Atlantis 2.0: Times 13 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Mon, 01 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times March, Year 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems, or to play. IMPORTANT NOTE: The exits from Atlantis City will begin changing next turn. There will be a warning the previous month before the exit changes; please watch there carefully. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) Failed teach orders now reveal which unit wasn't taught. 2) OK, I really fixed the commenting now. Everything after a semicolon is a comment now. Except for semicolons inside quotes; those aren't considered comment. 3) January now comes after December. 4) Certain items were being awarded for victory in combat that should not have been. The items that had been taken have been deleted. 5) Advance orders sometimes weren't parsed correctly. Additions This Turn: 1) When you are blocked from entering a region, the blocking unit will now show on your report. 2) All units in a region can now see pillagers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Melvin paced back and forth in his headquarters. Every minute or two he paused, stared for a moment at his map table, muttered under his breath, and resumed pacing. He had been at it for hours. It was convenient, then, that the next time he turned, Melvin spotted Abercrombe standing inside the door. "Do you have news?" Melvin asked softly. "Yes," Abercrombe replied with a hint of a smile. He paused, not appearing to notice Melvin's irritated glare, then resumed: "The battle is won." Abercrombe paused again as Melvin let out a long breath. "With the help of our ally, we eliminated the entire enemy force while sustaining almost no casualties." Melvin made a satisfied nod. "The region is now secure?" Abercrombe nodded. "For the moment." "So much for mighty 345," Melvin smirked. He motioned his lieutenant over, and started making notations on the map. "This is what I want you to do now...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The spring thaws came early in year 2, and with them in Dezhou came war. The messages filled with lunatic ravings from the eastern frontier had ceased after winter began in earnest, and many thought the madwoman who ruled the east had perished in the snows; yet, the soldiers took no chances. Wearing war paints and uniforms which made them blend into the rocky terrain from a distance, the warriors moved cautiously from one gully to the next. Every ravine might potentially disgorge ambushers; over the next ridge might be the the enemy's main army. Though the men were well-armed and confident in their skills, there was no sense in losing lives to carelessness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editorial Comment from the Desk of Tristam I've been indirectly criticised for the terseness of my entries to the times, and I resent it. I may not take the time to create some elaborate character plot or post some repetitive advertisement about mapping or trade and such, but my entries are fully within the realm of valid/meaningful postings. If Geoff wants to put some line length on the postings I think he will do the game an injustice. We are only talking about a 50 SIL bonus here. That is enough to benifit the newbies, but when you faction counts over 200 men taxing like crazy, 50 SIL is nothing more than a slight pad in the unclaimed money just in case you do something stupid. I think posting to the Times should actually be automatic and a part of the orders mailing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not far from Kashmar, there was heard: ... murm ...I like the unfriendly ones... murm... I like them very much... .. How it is nice when people are default unfriendly... murmm... How easy is to be thief .... mmmmurmm.... Your are moving ... and when you have got in, you know you are safe ..... mmurmm .... Source of the mysterious murmuring have not been observed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boudiccea awakes in the morning. A real nice spring morning: blue sky, white clouds, birds - all that nice stuff. All things are as things should be. All - really all? Boudiccea wants to buy some milk for breakfreast from the Nomads. "Where is my money. I know, I had laid it under my pillow yesterday. Where could it be" and she recognizes that someone had stolen her money. "Robbery, Thievery", she cries. "And that to me, I had never done any harm to anyone else. Oh, how bad world could be." And she goes away through the green grass to the Nomad tribe, to tell her story and to ask for help. There must be a lurky guy in that region. "Wait, thief, and you will learn not to make angry a young sorceress who knows the spells of mind reading and fireflash. Wait and I will dazzle you. And when I have dazzled you, then I will heal you, if you still are alive." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. A excerpts from Chapter 2 : Waging War ...One hundred thousand troops may be dispatched only when this money is in hand. A speedy victory is the main object in war. If this is long in coming, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. If troops are attacking cities, their strength will be exhausted. When the army engages in protracted campaigns, the resources of the state will fall short. When your weapons are dulled and ardor dampened, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, the chieftains of the neighboring states will take advantage of your crisis to act. In that case, no man, however wise, will be able to avert the disastrous consequences that ensue. Thus, while we have heard of stupid haste in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged. for there has never been a protracted war which benefited a country. Therefore, those unable to understand the evils inherent in employing troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways of doing so. Those adept in waging war do not require a second levy of conscripts or more that two provisionings. They carry military equipment from the homeland, but rely on the enemy for provisions. Thus, the army is plentifully provided with food. ...what is valued in war is victory, not prolonged operations. And the general who understands how to employ troops is the minister of the people's fate and arbiter of the nation's destiny. next week Chapter 3 : Offensive Strategy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atlantis Times Horoscope Spring Stars: This will be a bad month to hunt lions in the Sledmere area. Summer Stars: You will be accused of being part of the Atlantis City extortion racket. Autumn Stars: The Unreliable Source is watching out. Winter Stars: Good month to play the lottery! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Baerus!' 'Yes, Aravan. What do you want'. 'We still do not find anything within the shaft. There is no point to study it now until we can obtain more skills. Then maybe we can do something. Now we must spend all of our energy on spells and prepare for the arrival of Ruse in the spring.' 'Leave me to my studies Aravan. Energy spells are too complex to listen to your babble all the time. Go find someone to heal' ***** 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Great Poohbah, lord of all he surveys turns from the bloody battlefield and sighs. Oh no it's not the bloody forms, the moans of the mangled, the futility of it all... If you were called "The Great Poohbah" wouldn't you sigh? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ivan looked out over the northern wasteland. The cold winds were calming down sooner than expected. Ivan should have known better than to rely on the weather forecasts. Weather is inherently unpredictable. The cold weather was not a problem, Ivan's horse gave him mobility no matter what the weather was like. The air cleared enough that he could see the city of Komarken off in the distance. The magic portal still connected Komarken with Atlantis City. Ivan was glad to have escaped Atlantis City quickly and was now safely beyond the mass of refugees that came with him. Most were still fighting over territory near Komarken. The portal from Atlantis city no longer provided a way out to opportunity, but it instead lead to death. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Comment 1,18 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu Traders welcome, soldiers and spies stay away. 1,19 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu Traders welcome, soldiers and spies stay away. 2,18 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu Traders welcome, soldiers and spies stay away. 2,19 The Free Companions (109) yaj@cc.gatech.edu Traders welcome, soldiers and spies stay away. 6,14 Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Entry into these regions requires our permission. 6,15 Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Entry into these regions requires our permission. 12,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se Trade factions who wish to chop down trees, gather herbs or hunt furry beasts are welcome to contact me. 13,10 The Mauve Marauders (59) euaahg@eua.ericsson.se Trade factions who wish to chop down trees, gather herbs or hunt furry beasts are welcome to contact me. 50,0 Industry(88) alb@cwa.com None 50,1 Industry(88) alb@cwa.com None 50,6 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz None 51,5 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz None 51,6 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz None 52,4 Acme Labs 297 tajones@beagle.colorado.edu None 52,5 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz None 55,0 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu entrance to this hex and lands eastward (Sorisdale) by permission of Riders of the Rising Sun 55,1 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu entrance to this hex and lands eastward (Sorisdale) by permission of Riders of the Rising Sun 55,5 Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu Claimed by the Riders of the Rising Sun; entrance to outside factions not permitted. All claims should be sent to the office (claim@forsyth.demon.co.uk) with a means of contact and a brief message to other explorers/traders and a summary will be included in the Times each month. If you wish your entry remeved then also let me know. The Land Claims Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karamon warily looks to his Meek Men, "Men, this is the longest road I've ever taken. By Athena, is she punishing us?!" Paul, the Blind One, calms his meek leader, "M'lord, we are approaching the city. I can hear the hustle and bustle of the peoples as we walk towards it. We shall have relief soon, sire." Karamon sighs but smiles to his men, "Tonight we feast!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ******************************* Super Horse Sale ******************************* Magos has a very limited supply of fine desert bred horses for sale. Beautiful, well trained, and hearty, these beasts of burden are ideal for getting around the rough terrain in Orrebygd. The new price is $120 per horse (payable upon delivery). F.O.B. Abernethy. Stock on hand. Contact: Hadrian T. McRoot, Mgc.D. (matw@halcyon.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **MONZON MOVERS** **SPRING SPECIALS** Yes, winter is now over and time for that spring cleaning. Worried about how you are going to move all your newly produced goods to town? You need the MONZON MOVERS. Units near starvation? Need to get monet to them fast? You need the MONZON MOVERS. CALL NOW AT pdxark@evol.nott.ac.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mikey stomped his cold feet, he was angry. "Winter is only three months long this year?", he asked no one in particular. Normally he would have been happy, but this was not a normal year. "That Roman guy sounded clearly unstable", he thought to himself. "One month it's 'I'll make mincemeat out of him' the next it's 'my dear friend Mikey'. He's not to be trusted, not to be trusted." But they would be here soon. Desperately he dragged an old box containing his father's belongings out into the light. "He was killed by the republic, maybe there is a clue that will help me survive", he thought. He rummaged through old pictures, notebooks, he picked up a diary and a tattered page fell out. Reading it he muttered, "Now I know who my enemies are", but he could hardly read his father's time-weathered handwriting. It was a list: Zeros (3) House of Sichuan (21) Velhoota Parasiti (37) Myth Makes Might (49) In Da, In Da, In Da Streeee (88) Dragon Legion Heir's Disease (93) The Wonder Years (112) la Hosa (134) Os Pommedeterres (223) Guilt Merchants (254) House of Morons (270) Mikey pressed his ear to the ground. Far off in the distance the unwashed feet of nomads and vikings pounded the forest floor. Then he heard an eerie voice call to him, "Use the fork, Mikey, use the fork", it seemed to say. "Just about enough time to have a quick snack", he thought. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ An excerpt from _Azthar's_Words_of_Wisdom_ On Scouting: Courteous scouts will describe themselves with their faction's email address, or will email encountered factions immediately. Scouts who don't display a contact address, or don't make direct contact usually don't last long. Take it from a wisened scout: be known, or be dead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Atlantean Enquirer ver 2 For those of you who're using the Atlantean Enquirer, King Chromic Acid who like to announce a new developement from his hacker elves in their secluded forest workshop. The Atlantean Enquirer ver 2. The crystal ball of Atlantis. Why version 2, well the program as it was, had a major bug in it's resizing function, and actually overlapped the top and bottom of the maps [duh!]. And there just weren't enough flags to properly display the complexity and numbers of political factions, and lairs and etc. I expect to upload this to ftp ftp.rahul.net:/pub/atlantis/submissions early next week, depending on the beta-testing. ********************Warning!*********************** Version 2 uses a slightly different file structure (correct this time) and comes with a small windows conversion utility (eoe-fix.exe). You should back up all files, and carefully read the Readme file, before running this program, otherwise your nice map you've spent ages building will be fragged. *************************************************** New features... ---> faster startup, loading and scrolling ---> 32 flags to choose from. ---> a small library of extra flags to add ---> slightly better interface design ---> able to build ENORMOUSE maps I have recieved many requests for a way of autoloading CCC maps and Reports My developement plan is this... because the Enquirer uses windows, many small programs can be used at once, and because the Enquirer is not just for Atlantis, it needs to be simple and flexible and not tied to just one game. Therefore, an orders parser and loader will be made soon, that is a seperate program, but that updates your Enquirer files. A program that extracts your units and makes writing orders a breeze has already been produced and heavily tested. It will be made available once my game position has settled down, as i consider it an Excellent tactical device. Available soon if a certain Treaty is signed. -banj0 still looking for neat icons, and suggstions on how to improve the Enquirer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, 4/27/95). We currently have mapping data on ~380 areas, with economic data on perhaps one hundred twenty. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The weather was pleasant: the sun shone, there was a slight breeze, running water could be heard, all around the road and well into the forest the snow was melting and all about there was an air of relief--winter had broken. Comming towards them, in the distance, the guards could see a lone man walking. The man appeared to be a peasant dressed in rough cloak and hood, but he was wearing boots--unusual,for a peasant, even in winter. He carried a thick staff and a worn empty looking pack. The guards watched mesmerized as he wended his way through the puddles with great care as if fearing to get wet. Every now and then, using his staff, he made a tremendous leap across some larger puddle he could not skirt. Finaly the man reached them and broke the spell. The first guard moved forward and motioned the stranger to stop. "Halt and state your business," he stated importantly. The stranger stopped in front of the first guard and surveyed him--but did not answer. "You!" the flustered guard bristled, lowering his hands to his belt. He stepped forward and stared at the cloaked stranger before him. "What is your business?" he asked again. "Prag Master. You," a finger prodded the first guard, "will show me where he is is. Now," was the reply. The stranger pulled back his hood and glared at the guard. "Well?" the stranger continued, "have you gone deaf?" The guard shrank back from the glare suddenly not so sure of himself. "No," he croaked in answer. "Then why are you not moving?" the stranger intoned deliberately annunciating each word, nose to nose, threating him. The guard turned away from that glare, motioned the others to stand down and led the way to the inner camp. He was afraid. "Valdez can take care of him," his brain had reassured itself, his stomach thought differently. He hurried past the camp guards to the clearing where Valdez's tent stood--the stranger followed. The guard at the door challenged them. The stranger mounted the tent steps, shoved the guard out of the way and went inside. The smile dissapeared from Valdez's face as a large man came in unannounced. He had been sipping from a fresh brewed cup of fresh roasted coffee--this was an unwelcome surprise. The man came directly to him, took the cup from his hands, gently placed it down and then sat on the corner of the desk. Valdez had a bad feeling about this, but he kept calm looked to the doorway and saw guards gathering there. He turned to the stranger and smiled. "You are not Prag Master. The man I told to lead me to Prag Master led me here. You will now explain why he led me here. If I find the answer unsatisfactory you will die. Begin," commanded the stranger. Valdez was shocked but, remained calm. He moved very deliberately and reached for his coffee. "Can I offer you a cup of coffee? It is quite good, and very fresh," he motioned to one of the guards who nodded and dissapeared. "Tell me, why do you wish to speak with the Commander?" The stranger rolled his eyes, sighed reached out and took Valdez by the neck and gently squeezed. "Wrong answer. Begin again." Valdez could not breathe nor could he loosen the iron grip on his throat. He was aware of his bulging eyes and a ringing in his ears. He felt himself being lifted off the wooden floor by the neck and then suddenly dropped. He picked himself up and when he had his breath stammered: "He left camp this morning and will not be back for a few months. You were brought here because Prag is my business partner. Who are you?" A servant walked in and gave a steaming mug to the stranger then quickly left. There were murmurings from the guards outside but no one came in to investigate. The stranger sipped at the mug: "Partners, eh? Well it looks as though you have a new partner. My name is Zendall." Zendall stood and looked down at the little man who cowered in fear--and smiled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HERMETIC ORDER NEWS AND VIEWS Greetings fellow Magi from the Magi of the Hermetic Order. In this weeks submission we will of course be dealing with enrollment in the Collegium. However, this week we are also adding to our article an exerpt from our work in progress "On Magicke: A discourse on the nature of magic and an attempt to form a code of ethics for Magi". We hope you like it and welcome any criticisms. REGARDING THE COLLEGIUM: Next week, the Headmaster of the Collegium will begin his stint of teaching. Aelfstan will be teaching ethereal 2, life 2, and construct 2, as well as a few level 1 forms. He will only be teaching for two turns prior to the entire faculty going on sabbatical. First 8 students accepted. (I check my e-mail on Wednesday and Saturday). As always the rules are simple; 1) deposit 60 silver with unit 518, 2) declare yourself friendly to faction 215, 3) notify me regarding which unit to train at jepether@flash.lakeheadu.ca, 4) train. Note: Present students please notify me if you wish to continue training. Thankyou. REGARDING MAGIC: Having given the news it is time for the views. This week we will include an exerpt from chapter one of our thesis. Herein, we ruminate on the nature of the universe and of magic. "We hypothesize that the universe consists of the material, the ethereal and the spiritual realms. In the center, roughly circular in shape lies the realm of matter ...(our own)...Surrounding the material is the ethereal realm. This realm is oval in shape but is pushed in near the poles of the material. Filling in these indentations and spreading from there are the two spiritual realms....These are seen as the realms of good spirits and evil spirits." "The force which we call magic, we believe, is simply the stuff of the ethereal realm which leaks into the material realm." This chapter also includes a discourse on the leakage between the ethereal realm and the material, as well as the spiritual with both. It will then enter into a debate on the nature of the forms as well as on the nature of the magi themselves. Stay tuned for more tidbits from our thesis. Faculty of the Collegium of the Hermetic Order Aelfstan, D.HA Galen, D.HA Aidan, D.HA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stupid elves, I tell them to study and mave to new locations. And what do the do? They all work. Said somthing about the orders never having arrived so they go bored. bored indeed one months pay for two months work... I'll teach them.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO o o O THE TRUTH ABOUT JANUARY O o ----------------------- o O The secret uncovered O o o OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO There are 11 months in Atlantis. This doesn't sound sound. I got here 11 months ago, so exactly one year back. It was Februar. I wonder whether the first January was mything, too - I mean, was a myth, too. The months are eleven now, were they ill even then ? No, that's not the answer, despite of the pun. I know the answer : I enquired among Geoff's worldmaking staff and discovered the truth. When he was young, Geoff he was called Junior and his Father he was called Monsignor. Then Geoff became God at last when his Father retired, and he was in turn called Monsignor. But, one day, he offered a job to an old man, who had been in his Father's staff long ago. The job was : set up the season system (a seasonal job, as it were). The problem was that this old man went on calling Geoff "Junior", and Geoff was very very upset. And he told him : "Junior, he's now a Monsignor - d'you understand ?" And the old (and half-deaf) man understood : "January's now a month ignored, you understand ?" And because Geoff was so upset, the old man put aside January at once. - Acrobatty the Rigolo and the Jokomicalaughunny Buffons (229) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do you fell the magic flowing through your body? Pues canta con nosotros la cancion de la alegria. The happy song of peace. Peace for Menter peace for you. After a hard day of work When you come back to your home and your husband has not ready the lunch. What you usually do? 40% Phone to her mother 40% Hit him with something tough 40% You say: 'You have half hour, I will be in the corner pub drinking some beers' 40% Don't know, don't answer NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ NEJ The statistic master of the universe. Am i the boss? 100% Yes 0% No # of person asked 1, age 20-30 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ultimamente han aparecido publicados en la lista comun de correo unos mensajes de una persona, de quien prefiero ni siquiera mencionar el nombre, anunciando los planes de sus antiguos companyeros de alianza para invadir la ciudad de Med. Bueno, como ya no es ninguna noticia secreta, debo decir que reclamamos la ciudad de Med, aunque dejaremos pasar con libertad a todas las facciones que asi lo deseen. Acerca de esa persona, solo decir que su actitud se ve motivada por un rencor hacia sus antiguos companyeros debido a diferencias de opinion, y que su manera de actuar, aunque el trate de justificarla, es totalmente sucia y carente de cualquier honor. Por cierto, referido a el, no soy, como vulgarmente me llamas, el de UNIOVI, sino Al... al menos dignate a escribir mi nombre o no me menciones. This days some mails have been published at the players mail server by someone that i prefer just don't mentioning his name, about the Med invasion plans of his old allies. Well, now it's not a secret (as it must be) and i must say that we reclaim the city of Med, but we'll let free passing through to all factions and units that it wants. About this person, only to say that his actions are motivated by a rencorous actitude versus his ex-companior caused by opinion differences, and his way of acting, that he tries to justify, is totally dirty and carently of honour. Al Pertierra. Soldados Drakull (Drakull Soldiers) Faction 237 u0904872@soneto.etsiig.uniovi.es ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hacia mucho tiempo que no escribia al Times, y ya iba siendo hora de volver a hacerlo. Atlantis se esta sobresaturando, y eso es un serio problema para todos los jugadores de pro porque, en poco tiempo, no va a haber un solo hexagono en el que no haya alguien taxeando o arrasando o algo similar, eso sin contar con los que ya estan cerrados por la actitud de sus On Guard y los que son de oceano y, por tanto, no pueden ser usados para nada (aunque seria interesante una raza marina a la que taxear tambien, verdad?) Bueno pues, si Geoff no decide limitar en algun momento el numero de jugadores, quiza la proxima vez escriba un poco mas estrecho en este mundo superpoblado. PD: Ahora se como se sienten las sardinas en lata... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ...Y llegaron a Stinchar. Era de noche, no habia nadie alli, y empezaron la Busqueda. Mira, Hirgul -le dijo su hermano-, parece que hay una runa en una de las puertas de la ciudad, puede ser una pista. No esta claro -contesto Hirgul- manda una tropas y compruebalo. Ese fue el comienzo de las Exploraciones. La primera tropa de 50 combatientes salio para comprobar si era o no el camino. Necesitamos un sitio seguro, un sitio en donde podamos comunicarnos con el otro plano y reunir PODER. Construiremos una Torre en un lugar seguro -ordeno Hirgul-, manda otros 50 ombre y que empiezen el trabajo. Y poco a poco empezo la construccion de una Torre de magia en Glomera. To be continued. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 y observacion. 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 and Observation. We would talk about money. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The darkness is coming. Doom stalks the land. The cold hand of darkness cluches away the warmth of spring. The feted breth of demons blow hatred into mens minds. Evil from the pits of hell froths into the light. Week men cry and babble, soiling themselves in fearfull dread. Children cry and mothers weep as thay morn the soles of the lost. All is fearfull. ALL is horror. ALL IS LOST EXCEPT At Mr Azzooms house of pleasure. Rid your soles of this disquiate and come on down for a real good time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bueno, es la primera vez que escribo en espa~ol en el TIMES, quizas no sea muy correcto, pero el mensaje es solo para los espa~oles. La alianza no ha funcionado, y Francisco Martinez al parecer tiene la sana intencion de ya que el no es miembro de la alianza el hacer que nada de esta funcione. Sana intencion. Bueno, en principio, y en final, solo escribo este articulo por las cincuenta monedas, pero no me apetecia hablar de los acontecimientos de Menter. Ahora se me plantean algunos problemas 1) Los amigos (Y ALIADOS EN SU NUEVA ALIANZA) de Francisco MArtinez, lider de la Orden de Hirgul deben ser mis enemigos y por tanto atacarles o no debe afectar sus estupidas acciones al resto de su alianza. Esto va por ejemplo por los Pacificos amigos de Edu que tratan de establecer una ruta comercial con Menter 2) Que narices vamos a hacer el resto. Por mi parte los que pensabamos participar en el ataque seguiremos con ello, pero aun tendre que hablar con algunos. 3) Sobre los entrenamientos que he venido ofertando en Menter y Sledmere estos se limitaran exclusivamente a Menter. El resto de informacion sobre grupos amigos etc etc no la voy a publicar hasta conocer exactamente las intenciones del resto de aliados. Gracias a todos. Supongo que ya sabeis quien firma esta carta, el espanyol con alias musulman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The four companions huddled around the small fire. The spring weather that the seers had predicted was yet to arrive in this god forsaken corner of the world. As far as Gunnar's eyes could see there was nothing but snow, trees, more snow and trees. He, Aidan, Arnulf and Niall had stopped just over the border, unable to proceed further. While Aidan was confident, Gunnar wasn't sure that the guards wouldn't pursue them across the border. He and Niall had hurriedly set up a small camp, since Aidan and Arnulf were too cold to be of any assistance. Niall had then found caught some small, furry creature which he refused to identify. As he prepared the carcass, the only comment Niall would make was that it would "taste like chicken". Gunnar responded that "everything is supposed to taste like chicken." He did admit, however, that it looked like something he'd eaten in Atlantis City - battered and deep fried from a restaurant run by a man with white hair and a beard calling himself "Colonel". Aidan was warming his hands over the fire. He turned to Niall, "I didn't notice the man you're talking about. I don't remember seeing anyone who looked like that in the tavern." "I'm not surprised," Niall responded. He paused in his cooking, "You were betting so heavily on the cockroach races that you wouldn't have noticed the roof falling in." "I remember him though," piped in Arnulf. "A one-armed man in a heavy black cloak." "Yes! That's him! I tell you, he was staring at the four of us as if he were trying to remember us. He seemed somewhat familiar to me, as well." "I seem to remember someone like that, too," added Gunnar. At that point, the four companions froze as the sound of hoofs came to them. As if they were one, their heads turned to the road they had just travelled down. Sitting astride a large black horse was the very figure they had been discussing. Once he realized the four companions had seen him, the man in black nudged his horse forward and rode into the firelight. With more grace than any expected, he slid from the horse's back. He stood with his back to the four companions as he removed something from his saddlebag. He displayed no concern that one of the companions might attempt to attack him - perhaps he had seen that they had no weapons, perhaps he was simply confident. Turning from his horse, he extended his one hand holding a bulging wineskin. "Drink friends - I am Conal, brother of Conmac." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------*NEWSFLASH*----------------- This is a SNN (Stinchar News Network) news flash. TERROR ON THE PLAINS This is Wallace Russell reporting for SNN. I am currently high over hex 50,5 viewing the smoldering ruins of what was once a peaceful farming community rebuilding after a devasting war. It appears as if a "honda" was parked somewhere near the center of the hex, and frothing, insane, men poured out of it hacking to bits anything and everything. Now we don't know if this was some type of clown car that can hold thousands, or just really small men.. Wait, Wait, this just in. SNN has just been informed that it was not a "honda", but rather a "Honza". and that name of course brings to mind one thing. The "Sulenii Zaire". All that is really known about the "SZ" as they are called, is that they are blood thirsty, and have absolutly, I repeat, absolutly no respect for the sanctity of others. This totally unprevoked assult is just another, really disgusting, and irreasponsible action by this cadre of lunatics. Now authorities are stating very strongly that the "SZ" be brought to justice. There are no words to describe the amount of anger, and indignation, that many, many of the other factions feel. Members of UFoS are banding together to end this threat at this very hour. Armies are marshalling around Stinchar, with fresh reinforcements pouring through the gates from Atlantis City itself. Some evedently out moral and ethical conviction, that these mad dogs be destroyed, others apparently to claim the 5000 silver reward for each "SZ" member confirmed dead. It is known that the "SZ"'s primary area of operations is in the hexes 51,5 and south. From there they evidently cross some landbridge into another continent that is there base of operations. On a personal note, I'd like to add, that in all my years as a reporter, through all the carnage I've wittnessed, never have I seen such a blatant disregard for others. Stinchar will be happier when the "SZ" finally falls. This has been Wallace Russell reporting for SNN news. Now back to your regularly schedualed Times feature, "The Dung Beetle; Friend or Foe"........ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To all fellow adventurers in the Kashmar region!!! The Little Furry Creatures are offering teaching services to the local populus. Are you interested? The Skills I can offer you are as follows : Combat ... to 120 days - class A Riding ... to 120 days - class A Stealth ... to 120 days - class B Observation ... to 210 days - class B Tactics ... to 210 days - class B Energy ... to 60 days - class A Nature ... to 60 days - class A and also Fireflash and Bless Forest Spells! - 50 sil apiece The classes are as follows : Class A skills - 5 silver per individual (regardless of LDR or not!) Class B skills - 25 silver per individual (regardless of LDR or not!) Classes in the skills are run as demand dictates! I need to AT LEAST make maintenance costs. One final point! I do have a combat ready leader for sale for $150! He is at combat level 2 with 90 days training. - Best offer around me thinks! Contact Dave McGaw Faction 266 - Little Furry Creatures u3djm@csc.liv.ac.uk Thank You for your attention ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Attention mages/wizards/warlocks/witches in the Abernathy area. I am willing to support and protect you in return for the use, and perhaps knowledge of your spells. If you are interested please contact unit 860 (Sliin). I would prefer that you are already somewhat knowledgable. Thanks, jhigham@nyx.cs.du.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Otra batalla en Nork. Parece que alguien quiere hechar a todo el mundo de ese territorio: > Battles during turn: > Task Force Gogol (2237) attacks Marius (2150) in Nork (46,54)! > > Attackers: > Task Force Gogol (2237), 21 high elves, horse, combat 1. > Sir Fjodor Green (781), leader, tactics 1. > > Defenders: > Marius (2150), leader, 2 horses, combat 2. > > Task Force Gogol (2237) gets a free round of attacks. > Marius (2150) loses 1. > > Marius (2150) is routed! > Task Force Gogol (2237) gets a free round of attacks. > Marius (2150) loses 0. > > Total Casualties: > Marius (2150) loses 1. > Task Force Gogol (2237) loses 0. > Por otra parte hay gente que se empenna en impedir que salgamos de Sledmere. No creeis que deberiamos hacer algo al respecto el resto de jugadores. Hasta pronto...........................Francis O O L ~-~ `"' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I stared at Mr. Lunchnick and saw an animal. I had listened to the story of his monsterous life for the last two hours, but it wasn't until I saw the body in the next room that I began to look at him closely. No concern - it was as if the dead man didn't even exist in his mind. You couldn't tell whether he had just killed a man or read through an issue of the Times. This was an ugly side of humanity that I could barely comprehend, and yet strangely I felt safe in the same room with him. Protected, almost, from the threat of outside predators. This was clearly his domain, and nobody intruded upon it. Mr. Lunchnick finally looked at me, and I was suprised to see that he was shamed by my disapproval. "He thought he was untouchable. Has a few henchmen who keep the money flowing around here and don't take no for an answer." He sat for a few moments, thinking. Now I saw the struggle inside about what he had done. I wondered if it was like this every time - if there was a rationalization and some guilt, and enough self-loathing to make him do it again. "No, it wasn't any 'Noble Justice' or anything like that. I just killed him because he stank, and I always hated the way he cleared his nose. Loudly." He got up and went to the back room, and came out a minute later with a small pouch. "This ought to buy dinner for the next few days. Come on, let's go. His thugs are stupid, but even a moron finds his way home every now and then." I walked out the door after Mr. Lunchnick into the moist night, took a deep breath of the fresh air, and looked around. Coming down the street were three huge men, looking rather unhappy... To be continued... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Oh, winter is shorter ...", said first man. "But it don't help yet.", said second man. "I like spring. Let's go to the south.", said third man. Forth man said nothing. He was deaf-and-dumb (or no). His world was diffrent. Guard your ears ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Loados sean los Dioses! Parece que el desarrollo de la magia sigue su curso hacia delante y ya tenemos conjuros mixtos que necesitan varias fundaciones para ser obtenidos. Los dos primeros a los que tengo acceso pertenecen a las areas "Mind control" y "Gadget". Aun no se para que sirven y tampoco cuales son las fundaciones necesarias para obtenerlos (tengo varios niveles en varias de ellas). Seguire la investigacion y mantendre informado a los adeptos. . . /^\ . Con los respetos del /\ "V" /__\ I O o Circulo Interno. //..\\ I . (288) \].`[/ I /l\/j\ (] . O /. ~~ ,\/I . \\L__j^\/I o \/--v} I o . | | I _________ | | I c(` ')o | l I \. ,/ _/j L l\_! _//^---^\\_ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** Monzon Bulletin #5 Published by the Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@sangamon.edu * Monzon Beat Another quiet month in Monzon. * This Months Events - Sector (12,11) is now off limits to casual travel. Factions or individuals wishing to travel through (12,11) should contact The Costa Rican Show Band(209), cbthomps@ice.lakeheadu.ca - A previously unknown alliance called the "Nyx alliance" has claimed all sectors north of (12,9). Little is known about this alliance except for that faction MIBS(62) is apparently a member. - Sectors (12,10) and (13,10) have been claimed by The Mauve Marauders(59). * 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. * Business Opportunities Factions seeking boats in the Monzon area now have a new option. The Monzon Wood Exchange will build boats for your faction in exchange for 2x the wood that goes into the boat. Longboats for 100 wood, Clippers for 200 wood, and Galleons for 300 wood. Since wood can effectively be harvested for $5 per wood, a longboat could be had for as little as $500. The MWE continues to offer $44 for each wood sold to us in Monzon, or $36 for wood in surrounding regions (we then transport it to Monzon). Magic factions need look no farther for a way to support the expensive studies of their mages. The Monzon Wood Exchange offers 15% interest monthly on invested money. A $1000 investment earns $150 each turn! For information on these, and other business opportunities, send mail to the Monzon Wood Exchange, thayer@sangamon.edu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The horses stamped restlessly. The Grand Archibold finished packing his reagents into saddle-bags. To run had been a hurried and unexpected decision. Disappointing too. Now that the Brotherhood had finally gathered, there was so much research to be done; knowledge to share, and impart. Another month of delays was irritating. Leaving the stables, Archibold hurried to find Lords Ershwin and Osram. Of late they had been irritable and distracted, particularly Lord Ershwin, whose affairs in the Star Chamber, had left him fuming. Archibold smiled inwardly. As usual they would be pleasant enough to his self. Only a fool spoke harshly to a Wizard - and then only once... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Hey...what kind of fish IS this?," asked Private Bushmill. "Beats me," said Private Dorkney, "I've never seen one that didn't have no fins....And what're these long stringy things?...HEY! ITS GOT A BEAK!!!" "Blasted sea elves! Why can't they eat REAL food? I'm startin' to miss Monzon." "Hey, quit yer whining. These here sea elves got dough. And they fight pretty good, too. 'Sides, they said they was goin' to show me how to sail." "HA!," laughed Bushmill. "That'll be the day. `Dorkney of the Waves.' The world famous cav'lry rider of the seas! Har! Har! HAR!!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shuddup and eat yer bird-fish, mutt'nhead." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ An article in this month's issue of Anthropology Today explains why the plains around Stinchar have turned into a charred wasteland. Initial investigations suggested that rapacious hordes of imperialist invaders purposely destroyed the land to further their immediate self interest. This hypothesis was attacked vigorously as the work of brainless feminist/elf-ist/new age toads. Strong-willed men and orcs with large pectoral muscles were quick to unearth shocking new data. The revisionist theory claims that the impoverished "dirt-peons" brought it upon themselves. Due to the peasant populace's laziness and improper sexual practices, the gods have justly punished them by turning their homeland into a cosmic ashtray. However, it now appears that there may be an entirely unrelated cause. Anthropolists and biologists were brought together recently at a conference in Palmi. Here is was revealed that the problem may lie with a beetle. Due to notoriously lax customs at the gates of Atlantis City, the Lesser Silt Beetle has invaded the delicate Stinchar prairie. Because of some unknown reaction to the local soil or microorganisms, this burrowing beetle tends to spontaneously combust. The corpse may burn white hot for several minutes. In the dry summer months, this is sufficient to start a devastating prairie fire that can consume everything for miles around. To combat this problem, the enfeebled former king of Stinchar has a plan to exterminate all Lesser Silt Beetles, feminists, elves, crystal huggers, and broad-chested orcs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Case of the Missing Month ============================= Chronologists were baffled this month when they noticed that January just did not happen. Said Mr Tick of the Precise Timepiece Co, "We just can't explain it! You can't imagine the chaos that it has thrown our operations into. Our poor clocks are doing the twist just trying to catch up." So much for the preciseness of their timepieces now! We have also noticed a great deal of confusion and angst amongst our technologists around the place. Evidently their new computing machines are having trouble coping with the unexpected time lapse. We have heard whispers around the corridors such as "Oh no! Not year 2000 again!" Beats me what they mean, since as far as I can tell, we're only up to year 2. Anyway, obviously the Great Geoff suddenly decided to not grant us all a time of New Year's festivities for some reason. Of course, who are we to question the gods? If that is what has been decreed, then I say we should let the gods do what they will. Let's hope that the Grace of Geoff will shine on us and give a New Year next year. !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HEAR YE HEAR YE HEAR YE... The first house of Abernathy is calling for all trade factions... Let us set a fixed price for our goods.... All traders that are interested please get in touch. This is NOT a for-profit buisness... This is a co-operative... Lets keep all guilds busy... We are not War factions... We are production... What we want is maximum productivity of the land!!!! But we also care about the land.... All interested parties please respond!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Marketplace statistics: (9 cities and 11 towns surveyed) # Items: Wanted For Sale -------- ------ -------- City 3: 22%, 4: 33% 1: 22%, 3: 33% 6: 22%, 7: 22% 4: 22%, 6: 22% Town 0: 9%, 1: 27%, 2: 18% 1: 9%, 2: 54% 3: 36%, 4: 9% 3: 27%, 4: 9% Quantity of items wanted and for sale: Wanted For Sale City Town City Town Mean Var # Mean Var # Mean Var # Mean Var # ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Iron 250 60 4 190 1 330 60 4 200 40 7 Wood 130 30 4 170 60 5 370 30 2 210 20 4 Furs 320 90 5 82 5 3 410 60 3 130 10 2 Fish 360 70 2 132 12 2 380 130 3 140 60 6 Herbs 290 20 3 100 40 5 360 130 2 190 40 3 Horses 290 110 7 100 40 4 373 1 72 18 2 Stone 150 0 2 143 6 3 390 90 2 190 1 Longbow 305 1 310 80 3 Crossbow 115 1 315 110 2 Sword 160 40 2 370 80 4 Chain 240 100 4 0 Plate 410 60 5 445 1 Wagon 430 40 4 260 40 3 # is the number of cities or towns that buy/sell that item. Note that towns do not buy or sell manufactured goods. Data from CCC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ El ambiente se caldea en Atlantis.Parece que la gente se lo pasa bien con el juego, por que se lo estan tomando realmente en serio, tanto que estamos empezando a olvidar que unicamente se trata de un juego( y yo el pimero) y estamos convirtiendo Atlantis en campo de batalla para nuestras refriegas personales.Quiza deberiamos distanciarnos un poco de lo no referente al propio juego a la hora de escribir nuestras ordenes.De todas maneras, la sangre casi nunca llega al rio y aunque ultimamente gran cantidad de amenazas han sido proferidas, tanto desde unizar.es, como desde atl-players, sobre todo gracias a las amenazas de algunos descerebrados que pretenden quedarse con nuestro dinero para el almuerzo(un almuerzo de 1000 monedas ni mas ni menos) espero que las cosas se tranquilicen en los proximos meses y podamos volver a divertirnos con el juego sin tener que molestar, insultar o amenzar a ningun otro jugador. Fdo: Un pacifista hipocrita. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And our GOD spoke. And from what he said, we understood there was another World before, and that World was named Atlantis 1.1. (Hey man, that's almost the same name as our, exept for the number, and... ok. I listen...) And also, we understood there was great battles, in which our GOD was involved. And on GOD's side were numerous mighty warriors. And among them was VOX. (LORD VOX !!!????? Hoooooo my GOD ! GOD is an ally of the infamous VOX ! WE'RE DOOMED !!! ....ok, starting from now, I'm atheist.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please, owners of units: 2517 713, 2419, 2568, 1614, 2567 Send your email adress to Pieter@mest.unizar.es We should speak about some things in private. Thank you. Pieter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Important message from the Pain Killers Alliance: We hereby officially claim the following areas as being ours; (15,9) (16,10) (17,10) If you need to pass through our land, please send a request first, stating your business, faction and alliance belonging and data on the units concerned. Combat units are not likely to get permission to pass. Disclaimer: We are not planning to attempt to rule the earth in the forseeable future, we only wish to get a peaceful spot to live and prosper. Milbus of The Happy Campers, Spokesman for the PKA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Well, perhaps not the best laid plans, but at least the wheels are in motion' thought Moz. It is time to move to a more hospitable location where I can set up my production facilities. It is a gamble to move so many of my resources at once, but gambles are part of the great game. Hmmm... Great game, where did that thought come from? Oh well, now, lets lay out the plans to make the Plate Armour, teach my friends how to enchant the mundane objects of the world, and start to make some money to really live in style. Oh yes... I can just see the style now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ abERneTHy's NEweST reLIgiON: _ / \ ____the____ C H U R C H o f E N V Y | | | | | | | | \_/ Well, well, well. The Church is almost finished with our temple in Abernethy. Due to Mighty Geoff, we'll wait until May before we begin our mission. The Church Of ENVY - We want YOUR money... Note: According to the ATLANTIS POLICE DPT, everyone who know STEALTH are considered THIEVES and ASSASSINS. Of Course, We're not too depressed to be called assassins, but others, who don't want that reputation might have their future destroyed. A thief isn't a thief until he've actually stolen something, is he? The Church Of ENVY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS IS WHAT SSS AAA TTT AAA N N WRITES THIS WEEK: S A A T A A NN N SSS AAA T AAA N NN S A A T A A N N SSS A A T A A N N Satan:" Devil, I want you to move our troops to 48, 53 and to *ZENSORED*" Devil:" No thefts this week?" Satan:" Lets take over there!" Devil:" You mean, assassinate them?" Satan:" At least some of them, the rest will be attacked by Beelzebub, soon." Devil:" Your plans are great, as ever!" TO ALL NEW FACTIONS !!! COME TO ELLESMERE AND AREA! 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WELCOME TO THE FIRST ATLANTEAN LOTTERY. The game has been set up for the enjoyment of those in Atlantis City. And so it works: -A random number between 1-100 inclusive is picked. -Those with the winning number recieve an even share of the money pool. -If no one wins the pool grows ever larger. -To pick a number(s) send them to this address. -send the money to unit 2130, faction 361. -The costs are: one number= 30 sil two numbers= 50 sil five numbers= 100 sil - The winner will be announced in the Times each week. ITS THAT EASY. I hope to get enough people interested to start this week. Thank you one and all! Yours in faith, Vaughan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNIVERSITY OF T T T Greetings Atlantis !!!!!! After much studying, privations, and personal hardship, we have acquired our Teaching Permits and received approval of The Required Forms. ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF THE TRANSOCEANIC TRAINING TROOP !!!! T T T is now open for your business !!!! This University will train you while allowing you to save silver and gain quick months worth of skill levels. Your cost? Why low of course. We start out at a mere 15 silver per month per individual. But, you can gain big with a large enrollment. Three students for only 30 silver total. But look --> enroll 4 for only 40 silver And even better now --> each additional unit only 5 silver each. You need not have all students enrolled in the same skill either. Can you afford this? Can you afford NOT to have this training? Can you afford not to save silver and valuable time? Enroll now and get positions of your choice, enroll late and you might miss that valuable skill you wanted. What do we offer: Combat, stealth, observation, lumberjack, healing, mining, weaponsmith, riding, horse training, quarrying, mage skills, and more. At various levels. We don't have what you want right now? We can fix that too! Study for a secondary skill, let us do the hard work, and train you in your selected skill a couple months later. We are located just inside Atlantis City. Contact the dean of T T T for enrollment at apwinsor@cs.unlv.edu. Disclaimer: the registor's office informs me that there is a higher charge for skills that require 50, 100, or 200 silver a month. But you will still save by using our training. The second month will save you more as you enroll more students in a particular college of training: All others OBS STE MAGIC TAC Type 10 Type 50 Type 100 Type 200 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- one = $15 one = $30 one = $50 one = $100 three = $30 three = $60 three = $100 three = $200 four = $40 each+ = +15 each+ = + 30 each+ = + 50 each+ = + 5 The registors office does note that the Mages and Tactics get the best deal, but it costs so much to train them before they are of any use anyway. *** Mage spells for sale or trade -- Make Offer *** (carioca@io.com) {not all skills are available every month. Early notice will help ensure your particular skill is available} Help is available to assist you in your training orders. T T T registors office will need the following information: Faction***Unit***How many in unit***Skill wanted***Level at now "May your Study Skills increase beyond measure." Sponsored by the Anson Winsor Civilain Construction Corps apwinsor@cs.unlv.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I WISH I'D NEVER SEEN THOSE DAMNABLE CONTRAPTIONS!" Tylor of Dwain winced inside as his leader turned and studied the long, dirty column of men and hill dwarves stretching nearly a mile behind them - at this point in their travels, there was no time to lose on talk. Besides, the wagons would prove their worth soon enough. Although he had grudgingly grown to like King Ligot of the Eastern Plains, it was still a pity his band hadn't joined with someone else as well... even Vikings would be welcome! Humans knew precious little of war, but they afforded convenient cover from arrows. "Majesty, let us press forward," Tylor warned. "We must make the valley before nightfall, else the..." "No need to remind me, friend dwarf," replied Ligot. "Remember, I have seen what havoc results from a mage attack at dusk." His ready grin faded with a terrible suddeness, underlying a memory best left unseen. "I feel certain we shall reach the safety of the forest... even with my newfound child's toys trying their best to slow us down." He turned again to the road ahead, and they both spurred their horses onward. Neither spoke for many minutes; fortune paid well those who remained vigilant. Besides, the mountainous territory through which they moved certainly lent itself to ambush. Stunted trees pushed through the rocky soil, and huge boulders the size of a balrog stood like leaning fenceposts on every side. The wind's mournful song had given this mountainside its name - Hopeless Pass. The horses kept a steady pace, and Tylor was somewhat cheered to hear the faint sound of a dwarven marching song behind them. At least morale was holding - the people of Manor had provided the first hot meal his troops had eaten in nearly a moon's passing, and the closer they drew to the main army the more confident they became. The forest seemed close enough to touch, and there was still half a day's sunlight to reach it. King Ligot interrupted his thoughts with an anxious question. "The scouts should be back by now, eh?" "Any second now, my lord," Tylor replied. "They were only to advance half a league before returning. That is, unless they have met with some problem." "Hmmm... I only wish we had an Avian company or two," mused Ligot. "The time they save in flight, and the speed of their reports - but while I'm wishing, I might as well include a band of orcs, shouldn't I?" Tylor chuckled and opened his mouth to request an entire calvary of flying griffons, but he suddenly cocked his head towards the end of the column far behind them. His sensitive ears had picked up a cry of alarm, and now a galloping horse moving swiftly towards them. [To be continued...] [Mark Chambers - sysop@batboard.org, faction 376] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Riders of the Rising Sun whish to formally protest the actions of the Slunecni Zare, namely the wanton slaughter of our troops and the theft of the money they were carrying in the hex 50,5. They have not claimed that hex, gave no warning that we should leave, and have offered no explanation for their actions. Our troops did nothing to provoke them, and wished only to pass through Palmi on their way northeastward. Other factions who's troops were slaughtered in the massacre are encouraged to contact us to discuss the matter. We also wish to note that this is only the last in a long series of arrogant actions by the SZ, who have proven themselves to be extremely xenophobic, uncommunicative and manipulative. The Riders of the Rising Sun are: "Acme Labs" (297) tajones@beagle.colorado.edu "The Band of Green" (116) rickb@mail.msen.com "The Bedlam Boys" (261) ETC4me@aol.com "Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat" (379) shook@ibg.colorado.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just a friendly warning to troublemakers in the Sledmere area: there are more of us who don't like you than who do. Don't do anything that would give us an excuse to gang up on you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *CRIMEWATCH* : A BIG SUCCESS ! Ever since the new *CRIMEWATCH* campaign was launched last month, reports have been coming in abundantly. For those who happen to pass by the noticeboards without so much as looking at them, we'll bring you the latest news later. But first *CRIMEWATCH* wishes to express their deepest thanks and most sincere congratulations to the AC Police Dpt for their report in the last edition. These guys brought us most of the units that believed they could sneak around Atlantis-City unseen. Undoubtedly though, there still remain those who were stealthy enough to escape the survey. If you, boys, were laughing not to have appeared on that list, how long will you be laughing ? How long can the honest Atlantean citizens leave it be so ? *CRIMEWATCH* encourages the opening of Observation Schools in as many towns and cities as possible, as well as the reporting of stealthy units wherever they may be. One doesn't hide unless he's got something to conceal; Stealth is for thieves, assassins and spies...Do not trust those who hide, denounce them ! *CRIMEWATCH* also wishes to promote the creation of militias for the defense of every town and city. Lawful citizens of Atlantis, get organized to protect your rightful interests ! And remember that the sum of small parts is bigger than the whole. Now the reports for February: - After being robbed in Ellesmere, Andras Company(355) offers $150 reward for informations and calls for a thief hunt in the area. Good on you, guys ! - Lord Viper(217), the famous assassin, has lost his order book; he insisted on announcing the good news himself. - Faction(587) pettily attempted to extort defenceless newbies in Atlantis-City; being himself a newby, his attempt did not go very far. - As a result Kermit(361), a previously reported villain who fakes interest in magic, is running the same racket on the would-be racketeer. That's not the way, Kermit ! - The same affair, which caused loads of postings, lead to revelations by Hirgul about the announced sackings in Sledmere area. The threats are believed to be quite serious and emanates from `La Alianza'. The attack should be made in the next few months and should be carried out by the following: Romanos Country Liberation Force(234), Kalisto Rookies(236), Prophet Followers(251), Soldados Drakull Drakull Soldiers(237), La hermandad del Faraon Negro(325), Los chicos de Mc William(429) and more unknow people... - Lord Nicholas, Knight of Corporeum y Spiriteum, calls for everyone around Sledmere to unite against the pillagers. Good on him too ! Keep the news coming in, people ! And remember : Crime...Together we can crack it ! *CRIMEWATCH* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are so broke. We can make mithral swords, we can make plate mail. We can dig over 40 iron in a single turn. We are so broke. We may have to eat our four horses. "EAT 4 HOR" will it work? "www.cet.co.jp/~anthonyc/homepage.htm" Lots of maps of all sorts of places. Plus all of our old turn reports and orders. Use them in good health. Send food. The Snow Leopard Clan. (By the way, I have a level four observer in Kashmar, don't steal my horses, I may have to eat them.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Not enough silver. Isin't it always the case? The first law of trade factions: It takes silver to make anything. Of course, this is universally true." These thoughts ran through his mind like wildfire. "What's the best way to go? I can make 40 silver each turn producing, or 50 silver each turn taxing. But taxing prevents me from doing anything else such as making weapons, armor, horses, castles, boats, golems...er...never mind that." Problem was, he wasn't especially good at math. Not realizing that a single level 2 producer (lumberjack, mining, horse training, etc.) can out-earn a single taxer. Of course, there isin't any bonus for being a level 2 combat taxer. "Can't really give up the magic. Not when I've come this far and I'm so close to total Atlantis domination. Trade or war? I'll certainly need to decide soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The deed was done. They would be accused of Treason now. As he sat astride his mare, Ershwin stared back at the billowing tower of black smoke. He was glad to be on the road again. He was a soldier; a commander, not a politician. The baroque assembly of the Star Chamber left him feeling stifled. Now air and life coursed through his veins once more. He spurred his mount to a gallop. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***** NEWBIE STUDY AIDS Inc **** Due to modest but continued demand for our Fine Study Aids, the following services is continued this week. Does it look like you're going to waste 3 turns before your first orders actually work? Most new players waste several turns figuring out how to execute their first commands. Their units don't form, money doesn't get to the new units, and they generally dither. I have written up a clear explanation of everything you need to know to get your first couple sets of orders working. It includes clear examples of orders to form units correctly and get them moving! Plus other hints that could save you from making the same lame mistakes I started out with! Plus, as an added bonus I've made a file of edited questions and answers about rules that have appeared in email. You can have a copy for $40 by emailing rpeters@defenders.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To the thieves and assassins operating in Sledemere, I just acquired level 3 in Observation last month. I will happily denounce anyone who tries some dirty trick in Sledmere to every faction on the mailing list from now on. All your bad deeds in the area will be reported. To you rookie rogues in Atlantis-City, do not even bother coming around here. Any more nasty work and that could be it for you, thieves, Be careful... The Reliable Source in Sledemere. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GREETINGS FOLLOWERS OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! And blind heathens alike. For the past few months, I Father Phineas (Grandmaster Wizard, Guru to the People, Herald to the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!!) have been soaring the astral planes far beyond the mortal world. WHY? you ask. For the greater good of the peoples of Atlantis, to bring enlightenment to all. hallelujahgobble!! Whilst pondering the vast enormity of the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! It crossed my near unfathonable mind, that some of you may in fact be unfamiliar with the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! Obviously most of you will be familiar with these Gods, but for those few I have comprised a list of some of the more powerful Gods. hallelujahgobble!! 1/ HAROLD THE ALL POWERFUL: Ruler of all Gods and unfortunately the God of Short-sightedness and misdirection and bad timing (He could pop up anywhere anytime!!). HAROLD has been mising ever since the rather embarrassing episode when he turned up to a convention of Naked Sky-divers rather than at the birth of the First Messiah of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! Consequently, nobody (The messiah included) was aware of who the Messiah was and he ended up spending his life as a relatively unsuccessful vegetable vendor! 2/ DERWAINE THE COOL GOD: This God is far to cool to be seen by ordinary mortals (Or even his fellow Gods). Consequently it is a mystery as to how the High Priests of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! have established the existance of this God. 3/ BIZZARON DEMTELLIA: God of perplexing kitchen appliances with no immediately obvious use. And also God of those useless stickers you find in the packet when you buy a video cassette. 4/ XPPGHNZHPNGX THE UNPRONOUCEABLE: Don't even attempt to contemplate this unfathomable entity. 5/ T. REZNOR: God of Fishnet stockings and large Nails. 6/ SLAPGOG SPIEGALBOTTOM: God of incrediably stupid names. 7/ GLUEONN WARMSCALP: God of unconvincing hair-pieces. There are 1423 Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! Incedently, God number 1423 is BOGNUT STIGMATA: God of the quiet uninteresting, (but vitally important to the workings of the average sandshoe) plastic bits on the ends of shoelaces! Hated enemy of ZIPPO CLINGSTRIP: God of velcro. Now this has been cleared up, I am sure that new convents will soon flood the most Holy halls of the Church of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! This message was brought to you by Father Phineas, in conjunction with the Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM. hallelujahgobble!! hallelujahgobble!! send me your cash. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The great day is approaching fast. Rumors spread across the vast lands of Atlantis. You are gaining on your enemy, you are contacting bands of people everywhere. This would make a good alliance, you have much in common. They are not your kind, keep away from them. Well, maybe you can be friendly with this group, them seem alright for now. How to sort them out? How do you get to the good ones and force the bad factions to stay away from you? My master knows how, you could learn much from him. He comes by, cuts off them all, throws all into the wind. Good allies fall close by, while the bad fly scattered to the four winds. Keep the good near you, they are reliable. Let the others drift along, they will become lost and never return. The Reaper cuts us all He harvests everyone Lets the husks fall The good he has won. RIP -- the UNDERTAKER -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fellow settlers of the Stinchar area, listen up! Let us all join in to end the miserable life of Muuf and his boys. They persist in claiming the passageway to the golden lands in the south, thus stopping peaceful and law abiding people from finding good land for settling down. Let us gather in (49,5) at the dawn of June, to kill off this scum, knowing that our world will be a better place to live in when they are gone. My forces will be there. How about yours? Rowan of EEGID (Evil Eyes that Glow In the Dark) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hurrah ! Hurrah ! "I found ! I found !" Sdyka ran everywhere in her laboratory. A glorious smile could be read on her face. She read her notes again, looked at the window alternatively. "I passed to modify the time in Dezhou. One month only last in two days. Now, the winter will last only fifteen days in place of four months. Then the peasant will never know famine during winter, they will be able to sow twice per year." To recover her mind, she went to her cabinet, she was serving a glass of red wine that she began to look at its "robe", to smell it, then to taste it slowly. Suddenly, her mouth turned down into a frown. "But if the weather last quicker, this wine will not age as well as this one, seasons will not produce its effects on barrels." "Oh Geoff ! What have I done ? Don't let me do a such thing another time ! Please !" And to be sure that Geoff will help her not to start afresh, she took her notes, and put each sheet one by one in the fireplace. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Flatline and his companions have managed to secure the area South of Kashmar and are starting to bring the alliance down into the area. Beware travelers, please contact us first before traveling South of Kashmare. We will grant access to only those who request passage, and do not intend to linger. The area is already being Taxed by the Alliance, so Taxing to non-Alliance members will be prohibited. Good luck in your travels my friends, and remember to always be careful! The Grateful Dead ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Uno ya no esta seguro en ningun sitio.Tan pronto te obligan a habandonar un territorio como no te dejan salir de otro o te prohiben la entrada en medio Atlantis.Y cuando por fin encuentras un lugar donde establecerte, comienzan a mandarte amenazas de muerte exigiendo el pago de quien sabe que impuesto revolucionario, impuesto que asciende ni mas ni menos que a 1000 monedas, es decir una frusleria de nada.Y es que esta visto que no se puede se honrado.?Cuando van a dejar de amenazarnos?.Afortunadamente de bravucones esta el mundo lleno y uno puede, con casi total impunidad, ignorar sus amenazas, pero no por ello dejan de perturbar lo que podria ser una pacifica existencia para algunas facciones, sobre todo las principiantes.En fin como dice el refran popular, a extorsiones necias, oidos sordos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now he was alone. His brothers ego had finally destroyed everything that they had built up. OK, it wasn't much, some odd twenty house troops, a few horses and money spent on tactics tutoring, but anyway... Now he was the only one left, alone, outlawed by the faction(s) that his brother had tried to defeat with their tiny little host. Well, he was going to get his revenge, if not soon then later. First he had to contact the allies and make up some long term plan and then work hard for many months. But in the end - REVENGE!!! FREE PEOPLE OF THE SLEDMERE AREA! STAND UP AGAINST THE PIGS THAT THINKS THEY CAN CONTROL TAXES AND RESOURCES BY BRUTE FORCE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Diary February, in the year of the lord, 2. My butler had to kill the damn pigeon. He really seemed to enjoy it too. The problem was that the damn thing didn't want to come down from the trees. This had become a serious communication problem, spring, hormones and horny pigeons. And our bird master wasn't able to train as many as we had to put to sleep in order to get hold of them. Damn, damn, damn. Anyway, atleast there was good news. Wonderful news! My westmost scout had finaly found good land, plains and forests, and a small, cosy little town. Hopefully there will be someone else there by the time i arrive, i got to have someone to trade with. It was at least a hell of a lot better than in the east, it had seemed really promising though. Getting fried isn't my idea of having a good time. And all those claims, you really have to keep your eyes open so that you didnt step on someones toes. But to get those elves out of the swamps, damn, and all that lumber didn't make it easier. There is no horses to get in the town either, even if there werepeop le would probably kill for them. What a crowd. The citygates are just about to open, and we have to be among the first to see the light of spring. There is no second place winner, as my father used to say. We must hurry, hurry, hurry.... Ulrik II ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't break the chain. This letter has been through 1302 worlds. If you copy it and send it to a paper in all the worlds you exist in. You will receive great luck and 50 currency within a month. If you don't bad luck will plague you in any of the worlds you have or ever will exist in. Look at the experience of Cy Kottic I ignored this letter, and within 2 months had died in 3 worlds become broke in 5 worlds, and been conquered in 2 worlds. I then copied this letter and was resurrected, found uncountable riches, mounted successful revolutions, been born in four new worlds, was made a god in a world I didn't even know existed, and I received 50 currency. It changed my lives ! Cy Kottic ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The clever mutants prayers to their slimy Gods have prevailed! It is now the season of Summer, and the Mutant hordes are freed to roam the lands looking for good things to eat. If only more victims, er, travellers could be persuaded to come and visit!! There is entertainment, a fine Mayor, magical sideshows ... What more could they want? Perhaps the Mutants will have to go and find them? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suddenly, winter abates. Karthan breaths the sweet fragrence of spring through his large, bull-like nostrals. He feels revived and releaved. His scouts in the towns of Sledmere and Ellesmere report no signs of danger. All is calm and peaceful, dispite dark rumors of marauding bands of the unknown. "It looks like we have made some new allies," Karthan mutters to himself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Legate barely looked up as the messenger arrived. He was too tired to do anything. He did not notice the strangely burnt complexion of the trembling squire in fron of him. This time, he had personally taken command of the battle, and if it went wrong again, he hoped the Emporer didn't hear about it. "Sir, your weekly Times." The messenger saluted and handed over the paper shaking, allowing burnt skin and tunic to drift into the face of the exhausted Legate. "Can you smell something burning?" The Legate snapped. "Yes Sir", the messenger replied, "Sorry Sir, I think my tunic is still smouldering." For the first time the Legate studied the man in front of him, to his horror he saw the man looked more like a mannequin than a man. All his hair had burnt away and what was left of his tunic hung in tatters like a rotted shroud on a decayed corpse. "Report. Now!" Snarled the enraged commander. "We have failed to secure the mine, Sir. The advance was progressing well, when suddenly, the very fires of Hecate appeared among us. The men panicked, may of our men slayed their brothers to escape" "How many survived?", asked the Legate, his head in his hands. "But a handful and myself, Sir" "Who was responsible for this outrage?". The squire's throat was suddenly dry. "The banners of the Slenuchi Zare were seen as some of the men retreated, Sir. Perhaps it was one of the Grand Muff's Wizards...." "Silence, fool!". The Legate was furious and now a little scared. A treaty was in the making between King Chromic Acid and the Emperor. If he had inadvertantly done anything to damage the treaty he was sure he could forget his pension and villa on the coast with it's concubines and other luxuries. "Very well, have the survivors put to the sword and their bodies burnt. Tell the men who are to do this, that the survivors are traitors and no word must be spoken of this again". The squire looked doubtfully at his commander but the sight of cold grey eyes looking back at him chilled his blood and he left without a word. Some time later, the Squire returned. The Legate was poring over a map showing the Roman forces and the positions of their enemies. "Is it done?", he asked the Squire casually. "Yes Sir, all the survivors of the battle are ashes" "Good, now the Emperor may not hear of this incident. I have sent messenger birds south and west to our fellow legions. Since the weather is uncommonly good, we may take the mine before the treaty is decided!" The Legate stopped suddenly, he had spoken too freely in front of the Squire. "Come here!", he ordered. The Squire approached expecting a formal commendation for his action but gasped in suprise as he felt his commander's gladius drive under his ribs and into his still beating heart. As the body slumped to the ground the Legate looked down upon it. "Nobody will learn of this failure. Nobody!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first unofficial census of Atlantis: February 2 Territory Ldr Nom Hel Pla Idw Sel Trm Orc Vik Ddw Tel Hdw Wel Total ____________________________________________________________________ Komarken 7 101 52 3 1 1 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 165 Stinchar 7 --- 30 --- --- --- 7 --- --- --- --- --- --- 44 Abernethy 38 --- 13 --- --- --- 9 214 17 1 --- --- --- 292 Sledmere 70 --- 484 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 554 Kashmar 68 --- 158 --- --- --- 120 --- 2 --- --- 21 2 369 Monzon 69 1 182 --- --- --- --- --- 1 --- 245 --- --- 498 | _, | Jason y sus Argonautas >?B | (464) `H H H H --: \\-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-Q-O-Q-@-/| `\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / D ~~~~~~~~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\~~~\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tramping through the harsh forest of Carnforth, the Crimson Crusaders thought long and hard about their decision to find Hill Dwarves out in the wilderness. They had already heard rumors of a band of dwarves to the northwest, but had just been told that the area was off limit. The Crusaders were complaining about everything, even the weather! (You can tell they were just complaining about everything, even the good, when they complain that summer came a month early!). Some said they didn't even want to be Crusaders any more. Stated one: "I always wanted to be ... a lumberjack!" He was promptly executed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jenna Curoon, (she had stopped calling herself a lady about two weeks ago) looked up from the glass of wine she had been gazing at as Hakim entered the low,-ceilinged room where she and her followers had been hiding ever since the assassination of Lord Anthony's man. Had it really been a month since she had fled, hand in hand with Hakim through the pitch-black alleyways of Atlantis' underbelly with Anthony's men hot on their heels? She remembered the final confrontation on the rooftop, where she and Hakim were backed up against a wall, facing 5 opponents. Things had definitely looked bad for them until their enemies had started dropping, victims of the unseen knives of Hakim's friends who had finally showed. In the battle that ensued, two friends of Hakim's had fallen, while she and the rest polished off the their attackers. Hakim, wounded early in the fighting, slumped against the chimney pot, with an ugly-looking stain spreading across his tunic. But he had mended well enough, and they now had assembled what they could of a force. Through delicate negotiations, conducted through an intermediary, they had secured safe passage out of the city for all under Jenna's protection, and provided that they were gone by the end of the month, Lord Anthony was prepared to look upon the whole thing as a rather expensive misunderstanding. "Well Lady," said Hakim, whose demeanour had become markedly more deferential since the day of fighting and running, "We appear to be about ready. The packs are filled, the horses saddled the men gathered..." He trailed off seeing the look of preoccupation on her face. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he finished uncertainly. "Oh, nothing of consequence my dear street rat." She smiled to take the sting out of her words. "I was just contemplating how exhausting it is to do at forty-three, what I should be twenty if I wer even going to attempt it. I mean starting over, carving out my niche, standing up to men who think that a woman's place is a ballroom, not a counsel chamber or even a battlefield. This city depresses me. I've decided that we leave the day after tomorrow, as soon as the final supplies are bought and the porters recruited, if that's still possible." Hakim looked at her with something approaching a smile. He wouldn't ver tell her that he remembered awaking from several delirious dreaming episodes to see her sitting by his bedside. They both knew that the other had known, and they didn't speak about it. Hakim's life had been a hard one, loyalty, except of the paid kind, was a strange virtue to be discovering at the jaded age of 19. But this hard-bitten, craggy old broad as he called her to his friend Jem, had saved his worthless hide for no apparent reason, only because she didn't like how Murrow the bully had been acting towards him. Hakim didn't understand how you could be a noble as she claimed to be in her previous life, and yet give a damn how a peon like himself felt about being mistreated, but there it was. She was a caution, was his Lady Jenna curoon. Jenna, who divined some of what her young charge thought, looked speculatively at him over the edge of her glass. "Hakim, I'll ask you this only once. I know you feel indebted to me over the matter of murrow. Now let me finish before you say anything. I'm leaving Atlantis, probably forever, since we don't know how to get back here. To me this is nothing, ATlantis has been nothing but a way-station on my way to where my son cve a peaceful place to grow up and make his way in the world. But The City is your home, and it's all you've known. Are you sure you want to leave it? I release you from any obligation to my service. You've already been a help to me, and I'll count your debt paid if you should choose to stay. You haven't any idea what you'll be facing out there, and while you'v been in street fights, you've never been in a full-blown battle before. And it may come to that before I'm through carving out a land for me and those who follow me. I want you to have some idea what you're getting yourself into before it's too late. It's not a life for a city boy. Well, I've said my peace, and now you tell me what you want to do." Hakim, who had alternated between shock at such frankness and outrage that she might think he couldn't handle himself looked her square in the eye and said, "My lady, you do me an injustice if you think I could be so disloyal." He drew his knife, knelt and presented the hilt to her. "If my loyalty is in doubt, then swear me by any oath you will and I'll take it, but understand, that in my mind, the oath is already given." Jenna looked from the offered knife to the look of hurt pride in the boy's eyes. Then she softly commanded him to rise. She too rose, then taking the hilt of the knife, knelt in front of him, reversing the blade. "I'm sorry to have presumed upon your loyalty Hakim," she said softly. "Please forgive me and accept your dagger back in token of my loyalty to you. You're right, no oath is necessary between us. If you would, then write this misunderstanding off as the caring of a mother separated from her son for too long, for someone who reminds her of what he could be." As he took his knife back from her, she rose again, and with a swift movement, chopped his wrist just below where the knifehand attached to the arm. He dropped the knife from numbed fingers, then took in her alert stance and smile. "When your hand has recovered, I urge you to go find Jem and practice unarmed combat with him," she said in a chiding tone. "After all, a weapon can be more of a hindrance than a help, and one who can rely on his own hands and feet is always armed." Hakim blushed, and picking up his dagger left-handed, saluted her crisply and left the room on a dead run. Chris Bartlett bartlett@amanda.dorsai.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ After a months worth of studying the Loremaster looked at his group. "I think I will need to include some more Working Elves into my troop" he mumbled, "otherwise all of us leaders would have to refert to work, and we are just a little bit above that!". He walked down to the bank, and withdrew the last of his money. He called his lookout and ordered him to the market to recuit some more elves. "Okay" he shouted to the rest of his troop that had gathered around, "As long as we cannot find a decent college, you will have to study on your own" and all went back to their tents. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ God Bless You All, My Lords. To the Lord who wrote this, in the previous Times : NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!!!!! "Alright, which one of you bozos said that the northeast gate was Monzon?!?" "Grendel, Sir" "Convenient he was left behind in Atlantis City... Send word - have him executed..." I'm well known as Grendel, Bard of Gondor, and would like to tell you that I'm not the guilty guy you're talking about ! I never told anybody about any northeast gate, and I'm very sorry for you if you took the wrong gate. So please don't kill me, My Lord ! Please remove your orders about my execution ! I'm not guilty, it's a mistake... Ow here you are... Er... I was telling your chief that I was'nt the guy who sent you to the... Y...Yes, my name is Grendel, but... NO, NOOOO ! IT'S NOT ME ! I'M JUST A POOR BARD ! NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!!!!! - Grendel, Bard of Gondor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The time was fast approaching, he could feel the pull of the portholes it would not be long now and all the exits would be changing. It was time to prepare for the greatest adventure of all time. The exciting opputunity to go and discover the new land. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hola a todos, escribo en este nuestro medio de comunicacion, que nos permite estar mas informados para perder mejor el tiempo, para exaltar las virtudes de la alianza, y de paso ganarme unas pelas (para los que no lo entendais, como dirian al otro lado del charco, es ganar plata). Oh que gran invento la alianza, aunque creas que estas solo, no lo estas, en las regiones adyacentes, hay muchos hermanos, que a la menor se~al de peligro, acudiran raudos en tu auxilio. Parafraseando uno de los salmos: La alianza es mi pastora a quien temere? Monica ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, having lazed around and missed one deadline (and the 50 SILVER that article would have paid), I'll get cracking early this month. 'Tis a brave new world, with many changes, and many similarities to other lives I have lived. I was advised by the Transoceanic Training Troop that recruiting in Atlantis City was not easy, but I had no problems finding the two leaders that I sought. The top 4 possible reasons for this are: 4. Times change, perhaps leaders were not in high demand this turn. 3. Modest requests for one or two characters are more likely to succeed. 2. I got my orders in early. 1. Academics don't know what they're talking about. I can't wait to build my ship and sail away, but to do this sucessfully, I will probably have to spend a year or more studying the skills of shipcraft and survival. Those academics at TTT promise to be most helpful at accelerating the process. If the world is as cruel as the bluster in the TIMES suggests, I will probably hire a load of cannon-fodder to go with me on my travels, perhaps they can help carry the wood I use to build the ships, too. Until next month- TBF ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Where am I? last thing I remeber I was walking through the mountains .... now here I am in a city... everyone here has pointed ears...5000 silver...wow thats a lot of money...what to do what to do... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elmer Casey stepped out onto the broad avenues of the Atlantean metropolis. "Here it is, just like I pictured it," he said. In his hand he held a valise containing a green-tinged copper crucifix, a tattered book, and the hilt of a rusted and broken sword. His clothes were of black leather, of a ridiculous cut meant long ago to be suave and ostentatiously stylish. He was a handsome young man, but not perhaps as handsome as HE liked to think. As Elmer strolled awestruck through the great city's streets he passed a funeral procession leaving a business establishment. A small elf dressed in black took the opportunity to press a handbill into his hand. It read: Reid's Funeral Home Here at Reid's we aim to provide the finest in obsequies and decorous funeral arrangements for your departed loved ones and faction members. We are always on hand to provide the considerate service that is so often needed in your time of grief, and at reasonable rates. Whether your departed is best served by our economy funeral, costing only 10 silver (religious services not included), or by our highly extravagant (but tasteful) jumbo fantasmagoria burial or cremation, we at Reid's promise you the delicacy and consideration you have come to expect from Atlantis's premiere provider of mortuary services. So remember us in your time of need, or stop in to discuss prearrangements. xuequin@asb.com Elmer crumpled the paper and went on. As dusk fell he found himself on a deserted street. Suddenly five surly elves, looking about as tough as Hostess Twinkies, stepped out of the darkness. "Aw man, I knew we'd get busted," said one. "Relax and give him a beer," said another. And so it happened that Elmer fell in with the Quay Street Boys. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New faction to Monzon wishes to see the sights, meet up with interesting people, and forge new friendships. Contact John at "bk411@freenet.buffalo.edu" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Players! There is a creep who hangs out in Atlantis, demanding 1000 silver from the beginning players otherwise he'll kill you the minute you step out of Atlantis City. If his threats are idle, they are certainly not funny. If they are sincere, then this faction is, by all standards, sick and twisted and deserves to be eradicated from the face of Atlantis. After all, what's the fun of playing Atlantis, if you are killed on turn 2 by some bully? And a thousand silver? Why doesn't he just take our first-born? Don't pay him! Die and rejoin the following turn. If we all do that, the game administrator will get tired of resubmitting us to the game (hopefully, dear GM :) ), and decide that this creep is not only ruining our fun, but consuming his time. I say that you shouldn't pay the creep. I say we fight the bastard. Stay in Atlantis, study Observation and Stealth, pick up some weapons, some armor. And when we leave the city, we will crush him, and steal his Silver. As for you old-timers, have pity on the beginners. Remember when you first-stepped into the world of Atlantis? Come to our aid! Imagine the ignominy! Extortion in Atlantis City!? The offending thug's unit is a leader, number 856, but I have no idea what his faction is. If you know, let the beginners in on it, so at least we can be a bit equalizied. Let truth and justice shine forth in Atlantis City! Say no to the Extortionists! Simon, of the Stuttering Palm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sisters, are we ready? No, Elvira went out to find another meber for the circle. It seems that she has discovered that five is the ideal number for uor enchantments. did she say when she would be back? in a month a month?! well put out the fire, and lent me that book on life magic I want to look at it again.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elves scurry aside as a tornado touches down in the middle of atlantis city. A high pitched cackle can be heard over the wind. The tornado leaps back into the sky leaving behind a dark haired girl in a blue plaid dress. A small black dog leaps from her arms and starts barking at the elves who are gathering, They are silent as the girl speaks: "I don't think we're in Kansas any more Toto...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is hard to start your business, Combat or trade, this is here the question... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ragged-looking plainsman, his face weathered from many years farming the rough plains south of Komarken, donned his new crimson robe with pride and stepped out onto the city street, just as he had for the last month. Almost immediately, he knew something was wrong. Everyone seemed unnaturally happy! The Circus was doing their regular act, but seemed uninterested in extorting money. Old Edgar and Waynter, normally of icy countenance, were actually smiling as they watched. The Scum, normally such belligerent drunks, seemed transformed into happy drunks! The Workers Brigade were dancing with their brooms, and the new Thalian and his horde of high-elf followers seemed pleasantly amused, which for high elves was the very height of jollity! Otto was just a lackey, of course, not invested in the Great Mysteries of the Crimson Robes, but he knew sick when he saw it. The final straw was seeing Mayor Hatred himself walking down the street with a jaunty gate, singing some foolish song about the rain, with several of the city guards singing backup! Otto's heart froze. There was only one explanation, and it was a terrifying one indeed. The plague had struck. Komarken was infected by... The Good Times virus! Otto ran back inside, covering his eyes. Paranoia was the only defense! He would block his ears, cover his eyes, and pray to Goeff that no-one would find him in his darkened room, to read him the deadly Good Times Message. He prayed the outbreak would be brief, and the population would suffer no worse than awful hangovers. Ah, but these were dark times indeed! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chaos was everywhere. Ralf could hear it all around him. He heard the shouts and screams. He heard the hooves of horses beating all around him. He heard the roar of the fires. He heard laughter. The laughter is the sound that hurt the most. The savages who were destroying his home seemed to be enjoying themselves. That made Ralf angry, and for a moment he drew his sword and intended to go teach a few of them a lesson before he died. But Ralf knew better. He could not help his people, his mentor, right now. His only option was to flee. He slipped into the tent that was his master's and went straight toward the secret hiding place he knew existed. If he was lucky, the money would still be there, untouched by the savages outside. The money was there, and Ralf was relieved. He took all he could carry, which wasn't very much. He grabbed a few other items. Some warm clothes, a couple of spell books and some food. Ralf peeked out of the tent. What he saw made him frown. The savages where everywhere. There was no way he could escape. He sat down to think... It was dangerous, but he had no choice. He began to work the magic of the spell. The tent began to spin. Faster and faster it spun, and as it spun it faded out of existance. Ralf was nowhere. There was nothing around him, and lots of it. He stood there, or was he sitting, for what seemed like years. Nothing seemed to move, nothing changed. What had he done? Where was he? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The City Council of Monzon announces : ************************************** It's clear again in Monzon! The Circle of the Blue Mages (66) in combination with other magic oriented factions offers training for the various foundation skills in Monzon. Price: $75 / student and week ^^ reduced prices because of early spring :-) Also casting or selling of magical spells possible. High charges since all mages are very busy at this time... The Maurarhiannons (113) are still buying swords for $100 each. Further information concerning Monzon available: Information summary about Monzon and surrounding areas, send mail to: Circle of the Blue Mages (66), krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de subject containing "M.I.S." Monzon Register, send mail to: Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@eagle.sangamon.edu with subject line "MONZON REGISTER" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Actually, sir, the correct pronunciation is Bandwidth, with a 'd.'" Centre Denbigh was suprised. "Is it now? How's it that it is spoken without that valuable consonant?" "It's the City Guard here in Atlantis City, I think. For some obscure reason they seem to be trained specifically to speak with as conservative a use of letters as possible," said the Bandwidth who, in dropping off Denbigh's issue of the Times, had chosen to give him a lesson in pronunciation. Denbigh shook his head from side to side, remembering his dealings with the Constable last month concerning that "Fra'k'in bloke," and more recently the incident involving the two street urchins (2650 & 2652) in the care of M3 The Minnessota Managing and magic cooperation (452). 'Ah yes,' thought Denbigh, 'I wonder if I should file for a reward for reporting that.' The messenger continued, "They try sincerely hard to pronounce our title fully, but still that one 'd' escapes them, and so they say 'Bandwi`th.' Now, as many Atlanteans first learn of us right here in Atlantis City, often through discussions with the Guard who greet them upon arrival, the colloquiallism has become common enough to be heard even as far as west as Leighlin." The Bandwidth smiled at his well-travelled knowledge, "I've even heard that the people of Komarken use it as a literacy test. Those who mispronounce Bandwidth, and so demonstrate themselves to be immigrants, are refused the vote." The Centre was taken aback, "They vote in Komarken?" "Well no, not actually. But where the opinion of the average citizen is merely ignored, those who mispronounce Bandwidth are actively denied an opinion." A hint of indecision ran across his face. "Or so I've heard." "Interesting." The priest mused. "But here's an idea, arguably, within Atlantis City proper, Bandwi`th, minus the 'd,' being the accepted pronunciation, would be as correct a usage as Bandwidth, with the 'd,' is in the outer domains." "Well... I suppose so, but I'm not going to say that the local school teacher's wouldn't argue that point." Denbigh again shook his head. "Well, okay. Thanks for the chat. It does me good to learn. I hope I haven't kept you too long from your deliveries." "You're welcome." said the Bandwidth with a tip of his hat, "Always enjoy it. Don't worry, I'm running right on schedule." And with that, he was gone. "How DO they do that!" exclaimed the Centre to a passing pedestrian. He turned and returned to where he was having breakfast, opening the paper before him. He had to turn several pages before reading any news. "The tripe these newspaper columnists get away with... Ah, here we are," Denbigh said to the room around him, "an excerpt from the Komarken Tribune.... Nothing informative.... Still don't know who's running the show out there." "What's that father?" inquired Millie as she appeared in the doorway. "Oh, you're back." He sets down his paper. "Jennifer and Jessica have begun their journey safely?" "Yes," says the daughter, setting herself down next to him on the veranda bench, "although we all do wish you could have seen them off yourself." "I know. There is so much to do. I've still to prepare for your leaving next month, and Rachel after you. In fact, shouldn't you both be getting to work?" Millie groaned. "Rachel went early. I was..." "You were about to get going, yes I know. Come here." Millie approached to be embraced in a big bear hug. "Now get going, Mr. Pferd is probably waiting for you at the stables." "Yes, father." As Millie exited the room, her father retrieved the newspaper and returned to reading. After several minutes of page turning and close perusal he tossed it aside. "By Geoff, the gods are but toying with this world! Is Monzon the only jewel of hope in this otherwise war torn plane?" Monzon, Jennifer's destination, was in fact doing quite well. The Monzon movers, The Mall of Atlantis, and even the Crimson Crusaders, all spoke of this northerly city as paradise. Abernethy however, boded less fortunately for Jessica. In addition to their being a glut in the entertainment market (Denbigh still did not know what, if any, other markets this city had), it apparently had become the headquarters of an assassins' guild worthy of the Unreliable Source. Kashmar seemed to be in the calm before the storm, in anticipation of the coming spring, while Sledmere seemed to have settled into a state of calm corruption and eh, revolution. As for Stinchar: Romans... skeletons... the SPF! It was getting so that the powers in that one city were sufficient for all of Atlantis! [This fictoid brought to you by the Church of the Purple Snowflake (72) -- landt@acf4.nyu.edu] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE UNRELIABLE SOURCE The Unreliable Source is just taking a quick break from its sabbatical to report on some interesting news that has recently come to light. Sledmere (AP) - The Unreliable Source is investigating rumors that members of the Rescue Rangers (187) are blocking off units from entering many regions surrounding Sledmere. When contacted for comment, Monty, head of Rescue Rangers, replied, "I categorically deny being responsible. Not only have I never had any dealings with regions, I don't have a single man trained in Blocking." The Emperor, head of Imperium Australis (373) was not so unsure when he gave the scathing reply, "I should never have allied with those Rescue Fakers. They've gone and got me into two battles, which totally wiped out 5 of my units!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The mage meets Kil'tar at the gates of the city. "It's great to see you again old friend. How are our people doing outside the city?" Kil'tar smile and replies, "Very well. There were a couple of problems now and again, but they're a good group. The Smith has been invaluable in keeping the morale of the craftsmen high." "Good to hear." The mage continues, "Seeing that most of our money is tied up in that region, I'm going there personally. There is too much noise and distraction here for me to get much done. I will need your horse though." Kil'tar dismounts the black steed and hands the reins to the mage. "She knows the way back by heart," Kil'tar comments as he gently strokes the mare's neck. The mage nods. "I'm counting on it. Oh, the Council has voted that our work force in the city will be joining me in the next region shortly. It seems that the iron shortage is becoming an issue." "Sounds fine to me," Kil'tar replies. "I'll ensure they make it there swiftly. Have a good trip." The mage mounts the mare, and rides off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The last of the arctic winds blow tonight; they certainly bring good tidings. But for all their promises of hope, I cannot help but feel so very, very alone. The circle sphere has widened, we are no longer four, but many more. It offers a chance where there seemed to be none, but dare I take up the challenge? They look to us, the original ones as their salvation. What should happen if we fail? It is in this that maybe I shall find my redemption, for I was already condemned... ... from the journals of the Black Rose ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roy glanced at his calendar. He did a double take. "Zounds! No January this year?" He scratched his head. "That must have been some ale those travelling entertainers brewed up..." He sighed. No one ever said life in Atlantis would be easy. He took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air and looked out of his tent at the peaks above him. "Winter soon. If I don't get a move on I'll be trapped here and the survey will never get finished. A prospector's work is never done..." Without fuss he packed up his gear, saddled his horse and rode off into the mountains. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Polish Those Swords, Men... ________________________________ (Or yet another Wonderful day in the Life of the Legion) The Legate scanned the Times, alternately swearing and using his sword to hack the table into pieces. "Squire!" The Legate could no longer remember the names his squires, due to them being changed so often. "Yes, Sir." The latest in a long line of squires came running. "Send a messenger for Centurion Zack. I want him here, now." "He has just arrived, mylord." "Err...okay, send him in immediately." No sooner were the words said than the Centurion stepped in. "Ave, my Legate." "Ave." The Legate threw the Times at him. "What is this? Have we been fighting with the Grand Archibold?" "Yes, sir. An unfortunate mistake. They were guarding the area, and we happened to advance into it. Standard precaution you know." "And we lost?" "We lost 38 soldiers and 2 scouts who were dumb enough to be running around without avoiding, Sir. We killed 50 of their men. Besides, they had a mage with fireflash." "So I gather," the Legate grumbled ominously. "Where were you?" "Studying, as I have been ordered, Sir." "And?" "If you want, I can recite Sun-Tzu`s the art of War for you, Sir. Backwards." "Hmm." The Legate`s anger had cooled off, now that he had gotten an explanation, "Obviously I have to do everything myself. return to your unit." "Yes, Sir." Spring has come, and armies are once again on the march. The Republic will take control of thoselands they have claimed. Either your units leave them peacefully, or they leave this world forever. For those not in Republic claimed lands: I haven`t yet failed to answer a mail that was sent to me. We may be adept at making mincemeat of others (and ourselves) but we can be talked to. Ave, Legate Rayelin, Dragon Legions (93) Strategy@kom.auc.dk ******************************************************************************** The Forum Romanum is the official Atlantis Home Page of the Dragon Legions and the Republic of Rome. Please visit, and give me your opinions. Forum Romanum: http//www-i8.auc.dk/~strategy/Atlantis.html if you have anything that you would like to place in the Forum, (or Newbie /Experienced Player aids for the Hall of Records), then please contact me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mayor Hatred sat quietly at his desk. He was a troubled man. It seemed that his loyal subjects felt that they need not pay him taxes. "How dare they?!?!? I rescued them from that idiot they elected!" bellowed Hatred. "What must I do?" They all at once he began to get an idea. It would not be a popular idea and that made it even more apealing to him. Mayor Hatred sent for the Komarken City COuncil. When they arrived he filled them in on his plan. There was much laughter and many evil grins coming from the counselors. At least Hatred knew he had their full support. "Just wilt people of Komarken. Just you wait!", muttered Hatred to himself. -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up