Atlantis 3.0: Times 24 From: Geoff Dunbar <gdunbar@prankster.com> Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 00:00:00 +0000 Subject: Atlantis 3.0: Times 24 Atlantis 3.0 Times December, 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email admin30@prankster.com with game issues. Visit http://www.prankster.com (or email atlantis@prankster.com) for information or to join. There is a new version of the DOS GUI utility, fixing some bugs, on the ftp site (ftp://ftp.prankster.com/pub/submissions) as atlantis.zip. (This utility written by Bryce Bangerter) As repayment time begins to come around for many of you, I would hope that most of you will continue to play Atlantis 3.0. As a note for those of you who paid by credit card; I would like email confirmation to recharge your card, if that is indeed what you would like to do. I will not charge anyone's card again without confirmation. If you would like to pay by check or with a different card, that is fine as well. Thanks, Geoff ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Efficient Empire (119): Battle Modeling - Part #1 This is the first article in an irregular series on battle modeling. A few issues ago, the question was asked "What does it take to defeat 40 Com 3 troops with swords?" The short answer is: More than 80.0 Effective Comb 3 56.6 Effective Comb 4 40.0 Effective Comb 5 28.3 Effective Comb 6 20.0 Effective Comb 7 The number above is for a 50-50 chance of victory, and assumes neither side has tactical advantage . Note "effective Comb x" means combat strength including the adjustment for swords. Future articles will show the calculations. Bill aka Efficient Empire temporarily at wlarson730@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Anti-GALE assassin guild is growing. Please make other offers. We will strike soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just one for the Philosophic Corner: Assuming that any action is the physical projection of needs and desire, filtered by the subjective perception of acceptable behavior, my question is this: Is man really an individually unique intelligence, or is he just the civilized ape? Furthermore: Should your answer point in the direction of unique intelligence, please justify your claims. Obi-Wan The order of the Jedi ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *****BROTHERHOOD OF TWEE FORCES MARCH ON UNDERWORLD***** With the dissolution of the AIF into a bands of raiding bandits, the Brotherhood Of Twee, along with its allies in the SEP Alliance, is now moving into the underworld to route out the last remaining AIF strongholds. Commenting at a press meeting organized to announce the start of the Brotherhood Of Twee naval program a spokesman commented that this "looked to be the last days of the AIF unless they burrowed their way into Hell, which would suit us just fine. It has long been a goal of the Brotherhood Of Twee to extend its control into the underworld and this presents us with the opportunity to kill two birds with the one stone, as it were." The announcement of this expedition was marked by spontaneous celebrations throughout the Holy Land, culminating in the burning of a hundred non-believers to gain the good wishes of the Great God T'ni B'net. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ enchant swords [ESWO] 1: A mage with the Enchant Swords skill may enchant normal swords into mithril swords, which give a +4 bonus to Combat skill when used in combat. A mage may enchant 5 times his skill level swords per turn; the swords should be in the mage's inventory for him to enchant them. The mage should issue the order CAST Enchant_Swords to cast this spell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Twee have blockaded Durness, wiping out my faction on the way, soon to be followed by many others as they have warned in last month's Times that they shall be removing all the 'interlopers' on the so called Brotherhood's lands. We must unite against the oppressors. I hereby devote my new faction's existence (which will thus probably be quite shortlived) to the elimination of Twee. Think I'm crazy? Well, this turn i travel to Helsiecke to enlist the help of the revered Azthar... yes maybe I'm crazy... Not to fear. Soon one shall arrive who shall unite the tribes, repel the usurpers, bring peace to these lands and restore the worship of The Goddess...... (all ex Atlantis 2.0 players should now be cringing) and provide free pizza to the world of Atlantis (sorry a throw back there). She shall be know as ..... The Pendragonette (hey you gotta move with the Times, the femininst revisionist history lobby are not to be trifled with...) Thus soon we shall witness the return of the great prophet Emrys, known as Myrddin amongst the Cymru and Merlin amongst the Breton, He who has featured in the motion picture Excalibur......, to pave the way for the coming of She who shall etc. etc. He shall probably be travelling incognito to avoid being trampled on by The Knights of Twee, and assuming the form of one who is known to be a completely harmless simpleton...... Azthar himself! - should be quite simple, drool a lot and wibble on about spleens for no apparent reason....... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- <God this Times thing is fun!> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh, cruel Fate. The work is done, and you trample all my hopes with a bloody monsoon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After seeing the desperate fighting in the village, Dwight decided to take up the sword, and learn the craft of combat. However, later that evening, sporting several bruises and a nasty cut above his eye, Dwight questioned his own wisdom in starting a so dangerous hobby. Surely the magic users could simply blast the Brethren's enemies away, couldn't they? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I hate the town gaurds ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Black Hawk Society. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I see from Krabys skills page (which is magic BTW) that you can build Hot air Balloons. Who will be the first at aeronautical adventures? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Sire, we have not received any reports from our men this month." "It must be all that snow. They can't get through to us." "Yes, Sire." "A horse, a horse... my kingdom for a.... Nah! We can wait for spring. Besides, look at all this nice money, and the mages are always happiest when they have proper funding. Our compagny may still flourish." "Yes, Sire." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Has anyone fallen over the edge of A3 or entered a hex on the edge of the= world? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Water. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Look Guys, why cant we all just be friends? What did we ever do to you? There is plenty of land all the way around, there is no need for fighting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When a faction is reduced to a handful of grunts, and has no unclaimed silver left, that faction should issue the restart command. That's what the restart command is for! THIS IS NOT CHEATING! If you have such a problem with factions that are restarting, don't attack them! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AIF Home Offices Closing --------------------- I am sad to announce the closing of the AIF Home offices. With the death of The One and the scattering of his followers I no longer see the need to keep this ill-fated web page in existence. Of course, I will remain an AIF member, and would the SEP just love to know which new faction is me:) Not likely. Anyway, hopefully my next incarnation will have more luck in Atlantis. One last thing, and I direct this question to both the game master and the general body of players. Is it fair for ten coworkers to play as one effective faction? The SEP is composed of a bunch of digital animations people, all wporking in the same place. That just seems grossly unfair to me, call it sour grapes if you will. How do I know there isn't one smartass using ten diffrent names, sitting there laughing his ass off as he slaughters every other one player faction in the region? It matters not though. In the end the AIF will win, mark my words. One more thing... TO BOT : I think your blockade of Durness is extremely bogus. Are you blockading only the northern exits or the entire city? I promise you, if you have any weakly defended hexes around the city I will tear you a new asswhole and punch my way out of the city. Previously The One, now faction ??? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Them Dragons are TOUGH! and smelly too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some fight, eh? It seems we both had the same idea. Both had Noaid set, to see who else joined in. The result; a fist fight which I lost in the third. Oh well, better luck next time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glorious Organization of Divineship, Monthly News ------------------------------------------------- GOD is a peaceful alliance located around Jotel. The members are Roses On White Lace (91) & Elves of Essedail (93) WAR: YUCI BURNS! Dark smoke filled the streets of Yuci, as GOD warriors launched a surprise attack on the unprepared City Guards. As they retired to the great Yuci park, the next surprise was waitong for them: 6 firethrowing magicians! No numbers was known at the time of writing, but there's no doubt that GOD has won. Lord Smygelfh commented: 'I expect 75% City Guard losses even before they can rearrange themselves for a counterattack, and then they will run away! Right into our second ambush!" WAR: The slaughter of the remaining City Guards in Darm went without any troubles. Thanks to ROWL Mages, no COBRA/GOD losses were taken. WWW: Afraid of the unknown? Don't be, Check out GOD HQ at http://www.student.tdb.uu.se/~m96thd/GOD *Contains THE BEST MONSTERGUIDE in Atlantis* ------------------------------------------------ GOD can be reached at m96thd@student.tdb.uu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lady Mara in the name of house Acoma send greetings to all factions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My mother give me a life. My father give me a name. Those who have no name to reveal should not stay alive. Blavon, Septentrion 210, from the 70's alliance. Not spies, just words. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The beat of the jungle... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I found a winged horse.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silent put down the reports. Things seem to have quieted down at present on most fronts at least there may now be enough time for the Old One to be evacuated by the monks, the latest reports had there ship finished and would soon arrive if it could fight its way through the blocade. Time to go tell the Old One and hope that the information pleased it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Like looking for a needle in a haystack... Ow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have exeeded the maximum wages in Helsicke. Lets cut down our working force in Helsicke in order to earn more money working, by reducing the fixed expenditures to upkeep of the many workers. Darklords (113) - Member of UF and GALE Henning Joergensen (c928740@student.dtu.dk) -------------------------------------------- http://www.kbar.dtu.dk/~c928740/welcome.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Golden Empire (189): General Delath stared silently at the battle report. He was not surprised at the statistics: Total routing of the small force, no loss to SEP troops. The poor chaps didn't stand a chance. Hopefully they went quickly - knowing those SEP demon spawn, any prisoners would have had a bad time of it. To make matter worce, the troop had managed to collect some money together from the local population, and about 550 of it had found its way into SEP coffers. Everyone in the Golden Army who was fortunate enough to escape the tides of SEP troops expected this to happen, but none was fully prepared when the news eventually arrived. The small contingent of 25 or so troops which had become trapped behind enemy lines did what it had to survive, but it was hopeless. Earlier reports had indicated that the small force was moving in the territories between the now not-so-newly captured city of Abrantes and the SEP strongholds of Barika and Stroma. Going was tough. There were SEP trade wagons and the occasional high ranking soldier to avoid. It couldn't last. Eventually some dumb-assed SEP officer was bound to ask "Say there fellows, that small group about 25 elves I saw back there ... didn't recognise their faction. Anyone have any idea what they're doing wandering about our supply lines ?" What truly amazed General Delath as he thought about it, was what took them so dam long to find and eradicate the troop. I guess they believed them to be no threat and could deal with them at their leasure. Unfortunately, they were right. The only spleen factor in this whole disaster rested with the General's knowledge of the troops commander, Sergeant Meerilan. While the Sergeant had had no formal training in subterfuge (hence the loss of the group), he had managed to pick up some ideas from his time in the Golden Army (short as it was). Undoubtedly he would have tried to save some of his men by helping them become more itegrated with the local population, and hopefully they are there still, waiting for the right moment to steal a horse, some silver or a weapon or two. Ahh well, life, and war, goes on - for some of us. ###################################### Just a general note of interest for all you out there, here are some of the SEP leaders involved in the battle: Champion (6596), behind, leader [LEAD], sword [SWOR], horse [HORS], combat 1, riding 3. McQueen (6324), behind, leader [LEAD], horse [HORS], tactics 4, combat 1; Nightmare. Kactus WalTree (5729), behind, leader [LEAD], horse [HORS], tactics 4; A prickly man. Napolean (6658), behind, leader [LEAD], horse [HORS], tactics 4, combat 1. Kinson (1676), behind, leader [LEAD], horse [HORS], chain armor [CARM], combat 1; To be or not to be, that is the question. ^### LOOKS LIKE A WIMP HEY ... NOT SO - HE'S A FIRE MAGE ! Chig (5832), behind, leader [LEAD], horse [HORS], combat 1; Hell is just a walk in the park. ### INCLUDED here for his description - fun, hey? Some troops: Abrantes Strike Force (10948), 51 high elves [HELF], combat 2. Abrantes Spitfires (11570), 20 high elves [HELF], 10 horses [HORS], 20 crossbows [XBOW], crossbow 2. OSI security (4905), 20 vikings [VIKI], 20 horses [HORS], 13 mithril swords [MSWO], 5 swords [SWOR], combat 3; cool looking security agents. There were another 5 or so leaders and about 20 arb. troops. TALK ABOUT OVERKILL - Old Kinson fireballed from xx metres and toasted the lot. ###################################### Finally, if anyone is interested, I can provide a map of the SEP terrain NE of Durness (and pretty much wherever it grows in the area) Email me at canyon@iafrica.com Anyone want a small challenge at this stage of the game ? What's stopping you !?! You have the gate number to Durness, you know the players, you know who the bad guys are and you can now get a map. Come over and have some fun. We'll even supply a 'I got fried by the SEP' T-shirt if you fail. Thanks for listening. Lord Kadarishi Supreme Ruler Golden Empire Forward AIF ! PS. Short of actually bringing in the cavalry and making the AIF day, some public howling and jeering at the SEP and BOT would go down really well. Hey - maybe they can read ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Seekers (40): New factions in the Nexus if you want to put most of your faction points into trade and/or magic come to Riggenthorpe. The UNCLE alliance will give you lots of help and advice getting started. Contact The Seekers faction 40. Quotes of the month ------------------- "Cannot run out of time, there is infinite time! You are finite, Zathras is finite, this is wrong tool...." -Babylon 5, "War Without End." "Ya see? It's just like I always said: you can get more with a kind word and a 2x4, than you get with just a kind word" -Babylon 5, Marcus "Thank you, but I'm afraid I can't accept your compliment. You see, I'm an atheist, so if I'm also God, that would mean that I don't believe in myself, and at this point in my life, I don't need the added insecurity." [J. Michael Straczynski is the producer of Babylon 5, when a fan of Babylon 5 told Straczynski that he was God] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ YOU ARE DEAD! A whining voice to a foreign unit: Oh please, please reveal your faction. I ask: What mighty land owner is this, who cannot afford an observationer? Death to those effeminate questioners! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WAITING IS OVER, LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At last the Citidel of Ultimate Doom has been completed. We are located at 224,38 or near gate #67. Come and meet your maker! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ bring back unlimited work in gate cities! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Who watches the watcher ? In this case me. But who's watching me ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My units can now consume livestock in lieu of silver. Can I eat horses, too? To the One Who Knows the Origin of the Spleens: Check for ooze in the skeleton's lair. (Is that crypt-ick enough for you?) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am looking for a pure magic faction to ally with me in the lands I have found through gate lore. I can provide a place to study and funding for study. All you will need to do is get here. Send email to koth@zorda.com if interested. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ bird lore [BIRD] 1: A mage with Bird Lore may control the birds of Atlantis. At skill level 1, the mage can control small birds, sending them to an adjacent region to obtain a report on that region. (This skill only works on the surface of Atlantis, as there are no birds elsewhere). To use this skill, CAST Bird_Lore DIRECTION <dir>, where <dir> is the direction the mage wishes the birds to report on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the seas I will go with the might of my empire. Those on shores all across the land need be afraid. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Redswift Scouting and Trading Company COBRA (232): There comes a time when all things must come to an end good and bad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A teacher was working with a group of children, trying to broaden their horizons through sensory perception. She brought in a variety of lifesavers and said, "Children, I'd like you to close your eyes and taste these." The kids easily identified the taste of cherries, lemons and mint, but when the teacher gave them honey-flavored lifesavers, all of the kids were stumped. "I'll give you a hint," said the teacher. "It's something your daddy and mommy probably call each other all the time." Instantly, one of the kids coughed his onto the floor and shouted, "Spit 'em out, guys, they're buttholes!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inter arma silent leges. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Manege-- We ought to talk, send telephone number. Kickaha ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Red Sleeves in the morning, sailor take warning. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There is an alliance from Durness Who caused its neighbors great distress. Its way of existin'. Must really have pissed them. Because they've all made a hasty egress. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Old samurai proverb: "Pen and sword in accord." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACME Spleenmongers (117): Announcements from the Grand Assembly of Learned Elders and the office of the Grand Elder: Our rather spartan website is at http://www.wolfe.net/~azthar/GALE New factions interested coming to Helsicke and joining GALE are encouraged to contact any GALE member or the GALE Grand Elder at azthar@wolfenet.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ================================================================================ ACME Public Bulletin #19 Announcements for October Year 2 The ACME Public Bulletin will be suspended until there is something new to publicize. Any official correspondence to ACME should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Judging from the size of the clouds of smoke wafting up off the veranda at the BOHA's private estate, it must be time again for -- Azthar's Smoking Wing. Welcome! Yes, another issue of the Times, another paroxysmal act of verbicide from the Harlequin of Helsicke. A warm hello to my neighbors from Graevsbygd: 82 Dragons (82), Lightning Sky (13), and Enraged Dielectric (46). So, nice of you to drop by. Would you be wanting to buy some fine imported spleens maybe? Or are you just here for the free cigars? Either way, welcome! I want to quench all the rumors and set the record clear: I am not, nor ever have been a member of the Communist Party! Love thy neighbor, love thyself. Especially if your neighbor happens to be a 6'2" blonde from Venice Beach who won't take no for an answer! ;) I just hope my luck stays with me now that the Bank of Helsicke is closed. But considering I just added another 5 alarm fire to my "little black book" last week, I think I'm in good shape. There is a reason my articles are getting shorter and it's not modesty, humility, or compassion for my beloved Atlantis! Yes I did mean it when I said: "in a twisted way I love you all!" Why else would I offer you all free cigars and invite you into my den every week to share my idiosyncracies? Just because my RW co-conspriators call me the anti-Bhudda doesn't mean I'm incapable of emotion. I'm not a Vulcan. Little girlie men? Ach! Maybe you'll be wanting to peek up my kilt then, eh laddie! I'll show you the real "Jeepers the Zombie Mojo Sceptre!" That'll separate the fainthearted from those of valor. "Real" men have a sense of humor! (and know how to vent their spleens) Spleens everywhere! But only one with an autograph. By my reckoning, the number of the english word spleen is 880. I should find a hebrew/english dictionary and get the "proper" number, but hey it's a nice thought. Hmm. Maybe it is 117, wouldn't that be cool. FUBAR? Considering our status of SNAFU, everything is running well within system specs. So, BOHICA cuz I got more hot air than I know what to do with! Be a little concerned if you get orders to engage in a Practice Exercise Not Involving Soldiers. I never knew Nicci was a poultry farmer. Chaucer would tell you the Chicken crossed the road, because that's where the Cocks were! David, the only way you will be truly safe is to restart and change your email address at the same time. Or will you not be able to find your mail then? If the Twee did in fact wipe you out, as I am inclined to believe, and we can take 'eviler' to mean 'less good' then they have indeed proven that I am truly "Eviler than Twee." Their act of factiocide qualifies the whole lot of them for sainthood, and even SEP too just by association. I doubt I could ever redeem myself in such a way as to bring more good to Atlantis, even if I sent 1000 assassins to pick off every last Twee and SEP goon around. Cliche wars? An attack in time saves nine. (Hallelu!) Never judge a unit by it's description. (Yeah!) C'est la Atlantis. (Huh?) Tresspassers will be terminated! (Amen.) Gimme your spleen, or gimme fifty! (Oh, shut up!) Take my faction please! (Wait a minute...) If you really want me to shut up, gimme the Spleen! Only 99 to go! There's at least one bloke brave enough to give me a signed vote and save his spleen from mummification and save his soul from eternal damnation. 97 anonymous spleens won't cut it! I can get anonymous spleens from the Guardsmen (1). What the heck, vote as many times as you like, it's an easy 50! To make it easy here's one to cut and paste: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tu as encore oublie le times Remi. Heureusement que je suis la. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time and tide wait for no man... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ One day we will be back ........ I promise! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With the monsoon season starting, it was a good time to cuddle up with his books and study. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another turn, another silver dollar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What are centaurs good for. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Help there be dragons in them there hills.......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paw, The residents of Verguin have been very hospitable. Maw ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadow Circle (6): >From the Office of the GALE Grand Marshall: The GALE Council of Defense and Diplomacy spent much of last month debating the qualifications of various candidates to fill newly-formed Ambassadorships. Announcements are expected soon, pending the final decision of the CDD, on which GALE Elders will be joining the ranks of the already-established Ambassadorships In other news, the Grand Marshall's Office is happy to once again report that hostile activity on GALE borders has been minimal to non-exsitant, and that GALE territory has again enjoyed a month of peace and prosperity. This era of peace owes its existence to the hard work and patience of all members of GALE, who have been working closely to build a strong, unified community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Better a desert than a country ruled by heretics! Keep pillaging! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have nothing to say this turn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of The Tribe Now that we're getting a longboat of our own to sail the unforgiving seas, what sort of sea monsters could one meet? Guajajara the mage has prophecized a bunch of them during his last hallucinatory trip to lalaland: * Giant Calamari on Giant Pepper Sauce (kills by indigestion) * Shamu's Evil Twin (who told you orcas are cute?) * The Exxon Valdez (became popular after waterworld) Paulo, Parrot-man of The Tribe (123) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The GALE Naval Academy is now open. We have branch offices in various locations looking for recruits to outfit all of our four ship classes. We are recruiting for the following: GALE Coastal Guard: sailors, search-and-rescue teams GALE Merchant Marine: sailors, dock hands GALE Shipyards: naval architects, naval engineers, shipyard crews GALE Navy, Scouts: sailors, cartographers, communications specialists GALE Navy, Line Ships: sailors, artillery GALE Navy, Submersibles: sailors, special forces, communications specialists GALE Navy, Marines: marines, special forces, marine aviators, marine support, liason GALE Navy, Aviation: naval aviators, aviation crew, engineers GALE Navy, Logistics: sailors, dock hands, support specialists GALE Naval Cadet Corps: operations staff, research and development staff, magic staff The GALE Navy - See the world! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silver Reavers (163): Can the commanders of the following units please contact me, silver@dustari.demon.co.uk, before the next turn is run to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Merlin's Guards (11935), plainsman [PLAI]. Merlin's Guards (11351), orc [ORC]. Runner (9716), barbarian [BARB]. You have unwittingly intruded upon territory belonging to The Party and will not be allowed to penetrate any further into out domain without proper identification. An armed security patrol has been despatched to escort you from the area. While it is current Party Policy not to attack without warning, our glorious leader, Big Brother, has decreed that unanounced guests are not welcome at this time. Last Chance! Talk to me immediately or face the consequences of your silence. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coutet cursed loudly "What happened here!" I turn my back for a minute & I miss the fight! "I warned you I wanted to test my newfound magic on these helpless guards, now I will have to wait for the conquest of the next town.....what will my students think, I have abandoned my clan in their hour of need!" "'What did you do in the great war of 23?' they'll ask....Well I avoided it I'll answer, do you think they'll listen to my combat training after that?" .......What?....there's still 2 left!!...stand aside man......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I=92ve recently entered the "underworld" & found it to be a very difficult place to survive. There are monsters everywhere & you can=92t move worth a darn. If you don=92t hit a wall, ocean or monster, you end up in a tunnel with no wages or taxes. =85Well, it=92s been said that you rarely enjoy an adventure while it is happening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANARCHY wishes to make the following announcement.... The Spleen has been choosen for Assassination. Act accordingly. Please ignore this message if it wasn't meant for you. Thank you for your time. We now return you to the scheduled times articles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PILLAGE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Accord Ltd. (191): Atlantis Times Business Section ------------------------------------------------- Seventh Starting City Founded International Stocks Skyrocket! Today, in a joint press conference, the GALE Grand Magus, the Head of the Sailor's Brotherhood, and the Founder of the Industial Revolution announced the culmination of a startling new strategic alliance. The premiere global organizations of Land, Sea and Ethyr have pooled their knowledge and resources. The result of this unprecidented initiative is an area known simply as the Hub. The Hub has been called the Crossroads of Atlantis, the first truely Global City. Located far from the stagnation of the Inner Cities, the Hub is a bastian of the cosmopolitan in the heart of the Wilderlands. From this unique vantage point, the visitor commands a view of the three vast interlocking networks of possibility stretching away below him. All roads begin here. Unlike most areas of the Wide World, the Hub welcomes all visitors -- students and settlers, traders and tourists. The area boasts the first truely global university. In the Archives, students pour over the Rotieros -- the original charts used by Atlantis's first seafarers. In the Sanctum, they consult the Codex of the Gates, an enigmatic tome of exactly 492 cryptic enteries. In the Tower of Storms, the intricacies of all manipulations arcane are unfolded. Other visitors are drawn to the International Bizarre. Goods from exotic ports of call find their way to this market from the four corners of the world, following the lines of the three interlocking networks. Here traders gather to exchange their wares and swap even more precious cargoes of memory, story and lore. It is the expressly stated goal of the founders that the Hub should become the Seventh Starting City of Atlantis. No one interested in helping develop these ideals will be turned away. Nexians are welcome! Please note that it is not necessary to enter into any restrictive formal alliance to make your mark in this exciting new realm. Transportation or directions provided upon request. Please feel free to contact: GALE Grand Magus fon@opera.iinet.net.au Head of the Sailors Brotherhood cyrilb@microsoft.com Industrial Revolution founder egriffin@atl.mindspring.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daununda Enterprises is pleased to report the discovery of new land at Sarkanvale. We hereby claim this area by right of discovery and first announcement. We expect trade and travel opportunities will be exploited soonest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I hear there is some strife in Gale. The seams begin to unravel, soon all will fall to UNCLE. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It makes sense that the Grand Pupah of GALE reads tara cards - where else would he find his babblings. But be careful not to mock the cards, lest harm come to thee. My how the little ducklings follow their mother duck in the world of GALE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There must be some way to see those damned thiefs. I lost more than 1500 silver in taxes to one last turn. Is there a spell or item like a helm of observation? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cliche wars: Don't put all your orcs in one basket. Don't count your allies before they've fought. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why do mithril swords weight more than normal swords? Isn't mithril supposed to be lighter? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ one more city !!! one more city !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yuci's burning... Fry 'em all... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heading south for the winter, looking to find some warmth in the company of devoted allies. Remember, be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle - or will be. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Sure, but with the stronger winds of a monsoon, we'll get there that much faster!" -- Famous Last Words ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turtle Wax gives you a hard shell finish TURTLE WAX! [the things I do for 50$!...but hey, it could have been Burma Shave!] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The world collapsed around Garry, he felt as if all the air turned to stone stopping time in the process. His vision blurred, "-This is it!" he thought, "I mispronounced the spell, and now I'm going to die for sure..". In a small forest clearing, Olaf the viking sat with his men. It was a hot day in the late late summer. Nothing exiting had happened lately, well actually when he thought about it, some things had happened, but nothing important, nothing that would give him and his men an excuse to kill anyone. "Oh boy, what a Life! Im sitting here in this gods forsaken forest, winter is comming soon, and we havent even plundered any villages" Some day soon his men would revolt, a strong leader doesn't sit in forest clearings thinking about life, a strong leader gives his men ale to drink, skulls to crack open and women -lots of women to rape.. A low humming emmerged from the air itself, Olaf stood up and looked confused at his men. "What are toy doing ladies! A dragon or its like is approaching and all you do is sitting there looking afraid. You are vikings you morons, get your swords ready for now is the time where the lucky ones go to Valhalla! The vikings made a defence line towards the line of trees from where the humming seemed to originate. A loud SNAP came from the forest, the humming stopped at once, and all the vikings heard the terrifying roars from the approaching monster. BUMP Uh! Aw CRACK Oh! THUMP! Shit Shit Shit! Im deaaad!! Whaaaaa! CLONK.. Never in his life had he thought about how close to the ground a gate spell would leave its caster. Garry fought for his life, as he fell from branch to branch down into the soil below the tree. He stood up, "Aw that hurt!" he roared.. Oh Hello gentlemen why do you look so silly, havent you seen a true sorcerer before? -What will become of Garry in the forest full of vikings? Will Olaf order his men to attack the fierce creature, who has just approached him? And what in eath is Sarabian doing? Tune in in next week and find out! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Solution to Eggman's Second Easy Riddle: Mead Eggman's Third Easy Riddle: The dank earth, wondrously cold, first delivered me from her womb. I know in my mind I wasn't made from wool, skillfully fashioned with skeins. Neither warp nor weft wind about me, no thread thrums for me in the thrashing loom, nor does a shittle rattle for me, nor does the weaver's rod bang and beat me. Silkworms didn't spin with their strange craft for me, those strange creatures that embroider cloth of gold. Yet men will affirm all over this earth that I am an excellent garment. O wise man, weigh your words well, and say what this object is. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harsh reality, money short, big plans may have to be revised. Still studying, not doing much else. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glass Chompers (65): The Bordeaux Brethren are meeting the goals we set for ourselves. Our plans are working out quite nicely. Contact with neighbors has proven to be friendly and agreements have been worked out. I wish to thank those who have provided so many new skills and map information for my web pages. There have been so many new interesting skills brought to light that it is becoming difficult to know what to study next! Please keep the information coming! I do appreciate it. You can find my pages at: http://www.kraby.pair.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For those of you running around my territory without revealing your fact, I will attack next turn. For those of you running around my territory revealing your faction, I attacked you this turn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Place your times article here... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Open letter to the Wimps formerly known as RIP: If you don't stop pillaging hexes, we aren't going to let a single one of you escape. In two turns we'll be dancing on your graves. You have been warned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diastrophism (83): The values for Helsicke: Max population: 2005 Ideal workers: 1055 Estimated workers: 1422 Price of labor: $14.1 Entertainment: $20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Raul Diamante peeked out through the thick foliage. The village of foreigners seemed peaceful enough, and apparently unaware of the soldiers creeping up on them. Raul frowned; he'd hoped for a good fight, and this tiny group seemed like a pushover. Still, you can't always tell by appearance. And the bulging leather sacks scattered around promised a fair amount of booty. So... Raul stood silently, then with a cry waved his men forward. Crossbows twanged, and his viking troopers leapt from cover and charged at the enemy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mass Suicide in Glomera. In a bizarre suicide pact 17 leaders and 87 followers of a local religious sect have taken their own lives for no apparent reason. The only clues were the sound of musette music drifting in from the sea and a note found on the body of the mage, which said simply "They are driving us mad". - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The jungle elves can now expand and utilise the whole of their continent. They hope the rumours of les strangers living nearby are not true. They understand that: >This northern continent seems >to be our only growth potential They will not be happy if this is not so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Things are finally looking up. I didn't think I was ever going to get those miserable lugs into any kind of fighting shape, but it looks like they eventually might make an army after all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now is the time For fire and wine Fire for the body and wine for the mind We will sing and play Till break of day ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A guy walks into a bar... A second guy then walks into the same bar... You would think that the second guy would have ducked... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The End is near, They can now hear the Fat Lady humming Loudly. This time there will be no escape. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: ******************************** State of Martial Law is still in effect in the surrounding region. Any units found will be killed. Any stealth units will be killed and the owning faction will then be denied access to the region once martial law has been lifted. If you would like to travel through the land to unexplored regions contact kgrindst@inlink.com (Dark Legion 7) for a pass. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Big Lad's concentration was total. He didn't even notice when the rest of his mage school entered the room to watch. Sweat began to trickle down his brow as he worked the arcane magic for the first time. After a few minutes, smoke began to rise out of the floor. The smoke thickened and suddenly burst into flame. Big Lad's concentration broke, and the fire and smoke disappeared quickly. So much for that try... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clan McCloud (166): NOW ENROLLING! If you are a new faction joining Atlantis, and want to be magic 5, then we want you! Don't gate to some uncharted desert island with some other stuffy magic geeks! Instead, come to the fabulous, world-renowned Rantlu University of Magic! We will provide a monthly stipend to cover your costs while you study at our University. Plus, we have our own blue smoke and mirror factory on site! Act now, and you will also receive the amazing 17 piece ball and shell kit - - impress your friends! Cheat you colleagues! E-mail pep@frii.com for a complete list of details. limited time offer. restrictions apply. operators standing by. advertisement paid for by Syndic8 alliance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gatelore 4 - Man will this spell ever be usefull! :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In our continuing quest for truth, we ask the great thinker and philosopher Carl Jung, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" "The confluence of events in the cultural gestalt necessitated that individual chickens cross roads at this historical juncture, and therefore synchronicitously brought such occurrences into being." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My poor gate jump mage! There he is, happily jumping around the world, with no idea he's about to be occupationally challenged in a turn or two. I just can't afford the faction point anymore! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Onward the mighty beast galloped in a rythmical beat. Hark thee well for the rider of death approaches. Blood spills freely...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After months of searching the Knights were able to find the cave the old man told them about. In here should be an important clue. But there were growling noises too... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To those of you that have been killing my men. Beware the sword bearing vikings, they have your names stencilled in blood on their blades. You know who you are. It is just a matter of time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A special happy new year to all my enemies that will dies soon... LORD DEATH. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ pattern [PATT] 3: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So I had three mages involved in the taking of the city. After the successful battle, swords were distributed. Mages #1 and #2 received none for their efforts. Mage #3 must have been well liked because he received 3 swords. Am I happy about this? No. Because he is wearing plate armor he could not move after picking up those three swords. A wasted turn. What in Geoff's name is the procedure for disbursement of swords after taking a city? Another unit receives 7 swords while others get zero or one. I've asked Geoff but haven't gotten a reply. Does anyone have any idea? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anyone out there found gold? I'm told its in those thar' hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our apologies to our opposition. We had never intended to leave that hex unpillaged. You can rest assured that it won't happen again. If you'd be so kind as to let us know which hex it was that we missed, we will promptly dispatch a horde to correct this oversight. We appreciate that you have chosen us as your opposition and will work harder in the future to live up to your expectations. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, Your Opposition ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And so, the great Geoff spoke from the void: "Money yee have paid, to walk this worthy world. But thy money is near end, and with it thy time here. But, I bring hopes of rejuvenation, and for additional money, thy time on this world shall be extended" The check's going in the mail this week or next Geoff, honest! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Finally the ship made it... It is now ready to pick me up. At long last... It now remains to be seen how long it will take to reach the Ocean... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Armies of Magelin Doragar (240): I anyone has information regarding the effects of level 4 and 5 skills it would be greatly appreaciated if you could drop me a line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ tactics [TACT] 3: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Decisions, decisions... Should I kill the strange units in my hex >> or should I send them a letter first asking their business? The nice thing to do would be to send them a letter first if you can identify them. You never know when you stumble into someone else's camp yourself... How would you like to be treated? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To Spleen or not to Spleen? That is the entrail. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ O Herman: Quiero seis Coronas por favor. Send The Microwave. It is needed in Rantlu. -- The Little One ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************** NEWS FROM THE SAILORS BROTHERHOOD ******************* The Sailors Brotherhood has now SEVERAL MEMBERS in the following areas: GRAEVBYGD, HELSICKE, RANTLU, DURNESS, RIGGENTHORPE, ALFARO, DORNOCH Half of the members are in fact spokesmen of Alliances, so our international community really counts a lot of people now. * NEW DISCOVERY this turn The crew of the Rossinante, belonging to The Party have encountered a town to the north of Graevbygd. It is named Kaddervar and is located at plain (38,30) in Panyu. Of course, The Party claims it. Congratulations to them!! * Talks with the other Intrenational Organisations Watch this Times for the article about the Hub. Our cooperation with GALE and the IR is getting further!! :-) 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. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BioPhreaks (172): Dark clouds spread from the horizon like an evil horde of spectres, coming to claim summer�s dying soul. The sunset was extinguished by the ebony mists, bringing an early nightfall. Lightning flashes revealed images of plainsmen hastily gathering their herds and directing them to the safety of the barns. �The monsoons have returned,� spat Johnny Clone. �That means the trade routes will be slowed in the plains, and the great swamp will be all but impassable.� The Trademaster, identical in appearance to Johnny, but possessing separate talents and the name of Cy, replied. �Sir, without a steady flow of silver from our northern taxation, our lumberjacks in the swamps will be facing starvation. As for our miners in the mountains, they�re even farther from the trade routes.� Johnny thought a moment, �If we had more h0r5es, the problem would be solved.� He paused, �Then again, if the monsoons rained silver, we would own Atlantis. Two thirds of the year with this besotted weather? Have we angered some rain god lately?� Cy replied, �I�m the last one to ask about arcane matters, I just produce the goods, and I�m telling you, if we don�t stop production and have our miners and lumberjacks work through the monsoon season, we�re going to be using our quarries as grave lots next summer.� Silence filled the room as Johnny tried working through the problem. Only a month, possibly two, of provisions. Two months being the time it would take to cross the swamp in summer, now twice that with the monsoons. There had to be an answer. Production will not be stopped. Gazing out the tower window, Johnny noticed an enormous form running amok amidst the torrents of rain that had begun to fall. It ran and jumped and bellowed and tossed large stones into the blackened sky. As the form randomly approached the tower, the h0r5es tied there shied away and made sounds of dismay. Johnny knew that only one of his army ever scared bioproducts in such a manner: the Mutiod Man. Aracane matters, Johnny�s mind whispered into his consciousness, arcane matters. That could be the answer. �Cy,� Johnny spoke up, �How long would you guess it would take a wizard with strong foundation skills to gain control of the skies?� Cy stepped back, �Like I said, Boss, I�m the last one to ask, but if I had to guess....� Cy noticed Johnny�s flat stare, �...and it looks like I do, I�d say, ah, two months.� �Two months.� Johnny repeated, and wondered if the hulk that frolicked amid the monsoons could learn fast enough to outrun starvation. Johnny worked through some mental calculations, and figured that, at worst, his lumberjacks and miners had a one third chance of starving to death. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wait ... wait ... wait ... - I hate waiting wait ... wait ... wait ... - but this gets old quickly wait ... wait ... wait ... - but the City Guard are *right there* wait ... wait ... wait ... - they'll never know what hit them (smirk) wait ... wait ... NOW! - owch! - Turns out that underground city guard are a little tougher than their counterparts aboveground. - Maybe we should have waited a little longer.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another month, another busy week, another $50. Hey, scouts gotta do what they gotta do... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anyone else notice that studying Demon Lore is a waste of time? Any creature you conjure up stays in the inventory of the mage and so using those creatures in combat means risking that mage on the front line.. putting all that silver and time spent studying at risk for a bit extra combat power... who's gonna be that stupid? AVOID DEMON LORE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up