Atlantis 2.0: Times 24 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Sun, 23 Jul 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times February, Year 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems. IMPORTANT!!! READ THIS!!! Starting next week, the turns will be run Monday night, rather than Sunday. The deadline is 6PM Pacific time. You may have noticed that the reports are coming from a different address now. Please continue to send orders and times articles to the atlantis@rahul.net address. I have set up an "official" Atlantis WWW page. Nothing too fancy, but it's got all the Atlantis information that I know of on it. Anyone who has an Atlantis 2.0 home page, and wants to be listed, let me know. The address (that would help, wouldn't it?) is http://www.rahul.net/atlantis. Atlantis 2.0 is now closed. People wishing to play will have to wait for the next incarnation of Atlantis. Tentative plans are for a low-cost commercial game to open in September or October. Restarts are still allowed. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) One of the instant spells didn't print on the reports correctly when cast. 2) Combat items now are used automatically, rather than being set with the COMBAT order. Use the RESHOW order on the spell in question if you aren't clear on this. 3) The "rounding up" bug when combining skills should now be fixed. Additions This Turn: 1) Previous month's month-long orders should show up in the orders template. 2) A new AUTOTAX order. AUTOTAX 1 sets your unit to attempt to tax every turn. AUTOTAX 0 cancels this. 3) A new HOLD order. HOLD 1 prevents your unit from being drawn into battles in adjacent hexes. HOLD 0 cancels this. 4) The maintenance code has been totally re-written. Differences include: a) Allies will now provide maintenance, if needed. b) Men now starve to death 33% of the time, if they don't have the required maintenance. Note: For all units, neither of these flags should be set as of this turn. If any units _are_ "taxing" or "holding", please let me know. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Melvin stood in a Sledmere street, watching some of his men haul bodies to one of the huge pyres. The liberation had gone more smoothly than anyone had expected -- not a single SCIO retainer had died -- but what a mess! The official count indicated more than 400 enemy casualties, including the entire city guard. Scores of crows wheeled through the air above the street. Melvin reflected on the battle... It began in the city square. General Alexander had a few of the orcs pick a fight with a passerby. Guardsmen started charging in when the orcs started drawing swords, and with the crowding in the city they didn't quite notice how many armed men were about. The entire guard must have come out. Just as they were starting to form ranks, however, Alexander gave the signal, and all Hell broke loose. Sword-waving orcs and barbarians came charging from the surrounding buildings, and scores of elves around the square drew their own swords, or daggers, or cudgels, and joined the fray. The sky lit up with flashes of light, blinding guards who seemed to be cringing in uncharacteristic fear. Melvin saw a streak of light out of the corner of his eye, and suddenly a ball of fire exploded in the center of the guards' formation, flinging blackened bodies in all directions. An intant later the SCIO forces fell upon the guardsmen's weakened position, and more guardsmen dropped before they realized what was happening. Those few guardsmen still standing reacted quickly then: they turned tail and ran. The last of them died with arrows in their backs, wondering, perhaps, why they had not received the help promised by local satanists. The rest of the assault followed the same pattern, and faction after faction suffered the same fate as the Guard. In the end, Melvin was somewhat disappointed; he had come for a battle, but had participated in a slaughter. There was little honor in it, for the enemy had not been able to mount even the most feeble resistance. On the other hand, Sledmere belonged exclusively to SCIO. And not only had Sledmere fallen, but Menter as well, and Ellesmere, captured from the overconfident troops of the now all but defunct Southern Empire. SCIO ruled them all, and almost all of the surrounding land. Peace is coming to the Sledmere region -- Pax SCIO. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE PRETTSTERN FREE PRESS HEADLINES - A tribe of centaurs ambushed the retinue of Baron Nieustadt last month, while he was touring the western shores. The thought-to-be mythical creatures slew several men caught by surprise, before the Free Companions and Janissaries present were able to surround and annihilate the attackers. - Light skirmishing occurred in the southeastern swamps as irregular troops fought the advance forces of an unrecognized war faction who posted guards denying income to local residents. Though outnumbered, Prettstern arms prevailed, routing and inflicting greater casualties on the larger force. - King Karl announced his intention to establish Leighlin as a protectorate of the Crown, and troops have already been deployed to ensure the defense of that city. Current residents of Leighlin have nothing to fear, said the King. - The Captain-General ordered troops into the jungles of Karothea, where unrest is reported, believed to be fostered by a few holdouts supporting the outlaw Pseudo. The reinforcements are expected to handily put down the insurrection. BUSINESS - In view of their longstanding service, the Smith of Indigo Wolf was appointed Master Merchant of (2,18), and Pincl was appointed Master Merchant of (1,19). Each Master Merchant has near-total control of all production in their respective regions. - The Working Faction and Associates were granted a Royal Charter to operate throughout the Kingdom. While in regions under a Master Merchant, they are subject to the Master's dictates, in the rest of the Kingdom they pretty much have free rein to produce at will. The Working Faction's efficient production facilities so far have proven most effective for trade on the large scale and their trade with the Crown is at an all-time high. - In current trading, demand is highest for magic spells, magic items, crossbows, horses and other exotic goods. Some interest exists for the basic commodities of wood and stone. Demand is low for entertainment, recently declared a Crown monopoly, and is starting to fall for swords, which market appears to be getting glutted. SOCIETY - The royal masquerade ball was held last month, and in attendance were many of the dignitaries of the Kingdom, in costumes and masks, there to celebrate the New Year and the liberation of Prettstern itself. King Karl himself was present, garbed in the opulent robes and jeweled turban of a desert potentate, and attended by costumed courtiers, variously bestial, bizarre, or comical. - By far the most dazzling was the Countess Mystara, in an elegant confection of feathers and taffeta giving her the guise of a white swan. Some of the other ladies were heard to mutter darkly that she had used magic to ensorcel the men of the Court; but, sorcery or no, the Countess had no lack of partners for every dance. - Duke Bocholt put in a late appearance, having just returned from a tour of the provinces, wearing the pelt of the rare spotted jungle cat, a prize from the southern campaigns, and a mask giving him a feline aspect. - The festivities were marred when the insubstantial shape of a centaur shaman appeared among the masked revelers. The semi-equine spectre promised a mighty vengeance against the people, and Baron Nieustadt's line in particular. A cut from the Captain-General's sword dispelled the eerie phantasm, rendering it into swirls of mist. - The King spoke briefly, praising the warriors, wizards and merchants who had brought the Kingdom to its current pre-eminence, and promising continued victory and prosperity for the upcoming year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roman Republic defeated Slunecni Zare 53:12 1st Rantlu war continued by few little battles, in which Roman Republic masacred innocent SZ units in conquered Rantlu 49,5. Than we could see interesting situation when ladrao3 (1366) attempted to assasinate a Quatzelis - a SZ mage fighting with Bear Strength. Rumours spreads in Rantlu that Quatzelis didn't need 20$ maintenance cost this turn. Finnaly mass suicide occured in Rantlu (51,5) where advanced 11 Romans (10 of them leaders without combat skill !). Romans also killed 29 unidentified HELs in (49,5) - units (5115) and (2387) Buscadores. If their owner seeks for revenge, let he contact maxera@fzu.cz. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boudiccea looks south: What could be behind that prairie? What would be behind the mountains? New lands to discover, new cities to visit? She feels kind of restless ... To take her horse and to ride against the midday-sun ... She comes to a decision: "Little witch and Sorcerss go and make the package ... We will head against South .." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What are the three best things in life? To crush the enemy, to see him driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of his women. -Genghis Khan The Black Company agrees with The Great Khan, unfortunatly atlantis only allows the first two best things in life. Well last week that was good enough since there were huge quanities of crushed enemies. The entire Sledmere area is in the hands of the Black Company and allies. The city itself is in our hands and our war against the Southern Empire is in the mopping up stages as faction after faction of the Southern Empire pleads for its life. (hmmm, I wonder if that counts as lamnetations of women?) Cash rewards (1000 silver and up depending on quality of information) for locations Eagles Nest (74) units. In particular the following units... - Bungy Jumpers (770), The Eagle Nest (74), 6 high elves, 3 swords, magic wagon, horse. Maximus (2042) Puff the Magic Dragon (2045) Any faction found in the same region with Eagles Nest units that does not e-mail the Black Company will be targeted for termination. Ignorace of this message is no excuse. Lack of a level 1 observer is also no excuse. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SLEDMERE (AP) - The citizens of Sledmere are dancing in the streets tonight to celebrate the defeat of the corrupt city guard and many of the factions who supported them at the hands of House SCIO. Two hours before dawn this morning, over 400 SCIO troops descended on the sleeping city. Precise surgical strikes against the guard and their supporters resulted in a clean victory for the SCIO forces. Over 400 opponents dead with no losses for the SCIO attack force. It is also a credit to the planners of the attack that not a single innocent was injured in the fighting. The citizens of Sledmere look forward to their new future with enthusiasm. One celebrant was quoted as saying, "It's about time we got rid of those guards. All they did was collect taxes. We never got any protection from them." Another celebrant added, "I'm glad we got rid of most of those other factions too. All their sneaking around, secret plans, murders... we're lucky House SCIO stepped in to secure our future." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Your Name' "Xavier Quinn' 'Well Xavier, you are my new Captain. Your job is to organize the workers into a defense force. Can you do that?' 'Yes Lord Ruse. There will be no difficulty.' 'Good, consult with Captain Thomas. He is your colleague but will command a different territory than you.' ***** The Hand of Darkness, and our allies the Dire Didgett of Darkness, the Melniboneans, and the Ruffians now claim the desert in (6,15), the swamp in (7,13) and the forests in (5,13) and (6,14). All factions entering this region are requested to state their business. Otherwise funny things might happen. Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmaster.ca Dire Didgett of Darkness richard@majinga.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Praestbygd Management wishes to offer all peaceful Trade and Magic factions the Hospitality of our Realm. It is an area free from war with accessable markets and no blooked regions. There are no unreasonable demands made, nor resources denied. It also offers a way to expand Southwards into new and unique trade regions. For those that are inclined towards magic, support and financial assistance is available in return for friendship and assistance only in the most dire circumstances. For more information contact makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au la Rosa (134) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Land Claim Office ===================== The aim of the Land Claim office is to produce a list of usefull and dangerous land for the unsuspecting explorer, it is free and no claim will be enforced by the claims office. The decision to use it is entirely yours and you may claim as much land as you wish, although no claim of the whole world (or a large part of it) will be published. Claim Faction/Unit Contact 0,22 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 1,18 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 1,19 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 1,20 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 2,18 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 2,19 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 2,20 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 3,18 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 3,19 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 3,20 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 5,6 A.B.R. (15) atlantis@forsyth.demon.co.uk 5,7 A.B.R. (15) atlantis@forsyth.demon.co.uk 5,8 A.B.R. (15) atlantis@forsyth.demon.co.uk 5,9 Faction 311 gruendl@astro.umd.edu. 5,10 A.B.R. (15) atlantis@forsyth.demon.co.uk *5,13 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com *5,13 The Hand of Darkness harvelg@candu.aecl.ca 5,18 The Church Of ENVY smygelfh@kuai.se 6,9 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) leete@slack.med.upenn.edu 6,13 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com 6,14 Hand of Darkness harvelg@candu.aecl.ca 6,15 Hand of Darkness harvelg@candu.aecl.ca 6,18 The church Of ENVY (346) smygelfh@kuai.se 6,21 Faction (83) 9235367@sms.ed.ac.uk 7,9 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) leete@slack.med.upenn.edu 7,10 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 7,11 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 7,13 The Hand of Darkness harvelg@candu.aecl.ca 7,14 Happy Rufus and his Little Gang martina@tdb.uu.se 7,17 The Church Of ENVY smygelfh@kuai.se 8,10 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) leete@slack.med.upenn.edu 8,12 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 8,13 The House of Dunian (577) jegt@algonet.se 8,14 The House of Dunian (577) jegt@algonet.se 8,16 The Harpers g77008@it3.eskom.co.za 8,18 The Church Of ENVY smygelfh@kuai.se 8,21 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 9,8 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 9,11 multiple factions vjg@cbnea.att.com 9,12 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 9,13 The Union of Free Prospectors (432) sv2@irz.inf.tu-dresden.de 9,15 The Harpers g77008@it3.eskom.co.za 9,20 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 10,7 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 10,8 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 10,9 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 10,11 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) 10,12 The House of Azthar azthar@interserv.com 10,13 The House of Azthar azthar@interserv.com 10,14 The House of Azthar azthar@interserv.com 10,19 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 10,20 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 11,6 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 11,8 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 11,9 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 11,11 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 11,12 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 11,18 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 11,20 Praestbygd Realm makind@fisheries.nsw.gov.au 12,9 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 12,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se 13,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se 14,6 Nyx Alliance damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk 15,7 Pain Killers Alliance d91frera@und.ida.liu.se 15,8 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com 15,9 Pain Killers Alliance d91frera@und.ida.liu.se 16,8 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com 16,10 Pain Killers Alliance d91frera@und.ida.liu.se 17,10 Pain Killers Alliance d91frera@und.ida.liu.se 42,34 M3 The Minnesota managing and magic cooperation [452] LEHMANN@reze-1.rz.rwth-aachen.de 46,2 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 46,55 Drakull Soldiers and allies u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es 46,56 Los chicos de Edu & The Prophet Followers ecasas@mest.unizar.es & moustafa@mest.unizar.es 47,1 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 47,5 Republic of Rome sicman@sci.fi 48,0 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 48,1 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 48,3 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 48,4 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 48,5 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 48,6 Republic of Rome sicman@sci.fi 48,7 Republic of Rome sicman@sci.fi 49,5 Republic of Rome sicman@sci.fi 49,6 Republic of Rome sicman@sci.fi 49,0 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 49,3 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 50,0 Industry(88) alb@cwa.com 50,1 Industry(88) alb@cwa.com 50,3 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 50,6 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz 51,5 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz 51,6 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz 52,4 The Wanderes (112) ??? 55,0 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu 55,1 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu 55,5 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu 56,3 Acme Labs (297) tajones@beagle.colorado.edu 57,0 Four Who Are One mark@keen.demon.co.uk 57,1 Four Who Are One mark@keen.demon.co.uk 57,2 Acme Labs (297) tajones@beagle.colorado.edu 58,0 Four Who Are One mark@keen.demon.co.uk 58,1 Four Who Are One mark@keen.demon.co.uk 59,0 Four Who Are One mark@keen.demon.co.uk 75,51 Happy Rufus and his Little Gang martina@tdb.uu.se 75,55 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 76,56 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 77,54 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 77,55 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 78,52 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 78,53 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 78,54 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 78,55 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 79,51 Surwegian Cartel pigboy@glob.com or pigboy@esd.sgi.com 79,52 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 79,52 Surwegian Cartel pigboy@glob.com or pigboy@esd.sgi.com 79,53 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 79,54 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 79,55 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 79,57 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 80,52 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 80,52 Surwegian Cartel pigboy@glob.com or pigboy@esd.sgi.com 80,54 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 80,56 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 80,57 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 81,51 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 81,51 Surwegian Cartel pigboy@glob.com or pigboy@esd.sgi.com 81,56 The DOMINION s0nw@exnet.com 82,52 The Confederation dwshelley@aol.com 94,21 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 94,22 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 95,20 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 95,21 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu 95,22 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu All claims should be sent to the office (claim@forsyth.demon.co.uk) with a means of contact, a summary will be included in the Times each month. If you wish your entry removed then also let me know. The Land Claims Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The A.B.R. (15) are setting up shop in the small town of Arlon (8,11). see below for our latest offers. The A.B.R. School ================= horse training to level 1 combat to level 2 and riding to level 2 cost as low as $4 per man The A.B.R. Production Line ========================== we are offering the services of a small band of armourers skilled in making chainmail and plate mail. contact our local rep. for prices. The A.B.R. Shop =============== For Sale longbows $100 each crossbows $100 each Wanted Iron - contact our rep. for prices. All prices are negotiable. Place your orders now to aviod dissapointment. atlantis@forsyth.demon.co.uk Discouts for large orders, all orders over $500 will require a deposit of 50% of the purchase price. Watch this space for future offers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **************** For Sale or Barter ************** Magos offers the following items and services: * Horses * Shadow Sight (service) * Enchant Wagon (service) Magos is a Magic/Trade faction based in Abernethy. We deal only in quality new merchandise. Atlantian Express accepted. Contact Hadrian T. McRoot, Mgc.D. (a.k.a. matw@halcyon.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-| | **MONZON MOVERS** + + ***** Getting Ready for Spring****** | | + + Why you WILL need the Monzon Movers: | | + + Your units are near starvation, and your nearest income source is far away | | (i.e. you need to get money to them fast). + + Our speciality. Give silver to one of our units and the closest unit | | to your destination will give them the money you need (less a small + + fee of course, although this is negotiable). | | ** Still going strong ** + + | | + + You have just produces goods which are too heavy to carry to your | | customer/nearest town: + + With several wagons in operation the Monzon Movers is the service | | for you. Armed escort available on request. + + *** book well in advance to avoid disappointment **** | | *** ANNOUNCEMENT : all transport going east into Monzon is now fully + + booked for heavy goods. Book now for the transportation of light goods | | (e.g. herbs) eastward and any goods westward (towards Arlon and + + Anstruther). *** Note: With Arlon now closed to non-confederation members| | outsiders can make contact for the proxy selling of herbs. + + | | * watch this space for further MM enterprises* + + | | + + CALL NOW AT | | pdxark@evol.nott.ac.uk + + *** We promise to reply to your call as soon as possible.*** | =-=-=-=-===-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At sunset, Ernesto stood at Point Crail. He closed his eyes and listened to the lapping waves. The Gifford ocean stretched slate grey as far as he could see. The sword at his side had been a gift, long ago. But his new mission had only just started to settle into his mind. A ship would be required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Les derniers vestiges des massacres de la veille terminaient de se consummer tandis que Drastus et sa petite equipe mettaient le nez dehors. Partout, les cadavres des guardes et de leurs allies couvraient les rues de l'autrefois paisible cite de Sledmere. Le combat avait ete tres violent, mais assez bref. En quelques heures, la ville avait ete liberee de ses anciens maitres. Partout, les drapeaux de SCIO flottaient sur les batiments administratifs, ainsi que sur quelques maisons. Les nouvelles en provenance d'Ellesmere, de Menter, et d'Oloron etaient toutes concordantes. SCIO s'etait empare en l'espace d'un mois des principales villes de la region. Plusieurs alliances avaient ete detruites dans la bagarre. Les nouveaux maitres de Sledmere avaient frappe un grand coup. Drastus se fichait un peu de tout cela. Ses allies etaient puissants, ils l'avaient montre a la face du monde, et c'etait tant mieux. Mais son but etait enfin proche. Bientot, il pourrait partir en chasse. Les voleurs et autres brigands qui s'en etaient pris a lui et a ses amis allaient payer. Il faut toujours se mefier des gens paisibles. Un jour, le dormeur se reveille et alors les vers commencent a arriver (non, la je melange :) By the way, SATAN was right: the area around Sledmere and Ellesmere is now very quiet. Come to this cities of peace and friendship, you are welcome :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I still sell PLTs for $450 each in Kashmar. The working faction 181 andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CCC ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a stripped down version of the CCC report and map available for free download from the ftp site. It is not meant to be complete. Rather it will contain enough information to give new factions somewhat of a feel for the land, and to act as a teaser for them and everyone else to get you all to join the project. FTP to ftp.rahul.net and the file is found at pub/atlantis/submissions/CCC_Map.txt. tim.hruby@his.com The Welcoming Hand (192) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brom strung his bow. In a dark ravine the sides steep and tree covered he waits. He knows they are around. He has seen their spoor by daylight. Tonight he will have his prey. The night is cold and he shifts his perch. He can smell the forest. The air is damp and still. The first moon, hanging like a sickle in the night sky, casts its dim light over the land. The moon slowly creeps behind the clouds that obscure the other two and the light fades. In the darkness sound begins; it creeps out of the ground, guttural voices slither through the trees and weary groans softly fall from the tree tops. Below him Brom can see pairs of pale yellow eyes. The glowing eyes rise from the ground to climb the shallow mound around which they gather. Brom nocks his first arrow. His eyes follow the shaft to its mark, he smiles and draws the next. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This was getting embarassing. Every new spell that Vellum was taught seemed to have an uncanny knack of going awry. Take that shape-shifting lurk. What better way of getting into the boudoir of an attractive elfmaid, than to transform oneself into something innocuous, small and discreet? What could possibly go wrong? Apart from being chased by the local troll-dog pack, being set upon by the housekeeper with her vermin mandala, and being kicked down a flight of stairs by the horrified subject of his attentions... Vellum gingerly inspected his bruises and vowed to keep away from strong magic for the rest of his life. Again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snow covered the ground with a sparkling carpet of light. Trudging over it was the great form of Gunnar Olafsson; out in the forest, exploring the new region that he and his men had just entered. The snow-covered trees and ground reminded him of the Viking village he left so far behind. Ah, the longhouses filled with his carousing brothers, the ships, the ale, the wenchs, those mocking oldsters insisting that the world was flat... Homesickness gave way to anger as he remembered the embarassment he had suffered at their hands, and the vow he made to prove them wrong. Gunnar's rage built as he continued walking. Now the beautiful scene around him only added fuel to his anger. Soon small trees were being uprooted and no boulder was safe in its frozen hole. Gunnar's Troll blood pounded in his veins as he pitched a particularly large rock over a small patch of bushes. SQUISH! Curious, he thought. All the others made a satisfying THUMP. What manner of rock was that that would make such a noise? Gunnar peered over the bushes. There lay the boulder, just where he had thrown it. Gingerly, he proded it with a stick. It seemed like solid rock. Feeling its rough surface confirmed this. Oh well, he thought, I'll just throw it again just to make sure. With one fluid motion, Gunnar scouped up the boulder and hurled it away. THUMP! Ah, that was better. A nice, satisfying thump... Ooops. Looking down, he saw what had caused the unusual noise. Crushed into the earth was a small green form. It had arms and legs, but was wearing the filthiest assortment of cloth and leather scraps Gunnar had ever seen (rivaling even those on that beggar back in the village that acted as a doorstop for the longhouse). It was a goblin. As Gunnar trudged off, he said out loud to no one in particular: "Those goblins should be a bit more careful. Still, he did make an interesting noise. Perhaps there is the makings of a new sport here..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think that war factions can be effective traders. War factions are limited to being the middle man, but like the real world it is oftent he middle man who makes the biggest profit. Consider a pure trade faction versus a pure war faction. A pure trade faction is able to produce and sell items. It can purchase troops and train them and, more importantly, arm them. The problem comes when the faction must move large amounts of product or raw materials to and from markets. For these expeditions the faction requires large sums of money, which it must carry as it travels--it can not stop to work on its way to market. Even if the faction has an abundance of transportation it still must feed the guards that it sends along with its train. A pure war faction can tax. It is limited in that this is the only real way for it to make money on its own. It can, however, move large bodies of men from place to place while continuosly supporting them. War faction grow very quickly. If one finds an abundant hex within which to tax it can pump out trained troops by the score per turn. A war faction may still trade and travel. The war faction is there to buy what you cannot sell at the market you live at. It is a consumer. It has, in some cases, money to burn. And it is always looking to buy weapons and things. This is where the War facton gets interesting. If a war faction can persuade a trade faction tor two to ally with an extreamly productive relationship can be had. A war faction can effectivly transport goods long distances relativly quickly without having to carry large sums of cash. The war faction, if run well, can provide protection to a number of allied factions. A trade faction that allies with a war faction obviates the need to maintain large numbers of unproductive units. As the middle man, providing transportation, protection and a source of revenu, a war faction can be a productive member of Atlantean society. But alas, there is another thing that war factions are noted for. I mean it ain't called a WAR faction for nothing. To this end is the end of this little tirade. The Costa Rican Show Band pledges its resources to the defence of Monzon and her peaceful trade factions. This war faction will not stand idle by and is itchin' for a fight. Regards CBT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sicman was examining the map, that was open on the table, in the light of a candle. Outside the tent he could hear his soldiers training and preparing themselfs for the battle. Looking at the map, he made last minute decisions, on what tactics to use on the upcoming battle. "I think after this battle, we are prepared to cut the supplylines and the escape route to south from the Sz troops, that are running away with tails behind their legs. Moving cavalry troops to 51,7 and at the same time moving the camp to 51,5 should be enough to achieve this purpose. Damn winter, it is slowing us down" ,he mumbled. After taking a last close look at the map, he putted it away to the trunk and putted out the candle. After undressing the chain mail and sword he laid down to the campbed and fell asleep feeling undisturbed about the upcoming battle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings from the Hermetic Order When last we left our entrepid heroes on the work gang, they were in complete disarray following the arrival of a dragon.... Lets see what happens next... The guards were still trying to get up following their collision with one another when the creature spoke, in a deep booming voice; "Excuse me sieurs but can any of you gentle beings guide me to the Collegium of the Hermetic Order? I have heard that they will be closing soon and am in desperate straits... I oh so much want to be taught by them. One guard; either braver or dumber than the rest, pointed to the city of Monzon and sputtered the directions, adding "but you must hurry, uh, Dragon for the Collegium will only be open for one more month before the Magi go on Subbb.....Sebbet....holidays (he was trying for Sabbatical...my personal vote was that he was dumber). "Well, thank you my good man and good luck with your digging but I must be off," and with that the Dragon flew off. *Note from the Hermetic Order* Thats right folks, only one more month of training in the magical arts before we close the shop for a while (no one wants to teach...Union statuatory holidays) So if you are in the Monzon area and are interested contact: Jepether@flash.lakeheadu.ca It only costs 75 silver per person (guild pricings) and rememeber you must be friendly.** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ well well factions being attacked just for claiming land near cremona ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO o o O TORICAL, CYLINDRICAL ? O o o OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO With regularity the debate "is the world toric or cyclindrical" is renewed. It is a long time now since exits appeared near the south edge of Atlantis. We heard nothing about the North-South passages. I am worried of the lack of scientific spirit in our newbies. When I was young, I was the first, along with my friend Olibrius, to publish the scientific fact that the world was 96 hex wide, and connected West-East, which makes it at least cylindrical. That was after just a few months. Now, I still don't know the height of the world nor its possible toricity. Times are hard for atlantographs. - Acrobatty the Rigolo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'll be on hollidays these days, so i will send my turns by a friend. I hope seeing you soon ;) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SLEDMERE, MENTER AND ELLESMERE Have fallen. Long life to the new owners: SCIO!! I will leave the zone as not wanting being killed, so i disclaim the hexes i've claimed before. Soon new teaching available in new location. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SSSSS CCCCCC IIIIIIII OOOOOO SSS SSS CCC CCC II OOO OOO SS SS CC CC II OOO OOO SSS CC II OO OO SSSSS CC II OO OO SSS CC II OO OO SS SS CC CC II OOO OOO SSS SSS CCC CCC II OOO OOO SSSSS CCCCCC IIIIIIII OOOOOO For the last few turns there have been rumors floating around that Sledmere would be attacked and sacked by a mysterious force of unknown origin. These rumors were completely true. The Sledmere Common Interest Organisation was set up in AC in the first turn and set off to Sledmere with a view to ultimately become the masters of whatever lands surrounded the city. We have been building our forces ever since and last turn moved against the inhabitants of the city. In the ensuing battles there were almost 500 casualties, none of them from any of the member factions of SCIO. House SCIO has now taken control of Sledmere and the surrounding areas. All non-allied factions will face terminal force. Any non-allied pure magic factions who wish to join our ranks should contact myself. The Cognoscenti (24) Leader of House SCIO Rulers of Sledmere ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rufus had a little gang. He sent them high and low. Untill thay met some big bad orcs. And were splatterd across the snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The darkness comes ever closer. The might of the shadow is coming. Soon all must turn from the light and embrace the darkness, those who seek the light will perish. Those in Spakker and Yakleks must prepare themselves, the choice is simple. See you soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dirtbag Chronicles - Part XI Dirtbag stood atop the stone pile that his adoring orc tribe had driven the elven slaves to create. All was well with the world - the smell of roasted jooba-fruit in the morning, the cries of an elf being subjected to revenue extraction and the crack of a whip as his vice-presidents drove the elves to erect a stockade. And most of all, Gdunbar had again spoken to him ... had again shared Gdunbar's great vision of Atlantis under the clawed feet of orcs. Though Gdunbar's message about another world ripe for conquering by his legions had upset all of Dirtbag's ideas about the cosmos. Breathing in the scent of roasted jooba-fruit, Dirtbag turned to face the delegation of vice-prsidents. The four of them all looked somewhat bedraggled, as if they had participated in a furious political debate as only orcs can (ed. "tooth and nail", when applied to orc politics, doesn't refer to the buying of votes using the preferred orcish currency - elf teeth and finger joints). One vice-president was missing an ear while another had a fresh wound across his face. That vice-president, Skippy by name, was lucky that he hadn't lost his eye. Dirtbag cleared his throat, spitting a hairball over the side of the stone pile. "Skippy, one teeny wittle bird told Dirtbag dat Skippy be swell-head. Huge big swell-head, if Dirtbag say to his-self. Why for do Skippy t'ink dat Skippy be more gud as boss of da Hick'ry Stick gnazhki ? Hmmm, inquiring Dirtbag wants to know ?" To stir Skippy's limited intellect, Dirtbag tapped his ceremonial hickory stick-elf club against the parapet of the stone pile. Tiring of Skippy's stammered responses, Dirtbag swung the hickory club towards the other orc's head. Dirtbag's normally accurate swing went wild, possibly due to his recent inattention to physical fitness. Instead of cleanly braining Skippy, Dirtbag merely clipped her, causing Skippy to slip and fall over the side of the stone pile. The sound of Skippy's screams as she fell was some consolation, as were the thuds when her body bounced off the side of the pile. "Dirtbag t'ink dat youze three gnazhki be eager. Eager like giant flattail water rat (ed. beaver), youze gnazhki be. Dirtbag and Gdunbar like eager gnazhki. Yes, Gdunbar REALLY like eager gnazhki. Gdunbar has telled Dirtbag d'at you three be da leader of da gnazhki army when we trod on da 'Erminic Oder. D'at you t'ree be da Gen'rels of da gnazhki horde." Dirtbag beamed at the three survivors. The three each responded in a different manner. Slappy, the oldest of the three, fell to his knees and began to sob. Whether his tears were of joy or terror could not be determined. Bippy, the youngest, swelled with pride and grinned stupidly back at Dirtbag. Snippy, the third orc, stood in place like a statue. Neither tears nor any other expression passed across her face. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The stage was set. The troops were assembled. Mr. Bedlam watched from an enclosure to one side. The air elemental arrived, depositing it's cargo. Cheeres from hundreds of collective throats rose to meet the new arrivals. Biggie Fartly and the Monkey Markers took the stage. Troops that had been working for two solid years, roared in anticipation of long over due entertainment. "Thank you Sorrisdale!" said Biggie as the Monkey Markers took final position, "We are honored to be here, brining a little relief. This is our way of saying thanks for your tireless efforts." The lights dim momentarily, and then the spectacle begins. There is only Biggie and his voice, with a light accompaniment of music. "Tie a yellow gibbon round the old oak tree," Biggie is engulfed in cheers of approval to the perrinial favourite," it's been three long years where's my damn monkey?" The crowd sings along, "I'll stay on the truck say what the %^#*, overcome enjui, if I don't see a yellow gibbon 'round that old oak tree." Mr. Bedlam was pleased. He even tapped his foot to the music once. The hits rolled from Biggie's throat. "Won't you take me to....Monkeytown!" "Take me to Monkey town" The soldiers loved that one. "It's fun to kiss Orang-a-tangs," "Orang-a-tangs," "They've got orange fur, and opposible toes, like bannanas, live in Borneo" A classic cover by the Village Peons, Mr Bedlams personal favourite. The night wore on and the music flowed like wine, wine flowed like water, and water flowed downhill. All to soon the air elemental returned. Biggie and the Monkey Markers were gone, but the joy they had brought remained in smiling faces, and lighter steps. ETC4ME@AOL.COM faction 261, would like to thank Steve Smith and the Red Green Show for "Tie a Yellow Gibbon", please don't sue me. The original songs are "Tie a Yellow Ribbon", "Funkytown", and "YMCA". Thank you Atlantis and goodnight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Factions around Monzon! Breaking news! Mr. Lunchnick is proud to anounce the formation of Punitive Damages Retailers, Inc., an organization dedicated to producing the finest equipment available. PDRI plans to launch an entire line of high quality products available for purchase upon demand. First and foremost in the PDRI catalog: The Rambling Wreck All Terrain Wagon! Sturdy as an ox, easily pulled by a single horse, and capable of towing that big load of stone or iron, it's just what you need for all your hauling needs. Check out our specialty models: The Lodemaster: specially designed heavy suspension and iron shod wheels make this our sturdiest vehicle. Big rear drop gate means easy loading and unloading, and our patented auto- brake means the Lodemaster will never roll backwards off your mountain when you dump a load of stone or iron in it. Perfect for the "Do-it-yourself" tower builder in all of us. The Quartermaster: Need to get that equipment sent to battle? The Quartermaster comes complete with multiple storage bins and weapon racks, along with attachable armor and shield mounts. Even has a special canopy that can be raised and lowered in a snap to keep your valubles dry in the most severe monsoon or winter storm. Plus an extra "hidden" copartment for all those secret messages and other paraphenalia that go along with entering hostile territory. The Fearsome Foursome: Our top-of-the-line troop transport, the 'Foursome has seats for four men and space for their equipement. Or, pull up the fold-away seat and get a fifth man on board. All seats made with the best leather to resist wear and tear and give a comfortable ride. With the optional canopy (see above), and fold-down benches, becomes a mobile barracks to keep even the most battle hardened warrior feeling warm and cozy. PDRI is offering these great models for a low introductory price of $150 each! You can't beat this deal ANYWHERE - we'll beat any other advertised price or refund your money in full! And remember, if it doesn't say "Punitive Damages", it isn't! Contact PDRI at: leete@slack.med.upenn.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** Monzon Bulletin #14 Published by the Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@uis.edu * Monzon to Fall? The capture of several cities and towns (Komarken, Kashmar, and Arlon, among others) leads one to consider whether Monzon is potentially the next to be overcome. Low tax values in the area, combined with a lack of iron, make local factions poorly prepared to tackle the city guard. However, they are also poorly prepared to resist the aggression of foreign factions. A recent case in point is the Reservoir Dogs, who were able to capture one of the regions vital plains hexes with minimal losses. Reservoir Dog forces could reach Monzon in strength within six months, with unfortunate consequences for the city guard and for all freedom loving Monzonites. * Monzon Beat Reports are reaching Monzon of a massacre to the SouthWest, involving Reservoir Dog forces attacking innocent tradespeople without warning. Readers are warned to consider Reservoir Dog forces extremely dangerous and prone to attack. * Monthly Reminder To receive a copy of the Monzon Register, send email to 'thayer@uis.edu', with the subject 'MONZON REGISTER'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Archibold sat on his haunches, and panted softly. "That's odd," he thought to himself. He leapt into a chair, and scratched behind his left ear with his back leg. "Very odd," thought Archibold. He bound to his full length mirror, and searched for his reflection. "Odd, only this dog..." Suddenly comprehension dawned on him... "Mazbold!" he attempted to yell, only it came out as, "Woof WOOF!" Mazbold appeared, grinning. "February Fool!" he chuckled. Archibold was tempted to bite him... --- The Grand Archibold Magic Advisor The Four Who Are One Part Of The Riders Of The Rising Sun ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ATTENTION WEAPONSMITHS AND ARMORERS!!! The Monzon Magic Shop (TM) is looking for you. We are looking for quantities of raw materials for our magics, particularly swords and armor. If you have swords or armor available in Monzon, or deliverable to Monzon within two or three months time, contact us at mlyon@interramp.com. Prices are negotiable, but must be significantly less than market prices in Monzon. The Monzon Magic Shop (tm) is a registered trademark of the Monzon Mages Guild. All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A notice from the Anonymous Troublemakers: Claiming 5,13: the Hand of Darkness and the Dire Didgett of Darkness Gustavus' Grenadiers The Inner Eye Alliance It makes one wonder who REALLY owns 5,13! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ May the force be with you... you will need it against my troops with magical Mithral Blades and gloves of Giant strength.... Beware all!!! Those with power... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, well... Some people just love violence, don't they. I had a little harmless scout in Orrebygd (12, 15). He was a really peaceful guy, minding his own business, which was to discover some new land. He had had some problems moving on, since somebody wouldn't let him go where he wanted to. But he had no intentions of staying around and make trouble, so I think it was very unfair to murder him. My scout was all alone and unarmed. He was attacked and brutally slaughtered by Orrebygd Guard, who are a hundred men. As if that wasn't enough, 245 (!) of their friends helped them in the fight. Against one lousy little guy! Smells like somebody's a big chicken, I think. And of course no diplomacy at all accured. No "excuse me, but this is my land, please pass on". Just "SMACK! You're DEAD!". I tell you: the world is crowded with barbarians. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The winter was nearing it's ending, food was getting tight. Moz wandered from his desk to the window, thinking. Garth had just left for the big city to meet with their allies there and Moz's mind was playing tricks on him. Doubts clouded his studies, did his message get through, did the other encampment hear his call? Well, only time would tell, but time was not something that he thought he had alot of. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _ [ ] Welcome to the CHURCH! [ ] ____THE____ After a meaningless attack, we've rebuilded our forces. C H U R C H We still accept new members of the church, which is __o f__ growing more powerful every day. We offer protection, E N V Y iron/stone mining possibilities and cheap training. [ ] [ ] We Claim: ORREBYGD: 8,18 7,17 6,18 [ ] [ ] Please don't mine or tax in our land as long as you [ ] haven't received a promission from us. Disobeying [_] the rules will be punished in a deadly way. Thanks. The Church Of ENVY - We Want YOUR Money... smygelfh@kuai.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gloves of strength now available in Spakkar region. All for a low cost of 500 silver each or 5 for 2000 silver. We also have wands of fire for sale! Helmets of observation! Potions of healing! We can make your common sword magical! (Makes it +4!!) You name it, we can do it! Just call john_h@postoffice.utas.edu.au And remember, we are your no worries suppliers of the finest magical items you can buy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have a hex that produces iron. We claim the hex and invite a friendly trade faction to come produce for us. Then they come with their forces and attack without talk, without warning. They say we are wrong to claim a hex. That us and all of our allies and everyone else that claimed hexes around the city will be taken over. They recoginize no claims but their own. It does not matter who was there first. It does not matter who claimed the land first. It does not matter who is on guard. It does not matter if there are friendly units there. It does not matter if there are women and children that they slaughter. They recognize no claims but their own. They attack and kill all. They kill the warriors..ok. They kill the trade workers who cannot do anyone any harm. They kill the women and children. They kill the babies in arms. They kill without reguard of who is there. They kill all. They want the iron. They recognize no claims but their own. They then tell everyone else they are there to librate and give freedom to the bystanders. Now can you believe that. They kill without warning. They kill everyone. No, you cannot believe that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings, neighbors in Sledmere, As all the towns in the area will be rapidly conquered, I would advise everyone to declare themselves neutral to the town guards and to leave for the country. Otherwise you will be wiped out, as many have in Sledmere and Ellesmere. Don't waste your lives futilely. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rachel, the fourth daughter, walked carefully through the streets of Ellesmere, careful not to trip over any of the debris. The town had been taken by the Southern Empire that night, she'd been told. She had only arrived that morning, sent by her father to visit the Old Per'Ubu. Rachel finally made it to the address indicated on a bit of paper. A voice came from within, "What, who," an old bearded man with thinning hair poked his head out the door. He coddled a large egg in his hand lovingly. "Wait a minute!" He stepped out of the hut and approached her. "Let me see that," he said, gesturing to the pendant she wore around her neck. She held the purple snowflake out for him to see. "You're with that Church, that church of, of..." he looked at her a bit confused, "Are you Denbigh then ? I would have sworn Denbigh was a man." Rachel crinkled her highelven features, "No, that is my father. I am Rachel, the fourth daughter. You must be Per'Ubu, then...The Good Mer'Alia had written my father asking if I might come to visit you." "She did remember!" he was quite pleased, "Well then, come in, please excuse the mess." Per'Ubu led Rachel into the hut, and motioned for her to sit. She noticed that, except for the egg that he was carrying around with him, and an old book set open on its face on a table in the back of the room, the old man's laboratory was rather empty. "So tell me about this 'henoatheism,'" Per'Ubu started before Rachel had even finished sitting down, "The term intrigues me. From your father's lettre to Dr. Krastner, I took it to be something akin to a hierarchical polytheism, only with the pyramid of power inverted such that the key god was the least important." Rachel crinkled her nose. "Not exactly." "Well, what is it then?" Rachel crinkled her forehead in thought. "Do you understand the philosophical distinction between `God the Creator' and `God the Everpresent' Force?" she asked. "Yes, of course. Your father was quite eloquent on that point in his letter." Rachel nodded, then went on, "The term `henoatheism' refers to our understanding of `the Creator' of the ultimate plane of Existence." "Really, what is the Everpresent Force then? What do you mean by the `ultimate plane' anyway?" "The ultimate plane of existence it at a level higher than that of Atlantis," said the fourth daughter, answering the questions in reverse order, "Perhaps it is the realm of our otherWorldly creators, perhaps it is of a higher order. In the Plane of our otherWorldly creators, it is thought to be the capacity for Good distributed throughout the people of that world in a non-scient state." The old man mulled this over. "I will have to think about that. But then, what is henoatheistism with regards to the Creator of the ultimate plane. Is he some lesser non-god of a pantheon of non-gods?" Rachel crinkled her eyes, looking at the old man as if he were not quite sane, "Non-gods? No, it isn't a question of anti-deities. Henoatheism addresses the meta-philosophy of creation itself." It was Per'Ubu's turn to look strangely at his guest. "Meta-philosophy? Isn't this what that Dr. Krastner was studying?" "In a way, yes. Consider this." She paused to collect her thoughts. "All creation stories known to man or elf begin Ex Nihilo." "Out of nothing." "Yes. Whether those stories be of a singular monotheistic God, a polytheistic family of gods, even non-diety based creation myths, such as the four versions of what our otherWorldly creators know as the 'Big Bang' -- In each of these cases the initial point of creation is out of nothing." "Okay. I think I follow." Rachel could see that she was only confusing the old man, "Well, without going into the Proof of Resmoreinres..." "The proof of what?" "Resmoreinres. Without going into that, let us suppose that it can be demonstrated that all of the creation stories are equally probable." "Okay." "Further, of the infinite possible creations..." "Infinite?" "Assume it for now, that's part of the Proof of Resmoreinres. Of these infinite possibilities, one and only one is the ultimate creation." She stops. "Okay, we assume this," said Per'Ubu anxious with intellectual curiosity, "Then what?" Rachel looked squarely at him. "Then we must accept that while each of these stories is possibly the creation, each is also equally improbable. That understanding is at the heart of henoatheism." Per'Ubu was dumbfounded. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following page was found on the battlefield at Sledmere immediately after SCIO/The Black Company demolished the pitiful defenders: "...The attackers are lining up now. Looks like they've got roughly 400 troops with bright, shiny swords and lots of people standing around in blue and silver robes. They look impressive. But we've got *WAGONS*. Yup, our secret weapon. We'll just roll them over their troops as they advance. Yesiree, wagons are immune to Fireflash (no eyes), aren't affected by Cause Fear (they know no fear), and aren't hurt by swords, bows, or crossbows. Axes would be another matter, but luckily their troops don't have any. Fireball could be problematic, but since most of them are made out of Ironwood, they're immune to Fireball too. We've just enchanted us about 20-30 wagons and now it's time to set them loose on the SCIO alliance. We even put little spikey axles on them just like that guy Ben Hur. I figure 2, maybe 3 rounds of combat tops. Then we move our troops in to mop up the rest. Now let me give the order: WAGONS, HO!" It was signed by the master tactician of the Southern Empire. The letter was torn in several places and covered with blood stains. With leaders like this, it's amazing that The Southern Empire has hung around this long. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a message to all and sundry in the Kashmar area (I knicked that all and sundry phrase from Dave, what d'ya think?) I can provide you with any gaget you require for a price of course. Interested parties can contact me at cs0u308d@liverpool.ac.uk Also the Spells Syndicate is still going, so the usual terms apply. That's it. Tony Sheldon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ershwin reflected on the future. Could everything be resolved? Did it matter anyhow? If a tree falls over in a forest when no-one is there, does it make a noise? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *******NEWBIE HELP AIDS*********** Due to a sudden dearth of Newbie's, I will shortly discontinue this service of getting-started hints. So please order now if you're in need. Over the past couple months I have sent this packet out to 50 newbies, many of whom said the hints were very useful in getting started. Part of the packet is an edited list of questions and answers that have appeared on the players list over the past months, which may also be interesting to more advanced players. Send requests to RPeters@defenders.org ************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ever since Rachel, Denbigh's fourth daughter, had visited him, Per'Ubu had thougth quite a lot about `Henoatheism'. Of course he had to take care of his dear egg as well; so Mer'Alia would usually find him seated in a strange posture, reading books on otherWorldly related topics, or pacing his laboratory in mystic style, brooding over some idea. And so he was, walking the room back in forth, egg in hands, when she arrived. Whatever she had to say she never got a chance, Per'Ubu carried away by his thoughts, had launched into the formulation of some conceptual problem. "Oh...Alia, my dear, what do you think about those creation `ex nihilo' theories ?" he asked her as an introduction; he went on right away though."I think there's something wrong ! Surely, when you think about it, one cannot expect much out of nothing..." "Oh, sure ! When you think about it..." Mer'Alia dared not contradict him, she wanted to keep this short. "Of course, starting from such an assumption ties in nicely with the equipro- bability of all creations; an impossible condition in the beginning would result in all creations having zero probability." "Of course !" she confirmed again. "But, and I take it you'd agree with me, there is at least one creation we know of...Thus all that `ex nihilo' business is nonsense ! But then, where does it all come from ?" he added staring blankly at his egg. "Uh, I don't know !" Mer'Alia reckoned it was a good time to change topic and there were important matters to be discussed. Yet once again she did not have a chance. For Aglae had thought it would be a good time to break out of her shell and had done so with a merry `kwak'. "Aglae ! Aglae ! Welcome !" Per'Ubu said fondly, overjoyed by the hatching. "Could it be...everything comes from an egg ?!?" Mer'Alia had mused, carried by the light atmosphere of the moment. "Of course...Alia, you're a genius ! Creation `ex ovo',it is all !" the old man declared with conviction. "Kwak !" said Aglae, as if she'd approved too. "Someone help me..." Mer'Alia said weakly, in despair. TeO...opt93ph@soton.ac.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings Jairold! You know who I am..... To all of Atlantis, I formally Challenge you, Jairold! I am Slaine the War God! (formally Loki) Come and kiss my axe! I ask you to reveal your faction to me. You already know mine! Let us dance! I am at hex 85,39 and I await you. Come with your hordes. I will face them by myself! Are you up to the challenge?! Slaine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mort only slowly was catching on to the business that Death was in. He had a lot of questions and even found compassion for the ones the the Reaper needed to take. One conversation during his apprenticship with Death went somewhat like this according to Terry Pratchett They, Mort and Death were visiting a new client and needed to make their way. They walked out through the wall. Mort was halfway through the wall when he realized walking through walls was impossible. The suicical logic of this nearly killed him. He felt the chill of the stone around his limbs vefore a voice in his ear said: LOOK AT IT TIS WAY. tHE WALL CAN'T BE THERE. OTHERWISE YOU WOULDN'T BE WALKING THROUGH IT. WOULD YOU BOY? "Mort," said Mort. WHAT? "My name is Mort. Or Mortimer," said Mort angrily pushing his way forward. THERE. THAT WASN'T HARD WAS IT? Mort caught up with Death for better observation of his job. Death finished his job and caught the glittering thing released. He stowed it away somewhere under his robe. "What's happened to him?" asked Mort ONLY HE KNOWS, said Death. COME. "My granny says that dying is like going to sleep," Mort added, a shade hopefully. I WOULDN"T KNOW. I HAVE DONE NEITHER. YOU TRIED TO WARN HIM, he continued. Yes, sir. Sorry." YOU CANNOT INTERFERE WITH FATE. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE WHO SHOULD LIVE AND WHO SHOULD DIE? Death watched Mort's expression carefully. ONLY THE GODS ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, he added. TO TINKER WITH THE FATE OF EVEN ONE INDIVIDUAL COULD DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Mort nodded miserably. "Are you going to send me home?" he said. BECAUSE YOU SHOWED COMPASSION? NO. I MIGHT HAVE DONE IF YOU HAD SHOWN PLEASURE. BUT YOU MUST LEARN THE COMPASSION PROPER TO YOUR TRADE. "What"s that?" A 'SHARP' EDGE. I used to wonder about living and dying. I think the difference lies between tears and crying. (Langston Hughes) RIP -- The UNDERTAKER -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enq Util 2.0 ???? ************************************** What the javla skit is Enquirer Utility? Well, if you have a PC using windows, play atlantis and use Enquirer 2.0, this could be a useful tool for you. It parses turn reports and adds the information from the reports to the Enquierer map. It can be used to keep track of several factions in an alliance where everyone shares the turn reports with each other. About how to get the EnqUtil, read the end of this post. I've been on holliday for a few weeks (I've seem lizards, not in atlantis, but on Komodo Island) and I have not updated EnqUtil yet. I don't even know if anyone uses it. If YOU use the Enquirer Utility, then send me an email saying you use it. If YOU want to se an upgraded version (that uses Enquirer 3.0) then tell me what you want to see in it. I know of a few bugs that should be corrected, but if YOU use it, you probably know of a few to, so tell me about them. One thing I've been thinking of for the next version is to have the Events list inserted in the hex where the unit is; * Dennis Moore (284), Dennis Moore and his mighty Lupins (414), leader, 235 silver. Skills: combat 1 (30), lumberjack 1 (30). Dennis Moore (284): Collects tax. Dennis Moore (284): Brushes his teeth. Dennis Moore (284): Walks from Carnforth (13,11) to Carnforth (13,10) * Nigel Mellish (2213), Dennis Moore and his mighty Lupins (414), 125 silver, 5 high elves. Skills: combat 1 (30). Nigel Mellish (2213): Gives a tooth brush to 284. Nigel Mellish (2213): Walks from Carnforth (13,11) to Carnforth (13,10). Would this be useful? Should it be a selectable feature? The latest version of EnqUtil can be downloaded by anonymous ftp from; (it's still 1.0 though). ftp.nrg.dtu.dk/games/atlantis/enqut10.zip To get in touch with me, email; t91matfa@und.ida.liu.se. I'll be hard to get in touch with the coming weeks, but I will read all mails I get, so EMAIL ME!!! SLA MIG MED DIN RYTMEN PINNE, SLA MIG, SLA MIG! - mad Matfa, War Minister of the Pain Killers Alliance, leader of Dennis Moore and his Mighty Lupins. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Helvete is still mine! I'll guard all its exits next turn. So leave when you still have the time! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the new maker of the CCC map I wish to say the following: The CCC map will be sent to you in 2 versions.One will have the full CCC map and the other will have the new places only. This is to help people that use mapping utilities as they won't have to search the whole map for new areas to add. Anyone that sends reports for the CCC will receive this map and next 2 turns For any questions hints for the map or the game you can mail me at aggelos@ergasya.tuc.gr From what I have seen some players have not included Lairs or Shafts at their areas please include them too Sorry that I send the CCC map so late this turn.Something urgent occured and I was away. So send your contributions with subject CCC to aggelos@ergasya.tuc.gr Faction 419 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CREMONA BATTLE I am impressed with your military skill, you have had a decisive victory. I am not happy about it, but WAR is a part of this world and as such military engagements will occur. However I find your self righteous justification to be built on quicksand. You call to the citizens of Cremona, that they are being supplied with a limited amount of info. The CC Office was put together as a service to facilitate interfaction communication and trade. The map came from various sources, none of whom were listed in your attack force I might add. And at the end of each message was a request for any errors to be pointed out and sent back to me. In the time I have been doing the CCOffice I have only had 1 complaint regrading th accuracy of its information. That was a claim from a faction called Bryon, not amongst your number I think. That error was remedied. At no time , did any faction send additonal map information. So if your alliance knows of these towns/ plain hexes why not publish it in the CCOffice??? It is possible you may have feared my impartiality, but I think the Jolly Green Giants can attest to my lack of bias in matters concerning the CC Office. Otherwise what would be the point in having the CCOffice at all? Or you could have just published it in the Times? but then of course you would not have got a hex would you?. As to excluding all factions outside Cremona from your hex who have claimed land. I would point out to you that these factions are not automatically members of the alliance you have attacked. They have actually, gosh darn, used the list for the purpose it was intended. To advertise their claims. Also 2 of your fellow attackers are actually on the list. Floyds Friends and Horsemans Heads. As to advertising the battle in the CCOffice. No. I have not published any other battle so I do not see why I should advertise this one. I will however publish this letter. It will be my last publication as collater of the CCOffice. I have no wish to provide you with a hit list for your selfrighteous battles of acquisition. Welcome to the Chaos you have created. Thanks for the free time. Please also note, let us avoid childish labels like facist and righteous. I also resent your nationalistic comments. You embarrass Australians. (421) Rachel L Hutton ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahh, the joy of finding an unlimited source of Orcs! Mr Black ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not much new to report. Just wish the Winter would end SOON!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reservoir Frogs (or A Lesson In Personnel Management) ----------------------------------------------------- [ To avoid possible future litigation the names of the factions and locations have been changed. ] The room was small and smoke filled, around the table the faction leaders sat looking mean and moody. The atmosphere was so tense it was like a gnat settling on a leaf would cause an earthquake. Mr. Orange spoke first. "Mr. Blue, whats the big idea letting your goons mess up my territory like dat. It ain't right neibourly. If they do dat again they'll be sleeping with the fishes". Before a bemused Mr. Blue could reply Mr. Pink butted in, "Well Mr. Orange you frogging frog of a frogs frog. Why did you mess up the frogging deal with the west-coast mob. They ain't going to be right pleased about that." "What the frog are you talking about man?" replied an angry Mr. Orange. "That loser missed the drop. We still have the goods and we can still do the deal" "Yeah, but what about the protection money. He is still due some and your boys roughed his up a little when they tried to collect it." retorted Mr. Pink. Mr. Orange scowled "I tink you'll find that was a screw-up from Mr. Yellow and Mr. White!" "Yeah and Mr. Green, you frogging frog, what's this I hear you having commication with the Miami outfit. You know the west-coast mob will find out, especially after I tell them. Are you out of your frogging mind?" Mr. Green's face turned red, only his knuckles remained white. "If that's your frogging attitude then frog you all! I quit!" Mr. Green stormed out of the room, kicking his chair over. Mr. Orange & Mr. Pink both went for their cannons which by now were quite lose. Mr. Blue stood up. "Hey you dumb-clucks, we don't need no turf-war right now. The west-coast mob would be all over us like bad case of hives. We're cool OK! I'll repair the damage with Mr. Orange and see if I can't get Mr. Green back." This calm attitude really fazed Mr. Pink. "Its all your frogging faults!", he screamed, pointing to Mr. Yellow & Mr. Orange. "You have never liked Lenny from the west-coast mob. He's married to my sister so you had better learn to like him" Mr. Yellow looked up in amazement "What's your frogging problem? If Lenny tries to muscle in on our territory that's not our frogging problem. Wise up." "If you two flying frogs don't quit this frogging vendetta, I'm going to scream & scream & scream until I'm sick." With that Mr. Pink stood up and left, taking the ash-trays, whiskey, tables, chairs & his ball home with him. [ No offense meant to Mr. Tarrantino or frogs ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chaim stood with his brothers and sisters in the midst of their first Victory. It was all still too hard to believe. Belief was the Key. The Key to Celestial Concerns. It was all still hard to believe. The transfer of position, from one of studious contemplation to the rigours of battle. His studies had served him well. He had fought with courage and with it in compliment to superior strategy it had led to a decisive victory. Soon, Chaim thought, he might be called upon to fight again. Chaim contemplated this with both trepidation and excitement. He thanked the Elements for their Victory, stood up from his Shrine, and turned to the banter of his warrior fellows. Soon, when he returned to City, he would chronicle these events, and retell them to his Master. Until then, they were on the move, to further continue their Plan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Su sat before the Fireplace, staring into their flames. Master Ma sat behind at a table reading and musing to his notebook. "The Flames, Ma.. they tell a story. All.. is well." Ma looked up, his eyes following to the speaker. "You speak of the battle?" Ma stood, unruffling his robes. "Yes, my Lord. The Plan has become Outcome." Su's voice was quiet, yet an air of concern. Ma again spoke. "You have doubts, Great Lao?" "Yes, my Lord. Although the storm has begun, it is by far yet complete. Deeds take time.. and risk." Su's voice lowered as the flames in the fireplace arose and licked upon the furrow of his brow. "And Risk does not always prelude Reward.." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The time was ripe to leave The land was ripe to tax the region was ripe to pillage all in all a good time would be ha by all HA HA HA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attention: Factions in the Monzon region! As you may know, The Closed Fist (477), a proud family firm for many years, has recently undergone a change in management. We want to assure all factions in the Monzon area that have had dealings with The Closed Fist that, although there may be some slight problems due to the changeover, all trade agreements are still fully valid. To kick things off, the new management would like to announce that in association with our partners Lance Lunchnick and the Ligitators (277)* we can offer wagons for sale in Monzon for a mere $150 silver! We are espcially interested in any parties willing to trade horses for wagons - make us an offer we can't refuse! Contact either: The Closed Fist (477) - sas21@psu.edu or Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277)* - leete@slack.med.upenn.edu @ Mr. Lunchnick appears courtesy of Punitive Damages Retailers, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================ | __________ | / \ | / \ | / MR TAGOMI \ Dear South's Camarad. | | | | | | We lost a fight but not the war ! | | FreeDeath or | Go to Spakker and engage fight. | | Chained Life?| Take out every confederation. | | I've choose | | | the first ! | Freedoom to the South | | | | | R.I.P | ========================== Yesterday was a good day to die ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TTTTTTTTTTT H H EEEEEEE T H H E T HHHHHH EEEE T H H E T H H EEEEEEE N N EEEEEE W W SSSSS W W RRRRRR I TTTTTTT EEEEEE RRRRRR NN N E W W W S W W W R R I T E R R N N N EEEE W W W W SSSSS W W W W RRRRRR I T EEEE RRRRRR N NN E WW WW S WW WW R R I T E R R N N EEEEEE W W SSSSS W W R R I T EEEEEE R R FFFFF RRRRRR OOOOOO M M H H EEEEEE L L F R R O O MM MM H H E L L FF RRRRRR O O M M M M HHHHHH EEEE L L F R R O O M M M H H E L L F R R OOOOOO M M M H H EEEEEE LLLLLL LLLLLL Cant think of anything to write about this week. Except THE CONFEDERATION are meanies.......... hehehe ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "How are your studies going?" the Loremaster asked Targon one evening. "What do you mean MY studies?" was the reply "You are using all the money we have trying to master Energy so you'ld better teach me some next month or we will never catch up with all the others out there." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He stood on the field of honour, the desert sands beneath his feet. The "battle" had been short, yet bloody, inflicting large losses upon the enemy. All over a crummy desert. Such loss. "Not a single man" he thought, "Not a single man did I lose". He smiled and then laughed. They had been tested and found wanting. Soon they would all be tested. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ********************************************************* Still CROSSBOWS for Sale in South-SLEDMERE Area and also HORSES now !!! ^^^^^^ We STILL have wonderful crossbows for sale in the forest of Corinth, south of Ellesmere. And we also sell HORSES now ! Horses are pretty rare in the forests, south of Sledmere, and the Winter will soon slower you... don't forget it : you won't be able to move in the next turns, so BUY HORSES for your guys NOW ! 'Cause in winter, prices will rise ! Please contact me (bouanna@eurolang.fr), if you're interested in either crossbows or horses. Grendel, Bard of Gondor. ********************************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WARNING: The X Consortium, operating NW of Yakleks are a bunch of Xenophobic jerks (but aren't we all? :) For factions operating in this area, you might find it interesting to know the Consortium's unit numbers and strengths (these were as of December, Year 2, remember to account for training time!) Argos (3190) attacks SudOstGeist (4912) in Fetlar (75,53)! Attackers: Argos (3190), leader, horse, tactics 1, combat 2, riding 1; Always X.... Treblat (3559), 3 horses, high elf, combat 2; Always X.... Wood Elf Brigade (4310), 5 wood elves, combat 2; The Arm of X. Hagar's Friends (4274), 6 vikings, combat 2; A Homely looking bunch.. Sam (769), leader, horse, combat 1; A potentially great leader.... Bob (536), leader, horse, longbow, tactics 2, combat 1, longbow 2, riding 1; A potentially great leader.... Fred (2959), leader, horse, combat 1; A potentially great leader.... Drakor (929), leader, horse; Always X.... Haltan (3849), leader, horse; Always X.... Aristotle (5036), leader. Unit (5037), 6 vikings, combat 1. Knights of the Table (5427), 4 leaders, combat 1. Cynic Obliquity (5499), high elf, combat 1; The Position of the Shadow .. A Wood Elf in waiting... (4943), wood elf; Mr. Patience.... mOdNAr the unpredictable (869), leader, horse, combat 1. Burly Buddies (4645), 20 hill dwarves, combat 1; Any one want to arm wrestle?. Perseus (4646), leader, combat 1; We're full of honor, just feel us.. Longbow Brigade (4538), 5 wood elves, 5 longbows, longbow 1; The Long Arm of X. Dead Bolts (5421), 6 vikings, crossbow 1. Hrothgar (5422), leader, combat 1. A Scout (4277), high elf, horse, combat 3; A lonely elf taking a look around.. The X Observer (3850), hill dwarf; Always watching.... Ozzy (4647), leader, combat 1; I'm looking for a good distortion pedal.... Unit (4905), 8 vikings, combat 1. Osborne (4412), leader, combat 1; A jolly old fellow. Abyssal Opera (958), leader, combat 1; The Voice of the Shadow .. Perry the Piper (5428), viking, combat 1. Abyssal Choir (5496), 10 vikings, combat 1; Background Vocals of the Shadow .. X2 Observer (5320), wood elf; Always Watching.... A Scout (2790), high elf, horse, combat 3; A lonely elf taking a look around.. A Scout (4276), high elf, horse, combat 3; A lonely elf taking a look around.. Hagar and Friends (3924), 6 vikings, 3 horses, combat 2; A hungry looking bunch. X3 Observer (5321), wood elf; Always Watching.... The Remainder (3077), 2 high elves, horse, combat 2; Some elves who were left behind. Hagar's Friends (4496), 3 vikings, 2 horses, combat 2; A Hairy looking bunch.. X1 Observer (5319), viking; Always watching.... Cynic Umbra (4753), 6 horses, 12 vikings; The Opinion of the Shadow .. This message a public service of the six lumberjacks they wiped out the following turn. Mike Inman NIMS@CRIS.COM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ++++++++++ LONE CITIZEN ATTACKED IN MENTER (46,55)! ++++++++++ In a suprise attack, Shock Troops (942) of The Black Compnay (124) and their friends attacked and killed a lone entertainer, Helios (2991). Details of the attack are as follows: Attackers: Shock Troops (942), 10 vikings, 4 swords, combat 3. Shock Troops (943), 20 vikings, horse, 3 longbows, 4 swords, combat 3. The IRS (1658), 20 high elves, 11 horses, wand of fire, 6 swords, combat 3. New breed (1703), 10 high elves, 6 horses, sword, gloves of strength, combat 3. Sword Fodder (3334), 10 high elves, 6 horses, wand of fire, combat 3. Shock Troops (1714), 8 vikings, 5 horses, wand of fire, 4 swords, combat 3. The IRS (2327), 10 high elves, 5 swords, combat 3. The IRS (2189), 10 high elves, 6 horses, 2 swords, combat 3. Unit (1552), horse, viking. Unit (1580), wood elf. Unit (3315), leader, horse. Robin Hood (3110), leader, longbow, longbow 1. Worf (3207), leader, longbow 1; I am not a merry man. The IRS (614), 6 high elves, horse, 2 crossbows, combat 2. Entertainer (790), leader, combat 1; Scout. The IRS (1898), 2 high elves, horse, combat 2. Merry Men (3157), 9 wood elves, 8 longbows, longbow 2. Lone Gunman (3220), wood elf, crossbow, crossbow 1; Hiding behind a grassy knoll. Merry Men (3224), 9 wood elves, 7 longbows, longbow 2. Unit (3136), 2 high elves, longbow, longbow 1. Lieutenant (946), leader, tactics 4, combat 1. Unit (1594), 10 high elves, longbow, sword, combat 3. Unit (2796), 10 high elves, 10 horses, 7 swords, combat 3. Defenders: Town Guard (195), 50 leaders, 50 swords, combat 2. Helios (2991), leader. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement: The Abernethy University is opening it's doors. Both students and teachers are wanted. Please contact oyvind@merak.com if you want to teach or be taught. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The fort is well on its way being build now. Soon we will be safer in our own home. We venture out to gather taxes from the poor peasants around us. We are not sure they agree that we are protecting from the many dangerous enemy around us. But we are protecting them....besides, we need the silver. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Well, Ratso, now what?" Elmer hugged himself against the cold. Ratso coughed. "I don't know." (cough, hack) "But I know I gotta get out of this city. The climate's killing me." (cough, cough) "If only the gates would rotate to a city in a truly unpopulated region. Or if some alliance would offer us some land to tax just for a few turns, just long enough to hire some workers, make a few investments. Then we could go full magic and things would be looking up." "Yeah, sure. Sure. Life ain't like that."(cough) "It could be though...if I could just find some rich ladies..." (retch, heave, cough, cough) "This clear weather's eating me up..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good Faction Report, Monzon region: Clan Kikriki, faction 573, wishes to announce that it has enjoyed successful trade relations with the following factions, who have kept their word and rendered services or payment as promised: The Mauve Marauders (59), Anders.Hallberg@eua.ericsson.se MIBS (62), Damian.Penney@newcastle.ac.uk Circle of the Blue Mages (66), krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de The Welcoming Hand (192), tim.hruby@his.com Hermetic Order (215), jepether@flash.lakeheadu.ca Lance Lunchnick and the Litigarors (277), leete@slack.med.upenn.edu Watchers of The Mournful Mound (283), stuart_miller@qmrelay.mail.cornell.edu The Council of the Ancients (290), mlyon@interramp.com As a public service, I will include other's reports of trustworthiness and untrustworthiness in the Monzon region if you mail a report to me at <bk411@freenet.buffalo.edu>. I'll define the Monzon region to extend as far as Abernethy, but probably not Kashmar. A report should include your email address and faction number, and the trading partner's faction number (and email address if you have it on hand). No anonymous reports will be included; if you are going to claim someone has been honest or dishonest, you should be prepared to back it up. Nobody seems willing to declare others (and by implication, themselves) as factions with a reputation for fair trade practices. Interesting, considering the trade-paradise image the Monzon Tourism Council has been promoting. I'll give this experiment a few more turns, and then quit if there is still no interest in the service. -- John Farley, bk411@freenet.buffalo.edu Clan Kikriki (573) in Atlantis 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of The First round the World voyage..... Day 1 We set off to be the first to circum-navigate the world! We set off under perfect conditions. The weather was with us and we experienced first hand what it was like to have the salt spray in our faces and the sqwaking of birds above. This is the first of many journals of the man to be the first to circum-navigate the world. His name: Brother Fat Freddy & his noble cat! his Boat;"The good ship FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!!" His Quest: To be the first man to sail the world! His Faction: 408, The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! STAY TUNED......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have learned much about the shadow world. Too much sometimes! Now we can venture into it at will. Only, we need to be careful. We cannot control where we will come out. Perhaps some more study will be good for us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Battle had been quick and brutal. After Tridon's small army had ambushed the bandits main camp, he and his men had laid in wait for the rest of their comrades to return from town. In all, 26 bandits had died in that small mountain valley, and Tridon swore that if any more dared set foot in the mountains north of Stackforth they too would meet that fate. "Look here, Tridon." The orc commander and his men had been instrumental in the battle, and Tridon hoped that they could remain allies in the future. "They all have this strange marking on their arms. It seems to be some sort of brand." Tridon looked at the strange marking on one of the fallen. It stank of a secret religion; a strange letter with light beams emanating from it. Whoever these bandits were, they were working for a greater power. The council had to be informed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was a long battle. I died. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ His name was Killian of the Koors. He was beefy, burly, liked his drink, tolerated his spell books, and was currently regretting the day he *ever* agreed to be soulbonded to some creepy taskmaster named Hogli. Crimson Robes indeed. Even the *beer* was red around here, in this Goefforsaken rathole! Killian grunted and rubbed his aching temples as he picked up the sword again. Arrrg. Run the edge through the philtre solution. Wipe with bats-ear. Trace the Fifteen Runes, then the Three Arcane Sigils. Now the incantation: "Asboorgalagh veraliphoundria synchlopreatria gizgnigh... no, *damn* gizgilligh..." The runes popped, sparkled and fizzled, sending up telltale streams of red smoke. Across the room, Aster looked up, smirked in a particularly annoying manner, and went back to his spell books. Arrrg. Start over again. Cheez, he'd hoped to skip out early for that sorry excuse for a tavern by the river. Killian wished he knew how Aster *remembered* those damn incantations. Had to admit though, the couple of finished Pirate cutlasses sure looked nice. And deadly! Killian wearily wiped the blade once more, and started tracing. He'd better get his quota of ten done this month, or he'd *never* get to go on the first of the Pirate raids. Killian traced carefully this time, dreaming of faraway taverns and beautiful wenches in foreign lands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, look at this. He is the one that stiffs me out of 1800 silver and he does not deliver the troops I was to buy. Now I am to go to him and face his wrath. HIS WRATH? The only thing he has to be wrathful about is the fact that I dared to embarrasse myself and expose him for the cheat he is. He couldn't be wrathful about cheating me, only about me exposing him! Beware this faction! He will cheat you and then declare himself wrathful about it! He cheats you and you must then be exposed to HIS wrath! For more information contact me at jairold@m-net.arbornet.org ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 21:07:50 +1000 (EST) From: Vaughan Latimer <vlatimer@hilbert.maths.utas.edu.au> Greetings Jairold! It is Loki here. I offer you a challenge.... I am at hex 84,39 I am here and I taunt you to come and face my wrath.. I can assure you I am in this hex, yet next turn I will be in hex 85,39. I am armed and ready. I have no gaurd as I do not need it! Come and get me! My new name is SLAINE THE WAR GOD! Come and kiss my axe. I offer a formal challenge and will do so again in the times this week. Let us dance the dance of death! Slaine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _____________________________________________________________________________ To whom it might concern; I wish to go north from Ellesmere through Sledmere and so on until I reach Jaca or a coast. If you have problems with that or if you have info on the terrain/quickest way to go please drop me a line. To members of SCIO: I have exchanged letters with The Black Company so before you do anything rash talk to him. He can explain who I am (I hope). Faction 607 Niclas Olofsson m93nol@student.tdb.uu.se _____________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The vikings of Tolsta. Tolsta is an old city in a small continent. People living here have been lead to construct boats to explore oceans. That's why we found vikinks around this city. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *******ATTENTION CREMONA RESIDENTS******* Training will be offered this turn in skills VITAL to survival in this rough terrain for both war and trade factions COMBAT (60) RIDING (60) HERB LORE (60) LUMBERJACK (60) OBSERVATION (60) We all know that these are practically the ONLY skills that are going to get any use here for a while so get the jump on the competition now! if interested please reply to billy bvsnbthd@tcs.tulane.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a message from the Atlantean Police Department: WANTED FOR POSSIBLE CRIMES & THIEVERY : This warning is especially for the new players and the inhabitants of the city of Sinan (13,5) Cremona (15,31), Jaca (44,29), Oranmore (79,59), and Navenby (32,18), as now that these possible thieves and assassins are no more safely hidden, they could emigrate to these peaceful cities. The people following are considered to be potential thieves and assassins by the Atlantis City Police forces, as they have reach a high level in Stealth: - Kainmanar Teriz the Trader (986), leader; black robed man eyeing everyone suspiciously. - Diplomat (1759), high elf; TDM. - Briza (1443), leader; A short hooded figure. - Lord of Rheadon (2938), leader, horse; Tough looking elf with a well-chewed cigar stub in mouth. - Eresed (5163), leader. - Frozen shade (5542), leader; thief. - Lemuix (2564), leader. - Ra'an (2578), leader. The people following were considered to be potential thieves and assassins by the Atlantis City Police forces, but since the last month, they are no more reported in Atlantis City, whether they have gone, or they became too stealthy for the Police: - Venom's Students (543), 3 leaders, 3 horses; Getting Nastier. - Viscount Scirrhus (605), leader. - Under Influence (2932), leader. - Majoi (3281), 2 leaders. ANYONE HIDING HAS SOMETHING ILLEGAL TO DO ! Just reveal your unit and faction, and you will no more be hiding, and will no more be on our list. --------------------------------------------------- The Police will stay anonymous because this is a dangerous job, subject to assassination. The Police apologize for the constant repetition, but not more than the CCC does. See the ancient Times if you think some-one in your hex could be a thief. After a harsh debate with the population of Atlantis City, we recognize a right of privacy to our fellow citizens, and that anyone with Stealth 1 won't and can't harm much people, so they are no more reported. But remember: Stealth 1 is the way to Stealth 2, where the real bad guys are. --------------------------------------------------- WE ARE A BUREAUCRACY, WE CAN'T PROTECT, WE CAN'T SERVE, BUT WE CAN INFORM. The Atlantean Police Dpt. ---------------------------------------------------- To Mr Cookie, Dear Mr Cookie, we are surprised by the attitude you show, in your last article, toward our service: You will be soon the owner of the first shop in the middle of Atlantis City, and that make us think that the list of the bad guys here will be especially useful for you : Imagine that, after weeks of work, a thief broke your home, and stole your goods and silver. As you are not trained in Observation, you won't be able to know who this thief is. So after thoughts, you trained yourself in Observation, for this should never happen again. After your training, you will discover hidden people. But how to know now, which of them was hidden at the time you lost your wealth ? That's were this list is useful: You'll read the old Times' articles, and find which thief was in the City at this sorrowful moment of your life. Well, if you're armed enough, you will even consider the point of hunting them by yourself. After all, one of them is surely your damned thief... The Atlantean Police Dpt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LAND HO!!!!! There it is right off the bow of the ship. They say we will set out in the life boats yet this evening. I cannot wait to set foot on dry land. I will probably do as all sailors do, kiss the ground when I get there. I wonder what this new land holds for us. I hope it holds some new untold treasure and other exciting adventures. I wonder if there will be new kinds of life here. The suspense is enough to drive almost anyone crazy. Well, got to go, they just called my name to get into the next boat. I will write more when I get to shore. The new explorer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- The current membership of the alliance consists of: Faction 627: the Atlantis Guild Cooperative Faction 572: the Greenpoint faction Faction 72: the Church of the Purple Snowflake We are in the process of building a WorldWideWeb home page to publicize our activities. The address will be: http://www.nyu.edu/pages/advocacy/officers/beads/atlantis/ In addition, we may establish another WWW home page (address yet to be determined). Any other factions interested in joining our honorable and noble alliance, please contact us. Tell us your faction number, and let's discuss Atlantis! Address correspondence to kalmar@acf2.nyu.edu ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ An announcement from Cremona Adventure Tours Limited. Now that the monsoon season has come to an end, we have opened our doors to one and all. Come to sunny Cremona and see the sights. For a one-off payment of 100 silver, you can come to Cremona and see the warring factions, see the Giant lizards, see the pillagers, see the magnificent swamps and jungles! See the wonderful twin towns of Dunmanus and Aberdaron overlooking the lake! Yes, all this for just 100 silver (expenses not included, the tour is undertaken at your own risk, C.A.T. Limited are not liable for the certain deaths of anyone who comes). Come to sunny Cremona! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the brave conquerers of Menter: I'll leave the town this turn, so, please, don't attack me. Thanx a lot. Faction 634 : AKASHA'S VAMPIRES ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As foretold, war has come to Cremona. This shall be a brief war that will quickly die down. Only to start up again in several months from the time it ends. The Doomsayer has spoken ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jack knew something was up. Their quiet routine of tax and work was ending. They were to pack up again and move out. Hell, it was the middle of winter. Didn't anybody consider that? Keeping warm was tough enough. Riding in the cold was bad news, because it usually meant fighting in the cold. Jack had heard rumors of a screwup to the west. Rumor had it that a whole company was lost in an attack that should never have happened. When the word came to ride west, Jack knew that they were being sent to clean up the mess. What worried him the most was that only his company was being sent. What made them think that his company could clean up the mess when another company got slaughtered trying? Jack frowned. He didn't like this at all... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We arrive to support the allies just in time. Our aid will turn the battle in our favor. We bring many wands of fire with us. Soon the enemy will be blinded and unable to attack. Then we lease the terror of fear upon them and they will be unable to defend either. Yes, we will win this battle soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am offering thief protection in the City of Spakker. For 30 sil per turn, my observation level 5 leader will look over your units and protect your goods. If interested, contact Jolly at: bchrist@wins0.win.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Circle of the Blue Mages [66] needs stones to buy a fort in Monzon. Please send offers to: krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------ Monzon Mages Guild ------------------ Get in touch with the Monzon Mages Guild if... ... you want to practice magic in Monzon ... you need teaching in foundation skills ... you want to offer your magic services ... you want to buy magical services ... you want to know more about the guild [BTW, the Guild is based in the Monzon area, we can't help people around 236 / 63 yet!!!] Contact krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CERMONA - BOAT WANTED Is any faction in the Cermona area planning on going into the boat building business. If you are we would like to hear from you. Faction 664 - The Institute of New Science Email - stigs_dump@cityscape.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ =+=+=+=+= Shaat stood apon the steep rock face of the mountain side, gazing intently at the trail ahead. Below him, the long column of men, orcs, dwarves and elves marched on the twisting mountain trail. Occasionaly a few of them would look up and point at him, but for the most part, he was ignored. After a while, Shaat drew up to the edge of the ledge and looked down at the army. When the small wagon train that made up the center of the column passed beneath, he jumped. He landed in a squat, spooking the horses on the lead wagon. The wagonneer cursed loudly as he braught the horses back in line. Shaat ignored him and straigtened up and made his way to the center wagon. The horses on the center wagon started to shy from him as he approached. The wagoneer to this wagon nodded to him passed the forward half and headed around back. Inside the wagon a tall olive skinned man sat drinking from a cup and reading from a parchment. He grunted and put the parchment down as Shaat entered the wagon. "Figured I'd be seeing you today..." "and why is that, Thrakk?" Shaat said as he dusted himself off and took a seat oposite the man. "That rat of yours was here earlier this morning. Dropped off some reports and the times." Thrakk gestured with the cup at the parchment he was reading, wich sat next to small stack of others like it. Shaat lifted a rolled stack of parchment up and removed the leather circlet that bound it, "Anything noteworthy?" Thrakk grunted again, "Reports from the scouts around Berriedale. They say they've spotted some elven outriders and a report from those sea dogs we left in the black sands of Lyton. They say a number of nomads from another tribe passed through, led by an orc. They all seem to be loyal to group called G.O.O.D., think thats a poblem?" Shaat looked up from reading the times, "Problem? Not realy, they were only about a month or two behind us when we passed through there. Besides, if they continue on our trail we'll probably end up being neighbors. I'd rather maintain good relations. Border wars are not part of my plans." Thrakk grunted at this and took another gulp from his cup. Shaat flipped to another page of the times and said, "There seems to be an encampment up ahead. Nothing to worry about tho, the trail we're following doesn't take us through it." Thrakk grunted again, "How much farther does this mountain range go?" Shaat shrugged slightly, "My best guess is that it runs all the way to the city of Golconda, but we're not headed that far. I figure we turn south about half way, about a month or two out from that encampment I mentioned. I'm hopeing for some woods to settle. " Thrakk nodded, "Good, then men will be glad to hear that." Shaat grunted this time and tapped the parchment he was reading, "Remind me to send a missive to Kesato next time Skritch makes a drop. The DOMINION's reporting a giant in the area. Last I recall, Kesato was moving through DOMINION territory..." =+=+=+=+= Somewere in the Southern hemisphere... Kesato muttered to himself as he lifted another mud caked foot out of the mire and stepped over a large tree root. He jotted down thoughts on a small parchment as he walk/waded through the swamp. Writing down descriptions of various trees and plants. Jotting down comments about inhabitants, villages. He figured it was time to pay more attention when he walked into a large grey tree. Kesato frowned for a moment, he couldn't remember comming across any other gray trees in the swamp. He glanced around and noticed another one about a yard or two away. He sighed and started jotting down a description of this limbless tree. Kesato stopped his scribbling for a moment and stared at the tree. For a moment, he could almost swear it moved. Kesato's eyes started moving upward till he reached a point wear a great waist connected the two legs together. For a moment he just stood there looking at the grey giant. He then dropped his parchment and quill and did the only sane thing that came to mind. He started running... House Dervish [666] email: dervish@shadow.net alt-email: dervish@gcomm.com and coming soon, House Dervish gets a Homepage! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And then they shall feel the wraith set upon them. I will be declaring war upon all those remaining in Atlantis city at the end of three months. This is your last chance to get out. Those that know... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CEO BoB (tm) was tired. Despite the fact that the Slice-in-2 was actually a pretty decent sword- sturdy, with lots of different attachments you could use in battle all at the same time, it just wasn't selling well. He'd given speech after speech trying to sell it, even calling it the "most important thing ever made anywhere!", but it just didn't help. Everyone wanted to stay with their cheap daggers. The only bright spot is that nobody else was doing much better. Fruitbat had finally come out with a well built longsword, nicely done up in designer colors, but they'd priced it hundreds of silver more than competing weapons. BoB (tm) had been very worried about the new sword made by an exiled Fruitbat employee, the hExED. It was beautifully designed, matt black with lots of neat features. Luckily, they'd decided to ship it with the handle in the middle of the blade, and they refused to change it. It hadn't sold well. He began to wonder if he had abandoned the Sword X project too soon. He hadn't been beating the elves on that project very hard- perhaps he should invest in a few more whips... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************** * * * The Confederation Monthly * * * ************************************************** First an announcement: The DOMINION and Confederation are good friends. We are working together in the Spakker area. I see a long a prosperous working arrangement, now and in the future. The Confederation now has complete control of our lands. Trade factions that wish to get out of Spakker (or Yakleks) should contact the Confederation as we are in need of traders. The Contact is dmcclure@mindscape.com. Swat, Speaker for the Confederation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ +--------------------+ |Observation Training| +--------------------+ Up to level 2 in Yakleks Up to level 4 in Atlantis City Rates: $25/student for 1-2 students $20/student for 3-4 students $15/student for 5 or more Other skills also available (only up to level 1). Please reply promptly as space is limited: The HitchHikers - faction 686 - savoier@umoncton.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Magic tuition wanted in Kashmar. Mail : cp.atlantis@flms.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some small factions have begun forays out from Spakker and Yakleks. Those who have made arrangements with the Union, Confederation or DOMINION have fared well. Those who have struck out on there own have tended to die sudden deaths. Peace can only be perpetuated by organization. Until the chaos in the area subsides, it is unlikely that the casual traveller will do well. --News Hound ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SO your a newbie and you want to start the game off with a bang why not visit the GPD convenience store in yakleks and cremona!We have everything you want: Longbows: 100 silver for one and 175 for 2 (Cremona) horses: 150 (cremona or Yakleks) high elves: 50 (cremona) tribsmen: 35 (both) Leaders: 100 You want to learn some skills for the low low price of 25 silver? Check our selection: COM up to lvl 2 LUM up to lvl 1 WEA up to lvl 1 NAT up to lvl 1 OBS up to lvl 1 first come first serve selection is limited! GPD ffp@magic.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not insult me, by insinuating that I wrote material that doesn't have my signature. If I write something that some may find offensive (facist, righteous, arrogant etc) I WILL PUT MY SIGNATURE ON IT. The material you are refering to obviously came from an faction with a higher faction number than my own. Please do some research in future before you badmouth Australians. I also apologise to the people in the North hex as it has come to my attention that you are not on guard and unfriendly and are allowing the cremona residents to expand past you lands. Hopefully we will reach this hex. Drimnin (17,28), plain, 560 peasants (high elves), $2800. ------------------------------------------------------------ Wages: $15. Wanted: none. For Sale: 56 high elves at $60, 11 leaders at $120. Entertainment available: $140. Products: 32 horses. Exits: North : Drimnin (17,27), plain. Northeast : Drimnin (18,28), ocean. Southeast : Drimnin (18,29), ocean. South : Drimnin (17,29), ocean. Southwest : Drimnin (16,29), jungle. <- This Hex Northwest : Aberdaron (16,28), town. The sad fact is that the southwest hex (jungle) is presently owned by reaper and Co. and he is killing scouts that are trying to find this information. It is the bottleneck hex between two oceans between Cremona and the better lands. My attack in the times on the Claims list in the times was misguided if you are indeed neutral then the attack should be against the reaper and Co. who are blocking movement. Ross. ------------- Ross McKinnon (B.E. Hons Mining)/ B.Sc. (Computer Science) C/- Howick Coal Singleton NSW Australia ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================== M M A RRRR I A M M MM MM A A R R I A A MM MM M M M A A RRRR I A A M M M M M AAAAA R R I AAAAA M M M M A A R R I A A M M has the word for a moment... In issue 22 of the Times the ARS asked themselves how it could be that a single faction (pointing at me) could buy 100 plainsmen. The explanation is that I play this game with a boyfriend of mine (as in friend) and we are allied and help each other. Just before the turn you speak of he got a message on his system that his account was about to be closed. In order to be able to continue the game he gave me control of all of his units that turn since he didn't have time to get in touch with the systems administrator that week. The next week when he had his account up and running again I gave him back exactly the same units that he had given to me including those that were bought with his money. If you could see that I bought 100 plainsmen then surely you could see that they were bought 50-50 by different units and that those were the same units he had given to me including those that were bought with his money. Not only that, since I gave back the units the same turn that the big buy took place he owned the units when the buy happened according to the rules. They state that give orders are processed before buy orders. I apologize to you, reader, for taking up your time with this. I think it would have been better if the ARS could have sent me a letter with a cc to the players mail-list if they felt they had to bring everybodys attention to this. Since they knew my faction-number they knew my email-address (but of course, then they wouldn't recieve 50 easy silver). I also wish to say to you ARS that if it weren't for my ally I wouldn't have known about your article. Use email for this stuff in the future. It's because of these cheap articles I don't read the Times. Okay, OKAY, I'm done!!! (Are Really Stupid???) Yours, Mariam owner of Mariam's Enchanted Items Trading Company Email:: m93mav@student.tdb.uu.se ========================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My mage has been discovered to be an earthmaster. He has mastered the 12 winds. The end is near when he decides to unleash the winds. They will do his bidding and no force can oppose the will of the winds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ First two war factions bid to tax our magic lands for us. Now three trade factions vie for the honor to produce for us. What is it about us that makes us so charming? Soon, everyone will be wanting to come to our lands to bask in the bountiful pleanty that comes from being run by pure Mages. We are fair, we are good, you will tax and produce like you should. Take that back war. We can control and claim hexes of our own. I have a faction that is pure Magic and have control over 15 hexes so far. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Centre Denbigh stood in the yard before his house. He noticed a scap of litter on the ground by the post of the sign for the Atlantis City School of Observation. _______________________________________________________________ | | | * Be a hero to towns like Nork! | | * Why pay others to observe what you could see?! | | | | ENROLL NOW! | | ----- Atlantis City School of Observation ----- | | | | ...classes in Tactics and Longbow also available... | | (landt@acf4.nyu.edu) | | | | **** Geoff is God Sale **** | | 25% off Tactics training! | | 33% off Observation and Longbow! | | ***************** | | | | With Atlantis closed to immigration, the ACSO may soon close | | its doors. Sign up now while classes are still available. | | | | CHURCH BAZAAR: -Discount-Longbows- and -Magic-Gloves- for | | sale, all bids will be considered! Don't be left out! | |_______________________________________________________________| | | | | The Centre walked over to the sign, and leaned over to pick up the scrap. He found it to be the tattered remains of the *CRIMEWATCH* sticker he had placed on the sign many months ago. "Hmm... I wonder how this ended up here." A man walked past, wearing a placard on his front and back (not much else), and mumbling something about the end of the world. Denbigh caught a glimpse of the placard taking up the man's backside: Atlantis City Will be Be Pillaged 12:13 today! Prepare for the Worst! "Poor demented soul," said Denbigh softly to himself as he walked back to his house. "Chicken little was at least more seasonably dressed." A Bandwidth appeared just as Denbigh reached to open the door. The messenger handed him a scroll and then disappeared. Denbigh looked at it closely. "Why, it's from Dr. Krastner!" [This fictoid brought to you by the Church of the Purple Snowflake (72) -- landt@acf4.nyu.edu; http://www.nyu.edu/pages/advocacy/officers/beads/atlantis] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Indigo looked at the first item to be auctioned off in Cremona as he finished packing his bags with all his essentials for the long trip to the far-away land. It was sleek. It was black. Most importantly it was horse free. Obsidian had done a wonderful job with it. "I dont think 800 Silver is too much to ask for a starting bid." "Especially when I plan on out-doing my partner shortly after I arrive," Indigo spoke to himself smuggly "Guantlets of Might" in 2 months or so. I hope those Cremono residients are saving up." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Announcing The Formation Of The Cremona Boat Company Tired Of Swamps ? Marsh Gas Bad For Your Health ? Then take a relaxing sea voyage ! To celebrate the founding of the CBC we are offering places on our special mystery sea voyage package trip. Simply turn up in and around Cremona and lovely hostesses will show to to your oar. No comfort spared ! A full fitness program is included along with a refreshing drum beat. Now singa longa those words - 'In - Out' 'In - Out' 'In - Out' Don't forget the stylish lash marks on your back ! be the envy of all your neighbours ! To book your place on the CBC voyage stay tuned for more announcements, unfortunately at the time of going to press the destination of the voyage was not available - a spokeself for the company was quoted as saying 'Anywhere so long as its not Cremona ( or Komarken or Monzon or Sledmere ... )' CBC - Atlantis' Least Favourite Ferry Company ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Save.. Save.. Save... Gloves of Strength for Sale. Increases the fighting skills of anyone that is wearing them. 800 Silver / 8 High Elves Prices are negotiable. If interested mail me your offers, and the person with the best offer by Thursday 12:00pm EST can consider the gloves of strength theirs. email me at: dperkins@gps.northrop.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Er, sir, I have a report for one of our units." "Yes, what it is?" "We've been attacked. It was one of our scouts, a harmless one at that, and it's been thumped by those nomads Angels Brigands." Having said this, the informer began to go red in the face. "Well, sooner or later someone would take a pot shot at us wouldn't they. I suppose the poor fool's died hasn't he? Send the widow the usual and let's get on with it. Anything else?" "Umm well, erm... " "GET ON WITH IT! Stop stuttering there. What's the problem?" "He wasn't alone." "He was!" "Well, yes and no sir, he was alone in the region, but he had some friends in the vicinity." "I know about them, some more scouts, and harmless miners" "Yes, they were nice people weren't they?" "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WERE'???" "Erm, well... they decided to lend a hand" "THE FOOLS!!! And I suppose they've been wiped out?" "Yes sir, all eight units..." "Damn that... Send out orders to everyone telling them not to fight unless asked directly to do so." "Yes sir, straight away." "And while you're at it, get everyone to know that we do not mean war and only wish to trade. Got that?" "Yes sir." To all whom it may concern in the Jaca area. All Marta's units are harmless and do not wish to battle. We are going to become a pure trade faction. If anyone has any problems with this, please email to: jbroom@encomix.es (faction 749) thanks in advance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is anywhere safe any more? The whole world seems to be at war these days.....why I ask? Why? Isn't the world big enough for all of us.........? -- The Floating Clouds (757) email izzie@meepmeep.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pheldar gazed at the towering column of black smoke, wondering what city had fallen under the heels of an oppressor. Peering through the leaves at the edge of the jungle, he thought he could make out the burned remnants of a sign: %%%%%%% %%%%%%%% %%%%% _____________ %%%% � Welco> %% � to >%% � Crem>% ______________> | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I had arrived in the fair city of Spakker, the city with ocean and forest all around. What a grand site, it was all that I had been told and more. Next turn I would venture out and claim me a piece of land and set up shop. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================ THE ROSICRUCIAN ORDER ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- WAGON ENCHANTMENT IN KASHMAR (3, 17) OFFER ENDS The Rosicrucian Order regrets to announce that it will no longer be taking orders for the service of enchanting wagons. If interested please contact matthew@sa.rl.ac.uk ============================================================================ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **************** THEIF ALERT ************************ Residents of the Cremona area, let it be known, theives are at work. The following was an event in Drimnin (15,29). Unit (5656) steals 0 silver from Unit (5361). No harm done it seems, though everyone should be vigilant! ******************************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The wind was howling and the rain came bucketing down. This was monsoon season, the season for staying still and working until it became fine again. But are the inhabitants of Cremona interested in a nice easy monsoon season, NO. They feel obliged to get into a major war over a tiny little piece of desert, which isn't even very useful for anything. Oh well such is life, we poor traders must put up with this sort of thing. Mind you it isn't actually that bad when your on the winning side. I even earned a nice new sword. Anyone want to buy a sword in Cremona, going cheap. HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ F'TAH CTHANG CTHULHU IEEEEE! Soon the Great Old Ones will come,and Atlantis will again be the place it once was! All hail the thousand-faced Nyarlathotep! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Erik tried to clear his mind as he made his way to the home of his instructor. 'Time is growing shorter, and I must learn quickly'. His men were making progress. Properly trained, they would now be able to hold the territory that he had assigned them. In the meantime, he was a member of what probably amounted to the largest alliance in the region. The smell of war was already in the air and he wondered how the Alliance would fare once steel was laid bare. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Colonel Randolph!" "Suh!" "Call a staff meeting immediately." The proud warriors all strode into the tent, curious as to what the their leader had to say. "Men, I've just received intelligence of a disturbing kind. Effective immediately, we are at DefCon 3. Colonel Randolph, you will draw up plans for a fighting retreat. Scorched earth policy. Captain Gregor, you will increase your scouting operations in all directions. We need to know more about the lay of this land. Major Dobbins, have the Sargeant-Major put the whip to the boys. We need fighting men, and we need them fast. Because of the seriousness of our condition, we need every man in tip-top condition. Increase recruitment efforts in all sectors. Dismissed." The warriors strode out of the tent, each hurrying to their assigned tasks, leaving the general alone in his tent to brood upon what he had learned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well Christmas has past and the men are in high spirits. The rumours are abound like they always were, and you recline in your comfy, comfy chair waiting to hear news from the scouts you have sent out. Just as the though crosses your mind, in storms the new scout. "Sire, Grave news!" he gasps as he falls to the floor panting. It's good to see a Scout with such a sense of duty. "Grave news? What is it man?" you exclaim in that tone that set's you apart from the other leaders. "It appears that Atlantis is going to implode on itself and the world we know and love will disappear." "Bull! I don't believe it! How do you know?" you hiss through a "Pah!" "Look in the mailbox sire, a letter from Dave saying good bye!" You russle through the box of letters and bring out the pink scented paper that you immediately recognise as Dave McGaw's stationary. You carefully open the envelope and take out the letter, and yes, it is a good bye letter. "Damn! The world can't end. This must be a mistake. Only one thing for it" "SERGEANT!!! Get the men on their knees and start praying to GEOFF!" You walk outside and all your men are sullenly on their knees moaning and groaning in a feeble attempt to talk to the Almighty One. As you join in the mass exodus of prayer, a large shimmering hand appears over your head and says "It's YOU!" "Wow!" You gasp! "Yes! You! What do you want!" exclaims the voice in a pitch that goes right to the bone. "Well...erm....I .... well" you stammer in the same manner as all your scouts. "Get on with it,man!" cries out the voice, "I've got a world to attend to." "Well, Geoff. Is Atlantis ending?" you ask. "No, young fool. I am simply not allowing any more combatants into this arena any more. The overcrowding is terrible. I am creating a NEW World of Atlantis that others may attempt to conquer. This World is closed!" "Coo!" you say. "Now be off with you I have had too much time wasted here." the hands says and promptly disappears in a puff of logic. "Wow! Thank Geoff for that! Scout!" "Yessir" he says as he runs up to you and stands at attention. "For being the bearer of false tidings, I must punish you!" you shout at him. "Gulp" goes the scout. "GRAB" goes the Sergeant. "Crackle" goes the Bonfire. "Hurrah!" go the men. You retire to your quarters and sit back in your chair. Hmm. You wonder if there are still newbies in this land of ours. If no-one else is going to come into the world, are there still newbies here now? Any new player is very welcome to mail me with any problems or questions they might have. In addition, the Spells Syndicate is still dealing in spells are you would expect, and so any enquiries into our buisness are also welcome. You can mail me at u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk anytime. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A nasal voice said, "Atlantis City Spell Exchange. Please hold." The sound of a kazoo band playing Lord Demoncheek's "Charge of the Dominion Stormtroopers" hummed from the murky crystal ball. The Mayor cleared his throat and glanced nervously out the window. A small, oblong dot hung in the sky to the north of the city. A trickle of sweat ran from his left temple, executed a perfect triple off the edge of his tense jaw, and vanished into the intense dryness of the ancient parchment lying on the desk beneath the Mayor's tightly clinched fist. "Thank you for holding. How can we help you today?" The Mayor fought down the urge to reach through the crystal and strangle the gum popping operator with her beehive hairdo and blank expression. His restraint was remarkable. "Yes. I am in urgent need of a particular spell..." "Please hold while I connect you with Intellectual Goods." The crystal went murky, again, but the kazoo music was replaced with what sounded like a large dog barking Volotov Feanel's "Ode to the Gods of Rome." The Mayor's body shook with rage though his face remained calm except for the bursting blood vessels. His eyes edged over to the window as though against his will. The shape could be seen clearly now as a large dirigible with a second, smaller, oblong shape hanging beneath it. The head of a man with short red hair and a pencil behind his left ear appeared in the crystal. Mercifully, the music stopped. "Yeah, what can I do you for?" The Mayor managed a strained smile. "I'm in the market for a Protection from Nuclear Arms spell." His eyes were wild and a small giggle escaped from his throat. "Ah. Hmmm." The face appeared to be consulting a list. "No can do, mate. Best I got is a Prevent Forest Fires, will that do?" The Mayor hurled the crystal ball against the wall and watched as hundreds of small, red haired heads shrugged and said, "No, I guess not. Perhaps we should go with the Delayed Ressurection, then?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, I'm making full use of Tim's absence and getting in another useless bit of banter for all you Times readers. I'm surprised you actually read down thisfar. Well what to talk about? There is the issue of the game closing (which it isn't) we could discuss. Or the design issues on everyone's mind? No mind. These are best discussed rather than send in as a Times submission, so I'll just offer my services as usually, and get Tim his 50 pieces of silver.(How many did Judas get?) If you are interested in useless banter, newbie talk or spells info, you can mail me at my own address, or at Tim's here. Pick an address : u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk or u3tjn@csc.liv.ac.uk Before anyone goes blowing their trumpet about two factions, I am baby-sittingTim's while he is off nicking criminals and keeping the world a safer place tolive in. Talk to ya soon ;) Dave ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What about great alliance in Jaca? {Jaca becomes new Alexandria!} Who wants join to our (4-factions) alliance in Jaca, post to: klouda@novell.karlin.mff.cuni.cz +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It happens this turn in Jaca city. Workers (4126) leaves city Zorbas the Greek (850) buys a wagon Unit (5317) buys a plainsman Unit (5429) buys 5 horses {Why only five?} Unit (5491) leaves city Unit (5495) buys 4 wagons George (5164) leave city Utopic Sepia (5497) is no longer in our city Unit (5217) leaves city Unit (5699) named : Peons Unit (5700) named : Guff's Clown 1 Unit (5701) named : Guff's Clown 2 Unit (5703) named : Mariam's Farmers {Mariam has very large farm.} Unit (5782) named : My workers {My? Thank you!} Marta the seeker (1702) becames 2 horses and 2 wagons. CAPRICORN (1041) leaves city or is stealthy enough. Marta TNG (5063) united with another HEL, gives 2 horses and 2 wagons Kyranon (895) describes himself. Scruffy (1047) disappears. Unit (1150) buys a horse. and so on.... {Sorry, if I forgot someone.} And additions..... {These are new in our city...} {Good job for assasins :-)} Unit (5537), Unit (5861), Mariam's Farmers (5979), Unit (6003), Unit (6032), Unit (6033), Workers (6145), 1st Plainsmen Foot (6108), Mystacian Elite Guard (6144), Scouts (6147), Scouts (6148), Lone Entertainer (6152), Unit (6168), Isobel (1373), Unit (343), The Teachers (1435), Drake (5592), Mierdan (338), The Sil-alpha guards (5841), Unit (5851), Alpha Guard (5883),Happy Scout (6139), Scout (5425). {These are not good job for assasins, they don't want. :-) } Gleb Taranov (6006). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Stoneheart Council of Eldars This place was far to well populated. All they wanted to do was to get away from everyone and find a place for themselves. They had no intention of pillaging the land, only passing through, and yet everyone kept barring them entry. If only people would trust them to their honour. Pushing himself slowly to his feet, Athar gazed off to the north. Perhaps the people over there would be friendlier, and let them through. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wagons for sale in Jaca -- Only 250 sil !! contact gft_jon@gsbvxb.uchicago.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hey, Does anyone know what a pick of mining is useful for, I personally have no idea and picked it up from spoils of war, Oh well, I guess it will make a nice ornament for the mantlepiece. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There was a scream in agony, one loud scream, and the rest was silent... The book of twilight about the battle of Gorwyth ------------------------------------------------------------------------ .....My squad of scouts came upon the town, the second in as many months, but GUARDS abound - a fortune does not lay here - on to plains and mountains we seek,... to quench the dream.. the dream of our god. Death is all around us, mages light the sky, bows scream their song, dragons come on nigh. A swamp we saw, avoided like the plaque, winter's solstice came-the swamp nearby, the swamp that was of late. A plain lay west we saw, a plain not seen heretofore, a plain in light of day. We ran to the town, avoiding the dogs abound, for mages were aplay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Need to find a really cool name for your faction? Tired of your old name? Just try this new name formula! NAME = COL A + COL B + COL C or NAME = COL C + (of the) + COL B + COL C or NAME = COL A + COL A + COL B + COL C COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C Sacred Lion Clan Raging Dragon Scion Screaming Phoenix House Flying Eagle Brotherhood Red Hawk Company Blue Baron Sanctity Green King Faction Fire Heart Network Iron Warrior Corporation Stone Heron Church DISCLAIMER This document is provided for informational purposes only. INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1) All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies must contain this copyright notice and any other notices provided therein; 3) This document may not be distributed for profit.; 4)If you get any weird results from these formulas and you blame us, we'll sic our lawyers on you.; and 5) If you get a Faction name from this formula that belongs to someone else, it's your funeral. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beware... the Ides of February... The chill winds of war are about to sweep the Plains. Prepare yourselves for Valhalla, pray to the gods you believe in. The days ahead will be dark and bloody indeed... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Someone has usurped my name! No matter - one of us shall prevail. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roy stroked the stubble on his chin and cursed. "Why do the idiots never do what they're told? Or if they do, why is it always the *letter* of the orders and not the *spirit*? Surely they're smart enough to know that if I order them to study something they should claim some silver to pay for the studies? Imbeciles!" With another curse he kicked a chunk of rock over the cliff face and settled down to write out this month's orders, knowing even before he started that the incompetents back at head office would somehow manage to misinterpret even the plainest intstructions. Just wait - when he got back from this surveying expedition he'd give some of them some orders, all right! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As First Rank Diettinger surveyed his new surroundings, he saw much opportunity for the Sauron people to establish themselves. He set about to carve a niche into the lands by sending forth his subordinates to survey the lands and meet the natives. Once he had amassed enough information, he would decide how he could bring the Race prosperity in this new and strange world. To be continued.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Today we extol the simple virtues of WAR. The whole function of these factions is to take control of land. The majority of their forces are simply COM trained troops. For a little variation, they can add XBO and LBO. The truly wild try their hand at RID. Finally, a few generals (TAC) and recon units (OBS) round out the units. WAR factions can TAX 100 regions and hold as many more as they feel like. There is little benefit in alliances -- it is unlikely they will reach 100 hexes quickly -- since one can TAX as easily as two or three. On the other hand, these factions are great consumers. What expanding faction can't use more weapons, fortresses, horses, wagons and ships. Mage spells and magic items are always needed. A WAR faction can never say 'enough'. That is its strength and its weakness. --an ambitious man ------------------------------------------------------------------------ One thing that would make me really angry, is if somebody would STEAL my Helm of Observation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "So Brain, what are we going to do tonight?" "The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world!" They're dinky, they're Pinky and the Brain Brain Brain Brain Brain! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I find them. We set up plans to buy troops and share training. It is a good deal for me and I guess a good deal for them. I give my silver to them. What is this! A battle happens. They are wiped out! What happened to my silver, why did not I get my troops? What can I do when my new friedns are destroyed? I am with one man and only 100 silver. What is there to do in these lands? That is enough for me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kyranon sighed contentedly. His studies were coming along quite well, and soon he would be joined by other mages. His scouts brought in information everyday, at least those that didn't try to swim in the ocean to get out of the blistering heat. But they were dealt with already, and would soon also be exploring the wilderness. His personal guard was training, but getting better everyday. Soon, the Order of Mystacia would be known once more throughout the land of Atlantis! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Darkman shook his head in disgust. Protected by the might of the Empire, the high elves had become fat and lazy (and truly there is nothing more grotesque than a fat elf!). They were no longer fit to rule. "Do any of these sad races have the strength, courage, wisdom, and, yes, visciousness to rule this mighty land?" mused the nameless shadow. Eyes roving and spirit searching, he rode across the plains. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jump Jump Jump See Froggy fly Thump Thump Thump Hope Froggy does'nt die Aimlessly wondering through lands of "Milk & Honey" Jump Jump Jumping like the little bunny Want to rest, must find a pleasent palce Just want peace and a little space ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Claims of the Republic... --------------------------------------- "What now?" The Legate was grumpy. His usualy so sharp eyed Signifer had taken a wrong turn the other day, landing them more than a hex from their destination. "Err, nothing, Sir. We won our battles as usual this month. However..." "What?" "Some of the units we slaughtered weren't SZ, Sir." The Legate frowned. "Did they try to REVEAL faction?" "No, Sir." "Did they have permission from any of our factions to stay in the area." "No, but..." "Then what the Hell, are you bothering me with this for. It`s their own bloody fault, going into a warzone." "Yes, Sir." The Legate frowned - no matter how many times you made a land-claim, people we`re always ready to ignore it. *************************************************************************** All of the lands and towns of RANTLU have been claimed by the Republic of Rome! REVEAL FACTION when you enter our lands and try to get in contact with one of our factions - preferrably one of the war factions. Trangressors stand the very good chance of being mistaken for SZ and eliminated! The official WWW Page of the Republic is the Forum Romanum http://www.kom.auc.dk/~strategy/Atlantis.html *************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ These are dark times we live in. I can do nothing now, but wait. I hope and pray that the gateway city does not fall. The forces of evil are gathering. Somehow the balance of power must swing back the other way or all will be lost. The Wave must correct itself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He felt the power surge through his body. He shouted with excitement as he experimented with the extent of his magical abilities. In this small apartment off of a dark alley somewhere at the heart of Atlantis City, he was learning the way of the Mage. But he craved more. He couldn't conquer the vast land of Atlantis without more.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Repent!! Atlantis has become a den of iniquity and sin. The Almighty One has already spoken and declared His wish to leave our world. We must all get on our knees and pray. We must all DECLARE ALLY. We must all DECLARE DEFAULT FRIENDLY. We must all FORGET STEALTH. Perhaps if we do these things we shall not be left Geoffless. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The spell is cast. A dark door opens and ominous mists float toward the mage. He closes his eyes, holds his breath, and jumps into the void. With no perceptible change in inertia, he finds himself in a vast area of plains. Cool... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why weren't my orders proceeded for two turns? I was stuck in AC and just worked! The only thing that I did was writing to the TIMES. So know I'll produce swords in Oranmore and Fetlar next turn! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Global Trading Company is making an excellent start. We will soon have many fine things in our warehouses. Stay tuned for our adds to appear. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So far from home, and all alone. Where do I go? Who can I trust? Best to keep a low profile until I know more about this place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mighty indeed are the foundations of the universe. The strength of one well versed in them can conquer all. But the strongest foundation of all, that of the Great Llama itself. In that foundation lies the hope and destruction of the world. Therein lies all of the strife and all of peace. Therein lies all of the water and all of the bread. Join in learning of the Greatest Foundation, and rejoice in the Great Llama. Book of the Great Llama ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why do you have a wanted section in the times that includes stone, longbows, and wagon when these material do not exist in Atlantis City and you can supposedly not reenter the city one you have left..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ********************************************************************* ******************* THE NEGENTROPS ******************** ********************************************************************* Several peacefull units from our faction will soon move out from SINAN heading WEST. We are friendly to any one who is to us Information is our business. We are buying and selling any kind of interesting information. Please contact us if you are interested ********************************************************************* ******************* THE NEGENTROPS ******************** ********************************************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The great Geoff seemed to manage my rebirth quite easily, though my mother said that once was TOO much. Knowing that new cities are opening up to the big AC is reassuring because those currently available for population seem to resemble the play pens of small children. I.e. "It's mine & you leave it alone." "Get out!" "I don't like you." Maybe this time will be different. If not, I'm going to start the Alliance of Anarchy. Anyone interested in perpetuating the idea can find me via alt-players. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ....The archeologist scrambled through the rumble and literally fell upon his goal...The Tablet of Enkara, of a realm long lost.. the fabled Atlantis. The message was in an easily decodable script ------------------------------------------------- Dear fellow people of the civilised universe, I am only recently come of age and seek to come out of my debutante on a search for adventure. Being somewhat gifted as a scribe, and learned in the way of nature I am seeking to become a druid. However I am also aware that to do so means that I will require a guardian's patronage - due to the expenses of the art. Therefire, being new to this world (yes, a newbie) I would like to ask what are the proper means for seeking patronage in order to meet my thirst for knowledge and to serve my wise patron? Yours in earnest gratitude, The Emerald Eyle ---------------------------------------------------- Hmmmm.... a youth seeking entrance to the activities of society. This was indeed an advanced civilisation -- At Last!! PROOF that Atlantis EXISTS!!!! -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up