Atlantis 3.0: Times 18 From: Geoff Dunbar <gdunbar@prankster.com> Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000 Subject: Atlantis 3.0: Times 18 Atlantis 3.0 Times June, 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email admin30@prankster.com with game issues. Visit http://www.prankster.com (or email atlantis@prankster.com) for information or to join. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Genderplex, n.: The predicament of a person in a restaurant who is unable to determine his or her designated restroom (e.g., turtles and tortoises). -- Rich Hall, "Sniglets" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Swish, swish, swish... Playing too many computer games - reading my turn with sound effects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anybody have the stats for town or city guardsmen, please? end ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Theres alot of sea out here. Don't you think so son?" "Yes father. But don't dispare. I'm sure we will find land soon. Hopefully without those damend Kender anywhere about. Keep clear of us Kender suicide squad This is not a Freindly warning... It's a deadly one...!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Things were going from bad to worse. Not only had the entire work crew quit before the tower was completed but it now appeared that the stone suppliers had not been paid on time and so had refused to deliver their latest shipment. Now, to cap it all off, the Grand Duke had made him responsible for establishing communication with the stranger who had just popped out of the rift. How was he to be expected to concentrate on his research with all this going on? If things didn't improve next month he was going to make certain that someone was sorry for all this aggravation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fist of the White Lotus (4): > How many COMB-6 men will I need to take out 40 COMB-3 men? Well, that would depend on if you have the TACT advantage... 90 COMB-6 would take out all 40 men in one round on average, assuming they weren't being killed themselves as the round went on (read: this only holds true for the free round). 45 COMB-6 would on average kill 20 COMB-3 men, which would let you route them, and get another free round, but it doesn't leave much room for error... If you don't have the TACT advantage things become a little trickier, as (persumably) all your men won't attack, as some will die from an enemy hit before they get a chance. It is possable to determine how many COMB-6 you would need to kill 40 COMB-3 men on average using probability, but I don't feel like doing that much work for 50 silv... Just keep in mind that 40 COMB-3 would only kill 2.2 COM-6 men in a free round, so they'll kill even less in a regular round. You could probably route them with 25 COMB-6 under such circumstances, without losing more then 1 or 2 men. Mr. Wizard (Faction 3.141592654), on loan to the White Lotus kung-fu school. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edward pondered the city. A quick recruit, a month of study and a gate out of here. Edward considered trying a prayer for the gate but his god had already told him that there were some things left in the hands of fate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hail ACME! Battles during turn: >8=[]=-------=====] (6713) attacks City Guard (754) in mountain (60,90) in Kirriemuir! Attackers: >8=[]=-------=====] (6713), leader [LEAD], chain armor [CARM], sword [SWOR], tactics 1, combat 1; YEEEAAHAAAAAHAAAAAEAEAAEEEAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAA AAAHH!. Defenders: City Guard (754), 80 leaders [LEAD], 80 swords [SWOR], combat 2. >8=[]=-------=====] (6713) gets a free round of attacks. >8=[]=-------=====] (6713) shoots a Fireball, killing 80. City Guard (754) loses 80. City Guard (754) is routed! >8=[]=-------=====] (6713) gets a free round of attacks. City Guard (754) loses 0. Total Casualties: City Guard (754) loses 80. Unit (6451) loses 0. Spoils: 2000 silver [SILV], 40 swords [SWOR]. mountain (60,90) in Kirriemuir, contains Verguin [town], 2179 peasants (orcs), $13074. ------------------------------------------------------------ The weather was clear last month; it will be monsoon season next month. Wages: $16. Wanted: 149 grain [GRAI] at $29, 136 livestock [LIVE] at $20, 23 crossbows [XBOW] at $92, 16 longbows [LBOW] at $99. For Sale: 23 iron [IRON] at $51, 15 stone [STON] at $58, 19 swords [SWOR] at $112, 16 plate armor [PARM] at $402, 435 orcs [ORC] at $64, 87 leaders [LEAD] at $128. Entertainment available: $653. Products: 35 grain [GRAI], 31 iron [IRON], 18 stone [STON]. This post was brought to you by the ACME disinformation squad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A huge consignment of grain travelling by ship from Araby to Tilea fails to arrive. Piracy is suspected but not proven." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I don't mind have each faction sign their times articles for the 50 silver, but I would hate to see quality control by the moderator be applied. That could be very subjective. Not a burden any gamemaster would want to shoulder. Rad (148) The Black Hawk Society Trading Company ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This would be our first attempt on a city. I wonder how well we will do? If we screw this up, I'll have to start training a new mage all over again... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ riding [RIDI] 3: A unit with this skill, if possessing a winged 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 4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glorious Organization of Divineship, Monthly News ------------------------------------------------- GOD is a peaceful alliance located in Yuci/Jotel. The members are Roses On White Lace (91) & Elves of Essedail (93) TRADE: GOD smiths produced the first swords last month, severely increasing the warrior's power. WAR: BATTLE IN JOTEL! Smoke arised from Jotel, as magic aided GOD forces attacked the City Guard. The outcame was not yet known when this report was written, but a shaken witness reported: "Dead City Guards everywhere! Balls of fire exploding everywhere!" MAGIC: The mages are improving their magic skills, as they plan to aid in the liberation of Darm in a few months. WWW: GOD HQ can be visited at http://www.student.tdb.uu/~m96thd/GOD *Contains THE BEST MONSTER-GUIDE in Atlantis* --------------------------------------------------- GOD can be reached at m96thd@student.tdb.uu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hill Bluffer yawned, then stood up to stretch his 8 foot 2 inch ursine form. These night watches at the NAAT [Near-Atlantis Asteroid Tracking] station on Mt. Hel could get really slow sometimes. Even on nights like tonight. Tonight was going to be slightly different. Scientists at NASA's Hot-air Propulsion Laboratory (HPL) in Dunster had put out a request for all stations to attempt to track something different. Sonething first detected by the Air Corps' observatory on Mt. Haleakala. And altho the drill was that the White Shirts at HPL did the data analysis while he and his fellow Watch Officers sat there and made sure the equipment was all functioning properly, tonight the Shorties had decided that this object warrented more circumspection. The object had been designated 02 PW. It had a diameter of an asteroid, approximately five to ten Shorty miles. But it did not inhabit nor originate in the usual asteroidal band between this system's 6th and 7th planets. Instead, it had originated well out beyond the 11th planet. It was acting more like a comet, with a five thousand year orbit period. Save for two facts. First, there were no gaseous emissions or other normally expected comet-like activities. Second, this object was in an orbit at near 75 degrees from the system's orbital plane! Ah! There, the motion sensors had a change from the previous week's observations. The Bluffer signaled his immediate Superior, Sub-Commander D'rRowll of the G'ncktT'hwaw (this being a multi-specied post). "Hmmrm. Yes. That appears to correlate with the data your Hugeman sponsers gave us. Yes. That fits all the parameters nicely, Dilbann." grumbled D'rRowll. "Good work." he added. "Well, a Man's got to do his duty, you know. I just don't see what all the fuss is about. I mean, NAAT is supposed to be watchin' for dino killers, and this pup ain't going to come CLOSE to poppin' us." "Ahhh. You are not very familiar with your Sponser's history, are you? No shame in it. I keep forgetting your species are Intergalactic Hitch- hikers on Hugeman sufferage." The Bluffer bristled at the slight! "Explain yourself, Runt!", he blurted out. Misinterpreting the statement for a question, and the wrong one at that, the three foot nothing Station Chief elaborated. "They once had a NEO [Near Earth Object] they called 1996 PW. At first they thought it to be a burnt out comet. Then, 3 months into system, it changed course." The "Runt" started chuckling. It was a rather disturbing pitch to the Dilbian. "ETs, you see. The Hugemans always thought two dimensional. In their fictions, they had space travelers approach and leave their worlds along the system plane! As if any INTELLEGENT species capable of inter-system travel would approach their destination by trying to manouvre thru all that systemic debris, as well as fighting the systemic gravities. So much nicer to use the system's gravity as both brake and excelorater! These were the first recorded visitors to your Sponser's home world." "Which reminds me. Total emmissons control from this moment on." A startled Dilbian stuttered "But how are we going to relay the confirma- tion to the Shorty Headquarters in Helsicke?" "That is why you were assigned here, postman." Responded the "Runt". "Or do these Atlantean hills make your legs grow weak at the sight of them?" The Bluffer stood and took the message form from his Superior. He gave him a look, and got one in return. Out of the station he went, soon employing his mile eating gait. But under the masque of calm composure outsiders might see, his mind worked furiously over all the reasons why the Shorties would NOT want Outies to know there were Sentients on this world. None of them boded well... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A wave of sticky heat hit Nursie as she tumbled from the gate. Jungle, with the Monsoons starting next month. Nursie took one look and decided to move on, asking a few of the local elves to move inland if possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watch out for Dragons... They are REAL nasty... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings Azthar, Grand Pomposity of GALE (or whatever your title is) >> Myrdding Emrys of The Old Ones(211): Its Myrddin, spelling evolution clearly a little behind your other (admittedly impressive, though unbearably self lauded) talents (I will continue to dissappoint you by not making hot air comments...) >>It's good to see you are at least >> conscious enough to recognise your position on the evolutionary ladder. :) I have ambitions of evolving someday to the heady heights you GALE leaders occupy in the scheme of things ;) , either that or some form of revolution..... By the by, Would somone please tell me why I am followed about by scores of devoted vikings, eager to do my bidding, and even more eager to cause harm to my enemies (I keep telling them I have none... do I?). I just keep them working to keep me in the readies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the rolling plains just north of Durness... It was a mild day, a good day for traveling. Or so The One thought. Mounting his horse he viewed the area with a certain sense of dread. Everything appeared normal. General Hardenbrook had already began to ride north, sorrounded in formation by his five guards. Behind him, a few scattered men from other AIF factions milled lazily about. Everyone was preparing for the long journey north, and hoping for good wheather. An hour later the AIF units were moving north in a long thin formation. The One rode next to his trusted General, Hardenbrook. Then they noticed the dust to the south. A great cloud of dut was towering from beyonf the horizon, obscuring the sun and casting a shadow over the dry plains of Deveron. "That is a lot of men, sir, a lot of men" General Hardenbrook stated flatly. "We must take cover, here in the open plains we have no chance of out running them" A quick conversation among the various AIF units was completed hastily. Together, the 20 or so men clustered together in a small grove of trees. Hours passed, the hot sun beat down on the tired travelers. Then a line of men appaered over the ridge directly in front of them. "They are upon us!" the general shouted. Even as his loyal guards and general prepared to defend him with their lives he knew it was over. Soldiers continued to pour over the ride until an army of 200 ragged soldiers faced them from across the one hundred meter clearing. >From this mass of men a man wearing strange robes strode from the group to stand in the clearing. As he began a strange chanting The One prepared for the end. He could only hope his loyal followers to the south Of Durness would continue on after his death. From the gnarly hands of the Holy priest of Twee a great ball of fire formed and leaped into the air. Before the small caravan of AIF men knew what was happening the flames were upon them The death was a quick one. As the martyred spirit of The One rose into the air, invisible to the living enemy below, The One uttered a calm curse. "Know this, Evil Brotherhood of Twee. Know that you WILL meet your destiny. My followers shall not relent. You WILL know justice. And when you die, clawing to life but falling into the infernal pitts of the underworld, know that I will rest laughing at your foolish display of evil." The Story of the death of The One The followers of The One shall never forget. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I hereby lay claim to this land in the name of The Compagny of The Cool One!" "..but sire, I can hear wardrums in the distance.." "ptah.. begin assembling scouting parties among the natives. We shall make this land ours, and hope our neighbours prove to be peaceful." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***Brotherhood Of Twee Expands Holy Land Under Request Of Oppressed = Citizens Of Deveron*** The Brotherhood Of Twee has extended the Holy Land to the Northwest and = now claims the hex 26,104. The rules of the Holy Land now apply fully to = this new annex. All trespassers will be executed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Well, we aren't the SCIO any more for starters, there is no SCIO > in A3. Most of us aren't even in the same alliance any more. And > besides, what makes you think you can kill any of us? You obviously > didn't have much luck in A2. But feel free to announce yourself a > little more clearly and we'll see what we can to do to make you > feel like you are back in A2, since you seem so keen on remembering > the past... > >> The Ghost of the Mutant Black Robes. > > No, that would be Adrian, and you ain't him. Adrian was a general > worth fighting, unlike subsequent PCP "generals". A little misdirection, I admit, for I'm not Adrian Smith... > > Ghost of the general who defeated you in Rantlu and Enfar. > (and who is offended that you left him off your little list) Perhaps the reason I left you off my list (If you'd like to post your faction number I'll see about adding you. Unfortunetly, my Official Must-Kill Faction List is full, but I might be able to squeeze you onto the Incompetent Factions That Pose No Threat, But Should Be Killed Anyways, Just Because They're Annonying List. It might not be properly respectful of the Butcher of Enfar, but we all have to make sacrifices.) is that I wasn't at Enfar or Rantlu (or maybe that should be in Rantlu, as I'm given to understand it's a region), but I was at ... No, I suppose that would be too obvious. To be completely truthful, I'm not a member of the PCP, nor have I ever been. Perhaps I should call myself the "Ghost of the Texan Alliance", but that would be more misdirection. You SCIOs and your RoR lackies certainly made a lot of enemies over the turns, and half of them seem to be your fellow members... But I suppose that's a logical outcome of your "Join us or die" membership policy. So I'm not suprised you can't guess my idenity right away. After all, there must be dozens of canidates. But as far as making this game feel more like A2, what are you going to do? Let me slaughter your units? Becuase, you see, the faction I play (current tense, in case you want to go looking through the A2 players list) has never lost a unit to the SCIO, or anyone else for that matter, with the exception of Creatures (2), but I've certianly killed some units... You could ask, well, I suppose that would be too obvious also. Let's just say that the SCIO was light some mages thanks to me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: Celebrating our 14th issue! (Actually 13th considering that our former editor failed to get last November's edition to print.) The Dunster region has nearly fallen to the Dark Legion barbarians, but the Army of the Southern Cross will not be destroyed so easily. The savages will never be able to root us out completely and someday we will return and reclaim what is rightfully ours. Do not submit to totalitarian rule! Take up arms against your oppressors! Mike Weldon Southern Cross News Correspondent Grey Wolf Clan (78) weldon@sdd.hp.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anyone have GATE 4? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watch out for these bad boys: Attackers: Tribe of Centaurs (2149), 5 centaurs [CENT] (Combat 4, Hits 3). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ================================================================== sailing [SAIL] 1: A unit with this skill may use the SAIL order to sail ships. sailing [SAIL] 2: No skill report. sailing [SAIL] 3: No skill report. ================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Middle Ages Always on the point of falling asleep the figures of men and beasts. Faces, deeply grained with dirt, a soiled finger pointing inward. Like Duerer's Knight, always haunted by two companions: the Devil, with a face like a matted hog, disheveled and split; and Death, half dog, half monkey, a withered bishop with an hourglass. There's a cold lizard underfoot, the lancehead glitters in its furry collar; but it's too late now to storm the silence on God's forbidden mountain. You have to go on as the century darkens, the reins still taut in that armored fist. --John Haines ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Anchormen (171): Tensions rise in Rantlu. The war machine is gearing up! Darius Thermoclear views the plains Suide. He wonders if he should give the enemy one last request before they meet their Maker? A last meal? A cigarette? "They'll get nothing and like it!" echoes across the plains. Onward to battle. Excelsior! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here's something to cheer you all through your next winter, from dear old cheerful John Haines: The Lemmings No one is pleased with himself or with others. No one squeaks gently or touches a friendly nose. In this darkness beneath a calm whiteness there are growls and scuffles; the close smell of a neighbor makes them all dream of a brown river swelling toward the sea. In each small breast the hated colony disintegrates. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nowadays men shun mercy, but try to be brave; They abandon economy, but try to be generous; They do not believe in humility, but always try to be first. This is certain death. ---------Lao Zi (lxvii)------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any one who does not have a high level observation leader in there gate sector is going to get used. Stealth gate jumping is the latest fad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadowdragons (24): The University continues its expansion. Higher level spells are being researched at a very quick rate. Other mages are continuing to join. A contingent of FIRE mages has departed to collect a few cities, but most remain for peaceful study. Greetings to the Helsicke spelunkers who have reached our rather spartan caverns. An exchange of tunnel information might be in both our interests. Monsoons have slowed travel, but the Sailor's Brotherhood continues its explorations. Davros, Lord of the Shadowdragons dwshelley@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Once more into the breach!" Henry V ------------------------------------------------------------------------ G randiose A rrogant L ethargic E ntity ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eek! Monsoon season again, just as I finally dried out my boots! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The end of GALE is on hand! The oppressed masses have begun to rebel against the vicous overlords. Already a faction has perished at our hand! Anarchy reigns! Long live ANARCHY! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After scratching his head and checking his figures again, Pilgrim finally convinces himself that a student *can* rise above his teacher. A teacher with 30 days of training can help instill 60 days of training into raw recruits. With an additional month of independent study, the unit can rise to the second skill level. The intelligence of most of Pilgrim's people wouldn't allow them to rise above that skill level anyway. Papers swirl off the table in his wake, as Pilgrim rushes out to hire more teachers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The war in Dunster is heating up. Blood flows like rivers in the streets of the cities. Is there no law? Is there no sanity? All is lost... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lord Iztaar my sire, We will soon have workers enough to sustain your indulgant lifestyle. Thank you my good man. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maw, There's new boy's in them hills. Make em welcome. Paw McCoy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here's another one of those intelligent articles: hunting [HUNT] 1: A unit with this skill may use the PRODUCE order to produce furs in designated regions. Furs may be produced in many types of regions, generally in small quantities. (Hey, I didn't start the series!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ time has come to be the masters of fire !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BioPhreaks (172): Sand fell through the hourglass in a slugglish, lethargic flow that seemingly would never empty the top chamber. Vexed, Johnny Clone smashed the timekeeping device with a gauntleted fist, spraying glass and sand over his newly recruited warriors. "I tire of this ceaseless waiting! Day after day after week after month after year, nothing but delays." He stared over the expressionless horde of fresh clones. "Today, we move! We conquer! We realize our destiny!" Johnny threw open the doors of the great hallway, expecting to see the green fields of Aberdovy wide before him. Instead, he was hit in the face with a gale wind and sheets of rain. The head clone calmly closed the massive doors the shook the water from his armor. "Our destiny� will be realized at the conclusion of monsoon season. Bring me a fresh hourglass!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the monsoons raged outside the Rantlu, city residents trembled in fear. The hairy, unwashed legions of RIP had suddenly moved on, to the south and parts unknown. Now HIVE units bumbled around, seemingly mindless. Was the city open to travel again? Could citizens come and go as they pleased? HIVE was ominously silent... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It may be obvious, but it has taken this long for me to realise it: If you jump to unknown regions you ought to be a generalist faction with at least one point in War and Trade! Specialist factions can really only be effective as part of an alliance. I guess one could do without magic, but you take a big risk. The combat reports from A2 printed last week show just how devastating a high level mage can be! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What foul injustice has fallen upon the peasants who live upon the plains northwest of Dunster? Rather than share this abundant region and prosper together, the Dark Legions and the Southern Cross war over it. They destroy that which they don't want their enemy to have. It will be sometime before the innocent population of this region knows peace again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stomp Stomp Stomp ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Netzach. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Render unto Atlantis 2 what is Atlantis 2's, and render unto Atlantis 3 what is Atlantis 3's. MORAL: 2 and 3 are different worlds, different rules, different factions. Having a dislike for someone because of there e-mail address is silly. We've grown in understanding from 2 to 3. We learned a lot. And now, we are a different faction with different goals and intentions than we were in 2. "Give peace a chance". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LeFevre was not a very happy man. He had been transferred north to Raul's camp, supposedly so he could be of better service there. However, he suspected the real reason for his transfer was the failure of his approach to Lady Marguarite. Such utter and vehement rejection was the stuff of teenage boys' nightmares. At least up here he wouldn't be subject to the stares and whispered comments of the others who had witnessed the incident. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the ToCF web sight at http://www.forsyth.demon.co.uk/tocf.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'll be darned, the sheep on the other side of that fence were really lambs (being led to the slaughter). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 men (some of them COMB 2 now) 3 horses 15 livestock 1 Earth-lore Mage 1/2 a longboat I'm going to mess you up GALE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The dogs of war are straining at the leash. Oh yes indeedy. Down Rantlu way. (Get your ringside seats now.) (Contact your UNCLE for choice seats.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Big Al looked over the sword carefully. It was pretty poor workmenship from what he could see. He shook his head in disgust. What did they expect him to do with such a piece of crap??? He waved his hand, muttered the incantation, and proceeded to work the magic he had learned. In a matter of minutes, the sword was transformed into a shiny piece of crap. He looked carefully at it. The magic was there, making the balance and the sharpness of the sword better than anything made by even the best weaponsmiths. He nodded in satisfaction as he put the first sword down and picked up another... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the seasonal monsoons begin we pass on our best wishes and hope for safe sailing to the SS Atlantis. May these intrepid explorers find safe haven wherever the winds blow them. 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 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!) 10. 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. 9. Food and voyage supplies: You look after yourself. 10.Sea monsters, pirates, monsoons, tidal waves, reefs, rocks, sandbars, leaky boat, etc: You take your chances. 13. Share register will be published in The Times, annonymous subscribers need not apply. 14. Dividends will be announced in The Times. 15. Share scrip will be e-mailed to subscriber or their nominated holder on a first-come, first-served basis, after payment is made. 16. 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) #end ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Once my foot slipped near a horribly yawning brink, and I had a moment of ecstatic fear. I must have been musing a long time, for I could not see any of the party but the plump Capt. Norrys. then there came a sound from that inky, boundless, farther distance that I thought I knew; and I saw my old black cat dart past me like a winged Egyptian god, straight into the illimitable gulf of the unknown. But I was not far behind, for there was no doubt after another second. It was the eldritch scurrying of those fiend-born rats, always questing for new horrors, and determined to lead me on even unto those grinning caverns of earth's center where Nyarlathotep, the mad faceless god, howls blindly in the darkness to the piping of two amorphous idiot flute-players. The Rats in the Walls H.P. Lovecraft ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************** 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 new discoveries this month. Reminder of last discoveries (two months ago): * TURIA has been discovered by L'Explorateur, boat of the '70s Alliance, in the north-Graevbygd seas; * GLUGGBY has been discovered by Le Karuna, another boat of the '70s Alliance, in the same area; An abandonned boat has been reported, the RACE for this TREASURE is open!!! Contact me for more information on this new exciting race!! You too, LEGITIMATE YOUR DISCOVERIES by sharing them with the now official Sailors Brotherhood. If you plan to set sail soon, 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. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm getting seasick! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >From the skill report: "necromancy [NECR] 1: Necromancy is the magic of death; a mage versed in Necromancy may raise and control the dead, and turn the powers of death to his own nefarious purposes..." Who says my purposes are necessarily nefarious? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glass Chompers (65): Come visit my new web page at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1960 I wish to thank all those who have taken time to visit and let me know when I have correct and incorrect information. Those of you who have provided me with new skills and magic to place on the page have helped make it better. I know that I seldom submit my turn without checking the information there for something! If any of you have any information on your alliances, trade guilds, investment opportunties, etc. and would like to submit a more detailed or fancier (i.e., with fonts and pictures etc.) blurb or advertisement, please feel free to do so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadow Circle (6): >From the Office of the GALE Grand Marshall: Greetings Atlanteans! As the GALE Grand Marshall, I oversee the operations of the GALE Council of Defense and Diplomacy. Official CDD news will appear regularly in the times in the form of a "signed" article each week. If you don't see my faction signature (The Shadow Circle) appearing in the proper format, then the article does not represent the official view of the CDD. Stay tuned for future CDD announcements. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Accord Ltd. (191): Editor, I feel compelled to address the numerous "Don't come to Durness" articles written by various SEP factions in last week's Travel Section. First of all, let me say that I found these pieces repetitive and unenlightening. Perhaps you could better utilize this space with some more of those comparatively interesting articles on Level 2 skill descriptions. Secondly, I am sorely puzzled by the authors' negative reviews. As a member of the Durness community, I can decisively state that the only reason one might be inclined to give Durness a miss in his travel plans is, in fact, the odious SEPtic system. What cause for complaint the SEP itself might have, I cannot imagine. I trust your readers will begin to suspect the authors of harboring some ulterior motive. Perhaps I can shed some light on the subject. I have had extensive professional contact with the SEP and the one lasting impression I have carried away is that of their unreasoning bigotry. Even your casual readers will be familiar with the religious purges and racial genocides carried out (and bragged about) by the Brotherhood of Twee. These prejudices have no place in the Realms of Atlantis, they should be checked at the Nexus on the way in. The actions and rhetoric of these factions are a continuing affront to not only their neighbors, but to rational beings across the Realms. I urge you to join me in expressing your firm disapproval to each of the SEP members for the persecutions they continue to carry out upon the independent factions of the Durness region: House of Potato 22 jamie@digital-animations.co.uk Rudigore 25 sandy@digital-animations.co.uk OSI 26 steve@digital-animations.co.uk Dribbloids 27 chris@digital-animations.co.uk Glenview Goblins 28 linda@digital-animations.co.uk Brotherhood of Twee 29 ric@digital-animations.co.uk Institute of New Science 30 rab@mostro.demon.co.uk Small Boring Faction 31 dean@memex.co.uk Neuron People 32 jim@digital-animations.co.uk Protocols are Fun 33 asim@digital-animations.co.uk 96th Core 145 cally@digital-animations.co.uk Dogs of War 146 avon@digital-animations.co.uk Shadows 147 jenna@digital-animations.co.uk If anyone would like further information about how to contact the units of these factions to discuss matters personally, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for doing your part. --Accord Ltd. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The value of peace seems to be neglected by the SEP and their "friends", the Brotherhood of Twee. We, the Fellowship, who declared peace to all other factions and wanted to set up peaceful trading-contracts with the SEP and BOT were attacked by foolish forces of the BOT, a "former" member of the SEP. What comes next? Do you want to tell us that you want to rule the world? That you are just god? Wrong. I encourage EVERY faction that is involved in SEP or BOT business to stop all negotiations. One of their factions even tried to rob one of our allies in Durness after they promised peace. Join us in the battle for freedom. We will take these "errors" of the SEP and BOT. Freedom to Durness, freedom to Atlantis. Remember, the AIF (Alliance of Independent Factions) didn't start that war!! Lord Starfox, who is really disappointed :( ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Damn I hate Monsoons! How is the weather up north? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With the arrival of the great Tusken Mage Sarek and the effort to find the rumoured Northern passage continuing, the Chibcha insurgency begins to take on larger dimensions... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ hunting [HUNT] 1: A unit with this skill may use the PRODUCE order to produce furs in designated regions. Furs may be produced in many types of regions, generally in small quantities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is time to do some serious looking around now folks. All of the alliances who acted like they ruled the world on turn 1 are now getting to know the lay of the land. Prepare and grow mighty! The time for them to show their true clours is coming! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Report: Factions are bumping into each other with alarming frequency on the surfaceworld. Everybody's nerves are getting a bit frayed. There doesn't seem to be enough room to make everybody happy. Tempers are flaring all over the world. Even the underground is seeming crowded these days. Guess I need to have a word with all those Dragon I put down there last turn. They're not earning their pay. For all those in gate cities considering expansion: Please consider the location of other gate cities. Don't move toward them. Move *****AWAY***** from them. It might take an extra 2-3 turns to find land, but it's better to spend a couple extra turns finding uninhabited land rather than having to fight your way onto the beach somewhere closer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of The Tribe Way to go banana-head! Now you did it! Cursed the possessed old indian. Gimme a break, this is the 4th time you fail to jump. The mage was really angry and couldn't contain himself. Poof! Now Curupira will stink for three moons like a pile of rotting fish liver. Learn! Paulo, Parrot-Man of The Tribe ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm all alone. I'm all alone. Na na na na na na. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Can someone clear up this confusion? Is FIRE 1 1-10, 2-20 or 2-10 hits? The skill level is against a defense for energy? So guards have a defense of 0, correct? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harold the Bog Thing was pleased. He sat back in the moss and allowed himself to feel satisfaction after completely eating the last elf. His Momma would be proud since he completely cleaned his food to the bone. Well, it didn't last long. He was hungry again. Maybe he could catch something caught in the monsoon mud. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ lumberjack [LUMB] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ crossbow [XBOW] 1: A unit with this skill may use a crossbow, either in battle, or to TAX or PILLAGE a region. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ horse training [HORS] 1: A unit with this skill may use the PRODUCE order to produce horses in designated regions. Horses are found in plains regions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pulp Faction (169): The weather here stinks. I've been in this game for 10 months, and it has been monsoon for 4 of them. Say, can weatherlore do anything about that? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "My Emperor, the messanger has returned." "Excellent, I shall see him in my rooms. Send him immediately." "Yes, my Lord." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In their mountain camp, the Red-Top Brule and their allies are feasting on roast grizzly this month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do the scales balance When the riptide flows And the alliances bend As the pressure grows ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACME Department of Administration and Management (117): Official GALE announcements: This month we welcomed our 52nd member. A controlled state of dynamic tension continues to fuel the growth of GALE. Every new crisis brings us closer and strengthens our cooperative efforts. With the resolution of our pressing internal issues, i.e. land claims, we can now turn our attention outward to defining our relationships with our neighbors. Expect a comprehensive public statement on GALE foreign policy in the near future. GALE accepted an emmisary from UNCLE and we are proceeding to open diplomatic relations. It is hoped this effort will set an example to other alliances of the Inner Sphere that communication and negotiation are possible. The "Mingling, need not necessarily be a "Mangling". Official GALE announcements will now also come as signed articles from the follwing factions/GALE Officers: The Shadow Circle (6) - Grand Marshall LEGENDS of COBRA (118) - Grand Magus Mostly Harmless. Member of United Factions and GALE (19) - Grand Merchant GALE is still offering homesteads on our 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 website is at http://www.wolfe.net/~azthar/GALE Any official correspondence to GALE should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com Azthar Septragen Grand Elder of GALE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ================================================================================ ACME Public Bulletin #15 Announcements for May Year 2 Rumor Squashing: ---------------- The rumors going around about rampant pillaging by ACME forces through populated areas, although exaggerated, are true, excepting of course the ones that people have entirely made up. My only regret is that I haven't been able to join in the fun. Monthly tips: ------------ If you are a GALE member, post your claims to the CDD and your hexes won't get pillaged. It's really pretty simple. Land Claims, etc. ----------------- Earlier this month, Jeepers returned ACME HQ, with a large parcel. Apparently he convinced the Verguin City Guards that enforced boredom is immoral and they were kind enough to donate their skulls to The Grand BOHA's collection. This booty has caused the AIP to drop all pending investigations against Jeepers. In the lawless mayhem that followed the "donation ceremony", Orcs and Dwarves were seen looting side by side. Two gentlemen interviewed after the ceremony had this to say: Khagrun Spleensplatta: "Ung! Guard meat good." Irongut Steelhelm: "Oi! Get that keg before the place burns!" All in all the inhabitants and the visitors seemed to be heartily enjoying the festive occasion. In the World of Diplomacy: -------------------------- The negotiated border with The Nameless Alliance based out of Graevsbygd is 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. Quote of the month: ------------------- "I am not a crook." -- Richard M. Nixon. Any official correspondence to ACME should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome, friends, neighbors, strangers and enemies! It's time again for -- Azthar's Smoking Wing. We only smoke in the west wing of the compound, so we call it the Smoking Wing. Grab a cigar and let's step out onto the veranda. This month the keg is a special recipe red ale I call "Hair of the Goat." It has quite a bite and one hell of a kick. Write if you want the recipe and I'll send you a copy. The Imps have been working out quite well in the garden. Although we lost one a goat last month to the toadstools. He got loose and strayed into the garden. I think the Imps are directly responsible, but it's a small price to pay. They pull weeds with an almost maniacal fervor. See that smoke in the distance? That's Verguin. They're having a big feast for the City Guards. <of!> What? Oh yeah, *of* the City Guards, of course. <main!> Heh, yeah sure, main course. Orcs, you've gotta love 'em. They know how to run a society. Culture enhancing Natural Selection. Anyway... So, what happens if I go to Durness and don't die? Do I get a refund? Is there a complaint department for unreasonably slow deaths? Oh, to be in Dunster where men fight like dogs. No, on second thought, I'd prefer to have the canines in my inventory rather than on my borders. Yes, I'd rather have dogs that fight like men. i.e. wolves [WOLF] (Combat 2, Hits 1) I was a little disturbed at the transmogrification of Accord Ltd. last month. But sometimes we all need a little change of pace. I believe the couplet from "the mad arab" Alhazred is: "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die." This has been misquoted often by various pontiffs of popculture. I have a great deal of respect for H. P. Lovecraft and it always bothers me to see him misquoted. This is a much better Lovecraft verse that more truly captures the man's poetic genius: Why should I fret in microcosmic bonds That chafe the spirit, and the mind repress, When through the clouds beam beckoning beyonds Whose shining vistas mock man's littleness. Amen! Thanks for joining me! Barring major acts of vulcanism, we'll do it again real soon. P.S. Please note, I am in the running for this turn's "Best Use of the Word Spleen" award. Send all donations, supplications, 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Faction Status: Tax Regions: 5 (24) Trade Regions: 2 (10) Mages: 1 (2) Does this mean I'm losing? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It seemed incomprehensible, but he had lost two cities in two turns. Maybe he should stick to taking the cities and leave the management of the cities to someone else. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It seemed that as the months passed his faction kept getting smaller and smaller. Soon there would be nothing left. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I'M ALL WET! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I'm longing for my country home, a place where I can leave myself behind." Peach farming is fun! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another new skill: skill writing [SKWR] 1: This skill allows the unit to write fake but believable skills for the Atlantis Times. Once this skill is known, the writer can then create intriguing and interesting, but totally bogus skills to be placed into the times. Note that the desired effert will be delayed somewhat. The writer will know if the attempt was successful if in a few days the bogus skill appears in various skill lists across the web. The proper syntax is: Another new skill: <Insert bogus skill here> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A strange thing happened to me on the way home from my show. I was outside the Symposium. I usually don't do good business there, mages are always broke. But I had gotten a tip from a friend that there seemed to be an abundance of cash around all of a sudden. Something about early harvest on the plains made for happy peasants and abundant taxes. I dunno. Economics was never my forte. That's why I'm a fool not a financier. I juggle torches, not taxes. The mages are usually pretty tanked and give what they have, but usually it's illusory. The day wasn't too bad, good for a day outside the Symposium anyway. About the same as an average day outside the Assembly. I avoided the Assembly that week because there was no pending business and they called a week long recess. I was just finished packing up my gear and noticed out of the corner of my eye, it was them! Two of those guys in the white robes were walking towards me. I casually turned away and headed to toward the market place. I walked down The Avenue of the Archmagi where all the towers are lined up between the market and the Symposium, hoping to lose them in the crowd. I thought to myself "It's ok. Why would they want me?" I looked up at Tusken Tower and glanced back. They were behind me! Great. Just stay cool. Not far to the market. Oh man! There was two more coming from behind the Mercenaries' Guild, off to my left. No choice now but to run for it. I bolted toward the Armorers markets hoping the chaps there wouldn't take kindly to guys in robes chasing jesters. After very skillfully dodging out of the way of an orc with an armful swords who came around a corner and nearly ran into me, I ran right into *them*. They're big. Six, six and a half feet easy. ]What's the hurry Jester? You can't run from us. We just want to talk. }Yeah, come on we'll buy you a drink. So, they escorted me to a nearby pub and ordered a round. I really didn't want the drink, but I wasn't going to argue. No one seemed the least concerned that these guys were dressed more for a monastery than a pub. }So what do you know about The Great Prophet? I noticed the patch on their sleeve. It was a green shield with a big "H" in gold embroidery. The City Guard? I could see swords bulging under their robes. Very weird. "He passed out in Ranter's Row and you guys hauled him away in crate." I offered. }So we did. What do you know about "The Words?" "Umm. This is a trick question right?" ]Don't get smart! "Nothing really, that's what he was going off about before he passed out. He was just babbling as far I can tell. He wasn't very clear. That's the problem with those ranters. They lose coherency of thought and then they act like they've seen Geoff or something." }Hmm. I see. That will be all. ]One more thing -- don't let us find you outside the Symposium again." "Right-O! It's a deal. Thanks for the beer guys!" I was too eager to part company with them and I bailed out of there with a quickness. It was a strange encounter to say the least. I was late again and this time I *had* been drinking. I wondered what all this was about and how I would explain it to the wife as I checked through my coinpurse to be sure I had none of those accursed coins... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now it is time to get down to the Nitty Gritty, Kill them all Let God sort them out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: It looks like the Monsoons are upon us again. The Southern Cross has suffered a minor setback, again! It seems when we attacked a unit named Giggles he killed over half of our force. I think I hear outright laughter now. It is echoing across the land. I wonder if this spells evil for the Souther Cross Alliance. We can't possibly lose, can we? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahh, someone has entered my hex! Now where did I put my gloves of strength...? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ban the 50 silver bonus for unsigned times articles! Oh. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our funds are running low, as are the provisions. We must find land soon, or let some of our people go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arghh!! Monsoon!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So, is GALE one big happy family now? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 silver, please. Magicians are hard to feed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nothing new on the western front ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this game, it's easy to betray people. The difficult issue is who to trust. Sort of like real life. Seems like a lot of people in this game take that "X-Files" motto just a little too seriously (not "The Truth is Out There" -- that OTHER motto). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Merry Piper was rather pleased. Safe inside his tower he stared out at the plains around Rantlu. Soon the fields would turn red with blood... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LongBoat For Sale ! ------------------------------------ Delivered directly to Halkirk(68,92) or other place nearby. Price : 2200 silver which includs 3 sailors with level 2 sailing. send your answer to : hsjoberg@kuai.se Could Also Be Traded for Warriors. (93) Elves Of Essedail ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LEGENDS of COBRA (118): I didn't send the "Ghost of Mutant Black Robes" article. I don't hold grudges between games, in fact working with previous enemies pleases me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ How do you use a Gate that says it is "locked" ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What do you get for 50 silver? Rubba Biscit? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Between the end of Shanara and the rise of the sun of Atlantis, There was an age undreamed of An throug this age, stand a man A great fighter that conquier the world... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Has anyone had a Sphinx attack yet? Our pet sphinx, much like the family cat, appears to wander where it wants, when it wants -- but it hasn't attacked... yet. Why do I suddenly feel like a sparrow? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ News from the Durness region is that talks between SEP and AIF alliances have failed. Space pressures within SEP lands have forced it into moving into neighbouring territory. The AIF's puny defensive perimiter around their recently discovered city has done little to deter the bold SEP forces. The SEP now stands poised to take Abrantes with a strong force including many mages. The SEP will control Durness and surrounds in the near future. In addition, a small probe by the most powerful of the SEP factions, the Brotherhood of Twee (BOT) into AIF territory has met with limited results. The battle was won, but the military cost was high. The BOT will decide on whether to press on or regroup during the monsoon months. More news from the war front coming soon ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Already the first towns have fallen and the flames of war have engulfed the land. It is a time when heroes are made and legends are created. Vast armies sweep across the land clearing all in their path. It is a time of destruction and suffering. The perfect time for an adventurer to go in search of wealth, glory and reputation. Sod this for a game of soldiers I'm staying inside a gate city! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nightgaunts (209): War has broken out between the Alliance of Independent Factions (AIF) and the Somebody Else's Problem (SEP) alliance as a result of the cowardly actions of the SEP. Let us briefly examine the circumstances which have lead up to this conflict so that all of the factions of Atlantis may decide who to support. Year 2, April. The Small Boring Faction (SBF), a SEP member steals $1900 from an AIF member unit in Durness which is making swords for sale to any interested parties. Year 2, April. Also this turn, the Brotherhood of Twee (BOT), a SEP member who is known to have exterminated other factions in the past without provocation, blockades Durness, one of the Atlantis starter cities, by surrounding it with unfriendly combat units on guard, preventing the normal flow of trade and free access to a free city. Numerous communications with the SEP result in a meager attempt to placate the AIF by declaring that both BOT & SBF are no longer member factions in the SEP. This is clearly a lie attempting to remove responsibility for SEP actions. Year 2, May. The Brotherhood of Twee mobilizes a combat force of over 200 troops including a level 4 tactician and 2 mages to eliminate an AIF presence in a plains hex north of Durness. What is this AIF presence, you may ask? 5 units consisting of a total of 15 members belonging to the Fellowship of Starfox, The Followers of the One, and Nightgaunts. Half of these 15 individuals had no combat rating. An act of extreme cowardice by this so called Brotherhood! Year 2, May. A large force of SEP aggressors is poised to invade AIF territory in an obvious attempt destroy a peaceful alliance of relatively new factions. As has been stated by OSI, the self-proclaimed commander of the SEP, any AIF units will be attacked on sight. (oh and by the way, Steve, it's "attacked on sight" not "attacked on site.") What it comes down to, is an alliance of much more established factions (SEP) is attempting to exterminate a peaceful alliance of new and relatively new factions (AIF) without provocation. Therefore, we, the members of the Alliance of Independent Factions, encourage all of Atlantis to take a stand against this sort of aggression by boycotting all trade dealings with SEP members and by supporting the AIF in their cause. And if you should have the means to destroy a few SEP-member units along the way, well, we would encourage that as well. :) The Somebody Else's Problem alliance consists of the following factions: House of Potato (22), Rudigore (25), OSI (26), Dribbliods (27), Glenview Goblins (28), Brotherhood of Twee (29), Institute of New Science (30), Small Boring Factions (31), Neuron People (32), Protocols are Fun (33), 96th Core (145), Dogs of War (146), Shadows (147). The Alliance of Independent Factions is a peaceful alliance consisting of the following factions: Stonehenge Druids (34), Fellowship of Starfox (133), Miracle Kingdom (187), Golden Empire (189), Followers of the One (190), Accord Ltd. (191), Heptite Guild (196), Rambling Knights (197), Nightgaunts (209), Manifest Destiny (220). Nightgaunts (209), AIF member twells@netcom.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priests of Muldoon (79): ------- Martin & Rainer ------- Please get in touch so we can discuss our plans. email etc@meepmeep.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ DA ORACLE SPEAKS _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Picky Picky Picky Rules Clarification Dept: ---------- DA RULE ---------- CAST Gate_Lore RANDOM UNITS <unit> ... UNITS is followed by a list of units to follow the mage through the Gate (the mage always jumps through the Gate). At level 1, the mage may carry 15 weight units through the Gate (including the weight of the mage). ---------- CLARIFICATION I ---------- If the cast SUCCEEDS then the mage ALWAYS jumps through the Gate. If the cast FAILS, due to too much weight for example, then the mage DOES NOT jump at all, and neither does anyone on the list. The word 'always' in the rule was used to imply 'gate self and optional others' as opposed to just 'gate others' or 'gate self'. Recommendation: Pad your turn with some extra orders in case the intended ones fail. ---------- CLARIFICATION II ---------- Regarding weight, a better way to say 15 weight units is: At level 1, the mage may carry 15 TOTAL weight units through the Gate (that's himself plus 5 additional weight units.) Recommendation: Get used to this kind of thing, it pops up again and again when you do MOVE orders. _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ SO SAYETH DA ORACLE _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My My My, thinks are getting interesting in the Rantlu area. It seems that this area will become one of *THE* places not to go as a starting faction! Threats to all and sundry are flying! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kosh has beheld the pillaged lnds surrounding Dunster, and is appalled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up