To Err is Human

...to really screw something up takes a computer.

Ah, technology.  Nothing is so wonderful, nor so frustrating, at times.  I don't remember where I first read the adage of my title/first line, but I have used it ever since, because it's true.

Better, Worse, or Just Different?

WARNING:  Lengthy post ahead...

{In my best "ring announcer" voice:} LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!  TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP:

IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE THE CAGEY VETERAN, WEIGHING IN WITH THE "TRIED AND TRUE", VERY POPULAR, D&D 3.5E RULES, WITH  AN ASTONISHING, RAPIDLY  APPROACHING 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - TURBINE'S "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE" (DDO).

VS.

IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER, THE WILEY NEWCOMER, WEIGHING IN USING THE NEWER, D&D 4E RULES, AND JUST OVER 1 YEAR OLD - CRYPTIC'S "NEVERWINTER" (NWO).

*Cough* Excuse me.

Goodbye, Mabar - We Hardly Knew Ya

According to this post, Mabar is gone for good, never to return again - it is "being scrapped".

*Sigh*  Bummer.  I like Mabar.  Um..."liked".  Although, I must say that I preferred the original version to the latest incarnation.  The separate level-ranged instances were OK; it allowed my lower level toons to fight higher level mobs to see how well they fared rather than just vanquishing the "level appropriate"spawns.  But mostly I didn't like the addition of the Shadar-Kai.  I mean, we "just" 'discovered' them over in Wheloon, yet somehow they've managed to find a way to Eberron in time for Mabar?  I'm not one who (usually) cares about lore, but that just felt wrong, to me.

The Heart Rejoices; The Heart Grieves

From the Lamannia release notes:

"Crystal Cove:  Euphonia's Barter Box now has recipes to exchange one type of Doubloon for another. The exchange is SEVEN to one in any direction." (Emphasis added.)

The heart rejoices!  Granted, the exchange rate is more than 2x other, similar exchange rates are (look around - most exchange rates are 3:1), but finally!  We have a doubloon exchange system!  I have on more than one occasion stated that this is sorely needed.  Now, I can finally exchange my (up to this point) ever-increasing piles of gold doubloons.  Huzzah!

But...