Re: Quest Digest 10/6/97

From: "Tommy MacDonald" <tommym@globalnet.co.uk>

Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Where is the next issue??!!

Tommy MacDonald

Joshua Gallagher wrote in article <339DCA51.6AB6@dial.pipex.com>...

QUEST_DIGEST   10 June 1997  Quest Digest - Latest Ever Edition
UEST_DIGEST_
EST_DIGEST_Q   Welcome to new subscribers to the Digest, and welcome
ST_DIGEST_QU   back to old ones!  Perhaps you thought that this time
T_DIGEST_QUE   I really _had_ disappeared.  But no, the Digest lives
_DIGEST_QUES   on, I just need kicking in the right places to remind
DIGEST_QUEST   me to get an issue out.

JPG> This month�s issue is quite big (possibly a factor of how long
it�s been since the last one!) so don�t just glance at the size and
delete it - save it for later if you haven�t got the time!  Somewhere
near the end is a message from Steve at KJC with some information on
how to get your KJC Quest turns automatically processed.  Essentially
he�s given a format specification, so if there are any budding Visual
Basic enthusiasts out there, you will let us know when you�ve created
the inevitable MAPI compliant Quest turn emailer, won�t you?  But
enough of the geek talk.  Read on!

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Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 11:51:16 BST
From: Tom Harberd <T.E.Harberd@uea.ac.uk>

>TH> Why don't KJC implement a quick program which calculates
>a rough statistic of how strong each group is, and then
>compares them.

AH> The problem is - how do you calculate a groups strength? Its a lot
harder than you think.

TOM> But KJC could do it since they've got all the code, and
know EXACTLY what equations and functions take place during
combat.

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From: PSykes6420@aol.com
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 1997 03:30:32 -0400 (EDT)

PS> I recently sent a note to Kevin Cropper asking if it would be a
good idea if there was a chance of parties being spotted if they
robbed an Alliance HQ, possibly with the chance of being spotted
increasing the more times they robbed the HQ. This is the reply I
received:

<< The chance of a group robbing a HQ depends on the security level
you have it at and the skill of the party. If it is at maximum, there
is no chance at all. But, yes, it would be a good idea if there was a
chance that somebody saw who did it. Not every time but sometimes.
Kevin. >>

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Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 20:38:14 +0200
From: Dag Kaare Stoeyva <kare.stoyva@ba.no>

DKS> The Flaming star is on the rise in game 18. We will have the best
spell-list, the best headquarter and the best groups. If you fell that
you are worthy of being in such an alliance write to the Ice jarls at
kare.stoyva@ba.no,recruiters of the Flaming star alliance.

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Author: dieterla@pop3.kunsan.af.mil
Date: 21/04/97 07:03

Hello Everyone,

This is what I received concerning the CURRENT quest software. The
U.K. players have this update running in all of their game. The German
players have some of it. The USA players just received this update. I
am not sure about the Aussie players, a friend of mine that play via
e-mail with the Australians tells me that they must still Investigate
every item in dungeon rooms. But, they do have the envy of all other
Quest games with the city/town/village ownership subroutine that is
unique to their game. I believe that all of the Quest updates listed
below are running is Crasimoff Quest also.

1) Dead characters are now carried around with the party, until they
rot away or are resurrected at a temple. The cost of resurrection
depends on how good the character was.

2) Every new player to the game will now receive 19 one-to-two line
hints in the first twenty turns or so.

3) Character resistance to magic spells has been improved.

4) No Attack (NA) parties get free resurrection and can have as many
turns as fast as they like for the first 20 turns.

5) Horses have been added to the game. They can be bought at
blacksmiths/stables or caught in the wild and broken in. They increase
movement speed in certain terrains and decrease incumbrance according
to the type of mount. They can be exchanged for chits at stables and
the chits can be exchanged for cash at a "withdraw money bank". There
is a new order: RM mount/dismount

6) The reward for long distance temple quests has been reduced.

7) all sales at alliance HQ's is now reported to the treasurer and
shop manager.

8) Strength skill now costs experience points (100 XP, I believe)

9) The bank now accepts more gold being deposited.

10) The engage order now fails if the instigator has a flee factor of
0

11) The "I 474" order now empties the contents of ALL the bags of gold
that a party has ;-) (yes, I checked this out, very nice !!!)

12) There are better combat retreat routines against tough monsters
and there is protection against multiple deaths between turns.

13) Parties that are up to date with their turns receive an extra turn
every three turns now.

Well, isn't that special !!!

Art Dieterly, aka LORD GENERAL XANDRIL, Commander of the first
American Alliance

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Sender: barnaby@waistwear.cix.co.uk
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 20:18 GMT0

B> I am about to start a group in G18, bit slow on the uptake I know,
how many people are there in the game ATM? I hope there will be enough
space for me! I just want to ask about the game's alliances, I think
it would be great if all the digest readers formed a separate alliance
and kicked all the other players, however, I'm sure most of the Game
18 players on the digest have different aims for their groups so this
wouldn't work

B> So, I'd like to know a bit about the alliances that are around
because I'd like to join one. I have been playing quest for around 4
years. I used to be a bit of an information gatherer but recently
turned into a bit of a homicidal maniac. I am willing to help with any
aspect of gathering information but am equally prepared to fight it
out as soon as I reach 20 turns. I can't be bothered to try and sell
myself anymore, I'm sure you've got the message :)
Barnaby

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From: PSykes6420@aol.com
Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 16:42:04 -0400 (EDT)

PS> A fellow Quest player has told me that he has tried offering 1001
gold for a new recruit, but was told that his group would only offer
250 gold due to their lack of experience. He wants to know how much
experience he will need before he can offer 1001 gold?

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Author: tommy.macdonald@virgin.net
Date: 06/05/97 13:44

I have recently decided that the Unseen Foundation alliance in Game 16
should be closed. This is due to increased money problems, and lack of
time, especially with the exams starting today. I have asked the 2nd
in Command, Steven Swinford, to take over, but should he refuse, I
will throw it over to the members.
I will be continuing my group, and will probably join another
alliance. Thanks to all those who have supported me over the last five
years, and I hope to see you all again,
Tommy MacDonald

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Author: tommy.macdonald@virgin.net
Date: 12/05/97 20:12

T H E U L T I M A T E Q U E S T P A G E
Update 12 May 1997
-----------------------

Hello everyone, and thank you for responding to my e-mail regarding
the "Ultimate Quest Page". The response was fantastic, much more than
I had hoped for.

Anyway, before I go further, please note that the URL of the site has
changed to:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/2799/
This area name tied in more with the nature of the page, and seemed
more suitable. At the old URL you will find a notice directing you to
this new location, and this will be there for 4 weeks before being
removed. Could everyone who has kindly placed a link to the old URL
please change it? I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused.

I have noticed a few problems with the page when viewed with different
browsers. In Microsoft Internet Explorer, everything works fine.
However, using Netscape Navigator, I found a few problems. First of
all the Java (see later paragraph) does not display. It gives an error
message stating that the *.class file can not be found. As this works
fine in IE, I do not understand why this is happening, but I will be
making inquiries to see if anyone knows why this is happening and how
to sort it. Also, the random image selector doesn't always work, it
seems to jam and not allow you to go any further, but this only
happens once in a while. I'll check the script code, there may be an
erroneous line in there.

You may also notice that the counter does not work. This is not a
problem with the code, rather the company who provide it. It is very
unstable, and often jumps, missing out numbers. I have noticed this on
a few occasions. I will be replacing it with another counter, should I
find one small enough (the most probably candidate is the "Count4All"
counter). If anyone knows of any other, please tell me (Before anyone
mentions it, WebTracker has stopped taking in new applications, as has
www.digits.com).

The Guestbook is now availible, as many of you are aware. This allows
users to leave a message regarding the siste, or Quest as general. I
am quite happy to let people leave a game related message here, it
doesn't bother me as to what goes in it, just as long as it is used!
If you drop by the site, please leave a message for all to see, and
thank you to all those who already have.

The main page features a rather cool Java applet. It is simple the
name of the site scrolling, but I am very impressed with this. There
are a variety of options and features, and I will be displaying them
over the next few weeks.

The Game 18 page has been updaed, and now includes a list of alliances
advertised in the Storm Warning (the game Newsletter), a list of Mage
Spells (this now has a few more added) and a downloadable Quest Map,
in QuestMap format. There is also a link to the download site for this
program. If anyone wants to send me any other maps, please get in
contact first, so I can send you the most recent version.

The Game 17 page contains only a complete mage spell list, a big
thanks to Ewan Jones for that.

I have decided that, rather than write all the pages myself (which
would be an impossible task), I will try to appoint an editor for each
of the pages. So far, I have one confirmation, that is Barnaby Jones
for the Game 16 page. I also have someone else from whom I am awaiting
a reply, to edit the Game 9 page.

These editors tasks are simply to provide information regarding the
game. It is generally recent alliance adverts, and possibly maps, and
news regarding the game. They can either design the page and HTML then
selves, or just send it as plain ASCII text and I will write it up
myself. If you are interested in becoming an editor, please get in
touch as soon as possible.

That's all for this time, sorry it's a bit boring! Please continue to
visit the site, and your feedback is always welcome.

Tommy MacDonald
Site Co-ordinator

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/2799/
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From: Mark Woolrich markw@sni.co.uk
Date: Wed, 14 May 97 13:16:00 PDT

... just had a distressing turnsheet from Dynamic (Ozzy) Quest I
thought you could use in the digest.

One of my groups wandered back into town and got this message

We went north using up 2 movement points. We ended up in Follyla. We
entered the city. We are in the south. Scarlet O Gasmeter returned
from his scouting expedition without any hands. . "They're getting
VERY serious about our debt now, so let's pay up before I lose my legs
too! ". "You may as well call me Stumpy from now! "

I grinned at the humour and read on, not much concerned. Until I
reached the group stats. Scarlet's line now reads

## NAME TYPE GOLD SK TO AW CH EXP LOAD ENERGY HEALTH
6 Stumpy M EM 0    1 22 48 40 177 22%  100%   1 (22)

That wiped the smile off my face. So at last the money lenders fight
back. Well, I guess it had to happen one day.

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Author: tommy.macdonald@virgin.net
Date: 16/05/97 08:24

Helo everyone,
just a quick message to everyone. I have made a few changes to the
web pages that I run.
First of all, the pages stored in the Virgin Net freespace area have
been rearranged. There is now a front page, from which you choose to
either go to the Highlands and Islands LinkUp area, or the Quest
pages, which are now also stored there.
The Quest pages will also be at geocities, but if you want to see
the latest updates, you should check it out at
http://freespace.virgin.net/tommy.macdonald/

Please update your bookmarks for both these pages.
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Subject: TribeNet
Author: ptravers@flash.net
Date: 20/05/97 22:40

I just started a game called TribeNet (or TribeVibes) and thought you
might be interested in looking at my web site. It's located at
http://www.flash.net/~ptravers/TribeNet/index.html

I would like to get this info out to as many people as possible. Could
you forward it to the people that you think would be interested?

Thanks in advance,
Patrick
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From: Al_Coleman@mon.bbc.co.uk
Date: 30 May 97 18:50:00 EDT

As a matter of interest, does anybody out there keep records
of the most gold in one rob, most kills in one turn and other
trainspotter fact-ettes ?
         It's just a matter of curiousity as I'm feeling pretty
chuffed at gaining 1680 gold in one rob, and although this is a fair
amount for one haul, surely someone has done better ? For the record,
the rob was from a bank with a 57 skill thief, with Novala fanatic
priests casting Luck of Novala and Call Spirit. It's a fair cop, guv,
but society's to blame. And I needed the cash too.

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Author: kare.stoyva@ba.no
Date: 08/06/97 07:45

DKS> One of my groups are chasing a Jinx as a temple quest and as I
have some problems with killing the bugger I was wondering if any of
you could help me kill it. My mage has a skill of 69. I have tried
several Black void spells, without any success. I then tried casting
Enchant weapons II on my best fighters and whacked it good and
properly, but since then the Jinx has started running away before it
comes to melee. I would be very grateful if someone could give me some
advice on how to kill the Jinx ast, as I've spent four turns chasing
it around the countryside.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Quest Emails
Author: kjc@kjcgames.com
Date: 10/06/97 08:45

QUEST EMAIL TURNS

We are now in the process of automating the processing of Emailed
Quest Turns. (Currently we just print them out and input them as
normal) To enable us to do this a Quest turn should now be Emailed in
the following format:

The Email should be just a plain text message, without using any
options to Include / Attach / Encode files such as MIME.

The subject of the message must contain the letters Quest Turn or
Quest Order.

The text of the turn must begin with the word Turn. Our translation
routines will ignore any text before the first word Turn. This is
followed by (each on a separate line), your game number, party number
and account number in that order. Followed by up to 15 orders, each on
a separate line. Optionally followed by the words Chat List and 1-4
chat list entries on the next lines Optionally followed by the word
Special and any codes you'd normally enter in the special orders box.
At the end you must put the words End Turn. Again our translation
routines will ignore any text after the words End Turn (Email
Signatures, etc.) Blank lines are ignored, as is the case of the
letters. e.g.

To: Orders@KJCGames.com
Subject: Quest turn for game 1 position 1357

TURN
1
1357
12345
P 0
I 0
h 99 0 464
b 1 0 101
CHAT LIST
WEATHER
special
se 3
End Turn

This will mean that your orders are entered quicker, so printed
sooner, and are exactly as you sent them in. N.B. Do not send a second
turn for automated input for the same party via Email before the first
has been processed, as there is no way to tell in which order the
turns should be processed. Orders which stray from the guidelines
above will be manually entered as before.

Steve
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Subject: Re: Quest Digest
Author: INTERNET:p6mpr63@cicrp.jussieu.fr at CSERVE
Date: 10/06/97 11:03

There are many "strange" things in Quest. What about correcting and
improving existing features, instead of adding new ones? For exemple,
have you ever wondered how characters manage to protect themselves in
combat with a large shield and use a two-handed great sword or a bow
at the same time? I assume it would be pretty simple to check whether
characters using bows or two-handed weapons are also equipped with
shields.
It is also quite irritating to see mages try to Disintegrate a rat's
equipment or cast Total Death at an elemental or undead. Spell-casters
don't cast "Kill undead" or "Destroy undead" at living beings. Why do
they cast Total Death at dead things?
One last thing: imagine you're sending your thief with another
character as look-out to rob a shop. Your thief has no luck (or she's
blind) and she kicks some empty boxes, which result in the militia
arresting her (and maybe your look-out). Now, what happens? Your whole
party gets kicked out of town. Never wondered how the militia managed
to locate your other party members? Or why they don't take all these
gold pieces your thief robbed from other shops just ten minutes
before?
I think there are a few simple ways to improve it: First of all, the
militia should not be able to do anything to other party members, most
of the time at least. Characters caught while robbing shops should
loose their equipment and gold, get injured, get in jail or get
killed,
depending on the city, the judge's mood or whatever. As it is now, a
character can be diseased, poisoned, petrified or dead. Why not add a
new character status "IN JAIL"? The party would have to pay a given
amount to get the character back... It would make robbing a lot more
interesting, and it would look more realistic.
There are many things that could be improved, I think. I look forward
to see more improvement ideas or comments on the above in QD.

Yours,
Erwan Legrand

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JPG> Well, that�s your lot!   I always like to hear about improvements
in the game, be they at KJC, Dynamic Games or elsewhere.  In my
opinion the improvements more than anything add enjoyment to the game;
they�re something new to play about with, to look forward to, etc.
Keep up the coding, I say!

JPG> Much strength to your sword arm, until the next time we meet!

>>-Josh->

References

Quest Digest 10/6/97
Joshua Gallagher <Joshua@dial.pipex.com>
Tue, 10 Jun 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Quest Digest 10/6/97
Joshua Gallagher <Joshua@dial.pipex.com>
Tue, 10 Jun 1997 00:00:00 +0000