The Realm of Torch

Now Playing: Shenmue II, Guitar Hero III
Works In Progress: Soul Calibur II RPG
Music – Super Smash Bros Percussion Ensemble Medley
Fiction – Remnants (ish), Songswept

Link of the Day: Maybe it's just my recent obsession with the Shenmue series taking up my mind, but I found the website The Shenmue Dojo especially impressive. Within its pages (so to speak), you can find almost anything you needed to know about Shenmue or Shenmue II, including (but not limited to) character profiles, walkthroughs, screenshots, concept art, downloadable movies (in both English and Japanese), fanfiction/fanart, and a forum. There's even information on the forthcoming (or hopefully so, at least) games Shenmue Online and Shenmue III. If you're a fan of Shenmue in the least, I heartily recommend checking out the site. If not, pick up a copy of Shenmue II.

Note From Torch: Haha, so I'm not going to force myself to stick to any sort of schedule anymore. Knowing that I'm in college now and have a lot more to do than sitting around and updating my website everyday, I've decided to downgrade my website to a "whenever I feel like it" updating schedule. So yeah. This is one of those rare updates, so enjoy!

Xiuying Hong is the elegant master of the Man Mo Temple in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. She specializes in the martial art Baji Quan, although she is well versed in many other forms as well. Always thoughtful and serene, Xiuying is always one to think ahead, never acting impulsively or selfishly. She seldom speaks unless necessary, instead hiding her emotions behind her eyes. Xiuying's childhood was a troubled one; both parents were slain when she was still a girl, and her brother Ziming set off on a quest for vengeance, leaving her behind at an orphanage in Kowloon. Indeed, her brother is still an integral influence on Xiuying's life; she believes that she has lost him to the evil path, and strives to be everything that he couldn't be. Xiuying is quick to jump to the aid of those close to her, although she does so without words and demands no gratitude for her actions. She is assisted by a young girl named Fangmei, who incidentally grew up in the same orphanage as did Xiuying.

Date: 5/30/08
Comments: Wow, it's been a hell of a long time since the last update. Just a fairly minor update as of now; updated the main page (profile of the "month") starring Shenmue II's Xiuying, as well as adding a Magic: The Gathering feature to my "Features" section. Expect more (and massive) updates to come soon as I revamp my "Music" section.

Date: 6/11/06
Comments: Added two more sequenced songs (both done in one day!) to the "Music" page: Mushroom Hill Zone from Sonic and Knuckles, and Angel Island Zone Act 2 from Sonic 3. Enjoy.

Date: 5/21/06
Comments: I'm only a tad bit late on my Spring 2006 Profile update (but hey...summer doesn't technically start until June), but it's finally up. Meet Dagoth Ur, the insane, misguided self-proclaimed savior of Morrowind. Also added another sequenced song, "Heretic, Hero".

Date: 4/17/06
Comments: Added a piece of fan fiction, a Mortal Kombat: Deception piece called "Moment of Contrition". The Spring 2006 update should be coming soon...hopefully.

Date: 3/24/06
Comments: Long time no update again. Didn't do a whole lot, but I did add my possibly last KOTOR composition to the Music page, and another one of my personal compositions, Fanfare for Spring.

Date: 1/7/06
Comments: Wow...haven't updated in almost five months. Anyway, updated the profile for the main page (Ashrah, my favorite character from Mortal Kombat: Deception), and updated the music page with a few of the songs I've sequenced over the last few months.

Date: 8/26/05
Comments: Yeah...definitely a bit late on my August 2005 Profile update. But never fear...it's finally up. Meet the Black Whirlwind, drunken axeman extraordinaire. Try not to piss him off too much.