Atlantis 2.0: Times 16 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Mon, 22 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times June, Year 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems, or to play. Someone has asked me to point out that Times articles are published anonymously. Thus, any names and addresses that you see are in no way guaranteed to be correct. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) A bug where a DECLARE order followed by space would fail has been fixed. 2) Explicitly declaring a faction to your default order used to clear out the attitude, but now will assign the attitude correctly. Additions This Turn: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The barbarian scout pushed aside the last of the brush and emerged atop the mountain ridge. He motioned to the others behind him, various barbarians, vikings and orcs, hardened warriors all, to approach; from this height they looked down upon the town, nestled between two arms of the mountains, groups of sleepy little houses clustered together. Yet the village was not entirely pastoral; ten hands of the city folk warriors were garrisoned here, and they bore ten hands of the city folk swords. Easily a match for the small, ill-armed rag-tag band of raiders atop the ridge; but back in the mountains and on the sweeping plains there were many, many more hands of barbarian warriors. Someday, there would be enough to sack the town, loot the treasuries and burn the pitiful city folk dwellings to the ground. To the east, the sky was growing ominous, and dark thunderclouds rolled towards them, heralding the approaching monsoon season. The raiders withdrew from their vantage point to regroup under cover. A storm was coming.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PURE TRADE FACTION SOUGHT We have a requirment for a pure trade faction to operate within Maurarhiannon teritories. The faction selected will get exclusive rights to all production not currently contracted to other factions and at the expiration of those contracts will ssume those duties. Must be willing to produce any and all products for which resources are available and must be willing to sell to us on a first call basis all finished goods at a fixed price. Should we switch to a pure War faction [a strong probablity within 1 game year] you will be given all trade units now currenty held by us and will be expected to transfer to us all combat trained units and weapons. Must be willing to assume identical attitudes with all factions having relations with us at the time of your acceptance. No future alliances will be formed by either of us without the consent of The Maurarhiannons, yourself, and our prime pure Magic faction ally. You must be approved by our prime Magic faction ally. Interested parties contact matthew@clark.net. Special preference will be given to current allies and members of The Monzon Confederation. SWORDS WANTED Bids are solicited for the provision of 200 swords. All offers of at least 50 units will be considered. Contract[s] will be awarded to the provider[s] offering the best combination of price, availability, and delivery options. Partial prepayment available to bidders with demonstrated production capacity. Submit Bids to The Maurarhiannons, Faction 113 care of matthew@clark.net. Notice from the Teamsters. Wagons are no longer available for general purchase. If you have a special need, please contact us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Olympic Games in Atlantis ? What do you think about championship in combat ? It would take place somewhere in Rantlu. Each faction present there could chose one character, give him any training except magic, give him any items except bows and send him to the championship. There they would fight each with other. Of course no other units could be involved. The winner of each battle would get his half of the items belonging to the dead, but furthermore there should be a big amount of money for the champion - total winner of championship. I suppose 5000$ can be sufficient motivation. And of course during Olympic Games all wars should stop. From it follows that winter is very good time for them. I see no problem but one - money. We need wealthy sponsors, probably war factions which care for peace in Rantlu and want to improve their image (all of them need it). Comparing Olympic Games with war, Games are much cheaper and much easier to organize !!!! Please contact me, if you are interested in. Great Muuf (117) maxera@fzu.cz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boudiccea reads carefully her spellbook. "Hmmm, how to give someone something. Hmm, hmm", and she shakes her head. "Hope that this spell is the right one." And she begins with her incantation: "......................................" (if you, dear reader want to know about the spell, just read YOUR spellbooks). And she continues: "................." "So, that's it, I hope." But it takes one month, until she realizes, her incantation had failed. "Paah, but what went wrong? I have don't it just as it is written." and she rereads the spellbook and ---- it was the right spell, but the wrong grammar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Black Company gives you more on THE ART OF WAR by Sun Tzu. War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life or death, the road either to survival or to ruin. Hence, it is imperative that it be studied thoroughly. Chapter 5 : Posture of Army Generally, management of a large force is the same as management of a few men. It is a matter of organization. And to direct a large force is the same as to direct a few men. This is a matter of formations and signals. That the army is certain to sustain the enemy's attack without suffering defeat is due to operations of the extraordinary and the normal forces. Troops thrown against the enemy as a grindstone against eggs is an example of a solid acting upon a void. Generally, in battle, use the normal force to engage and use the extraordinary forces to win. Now, the resources of those skilled in the use of extraordinary forces are as infinite as the heavens and earth, as inexhaustible as the flow of the great rivers, for they end and recommence - cyclical, as are the movements of the sun and moon. They die away and are reborn - recurrent, as are the passing seasons. The musical notes are the passing seasons. The musical notes are only five in number, but their combinations are so infinite that one cannot visualize them all. The flavors are only five in number, but their blends are so various that one cannot taste them all. In battle, there are only the normal and extraordinary forces, but their combinations are limitless; none can comprehend them all. For these two forces are mutually reproductive. It is like moving in an endless circle. Who can exhaust the possibility of their combination? When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum; when the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing. Thus, the momentum of one skilled in war is overwhelming, and his attack precisely timed. His potential is that of a fully drawn crossbow; his timing, that of the release of the trigger. In tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there must be no disorder in one's own troops. The battlefield may seem in confusion and chaos, but one's array must be in good order. That will be proof against defeat. Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength. Order of disorder depends on organization and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions. Thus, one who is skilled at making the enemy move does so by creating a situation, according to which the enemy will act. He entices the enemy with something he is certain to want. He keeps the enemy on the move by holding out bait and then attacks him with picked troops. Therefore, a skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates. He selects suitable men and exploits the situation. He who utilizes the situation uses his men in fighting as one rolls logs or stones. Now, the nature of logs and stones is that on stable ground they are static; on a slope, they move. If square, they stop; if round, they roll. Thus, the energy of troops skillfully commanded in battle may be compared to the momentum of round boulders which roll down from a mountain thousands of feet in height. next week Chapter 6 : Void and Actuality ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >A friendly warning to the citizens of Abernethy, Komarken, Kashmar, >Stinchar, Sledmere, Monzon, and the surrounding areas: We are coming. >We will take over everything. Anyone in our way will be eliminated. >Leave now and save yourselves. > >Your Future Conquerers, >The Unstoppable Force To all peace loving citizens of Atlantis: Do not fear these threats. We will protect you for the low monthly fee of 500 silver. Payments should be made to unit 666, The Beast, in Atlantis City. Your Protectors, The Unmovable Object ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Baerus! Get some men organized. Begin plans for acquiring new territories.' 'Aravan. Concentrate on teaching your healers. We hear of the winds of war and we may need them.' 'Ruse, for whom to we prepare?' 'Why no one, ... yet!' ***** The Hand of Darkness, and our allies the Dire Didgett of Darkness, and the Melniboneans, now claim the desert in (6,15) as well as 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Richard the Elder donned his white robe and stepped outside into the frigid tundra. Some would have thought that they did not have Richard to push around any more, but somehow he managed to come back. Were where those horse thieves now? Nowhere, gone, eliminated. This tundra was not productive. Richard and his followers could barely earn a living off of it. He looked off on the horizon and could see the outline of the city of Komarken. He will go there. It may not be the best of fate for a proud Cold Warrior to wash dishes in the city, but he had to look at the future. When he arrived in the town, he saw that it was run by a bunch of people in purple robes. Richard felt out of place in his white outfit, but then he noticed that others where wearing robes of crimson, blue or green. Quite a variety of colors here; perhaps he could fit in. Richard went up to the first tavern he could find. Perhaps they needed a dish washer. When he stepped inside he was greeted by a jolly pirate. He looked like a pirate at least, but Richard knew there were no ships in Komarken. Richard naively wondered how a pirate could be jolly to be marooned on a cold, wind swept island until the smell from the pirate's breath told him how. Richard was quite startled when another pirate grabbed him from behind and said, "looks like we've found a new recruit fellows." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 6,13 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 9,11 multiple factions vjg@cbnea.att.com 9,8 Picts pdxark@evol.gene.nottingham.ac.uk 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 15,9 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 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karamon slowly rose from his seated position in the bar... "Men, to bight we shelebate our urpival chere in this universe..ity...!", he said groggily. The men cheered. "Our pppphair Athena has kept us abive long enough chew shelebate this occassion. Draw your neapons mates!" The swords are drawn. And slinking off to a quiet corner, goes a small elf, unnoticed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Hadrian T. McRoot, Mgc.D. reflects ...] Trade is quite slow here in Abernethy; I haven't sold a single horse. I heard there was a skirmish in Ettrick last month. Could that be the reason? Probably not. The rergion's so bloody poor, I'll bet that's what it is. Well, there was this in the last issue of the Atlantis Times: >Anti-elves discovered in Drewump ! Now if that isn't something! I should put one of my postdocs on this one. Who knows, maybe he might discover anti-horses that would sell even in Abernethy. [Hadrian begins searching for "Interference effects in spell operator theory"] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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 small fee of course though 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 6 months **** 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. ** Still available *** CALL NOW AT pdxark@evol.nott.ac.uk ** We regret that not one will be available to take your call, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mikey struggled to free himself but the knots only tightened. He was tied up behind a Republic guard and they had been riding for hours. Mikey could only hope that he was being taken somewhere civilized. "Take him to Drammes." echoed in his ears. "But who was this Centurion Michael?", he wondered. Gradually the smell of mud and campfires became overwhelming. He could see great hordes of vikings and nomads. Some groups were excitedly preparing for battle - others were obviously just returning victoriously. Suddenly he was rudely thrown to the ground, "Why don't we have a bit of a rest, little guy. I'll be back for you and then we'll go see my boss." the guard said, as he entered a nearby tent. The vikings and nomads paid him little attention as they walked by. >From inside the tent he could hear bits of conversation and laughter as his guard caught up on the news. "... 50 orcs in one round of battle... dead poets and farmers everywhere...the Legate was there himself...and after that he did away with that magician Eiklander..." "Eiklander was dead?" Mikey thought to himself, "he is a crafty old bastard, somehow I think he must have escaped." Mikey struggled with the ropes and managed to free himself. His only thought was to flee this camp and even the forest for something told him that he was in great danger. in another part of the camp... "Where did you get this sword?" Rayelin screamed at the cowering guard. "I.. I took it from an elf in the forest," the guard managed to say, "we brought him here on your orders that all armed forest dwellers be captured." "Good, bring him to me," said Rayelin, "I have a few questions for him." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@ MIST Thanks once more to everyone who has continued to contribute to the MIST project. You should all have received a full version of Volume 2.1 of MIST, plus a small update. If anyone hasn't received the latest tome please get in touch. I'm currently compiling the latest edition but will probably wait until after next turn before sending it out in case there are any more additions. New Contributors : Please note that submission for Level One spells is now closed. If you wish to join the MIST project, please submit a spell description for Level 2, or a description of one of the new multi- foundation spells recently added to the game. Happy Spellcasting !! Raindog The Venerable The Black Riders (17) martin@raindog.demon.co.uk @*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ghenghis Malone sat in the shadeof a sickly Palm Tree he'd ever seen and watched the citizens of this new city with a calculating eye. They were orcs, bloody orcs, how the hell did orcs build a city, they musta' stole it. There were young orcs, old orcs, thin orcs, fat orcs, tough orcs and scared orcs. Actually there were a LOT of orcs. He sipped tenatively on his tropical orange and rum cocktail, a typical orc drink in the city of Drummore, it expressed their character well. And the more they drank, the more they expressed their character. Allowing himself to relax slightly Ghenghis, chuckled thinking of the hordes of wood elves, the King had been recruiting, training and arming back up the peninsula. Then he grimmaced, thinking of the last year, he'd been riding, exploring for the king, all those woodelves, and all they could supply in the way of hard liquor was Green Leaf Tea. He shuddered. Hmmm, i wonder what the Kings up to now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ REWARD OFFERED IN NORK 46,54 Our small peacefull village has been targetted by a thief for two monthes. It is already difficult to survive in Atlantis for a group of peasants, lumbermen and traders, without being robbed like that. Of course, the thief does not attack the strong, but the weak. Coward... We are offering a reward of 100 silver for any information about a thief in Nork 46,54 and surrounding areas. He has already stolen a magic wagon and a crossbow. An observer with skill level 3 at least is needed. Please drop a message to the mailing list to contact us if you have any info. A small group of upset villagers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLTs interested to buy them?Only for $350 each. Are you interested?Contact the working faction! Do you want to be teached in any trading skill at a low price? Contact the working faction! Do you want swords? Contact the working faction! Anything you want can be given to you by me. The working faction! The working faction 181 andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 20-plus contributing members strong, as of when this ad was placed (Friday, 5/19/95). We currently have mapping data on ~450 areas, with economic data on perhaps one hundred and seventy, including portions of continents previously unknown. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Valdez is not happy. Last month The military commander moved forces around without telling him. It is now clear that military matters are more important than trade. Valdez ponders and fumes as he heads toward the commmander's pavilion. Valdez is greeted by twin saluting statues as he enters the tent. Inside is a large man with close cropped brown hair and blue eyes. The man sits behind a desk in a chair that strains with the weight of the figure it supports. The eyes rise and look calm ly at Valdez. Massive hands push down on the desk and relieve the groaning chair. Zendall stands. Valdez looks up into the blue eyes before him and speaks. "You have done me a disservice. I have gotten the swords where is the money?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ///THE HERMETIC ORDER\\\ AS OF THIS WEEK THE HERMETIC ORDER WILL NO LONGER BE IN ATLANTIS CITY. WE HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE FOR OTHER REALMS (MONZON) If anyone wishes to contact us we can be found there. Regarding the various slurs printed in this paper by that goblin, Dirtbag; he is a goblin and we can ignore them as being uninformed. NEXT WEEK: ANOTHER EXCERPT FROM OUR PHILOSOPHIA HERMETICA. We are too busy packing at the present time to publish it this week. Aelfstan,. D.HA. P.S. We would like to welcome the new member of our brotherhood. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ************************************************************************ # # # ##### # ## # # ##### # #### # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### ####### # # ###### # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # ###### # # # # # # #### ####### 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... ####### # # # ###### (http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/users/u3jph/roleplay.html) # # # # # ###### ##### "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 : - Quick Reference Section including rules(html), Instructions, Current Players List, 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 - Spell Report List - Comedy! - Other Fantasy and PBEM links! This Page has probably completely changed (for the better) since you last saw it! 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. Faction 217 (Of no fixed Name). (u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk) (http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/users/u3jph/roleplay.html) ************************************************************************ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNOUNCING := ************** I am selling OBS reports of the Units and Factions in Atlantis City. They have been Sorted Into Faction Order, so you can quickly and easily find all about who has what units in Atlantis City! This is especially useful for new factions who want to find potential allies, etc! The reports are produced from an OBS 4 leader, soon to be OBS 5! You can't buy better! Virtually no units are missing from this comprehensive list! (Only a few very stealthy units might avoid it!) THE PRICE := ************** 30 Silver to be paid to a unit of my choice in Atlantis city. This is cheap! (half an Elf!) I may soon have agents available in other cities for interested parties in those locations! ANNOUNCING := ************** Are you suffering thievery? There ARE units capable of this in Atlantis City! I Can Protect You! THE PRICE := ************* 30 Silver again!!! What a Discount, what a Deal! Just 30 silver a month to insure your entire Atlantis City Posse from theft and assination! Again, payment will be monthly to a unit in Atlantis city! Talk To Me := ************** Mail me now for more info / offers! I'm always in! (sad but true!) Jon. u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bem, Nos desejavamos sair esta vez, mas nao deu certo. A nova cidade fica perto demas pra` otra cidade da vez previo. Sera` que podemos sair na proxima vez? O negocio e` so` esperar.... -Os Banderantes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO o o O A MOEBIUS BAND OR KNOT ? O o o OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO In a late issue of the Times, Pr. Frank N. Stein argued about our world being a moebius band. I myself, together with the famous scholar Olibrius, had proposed the thesis that it was a cylindre. Now the question is : if we lived on a Moebius band and not on a cylinder, how could we discover it ? The question is not so easy. It seems that only some systematic difference between north and south could give a clue about there being a north and a south. Such a difference exists in the climate, winter in the north, monsoon in the south. To really prove that we are not on a Moebius band, some explorer just has to follow the border and note how the climate changes. Not very easy. A better means would be for Pr. Frank N. Stein to bribe me enough to have me claim I did it. - Acrobatty the Rigolo and some of the Jokomicalaughunny Buffons (229) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Still offering training services in Sledmere/ellesmere area. Training costs: 1 applicant: 30 silver. 2 applicants:40 silver. 3 applicants:50 silver 1 more applicant: +5 silver. Skills we train: Combat Stealth Entertainment Energy Riding Building Soon availables more skills. Ask for your trainment to u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es We'll discuss the week and place for the trainment. (next week available in Menter, but we can move ourselves). Soldados Drakull (Drakull Soldiers), faction 237 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================= ======================================================================= = = = = = R E A D S P U N K P R E S S = = = = = = To know how you work do to do a better world = = = = ftp://etext.archive.umich.edu/pub/politics/spunk = = gopher://etext.archive.umich.edu/Politics/Spunk = = http://www.cwi.nl/cwi/people/Jack.Jansen/spunk/Spunk_Home.html = = = ======================================================================= ======================================================================= sigan a la escucha... IMBECILES!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hola a todos, Bueno, cada vez quedan menos jugadores, cada vez se pone mas dificil (menos en las zonas nuevas), cada vez mas peleas, guerras, parece que aqui la gente solo piensa en combatir. Es que nadie quiere comerciar? Que hay del todo por la magia? Se abandonan las Facciones de magia y las de comercio por las de guerra. Vaya mundo este de atlantis!!! En fin cosas que pasan. Por cierto que tal os va todo? Parece que hay gente que a tenido que volver a empezar (por ser demasiado ineptos como para llevar adelante sus facciones primeras). Otros que reclaman un territorio, y al instante le meten tal paliza que se retira a las ciudades. A otros les roban hasta los calzoncillos... Incluso hay quien deja el juego por que su mente es incapad de procesar este tipo de informacion, ni se entera de nada. Espero que a partir de ahora vaya mejor todo. Que no les roben a la gente (o que si lo hacen se puedan defender bien), que los que comienzan de nuevo aprendan a llevar una faction como debe ser, etc, etc. Resumiendo, que tengais suerte todos. Cambiando de tema: No tendreis un barco a la venta, verdad? Os lo compraria gustosamente. Ademas compro cualquier materia prima, ya sabeis donde encontrarme para estas cosas. Por cierto, no os cansais de que mest.unizar.es este siempre borrando el correo? Tener una cuenta alli, mas que una ventaja es una tortura. A ver si los del CCUZ se molestan en hacer algo bien, aunque ya sabemos que para nosotros los estudiantes nunca hay nada. No se quien mencionaba en otros Times que no le parecia bien que se mencionase en los mensajes espaNoles que se escribe por 50 miserables monedas de plata. ?Acaso alguien escribe para algo mas? Por que gastar energia en contar chorradas si no es por algo material? Esto podria ser un interesante comienzo de un debate, pero como casi todos opinan lo mismo que yo, no creo que haya debate. Por cierto, si estoy perdiendo el tiempo escribiendo todas estas tonterias es por que tengo 15 minutos libres, y no se me ocurre nada mas que hacer, tengo que irme dentro de 15 minutos, y no me da tiempo mas que para escribir al times para las 50 monedas. Bueno como ya me tengo que ir, os librais de que siga escribiendo. Bye. MacFjm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Saludos Jugadores: Se presenta ante vosotros la Nueva Alianza, somos el futuro, el progreso y la vida. Estamos establecidos en Stinchar y Sledmere, y puedes ponerte en contacto con nosotros, para comerciar en: an253128@anon.penet.fi Vendemos Caballos,madera, lideres, hombre tribales, nomadas,etc Entrenamos en energia, combate, observacion, Cabalgar, Herreria, mineria, entretenimiento, y a amaestrar caballos. Precio a convenir. Greetings Players: We are the New Alliance, we are the future, the improvement, and the life. We are established at Stinchar and Sledmere , you can contact with us, for trade only in: an253128@anon.penet.fi We sell Horses, Wood, leaders, Tribesmen, Nomads, etc We teach Energy, Combat, Observation, Riding, Weaponsmith, Mining, Entertaiment, and Horse Training. We would talk about money. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ About all those news speaking of mest.unizar We have not attacked any yet. Why seem that we are the plublic enemy number 1? We don't work together, the guy who speak in atl-players about raids in Menter is from here too. We, at least I don't plan attack any human faction. I have claimed the sector south of Menter, thats right, with 2 friends, but I didnt forbbiden to anyone to enter. I am not peaceful, but I don't like wars. Everybody is my friend if they don't put their hands in my pocket. If anyone wants to be trained in combat (level 4), tactics (level 3) and he is near Menter I will can train.(prizes....tactics are expensive if you want give me something, combat ...I will can do it for free, but I can't do it all mounths, some of them I am busy training to some friends). moustafa@mest.unizar.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE CHRONICLES OF DIRTBAG - PART III Dirtbag thrashed the forest vegetation with his hickory club. Seeing a flurry of movement, Dirtbag swung his club at the small furry creature. He was rewarded with a satisfying "SPLAT". "Hmm, the gud-tastin' brown kind. Dirtbag like the brown kind. Taste much betta dan de squishy green ones." Dirtbag stopped licking of the fur and other debris from his club and scratched his head. "Corse, not nearly as gud as suckin' da yummy squishy bits from head of elfy-welfy or sole-less hoo-man. But Dirtbag gonna smash dat sissy Eel-stand, "da mitey wizurd", who say dat Dirtbag be stoopid gnazhki. Corse Dirtbag be stoopid gnazhki, dat how Gdunbar make me. Da airy-fairy wizurd t'ink he be "sidhe", wotever dat be. If it taste like elf, it be elf - dat wot Dirtbag gnazhkazi (ed. grandmother orc) say. And dat wot de sissy Eel-stand be." Dirtbag swung his club at a dangling jooba-nut, the fruit that orcs said was buried in horse dung to hatch elves from. "Dat be wut Dirtbag do to Eel-stand when I see it. De finger-wiggly invizbul magic not save sissy elf from Dirtbag." Dirtbag began to dance on the mangled remains of the jooba-nut. As a final insult on his vanquished vegetable foe, he spat a great wad of chaw (small, furry brown animal parts included) on it. Suddenly, he froze. "Dirtbag t'ink he hear noize." A rustling came from the branches of the surrounding jooba-nut trees. "Dirtbag did hear noize. It voice saying "If you build it, they will come." What dat mean ? Do Gdunbar want Dirtbag do somet'ing ?" The rustling in the jooba-nut trees grew louder. It continued to increase until Dirtbag stood at the centre of a whirling column of leafs and debris. He shouted out in ecstasy, "Dirtbag in da fist of Gdunbar! Me see Hand of God! Pleeze Gdunbar, squeeze life from worthless Dirtbag body!" The swirling wind suddenly ceased and Dirtbag fell to the ground. His body quivered in the throes of the religious frenzy he'd just experienced. A careful listener would hear him muttering, "Look gnazhkam (ed. mother), it be full of starz. Da Fist of Gdunbar be full of starz. Full of starz, so many starz. Dirtbag know wot Gdunbar want him do. Gdunbar wants IT to be bilt!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's strange, It's new, and it's taking Atlantis by storm! Introducing Grundlik's Rock! This simple seeming rock will provide hours of family fun. Throw it, drop it, paint it, heck throw it at that "wierd" old woman who's possesed by spirits! It's O.K. it's a rock! Built like a rock to wear like a rock. Each of Grundlik's Rocks (tm) is lovingly hand dug out of the ground by the choicest slaves, and then polished to a high luster sheen wherin most of the dirt is actually removed from the rock, thats right removed from the rock. Better yet, each of Grundlik's Rocks (tm) comes with Grundlik's Garuntee. If you are not completely satisfied with this rock, go dig your own. Grundlik's Rock (tm) usually won't dissolve in water like other so called rocks, and what better way to say "Ya' got a nice set of thingies." to that really stupid guy or gal than with a rock. So remember, built like a rock to wear like a rock. Grundlik's Rock, backed by Grundlik's Garuntee. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was a story the constable had heard many times before. ". . . and I was just sitting there, studying, minding my own business, and next thing I know half my MONEY is missing! Where were you people? I thought you were supposed to be the City Guards!" "Well," said the constable, "you really haven't given us much to go on. You can't even describe the alleged thief." "But that's the whole point! I couldn't see him! How am I supposed to describe someone I couldn't even see? I'm a simple carpenter. Isn't it YOUR job to see these people and catch them?" "Well, I sympathize, but as I said, there's not much we can do . . ." "Hah! Some City Guards YOU are. I bet they don't have these problems in Abernethy! I might just move there . . ." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear All, Thanx for the recent interest in the auction I held for the OBS Leader. The response was more than enough. If I was to hold another such auction in the future, or if anyone else does the same, take note that you should check the players-list mail from me (or the auctioner) each morning so you know what the current bid is. I say this because the auction is closed (it did so on wednesday, as it turns out) and I still get mail for it! If you read the players mail, then you will see what the surrent bid was on such a day, so bidding BELOW this price is just spamming me! I don't mind getting mail, in fact I usually luv it, but when I get spammed upthe way I have been recently, it's not much fun sifting through it! ok? Regards to all as ever Dave PS I don't mind mail from my contacts, the notices of importance from the players list, the notes on the design list, spell syndicate reports and other wotnot, as long as it is not a Dave-gripe or spamm mail! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I finally found the mage I was looking for, Lisor was his name. It turns out that he worked for another mage, one practiced in the most arcane magiks. He had disappeared via a teleport spell, when she noticed I was following him. I met with her later. She was a tall willowy woman, with long black hair. She was willing to teach me magick and I accepted. Later she recanted and went off to serve another master, for money. I vowed to make her regret this decision, but I know that I will ultimately fail. In the end magick will prevail. Even the most powerful armies can't stand the power of the most holy. The most powerful war clans would fall by the wayside, as they always do, while the great magicians will last for all eternity. I left with a sense of loss, at my unablility to learn the magick. Was it only for the elves? Could a human manage to be at one with the elemental plain? I would seek out the answers to these questions in my quest for magick. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** Monzon Bulletin #7 Published by the Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@sangamon.edu * Monzon Beat - Nearly 60 men were killed in Ettrick (9,16), 6 regions to the southwest of Monzon. The battle began when a lone orc jumped a patrol of the city guard. By the time the dust had settled, 51 of the attackers and 7 members of the Guard lay dead. The factions of the participants were not immediately discernable, but several were described as "Reservoir Dogs" by the amazed onlookers. * 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. *COMING SOON* a much improved map; and better organized region information. (Now that the semester is over *GRIN*). * Business Opportunities In the interests of brevity, the business opportunities section of this bulletin has been moved to the Monzon Register, which can be retrieved according to the instructions given above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ They reached Derwent at sunset. Archibold surveyed the Barbarian town with some disgust, but much relief at finally arriving safely. Derwent would be his home for the foreseeable future. At last the Brotherhood could settle down to study... --- The Grand Archibold Magic Advisor The Four Who Are One Part Of The Riders Of The Rising Sun ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Silence... ..and then it happened. A blinding flash of light burst over the horizon. The troops swarmed down on the tents of the unexpecting orcs, with ornately carved sticks of wood and silver throwing streaks of flames and sparks into the air. Shimmering swords sliced through their misshapen bodies as if they were no more than a fog. Armed horseman wielding swords in gloves of black and gold, struck with the speed of lightning, laying wast to the unfortunates who stood in their path. The mages stood back and lauged. All this talk of how magic factions lacked power.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ 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 would once again like to respectfully request that Father Phineas (Grandmaster Wizard, Guru to the People, Herald to the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM) refrain from using His great name in vain. He has decided that the expression "fundaligogobble!" will express enough praise or whatever it should in place of the blasphemous use of His honorable name. He has also asked me to let you know that He is not in the slightest bit perturbed by the childish and amusing outburst in last month's Times. It had all us minions laughing for days afterwards - as we all know, free entertainment is the best kind! Father Phineas obviously doesn't even know what real blaspheming is, as at least 12 out of the 234 words (more than 5 percent, yes that is FIVE!) in his article were blashpemous to the extreme. This is even ignoring the meaning of the ill-advised article. With regards to the ignorant and insolent PS at the end of the article, the Lord Hallelujahgobble will NOT speak for Himself. Such efforts are below His greatness; the only being on this plane with whom He communicates is myself. I speak and act out His decrees and wishes, while He does more lordy things like studying for exams. Signed by the Most High Aide to the Lord Hallelujahgobble ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Renaissance is pleased to announce that the position of trade faction advertised two weeks ago has been filled. Claim announcements: Renaissance claims 6,11 exclusively. Renaissance wishes to advertise the following contract for bids: to buy: 10 horses per turn price: make an offer - lowest bidder wins! total wanted: 60 horses (six month contract) starting in: March of Year 3 (right after winter) payment: on delivery Renaissance is announcing early to allow factions to consider the offer, and to make arrangements for production and delivery. Renaissance will pick up in the vicinity of Monzon City or Arlon. If you are further away, you will need to bring the horses to Monzon or Arlon (or at least nearby). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let all Newbie factions unite... E-mail the board with our addresses and we can claim Atlantis city herself. With all of us banded together we can beat both the city guards and the older factions... United we stand. The order of New B... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I DECLARE WAR TO THE FREE COMPANIONS !!! Yes, I know that's foolish. He's probably one of the strongest faction in Atlantis World. But I prefer to die than live as a slave. I'm not seeking any allies for this combat, but I want to inform everyone in Atlantis of the following : - The Free Companions do not understand the word "alliance". He is the master, and you will be the slaves ! - The following lands are plains (91,21) (91,22) (91,23) (92,21) (92,22) (92,23) (92,24) (93,22) (94,21) (94,22) (95,21) (95,22) (and maybe more !), and the Free Companions are claiming ALL OF THEM !!! (plus, of course, several mountains southwest of Kashmar, which block almost every movement in the region). Don't you thing it's a little bit too much for a sole faction ? I do not agree with this attitude ! NON-WAR FACTIONS ARE NOT SLAVES !!! So, if you think I'm right, TELL IT ! Do not claim the lands, but claim the right to live and produce peacefuly, with a total freedom of trade. If every trade faction refuse to produce for the own use of this kind of war factions, they will understand there cannot be amies without swords or bows, and there's no cavalry without horses. I won't win this war, but I'll shout my anger till the end... Pseudo (My faction's name is a secret...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snippets of conversation overheard recently: "Mr Chekhov, set course Northwest into the Unknown." "But Kepitan, the charts don't show vat is in that direction! It could be a black hole, or verse! Besides, it vas first settled by a leettle old ledy from Minsk." "Captain, the logical solution is to prepare a team of the Red-shirted security elves to scout the area and absorb any hostile fire. In the meantime, I suggest you search for and seduce the Alien Princess." "Very good. Men, er, I mean Elves! Prepare to transport." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ La semana pasada, aparecieron dos articulos en el Times firmados por mi, lo cual es imposible, el mio es el primero y el mas corto. El otro esta en una posicion que no le corresponderia por mi numero de faction. Ademas, yo no hablo tan mal ingles. Por tanto, no debeis tomar como mias las afirmaciones del bocazas que no tiene otra cosa mejor que hacer que jugar sucio y tocarme los innombrables. Es una lastima que Geoff no lo haya expulsado. Hello. I am the only one Pieter. Last week, there were two articles in the Times signed as Pieter. It is impossible. The Times only publish one article per faction and week. Yes I wrote an article. It is very short and was written in spanish. The other one, was written in english and was longer than mine. But that was NOT written by me. I will probe it: - The Times only publish one article per faction and week. - The position in which an article is published in the Times is relationated with the faction number, so the article written by the 335 faction is published before than the article published by the 99999 faction. My article was in the right position, at 335's place. The other article was situated between 540 and 650 faction position. - I think that kind of villane is not british, U.S. , australian, canadian,... because his english is even worst than mine. Geoff has said: It is a bad trick, but it is legal. Geoff is the boss, so I accept his decition. Pieter.(335) (It is true, I am Pieter) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The adventurers never-mind-clause about mapping: If you don't care where you are, you're not lost! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The supervisor looked over at the tent where the mage spent all of his time, hoping not to catch a glimpse of him. It's not that the mage is such a bad guy, or even that he scared the men that much, well, not exactly. It's just that over the last few months he had become drawn, gaunt, even more so then the rest of them. Times had been tough, but not enough to warrant the way that Moz was looking. Moz's physical appearance was not what bothered him most though. It was that fevered look in his eyes, and the way that he spent all his time in that tent, studying... It was only once a day that he even came out to eat, if that often. Well, maybe he would find what he was looking for, and he would return to normal. And maybe, he'll find some food in those books for us too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi, all people who read The Times again!!: I'm going to become the best journalist after some time. Weekly I write to Times and most of you are thinking that I do that because of 50 silver coins and why must I lie?; ask meself... You are right... But what can I do?, I don't know too things to do in Atlantis... I am newbie... :(. But don't worry i try to improve meself and then... Be careful with me !!! I will be too dangerous... Bye from Times' delegation on Spain... Oscar. (The anarchist) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Church Of ENVY - We waabERneTHy's NEweST reLIgiON: _ / \ Well, folks! Who wants to join our church? ____the____ This is the advantages: Protection (Obsv4) C H U R C H Cheap possibility of training o f (Observation/Stealth/Combat/Armorer) E N V Y We still recommend people to leave their money | | at home, our pay us a tiny fee, our try your | | luck. We might choose another victim as well... | | \_/ About joining us: Send 100 Silver to unit 517, our leader. After that, you have to pay 50 silver every third month. We suggest that you send a letter, so we're sure about who you are. 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 Devil:" Tell our allies to DECLARE 0 ALLY !" Satan:" Yes everyone shall ally with the guards!" To all factions in Sledmere, Ellesmere and Menter: If you want to stay in a safe place We would suggest to ally with the City Guards. NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO KICK YOU OUT OF THE TOWNS! 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHOW YOURSELF! Lord hallelujahgobble the pretender, come forward and show your true form! The worshippers of The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM.hallelujahgobble are many! We have been following his True Religion since the month of Confusion, August 1 . In this month was born the Holy Chruch. The Great Geoff voiced his praise unto our mother Church! The words were on the lips and hearts of all those in Atlanits. On another note. The Vikings are now in production of boats near stinchar. Available for anyone anywhere. We will deliver. Also, if anyone is in the Kamorken area please contact me. I need to know who is in power there. Loki, Vikings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ << - ZZZZZ , ZZZZZ , ZZZZZ - Maitre, maitre, Chevalier, regardez, ca y est, on y est arrive ! - Hein, grmbl. Arrive a quoi? Qu'est ce que ces incapables d'elfes ont encore fait ? - Oh, ce ne sont pas des incapables Sir, ils se sont entraines dur, et maintenant c'est bon ils savent travailler le bois !!!! - HAAAAAA ! Enfin une bonne nouvelle. La production d'arbaletes et d'arcs va pouvoir commencer ! - ... Arbaletes ? ... Arcs ? ... - Et bien, quoi, foi de Sang-Dragon, ils savent travailler le bois ou pas ? - Euh oui, Sir ... - Et bien alors ? - Vous ne nous aviez pas dit qu'il fallait que l'on puisse produire des chevaux ? - Si, pour notre future Chevalerie, quel rapport avec les arbaletes ? - Ah ... pour la chevalerie ... Ah, alors pour ca, on pourra recruter des treees jeunes gens pour en faire des chevaliers, ah, pour ca oui ... - Mais, qu'est que les elfes ont encore fait ??? - Et bien ils se sont entraines a travailler le bois, ... pour faire des chevaux ... - Le bois ??? Des chevaux ??? - Oui, maintenant, ils savent faire des chevaux en bois, vous savez , pour les enfants ... - ! - Oh, mais comme ca, au moins, on pourra les recruter treees jeunes, et les entrainer treees tot, a l'art difficile de la monte, c'est important ... - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGH ! (ploff !) - Chevalier ? Vous faites une sieste improvisee ? Vous avez raison, vous etes fatigue. C'est sur, le climat n'est pas bon ici, il fait froid, humide... - ... - Bon, euh, je vous laisse, hein, reposez vous bien. Et surtout, pas d'exces ... >> Memoires de Sainte Quete, par Cat Lord, Page de Sir Cendre de Sang-Dragon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've gathered together my forces and taken note of my assets. I AM BROKE!! I need to get out in the world where the real silver is. You stay behind if you must, but I am going out the next exit that opens. I don't want to starve any longer than I have to. I'll race you to the best land, bet I beat you there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Riders of the Rising Sun are interested in trading for Wood. If you have wood you would like to trade, we have Horses, Silver, and eventually, Swords and Armor to lay on the bargining table. If there is an interest in Stone, we can make that available as well. We would prefer to trade in or near Derwent (53,2), but delivery elsewhere in the Stinchar area can probably be arranged. If intersted in developing trade relations, contact shook@ibg.colorado.edu or tajones@beagle.colorado.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings to the residents of the Sledemere area! I repeat my offer of trade for the third and last time. Is there no one who cares to earn goods and money in exchange for iron and horses? If anyone has the slightest interest in doing business with my tribe, Bani Ghassan, please write me at once (mosherj@minerva.cis.yale.edu). Shaykh Ghassan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Following the recent publications of the Hermetic order, the Collegium Pataphysiquum would like to present some of their views on natural philosophy and other metaphysical comments. The Collegium welcomes all sorts of criticism, even in funny orcish tongue. this month: the One Law. At the root of our Universe lies the One Law. It governs all things alike and everythings is subjected to it in the same way, because the One Law applies everywhere and at all times. The One Law is the foundation stone of the Universe. It is a law of conservation; it is there to ensure all things are well balanced, globally in equilibrium., so that the Unity of the Whole might be preserved. As a consequence of the One Law, for everything that has been created, an opposite has been made too. For every action there shall be a reaction; for every good there is an evil. That is the way the One Law is applied on the Whole. Yet locally the One Law may work very differently; rather than maintaining equilibrium, it allows fluxes of opposing influences to be created and to interact. This is how the One Law is applied in the Whole, generating dynamical effects so that all things may evolve. As the One Law keeps a global balance, but allows locally the equilibrium to be altered, it works some times in strange ways. It is possible for an action to cause a reaction far away from where it occured initially. Such events might be interpreted as purely accidental, whereas they really are a manifestation of the necessity as defined by the One Law. It is the way of the Mage to seek knowledge and wisdom, so that he can best understand how the One Law fits in his work. Because, anyhow, the One Law will stand. next month: the Two Principles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wintermute had spent the whole day relaxing after his now world famous battle with the Trolls. Quite possibly he was the most powerful warrior in all of Atlantis, despite the fact that he had no combat training of any kind. His shiney suit of platemail sat well polished at the back of the Hall of the Snow Leopard Clan next to a pile of rusty old swords. The Hill Dwarves had hacked the heads off of the Troll bodies with their swords and placed the severed heads of the three Trolls on long metal poles around the camp. The locals were already calling the area north of Kashmar City, Trollhead. Wintermute sat and read the paper. Some of the High Elves had jammed a pair of swords into two of the few trees in the mountains and had suspended a hammock for Wintermute. Nearby the Hill Dwarves had discovered a small volcanic hot spring and were breaking it open with unfinnished long swords to release its boiling muddy water. There was nothing like a good hot bath after hauling 40 tonnes of iron all day. "Look everyone," shouted Wintermute, "THE MAURAHIANNONS WILL PAY 120sp FOR A SINGLE SWORD! OFFER GOOD FOR THE NEXT 700 YEARS!" The Hill Dwarves stopped their work and stood dazed in disbelief. Suddenly, everyone burst out laughing. Tears rolled down their dirty muddy cheaks and they bathed in huskey hill dwarf laughter. "HAR, HAR, HAR, HAR, HAR, HAR!" "AND THE BLACK COMPANY WILL PAY 100sp FOR ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A SWORD!" This time the High Elves started sheiking with laughter. "Hee, Hee, Hee, Hee..." mixed with the "HAR, HAR, HAR..." "Oh, that's too much." sighed one High Elf as he wiped tears from his face. "Ha! Ha! Ha!" Many of the Hill Dwarves were rolling on the ground clutching their pot bellies. Wintermute was only moderately amused. There was very little iron in Mozon, it was only natural that the prices for swords would soar to three or four times that of Kashmar's prices. "Wait! Wait! Do you know what we could do with 100sp?" declared a little brown Hill Dwarf. "We could buy four or five new swords!" shrieked an elf, "Hee, hee, hee, hee!" Once again the corus of laughter spilled forth. "No, seriously! We could make a fortune! Let's get back to work and make another 100 or so swords this month and sell them in Mozon!" The Hill Dwarves and High Elves looked at each other for a moment and then they all jumped up and began walking back toward the mines. Wintermute in utter amazement sat up and stepped out of his hammock. No sooner had he done so the clan burst out in laughter again. "HAR! Har! Har! Har! Hee! Hee! Hee! Hee!" they laughed and rollicked, "He thought we were going to do it! HA, Ha, Ha!" Wintermute climbed back into the hammock as the Hill Dwarves jumped into the steaming hot spring and the high elves went back to playing games. "Ahh, that was funny." an elf giggled. You can't get good help these days. [Anyone with a horse, a wagon, a good map, and a 120sp per sword you know where to find us, just follow the Troll Heads.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gadzooks! Those whoredogs fight well. My hatred for them has given way to grudging respect. I thought that after finding the mutilated bodies of my men that morale would collapse. On the contrary, they were enraged. I've never seen them work this well as a team before. Looks like I'll have to kill some of my own men more often. Sigh. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A large green frog leaves leaves the pond carefully. -- "Is he away? Is he really away?" It looks round, then concentrates, suddenly grows, becomes black --- and the great mage Petrosilius Zwackelmann is back in the world of Atlantis. -- "What a world! Instead of dwelling in a castle I must do manual work, study simple spells and write newspaper articles!" His clothes wet, he enters the next pub. He just manages to remain unseen by two young guys passing by, one wearing a strange red cap, the other completely derssed in green. -- "They are also in Atlantis. Aaaah, I have a diabolic idea!" He bursts out in a diabolic laughter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ershwin rode proudly at the head of his 2nd Cavalry Division. The wars were far behind them now. For "The Four Who Are One", there would at last be a time of peace and prosperity, a time of growth. The question was, for how long would it last?... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicals of Florina, Volume the First. This being an Ammended and True Account of the recent Contest of Arms between the Free Companions and Myself (Sir Robelius Regnant Elegantium, First Lord of Florina, Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Their Celestial Highnesses, Wearer of the Golden Garter): Having through chivalrous nature and a minor bookkeeping error aligned myself with the Lady Jenna, my forces were drawn into unwanted battle with those voraciously expansionistic and ill-mannered Free Companions, a group of warlike poltroons that know not the meaning of Refinement. These errant nouveaux riches could not possibly understand the Excess of Sensibility with which I approach the concept of battle -- my finely tailored uniforms and punctilious attention to social nicities say it all. I even offered condiments before the battle to opposing officers of rank lest they be overcome by unnecessary reflection on the Fate of those commoners under their command. They declined in a manner so ungracious that I avoid now giving breath to the words they employed. How different the actions of my own spirited officers, drawn one-and-all from the best families of Florina! They demonstrated the utmost condescension to my offer and partook of ices and cold quail in my well-appointed pavilion overlooking the ground where the test of Martial Ability was soon to come. Not so, those Free Companion boors, who scorned my kind invitation and, without conveyance of the slightest warning, attacked while I was still tete-a-tete with my comrads in arms. Against all the precepts of Noble Chivalry, this base ploy succeeded in vanquishing my command -- dare I say that all my poor brave men lie dead, while I alone escaped, disguised as a camp follower in the wrappings of my pink-and-green striped tent? Fortunately, the green plains of Florina abound with commoners aching to let their blood flow freely in defense of mine honor and of Florina, beautious Florina. So this minor contretemps matters little, given that I have escaped to my homeland, here to plan fitting revenge on those Free Companion swine that would so fail to honor Convention among gentlemen. This solecism shall not go unpunished! On the other hand, if Free Companion troops are anywhere near my headquarters, please disregard the preceding and accept my heartiest congratulations on your felicitous urbanity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings to all would-be Magi ! Magic tuitions for beginners in Ellesmere (47,54) [south of Sledmere(47,53)] in July and possibly August (if there is enough demand for it). Most Foundation skills will be available for novices. More advanced courses in Energy and Construct. Fees will depend on the number of students ($60 maximum) If you're interested but can't make it for July, let us konw. It will help us to make plans for the August session. contact: opt93ph@soton.ac.uk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FFFFFFFF FF FKFFF FF FF FFUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! Greetings from the vast brain of Father Phineas (GrandmasterWizardGuruofthePeopleandHeraldtotheGodsofFUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!!) Due to an unprecedented lack of faith in the world of Atlantis, the vast Cathedrals of The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM.hallelujahgobble!! are a little lonely of late.(do we smell?!) While this is bad news for The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM.hallelujahgobble!! It is good news for all you Godless heathens out there!! WELCOME TO THE SALE OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!! CRAY-Z FATHER PHINEAS' LAST CHANCE CLEARANCE SALE IS ON NOW!!!!!! Sick and tired being stuck for appropriate religious slogans or put downs?! Well try these out for size!!!!!!!!!!! 1/ Cower in terror ye godless sons of mules!!! or 2/ Prostrate thyself before the towering might of Harold the Merciless!!!! And there's more where that came from!!!!! AT CHEAP, CHEAP PRICES!!!! Just how many exclamation marks can you put on one line, I'll show you: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here at The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM.hallelujahgobble!! we're going crazy! That's right, we're madder than a heathen with an enraged ferret shoved up his clacker!!!!! We have Father Phineas's Holy Medallions (tm) slashed down to half price. They will ward of all evil (and common garden aphids!). Great for adventuring into realms of ultimate chaos and also gardening!!!!!!!!!! Father Phineas' mat of prayer! It aids in prayer and saves those knees from those nasty callouses!!!! An absolute steal at only 5 silver!!!!! Thats right, only 5 silver!! For the impure of heart, Father Phineas' Scurging Whips!! Flagellation has never been so good!!! They come in small(5 sil)/medium(7 sil)/large(10 sil)/Gosh! Have I sinned size!!!!!!(1000 silver!) NO! Don't turn up your hearing aids! You heard correctly!! Those are our nutty prices!! hallelujahgobble!! And of course new converts are always welcome!!!! Remember the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! don't take kindly to those unenlightened souls who do not embrace them as the only true Gods!! Denounce the so called "Lord" Hallelujahgobble!!!!!!!!! hallelujahgobble!! This messages was brought to you by Father Phineas, in conjunction with The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM.hallelujahgobble!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Many have listened to the rumbling of the forces at work. You have noticed that some are afraid and whimper, while others bluster and put on a good front. Some react with violence and strike out at foes, real or imagionary. Others, the more brave and staward, don't let any vestiage of fear hamper their decisions. But some, the more foolish, say they fear no one and attack. Only the fool is never afraid. They are soon taken care of. A fool makes mistakes and soon eliminates himself. The Hero conqueres his fears and does what should be done. But, you should not fear us, there is nothing to be afraind of at all. Our Master, the Reaper, has peaceful intentions for all of you-- ---the Peace of the Grave. RIP --the UNDERTAKER-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNOUNCING: The Enquirer Utility, It parses your and your allies turn reports, updates the map automaticly, showing with flags where your alliance currently has troops. It parses your CCC reports, updates old information and adds new. It even brushes your teeth while you're using it, otherwise you'll get your money back.(it's free) It even has an icon in the form of a small sheep, thus, it is everything you'll ever need... Well...I find it usefull anyway. It requires Windows 3.1 or above, Enquirer 2.0, everything else is included. Ftp it from; ftp.nrg.dtu.dk /uploads/enqut??.zip It will later be moved to; ftp.nrg.dtu.dk/games/atlantis Take the one with the largest number where the ?? are, you may have to check both directorys to find it. Remember to use bin mode to download (just type bin when logged on to the site). If you don't have access to ftp, I can send you a UUENCODED version, mail me with me with the heading "UUENCODE ENQUTIL" I won't be reading my email this coming week, but I'll be back next week, so if you don't get answers to mails, that's why. MatFa of the Pain Killers Alliance, Leader of the faction Dennis Moore and his mighty Lupins -t91matfa@und.ida.liu.se ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (4,18) used to be a good place.But now everybody wants the iron for himself! There is no iron for me to produce in (4,18).What should I do? I should move elseware everybody advised me that. Maybe (3,18) is better. The men heard their leader to tell these words when talking to a friend. The hill dwarves were just sitting for a month.They wanted to find some iron to mine!They could mine an entire world but nobody wanted them too. They were used as transporters now for a few silver coins they would carry such weight! Better days will come that's for sure but when will this happen? Just another unsuccesful faction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorry to repeat myself, but I presume that a lot of new players would like know this information, and some people are not the mailing list I wrote a checker to parse your ATL2 orders before you send them. On the contrary of the checker by mail, where the owner can see your orders if he is not honnest (I don't think so, but nobody knows), you have the checker on your machine, and you can test your orders more quickly, and without sending emails. To have it, just send me a mail at mickey@anacad.fr, and precise youe Unix system (Sun, Solaris, Aix, HP) For DOS and Mac, I have no machine to port it, but I sended the sources, but since, no news about these versions. I'm ever interested by anybody who is able to port it. The last release is the 2.5.0 where a lot of minor bugs were removed. I think you can also find the sources (what version ?) on the atlantis FTP site. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any boatbuilders around Monzon? Please contact me! Thor of the Aesir (438) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Who else feels that the Times is getting too long? It seems to take me an awfully long time to read, and lately, at least, I'm only posting to it to get those 50 pieces of silver. So what do you say, guys, how about some other way to put money in the unclaimed fund? Maybe banks in major cities? Judging from the amount of factions in the player list vs the number of interesting articles in the Times, some people must agree with me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************** ADVERTISEMENT **************************** Are you in the Stinchar area? Are you having problems keeping your areas clean? Does the Roman Republic keep appearing no matter how you scrub and scrub? Yes? Then our latest product 'King Chromic Acid' may be the answer! Developed by or top chemists, it neutralises the Roman by being hostile/friendly/indifferent/pleading all within a few minutes. This completely confuses the Roman stopping it from doing anything constructive. This wonder product is effective for several turns, completely stopping the spread of any Roman influence in the areas applied. The 'King Chromic Acid' also has the advantage of being completely consumed during this process so there will be no mess to clean up after its use. Unfortunately, stocks are low, just one remaining. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Buy, buy, buy! :-) Bye Bye :-) ********************** End Advertisement *************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The time was fast approaching when the full impact of his skill and power would be felt by the inhabitants of Atlantis BE ALERT a game like this needs a few LERTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The streets are empty tonight, people have decided to take refuge in the familiar. Sins are being confessed to loved ones and children watched over whilst they sleep . Strange winds have been scouring the plains recently, whilst the sun no longer shines like it once did. Fledgling empires are slowly beginning to gain power, chaos giving way to organised crime. The land has been stolen from the peasants, breeding hatred amongst the great unwashed, perfect conditions for Nyx to regain control, dangerous days indeed... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Southern Empire, House Shadowlancer ------------------------ooOoo------------------------ >From the Chronicles of House Shadowlancer. Zorin returned late that evening, the air felt cold against his warm skin. He had been running through the streets of the Rogues, which always made him sweat. Surpossedly the Thiefs of Ellesmere where few and affraid of Mages, but still they where rogues. Never trust a rogue, especially after sunset. He climbed the 126 stairs to Zelda's private chambers faster than usual. The news he brought would bring him the favour of the High Mage of House Kurovsky. The alliance between House Kurovsky and House Shadowlancer was a fact, and greatly improved both their standing amongst the other Houses of Magic. What fortune that he was the one to make this treaty reality. Zelda looked up, she smiled, she liked the younger Zorin mostly for his energy and determination. This interruption would probably be welcome. Zorin bowed low, which was only natural for a mage before his leader. He hardly knowtised Zeldas smile as he stepped into the large libary of House Kurovsky. Zorin handed the scroll to Zelda firmly as to understate the point. Zelda looked at the paper, she slowly read the handwritten text, this was indeed good news, very good news. An alliance between two of the four houses of magic in Ellesmere was indeed good news. She would have to talk with the other masters of magic, maybe, just maybe a complete alliance was a possibility. What power they would rule together. She thanked and dismissed Zorin with a gentle kiss, he had done well this day. Zelda went to the window overlooking the city, this was a great day. Someday She might be the ruling Archmage of the Southern Empire. In the shadows of the city a figure crept along the walls of the Tower of House Kurovsky, he smiled even more than the Mage he was watching. Would this be the day where he would meet Zelda again. He remembered so long ago.... Written by mf@nrg.dtu.dk faction 476 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Southern Empire, House Kurovsky ------------------------ooOoo------------------------ >From the Chronicles of House Kurovsky: Zorin returned late that evening, the air felt cold against his warm skin. He had been running through the streets of the Rogues, which always made him sweat. Surpossedly the Thiefs of Ellesmere where few and affraid of Mages, but still they where rogues. Never trust a rogue, especially after sunset. He climbed the 126 stairs to Zelda's private chambers faster than usual. The news he brought would bring him the favour of the High Mage of House Kurovsky. The alliance between House Kurovsky and House Shadowlancer was a fact, and greatly improved both their standing amongst the other Houses of Magic. What fortune that he was the one to make this treaty reality. Zelda looked up, she smiled, she liked the younger Zorin mostly for his energy and determination. This interruption would probably be welcome. Zorin bowed low, which was only natural for a mage before his leader. He hardly knowtised Zeldas smile as he stepped into the large libary of House Kurovsky. Zorin handed the scroll to Zelda firmly as to understate the point. Zelda looked at the paper, she slowly read the handwritten text, this was indeed good news, very good news. An alliance between two of the four houses of magic in Ellesmere was indeed good news. She would have to talk with the other masters of magic, maybe, just maybe a complete alliance was a possibility. What power they would rule together. She thanked and dismissed Zorin with a gentle kiss, he had done well this day. Zelda went to the window overlooking the city, this was a great day. Someday She might be the ruling Archmage of the Southern Empire. In the shadows of the city a figure crept along the walls of the Tower of House Kurovsky, he smiled even more than the Mage he was watching. Would this be the day where he would meet Zelda again. He remembered so long ago.... Written by pf@nrg.dtu.dk faction 480 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (In Sledmere, a group of High Elves could be seen marching through the streets singing a song) "Dealing out the agony within Gharging hard and no one's gonna give in Living on your knees, conformity Or dying on your feet for honesty Inbred, our bodies work as one Bloody, but never cry submission Following our instinct not a trend Go against the grain until the end Blood will follow blood Dying time is here Damage Incorporated Slamming through, don't fuck with razorback Stepping out? You'll feel our hell on your back Blood follows blood and we make sure Life ain't for you and we're the cure Honesty is my only excuse Try to job us of it, but it's no use Steamroller action crushing all Victim is your name and you shall fall Blood will follow blood Dying time is here Damage Incorporated We chew and spit you out We laugh, you scream and shout All flee with fear you run You'll know just where we come from Damage Incorporated Damage jackals ripping right through you Sight and smell of this, it gets my goin' Know just how to get just what we want Tear it from your soul in nightly hunt Fuck it all and fucking no regrets Never happy endings on these dark sets All's fair for Damage Inc. you see Step a little closer if you please Blood will follow blood Dying time is here Damage Incorporated" (c) Metallica ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Head Jester walked over to the Lore Master, "Hey" he said, "did you know that there are too much of us clowns here? I only got 22 silver for a months worth of clowning around." The loremaster tought for a while and said: "I think we should go and find us a town with fewer entertainers then. Or... we should advice they others to go out into the big world and entertain the farmers instead of the city dwellers. That would leave us with some extra time in which we can study a bit longer." The loremaster went to his people that didn't specialise yet. "What do you two fancy you want to learn?" One of them didn't know yet, theother was a bit more outspoken: "I think I want to become a magic user" he said. "OK" was the lore master's reply "Then go out and find someone that can teach you, or else it is far too expensive for our little group". [Any factions that can help my Leader become a mgic user? We are situated in sledmere. Any offers are welcome, The Guild ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ God Bless You, Lords of the Southern Plains. I'm in the plains of Corinth and Skottskog, far south of Sledmere. I just would like to know if I can train some horses there. There are a lot of men in these plains; does some Lord claim this Land ? We just want to get 2 or 3 horses a month, there, so we won't eat your bread. Does someone know something about the southern and eastern plains ? Please contact me (bouanna@eurolang.fr) if you're seeking alliance or diplomatic relations in this plains. - Grendel, Bard of Gondor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The exits have changed !!!!!! Let's all leave in force, I've heard rumours there a place outside that lets you study and live at no cost at all. But which exit should I take ??? Oh well maybe I'll stay a bit longer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When is a role-play not a role-play When it's a sandwich-play ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hola a todos, aunque se que incluso a los que podeis entenderme, os importa un comino lo que me suceda, os voy a contar alguna cosa sobre mi viaje a Paris la semana pasada. Salimos de Zaragoza a las 20:00 , y tras 16 horas de autobus ,(y una buena borrachera), llegamos a la ciudad luz. Es la ciudad mas bonita del mundo, y yo he viajado por todo el planeta. Estuvimos visitando los monumentos, la torre Eiffel, el trocadero, el arco del Triunfo, los campos Eliseos, el Louvre, Notre Dame, los invalidos... A que parezco el ministerio de turismo frances. Estuvimos con los ingleses cambiando bufandas, cantando, y desde luego bebiendo. Y aun aguantan los tios. La verdad es que se portaron correctamente, son buena gente, no como los del Chelsea que tenian unos cuantos imbeciles entre sus filas. Despues nos metieron como borregos en el autobus, y nos llevaron al campo, el parque de los principes. Antes de meternos al campo, nos cachearon a conciencia, que bueno estaba el policia que me toco a mi. Justo cuando ya no me podia aguantar de placer, dejo de registrarme, intente ponerme otra vez en la cola, pero no me dejaron. En el campo nos dejamos la garganta y animamos a nuestro equipo hasta quedar roncos. El Zaragoza no jugo como sabia y no terminaba de controlar el encuentro, pero la primera parte acabo sin goles. Ya en la segunda parte, llego el gol de Esnaider. Magnifico gol. Fue un desparrame total, pero al poco llego el gol de los ingleses, fue una buena jugada. Cuando ya todos nos preguntabamos quienes tirarian los penalties, en que porteria se decidiria la suerte del encuentro, surgio un genio del verde del campo, una pierna de oro, la de Nayim le dio un toque genial a la pelota y empujado el balon por el corazon de todos los aragoneses se introdujo en la porteria pese a los esfuerzos de Seaman, que habia hecho un gran partido. No nos creiamos lo que acababa de pasar, estabamos extasiados, a diez segundos del final, habiamos metido un gol a cuarenta metros de la porteria. El resto es historia. En definitiva, el Zaragoza gano merecidamente un encuentro en el que puso las ganas, el juego y la clase que solo un campeon de Europa tiene contra un gran equipo como el Arsenal. That is a tiny resume of the text. I was in Paris for enjoying the final of the cup winer's cup, Real Zaragoza vs Arsenal. It was a nice match and in the minute 89 and 50 seconds, Nayim shoots from 40 meters and get a very nice goal. Arsenal is a very good team and was the better team after Zaragoza. Congratulations Arsenal, fair play and good play. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PAGES FROM THE TEUTONIC ANNALS ------------------------------ While experimenting with his newly learned Fireflash spell a lot of records placed on the table in Malleus' office cought fire. Before the Teutonic Knights had extinguished the fire the library was burned down and all records of the glorious activities of the Teutonic Knights was destroyed. As a result no pages from the annals of the knights are published this week. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recruiting report for Atlantis City - sucks. One request for 15 HEL met with goose-egg zero return. We gotta get outta this place... -------------------------------------------------------------- The Gods are most cruel. They open a gateway to new lands, but the new lands are cloaked in deepest winter. Yakleks seems to be a typical gateway city, but I do notice that only the higher faction numbers are visible in the town, at least to my feeble skills of observation. Everyone loves a mystery, but I think the following information on the new land should be of interest to all souls waiting in Atlantis City: Yakleks (76,54), city ------------------------------------------------------------ It was winter last month; it will be winter next month. Wanted: 315 furs at $36, 205 swords at $120, 235 longbows at $72. For Sale: hill dwarves, leaders, 470 fish at $120, 495 plate armor at $1000. Entertainment available: $748. Exits: 3 forest, 3 swamp ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The frontier is becoming overcrowded. We must move off somewhere more isolated, away from the crowds. We need room for our family to grow. We need to be far enough away that we can't see the smoke of our neighbor's fire. So, with happy reguards, we bid fare thee well to all of Atlantis City. Out into the open spaces we go. Out where the sun always shines. Where the weather is NOT controlled by the city forces and nature allows us to make an honest living once again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are more things that need to be done.I have done almost nothing. Nobody helps you in this game.I'm all alone! I have weaponsmiths and armorers but I have no iron to use! I can dig up stone but where am I going to use it? If you want me to provide my services to you contact me. Berndes(567) stu2@ergasya.tuc.gr ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elmer Casey rolled up to the young ladies with his (so he thought) most masculine gait. Their glistening eyes told him they wanted him. He brought his face close to the prettiest one and said, "Hiya, honey, I just bet you're looking for love." "Anytime for you, handsome," she replied. "How much silver were you planning to spend?" Elmer tried his best innocent-boy face. "Well, I kinda thought you might take care of that, seeing as how I'm kind of short. I mean, you'll never get lovin' like mine anywhere else. I'll hug you like a bear all night long and give you a night of passion you'll never forget." One of the other girls said: "Aiiee, carajo!!" The rest began to laugh. The girl he was speaking to only said, "Cowboy, the only thing you'll ever ever do like a bear is **** in the woods." They strutted away from him. Elmer could only look on in disbelief. "You'll be back, honey!" he finally ended up yelling into the empty night. "Cuz I've got something you just can't do without!" Far away a window casement slid open and stopped with a *pop*! A man's gruff voice called out "Go home and sleep it off, you dunken slob!" The window slid shut again. Elmer hung his head and started to walk, deep in despair. Three months in Atlantis City and he still didn't have a clue as to how to survive there, and things were getting tight. It began to rain. Soon he was soaked to the bone. As he turned a corner he saw a scaffold rising before a huge unfinished billboard which said: The Reid Funeral Home Providers of the finest in obsequies and burials (Military cremations a specialty - ask about our McBalder's Boat) Wishes to apologize to the public for any confusion or inconvenienceresulting from our recent series of advertisements, in which our address was misstated due to a printer's error. Our correct address is xuequin@unix.asb.com. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience which this may have caused. In particular, we wish to apologize to the family which lives at the address that was mistakenly listed in our past advertisements, and we promise to remove the huge pile of bodies presently stacked like cordwood throughout their apartment at the very earliest opportunity. We would also like to apologize to those whose loved ones were resultantly misrouted, and we offer a completely free super economy funeral to anyone whose dearly departed were eaten by orcs, wild dogs, giant rats or huge hideous spiders over five feet long while in our care. (Offer only good in Atlantis City. All relevant taxes, insurance, carrying charges, filing and/or usage fees not included. 15% restocking charge will be applied.) Once again, we have the problem well under control, and promise you the very best in service from now on. So call today! Sign by Mr. Spam Signs of Atlantis City ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Lord high aide to the Lord Hallelujahgobble" HAH! Don't make me laugh!!!!!!!!!! You are nothing but a fake and a fruad! Peoples of Atlantis. I have been a devout worshipper of his holiness, Father Phineas (Grandmaster Wizard, Guru to the People and Herald to the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!!) since the Church first started. I am shocked, nay, agoged at the insanity of this pretender. My teacher, the most holy of holinesses, Father Phineas (GrandmasterwizardGurutothePeopleandHeraldtotheGodsofFUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!!) brought unto this meek world, the true teachings of The Holy Chruch. Where this serpentile heratic came from, is a mystery to us all. What low creature would blaspheme the orginal scriptures of The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! "hallelujahgobble" is not a name!! It is the most holy of reverent words which the almighty Harold first uttered! I am one of the followers of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! It is a non-profit Church which whishes to spread its message to all of Atlantis. I and the many other believers denounce this fake, and call down the wrath of the GODS upon his meek life. I call unto thee brothers, Let us seek out this heretic who openly denounced our beloved Church, and slay him mercilessly. A true believer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Sisters at last realized what was wrong. The spell book was in crypt. The Mage who created the book had been very secretive and had used magic to encode his real writings with a pseudo cover of a false spell. Elvira could solve this problem though. She used dispell magic to release the cover and revealed the real messages underneath. Not hard for a real Mage to accomplish, but it would have keep any curious eyes like Trade or, shudder, War away from sensitive material. They could now proceed with their studies unhampered by any erroneous restrictions. They were on their way to open the pathway for their Master, The Shadow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TORNADO WARNING TORNADO WARNING TORNADO WARNING A tornado has sighted approching the EmerAtlantis city. All citizens are davised to take shelter in the storm basments. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is what BBB B B BBB B B BBB eelzebub writes this week: Devil:"Beelzebub, there are new questions coming up:" Beel.:"Tell me!" Devil:"Is Bani Ghassan(38), which controls area south of Menter, part of that enemy alliance? What about Xcom(306) a bit further?" Beel.:"Well, we will find out soon!" This information is for those alliances in the AREA OF SLEDMERE, which will close soon, unless you can create a portal, no chance of moving here ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The talk of War getting ahead quicker does not faze me at all. I know how to run MY business. I can outproduce any attempt at taxing. Sure, I may have to hire troops to defend myself from the envious war thugs, but that is the way of the world. You have to protect your honest labor from would be pillagers and robbers. There are always those out there that are not willing to make an honest living. They always have to steal in the form of taxes, and if that doesn't work fast enough, then they gather their drunken forces and rob the ones that do work. Soon, I will be powerful enough to HIRE war factions to protect me from other war. That is if I can find a war faction that is honest enough to stay hired. We will see. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hogli closed the old book, careful of the age-stiffened binding, and sat back to rub his tired eyes, and take some deep breaths to quell his sense of frustration. Hints, just tantalizing hints, about the strange science of Gatemastery, but never a truly useful spell! Perhaps he should pay a visit to the new apprentices, to see if they had turned up any useful tidbits through the cross- indexing. And, Hogli remembered with a slight grimace: he needed to speak with Desmorandus. The defeat in the mountains had actually done the fellow some good, Hogli mused. With a bit more of a taste of the uncertainties of combat in strange terrain, he was a bit less cocksure, maybe even a bit more willing to listen to his more esoterically inclined companions. Still, he distrusted magic intensely. And Hogli was fairly certain he wouldn't take well to the latest news. There was really nothing to be done about it; clearly, the Crimson Robes would never control the vast armies that Desmorandus seemed to desire. It only made good sense to let the allies take over the protection of the populace, and the collecting of levies. But he als knew Desmorandus relished having control over the Robes' finance; it gave him an illusion of greater control, being the one to deliver the bag of silver each month to Hogli's desk. And Hogli was well aware of the "motivation money" that somehow never made it into that bag. It was all for the best. Desmorandus had proven his leadership skills before, and would soon prove them again. But the armies he led would not be his own, and that would teach him more lessons in humility. Someday, Hogli thought, the name of Desmorandus would be spoken with either great respect, or perhaps great fear. But what of Hogli himself? Was greatness in store for him as well? Or would the Gatemaster retire to a life of bitter obscurity, his only great work being the escape from Lord Vox? Time will tell, Hogli thought, breathing the breath of patience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ tHER ARE THINGS LURKING IN THE sHADOWS, bUT DON'T WORRY THE sHADOW mASTERS WILL PROTECT YOU. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ship was in the planning stages. Just a few more months and we will be out to sea. To explore new lands, make new enemies er, uh, friends. Go go where no one has gone before. But first, we must know: Do we cross the bones on our flag or not? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now after the death of Moses the sewrvant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PART II : The Shadow Lands >From the journal of Tarkazan the Wanderer. The city of the Darkmen, or rather the realm of thier watchful eyes, was ablaze with a silent fury that ran deep within the hearts of every man, women and child. Here, miles beneath the surface of the world, snakes a labrynth of tunnels and canals, leading not to a thriving metropolis as one would assume but to a vast rural environment where individual dwellings are sometimes miles apart. In a world where contact is kept to a minimum and every family must defend themselves a sense of survival brought about by harsh surroundings and deadly denizens has quickly evolved. Each Darkman and his family take resisdence in modest caves that are well camoflauged and out of harms way. To the human eye the cave entrance would be mearley mistaken for a giant rat lair. In the cold darkness of the shadowlands Darkmen live thier lives in solitude, devoting thier time to hunting, fishing, mining, weaponsmithing, and of course the art of killing. In this underground world a pluthra of flora and fauna exist from giant mushrooms to fleshy bloodsucking worms the size of humans offering a diverse diet for the Darkmen. The Darkman is much more than just a domesticated cave dweller, he has a evolved into a highly skilled assassin capable of superhuman feats. His short stature is often compared to that of a dwarf while his slender frame to that of an elf. But his greatest attribute is perhaps his strength which pound for pound is far remarkable. Wepons of choice for the darkman are usually of the detached combat type- for instance the crossbow, blowgun, or dart. All of which are usually poison tipped to aid in a quick death. When cornered, the Darkman is a formidable foe making use of his ambidextrous abilities. Because of thier proficiency in weaponsmithy they brandish wicked looking dirks forged into a variety of shapes; triple baldes, wavy blades, barbed blades, etc. Highly creative the Darkmen have fashioned an suit of scale mail far superior to that of any found on the surface world. The scales, taken from the jet black leviathin found only in the deepest of underground wells, is highly resiliant to both magical and mechanical attacks and allows the wearer to move about in a state of total silence. Truly, the Darkmen are not to be underestimated or doublecrossed, unless of course, you wish death to pay you an unwanted visit in the darkest hours of the night. Zay'lek Kysk Faction 622 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a message from the Atlantean Police Department: 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), Spakker (80,53), and Monzon (12,12), 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. - Ezekiel (543), 3 leaders. - Chief Topssot (653), leader. - Kermit (695), leader, horse. - Arturo (786), leader. - Bronco Billy (2319), leader; Trying to ride, but keep falling off. - Varain (2563), leader; a man of many talents. - Audrey (327), leader. - Taranis (2647), leader; seeking to entertain you. - Dustmote (2400), leader; dancing in the air. - Unit (856), leader; Bucolicas y alocadas florecillas silvestres. - Lord of Rheadon (2938), leader, horse; Tough looking elf with a well-chewed cigar stub in mouth. - Mr Jones (2949), leader; Wearing a well-cut business suit. - Unit (605), leader. - Unit (712), leader, horse. - Unit (847), leader. - Grubjug (2925), leader. - 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. - Arendal (3422), leader, horse; A slightly off high elf. - Ich (3424), high elf. - Unit (3502), leader. - Unit (3553), 2 leaders. - Unit (3613), leader. The people following were considered to be potential thieves and assassins by the Atlantis City Police forces, but since the last month, they are no more reported in Atlantis City, wether they have gone or they became too stealthy for the Police: - Happy Rufus Himself Indeed (307), leader; Looking Rather Peculiar. - Divine Bean (634), leader. - Unit (296), leader. - Mr Smith (309), leader; Wearing a well cut business suit . - . (2782), leader; .. - 'Mr (2784), leader; Wearing a well cut business suit . - Unit (926), leader. - Unit (2948), 2 leaders. - Stefan Sharpe (840), leader; A Cool Looking Karro. The Atlantean Police Dpt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- Faction 627, representing the Atlantis Guild Cooperative ("The Cooperative") announces a tentative alliance with the Church of the Purple Snowflake (Unit 72). The preliminary basis for negotiations stems from the historical advantages seen in alliances between the secular and the profane. It is anticipated that further negotiations, along with yet-to-be-foreseen developments manifested by life in Atlantis, will lead to agreements concerning particular areas of mutual interest. As announced in the last issue of the Atlantis Times, the goal of The Cooperative is to further the development of the mercantile and professional classes, representing skilled labour of both body and mind. Address correspondence to kalmar@acf2.nyu.edu ----------------------- The Cooperative ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Emperor's Voice stood before the Presence, silently. "Leave this place" commanded the Presence. "There is no future here. Everyone will multiply their purchase orders by factors of nine or ten this turn - it will be impossible to get anything done. Here is Our will . . . ." The Voice listened carefully, then bespoke his servants and allies, and the Emperor's will was done. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jessica looked up as Tatiana strolled in and immediately the redhead lept to her feet and started yelling, "Tana! Where have you BEEN all month? I've been going NUTS here, and....DAVE!!" Tatiana got out of the way in a hurry as Jess and the large man she walked in with embaraced each other. More to have something to do than actually believing Jess was listening to her, Tana explained. "Well, I heard a few rumors last month but I didn't want to get your up so I took some time off and followed up on them. It took longer than I would have liked so I didn't get around to doing the things you asked me to, but I think it was worth it, nyet?" Getting no reply, although she really hadn't expected to, the buxom brunette left the reunited lovers alone and turned her attention to the small band of High Elves who were watching the scene with amusement. Doing a quick headcount she noticed there were far fewer of the Elvenfolk than Jessica had planned to hire when she'd explained her plan last month. Introducing herself to the Elves, Tana learned about how crowded the city was with employers and how hard it was to get good help these days. They all shared a chuckle when Dave and Jess excused themselves for a little 'private time'. Figuring that Jessica would be busy for a while, Tatiana took charge of the situation. "Alright, we may be far fewer than we had planned on but our basic strategy remains unchanged. Here's what I would like you all to do....." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 PLATE ARMORS $400 andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr (4,18),(3,18) Colonists Name Address King Chromic Acid pfleming@eros.otago.ac.nz Name Price Infomation Location Spy Reports 30 u3jph@csc.liv.ac.uk Atlantis Teachers (based on groups of 5) 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 n/a u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere Combat $50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar n/a u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere $50 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Energy 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar n/a u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere 375 Mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Entertainment. n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar n/a u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere 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 375 thayer@eagle.sangamon.edu Monzon Nature 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar Observation 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 100 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon 90 Landt@acf4.nyu.edu Atlantis City Riding 50 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 50 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Tactics 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar 400 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Tactics n/a landt@acf4.nyu.edu Atlantis City Stealth 125 u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Kashmar u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es Sledmere 200 mlyon@interramp.com Monzon Weaponsmith, n/a andrew@hra.ergasya.tuc.gr Kashmar *Most prices based on five students ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Herger watched the light from the night-watchman's lantern slowly fade from view. He had waited almost an hour for the night-watchman to finish his rounds and leave. With him gone, Herger could now get down to his night's work. The gate was tall and sturdy. "Too bad the lock wasn't as good" he thought. Herger pulled out his lockpicking tools and set to work on the lock. After a couple of minutes, he was rewarded with a soft click. He pushed the gate open slowly, but stopped as the rusted metal started to squeal. "Needs a little oil" Herger mumbled to himself as he pulled a small can out of his pack. A few minutes later, the gate was open and he was standing beside the inner door to the crypt. Herger stopped and studied the large marble door to the crypt. It was ornate with weird symbols carved all around it. In the blood red moon, the door almost seemed to glow. "Foolishness" he thought. A stout steel bar was laid across the frame. A small silver lock fastened it shut. "Hell" Herger thought, "this is almost easier than last". With a quick flip of his wrist, he knocked the lock open. Herger pocketed the lock and slowly removed the steel bar. The whole time he was just shacking his head. "Damn fools should have hung whoever designed this crypt" he said out loud. "The idiot even put the door hinges on backward" he said with a laugh. The door opened slowly without a sound. A cold, stale air from the crypt assaulted his senses. With one last quick look around the area, Herger opened up the hood from the latern slightly and decended the stairs in front of him. His soft boots, echoed off the stone steps. At the bottom of the stairs was another door. This one actually glowed with a soft blue light. Inscribed upon the door was a message. ***** To be Continued ***** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Big Jim was confused. First, he was ordered to move west. Then it was east. He was even supposed to move south to meet up with his troops. Now, he was to ride north as fast as he could. Who the hell was running this show? Whoever it was, they were doing a good job of confusing him. The horse he was waiting for finally arrived. Nothing but screw-ups had happened lately, and he didn't like it. Damn. Big Jim chomped on his cigar harder than usual. He looked over the horse carefully. Damn. He got on and rode away as fast as he could, swearing and chomping the entire time... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We need to regroup and try again. No need to get too upset, all is not lost. We can recover from errors if they are not too bad. Get rid of the "nots" and "bads". We are on our way now. Moving full speed ahead and will take the exit in two turns. Our troops are being speedly acquired and trained. We will see new friends in the outlands. Bye for now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not for the first time, I wonder how the residents of Atlantis city can stand all this noise. The elves the qualify as the city's native residents stand on both sides of the street, shouting prices to the mid-day crowd, selling everything from hourses to swords. Keeping up with the Skritch is an adventure all it's own. The little rodent- man seems to dodge oncoming people like he was born in this ciry. Probably was. It's been three weeks since I made my oh-so-gracefull entrance to this circle of hell the natives call a city. It took me a week to find a place to stay. Let me tell you, sleeping in the ally's of this city with Skritch and his friends is not a pleasant experience. Not that the hole in the wall that I rented was any great step up from the ally. Speeking of Skritch, I'd managed to loose him in the crowd again. How does one loose a four foot bipedal rodent, even in a crowd? Well, for one thing, i'm not used to crowds, for another, being a four foot rodent is not anough to make one stand out in this crowd. Aside from the already mentioned elves, there were humans everywere. I think humans qualify as the second most numerous race in this city. Then you add in the oddities, like, for example, that furry thing that looks like an anteater that just walk by. All in all, about the kindest thing I can say about this city is it's a mess. I'll be happy to finaly get out of it. It took me ten minutes to locate Skritch. He was having an argument with a shady looking elf. It became clear that recruiting people in this city is a problem... "...but my master needs man NOW." Skritch look frustrated and out of his element. It had taken a week to find clothing that fit him AND look respectable. I succeeded in buying some that fit, but making a black leather vest and woven cloth brown pants look respectacle on a rodent? Even I can't work miracles... "I'm sorry, if your master wanted ten men, then perhaps we could strike a deal. I currently have more outlanders hireing then I have locals for hire. I hire out groups, not single men. I have a responsability to these men, and they feel more comfortable being hired as a group and not singly." The elf had that annoyed look that told me he's been through this argument more times then he liked. I decided that I had better lend a hand if I had any intention of getting a local for scouting. "Excuse me, but it is rather important that this request for one man be filled at the earliest oportunity. If you could be so kind and fill out our request now, we will be on our way and out of you hair..." The elf gave me an exasperated look and took a breath to start his speech >from the top again, but by the time I said the word 'now' I was enforcing the request with my native magic. "But...uh...Why yes of course. In fact, I beleave I know just the person who would fit the bill..." The person, in this case, ended up to be a teen-aged elf by the name of Kesato. We spent the rest of the day equiping Kesato and sent him on his way through one of the six portals out of this city. Kesato's basic duties are exploration and scouting. I was hopeing he would find a suitable place to set up residence on this world. Oh, the plans of mice and men...or, in this case, Felines and Rodents. Kesato has been reporting to Skritch as to his activities. Skritch informed me a week later that Kesato would be stuck in the city of Yakleks for a while due to snow storms. Something tells me I should have splurged and purchased Kesato a hourse... <to be continued> House Dervish [666] dervish@gcomm.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let all Newbie factions unite... Together we can rule the world Meet behind the old barn at midnight And bring milk and cookies... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The shimmering gate that appeared in the middle of the street disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. In it's place was a young man in strange dress. He got up, dusted himself off, and gasped as he noticed the variety of races that were stairing at him -- like he had never seen an elf, or a dwarf, or even a orc before. Thinking this young man from the shimmering portal might have a interesting tail to tell, you quickly follow him down the street. Much to your dismay, he quickly disappeares into the crowd on one of the busider atlantian streets..... --- To be continued -- --An Atlantian Times Reporter ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Saga of Clan Stoneheart. "There!" His hand stabbing out into the darkness, the guard pointed down to the base of the hill. In the darkness something was moving. Quietly, stealthily, something was moving up the slope. "I see it." The captain turned to his runner. "Fetch the Captain of the Prince's Guard. Tell him we have a lurker, and to alert the other gates." The runner sprinted off into the mountain, the sounds his boots echoing out of the tunnel. "Form up, men. Prep weapons for battle." The detachment of guards went quietly and efficiently about their business, loading and checking crossbows, placing spare weapons within easy reach of the battle line. If they were lucky, it would only be a wild animal, but they took no chances. Time passed quickly. All was in readiness. Whatever it was had disappeared, but no one complained about being on battle alert. Overhead, the sky grew darker as storm clouds closed in from the south. Lightning and thunder raked the landscape at the foot of the ridge, and the rain slowly made its way up to the tunnel entrance. A figure emerged, hood pulled up as protection from the rain. He was maybe five feet, four inches tall, and exceptionally broad. Sword and axe swung from his belt, a heavy crossbow rested easily in his hands. Behind him strode 10 dwarven warriors, each similarly attired, and one human, tall, strong but with exceptional grace. Nine of the warriors strung themselves out in a protective line, while the remaining two and the human met with the captain of the guard. "My liege," the captain said, bowing low. "We have sighted movement at the bottom of the slope. One unit as yet. I did not mean to disturb your rest." "Think not of it, good Triesus. I was having a friendly game of Split the Barrel when your message arrived, and just thought I'd come and see what was happening." "You were losing, you mean," grunted the second dwarf. "Not surprising - as I recall, Bloodaxe Battlethirst, you hold the record at 4 and a half barrels!" "Damb straight I do." Whatever else he was about to say was drowned out by a shout from the sentry. "Trolls, captain. The lightning showed them up. At least 30." "Weapons ready. Fire as they hit the skree slope." Below them, the trolls, realising they had been seen, began to charge up the mountainside, there long loping strides carrying them quickly over the landscape. As they reached the final slope crossbow bolts flashed out from the waiting dwarves, knocking them back. The slope consisted of loose stones and shale, making awkward footing for the trolls, but they came on. The crossbows were to slow to reload, allowing the trolls to gain ground up the slope. Suddenly the deep throated 'thunks' of the crossbows were joined by the higher pitched hum of a longbow. Arrows flashed out with amazing speed, cannoning into the advancing trolls. Many more fell back, some carrying those below them to the bottom of the slope. "Excellent shooting, my friend!" The Prince paused in the reloading of his crossbow to grin at his human colleague. "Whenever Thorak Wolfsblood uses his longbow, it is as if a forest did fly through the air to smite his enemies." Thoraks only reply was to increase the rate of fire. "BEHIND YOU, ALLON!" The Prince spun around, catching the blow from a troll with the crossbow and then hammering it into his face. "They're coming down from above! Fall back!" Allon unlimbered his axe, creating a circle of glittering steel as more trolls leaped down from above. Charging forward he slammed into the trolls, hacking and slashing until all lay dead, clearing a path for the orderly retreat of those behind him. As they took up defensive positions in the passageway the trolls dropped back, seemingly waiting for something. "What's that?" Thorak pointed out into the stormy skies. In the distance, but getting nearer at amazing speed, was a figure, humanoid, leading what appeared to be some kind of canine. The figure was a thousand feet off the ground, flying through the air . . . (continued next week) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The oddly dressed stranger suddenly appears from nowhere. He stands blinking in the evening sun, looking around bewildered as a parade of sword bearing creatures runs past, followed by a muttering mage. "Hurm- I must have fallen asleep and entered a world full of magic and danger, where men are real men, women are real women, and orcs are just plain disgusting. How, how, _cliched_." His head turns to follow a richly dressed trader walking by, surrounded by a cloud of fawning admirers. "Could have its advantages though..." he mutters. He sits on a stone bench and watches the traffic for a while. Nothing much happens, and he soon realizes that nobody cares much that he has been transported here. So much for the idea that he was brought to save this world from the evil god lurking on the other side of the mountains. What a blow to the ego. "Ok, a plan. I need a plan." he mutters to himself. "Who am I kidding? I need cash first, or I'm gonna starve." There's a sudden thump next to him, and he turns, startled, to see a small burlap bag sitting next to him, full of silver. "Wow- pennies from heaven!" He mutters "Who am I kidding? I need cash first, or I'm gonna starve." again, but nothing more seems to happen. "Damn" He entertains dreams of becoming a powerful warrior, but suddenly remembers that he's over 40. Magic would be great, but the sight of powerful looking, but scrawny wizards begging for change around the square stops that idea in its tracks. "Damn again- honest work. Some dream." he grumbles. "So where does a guy go to hire some grunts?" Time for a help wanted ad... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Centre Denbigh had just finished a long lecture on theology, with emphasis on the finer points of henoatheism, especially the concept of Resmoreinres, which lead into his fear that into the plane of Atlantis had emmirated an entity from a existence in which Improbability had been harnessed. His daughter Rachel had then entered the room with tea, setting a piping hot cup before he and his guest, Mr. Reid of Reids Funeral Home. But before Mr. Reid could sip his tea there came a knock at the door. Rachel opened it to find a very shy-looking awkward teenager who said: "I'm looking for my uncle..." "What is it?" said Mr. Reid, rising from his seat. "Excuse me, your eminences, dis is my nephew. He works with me. Well?" The last word was meant for the boy. "Michael sent me. He said you better come quick." "I can't come now. I'm in the middle of something. What is it, anyway?" The boy bowed his head a little. He seemed very intimidated by Rachel, and just normally intimidated by everything else. "Well, remember you sent that Mr. Muskie to pick up Mr. McDugan's body from the morgue?" "Yeah? So?" "Well, Mr. McDugan was a high elf, wasn't he?" "Of course he was. You go to school with his daughter." "Well, I know. But the Mr. McDugan that Mr. Muskie brought back is a darkman." For a moment the undertaker simply stood in obvious shock. Then he said to the boy, "Go on back. Tell Michael I'll be right there." When the boy had gone he said, "You see, your eminences, I'm a simple man. Da fine points of theology and all that kind of thing, well, you'd have better luck talking to my brother dat went to college. All I know how to do is perform my corporal acts of mercy. And with the kind of help I got, I've got my hands full. Wrong addresses, coffins wit no pillows, now I got darkman bodies. And you know somewhere, right now, there's one very angry darkman funeral director dat's wondering what he's supposed to do wit my Mr. McDugan. I'm sorry, but I gotta go. Please call me anytime I can be of service." And he skirled out. A look of concern passed between Denbigh and his daughter. He sat down and took up a pen. Slowly he began to work out the probability of a darkman, a newly discovered race, and a hard to kill one at that, turning up dead within the entereable city of Atlantis City. ----- It had been a week since Mr. Reid's visit. Rachel had since left for Sledmere, and the Centre expected Kacee and Andy to leave for the other two gateway cities shortly. He had been thinking about how he would occupy himself once they had left. Mr. Reid came by to find Denbigh standing a heavy wooden sign in the yard. "Here, lemme help you wit dat, your emminence." Mr. Reid took hold of the sign, which the Centre was unsuccessfully trying to stand upright. After years of adjusting the lean of caskets, the sign was little challenge to the funeral director. "Thank you," replied priest as he stooped to pick up a mallet, "but you must stop calling myself and my children 'your emminence,' Centre is fine if you must be formal. Although I would have no objection, hold it steady..." Reid braced as Denbigh swung the mallet, pounding the signpost into the soft earth. "...to friends such as yourself simply calling me, again..." The signpost sunk deeper into the ground. "...Denbigh." The preist stopped and Reid let go of the sign. It stood securely. Reid stepped back to read it: _______________________________________________________________ | The Church of the Purple Snowflake, in coordination with | | | | *CRIMEWATCH* and T T T | | | | Announces the opening of | | --- Atlantic City School of Observation --- | | | | classes open now! | | | | contact the instructor (landt@acf4.nyu.edu) or | | the registrar of the T T T (apwinsor@cs.unlv.edu) | |_______________________________________________________________| | | | | | | "Very nice," said Reid appreciatively. "Yes, we have a few slots open for tactics as well, but I thought that would be too much for the sign." "True," said Reid, nodding, which in Atlantis City did not mean yes or no, but something else entirely. But what of the matter that was concerning you last week? Denbigh grew solemn. "Your eminenece?" asked Mr. Reid with concern. "Please, stop calling me that." "Sorry, Denbigh, what is it?" Denbigh sat in the shade of the new sign. "I am unsure. There has been no further evidence concerning the entity we discussed before. I am tempted to believe it was a phantom, that there was in fact no such creature roaming the streets of Atlantis, but..." "But?" asked Reid. "Well," said the priest, holding the purple snowflake pendant he wore as if it would ward off evil, "I don't know. I recently heard a Bandwidth suggest that he believes the loss of January this year was connected in some way to the arrival of a group of temponauts." "Temp. whats?" asked Reid. "Time travellers. Although these are only rumors. Supposedly they were spotted in the market hocking alien wares." Reid still wasn't sure he knew what a 'tempo-whatsit' was, but the mention of alien wares clicked, "Would one of those wares have been an enchanted crossbow?" "Why, do you know something of it?" "Only that we had a very unusual corpse in yesterday, a Philip Jose Farmer. It looked as if he had been killed by a mage's fireball, only..." Denbigh stood and looked intensely at the funeral director. "...usually fireballs burn up the outside of the body, charring the flesh and perhaps the outer layers of muscle." "Yes." "This fireball had pierced his heart much like an arrow. The organs around the wound were severly burned, but the rest of the body was unharmed." Denbigh nodded. The integrity of this plane may already have been compromised. We can only hope that Geoff still has control of the probabilities. [This fictoid brought to you by GREENPOINT (572) -- xuequin@unix.asb.com and the Church of the Purple Snowflake (72) -- landt@acf4.nyu.edu ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** SPYS WANTED *** Are you stealthy? Are you observant? Do you have a shrewd and cunning brain? Then you are the person WE are looking for! Head south east from Sledmere city, until you arrive somewhere in the mountains around (49,54), and we will find you. Good wages, high risk fun, and the chance to make a real difference in the game... Units with less than level 2 in both stealth and observation need not apply. Smallprint: No insurance for spys is provided. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atlantis 2 Economics - Part 5 I have resumed my economics series to comment on the war faction vs trade faction discussion in the player lists. If you look at the "growth rate" possible for various activities, it will be clear who is going to dominate. A war faction can buy a nonleader and train him/her in combat for $20+recruiting cost($56-68). This unit can then tax and study returning $30 a turn, or tax and work returning $44-47 a turn. This is a rate of return of ~34- 62%. With some study work/mix a war faction should be able to easily maintain a 50% growth rate. A trade faction can buy a nonleader and train him/her in horsetraining or some other skill for $20+recruiting cost($56-68). This unit can then produce a raw material worth around $30 at a cost of 10 in maintenance. Assuming it can be sold immediately, the return is $20. This is a rate of return of ~23-26%, or about half that of a war faction. If the trader has to move the raw materials to sell them this delay makes the rate of return even worse. An entertainer's rate of return is half again the traders (but he doesn't have to wait for his cash), and a worker strategy rate of return is 10% in the larger cities. Projecting these rates out a year (12 months for workers, 11 months for everybody else) yields: Faction Rate One year later War 50% 86.5 Trade 25% 11.6 Entertain 13% 3.8 Work 10% 3.1 The bottom line is a tax faction is going to be able to grow to many times the size of a war faction. Traders who think they are going to be able to overcome a hostile war faction and produce weapons only for themselves do not have realistic expectations. The Fryer's Guild (Faction 76) High Mayor of Killorglin - Stay away, It's fully taxed and entertained. [Efficient Empire in Atlantis 1.1] Bill_Larson@ncsu.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AN ANNOUNCEMENT ------------------------------ To factions in Abernethy, Orrebygd and surrounding areas: Stay away from Kashmar! Your presence shall be treated with suspicion. The only exception to this: peaceful trading caravans wishing to supply goods to the city of Kashmar and the land of Dezhou may be accepted. However all the commodities we need are here in Dezhou so there is little trade available. Warriors and pillagers shall be repulsed. (supported by the lords, mages and merchants of Kashmar) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The mage awakens from his slumber and exits the modest hut he currently occupies. Outside, the sun has just risen and a few of the craftsmen begin their pounding of the days iron shipment. The mage walks haphazardly over to the water basin and splashes some of the liquid onto his face. Then he notices... "Smith!" the mage booms. "Where is the Smith?" The Smith rushes out of one of the huts, still wielding his large forging hammer. "What's wrong?" he askes hurriedly. "My horse... it's gone!" the mage replies angrily. "Has anyone seen it?" The Smith walks back to where the men are working. He talks to them for a few minutes and then returns to the mage. "Nobody here has seen anything," the Smith begins. "Everyone slept soundly last night." The mage kicks at the dirt, "Damn! That's the second horse we've lost in the last few months. I'm sending for the Overseer to look into this." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ... Fools. That is the one word I can think of that would best describe these people. For all of their much vaunted status as Watchers of Crime, or Atlantean police, they fail to reach any understanding of what the stealth skill is, or means for some people. For us, the followers of the Black Rose, it is a preservative of life. But it would seem that there is no convincing them; a suspicious, idiotic lot are they. God help them, if those the kill should find a way of vengeance... ... From the journals of the Black Rose ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dawn's first red rays flushed the sky behind the peaks to the east. Roy took a deep breath of the frosty air and admired the sight. Still a little unsteady, he was nonetheless recovering swiftly, stronger each day now. The coma seemed little more than a bad dream and he had work to do. He pivoted and crunched through the light covering of snow towards the shaft. "Yes," he murmured, rubbing his chin, "time to see what lies down there..." The crews had reported iron and stone in some quantities but they lacked Roy's training. Who knows what treasures might be hidden? Over Bell's protestations Roy had determined to explore the shaft for himself. With a last glance at the glowing sky, he placed his feet on the rungs of the ladder and began the climb down into the bowels of the earth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Republic strikes back _________________________ "Sir, it is war!" "What?" The Legate was awake immediately at the shout of his squire- "The Slunecni Zare, they've declared war on us." "Oh, is that all." The Legate leaned back to continue sleeping. "But sir..." "Let Centurion zack handle them." "Yes, sir." The Legate tried to sleep, but without much success. New thought and plans began forming in his mind. he had been immensely successful last turn, destroying the main force of poets, now dead. Now the SZ would have to be taught reason. A pity that things got this far, At one point it even seemed as if things might be settled, but then the Senate had discovered the true nature of the SZ. Life for a soldier got so much easier when politics were removed from the equation. Battles one could understand, large-scale production of swords and bows and armour too. Even such spells as Fireball and Healing. He stood up and began poring over the map. If everything went as planned, SZ would soon be just history. ************************************************************************* The Forum Romanum is the official Atlantis Home Page of the Dragon Legions and the Republic of Rome. For our latest land claims, visit the Pillar in the forum. Forum Romanum: http//www-i8.auc.dk/~strategy/Atlantis.html Land Claims: http//www-i8.auc.dk/~strategy/Proclamations.html -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up