Subject: Atlantis 2.0: Times 18 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Mon, 05 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times August, Year 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems, or to play. Please don't use other player's real names in Times articles unless you know that it is OK with them. Some players don't like have their names used, no matter what context. You may continue to use my name in any light you please. There will be no turn run on June 18th, as I will be moving. In addition, I will probably disable the mailing lists for some period of time around then, until I get my computer set up and a phone line put in for it. Thanks for your under- standing. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) Casting a certain spell would incorrectly clear out your month-long orders. 2) It seems that I introduced a bug allowing units to tax in cities (despite the guards) some time ago. This has been fixed. I apologize for introducing such a serious bug, and hope that no-one got too much of an advantage through this. Additions This Turn: 1) Units will now have their "reveal" status displayed on your turn reports. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A bitter wind whipped volleys of snowflakes over the frozen surface of the swamp. Bare, stunted trees bent and swayed before the onslaught, and beasts big and small huddled in whatever shelter they could find. A disenterested moon painted the landscape with pale light and eerie shadows. Inside one building of a small compound, a stocky, beared northman focused on a single thought: "Brandy," Melvin muttered. "The world for a cask of decent brandy." He pulled a thick fur cloak closer around his shoulders. "I can send for some t'nar," Abercrombe cheerfully offered from across the room. Melvin quickly raised a hand to forestall his lieutenant. "No. I don't want to know what these elves put in that stuff -- probably bark and and pond scum, knowing them -- but don't get any near me." Abercrombe shrugged and hid a small smile. "As you like." He became more serious after a moment. "The battle went well," he reported. "The enemy didn't stand a chance against the combined force we fielded. We didn't even sustain any casualties." Nodding his acknowledgement, Melvin pulled his hand back under his cloak. "That is well. Send my congratulations." He paused for a moment, considering, then nodded at a parchment streched out on his table: "tell me what you think of this message...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ More of the young orcs were following the pale, raven-tressed woman from Atlantis City today. She spoke softly and smiled slightly and her acolytes distributed sacks of gold; more than enough to win the adoration of the impressionable orclings of the mountain crags. Some of the grizzled old orc veterans muttered quietly with the elvish blacksmiths. She was a witch, no doubt about it, and by all reports, cousin to the witch the soldiers had killed in the spring campaigning. Livestock were disappearing mysteriously from the pens, and the young orcs loved her like a queen. Why was she here? Why did the Captain seem to think so highly of her? Could she be trusted? The old men shook their heads and prayed that the Captain knew what he was doing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings all !! We are proud to announce that , after a long break in a distant world, Tristam is back to our countries to continue the Fight (and the test). Nous sommes fier de vous annoncer le retour de Tristam , revenu de lointaines contrees peuplees de creatures etranges , il est a nouveau parmi nous pour poursuivre le combat...que le peuple se rejouisse !! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1st Rantlu War continues !!! Both Slunecni Zare and Roman Republic spent last turn in moving - more accurately troops of Dragon Legions turned away from Rantlu (51,5), whereas SZ army prepared its first attack. It becomes clear that Roman Republic is much weaker then one could suppose according to Roman's strong words. But Slunecni Zare will be still very gratefull for all Rantlu&Glomera region reports. Great Muuf ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boudiccea is writing a letter to her sister Undine: Dear sister, it's now a few months that I arrived here. I am studying magic and I have three apprentices to teach. It's much better here than in Atl1, because theres none such a beast as this Dr. Vox. What about your fight against him: Have you won the war already?? I have found new friends here, good friends to help each other. We all wear different kinds of robes: purple, crimson, blue, black .. all colours you can see in a rainbow - it's a wonderful picture. And thats why we are called the Polychromatic (nice, isn't it) Pirates. Bye with best wishes your sister Boudiccea PS: my robe has a really wonderful colour: blue, blue as the sky in spring over Tarraspans gras. Boudiccea casts a spell to open a gate to Atl1. She is sending a pigeon through this gate. "Fly without fear, little pigeon, and bring this letter to my sister." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Captain of The Black Company, Faction 124, typing. There have been a lot of rumors about the "soon to be destroyed city guards" of Sledmere. I have no doubt that the city guards of Sledmere will not last to see another winter, there are just to many faction wanting to tax that money rich hex. I have no worrys, I rode right through Sledmere on turn one and never looked back. This "satan" and a few others are saying, stay in Sledmere and ally with the city guards. Well if your a magic faction you may want to do that, but war and trade factions can't do anything in the city except work so what good does that do you? However when the city guards do get killed the winners will not be to thrilled with the factions that allied with the guards especially mages that cast spells like fireflash. So what am I saying? Think about it, what do you gain if you stay in Sledmere? What do anonymous factions asking you to stay and ally with the guards gain? Could it be they just want to use you to weaken whoever attaks the city guard so they can take over? Am I lying to get you not to ally with the guards? Maybe, but at least I use my faction name and tell you to think for your self. Also: Wands of fire for sale. A wand of fire allows any unit to cast a fireflash spell. Minimum price 1000 silver. I'm west of Sledmere, I can deliver. Also I'm thinking about selling two mages (so I can convert to a full war faction). Each can cast fireflash, cure and make wands of fire. Plus a few other silly spells. Make an offer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIRE SALE!!! That's right! Our Atlantis City labs caught fire as a result of an accident while conducting magical research on fire. Much of our equipment survived, but we have to get rid of it so we can repair our building. A variety of magical as well as mundane lab equipment and office supplies will be available at rock bottom prices. This Saturday only!!! Corner of Enchanted way and Main Street near the north gate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have grown in strength and achieved much. Our spells are now formidable. Now we can truly begin to control our third region. I will send another scout there this turn followed by magicians. Soon, my allies will be strong enough to ensure our future success. But what now should we study in the arts of magic? We have almost every spell. What awaits us to discover. Maybe we should start using these spells and begin our jumps into new lands. We shall see what shall happen in the future. ***** The Hand of Darkness, and our allies the Dire Didgett of Darkness, and the Melniboneans, now claim the desert in (6,15), the swamp in (7,13) and the forest in (6,14). All factions entering this region are requested to state their business. Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmaster.ca Dire Didgett of Darkness richard@majinga.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Komarken Tribune ================ City Guard Eliminated The combined weight of the PolyChromatic Pirates crushed the Komarken city guard and the few unfortunates that put their trust in the guards ability to control the streets of this city. The Big Guy was quoted, "I could count our casualties on one hand". Mayor Hatred the undeniable ruler of this fair city gloried in the fireworks display that took place as a back drop for the battle. Hostages Taken All other residents of the glorious city of Komarken have been taken hostage by the Pirates, perhaps not what mayor Hatred had planned, but then again... The hostages have been told that if they transfer all worldly goods they may be recompensed and allowed to depart for any random location. Few have taken up this offer at present, and it is questionable as to whether the Pirates will give the hold outs a second chance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The war factions may have the taxes but the trade factions have the swords (and bows and horses and armor...). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 5,13 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com 6,11 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 6,13 The Inner Eye Alliance mlyon@interramp.com 6,14 Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca 6,15 Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca 7,10 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 7,11 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 8,10 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) leete@slack.med.upenn.edu 8,16 The Harpers g77008@it3.eskom.co.za 8,18 The Church Of Envy (346) smygelfh@kuai.se 9,8 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 9,11 multiple factions vjg@cbnea.att.com 9,15 The Harpers g77008@it3.eskom.co.za 10,7 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 10,8 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 10,11 Lance Lunchnick and the Litigators (277) leete@slack.med.upenn.edu 11,11 Renaissance (30) vjg@cbnea.att.com 12,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se 13,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se 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 46,56 Los chicos de Edu & The Prophet Followers ecasas@mest.unizar.es & moustafa@mest.unizar.es 47,1 Axion Imperium jts@telerama.lm.com 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 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) ??? 52,5 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz 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 57,2 Acme Labs (297) tajones@beagle.colorado.edu 77,51 Kermit swater@glob.com 77,52 Kermit swater@glob.com 78,51 Kermit swater@glob.com 78,52 Kermit swater@glob.com 78,53 Kermit swater@glob.com 79,51 Kermit swater@glob.com 79,52 Kermit swater@glob.com 80,52 Kermit swater@glob.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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "By Athena! They are attacking US!" Karamon quickly whispered an order to his blind servant Paul and the messenger weaved his way through dense forest; dangerous arrows whizzing by his head and torso. Out of breath but happy to deliver this msg, Paul arrived at his destination and said, "Send the reinforcements." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **** Note **** Orrebygd (11,15) has been claimed by Magos for our (and our allies) exclusive use. Harpers 516, contact us regarding your unit Harper Horse Trainers (3932). Hadrian T. McRoot, Mgc.D. (matw@halcyon.com) **** End Note **** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **MONZON MOVERS** ***** UPDATE ****** Why YOU need the Monzon Movers: Your units are near starvation and 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, athough 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. *** FULLY BOOKED for 4 months **** *** Beat the rush - Place your order NOW !!! **** You want to relocate? By giving cash to our units in Monzon, we will purchase units for you in the Mountains or Tundra far West of Kashmar, This service so far has not been used. Moreover no other units have yet been seen in this region. As such this service will have a higher commision than the others. Please only contact me with GOOD offers. **** Disbanded due to rule clarification, *** * watch this space for further MM enterprises* CALL NOW AT pdxark@evol.nott.ac.uk *** Just back: our offices are now fully staffed *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mikey was hunched over the camp fire, "Damn cold for August," he said, "we must be pretty far north." "What's your favorite food?" replied Ingle. He had just returned from gathering berries and the evening's fare looked a bit sparse to him. "Well it's not stinkberries and bog mushrooms," said Mikey, "anyway, what did you find for tonight's meal?" "Just this stick, some underbark, and half of a cheese sandwich," said Ingle. "Wait, Ingle, what was that last item? a cheese sandwich?, that means there are people around, maybe they know where we are and how to get out of here." said Mikey excitedly. "Well, it's only half, and it looks a bit old. I guess you can have it if you're so excited about it." "No, what I want is to get out of here and get to a town where I can have a bath and ... hey what is that?" he said staring in disbelief. Ingle was tossing something into the air and catching it. "That looks like mithril, let me see that, yes I haven't seen this stuff since I was a kid. Ingle, I want you to show me exactly where you got this." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thorn etait particulierement soulage en contemplant les villageois au travail sous ses yeux. Apres une annee entiere de galeres diverses et d'erreurs, il avait enfin reussit a mettre en place la production et la vente de bois et de fourrures dans la cite proche. Les caravanes de marchands faisaient maintenant des aller-retours reguliers, ramenant a chaque fois un peu plus de pieces d'argent. Dans quelque temps, les villages environnants allaient se mettre a travailler pour lui. La cooperation avec les soldats habitant la region se deroulait bien, elle aussi. La seule inquietude reelle de Thorn etait la bataille a venir. L'air de plus en plus charge d'electricite, les escarmouches au sud, les rumeurs le plus folles qui circulaient de partout, tout ceci indiquait bien une seule chose: bientot, la cite allaient tomber aux mains d'une puissance militaire. Son seul espoir etait que le commerce n'en soufre pas trop. Apres tout, meme les soldats les puis puissants ont besoin de chevaux et d'armes. Les mois a venir allaient etre decisifs. Thorn etait impatient... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Still Going: THE CARTOGRAPHER'S COOPERATION CONSORTIUM ! When you go out on a long series of travels and explorations, what should you never leave home without? No, it's not the Atlantean Express(TM) card. A Map! All travelers should have as accurate a map as possible. Well, here at the Cartographer's Consortium, we're endeavoring to put together such a map. But, we can only do it with your help. So, we're asking you to send in a copy of the reports from areas you have recently explored. In return, you'll get the up-to-date compilation of all Consortium entries. We're over 40-plus contributing members strong, with about 20 or so of the "regulars" contibuting on any given turn, the others contributing every 2 or 3 turns, as of when this ad was placed (Friday, 6/1/95). We currently have mapping data on ~500 areas, with economic data on perhaps two hundred, including portions of continents previously unknown and basic surroundings of the new gate cities. The CCC is now cooperating with the services of the Platinum Map. If you like the Platinum Map, you might like the additional service of the CCC, which adds a complied gazeteer of many of the regions mapped by the Platinum Mapping project. Write for info now. The CCC can currently be reached at "tim.hruby@his.com". Please include the prefix "CCC:" in your subject line. P.S., Sorry for the constant repetition (I've received a complaint), but the ad gets responses from new players every turn. I'll cut it back when/if the game is closed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Well, Blevid, this is your last chance to visit your Aunt in Komarken before the great shift relocates the portal." The speaker was one of those typically annoying high elves who are far too common in Atlantis City. You know the type; always ready with advice about travelling on the Imagination Super Highway (aptly known as the fISH) to the far-flung reaches of Atlantis, but never able to do anything personally. Blevid disliked this obnoxious little elf more than most. "Karrik, you're a silly boring erruction sometimes. I'm not going to visit Aunt Gerrontius until my studies are finished, and by then I won't need a physical portal to get there. But since you're so keen on leaving the City, why don't I send *you* to Komarken? Preferrably in little pieces, over a period of several days!" Now *that* would be a useful transport spell to learn. Blevid resolved to ask his mentor forthwith if such a conjuring was within reach of his skills (and his financial wherewithal). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Zendall looked to the east and smiled. Smoke rose in the distance. He turned and walked back into the tent. A weary Valdez was seated behind the desk that was the room's only furniture. "It has been done." Zendall stated with obvious relish. Valdez turned his head up to look at his partner and said "I wish that it could have been done another way. You know that I do not approve of the use of violence." Zendall nodded and sat down. He folded his hands in his lap mocking the smaller man in front of him. "Well mommy what would you have me do? Kill a few dozen of my little toy soldiers?" He began in a mocking tone and continued in a soothing one "Come now man. No one likes it some can take it. You can take it. I know--and--I'll make a leader out of you yet Valdez. Now tell me how goes the boat?" Valdez look up again "Not long now only a few more months. The wood is ready. The men are ready. The builder is ready. All we need are the wagons and they should be here this month." Zendall smilled and thought about Prag. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yea; I know I promised more of the Hermetic Orders Philosophy of Magic. Would You believe that my dog ate my homework? No, then hows about the fact that it is a lovely day and I wanna be outside (read Laziness). In stead the Hermetic Order is proud to present {dah dah dah dahhhh} A DAY IN THE LIFE In room high up in the Covenant of the Hermetic Order (presently at Monzon but likely to move due to high rent), Galen prepares to operate. On a table in front of him lies the corpse of a goblin; its face frozen in a odd smile. "hummm, Dirtbag's treatise on Goblin's is really unreliable so lets se what I can find; might be a monograph in it for me," he muses as he puts on his surgical gloves. Starting with a cut through the ghastly grey green skin of its chest Galen pulls back the chest to look into the cavity. After a long and thorough autopsy of the chest area Galen arrives at the following conclusions. 1) The Heart -smaller than the human norm; about the side of a child's. I must conclude therefore that it, at its optimal, beats about 100-110 times per minute. I emphasize the word optimal in that this heart is in a serious state of decay; large deposits of fatty tissue are found in his aorta and in the various veins and arteries. 2) The Lungs -these lungs have definitely seen better days; while goblins are not known for their use of tobacco and other similar carcinogins; there is evidence of severe breathing problems. I hypothesize a pure ventilation system in their hovels. (ie they forget that smoke must get out when cooking). Another possible conclusion would be the religious use of tobacco but this is not evidenced in the various cultural texts on the goblin people. Galen then proceeds to examine the stomach cavity (deleted to protect those who might be faint at heart); followed by a rectal exam. What was found in the rectal exam actually caused Galen to leave the room for a while (suffice it to say he shortly after donated a considerable amount of money to "people for the ethical treatment of hamsters (PETH for short)). As we write he is now search for the brain (he has only been digging for three days now). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ************************************************************************ # # # ##### # ## # # ##### # #### # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### ####### # # ###### # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # ###### # # # # # # #### ####### A slave Rushes in... # # # # # # ## # "Master", he stammers, "a New source of # # # # # Information!" # # # # # # # # ## "Let me see!" you reply, grabbing the parchment ####### # # from his weak hands. Slowly you read the strange inscription... ####### # # # ###### (See Footer ;-) # # # # # ###### ##### "It's just Someones Address!" you exclaim, striking # # # # the slave roughly. "Get Out Of Here!" # # # # # # # ###### "But Master", continues the (brave) slave, "There's all sorts of useful and up-to-date stuff about # # ####### ###### Atlantis there. Everyone else is going!" # # # # # # # # # # # # "Hmmm, might be worth a look..."; you look down at the # # # ##### ###### the poor thing, which thinks its boldness has gained # # # # # # it favour, then break its nose for the third time # # # # # # this week. "Don't be so insolent!" you scream! ## ## ####### ###### My Atlantis Homepage is rapidly growing, but needs YOUR help to make it Great! Current features include : - Smaller Picture for faster loading! - Quick Reference Section including rules(html), Instructions, Current Players List, Great Hall of Maps, and the Current Times. - A brief description/introduction to the game. - Advice on the mailing list and how to get off it! - Reviewed Links to (all?) the other Atlantis pages, including the Official Page. - Order Checker Addresses. - Complete FTP options for easy retreival of all FTP Atlantis Data. - Submissions and Articles provided by YOU the players! - Land Claims. - Newbie Help Pages (Unstructured as yet). - Skill Report List - Specialist Skills Breakdown. - Spell Report List - Comic Relief! - A test map. - Photo of the infamous Kermit of the Muppet Faction! - Other Fantasy and PBEM links! This Page has probably completely changed (for the better) since you last saw it! (In fact the URL has recently changed too - see below for the new one!) I am quite happy to put your articles on it (if you have neither the time or the knowhow to write HTML, then I will convert any ascii files you send me). One thing I must ask is that you send me 'permanent' things such as treatises on combat / magic / war / trade / economics /anything like that. Advice on default orders for Newbies will be compiled into one really good set. Do not send me land claims etc or anything that is organised by other groups such as the ccc. I will talk to individual service providers about giving access to their info. Let me know your opinions! regards, Jon. (217) (Jon's Faction). (u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk) (http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/users/u3jph/Atlantis/index.html) ************************************************************************ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Puxa que vida danada, mais um exito que nao deu. sera que tem um jeito de chegar aonde tem ningum? Algem me entende? me escreve entao. Eu sou: carioca@io.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO o o O OPEN LETTER TO THE PRAESTBYGD CHRONICLER O o ---------------------------------------- o O A political chronicle O o o OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO Last Times' Praestbygd chronicler found himself very cute when he realized that since there is just one Praestbygd accessible region, just claiming one hex was sufficient to be Emperor of Praestbygd, while it would be another matter to name oneself Emperor of Carnforth, for example. This poor "his majesty" missed the point ! In Atlantis there IS one hex named Praestbygd. It is a swamp, and you still must hold this swamp to support your empire. You CAN be thrown down one day. But are there any country with barbarian names like Fransse, Jermani, Angleland, or Younaitidstet ? NO !!! So, to claim these kingdom you even have to hold NO region at all !!! Okay, my fellow chronicler is Emperor of Praestbygd - but I am King of Fransse, Emperor of Jermani, Overlord of Angleland, and Patriarch of Younaitidstet, and I will never be spoiled of my titles, because nobody will care for taking my place. I complain with him. But to consolate him, I can sell him a lordship $50, if he wants (and I will even add a free proverb from my unsold stock). - Acrobatty the Rigolord, and the Jokomicalaughunny Barons. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello again, I am here to claim a donation for a poor man. GIVE ME SOME COINS, PLEEEEASE The beggar. iduran@mest.unizar.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************************** * * * TTTTT RRRR AAAAA IIIII N N M M EEEEE N N TTTTT * * T R R A A I N N N M M M E N N N T * * T RRRR AAAAA I N NN M M EEE N NN T * * T R R A A I N N M M E N N T * * T R R A A IIIII N N M M EEEEE N N T * * * ****************************************************************** We're offering training services in ellesmere/menter area. Training costs: 1 applicant: 30 silver. 2 applicants:40 silver. 3 applicants:45 silver 5 applicants:50 silver more applicants: +5 silver per applicant. Other ways of payment can be accepted... ask previously. Skills we train: Combat Stealth Observation Entertainment Energy Riding Building Tactics Soon availables more skills. Ask for your trainment to ******************************************************************************* //////// Al Pertierra Al Pertierra: | _ _ | C/ Feijoo N49-4-A u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es 6| * * |9 Gijo'n (Asturias) (u0904872@156.35.141.8) | < | Spain C.P.33204 Soldados Drakull (Drakull Soldiers) | _ | Faction 237 |____| ****************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS IS WHAT SSS AAA TTT AAA N N WRITES THIS WEEK: S A A T A A NN N SSS AAA T AAA N NN S A A T A A N N SSS A A T A A N N Drakull:" Satan i've found someone writing messages using your name!!" Satan:" Are you sure?? Who can dares doing that." Drakull:" They are trying to show you that if not having the orders of times anybody can use our name for their purposes." Satan:" Maybe the great Geoff can protect our messages from being copied?" Drakull:" I don't think so... do you remember something similar with someone called Pieter??" Satan:" You're right. The great Geoff tolds him that nothing could be done." Devil:" Do you think then that can be a good idea having our position by faction number in times?" Satan:" May be... let's me think about it..." Drakull:" By other side... the guards faction number is not 0 as you told. For declaring the guards allies you need only using DECLARE 1 ALLY." Satan:" Sure, thanx." TO ALL PLAYERS IN ATLANTIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK: Should you be able to detect someones faction number through its position in the times? Drakull:" That's an example of why i think the actual times is good as it comes. Being able of detecting your faction number is a risk that can be resolved with friends sending your messages, but i think it's no relevant." Satan:" That's your personal thought." Drakull:" Sure." Drakull:" Changing theme, why are you all time talking about the mest.unizar players as if they are the public 1 enemies? They are my friends, as i'm Spanish too. I've got some more Spanish players friends here at the University, are you also going to attack us??? I hope not. I won't like fighting with you if we can be allies, but if you have an hostile attitude be sure i'll do my best for destroying you..." Satan:" Are you menacing me??!!" Drakull:" No, i'm not menacing you. I've power and strength enough for winning a big battle, but i prefer making allies than enemies or deads." Satan:" Hummmm...I'll think about it..." THIS IS THE COUNTRY OF PEACE AND FRENDSHIP! SSS AAA TTT AAA N N S A A T A A NN N SSS AAA T AAA N NN S A A T A A N N SSS A A T A A N N & the Undead ****************************************************************************** SATAN is a un-registered private name and may only be used by Satan. Satan and Devil are un-registered private chars and may only be used by Satan. Drakull is a registered private name that may only be used by myself ;). ******************************************************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ====================================================================== ====== ====== ==== ==== La redaccion de este periodico ha sido ocupada por la Brigada AnarkoCyperPunk, seccion de los Grupos Anarkistas Digitales, comando del Escuadron de las Sombras, organizacion de apoyo logistico a la macroestructura Def Con Dos. En el marco de nuestra denodada lucha contra el imbecil, hemos decidido esta espectacular accion para llamar la atencion sobre una serie de puntos: - Basta ya de jugar a los MUDs! - Basta ya de jugar al Homer! - Basta ya de jugar a rol por e-mail! - Basta ya de traerse fotos de sen~oritas ligeritas de ropa por WWW! - Basta ya de estar suscrito a listas de correo raras! - Basta ya de jugar al SuperMazeWars! En lugar de ello: - Compraos un ajedrez, eso si que es un juego de estrategia - Bajad al bar y ligaos a vuestra vecina - Comeos un tripi - Comprad una Interviu (algo mas fuerte seria demasiado para vosotros) - Leed libros, que igual aprendeis algo - Salid a la autopista y poneos a 200 en el carril contrario Es, en definitiva, la hora de los mamporros todos a beber y a follar que son 2 dias! - - - Por vuestra jodida culpa nos van a quitar la red a todos!!! CABRONES y es que ni siquiera sois de esta escuela, ostias! Estamos en Junio... que pasa, no teneis examenes o que? Firmado desde la clandestinidad en algun lugar de Europa, G.A.D. ==== ==== ====== ====== ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The GODs lead us. Why dont you follow their word?? You will be punished, Sledmere is the paradise, you will be kich out the paradise..... Join the God forces, feel the Sledmerian blood running through your body.... LONG LIFE TO SLEDMERE! Moustafathe Prophet (faction 251) moustafa@mest.unizar.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watch out all you peace loving people in Atlantis. The Atlantis Police will put a stop to all that. It seems to be the cast that any unit that has even stealth level 1 is branded a thief of killer. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. I have a unit called Tiny, he is a peace loving mage quietly researching the realms of magic. Then the Police Department came along and pranded him a thief. Now he hides in the shadows scared to show his face for fear of retribution. Never again can he call Atlantis city his home, not until this slander is proven wrong. Let the Atlantis Police come forward and make its case for this destruction of character. I what compensation. Or at least a public apology in the times/ alt_players. LET THE TRIAL BEGIN. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DIRTBAG CHRONICLES - PART V Dirtbag stood atop the pile of stones and looked out over the assembled crowd of vice-presidents and slaves. Slippy, Dippy, Flippy and Zippy, four of his most loyal vice-presidents stood behind him. Being a "most loyal vice-president" did have it's drawbacks, however. Dirtbag occasionally felt that a motivational exercise was needed to inspire the other vice-presidents and one of the "most loyal vice-presidents" was usually selected for this honour. That was why Flappy, up to now a most loyal vice-president, was lying trussed like a hoo-man ready for the stewpot at Dirtbag's feet. "Dirtbag speaks to youze loyal vice-prezidents wit da words of Gdunbar. Dis useless gnazhki not work hard. Dis gnazhki say dat Dirtbag not speak troo words of Gdunbar. Gdunbar has asked Dirtbag for dis gnazhki to firm stones of dis stone-pile. Dat be what Dirtbag do." With this, Dirtbag kicked Flappy off the edge of the stone pile into a hole. Flappy didn't object to this since Dirtbag had pesuaded him to join the ceremony with his hickory club. 'T'row da elfy-welfys in da hole too." Happy, Sappy and Zappy, three more vice-presidents, threw four newly hatched infant elves into the hole alongside Flappy's body. A collective moan of despair could be heard from the elf slaves. Dirtbag now screamed out, "Push da big stone in da hole." Four more vice-presidents began to lash the elf slaves harnessed to a large block of granite. One elf teetered and fell screaming into the hole. His screams were cut off when the monolith slipped into the hole with a muffled "thump". Dirtbag giggled and pronounced, "Oopsy, Gdunbar get 'nother elfy-welfy slave to torment. Youze loyal vize-presidents, push top of stone." Dirtbag scrambled over the backs of Flippy, Dippy, Slippy and Zippy. He managed to stick his prehensile toes into at least fours eyes and two ears during the climb. Once atop the monolith, he shouted to the assembled crowd, "Dirtbag feel da presenz of Gdunbar. Gdunbar feel gud wit da gifts of Dirtbag." Dirtbag began to tremble and shake. "Gdunbar comin' ta take Dirtbag in hiz fis'. Dirtbag feel da' spirit of Gdunbar taking 'im". Dirtbag began to whirl and gyrate atop the monolith. Despite themselves, the vice-presidents were also caught up in the pentecostal fervour of Dirtbag's religious ecstasy. The previously silent orcs were soon rolling on the ground, frothing at the mouth and speak in garbled versions of the human tongue. While they were doing this, the remaining elf slaves snuck into the surrounding forest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPP (single purple priest) seeks spirtually minded, unattached, SNOF (single, non orc, female, please pick at least two) for companionship. Must be able to understand the strans being a man of the cloth can exert. Sypathethic, understanding and loyal. I enjoy long walks in the tundra, single mindedness, and hot tubbing. Does this sound like fun to you? If not, and you are attractive, I'd be willing to pay you if you said it did. Please contact the Abbey of the Church of the Sacred Purple Kumquat, ask for Ralph. Together we can shake heaven and earth, how the mighty will tremble, the meek shall rejoice, and hopefully I will get......well you know. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Nine Billion Names Of ...? --------------------------------- (apologies to the late Mr. Asimov) No one can read the religious screeds in each issue of the Times without appreciating the thoughtful inquiry being made by brave spirits across (around?) the world in an effort to understand this Big Universe Thingy we find ourselves inhabiting. Several factions have posited the existence of a Big God Thingy of some kind who created the Big Universe Thingy, who watches over us all, processes orders, doles out silver, and so forth. Yet these many learned inquisitors disagree on the nature of the Big God Thingy. Or do they? Next month: the monotheistic heresy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The continuing chronicles of Mr. Lunchnick: Lets see, where was I last... Rainy street, dim bar, strange man, left the bar, chased by thugs, oh yeah! The Fire! Well, seems that the conflagration that started in the old funeral parlor spread over six city blocks, and the remains smoldered for days. There was a pall of smoke hanging over our fair city that had a strange, sickly-sweet edge to it that you only noticed in quiet moments at the end of the day. Those were strange days in Atlantis City, too. On the second day after the fire, a commotion arose at the Circle of the Gods that changed the lives of everyone in the city. The Circle of the Gods is a small hill at the east end of the city, atop of which sit the twelve Gods of Atlantis. The Gods are huge stone heads, 20' tall, all facing the center of the circle. Half of them have their mouths gaping wide, but only darkness emanates from their prodigous maws. It is rumored that if one steps in to one of the mouths of the Gods he is transported to another fair city surrounded by wild country for miles around, but many believe that nothing exists outside Atlantis City. Well, two days after the Fire, one of the Gods of Atlantis closed his mouth! The tourists and pilgrims were in shock and amazement! When another of the Gods (who's mouth had been closed for as long as anyone could remember) opened his mouth, Cuthbart the Pious, ancient soothsayer of the Circle of the Gods from time immemorial, dropped over dead! People ran screaming from the Circle and panic spread throught the neighboring community. Let me tell you, not much rattles a High Elf, but when they panic they do it right. I saw one run full speed, crying uncontrollably, straight into a tree. He didn't even fall down - he just bounced off and kept running. Back in the Tenderloin district somebody else accidentally re-started the Fire, and another 4 blocks burned to ashes. Well, now it's a couple of months later, and people have gotten used to the Gods opening and closing their mouths, so there's not much discussion of it in the market, other than a number of lotteries that have sprung up regarding which of the Gods will open or close his mouth next. The other odd thing is that now there are gangs developing around the Circle of the Gods who show their bravado by leaping through God's mouths just as they are closing or right after they open. Some of them are only posers who try to goad other unsuspecting youths to feats of daring, but they themselves are terrified of the thought. Other gangs are truely groups of toughs, looking for a new piece of turf to claim as their kingdom - I wouldn't want to follow them through for anything. What really cought me was that one day as I was passing by I spotted Mr. Lunchnick hanging around one of these gangs... To be continued... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** Monzon Bulletin #9 Published by the Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@sangamon.edu * Seen in Monzon - New in town: The Black Reavers (202). - Leaving: Rognuldr and the Knights of Ni (216), Os Banderantes (223), Civilian Construction Corps (369), The BlackFeather Mariners (546). * Monzon Beat - According to reports, 20 members of GIBOR (77) were killed inside Maurarhiannon (113) territory. GIBOR had previously been caught stealing in Monzon. This brings to nearly eighty the number of "undesirables" done away with by the Maurarhiannons. * Monthly Reminder The Monzon Register is a freely available almanac of information about the Monzon area. To receive a copy of the Register, send email to thayer@sangamon.edu, with the subject 'MONZON REGISTER'. You will receive the most up-to-date version via return mail. We continue to solicit contributions of economic or mapping data, as well as faction descriptions or land claims. *NEW IN THIS ISSUE* The new, improved map is here! The map now shows, prominently displayed in black, the number of the faction claiming each region within 5 hexes of Monzon. *LANDLORDS TAKE NOTE* The map is only as up to date as the information we have received! If you have taken control of a region within 5 hexes of Monzon and this fact is not reflected on the latest map, please tell us! * Business Opportunities The MWE can now offer $50 for each wood sold to us in Monzon. Regrettably, we can no longer pick up wood in surrounding regions. In the interests of brevity, the remainder of the business opportunities section can be found in the Monzon Register, which can be retrieved according to the instructions given above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Archibold sneezed. This summer flu was getting on his nerves. He ached all over, and had difficulty pronouncing his mantras. Frustrated he slid back his chair, and walked to the window. Outside the afternoon sunshine bathed the village. In the street below, children were playing. Archibold couldn't face his texts, nor the constraint of his stuffy attic study. He began to regret the pile of tomes, stacked upon his desk. Perhaps he should have spent the month studying Nature, like Mazwold? Thinking of his student, Archibold smiled. He possessed a special affection for young Mazwold and his eccentricities. Most recent was Mazwold's eccentric confession to doing his own laundry, "That's why I couldn't let you in the other day," Mazwold had explained. "Do you think I was born yesterday?" Archibold had goaded. Then he had pretended to be stern and sent Mazwold packing with a flea in his ear for trying to mislead his betters... Archibold suddenly sneezed into his sleeve. He swore, irritated. It was not uncommon for Wizards to bring men back from the dead, but they still couldn't find a cure for the common cold... --- The Grand Archibold Magic Advisor The Four Who Are One Part Of The Riders Of The Rising Sun ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Council of the Ancients will be teaching the following skills next turn (September, 2): ENE - 2 MND - 2 OBS - 2 TAC - 1 ENE and MND cost 75 SIL/Mage. OBS costs 30 SIL/pupil and TAC costs 100 SIL/pupil. Interested parties should contact the Council at the address below: mlyon@interramp.com Discounts available for a faction who enrolls 3 or more pupils. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ This message comes to you from the Most High Aide to the Lord Hallelujahgobble. Note that this is the true Lord H., not the faker from the (Un)Holy Church of Fundaligionism. ] The Lord Hallelujahgobble, with His infinite wit and wisdom, has thought of a word that rhymes with Phineas: Blasphemeas. He hopes that this will satisfy Mr Phineas, and that he will finally get the message and stop using my Lord's honorable name in vain. My Lord has also thought of another Great Word for you poor gullible followers of Mr Phineas: FourOhEightYahGobble. The Lord Hallelujahgobble announces to the world that this is to be the prise-word of all followers of fundaligionism from now on. His great and wonderful name shall be thrown in the dirt and used no more by mere heathens from other kingdoms! This announcement is absolute, and non-adherance will (as usual) result in the police of the Kingdom tracking down the blasphemers, and brought before the just courts of the Lord Hallelujahgobble. Signed by the Most High Aide to the Lord Hallelujahgobble ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================ ====== ==== ==== La redaccion de este periodico ha sido ocupada por la Brigada AnarkoCyperPunk, seccion de los Grupos Anarkistas Digitales, comando del Escuadron de las Sombras, organizacion de apoyo logistico a la macroestructura Def Con Dos. En el marco de nuestra denodada lucha contra el imbecil, hemos decidido esta espectacular accion para llamar la atencion sobre una serie de puntos: - Basta ya de jugar a los MUDs! - Basta ya de jugar al Homer! - Basta ya de jugar a rol por e-mail! - Basta ya de traerse fotos de sen~oritas ligeritas de ropa por WWW! - Basta ya de estar suscrito a listas de correo raras! - Basta ya de jugar al SuperMazeWars! En lugar de ello: - Compraos un ajedrez, eso si que es un juego de estrategia - Bajad al bar y ligaos a vuestra vecina - Comeos un tripi - Comprad una Interviu (algo mas fuerte seria demasiado para vosotros) - Leed libros, que igual aprendeis algo - Salid a la autopista y poneos a 200 en el carril contrario Es, en definitiva, la hora de los mamporros todos a beber y a follar que son 2 dias! - - - Por vuestra jodida culpa nos van a quitar la red a todos!!! CABRONES y es que ni siquiera sois de esta escuela, ostias! Estamos en Junio... que pasa, no teneis examenes o que? Firmado desde la clandestinidad en algun lugar de Europa, G.A.D. ==== ==== ====== ====== ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We the leaders of the Renaissance gaze upon our handiwork with satisfaction. Not too bad, considering that before last winter we had a solid claim on only a single region. Our Macchiavellian schemes grew toward fruition. Ah, if only the Master himself had come to this world! Our only lament is that it's hard to pretend to come from a Renaissance-era Italian background, when ancient Roman terms and images keep getting mixed in. Fortunately, success in Atlantis isn't determined by the historical accuracy of the names of one's units. Renaissance (faction 30) wishes to state its claim to the following regions and all their contents and products: 6,11 7,10 7,11 9,11 11,11 Taxing and working in these regions is prohibited. Production is allowed only with prior authorization. You may contact Renaissance at: vjg@cbnea.att.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is there anyone else that have found these gold mines? I have been producing it for three months now and do not know what to do with it besides make this magical armor. Is there anyone out there with a level five weaponsmith that needs some gold??? The 12'th Nugget ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Mister Captain, In response to your article in the pervious issue of TIMES : You said : >The Free Companions have several hundred trained soldiers, >and we are quite capable of defending the hexes we claim. Thus, again, >"too many" is not appropriate. yes, but you killed my units in a region you didn't claim before. >As for Pseudo's allegations that I am suppressing Trade, this too is false; >we have encouraged Trade factions to set up in our territories and are >paying them well. Lier, lier ! >The case of Pseudo (My faction name is a secret) is, in any case, not that >of a Trade faction. [...] he sent scouting >parties through our territory, Wrong ! I sent scout through unexplored territory. This is not a crime, isn't it ? The fact is you're blocking an access to many lands you cannot control. I want evryone to know that you're claiming a territory with more than 12 hexes of plains, which is more than half the mapped plains in our continent. Futhermore, taxing all this lands could bring you roughly $30000 per month. What d'you want to do with this money, Mister Captain ? Recruit 500 men per month ? I say the Free Companions are dangerous for the peace in Atlantis ! >posted guards on a region, and declared the 3 >Free Companions unfriendly, attempting to block our access to a region where >we already had units. Right. in fact, I declared everyone unfriendly ! It was stupid, and a mistake. >Then he had the temerity to protest when these units of his were destroyed. Lier, lier !!! I apologized for that, although you had no casualties... >These were the actions of a rival War faction, not a Trade faction, and I will >freely admit that we intend to severely trounce any non-allied War factions >that we encounter. Shut up, slave ! And back to work... Yes, I'm sure that's exactly what you want. Pseudo (My faction's is a secret...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do YOU need a city? We are thinking about selling Monzon. The city is in excellent condition and has only been used for 17 months. Maintenance is cheap, considering all the people who are willing to pay tax to you. Price: 100 000 OBO, if you kill the city guards yourself. If you are interested, please send us a message stating your faction name, your intentions regarding the city, and your bid. Octagon of the Red Bards, Monzon City ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Ok, that's the last time. Again and again, our 'Friends' have promised us money and items, but have never delivered. It's time to set things right!" "What do you want to do" asked a slightly tenuous Jostin. "It's time we moved to greener pastures" declared Moz. "What, do you have a better offer?" asked Jostin. "Yes" answered Moz, "but I want you to stay here this month, get ready to enchant some wagons, and then come and join me in our new home." "Well, ..." stammered Jostin. "Just follow next month!" "Yes Sir!" answered Jostin. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello again: This time who is singing is the unit 507 at Menter while he makes fireworks, the song who sing is COCAINE by Eric Clapton: If you wanna hang out, you have gotta take her out: Cocaine If you wanna get down, get down ont the ground: Cocaine She is alright, She is alright, She is alright, COCAINE If you got that lose, you wanna kick them blues: Cocaine When your day is done, and you wanna ride on Cocaine She is alright, She is alright, She is alright, COCAINE if your day is gone, and you wanna ride on: Cocaine Don't forget this fact: You can't get it back: Cocaine She is alright, She is alright, She is alright, COCAINE She is alright, She is alright, She is alright, COCAINE Do you like this song?, if you like it, wait for next week. I'll continue writing songs.... El Vicioso (The Vicious). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ abERneTHy's NEweST reLIgiON: _ / \ Growing Cooler! ____the____ C H U R C H We have claimed ORREBYGD(8,18) for the people of our o f church. The area is open for mining, and everyone is E N V Y welcome to visit us, but we won't accept any kind of | | taxing or pillaging in our sacred area. | | | | You can still join us: Send 100 silver to unit 517. | | The membership includes: Protection (Obs4) & Training | | (Observation, Stealth, Armorer, Combat). \_/ If we accept you as an ally, you still have to pay 50 silver every third month, or we'll betray you. We stand for our word, but we won't starve to death. NOTE: The thief reported stealing in Abernethy is not one of ours, even though we're capable of doing it. Be careful out there! The Church Of ENVY - We want YOUR money... smygelfh@kuai.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS IS WHAT SSS AAA TTT AAA N N WRITES THIS WEEK: S A A T A A NN N SSS AAA T AAA N NN S A A T A A N N SSS A A T A A N N SATAN:" To that person that wrote under my name last week: I do not like this! Satan:" I am the real SATAN and I do not want anybody to write under my name!!! I also just have read on the players list about findingout one's faction number...... I will send some stealth units after you.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ L'Hiver s'eternisait... Les rumeurs de Guerre se faisaient de plus en plus nombreuses. Deja, certains de ses allies s'etaient fait massacrer. La situation deviendrait difficile au retour du beau temps, quand les immenses armees a l'Est et au Sud de Sledmere se mettraient en mouvement. Pourvu que les jeunes factions s'allient contre ses tyrans... Il y avait peu d'espoir. Il esperait secretement obtenir de l'aide, ou au moins des renseignements, de quelques personnages legendaires: Tristam Sordesire, Thorn Silverclaw, ... Si seulement ils pouvaient recevoir ses messages ... En attendant, quand viendrait l'ennemi, ils essaieraient d'etre pres. Sang-Dragon ! Ils vendraient tres cherement leurs peaux ! Memoires de Sainte Quete, par Cat Lord, Page de Sir Cendre de Sang-Dragon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Knowleswright couldn't bear it anymore. He just had to see how old she was. Now, the face might not have any wrinkles, but that could have been taken care of by magic beauty creams. Her hands, he could see also. They were well formed and graceful. She was beautiful, but mages can be of any age. He just had to find out how old she was. He tried to engage her in conversation. She would talk to him, in a demeaning way, and he still found out nothing. But, he was heartened, she would talk to him! Perhaps she might have tells of her age on other parts of her body. But she resisted his mighty efforts of intimacy. Frustrated, he waited until night, sneaked up besides her tent, carefully used his very sharp knife and eased a small slit through the fabric. He quietly peered through. He would find out tonight! He saw, he saw...an EYE looking at him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings, people of Sledmere! I invite all trade factions feeling crowded up north to speak to me about working the land to the south. We have plenty of forests which good opportunities for profit. Furthermore, Bani Ghassan might be willing to buy some of your produce. If you are interested, send your pidgeons to mosherj@minerva.cis.yale.edu In peace, Shaykh Ghassan of Bani Ghassan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OYEZ ! OYEZ ! Avis a tous les Amis: "Nobles Seigneurs et humble pietaille, Festoyons tous et faisons ripaille ! Rions donc de bon coeur dans la tempete, Malgre les elements, faisons la fete ! Qu'importe, demain, d'avoir mal aux entrailles, Celebrons jovialement les epousailles, De notre ami le Barde, Messire Grendel, Et de sa promise, une charmante belle !" "Yiiihaa ! Par ici les bouteilles !!!", dit Per'Ubu,"Aujourd'hui, c'est permis ! Et vive la mariee !" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *High Elves* You got 'em, I want 'em! Kashmar City 85sp! Bring 'em in while their hot! (Can also trade for Platemail!) *Horses, Carts, Longbows, Crossbows!* You got 'em, I want 'em! Will trade for Swords, Chainmail and Platemail! Deliver to Kashmar City for Bonus Merchandise! The Snow Leopard Clan (faction 387) anthonyc@cet.co.jp Visit the Hall of Maps at: www.cet.co.jp/~anthonyc/homepage.htm (Atlantis' FIRST Web Page!) ***We trade Faction Home Pages for Map info!*** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last week I advocated using longbowmen when trying to take a town/city. Now I'm not so sure. I mean, why not just distract the city guard and then swipe it when they're not looking? Guards can't be that smart, can they? Poison them, for example. With only 100 (or 50), it should be simple to get them all at once. Yup, poison is definitely the way to go. It's simple and effective. Of course, it only kills half of the guard every turn, but soon you whittle them down to nothing. Or better yet, stampede a bunch of horses over them. Yeah, that's the ticket. Stampede. Quick, effective, and it only takes 2 horses to kill one guardsman. They don't even get a chance to strike back if they're killed by the stampede. Then your handful of troops can come in and clean up the mess. Happy Mayoring. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello All, The spell syndicate would like to make it known that we are basically GREAT, and have now received a new member into our breast! Therefore, any newbies wanting info from us, will have the charge of $50 as opposed to the $40 for 4 members last turn. Any War or Trade factions wanting info, must also pay the $50. That's it! Regards from the syndicate Tony Sheldon (cs0u308d@liverpool.ac.uk) and Dave McGaw (u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk) PS Please post all mail to Dave as my mailbox is only 1 meg long, and is currently jammed up with the times! PPS I recently found a new spell, here it is : Spell Class : Phlegm Flick Booger (Phlegm 1) : A mage with this ability can summon all his mucous from a whole month, and flick the booger into the region he occupies or an ajoining hex. The region affected by the booger will be a swamp hex for two turns. This is especially useful when pottering about in the desert. Due the amount of concentration required to summon up enough mucous, the spell is a month long order and used with the CAST command. CAST Flick Booger x,y. If the hex is not adjacent, the order will fail. Required Foundations : Nature 1, Construct 1, Life 1. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ershwin strode nonchalantly into the conference room. His advisers sprang to attention, standing to salute him. Ershwin sat himself at the head of the table. "Your reports gentlemen?" The minister of War remained standing. He detailed the movement of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions. He explained the units policy on purchasing horses, and explained the new Cavalry division's progress. He reported on the training of the Elite soldiers, and the development of the new War college. Ershwin clasped his hands. "Excellent," he said. "Now Trade - how is that progressing? Have you made me any swords yet?" The minister of Trade shook his head. "No miners or weaponsmiths, Sir." "Well what of healers, and herbalists?" asked Ershwin. "None" replied the minister of Trade, a little embarrassed. "Well, do we have ANY producers of anything at all?" "Oh, yes!" said the minister, smiling. "And?" asked Ershwin. "They're both doing well, thank you Sir - they've even managed to produce four horses in the last 6 months!" "Enough!" said Ershwin, striking the table. "I've had it with your incompetence - I'm scraping the Trade division! From now on I want to be involved with nothing, but War!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RETURN OF NEWBIE HELP MATERIALs For a limited time only, given that I have gotten many messages over the Atl-players net from newbies requesting help with game basics, I will provide my collected sample turns and rule clarifications upon request for no charge. Please request to RPETERS@defenders.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ He perched on the edge of the pool table. Head bend downwards as if the cares of the world weighted heavily on his broad shoulders. One could see he was deep in thought. Thoughts that might be considered too heavy for one with a solid, hearty built frame like his. But his mind was never at rest, he might rest his frame and muscles from the demanding labour, but his mind was ever active, much more than many a superior being. His keen mind and logical deductions were coming to a final conclusion. With his strong fingers, he toyed with his latest invention. This device would save many a fool from needless struggles at Reaping time. He could use it to cleanly ease the last from the body, to allow the body to rest, to lay the body to rest. For your resting is the profession of the undertaker, and this UNDERTAKER is making ready for your last resting place. Pull back your hair locks, Bare you neck then. Your soul is at stake, When the Reaper does becken. RIP -- the UNDERTAKER -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello all you trigger happy factions out there! I have a suggestion for all of you: Let's all DECLARE DEFAULT HOSTILE and see who ends up as the winner! Who's in? If you're not in, how about this instead; Let's try to be a little nice to each other for a change. Stop aiming for unlimited power and destruction of other peoples efforts. Make friends! How does that sound? Stupid, eh? Yeah, I know. It was just a thought that came to me. Sorry guys, it won't happen again! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At last we received money for our iron! Everybody was happy in (3,18) In 3,19 things weren't too good though.Nobody had money. The single dwarf said if noone gives us silver this turn we will starve to death. Anyway things are starting to get better. Another unsuccesful faction ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ====================================================================== ====== ====== ==== ==== La redaccion de este periodico ha sido ocupada por la Brigada AnarkoCyperPunk, seccion de los Grupos Anarkistas Digitales, comando del Escuadron de las Sombras, organizacion de apoyo logistico a la macroestructura Def Con Dos. En el marco de nuestra denodada lucha contra el imbecil, hemos decidido esta espectacular accion para llamar la atencion sobre una serie de puntos: - Basta ya de jugar a los MUDs! - Basta ya de jugar al Homer! - Basta ya de jugar a rol por e-mail! - Basta ya de traerse fotos de sen~oritas ligeritas de ropa por WWW! - Basta ya de estar suscrito a listas de correo raras! - Basta ya de jugar al SuperMazeWars! En lugar de ello: - Compraos un ajedrez, eso si que es un juego de estrategia - Bajad al bar y ligaos a vuestra vecina - Comeos un tripi - Comprad una Interviu (algo mas fuerte seria demasiado para vosotros) - Leed libros, que igual aprendeis algo - Salid a la autopista y poneos a 200 en el carril contrario Es, en definitiva, la hora de los mamporros todos a beber y a follar que son 2 dias! - - - Por vuestra jodida culpa nos van a quitar la red a todos!!! CABRONES y es que ni siquiera sois de esta escuela, ostias! Estamos en Junio... que pasa, no teneis examenes o que? Firmado desde la clandestinidad en algun lugar de Europa, G.A.D. ==== ==== ====== ====== ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You guys north of Monzon should take an extra look under your bed tonight. My scouts have seen three parties of ten men with swords/longbows moving north. Maybee some of you guys, picts, mibs, nyx or wathever, have something fun going on? Cateyes(tm) a not really independent news agency. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahoy there mateys! They call me Captain Black of the PCP. Now don't you go a-listening to them ale-drinking scum, lazy buncha swabs. A quick bit a' cutlass work on the streets of Komarken, then they hit the alehouse for the rest of the month! Lazy blaggards... I'll keelhaul 'em, make 'em walk the plank, them and the rest of the layabouts, never done a day's (dishonest) work in their lives .. not even a friendly note or a bottle a' rum. We'll give 'em a taste of Mr Davy Jones locker, or my name's not Capt'n Black, sort the men from the elves. Aye, things're shapin' up well in aulde Komarken. The ol' Mayor, Hatred is his name, he's not a bad sort. Easy to sneak in a few barrels of rum. And the fireworks keeps the lads entertained. I'll be seeyin a few more of ye's real soon, I reckons, in the Free City of Komarken. X Capt. Black ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Blast this cold winter," Karthan mutters. "Some of my troops have been thoughtlessly and needlessly slaughtered by a war party located Northeast of Menter. And a horse has been stolen from my troops North of Sledmere." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Osram sighed. It had been a bad couple of months for the Ligtbringer cult. First they had been evicted from Derwent after the fiasco of the first inverted ziggurat temple and now they were stuck in this freezing plain. He thought back to when his glorious 10" high temple (model) had been callously destroyed by a mob back in Derwent's Entrails Avenue. He thought he had heard the crazed peasants chanting 'Halley, Your A Golfball' as they stamped his creation into the dust, but it could have been something else... Now, he and his followers were stuck in this barren wasteland for a second month. He knew hiring those three orcs was a risk. This fear was confirmed when the Orcs had picked a snowball fight with his elite elf Guards. It wouldn't have been so bad if a certain white missile, suspiciously heavy for snow, had hit the emissary from Acme Labs, who had then denied them access to Sorrisdale. He had no choice now but to apologise, Osram hoped the inverted ziggurat cake he had baked would be appreciated.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ .oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo. !!!!! KOMARKEN HAS BEEN CONQUERED !!!!! .oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo. From our journalist in Komarken: Explorador NE (2662), Argonautas (464). Mayor Hatred the Great (324) and his well trained men have defeat de city guards of Komarken in July 2. After only 2 round the city guards has been killed by the brave Hatred's men. The entire city guard has died while the assailants have only 32 loses. I'm sure the intervention of 11 wizards has been decisive for this great victory. Jason and his Argonautas want congratulate Mayor Hatred hoping on his magnanimus clemencie toward the inhabitans of Komarken. _, | Jason y sus Argonautas >?B | (464) `H H H H --: \\-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-/| `\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / D ~~~~~~~~~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On the border, Scarloc de Melnibone sat quietly in his tent. His cousin and liege, Elric, was on the Eastern border, discussin land claims with other alliances, but had left himself, the greatest swordsman in Melnibone (with the possible exception of Commander Olaffsun of the Border Legion, he admitted grudgingly) in the frozen mountains to the North. He was under orders to contact the local Ice Dwarves and gain their support, so that their Weaponsmith and Armourer expertise could benefit the House, and to guard the Northern territories against intruders. As if any foreign invader was so stupid as to try an attck through the frozen tundras. He sighed, and went back to studying his murky mead. At least Lord Eris of the House Mibs had given his men a little exploration work up here in the North. The wind flattened the flame of his candle as a young rookie entered his tent. " Well?" "News from the House Mibs, sire." The young soldier handed the sealed letter over to him and left the tent. Scarloc comtemplated his mead a little longer before his gaze turned to the missive. "Well, lets see. What will it be this time. Not another miserable little Ice Dwarf village! Gasp!" His rueful grin disappeared swiftly when he read the contents. An enemy unit had been discovered some two months march to the NorthWest. Ice Dwarves. He quaffed a large mouthful of ale and read on. " A small, rag-tag group of Ice Dwarves were discovered late on the 12th. Their number is but four, but who can say to whom they owe their allegiance? Send word to our Master, Lord Eris, if you would, Lord." Scarloc considered the possible scenarios here, of which there were three. Firstly, the unit could belong to the Picti, a group of miners and warriors who lived and worked in the mountains to the West of Melnibone. If this were so, then there should not be so much of a problem, as the two nations were on friendly terms. Secondly, the unit could mark a Dwarven resistance group. This could be very dangerous for Melnibone, especially if the hundreds of Hill Dwarves in Melnibone got wind of it. Thridly, and most satisfying, the unit could be an new enemy. Though the most dangerous scenario, Scarloc relished the thought of some real action on his front. Draining his glass to the last drop, he stood up and began preparations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Morgen og aften "Vent! Stille allesammen! - Jeg har oplevet det her for; - et bord, dekket op udenfor, med hvid dug og det hele, nojagtig lige som det her. De sidste rester af maden stod pa bordet endnu, men der var ingen mennesker, og alle stolene var veltet bagover, som om der pludselig var sket noget -" Et middagsselskab, et ungt par i de sidste bryllupsforberedelser, en velmenende prest, en ulykkelig mand og hans tidligere kereste, der pa forunderlig vis krydser hinandens spor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------The Chronicles of The Southern Empire-------------------------- Nancy - The Female Goddess of Atlantis. Goddess of Nature, Life and Passion. By some also worshipped as the Goddess of Stealth and Mischief. She is said to be the most stunning beautiful creature man has ever laid eyes upon. Her Avatar usually wears the form of a huge female wolf, a gorgeous woman or (dubious sources report) a small, but beautiful, snake. Encyclopedia Atlantae -----------------------------------The Creation of Atlantis--------------------------------------- 1.0 The Beginning In the beginning there was Nothing and along with Nothing was Geoff. And Geoff said: 'Let there be Something. And let Something be known as The Server' And Something where, and it known itself as The Server. Thus was Nothing banished from existence. Geoff examined The Server and saw that it was good and whole. And He was happy. but not quite. So He took The Server and made it into a multitude of Parts, and each Part He called a Bit. And a handful of Bits He called a Byte. 'Let The Server know The Language' said Geoff, and so did The Language of The God come into The Server. And The Server, whom is The Container of Everything, knew The Language. Geoff saw that it was so, and was happy, but not quite. 'Let there be a Program in The Server, and let it know itself by the name Atlantis' He said. And so Atlantis was created. Geoff saw that it was so, and was happy, but not quite. So He took a handful of Bytes from The Server and shaped them in their True Form, and placed them in Atlantis. He gave them names after their True Form and under one He gave them the Name of Terrain. And Geoff saw that it was good, and was happy, but not quite. He took more Bytes and shaped them in their True Form and blew Presence into them. And He called them Monsters and placed them in The Program. And the Monsters roamed Atlantis. And Geoff saw that it was good, and was happy, but not quite. But He had spend much of His Power and Presence, and had only little left. Never having experienced the feeling of exhaustion He found a new Need. So He roamed The Server in search for a fulfillment of His Need, but found no answer. Then He roamed The entire Nothing, and found that Nothing never had been Nothing. So out of Nothing came The Goddess Nancy. And Geoff beheld the Goddess and fell deeply in Love with Her, since She is the Mother of all Beauty. Geoff took Nancy to see all that He had created. And She looked at His Creation and saw It's flaw. So She talked sugar in His ear and honey in His mind. And She made Him take many Bytes and shape them in their True Form. When He was done She blew gentle kisses at them and they came to life. And Geoff said to them: 'You are the Races of Atlantis. Go and fill The Program, make Atlantis full with your kind.' And the Races went and lived all over Atlantis. And Geoff saw that it was good, and was happy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Loremaster sat on the ground looking into the fire. His magic apprentice approached his with the words; "Good news Loremaster, I found someone who can teach me the basics of energy." As they discussed the matter of study for a while, a messenger came breaking into the fire circle. "Did you hear the latest? It seems that this afternoon one of the magic teachers here has been killed..." The messenger and the Loremaster both looked at the apprentice while he fell to the ground. At first he lay still, but then he began to shake all over and threw up his supper. Then he sat up and looked into the fire, making funny noices as if he was finding his voice. Then he spoke, but with another voice that they were accustomed to: "Greetings, I am Targon. Who are you?" The Loremaster explained who he was and what they were doing here although the apprentice should know, upon which came the answer: "I am targon, level 6 Mage from the faction the Targonauts. We were situated in a world that is a bit like yours. Last week the earth of our world began to shake and tremble. Our only resort was to try to reincarnate into beings like ourselves on a planet that did not selfdestruct. I seem to be the only one that has made it, although I seem to have left my skills behind." And so it came to be that Targon, leader on the Targonauts faction situated at the world known as Blitz joined the Guild. [Regretfully the Atlantis 1.1 game Blitz has come to an end, because the moderator lost his account, Thanks again for a job well done!] [Any factions that can help Targon become a magic user? We are situated in Sledmere city only. Any offers are welcome, The Guild, andre@targon.uucp ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The misterious order of the Seguidores de Iape is glad to anounce that after several month of studies we have the knowledge in ALL magic areas and most of the spells. And we want o share that knowledge with you! Yes, but not for free :( just send a pigeon to: varela@binah.cc.brandeis.edu Stating your area of interest, lvl that you want to acquire (lvl2 in most of the areas and lvl3 in body), etc. Another service provided by the Seguidores of Iape is the transformation of your old wagon into a brand new Truck. Yes! After month of research whith steam machines we have constructed an device able to move the wagon by itself! No more horses! Send a pigeon (another or the same one) and will transform your wagon for only $70 ($50 + expenses). [Orders will be processed in order of arrival and as soon as my mage can do it] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aaaah, the great outdoors. Not a soul in sight, and 23 peasants ripe for recruiting. A full 50 silver for my taxing efforts, and then time to study the more subtle aspects of Observation, or maybe I'll take up Lumberjacking, and put some of these trees to good use. Sure beats the din and stench of the city, and the monthly reports are so much shorter too! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------Classified Advertisements------------ Business opportunities 015 - Kashmar Area Maritime enterprise seeks business contacts in Kashmar/Leighlin area. We wish to contact factions with Observation 5 units stationed in Kashmar and/or Leighlin. If you have such a unit and are interested in a business opportunity, please contact jbaclask@adnetsol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have found a lair. A strange looking place and a weird smell is arising from its depts. Sort of like many old and dead creatures have been lying about for untold years. Something has been dragging the bodies along the forest floor until a regular path is etched into the grass going up to the entrance. Trying to enter, we find we are unable to penetrate past the entrance. Nothing visible appears to be preventing us, but we cannot obtain the slighest headway into the depts of the caverns. We decide to wait outside the lair to see what might emerge. We are not afraid, no not at all. No, we are not afraid, not at all. No we are not afraid, no not at all..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------oooo0000 Spakker Decree 0000oooo------------------- Please stop! For those of you who are considering coming to Spakker, DO NOT! There is nothing to come to. The ground all around the city is either inhabited by wondering monsters or the swamps are frozen solid! The city is so far south that the winter lasts 5 or 6 months of the year, making travel through the swamps impossible. Unless you are interested in living a life of continous hell, try another place to move to. This has been a public service message of a newbie faction in Spakker. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Scene of an announcer in a dark suit speaking into a hand mike with ostentatious intonations as he walks along a slummy street in Atlantis City.) Announcer: Here, in a working class section of our great capitol, where blue collar high elves try to put together a decent life among the squalor and fetidness of our magico-industrial civilization, a new breed of young tough threatens the very fabric, some might say the very structure, of the Atlantean way of life. (Cut to scene of dowdy matron, dressed in hairpinned turban and faded housedress, her sagging breasts - unsupported by underwear - cradled in her nicotine-stained arms folded across the tenement window frame. She winces from the heat of the cigarette in her mouth as she speaks.) Matron: Yeah, they're a bunch of little ba(beep)ds is what they are. Out here every night till the crack of dawn, drinking, playing their f(beeep)ng music - pardon my french - screaming about heroin and I don't know what. Where are their f(beeep)ng parents, that's what I'd like to know. And it's not like they're from here, at least most of them ain't. And the mouths on 'em! The fri(beep)ing little b(beep)ds know more curse words than a f(beep)g sailor. All night long it's like a concert of curse words. Where do they learn profanity like dat? I ask you. You don't hear my kids talking like dat. (turns to look inside the apartment) Sean! Sean! Leave your sister alone! Come here you little co(beeeeep)er, I'll fix you! Just wait till your father gets here! He'll tan your ass red! (Cut to industrial street at dusk. A streetsign says "Quay Street". Two youths in their mid-teens, poorly dressed , sit side by side on a wagon loading platform.) Announcer (out of shot): Why do you do it? Why the drinking, the night-long screaming of profanities, the harrassment of decent people? Youth 1: Well, like, you make it sound bad. Youth 2: (obviously overexcited) See, I told you. The Leech was right. Now we're in trouble. See. See. Youth 1: Shut up. Announcer: The Leech? Who's he? Youth 2: See. And now you got da Leech in trouble. Youth 1: Shut up. The Leech, the Leech is like the most boring person on Atlantis, man. But he's a nice guy. Youth 2: Oh, yeah, he's a real nice guy... Youth 1: Just a little boring. Announcer: What about the reports of heroin use. Youth 1: Naww, no way. We ain't no needle freaks, man. Youth 2: (amused) No, man, it's cause of the Leech... Youth 1: (laughing) Okay, okay. No, man, it ain't like dat. The Leech, he don't take heroin. Youth 2: Nawww, he don't even like drinking. Youth 1: It's just da song dat he likes. (Both of the high elf gang members jump up to play "air lute" and sing in chorus) When the smack begins to flow / Then I really don't care anymore About all you jim-jims in this town / And everybody putting everybody else down And all the politicians making crazy sounds AND ALL THE DEAD BODIES PILED UP IN MOUNDS! YEAH! ( -Lou Reed, copyright 1974) da-da-da-daa, da-da-da-daa, didididideeeouwah, etc. (cut to announcer again walking on same street as in opening shot, as before) Announcer: And so there you have it. Atlantis's youth lost in a maelstrom of confused ideas and unfocused anger, of disillusionment and dismay, where the sacred is profaned and the profane is held sacred, where the..AAAAAaaaaaah! (Announcer falls into open manhole) {With apologies to M. Python} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elvira was being pestered by the Trained Combat Leader escorting the Sisters across the desert lands. He was a good enough looking fellow, but she was not really interested. His battle scars did give him an unusual ruggedness that was fascinating to look at. Not that she would let him see her looking at him. He deserved being the receipent of that flash spell last week as he tried to slip his arm about her shoulders. She would not be touched by anyone without permission. She could see him looking at her tonight. He had been asking her questions all day. Some about ancient history. What was he up to? In her tent that night, she heard soft footsteps outside, She readied a combat spell, and waited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atlantis City Criminal Investigation Department Report The people following are considered to be potential thieves and assassins by the Atlantis City Criminal Investigation Department; they became too stealthy for the Atlantis City Police forces. - Skye Wilde (314), leader, horse, longbow, stone. - Flavelado (1370), leader; Mestre dos Ladroes. - Unit (1908), leader; A *really* confused looking chap. - Silk (2584), leader. - Apol (2646), leader; seeking to entertain you. - Rogovsky (382), leader, horse. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ That tornado sure is taking a long time to touch down isn't it Toto? It seem as if it is following us. It looks like it is getting closer doesn't it? Maybe if we go this way.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ People of Sledmere UNITE! Declare 0 ally AVOID 0 Declare nobody to hostile! Have you already done this? SSSS S SSSS ATAN S SSSS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All you others are dirt beneath my feet. Bow down to the mighty War Lord! I am your Master, and you are all in my lands. Toil at your chosen labours, but your toil and labour belong to me. You work at tasks that I allow you to work at. You will demand nothing, and I will take what I desire. You dare not try to stop me, for I am WAR and you are merely Trade or puny Mage. I am the BattleMaster, and you will make way for the Master. If you dare do anything but cringe away, then I will smite you with my sword and death will enter. I will permit you to have a few silver to keep food in your bellies, but don't dare try for more. Your products are mine, your labour is mine, and you have no profits, they belong to me. Yet another month goes by, I grow in strength, I allow you to do more to serve me better. All goes well. Life is good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The scene in Komarken was grisly. As carts carried away the mutilated bodies of the former guards, the streets filled with Mutants; a mix of all races, but with extra eyes, fingers or even limbs. Once the shunned and reviled scum of Atlantis, now the Mutants ruled Komarken, reveling in the slaughter and enslavement of those who once ridiculed them. Who was the mysterious presence that unified this deformed horde? Who had dressed them in robes of black and set them upon their rapacious course? No one knew. But it was a safe bet it was one of the PolyChromatic Pirates. And in the dark forges in the back alleys, where the ruddy glow and hissing bellows mixed with the ring of hammers, the guards' old swords were being reshaped into deadly scimitars and cutlasses. Who were the cold-eyed warriors who folded white cloaks aside to wield these hammers? It was a safe bet: Pirates. And Mayor Hatred still walked the streets, occasionally wringing the neck of a hapless passerby; while his purple-clad Circus still performed gleefully, as if bloodshed was a most merry event. What dark force gave the Mayor the strength of forty men? Perhaps he too was a Pirate. And the other ruffians were there in force too: the crimson-clad Desmorandus and his dour troops, assisting in the roundup of the terrified citizens of Komarken. The commoners would become galley slaves on the fearsome corsairs. One or two leaders would "walk the plank" through the shadowlands, perhaps living to tell others of the grim business. And now even the grim Desmorandus sported a marine costume with a cutlass! And all over Atlantis, the word spreads: the first city has fallen. There will be many more to come. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The shadow master looks over the windblown desert at the far horizon. the windy season is over now the scouts can realy travel. perhaps they can find somwhere worthwile to tax. Only 106 tax from a hex who would have known? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We sewed the flag together. It looks good, white crossed over a black background. Not that we will fly it all the time, no not that. We need to come to port sometimes and do not want our true colours shown. Not one of our other allies needs to know our true voaction out on the high seas. We com back with chests loaded with much silver and other trade goods. A righ haul alright, too bad the other ship was lost at sea. A ship would be one of the single largest prizes possible. Maybe next time we will be able to overcome the crew of the other ship all at once and not give them a chance to withdraw. Then we would have too ships to handle. Double our forces. What a plan our captain has! One cay I will be captain too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ here I sit in Atlantis city with no troops no money just a bunch of scouts working. I hope some new new exits show up soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ******* BRILLIANT HOME PAGE UP AND RUNNING ******** http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~n264946/new The Nyx home page is fully functional and now contains the latest rules in html format together with newbie help and a plethora of other useful stuff. Please note that the image you recieve on accessing the page is an imagemap and as such allows you to click on different areas to access the various parts of the page. Particular bits of interest are :- Big Demon - Which takes you to the Dungeon where general info is kept The Sword - MIBS information The Scales - Melnibone information and the little demons descending from the sky, which take you to other peoples home-pages. At present these are not all used so if you want one of them to be a link to your page, mail damian.penney@ncl.ac.uk Submissions are also very welcome. ****************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Abernethy (8,17), Komarken (27,2), Kashmar (3,17), Yakleks (76,54), and Spakker (80,53), as now that these 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: - Tiny (846), leader, wagon. - Ezekiel (543), 3 leaders. - Chief Topssot (653), leader. - Kainmanar Teriz the Trader (986), leader; black robed man eyeing everyone suspiciously. - Bronco Billy (2319), leader; Trying to ride, but keep falling off. - Varain (2563), leader; a man of many talents. - Taranis (2647), leader; seeking to entertain you. - Dustmote (2400), leader; dancing in the air. - Lord of Rheadon (2938), leader, horse; Tough looking elf with a well-chewed cigar stub in mouth. - Under Influence (2932), leader. - Moonbeam (3040), leader; diligently studying something he doesn't understand. - Sundog (3041), leader; lost, confused, and not very bright. - Uuseff Tammuz (3096), leader. - Unit (3347), high elf. - Boozeman (647), leader. - Maerdnim (778), leader, horse; A gaunt man with a pale asetic face.. - Unit (3584), leader. - Fedayken (3602), 3 leaders, horse. - Flying Eagle Shadow (3929), leader, horse; Always hiding. - wind (3958), leader. - Unit (4166), 2 leaders. 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: - The Sound (800), leader, horse. - Unit (320), leader, 2 horses; I promise to do my atlantis turn earlier.. - Ich (3424), high elf, horse. - Unit (3502), leader. - Unit (3553), 2 leaders. - Unit (3613), leader. The Atlantean Police Dpt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I can not believe it!!! I have dreamed my whole life to become a mage, and I now finally get to have my dream come true. This next month, I will join the ranks of the Elite Mages in the Tower of Magic. There I will undergo some of the hardest and most rigorous training in the world. But if I pass the test, and I will pass the test, I will be on my way to becoming the greatest mage alive. Oh the possibilities! I can not wait for next month. Well, I better get back to my studies and preparations. Next time I write I will be someone very special, a Mage! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- Faction 627, representing the Atlantis Guild Cooperative ("The Cooperative") announces the successful conclusion to the first economic transaction with the Church of the Purple Snowflake (Faction 72). To protect the privacy of the parties involved, however, the details of the transaction were not revealed. A spokesman for The Cooperative released the following bulletin summarizing their initial observations concerning life in Atlantis: Let me get straight to the point. Hobbs was right. Man is by nature a savage beast. Observe the fear and uncertainty surrounding life without the societally emergent properties of law and discipline. No law yields no certainty yields risk-avoidant behavior. So many hide within the walls of Atlantis, fearing to emerge. Why? Because there is no assurance of safety against the unknowns. Hence, each faction must create for itself its own instantiation of a legal system. The only recourse I see thus far is to form alliances with other factions who might abide by a similar moral code. It is a fascinating problem in both psychology and sociology. Those interested in banding together to begin the formative process of creating a law-abiding society, following the initial footsteps of the alliance between The Cooperative and the Church of the Purple Snowflake, contact The Cooperative at the address below. Address correspondence to kalmar@acf2.nyu.edu ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: How many Oscar nominees does it take to change a light bulb? A: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to say "That should be me up there." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ An Emperor, an Avatar, and a Mystic One, Set off one day for the south. With invisible flair, "Let the world beware!" Say the three. Now We will shut Our mouth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dave clasped the arm of the man in black robes, "Agreed, my friend. Our swords are aligned with yours for the duration." The wizard nodded brusquely, then turned and strode away, a silver mist trailing in his wake. Dave waited til his new ally was out of sight then sighed with relief. He hated dealing with magic-users, but in as magical a world as Atlantis, there was little choice. Either find a way to deal with magic or risk being crushed by it. Sure, force of arms might win you through, but what if you ran into someone with magic AND soldiers? Rumors of the legions of the Free Companions being backed by war mages made for grim tidings for the Companions' foes south of Kashmar. Good thing they had no plans at all to enter that area. His thoughts wrapped around these issues as he moved through the Residential District of the City. There he found the small Silver Leaf Inn and walked in. Smiling, he heard Songbird's gentle voice floating across the common room as she tried to earn a few silvers for the cause. Casting his eyes about he saw Falcon in his customary place in the corner, his longbow close at hand. Doing a quick headcount he found that all ten members of the Red Guard, the troops he led for the Alliance, present and accounted for. Which left only.... Moving to the corner he asked the archer, "Falc, where's Lady Jessica?" The elf's perpetual scowl deepend ever so slightly at the sound of his nickname, "I believe she's out looking for M'lady Tatiana again." "Didn't she bring anyone with her?" "She said she could handle it by herself. She has become adequate with that bow of hers, you know." "But...." "She was QUITE firm on the matter, and since she, not you my Lord, holds the pursestrings in the Alliance I felt it in my best intrests to obey her commands." Dave swore under his breath and turned away, leaving the laconic archer to his solitude. He probably preferred it that way in any event. Grabbing a chair with his men, Dave yelled with more anger than he would have liked at the bar wench for a mug of ale. Normally he avoided alchohol, losing control was something he despised, but tonight he felt the need. The red clad elves sitting with him grew quiet for a few moments, then Rilik, one of the bravest of the lot, spoke up. "Are you alright, M'Lord?" "No. Why didn't you send someone with Jess? I TOLD you I didn't want her wandering by herself whiles I was negotiating with the Vigilant... ESPECIALLY after Tana disappeared...." "We tried, but she yelled at us and threatened to dismiss us from our posts, and when we tried to follow her discreetly she gave us the slip." He waved at his bright red uniform, "These are fine clothes, great for showing our strength, but not terribly subtle. And Falcon refused to help, and what good would Songbird be by herself? Especially if you're worried about Lady Jessica being by herself...at least the Lady has a bow and knows how to us it." All fine points, and well reasoned, but they didn't give Dave much reassurance. The cold truth was that his lover was out on her own and there wasn't a damned thing he could do about it. He grabbed the mug as it arrived and drank a slug of the bitter ale, then looked out into the night. Be careful, Jess. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Businessmen E-Mail Pages If you would like to have your company in the E-Mail Pages, then send them to me at or if you have changed your add :send to ae485@freenet.toronto.on.ca The Price: A report of your current city that you are in. Delivery people Name Price Address Location MONZON MOVERS n/a pdxark@evol.nott.ac.uk Kashmar and Monzon? ITEMS FOR SALE NAME Price Address Location horses $60 shook@ibg.colorado.edu swords $150 M.L.Wilson@newcastle.ac.uk 9,9 wagons $150 M.L.Wilson@newcastle.ac.uk 9,9 Colonists Name Address King Chromic Acid pfleming@eros.otago.ac.nz Name Price Infomation Location Spy Reports 30 u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk Atlantis Spell Reports 40 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Protection Theif 30 u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk Teachers (based on groups of 5) Transportation Name Price Location Boats n/a vlatimer@hilbert.maths.utas.edu.au Komarken Name Price Address Location Armorer n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar $50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Building n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar 50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere Combat $50 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon $ 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere Energy 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es ellesmere Entertainment. n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar $50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere Herb n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar $50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Horse Riding n/a u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere Horse Training n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar n/a u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Lore n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar Lumberjack 50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Magic $60 maximum) opt93ph@soton.ac.uk. Ellesmere Nature 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Observation 100 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon 90 Landt@acf4.nyu.edu Atlantis City 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere Riding 50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 50 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere Tactics 50 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere n/a landt@acf4.nyu.edu Atlantis City Stealth 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Ellesmere 200 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Weaponsmith, n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar Reward Capture of Theif 100 NORK 46,54 *Most prices based on five students Sledmere/ellesmere JOBS LOOKING FOR WORK Type of work Address armorers stu2@ergasya.tuc.gr weaponsmiths stu2@ergasya.tuc.gr AVAIBLE WORK SPYS WANTED (49,54) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The small group assembled on top of one of the small hills surrounding Atlantis City. After several months of planning there were trained, equipped and ready to move out. The only question left to answer was where? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jack was sore. He was sore in the worst possible spot. Sitting was painful, so he had to either stand or lie down. He had to lie on his stomach or his side. This horse riding was for the birds. He decided he'd rather walk, even if it meant not sleeping for the next 3 months. They were told that this ride would continue at least that long. At least they got to stop and push the peasants around every once in awhile, otherwise the trip would have been without merit. Jack knew that one of these days, they'd get to where they were heading, and then the ride would seem easy compared to the fighting to come. He was worried. He'd never seen the leaders in such a hurry before. Something was wrong, and he didn't like it in the least. He looked at his spear, wishing it were a nice, shiny sword. Some of his companions had them, but there weren't enough to go around. He just hoped he wouldn't wish he had one with his last breath... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What is it about Magic that holds ones interest so long? You spend too many hours peering over the tomes of old. Dusty, hard to read, as if the Mage that wrote them was trying to hide what was actually being written. And some of the books you had to watch out for. They would not let you near them withoug taking off a previous owner's protection spells. Now Why do you suppose us Mages want our secrets hidden like that? We spend our time, our youth, our lives, learing about Magic. Keep it all hidden from others. Then, if we are lucky or hardworking enough, we manage to acquire some spells that will keep us from dying so we can continue our studies. Why do we consider it all worth it? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Robert The Fox looked around his book laden room. After months of intensive studying he was sick of being confined to his small hut, lit only by a small fire. He was ready for adventure. He decided it was time to venture out into this new world. To boldly go where many have gone before, to visit the natives, to swap tales with other bold adventurers, to ... As Robert the Fox opened the door leading outside, a cold blast of wintery air hit him. Quickly he shut the door and sat back down by his warm fire. "Maybe a few more months of study would not be so bad". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The City Council of Monzon announces: ************************************* As told before in the last issue of the TIMES the know forces of GIBOR (77) in and around the city of Monzon where whipped out. Let this be a warning to all want-to-be thieves in Monzon. We see you all now! Town is secure again... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To all magicians in the lovely place of Monzon: =============================================== The Circle of the Blue Mages organizes teaching in the foundation skills and spell exchanges. If you want to take advantage of this service please contact krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de We'll put you on the offer / request mailing-list. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Fall of Komarken -------------------- For many turns the rumour had circulated, Komarken was to be atttacked. Inside the town there was little to show in the way of concern. Factions continued to give little thought to the threat and relied instead on the protection of the city guard. The assault when it came was swift and deadly. The 100 city guards were attacked by Mayor Hatred the Great's horde of over 500 warriors including 11 mages. They had little chance. Desmorandus the Grim with his tactical expertise ensured the attackers a free round of attacks during which the mages used the explosion of fire spell, to dazzling effect. By the end of this first round 23 city guards were dead. By the end of the third round the guards were routed. The casualties were as follows. City Guard lost 100 Mayor Hatred the Great lost 32 With the city taken how long would the inhabitants last? How long till the next city falls? What are Mayor Hatred's long term plans? How much more idle speculation can this article make? Brought to you by the Atlantis Independant News Service ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Staring at a candle is no way to pass the time. I've never been realy good at just sitting and letting time pass me. The book in front of me was yet another verbose piece of literature covering the generalities of magic in this reality. I don't think the studing would be so bad if the laws governing the nature of magic in this reality were not so technical. Arcane symbols, Runes of power, complicated gestures, ancient languages...it starts to bore one after a while. I'd heard once, before I begain this crazy quest, that magic in my home reality was like this...before the apocalyptic racial wars. I think I prefer my own primordial brand of self generated magic. No chanting for hours, no rituals bye the light of a certain phase of the moon. Just conceptualize, direct and control. If I want to start a fire, I mentaly reach down inside of me, segregate the right flow of power..or color if you will, then direct it externaly. Reading all these books just to find the right reference to do what not is just plain nuts. I should be used to it by now. This whole reality is nuts. Everywere you turn theres a would-be despot or a paraniod, self proclaimed king or emperior. According to Skritch's last reading of Kesado's reports, even the newer lands that have opened to settlement are following suit. The whole Spakker/Yakleks area has already reached it's boiling point, if Kesado's reports are to be beleaved. All there is to do is but sit and wait. The gates continue to change. Hopefully I can find a nice, quiet area to set up operations. I just have to wait for the changing gateways to open somewere peaceful. Waiting. I'm getting tired of waiting. My long drawn out sigh stirs very little on my desk, except the candle's flame, wich flickers and goes out. House Dervish [666] dervish@gcomm.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Are there any trade factions in the Abernathy region that are interested in allowing a newbie trade faction join them? Together we can rule the area! Also I propsoe that we set up some sort of Government in this region. I have seen the actions of the Grenaders and nominate them to be the police force. (but only if we want anarchy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Saga of Clan Stoneheart Continued... "Another world, my friend, a world discovered by the Athar Circle. A place called Atlantis." There was a crackle of energy, and then the tunnel was dark and silent, except for the distant crackle of flames. Allon tumbled through the void, the sounds of his friends voices getting fainter adn fainter. The grey darkness surrounded him, confusing his sight, and yet he had the impression that he was moving a great speed. Shapes flitted past him, and he wondered if any of them were his people, also making their way to the fabled land of Atlantis. If they were, he could not reach them, and he did not recognise any. For what seemed like hours he fell. Perhaps he even slept a while, he didn't know for sure. Suddenly, coming towards him was a bright light, and the faint stirrings of sound. " Mmmdlbmble mmmbble and the warriors fled before the ancient evil, traversing the gates between worlds." A great voice, deep and melodious echoed through the void, growing loader as he approached the light. "And after travelling a lifetime, the Prince, the leader of the warriors... " The light was getting really close by now. "... appeared HERE, in Atlantis City, tumbling through the air..." Allon could now make out the forms of 5 elves, clustered around a sixth. He shot through the door of light, heading straight for the elves. "... and carrying five elven warriors to the ground." Allon tucked and rolled, barreling the five elves off their feet, ending up on top of a tangled mess of elven legs and arms. "Greetings, Allon Stoneheart. I am Beldar the Storyteller. Welcome to Atlantis." ... Continued ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CEO Bob (tm) leaned back in his chair and smiled. Things were beginning to look up for G.O.O.D Ltd. MBI had sold far more sets of armor than anyone had anticipated, and the money from the sales of the cheap daggers that G.O.O.D. Ltd. bundled with the armor had really begun to pour in. On top of that, some of his "high" elves had come across a really neat plant- you smoked the leaves and it felt just like using a flying spell, without all of the hassle of having to actually learn the spell. He'd bought all the seeds he could find, and sales of the "Flight Impersonator" were going strong. Still, G.O.O.D. wasn't in a position to really challenge the big weapons producers. Even worse, he'd seen the future- nicely decorated swords, with easy to grip handles. G.O.O.D. was way behind the massive Xorex company in designing such newfangled devices. FruitBat Industries had even begun to produce some of the GOOEY swords, so named for the mushy handle grip. Luckily, FruitBat didn't seem to be able to sell them for less than 10,000 silver, so nobody was buying them. Xorex didn't even seem to think anyone would actually buy one, and they hadn't even gotten a blacksmith around to forging some. A brilliant idea suddenly came to him- why not make a GOOEY sword that fitted over the cheap daggers that G.O.O.D. already sold? That way they'd fit onto MBI armors easily, plus customers would have to pay twice for a single sword! He called down to S. Balrog, his new managing director- "Hey- start flogging the elves and cancel all vacations for the immediate future! We're gonna make millions!" He decided to practice his diabolical laugh. "MUAHAHA!" Yes, that sounded about right... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a posting by the Confedration: This alliance does not tolerate threats. We will cooperate will other alliances who have a attitude of cooperation. One of our members was threatened N of Spakker. We are now dealing with this group. To avoid a similar fate please contact us in peaceable manner. Avoid heading N and NW out of Spakker as a war will be going in this area. Swat, Speaker for the Confederation (685) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And so once again, the guy up above had sent them in to check out the new area. The scout in the red shirt was more than a little tired of the situation. "We do all the work," he said to his neighbour, "but HE get the girl every time! This stinks!". He thought about all his fellow "Redshirts" he'd wathed die doing their job. "Maybe it is the stupid shirt color, after all..." he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WANTED: Once again, I'm looking for some magely assistance in Atlantis. If somebody is willing to teach spells (and/or foundations) please contact faction 715, the Little Bambinos (mkush@engin.umich.edu). Of course, adequate compensation will be quickly forthcoming.... And now back to your regularly scheduled program: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What a demand magic allies request of you. Only two months in Atlantis and they want more and more money. And what for, what do they do with all this money every month, only study MAGIC that is. Magic, heh? That sounds good. I think I will recruit 5 mages and direct them to study the archane arts too. Yes that is what I'll do. None of this squabbling between Trade and War, I will go where the real power is. Once a mage, forever a mage. Literally forever, as a mage becomes undying as he acquires the art and applies alittle to himself. And the Power, Yes the Power! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Denbigh, Centre of the Church of the Purple Snowflake, was reading the latest issue of the Times, mumbling something about 'not being able to read articles where the editors chose not to use carriage returns,' when there was a knocking. The priest stood and opened the door, to find a Bandwidth anxiously tapping his foot. He handed a lettre to Denbigh and then quite literally disappeared. Returning to his seat, Denbigh unsealed the lettre and began to read: Kacee Komarken 27-2 Galloway 15 July 2 Good father, I thought I should write you before you heard of events in Komarken through some other source, and so grew worried for my saftey. If you remember, over a year ago, there was a treaty announced between the ANL and the Komarken City Government, around the same time as ABSTAIN apparently disappeared from the city. Things in Komarken had been uneasy from that point on, as the details of the ANL-KCG treaty became mired in bureaucatic problems of guarding permits and taxation controls. Mayor Hatred, despite his best efforts to find a compromise suitable to all parties, found that his attempts were thwarted on every occassion, almost as if Geoff himself were determined to see the treaty fail. Then it happened. Mayor Hatred learned of the conspiracy between the KCG and operatives with presumed ties to ABSTAIN. Concerned that such information might raise a panic among the general populace, Mayor Hatred refrained from making a public announcement of his discovery, but instead ordered a suprise attack on the KCG armed guards, involving a number of allies undoubtedly brought in on favors owed our mayor. Nearly 200 nomads were joined by over a hundred sea elves and another hundred or more plainsmen, in addition to a number of ice dwarves, orcs, leaders, and even a few vikings so that their ranks eventaully swelled to an army of over 500 men and several score horses. They decended on the city guard under the cover of night, taking the enemy, and the sleeping populace, by suprise. Most of the slumbering citizens woke to what they thought was a world class fireworks show. There is no doubt in my mind that had the mages (particularly the Crimson Photojournalism Trio) who were casting fireballs, throught to sell tickets for their performance, they most undoubtedly would have earned more in one day than many entertainers can manage in a year. The guards were so dazzled by the display that they were easy prey to their enemies in their mesmerized state. The citizenry too were caught in the spell, which is a good thing, for otherwise it is unknown how many hapless persons might have erred to leave their homes and become involved in the frey. Not to say that they would have had much of a chance at that, for the battle was over almost as quickly as it had begun, the Mayor having sacrificed 32 of his own men in the process of eliminating every last man of the KCG guards. This all happened last night. I felt it the best to write you of it immediately so that you should know that I am safe and unharmed, and that the crisis in Komarken is over. Love, your daughter, Kacee Denbigh wiped a tear from his eye after he finished reading the lettre from his daughter. That he had sent his children out into such dangerous lands! He could only hope that Mayor Hatred would continue his benevolent rule now that the KCG-ABSTAIN were no longer offering interference. ----- Later that day, in the midtown of Atlantis City, Denbigh was running errands. He had just finished dropping off some lession plans for Pillar Imperfection after having a brief luncheon with a representative of the Cooperative. Stopping to rest a moment on one of the many benches provided throughout the city for the use of tired old leaders (although they were generally more often taken up by listless high elves avoiding work), he overheard a conversation between two men standing behind him: "...he taught me combat two months ago, right, but last month I found out that he also knew stealth..." The second man interrupted him, "So he's a sneaker, so what. He taught you right, didn't he? That's all that matters." "Oh, yeah. He taught me right. I went in last month, paid him his price for a combat lesson, and then..." There was a pause. "By the gods of Rotfl!" shouted his friend through an attempt to contain his laughter, "You didn't!" The first man was also laughing now. "I did, and you know he didn't even notice!" He was beside himself with his own cunning. "Amazing, you'd think that someone would NOTICE that they were teaching something other than what they said they would." A city guardman, doing his rounds, came around the corner, and the two men moved away. Denbigh noticed that the guard had a new insignia on their uniform. The traditional logo had been replaced by a very simply design composed of a unadorned number 1, their faction number, with a circle around it, slightly oblong on the vertical dimension, so that it looked much a tech-era block-letter O. 'From a distance,' mused the priest, 'some immigrants might think that's a zero, and so confuse the faction number of the city guard. Very poor design choice indeed.' The guard by now had reached the end of the street and again turned a corner, out of sight. "What do you mean I can only hire one Elf this month?" came a woman's voice from the nearby Unemployment Office, "I had the money for twenty!!" Denbigh turned in time to see her slam the door behind her. 'Just another immigrant leader trying to find menial labor,' thought the Centre. But for some reason he didn't believe this to be just another immigrant. He wasn't entirely sure why, just something about her, or perhaps it was her companion. Cautiously, he approached the duo. The woman was speaking "...if I could find the rifle, but no dice," Denbigh froze. Rifle? "And if the Assassin's Guild got it?" her male companion was saying, "Or some Mage with the right spells who can analyze it? Or..." "Okay, okay, I know it was dumb, you don't have to keep reminding me!" Denbigh could hear them quite clearly now. "But most of the team's still missing, and we've got to do some..." She had spotted him. Denbigh tried to keep his cool as they both stared each other down. This woman did not belong here. Denbigh was sure of it. Here it was: the Improbable brought to the plane of Atlantis. But why did she seem so familiar? "Jessica," said the man, oblivious to the priest not 10 paces from him as he poked his companion in the side, "Still with me?" The Centre disappeared into the crowd hastily, his mind in a turmoil. "Her name is Jessica. The improbability of it!" he mumbled under his breath. He moved faster, hoping that noone had heard him speaking to himself. Reid's Funeral Home came into view. Denbigh walked up to the door and knocked. Michael answered the door. "Your eminen... I mean Denbigh," he said, nearly tripping over himself, "We did not expect a visit from you!" "Is Mr. Reid in, my good boy?" "Yes," he said, shaking his head from side to side, "Oh, yes, he's here, please, come in. May I take your robe?" "No, thank you. Just show me to Mr. Reid." ----- He found the funeral director in the back, preparing the velvet lining of a particularly rich looking casket. "Denbigh," he said looking up from his work, "what can I do for you? Forgive my rudeness, I've got this to prepare for this afternoon, you see, combat victim, just brought in from Komarken by his relatives." He took a mallet in hand and began to tap at some staples with which he secured the lining. Denbigh reached into his robe. "I need you to perform a burial for me." Mr. Reid stopped hammering and looked up with concern. "A member of the family? Don't tell me one of your daughters got caught up in that mess in Komarken?" "No," as he set the oddly shaped object he had been concealing in his robe down on the table before the funeral director, "Kacee wrote me the day after to tell me that she was all right. I want you to bury this." Reid came walking around the table, "But that is not a corpse," he said quite puzzled, "it's a..." he fumbled with his mallet, "it's a..." he looked to Denbigh with a searching expression, "what is it?" "Something which does not belong in this plane of Existence." He replied solemnly, "remember the wound you described to me a few months ago." The man had begun reaching toward the object, he withdrew his hand and again looked at Denbigh, this time with concern, "The mage's crossbow," he said under his breath. Denbigh nodded. "Do not ask how I obtained it. Let us only say that I have allies with pull in the marketplace." His look grew stern. "It must be buried." "But, who surely we can't just put it in its own grave, who would we say it was?" Denbigh looked thoughtfully at the casket, "How about the man you bury today?" "What, do you mean put it in with him?" "Yes." "But that would be quite imporper, dropping miscellaneous objects in with the deceased... and what if it should fire accidentally? The family stated explicity that this should not be a cremation." "I have seen to it that it is harmless." "But it is still so improper." "I will pay well." ----- The Centre walked up to the front door of his home. After the stressful events of the day, seeing the familiar sign in his lawn gave Denbigh feeling of consistency and security. _______________________________________________________________ | | | * Be a hero to towns like Nork! | | * Why pay others to observe what you could see?! | | | | ENROLL NOW! | | ----- Atlantis City School of Observation ----- | | (landt@acf4.nyu.edu) | | | | a division of the | | Church of the Purple Snowflake, in coordination with | | | | *CRIMEWATCH* and T T T | | | | ...classes in Tactics also available... | | (rates may change soon) | |_______________________________________________________________| | | | | wwwwww [This fictoid brought to you by the Church of the Purple Snowflake (72) -- landt@acf4.nyu.edu] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DEATH TO THE FREE COMPANIONS! War will be waged, People will die, and a lot of them will be yours! I can see you now, laughing at my *feeble* remarks, but watch out Here we come!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Im a new player of Atlantis and currently Im going to move to Spakker, so if there is anyone there who would like tod help me to get started, I would be most happy. I think it will be nice to see and explore this new world and I hope I will meet all of you out there. /Naketa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brrrr! Oh boy, it's cold... That wind has been howling through the mountain passes, and blowing right through my layers of fur and extra insulation for the past 3 months! I wish that this winter would end, and I could get home to see my fiance. It's been a trying time, but with no horse or other form of transport, I've just been stuck here, out in the freezing cold. Not to worry. Perhaps I'll die, and then it'll be summer all the time where I go. Now wouldn't that be nice? And we wouldn't need a horse to get anywhere. We could just BE there, automagically! Well, that's a nice comforting thought, in case I die from this blasted snow and wind! But soon the waiting will be over.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thakram Miles ran down the dusty corridor. He cursed as the fallen masonry of the rough-hewn passage caused him to stumble and fall. He drew his Smith & Wesson from its holster and smiled grimly to himself. Those filthy cultists would not take him alive so he could be used in of one of their insane rituals. The sounds of pursuit were closer now, the crazed chanting mingled with some unearthly wail. Well, this was it, he'd had a good run but it looked like the Thakram Miles Exploring Company was going to be finally liquidated in a long forgotted tomb, deep in the South American jungles. As the first cultist bore down on him, he put the revolver to his temple and pulled the trigger.... When he awoke Thakram Miles was in a small garret room without much in the way of furniture. He staggered to the tiny shutters and threw them open. Before him he could see a strange city, far below in the streets, strange beings of all shapes and sizes milled around and the stench of the streets was difficult to comprehend. Was he in some cruel dream? Had he been transported back to the lands of the Great Old Ones? Only time would tell... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ====================================================================== ====== ====== ==== ==== La redaccion de este periodico ha sido ocupada por la Brigada AnarkoCyperPunk, seccion de los Grupos Anarkistas Digitales, comando del Escuadron de las Sombras, organizacion de apoyo logistico a la macroestructura Def Con Dos. En el marco de nuestra denodada lucha contra el imbecil, hemos decidido esta espectacular accion para llamar la atencion sobre una serie de puntos: - Basta ya de jugar a los MUDs! - Basta ya de jugar al Homer! - Basta ya de jugar a rol por e-mail! - Basta ya de traerse fotos de sen~oritas ligeritas de ropa por WWW! - Basta ya de estar suscrito a listas de correo raras! - Basta ya de jugar al SuperMazeWars! En lugar de ello: - Compraos un ajedrez, eso si que es un juego de estrategia - Bajad al bar y ligaos a vuestra vecina - Comeos un tripi - Comprad una Interviu (algo mas fuerte seria demasiado para vosotros) - Leed libros, que igual aprendeis algo - Salid a la autopista y poneos a 200 en el carril contrario Es, en definitiva, la hora de los mamporros todos a beber y a follar que son 2 dias! - - - Por vuestra jodida culpa nos van a quitar la red a todos!!! CABRONES y es que ni siquiera sois de esta escuela, ostias! Estamos en Junio... que pasa, no teneis examenes o que? Firmado desde la clandestinidad en algun lugar de Europa, G.A.D. ==== ==== ====== ====== ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the sun rises, the mage begins his walk around the perimeter of the encampment. It seems that the area is attracting more traffic recently - very odd for a scrap of wasteland. This new activity could be an opportunity for one with light fingers... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ... I feel the darkness coming. It washes over me, engulfs me. The storm is nigh, and it will shatter all that I have left. I know this to be true, for it has happened before. Gods help me, I do not know if I will survive, or be drowned in the crimson tides when they pull me under... ... From the journals of the Black Rose ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Underworld held few terrors for Roy - just another cave system to him. Yet it also held few treasures. Although there appeared to be impressive quantities of both iron ore and stone, there was none of that for which he lusted, the stuff that began to fill his dreams but that as yet he feared to mention to his companions. With a heavy sigh, he climbed aboard the basket and waved to the waiting workers. The basket creaked and groaned rather alarmingly as it lifted his weight, beginning his journey back to the surface. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just a small note, since I don`t have time to write any of my usual hopeless prose. One wonders at someone who can write `Romani Ite Domum` at a Roman captain`s tent. Romans do not possess any such rank as Captains. For your education, so that you can abuse us even better in future, here is a part list of roman army ranks (can`t remember all of them, otherwise I`d hit you with the book ;) ): Consul Legatus - Legion Commander, chosen by the consul. Tribuni Militarii - Staff officer, elected by the people. Primi Pilii - Senior Centurion. Centurion - Commands a maniple, the roman equivelant of a company. Decurion - Commands a group of 8-10 men. Corporal? Miles gregarius - Literally `ordinary soldier`. Signifer - Standard bearer, carries the standard of the maniple. Ave, The Legate. (Who said I wasn`t an ancient Roman freak? B-) ************************************************************************* Forum Romanum: http//www-i8.auc.dk/~strategy/Atlantis.html My apologies that my netpage hasn`t been updated for some time. RealLife (TM), in the form of terrible exams is wreaking havoc with my nettime. :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hatred sat in his study, quietly humming a tune. He was happy. The city of Komarken was a wonderful sight. The newest territory aquired by the PolyChromatic Pirates was awash in beautiful, bright colors. There were, of course, some people who just would not accept the power change but they were of concern. He had just come from a meeting of the PCP leaders, and that problem would be solved very soon. The only real concern that he had now was income. His circus was fine, but if he wanted to gain more power in the region, he would need more cash. Hatred though hard on the subject and finally decided that it was time for him to diversify. He would continue to run his circus as it was still making him silver, but he would add a new service. Now he had to think of a new service. Hatred quickly sent for two of his students. Greed arived at his teacher's study. He cautiously knocked on the door. When he had recieved permission to enter, he did so. Inside were Mayor Hatred and one of his other students. She was an attractive woman named Lust. "Come in Greed. Sit down.", said Hatred. "Lust and I have been discussing ways for us to make more money. What do you have to say on this subject?" "Well, if it's money you desire, I have a most excellent idea.", said Greed smiling cinfidently. "Well, don't just sit there smiling. Tell me", ordered Hatred. "Religion, sir" "Religion?", asked Hatred, "Go on." "Well, the way I see it, there are three things that motivate people, sex, silver, and God. People will throw all kinds of money at a God. All we need to do is convince them that we worship the one true God and we will have money rolling in.", Greed's smile grew bigger. "Hmm, ok, so where does the sex fit in?", asked Hatred. "Well, if our new religion incorperates sex as one of it's basic teachings people will throw their silver at us as soon as they get it.", answered Greed. Liking the way the conversation was going, Lust spoke up, "A long time ago, there was a mythical Goddess named Systra. She was known as the Goddess of Sexual Desire. Why don't we start her church?" "Excellent!", said Greed. "Excellent", said Hatred, "The two of you will work together to set this up." Greed looked over at Lust, "That would be most desirable Master.", he said. "Don't even think it, you worm!", said Lust as she shuddered at the mere thought. "Enough", commanded Hatred, "you may go!" Hatred smiled happily. This was turning out to be a glorious day. -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up