Atlantis 3.0: Times 38 From: Geoff Dunbar <gdunbar@prankster.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 00:00:00 +0000 Subject: Atlantis 3.0: Times 38 Atlantis 3.0 Times February, 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email admin30@prankster.com with game issues. Visit http://www.prankster.com (or email atlantis@prankster.com) for information or to join. I've noticed that there are a lot of 'junk' submissions to the Times lately. Please make an effort to come up with something at least vaguely decent (how hard is it to write a one-line rumor that is actually relevant?). If this doesn't improve, I will begin removing rewards and possibly banning people from posting to the Times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And now the time is near. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Can peace be worked out between two factions that do not trust each other?? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Once upon a time, there was a lone Trader. He was quietly minding his own business, slowly moving toward his destination where he would sell all his vodka, when, suddenly he was waylaid by an evil Brigand. What have you got there, the Brigand demanded. Just some vodka, the Trader replied, would you like to buy some? Sure, said the Brigand. But as the Trader turned to get a bottle from his pack, he was set upon and killed. So, if you see a very evil, and possibly very drunk Brigand, KILL THE BASTARD FOR ME!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Skill reports for you all: armorer [ARMO] 2: No skill report. farming [FARM] 3: No skill report. building [BUIL] 3: A unit with this skill may use the BUILD order to construct magical fortresses from rootstone. A magical fortress is the same size as a castle, requires the same amount of material (160 units of rootstone), and has the same defense value (it protects 250 men). However, magical fortresses may be used as the target of powerful magical spells, and are not harmed by magical Earthquakes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diastrophism (83): Q & A: >My faction has not declared any attitudes. I am by default *Neutral* >to all parties. Can >anyone suggest a flaw in the original theory? Yes, you can declare everyone unfriendly and still have this happen. What matters is that someone with enough OBSE to see the thief had declared you as an ally and there is nothing that you could do about that. Even if the faction that owns the thief declares you an ally, this will happen. I suggest finding a different alliance if they don't understand the rules well enough to properly determine your standing. I am disturbed that you did not see anything in your turn report about the attempted theft. Ask Geoff for a bug finding reward. >Does anyone have GATE 5? Yes. >Doesn't the monsoon REALLY screw up your trade routes? Yes. >Does anyone know how to catch these guys? Check the rules under evasion of combat. >When will MONSOON end?!!!!!! The monsoon never ends. It may go away for a few months, but it will keep coming back. >This space for rent. Sorry, got my own space.... >i have the best spellbook of atlantis !!! > >over 50 spells... > >could you do better ??? I'm sure I could. >When will the world erupt into chaos? I believe that it happened around March of year 1. Sorry you missed it. >So FOREST can now contain wood, ironwood, and yew? And what good are >FURS? Has anyone found a use, or a pop center which buys FURS? Yes. Trade. No. >Have you ever noticed that the more units you have the longer it takes to >do your turns? Yes. >Has anyone reached GATE 5 yet? >Has anyone reached COMB 5 yet? >Has anyone reached LBOW 5 yet? > >Does anyone think I oughta find out this info for myself yet? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >YOU SMELL THAT, SON? Yes old man. >Are you a new faction and you want some land? No. Yes. >When will the madness end? Never. >How much cash would someone want to build me a tower?? > >Any offers? I'll take as much cash as you can give me if you'll build a tower. I guess that you can call that an offer. >any intelligent life out there? None at all. >My question is, "Are the spoils obtained from dragons >worth recruiting the necesaary orc hordes to attack them?" The dilemma here is that I'm not going dragon hunting until it is worthwhile and I won't know if it is worthwhile until I go dragon hunting. Now if one came to me.... >What does earthquake do? Causes the ground to shake (I should know; look at my faction's name). Hey, take a turn to study it! I'm sure you will find it worthwhile. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ G.A.L.E. Sucks ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nightshade is poisonous. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What the heck was all that "you can't catch them" stuff? They weren't going anywhere, at least not until my mage cast a fireball then the wolves were going onto the barbeque. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stocks in the world largest armor and sword enchanting company to sell. Appliccations should be sent to faction 278. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, 6 Dragons !!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Anti-GALE Assasination League strikes a blow against blowhards! Cardinal Spleen, Inquisitor of Burscough (7641) is assassinated in Durness! You too can strike back against offensive spleen-mongering! If these namby-pamby GALEites want a nice, peaceful game, then let them go play Olympia g2 with the rest of the wimps! Atlantis is a WARgame! Let them eat Chaos! Join Anarchy International and the rest of the League in ridding _this_ world of self-righeous Peace Activists! end AGALEAL transmission ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well well well, a new area was discoverd. Gandolin looks around noticing that there are some friendly Welf's ! that would like to join him. Can't let them wander around all on their own, now can we! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eggman's Men (223): > I am always hungry, > I must always be fed, > The finger I lick > Will soon turn red. Fire it is. All about, but cannot be seen, Can be captured, cannot be held. No throat, but can be heard. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Say what you will, sir, but I know what I know - Another random quote from Willy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The invading army retained a tenuous control of the city. No longer was it a sure thing that they would keep the jewel that guarded two seas which they captured by a surprise attack on all enemies and neutrals. But now, the liberating army had a foothold on part of the city. The populace dwindled as refugees fled. Surely, the invaders would plunder the city before they fled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the wonderful world of Atlantis... Now, where is my 50 silv?? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We run and we bow ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ho hum ... another day, another corpse. When will they ever learn? Oh, and: The Chicken has flown the Coop. (you know what I mean) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All we know for sure is that we know nothing for sure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Where can I find a list of all the possible skill which can be studied in Atlantis ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ G ot A ny L oose E nds? N one A nyone M ight E ver L ist ------------------------------------------------------------------------ earth quakes : good vibrations...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JUMP, Deus is moving! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Earthbound Angels (295): To follow up on the times articles about the creatures called [WOMEN], I've done a little research on my own, which has shown that this type of being is absolutely one of the most disturbing found in Atlantis. To help prepare for any potential encounter, I've managed to gather following statistics: Weight 9, Capacity 4 Combat 1, 1 hitpoint. Has tactics [TACT] >3, but expects you to take the initiative. Has stealth [STEA] 5, but often reveal themselves. When approached, they will use the spell Summond Storm [SSTO] or Enchant Soldier [ESOL], both at level 2. It is not possible beforehand to know which kind of magic will happen. (Hope I won't get bashed for this !) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Jedi (281): THANKS GOD! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This space for rent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "There has never been such a retched hive and scum and villainy" Obi Wan Kenobi, speaking of Mos Eisley (or was that a comment about The Brotherhood of Twee? :) ??? Ben Kenobi says "Gimme 50" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fist of the White Lotus (4): "Hello, and welcome back to the White Lotus Poetry Corner; I'm your host Sun Quan, taking over for my departed predecessor. First things first, here is that quote he promised you: Art is as real as life itself, and, as life itself, it has no goal or meaning, it exists becuase it must exist. --Lev Lunts "I feel that is speaks, in a way, to the nature of poetry. And hence, to the purpose of this program. "Now, for this week's poem, I've gone to an widely read piece that deserves to be so. Andrew Marvell's most famous poem (if not his best, though that is an intensely personal choice) has often been quoted, for the language is quite lovely. It is a love poem of sorts, but also deals with time and mortality. To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime. We would sit down and think which way To walk, and pass our long love's day; Thou by the Indian Ganges' side Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide Of Humber would complain. I would Love you ten years before the Flood; And you should, if you please, refuse Till the conversion of the Jews. My vegetable love should grow Vaster than empires, and more slow. An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze; Two hundred to adore each breast, But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart. For, lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate. But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near; And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found, Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound My echoing song; then worms shall try That long preserv'd virginity, And your quaint honour turn to dust, And into ashes all my lust. The grave's a fine and private place, But none I think do there embrace. Now therefore, while the youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may; And now, like am'rous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour, Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power. Let us roll all our strength, and all Our sweetness, up into one ball; And tear our pleasures with rough strife Thorough the iron gates of life. Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run. "A fine poem all around. Sieze the day and whatnot, for none do embrace in the grave. For the next issue of the Times, I was thinking of a little Wallace Stevens, but I haven't made up my mind yet." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My scouts, they all a'hungry My tax hexes, they're all filled up. My verses, they sure aren't poetry But, hey, I'm an engineer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Too tired to write a real article. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peace at last, I hope!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ How to define the Wolves Of Ragnarok faction ? Easy, imagine the place you used to feel better. The place you're dying for living. The place you can't leave without regreting it immediatly. And now imagine that one day you came and found a man settling in your favorite place. I'M THIS MAN ! Blavon, lord of the Septentrion. W.O.R 210. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Glorious Organization of Divineship --------------------------------------- GOD is a peacful alliance with HQ in Jotel. WOOD SHORTAGE! Last month's incredible construction of ranches and timber yards almost depleted the storage of wood. The local work leaders promised to raise efforts to aid the production. BALLOON'S WITHIN REACH! GOD's finest shipbuilder promised Lord Smygelfh that he knew how to build balloons, if only he could get his hand on some floater hides. He was ordered to educate enough servants to build one balloon per month. Lord Smygelfh smiled to himself as he knew where to find those floaters. DISTURBING PEACE! A tiny feeling of anxiety fell over some peasant's in GOD's land last month. It was the absence of violence that made them suspicious. Lord Smygelfh explained that it was nothing to worry about. 'This is what it's like to live in GOD's land, you just don't have violence', he declared. ADVENTURERS LEAVE GOD'S LAND! The ordered expidition left Jotel last turn, riding on their flying horses. Their mission is to scout out the border land and make sure no monsters hide near GOD's land. DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A GOD? Full funding is offered to any new/restarting/other factions that want to focus on magic. AFRAID OF THE UNKNOWN? Check out GOD's HQ at www.student.tdb.uu.se/~m96thd/GOD for the *best* Atlantis monster guide. ---------------------------------------------- GOD can be reached at m96thd@student.tdb.uu.se or rmst@lysator.liu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doing well. First time in the game I actually have silver left over after my turn. So now I have to plan how to spend it-----never was good at saving money. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings from Deus Taxing machina! > Cassius has defeated the attacking Italian Taxmen-Mob. > (with a little help of the townguards against the foolish offender). > so deus gets back into machine... Mmmhhh....it seems you don't know very well our wonderful country. There's NO POSSIBLE WAY to escape the Italian taxmen. So, prepare to be taxed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Supreme Court Appeal News The future of free expression in the information age and the fate of the Internet as a viable medium of free expression, education, and commerce hang in the balance. On March 19, 1997, the United States Supreme Court will consider the legal challenge to the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which criminalizes constitutionally protected speech on the Internet. A decision is expected in June. for more information see http://www.ciec.org/ Lots of quotes from the very first episode of The Tick. The Tick vs. The Idea Men "Ladies and gentlemen, you might want to shield yourselves with your desert menus, I might be dangerous!" -introducing himself to the superhero convention "Destiny's powerful hand has made the bed of my future and it's up to me to lie in it. I am destined to be a superhero, to right wrongs and pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evil-doers everywhere. You don't fight destiny, no sir! And you don't eat crackers in the bed of your future or you get all...scratchy. Hey, I'm narrating here!" -pondering his new role as the defender of The City "The City...my The City" -upon arriving at The City "I'll just bounce off that flag pole....Gravity is a harsh mistress." -jumping on to and breaking a flag pole "City, it is I, the Tick, your destined defender...show me where it hurts!" -upon arriving at The City "Uh, yeah I suck blood all the time. Look I got a straw right here pal, you want a demonstration?!" -defending his choice to call himself the Tick "Hey cool! They got a blimp!" -awed by the Idea Men's getaway "You're not going crazy, you're going sane in a crazy world!" -reassuring his sidekick Arthur's misgivings "My goodness, I'm a walking time-bomb!" -after getting his hand stuck in an explosive device "And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables." -endnote ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3M (288): Escapism? I gated out of Rantlu. I stepped out my front door. Either way the vista was the same last week. In my home county in Kentucky the rains did not cause flooding, but I work in the next county . There the water company shut down when their pump station flooded. My movement was slowed. This is no reference to Monsoon Season. I drove at or under the speed limit for a week. A deep spot can pull you off the road if you hit it too fast. Who ever that is out there complaining about the campaign coming to a stop in bad weather clam up. At least the Internet is up to speed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ohhh goody! I get to finnally go under ground. On a guided tour, no less. It will be such a relief not to have to put sunscreen on every damn day. I wonder if the bed on the boat will be nice... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Remember kiddies, It ain't over til Geoff says it is! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Whew, the monsoon stopped again, now I can move my men again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Golden Empire (189): Confine yourself to observing and you will always miss the point of your own life. The object can be stated this way: live the best life you can. Life is a game whose rules you learn if you leap into it and play it to the hilt. Otherwise, you are caught off balance, continually surprised by the shifting play. Non- players often whine and complain that luck always passes them by. They refuse to see that they can create some of their own luck. - Darwi Odrade ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In another time, in another world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahhh! A city in the plains, it must be very rich indeed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silence is green. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glass Chompers (65): Hi! I'll be on vaction the next couple of weeks. Will still check my email and do my turns but won't be able to update my web page until I get back. http://www.kraby.pair.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jack Masterson heard rumors of animated corpses killing lumberjacks just a bit north of town. He never really liked the countryside, and would normally not budge an inch, for after all this was *his* town, and he planned to run it in a fully hands-on fashion. No delegating of responsibility, no leaving security to hired muscle, no relying on middlemen with dubious qualifications and even more dubious loyalties. But this countryside threat was just a bit too big for comfort. Over 50 monsters of various types, supposedly. Masterson had started off with considerably fewer troops than that, and look where he'd ended up. He wasn't going to have some gang of smelly corpses showing up at the town gates looking for a piece of *his* action. Jack Masterson wasn't the type to tolerate such a risk, no matter how remote. He'd send his own men up to deal with the problem, but that could get sticky: if he didn't send enough men, he'd lose some, and that would be bad for business - insurance payoffs, embittered widows and orphans, weakened morale. But if he sent enough men to ensure a painless victory, the town's defenses would be weakened dangerously while they were gone. And *that* was something he wasn't going to risk, not for anything. Finally a plan occurred to him, and he smiled and whistled for a messenger. It wasn't his action, really, being outside the town limits, so sharing it with another faction couldn't really be considered as a loss of profit. He'd stationed agents in the larger city nearby, thinking they'd be useful if he ever had a reason to make a move on that city himself. His agents had helped the city's current rulers take the place over, and now those rulers owed him a favor. He'd have to let them take a cut of the loot, probably more than half of it, but that was acceptable if it kept his town guarded. His goal would be achieved, his risk minimized, and he'd tighten his relationship with the city's rulers. Not a bad deal at all, he thought to himself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***** Cassius has defeated the attacking Italian Taxmen-Mob. (with a little help of the townguards against the foolish offender). so deus gets back into machine... ***** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ horse training [HORS] 4: No skill report. ranching [RANC] 3: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Report from the Seeker of the Way (218) ============================== * Would the owner of Unit (23241), nomad [NOMA]. (near Erisort) please contact me. * Horse production continues. Hopefully, horses will allow me the freedom of movement in these wretched winters. * Completion of the mine nears. More iron for everyone! Which means, more swords and other implements of war. rlp@crystal.cirrus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Will the Dunster War ever end? It is a new year. Let this be a year of peace. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm beginning to suspect that these turns are taking close to 16 or 20 hours to write..... Anybody want an all magic faction as an ally? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The troops are ready for the attack. All that is needed now is the final word that the other factions are ready. In a single blow, the GALE line will be broken and what remains will be buzzard food. Death to GALE!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paw, Productions goin' good. Kin ya send some wagons ta move the grain ta market. Maw ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Has anyone out there had time to read any good books since starting this game. I sure have'nt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Who's the lunatic who keeps changing his faction name every week??? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the unknown fraction lurking around the city of Perski. Make yourself known. I'm starting to feel uneasy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the boats! To the boats! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Having the flu sucks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Captain Ambrose was pleased. He had been assigned command of the first ship to be completed by the newly constructed shipyards. It was to be named 'The Silver Rose' He had just returned from an inspection of the new craft. It was significantly larger than any other vessel in the fleet and, as such, had a far higher crew complement. Even so, new techniques being employed by the shipwrights meant that his ship was taking shape very quickly indeed. Orders for his first mission had already arrived. For his shakedown cruise he was to transport a regiment of crossbowmen to the frontier. Not a difficult assignment but an important one even so. He was eager to get to sea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wish I could be as witty as the rest of you. I'll just have to kill you instead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beautiful day, don't you think? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attacking innocent fishermen and sailors is a quick way to make enemies. The ocean never forgets. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peace seemed nothing more than an illusion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was time for him to start the masters program ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Could the owner of the Raider units in Porthcawl swamp and the owner of TreeCutter and Merlin's Guards in Corran swamp and the owner of Ftr in Corran swamp please contact me? I would like to cooperate if you're interested. We can trade training and map-info. I'm looking for a place to set up business that isn't already used or claimed. The Loremasters (224) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tjing tjing alla kineser :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wow, those bog things are really wimps! They don't like cold... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The winds of war are growing stronger ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The winds of war are growing stronger ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <CRUNCH!> went the GALE army! <CRUNCH!> went the Nameless army! "Mmmm! Leftovers!" said the Nameless army... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stay tuned folks, Atlantean History is being made. The Groddy is ours! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadow Circle (6): >From the Office of the GALE Grand Marshall: The construction of GALE University has begun! All GALE members are encouraged to make silver and stone donations to unit 14096 so the construction can be completed in a timely fashion. A special thanks goes to Chibcha communicant (6342) for the silver donation last turn! Other GALE members are encouraged to follow suit! Please give stone and silver to help speed the construction of GALE University. In other news, the Grand Marshall held a press conference to dispell rumors of GALE forces being amassed in Helsicke. "The CDD unequivocally denies any secret massing of troops in Helsicke. We would never use innocent civilians as shields to protect our armies." Glory to GALE!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sim Nation (253): Charter of The Alliance of Independent Factions Three founding principles 1) Members shall not use, or threaten to use, force against other = members. Failure to meet this term is grounds for _mandatory_ expulsion. 2) Members shall defend other members in the event of outside attack. Members shall not be required to assist other members in the = offensive use of force. Any member who fails to defend another member in the event of outside attack may be expelled by a simple majority vote. 3) Members are urged, but not required, to assist the alliance in any = way =20 as is necessary to promote the general welfare of the alliance as a whole. If a member is seen as not supporting the alliance as a whole this member be expelled on a 66% super majority vote Structure of the Alliance 1) There shall be no central authority or ruling council to determine alliance policy. Members are free to do whatever they want within the = terms of the three founding principles. 2) Factions may leave the alliance at any time without fear of reprisal for doing so. 3) This charter may be amended by a 66% super majority vote. 4) All members must agree to abide by, and accept in principle, this the = =20 Charter of The Alliance of Independent Factions. We are the premier alliance that is not based in the Inner Sphere. The = Wide World is our playground. If this sounds like the alliance for you, = please contact Ryan of Sim Nation (ryanhill@wolfenet.com) or Tabor of = the Nightgaunts (twells@shore.net). =20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ah, there's nothing like uncontested expansion to improve a lord's mood, unless it's the possibility of wiping out a lich and his band of merry, decaying helpers. Onwards. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: ************************************************** Nothing new just that the seasons change. Looking for a new home? Wanted Any new Mage or Mage/trade factions. We have $$ and land for producing, anyone joining our alliance will be given full support in these areas, also have available land for any new War 1, plus any combination of the other 2 factions. If any interested parties please contact me at: kgrindst@inlink.com Grayson, The Dark Legion (7) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahh! Finally a stone building for which we can start our university. Soon we will have those high level spells. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For Sale. Lots of used weapons, armor, etc. Used to belong to an evil empire that was defeated in combat. Swords $2 each, armor $5 each. Post requests to the times, query 37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Are there any other trade 3 or higher factions out there? If so please send an E-mail too Tkelly@aol.com. Why not? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************** NEWS FROM THE SAILORS BROTHERHOOD **************** * Lots of continents and islands in our records For privacy issues, the location of the numerous coasts discovered by our members (both via sailing and gate-jumping!) are not publicly announced in the Times. But our records include now a lot of claimed coasts. Around 10 islands / continents, all different from the initial 6 gate cities. So if you end up in a new place / coast, send us a note reporting about where you are, and we'll tell you who's around, if any. * The Hub A BIG MAGIC UNIVERSITY has been founded in the Hubs HQ (186,40). We're ALREADY receiving teachers and students. Contact me (cyrilb@microsoft.com) or ryanhill@wolfenet.com for more information on how to join. The Hub is a community of international guilds, and will soon become the best service provider on Atlantis!! LEGITIMATE YOUR DISCOVERIES by sharing them with the now official Sailors Brotherhood. DON'T SAIL IN THE DARK, join the brotherhood and you'll get cartographic information to help you decide where to go. Don't be the last sailor to join ! Contact cyrilb@microsoft.com. Participate to the World Community by joining the first INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION ! Pinpanikaye, King of the Minstrels. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talks are underway, an agreement has not yet been reached but things look hopeful. Will the strive end? Or will the warring alliances continue bashing their heads in? Will they keep wasting their resources until another alliance decides to step in and simply take over the continenet, that has been fought over so hard and for so long? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sojourners (192): I wonder who authored the following criticism of Christianity. I'm sure I'm showing my ignorance by not recognizing the quote. > In Christianity neither morality nor religion has even a > single point of contact with reality. Nothing but imaginary > causes("God", "soul", "ego", "spirit", "free will"-- for that > matter, "unfree will"), nothing but imaginary effects ("sin", > "redemption", "grace", "punishment", "forgiveness of sins")... > > This world of pure fiction is vastly inferior to the world of > dreams insofar as the latter mirrors reality while the former > falsifies, devalues, and negates reality. I think it's very well written, almost poetic. Unfortunately, it is just an assertion. The assumption is made that God, souls, human will, etc. are fiction, and having assumed they are, the author declares that since Christianity is pure fiction, then it is inferior to the "world of dreams", which "mirrors reality". What I can't understand is how the author can say the phrase "world of dreams" with a straight face after condemning the Christian worldview for its unreality. I have dreams, and I've heard others say they do as well; this is all subjective evidence. Nevertheless, I don't doubt that dreams exist. But what is this "world of dreams", some sort of "cosmic unconsiousness"? I think the pot is calling the kettle black. I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe I have a personal, spiritual, relationship with Him. I have personal, experiential, subjective, evidence. I have family and friends who have similar subjective evidence. We can discuss this evidence and attempt to persuade others by it. We can even look into some of the historical claims of Christianity and examine the archeological, manuscript and other evidence. Many people have come to believe in the accuracy of the Bible and the truth of Jesus's claims by travelling this path. And here's my point: Either admit your evidence is subjective, which isn't fatal, and we can compare the relative merits of each of our subjective experiences of the universe; or let's look at the evidence using methods which are not prejudicial to either side. The quote reminds me of my high school english teacher who, in trying to persuade us towards his own existential worldview, told us that we shouldn't let anyone tell us what to do, or think, or value. Someone pointed out that if we took his advice, we shouldn't take his advice. I just wish everyone who argues about the relative merits of differing worldviews would come up with arguments which aren't based on the assumptions of their worldview and then claim that they have the force of "logic", or "reason", or "science" behind them. Just because you have a formal system of logic which proves itself powerful for generating true statements over a variety of circumstances does not mean that all truth can be expressed or validated by it. Read _Godel, Escher, Bach_, by Douglas Hofstadter, especially the finale of Part 1. Consider yourself enlightened, and gimme my 50! ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ju verdu magla pun, il scsi lun. Credoc wogla lingo meg spag bog sincuno. Scatha verdes et wogli ma chingo. "Splenetic verbicide" quth Azthar, mas il incomprindi qas esaprat! Onno guidge sbetta par toolemod. GALE? Las prims bogga, con ey dulevar? Capiche? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It sounds like the poor lonely gateborne are just out wandering around in the emptiness. Lucky bahstids. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kennan, "Tent Life In Siberia": good book. Check it out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Power grows out of the barrel of a gun. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lurid. Heh, that's a good one. Especially this definition: "glowing through a haze, as flames enveloped by smoke." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACME Spleenmongers (117): ==================================================================== Official GALE announcements: Are you a new faction and you want some land? Not swamps. Land. Plains, cities, ok some swamps too. We got land. We got land to spare. And we'll take you there. What you really need are allies. Allies who will fight over who gets to support you. Have we got a deal for you. GALE is offering homesteads on our booming frontiers to new factions seeking a home to call their own. Magic training? Universities? You bet. Full funding guaranteed for all new magic factions. We welcome settlers and colonists of all types to join us, yes even aspiring war factions. Join GALE, see the world! The URL for our ancient website has changed. It is now at: http://www.wolfenet.com/~azthar/GALE Any correspondence to GALE can be addressed to <GALE@azthar.gp> and it will be forwarded to the appropriate representative. Azthar Septragen Grand Elder of GALE ==================================================================== Diary of a Spleenmonger. February, 4th year, 3rd Atlantean Era (3AE). Davros, I'd gladly give you the moral high ground, but I'm afraid you'd fall and hurt yourself. And you see all this hot air gives me an unnatural buoancy, not unlike a floater. Sure, you've slaughtered my pitiful excuse for an army and I have no meaningful reinforcements in sight. But that's ok, we harvested over 800 spleens. That's more than enough to satisfy my current needs. I'm happy to tuck my tail between my legs and lure you into my happy desert. Stop by the Smoking Wing sometime and have a cigar! That would be 60m90. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just how big is this continent anyway? As soon as I think I've mapped nearly all of it, it opens out again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mages are working. No training is being done. I need silver! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold: So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have heard rumors of foul beasts in the lands nearby, Sir. Well don't just stand there. Do something about it! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the remote reaches of the Far North, in the Frozen Tundra where few men or beasts are able to survive, a new Race amongst the Atlanteans emerged. A hardy Race of great stamina and resolve. Bred upon the Icy Plains and Frozen Tundra, their courage was unmatched. Their skill to survive was second to none. Their numbers swelled, and soon it would be time to leave their Icy home behind. Soon they would take up their Swords and march unto the warmer Kingdoms of the South. Soon, the wrath of the Ice Folk would be felt. So soon... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Loads of Rootstone, Plenty of Mithril... Trade can be quite magic! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wonder whats inside.. what might the foul creatures guard? Well there is only one way to find out, "Glen! Enter the shaft and report back what you find." "Mental note -To Glens Mother: Unfortunately Glen has had an accident..." + Lair [1] : Lair, closed to player units. - Swamp Creatures (2297), bog thing [BOGT]. + Shaft [2] : Shaft, contains an inner location. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What then of the chicken who does not cross the road? Are they lesser beasts, lacking drive and desire, fearing conflict and struggle, without a sense of adventure? Or are they a wiser creature, content with their natural lot? Or is it all part of a long brewed plot, soon to be unleashed? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 of my guys starved last turn, so I'm sending in a times this month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SEP can only fight little boys, they are useless against a real enemy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nightgaunts (191): The Alliance of Independent Factions (AIF) is very proud to announce the addition of four new members: The Grey Company (49) The Golden Horde (246) Sim Nation (253) The Faction Formerly Known as: The Glass Bead Players (274) The complete AIF member list is: The Grey Company (49) Lords of Night (58) The Fellowship of Starfox (133) Golden Empire (189) Nightgaunts (191) The Heptite Guild (196) The Golden Horde (246) Sim Nation (253) The Iron Guard (254) The Faction Formerly Known as: The Glass Bead Players (274) Faction (283) If you are interested in joining the AIF, please take a look at our charter posted elsewhere in this edition of the Times and contact either Sim Nation (ryanhill@wolfenet.com) or Nightgaunts (twells@shore.net). Tabor Nightgaunts (191) - twells@shore.net AIF Diplomatic Liaison ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh RIP, RIP, RIP. You're running out of room... Time to find a gate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't you look so surprised. Happy birthday, f***er ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Its Woodstock! Hey she hadn't even started yet. (Mind Reading, a spell that is great for playing charades...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is it real or is it a mirage? Have I finally found an oasis in this godforskaen desert? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first major battle between gate cities has begun. Both sides were damaged, and the outright winner is still not decided. This "mop-up" turn will tell the true tale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Blue Wizards (294): Hello everyone! This is the first Times article from a brand-new faction. I have been reviewing the Times from the last dozen turns, and find it amazingly rewarding, I wonder at how much time it takes some of you to write the quality submissions. They are well worth the "gimme 50 more" and ".." submissions I have to page past. I find the "empty" submissions quite cynical, but at least it does not distract me and is quick for me to ignore. Free unclaimed silver each turn? I vote no. Let those who are just in it for the silver do so. Not all of us have the time or the creativity. If we want to be more selective, and fair, with what earns silver, we must also provide an alternative way to earn the silver. The Times is like the Internet itself. You get both the bitter and the sweet. Censorship would curb the bitter, but also the sweet. Observations: -It is interesting how the Dunster area never finds peace. Ode to a bad start. -I am grateful to those factions that provide information to the rest of us free of charge, such as: Monster lists (thank you GOD), and the anonymous skill reports. Question: To anyone who is a <10 turn faction and is part of a big alliances: Could you share how you have profited/lost due to this relationship, I am very curious. You can find me at ibratko@trustmarkins.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peaceful breeze has swept the plain, we're turning swords into slot machines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I don't consider dog to be a filthy animal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Faction (290): >From the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: Quatrain No. LII And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky, Whereunder crawling coop't we live and die, Lift not thy hands to It for help - for It Rolls impotently on as Thou or I. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cheth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gimme 52 dollars....that way I can play for another year... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clan McCloud (166): Syndic8, the controlling alliance of the Rantlu area, is currently looking for new all magic factions to join our alliance. We will supply you with money, teaching, advice, and more. Contact pep@frii.com for details. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up