Atlantis Times v1.1 v04n09 From: JJC%MP068@MPA15AB.mv-oc.Unisys.COM Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 18:25:23 +0000 ######################################################################## =-=-= Atlantis Times v1.1 Volume 4 Number 09 =-=-= =-= December 20, 1994 =-= ######################################################################## Words from The Big Guy: Remember, next turn will be run on 1/8/95. Be sure to get your orders in early! The accounting staff at the Atlantis Times embezzled the funds used to pay for Times articles. As a result, noone was paid for last months' articles. My apologies. No back pay will be awarded. NOTE *** Atlantis is now closed. All full, no more starts. Just a reminder of the new AUTOTAX command: - AUTOTAX flag available. This is a new boolean command, similiar to GUARD and AVOID. If set, a unit will attempt to TAX every turn. If reset, no automatic TAXing will occur, though the TAX command will still work. AUTOTAX boolean is reset after a MOVE or SAIL command is executed. I should have an updated rulebook soon. Send Times to: jjc@mpa15ab.mv-oc.unisys.com Send Orders to: JJC@MP068.MV-OC.UNISYS.COM Send problems/comments/bug reports/questions to me personally at: jjc@mpa15c.mv-oc.unisys.com I read the mail at the times address once a week, when I'm setting up the Times. I NEVER read mail where the orders go to, so don't send anything but orders there. Good luck, and enjoy. - TBG ######################################################################## IS TARRASPAN DOOMED? Given the dreadful portents surrounding Tarraspan - war, disease, famine and the reputed sightings of Sea Monsters, the Tarraspan Platonic Society will debate the possible arrival of the end of the world. Citizens should be assured that the entertainment budget will not be touched to pay for possible war measures... ######################################################################## Panic was rising througout the populace. The discovery of the seas had originally been welcomed amongst the peasants with thoughts of promenades, piers and ice-creams at the sea front. Then the sea monster attacked killing two peasants before they had even bought their ice-creams. Suddenly the ice cream bussiness was in danger of colapse. Another means of keeping the peasants happy would have to be found. And then there were these rumors of a sword weilding joker sneaking about. Could it really be true ? Mountains in Atlantis ? Surely not! Mountains like the Dragons that live there were only true in fairy- tales. ######################################################################## A figure walked silently in the night, although she seemed to look at the stars her thoughs were everywhere else. {The summer is at its end, next month the fall will start and they (or maybe just one person) have no arrived yet. The chief has never failed to keep his word. At the end of the summer at the most you will receive some news of us, meanwhile do your work. That was what he said, but that was a long ago and the communications during the winter were scarce, the mountain was isolated most of the time down there things were happening. Have he forgot about me?. No, most improbable the news that I have sent are good indeed now we are in complete control of a mountain. O! Iape. It has been so long, here in the middle of nowhere. The land so populated by peasant that about 100 of them starved each month.} -Chief, good news.....and bad news -Mmmm...tell me the bad news first. And I hope that the good news are really good for you sake! -The bad news is that the guy that we hired has not appeard yet. It seems that was something wrong, maybe the recruitment contract was somewhat illegal and he seems to be back with the peasants with *sigh* our gold. -Well, is not that bad we just lost 50 silver pieces we have lost a lot more that that. What are the good news? -Finally sir, after all this time, we had managed to get the money to continue our plans. -Good, and not a moment so late, we have been inactive for a long time. If this goes right... well then will see. Let's pray to Iape. ######################################################################## New Library TAX The government of Tarraspan has passed a law about a new tax. It is called "Law of Library Tax", version 12. 16. 2994. Every inhabitant of Tarraspan has to pay this tax of 2% of the real income. The money is intended to buy new books for the Tarraspan University Library. This is necessary, because a fire has destroyed most of the inventory. Old, very precious books had been burnt and most of the literature the students need for studying. The Tax will be raised for at least one year. ######################################################################## A reader's letter In Atlantis Times, V.1.1., Vol.4 number 7 december 5, 1994 the head of the faction "Luie Donders" complained that be paid for a contribution to the Times is unfair against players, which speak only a basic English and can not compete. To him I say: You don't need to talk excellent English. All you need is a good idea and a good dictionary. Try it and you'll see. Undine, faction "Utes Schatzkaestlein"_ ######################################################################## announcing... Atlantis 2.0!!! Atlantis is an open-ended computer moderated play-by-email fantasy game for any number of players. Players may attempt to carve out huge empires, become master magicians, intrepid explorers, rich traders or any other career that comes to mind. There is no declared winner of the game; players set their own objectives, and one can join at any time. Atlantis 2.0 will be opening for a play-test on January 15, with turns being run once per week. To learn more about Atlantis, ftp the rules (version 2) from ftp.rahul.net pub/atlantis, or ask me nicely (atlantis@rahul.net), and I will send you a copy. For experienced Atlantis players, there is also a file (diff.v2) listing the major differences between Atlantis 2 and Atlantis 1. More documents, such as order instructions, and a sample report, will be placed on this site as they become available. To sign up for the game, or if you have any other questions, email at atlantis@rahul.net. In addition, there is a mailing list for people interested in the design of Atlantis. Let me know if you are interested in being on this list. ######################################################################## Peace continues in this strange land. Entertainers are found gathering about the camp of the wanderers, spreading myths, and collecting tales. A young group of boys manage to trap some horses, and wreak havoc through the camp for most of the month. ######################################################################## THE LUMBERJACKS OF BERGLAND, part I The rain thundered down in deafening sheets, bouncing off the few tree tops and through the thickly matted bushes that cowered most of the swampfloor. As the small party pushed on through wet and muddy Bergland swamp, they cursed the weather calling it "Zoggy" and even worse names. Their clothes and equipment were soaked through, not from the violence of the storm above, but from their own sweat and the wet and watery ground beneath their feet. Except for Thuul, each one felt helpless and exausted, ill adjusted to their new life as lumberjacks in the harsch climate of Berland. Strange and frightning insects filled the air, bussing in competition with the drumming rain and drowning out all hope of conversation amongst the seven humans. Mullin at the head of the trail finally gave up and raised a hand to signal a rest. Mullin was the leader of the group, thought he, like all the others, were nothing but one of Cizerra's normal workers before this expedition. He were however the first to sign up when the masters ask for brave men to help give birth to the army of the SKA-Union. Their mission were to lumber dearly needed wood for bows, but since the nearest forest were Ellesmere and time were not to be wasted, they had to get it from the swamp south of Skommer. The dreaded Bergland were to be conquered for the union, some hell of a price though Mullin. He unconsciously swatted at a bug as he brushed against his cheek and just caught himself in time. There were a lot of dangerous flying, creeping and crawling beast in this wet hole, but often they posed no threat while they were alive. The veon of nearly every insect here was poisonous, but most stung only when attacked. The normal reaction to brush away an insect was exactly the wrong thing to do in Bergland. He glanced across at Thuul, the only local in the party. He seemed calm and collected in the swamp, barely sweating and simply leaving the bugs to crawl over his face and clothes. << TO BE CONTINUED >> ######################################################################## High above the fields of Jervbygd, just north of Mount Glomera and the stronghold of the Moe's, a flock of black vultures circled and swooped. Last month had been most beneficial to the local scavenger population, although most of the hundreds of Moe-soldier's bodies had already been drained of blood by the efficient ghouls of Vox. This month looked to provide an even more prosperous crop of the dead. One vulture, larger and blacker than the rest, and with eyes an uncanny glowing red, paid particular attention to the newly massed troops. The Moe's had brought everyone and everything they had to Jervbygd, even emptying their huge mountain tavern, in one final, desperate attempt to oppose the ravaging armies of the Northern Wind. It was a bold move indeed. "But it is one month too late." The rich voice held a note of sardonic glee above its normal menacing tone. Lord Vox stared intently into the deep red crystal, watching the scene wheel and turn through the eyes of his feathered thrall. "Many more of my reavers arrive this turn, and more still from PATO and the University...I say that Glomera is MINE!!" Vox gripped the black marble table, raking long claw-marks in the stone. A quieter, cool voice spoke behind him. "Yes, my Lord. But the University experts say that we shall take heavy losses this turn, perhaps even be forced to a temporary retreat. Big Moe is nothing if not skilled as a tactician." Lord Vox made a dismissive wave, nearly taking off his advisor's left ear. "It matters little. A few ghouls more, a few less. It all means more blood for the harvest! Ah, to think, Hogli, an entire fresh continent, and the BLOOD we shall collect! And speaking of blood, let us see how our northern crusade for Agrik fares..." Some intent concentration, and the scene in the crystal changed. This time, huge leaves obscured the view, provided by a silent raven perched on a low bough. The warrior-priests of Agrik were clearly visible, the tight ranks of PATO's troops, and the ubiquitous slavering ghouls. But the enemy was more difficult to estimate, shadowy forms with little identity, nameless and faceless. "Bah! I hate jungle warfare. What do you make of it, Hogli? Do we crush them, or do we fall short?" Hogli squinted at the wavering image. "It's a difficult call, my Lord. We shall at least make them pay for their temerity at resisting the Rule of Agrik...and soon enough, the army of BORA shall meet its doom." Vox's face split into a hideous grin. "I shall look forward to tasting their blood. Let us move to the map-room, and plan their doom more precisely." The unlikely pair moved off into the shadows, and the red crystal again grew dark. ######################################################################## The Lost Continent Professor Duncan looked over the plains of Jervbygd and knew that he had found the right place to build a new campus. The only problem was the name. What should he call it? The University of Zamora East just did not sound right. University of Zamora, Jervbygd Campus? No, that was not right either. Jervbygd School of Music? Duncan had to suppress a giggle. Jervbygd Barber's College. Yes, that was it. As long as this land was still inhabited by those long-haired folk, his faculty would have plenty of practice cutting hair and goatees. The dentists also had plenty of business removing coffee stains from teeth. It would soon be fall. The school must be completed quickly to be ready in time for the next semester. The scouts has already come back with the news that there was a large supply of stone nearby for construction. It would take too long for stone buildings to be created, so tents would have to do for now. ######################################################################## BEWARE THE GREAT EVIL IN MOUNTAINS! - Part 2 I attacked the Dragon last turn, which was a costly mistake. Dragons are Tactics 7, sword 7, and throw fireballs! They appear to have a strength of about 200 plate armored men. I "won" the battle, but that was little comfort to my 385 casualties (85 of whom died in 3 fireballs). The dragon then turned around and raided me inflicting another 109 casualties (including 58 dead in 2 fireballs). I inflicted 135 losses on the dragon in the first battle and another 33 in the second. Rumor has it that they regenerate their strength, so it is still a big problem for me. Many thanks to Lame Duck, who calculated the equivalent strength of the dragon from the battle reports. [clarification to last report - You do get a event note when a dragon awakens of the form: A Dragon awakes in [province name] (x,y) I overlooked this in my July report.] The above report generated by the scribes of faction 59, "The Efficient Empire", formerly "Larson's Adventurers", reachable at "Bill_Larson@ncsu.edu ######################################################################## =-=-= END TIMES 409 =-=-= ######################################################################## Up