Atlantis 2.0: Times 10 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Mon, 03 Apr 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times November, Year 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems, or to play. Well, the big day is next week! There will be no turn April 9th, as I'll be busy elsewhere. The next turn will probably be delayed until Monday, as well. Thanks for your patience. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) Guardsmen will now prevent units from going on guard in cities and towns. I'm asking that all units currently on guard in cities voluntarily take themselves off guard. If this doesn't happen, I'll have to force it, and I'll be unhappy. 2) The weather messages should be a little bit clearer. 3) Units will now work by default only if no orders are submitted for the entire faction. Additions This Turn: none. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Troops!" Melvin growled. "I need more troops!" He looked up from his map. "What have we got in the treasury, Abercrombe?" The wiry elf frowned for a moment, but soon brightened. "We are somewhat short of funds, I'm afraid," he replied cheerfully. "Perhaps you could ask your brother for some?" "My brother? Marvin? Hah!" Melvin scoffed. "If he ever has two silvers at the same time he thinks he's seeing double. And he probably is, the drunken sot!" Melvin suddenly looked suspicious. "He hasn't been by, has he?" "Not that I know of," Abercrombe replied. "That could explain the depleted funds...," Melvin continued without waiting for Abercrombe's response. "If you do see him" -- Melvin paused -- "lock him up. I will deal with him." Abercrombe nodded solemnly. "What other news?" "The troops have arrived at their new positions," Abercrombe responded. "It looks like there may be some resistance, but they should be able to handle it. And the southern scout has come to the ocean." "Good. See about raising some funds. Have the troops dig in. The scout should follow the coastline. And keep an eye out for Marvin." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snow started gently falling on the rude huts clustered in the Dezhou valleys southwest of Kashmar. The Captain rested comfortably in his chair by the fireplace. Though talk of war was everywhere, the winter snows had cooled hot tempers; it was starting to look like a negotiated settlement might come out of it. Or, if not, reflected the Captain, war could be manageable. Swordsmiths were churning out more weapons every day, and the once-green troops, now well-trained and seasoned in battle, would be more than a match for any aggressors. Tax money was rolling in and soon there would be more money than merchants to trade with. All in all, a good year, thought the Captain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wisdom from the desk of Tristam Anyone reading his own poetry in public should be shot, he may have other foul habits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TEAMSTER WAGONS ARE ROLLING! Wagons are rolling in Monzon - Place your orders NOW! Wagons are available in Monzon [12,12] and Carnforth [11,12] as you read this. Alternate delivery can be arranged - contact your sales-elf today. Horses are available to pull your new wagon as well. Please specify color. Several factions are already riding in style, why not you? Why walk when you can ride in style? SEAPOWER - THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE It is never to early to plan for the future. Your enemies and competitors will have ships. Do you want to be landlocked? Do you want to miss lucrative opportunities because you could not reach your objective in time? Of course not. Catch the wave - get a ship. The Longshore & Longer Reach, a subsidiary of The Maurarhiannons, will meet your shipping needs in Year 2 with a full line of the latest in hull design and trained crew. Place your orders now for the spring sailing season. Remember - A rising tide lifts all boats, and drowns those trapped without one! The Maurarhiannons - We are transport. SPECIAL NOTICE TO WINDOW SHOPPERS All are welcome to stop by our production facilities in Carnforth [11,12], Orrebygd [10,12], Orrebygd [10,14], and Orrebygd [12,13] and check out our goods. Potential shoppers are warned however that visitors who hide their faction number and / or fail to announce their presence and introduce themselves are likely to be mistaken for spies of the competition and ejected from this plain of existence. Do not make a tragic mistake. Personal property of transgressors will not be returned. Visitors who attempt to set up housekeeping for any purpose without our expressed permision will be prosecuted with extreme prejudice - no exceptions to this policy will or have been granted. We reserve the right to allow a grace period for visitors to come to their senses. ******* Gentlebeings: The above message has not been understood by some of you. In language less gentle: If you enter an area where Maurarhiannon units are on GUARD, send a message to matthew@clark.net and STATE YOUR BUSINESS. No party having stated peaceful intentions has been harrassed in any maner, several have become trading partners, others have just moved on. Those of you who read the atlantis players list have seen evidence of what can happen if your intentions are not peaceful or you are silent. Some factions have taken offense at this requirement, some politely, some in rather colorful language. We are a WAR/TRADE faction in every sense of the term. We will always discuss deals, problems, or other issues. We will defend the fruits of our endevours with force of arms, but would really rather talk. ******* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Great Muuf has gone totaly mad !!!!! Unprecedent change in the post of Minister of Foreing Affaires of Slunecni Zare occured last week. "Former minister Mr. Muuf is very tired due to the big amounts of good work he has done", explained King Chromic Acid. But numerous vitneses saw Great Muuf run in the street and shout meaningles words like "Z \equiv \int \[dh\] e^{-S[h]}". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boudiccea has learned a new spell. "Teleportation - a journey through the shadows - how wonderful." so she thinks. "This would mean, no pain anymore as if usual after riding the whole day long. Wonderful. This could shorten journeys. But what's this?" And she reads the little footnote (such a little footnote that it could be overseen easily): Attention, you will have no controll about the location where you will leave shadows. "How funny, that's like playing Russian Roulette. You start your journey in a peaceful place and maybe you end it in a place of war. Me thinks, I should study and reasearch how to control the point the journey will end." And so she does. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE UNRELIABLE SOURCE Kashmar (AP) - The onset of winter has caught a number of factions unprepared. Apparently the association of winter with the month of November in the northern hemisphere is a new concept for many faction leaders. The Unreliabel Source has uncovered information implicating Larson the Malificent, head of the Fryers Guild (76) with the rapid change in weather. When contacted for comment he replied, ""I categorically deny being responsible. Not only have I never had any dealings with meteorologists, I don't have a single man trained in Weather." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mutual of Atlantis regrets to announce that their popular wild animal show will not be able to perform in the forseeable future. Most of the entertainers and animal handlers were burned to a crisp while trying to capture a lion outside of Sledmere. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do NOT entertain a shaft. The money just disappears. Who knows what is really happening in there? As for the Welcoming Hand, You must leave our claimed forest and not enter again without requests. ***** 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With the first flake of snow the pillagers look up from their work with the torches. The cry goes up... "Oh S@#$&^^T!!!" Ok own up if this month you have pillaged a swamp, forest, tundra or mountain hex. he he he he..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A desperate plea.. A frail but beauteous lass addressed the Council of Elders.. 'My policy of appeasing the tyrant has lead us to the brink of war, forgive me.' sobbed Karen. ' A war that was inevitable.'soothed Elder Agnes 'The Evil One had to be confronted before he spreads his crooked creed through all Dezhou' ' Yes' agreed Ranolf ' His vile wickedness is a curse on the land. Honest men fear to walk his lands.' 'Yet no man is wholly Evil' suggested Kael 'perhaps there can still be peace between us, if he mends his ways.' 'Alas, it is too late.' sighed Agnes 'His demand that we abandon our western colonies cannot be met as ours is the just claim, by Right of First Possession' 'Has his greed and envy have no bounds!'stormed Elder Harien, thumping the table with his fist. 'Calm yourself brother. Remember your Vow of Meekness' ordered Agnes. 'Forgive me, but his provocations are intolerable - his endless extortions and murderous threats towards those innocent travellers who chance to stray apon his lands, his unreasonable demands and all his other unspeakable vices..' said Elder Harien ' He even suggested we attack our Eastern friends and steal their lands! - a thing forbidden by our Covenant' cried Ambassador Karen ' And his lying treachery ' added Ranolf 'we found nothing but ocean where he promised plain' 'He no doubt hoped we would divert our colonists, but will be sorely disappointed once he finds we have thwarted his invasion of the ones he meant to hide!' laughed Kael 'We shall vote!' announced Agnes 'A war of self-defence is allowed by our Covenant. If the Evil captain and his 'Free' Companions invades our haven of peace and plenty shall we fight?...' Scribe Perjorus of the Propaganda Section downed his quill and guzzled greedily from the flagon. 'A bit thick on the ole Good versus Evil' he thought cynically 'but it should keep Cleopatra's whip from my back.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ABSTAIN Press Release ---------------------- A recent article in the Atlantian Enquirer, placed the infamous Larson in the Komarken area and made him a member of the mighty ABSTAIN alliance. The ABSTAIN council wants it known that we refused to let Larson join the alliance; he was too friendly and kind (not to mention much too efficient) to fit in with the other members of ABSTAIN. In fact, having done away with the pitiful members of the ANL, our next target will be the group of, apparently, unallied factions that continue to plague the area of Komarken. On a related note, ABSTAIN claims the land bounded by the rectangle enclosed by the coordinates (25,2) and (32,14). Anyone found within this area without a permission slip will be executed. [Note: we don't do trials, it wouldn't be in keeping with our credo.] On an unrelated note. We wish to congratulate and welcome mayor Hatred and his council of vices to Komarken. As long as he remembers who the real power is in the Komarken area, we will get along just fine. For the Newbies out there- A.B.S.T.A.I.N., the Allinace for Brutal Subjugation, Torture And Intense Narcissism <avoid Komarken> [Faction 111 is not a member of this alliance either, he's not even in the Komarken area. Sark was a vicious, underhanded sneak from Atlantis 1.x, and while invited to join ABSTAIN has not seen fit to grace the Komarken area yet.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Four months of winter! Quit complaining and move to the frozen north where it is winter all year long! (Note: This message does not have the approval of the Komarken Chamber of Commerce, ANL, or ABSTAIN) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 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. 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 52,5 Great Muuf and his family (117) maxera@fzu.cz None 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. The Land Claims Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karamon watches carefully as the two factions fight... "Stupidity is the mark of those fighting in the cities with guards," the blind Paul says to his master, Karamon. "There might be something in them there woods, sire." another Meek Servant says. Karamon turns to the forest and says, "then lets be off!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now that winter is upon us, I've taken to a curiosity of matters outside my immediate sphere of influence. Abernethy is a poor town, surrounded by deserts and swamps, but those of us who live here manage to get along well with each other. I'd like to hear some news about Kashmar and Mozon. Hadrain T. McRoot, Mgc.D. Faction: Magos ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mikey was confused. He had reached the forest and now winter had set in. Not another unit in sight. A tattered copy of the Times blew by on the wind. Grasping it in his paw he read "Republic of Rome claims entire forest". "Well", he thought, "I wonder where they are". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Master of the Embroidered Foliage drank, belched, drank, and the Righteous Dog Woman spread out her skirts over the tree stump she sat on and grabbed the jug with a snort, and drank, belched, while the company around lay on their backs looking up at the stars, drunk, snoring like a company of pigs, drunk, and happy. "We live off the fat of the land," the Master said, and she replied, "Verily, sir, and our blood is bad gin. And the winter is cold but the gin is hot, by God! And these men are drunkards but they can fight like a dog shoved under my skirts, by God," and she slapped her knee with a meaty hand. "You are a wise woman, Righteous Dog Woman," the Master said, "And I am enjoying the life of a filthy trader to no end. In the spring I declare myself, and I call the wood and the beasts to my hand, but for now, here is to the winter of Monzon, more cold than the Demon Lord's back passage." Our Master raised his arms to the heavens and shook them with terrible strength, fell off his tree stump, and fell asleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, there wasn't much response to my last posting so I'm advertising again for those who missed it, distrusted it or simply ignored it. It seems that mages are generally secretive and wary folk. I don't blame you, spells are expensive and hard to come by. However, if enough people contribute to this service, our future costs will be reduced by being able to direct our studies effectively. I realise some people may be concerned about the reliability of this service. Well, like anything else in Atlantis (the mapping services, land registry service and so on), give it a whirl and see. I hope to provide a useful service, but you can always stop contributing if you feel you're not getting what you expected out of it. All it needs is a few people to get the ball rolling .... so now come on, don't be shy :-) ********************************************************************** * ATTENTION ALL SPELLCASTERS * ********************************************************************** Mages. Are you fed up with wondering what fields of magic to embark upon, how much research is needed for a particular spell, what spells are actually available ? Well I, Raindog The Venerable, announce the forthcoming publication of the Mages Information & Spells Tome (MIST). I propose to compile a list of all of the spells offered in the world of Atlantis and offer an information service to all those spellcasters needing to know where to direct their studies next. To do this I need your information (yes you at the back there too). Please mail me your spell descriptions with details of how many turns research was needed to gain the spell and what foundation it requires. In return I will send you a copy of the latest edition of MIST for your enlightenment. As we all gradually learn and expand our minds over the coming months, so the tome will grow and I will periodically publish updates for all those who have made contributions. I look forward to hearing from you all. If anyone else is currently offering a similar service, please let me know as I haven't been able to read one or two copies of the Times and I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes.... Regards Raindog The Venerable The Black Riders (17) martin@raindog.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Announcing a Cabinet Reshuffle in Slunecni Zare, King Chromic Acid is now The Minister of Foreign Relations. All Factions wishing to discuss Treaties, mutual defense, safe trade routes and emmigration please send emissaries and missives to pfleming@eros.otago.ac.nz Slunecni Zare claim and control these hexes... (50,6) (51,5) (51,6) (51,7) (52,5) (52,6) Trade and Magic factions are welcome to discuss their possible future within the Slunecni Zare Alliance. -King Chromic Acid For Slunecni Zare ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Les trois elfes s'ennuyaient ferme en regardant le petit village de tentes vaquer a ses occupations. Pour ces trois jeunes, le metier de soldat etait beaucoup plus qu'un moyen de quitter cette foret ennuyeuse. C'etait une vocation, un but dans la vie. Mais les ordres du chef avaient ete clairs : "Vous restez ici et vous signalez a nos allies toute tentative de penetration dans notre territoire". Quelle deception de devoir rester dans ce petit village d'artisans. Depuis maintenant trois mois, la seule activite sortant de l'ordinaire etait venue du passage d'un groupe de vachers partant vers les grandes plaines de l'ouest. C'etait tres maigre... Tout a coup, un jeune garcon accourut vers le petit groupe. "Vous etes appeles de toute urgence a Sledmere. Une bataille va avoir lieu". Le sang des elfes ne fit qu'un tour. Enfin, ils allaient pouvoir prouver leur valeur sur un champ de bataille. Leurs petites dagues aiguisees allaient enfin pouvoir verser le sang de l'ennemi. Ils prirent leurs paquetages et partirent en courant dans les bois vers la ville. La premiere bataille de Sledmere allait avoir lieu. L'histoire d'Atlantis allait se souvenir de ce jour comme du debut du plus grand carnage de l'histoire des play-by-mail :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, 3/31/95). We currently have mapping data on ~300 areas, with economic data on perhaps one hundred. INCLUDING A CONTINENT PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN. The CCC is now cooperating with the services of the Platinum Map. If you like the Platinum Map, you might like the additional service of the CCC, which adds a complied gazeteer of many of the regions mapped by the Platinum Mapping project. Write for info now. The CCC can currently be reached at "tim.hruby@his.com". Please include the prefix "CCC:" in your subject line. P.S., Sorry for the constant repetition (I've received a complaint), but the ad gets responses from new players every turn. I'll cut it back when/if the game is closed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As of this week the Collegium has 4 students. There is still room. If you are in Atlantis city and wish to learn construct please notify the Registrars Office A.S.A.P. The procedure is simple; give 60 silver pieces to Aelfstan (518), notify the college who is studying, and then proceed to study. Note to our present students; as this is the first session of the Collegium it is quite possible that there may be gliches in the system; if for some reason, you are affected by this glich please notify us. Oh and a warning to future students. Due to the risks inherent in the procedure, we cannot guarantee the teaching of New units. Any questions, complaints, or registration can be forwarded to the Collegium through the Registrar's Office at: jepether@flash.lakeheadu.ca Thank you; Aelfstan Galen Aidan The Faculty of the Collegium ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In response to those wonderful people who have asked about our sevices, we will be commencing business in the spring (approx four months time). Thankyou foryour patience! The Teeny Weeny Training Company. (217). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo o O O ACROBATTY'S SECRET o o --------------------- O O Acces de feignardise o o O OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo My master Acrobatty is feeling great, because his word "By Geoff!" is getting used by more and more writers. "That's because they think there is no pun - because nobody would re-use, let alone buy, one of my puns. Yet there is one of course..." I'm telling you where the pun is. Most French people think "Geoff" sounds like "Joff". And most French people know Asterix the Gaul. In truth I tell you : Acrobatty intended "By Geoff" to sound like "By Jove" ! "Alors comme ca", he told me, "je vends des poemes debiles et des proverbes affligeants, sans degoter un rond pour mes efformidables calembourdaines, au point que je me sens oblige de trouver des jeux de mots a-posteriori dans les quelques miettes qui passent a la posterite...". He was very upset. - Happy Pursday (229) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was the heat of the day and the shadowy figure was resting the horse. As the horse grazed, another messenger appeared and flew to the rider. Pecular creatures, these messengers. They were called BandWidths and they had the uncanny ability to find anyone, anywhere. A powerful skill if one could figure out how they did it. The BandWidth delivered the message. There were already a number of message sleeves littering the ground at the rider's feet. The first several were from beings who had the same name: Elric. Apparently there was some problem and they could not share the name. There, also, seemed to be only one funny green chair to go around. The last few messages were from non-Elrics concerned that all this traffic would exhaust the BandWidths. That last messenger did seem a little weary. This discussion about names was confusing to the rider. Few of the Shadows actually had personal names and all those names were unique. The rider looked at the collection of messages on the ground and shook its head. "What is a 'Melon bone', anyway?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pero como?! Todavia sigues en el juego? Es que no leiste mi articulo en el numero anterior del Times? Anda, coge el ultimo Times y vuelvetelo a leer. Y por favor, recapacita! Estas echando a perder tu vida... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PUBLIC HANOUNSMENT ON BEHALF OF Mr HAZZOOM Citizens and visitors to Abernethy. Thear has been a visious rumer put about that veriouse cliants at my house of hexotic delights have met huntimley deaths particulary at the hands and beneth the thighs hof Madam Sockscrotum and her assistants. I would like to state publickly that only one case of death and one minor dismemberment occured. One Jhoushua Ventpeople a respected Ork veterain of some advansed years unfortunatly met his demise whilst straped into Madam Sockscrotums jakuzy of terror. The unfortunate indevidual sufferd a massive stroke broght about from a overdose of pleasure, as he previously signed the usual distress and dismemberment wavor no blame legal or otherwise can be plased on myself or my staff. No comment can be made about the case of dismemberment to protect the identity of the dismemberd Ork as he/she/it wishes to remain hanonimouse. I assure the citizens of Abernethy that my Gentlemens house of exotic pleasurs is entirly safe and every step is taken to ensure our punters reseve the maximum in healthy pleasurable excersise. yours Org Azzoom proprietor ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To arms! To arms! A horde of criminals and assassins is coming from the city of Sledmere. Citizens of Mester be ready. Guards! Guards! The criminals seem to be aggressive intentions towards our peaceful city. We will not be slaves, we will fight. They are too many and too powerful. The Town offers 5000 silver coins to someone who defend it. At the moment we have 50 guards, but how much time they will resist? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lord Viper For God Hi I'm not a politican, but I play one on T.V., and I'm here to tell you that I'm supporting Lord Viper for God of all Atlantis, and so should you. Lord Viper stands for integrety, Cord Wiper stands for a shorter work week, Gourd Piper stands for er...ahm....well lots of stuff thats really cool! So don't forget to vote this saturday in your local town, city, or hamlet. A vote for Lord Diaper is a vote worth casting! Lord Viper for God! this message brought to you by the lord viper for god commitee, and the friends of the unreliable source. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As winter neared, I drew my cloak close about me and pondered anew the metaphysical question that had dogged me this past month as never before. "Why, O gods, canst there not be an ATL-ROLEPLAYING list separate and apart from an ATL-Q&A mailing list? Yea, my mailbox runneth over, and my signal-to-noise ratio hath been diminished beyond all measure." But concentrate as I might, my only reply was the hollow, mocking laughter of the gods of this land. As their cryptic "hallelujahgobble!" resonated in my mind, I pulled the cloak tighter and hoped for better tidings in the spring . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Living skeletons? Shooting firebals? Oh no.. no again.. No? They didn't shot any fireballs at all? What a shame.. Well, maybe then they won't be so hard to kill after all.. There's not even two dozens of them. What? That they fight better than normal troops and can ressurect themselves, that maybe they can be hit only by magic weapon made only by the very best weaponsmiths? You can't be serious about this. You have read too much ghost stories I'd say. I'm almost sure they can be defeated easily.. and if no, there's still a chance that our mages will find out a spell with which we can turn them against our enemies. MUHAHHHAAA.. they would be surprised wouldn't they? Eh? That I should watch out or I could be surprised myself, after they will route all my units? Ah.. maybe you're right after all.. I think we should move our mages into safer area at once. Yeah, I also hope it's not too late. I hope they will at last find some unguarded, unpillaged area.. What do you say? That I should continue dreaming? Well, I wanted to go to sleep anyway.. May the skeletons be with you, always... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I first met Mr. Lunchnick on a rainy afternoon when I was caught in a section of Atlantis City that I had not seen before, nor wish to see much again. I was clearly lost, having passed the last familiar landmark at least a half hour ago. With the rain growing steadily, I needed to find some shelter and information, and the only place that looked at all inviting was a saloon called "The Drowning Amputee". I say "inviting" only as a relative term; the surrounding shacks and abandoned buildings looked like they only invited trouble. At least there was a light in the "Amputee". Adjusting to the limited light, I found a seat at a small table and shook off my wet cloak. As far as I could tell, the place was deserted. The only sign of inhabitation was the corroded lamp sitting at the end of the bar. After I had waited for an uncomfortable lenght of time, I finally went up to the bar and rapped on it twice with my knuckle. Then from behind me the sound of someone clearing their throat caused me to start, and I turned around slowly. Sitting at the table next to mine was a slight figure, totally motionless. "You took a wrong turn back at Tanner's Street" the stranger stated flatly. "Go back and turn left. Three blocks south, and you'll see the archway leading to Market Street." "How do you know where I've been? Were you following me?" I was slowly checking to see that my coinpouch was still tucked under my belt. "No, but when someone dressed like you comes in here, it means they took a wrong turn back at Tanner's. Most of them don't ever find that out." To be continued... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** Monzon Bulletin #2 Published by the Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@sangamon.edu * Monzon Register Now Available by E-Mail The Monzon Register (a directory of information about the Monzon area, including economic data and descriptions of factions) is now available via e-mail. Send email to thayer@sangamon.edu with the subject line MONZON REGISTER And you will receive the most up to date copy of the Register via return mail. * New in the Register The register now includes a GIF image of a screenshot taken from Atlantis 2.0 TCL mapper. This image shows the Monzon environs as a graphical map. Also, there is a great deal of additional information over and beyond what was contained in versions that went out last week. * To contribute to the Monzon Register Factions desiring to contribute to the Register should send e-mail to thayer@sangamon.edu. We accept region or faction descriptions, land claims, and other relevant information. All correspondence is hand- processed (at current), so no particular format is required. * Old Man Winter to arrive in Monzon With the arrival of winter in Monzon, movement to and from the city will be effectively shut off to anyone traveling by foot. New factions arriving from Atlantis City are advised to buy horses there; horses are generally not available in the Monzon area. * 33 Reported Killed in Turf Battle The Maurarhiannons (113) have let it be known that they killed 33 members of Dendarin's Generic Manufacturing Co. (317) in a battle near Monzon city sometime in the last few months. Reports have it that Dendarin was fairly warned and then taken completely by surprise. Currently, Dendarin is said to be on the run, with a price on the head of all members of his faction. New factions in the area are advised to take especially seriously the Maurarhiannon's claim to regions (10,13) (10,14) (11,12) and (12,13). While the faction is apparently willing to tolerate small bands of passerby, failure to send prompt email to <matthew@clark.net> detailing your intentions results in your being put on an enemies list, asked politely to leave under threat of arbitrary sanctions, and being barred forever from Maurarhiannon territory. Furthermore, this faction has taken possession of the only two non-swamp non-forest non-sea regions within three hexes of Monzon, gaining a monopoly on horse production in the area and around $10,000 in taxable areas. While no agent of the Monzon Wood Exchange will ever again be venturing into this faction's territory, other factions would do well to consider faction 113 potentially THE most important faction in the Monzon area. * Business opportunity for Magic Factions The Monzon Wood Exchange is offering a new service tailored to the special needs of Magic factions. Magic factions face obstacles to earning their keep that trade factions like the MWE do not. Now, magic factions can expand their limited repertoire of money-making capabilities by depositing their excess cash with the Monzon Wood Exchange. The MWE is currently offering 15% interest per month on your deposit (Your money effectively doubles in five months). To earn $600 monthly, you need $7200 worth of laborers, but *only* $4000 on deposit with the MWE. Financial security is now within the reach of *starting* magic factions. * Earn Money / Protect the Environment! With the recent revelations that emissions from certain types of trees are helping to destroy the ozone layer, the Monzon Wood Exchange is proud to announce a new, environment-friendly, price structure for buying wood. We can now offer the following amounts to our contractors: Wood, in Monzon city: $44 per Wood, in other regions: $36 per (we then transport it into Monzon) Protect the environment and enrich yourselves! Cut down trees! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The nomad messenger gestured, moving his hands from his chest to his forehead, and backed out from the field tent. The two high-elven guards silently closed the flaps behind him and stood motionless to either side of the flaps. Excellent, thought Angmar. The Council will be pleased. Today he had made many friends among neighboring tribes and mystical brotherhoods. He had signed treaties with a number of powerful groups. It had been a good day. With the smoke from the cookfires tinging the air with a mettlic taste, Angmar sat at his desk, gestured and caused his desklamp to ignite. He unrolled the map of Monzon and vicinity and examined the various land claims and political divisions. "Max!" Angmar called. After a few seconds a frumpled high-elf in too big boots came stumbling in through the flaps and promptly tripped over his own feet in order to get a close-up view of the groung beneath the tent. "Mmmmph," Max said. "You called, your worship?" "Yes, Max. I want you to take this message to Dargmar; alert him that the explorations go as planned." "Yes, your mightiness," Max whined as he backed, less than gracefully out of the tent. Angmar turned from the commotion and opened his spellbook. There was still enough light for a little more study. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear fellow horse fanciers, The lab coat-clad management of Acme Labs (297) would like to reserve the plains in 53,3 as a private winter quarters. We will not prevent movement into or through this hex, but we will prevent taxation in December. The local hermit was kind enough to give a 4 month lease for a sack of cheap plastic beads and a few Spawn comics. If this changes anybody's local gravitational field, contact me at tajones@beagle.colorado.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CALL FOR IMMIGRANTS ------------------- a response to the outrageous tirade made by the cruel and heartless Newt Dingbats in last weeks Times ------------------- We need MORE immigrants streaming in over the Atlantis City borders AND WE NEED THEM NOW! Yes, that's right, we must sacrifice every last Silver piece we have in order to expand Aid to Families with Dependent Elves so that they can all have nice new shiny wagons in their two horse stables. Free Food Stamps! Free Section 8 Housing! Free Bi-Lingual Education! Free Clothes! Free Universal Health Care! Free Jobs! ...no wait... Free Jobs... that would mean they'd actually have to WORK for a living! No, that defeats the whole purpose. Harumph, er, well... back to my point... Who cares if they bring in all sorts of icky Elf diseases, and breed like Elves, and refuse to speak anything but Elvish, and commit all the high Stealth crimes in their burgeoning Elf-ghettos, huh? Who cares if our own people are unable to Recruit due to overcrowding? Who cares if our own citizens will go hungry this winter because there's not enough Tax revenue to go around? Well ...uh... not me! I'm livin' in Fat City here in das Kapital, oops, I mean The Capitol. And anyway, why do you think they call it a w_ELF_are state!? So there. McNuggets to you Newt. Nyah. Billary the Sophist Oligarch of W_elf_aretonia ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pincl met with the leader of the dwarves that afternoon. Some of the younger ones were very enthusiastic about joining his faction but now the real problems began: "You want how much compensation for each of your people!? The old dwarf, his beard sworled around his feet just smiled with that same calm unnerving expression and said nothing. By the look of things he had been in this position before "I am not trying to marry them! This isn't a dowry." Pincl exclaimed. But still he was met with silence. "I am not taking them against their will! They want to work with me..." he tried again but this time showing less conviction. And indeed he knew this dwarf had him at his mercy... his dreamer brother had already gone and spent a fair portion of the money they had. It was up to him to do something or their family's name would disappear from the world. His brother would be lucky to survive the winter, but then luck seemed to be what his brother had. "Please?" he tried meekly. The dwarf still didn't react. It was like he hadn't heard a word. Finally broken Pincl threw up his hands. "All right then... I will pay you 48 silver for each of your clan that comes and works for me," he said unhappily. The old dwarf just nodded and motioned. Some of the youngsters that had been watching scurried off to gather their equipment as Pincl dropped the bag of coin at the dwarf's feet and strode back to his horse. The whole way he could be heard mummbling curses not clearly audible. The old dwarf finally called out. "A pleasure doing business with you. If you should like to rethink that dowry offer I would point out that my daughter would never be so cheap as those unskilled whelps." Then he turned around chuckling to himself obviously amused for some odd reason. Pincl mounted up and returned to his camp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DO NOT TRUST THE MAURARHIANNONS! Despite my making every attempt to accomodate them, the Maurarhiannons treacherously attacked me. They apparently have no interest in peaceful coexistance with anyone, as clearly evidenced by their xenophobic stance. Do not deal with them -- they will cheat you for whatever slight advantage they can see. They are a threat to anyone in the Monzon area who desires peaceful development. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kind of interesting timing on the part of the so-called "Enlightened Ones", isn't it? They warn everyone to get out of Kashmar within the next four months, which just happens to be the four months of winter when no one can leave without a horse. Clever, huh? At least they were clever enough not to identify >which< set of "Enlightened Ones" they were, there being at least two factions laying claim to that title as of September. What's more, neither of the factions I know by that name had any units in Atlantis City in August (when I last had a trained observer there), and neither of these factions had any units in Kashmar as of October. (There >was< a leader calling himself "Enlightened Ones" in Atlantis City in September, but near as I could tell he had only two followers.) Make of all that what you will. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ iCon lo bonitas que eran antes las batallas, en campo abierto, los dos ejercitos uno frente a otro, las lineas dispuestas para el combate!. ?Por que entonces ese empeno por luchar en las ciudades, como ocurrio el mes pasado en Sledmere,donde lo unico que se consigue es que los guardias de la ciudad se metan por en medio, asi como los aliados de cada bando, convirtiendo lo que pudo se una hermosa gesta en una carniceria? `` `` o o ! ( ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ********************************************************** The Atlantis City Research Group is happy to provide the following information to all the AtlantIIeans : At last, our proud explorers found the answer to the crucial question : "Is our 'West-East Cylindrical World' also cylinder shaped in the reverse direction ?" Our fearless heros answered this question (just turning back !) and crossed the virtual 'X Zero Line' in the reverse way. And they passed through !!! Another triumph of the Science ! Moreover, in the last TIMES issue, Eai 'the plainsman' declared : "We are living on the edge !". He was, of course, speaking of the northern edge. As this fellow is not accredited by the ACRG, we must be very careful about those declarations. However, this information is interesting, end the fact will be checked out by our services. ********************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANARCHY THREATENING THE PROUD CITY OF KASHMAR To all you fellow citizens of our, this far, beautiful city: Dark times are ahead. An evil faction has gathered a pityful number of men and are planning to rule the city. This will be their grave, no doubt, should they attempt it. We will meet them with cold steel, sharp arrows, and fierce spells. If we all ally with our friends, the city guards, little will the evildoers achieve. So in our mutual interest, make faction 1 your ally, and join in the righteous slaughter of the devils servants! Should they attempt an attack at any other unit, they will thereby reveal themselves, thus reducing them to thin slices of certainly rotten meat in the next month. Alone we may have opinions, but united we are law. The Light in the Dark, alliance against "The Enlightened Ones". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Moz tried to filter through the tomes he had found in the Great Atlantis Library. What was useful what was not? His mind worked, pondered and found the immensity of the task overwhelming (almost). However now a goal was in site, to feed this nagging itch in the back of his brain he would study the mystic arts. While to feed his ambition, he would try to create an economic empire. What a dream... He knew then that he had to hire on some helpers or make some friends. There were signboards aplenty telling of friends and foes alike. Which way to turn? Well, close your eyes, turn around and start walking. It's hard to hire on good help in such a crowded city. But, as they say, it's hard to find good help anywhere these days... By the way, Where am I? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************************************** Has anyone notized, that there are a few factions, all based on the computer: mest.unizar.es Nej Nej Nej Nej Nej (235), iduran@mest.unizar.es The Evangelic Orden (238), macjaj@mest.unizar.es Los chicos de Edu (239), ecasas@mest.unizar.es Utopia (242), acratador@mest.unizar.es Prophet Followers (251), moustafa@mest.unizar.es Faction (305), supercoco@mest.unizar.es THE DARK EMPIRE (318), andres@mest.unizar.es Faction (324), odiloy@mest.unizar.es La Hermandad del Faraon Negro (325), jrazabal@mest.unizar.es Faction (335), pieter@mest.unizar.es Faction (344), oscar.rubio@mest.unizar.es Faction (395), unai@mest.unizar.es Los chicos de Mc William (429), luis.ines@mest.unizar.es Der Seher wacht! (big brother is watching you!) ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A new explosion of furry animals and puppets have just hit the streets of Atlantis. Kermit the frog, Leader of the Muppets, yesterday commented "It's not easy being green, especially in Atlantis". We were unable to get much more out of Kermit as a Pig riding a horse came and whisked him away screaming, "Kermie!!". Stay tuned for more information about this epidemic of stuffed toys! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I, Cendre de Sang-Dragon, Mighty Knight of the "Ordre du Temple", am mandated to announce the beginning of our quest: One night, our personal God appeared to us, giving us the message of our faith: << Go ! Take the cross and go deliver the tomb of Christ in Holy Land! Hunt the Infidels from Jerusalem ! Form the Holy Order of the Temple ! >> To follow our God's word, we immediately execute the last part of his command. We are now searching information about the forest of Jerusalem, were strange animals named Infidels could be found. Any information about a cross (surely a weapon of mighty power, needed to find cemeteries ), a guy named Christ (or at least his grave), or even some holy land should be reported to us. (We expected it might be an error somewhere, but until we find it, we will try to fulfilled our quest)... We declare not being hostile to any other Order (we understand each god could have one). Indeed, if anything can be done to help them, we could try. The faster every-one will have his personal quest fulfilled, the faster could we all go back to nap. For the moment, we excuse us if anyone should be disturbed by our soon recruited holy warriors, who will then explore every forest known, in search of Infidel's tracks... Cendre de Sang-Dragon, Chevalier du Tres Saint Ordre du Temple. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Would the owner of unit 2184 (10 high elves, NE of Stinchar) please contact Acme Labs (297) (tajones@beagle.colorado.edu). We have matters of some importance to discuss, with the aim of avoiding a great deal of blood-shed, and coming to an agreement to our mutual benifit. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Snow Leopard Clan is still collecting Faction Artwork and is still publishing color maps at the damp shallow cave of the Snow Leopard Clan located at: http://www.cet.co.jp/~anthonyc/homepage.htm Information published by the Land Registry will be added to the maps next week. Also a section with SAMPLE ORDERS will be added soon with special advice for Newbies. We will begin selling swords and chainmail to special customers starting December. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Your attention please: The town of Kashmar will be sacked in three turns. That is THREE turns from this week. We noticed that many people have not started moving out yet. We don't want to kill anybody without reason, but that much money is reason enough. So scram already. And yes, we know it is winter. That's not our problem.... See last month's TIMES for details. - The Enlightened Ones ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The great mage Petrosilius Zwackelmann looks up from his large pile of books. -- "Researching and Studying. Studying and Researching. I'll punish you, Hotzenplotz, I'll punish you." Some merchants turn their heads to Zwackelmann's terrifying cry. Then he sits down and hastily continues his search in the books. -- "Where is this beautiful spell to turn thiefs into frogs?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ODE TO BLUE SANDALS (unit 1437) Oh, Blue Sandals, I remember the time when your sandals were actually blue. I remember the silver buckle that fastened them, The strap that pulled them fast upon your feet. Oh, Blue Sandals, I recall your nearly stealthy footfalls, late at night. I recall where the delicate soles of your feet, touched bare leather, The hand that reached out for my purse. Oh, Blue Sandals, I mourn for you now, where your broken sandals touch broken feet. I mourn for your broken promises, and your limp and lifeless body, Diced, sliced, and discarded. Mark Keen ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***** NEWBIE STUDY AIDS Inc **** 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! You can have a copy for $40 by emailing rpeters@defenders.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Is not dead wich can Eternal lie Yet with stange Eons, even death may die So be careful of the great deadful Mages who lived near Sledemere The greats masters from Love and Craft, H.P. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I, Father Phineas, Grandmaster wizard, Guru of the People, Herald to the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM, hereby invite ye, nay comand ye faithless cowering mortals mired in earthly pursuits, to cast off the viels of this false reality and join with me Father Phineas (Grandmaster Wizard, Guru to the People, Herald to the Gods of FUNDALIGIONISM) in the newest and fastest growing religion to date (Well newest). FUNDALIGIONISM!! hallelujahgobble! Send me Father Phineas (You should know the title by now) all your money, possesions, Daughters, Tittles to all your properties and your first born son (Bargain!!). hallelujahgobble!! (Send me your cash). The first ten million converts recieve free Father Phineas signed photographs and holy bumper stickers for your mule!! hallelujahgobble!! Heed the words of the great Father Phineas (Bugger the Title). Measure not wealth in the silver you possess, but in the state of the soul........ SO SEND ME ALL YOUR MONEY!! You don't need it in Nirvarna anyway. hallelujahgobble!! Kill the heathens, send all your cash to me. hallelujahgobble!! Praise me! Praise me! Praise me! praise me! Praise me! Praise me! Praise me! Praise me! I am the Cosmic Overlord floating above the clouds, yay above the stars even. I am Father Phineas, Master of the Universe. Praise me! Praise me! hallelujahgobble!! Praise God (That's me). hallelujahgobble. This message was brought to you by Father Phineas in conjunction with The Holy Church of FUNDALIGIONISM. Hallelujahgobble!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This Faction (417) "Fantasy Figures" Has used names for its units so far from the works of M. Moorcock (e.g. Elric etc.) This is meant as a tribute to the author and his works, and is not designed to copy the names others have chosen. If this annoys them, then so be it. Not all our characters and units will be named after the Melnibonean World and its inhabitants, and we do not wish to cause trouble! Our default setting is friendly, and we hope it can stay that way ;-) Thanx much muchly! The Fantasy Figures... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ALERTE ! ALERTE ! Tolendar sentait une main lui serrer le coeur ! Une armee entiere de Centaures etait en train de les attaquer. Mais d'ou donc sortait-ils ? Il etait trop tard pour se poser la question. Flarmoth essayait deja de repousser la premier vague d'assaillants. Le desespoir se lisait dans ses yeux : ils etaient beuacoup trop nombreux. La derniere chose que vit Tolendar avant de succomber sous le nombre, etait son meilleur ami qui gisait a ses pieds, a moitie recouvert par le Centaure qu'il venait de passer au fil de son epee. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALERT ! ALERT ! Tolendar was feeling a hand breaking his heart. An army of Centaurs was attacking them. But from where did they come ? It was to late for asking this question . Flarmoth was still fighting against the first Centaurs. The despair might be read in his eyes : they were too much. The last thing that he saw, was his best friend lying near his feet, recovered by the Centaur which he has just killed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FlatLine and his traveling companions are preparing for the long cold winter as they make one more move before the hunker down for the winter! Faction 425 (The Grateful Dead) Scottm@cet.co.jp ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Komarken City (AP) The unreliable source brings you news this week of friendly mutant scum handing out candy apples and fairy floss to the good people of Komarken. Signs posted around the city square proclaim a "good will bonus" of 500 silver will be given to new factions entering Komarken. Well, folks, it certainly looks like the bad ol' days of Komarken are history. Mayor Hatred and his sinful counsellors have certainly cleaned up the place! Maybe Azzoom and the Turing Players had better consider moving to Komarken... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karthan stands at the edge of the great Atlantis City, after several months of trying to gather troops. It has been difficult to raise an army when there are so few recruits available. It appears that the time to leave the safe walls of Atlantis City is close at hand. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maas sat at a table in the front of a tavern with the fellow who had brought him in from the courtyard. The old figure had explained that he was the owner of this inn, and that it was one of the more noteworthy establishments in the city. This statement was confirmed by the variety of occupants that passed through the room: colorful, dandied men accompanied by elegantly dressed women, brazen, leather-clad men bearing arms, sailors who were already tipping flagons of ale, plus figures that shared the same odd features as the innkeeper. There were some bits of food on the table, remainders of the offerings which Maas had more than politely accepted from his host. "These things that you tell me cannot be true," Maas insisted. "The Order Ozric knows no uncharted lands or unsailed seas. If this city which you call Atlantis is as vast as you describe, then surely the Order is aware of its existence and has established a presence here. And yet you speak of the Land as if you are not a part of it. There is nowhere that is not part of the Land. I think you attempt to trick me, good innkeeper." "Upon my ancestors, I would do no such thing!", pleaded Willem, "It may be that these people which you describe may be found within the walls of fair Atlantis, for surely no man or elf could possibly know the full extent of the city--but as I breathe, I have never heard of the Order Ozric! And I know nothing of what land lies beyond these walls, for I am not the type to undertake adventures and have never dared to leave. It is said that the gates of the city allow exit only, that admission to the city is either by birth or by occult means which are beyond the understanding of simple minds. There are many tales of what lies beyond the walls, for there are many who _do_ arrive in Atlantis through these wondrous and extraordinary means. Their stories oft times leave little room for belief. As for myself, I have established a happy and fruitful life here in the city; I do not concern myself with such things. There will always be travelers and wayfarers who have need of my services, and I, Willem Paytersyn, will spend the rest of my golden years providing them. Maas studied the expression on his host's face, looking for any indication of deceit. This old creature was not a man, for one thing. He called himself an elf, which he described as one of a race of beings somewhat similar to and yet quite different from mankind. This elf had been quite hospitable, however, providing him with breakfast for which, as the innkeeper had put it, "I will be duly rewarded in time, for Good is done to those who do Good." "You speak of things magical," Maas continued, "as if there were powers that filled the very room in which we sit, yet surely you know that the only magic is that which is contained within the Ancient Artifacts? There are some few who, with the proper tomes and knowledge, might use the power of the Artifacts to enact certain ends, but one does not simply point one's finger and slay one's enemies!" "Do not disbelieve that which you simply have not seen, my friend," countered the elf. "There IS such power in Atlantis, and there are many who wield it. You yourself have already been touched by some of this power, as your presence here attests. You must understand--Atlantis is an unusual city. It does not exist within any land as such...it is the center of all places, or so I am told. But, you are a stranger here, and these matters are difficult for me to explain. There is one who I would have you meet who will tell you more. Come. Atlantis can also be a dangerous place, especially to those who operate without friends. I will take you to someone who will help you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Much time has passed since his last appearance in the world of Atlantis, and who knows perhaps by now a few of the unsuspecting ones would not remember the evil and carnage that had followed his last appearance. These silly humans they never understood, the evil had nothing to do with him, in fact he'd come to save their worthless scrawny lives and instead of thanks he only recieved hatred and mistrust. Oh well, he had come to expect that from people now, but well should they heed the warning for when the Dark One returns, who shall stand before him? Would these puny mortals pit their limited skills in the path of the destroyer, I think not and even if they did, would it do any good. It was up to him again, a loner in a galaxy full of people too self-centred and doubting to ever reach enlightenment, maybe he would lose this time, maybe his immortal existance would finally end, maybe he could finally rest in the Halls of the Dead Then again ...... maybe not ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jason y sus Argonautas tienen el placer de anunciar su vuelta al mundo de Atlantis tras un peque~o traspies en sus inicios. Somos una faccion con pretensiones comerciales y empezaremos nuestra labor explotando los bosques y monta~as de los alrededores de Sledmere. Siempre con una intencion pacifica y un ideal de servicio publico. Si alguien esta intere- sado en nuestros productos (arcos, ballestas, carros, madera, hierro y espadas) o en cualquier otro que podamos conseguirle que no dude en contactar con nues- tro representante en Sledmere Jason, o si lo prefiere en jason@piano.icm.uam.es Jason y sus Argonautas (464) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the Crimson Permanent Assurance Company sailed the lands of high finance in Atlantis, they realized that if they were to triumph against the bloated imperialist factions already there, they would have to acquire more accountants! Off they went to a place known as Atlantis City. Eric the gopher was elected to grab some elves, train them, and bring them back. Not being too excited about this job, he moped off. He easily found the Atlantean recruiting office, as it was the one with 50000000000(at least) factions waiting in the queue behind the door. After about 17 days, he finally reached the ordering window and placed his order. "All right, squire. 'Ere are your blokes! Now hand over da silver." Unfortunately, Eric realized that he had left the huge amount of silver that was found sitting on the Crimson Cruiser on the Crimson Cruiser! "Sir, I beg your apologies, but I have forgotten my assets merely one block away. If you would wait but a moment, I shall soon return with the cash." "Sorry, squire. Can't wait for no one round 'ere." "But, but...it's only a block away. It'll take only 5 minutes!" "Nope, sorry mate. No can do. Now scram!" So Eric the (now)Unhappy gopher had to return the the Cruiser empty-handed, with nothing to show for the month except 5 silver less for food (which is actually quite a deal for a shipload of old men!). Eric was quickly chopped up and eaten with a few french fries, a bit of stuffing. Such was the punishment of being a dumb-ass and not remembering to claim silver with the Crimson Permanent Assurance Company. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All day long Cilion wandered around the city of Atlantis looking for recruits, but it seems that finding recruits in this overpopulated city is impossible. Everywhere he looked he saw adventurers, mercenaries and merchants but not one elf to be recruited. The only person he found willing to join his company was an old friend Linta Macar whom he had adventured with before. Frustrated about the city he left Linta to train some skills and rode out of the city to find a better place for recruiting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hedrick and his faithful, albeit dense, horse Bimmie clinked and clopped noisily into the damp, black cavern. The descent down the shaft had been grueling enough; winching a pack-horse down a 30 foot shaft was not exactly easy! But with horse thieves still possibly on the loose, one couldn't be too careful. Now, Hedrick had to work his way into this forbidding cave to boot! He carefully extracted the makeshift tallow torch, lit it from the tinderbox, hefted it to look around... ...and found himself staring into the *ugliest* face he'd ever encountered! Hedrick jumped back a step, nearly dropping the torch and spooking Bimmie, who whinnied a loud protest. He gulped, staring around at the growing ring of hideous faces, mounted atop little hairy, stocky bodies. "Uhhh...err...hello. What..um, who are *YOU*?" Hedrick finally stuttered. The little munchkins stared at each other for a long moment, wrinkling their already absurdly wrinkled faces. Finally, one who seemed just slightly uglier than the rest blurted out, "Wye, we're 'under dwarfs, ye bricket bloke! Ware ya come from, annyway, and wye're ya so brickin tall? An' wot's dat BEEST?" At this the whole crowd of pungently scented dwarves gathered round, poking and pulling at Hedrick's clothes, evidently a novelty, and making ominous comments. "Ya tink e'se tasty? Gotta be better 'n dese maggots down 'ere." "Dis Beest, ya t'ink itsa big ol' Rat or summit?" "Who's dis boy t'ink 'e is, anyways, pokin' 'is 'ead in our 'ole like a batcher?" Boy, ol' Desmorandus would sure like *this* scene! His best scout and horse getting eaten by three-foot tall gremlins. What would Des' do in a situation like this? Finally inspiration hit. Hedrick shook off the groping fingers, pulled himself up to his full height, puffed out his chest, and announced in a booming voice, "I'll have you all know, once and for all: "I AM THE OVERDWARF!" Silence reigned. The little people looked at each other with disgusted expressions, and their leader finally piped up. "Well, that's it, then! You 'eard 'im, get da picks, it's diggin' time. Puddinpop, ya get da forge stoked up, eh? Reckon we gotta make da Boss some blades, eh?" Hedrick was a bit stunned that his ruse worked so well, but maybe that's why they were Under dwarves, after all. "So you guys can really dig iron AND make swords?" The leader's eyes twinkled slightly in the torchlight. "I 'magine after eight t'ousand years o' sperience, we kin forge a proper edge, eh? 'Course, 's been a while... "We may 'o gotten kinda RUSTY!! Har har heh heh heh.." Twenty hideous little dwarves collapsed in obnoxious peals of laughter, and the new Overdwarf turned away in disgust. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Big Jim looked over the battlefield. His forces had outnumbered the enemy over 20 to one, but still he felt lucky. He hadn't lost a single man. He didn't deserve it. His deployment allowed his opponents to form up and get ready of battle. It would have been much better if he could surprise his enemy. Big Jim hated war. He hated fighting. He hated losing even more. If he had to fight, he wasn't going to play by the rules. He wasn't there to be honorable. He was there to win. Nothing else mattered. He knew it was time to study the tactics of war. He just hoped he would know enough to get that all-important edge in the next battle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************** The City Council of Monzon announces : ************************************** Warning to all travelers to and from Monzon: Gibor spies (1524) and Gibor watchers (1525) of faction GIBOR (77) were caught attempting to steal in Monzon. Keep both eyes on your trade goods and money. GIBOR (77) will be banned from the city of Monzon! Further information concerning Monzon available: Information summary about Monzon and surrounding areas, contact Circle of the Blue Mages (66), krumm@informatik.tu-muenchen.de Monzon Register, contact Monzon Wood Exchange (289), thayer@eagle.sangamon.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLANNING TO VISIT GATEWAY CITIES Centre Denbigh cried today as he saw the children, energetic Jennifer, quiet Kacee, thoughtful Millie, wise Rachel, charismatic Andy, and lonely Jessica, preparing to leave. The God Geoff has informed the otherWorldly creator that the gateways of Atlantis City were soon to find a new constellation. For this reason, no further time could be wasted in the bliss of childhood. Denbigh secretly welcomed the coming of the bluish lunus, and with it the drawing out of the season, for in this time he would be able to make contact with the lords and leaders of the cities his children would soon visit, Abernathy, Komarken, Kashmar, Stinchar, Sledmere, and Monzon, and hopefully find for them some saftey of passage. The carrier pigeons set off. Six birds for six souls. Denbigh wiped the tears from his eyes, with a great hope in his heart. (Would the powers of these various lands please contact landt@acf4.nyu.edu ...concerning the safe passage of his units...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kil'tar approaches the mountain where the workers are busy freeing the iron ore from its subterranean home. "T'lan," Kil'tar's voice bellows, "come here for a moment." The elf, covered in dirt from the mining, presents himself to the respected leader. "Yes, m'lord." "I have taken your training request to the Council," Kil'tar begins, "and we will consider it. We understand your problems with the production schedule, and we'll probably be able to work out some sort of long range plan." "Thank you, m'lord," T'lan replies. Kil'tar continues, "Seeing that winter is almost upon us and I am the only one currently with a mount, I will be relaying information back and forth between this region and the council. I may be away for a month or two at a time. When I am not here, The Smith is in charge, understand?" "Yes, m'lord," the elf quickly replies. "You are to listen to his advice as if it came directly from the Council. He's not really happy being in a region such as this one, but we received a request for chainmail, and he's the only one with experience. I will talk to again in a few months." As Kil'tar completes his final words, the elf bows gracefully and returns to his workgroup in the mine. Kil'tar turns his horse around and begins to head back to the city. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seek and ye shall find. Ah yes, the parchment once again... Black Rose: Empower II Live and let live A philosophy With no place In this world. for though we build, strengthen and grow I feel their touch, of hands of darkness. And I see beyond My own darken petals I see a death in my own clan Falling, the joyous man. For he is WEAK, For he hearlds that ideal Within that soil, his seeds Will never take root and grow. I hope for his sake and soul That his end is quick The man has already found Some peace I cannot know. And until that time comes We'll build our foundation In the earth, soil, ground Of this forsaken world. You thought there was hope for the Rose... Now? You are not so sure, anymore... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: Who has all the answers? A: Not me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ War erupts in Stinchar! The Legate looked up from the map as the Centurion of the Gray Dragons entered the room. "What now, soldier? Shouldn`t you be already in position?" Slightly shaken by the gaze of the eyes that are turned his way, the Centurion mumbles something. "What?" "They wouldn`t allow us to enter." "Who?" "I don`t know, Sir. they had put up a big sign saying, no entry for soldiers." "And?" "So we turned around and came back." "You came back? they put up a sign, and you CAME BACK! WHY THE HELL DIDN`T YOU ADVANCE?" "You didn`t order me to do so, Sir." "Great! Great! Can`t you think for yourself, just for once?" The Legate snarled. "You`re demoted as of now. Bring me some messengers, now!" - - - - - - Much later, the Legate sits and pores over some maps. Information from allies and spies have streamed in, and now the identification of the ene- my is more or less certain. Even worse, it is proving to be a deliberately hostile move. The Legate likes it less for every passing minute. He barely looks up as Centurions file into the room. "We lost a scout, sir." "Hmm? How?" "He got slaughtered, sir. 16 living skeletons made mincemeat out of him." The legate frowned. A minor annoyance, but one that would have to be dealt with later. Now, it seemed, it was time for the time-honoured work of the WAR faction. To slaughter, or be slaughtered. "Gentlemen, you`ve all heard about the factions who`ve gone on guard within the boundaries of our Claimed Land. All evidence points toward it being a deliberate action. Furthermore, they've made no move to contact us in the time which has passed." "We must assumme then that it is war. In addition, they seem to be allied with our old `friends` the DPS. We could always wait for our reserve soldiers to come north, but I think not. If you risk nothing, you gain little. We will gamble on being the attackers. We will attack here and here!" The legate points on the map. "To your places, men, and may fortune be with us." "Yes, sir." The legate watches them leave and then begins strapping on his own armour and sword. Outside he can hear the tramp of marching feet. The earth *almost* :) shakes as 150 men march out to do battle. The legate savours the feeling. Nothing beats a good battle, apart from the sweet savour of a victorious one. - Cry Havoc and Let slip the Dogs of War! (The most dangerous thing on a battlefield is an officer with a map.) -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up