Atlantis 3.0: Times 21 From: Geoff Dunbar <gdunbar@prankster.com> Date: Sun, 03 Nov 1996 00:00:00 +0000 Subject: Atlantis 3.0: Times 21 Atlantis 3.0 Times September, 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email admin30@prankster.com with game issues. Visit http://www.prankster.com (or email atlantis@prankster.com) for information or to join. IMPORTANT: The Merry Prankster Games phone number has changed to (206) 827-3213. Please use this number in place of the old one effective immediately. (The signup sheet and player instructions have been updated to reflect this change). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The captain walked to the bow of his gently rocking ship and stared out across the sea. His boat cut quickly through the swells, rising ever so slightly over the wave and then easing back down into the trough. His sea legs rocked with the boat, holding the upper part of his body perfectly still as if he was on dry land. Several dolphins were escorting the ship, riding in the bow wake, cutting through the water like a sharp knife. The captain thought to himself "This is were I was meant to be..." His daydreaming was interrupted by a retching sound behind him. He turned from the rail and glared at the warriors who were the ship's passengers. Almost all of them were green with seasickness, many were busily feeding the fish with the morning's breakfast. "Damn landsmen..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All that we were, passes; A sheaf of dry grasses That late in green meads blew, To this end are we come. Passed on, sceptre and crown, Justice and rule, laid down, As least man must, we rest Silent, in our long home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The pioneer paused and looked down the unfinished mine shaft. It looked like they were almost through with building it. The construction process seemed simple enough; he'd have to remember how it was done. It looked like something the white lotus kung-fu school might want built. One more month, and he would be employed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The race is on, ally's are gathering and armies forming. Will there be enough time before the Hordes arrive. Nothing fights ever so well as when it's cornered. The Black Company is coming. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I know, what you're doing... observation [OBSE] 4: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU. Have a nice day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Somebody wrote: > " I am trying to build a worldwide and independent assassin guild. Those > interested can let a message in next Times." Do u suppose it to be usual for would-be assassin to give name and adresses in the time ???? Ti's a great idea, sure, so contact me... Of course i do not leave my name, just guess ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "What meaning have those cairns of elf skulls?" asked Nursie. The dwarf reddened in embarrassed discomfort. "Er..it's a long story..." he stammered, then inspiration came "Orcs did it!" "Yea, that's right!" confirmed another "Orcs did it. Nothing to do with us." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Long ago the Elves of Primoria had sought refuge in the jungles. It is said that once the races had shared the lands in contented peace and tolerance. But, so it is said, an evil godess named Pawleen stirred the silent jealousies of the majority into a frenzy of intolerance and hatred. During this dark terror the knowledge and progress of a hundred years had been swept away almost overnight. Worst to suffer were the elves. The sea elves had, in the main, survived this time of madness better than the other elven races and still live throughout the lands. Their long history of contact and trade with all peoples of the world had bred a practical race - tolerant themselves and well used to honest dealing with the fiercer breeds. Whether this was the key to their survival is unsure, and perhaps the Orcish saying "Sea-elves, like anchovies, are best savoured in moderation" holds the real truth. High Elves, surprisingly, are still fairly widespread. With their haughty superiority you'd think they would have been the first up against the wall. Perhaps their subtle sense of humour saved them. Such other elves as survived had been driven into the poorest and unhealthiest of terrains, where only their knowledge of healing had ensured their survival. For the ages of their exile they have sung sad songs of the lost Golden Age and waited patiently for thier prophesied leader to arrive. And now a wild rumour has spread through Primoria that the time has come. Now the elves of Primoria are busy in frenzied activity, readying themselves for the task ahead. It is written they shall be chosen to spread civilisation, tolerance and the rule of law to the far ends of Primoria. Sure beats being food for mosquitos and leeches, not to mention the other endemic nasties... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My Sons After the summer has begun in Helsickel, the land has become a paradise on earth. This however will not last forever as the Chosen of Geoff shall travel to the Holy Land to build a temple in the Holy City. While the Chosen prepare themselves for the trip a temple will be build in Helsickel where the true belivers can go to worship their creator. * * * Father Sigurd preaching a Sunday afternoon in Helsickel When the Chosen have reached the Holy Land, they shall construct a temple in the honor of The Creator, for the flock to gather. The Sun shall forever shine on the Temple and the birds shall forever sing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why is it you can never have too much silver? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > You get the picture. (What do you expect at 4am? A rubber biscuit? Certainly > not the Spanish Inquistion!) Noooooobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is suprise, that's all. (what about fear?) Shut up... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anyone have GATE 4? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh, well, time to step through the shimmering gate and hope peaceful pastures await on the other side. The world seems full of war and chaos, and I have nothing but the clothes on my back to protect me. Will life be short? Or will I negotiate fruitful arrangements? Time to roll the dice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anyone have the faintest idea what Azthar is on about, or indeed on? A representative of The Old Ones (211) who is too cowardly to sign this.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- >> We are the strongest alliance in Atlantis. >> Don't annoy us or we will KILL you! >> Twee Woops....... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What happens when you kill a GOD? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fist of the White Lotus (4): Hmm... The monsoon has ended. Now where should I send my soldiers off to? You know, I hear Mzoara [name scrambled for security purposes] is beautiful this time of year, and I've always liked forests. On another matter, I picked up some very interesting loot last turn, but security reasons prevent me from elaborating. And now, I return to you to the "Chronicles of the White Lotus Kung-fu School", which had been put on hiatus due to script problems. Reports of a battle on the plains are beginning to filter back into Helsicke. Apparently, upwards of 400 White Lotus kung-fu students, assisted by 250 LEGENDS, and magi of several other COBRA factions, assualted a crypt, and killed a Lich, along with his Skeleton followers. According to the White Lotus master, Sun Quan, who lead the attack, "This was just a training exercise, to see how well the school was doing in teaching White Lotus kung-fu. Overall, the operation was a huge sucess, and the soldiers liberated some items that the Lich had taken from waylayed travelers." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Faction (242): 50 silver is always needed ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hmm the countryside outside Helsicke looks crowded, how do I get out ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Sir. Have I your permision to go ashore sir" "Permision granted sailor. What do you intend to do ashore?" "Sir. I have decided to go exploring sir." "Very well. But be carful out there." "Yes sir. Thankyou sir." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Seekers (40): New factions in the nexus, please contact The Seekers (40), BEFORE coming to Riggenthrope. Thank you. Things are mostly peaceful around Riggenthorpe. There is no physcial war, but there is a war of words between The Seekers and Dakotah (139). And so in that "vein" (its a halloween thing) I lauch the first volley. Besides ACME Department of Administration and Management (117), otherwise know as Azthar Septragen, Grand Elder of GALE said he wanted a spleen. So here is a bloody spleen. [snip snip of my own post] Due to an unexpectedly calm reply from the Dakotah with almost no insults this War of Wars (tm) has been delayed indefinately. Sorry, Azthar no spleen, maybe next month. Quotes of the Month: ------------------- "Fool!" cried the hunchback. "You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia,' but only slightly less well known is this: 'Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'" --The Princess Bride "But we'll never survive!" - Buttercup "Nonsense. You're just saying that because no one has ever done it before." - Westly --The Princess Bride "Let them hate, so long as they fear." --Attila the Hun ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Bad Karma... Somebody wants to hunt down and wipe out the Irie People for no reason!!! So much hatred... The worse is my self-appointed enemy is not even honorable enough to speak is name!" Falafel...Irie Kaya(73) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Far along a hidden mountain pass, a simple Barbarian man and his family sit, eating roasted squirrel. The gods have been good, they have blessed him with meat. Life is simple, and hard in the mountains. Sometimes, strangers come looking for ore in the hills. But, they do not concern him. The solitude of his dinner is interrupted when his little girl screams, holding her hands to her mouth in astonishment. The Barbarian man clutches his axe, and quickly turns around. Outside his house, a purple shimmer starts to form. It glowly grows larger and larger. From this wreathing and shimmering tendrils of power, emerges a man. The man steps out of the purple gate, and looks around. The Barbarian looks at the man with awe, and bewilderment. He has never seen such things. He grabs his axe and goes outside. The mage slowly reaches into his robe and pulls out a small bag. He tosses it on the ground in front of the enraged barbarian. The barbarian slows. He looks at the bag, in obvious interest. He kicks it. Chink. Silver. The mage begins to speak, "I am looking for strong mountain men, such as yourself to help me forge a kingdom. I am a benevelent man. I seek peace and greater understanding of the arcane ways. If you help me, I will make a leader of men. Will you join me?" Seekers of the Way (218) rlp@crystal.cirrus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The low clouds standing offshore from Porthcawl, gave a sense of peace to the occupants of the town located next to the plains. The plains that seemingly stretch on forever. This serene vista has long been enjoyed by these gentle folk. Rumors on top of rumors have given the townspeople cause for grave alarm, and now, the hordes of soldiers spoken about in those rumors have become a reality. It has been a long time since there were any threats in the area, but now, with twilight waning, the camp fires of the armies can be seen everywhere. Porthcawl must surely fall before such a force. One can only hope that the conquerers will be kind in their conquest. The sun slowly sets in the west, and now, we must await the dawn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Moving silently through the night The Hand made his way through the domain of his enemy. The Hand's blade would run red with blood soon. Very soon. "We shall show no mercy for my killers" the enlightened soul whispered silently. "They shall know my justice". Know that I am among you, know that you shall die. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Garrison, you shouldn't be "on guard" on our territory, please stop it. Thank you YOU KNOW WHO ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There it is! Someplace to call home! Now I just have to move in and start claiming hexes. I sure do hope that those dragons will be nice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What's a good old country boy like me doing in a place like this? There are people everywhere... carrying swords... muttering over magic books... buying and selling this and that... and on top of all that, there is this incredible breeze - some might even call it a gale... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is time to teach that which is known adn to learn that which is not known. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Hive (165): The Drone had been told to relay a message: "Apologize for your attacks or your worst nightmares will come true." Back at the Hive, the message was received only a fraction of a second after it was relayed to the Drone. Suddenly, the Hive was a mass of moving bodies and you could smell the fear in the air. "Damn!" said the lone computer operator sitting at his desk, "My worst nightmare is that this game takes over my life and I lose my job. I guess RIP plans to lay down their arms and die quickly!" But, Pirates had done this before, so it was really no surprise. The Ants among the Hive received the word instantly: Fight until there are none left. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coutet overheard Dwight mumbling and cursing under his breath at the menagerie of oils & spell books necessary for every Mage in his esoteric persuits. "Soon I will prove my worth" he promised himself as he settled in to further study his already powerful combat magic. But aloud he added, "Stop your complaining Dwight or I'll summons an army of undead to quiet your tongue". "Send my regards to the Davros & his Empire across the waters, We will prepare a banquet of fine wine, Vodka & the finest Caviar to celebrate your return" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You're a complete loony. You're the craziest by far. Go back to your assylum, A - Z - T - H - A - R ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The winds of war are growing stronger ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This game really needs a better user interface. My empire is still quite small compared to what it could become and it takes me 5 hours to do my 10 page orders. I mean the game concept is fantastic but I think it is just way to hard to manage. Does anyone else agree? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What's wrong again! Last turn I had another genial idea (as usual): why should I give money to my new units to build up themselves? they'll take up anything they need stright from my pool of unclaimed moneys! Sure! Wrong! Units claim money from themseves ONLY to maintain themselves, not to BUY or STUDY. Sig!Sig! Ave atque vale Walaar the shadowing, Elder of GALE Shadow's Clan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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) TRADE: At last, funds will be set aside for trade. Cheerful men celebrated as orders to recruit all sort of producers was sent out. NEGOTIATIONS: The negotiations with Cobra has been hard, and at this point, Darm has been lost, but in return, all other claims seem to hold. Only time will reveal the final agreements, but GOD diplomats said it was likely to be solved in a fair and peaceful way. WAR: Great disappointment filled the minds of the brave GOD warriors as they heard the rumour that there would be no attack on Darm. Lord Smygelfh however, promised his men to go for a much more challenging target; Yuci. WWW: Afraid of the unknown? Don't be, Check out GOD HQ at http://www.student.tdb.uu.se/~m96thd/GOD *Contains THE BEST MONSTER-GUIDE in Atlantis* ------------------------------------------------ GOD can be reached at m96thd@student.tdb.uu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "sire, you must leave the village." "why?.." "There are wolves in the woods and they are closing in on us." "How many?" "Two packs it seems seventeen in all, and the kobolds are restless too." "Hmm, you are right. We should move all essential troops to a safe part of the forest. But our workers will have to stay, Geoff be with them." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Halkirk falls today. Whoopeee! Got a problem with it, elfboy? Let's take it outside, half-pint. Better yet, why don't I just ask my skeleton friend here to escort you out. Ha ha ha. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now we have discovered the right spell, we can EAT our enemies. Yummy yummy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: Your #1 source of infomation on the Dunster Plains War. This may be the final issue of the DNR. As armies push towards Dunster, citizens are becoming alarmed. Many refugees have already set out across the vast desert to look for a more peaceful settlement. We will try to continue to bring you coverage for as long as possible. Citizens of Lynton are encouraged to leave town if possible. The Army of the Southern Cross will work to defend this city for as long as possible, but we are unsure of how long that will be since the alliance is bracing for another attack this month Mike Weldon Southern Cross News Correspondent Grey Wolf Clan (78) weldon@sdd.hp.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PV=nrT A handy equation in chemistry or in Rantlu where space is limited, but the number and size of factions is on the rise. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now that the weather was clearing, the swamps and mountains would yield their secrets. Horses were being broken and saddled, as the scouts finished their stealth training. The army was starting to grow at an alarming rate. Several units were moved to adjoining regions to build barracks in order to make room for the new recruits. The mage would soon discover if Earth Lore would make the region productive enough to build more barracks. The military academy continued to grow, as a cadre of instructors were preparing their curriculum. The first graduating class was already earmarked for assignment to the academy to provide instructors for the next, much larger class of students. The mages decided to switch their research program to mastering the fundamentals. Their request for a more permanent facility was reiterated with some urgency. But knowing the disruption any move of quarters would cause, the administration mouthed platitudes and made plans in secret to build the requested facility. In not telling the mages, the administration hoped to take advantage of the mages' short attention span until all was ready. It was imperative not to disrupt the mages' focus. Scouts reported that the Lions had moved out of the area, which only made the commander more nervous, since he had no way of knowing where they had gone. In another report, it became clear that an advance scout had purposefully misinterpreted his orders out of cowardice. This set back the scouting plan by a month, but reduced the risk of losing the scout to Grizzlies. A detachment of soldiers was sent to do a reconnaisance in force. Enroute, it would establish a work camp in the mountains. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of The Tribe Thanks oh generous Curupira of Shadow Banana! I will certainly repay you as soon as possible. My plans are to buy enough men to sustain the mage and a couple of traders and give your party back either fully trained or with some silver in their pockets. I am moving north, using Karaja's far sight to guide me. I'll keep you posted of the new map info. Paulo, Parrot-man of The Tribe (123) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the seas I will go with the might of my empire. Those on shores all across the land need be afraid. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riddle : What do you call a hex only worth 1/6 of it's previous value? Axomin's last home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >From the Office of the GALE Grand Marshall: The Office of the Grand Marshall will be closed next month while the Grand Marshall celebrates his wedding. The Council of Defense and Diplomacy will continue to meet regularly in his absence. Any concerns can be raised with the CDD through your alliance's Elder Marshall, or through Azthar the Grand Elder. << ANARCHY wishes to extend their warmest wishes to the CDD of GALE. In honor of his wedding, we will from restrain from conducting any terrorist attacks in GALE terroritory this month...NOT! Message to all you ANARCHY moles (you know who you are) ... LET THE COUP COMMENCE! STRIKE HARD STRIKE FAST STRIKE FIRST DEATH TO GALE LONG LIVE ANARCHY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's about time to clean the Indians from our lands and send them to their reservations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overheard at the women's baths in Rantlu: "OK, here's another one: How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?" "What's toilet paper?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ack! I'm naked! Who stole my armor!!!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anyone figured out how fire works in combat yet? The skill report mentions 2-10 attacks per level of the skill.. the attack also being made at the level the mage has fire..(ie a mage with fire 2 will get 4-10 attacks each of skill level 2) The problem I'm having is are these attacks just like plain combat attacks and so are compared against the combat level of the target? The wording is ambiguous I think. Maybe the level of the attack refers only the level energy shield needed to block the fireballs and that each fireball kills 1 enemy no matter what the combat level. Also perhaps the fireball is like a bow attack and so the fire attack level is compared against an arbitrary number like longbows(2) or crossbows(0). Anyone wanna share some thoughts on this? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ be sure that i will come back !!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first wave of the attack had worked out as planned. Deveron would soon be theirs... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aaaaaaaaarrggggg. Die BOT scum ! Be Twee to each other somewhere else ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There once was an Elder from Gale Who's fighters were sickly and Pale He'd brag and he'd boast till I made them toast That was the end of his Tale. Poet Laureate Of UNCLE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ does anyone have any map utilities that work correctly for atlantis 3. dean@memex.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anyone have map information of any area of atlantis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Auhea la oe ke aloha Awapuhi pala o ka ua noe A eia no me au I ka poli o ke aloha - Emele Keila 'Kuu Lei Awapuhi' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Selfishness breeds it.... this cesspool of sorrow.... And every few moments.... I see a friend die.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Over hill, over trail...now why did that Shorty militune keep repeating itself in his head? Quite possibly because that was precisely what he was doing. Sigh. Time to think on other things...like the Outies. That's right. They entered system from 60-70 degrees off the Oribital Plane. Just like this new object. Let's see now, what was it that had triggered their appearance? Gallileo. Yep. Gallileo. Seems like that puppy done went and discovered the electromagnetic ion transfers between Io and Jupiter. The Outies had a colony on Jupiter with a mining station on Io. They used "transporter" technology to beam resources from Io to Jupiter, and supplies back to Io. They were reading the telemetry Gallileo was sending back to the Shorty Homeworld and thought the Shorties had tumbled onto their colony! Fat chance! Shorty fiction had discussed "teleportation" for decades. But no Shorty scientist thought it was remotely possible. The Shorties had not recognized the trace for what it was. They thought of it as some fascinating anomoly created by Io's seismic activity and the immense Jovian gravity well. The Outies made an even larger error in judgement. They attacked the Shorty Homeworld! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Malkuth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maw, Start some a the boys movin' east ta join yer kinifolk out there. Paw McCoy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think I smell something stinky... is it RIP? Uck, they're rotting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "About time you guys came back" the entertainers stated as they boarded. "What's this all about?" asked Dwight, trying to gaze into the village, where the sounds of combat could still be heard. "Lord Davros is finally finishing the town guard. The guard put up a good fight, but it was only a matter of time." Dwight scratched his head. Was this to be the tactics of the Emperor? It seemed so - the Emperor was massing troops in the village they were using as a base. But still, living under the rule of the Emperor was better than living under some town council. Dwight went back to work, and soon the ship set off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Redswift Scouting and Trading Company is Growing. To my Friends and Allies, Don't be a stranger, if you need help just ask. Getting started is slow and tedious but once you get into this it's great. ; #end ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The winds of war have reached a GALE; too many factions will RIP. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silver Reavers (163): The porters had finished their work and had gone, only one man was left = in the building now. Beldin didn't really want to leave, he had become quite used to his = study over the past few years in much the same way as a rider got used = to his saddle - it fitted him (or he fitted it) perfectly. However, the Grand Duke had spent a lot of money on building him and his = staff a new tower safely away from the town center so he didn't have = much choice. Grumbling quietly to himself, he closed and locked the door behind him, = crossed the courtyard and boarded the coach that was waiting to take him = to his new home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BioPhreaks (172): The high rise tower stood tall, in spite of the crudely hewn stones that made up its walls. Atop the structure were burning timbers, lighting up the night sky. The logs were arranged such that the words DAMAGE INC. blazed in profane conflagration, visible for miles around. The Clone stepped through the twisted iron that littered the structure�s base. He had travelled over a month to find this fabled tower, and now that it stood before him, he realized that this had to be the most forsaken school on the continent. The fatigue of travel overwhelmed any thought of turning back, and Johnny Clone had no choice but to enter the jagged maw that served as the tower�s entrance. Within the tower, a lone woman in a black dress stood before an iron door. As Johnny approached, he noticed her facial tattoos and three foot tall purple hair spikes. "You must be Mr. Clone," She said with a slight smile, "Good evening. Your appointment with Lord H., the Ayatollah of rock-and-rolla will be in five minutes. Until then, please have a seat." She gestured towards a group of plush black chairs. Some were already occupied by leather-clad vikings with alarming hair styles and disturbing body piercings. As Johnny took his seat, he overheard the receptionist whisper through the door, "Please inform the master of disaster that the last contestant has arrived." Half an hour passed before the iron door creaked open. The receptionist took three steps back and announced, "Lord Humongous, scourge of the desert, is now available. Whoever makes it through this door first is granted a meeting, everyone else will be beaten severely and left for dead." There was a slight pause as the applicants� brains digested this new information. The calm was quickly broken by a flurry of bone-breaking punches, devastating kicks, and merciless choke holds. Ignoring the melee, Johnny sprinted toward the entrance, only to be tackled from behind by an immense viking. Quickly regaining his feet, Johnny Clone sidestepped, ducked, and parried the stout warrior�s inspired, yet unskilled, onslaught before knocking him flat with an open handed strike to the nose. Stepping over the body, Johnny strode through the iron door, ignoring the brawl that raged on behind him. Beyond the door was darkness. Darkness wore a black business suit and a hockey mask. With a voice that sounded like sand being ground between metal gears, darkness said, "I am the Lord Humongous, and you have come to seek knowledge that comes at a price higher than any other. You have come to study TACT, the art of destroying your enemy before they have a chance to destroy you." The massive man extended his hand, "Welcome to my classroom." Johnny took the hand and shook it firmly, squishing in the snot and blood left there from his last victim. Lord Humongous regarded his phlegm-filled fist with the expressionless stare of a hockey mask. "I see that you have learned much already, for any damage I do to you now will pale in light of what you have already done. This is the first lesson of tactics. The second�" The masked goliath delivered an overhand smash so quickly that Johnny had no time to blink, much less dodge. The clone crumpled on the floor, unconscious. "�is speed." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Chibcha ranchers begin training... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ah yes, Syndic8 talks peace and then attacks. At least they don't bother talking anymore. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glass Chompers (65): Hi all! The Bordeaux Brethren is doing quite well. We welcome two new members this turn and have determined the alliance actions to be taken the next few turns. Exploration continues and has been very rewarding! Come visit my web page at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1960 I thank those of you who have filled out my survey. The answers will help me decide where to concentrate my efforts when I have time to do some more heavy work on the page. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What do you do with a dragon that sits around all day? Should on attack it or let it alone? It left it's lair and entered our hex and now that some ki'd have fed it, it won't leave. It seems to like the hospitality. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coming soon to a city near you! Portal Wars!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Plans are being drawn up, and a dry dock is being prepared for our next venture. Prospective passengers and/or venture capitalists are invited to our offices in Rantlu to discuss the next longboat to be built, a summary of our prospectus is included here. Prospectus from Daununda (158) Entreprises for "Longboat 2" ( we'll name it later at the Annual Shareholders Meeting) 1. 100 publicly offered shares at 20 silver each - only available in Rantlu. 2. 50 privately held shares will remain under the ownership of Daununda Enterprises. 3. The boat will be used to establish a trading/passenger carrying concern. 4. Sailing route to be determined. 5. Dividends will be calculated as 1/150 of the takings per voyage, per share held, payable at voyage completion ( fractional silver dividends will accumulate to next installment). Should a share holder representative not be present at the docking port, dividend will be held ( at shareholder's risk ) until landfall is made where a representative is present. 6. Duanunda personel (sailors and captain) travel free of charge. 7. Passenger fees: Share holders will receive a 10% discount per share held, or pay 50 silver, whichever is the highest. Non share holders pay full price. Leader cabins available at 225 silver Ordinary riffraff can sleep on deck for 75 silver. 8. Cargo fees: Share holders will receive a 10% discount per share held. 8 silver per unit dead weight ( this includes any fish you catch during the voyage) 10 silver per unit livestock weight( and you muck out the stables!) 9. Treasury fees: Any unaccompanied monies should be deposited with the Captain before voyage commences, a 10% fee will be levied for this service. Shareholders only need pay a 5% fee. * Depositor insurance onus applies. 10. Food and voyage supplies: You look after yourself. 11. Sea monsters, pirates, monsoons, tidal waves, reefs, rocks, sandbars, leaky boat, etc: You take your chances. 12. Share register will be published in The Times, annonymous subscribers need not apply. 13. Dividends will be announced in The Times. 14. Share scrip will be e-mailed to subscriber or their nominated holder on a first-come, first-served basis, after payment is made. 15. Requests for shares should be made by e-mail to the address below, include Faction or Alliance name. Daununda (158) Enterprises (jim_eadie@cc.chiron.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When you stir up trouble, remember who's standing nearest to the pot. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear GALE, I just want you to know I'm getting homesick. I hope you don't mind if I bring some new friends. Your brother, (4996) Ismail ------------------------------------------------------------------------ G A T E I N F O For all of you that would like to join us in the fight against the SEP, here is the gate number for Durness: 164 Since we don't have anything to lose, take your chance and fight the SEP to gain access to at least 3 cities (captured by the SEP). You can buy vikings in Durness, just take a lot of money with you. Hope to see you in Durness. Lord Starfox, Grandmaster of the Fellowship of Starfox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster situation: "We are all growing tired of all the *@&(#+% and would like to be able to explore the more non-war-related aspects of the game." (from a member of the Dunster Alliance) I guess you should not have started a war you were not willing to lose. Note to all: The Dunster area is nolonger controlled by the Dunster Alliance. The Prismatic Bards ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OH WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE WHEN WE DECEIVE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you run fast enough and far enough, we may not follow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you run fast and far, we may not follow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have found a passage to the underworld! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ok, here is another one: Lying under the dust of a coffin, speaking to ethereal eggs, with sharpness reaching to a lie, like a thunder bursting in red barons. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pulp Faction (169): My grandad once told me that if you were going to spread disinformation, it at least should be believable. It would have been nice to work together, but again, no use crying over spilt milk. Your empty threats do not scare me/us. Actually, I hope you do have something or someone to help you put up a fight. You actually believe you've seen all Syndic8 has to offer. We're just begining to have fun. Wouldn't you say? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ riding [RIDI] 1: A unit with this skill, if possessing a horse, gains a bonus in combat if the battle is in a plain, desert, or tundra. This bonus is equal to the skill level, up to a maximum of 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ hunting [HUNT] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ tactics [TACT] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >From this day on, the land of Lom is ours! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are Liberating Dunster Hu-Rah Hu-RAH! The P-Boys are on the run Hu-Rah Hu-Rah, They don't know where to go Hu-Rah Hu-Rah, But we are going to show them Hu-Rah Hu-Rah, And we will all feel dandy when the Gray Death Legion comes marching Home! Have a nice Day and don't let the Door hit you in the butt, on your way out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: This Reporter has been receiving dispatches concerning the Southern Cross Alliance. The Seem to be worried about the Large Troop concentration out on the Plains. This turn they will find that this should not concern them anymore. The Knights of Z'ha'dum, have stated their disenchantment with the same Alliance and want to Join our group. The leader of Z'ha'dum, "We are tired of the Tyranical attitude of the Southern Cross, This constant bickering has destroyed them". There Right from the horses Mouth. We will keep you up to date on all of the latest news developments from our home. Signed The Dark Legion (9) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's a slow turn. Need more money. Need more time. Need fewer enemies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beneath the mountains shadow a cry of anguish echos throughout the land. Pain caressed his body as rain pelted the tears from his face. Revenge ached his every being and his eyes where the reflection of death. "Beware Ye, Tis a pale rider that approach, Hide thee from the Shadow, For that which be dead is thy greatest enemy." Blood flows freely.............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mutant Slime [MSLI] (Combat 1,Hits 15). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************** 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. * No discovery this turn * Contacts with the other organisations: The Sailor Brotherhood is pleased to announce that some talks have started between our organisation and the "Industrial Revolution". an alliance dedicated specifically to exploring the possibilites for Trade, Communications, etc. inherent in the Gate System. We look forward to seeing the first 2 international guilds working together. So What do you wait to join us ?! Participate to the World Community by joining the first Internaional Organisation ! 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. Pinpanikaye, King of the Minstrels. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Big Jim looked around some more. He was beginning to understand this strange new world. Much was different, but even more was the same. Yes, his knowledge would come in handy here... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadowdragons (24): Graevsbygd continues on its peaceful way. Apparently quite differently than most of the other gate cities. The border is stable between us and Helsicke, though the instability in that city has us somewhat concerned. The Bordeaux Brethren prepare to reembark to their new found lands. They are a friendly and trustworthy lot. The underground map continues to expand. Many factions are stumbling about and spheres of influence may eventually have to be established. However, aside form access to the surface, the underworld appears to hold nothing but death. The University continues its advanced studies. Spells of the 5th level of skill have been achieved and extensive teaching is proceeding. Davros, Lord of the Shadowdragons dwshelley@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now I'm being attacked by Huge Banana Slugs, yuk. They don't kill anything, but the sure mess up the jungle. All I need now is a giant Salt Shaker... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Accord Ltd. (191): Dear Athzar, As the senior member of EMMETT -- Everyone Much More Evil Than Twee -- let me extend to you our warmest welcome. Your credentials are quite impressive and I trust you will redouble your efforts in future. Frankly, I would like to see more of the whining confessions of inferiority that Twee made in last week's Times. If this grovelling was done under duress well, so much the better. EMMETT membership is open to any candidate of promise, excepting of course, Twee himself who, by definition, can be neither More nor Less Evil Than Twee. Aspirants must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the membership a certain quality of ambient evil and dedicate themselves to continually proving just how much more Evil than Twee one can be. Potential applicants should keep in mind that run-of-the-mill Twee-isms like racism, genocide, and sheep-menacing will not sway the committee's stony hearts. It is not sufficient to merely "Be Twits to One Another." One must strive for a modest degree of style and truth in their Twaddle. --Accord Ltd. Chiefest Calamity, EMMETT. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am still looking for distant units to create an assassin guild. Please let a message in the Times. We can make contact with an anonymous remailer first. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Helsicke Star/Enquirer Issue 1 ELVIS LICH SPOTTED AT GOD RITUAL Jotel - The living remains of Elvis were spotted at a recent weekly Demon Summoning Ritual at the GOD Coven. There were dozens of witnesses. Here are some of their comments, "He seems to have lost some weight." "He was fornicating with the Imps!" "He looks alot like the Lich that ate MDU!" "It was disgusting!" "When's he gonna play Helsicke?" There are rumors that GOD plans to have The Lich King of Rock and Roll perform shows at the local Amphitheatre, but the possibilties of touring sound slim. "He's really old and brittle, we need to make sure no sunlight hits him or he will probably just fall to dust." Said a spokesman from the GOD Entertainment and Necromancy Corps. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tough times ahead... but the jungle empire is growing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the world known as Atlantis, warfare is typical practice. And the efforts of peace, although seemingly weak, are aimed at raising one's chances. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Bank of Helsicke (81): In view of the recent wage increase in Helsicke, I am raising the interest rate on investments to 11%. The current interest rate of 20% for loans will remain unchanged. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ run away....run away.....run away....run away.....run away....run away..... .fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight. run away....run away.....run away....run away.....run away....run away..... .fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight.fight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darkmen, Eskimos, High Elves, Plainsmen, Tribesmen-- non-combatants. Not like the good old days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yankton (141): The Blessed Lord said: While speaking learned words you are mourning for that which is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the dead. Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these Kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. --Krishna to Arjuna who had refused to fight _Bhagavad-Gita_, Chapter Two, 11-12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous. Predestination was doomed from the start. It is bad luck to be superstitious. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadow Circle (6): >From the Office of the GALE Grand Marshall: The Office of the Grand Marshall is currently closed. It will reopen next month when the Grand Marshall returns from his honeymoon. Concerns can be brought to the CDD though your alliance Elder Marshall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ earth lore [EART] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ships with bows carved as running plains ponies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why am I always so late to get my turn in that I can't write an interesting times article. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>>> Erh, does anyone know if a grey giant is friendly? >>>> >>>> Should I try to talk to it or should I run? >> Well, he turned out to be a real gentleman! He invited me to his lair >> and he wouldn't take no for an answer! He then introduced me to his >> family and invited me to dinner tonight. What should I wear? <burp> Oops... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: What's more annoying than "Gimme 50 silver!"? A: The ones who hide their "Gimme..." in skill reports everybody already knows... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ weaponsmith [WEAP] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ranching [RANC] 3: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Raul Diamante looked up from the account books at the clerk he'd just called in. "Well, everything looks okay for last month." "Thank you, sir. I tried to squeeze every last bit of good out of the silver I had to work with. Now, if I may, I have work on this month's budget to do..." "Well, there's just one more thing. Where is the $50 deposit to the slush fund that gets made every month?" "That? Uh, er, well, you see, revamping the budget at the last minute last month kind of took more time than I expected, and I couldn't... That is..." The clerk glanced up and noticed the frown on Raul's face. He sighed and said, "Well, to be honest, sir, I just forgot. It was a hectic month, and it slipped my mind. I apologize, and will not let it happen again." "See to it that it doesn't. Now get out of my sight." Raul waved a hand dismissively, and returned to reading the latest Times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another Times article. Another blank sheet of paper. Should we advertise for something? No there is nothing on the shopping list. Should we threaten someone? No we like all our neighbours. Should we thank someone? No nobody has done us any favours. Should we submit some lies and half-truths? No that is what everyone else does!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What have we here? A pillaged plains hex! It seems that the people who have been complaining about good clean warfare have raised the stakes. Well, the end cannot come too quickly for them now. And its no good hiding down a hole. Prepare to meet thy doom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the person forming an Assassin's Guild, I am interested as long as confidentiality is maintained. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have a mole in Twee, ha ha! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you are looking for a fun pbm to play, email singularity@pbm.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edward had been finding it hard to concentrate but now he knew he had = his act together. This time the gate was going to work. No more = miscasting. This time he was set to speak clearly and remember every = word. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boat for sale at Halkirk. Contact rmst@lysator.liu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The fire rages in the plains A great city falls, An empire is born! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --=>> SHIPYARD FOR HIRE <<=-- Would you like to travel by boat and can't afford to build the boat. You can now hire 25 shipbuilders in Helsickel, the only requirement is that you provide the wood and pay the builders. Price for: Longboat 900 silver + 25 wood Clipper 1800 silver + 50 wood Galleon 2700 silver + 75 wood contact pf@x.dtu.dk, Black Sun(18) --=>> SHIPYARD FOR HIRE <<=-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --=>> SHIPYARD FOR HIRE <<=-- Would you like to travel by boat and can't afford to build the boat. You can now hire 25 shipbuilders in Helsickel, the only requirement is that you provide the wood and pay the builders. Price for: Longboat 900 silver + 25 wood Clipper 1800 silver + 50 wood Galleon 2700 silver + 75 wood contact pf@x.dtu.dk, Black Sun(18) --=>> SHIPYARD FOR HIRE <<=-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A.D.A.M., The Peacemongering Wussies who are Eviler than Twee, Rightful Wielders of the Vile and Most Unholy Bronze Spleen Award, aka Followers of the Anti-Bhudda (117): Official GALE announcements: The issues of foreign relations are being closely discussed and the character of GALE's outward self is coming of age. Stay tuned in the coming months for the usual official channels for the latest word. That would be faction 6. GALE is still offering homesteads on our ever-expanding frontiers to any new factions seeking a home to call their own. We also offer magickal training in all foundations and many skills to at least level 3. Our rather spartan website is at http://www.wolfe.net/~azthar/GALE It now contains the complete GALE membership list. Any official correspondence to GALE should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com Azthar Septragen Grand Elder of GALE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ================================================================================ ACME Public Bulletin #18 Announcements for August Year 2 Monthly tips: ------------ LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR CAPS LOCK!!! Membership News --------------- ACME's offer to support the training of a new faction has been filled. We have no more openings at this time. Land Claims, Battles, etc. -------------------------- The orcs were very unhappy last month after the attack on Jining. Apparently the new thermal venting weapon was used in such a way as to serverly burn the abdomen of nearly all the town guards. And everyone knows orcs like to eat guard spleens raw! So they had to make do with medium rare. In the World of Diplomacy: -------------------------- Cooperative talks continue between ACME and nearly all the other GALE alliances, working to divide and conquer the remaining cities on the continent as quickly as possible. The negotiated border with The Nameless Alliance based out of Graevsbygd is to holding peacefully. This border is the 49th longitude between the cities of Melfi and Burscough. In the interests of peace, we ask all factions from both Graevsbygd and Helsicke to recognise this border. The Jihad against faction 1 continues! Be nice to faction 2 and they'll be nice to you! I use the word "nice" very loosely here. ;) ACME InfoPol slogan of the month: --------------------------------- Sometimes it's better to have a worried friend than a worried enemy. Any official correspondence to ACME should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings, friends, neighbors, strangers and enemies! Welcome! There will be no hamster bashing this month! However, your sanity is still in jeapordy, *especially* if you skip this post! It's time again for -- Azthar's Smoking Wing. Don't worry if you can't spell my name, there are plenty of people who can't even spell their own name. :) There is a saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." It should be "You can lead a man to wisdom, but you can't make him think." Blatant Unprovoked Atrocities of the Month: name faction "A.D.A.M., The Peacemongering Wussies who are Eviler than Twee, Rightful Wielders of the Vile and Most Unholy Bronze Spleen Award, aka Followers of the Anti-Bhudda" I hope you are all offended by my new faction name. Don't worry, I'll change it someday (oops! that belongs in the Idle Threats Deptartment). I had a revelation last week. I was rapping with Christ about why I don't like Bhuddism, basically it boils down to: Nirvana sounds so damned boring. Anyway, JC's old man breaks in and says, "You know Azthar, I think you're the anti-Bhudda." JC and I were both a bit suprised. Usually his old man just leaves us alone. I said: "Huh?" He says, "Yeah! You step on slugs, you're skinny and you're hairy." We both busted up laughing, it was so funny it made my sides hurt. I thought about for a minute and said: "That's too cool! Who would have suspected it? It seems there's a dozen new candidates for anti-Christ every year. But there isn't anywhere that I'm aware of a warning: "Beware of false anti-Bhuddas." Hey, it works for me. No hot air puns this week, just some pontificating. I have been wanting to bring up Kurukshetra latey and since Yankton (141) beat me to the punch with a clip from my favorite Hindu scripture, I say: Bravo! However, we must remeber why Arjuna refused to fight, and we must remember why by doing so he was acting againt his dharma. There are times when pacifism is right, and there are times when it is very wrong, as it was in Arjuna's case. The issue is dharma, very loosely translated as duty. Arjuna's evil brother had stolen his kingdom from him with an army led by the masters that had taught Arjuna all his skills. To fight meant killing his family and teachers. To run meant abandoning his throne and his people who needed him to prevent the corruption and tyranny of his brother's rule. Krisha (God) appears to help set Arjuna aright. After some heavy lecturing and some fantastic displays of divinity from Krishna, Arjuna realizes that he must face his dharma and BE a Prince, not a pacifist. So he sets off to battle with Krishna at the reigns of his chariot. As the battle lines draw, Arjuna again has a change of heart and hesitates. Krishna admonishes him and says something to the effect of: You're really gonna blow it now, if you don't get it together, we'll all be killed! Arjuna again realizes he will be much worse off if he resists his dharma and now he also realizes that if he falters, Krishna will die* as well and thus he will bring about the destruction of that which is most important to all, that divine essence in us all that leads us through darkness with the light of creative potential. To do so would be much more evil than what his brother did, as it would mean tragedy for all, friend and foe alike. Arjuna sees that he cannot let down himself, his people, the world. To not fight his brother and deprive the world of Krishna is to show his brother more disrespect than to face and kill him on the battlefield. With Krishna driving his chariot he does not lose the battle even though vastly outnumbered. *Not that Krishna (God) would die, but that that particular manifestation of him would cease to be. As I understand it, the moral of the story is contradict your dharma (duty) and you face certain peril. If you face the challeges of your dharma like a commmander leading the charge into battle -- you too will have "God" (Krishna) in the driver's seat. The trick is, knowing your dharma. We are all Arjuna. We all have a battle to fight within ourselves, a battle between what we are (our karma) and we must become (our dharma). The field on which that battle is fought is Kurukshetra, which I loosely translate as "The Battlefield of the Noble King." Not that I am by any stretch of the imagination an expert on Sanskrit or the Gita. But, they don't call me the anti-Bhudda just because I have no remorse for accidentally stepping on slugs! Think about it. The Bhuddists aren't going to complain. I just think we are here to create new experiences and new perspectives, not hide from them. The official faction 117 Idle Threats Deptartment: I will use the word Spleen in all of my times posts, not counting the threat until at least one hundred different non-ACME factions post signed articles to the Times stating that I should be given the Bronze Spleen award. Gimme the Spleen! Barring major act of vulcanism, we'll do it again real soon. (That is a threat not a promise.) Thanks for joining. As usual, send all donations, inquiries, supplications, propositions, praise, flames, fan-mail, hate-mail, accusations & self-incriminations to azthar@wolfenet.com - or just post it to the Times! VISA/MC/AMEX cheerfully accepted, cash preferred. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hey, what's this, no spells for ARTI 3?? I spend a year and a half studying to get to this level and Nothing?! Jeez! a disgruntled mage ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up