
C
C++
who knows...take a peak at Java a while....
I do know a little HTML but that is not much help....
I will have to start at the beginning and hope to learn the tricks along the way.....

stay posted for more

The game and the Ravage continue!

There truly is no rest for the wicked in this life or the next for that matter...you will currently find me hustling all day long trying to scratch something together to initiate the ritual!
When I fall asleep at night I often wander in my imaginary virtual world that does not exist quite yet and I imagine how much better it could be and how it should all work. I am pretty sold on the idea of different regions with different fighters and different resources.
I am looking for better sites like GURU to post my project...I did not get a very good reply last time I posted the project but that was when all my thoughts were scattered and broken. Now with the help of plenty generous people I have a better idea of what I am standing up against. The nature of the beast is revealed in time.
It is about time I begin making additional pages for characters and regions...

Any help with character classes would be great. I need to make like 3 different classes; warrior, ranged and magic for the beginning each with strengths and weaknesses to keep things balanced.


Time for me to get back to work....keep with me to watch the ritual unfold.

Another day in the real world

It has been too long since I have had any news or updates for the story of Ravage. It seems working two jobs really takes the fight out of the dog. No matter I will be getting pay checks this Friday and that will make me quite happy. Only a few more months at this pace and I will have pulled myself out of debt. Once I can get out then I can really start to get a fund going for the game.

Donations are always welcome and will be paid back in full otherwise it may take a while for me to do this on my own. It doesn't make any difference to me because I know sooner or later I will achieve my goal!

I have asked my AOI team about making a prototype game as a Facebook app but I am sure they will tell me the same thing we talked about last time.... thousands of dollars which don't accumulate overnight. The effort is not over...it has not hardly begun. I will keep on keeping on until I have an army behind me!

New business possibilities...always searching for something more

Well I have been going to other places of business looking for a dollar and a dream....looks like another kitchen will hire me on for better than my hourly wage at the previous Pub...that is nice and all but if I want to get my ideals rolling more will have to be done.
I figure first order of fund raising will be done on the college campus during the warm months. Selling beverages and snacks to students waiting for the bus may have some value....
Also 900 shares of GMTI should be accumulating some cents here in the next few months...
ChaCha just fired me because I didn't answer enough questions to keep my guide rating up...thats just sad
Xtremeworlds may be the engine for use in the beta testing....I may have to make a facebook group to get people to notice the project that is happening.

Time for breakfast...

The basic layout used to describe the ideas and concepts of a game

Game Type:

This game will be a RPG first and foremost with some MMO elements

Genre:

It will be mostly RPG with action and adventure aspects

Style of PVP:

Player Vs Player will only happen in regions that have little to no law. If there is an NPC that witnesses any player vs player that NPC will end the fight.

Setting:

Each player will be in a sci-fi world with a wonderful mix of technology and simplicity. Each region of the world will have a unique mix of advances in tech.

Story:

This world is a dynamic place. Divided into regions with unique aspects of power and resources. Each region will have specific imports and exports. Players will need these things to advance and gain reputation.

Races:

Here is where things get tricky. All races will be some sort of humanoid depending on where the user has obtained citizenship and also what skills and knowledge the user has experienced. That being said we have as follows:

• The Warrior - As the warrior trains and gains power he will obtain larger and stronger weapons along with the ability to make a machine equipped with these weapons. The warrior class will be most difficult to excel in because of the "iron wall" that will separate Fire Nation for the rest of the world.
• The Magic User - Depending on what type of magic that is studied the black mage or healer will have a frail appearance...I am thinking this will be the bird-like race. Possibly owls and ravens....
• The Archer - This class is for those who enjoy ranged attacks...this class may be a little "squishy" meaning they can only wear light armors and not much hit points however what they lack in stature they make up with in firepower, the ability to target more precisely, and maybe even a pet of some sort to aid them...these will be the wolf-like humanoids.
• The Rogue - this will be the up close and personal melee specalist. The rogue class will be excellent at getting close to deal devastating combos hitting critical damage very often. They will also be able to target specific areas on opponents for kill shots, however they are not very strong with the ranged. This will be a puma/jaguar cat-like humanoid.

Fractions:

High Law, Medium Law, No Law

Disciplines:

Melee - a school devoted to hitting things with things. The user may find these training facilities more often that any others....this is where users will learn how to wield new close ranged weapons.

Ranged - a school devoted to hitting things with other things at a distance. These are a little more rare and usually a little more hidden/guarded.

Magic - a school devoted to manipulating the flow of energy. There will be many different types of these schools. All different colors of magic may be learned here through proper guidance.

Assassin - a school for all things stealth.The user will learn here how to conceal his/her presence and learn to sneak into places unauthorized. The user will also learn things of a more critical nature here...training is harsh and difficult but very rewarding.

Crafting:

There will be a very unique and somewhat complicated system to make everything. There will be ways to obtain secret quests that will explain how a player can obtain the correct information in crafting. Special machinery will be necessary to craft anything. These machines will be found randomly in the world. Ex

• You are a new user and you happen to enjoy killing a certain mob that drops pieces of copper, tin and aluminum...you have no idea what to do with them until you come across a tiny cave with a door and through that door you find a furnace to smelt those pieces into ingots. There will be a NPC wandering around to help you find your way and lead you to answers. Upon completion of a few quests for the NPC the user may be allowed free use of the machine ...or maybe even paid to make items.

Drive:

There is good reason to play this game. It is not just a game to be played. Users will have to battle one another in order to game resources of every kind. Most importantly with an internal stock exchange system everything will have a real money value. The better a region is competing the better the stock. Players will fight to destroy other economies in order for theirs to prosper.

Okay that should be a good start at least.....