Atlantis 2.0: Times 8 From: Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Date: Sun, 19 Mar 1995 03:16:36 +0000 Atlantis 2.0 Times September, Year 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Game Master Notes: atlantis@rahul.net for information, problems, or to play. Next week's turn may be delayed to Monday, so don't panic if your report shows up a little late. I'm going to be awfully busy the next few weeks, so don't expect too much to get done on my end. I'll be out of town all this week at a conference. Then, I'm getting married on April 8th, so there will be no turn that week, and I'll be gone the rest of the week. After that, things should clear up a lot, and I'll finish up the remaining loose ends. Thanks for your patience. Bug Fixes This Turn: 1) Teaching gives a report of who was taught. 2) Leaders could not be transferred into leader units. 3) Non-combat ready units cannot be on guard. Additions This Turn: 1) Some more spells. 2) For those who are interested, Atlantis compiles about 10 times faster on a 66 Mhz Pentium running Linux than on a Mac SE/30. Surprisingly, the difference in running turns isn't near that when running the turns, due to the amount of disk I/O. By far the slowest part of running a turn is mailing the reports and times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Melvin strolled about the camp, breathing the brisk spring air. "What a difference a month makes," he thought. "From icy snow and wind to sunshine and clear whether." Melvin looked around consideringly. "The troops could actually move in this weather," he mused. "Abercrombe!" Melvin's bellow had barely faded from the air when he turned on his heels and had to sidestep the slight form of his lieutenant. Abercrombe quickly removed a finger from one of his pointed ears. "You called?" he asked mildly. Despite himself, Melvin was surprised. He recovered quickly, however, and hurried to cover his lapse: "Come with me." Melvin walked directly to the central building of his small compound and went inside. A large parchment was stretched out on a central table; Melvin and Abercrombe walked directly to it. "These men," Melvin announced, pointing to a symbol on the map. "I want them there," he said, moving his finger to a different spot. "And these and these are to follow," he added, pointing to other symbols. "What about the scouts?" Abercrombe asked, motioning towards other symbols on the parchment. "Let them continue," Melvin decided. "And make a note: the long-range scout gets a bonus when he comes in. I appreciate a soldier who's got brains enough to receive an embassy." Abercrombe nodded with a small smile, and Melvin looked intently for a moment at several recently drawn symbols on his map. "We shall see what we shall see," he muttered thoughtfully. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The areas southwest of Kashmar, including (1,18), (2,18), (1,19), (2,19), are claimed by the Free Companions. Uninvited intruders will be dealt with harshly. Traders and merchants, however, are welcome to settle in our lands, provided they give us advance notice of their arrival. Contact yaj@cc.gatech.edu for more information about the area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wisdom from the Desk of Tristam Laugh at yourself before anyone else gets a chance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TEAMSTER WAGONS ARE ROLLING! Wagons are rolling SW of Monzon - Place your orders NOW! Wagons are available in Carnforth [11,12] and Monzon [12,12] 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. 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 Carnforth [11,12] production facility and check out our goods. Potential shoppers are warned however that shoppers 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let me announce again that acces to Glomera (51,6), Rantlu (51,5) and (52,5) is forbidden according to laws of Slunecni Zare. Any criminal will be punished ! Great Muuf and is family (117) Minister of Foreing Affaires of Slunecni Zare maxera@fzu.cz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last month Boudiccea started a research on magic and now she discovers - Wow! - a spell. A spell of a fireflash - to dazzle enemies. "Very useful", so she thinks, " for a faction called TO HEAL THE SICK. First you can dazzle your enemy and then you can heal them. Perhaps I should have studied some other area. This system of magic is really difficult. Now I can do two things: either study another area of magic or ride again towards the fading sun." She's looking around and she sees that she isn't alone here anymore. "Ha, that's it, I talk to these people and then let's have a really nice party. I'm tired of all that lonesome travelling and studying." And so she does. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE UNRELIABLE SOURCE Atlantic City (AP) - Despite the elation exhibited by GIBOR, THE STRENGTH OF THE GODS and THE KNIGHTS OF NI, NI!, NI!, NI!, the Unreliable Source would like to point out that their victory over units 1197, et al, was due to the assistance of the City Guards (1) and not to any extraordinary efforts on their part. These factions are welcome to enter the real world and try to defeat other factions, but had best be prepared for defeat against a real opponent. Sark de Sombreville (111) and StormWatch (143), leaders of ABSTAIN and reported leaders of the forces around Komarken, were not available for comment. Atlantic City (AP) - The Unreliable Source is investigating several leads on how the deceased nomads of unit 1197, et al, entered Atlantic City. Despite repeated attempts at questioning the corpses with the help of skilled necromancers, no information has been attained. The relation of Lord Viper (217) and the Assassins Guild to the attack of unit 1197, et al, has not been confirmed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >From the Chronicles of the Black Company: Lions and tiger and bears, oh my. Lions casting fireballs? oh sh*beep*. Run away! Run away! The captain has been muttering about bugs again. Seems to think other people should be finding them. Half our inital silver gone in a blast of fire as 20 trained men fry, not to mention the 1000 silver that was lost and the 1000 silver that would have been made every turn from then on and the silver that that lost silver would have made. "Ah, well, Croaker," he says to me, "there's always the back up plan." "Eh? What back up plan?", I say cleverly. He smiles an evil smile, "Tell you yet, Croaker. Come on, Spring is here its time to move." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Hand of Darkness once again states our claim to the forest in (6,14). All factions entering this region are requested to state their business. Soon, all our forces will be here and we can begin the evil magic on the very trees. M onsters shall walk the earth and the forest shall become a dark place. Hand of Darkness g8512580@mcmaster.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A couple of men in the city of Komarken see an elf leading ten horses through the city streets. One says to the other, "Here is someone just looking for trouble. Lets give him some. Look at his fur-lined coat. He must belong to that same faction that Ulric stole horses from. I bet we can do the same." Forgetting that this was the middle of a respectable town, they walk over to the elf and draw their swords. Immediately the town guard walks over to the would-be muggers. "You two are under arrest." The guards put them in jail. Before the sun could set, they had been tried and found guilty. In the morning they were found hanging from the town's gallows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Encamped by the muddy roadside, the Meek Men are tired and morale is low. Paul, the blind one, creeps up to Karamon and whispers in his ear. The Servant of the Meekest of Men springs up and shouts, "where?!" A horn blows and the sound of scurrying meek men gathering their belongings could be heard a hex away! "Prepare for battle, men!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ahh .... What a beautiful morning; Spring is in the air. Temperatures should reach 40 C today. Got to tend the cactus. And ..., Oh! I forgot to see how the grad students have been coming along. It's been months since I've heard from them. I wonder how the experiments with the glass sphere have come. Hadrian ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overheard in a Monzon Inn. Your kin been raped again? They left you nothing to eat? Don't worry tell us who did it and we'll deal with them. Our rates are reasonable. What! They took all your silver as well? Well f*ck off and don't bother me. =-=-=- The Monnzon inter-Inn darts competition has been cancelled yet again after a certain faction of dwarves (you know who you are) broke Inn etiquete of no weapons allowed inside the pub. This team has now been disqualified from all further tournements after the panel of judges deemed that poison on the darts have no benificial effect on the game. Suspicions were raised when many of the contestants (mainly elfen) retired from the competition due to death. The ploy was finally detected when a dart from the dwarven team bounced off the board and hit a scorer. Collection for the scorers widow will be taken at the start of the new darts season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (UNS report) The Great Muuf, known previously only for bad spelling and a big family revealed yesterday the members of his alliance. King Chromic Acid 177 (177), Little Red Riding Hood (285), Great Muuf and his family (117) otherwise known as the Slunecni Zare alliance have claimed (51,5), (51,6), and (52,5). Rumors of a land bridge at (51,7) have been rampant in the Stinchar area and have yet to be denied in a UNS report by the Slunecni Zare. Reports that the Slunecni Zare have restricted travel in their territory have been confirmed. The Minister of Foreing Affaires of the Slunecni Zare has stated "it meens we want not anybody in our territory". In other news, the Stinchar Travel Agency office in Palmi has reopened for the summer tourist season and is offering travel packages to Hullevala (52,6). However, when it was pointed out that Hullevala was completely cut off by the Slumecni Zare, Jules Poinwa of the STA stated "well I guess our map is screwed up". Hullevala, known locally for as a resort town, is reported to be offering iron, herbs, and horses for sale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chronicles of the Black Riders : August, Year 1 Raindog looked up from his studies, distracted by a desperate hammering on the door. "Come". A rain-soaked, blooded and bedraggled orc staggered into the room. "Offish....sh#t!, what...what is it ?" "Vikings...many men waiting....stood no chance....much death, no honour. We fight for all we worth but em kill us all. Rolling Bones all dead 'cept Offish. Seymour die with horned helm in head, scouts an spies run like scum they are. All lost....." Raindog sighed. This was not what he needed right now. He wanted some peace and quiet to study. "But I thought I told you to keep yourselves to yourselves and not start any trouble. What happened ?" Offish blushed, well in as much as orcs ever blush, and shuffled nervously his head hung in shame. "Offish ??" Offish shifted from foot to foot, obviously thinking of making a break for it but unsure what new spells Raindog had learnt while he had been away. "Urm ... us needed food and water and went to village. But lots of pretty pretty things and foul humans and, erm, some us go bit mad and try to take. Then mad vikings come say these things thems, but them not cos they just there doing what we doing. Then Argful take swing at viking cos viking say sumthin bout mother of Argful and say she sleeps with" "STOP !! I've heard enough. Get out in that street. Take this money. Round up some of your hopeless brethren. All I need to know is who was in charge of these vikings ?" "Erm, me not know...but they say Argful sleep with ..." "GO ! .... NOW !" Offish shuffled from the room and Raindog sat head in hands desperately rueing the resources at his disposal. "Orcs orcs orcs ....give me some reliable soldiers. Something .... anything !" Raindog scrawled on some parchment, put on his battered cloak and made for Abernethy's town square and bulletin board. He pinned up the announcement and retired to the Mad Scumbag to get completely and utterly bladdered. The announcement read : **************************************************************************** * TO THOSE WHO IT MAY CONCERN : * * I RAINDOG THE VENERABLE DO HEREBY APOLOGISE FOR THE UNSAVOURY BEHAVIOUR * * OF CERTAIN ORCISH UNITS IN MY SUPPOSED COMMAND. WOULD THE OWNER OF THE * * VIKING MILITIA PLEASE GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS A MORE PEACEFUL FUTURE * * IN THE ABERNETHY AREA, IN THE HOPE THAT WE CAN AVOID A REPETITION OF * * THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT. PLEASE CONTACT : martin@raindog.demon.co.uk * **************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, 3/17/95). We currently have mapping data on over 200 areas, with economic data on perhaps seventy. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ READ NO FURTHER UNLESS YOU ARE COURAGEOUS, INTELLIGENT, AND CREATIVE!! If you are still reading this, then you have all the attributes to make a successful mage...but one. That one necessary attribute is learning. For a limited time the Hermetic Order is receiving apprentices. The mysteries of Ethereal magick, Body magick and Enchantment will be taught and for a reasonable apprenticeship fee (60 silver a week per student). If you are interested respond to "jepether@flash.lakeheadu.ca" The masters of the Hermetic Order Aelfstan Aidan Galan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "OH, MUST YOU, DEAR?" The God sighed as his bored Goddess began to berate him about playing games again... "But you know I have to provide guidance to my faction!" he replied, "If I didn't they'd just sit around doing nothing or worse still do manual labour! If I ever want to achieve power on this world, I must guide my followers to greatness, not poverty! You know how fussy mortals are!" She stood there with that look on her face, and then slowly - ever so slowly, she put her hands on her hips. "Oh Bugger!" mumbled the God. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Weather is Stormy. It will be Stormy next month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Finally I've gotten some units out of atlantis city. and some support from allies too. now to set up shop somewhere and make some horseless wagons. lookout world here we come... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo o O O ABOUT PRIVACY (2) o o --------------------- O O A continued chronicle o o O OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo Last month I raised this grave issue : WHY DON'T SHIPS OFFER PRIVACY TO THEIR OCCUPANTS ? WHY CAN'T YOU HIDE IN A BOAT ? I tell you : that's because of those filthy, evil, and even worse %$&#@$*@ ..Oooops! Sorry, I shouldn't swear in the Atlantis Times. I was told this is Bad Manners. Yet, I think written oaths are not as bad as spoken ones. Frankly, does reading "%$&#@$*@" really shock your eyes ? Of coarse it is bad English because it is not in the dictionnary, but neither is "pitaind'crenomdebleu" and you couldn't regard that as a swearword. Now you should frown. You should ask yourself, "Can Acrobatty write 'swearword' without noticing that it is an anagram of 'wear sword' ???". You're wrong. I noticed it but kept it a secret until a friend of mine wrote it in the Times. NOW, I can swear you I'm really the oathor of this pun. ..Oooops! Sorry, I shouldn't swear in the Times... - Acrobatty the Rigolo (229) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The shadowy figure watched as the mutant scum advanced down the land bridge. There was no place to go. The rider had picked the wrong direction and was again blocked by ocean. The mutants had caught up quickly. They had crossed the land bridge in half the time the rider required. How had they traversed the bridge so quickly? The rider observed the path of the mutants. They avoided all of the dead ends and false paths which had been so time consuming even with a horse. The path chosen was very deliberate. As the rider watched, recognition set in. "They're following MY map!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ya lo comente una vez, pero voy a volver a hacerlo: se ha fijado alguien en la situacion que existe en Atlantis? Detras de cada grupo de campesinos, un punado de payasos solicitandoles alguna moneda que llevar arrastrando hasta su senor... Es lamentable, pero cierto, que en la propia ciudad de Atlantis hay ya mas entretenedores que campesionos nativos de la zona ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Greetings gentlmen As Mr Hassoom's hout and about at the moment, ees left me Boris his trusted assistant in charge of is gentlmen's club of hexotik pleasures. So if yew want a good old time come on dawn and party wiv the girls. I garentee satisfaction for a reasonable price. Just ask for Boris. Oh and no messing about OR ELSE. Boris ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Livet Charinus, rumpitur, furit, plorat et quaerit altos unde pendeat ramos: non iam quod orbe cantor et legor toto, nec umbilicis quod decorus et cedro spargor per omnes Roma quas tenet gentes: sed quod sub urbe rus habemus aestivum vehimur que mulis non ut ante cooductis. quid inprecabor, o Severe, liventi? hoc opto: mulas habeat et suburbanum MARCIAL (Bring to you by Moustafa the prophet unit 844) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arnulf furtively darted into the open door of the pub, glancing about as he did. Working for the Cardinal hadn't been so bad, at least until the choirmaster started muttering about needing a new castrati. Arnulf had sneaked out of the mansion and promptly lost himself in an alley. Lost himself too well it seemed, since he had no idea where he was now. He'd walked through a doorway and suddenly found himself in a crowded street in a sunlit city. Talking to passersby, he'd found that the city was called "Atlantis" as was the world surrounding it. Even more curiously, he'd seemed to have somehow acquired a considerable amount of silver in the process too. After resisting the propositions of several furtive looking men with pointy ears, Arnulf had decided to hide out in this public house. A quick scan of the room showed that the only place to sit was with a table of three men. Sitting down hurriedly, Arnulf tried to look like he was part of the group. Arnulf quickly appraised his newfound companions. One was a big, burly barbarian type who looked quite windburnt. The second was an intelligent looking sort, at least if you ignored his obsession with this gloves. The third man was even more unusual, seeing as how he was staring at and talking to a broom propped against the table. All together though, the group seemed rather downcast. "Why so glum," Arnulf asked. The big barbarian looked up from his green ale, "Our alma mater is closing." He then buried his head in his arms and started to sob. "Never mind Gunnar here", the man with the gloves said. "We're all really depressed that Nor'West College will shut down after this coming month. Why, Niall here started talking to his broom and hasn't said anything intelligent since he heard the news." A quick glance at Niall confirmed that he was indeed having a spirited discussion with the broom on the artistic merits of "Gummi Bears" versus "The Smurfs". Even worse, it appeared that he was losing the argument. "Hmmm, curious," thought Arnulf. "I'm Aidan," the man said. "If you're new here in town, you really should consider registering in the last month of classes for Nor'West College. Why Gunnar here learned everything he knows about WEAPONSMITHing from them. And I learned COMBAT and TACTICS. Niall here took a course in HERB LORE, but I think the stress was too great. They also have courses in ARMORER, ENTERTAIN, HUNTING, OBSERVATION, and STEALTH." "Well, that all sounds very interesting. But how do I get information?" "Well," Aidan replied, "just mail to <john.petherick@lakeheadu.ca> for tuition and registration information. Looking at you, you seem like the furtive sneaky type. I'd suggest a course in stealth." "Thanks a lot, old man, I'll get right on that. I'd really like to study some of those other things, though." "Well, rumours are that Nor'West College might relocate somewhere outside the City. That wouldn't be for a while, however." Arnulf skulked out the door, already practicing his stealthiness. "Nice kid," came a mutter from the bearded face of Gunnar. "It's good to youngsters respect their elders that way." (REGISTRARS NOTE: Yes, it's really true. Nor'West College will be closing it's doors after the month of September due to the Registrar going on vacation. Look for our ads in the future.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY AT THE ORC BOWEL BOWEL BOWEL BOWEL MONSTER LONGBOAT RALLY!!!!!!!!! Starring the one the only BIG OAR!!!!!!!!! <sfx of huge splash> watch as he turns the competition into kindling! Simultaneously jumping, not 5 (that'd be ok) not 10 (that'd be neat), not 20 (that'd be way cool), but 25, thats right 25 SEA ELVES lined up head to TOE TOE TOE TOE Family entertainment provided by Vorpal the Clown, the clown with a cutting edge sense of humor. listen to this review "Snickerty Snack HAH; everytimes I's hear's it, I's laugh." Gruntnor Also something special for Dad, Yolanda and her trained thighs!!! XXXXXXXTo sultry for wordsXXXXXXX and we didn't forget Mom. Introducing, Sir Hunk-a-lot, wait till you see his ...er...well...ya' get the idea. So come young, old; high born and peasant, to the one the only MONSTER LONG BOAT RALLY held over for three consecutive hours at the ORC BOWEL. This message brought to you by Crazy Orlando's ENTERTAINMENT OUTLET, in no way affiliated with Crazy Orlando's SPELL OUTLET, unless thats a good thing in which case we are. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vlad emerged at the edge of forest.. Nobody seemed to live here, no adventurers, no vikings, plainsmen.. Hmm.. what was that there? Yea, behind THAT -> tree. "Damn, elves. One would say wooden. *sigh* Well, I hope they will keep to themselves and make no troubles. After all that problems I had since I was banished from Tarlan I deserve a bit of peaceful land. Hopefully nobody will care to make any objections if I will claim land around here. Well, it's not worth a scrap I'd feed my dog with on my lost estates on Tarlan but one has to take what is there." He looked around and sighed once more.. "So back to work. How I do hate it." He stoped a bit and thought for a while.. "Hmm, maybe I'd contact also master of those people I met on my way here. I think they had some W on their dresses. Well I should try to find out whom are they working for." Vlad shruged and disappeared in the forest once again. (If anybody has some objections to my claim of 50,2 and 50,1 please let me know on address fedacko@frode.dcit.cz. I'd be happy if owner of unit W (#1802 ) would contact me.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As many of you have noticed or experienced first-hand, formatting your orders is a crucial part of the game. I joined the game on turn 4, at which time all it took was a quick review of the Times to see that many people had already gone through turns where nothing happened due to errors in their orders. Some people have devised format checking programs to solve this problem, but somehow that seems to me to be a non-ideal solution. For myself, I've issued four sets of orders, and none of them have executed completely due to different errors (some mistakes on my part, some simple typos). I'd like to take a survey of the number of turns everyone has played, along with the number of sets of orders that failed partially or completely. It will be interesting to see if this is just a small but vocal group that's having trouble, or if it is a more general phenomenon. If you care to take part, send the following info to leete@slack.med.upenn.edu: 1) total turns played 2) # turns where part of your orders succeeded 3) # turns where none of your orders succeeded 4) did you play Atlantis 1? Don't count not being able to buy something due to lack of supply or not beign able to move due to weather as failed orders. Thanks, Tom Faction 277 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** MONZON WOOD EXCHANGE ** We are preempting our usual commercial message in order to address recent rumors that a band of angry treants is roaming the woods near Monzon, stalking, killing, roasting, and eating anyone they find with wood in their possession. Wood is in short supply in Monzon, except for in the official city markets, where the city continues to reap an enormous profit by selling the wood that grows so freely only an arrow's cast from the city gates at $72 per. The lack of wood flowing into Monzon from the surrounding forests would certainly seem to confirm that few, if any, of the local lumberjacks can muster the courage to venture into the thick forests that surround Monzon. While there have been no confirmed sightings of these angry treants at this time, and no survivors of their depredations exist to provide first hand accounts of their savagery, the Monzon Wood Exchange continues to instigate these rumors in hopes of finding a few hardy souls, who, perhaps titillated by the real or imagined danger of these vicious treants, will adventure forth into the dark, foreboding Monzon woods and return with evidence of their conquest. To further encourage adventurers to take up the challenge and seek out these foul treants, the Monzon Wood Exchange is willing to offer a $36 bounty for each and every treant body brought back to Monzon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stifling a yawn, Angmar stretched his mind out into the deepening Atlantis evening. He could sense the mass of people in the city, dreaming their safe and hopeful dreams, thinking their safe and hopeful thoughts. He knew them all and knew who and what they were. His powers were slowly returning. Absently, he glanced at the candles in the corner, causing them to ignite with flame. Walking to his desk, he grasped the wilting rosebud, carressing the bud and muttering in an arcane language until the rose was once again in full bloom. Soon, he thought. Soon indeed. Already those who would follow or join with the Council of Ancients were growing. He would send out the forward parties this month, while summer still showed its promise of good weather. Later, he and the servants would follow. Just then, Dargmar walked, or rather, flowed into the room. "Where have you been?," Angmar queried, "tis nearly past seven?" "I ran into a problem with a pesty guard who kept askin' too many questions," Dargmar responded. "And?," Angmar asked. "What did you find out?" "Seems the rumors were true. Many of the folks who left these parts were friendly explorers and merchants, merely lookin' to make a buck. If we let these folk know that our only intentions are peaceful exploration of the land, there are those who will lend us aid or, at least, not bar our way. However, there are poachers and vermin who lay claim to land and attack all who enter. We must be ready to defend ourselves and squash these vermin." "Then let all know that the Council of Ancients will attack no one without provocation. However, since you say we must be ready to squash them if we are provoked...," Angmar gleamed. With a flourish of his hand, a large globe of fire streaked into the sky. "Alert the Council's servants. I believe we are ready." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Correction Notice: ----------------- The full color, glossy ads appearing in last weeks Sunday Times for Muufy World-Family Entertainment Paradise is in error. The 300 acre comlex of theme rides, carnival games and pit bull fighting located in 54,13 does not exist. A spokesman for Muufy, Inc. pointed out this error by noting that "there's nothing down there. Give it up! Go back to you hovels and start studying up on slave labor, er, knitting, rather." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jancl set out from Atlantis City for Monzon. The ride to the gate seemed to take forever to pass thorugh the throng of inhabitants. He drifted off into thought... Damn his brother anyway! Couldn't he see that knowledge was the key. Why should he have to interrupt his studies now... he was so close. The outside world would wait. But here he was on a horse headed for who knows what. It was just as well, the money his brother had left was almost gone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ City and Town populations: # Surveyed Mean Pop. Variance ---------- --------- -------- City 9 2135 420 Town 7 1200 203 Each area has a definite economic index (EI). For cities and towns, the distribution in surveyed areas is: City: 44% $7, 11% $6, 44% $5 Town: 14% $7, 43% $6, 43% $5 The EI distribution for other types of areas was given in last month's Times article. Most economic data for a region is determined by the EI and the population: Tax $ = Pop. X EI ($0 for pillaged regions) Wages $ = $10 + EI ($9 for pillaged regions) Entertainment $ = Pop. X EI / 20 ($0 for pillaged regions) # of People For Sale = Pop./10 # of Leaders For Sale = Pop./50 $ Cost/ person = $40 + 4 X EI $ Cost/ Leader = $80 + 8 X EI Data from CCC. Analysis by Dendarin's Generic Manufacturing Co. (317) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Falocrata the bonecrusher, king of the Dark Empire has thought about this adventure in a new, unkown aand dangerous world of Atlantis, after deliver about all risk that are expecting you has decided to send me to tell you this message: "I, Falocrata, as unique King and ruler of the Dark Empire have decided to pass over the ancient rules that our Empire follows. Those rules was wrote in the morning of the First Day of Our world. I will make you an offer to get proud of belonging to our people. This is your first and last chance ! Nobody until now had so proud and big oportunity, only Aragorn, owner of Isuldur, the sword was prized with that honour, and just after scaping of Death in no-named dangers as an ally of the Dark Empire by his own way. And now, you, poor mortal, you can enjoy the power of The Dark Empire, and you have to count with that: -You don't have to resign of your faith -You will not be under a despotic and continuous duty of obeyance. -You are free to move and do whatever you want. -Your mind and knowledge will be your leader, but..... This will be obeyed over everything: When "El gran Concilio" is coming, you will came to my call, you will leave everything that you are doing or going to do and you will asist to the Concilio. "El Concilio" is required only in extreme situations, when the Empire can be damaged (not extinguished, that's imposible), so you'll be free during long time. Send messengers with your answer before of the first days of the next summer. This is your last chance of belonging The Dark Empire. But remember that: even if you, young and inexpert men decide to deny such magna proposal, I won't get angry with you or take revenge, cause Revenge or furious are out of the Dark Empire, but Peace and Happines. My future eye is seeing the war times are near, slowly but firmly, and one day you will awake in the middle of the Battlefield without knowing how, when, or why you are there, you will feel sad and weak and then just one idea will be on your mind...The Dark Empire, but it will be busy on defending his friends..... Falocrata the Bonecrusher, king of the Dark Empire c c c \__|__/ FALOCRATA // - - \\ "THE BONECRUSHER" //| o o |\\ ================================= <| d |> | A small branch will broke just| \ `-` / | even looking it, ten branches | Andres@mest.unizar.es `-Y-` | will break after an amount of | | | | strength, one millar never | | breaks. | ================================= ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Come see the Turing Players in "Intrigue and Innuendo", now playing their last month at the Atlantis City Playhouse Theater! This may be your last chance to experience quality entertainment before Atlantis City is fully abandoned to the hurdy-gurdy and the burlesque show. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Meek <Singalong> Howdie's GRAND TOUR! COOL! SLICK! A MUST GO! BENEVOLENT! WOW! ANNOUNCING a grand tour of the WORLD! Meek has decided to enlighten the culturelacking babarians, orcs, vikings and whatnots of the world with his melodious melodies and singable songs. So Meek might come to YOUR area, with unforgettable hits of his like "You still remind me of a dying trout", "Nights in white cotton" and "Love is like an oxen cart". Don't miss out on this, you never might hear something like Meek again! ENJOY! APPLAUD! NOVEGETABLESMAYBEBROUGHTTOCONCERTS! ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OOOOO N N SSSSS AAAAA L EEEEE O O NN N S A A L E O O N N N SSSSS AAAAA L EEE O O N NN S A A L E OOOOO N N SSSSS A A LLLLL EEEEE For ridiculous prices, in the beautiful city of Eskerfan (6,17), just 2 hexagons west of Abernethy (8,17), one of the starting place in Atlantis, all you need or will need. YOU, young beginners, with all the difficulties to buy a small armed troop in Atlantis city, or in one of the overcrowded cities of depart: Abernethy, Kashmar, Stinchar, or even worse, the traffic-jammed cities of Komarken, Sledmere, or Monzon. WHY don't you come by US ??? -> High elves at only $30. -> All the swords you want for only $50 !!!! -> Armors ? from $100 to $700 (Special Magic Armor). -> Horses, you want horses ? ONLY $80 !!! -> Even the leaders are cheaper by us ($100). -> All you need for a finely equipped army ! All of them patiently collected or produced, since 6 months, by the Merchant's Guild. Why do you wait ???????? In one month, you are by us. We ARE waiting for you . We NEED you for commerce . The Merchants' Guild . DON'T STAY ANY LONGER IN ATLANTIS-CITY THE OVERPOPULATED, JOIN US !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Knowleswright was fuming. "Sure, the scribe got the orders right this time, but those stupid trainees. They got lost on the way to their new unit. Can't trust them on their own yet." He stomped his way back to the inn. He had to search for them almost everywhere in the city. But he'd finally found them. At least he thought these foul smelling retching ones were his. He couldn't tell for sure yet. He didn't know elves could drink so much and still be able to walk. He'd found them, but more valuable time was again wasted. "I'll escort you in person next time!" he yelled at them, as he herded them up the stairs to their bunks. They didn't notice his ire. They were beyond caring at this point. They't gotten a month off training and spent more silver on drink. Next time they were going to visit the RED ROSE. The ladies were known for their beauty and friendly nature. But Knowleswright was mad this time. He was furious in fact, "If you mess up next, I'm going to send the lot of you to the quarry mine and get some new recuits that are willing to learn something. No more of this gold bricking!" They didn't know about gold, but they'd managed to drink more that 200 silver this month. Tasted good too. They would want more of the hair of the dog in the morning. They knew a back way out of the inn, and their uptight boss hadn't remembered to empty their pockets... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Was Malthus really right? Will the current population explosion lead to a nightmare of war, pestilence, and famine? Tensions are running rampant, and incidents of violence are increasing daily! Orcs have been seen doing pushups, patching their boots and generally preparing for battle. Who will it be against? The guys down the penninsula? Your Grandmother?! You?!? The greater Stinchar metropolitan area is growing ever more crowded, and looks about ready to boil; if you are interested in returing the area to a simmer, take action now and join the UFoS (United Factions of Stinchar) today! We're working hard to make the world a safer place or at least provide a new forum for exchanging insults. If you aren't already a member and want to be, just write to this office. Ralph, Secratary General of the UFoS, and High Preist of the Sacred Order of the Holy Purple Kumquat (or was it the Holy Order of the Sacred Purple Kumquat...?) faction 379, shook@ibg.colorado.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Oh, what now ?!?", Rouhl Imbeuzh thought, as he felt the godly hands that carried him straight to the Place-where-He-is-and-that-is-not. He'd been left alone for some time now and had just started enjoying it. Unfortunately, it looked like all that was over now. He was bitter and didn't like the void in which he floated. "Wouldn't you have somwhat forgotten your manners lately, Roulh ?", thunder boomed in his head."If it need be, I shall remind you that I am above and around, as well as inside, and that I know everything I need to. So show a little more respect, for My Sake !". "Yes, Master ! Of course, I...", Rouhl started apologisingly. "And stop crawling lest I turn you into a slug !", interrupting thunder cracked again."Now listen here, Rhoul, I've got something in mind for you...", the worse of the storm was fading away now... Rouhl Imbeuzh suddenly found himself seated at a wooden desk, alone in a vast classroom; everything was far too large compared with his size, he felt like a seven year-old kid. "There is this new world I want you to conquer for the Glory of Me." The Master was pointing at colourful charts on the blackboard with a long stick. "Will there be rape and pillage a-plenty, slaughter and blood spill a-gogo ?",Rouhl asked with a regain of interest. "Ah...I see you would like this very much, Rhoul, wouldn't you ? Well it could be that none of that is needed anymore ! As it happens, I'm just back from a symposium where some new theories have been exposed. Quite interesting, actually ! I'd certainly like to experiment with some of those...". Rouhl Imbeuzh was now seated in a confortable leather armchair, at one end of a long marble table, an enormous cigar plugged in his mouth. "How would you like to go into business, Hroul ?", the Master inquired in a puff of smoke. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is said that upon leaving the great City of Atlantis my master's people were blocked from entering the City of Abernathy by unknown minions. What forces could have taken the City of Abernathy and claimed it for themseleves? This news troubled my master greatly. The Nameless Hordes would have something to say about this! The Snow Leopard Clan did then with great bitterness retreat to one of Atlantis City's fine inns to spend their monthly maintenance. Bob's Monster House of Ramen *Menu* Taun Mein 10sp Taun Taun Mein 20sp "Surely Taun Mein and Taun Taun Mein are similar bowls of Ramen", said Frostbight while studying the menu, "Perhaps, I will forsake a little Taun and save the 10 silver peices." Wintermute laughed, "Beware Frostbight, they only appear similar, Taun Mein is vegetable noodle soup, while Taun Taun Mein is spicy beef noodle. I myself have been deceived over this matter many times." Frostbight was taken aback, "Certainly, this place is a confusing world. I would have not thought much of the difference between One Taun and Two Taun..." "Wan Tun, is an entirely different sort of soup." replied Wintermute. Once the meal was completed, the two leaders did create a sign, and hung it throughout Atlantis City. *Snow Leopard Clan Kashmer Surplus Weaponary* Swords 75 silver peices Cash and Carry Only (will trade for Hill Dwarves) while supplies last "This will drive away the competition!" declared Wintermute, "Level 2 weaponsmiths do have their advantages..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The High Elf looked dejected. "We tried to go to Abernethy, but never made it. Then, our glorious leader said that he'd be 'right back'. That was hours ago. Wonder where he's gone to? And why are our coffers empty?" They never saw their leader again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MANPOWER EXPRESS MEETS UNTIMELY DEMISE It's doubtful that anyone will mourn the demise of Manpower Express, barely one week after it's launch. A spokesman for the company said that they were disappointed for their customers, but that in retrospect it was not surprising that such a decision had to be made. What had started as an idealistic vision of fair recruitment and equal opportunities for all, ended because of a dispute between management and workers. "We valued our staff," continued one manager, "but in the end they desired too much. High Elves just cannot expect to earn the same as Leaders. Considering that High Elves cannot teach, and have restricted development of skills, we thought that 10 silver per month was quite adequate. Our problem was that we gave them too much say." This was not a sentiment shared by one High Elf, Fredrico, who was prepared to speak out. "For generations," he said, "High Elves have been unfairly discriminated against. We're not given the education or the training that Leaders get. We're not given the same opportunities. We're the ones who do all the work; we work longer hours, we should at least be paid the same amount!" At this, many of the managers, who were afraid of Fredrico inciting a full scale riot said that he could be a Leader. Fredrico was shortly taken away. When we asked where he'd been taken, one of the managers told us that Fredrico had been moved to a more lucrative side of the business, more fitting for his skills. Apparently Fredrico was to lead in the excavation of an unstable mining shaft. Mark Keen ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pour sur! Cette batarde de ville de Tlantis n'vaut point la bonne vielle terre d'nos ancetres! Ah y fallait les vouair nos ancetres quand y travallaient la terre avec leur main calleuses, c'est qui z'y mettaient d'l'amour. Et maintanant vla t'y point que j'me r'trouve au beau milieu d'ces tas d'bouzins qu'ont jammais travailles, des qui s'disent magicien et qui foutent rien de la journee et d'autres qui s'saoule dans les tavelnes du bas fond... Ben tiens j'm'en vais m'faire la malle du plus tot que j'puis. Allez bon vent les villagouais. Ben Francontouais. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ankle length cloak coated the soaring height of the secluded figure in a cloud of darkness. You could barely make out the rugged features of the uniquely handsome face. Broad shoulders helped disguise the extra height he possessed. Only as he came fully into the doorway of Red Roses Inn, having to duck under the door frame, did his dominating presence become fully felt. All eyes, many admiring ones from the numerous ladies working the room, and envious ones from the men currently there, turned his way as his deep voice rumbled through the din, heard by everyone present, "I am looking for a few good men to die for me." This brought a few chuckles from the foolish and fickle ones present, but many a brave soul was touched by the simple, but elegant message. He spotted interest sparking from many, signaled a select few with a barely perceptible motion of his head, as he moved towards a back corner of the room. The rest of the crowded room relaxed with either relief or disappointment, according to their various natures, as the din returned to its normal, noisy level. They met quietly, few words were spoken, agreements were reached. He had more associates to effficently dispense the Reapers Justice. So a quiet upheaval in the current structure of Atlantis started. It would not remain quiet long. --- You may be a King or a little streetsweeper, But sooner or later you will dance with the Reaper. --Rest in Peace The UNDERTAKER-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JUST BECAUSE YOU AIN'T PARANOID DON'T MEAN THEY'RE NOT AFTER YOU! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Avis a la population francophille, Il apparait que les articles en francais dans le texte plaisent a certains et embetent les autres. Qu'en pensez-vous vous-meme personnellement ? Quel votre avis sur ces articles qui ne s'adressent qu'a un petit nombre dans ce jeu anglophone ? Pour toute reponse, utilisez la mailing liste francaise : AtlantisFrenchPlayers@kurosawa.unice.fr Call to the French speaking community Now in English in the text for those speaking not French (they have no chance) It seems that French articles in the Times are pleasant for some people, and disturb others. What do you think personally yourself about that ? What do you about these articles for only a minority of people in an English game (equal with Spanish articles) ? To reply, use the French mailing list : AtlantisFrenchPlayers@kurosawa.unice.fr [ In my opinion, articles in any language are acceptable. -- Geoff ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Snipped. Clean as ya please. Frickin' thief nabbed 'im." The youth muttered a few choice curses, staring at the neatly cut end of the tether line. That was a right valuable horse, too; you didn't find many of them up here in the frozen tundra. Desmorandus would bite *both* his ears off if he found out that a horse had been lost on a simple scouting expedition! Ben had only left the horse for a moment, but apparently that had been a moment too long...no telling how long the cursed little scoundrel had been following him. Ben unslung his bow, flexed it for reassurance. Thank the gods he hadn't left *that* with the horse! Hard to believe, after all the recent slaughter, there were *still* thieves and rascals in the area. "Just show your face, just for ONE second, you little weasel...!" But even as Ben muttered his threat, he knew it was futile. He just didn't know this area well enough, and the thief could be a half-mile away by now. Ben's eyes narrowed. There *was* someone that knew the tundra, and he wasn't far from here. One of the Cold Warriors, as he remembered; and Ben guessed he'd know every hiding place within twenty miles of here. After all, anyone with a horse *had* to be pretty conspicuous in this wasteland. He re-slung the bow, adjusted his snowshoes, and started clumping north, whistling low under his breath. Ben suspected the frontier justice around here wouldn't take too kindly to a horse thief. And he'd be more than happy to provide a length of rope to assist! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karak fumed. All his yelling was to no effect. He still didn't have the items necessary to continue his studies! When would his men get their act together? WHEN WOULD THEY DO IT RIGHT? He forced himself to calm down. There was no real hurry. He was well protected. His faction had plenty of money. He had lots of room to grow. That was better. Perhaps he should concentrate on building a castle. That was a better idea. He liked it. Yes. A castle. The moat will be here, the gate there... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lightning bolts crackle through the air. The black clouds above the tower made it's appearence even darker. Inside his labratory Sargon glares at the chained druid. This weakling seems to be his only way to supreme power over Atlantis City. It took years to come this far and now there were only 10 wood missing... 'I'll burn this druid together with my useless tomes if this doesn't work...' Sargon thought. He had hoped for a simple teleport spell allowing him to leave Atlantis City get this damm wood and reentering this town. There was only a small paragraph about teleporting in his whole library simply telling a short story about an elven mage who did this some thousands of years ago. How helpfull! But luck came back when this druid knocked at his door. We'll see if BLESS FOREST won't help Sargon on his search for the needed spell components... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Denbigh, priest of the Purple Snowflake, servant to his otherWorldly creator, Centre to the `Aitches 'for the Eyes, Friend to The Eggshell, Bani Ghassan, and The Wanderers, and being of the Gathering, received treatment from a local herbalist aftern contracting a sudden allergic reaction to Little Furry Creatures this month. Recovery is assured, but it is recommended that the Faithful and unreligious alike give wide berth to Falcon (859), and other such beasts, as their is reason to believe that they carry lootbugs. Centre Denbigh ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atlantis 2 Economics - Part 4 I have postponed Combat Comparisons/Differences with Atlantis 1.1 for two weeks to answer a few challenges. I categorically deny being a member of the Assassins Guild. Not only have I never had any dealings with "Lord Viper", I don't have a single men trained in Stealth. I went Northeast from Atlantis City in January. When I found myself in Komarken, I again fled Komarken in February. I have observed a number of "assassinations" in the Komarken area, and am attempting to establish a safe zone in the hinderlands away Komarken with an ally or two. I have launched attacks against players who feel that their right to go as they please and publish what they want outweighs my right to privacy. I am not interested in having the location of my refuge published in the "Platinum Map" or the CCC map. Komarken is not a friendly place, and the less the ANL or ABSTAIN know about my whereabouts the safer I will feel. To the factions that feel it necessary to hunt me down and and publish the lay of the land in my territory, that is certainly your right, but it is my right to ensure that your attempts to provide intelligence to the ANL and ABSTAIN will not be without cost. Leave me and my allies alone. Next week: Further production considerations In 2 weeks : Combat Comparisons/Differences with Atlantis 1.1 The Fryer's Guild (Faction 76) [Efficient Empire in Atlantis 1.1] Bill_Larson@ncsu.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ T'lan stops for a moment to wipe his brow. "This is becoming a bit monotonous," he says staring at the mountainside that he and his group have been chipping at for the entire morning. "The worse news is that I just received word that they want us to increase iron production immediately. I just don't see how that can happen; we're understaffed now as it is." One of the elven workers chirps up, "We could request more people." "I thought of that, but I don't know if we can afford it. We're already on a buzzards budget as it is," responds T'lan. "I heard we should be getting some cash from the iron swords that the weaponsmiths produced." T'lan laughs, "You think we're going to see any benefit from that money. Last I heard the mages in Kashmar were first in line for those funds." T'lan pauses for a moment, "Hmmm... Maybe if we tell them that we can't make the schedule, Kil'tar will help convince the Council that we needs the funds more. Yep, that's what we'll do. I'll write the letter tonight." T'lan takes a swig of water from his waterskin and goes back to extracting the iron from the mountain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You read the Atlantis Times with seeming abandon, but you already have a premonition of what must come. Almost as if called, familiar parchment slides from paper to your hand: Black Rose: Empower Chess pieces gathered 'Neith the sanctity of my stem Clinging to each other As children to their mother's hem. Building and growing With godspeed They fill each other to overflowing Fulfilling each other's needs. Ah, the joyous fellow Strong, but sof man Needs must harden his heart Or soon wear Death's brand. And the beautiful woman Her, I cannot betray Or will the thorns that are my nature, win? I cannot say. Fear strikes me cold Deep in my sould, bloody fear For the stranger poses danger Answers a call I do not hear. But together we WILL grow This I know For my heart, my darken heart Tells me I reap what I sow. Hope wells withing you; you feared for his allies before, but maybe now... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is written that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword. I only wish I had a sword to die by... Arthur ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Legate does a little burning. The legate put down the Times. Things were suddenly becoming interesting. The Grand Muuf had suddenly shown his true colors, while several other armies had begun pillaging the lands. Unfortunately for them, the Dragon Legion was pre- pared and had suffered no losses. The benefits of being an old soldier, one learned to store for the dark times. The legate looked into the kitchen. Now that his squire was gone, he had to prepare his own food. Irritating, but unfortunately necesarry. The steaks were not yet done, he turned them round and went back to the lagre map on the table. To the north, plenty of forest and tundra. Around Stinchar, plains, plains and plans with a tiny land bridge to the south. Where then to lay down one`s claim? And what about these other armies, the Sirius Cybernetics and Dead Poets? Were they a part of Grand Muufs alliance or just happy-go-lucky pillagers? Or something else entirely? So many questions needing answers, and so many factors to take into account. Being a soldier was never easy. The legate frowned as he noted a burning smell. Had the soldiers begun pillaging without orders? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRESS CONFERENCE KOMARKEN CITY, ATLANTIS YEAR 1 HATRED: Welcome ladies and gentleman. I have asked you all here to inform you that I have elected myself at your new Mayor. I am quite sure that you are all pleased to hear this most wonderful news. As your Mayor I have taken it upon myself to appoint a new City Counsel. In a moment I will introduce the new members. BUT first I am sure that you have many questions. Fred? FRED: Um, don't you think that there is something wrong with electing yourself Mayor? I mean really, there wasn't even an election. MAYOR HATRED: Fred, Fred, Fred, from now on you will address me as Mayor. Now as to your question. No, I see nothing wrong with electing myself mayor. The people of Komarken are merely stupid sheep. They need a strong leader or else they will not survive. GEORGE: And you think you are that leader? MAYOR HATRED: Exactly my boy. Haven't you been listening? See what I mean? Dumb as sheep. Sam? SAM: So What happened to the previous mayor? I understand that he hasn't been seen for quite some time. MAYOR HATRED: He is probably out grazing with the rest of the sheep. Now I would liek to introduce to you your new government. First is a friend of mine. She has been elected to represent the northern sector of Komarken. It is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you Counsel Member Lust. LUST: Hello. I just want to say that I am looking forward to greeting as many of you as I can after the meeting. It is one of my greater pleasures. MAYOR HATRED: Now representing the south sector of Komarken is Counsel Member Greed. GREED: I just want you all to know that I have a very opened mind. Any bribe..<coughing> thing is possible with me. MAYOR HATRED: Representing the west sector or Komarken is Counsel Member Gluttony. He was unable to attend as he is having his late morning breakfast. Representing the east sector of Komarken is Counsel Member Pride. PRIDE: I'm really not going to waste my time talking to you. It is much too important and since your opinion dosen't matter. Who cares? MAYOR HATRED: So there you have it. This concludes the press conference. -- Geoff Dunbar <atlantis@rahul.net> Up