Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary in The Shady Dragon Inn Forum

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Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary

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Starlene Antares	Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary	Lead	[-]
Posts: 11020 (10/13/03 1:44 PM) The Rising Sun Sigil of the Twilight Sky Grand Sigil of the Holy Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None I have decided to start what I hope will be a fun project for everyone by creating a dictionary for us Sigils and any other roleplayers out there who might be interested. :) This is not meant to dictate what can and cannot be said in guildchat or the Portal, but it meant to be simply a resource, a place to get some suggestions and ideas to improve upon your own roleplaying. It is also hoped that this would encourage people to not take the easy way out and try to phrase common everyday things in an in-character manner. The more people roleplay and stay in-character, the more roleplaying friendly the environment will be for everyone who wants to roleplay. Now, I am not at ALL capable of coming up with everything that could be in this dictionary. What I've posted here is just a START. I would REALLY love to have people respond with suggestions, their own ideas, their own entries, examples, etc. When you do that I will add it to the dictionary then delete the post to free up clutter. So, I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's ideas! :) Please don't hesitate to either reply here with one or send me a scroll at starlene@sigilsguild.com. I look forward to hearing from you all (Sigils and non-Sigils alike!) Happy roleplaying! Starlene Antares Chancellor of Sigils Druidess of Tunare (Really nice suggestions so far everyone! Keep them coming!) AA Points (Alternate Advancement): 1. Instead of announcing each AA ding, it is strongly recommended to instead announce when a new skill has been learned. Ex: "Praise Tunare, I have improved my skill in healing, by mastering the final rank of Healing Adept." 2. Other ways one could refer to AA points: a) Alternate learning b) Advanced knowledge c) Specialized skills d) Additional power Note: Obviously one can switch the adjectives and nouns around. Alternate Characters (Alts) 1. Soulmates: One character for most people isn't enough, so we all often end up with two or more. One trouble Sigils had was finding a term that sounded better from a roleplaying point of view than "alts". After the marriage with Aven du Sora, the term they had been using "soulmate" was adopted. The word is not used in the romantic sense. Soulmate quickly became a handy way to indicate that two characters, especially ones that would normally have nothing to do with each other, share the same "soul" as the other character, hence are played by the same person. A few other alternatives I've heard from soulmate: a) Alternate existence / Shared existence b) Soul linked 2. Relationship Ties: Another popular way to refer to alts is to actually have them have some sort of relationship to each other. A few possible suggestions: a) Friend or acquaintance b) Brother or sister c) Some other relative d) Enemy e) Associate f) Apprentice / Squire More often if people choose to have their alts have a relationship with each other, they will choose anything other than "enemy" to help explain why the lower character is receiving help (twinking, powerleveling, etc.) from the higher. 3. Mules: Mule characters are created normally for a single purpose and are not intended to be played seriously into the higher levels. Or it could be an alternate character that was regularly played at some point but has now been retired. Mule characters are often created to sell things in the bazaar or to hold excess items, especially for tradeskillers. Another use for a mule character could be to scout out a place, such a Brell worshipping gnome rogue in the Hole or a Rallos Zek worshipping ogre for Kael. Because these character are usually created for a single purpose they often have no background, no personality and are not roleplayed, though this certainly doesn't have to be case. Nevertheless, as roleplayers we still tend to give these characters half way decent names, as oppose to, Iamamule, or Corpsedragger. There are also various ways to refer to them. The ones previously listed could just as easily apply to mule characters, but here are some that are normally only used for mule storage/sellling characters. a) Merchant b) Hired Hand c) Worker d) Servant e) Slave f) Assistant g) Lackey h) Employee i) Helper For utility characters used to check out places due to their faction, or track, etc. a) Scout b) Spotter c) Spy d) Lookout e) Vanguard / rogue (usually used for an actual rogue) f) Spotter g) Tracker (Usually a class that can actually track) h) Mercenary i) Slave /servant (Also listed for the other section, these terms would probably be more fitting for an evil aligned character. Good aligned characters normally do not have "slaves"). Buffs 1. Protective magics. Ex. "If anyone needs their protective magics refreshed, please tell me." 2. Enhancement spells Cons: (Red con, blue con, light blue con, green con) 1. For clarity's sake it might be necessary to denote in ooc exactly what you mean. Ex. "This beast doesn't look like it'll be much of a threat at all ((light blue to me))." 2. Eyes: "This creature has red eyes." 3. Aura: "I sense a dark blue aura about this orc." Experience 1. Noun What we earn in Everquest when we complete a quest or kill a mob that cons blue or higher. The more experience we earn, the more we can make our characters powerful with levels and alternate advancement. Experience is is a term that many roleplayers like to word differently. Here are some examples: Also see Groups and Levels 1. Learning: "We have learned much killing these sarnaks" 2. Power: "I have grown in power since I started hunting there." 3. Knowledge: ex. "I gained much more knowledge hunting in the Planes than in Kunark." 4. Research: ex. "We will be researching orcs tonight to see what they can teach us." (Courtesy of Lady Carlisle ~grins~) Faction 1. The word "faction" in itself I think is fine but I recommend it be used as a noun and not as a verb (factioning) and use the in the context of its actual dictionary meaning: a) A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group. I have improved my standing with the Qeynos merchant faction" b) Conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension 2. Alternate ways to say "faction" a) Alliance: "I hope to ally myself with the sarnaks, but it's not easy to gain their trust. b) Standing: "My standing with the Freeport militia could not possibly be worse." c) Allegiance: "I cannot help because I have sworn an allegiance with the Coldain." d) Trust: "I want to gain the elves trust but just long enough so I can obtain what I want from them." e) Reputation: "I'm afraid I don't have a good enough reputation with the dragons for them to let me walk around their city." 3. Also, if at all possible use the name of the actual faction. "The Indigo Brotherhood hates me so much, I'm afraid to set foot in Neriak." Farming 1. The word means "to cultivate or produce a crop on" but in Everquest has come to mean the repeated killing of creatures over and over again in order to collect specific items usually to do with tradeskills or making plat. Farming is usually a solitary activity done on creatures considerably weaker than the adventurer (green cons). As roleplayers here are some alternatives that might sound better: a) trapping (skins/pelts/meats) b) harvesting (organs/silks) c) mining (ores, etc.) d) searching (rare drops, or things that you need several of/ground spawns) e) collecting f) mass killing, slaughter (I'm mass killing these othmir for their fur...something a character of evil alignment might be more inclined to say) g) thinning the herd (a good druid or ranger term) h) hunting for... (I'm hunting for jewels, money, skins, etc.) i) gathering Levels: (See also experience) 1. The term "level" is fine in itself as the word literally means, "Relative position or rank on a scale." However, it tends to be overused a lot so here is a list of some alternatives: a) Rank b) Achievement c) Status d) New knowledge e) More power f) Learning g) Seasons 2. Also in Everquest our levels are numbered. Again there is nothing wrong with saying, "I'm a level 55 druid" but as a roleplayers there are more creative and fun alternatives. The ones listed above are more generic but we can also specialize with classes. A few examples: a) Clerics: "I'm a cleric of 55 healings" b) Druids: "She has reached her 63rd Circle." c) Necromancers: "Praise Innoruuk! I am now a heretic of 58 skulls." d) Monks: "I reached my 18th Enlightenment. f) Other arcane casters: "I am a wizard of 28 tomes." g) Melee: "I have completed my 60th campaign." Group 1. Noun. Experience Group - In Everquest many of us spend a large portion of our time is spent grinding for experience in groups usually for the purpose of gaining experience. The terms group mates and group members are often used to describe those we hunt with, and while those terms are fine for both roleplayers and non-roleplayers alike here are some possible alternatives: a) Band of mercenaries b) Gang of theives c) Company of adventurers 2. Verb. Grinding or Exping - Gaining experience with groups is often called experience grinding or exping. At times this can be dull and repetitive and very detrimental to roleplaying. However, much of the tedium can be alleviated by the way group members interact among themselves. Here are some alternate terms to grinding and exping. 1) Adventuring 2) Hunting 3) Exploring 4) Slaughtering 5) Fighting 6) Attacking 7) Warring 8) Battling 9) Eradicating 10) Struggling 11) Researching See Also: Experience and Levels Loot: 1. The term "loot" is fine, but it does tend to be over used so here are some other alternatives a) Cache b) Wealth c) Rewards d) Prizes e) Find g) Treasure h) Fortune i) Funds j) Riches k) Valuables l) Spoils m) Booty Mobs: 1. Short for MOBile creature this term, I personally would discourage the use of the term for much better alternatives exist. a) Creature b) Foe c) Enemy d) Prey e) Beast 2. A Mob doesnt have to be something you kill either. If youre on friendly terms you could call it a friend or ally. However, a sure way to avoid the term mob is to use its name. Look out for that goblin coming your way! Train: 1. Noun. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of the word "train" is a locamotive, which doesn't really fit in well with a fanstasy world with a medival setting and magic. However, the word "train" has several other meanings as well which actually fit into how it's used in Norrath. One of them is, "A long line of moving people, animals, or vehicles" and "A series of consequences wrought by an event; aftermath." Nonetheless I think there are better roleplaying ways to speak about a train, so here's the list! a) Horde b) Swarm c) Gang d) Crowd e) Pack f) Throng g) Flood h) Masses i) Surge j) Scores 2. Verb I think this one is trickier. If we want to avoid using it as a verb and have it sound more like roleplaying, we really need to rework the sentences. Unfortunately, that does involve some more work, but as roleplayers I think the effort is worth it myself. :) Examples: "That paladin trained us." "That paladin brought the swarm upon us." "Tell that paladin to quit training us!" "Tell that paladin to quit endangering us with his antics." "I'm sorry about training you guys." "I'm sorry about risking your lives like that." "Nobody can train like a paladin." "Nobody can cause an angry horde to chase after him like a paladin."
Temil	Re: Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary	#1	[-]
Visitor Posts: 2310 (03/22/04 12:14 PM) UnNamed Banned Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Something that we talked about in-game before, creatures spawning. Spawning by definition, I think, means producing or cast forth from, which doesn't really fit well with the sense of roleplaying. Some good words for spawning would be. Appearing Arriving Revealed (Brain dead, can't think of anymore) Duke Temil Angelfury 65th Lord Protector of Karana Guardian of Tunare Temil's Profile
Unregistered(d)	Re: Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary	#2	[-]
Posts: 0 (03/22/04 1:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Spawning actually means to produce in large numbers, so it's not all that bad of a word selection, when you consider that there is an endless supply of said creatures. Amiable Skull
Ignemae Blindfyre	Re: Sigils' Roleplaying Dictionary	#3	[-]
Posts: 174 (04/30/04 5:48 PM) Sigil of the Maiden of Flames Order of the Arcane Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I very much like what I see here, and thought I'd comment on one point that has worked for me for a while now, the ways of speaking of an alternate character without saying "alt". I have a bit of preface I'd like to say first, so please bear with me: My first character was Tellurian, and she had a breakdown when she lost her love, and was never much liked by even her own kind, feeling alone, she killed herself in a very difficult to reach and not safe to be area. My second character was Ignemae, and she was not much liked either by those of Neriak, mostly because she is a wizard and does not worship Innoruuk (much like Tellurian, with a different class and god to follow). She grew to respect and care about Tellurian for her help in finding her a place to learn, and for her time sacrificed in helping Ignemae get her first level spells. Jzolie, my third character, was the one that ressurrected Tellurian (whom I very nearly deleted, for roleplaying reasons, and because I honestly could never find a group for her). She is Ignemae's blood Sister, and knows Tellurian has a destiny that called upon Jzolie's inner powers and enabled her to ressurect her completely, with both the time passed as well as Jzolie's level at the time not being factors when Ignemae found Tellurian's body and brought it to Jzolie. Gumble, obviously my fourth character, was made just before the Trolls were pushed out of their home, but I think EQ reads my computer files because about two or three things I've though of first has ended up in their plot-lines. I had intended Gumble to be barred from ever entering his homeland ever again, and even sent Ignemae and Tellurian to get his spells. He found himself lost and alone, and after falling down one of the mountainous sides of Neriak near Lavastorm Mountains, Jzolie laughed so hard at his "performance" that she healed him and insisted he live with her, so now they are all together through various ways, to bring it together I have this in my story. Ignemae isn't liked in Neriak because she sold her father's seat at the council, having found herself interested in humans and finding hating them sometimes very pointless, as well as many races. Ignemae also needed the money to keep some kind of income to the Blindfyre Manor as her parents were not prepared to leave either of the children with much. I used this to do two things, explain how a poor character (both in RL, in RPing and in game) can afford a Manor, as well to give a more appropriate reason for why she is more friendly to others than many dark elves. Even her name is taken from an ancient human language, something she thought would have gotten her assassinated if she did sit at the counsil. Jzolie is insane, so she may treat others well, but in her mind she sees the pain, the bliss, and the things the future holds for almost anything and everything. Some people have even asked her to RP out her readings, and thankfully she's been very accurate. She isn't all-knowing, because she is also insane, so what she sees is sometimes shaken off as a hallucination, a strange thought, or just gibberish no one believes. She is liked in Neriak, in reality because she worships Innoruuk and has killed enough things to get good favor there. I say in game that she claims that Innoruuk actually loves her. Which may or may not be true. Still, with what the guild of clerics have seen her do, they favor her and try not to get in her way from fear she may actually be right. Gumble is somewhat liked in Neriak, but he doesn't like to go in there. He is a philosophist at heart, and he feels one saying says it all, "All yoos ever own is da actions dat yoos do." So with that he tries not to impose on Neriak, but lives happily in the Blindfyre Manor since he is asked to use alchemy to make potions to boost speed for Ignemae and Jzolie, as well as others, and he's getting better at it. Tellurian, still feeling shunned, has spent a great deal of time around those that aren't aware she's even there. She spies for Ignemae, (often on Jzolie, who tends to find out when she's spying unless Tellurian is VERY careful). She also takes jobs assassinating people and pays for her room in the Manor when she isn't able to give Ignemae enough information to make the debt. I actually do have my characters repay each other for every little thing that one buys or sells to each other, with the only exception being some items with Ignemae and Jzolie (since they are sisters) and other very reasonable things like, "here Gumble, have some bat wings and fresh fish, since I've found the exact recipe for making fish rolls and wont need these for a while, they sure are filling!" Things like that. Since all of these people are friends (though Tellurian has informed them that for enough money, she would tell them she's leaving, inform which of them she will be trying to kill, and then give whomever time to prepare) they share minor things, and allow each other to make payments on things they can't afford at once, so I'm very glad they did the shared bank account thing! That is how I sum up my regiment of characters, and while Tellurian and Gumble did pitch in to give money to a spy that lives in Cabalis and occasionally gets Gumble spells found no where else, those are all I play. (yup, the Iksar is a mule, hopefully I can get some items to have him sell, and he'll get a "cut" for his efforts, probably 10 percent.) I feel that establishing how your characters view each other is important, as well as helping to establish the reasons they would go home, rest or what have you while the other one adventures. From there I get a much easier view of how these people would treat others, especially Sigils. A reason why I probably seem to play the "nicest" dark elves around. (just be worried if Tellurian tells you to get ready for her, lol, something that won't be a problem once I get her guilded, since she never turns on her guild.) "Honor amongst thieves." I'll try to email you sometime Starlene with more ideas that are private in nature until I post more of the stories of Iggy, Jzolie and Tellurian, and I'll post some of the ways I like to roleplay the different things that many have a hard time placing words for. Very good thread to have started! Warmly, Ignemae *Fire, lightning, ice, earth, even magicks themselves burn for me those who will not feed the Flames.*
Reridore		#4	[-]
Posts: 1 (09/24/08 3:02 PM) The Mighty Sigil of the Reforging Order of the Mighty Ambassador Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Is it always necessary to be so formal when roleplaying? I play a human from a lower class area--do you have any suggestions for the less refined?
Keats Lovesonnet		#5	[-]
Posts: 6762 (09/24/08 3:11 PM) High Sigil Defender of Love Sigil of the Silver Tongue Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Of course not; there are as many variations to RP language as there are to RL language. What kind of dialect do you see your character using? That would certainly influence your choice of words. Welcome to the Portal, by the way.
Beldhyr		#6	[-]
Posts: 5051 (09/24/08 4:01 PM) Consul Ak'Anon's Champion Sigil of Mindspark Order of the Arcane Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Indeed, this thread is not really intended to go into the topic of diction or dialect. It's simply intended to give in-character alternatives to words that are distinctly out of character, regardless of your character's background.
Reridore		#7	[-]
Posts: 352 (04/07/09 9:38 PM) The Mighty Sigil of the Reforging Order of the Mighty Ambassador Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, so, I don't mean to be a thread necromancer, but now that I'm a bit better at this I figure I'll throw in my two, uh, copper pieces. Spawning -- Well, you know, back in my server/day, it was always popping But in a roleplay sense, I think the most effective thing that I've seen has been a comment about reinforcements. Something simple, like, "You'd best gather your loot off those corpses before they send some of their friends after us" or "I think it's been long enough, they must have restaffed by now". Since I type fast, it's never been a problem whaling off long phrases, but a simple "Let's check for reinforcements" is just as in character and clear. Soulmate -- this constantly bugs me. I don't see anyway to say this in character. Reridore doesn't know ANYTHING about Rinalaila, and vise versa. They are completely unaware that the other exists. Therefore, I'd only call her a soulmate out of character, and I could just as easily say alt...Anyway, I rather enjoy the bit of mystery that comes with not knowing quite who's playing who (unless it involves a certain Awesometacular person), so in that kind of character relationship, I doubt I'd really say anything about it IC. Everyone else, I try to introduce as a friend, sister, comrade, lover...I like having a plausible tie to the character that I introduce in rp. I hate introducing someone I don't have the right to know. Someday, undoubtedly, I'll find a way to say this. Considering -- Oh, I've been trying so valiantly to do the "it has red eyes" thing, but the problem is, it usually needs OOC clarification, and I try to make things like that as clear as possible IC. Usually I just estimate its level -- "It looks like it'll be a few ranks below me". Even saying "it's dark blue" doesn't feel strictly out of character to me. I just try and take it for granted that adventurers can see some sort of elusive aura. Pets -- You know, I never really liked the term 'pet' for roleplay. When Reridore feels shadowknighty enough to summon a pet, she usually refers to it as a servant, a lazy sack of bones, or I just call it by name. I think a lot of terms for mules can be interchangeable for pets. Well, I might have more to say on another day. Those are just a few of my thoughts.
Keats Lovesonnet		#8	[-]
Posts: 7614 (04/08/09 1:02 PM) High Sigil Defender of Love Sigil of the Silver Tongue Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Actually, "Soulmate" is one of those odd terms that is usually used as a sort of hybrid IC/OOC descriptor. I don't know of anyone who actually uses it in character; it's just that "alt" and "toon" are so obviously OOC that "Soulmate" at least makes a nod toward RP.
Beldhyr		#9	[-]
Posts: 5730 (04/10/09 7:29 AM) Consul Ak'Anon's Champion Sigil of Mindspark Order of the Arcane Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It doesn't count as reviving an old thread if it's stickied. Also, as I was reading over it, the examples of levels stuck out. a) Clerics: "I'm a cleric of 55 healings" This just sounds trite and forced to me. Something like this would have to rely on the character, at least. For post-50, a better thing to say might be the actual class title. Not everyone knows all the titles, of course, but it can nail down a range of 5 with a judicious /who all cleric. I have a similar problem with this one: c) Necromancers: "Praise Innoruuk! I am now a heretic of 58 skulls." We can generally do better than this. "Healings" doesn't refer to anything specific--it certainly doesn't refer to the number of healing spells, or the number of heals the individual has performed. It's making up a designation of a "Healing" to mean a "relative position or rank on a scale" within a clerical institution. Who'd actually name their ranks healings? I don't see it happening. On a similar note, "I am of the 55th level" is less in-character to me than "I am a level/rank 55 cleric." That's using the term level or rank as a position within clerical hierarchy. You would more properly be "of" the Church of Rodcet--a Rank 55 Cleric of the Church of Rodcet, perhaps. That works even better if you're a Soldier of Tunare, since those druids would very likely have military ranks. Speaking of druids: b) Druids: "She has reached her 63rd Circle." The intent here is for circles to represent ports. That doesn't work for me, either. However, Circle is remarkably adept for representing a number of classes, druids included. The key is in the verb--if you have entered (not reached/attained) the (not your) 63rd Circle (or Mystery), it is quite effective at indicating a mystery cult of some sort. And mystery cults are just cool. d) Monks: "I reached my 18th Enlightenment. This...could work. Not great, but I'd go more along the lines of "I have experienced the 18th Circle of Enlightenment." Far more suggestive of eastern religion, and far less of a thinly veiled pick-a-class-word. f) Other arcane casters: "I am a wizard of 28 tomes." While I have no problem with characters being librarians (re: Tomekeeper), it's hardly the goal of the Arcane schools. g) Melee: "I have completed my 60th campaign." I don't mind this one. Far better than, say, your 60th blade--why do you keep breaking them? One that we constantly use that isn't used here is "season," although that indicates a time frame, and you need to be careful with that. Usires is NOT 83 years old--he's more like 20. Beldhyr's not 83 years old--he's more like 265. Of course any of these, including season, can be used in an OOC sense to indicate level gain with a nod to RP, as Keats pointed out with the term "Soulmate." Last Edited By: Beldhyr 04/10/09 1:33 PM. Edited 1 times.
Starlene Antares		#10	[-]
Posts: 7566 (04/10/09 8:57 AM) The Rising Sun Sigil of the Twilight Sky Grand Sigil of the Holy Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yeesh, I wrote this a long time ago, so my own opinions and tastes have changed since then. I want to do a serious rewrite when I find the time. I'll definitely welcome more suggestions.
Stelley		#11	[-]
Posts: 542 (04/11/09 1:51 AM) The Trickster Sigil of the Whistling Teapot Order of the Holy GSH Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well, for Paladins they could say "My 53rd Lay". And for Bards, they could say "My 53rd Lay" Sorry, couldn't resist. But I think this is one of those things that will never be perfect. I don't think there is a real world (or fantasy world) analogy to the large number of levels. So we can either break character or do something contrived. I prefer the latter, but am okay with the former. Ding Reridore is now a level 3 Thread Necromancer Last Edited By: Stelley 04/11/09 1:59 AM. Edited 2 times.
Beldhyr		#12	[-]
Posts: 5731 (04/11/09 8:55 AM) Consul Ak'Anon's Champion Sigil of Mindspark Order of the Arcane Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I don't think there is a real world (or fantasy world) analogy to the large number of levels. Well, there's the 99 layers of the Abyss. In most cases, announcing a level number isn't necessary, anyway. Just that you have reached a new pillar of understanding, been granted access to deeper secrets, delved into new recesses of forgotten lore, etc.
Zzaxx		#13	[-]
Visitor Posts: 33 (04/17/09 5:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Actually something like this has always been my call for Zzaxx.......... /OOC A bruised and battered Iksar holds aloft the still beating heart of his fallen foe and roars a challenge to any that would opose the Ridgerunners, or the monk whose just arived at his 84 th Season.......... or something like that. Zzaxx
Andarious		#14	[-]
Posts: 157 (10/17/09 8:58 AM) Sigil of the Backdraft Order of the Arcane Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	One thing with conning I don't know why I thought of this until now. Why not use something to the effects of the con message rather than the color? "It looks like we'd have little chance" for a yellow or. "I think this is a death wish" for red, that kind of thing. "Even odds I'd say." That's a simple white con. "Poor sod won't last five seconds." For gray... character by character and I think people would get it. Of course this also has a lot to do with character confidence and competence.
Starlene Antares		#15	[-]
Posts: 8473 (10/17/09 12:06 PM) The Rising Sun Sigil of the Twilight Sky Grand Sigil of the Holy Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Neat ideas, Andarious. I very much want to work on this project again at some point. It's on my "To-Do" list. Definitely keep the suggestions coming!