Atlantis 3.0: Times 17 From: Geoff Dunbar <gdunbar@prankster.com> Date: Sun, 06 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000 Subject: Atlantis 3.0: Times 17 Atlantis 3.0 Times May, 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email admin30@prankster.com with game issues. Visit http://www.prankster.com (or email atlantis@prankster.com) for information or to join. There is a new set of rules in the usual place; just a few minor fixes this turn. Anyone who has acquired shipbuilding 3 previous to this turn should re-show the skill report; I updated it just a bit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Although we modern persons tend to take our electric lights, radios, mixers, etc., for granted, hundreds of years ago people did not have any of these things, which is just as well because there was no place to plug them in. Then along came the first Electrical Pioneer, Benjamin Franklin, who flew a kite in a lighting storm and received a serious electrical shock. This proved that lighting was powered by the same force as carpets, but it also damaged Franklin's brain so severely that he started speaking only in incomprehensible maxims, such as "A penny saved is a penny earned." Eventually he had to be given a job running the post office. -- Dave Barry, "What is Electricity?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nursie was back in one of the Nexus Cities again. She had thought the gate spell would allow her to carry a friendly trader with her, but this magic thing was clearly more complicated than she had thought and they were both still in the city. What to do now? She looked at the ship under construction on the waterfront and nausea welled. The thought of months of boring sea travel did not appeal. Nothing for it but to go through the gate alone. Perhaps later her trader friend could follow. With luck she'd have trained men waiting and ready to work for him. Until he could arrive she'd just have to make do as best as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ force [FORC] 8: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are pleased to announce the departure of the SS Titanic this month of May. Spectators and wellwishers are invited to come to the Rantlu pier to wave us away. Riffraff will be turned away! 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 Enterprises (jim_eadie@cc.chiron.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We set out once to clear the times, of vicious brutal poetic crimes. Yet here we see one Ms. Parker, every week produce an ode, and though i wish not to be a barker <<weak I know>> THUS MY WRATH I MUST UNLOAD:- Dear Dorothy, your poems are wet, romantic and pathetic, Please cease to clutter up the times with verse so diabetic! -Anon (the greatest and certainly most prolific poet of all time) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I hope my colleagues will forgive me holding them up now that I am speeding them on their way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Factions on the must kill list: > > Faction (8), smfoster@primenet.com > Rob's Ruffians (35), rpeters@defenders.org > The Seekers (40), hesiden@stoner.com > The Lords of Chaos (44), egyoung@facstaff.wisc.edu > The Minstrels (70), cyrilb@microsoft.com > The Black Moon (71), Remi.KAMOWSKI@st.com > Les Rodeurs (72), bonnefon@labs.polycnrs-gre.fr > Irie Kaya (73), opt@hep.phys.soton.ac.uk > Pynchonand Tribe (105), jts@dns.city-net.com > Grey Death Legion (170), ranger@inlink.com > > > All these factions will die, for high crimes, warmongering, and general > hipocrisy in A2. The SCIO will die when I kill it off, and don't think > that because this is a new game, I've forgotten. I never forget. 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". Ghost of the general who defeated you in Rantlu and Enfar. (and who is offended that you left him off your little list) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Black Hawk Society and Trading Company (148) Still alive..................................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - <o><o> - <o><o> - <o><o> - The Need To Win When an archer is shooting for nothing He has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle He is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold He goes blind Or sees two targets -- He is out of his mind! His skill has not changed. But the prize Divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning Than of shooting -- And the need to win Drains him of power. (trans.: Thomas Merton) <{{{{{{{{{{{{()}}}}}}}}}}}}> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lady Mara in the name of house Acoma send greetings to all factions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good Heavens, what a mighty bea.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Come to Durness for a Guaranteed Death !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does anyone have GATE 4? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Kanan's are coming!!... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It seems that I am on a very small island, very small indeed. A sea fairing people is not what I had originally planed, but plans don't always work out. At least I think a small island will be easy to defend. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I see that creatures have something called "Hits". What are these hits? Do the creatures attack that many times? Maybe they can be killed that many times over before they really die? At any rate this needs more investigation, and you know what that means.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I claim all the undeworld, It's mine and I will defend all visitors... You must know... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Couldn't someone from each starting city mail the report from that hex to the times, so that we all would get a picture of the different starting cities ? Darklords (113), Member of the United Factions ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Now then, I'm off to see the world." "Excellent sire, if you would just be seated on this catapult." "Catapult?" "Yes.. It's the latest in instant worldly relocation, much easier than gating." "*GULP*, ok (I guess)" TWAANG!! "WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!... I can see my house from up here." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking back as the gate that led to the Nexus vanished into the air, the tall stranger was overcome with a feeling of 'deja vu'. The sensation of being here before in a previous life was very strong. "Strange", he said walking towards the city on the horizon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The world was spinning when he finally awoke. Where was he? Who was he?!? It started to come back to him. He had cast that spell in the underworld! Where was he now... he appeared to still be in the caverns, but things were different. There is an underground gate! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Bank of Helsicke (81): It seems that a move of one hex in the underworld corresponds to a move of two hexes in the world above. With teleportation magic much more limited in this game, perhaps we shall soon see huge armies moving quickly across the world by sailing on the undersea... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Megalomantic Midgets of the UF and GALE (52): Some people are can't be satified. I'm one. Atlantis 3.0 is good, but there's so many ways to improve it further. What to do about it ? Pray to the Gods ? Nope. Not in a world where even the Gods read the Times. Following list is meant as an inspiration to our great creator, but I will never the less be happy to recieve critic or advice from anybody. Suggestions for new orders: FOLLOW [targetunit] Unit will follow the targetunit. If the targetunit uses ADVANCE, so will the unit, unless it has the avoid combat flag set. If the targetunit does not move, the unit will automatically work. This order would make it easier to move groups of units, to escort caravans and a LOT easier to lead multi-faction armies. Could also be used by stealthy scouts and spies to keep track of enemy movements. Suggestions for new items: Wooden Shield [WSHI] Produced from wood. Gives a +1 defense bonus, both against close and bow attacks. Leather Shield [LSHI] Produced from furs. Gives a +1 defense bonus, both against close and bow attacks. Leather Armor [LARM] Produced from furs. Gives 20-25%(?) chance of surviving a hit. At last we would have something to use furs for ! Spear [SPEA] Produced from wood. Gives a +1 combat bonus similar to swords, but less. A "poor mans weapon". Adding extra military items to the game would give players a chance to focus more on quality than quantity. Most factions are War or Magic. With more types of items available, possible increasing the total demand ("Hey, every- body's armed these days !") Trade would grow in importance. Suggestions for new structures: Yacht [YACH] Small ship, size 40, costs 5, needs 1 sailor. The Longboat is too expensive and too hard to sail to use for exploration. I guess there is very few ships currently in the game. A small, cheap ship would put more ocean hexes to use. Road [ROAD] A structure like farms, inns etc. Costs 10 stone. When enough roads (say, 5) has been built in a hex, its movement cost will be reduced by 1. There is two approaches: 1. The movement cost is always reduced. 2. Only the movement cost coming from foul weather is reduced. E.g. a mountain with 10 roads will not suffer from the effect of monzoon. Roads could speed up the game, which is good in a one-turn-a- week game, and introduce a new important thing in the game: infrastructure. Alliances and other larger groupings could agree to construct roads between distant cities in order to increase trade. "I have a vision..." Well, now you have it too. I consider the FOLLOW order the most important improvement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Geoff (-): Thanks for your suggestions! I definitely have these in mind for future versions of Atlantis; unfortunately I don't think any of them can go in the current Atlantis. Here are my thoughts: 1) FOLLOW: I was thinking more along the lines of having groups of units, which all do the same month-long order as the leader. If they issue a month-long order (or UNGROUP), they automatically leave the group. 2) Yachts: Not a bad idea... I'll consider it. 3) New military items: I was thinking more along the lines of having different troops types and formations, to add more strategy to combat, as opposed to just adding more types of items. 4) Roads: Roads and rivers are something that I would like to add at some point. I'm not really ready to begin further Atlantis development just yet, but when I am I will probably revive the Atlantis design list. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The mage was not happy. His discussion with the site foreman was not going well. "What do you mean, your men won't work here? What's the matter with them?" "Beggin' yer parden sir but they're afear'd of the evil black magics that you're concoctin' in this 'ere tower they're buildin' for you. They reckon that there's bin skeletons and little devils roamin' round the place since you got 'ere an they don't like it." "Oh come on, a few skeletons and imps aren't going to hurt anyone - at least not unless we tell them to. Isn't there anything you can do to get them to come back to work?" "Well sir, if it were just for the skeltons an devils an such like, I reckon the men would come back 'ere right enough if you was to keep 'em locked away out of sight somewhere. But there's the other matter of the hole in the air sir. Ever since young Darg got locked in there alone with it and come out blind as a bat, none of the men will go in there again." "But I thought we'd explained all that to them. The rift isn't dangerous unless you look into it with both eyes open. Alright then, how about if we were to lock up all the skeletons and imps in the basement which you've already finished, and we were to close up the rift for a week while you get the next two floors done. Would that be enough to get them to come back?" "Well, I'll ask 'em sir and see what they say but I can't promise nuthin'." Later that afternoon, a scribe approaching the mage's study heard a muffled voice coming from within muttering "Barbarians, <mutter> <mutter>, ignorant, <mutter> superstition <mutter> <mutter> What can you expect...". The scribe owed his continued membership of species Homo Sapiens to his wise decision not to interrupt his master at that point. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To All Shadows: Z March ------------------------------------------------------------------------ + Lair [1] : Lair, closed to player units. - Giant Birds (2213), roc [ROC]. It's time to Roc and Roll!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Great Rebellion has begun! All are encouraged to through off the oppressive chains of the City Guards and join in liberating the people of Atlantis! To encourage others to join in the Great Rebellion, post successful liberation of villages, towns, and cities in the Times. We cannot afford to loose! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Hive (165): The rumors are true...the alliances in Rantlu do seem to be getting along better than usual. Of course, this does not mean we welcome new factions to our city! Please stay away. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Durness is an Island ! Don't come here as there are already three large alliances fighting for limited resources ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Dogs have discovered the City Esterfan and since we are the first here we claim this city. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glorious Organization of Divineship, Monthly News ------------------------------------------------- GOD is a peaceful alliance located in Yuci. The members are Roses On White Lace (91) & Elves of Essedail (93) TRADE: Lots of iron and horses is produced every turn. Swords will be developed within a month. WAR: More tension in Jotel! Commander Mindravel promised vengeance within a month, for the never neding City Guard abuses. MAGIC: The mages are preparing their spellbooks for combat. Fire illuminates the night south of Jotel, as the mages practise their skills. 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 t96thd@student.tdb.uu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 400 men 400 swords 400 horses 13 mages 7 skeletons, 5 imps, wands of fire I'm going to mess you up, Gale. Anshun or Potenza, such hard choices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yankton (141): Dear Everyone: I wish to entirely retract and to apologize most humbly for the following statements: The Times has had some articles purporting to be from Hesidence saying, "Join UNCLE! LOTS of room down here!" But *I* tried to actually settle on some of this bonanza of empty space and he went ballistic because of it. "Not enough room here! We need more than a hundred hexes! You can't take any!!" One day I'll tell you why. .. #END. ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Un moine, au milieu de la messe, S'eleva et cria en detresse: <<La vie religieuse, C'est sale et affreuse!>> Et se poignarda dans les fesses. -- Edward Gorey ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Cantdog }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." -- Thomas Paine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, time to waste your time with real-world talk. If you don't know, it's starting to get cold in the northern US this time of year. The high temperature today is supposed to be 55 and a low tonight around 35. *Brrrrr!* Fortunately, I'm leaving for Florida which is why I can't focus long enough to come up with a real times article... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edward looked around as he realized he was a new incarnation. The = textbook study of Madusa really had nothing on the real experience of = meeting one. But now he was alive again. The location is bare. Guards = outnumber everyone else by a significant amount. Edward's head filled with information. "Wow, direct communication with = an interested god." Edward pondered. "Nearly 200 minor gods under one, all powerful but = disinterested god. My task is big, build a new nation. My tool are = interesting, a god to look out for me with the other gods, instant = communication with others through that god, a small amount of money, a = small amount of magic, and my own will to power." Knowing already who some friend were and where to find them, Edward = headed for a gate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Circle of Seven is now complete... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stomp Stomp Stomp ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Raul had solved his dissatisfaction with his single measly swamp by: expanding into a half dozen more swamps! Now he controlled all the muddy ground anyone could desire, but was eyeing the nearby jungles lustfully as well. Who knew what exotic substances might be found in the steamy jungles? He had his underlings frantically polishing their woodworking skills. If it could be made from wood, Raul wanted it made. And on top of all this excitement, Raul was intrigued by the reports of inhabitations further east - a town and a city. Either of them would be a fitting seat for his regional government... * * * * * The situation for Blair's territory was basically unchanged. Lumber production was about to begin, and assistants were studying the skills needed to train and equip squads of archers. However, no convenient source of extra income had turned up, and silver would be tight for the foreseeable future. Now, oddly-attired members of the mystical Kabbalist tribe were settling in the desert nearby. Perhaps trade would be possible... * * * * * LeFevre tended to mutter under his breath nowadays. Not too long ago, all eyes were focused on his work in the plains. Now with Raul running the show up north, nobody paid much attention to him. Swamps! What good were they, anyway? There were no horses in swamps. But even with the men and horses and silver being siphoned off for Raul's projects up north, this region's resources were considerable. The production unit in the adjacent city was growing slowly, fed by a steady trickle of livestock. With livestock production about to quadruple overnight, LeFevre looked forward to a similar boom in the city. Maybe soon he could invest in some decent warriors from the city, instead of these lazy elves who couldn't seem to concentrate well enough to learn advanced combat techniques. Lately, LeFevre had taken to gazing surreptitiously upon the form of Lady Marguarite at her studies. He was quite conscious of his social status in the old country, and so was hesitant to approach her. Still, she had been raised to her position from the peasantry, so maybe there was a chance for him. Even a lowly Technician could aspire to a higher goal... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Helsicke (AP) - GALE Announces Land Claims Policy From the office of the Grand Marshall came a much-awaited decision from the Council on Defense and Diplomacy: the CDD had finally arrived at an official policy on land claims. Elder Marshalls were busy consulting their allies and tabulating their claims last month. The details of the policy will be made available to the general public soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aramoana = Sea path . . . for those interested. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ah, what peacefull times we are in, too peacefull. What can we do about that? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Accord Ltd. (191): No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a most startling change came over him. His face screwed up in a hideous rage. One eye was squinted closed and it seemed to be swallowed up in his head. The other bulged out and hung loosely. The scowl on his mouth split his visage clear around to the back of his head and his skull flapped open and closed with the sound of gnashing teeth. All of his hair stood on end, each strand as straight and sharp as a dagger. A warrior's halo rose black and gold above him. Blood welled up and oozed from the pores of his face and his whole frame shook with a wrath that threatened to rend sinew from bone. He let out a bellow that shook loose stones from the walls. He beat his breast. He stamped his feet. The courtyard trembled beneath him. His warrior strength was full upon him, and he was a terrifying sight to behold. Peace is made with a warlike man An old saying, but a good one still. When next we meet, my friend, shall it be blood or beer we spill? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Glass Chompers (65): Come visit my new web page at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1960 Sorry I was so late updating the page this past week, seems I had to go back to work, caught a cold, and decided to re-install Windows 95 from scratch all in the same week! Next week my wife is dragging me off to Vegas so I'll be late again... If you haven't visited yet, I do encourage you to do so. You will find a list of magical skills, a list of regular skills, lists of creatures and monsters seen around some information about them. There is also a list = of claims which have been announced in the Times, a list of alliances, = people wishing to trade or who are offering various services. About the only thing I don't have yet is a map. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just one thing to say: Better luck next time... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RANTLU-- New and old factions around Rantlu be warned! The Rantlu Ice Pirates are no more, replaced by the benevolent 'enlightened' dictatorship of Syndic8. Yes, Syndic8 now controls the areas surrounding Rantlu. Contact BKTheKid@aol.com if you wish to speak to our official spokesman. Times are exciting. UNCLE factions are beginning to show up on the eastern seaboard. The wimps formerly known as RIP are heading south, often as not pillaging as they go. These petty slights are forgiven for now, but not forgotten... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kobold Pack [KOBO] (Combat 3, Hits 1). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A strange thing happened to me on the way home from the show... I had a busy day doing my juggling skits out front of the Assembly Hall. It must have been a stressful day at the Assembly. I can tell 'cause the Elders always come out feeling depressed and guilty and try to make themselves feel better by watching my gig and being abnormally generous. I made enough to take the rest of the week off! Anyway, I was running late for supper and on the way home I saw a small crowd gathering in the Helsicke market square. They were drawn by some spectacle, the crowd was unsually large for the typical late afternoon ranting Jehu -- even as hungry as I was I had to get a closer look. I saw some folk at the back of the crowd haggling with a vegetable merchant who was trying to off the last of the day's pick. I grabbed a big bunch of bananas, there were still quite a few -- they don't throw well, but I was hungry. I flipped the guy a Silver and told him if he gave me change I'd never buy anything from him again. It was one of those ACME coins and I wanted to get rid of it - it's good metal, they say the only reason they're only 98% pure is that it's 2% mithril, it's hard enough anyway - but they've all got that, that *thing* on them, that damned zombie stick. The wife can't stand the sight of it - she gets cold for weeks afterward. So needless to say, I try to spend 'em all before I get back. The merchant mocked my generosity as is the custom in some places like Skim and even Scarsdale I'm told. I could tell the man was from Skim by the scar-tatooing on his face and forearms. He didn't have the usual thick Skim accent though. He, like me, must have spent most of his life working the plazas of Helsicke. But that wasn't the strange part. The people were all drawn by the rantings of a small, disheveled, old man with a long wispy beard, not fully grey and only a sparse crown of hair on his head. He stood on a mango crate, his loincloth flapping in the wind. He raised a gnarled walking stick to the heavens and shouted with a voice that seemed impossible for such a frail figure. >...and The Words came to me, the beggar known as the Great Prophet, last I dreamed: >>Show no mercy! Smite thine friends and foes equally with The Words. The good will grow great and the bad will break under the weight of righteousness. (He shook his fists at the sky.) >>To the wicked The Words are as a branding iron. To the brave They are as warm breeze on a cool night. To the just They are a beacon, to the cowards an inferno. (He crouched down, staring over the heads of the small crowd speaking quieter. As he crouched a papaya flew past his head and struck the near by wall with a sastifying splat.) >>Shepard the meek for they are the wealth of the lands on which you walk. Spare none. All shall hear The Words and pay toll of their ignorance for sanity's sake. (He jerked up right and screamed) >>Stare ye into the eye of the blind idiot and conteplate ye True Sight and the grotesque beauty of Chaos Incarnate! >>Bathe ye in the maelstroms of hell that ye melt icy tongues with silence and consume flames with an innocent gasp! (he lowered his tone a bit) >>Challenge the warrior for his lust is battle. Exalt the mage for his greed is power. Reward the trader for avarice is his vice. To the diplomat give good words, his want is communication. To the spy give secrets, that he too may feel satisfied and tie well his own noose. To the fool give a stage and he will earn his fare. >>The Words are for All! (He suprisingly caught the next papaya and took a bite to wet his lips) >>Indulge thine enemy, he knows not the stakes. Confuse the confused, they know not the difference. Friends? Praise them generously, for they are priceless! >>Know what you are, accept what you are not. Nothing can hide from one whose Sight relies not on light, but Might. >I awoke from the dream to find myself screaming: "Oh! What is the meaning of this? What are The Words? Have I now gone insane?" >I was shaken with a response that shook the very room: >>HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? >I haven't slept in a month! I know I won't sleep until I share The Words. I don't know exactly what they are, but I remember the dream - it haunts me. The man stepped off the crate and collapsed from exhaustion. There were a few sharps bursts of laughter. I shouted "Encore!" And there was a roar of laughter. A few with remaining vegetables who had been preparing to throw them as he collapsed, instead went up to the man and carefully placed them on the crate. As the crowd dispersed some of the stragglers could be heard muttering: )Poor sod. ]He should stay away from those Burning Bushes. }Yeah, he needs a new loincloth too. -I suppose nobody asks to be a prophet. ]You mean idiot, nobody asks to be an idiot. }Yeh, poor sod. -Hey, I've *seen* him walk on water. ]That was a puddle! -His feet didn't get wet! As if the old man wasn't strange enough, quickly thereafter a few men in white robes came by and and carefully picked up the old man, placed him in the crate and took him away. I never saw their faces and it was kinda spooky the way they came out of nowhere. I noticed the men had patches on their sleeve, insignia of some kind. I couldn't really make it out, but it had a green background with gold embroidery. I wanted to follow them, but by now I was really late - at least I had a pocket full o' silvers to appease the wife. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for those guys in the robes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let's see if I can do better this time. Running into dragons ain't my cup of tea... |-( ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ca va chauffer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wonder if SEP has had any problems with SEParatists. I guess a well timed SEPtime might help, but I would think they would still need to be concerned with SEPsis. It does bring a new twist to SEPpuku. At least they have the first third of their SEPulchre payed for. But hey, it's not my problem. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Fellowship of Starfox has claimed the towns of Eskerfan and Avanos. To enter these cities send a message to andyk@site133.ping.at. Thank you. Lord Starfox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ magic magic everywhere. Does anyone information on spells. If so mail me at dean@memex.co.uk Bye. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Les Chevaliers du Septentrion (210) report : - a first contact with faction 52 was established and it seems a friendly relationship could be usefull to eachothers. - Les Chevaliers had many trouble with "The Minstrels" (70) whom honesty and fairness are missing. - greetings to Black Cob, the new anti-servile alliance. FOR US AVRIL YEAR2 WAS OUR INDEPENDENCE MONTH ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 Actual Announcements Taken From Church Bulletins 1. Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help. 2. Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow. 3. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. 4. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. 5. The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer. 6. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends. 7. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early. 8. Wednesday, the ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing, "Put me in My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor. 9. Thursday at 5:00 P.M. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study. 10. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the alter. 11. The service will close with "Little Drops of Water." One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in. 12. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and do so. 13. The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday. 14. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. 15. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tiphareth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Another new skill: sunflash [SUNF] 1: A mage with this spell may cause bright flashes to appear, partially blinding the opposing forces. All enemy forces will fight with a -1 applied to their combat level. This spell must be set using the COMBAT order. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'That is not dead which eternal lies Within strange aeons, death may die' --H.P. Lovecraft ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Army of the Southern Cross shall prevail! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report, Editorial Edition: Dark times are here indeed! This month the Army of the Southern Cross will either be soundly defeated or will strike a devastating blow to the Dark Legions. Either way, the Dunster region is a wasteland. Maybe restarting won't be so bad. What are the other starting cities like? Maybe we will find our paradise somewhere else. Or instead of restarting, maybe we could just take all this silver and study Gate Lore. Even if the battle is won, at what cost? Will the fighting never end? What is the point? The whole thing is really tedious. The Dark Legions don't respond to our letters. They pillage every city they take. It is clear that they have no goal in mind other than destroying us. I guess they are threatened by our mere presence. Perhaps they feel that to let us survive, that we will eventually take back what they have stolen. They are probably right. Mike Weldon Southern Cross News Correspondent Grey Wolf Clan (78) weldon@sdd.hp.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "But my lord," appealed Dwight, "we need more soldiers to protect ourselves. Our situation is far from secure. We..." "Enough Dwight. How will we feed these soldiers? How will we train them? How will we even pay them? The Imperial treasury has been drained. We need entertainers for money, and farmers for food. Until we have these necessities secured, we cannot support an army." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BioPhreaks (172): Johnny Clone viewed the Atlantis map through synthetic eyes. "We have the flesh, but we need steel. There is metal to the south." He said. "Thus, we must go there." Death said nothing in reply. He never did. Spud, on the other hand, had never failed to voice an opinion. Fortunately, it always fell in line with Johnny�s, in substance if not in style. "So, gonna get some metal, huh? Wah-hoo! Iron�s good for the blood, you know?" Death stared evenly at the Spud. Johnny knew that look; he had spent much silver to have it developed. He considered allowing the sycophant his fate, but knew that SOMEBODY had to be the farmer. "Death," Johnny said to diffuse the situation. "What say you go get us some ale?" There was no answer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Major Dundee's troubled brow furrowed as he read the latest report. "Hmmm. Says here that it started by one croc making a surprise grab at one of them thar TELFs. Well, we knew they was sneaky like. Crocs got stealth." "Wait! What's this? Two others circled in and took our boys in the flanks while they skewered the first one? Well I'll be dipped!" To his aide he hollars: "Hey! Luigi! Cancel the contract with them clothiers! Can't go making belts and purses outta these boys! These Crocs got TACTICS! Gonna make 'em into combat boots!" And with that he grabed his recurved bow and headed back into the Dismal Swamps... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tip for May, Year 2: Considering the amount of wealth available underground, it is going to be very hard for anybody to earn a living down there. Only caverns have tax base, and it is much worse than even desert. Tunnels have no income. Therefore, one suggests that before one ventures downside that one makes sure that one has lots of silver handy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So now we know how to protect a Gate City from Gated attack. Perhaps it is Gate 4 that is needed to actually make the attack! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What I have discovered is that if I write a humorous article and send it to "game30," I receive 50 silver. However, if I just think about writing a humorous article and sending it in, nothing happens. Among the other things I have been thinking about is a way to encourage players to send in better times articles. Take this one, for instance. It sucks. However, if the Mysterious Forces that provide the 50 silver were to award a greater share to the better articles, participation and quality might both go up. Several categories could be established and extra dough awarded for the best in each. Categories might include: Funniest Dumbest Best Story Best Use of the Word "Spleen" Etc. Next week I'll go for the "Spleen" one and see if I get anything extra. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Chibchas celebrate the feast of their ancestors' glorious victory over the despicable Black Company, back in the time of legends... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the ToCF web page at http://www.forsyth.demon.co/tocf.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pulp Faction (169): Conversation overheard in Rantlu: Vincent: "But you know what the funniest thing about Riggenthorpe is?" Jules: "What?" Vincent: "It's the little differences. I mean, they got the same s**t over there that they got here, but it's, it's just there its's a little different." Jules: "Example?" Vincent: "Allright, well, you can walk into a Inn in Riggenthorpe and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass o' beer. And in Gravbygd, you can buy a beer at the University. And you know what they call a...a crossbow in Gravbygd?" Jules: "They don't call it a crossbow?" Vincent: "Nah, man...they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the f**k a crossbow is." Jules: "Well whatta they call it?" Vincent: "They call it a Royale with Bolt." Jules: "Royale with Bolt." Vincent: "Dat's right." Jules: "Whatta they call a sword?" Vincent: "A sword's a sword. But they call it, Le Sword." Jules: "Le Sword. Ha Ha Ha, whatta they call Plate Armor?" Vincent: "I don't know, I didn't go into the Armory." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sandlings are a pushover, COM 3 / 1 Hit ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACME Department of Administration and Management (117): Let's be sure we get all this straight. Official GALE announcements: We are 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 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 #14 Announcements for April Year 2 Monthly tip: ------------ Earth Lore is really good for your hexes. It seems to raise the multiple by which the taxbase is derived from the population. It seems to only take one casting if the hex is healthy. 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: ------------------- "Five to one, baby, one in five! No one here gets out alive!" --The Doors Any official correspondence to ACME should be addressed to azthar@wolfenet.com ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ok, now Azthar takes off all his hats and gets "personal." It's an attempt by me to shed my alliance affiliations for a moment and speak semi-objectively as a peer - faction to faction. I'll call it The Smoking Wing. Welcome, friends, neighbors, strangers and enemies! (I hope I'm not too pretentious to assume I have enemies out there.) Grab a cigar and come on in! Yeah, they're fresh, handrolled just this week. >From my own private crop right up the valley there. They don't get any better. It's ok if we all smoke, there's good ventilation. If it gets crowded we can move out to the veranda, there's plenty of room out there. It's so hot around here, that all the overhangs, walls and windows are layed out to provide a good cross breeze, yet keep the rains out. Let's go out to the veranda anyway, there's a great view of the gardens. One of the ACME mages figured out he could get Imps to tend the gardens by letting them plant toadstools. Whenever one of the imps gets out of line we just turn him to stone and make a gargoyle or lawn ornament out of him. It's a pretty good deal all in all, the only real draw back is they kill anything blue - except the toadstools. Need something to drink? Make yourself at home. There's wine and vodka I get imported from the border cities out west. Here's a great guava brandy from the Mover's plantation in Sorisdale. There's punch and seltzer on ice there. There's porter on tap there too. I brew that myself. Guests were always complaining that my sixpack was always short, so I skip the bottles now and just roll the keg in. So I like my porter, what can I say? There's no law that says I need to put a fresh bottle back whenever I take one out. It's my brew, I'll do with it as I like. But I'll admit the keg is easier and with a potential for 200 guests, I can compromise. Enough fun, on to business. About signed times articles, rewards, and gimme 50 articles. If signed articles were to be required for the reward, the times would probably drop to nothing but banal "official bulletins," claims, outdated skill reports, etc. That is the beauty of the Times, it can be anonymous and that is why it is at all interesting. Gimme my 50! I would like to applaud and welcome the type of dialog that Accord Ltd. is providing us. It's nice to see there are other vertically oriented beings outside of Helsicke. The same issue that arose in Helsicke on turn two will soon occur in the "Inner Sphere". The Inner Sphere is about 1/6 of the area of Atlantis, yet it will be the real "Inferno" if there is no attempt at interregional dialog. The Glossary provided gives us some common language to begin to discuss world affairs, *before* we are up to our elbows in conflict. My only quibble with the Glossary is the "Wide World" - I much prefer "Wilderlands," but it's just that, a quibble. Someone out there mentioned puppies. I have a fair amout of experience breeding and raising groups of dogs. I know to never underestimate the guile and cunning of a pup, especially when there is another pup that can be setup to take the blame. The Pack is a very efficient system. !fooW !fooW Oops. That's my dogma barking. Don't worry, you've already been bit. Did you notice? Thin skinned tin gods. That's got a cool ring to it... Anyone got thick enough skin to claim it? Myrdding Emrys of The Old Ones(211): It's good to see you are at least conscious enough to recognise your position on the evolutionary ladder. :) Somebody else out there posted some threatening numbers. They are just so, well, round. Why bother with 400 HORS? You'd only need 233. I suppose it would make more spoils for us. Whatcha gonna eat? FISH? Pillaged swamp? You can't eat horses. I'll be worried when you are cranking out 100 COMB4 orcs with sword in striking range of Helsicke - every turn! Let me know when that happens, I'm sure I'll have beaten you to it. :) A favorite quote is applicable here: "Evolution does not take prisoners!" Thanks for joining me and putting up with my BS. Barring major acts of vulcanism, we'll do it again real soon. A closing thought: Helsicke. You call it Hell. I call it home. Who's holding the pitchfork? 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ How many COMB-6 men will I need to take out 40 COMB-3 men? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As we look across the fence at our opressors we are relieved to know that we have them outnumbered 3 to 1. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ His purse was getting light, it was time to head back down to the silver mine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The wagons were loaded with all his magical gear and he was off to town to study. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well I was the proud owner of a small village for 1 turn at least. Some ruffians came in from the desert and over powered my guard. He put up a brave fight but with the odds being 75 to 1 the outcome was inevitable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thought for the month: Regardless of long months of study our mages have yet to come across an area of research which combines with artifact lore to produce any worth-while artifacts. No artifacts have been offered for sale yet either so perhaps other people are finding them as elusive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fist of the White Lotus (4): Since the A2 Times closed down, I've decided to post a couple of recent battles from A2 to here. This is not quite as irrelevant as it may seem, since a fair number of people in this game play, or haved played, A2. And the players who haven't might find it interesting to see how A2 has developed. ****Disclaimer***** My posting of this material is not meant to slight or otherwise aggravate any of the players of the losing party who are also in A3. Nor is it intended to carry any A2 wars to A3. This information is strictly for recreational purposes. Do with it what you will. ****Disclaimer***** The first battle took place 2 A2 turns ago, and the second two last turn. Unit (8104) attacks Park Ranger (14998) in Gluggby (28,57)! Attackers: Unit (8104), 75 orcs, 75 swords, combat 4. Meister Andras (637), behind, leader, sword, potion of healing. Rommel Jr. (1521), behind, leader, crossbow, wand of fire, tactics 5, crossbow 1; Playing with his tanks. Unit (2144), 73 orcs, 74 swords, combat 4. Unit (7707), 69 orcs, 69 swords, 50 chain armor, combat 4. Sailors (13074), behind, 5 sea elves. Unit (2417), 59 leaders, 59 swords, 11 gloves of strength, 59 plate armor, 3 potions of healing, combat 5, riding 3. Combat Doctors (6093), behind, 10 leaders, 10 rifle bows, 4 wands of fire, longbow 4. Unit (3155), 50 orcs, 50 swords, 50 plate armor, combat 4. Entertainer (790), behind, leader, crossbow, tactics 5, combat 1, crossbow 2; Scout. Unit (4591), 15 leaders, 15 swords, combat 5, riding 3. Combat Doctors (6014), behind, 10 leaders, 10 rifle bows, longbow 4. Unit (7866), 15 orcs, 15 swords, combat 4. Doktor Faustus (2557), behind, leader, sword. Paris (1013), behind, leader, magic sword, tactics 5, combat 5, riding 2. Nivlem the Blacksmith (3495), behind, leader, chain armor, wand of fire, rifle bow, tactics 5, combat 3, longbow 4, riding 2. Melvin's 2nd Rifle Corps (1640), behind, 9 wood elves, 9 rifle bows, 2 wands of fire, longbow 3. 11th Marauder Crossbowmen (503), behind, 15 tribal elves, 15 crossbows, crossbow 2. Unit (4297), 75 orcs, 75 swords, combat 4. Unit (9261), 75 orcs, 75 swords, combat 4. Sailors (7784), 15 leaders, 15 swords, combat 5, riding 3. Unit (4307), 65 orcs, 65 swords, combat 4. Defenders: Park Ranger (14998), behind, tribal elf, crossbow; Gluggby City Zoo, tours available. Gluggby Infantry (12281), 95 swords, 8 magic swords, 246 tribal elves, 78 horses, combat 3. 1st Elite Cavalry (12987), behind, 6 leaders, 6 magic swords, 6 gloves of strength, 6 horses, combat 5, riding 4. Kapnm (6336), behind, leader, sword, chain armor, gloves of strength, magic sword, combat 5, riding 2. Brother Gregor (9894), behind, leader, magic sword, 6 horses, combat 3. Minstrels (16404), behind, 15 nomads. Crossbowmen (15761), 10 crossbows, 10 tribal elves, crossbow 2. Elezar (34), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, combat 4. Twilight Generals (18537), 5 leaders, tactics 5, combat 3. Twilight Observers (18538), 4 leaders, combat 1. Twilight Scouts (18539), 8 leaders, combat 3. COM Teachers (18922), 20 leaders, combat 5, riding 1. OBS trainees (19527), 4 leaders, combat 1. COM teachers (19528), 20 leaders, combat 5, riding 1. Twilight Corps (19529), behind, 50 tribal elves, combat 3. COM Teachers (20152), 20 leaders, combat 5, riding 1. OBS Trainee (20153), leader, combat 1. COM teachers (20287), 20 leaders, combat 5, riding 1. Twilight Corps (20288), behind, 100 tribal elves, combat 3. COM Teachers (20819), 20 leaders, combat 4. Twilight Corps (20820), 100 tribal elves, combat 3. COM Teachers (21219), 10 leaders, combat 3. OBS Trainees (21220), 3 leaders, combat 1. Twilight Corps (21221), 100 tribal elves, combat 3. Unit (21222), leader. Courier: 29,58 [N/NW] - Gluggby [SE/S] (18932), plainsman. Unit (21600), 90 tribal elves, combat 3; 'waiting. Unit (21223), 5 high elves, 3 horses. Sister Evangeline (3835), behind, leader, potion of healing, magic sword, gloves of strength, plate armor, riding 1. Father Ambrose (410), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing; Head Monk of the Order. Brother Dominic (2654), leader, 2 potions of healing, magic sword, gloves of strength, horse, riding 2. Twilight Corps (22254), 233 tribal elves, combat 3. CASH COURIER (23432), high elf. Twilight Orcs (22255), 13 horses, 25 orcs; NOT TAXING. CASH COURIER (18547), viking, combat 2. CASH COURIER (23433), plainsman. CASH COURIER (23434), nomad. Baslokoff (15250), behind, leader, sword, tactics 5, combat 4. The Companion (23766), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. The Champion (23767), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. The Avenger (23768), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. Crossbows (23769), behind, 20 crossbows, 20 tribal elves, crossbow 1. Brother Benedict (4295), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, plate armor. Ratso (3541), behind, leader, magic sword, chain armor, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5. Twilight Scout (22253), behind, leader, combat 3. Tanks (14296), 33 orcs, 47 potions of healing, 33 magic swords, 32 plate armor, 33 gloves of strength, 30 horses, combat 4; kalmar@acf2.nyu.edu. Sister Clementine (2501), behind, leader, magic sword, potion of healing. The Teacher (23030), behind, leader, magic sword, horse, combat 5, riding 3. Unit (23771), behind, 69 horses, plainsman. Badalona Infantry (9370), 50 high elves, 4 swords, 60 nomads, combat 3. Sir Peter Blake (18544), behind, leader; Winning the Americas Cup 5-0. Horse Trainer (18545), 4 leaders. Twilight Observer (19378), behind, leader, combat 1. Courier: 30,58 [NW/NW] - Gluggby [SE/SE] (19542), nomad. 454 trigger (10081), behind, tribal elf. Twilight Guard 27,57 (19376), behind, 50 tribal elves, combat 3. Orc Militia (19536), behind, 113 orcs, 145 swords, combat 4. HELS (20282), behind, 41 high elves. Weaponsmith (13536), behind, 4 leaders. COM Teachers (18916), behind, 10 leaders, combat 4. Armourer (18543), behind, 2 leaders. Orc Militia (21225), behind, 27 orcs, combat 2. Unit (21226), behind, 43 orcs, combat 3. 454 trigger (10102), behind, tribal elf. Yuci Infantry (12982), 180 nomads, 20 plainsmen, combat 3. Longbowman (13570), behind, 2 leaders, combat 1, longbow 4. Lumberjack (13578), behind, 2 leaders, combat 1. Herbalist (18530), behind, leader, combat 1. Healer (18531), behind, leader, combat 1. Longbowmen (19369), behind, 50 wood elves, longbow 3. Twilight Observer (19370), behind, leader, combat 2. Lumberjacks (20149), behind, 10 wood elves. Longbowmen (20811), behind, 50 wood elves, 50 longbows, longbow 1. Longbow Teachers (20812), behind, 5 leaders, longbow 3. Longbowmen (21213), behind, 50 wood elves, 50 longbows, 115 horses. Unit (21599), 130 wood elves, combat 2. Unit (20291), tribal elf, 80 swords, 10 horses. 454 trigger (10030), behind, tribal elf. Round 1: Combat Doctors (6093) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 15. Combat Doctors (6093) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 11. Doktor Faustus (2557) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 36. Meister Andras (637) shoots a Fireball, killing 17. Melvin's 2nd Rifle Corps (1640) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 9. Combat Doctors (6093) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 37. Nivlem the Blacksmith (3495) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 10. Melvin's 2nd Rifle Corps (1640) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 35. Father Ambrose (410) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 151. Rommel Jr. (1521) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 27. Sister Clementine (2501) mind blasts 109 to death. Combat Doctors (6093) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 26. Brother Benedict (4295) strikes fear into the hearts of 83 men. Unit (8104) loses 509. Park Ranger (14998) loses 241. Unit (8104) is routed! Park Ranger (14998) gets a free round of attacks. Father Ambrose (410) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 1. Unit (8104) loses 132. Total Casualties: Unit (8104) loses 641. Sister Clementine (2501) heals 98. Brother Benedict (4295) heals 23. Brother Dominic (2654) heals 19. Father Ambrose (410) heals 22. Sister Evangeline (3835) heals 22. Kapnm (6336) heals 5. Baslokoff (15250) heals 5. Park Ranger (14998) loses 47. Spoils: 2 magic armor, 29619 silver, 281 swords, magic sword, 212 herbs, 11 crossbows, 15 rifle bows, 4 wands of fire, 2 helms of observation, 62 plate armor, 7 gloves of strength, 25 chain armor. Battles during turn: SCIO Garrison 1 (2011) attacks Wanderer, Champion of New Atlantia (527) in Sledmere (47,53)! Attackers: SCIO Garrison 1 (2011), 6 barbarians, 2 sea elves, 4 high elves, 6 vikings, 12 horses, combat 3. Wolfram (595), behind, leader, sword, 8 horses, tactics 5, combat 1, longbow 4. Xena (2370), behind, leader, 2 potions of healing, sword; A wisened woman in blue and silver robes. Alf Elves (23893), 5 high elves. Drakull Explorer. Ambassador. (13990), 5 horses, viking, combat 3. Myril (955), behind, leader, 2 potions of healing, 2 horses, 9 plate armor, 10 swords; A wisened man in blue and silver robes. Sethir (603), behind, leader, 11 plate armor, 2 swords, 2 horses; A wisened man in blue and silver robes. Unit (1692), behind, leader, tactics 5, combat 5, riding 5. Unit (3068), leader, combat 5, riding 5. Unit (8004), leader, combat 5, riding 5. Unit (5972), behind, leader, tactics 5, combat 5, riding 5. First Squad (5356), 10 leaders, 10 plate armor, 10 horses, 10 magic swords, 10 winged horses, combat 5, riding 5. Turgen (954), behind, leader, 2 potions of healing, sword; A wisened man in blue and silver robes. Second Squad (4392), 10 leaders, 7 winged horses, 10 plate armor, 10 swords, combat 5, riding 5. Mira (1339), behind, leader, gloves of strength; A wisened woman in blue and silver robes. Unit (353), behind, leader, wand of fire. Rebel Courier (1393), behind, tribal elf, 4 horses, combat 3. Unit (7732), 40 leaders, combat 3. Rebel Courier (1585), behind, high elf, 5 horses, combat 3. Rebel Courier (642), behind, high elf, 4 horses, plainsman, combat 3. Worf (3207), behind, leader, longbow, 2 crossbows, 16 horses, longbow 5; I am not a merry man. Robin Hood (3110), behind, leader, longbow, longbow 5. Captain (352), behind, leader, horse, crossbow, tactics 5, combat 1; The faction founder. Lieutenant (946), behind, leader, crossbow, tactics 5, combat 1, crossbow 2. Unit (4494), behind, leader, horse, longbow, tactics 5, longbow 3. Unit (5102), behind, 20 leaders, longbow 3. Unit (6873), behind, 5 leaders, tactics 1. Unit (2401), behind, 35 high elves, 35 crossbows, crossbow 2. Unit (5368), behind, 25 wood elves, 25 longbows, longbow 3. Unit (4609), 90 orcs, 90 swords, combat 4. Unit (2837), 90 orcs, 90 swords, combat 4. Unit (4423), 90 nomads, combat 3. Unit (5125), 90 orcs, 90 swords, combat 4. Unit (2487), 90 orcs, 51 horses, 90 swords, combat 4. Unit (2488), 90 orcs, 90 swords, combat 4. Unit (3622), 90 orcs, 21 horses, 90 swords, combat 4. SCIO Garrison 2 (3360), 61 leaders, 64 horses, combat 5, riding 1. Unit (6021), 122 leaders, 60 horses, combat 5. Permanent Drakull Sledmere unit (17835), 5 high elves, 5 horses, combat 3. Watusi 1 (2108), 6 tribesmen, combat 2. Doriel (1148), high elf, 5 tribal elves, combat 1. Melvin's 21st Infantry (1621), 10 tribal elves, 10 swords, combat 3; a handful of sturdy elves. IRS (3590), 26 barbarians, combat 3. Interdiction 14 (10929), behind, leader, tactics 4. Unit (3553), behind, high elf, 3 horses. SCIO Garrison 3 (3366), 155 vikings, 20 barbarians, 20 horses, 36 sea elves, 4 high elves, combat 3. Unit (4534), behind, leader. Andras Workers (2558), 15 vikings, combat 1; Lonely Workers. IRS (2381), 8 vikings, combat 1. Unit (11728), behind, 5 vikings. Defenders: Wanderer, Champion of New Atlantia (527), leader, 7 potions of healing, magic sword, gloves of strength, tactics 5, combat 2, riding 2; Operation Black Hole, phase 2: Counterstrike at Sledmere. Dreamweaver, Justiciar of New Atlantia (7160), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 2; restoring justice and peace to Atlantis. Fury, Defender of New Atlantia (7159), leader, 6 potions of healing, magic sword, gloves of strength, riding 1; To solve the problem, go to the source. Synergy Standard Bearers (7897), behind, 2 high elves, 2 swords, 2 wands of fire; eliminating dishonorable warmongers. Hiruam treebeard (8361), behind, leader, 20 potions of healing, gloves of strength, horse. Zalcyr the See-er (8365), behind, leader, 20 potions of healing, sword, gloves of strength. Goal (7313), leader, 2 magic swords, potion of healing, combat 5. Shadimar (8926), leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing. Colbey the First (679), behind, leader; hetman of the Renshai; Ministry of Mind. Lord Frederick (3834), behind, leader, sword, potion of healing, 3 magic swords, combat 5, riding 4; Leading the Monks and the Riders into battle. Father Ambrose (410), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing; Head Monk of the Order. Sister Clementine (2501), behind, leader, magic sword, potion of healing. Brother Dominic (2654), leader, 2 potions of healing, magic sword, horse, gloves of strength, riding 2. Brother Benedict (4295), behind, leader, magic sword, plate armor, gloves of strength, potion of healing. Sister Evangeline (3835), behind, leader, sword, magic sword, plate armor, gloves of strength, potion of healing, riding 1. Kapnm (6336), behind, leader, sword, magic sword, chain armor, gloves of strength, combat 5, riding 2. Elezar (34), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, combat 4. Baslokoff (15250), behind, leader, sword, tactics 5, combat 4. Twilight Scout (22253), behind, leader, combat 3. Ratso (3541), behind, leader, magic sword, chain armor, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5. Unit (23766), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. Unit (23767), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. Unit (23768), behind, leader, magic sword, gloves of strength, potion of healing, combat 5, riding 4. Crossbows (23769), behind, 20 tribal elves, 2 swords, plate armor, 20 crossbows, crossbow 1. Hawkeye (12259), behind, leader, sword, longbow 5; Q: what goes 'sneak attack, die, sneak attack,die'?. Archer (16033), behind, leader, crossbow, crossbow 5. Crossbowmen (13163), behind, 10 nomads, 10 crossbows, crossbow 2. Crossbowmen (16397), behind, sea elf, high elf, 2 plainsmen, viking, 3 nomads, 9 crossbows, eskimo, crossbow 2. Justiciar Guard Archers (23070), behind, 6 leaders, longbow 1; the answer rhymes with Black Scumpany. Round 1: Father Ambrose (410) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 144. Turgen (954) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 146. Mira (1339) strikes fear into the hearts of 5 men. Synergy Standard Bearers (7897) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 10. Hiruam treebeard (8361) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 156. Sister Clementine (2501) mind blasts 61 to death. Unit (353) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 5. Xena (2370) strikes fear into the hearts of 0 men. Myril (955) strikes fear into the hearts of 0 men. Sethir (603) strikes fear into the hearts of 0 men. Colbey the First (679) mind blasts 98 to death. Zalcyr the See-er (8365) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 84. Dreamweaver, Justiciar of New Atlantia (7160) mind blasts 93 to death. Synergy Standard Bearers (7897) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 28. SCIO Garrison 1 (2011) loses 818. Wanderer, Champion of New Atlantia (527) loses 0. SCIO Garrison 1 (2011) is routed! Wanderer, Champion of New Atlantia (527) gets a free round of attacks. Sister Clementine (2501) mind blasts 162 to death. Colbey the First (679) mind blasts 144 to death. Dreamweaver, Justiciar of New Atlantia (7160) mind blasts 89 to death. Hiruam treebeard (8361) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 57. SCIO Garrison 1 (2011) loses 483. Total Casualties: SCIO Garrison 1 (2011) loses 1301. Wanderer, Champion of New Atlantia (527) loses 0. Spoils: 86022 silver, 21 crossbows, 280 swords, 4 magic armor, 2 potions of healing, 16 longbows, helm of observation, 141 horses, 19 herbs, 17 plate armor, 2 Portals, gloves of strength, 5 magic swords, 12 winged horses. Hiruam treebeard (8361) attacks Unit (3789) in Sledmere (47,53)! Attackers: Hiruam treebeard (8361), behind, leader, 20 potions of healing, 5 horses, 4 swords, longbow, gloves of strength. Zalcyr the See-er (8365), behind, leader, 20 potions of healing, 4 swords, 3 horses, magic sword, gloves of strength. Goal (7313), leader, 2 magic swords, 5 swords, 5 horses, potion of healing, combat 5. Defenders: Storn of Sledmere (12946), leader; A young man with high ideals. Longbowmen (1733), behind, 3 wood elves, longbow 3; They use elven longbows with a deadly precision. Sergeants (6616), behind, 8 leaders, longbow 3; They train House SCIO's bowmen. Sergeants (6641), behind, 10 leaders, combat 3, crossbow 2; They train House SCIO's crossbowmen. Drill LongShot (8479), behind, leader, horse, longbow 4; He knows how to use his bow with a deadly precision. Ozymandius (403), behind, leader, combat 2; Thoughtful looking man. Sally Jupiter (841), behind, leader, combat 4. Rookies (10478), 16 leaders, combat 2, riding 4; They want to belong to the Heavy Cavalry. George (2600), behind, leader, combat 2. Silver Claw Tacticians (6276), behind, 10 leaders, tactics 2, combat 1; They are under training. Moloch (1400), leader, horse, combat 1; He is going to Sledmere. Sergeants (10393), behind, 2 longbows, 2 leaders, longbow 3, riding 1; They are training House SCIO troops. Rookies (13148), behind, 100 high elves, crossbow 2. Unused One (10587), wood elf. 4th WarClaw Crossbowmen (15425), behind, 9 crossbows, 90 high elves. Telfalas Bredin (7841), behind, leader, horse; He is going to Sledmere. Unit (4440), behind, leader, combat 1. Andra (510), behind, leader, combat 2. Astrologer (906), behind, leader. Nite Owl (938), leader, longbow, combat 2; He is waiting for a boat to leave the area. Unit (3789), behind, wood elf, horse. Unit (16211), 5 horses, high elf. Unit (12041), behind, 80 horses, high elf. Concord Rustler (18305), 90 horses, high elf. Unit (2844), behind, leader, horse, sword, tactics 1, combat 5, riding 4. Unit (2668), behind, leader, horse, sword, combat 5, riding 4. Chip (7566), leader, horse. Thoreau II (4175), leader, horse; Desires to learn at the feet of the masters. Bellamy (4176), leader, horse. Concord Construction, Ellesmere Division (7992), 4 hill dwarves, 11 plainsmen; Short grumpy guys with mallets and rulers. Unit (18456), 8 darkmen, 8 horses. Chief Woodsman (12884), leader. Unit (20224), 10 high elves. Concord Trawling (3347), behind, 5 sea elves. High Arms (12863), 10 high elves, 10 horses. Silver Claw Reserve Infantry (6760), 86 orcs, 50 horses, combat 3; They are waiting for weapons and armors. Unit (3789) gets a free round of attacks. Storn of Sledmere (12946) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 1. Andra (510) creates an explosion of fire, dazzling 0. Astrologer (906) strikes fear into the hearts of 1 men. Hiruam treebeard (8361) loses 0. Round 1: Hiruam treebeard (8361) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 53. Zalcyr the See-er (8365) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 224. Hiruam treebeard (8361) loses 0. Unit (3789) loses 308. Unit (3789) is routed! Hiruam treebeard (8361) gets a free round of attacks. Zalcyr the See-er (8365) unleashes a mighty lightning strike, killing 86. Unit (3789) loses 87. Total Casualties: Unit (3789) loses 395. Hiruam treebeard (8361) loses 0. Spoils: 8370 silver, 4 crossbows, 2 Portals, 136 horses, sword, 27 furs, 26 herbs, longbow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maw, So there do be a little tension in the metal. Its hard to work a forge that way. Paw McCoy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shadowdragons (24): The 70s Association's mages depart for city clearing operations in anticipation of this summer's monsoons. The University will miss their presence, but research continues. Thus far the forces of GALE have respected the suggested border and relations are cordial. With their overcrowding and unstable government, it is unknown how long the situation will remain so. The spelunkers have little new to report, save that ettins like elves, preferably with a little rock salt. Nothing of value has turned up. It is wondered whether high level spells might tame the numerous dragons. Those in Graevsbygd should contact me before travel, or see the Sailor's Brotherhood for information on sea voyages. Davros, Lord of the Shadowdragons dwshelley@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lakotah (77): Dear Everyone: I wish to entirely retract and to apologize most humbly for the following statements: The Times has had some articles purporting to be from Hesidence saying, "Join UNCLE! LOTS of room down here!" But *I* tried to actually settle on some of this bonanza of empty space and he went ballistic because of it. "Not enough room here! We need more than a hundred hexes! You can't take any!!" One day I'll tell you why. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main.... Wait! I have to feed the workers too? How did that happen? What are they doing on board? Oh no! They're throwing down their hammers and saws and picking up knives and spears! I guess I better write an article to the Times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hard times lie ahead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peace is possible! (but war is more fun) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pillage pillage pillage pillage When does it all end? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to be treated like a trusted ally, you should be one. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The vast fenland stretched out on their port side for as far as the eye could see. For many days they made their way slowly along the coast. It was hot and damp and the crew were beginning to get irritable. Landing on shore was difficult as there was little dry land until one had gone a few miles inland. Their ship too large to navigate the congested inland waterways, but also too small to carry any rowing boats, and so the crew had to remain at sea. Occasionally they would come across a fishing village perched on stilts, and the villagers would paddle out in their small outrigger craft to meet them, bringing gifts of fresh fruit which the crew accepted eagerly. But these villages were becoming rarer, and the days hotter... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "One Two Three Four" barked Big Al. He loved shaping up the new recruits. In particular, there was one heavy one named Big Lad who he loved to ride hard. No room for fat slobs in his outfit. Big Lad would either shape up, or die. Big Lad sweated fiercely. He wasn't sure he could take much more of this exercise, and he wondered what he was doing here. It wasn't the first time he wondered, and it wouldn't be the last... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What news from Rantlu? Syndic8 has apparently firmed up it's position as the dominant alliance. They have expressed a willingness to trade, and appear so far to be good to their word. Only time will tell if there will be peace among all factions of Rantlu. I still believe this is a good time for new factions to be gate- loring elsewhere. So, peace is potentially on the horizon. What does peace afford? Could this be the opportunity to become a united Rantlu and dominate all of Atlantis-dom? Or does it make for a boring turn. After all, it takes at least an hour a week (and sometimes more .... sometimes, much more...) to plan and play a month's orders. Do I wish to spend that kind of time each week for some paltry peace accord? ...perhaps. but then... perhaps not. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Sire, our scouts has reported that a lot of elves has gathered in the forest around the village. What do you suggest we do ? The knight looked up from his papers and into the face of the soldier. - As I feared, they must be planning an attack on the village. Send words to my brother in Darm that we need his help quickly, and let us hope that his troops will arrive before the massacre begins... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ time has come to know what we want to do !!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darn those nasty Lizard Men! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The God's do as they please, while Some mortals act like they can too. We are preparing to dispell that illusion for them. Beware, ignoring the countryside will leave you dead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dunster News Report: ****************************** The Victorious Southern Cross Armies have completed the pillaging of 10 plains hexes and is begining the rape and pillage of Cremona this turn. After attacking the Grey Wolf Clan we were able to take the City. The peasants of the region are protesting loudly but, we told them to keep quiet or they would be put through the gauntlet. That seems to have cooled thier jets. Our forces have just taken Strichen and then will be moving on to a city in the NW called Tetuan. We are becoming mighty robber Barons. Our Mage and Trade factions keep screaming that they need funds to set up and train. Let them eat cake. We, being the War leaders, will decide those details for them. You can do it when we say you can. The Dark Legion troops haven't been heard from in a couple of turns, I guess they have run off and hid. The Knights of Kazad'dum will be next, they are taking lands to the south that are rightfully ours. This will not be tolerated! We will be assembling a force to deal with them. That is all for now from the Dunster Front. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contrary to rumors, the Army of Kosh so far has been solely engaged in maneuvers. There have been no hostilities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The only way to bring down a big alliance is 1 faction at a time. Slowly draw them, 1 at a time, out into the open for a battle. Now is the time to start. Beware! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of The Tribe The old paje' Karaja is once again in the same place. Why is the gate not working? His silver is almost gone and Curupira doesn't seem to improve his jumping technique. Next turn, if the jump is not successful Karaja threats to make the rotting banana dance. Quite upset, Curupira checks his banana. No problem for now. Both turn back to their lunches. Paulo, Parrot-Man of The Tribe ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ranching [RANC] 2: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ lumberjack [LUMB] 1: A unit with this skill may use the PRODUCE order to produce wood in designated regions. Forest regions are generally the best producers of wood, though other regions may also produce wood. Wood may be used to construct boats, using the Shipbuilding skill, or bows, using the Weaponsmith skill. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ force [FORC] 2: No skill report. spirit [SPIR] 3: No skill report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our funds are running low, as are the provisions. We must find land soon, or let some of our people go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Brothers and Sisters, Irie Time has reached us when the Promised Land has been found. Reports from Irie and friendly scouts look mighty promising. Already Irie Settlers and Traders have been sent. Now more than ever Ireation is on the move... Soon the Lovely Monsoon will return, bringing with Irie Seeds for a New Hope. Let Thanks and Praises be given." Falafel, the Irie Seedman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ desert (31,107) in Alfaro, 152 peasants (desert dwarves), $456. ------------------------------------------------------------ The weather was clear last month; it will be clear next month. Wages: $13. Wanted: none. For Sale: 30 desert dwarves [DDWA] at $52, 6 leaders [LEAD] at $104. Entertainment available: $22. Products: 17 livestock [LIVE], 12 iron [IRON], 11 stone [STON]. Exits: North : desert (31,105) in Alfaro. Northeast : desert (32,106) in Alfaro. Southeast : desert (32,108) in Alfaro. South : desert (31,109) in Alfaro. Southwest : desert (30,108) in Alfaro. Northwest : desert (30,106) in Alfaro. - Sphinx (1711), sphinx [SPHI]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deld's Consolidated monster list (for turn 15): Giant Lizard [GLIZ] (Combat 3, Hits 5), Attacks ? , TACT 0 imp [IMP] (Combat 3, Hits 1), Attacks 1?, TACT 0? skeletons [SKEL] (Combat 2, Hits 1), Attacks 1, TACT 0 lich [LICH] (Combat 4, Hits 40),Attacks ?, TACT ? lion [LION] (Combat 3, Hits 2), Attacks ?, TACT 1+,STEA 1+ bog thing [BOGT] (Combat 4, Hits 20),Attacks 2+, TACT 1+,STEA 1+ roc [ROC] (Combat 4, Hits 15),Attacks ?, TACT 1+ undead [UNDE] (Combat 3, Hits 6), Attacks ?, TACT 0 sphinx [SPHI] (Combat 4, Hits 50),Attacks 20+? TACT? kobold [KOBO] (Combat ?, Hits ?) ,Attacks ?, TACT?, STEA 1 ettin [ETTI] ? dragon [DRAG] ? Please submit battles with creatures to kbrors@aol.com to make this a better creature manual. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ plain (37,121) in Suide, contains Rantlu [city], 5559 peasants (vikings), $50031. ------------------------------------------------------------ The weather was clear last month; it will be clear next month. Wages: $19. Wanted: none. For Sale: unlimited iron [IRON] at $75, unlimited wood [WOOD] at $75, unlimited stone [STON] at $75, unlimited furs [FUR] at $75, unlimited herbs [HERB] at $75, unlimited horses [HORS] at $75, unlimited swords [SWOR] at $150, unlimited crossbows [XBOW] at $150, unlimited longbows [LBOW] at $150, unlimited chain armor [CARM] at $150, unlimited plate armor [PARM] at $625, unlimited wagons [WAGO] at $250, unlimited vikings [VIKI] at $72, unlimited leaders [LEAD] at $144. Entertainment available: $2501. Products: 64 grain [GRAI], 32 horses [HORS]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So many choices! Where do I start. I want study all the avenues I have open but I have to choose one and only one. Thats the problem with being a mage. Its all about choices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watch out for large alliances. They often form large covers for a few meanspirited people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LEGENDS of COBRA (118): No 50 silver for unsigned messages! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mismanagement Inc. (120): I second the motion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I smell the smoke of a hundred fires burning in the forges. I hear the sweet sound of the hammers striking the anvils. I feel the sharpened edge of the sword. It is sufficient. I am ready. My army is ready. It is almost time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The oracle speaks: "Beware islands with foul weathers You risk losing all your feathers." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************** 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 month: * 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. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up