Yes, it's new. I got tired of the old one, and this one fittingly reflects my current mood. Anyway, I thought I might as well open a thread about it, so that there's one central place for all the potential comments on it...

Good lord. :mommy: Very cool. You'll always be the cranky-lookin' elf wizard guy to us, but I think we'll get used to it.

You may want to go ahead and field the slew of inevitable questions right now, those being "So are there like a whole bunch of new portraits now and stuff?" and/or "Can I send you my own picture and stuff, and have you upload it?" If either is yes I'd gurd up for an onslaught of portrait change requests. ;)

Anyway, nice portrait...and stuff.

Well, I liked the other one better -- it was more of a "personage". This one, while a VERY cool dragon....is still a dragon.

Actually, this one is from NWN. And yes, many new ones will be available to SPS account holders shortly. But more about that in the next few days.

*Snicker*

Aye, it be a very kewl drake 'n all, but I sure hope ye know'est that me mateys hav' been itchin' for a-new drake-belt +3...

There's nothing like the smell of fried adventurers in the morning... :evil:

At least it's not pink...

Well I agree with Death Rabbit, you'll still be the old elf wizard to us. It's cool but I prefer the old one.

Dragons as avatars are just plain lame. :p

Besides aren't you worried it's going to scare away all the dear newbies?

I don't understand. The picture looks the same to me.

Quite menacing. Someone is in a dark mood for sure.
What would the Red One be contemplating down on the ground is the question here. The charred remains of trespassing noob-adventurers?

Fitting.

I think I like this avatar much better than the previous one. The elf looked somewhat sour-faced around the nose.

Perhaps Tal's sorcerous elf avatar has become a red dragon disciple? (or pink dragon disciple, as the case may be...)

Bion, I cant help but notice that you seem to have business with the Pink Dragons. Was ist denn da nur los?! ;)

The era of the Pink One is long since past. :geezer:

It's a tad impersonal imho...but then again people always complain when something new is introduced.

HB, just refresh, it worked for me.

Ah. Now I see. Thanks, Uytuun.

Actually, a dragon represents better the power tal represents on the boards, though I agree a pink one would have been better :hippy:

Yeah, it took me a whole minute to pwn that dragon in NWN. :D

Morgoroth, I think someone's jealous... :D Look who's talking about scaring newbies away. :shake:

Harbourboy (or anyone else with this issue), refresh the page a few times, or clear your browser's cache.

And, curiously enough, yes, I am playing a Red Dragon Disciple in my last HotU game. :evil:

Dendri, forgive Bion... grumpy gramps is still living in the past and can't cope with all the rapid changes around here. :p And he seems to be delusional too. Something about pink dragons and elephants... tsk, tsk. A case for dried frog pills if I've ever seen one. :D

The last one was better, Tal!

I say you make a poll for it :p .

Oh, what large teeth you have. I mean, white, sparkling teeth. I know you probably hear this all the time from your food, but you must bleach or somethin', 'cause that is one dazzling smile you got there. And do I detect a hint of minty freshness? And you know what else? You're-You're a girl dragon! Oh, sure! I mean, of course you're a girl dragon. 'Cause you're just reeking of feminine beauty.

:p

You know what the funniest thing is? Hearing how the old one was SO much better than the new one. Because this has happened every time I've changed it (this is my third avatar/portrait).

Some logical inconsistency there. :shake: People just don't like changes. But you'll grow to love it like the old one. Back when I switched to that one, everyone was saying how ugly it is. :shake:

Splunge, wishful thinking. :p

Morgoroth, I think someone's jealous... Hmph you can keep your stupid dragon, I don't want it anyway. :p

Look who's talking about scaring newbies away. Mind flayers happen to be very cute and cuddly creatures. They are just misunderstood by the modern culture which loathes everything with slimy little tentacles. Damn racists all of you! ;)

I think the frowning elf was scarier. The absolute epitome of authority. The dragon is rather cutish.

Tal, have you got any female halfling avatars that look like female halflings should look? This was the closest I could get when I got it for my $0.02.

Because this has happened every time I've changed itThat is certainly true. I have to admit that your previous avatar certainly was ugly as hell and frankly; can't understand why you used it for so long. It was so... so... sour-faced. Good thing you finally got rid of it. :)

So, how is that for a comment? :D

@Dendri- It's just curiosity; I couldn't find any mention of "Pink Dragon Disciple" in the source books, and was wondering exactly what powers this class has. :hmm:

Edit: did, a little more research on Pink Dragons, and discovered this (http://www.tracysbeans.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DRAGONPINK302&Category_Code=DBB6), this (http://www.talking-statues.com/CUSTOM_JOBS/Pink_Dragon.jpg), this (http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/images/masters_dragon.jpg), and (god forbid) this (http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Tybalt/dragon.jpg). Are any of these what Tal had in mind?

Also, strangely enough, the site [snip] seems to be all about Japanese [snip]. The mystery deepens...

[Ahem... forum rules and so on...] -Tal

[ July 26, 2005, 14:49: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

and (god forbid) thisAfter I saw that I'll never be the same. That is just too scary. :aaa:

/me goes to hide the ketchup

It's a cool av, but I liked the old one a lot too.

The era of the Pink One is long since past sadly true :(

new one looks pretty cool though.

I tried everything, including refreshing, deleting my temp files and cookies, and even a cold restart combined with everything else I could think of. Even after all that, I was still seeing the old avatar, so I got sick of it and just took a nap. Having done nothing for the past four hours, I can now see the new avatar. :rolleyes:

I have to agree with Splunge, the dragon looks a little girly. It just looks like it pays waaay too much attention to its appearance. Almost like it's . . . primped or something. :hahaerr:

This adds new significance to the SP logo on the front page with the red dragon watching down over the site...

I like it :D

I wonder whether Tal selected the red dragon because he's suffering from heartburn, or because he got badly burnt on his holidays?

It can't be because he's angry, as we all know the really bad tempered creature in NWN is the dire badger :p

It looks like some sort of naturalist like Steve Irwin popped into Tal's lair for a documentary of some sort. With a full camera crew, what proper dragon isn't going to primp for the telly? "It's all about *meeee*."

Either that, or it's a Glamour Shot photo. :cool:

I liked the old Avatar; it reminds me of my first journey to SP's forums. One of the first threads I can remember is Tal introducing his (now former) avatar for the first time. That, and it's just cooler IMHO.

Nakia, well, I think the IWD series has the best halfling portraits, so if you didn't find anything you'd like better there, I doubt it... but we'll see.

Wirhe, uncharacteristic, but ok. :shake:

Colthrun, actually, I like its mischievous, world-domination plotting look. And the teeth. :D

BTA: "What do you want to do tonight, Tal?"

Tal: "Same thing we do every night, my faithful sidekick... try to take over the world!"

I rather like it. It may be going to eat me but it isn't glowering at me and the red is nice and colorful.

Tal, the next time I can afford to donate maybe I'll check out the avatars. When I got mine the one I wanted was taken but I haven't seen it on the board so maybe it is free now.

I also liked the old one. It looked meaner.

New title too, eh?

Yea, I thought I might as well change it to something more accurate.

No fair....*I* want a pair of wings! :grr:

Oh well...some of us will be stuck on the ground forever. :rolling:

Well, since you need a new slogan, here are some creative suggestions:

"Pink and Dangerous."
"It started from sour, ended to pink."
"Pinky-pinky!"
"Austin Powers in pink power-suit!"
"Yeah, baby, yeah!"

All pretty accurate, me thinks. :D

I'll let you keep those, they're so good...

Wow Tal, you look so happy. Look at that smile. :D

/me whispers to the other SP members

(Lets feed Splunge to him first, it will keep him busy with something to chew on) :evil:

I think the new portrait is striking. It'll take a little while to get used to Tal's new facelift. Just don't make it a habit like Joan Rivers 'k.

In fact, you might check out this website Tal...
http://www.banterist.com/archivefiles/000195.html

A new portrait for Tal, although it's a red dragon, it looks a lot more pleasant than the last one, and look, even his posts seem a little bit more umm, friendlier. The last one really did have a horrible miserable look on his face. At least this one has a smile, an evil one, but a smile is better than no smile.

Figures, right after I post in RB about your new picture, I find this! It'll take some getting used to, but I'm sure that we can all learn to live with our fearless leader somehow mutating into a dragon. :)

Awww, cute little drakie.....

*pets and flees*

I think it looks good. Authoritative to put it mildly. At least people won't want to break the forum rules, after all, who wants to be picked out of a dragon's teeth with their own shin bone? I've always liked Dragons, their skin is so much softer and warmer than it looks...

Looks like a violently blushing pink dragon. What ever did you do Tal? :p

And those teeth. A very brave dentist somewhere is very happy.

[stupid literal rant]
Dragons are reptiles, people! Their skin is not soft and warm, they are cold-blooded and scaly. And because of that cold blood, there will never be heat rushing to their cheeks, hence no blushing. :shake:
[/stupid literal rant]

I bet Tal is trying to scare the noobs away. He's probably getting tired of all those statistical threads. ;) Think about it. He goes from a pink dragon (which I'm sure was downright cute and cuddly) to an authoritative-looking looking elf, then to a red dragon with an malicious grin.
Who's a grumpy Tal? Yeeess, you're a grumpy Tal! Ow, my paw! Naughty dragon! ;) :lol:

What the hell is happening around here!!

First Tal is now a dragon.
Then Sir Bel turns into a sheild.
And now Beren is Haer'Dalis?
Whats with the sudden flurry of avatar changes here :confused:

I noticed Sir Bel as a shield, and of course Tal, but wtf Beren? I liked your picture because it didn't remind me of BG NPCs.

-EDIT-

Just read what Vukodlak said in the quote game about Beren's new look.

(geez beren, what have you done to yorself? You look like a gay tiefling bard :p ) :lol: :lol: :lol:

[ July 30, 2005, 19:16: Message edited by: Jaguar ]

I just noticed that. What's the deal, Beren? Your old one looked cool; why would you want to look like Haer'Dalis???

Haer'Dalis and Jaheira - That's wrong!

:lol: Does the new avatar mean that Beren is thinking of two timing Jaheira with Aerie. You are in deep **** Beren. The SP league of Jaheira lovers will kill you :evil:

I guess Beren feels she's a beautiful elf even without her wings :lol:

Now that the BG-NPC-avatar line has been crossed, I wonder who will become Anomen? Perhaps a poll is in order... :hmm:

Come on, we ALL know who the locaHolier-Than-Thou Whiny Brat is... rigth? :D

No, imo chev comes off more like Keldorn (not that there aren't plenty of holier-than-thou BG2 NPCs to choose from :rolleyes: ). Besides, hasn't there been enough change around here already?

Chances are, the spoils are being divided as we speak "behind the high hedges."

Q:If new avatars are available who will get the first shot?
A: 1) Admins; 2) Mods; 3) News Staff 4) SPS Acct Holders; 5) Mod reviewers(?)

Time for a little look through the directory (dammit, directory search didn't give results for "SPS"; only looked at users of ~900+ posts, let me know who I've missed)...

Admins: Tal*, BTA
News: Chev
Mods: Mollusken, dmc, Beren*, Chandos, Hacken Slash
SPS: Sir Bel*, Harbourboy, Kitrax, Death Bunny, Jaguar, JSBB, Takara, Apeman, Gothmog, Sarevok, Foradasther, Nakia, Sorvo, Spellbound... and Morgoroth!
Mod reviewers: Aldeth, Mystra's Chosen...

* denotes having already partaken of the spoils.

Who will be next?

[ July 31, 2005, 19:30: Message edited by: Bion ]

We need to liberate the avatars from the clutches of falsely priviledged SP-nobles... Bion, you roll some stones while I break into the avatar vault. :p

I'm suprised no one has mentioned that there already is a red dragon, or have you all already forgotten about Rastor :p . I feel a battle of the dragons coming on as two reds fight for the power of SP! Will ancient red defeat the younger wyrm, or will the geeser be put in his place... or maybe they can learn to live in harmony and live happily ever after... :rolleyes:

Bion, you speculate too much... suffice it to say that it doesn't work like you've imagined it.

Rolsuk, Rastor's avatar is not a dragon; it's a red abishai.

Hmph. Over 900 only... Bah! Does one need to be a a hardcore spammer in order to be noticed here these days? :shake:

Bion, you speculate too much...Aha! Your denials only prove that there's an active conspiracy at work behind the high hedges! (Of course, an admission would have proved the same thing; it sure is great to be a conspiracy theorist! :lol: )

@Morgoroth: happy now? Huh?

Tal has corrupted Harbourboy!!! Have you seen his new avatar?

:whoa:

What new avatar? Oh, this old thing?

It's just a ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore.

(Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore.)

Et tu, HB? :mommy:

What's that? someone muttering about a new avatar?

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

So know we've a Magpie and a raven, we're getting towards a veritable aviary, to be sure!

Mmmm, snack time! :yum:

Aaarrgh! Even Carcaroth changed his portrait! This will be the end of SP I tell you, the end!

What!? Carcaroth too? :eek: You mean he's no longer some kind of cloud/yeti hybrid thing?!?!!

Frankly, I don't know what the world's coming to any more. I need a lie down! :aww:

Yeah, he's a black panther, and it looks even cooler than mine. :p :sosad: :wail: ;)

P.S. If Bard changes his, I've got dibs. :nono:

Carcaroth - that's a good one. Always bet on black.

Cheers, I was torn between this, the Crag Cat and the Polar Bear, I also had a soft spot for the Badger. The Jaguar isn't bad either but I think the man himself should have first dibs on that one.

I like the Raven, it's the better of the bird portraits.

Makes me wonder if I should have only signed up for three months so I can change it again in the (nearer) future. Perhaps Tal could set it up so it can be changed in the profile - another site I occasionally frequent allows this.

I'm going to have to change my character in the SPS forum, I will resist going down the Drizzt route!

Come-on you Gems, there a whole world of Avatar choice to chose from now. The exchange rate is pretty good for non-US as well.

People are playing with all the pretty pictures!

*wanders around in a state of confusion*

I reckon they all look *very* cool too :D

There's a Draggie!

Carcaroth, if we allowed everyone to pick their own portraits, it could be done in the profiles, but avatars and portraits here are a more select feature, so it can't work like that.

but... but... but what if I *like* my portrait, and don't want to change it? ;)

Oh. Rally, Please don't change your avatar. But do get your SPS account back. Nakia is getting lonely. Now she doesn't have anyone to talk to but Bernard at least 'til Atari Man wakes up. :(

@Carcaroth, at least this one you could play as a shapeshifter of somesort, or be someone's familiar, or.....

I was sort of partial to the chicken . . . but decided against it.

dmc, I almost went with the chicken as well. It's quite a noble looking chicken. But I decided against it.

I haven't changed my avatar but I did change the tag line. ;)

Thanks, Tal, sorry about the finger stutter and double email. :o

No problem. ;)

Hey! Nice avatar!
I like dragons!

Though I got used to your old avatar... anyway, i'll get used to this one too some time

Personally, Tal, I always pictured you as a shining gold dragon, or possibly a platinum one like Paladine.

I've kept the other dragon portraits, might change them from time to time. ;)

I like the red. Red = DANGER!

Personally, Tal, I always pictured you as a shining gold dragon, or possibly a platinum one like Paladine. seriously? :/

i sorta thought of him more as Pharod from PS:T ;)

but someone's got that one already, Nobleman iirc