Paragon Wiki Archive - User contributions [en]

Skipper LeGrange

2009-02-10T13:07:13Z

Ipsi: /* {{UL|Stop the ritual}} */ Added note to try and clarify mission objective.

== Overview ==
{{Infobox Contact
|name=Skipper LeGrange
|image=Skipper_LeGrange.jpg
|img_capt=Ghost Hunter
|zone=[[Croatoa]]
|x=1315|y=0|z=2330
|levels=25-29
|introed=[[Gordon Bower]]
|intros=[[Kelly Nemmers]]
|enemies={{Enemy Fir Bolg}}
{{Enemy Tuatha de Dannan}}
}}

{{Contact Overview|City=H|Zone=Croatoa|x=1315|y=0|z=2330|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=N|Hood=|OriginYN=Y|Origin=Magic|LevelYN=Y|Level=25-29}}

__Toc__
{{clr}}
== Introductions ==

=== Contact Introduced By ===
* [[Gordon Bower]]

=== New Contact(s) ===
* [[Kelly Nemmers]]

Kelly's a good girl. Er, ghost. She'll help you in whatever way she can.

I never met Kelly Nemmers. Not while she was alive, that is. But she's got what you might call an insider's scoop on [[Croatoa]]. She can get you magic and natural enhancements.

=== Information ===
'''Ghost Hunter'''

Skipper LeGrange knows that quite a few folks think he's crazy. He also knows he's not. After more than ten years spent on th etrail of some of the most devilish spirits on the North American continent, Skipper knows what goes bump in the night. In some ways, [[Croatoa]] is a golden opportunity for him. Skipper's had a hard time resisting the urge to invite his old professors, employers, and girlfriends up to Croatoa to see how real the supernatural really is. He did, however, invite his mom.

=== Prior to Introduction ===
I don't think I know you. You better talk to {{Active Contact}} instead.

=== Initial Contact ===
I'm glad you've decided to join me in holding the line against this maelstrom of unearthly might. It's not everyone who's fit for a job like this. No, sir.

=== Greeting ===
{{Missing Greeting}}
=== Too Busy ===
The supernatural isn't for the casual adventurer, {{Character}}. You should come back when you have your plate clear.

=== No More Missions ===
You've done it all, {{Character}}. Maybe your other contacts have something for you to learn.

== Store ==
{{Missing Store}}
* Inspirations
* {{Store Nat Mag|Level=25|Price=200}}
* {{Store Nat Mag|Level=30|Price=200}}
* {{Store Mag|Level=30|Price=150}}

== Story Arc ==

{{MeritAward|5}}

=== Souvenir ===

You can still taste the sulfer in your mouth and can't help but think of...

'''The War of the Fir Bolg'''

It was all Skipper's fault, that's what you tell yourself as you look back on your questionable run-ins with the [[Fir Bolg]]. As you fought them you began to see them as more than just creatures, but as actual beings who were trapped here, what's worse is that they blamed you for it all. You later come across them when you went after the [[Gordon Bower|Mayor]]'s tome of protective runes, but not before you realized the Fir Bolg were simply trying to protect themselves from the [[Red Caps]]. But everything came to a head when the Fir Bolg decided to try and push the [[Tuatha de Dannan|Tuatha]] into Salamanca in order to get rid of them. You were sent by Skipper to stop the ceremony. It didn't matter how much you empathized wh the Fir Bolgs, you had innocents to protect.

==== {{UL|Learn more about the spirit war}} ====

'''Briefing'''

I expect you're aware of the ancient Irish legend about the [[Fir Bolg]] and the [[Tuatha de Dannan]]. Well, you're in for a treat. The Fir Bolg controlled Ireland for hundreds of years, until the Tuatha arrived. They were big, burly warriors, and they drove out the Fir Bolg, leaving them only the small area of Connaught to themselves. It seems that ancient enmity never really died. It seems that somehow, the Fir Bolg and the Tuatha have carried their war into the spirit world, and they're still fighting it! {{SelTextGreen|If we're going to keep Salamanca safe, we need to know more about their war and what we can do to end it.}} That's where you come in.

I've located a cave full of Fir Bolg nearby. I need you to get in there and get out, with whatever information you can find.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The air down here smells foul and dank.|Primary=Seek clues in Fir Bolg lair|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You have learned some of the Fir Bolg's history.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Fir Bolg}}

'''Notable NPCs'''
* Maolan {{Named|Faction=Fir Bolg|Type=Streng}}

{{NPC Text|title=Maolan Dialog|text=
'''Before combat:''' '' ''<br />
'''Combat start:''' ''You and your masters have tormented us long enough!''<br />
}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=The Fir Bolg's story|Text=One of the Fir Bolg you defeated snarled, 'Tell your masters, the [[Red Caps]], that they will never triumph over the spirit of the Fir Bolg! They have kept us trapped in this foul land for centuries, but as long as we maintain our pride, their victory over us is incomplete!'}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=Parchment|Text=This parchment, obviously treasured by the Fir Bolg, tells the story of their emigration from Ireland following the invasion of the Tuatha de Dannan. It reads, in part:

'And so we came to this new land, where we met new friends and found our new home. But an ancient enemy, more fearsome than the Tuatha de Dannan, had followed us. The [[Red Caps]]. Our misery is their joy.'}}

'''Debriefing'''

This is an ugly story, <name>. Based on what you found, it looks like the Fir Bolg blame the Red Caps for trapping them in the mystical world of [[Croatoa]]. Have you had any encounters with the Red Caps yet? Well, you'll want to watch out. We're not talking about cute little brownies here, nosiree. The Red Caps are some of the most vicious, deadly creatures I've ever seen. Frankly, I don't blame the Fir Bolg for being afraid of them.

==== {{UL|Push the Tuatha out of New Connaught}} ====

'''Briefing'''

The [[Fir Bolg]] have been battling the [[Tuatha de Dannan]] for centuries, and things haven't gotten any more friendly since the two groups have been trapped in [[Croatoa]] together. What's worse, this war is putting all of Salamanca in danger. {{SelTextGreen|If you could help push the Tuatha out of New Connaught, it may go a long way toward reducing the violence in the area.}} Could you do it?

The Tuatha are most often found in New Connaught at night, but there are always a few down by the lake.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Repel Tuatha from New Connaught|Secondary=Defeat 10 Tuatha de Dannan|Additional=|Completion=You have reduced the violence in New Connaught.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Tuatha de Dannan}}

'''Debriefing'''

Thanks. Hopefully things will quiet down around here for a while. That should give us time to investigate the spell that's drawing Salamanca into the spirit world.

==== {{UL|Retrieve the book}} ====

'''Briefing'''

I just got word from [[Gordon Bower]], mayor of Salamanca. Apparently the [[Fir Bolg]] have gotten their hands on a book of runes that the Salamancans were using to keep the worst of the monsters out of the village. They need that book back, and bad. {{SelTextGreen|Can you go and retrieve it?}}

Salamanca houses the Occult Studies annex for Paragon City [[University]]. It's a good thing they had a few mystical artifacts on hand when their village started to be drawn into [[Croatoa]].

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=It's a pity that the Fir Bolg have to make their homes in these pitiful caves. After all, they were people once.|Primary=Retrieve the book of runes|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You have found the book of runes.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Fir Bolg}}

{{NPC Text|title=Fir Bolgs Dialog|text=
'''Fir Bolg soldier:''' ''This book will show us how to protect ourselves from the Red Caps.''<br />'''Fir Bolg soldier:''' ''You will not take the book!''
}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Take book to Gordon Bower|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=}}

{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Gordon Bower|Text=Thanks, <name>. Without small objects of power like this one, I'm afraid Salamanca would be entirely overrun. As a hero of Salamanca, you should have the protection of these spells. Here, study the Rune of Warding. The knowledge of the Rune will fade in time, but for a few days, it will help to keep you safe.}}

'''Temporary Power:'''

When you deliver the book to Gordon Bower, he will give you the [[Rune of Warding]] temporary power.

{{PowerBox|Icon=Temp Ranged Heavy.png|Name=Rune of Warding|Effect=Ranged, Minor Damage (Energy)/Special vs. Fey|Desc=After you rescued the village's Book of Runes from the [[Fir Bolg]], [[Gordon Bower|Mayor Gordon Bower]] asked you to study the Rune of Warding. It should help you battle the strange creatures of [[Croatoa]], but knowledge of the rune will fade after 3 days.

Expires in 2 days of in-game time.}}

'''Debriefing'''

Thanks for retrieving that book. You're giving Salamanca a fighting chance against the darkness.

==== {{UL|Stop the battle}} ====

'''Briefing'''

I've learned of a big battle between the [[Fir Bolg]] and the [[Tuatha de Dannan|Tuatha]]. The more violence in [[Croatoa]], the more danger all the village people are in. {{SelTextGreen|That means I need you to stop that battle.}} Think you're up to it?

To stop the violence, you'll need to defeat every last creature in that cave. Be on your guard, <name>. Things can get tricky in close quarters.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=The sounds of desperate combat ring through these caverns.|Primary=Defeat all creatures in cave|Secondary=|Additional=|Completion=You stopped the battle!}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Fir Bolg}}
{{Enemy Tuatha de Dannan}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=The War of the Fir Bolg|Text=One of the Fir Bolg you defeated snarled, 'Our eternal struggle will not cease! You cannot stop our battle, any more than our own deaths can. Defeat us, and we will rise again, to carry on our immortal war for all time to come!'}}

'''Debriefing'''

The Fir Bolg said that their dead warriors rise again to continue their war forever? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Common theme in folklore: eternal bloodshed, war without end, etc. But I have to admit I feel... well, sad for them. They've been locked in combat all these years, and not even death can still their rage. Croatoa is a dark and horrible place. I'm finally beginning to get that through my head.

==== {{UL|Stop the ritual}} ====

'''Briefing'''

We're in big trouble. All this battling between the [[Fir Bolg]] and the [[Tuatha de Dannan|Tuatha]] has finally come to a head! The Fir Bolg have prepared an elaborate ceremony, one with roots dating back to the 1400's. It's very complex. It's... well, it's going on right now! The Fir Bolg plan to push the Tuatha out of [[Croatoa]] entirely. Only trouble is, they'll be pushed out into to the nearest location in the real world: Salamanca. If we don't stop that ritual, Salamanca will be overrun with more Tuatha de Dannan than you or I have ever seen! I seriously recommend you put a team together for this one.

The Fir Bolg's ceremony is taking place in the spirit world. You'll have to go there to stop it; fortunately, you're dealing with an expert.

The ceremony hinges on a big post and lintel doorway in New Connaught. As the Fir Bolg enter the doorway, they disrupt the separation between the real world and the spirit world, thus making it possible for them to eject the Tuatha into our reality. Once 30 Fir Bolg enter the doorway, the process is irreversible. So you've got to stop them from getting through.

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=You hear a hundred guttural voices lifted up in a foreign chant.|Primary=Stop 30 Fir Bolg entering door|Secondary=0 have escaped|Additional=|Completion=You prevented the Fir Bolg from expelling the Tuatha from Croatoa!}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Fir Bolg}}

'''Note'''

Although the stated objective is to stop 30 [[Fir Bolg]] passing through the portal, the real objective is to defeat all [[Fir Bolg]] on the map before 30 can enter the portal.

'''Debriefing (Mission Success)'''

Whew, that was a close one. Good work. Good work and good-bye. This latest crisis has made me realize we can't keep fighting this war battle by battle; we've got to get to the heart of this war and stop it for good. And for that, I think you'll have to look up a new friend of mine. She's not like other people you've met -- at least, I imagine not! Anyway, you'll find her in the Misty Wood. Treat her well. She's had a lot of tough luck.

'''Debriefing (Mission Failure)'''

The good news is, your interference in the Fir Bolg ceremony disrupted it badly enough to stop them from finishing it. So you accomplished your goal, even though it wasn't in the way we had hoped. So good work. Good work and good-bye. This latest crisis has made me realize we can't keep fighting this war battle by battle; we've got to get to the heart of this war and stop it for good. And for that, I think you'll have to look up a new friend of mine. She's not like other people you've met -- at least, I imagine not! Anyway, you'll find her in the Misty Wood. Treat her well. She's had a lot of tough luck.

== Missions ==

=== {{UL|Get Skipper some evidence}} ===

'''Briefing'''

Hey, there, <name>! Long time no see. I've been hanging out in [[Croatoa]] for some time now, and I guess you could say I've learned a lot about the [[Fir Bolg]]. And the [[Tuatha de Dannan]]. Only one thing bugs me: no one back home believes me! If you could help me with that, I think I could clue you in on some of the bigger goings on here in Croatoa. What do you say? {{SelTextGreen|Care to get me some evidence?}}

Great. Thanks. Here's a camera; just snap a few pics of the Fir Bolg, and we can get started.

{{Mission Clue|Name=Skipper's camera|Text=This beaten-up Polaroid looks like it's seen better days, but it should be sufficient to capture some pictures of the Fir Bolg.}}

{{Mission Objective|Entrance=|Primary=Document New Connaught's monsters|Secondary=Defeat 10 Fir Bolg|Additional=|Completion=You got enough pictures of the Fir Bolg.}}

'''Enemies'''

{{Enemy Fir Bolg}}

{{Mission Clue|Name=Polaroid snapshots|Text=It's hard to snap great pics when you're fighting for your life, but these photos aren't half bad. Skipper should have no trouble convincing people of Croatoa's worries now.}}

'''Debriefing'''

Thanks, <name>, and nice shooting! With these, maybe I can wake a few people up to the danger Croatoa's facing. And maybe they'll take me a little more seriously from now on.

== External Links ==

* {{NoFutureContact|City=h|ID=171}}

Talk:Skipper LeGrange

2009-02-10T13:00:56Z

Ipsi:

== Stop the Ritual Mission ==

{{Mission Clue|Name=Mission Notes|Text=The outdoor map is populated by numerous mobs. One by one, they will 'activate' and make their pilgrimage to the door (which is marked on the map). The highest chance of success will be to immediately get to the door, clear the area around it, and watch for the pilgrimage. Dropped AoE patches which slow/immobilize the enemy, such as Ice Patch or Caltrops are incredibly useful. The pilgrims will come in single file, and will blunder into such areas like lemmings. Note that all enemies must be defeated for this mission to complete. As long as 29 or less get through the portal, it will be a success. This can mean, depending on your build, that it is quicker to run around defeating each mob, as opposed to waiting for them to activate and come to the portal.}}

== Max introduction level ==

Skipper won't be introduced to you once you reach level 30. You can still finish Gordon's arc, but Gordon will introduce you to Kelly Nemmers instead. {{User:StarGeek/sig}} 01:47, 29 August 2007 (EDT)

City of Heroes on Linux

2009-01-11T03:08:04Z

Ipsi: /* Disadvantages */ Adding note about crashes.

{{TOCright}}

''See also [[City of Heroes on Mac]]''

== Overview ==

It is possible to run City of Heroes on Linux through a technology called [http://winehq.com/ ''WINE''] (''W''INE ''I''s ''N''ot an ''E''mulator). By porting the Windows API libraries that City of Heroes uses to Linux, WINE effectively "fools" City of Heroes into thinking that it is actually running on Windows. A program called [http://www.transgaming.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=29 Cedega] allows City of Heroes to be relatively user-friendly to configure and run.

== How It Works ==

Most programs that run on Windows do not directly access the hardware in one's machine. For example, if a program needs a file from the hard drive, it does not talk directly to the hard drive. Instead, it calls a function in Windows, which in turn talks directly to the hard drive.

The primary advantage of this type of abstraction is that programs do not have to worry about the hardware-specific details of every device that is installed. Before this level of abstraction was achieved, every program had to have special drivers for every device that might be used. Now, only one set of drivers must be installed on Windows, which can be shared through a common set of functions that Windows provides (called the ''Application Programming Interface'', or API).

A special set of functions may be grouped into a programming library. Such libraries typically handle some specific functionality. For example, there are two primary graphics libraries in use today to program games, Microsoft's DirectX and OpenGL, a graphics library that is largely implemented through open source software. Since DirectX is a proprietary (or ''closed source'') software library, programs that use it will typically only run on Microsoft's software, which is the various versions of Windows. Since OpenGL has Windows and Linux versions, however, programs that run using this library are much more easily converted between Windows and Linux.

Unfortunately, the City of Heroes [[Game Client]] uses the DirectX library for all of its graphics, which means that it would normally only run on Windows.

However, the open source community developed an application called WINE that implements many of the DirectX library functions using calls to the functions in OpenGL. When this application is installed on Linux, programs that use DirectX may be able to run, because they believe they are calling DirectX functions, and those functions work the same now under Linux and Windows.

== Cedega ==

A company named [http://transgaming.com TransGaming] has developed an application named [http://transgaming.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=29 Cedega] that makes the task of installing WINE and configuring Linux to run games much easier. Cedega is commercial software that requires a $5 per month (or $55 per year) subscription fee to maintain the latest version, but many users use Cedega to make ease of installation and use of games running on WINE easier.

== How Well Does It Run? ==

There are advantages and disadvantages to running City of Heroes on Linux. Some of them are discussed below.

=== Advantages ===

* Because WINE actually implements many of the DirectX functions better than Microsoft has, City of Heroes typically runs faster on Linux. This is typically reflected in a higher frames-per-second (fps) rate, faster zone loading, and faster game loading and exiting.
* Because Linux is open source software, one does not need to pay several hundreds of dollars for a copy of Windows to run City of Heroes. Also, there are no issues regarding upgrades (e.g. to Windows Vista), as all upgrades to most Linux distributions are free.
* Running City of Heroes on Linux allows one to access other convenient features of Linux, such as virtual desktop switching, filesystem links, etc.

=== Disadvantages ===

* In spite of remarkable strides in making Linux more user-friendly, it can still be rather difficult to configure applications to run on it. This is especially true of applications that are not written for the specific Linux distribution one is using.
* There are a few quirks in the game. The primary one is that City of Heroes detects that the video drivers in use are an old version of the drivers, which prevents some graphics functionality, such as water effects and depth-of-field effects from being enabled. This can also result in crashing when attempting to change or view costumes, either through the menu or through the tailor.
* Third party party utilities (such as [http://cit.cohtitan.com/ City Info Tracker's Glycerin], [http://herostats.org/ HeroStats], [http://sourceforge.net/projects/piggviewer/ PiggViewer], [http://net-marks.com/cohtools/tweakcoh/ Tweak CoH], etc.) might be able to run if they are inside the same "emulator" as the game client.
** For example, one user was able to install .NET and Herostats running WINE 1.0. The Herostats' in game window would not display, but all other functionality seemed to work, including stats and badge detection.
** However, when attempting to install .NET and Herostats in Cedega 6.0.5, the same user was not able to get both City of Heroes and Herostats to run at the same time.


Note: Glycerin(formerly City Info Tracker) and HeroStats are built on the Microsoft.NET framework and require the installation of that technology. [http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en download .NET 2.0 redistributable]

== External Links ==

* [http://gameamp.com/guide/viewGuides/330.php Detailed HOWTO] on GameAmp's site for how to get City of Heroes running on Linux
* [http://transgaming.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=29 Cedega], an application published by [http://www.transgaming.com TransGaming], to make installation and configuration of City of Heroes on Linux more user-friendly.
* [http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/games/view.mhtml?game_id=3321 City of Heroes] and [http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/games/view.mhtml?game_id=3956 City of Villains] entries in the Cedega games database
* [http://transgaming.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=49 TransGaming forum] for City of Heroes and City of Villains
* [http://cedegawiki.sweetleafstudios.com/wiki/City_of_Heroes City of Heroes on Linx wiki] dedicated specifically to information about running City of Heroes on Linux
* [http://winehq.com/ WINE], the underlying technology that allows Windows programs to run on Linux

[[Category:Game Client]]