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...it just always seemed to be...

...pretty self explanatory.

As far as I am concerned...it's what it is, and the alts were just other characters controlled by a main poster. I try to give mine different personalities, and their own 'voice'.

What if it was "Legion of the Monitor Board" and said Board was the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art computer of its kind, so much so that a superhero team would name itself in relation to it? Maybe, their benefactor, Engine Joe Brande patented the device and named them after it to get his creation's brand recognition out there?

I know it sounds a little too much like how corporate sponsorship is in our day and age, but it would make sense. And over time, the LMB outgrew their initial impression of being corporate shills after they proved their worth but kept the name anyway, though generally only using the abbreviation (like KFC).

Just a thought, anyway.

I believe you refer to this topic I started. (It didn't really go anywhere.)

The question of "what does the LMB stand for?" has bothered me for many years as it regards our shared universe. My previous post is my latest, spontaneous thought on the matter.

My bottom line scenario is this: if the "LMB" was an actual comic book or movie or whatever, its abbreviation would have to make sense to its audience. The concept, as it is now, just wouldn't. To me, that's pretty much the only imperfection in a fictional universe to which I take great pride in being one of its chroniclers. The "Gen-char", "lurker" and "Alt-ID" stuff is just in-jokes that could be explained away or just discarded, but the abbreviation is the core group's identity and just can't be explained as it exists now within its own continuity!

I'll shut up now.

FYI, in my mind only Lash Lad realizes he's a fictional character, though even that has only ever been very subtly hinted at.

No other characters even consider it. So "Alt ID" as we think of it cannot mean the same thing to the characters.

I'm more concerned about the group's social struggles instead of what actually makes them different.

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting that those folks were aware of a fictional nature, just that the "meta" titles applied to them (Alt, Gen Char, lurker, etc.) would have an entirely different in-story meaning that what we (meaning the "real life" we) would traditionally use those terms to mean.

Like, for instance, the very word, "Alt", in a fictional world would seem, to me, to have a sense of "otherness" about it. As if, by its application, the implication is that they are an "alternate" type of person from a "non-alt". Not that I'm saying that the word would necessarily be a slur, mind you, but perhaps something that it's not really polite to use in mixed company.

(Dude... not cool... take it easy with the "A" word... Timber Wolf and Angdar are right above you... )

I don't know... I might be getting into some dangerous waters here.

Well, it might turn out to be more helpful than harmful for my story-telling purposes. I have been toying quite a bit with how the average non-LMBer views LW's government and super-villain attacks. If this is the way residents of LW see themselves and others, it could even explain a lot about the structure of Legion World and why Question Lad is kind of bitter about it.

I agree with Emily; if you'll check her Question Lad thread, she raises some interesting questions.

With the Alts and lurkers, I agree their social struggles are more important. But I think it would help if we figured out how they became Alts. Perhaps Alts can be born with... something... like they're clones, or alternate universe versions of Earth-1 counterparts that were displaced in some past crisis?

That would explain the slight stigma - they're not "really" from here. There would be no way to tell for sure whether someone is an alt, though...

I only remember one time in my years that the full name "Legion of Message Board Posters" was used in-story, which was my post where Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad were sworn in as Leader and Deputy Leader, respectively. I'm sure there have been others, but usually it's just "LMB" or "LMBP", the latter of which seems to be used less than it once was.

Legion of Mighty Beings, perhaps?

This is actually a question for Lardy (but if Cobie sees it first and knows, feel free).

I haven't kept up on the whole "Lord of the Oval' story, so if this is answered there, apologies in advance, but is Kalla Hrykos blood related to your earlier character, Damyen Hrykos and, if so, in what way?

(I'm working on something you're going to dig - not a story, but something pretty cool).

Damyen was Kalla's half-brother, Ex. He and his brother Collus were the legitimate offspring of the head of Clan Hrykos and his wife. Kalla was conceived by Damyen and Collus' father and a peasant woman. She was not recognized as a legitimate heir because of this, and even was disallowed from using her father's name. Hence, in her earliest appearances she was known as Kalla Hryl.

Damyen married Lardy's arch-enemy Mordra, and Mordra tricked Lardy into sleeping with her. A spell she used caused his powers to transfer to her thru the sexual act. She also became pregnant (as planned) since Damyen was unable to conceive. Mordra then transferred Lardy's powers to Damyen. Later, Lardy tracked down and killed both of them.

When Damyen died, Collus inherited leadership of Clan Hrykos and sought revenge for his brother's death by spearheading the "Invasion!" of Legion World. After the invasion failed, the other Dark Oval powers disapproved of Collus' failure and their inability to control him and eventually supported Kalla taking his place. She murdered Collus herself and used her father's will to legally take her brother's place.

Hope that helps! Damyen appeared in my Onevision "Turning Point". Kalla first appeared during the collaborative novella "Omnia...", and her ascension was detailed in some key scenes in my Onevision "Smoke and Mirrors" (all easily searchable right here in Bits!).

Can't wait to see whatcha got in mind!

Hey... quick question for Cobie/Lardy/whoever...

Are there any good "intrepid reporter" types in the LMB mythos that I could use as minor supporting character? It's nothing that would change their status quo, I just need a foil in my story to pester the Security Office for details about the case.

I came across Clark Marlowe (whose name I, of course, love) in the 80-page giant... but I wasn't sure whether he was already involved in any Lord of the Oval plotlines.

(1) The first great 'intrepid reporter' in the LMB mythos was Giant Squid, an alt ID on Legion World. He was killed by the Royal Inquisitor during the Dark Stu Saga, and thus became a bit of a legendary character on Legion World. (Actually had the entire user ID wiped away--a process so time-consuming, Nightcrawler vowed never to do it again!). Therefore, the Alt ID Center is named the "Giant Squid Memorial Alt ID Cultural Center" in his honor. His murder came about because he refused to give in to the demands of Dark Stu and stop broadcasting, even refusing Vee's offer to use the Villa as a safe haven because he would not leave his position outside Stu's Mansion.

(2) I'll let Lardy give the overview of Clark Marlowe, whose become a more rounded out character in LMB lore. Clark was a star in the Lord of the Oval story...and if you haven't read it, I'm not sure I want to spoil what's happened with him. Let's just say its status-altering and you need to know about it before even referencing him.

(3) I think there has been occassional references to a Marella Tao in the LMB mythos, though she's never actually appeared on-screen.

So you may need to create a new character, or use Marella...

Clark is a character who I created and who I dearly love, but surely you know that phrase about what you sometimes have to do with your darlings...

Clark's story began in Omnia, then his background/origin was clarified in the 80PG story you mentioned. Afterwards, he played a significant role in "The Covenant" which lead to a pivotal moment for him during the Earth-4 sequences in Book 2 of "Lord of the Oval"---a life-altering moment, if you catch my drift.

Howevs, reading your post makes me realize just this very moment that Clark may just have a younger brother named Phil who is a cub reporter trying to break out of his Galactic Pulitzer-winning brother's shadow. Phil, however, wouldn't know of his brother's fate and hasn't seen him in nearly two years.

Work your magic if you'd like to flesh Phil out for me. You have my blessing!

I think Phil should have had a previous career as an amateur space-boxer!

Is there currently a Reflecto character running around Legion World. I am thinking of introducing a Reflecto knock off.

I have a thing for these barely used uber powerful characters.

Although, I'm trying to brainstorm obvious "reflecto" derivative names ... but with little success.

I dont think we've ever had one before, actually. Glad to see it'll be rectified!

Mirror Mistress would be a cool name if you want the character to be female.

We do need more females in action.

I was thinking "Mirror Mirror" before ... but wasn't sure.

hmmm, I will proceed! thanks CK and ES!

Love the idea of Mirror Mistress! Awesome name and always good to have a kickass female!

So, Ex...is Phil Marlowe gonna make it into "Klordny"?

In the very next chapter, actually.

This story has turned out way longer than I anticipated, but I think the plot sort of demands it.

They don't call it the "long" Klordny for nothing.

And Mirror Mistress (if that's the name she will choose) has joined the Dark Oval story! Whoo! This is awesome. We really do need more females, as the list of female LMBers is really short. That's one reason I brought back Spelling Bee and Sara (as Danger Damsel II), plus added Kinetix and Kairos (an LMB version of Kid Quantum II) into the mix.

PS, Ex, haven't read much of your Long Klordny story but it looks really good so far!

It's FUCKING AWESOME!!!!