Momoment #17 / MoContest #1

Hello,

For all WoW players, from day one of playing the game no matter if it was when the game came out or if you just are getting into the game, game security is/has/will always be important to all (even to Blizzard!).

What do I mean by game security? Well, for one I think it is important we read!!!

Read you say? Yes read! It is a skill we are all lacking.

How many times you install a game, program, complete an application, anything and there is a TOS (terms of service agreement) that we (not all of us but I think a major majority, I say 70% of us) just click the box that states we have read it and understand it. Why do we do this? Well I think it is a combination of laziness, impatience, AND, not caring, and I am sure many other reasons, to many to list all of them.

Now before I upset all of you/us, I know I am generalizing but please prove me wrong; tell me that I am wrong. It will be hard to prove this wrong but until that time I believe that I am correct (maybe wrong in the percentage but I know it is more than half of us MMO players). So how does not reading the TOS make our game/account security vulnerable? Yet again the answer is lengthy but pretty much not knowing how your account can be canceled or suspended in my opinion is a security risk.

For WoW, the major security risk has been account hacking and that has been part of the game almost from the beginning I believe. For the first few years of the game, the only way to make sure our account was safe was to change our password often and make it as difficult as possible. Did/were you doing that? I think not. I did not do that! :(

Thankfully Blizzard came out with the authenticator and that started security more accounts; well people that would get the authenticator. Than the iPhone application came and and even more people made sure their accounts were secure.

The latest work of Blizzard is the Battle.net site for all of their games; I call it their hub, union station for players of their wonderful games. If you play a Blizzard game or are playing WoW, you go to the site, register, enter your WoW account info and you are in Battle.net! Some people for their own reasons do not want to do this (I personally do not know of any negatives, please let me know of some cons of doing this). Until recently, registering your WoW account on Battle.net was not mandatory until the news came out this week that Battle.net will be mandated by November 11th. Now I do not know all the details but I believe if you are not on Battle.net you will not be able to log into the game.

Why do you think Blizzard is doing this?

In my opinion, we are playing their game and if they require this as part of logging in, well we have to do it no matter what we think; it is their product, if you don't like it don't buy it and play it! A more thoughtful reason could be that it is additional security for them and us. Think of it as a good big brother aspect, where Blizzard will know all of their 12 million+ ( of that is the true number of players on WoW, which I do not think so) and help prevent the account hacking and spamming. I am not kidding when I say I do not know of any negatives and please let me know of some. Also, this will possibly allow interaction of wow players and players of Diablo and StarCraft possibly. Or even a Blizzard gaming achievement system in the near future. And the big one of them all, when ever the new WoW expansion and the next Blizzard MMO comes out.

The main point is, sign up for Battle.net, get an authenticator (if you can or try to win one) and also let me know why one would not want to do these things.

Thank you very much, and stay safe! In game and out of game!

--
Mo

--

Hello Gamers....

This is Xan. It has come to my attention that MO has a couple of authenticators he would like to give away in a contest. In order to make this interesting and to help emphasize the point of needing an authenticator I am posting this contest -

1 - Please respond to this post with an AUTHENTICATOR HORROR STORY of someone you know or even a story about your own account being hacked and the devastation it caused to you and perhaps your guild.

2 - One more contest is a LINKING CONTEST. This contest is one that will have you linking to us all over the internet. Your link should be this: The Experienced Noob, Your Friends and Guides in World of Warcraft, with a link to http://theexperiencednoob.blogspot.com/. These can be on your guild forums, your blog, WoW or gaming related forums, as long as it's not spamming or against the rules of the forum. If you want to write your own words around the link, feel free to. If you create a site solely for this contest, it will be disqualified. There should be real, useful content at the site.

Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed, and other social networking sites are also allowed to be used. If you twitter, an @Xandarr2112 or @Mohalen is recommended, with a preferable #TEN at the end. If you Facebook, a link to the site would be appreciated. Any other social networking sites, just link back to the TEN website. Once again, spamming will get you disqualified. If we hear from a webmaster, guild leader, or otherwise from someone complaining, we will disregard any entry.

In order to let us know about your submission, send us the url to the site you linked to us on. If you can include a screen shot, that would be even better. The winning link will have to be verified on submission and on completion of the contest. Links on the WoW forums are discouraged, and can get you banned or suspended from forum posting privileges, therefore use them at your own risk.

THE PRIZES: Two (2) Authenticators from MO drawn randomly from the entrants. The winners will be drawn on November 11th (one entry from the authenticator horror story and one from the linking contest) and will be posted to the blog and will need an email from the winner to Xan at TheExperiencedNoob@gmail.com as to where the prize will be sent.

DONATIONS - If you wish to donate a prize for further contests, email Xan at TheExperiencedNoob@gmail.com

Within the Slaver’s Pit… (Original Fiction by Xan)

Solcloud takes the lead and walks right up to the proprietor of the inn. “My good man, I heard there is evil within this labyrinth under your inn?”

The innkeeper, shocked that a Paladin of St. Cuthbert would enter a contest such as this, turns to face the party. “Yes, there is evil down there. But take a look at this board.” He points to a large pegboard with small rings with numbers on them with other numbers scribed underneath them. “These are the ‘good men’ who have also ventured down into the labyrinth as well. Just look at our current leaders, they have been down there for close to nine hundred days!” The innkeeper shakes his head. “At least we think they are still adventuring down there. Their treasure must be a heavy burden not to return yet.”

“You mean they haven’t been up in almost three years?” Solcloud was shocked.
Mayvn gulps. “Why don’t you send down a rescue party?”

“What do you think these other rings are?” The innkeeper scoffs, “Ornaments?”
“You mean all that go down don’t come back?” Beasley cringes but continues. “What is the sport in that ‘game?”

The innkeeper leans over the podium to look down on the small man. “The ‘sport’ is exactly that. What you find down there, you keep and the longer you are down there, the more renown you get as a competitor of the labyrinth.” The innkeeper smiles an evil smile. “So, will I be entering your names into the contest?”

The party looks at one another. Zander shrugs his shoulder as he clenches his hammer’s head tightly as it swings on his belt. Beasley pulls out a dagger and twists it in his fingers to test its sharpness. Solcloud looks to Mayvn and smiles as Mayvn’s knees begin to knock together.

“I sense great evil down there, innkeeper.” We will go down, we will enter the contest.

“Very good! What shall I name thee?” The innkeeper dips his feather pen in its reservoir to write the party’s name in his ledger.

“Call us…” The paladin ponders a moment.

Nevertheless, before he could sputter out an answer, Mayvn jumps in. “Call us, the Silent Scales of The Singing Storm!”

The party winces, the innkeeper look up at the thin man in the obscenely large hat with a bewildered look on his face. “I don’t know where you came up with that rubbish, but by the sounds of your little party there, it should win you some favor, or some humor.” The innkeeper chuckles as he pulls out a ring with a number on it. “You are number thirteen hundred ninety-five. Your time begins after you reach the bottom of the pit and ring the bell signaling you have arrived. Now step on the platform please.” The innkeeper ushers them over to a small platform, with Zander’s large size everyone had to hug in close to fit. The innkeeper then went to a small-notched winch, unhooked the safety lever, and began to crank. The platform slowly edged its way into the unknown. Some time later, the cavern began to grow darker and darker. A few more minutes seemed to pass by and then the party was engrossed in total darkness, the echoing laughter of the innkeeper could be heard as he reminded the party, “Don’t forget to ring the bell!” His words echoed into the blackness.

Momoment # 16 - Are U a Gamer?

Hello good people of the internet blogland and wowville!!!

A while back I had an argument with my brother (we have many!) about whether he is a gamer or not.

A quick note about him, he still likes the old school Sega Genesis games like Golden Axe and Star Control. He also likes Red Alert, yes the first few games that came out. But he is a hater of all things new (not just games, all things!) as anyone I know! He is not willing to even try some games (which can be a good thing in some ways but bad if he is just going to jump to conclusion). So I told him that he is a gamer because he does play games even though they are old! but he does play them.
But is that enough to label him a gamer?

And is that a bad thing? To be called a "gamer"?

To me it is similar to being called a raider in wow. It is not a bad thing to be called either one and also in some ways it is similar to being called a nerd or a geek. Just another word, if you will, to describe yourself (oneself).
So are you a gamer? and What does it mean to be a gamer?

In my opinion a gamer is a person who enjoys playing games; that simple.

Of course it cant be that simple. From what I have seen and read many believe that a gamer is someone that plays the more involved games like MMO's, role playing games, board games such as D&D. This can be true too but why can a console person be called a gamer? (I believe they can be if they fit your definition).

Possibly the main point can be made that in the past gamers were looked down upon similar to being called a nerd or geek. It is ok to be called or labeled a gamer in our modern day of technology as web-episodes like The Guild grow in popularity.

Such as life we all will have many different opinions and many different ways we will describe things and each other.

Gamer is one of them and there is even a movie out with the same title. From what I have seen in the previews it does not look like a good movie but I am sure I will watch it once it is out on dvd :)

Please let us know your opinion and GAME ON!

Back story for Xyliaa

OK, so your votes from my previous posting led me from a Priest to a Shaman instead. It also made the race choice very easy for me as I think the Draenei are my favorite race of all.

Now I find myself thinking of a background and a story for my Shaman, Xyliaa. I would also like to fill in holes for my main toon, Xandarr. This is where I would like the help of my readers.

I would like to learn more of the lore but don't know where to begin.

I would like Xan and Xy to be realted, with Xy being MUCH younger than Xan.

Progression -
Xan started as PROT but found his true calling at lvl 80in DPS/RET, however he still holds roots in protecting others.

Xy is starting out, she is finding a niche with the elements, but longs to help others in reference to trauma & on the spot healing.

I would like to use The Hero's Journey to build both stories and REALLY flesh them out. Please help.

At the temple gates… (Original Fiction by Xan)

The party reached the temple doors just as the sun flooded down the road at their backs. Their shadows creeping ahead of them down the long dirty alley. All of them had their weapons drawn as they reached the two guards at the door. The guards shuffled their feet as they watched the figures with the sun at their backs. A giant followed closely by two men and what looked like a child approached. They steadied themselves as they performed their duty.

“None shall enter, ‘tis not time of the gathering.” One guard looked to the other for confidence as he spoke.

The other one felt the strength of their ‘numbers’ and piped up. “Yeah, be gone with ye until the gathering begins.”

A rumble came from Zander as he reached for his hammer. Beasley jumped in before the hammer could be lifted. “Hello, up there lads!” Beasley let out an uneasy chuckle as he placed a reassuring hand on Zander’s knee. “When is the next gathering?”

The guards looked down on the small man and with a matching tone of voice scalded him. “If you don’t know, then you must not care. This is for our god and his followers. You must not be a believer.” The guards fondled their swords in a small threat to the halfling not just over half their size. “Leave now, boy!” With that insult, one of them nudged him harshly with their knee. Beasley stumbled backwards.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Beasley said in a taunt. “You’ve made my friend angry.”

Before Beasley could finish his last words of the threat before the thunder rolled as Zander’s hammer flew through the air and connected with the dragon emblazoned on one guard’s breastplate. The guard flew back off his feet, smashed into the wall, and slumped to the ground. Solcloud and Beasley jumped at the second guard as Zander walked toward the fallen guard. With not so much as a cough or a stutter to stand, the fallen guard stood to his feet and spit at the ground to Zander’s feet as he approached. The guard drew his sword and braced for the next hit of the mighty hammer.

Mayvn began strumming on his lute a mighty tune singing of mighty battles of old and Kings fighting entire nations of monsters. The words echoed through the streets, all the party felt the magic of the bard’s song reverberate in their very souls. A mighty roar followed at a perfect time in the bard’s song as Zander let his feral nature take a hold of him as he swung at the dented guard. Beasley and Solcloud began trading blows with the other guard but all their efforts seemed to deflect off the dragon armor of the second guard. The guard ducked under the mighty swings of Solcloud’s sword and reached for an open spot in the knight’s defenses, with a clang of steel on steel the guard’s sword smashed into Solcloud’s armor. He yelled out in pain as the sword of the guard connected again. The guard seemed to move like lightning and Beasley couldn’t connect with the guard but only clanged off his leg guards with his short sword.

Zander smashed into the other guard again, this time with more vigor than before. The rumble of thunder echoed in the distance as the hammer connected again, this time on the guard’s arm. The guard wailed in agony as his arm shattered like a twig in autumn. The guard swung the sword and gashed Zander across the chest, as the blade bit into Zander’s flesh, the giant just roared as he followed through with another clean blow and crushed the guard’s breastplate like tin under foot. The guard slumped to the ground, Zander turned just as Solcloud dropped to the ground. With a howl of rage, the giant lumbered toward the remaining guard.

Beasley looked up from his position between the guard and the colossus. He grabbed Solcloud by the armor and began dragging him away as fast as his strength could carry him. Mayvn too saw the lumbering juggernaught coming toward the unsuspecting guard and lunged toward the fallen knight. The two companions dragged the knight, now passed out, into an alleyway and began to give first aid. Meanwhile, Zander made short work of the second guard. Turning him into a tin spike in the street as this hammer cleanly connected with the guard with a driving force into the earth.
Huffing and puffing from sheer exertion, Zander trudged towards his companions. Grasping the gash in his chest. “Is he going to be OK?”

Beasley looked up to his friend. “I tried to tell you back at the inn, these guards are heavily armed.” Like a father reprimanding his son for not obeying him, Beasley continued his lecture. “We barely escaped with our lives. You can’t just jump into every battle before you; you must learn to pick your battles my friend. You could have had us all killed.”

Zander pulled his hand away from his wound, inspecting the blood and contemplating his tiny friend’s words. “You are right, I am sorry.” Zander hung his head in shame as he muttered a prayer to himself, thanking Othr for giving him strength and asking him to heal his wounds. A spark of lightning shimmered across his chain mail shirt, it repaired itself as well as mended Zander’s wound.

With a cough, Solcloud sputtered a little of the curative potion as he began to speak. “Did we get them?”

Mayvn spoke softly. “Well, Zander ‘got’ them.” He turned Solcloud’s attention to the guard’s helmet protruding from the street. “Our cleric friend here even gave him a proper burial.”

The adventurer’s all chucked at Mayvn’s joke as Solcloud grunted and made his way to his feet. He dusted off his now red tinted armor. “Well this won’t do. Not for a servant of St. Cuthbert.” He looked to everyone; they just shook their heads. “At least it is tainted with my own blood, meting out St. Cuthbert’s justice to the heretics.” He grimaced as he held his side gingerly. “Now, let’s say we look for a back way in. I hate to think we’ll find more guards wearing this fine armor.” He bent over the body crushed in the chest. He examined the body for anything worth selling to fund their adventure. Nothing was found, but a few rings and some nice swords. The armor was useless after the major dents, even if they were smithied out.
Mayvn piped up. “Didn’t the guard back at the tavern, consequently smashed too, mention something about a back door through the labyrinth?” The group all looked to the bard with a glint in their eye. “I like back doors.” The group all laughed at the peacock as he smiled a smile, not realizing he made a joke at his own expense. “He-he, perhaps we should ‘enter the contest’ within the labyrinth?”

“To root out the evil of this town, both below and within!” The paladin raises his sword and starts marching towards the northern inn, ‘The Slaver’s Pit.’