Wow, has it already been 3 weeks? Time for a new State of Topaz. As you probably know, my time has been somewhat more limited due to Yakitate Japan and homework. Probably more the former than the latter =P. Anyway, I'm on episode 61 of 69 or so, so I'll be coming back more often XD. I would recommend you all to see it though, it is amazing. Activity in general has been less than amazing, hopefully Fangking Omega can get us some screenies soon so I can start advertising on PokeCommunity and the like to try to bolster our number of active members. I think I'll skip the thanking of people who've been posting. It's generally been the same people, thanks, you know who you are.

So, on to the actual state of things (I'm sure you've all noticed that these are almost never in order of importance, just whatever comes to my head first):

First I'd like to request that if you find any site that's stolen Topaz sprites, to yes, post them up, yes swarm them with boos and 'you nub's and stuff, but after a while, just let it be. It's not worth the cease-and-desist letter and no one wants to actually bring any of this to court. I don't know a single Pokemon fangame that has been completely finished yet (hopefully Topaz will be one of the first) and sprite stealing is, while annoying and bad, not the worst thing that can happen to Topaz. At least it's free advertising when someone sees the forum/message/shoutbox filled with "THOSE SPRITES ARE FROM TOPAZ TAKE THEM DOWN RIGHT NOW"s.

Wild Pokemon Lists: I've accepted that I'm probably going to be contributing most of these, but please do vote, request changes, the like. It means that I/others who feel like attempting one can move on quicker, we can get it to OI quicker and thus it'll be up on OI quicker. Remember, every time you say "I liek" on this topic reduces the time before it goes on Topaz by at least a week >_>.

Sprite Battles: Hopefully these won't take too long. Just come and vote to decide on your favourite sprite of each poke in debate. This I'd like to get done really quickly, as this is probably the singular most important thing Fangking needs before a demo/screenies can be made. I need to double these up for him, and so I need decisions here. The quicker we get these done the quicker advertising happens, which is always a good thing.

ICONS! Novoni made a little drop-by, and gave us this: =D =D =D Aside from the fact that they look amazing, it means Novoni hasn't given up on Topaz, and that she's continuing to work on icons! (She's apparently had some computer virus problems and a lot of schoolwork)

Of course, Item Discussion is still going on. We're taking a breather on the "voting/rebalancing already proposed items" and have gone into the "fun proposing time". This'll probably last a couple of weeks, as we suggest a few more items to add and stuff. This is a great chance to help out, anyone who's been feeling shy lately!

It's a bit sad, that since the last State of Topaz, only one revamp has been done, Miltank/Tauros. BUT! We've moved on to Mankey -> Primeape, which is the last revamp needed for the demo! So the slow revamping is forgivable, but remember that we still have MANY MANY more to do. As in 20, 30+, which at the current rate of 1~2 per 3 weeks would take just under a year. So do help out as much as possible.

We have a new Abilities List, with the following changes:
Changes: Dragon Blood: Boost activates in a pinch (33% HP) Iron Will: Boost activates in a pinch (33% HP) Earthen Armor: One stage boost to defense, instead of two. Heavy Armor: Scrapped Echo: 20% chance to hit again for 50% damage, instead of just a 10% chance of a 50% boost to a single hit. This isn't overpowered as it's just a 10% boost in attack power overall. Super Shield: Changed to Confound and reduces enemy Sp. Atk on switch-in. To be given to Smallard/Mallarge, and possible Cascadet pending the results of its dex entry.
Confound has been given to Smallard/Mallarge, you can check if you'd like. Echo has been proposed to be given to Phantasomo, probably over Empty Head.

Little Corrections Topic: I've been proposing a lot of little changes lately... to no response whatsoever. Could you all please make it so I at least don't have to double post so often? Even just "Yes/No." would help. I know that's against the rules of Topaz, but I know you're all too busy for big responses on many topics, so even that much is good here. (Though it'd be even better if the "No"s are accompanied by reasons)

Trainer Line-Ups: Help here! We need movesets for the lineups! They're not difficult, and it's a great place to help out for those self-professed non-spriter/sound effect specialist/musician/programmers! This is also needed for the demo, so please help out here!

Random NPC Lines: This is also where you can help out if you can't help out elsewhere. It isn't hard to just make a pun or something that we can have an NPC say. Thanks!

Elite Four Lineups: This has been moving on probably the best of all topics lately. Red Rocket seems to have hit gold here, we need you guys to vote if it's 24 carat or not.

Pokedex Entries: There's been quite a few dead ones lately that I can't even find an excuse to bump because no one's provided any opinions or votes since my last post! If people could just scroll down to one of the earlier non-locked topics, say "I like it", "no complaints" or something, I'd be very grateful (unless, of course, you've already voted). Even if you've already voted, if I'm the last post, I'd be grateful if you bumped it so I can bump it later if it dies out again. Yes, I'm quite desperate, am I not? On a brighter note, because of Kisa's latest slew of 12 or so Possible Pokedex Entries, I've managed to put up 6 more pokes. Exuberance!

Back sprites we need are: Embear/Grizlare Harskrow (this might not be necessary) Equill/Tellure (these might not be necessary as they will only appear as one of Therma's pokes) Scorchion (again, perhaps not necessary as only appears on Froy) Coroona Spidream/Arachmare Due to our latest image-drought, if anyone feels like trying to sprite, this is where it'd be nice! (aside from Icons, of course)

And to end it off, there's the mandatory pleasepostpleasepleasepleaseitmotivatesotherstopos titmotivatesmetopostandvotesareespeciallyappreciat edkthkbai

I need some kind of catchphrase for the end of State of Topaz. T_T. It feels awkward just to press the "Submit New Thread" button without one.