<![CDATA[Bulbagarden Forums - Blogs - Smythe's Wonderful Chest of Letters and Numbers by Smythe]]> http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/ Bulbagarden - The original Pokémon Community en Fri, 24 May 2013 16:05:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/images/styles/Millenium/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Bulbagarden Forums - Blogs - Smythe's Wonderful Chest of Letters and Numbers by Smythe]]> http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/ LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/let-challenge-begin-38737/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:57:26 GMT Haha! Did I say at least two weeks? Pah. More like nine days. Despite having one of the busiest/productive weeks of my recent years last week, I still managed to pound out the entirety of episode 2 about five days before my intended deadline. Feels pretty good. And to relish in all the delicious... Haha! Did I say at least two weeks? Pah. More like nine days.

Despite having one of the busiest/productive weeks of my recent years last week, I still managed to pound out the entirety of episode 2 about five days before my intended deadline. Feels pretty good. And to relish in all the delicious unexpected success, I'm going to treat the Internet with both episodes. Why? Because episode one is dull and I kinda want episode 2 to overshadow it. But also because I love you :3
I do mean you because you're reading this and that alone deserves reward in and of itself. Since I don't actually have any rewards, you'll have to settle with my quaint adventures in the world of Nuzlocke.

Without further a due I present to you: HeartMode: HardGold

But before you click on them, I will warn you, the embeds aren't great. You can copy/paste them to your heart's content, or take the easier route which is to view this album. The latter is the far superior route, imo.

Episode I: The Phantom Smythe



Episode II: Attack of the Totodile


If you've made it this far, kudos. That probably also warrants reward, but I'm fresh out. Come back in 10 years for episode 3. If it means anything, you're now my favorite reader.

Bonus points are also available to anyone who spots typos. I hate typos.

I already know there's a mistake in episode 2 regarding the position of the mart and the Pokémon center, but I'm going to go ahead and chalk that one up to artistic license. It does bug me though. It's like an itch. Alas, it was too far gone to fix at that point. I'll just have to learn from that mistake and move on.

I hope you can see past it, too, and it doesn't ruin your viewing experience.



PS. I have to confess. I don't really love you. I think we should just stay friends. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/let-challenge-begin-38737/ Rrrrraaaauuuughghleurgh. http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/rrrrraaaauuuughghleurgh-38341/ Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:26:41 GMT That's the sound of my stretching after a good three month long nap.

SO MUCH INACTIVITY, SO LITTLE TIME...

But I've been working on something special.

I was inspired by the blogs here to finally pursue a Nuzlocke challenge of my own. I had contemplated it for a long time, but reading everyone's stories really made me decide to catch up with all the recent comics posted on the Nuzlocke site. Eventually I found myself wanting to make my own comic detailing my adventures with Nuzlocke's rules. How could I not? It combined my love of Pokémon and my old love of making comics that had been neglected for a couple of years.

After a couple months, I finished the first episode today. I won't be posting anything here though. Not yet. Not until I at least get episode two out and rolling. That probably means I won't be posting anything for at least two weeks and at most two centuries - not that it changes anything. Though, unlike the first episode, it shouldn't take me two months to produce.

I've already got the whole story arch worked out over three games because I've put a lot of back story into prequels (which is stupid because I don't like the idea of using prequels). Also, I've only played through one of them, so this is going to be quite an endeavor. I can guarantee I won't pursue it to the end, but I'll definitely have fun doing it.

Seriously. College and work suck up a stupid amount of my time. I'll be lucky to finish the comics for one game.

This is all assuming anyone is even interested in seeing yet another Nuzlocke comic on the internet, and if you're not, I know I am. But to try and peak your interests, I'll attach a little teaser from episode 2:



I kinda wish I drew it all with stick figures or all on the computer, but it is a challenge after all.

See you in a few moons.


Hopefully. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/rrrrraaaauuuughghleurgh-38341/ Good news, nobody! http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/good-news-nobody-31245/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:01:03 GMT I'm posting purely to tell everyone I've finally come across my first randomly encountered shiny. After all the years of playing Pokemon and everyone else I know finding shiny Pokemon, I finally found my own.

It began with my usual task of hunting out some Pokemon on my "Pokemon Acquisition List".

The idea was simple. Head as north as possible, climb up to Acuity Lake, and wander in circles for a few hours to find two Snorunts and one Snover.

I'd dance the elegant duet I'd practiced with Absol to catch them: encounter, false swipe, and throw a ball squarely between my target's eyes (I quickly learned that some Snovers would sooner die than befriend me by kamikaze-ing me with wood hammer). I'd trek back down south to infect them with the P-Virus and rigorously weight train them against hundreds of foes. We'd battle for weeks together fighting shoulder to shoulder against impossible odds - our bond growing stronger as we persevered. Eventually we'd fight through to the daily gym leader battles and make a mockery of my rival, SMEGMA, repeatedly on weekends. Then, as my comrade would reach the fabled level of 69, I'd send him off to Johto to retire in a PC box until the End of Days.

Truly it was a noble pursuit.

At the moment, however, this was still just a plan. It was already 4:50 am. My toes were beginning to numb and so was my brain. There are only so many times you can experience a reset before it starts to take a toll on your pysche. I'd probably been wandering in the snowy grass for a few hours now.

Even this far up north, Bidoof could still find me. At least, its evolved form. Not quite as annoying just to encounter, but close enough to cause a deep sense of nausea mixed with rage. I could rage-vomit every time I see a Bidoof. Bitter, semi-frozen rage vomit.

Because it's cold there. Really cold. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Despite the temperature and stupid-beaver obstacles, I had not given up hope yet, and my heart was still warm with the thrill of the hunt. There's nothing quite like the wholesome game of catch and release to find a good-natured Pokemon with some strong genes to keep you going. And possibly a compulsive disorder. That's a motivator too.

My stamina still carrying me forward into what must've been the second hour (really just the start of things) and my apathy taking such hold that I was busy judging what was going on by sound alone as I scribbled what a good Snover would look like (proud, well accomplished, strong middle-class conservative upbringing, attacking IVs 20 or above, etc.), I stumbled into yet another Snorunt. I could tell it was a Snorunt - they have that weird staccato cry. But then I heard a noise I had never come to expect outside of my legendary beasts. That gleaming sparkle noise.

I don't even know why shiny things make a noise. And it's not just any noise. There's some common understood noise for something that really shouldn't be understood with noise. I blame toothpaste ads for teaching us what shiny sounds like.

I heard that noise and my heart stopped - not from my lethal daily sodium intake, but from the pure disbelief. It was like my body refused to acknowledge such an event and shut down momentarily from the overload. I'm sure if I ever won the lottery, my body would say, "All right, come on. Like I'm supposed to believe that," and eject itself from reality. It might even do that if I get a good paying job with benefits that I enjoy.

Obviously, my good faith in Life wasn't going to be overcome just by a noise. I was probably delirious and hallucinating sounds (yes, you can hallucinate sounds and any other sensory information). After all, minor sleep deprivation and cold winter winds fatigue the mind. It's not like I haven't heard weird things before. Then again, that whispering under the floorboards did turn out to be real and did turn out to be a Jewish family who had been living under the house for eighty years. I was the one laughing that day. Let's see your fancy psychiatry degrees now, Doctor Hammersprie!

So I turned towards the Pokemon. I mean, I can't have really run into a -

holy

fucking

shit.

And then for a long time, I didn't say anything.

I just... stared at it.

It's fucking... cyan! And yellow! Holy crap! It's like printer ink! My mind was spinning with confusion, shock, ink, joy, and brain juice.

When I eventually came around and my body restarted itself in Safe Mode, I didn't even risk a false swipe.

False swipe can't even KO a Pokemon, you paranoid fuck, I thought.

I didn't care. It wasn't worth the insanely implausible risk. I mean, if I failed now, I may as well drown myself in Acuity.

Snorunt was still staring at me blankly with its beady, little, red eyes. It was probably weighing up the thought of just running for it. This trainer has clearly fallen off the Sane-Train and is limping away into bat country, I heard it think. I should just fucking run for the treeline. Just run until it's safe. Well, I wasn't going to let that happen.

I tossed that repeat ball like a boss.

It tried to shake it lose, but its high catch rate wouldn't let it. It was mine.

Victorious and happier than a schoolgirl on Friday, I saved the game - twice. You know, for safety. Then I flew back to Snowpoint on Tropius' back and offloaded it into the very empty "SHINY" box.

A fine trophy for ten years of Pokemon. I earned it. I earned it hard.

---

It's a hasty female Snorunt with low-average IVs, inner focus, and a strong will. Not good enough to fight with, but shiny enough not to care.

I could not be more elated right now. I will have to celebrate. Or sleep. Sleeprebate. No, that sounds wrong. Celebraep. ... I'm sure you know what I mean.

Also, don't try to take this moment from me by telling me how many times you've run into shiny Pokemon in the wild. You probably have boxes full of them and just run from them. You probably have so many shiny Pokemon that you're the reason people think everything on the GTS is hacked. In fact, you have so many shiny Pokemon that you find it an accomplishment not to run into one. I also hate you. Can't take that from me can you?

Although, do feel free to share the stories of when you lost your random-encounter-shiny-cherry. Those I'd like to hear. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/good-news-nobody-31245/ <![CDATA[I'm back, baby.]]> http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/im-back-baby-26560/ Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:44:02 GMT ... returning to the cries and cheers of absolutely no one.

I've been neglecting my profile here forever, not to mention the IRC. I've just been busy, what with all the moving to another country and universities and being homeless for a while. It doesn't excuse my absence, I know, but I'm back.

Back long enough to post this and then neglect my profile for another year.

See you all then.

Love,
Smythe

xxxx ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/im-back-baby-26560/ Wang http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/wang-11377/ Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:30:13 GMT I think I'll scan some crap. You people like drawings, right?

I just got asked by a guy I know to contribute to this little art magazine he has. By asked, I mean invited to a Facebook group. Whatever happened to the usual course of social interaction, like actually asking me?
Anyway, I haven't done anything useful in months. I'm not even sure I can draw anymore (if ever), plus it's in that typical 'abstract' art student style that I like to avoid. Y'know, the kind with drawings not meant to make sense yet supposed to symbolize the existential nature of black coffee with letters clipped out of magazines, like a ransom note before sense was invented.

While on the subject of magazines, I have a lovely tale to tell you all. I went to a pub with some guys from another local magazine a couple of months ago (I don't go around looking for magazine people, honest) and after a few pints one of the guys shared an interesting (true) story about the editor of another magazine.

I forget what city it took place in England. Birmingham or something, I don't know. The editor (who I will refer to as Ed for short because I can't remember his name) was carrying a massive stack of magazines he was trying to sell to various news shops and vendors. He was then mugged by a man with a baseball bat (I believe his name was Andrew. I'll be calling him that anyway, so pay attention). Ed had been carrying around a stupidly large pile of magazines for a few hours so he was exhausted as hell. He simply gave the man his wallet but sadly for Andrew, there wasn't any money in it. Andrew did, however, spy some bank cards. So, at bat point Ed was forced over to an ATM to withdraw some money. Unfortunately again for Andrew, Ed had only £50 in his account. Ed half-apologetically told Andrew that was all he had in the account and showed him the balance. At that point, Andrew actually felt bad for Ed. Obviously, Andrew needed the money so he took it anyway but was very sorry for doing so. So sorry, he actually offered to give Ed a ride. As if that wasn't insane enough, Ed, having carried the magazines around all day and now having had his account cleaned out, took the offer. So, Ed piled his magazines and climbed into the passenger seat of Andrew's car. He told the mugger where he wanted to go (near his home but not the exact address) and they set off.
As they were driving, Andrew decided he needed to stop somewhere. He took Ed on a little side trip to some house and, after a few phone calls, popped inside of it. Andrew warned Ed not to call the police or try to run... and Ed actually listened. He sat there in the car, waiting patiently for Andrew to reemerge from the house. Finally, out came Andrew with £50 worth of cocaine. Still feeling sorry for Ed, Andrew offered Ed a line, "on me, mate". On him? He mugged Ed and bought it with his money, so really it was his coke to begin with. Ed decided to decline, regardless. Andrew set out his lines and then took out a photo of his daughter. He showed it to Ed and said he regret mugging him but he needed the money. Ed understood, although what threw him off was when Andrew took the photo of his daughter, rolled it up, and snorted cocaine through it.
After Andy did his lines, he drove Ed to his destination. Ed got home to his roommate (the guy who told me this story) confused and tired. He told him what happened and soon they called the police. The police's reaction was understandably between skeptical and bewildered, "so... after he mugged you, you got in his car and he gave you a lift home? OK." They took his statement and did the usual but they never really heard about it again.
As far as I know, Andrew still roams the streets. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/wang-11377/ Chips. http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/chips-9061/ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:44:02 GMT I were browsing aboot when something reminded me of an article I read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/charlie-brooker-i-love-videogames

It sums up perfectly the reason why video games are often looked down on and misunderstood by all those who don't play them.


I also recommend you read the shit out of Brooker's articles for The Guardian and watch Screenwipe if you have the time. I'm sure it's on YouTube or something. You'll be a bit lost if you don't know the history of British media (which you should know, you fucking ingrates), but I'm sure you can deal with it.

Anyway, that's enough free advertising.
Get off my user page. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/chips-9061/ Oh good... http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/oh-good-8737/ Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:06:37 GMT I kinda left my profile unattended for a while. It wasn't entirely my fault.

It was during the holidays and then I went to the hospital for a week and then I kinda got distracted.

Whatever. I'm back now.

I HOPE THIS NEWS MATTERS TO YOU AS MUCH AS IT DID TO ME. ]]> Smythe http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/blogs/32945/oh-good-8737/