(Edit: Whoops, this was supposed to go under General DW Chatter. Sorry.)
(Second edit: I moved it over to the right forum. -- Bob)
Wondering of the day: What do gatesongs actually do?
I mean, is any given song:
(a) a portal from Universe A to Universe B only;
(b) a portal to Universe B from any "nearby" universes;
(c) a portal from Universe A to some random universe;
(d) something else?
And do all the gatesongs follow one model, or does it vary?
--Sam Ashley
"When evil is afoot and you don't have any arms, you've gotta use your head."

What would happen to a magical attack if it impacted Doug's field?
__________________
Into terror!,  Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell

Taking a comment out of context:

Quote:

---

uhmmm well.... how does special circumstances sound?

---

In an old chemist's attic, so dreary and so mean,
Oh smell the fearful odors of nitroglycerine.
They're busy building bombs, and filling cans with nails,
And little starving kiddies set up this tearful wail:
Oh, it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
The last one it was thrown by Brother John.
Mother's aim is bad and the coppers all know Dad,
So it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
In a dark and dreary attic, all filled with nitro fumes,
They spend each waking hour planning others' dooms.
They build bombs every morning, so not a day goes by
That from some smoking building goes up this mournful cry:
Oh, it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
The last one it was thrown by Brother John.
Mother's aim is bad and the coppers all know Dad,
So it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
They're taught bomb-building from the day they're born,
And peace is something they all learn to scorn.
They can hardly wait to see the blast and hear the noise
And watch the heads go flying off little girls and boys.
Oh, it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
The last one it was thrown by Brother John.
Mother's aim is bad and the coppers all know Dad,
So it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
She was maiming little children one fine day
When her older brother swore she'd have to pay,
Grit his teeth and pulled the pin. The whole darn house caved in,
And I'll bet she's building bombs below this day.
Oh, it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
The last one it was thrown by Brother John.
Mother's aim is bad and the coppers all know Dad,
So it's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
It's Sister Jenny's turn to throw the bomb.
-- It's Sister Jenny's Turn To Throw The Bomb, (Traditional)
(And no, this is not the Leslie Fish version, but one which I taped off the Dr. Demento show many years ago.)-- Bob
---------
Do not taunt Happy Fun Baal.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

All 7 and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savoir-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare
I am yours now and u are mine
And together we'll love through
All space and time, so don't cry
One day all 7 will die
All 7 and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savoir-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare
I am yours now and u are mine
And together we'll love through
All space and time, so don't cry
One day all 7 will die
And I saw an angel come down unto me
In her hand she holds the very key
Words of compassion, words of peace
And in the distance an army's marching feet (1,2,3,4 - 1,2,3,4)
But behold, we will watch them fall
And we lay down on the sand of the sea
And before us animosity will stand and decree
That we speak not of love only blasphemy
And in the distance, 6 others will curse me
But that's alright, (that's alright)
4 I will watch them fall (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
All 7 and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savoir-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare
I am yours now and u are mine
And together we'll love through
All space and time, so don't cry
One day all 7 will die
[(Just how old)]
And we will see a plague and a river of blood
And every evil soul will surely die in spite of
Their 7 tears, but do not fear
4 in the distance, 12 souls from now
U and me will still be here - we will still be here
There will be a new city with streets of gold
The young so educated they never grow old
And a, there will be no death 4 with every breath
The voice of many colors sings a song
That's so bold
Sing it while we watch them fall
All 7 and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savoir-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare
I am yours now and u are mine
And together we'll love through
All space and time, so don't cry
One day all 7 will die
[(Just how old)]
[(Just how old)]
[(Just how old)]
-- Prince, 7-- Bob
---------
Do not taunt Happy Fun Baal.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

Anyone seen yet the AMV of Tsukihime using the OP from Xenogears?
__________________
Into terror!,  Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell

As long as I've been talking about Yu-Gi-Oh!, let's look at some of its fellow Shonen Jump series....
Shaman King: A world where the magegift expresses itself in the ability to interact with spirits--all kinds of spirits, from tiny grass and rock spirits, through the ghosts of the dead, up to the Great Spirit Itself. Some people cooperate with spirits, others control them. And the most skilled/powerful shaman of all will become the Shaman King, the one who saves the Earth from destruction.
This being a Shonen Jump title, there's a tournament to decide who the Shaman King will be--though the smart money is on Yoh Asakura, a slacker who enjoys listening to music on his headphones. He believes that only people capable of good are able to see spirits, and has a remarkable ability to bring that capacity to the surface.
It's doubtful that Doug would be allowed to be a direct participant in the tournament, given that it would require him to stay on that world forever, but I think he'd get a big kick out of the Patch (the Native American-esque judges of the tournament) and their authentic handcrafted electronic shamanic devices.

Hikaru no Go: Not a very likely world for an exciting stop, as there's only one known supernatural element. Sai, Hikaru's teaching ghost. (Though nothing prevents it from taking place in the same world as Shaman King, either.) How are Doug's go-playing skills?
Naruto: Takes place on an Earth-like planet where modern technology was developed *without* modern weaponry coming into play. Thus everyone relys on ninjas to get any combat done. Naruto is a trainee ninja with a deadly secret, teamed up with two other teens on missions they aren't really ready for. (Though there are fighting tournaments later, of course.)
This is one of those worlds that doesn't really require Doug to ever meet the protagonists--it's clear that there's exciting ninja action going on constantly.
One Piece: Another not-quite-Earth, this one 80% or so ocean, and effectively ruled by pirates, both good and bad. The main action follows a young idiot named Luffy who wants to be a pirate, and sets off to gather a crew. His first choice, naturally, is a notorious pirate hunter. Oh, and due to the same incident that gave Luffy his rubbery body, he's a pirate who cannot swim.
Again, lots of action even if Doug doesn't join up with the Straw Hat pirates....

I'm sure you've already heard of YuYu Hakusho (one of the few series that *start* with the hero dying) and Dragonball.

SKJAM!
Buses are back, huzzah!

Well, I suppose it's high time I introduce my self.

Let's see....

1) I'm an ex-lifer who is into his 2nd career. Being an industrial hygienist wasn't what I had in mind, but with my prior experience of handling and using dangerous chemicals, who knew?

2) I live in Los Angeles. And I don't care what Ed Bercerra thinks of the place. Even if we get earthquakes, at least it's warm. I had enough of cold places to last me a lifetime!

3) I'm a wargamer, not an RPG'er. My first impulse in a hostile situation is to blow the other guy off the face of the map. If you look at the word overkill, you'd probably see my face.

4) I only started getting into anime in a big way about 2 years ago. I was on a trip, looked at the cartoon network, saw Gundam wing and I was hooked. Pitiful.
__________________
Into terror!,  Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell

Ok a few songs that I was listening to and had inspiration strike (kinda painful in a way).
"In Control" - Die Tten Hosen from the Tomb Raider Soundtrack
Lyrics at: www.lyrc.com.ar/lyric/D/D...ntrol.html
Ok this for when Doug needs someone else to guide him around. Maybe Doug is a little more sturdy in a dangerous situation then the expert needed. Just play the song and Doug can be guided for the task. Doug doesn't have to do an action if he doesn't want to. Its not a total mind control just a helpful guide for his body.
"Invisible Man" Theory of a Deadman from the Spiderman Soundtrack
Lyrics at www.tophitsonline.com/lyr...ongid=1761
This one would make Doug invisible (or at least very hard to see) but only when he's being actively chased by people who seek to do him harm. Gives Doug a side benefit of knowing where his pursurers are (general direction only) letting him take to the offense (the best kind of defense).

Shawn Earl

A Warren Zevon song, apparently about Elvis....
Chorus: "He threw it away for a porcelain monkey,
Gave it all up for a figurine,
Traded it in for a night in Las Vegas,
And his face on ve-e-e-lveteen"
Possible effect: Doug is able to convince his victim to make a trade/sign a contract disadvantageous to said victim.
Or he could just use it as an object lesson for Sana on how not to react to fame.