Atlantis Times v1.1 v03n02 From: JJC%MP068@MPA15AB.mv-oc.Unisys.COM Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 02:07:52 +0000 ######################################################################## =-=-= Atlantis Times v1.1 Volume 3 Number 2 =-=-= =-= June 27, 1994 =-= ######################################################################## Words from The Big Guy: Well, I found this djgpp C/C++ compiler that claimed to hide the horrors of DOS Memory limitations. I took the Atlantis 1.1 source and compiled and ran last week's turn as a test. It compiled and ran clean, with the exception of a bug dealing with sailing that this new compiler uncovered. The bug could result in the ability to SAIL inland, or in the inability to SAIL into/through an ocean region. Noone has reported such an incident, so I don't think anyone has seen the problem. Anyway, it should be fixed this turn. REMEMBER, send game problems to: jjc@MPA15C.mv-oc.unisys.com. I don't read the mail at the other addresses!!! 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 ######################################################################## Lord Vox glared at the balding, bearded professor from the University. His glare was becoming remarkably effective, enhanced as it was by the filed teeth, steel-reinforced nails, blood- slicked hair, and necklace of shrunken heads of Padishah and Reynolds nobility. The professor looked a bit faint, clearly wondering if making his suggestion had been such a good idea. "A Cucumber?! You expect Lord Vox to eat a Cucumber? This appears to be some variety of....*vegetable*!" The last word was said with a practiced scorn normally reserved for swamp vermin. Vox held the cucumber out at arm's length, trying not to touch it with more of his claws than necessary. "A banana, perhaps. It tastes a bit like rotting flesh. But I think you are *far* too solicitous of my health, professor...and trust me, I am well aware of the fundamentals of health in Atlantis. Nonetheless, I will sample your gift to see if it has merit." Watching Lord Vox open his maw wide to bite the cucumber was a rather distressing sight. The professor could have sworn he saw multiple rows of teeth! Vox gave a rapid CHOMP, crushing half the hapless vegetable into a pale green pulp, which he promptly spat onto the ground, with a loud "BLEAARRRGH". The professor blinked, watching the cucumber-pulp smoke and sizzle on the ground, forming a large blackened spot in the grass. Then he felt himself lifted from the ground by his collar, which promply shredded, leaving him with his throat exposed to a set of uncannily sharp steel claws. Somehow it felt like more than five. "THIS IS NOT FOOD!" bellowed Vox, in what may have been an overly theatrical tone for the occasion. "See?" Vox crushed the other cucumber half in his unoccupied hand (which also seemed to contain an unusual number of digits), letting the pale green juice drip to the ground. "It does not have RED BLOOD." Vox briefly stared at the professor's fingers, with a look that made the professor blanch a bit further, then dropped him in disgust, along with the remnant of the abused vegetable. "My pardons, good professor. I shall replace your collar with a far superior one made from tanned nobility. I find myself a bit stressed lately, with no competent enemies to eat and only tactics books for company. I fear I am growing a bit impatient with this mop-up activity. And then, to receive THIS by courier this morning..." Vox contemptuously tossed a scroll to the professor, who unrolled it. It bore the definite style of a Padishah map. "How many times must I massacre this imbecile before he STAYS DEAD! And *how* is he distributing these wretched maps from a little boat in the middle of the ocean?!" Vox grimaced. "It even smells like *seaweed*." The professor hemmed and hawed for a moment, trying to think of something to say. Finally he blurted out, "Well, er, Lord Vox, if it's any comfort, we have conclusively determined from our research that Atlantis is Not Sinking." Vox glared again at the little man, and appeared to swell. "Of COURSE it is not sinking! Atlantis will sink only UNDER THE WEIGHT OF MY RAVENING HORDES OF CANNIBAL WARRIORS BENT UPON THE UTTER DESTRUCTION OF COMPETING LIFE!" Then he appeared to regain composure. "Hmm. Hope I'm not telegraphing any intent, there. I'm really a peaceful guy, if you get to know me." The professor let out a surprised *whoof* as Vox suddenly grabbed him around the shoulders in a friendly hug, shredding his academic robe thoroughly, and began marching him off towards the east. "Professor, I think it's time we went to visit the shipyard, eh? I have a feeling that travel may just be in our future!" The professor barely noticed that his feet weren't touching the ground, as they moved off together across the plains. ######################################################################## Extracted From The Journals of M.E.E. The sun dove into the ocean leaving the land encased in evening shadows. David stepped out of his tent and stretched muscles weary from sitting cramped behind a desk all day doing paperwork. He watched the men newly arrived from Drumcollagher set up camp along side the original camp. All his forces were finally joined together allowing him to proceed with his plans. He was well satisfied with Spiners work as mine foreman...so far. The other unit leaders were also holding their own. Everything was running like a well-oiled piece of machinary for the first time since setting foot on this blasted continent of islands. He breathed a deep sigh of relief thankful that things hadn't taken a turn for the worse. Hopefully, he had overcome the hurdle of starting a new comapny and would from this point on continue to grow in knowledge and wisdom. His main concern at the moment lay in the peasant population. Such rapid growth, he mused fingers playing with the hair of his long dark beard. Like they'd never heard of birth control or something. Too many mouths to feed is what I'm left with. Have to get their overzealous propagation under control before it becomes the ruin of us all. More work, he sigh again all his worries caught up and expressed in that one exhalation of breath. He turned and re-entered his tent. Time to get back to work. ######################################################################## "Oh, give me a home, and a sweet lassie Gnome...". The singing was badly off key, and had that reckless and carefree sound that is rarely heard, mostly because people that sing that way don't live very long in Morella. The Innkeeper crept closer to its source, and peered through heavy foliage into a clearing. By the campfire sat a short, stocky creature sporting an oversized, bright red nose and clothing that clashed so badly that it offended the Innkeeper's underdeveloped sense of style, even in the poor evening light. A Gnome, obviously, but not one of the city-dwelling Metro-Gnomes. Judging by the boots and breeches, this was a Garden Gnome, and therefore unlikely to have even heard of the Brotherhood of the Mist, let alone recognize its infamous ex-leader. "Good evening, good sir". The Innkeeper stepped out into the firelight. "I am a weary traveller from the north, and I fear I have lost my way. Perhaps you could help me, I'm look..." "You can't fool me, I know who you are", shouted the Gnome, leaping to his feet. The Innkeeper groaned inwardly, admonishing himself for his appalling error of judgement. "You're a space alien, about to disintegrate me with your powerful ray-gun!", screeched the little man, quivering from head to foot. The Innkeeper sighed. Although this fellow was probably responsible for single-handedly lowering the average IQ in Morella by several points, he was just the boon required. "Take me to your leader", he replied quietly. ######################################################################## Jennifer couldn't sleep. It was always like this the night before the beginning of a journey and tomorrow promised to be the beginning of a journey that she would never forget. She had volunteered to sail with Captian Cardegan on her maiden voyage of the longboat, "Helen of Stackforth". She was also excited because Alison la Grand, her fearless leader, and Demi, the great magician, would be on the voyage with her. But she was only a swordsperson so it was not likely that she would be going anything but rowing. ######################################################################## Once upon a time. The fire spitter crohyze had taken was tethered before him. Its breathing was deep and heavy. The pledium walls echoed with each exhalation. The interior of the pledium was hot. Swelteringly hot. Humid and organic. Because of the breath of the fire spitter. The young rake soon was covered with a clammy sweat. And his grip upon the sleen handle began to loosen. Crohyze knelt reverently before the spitter. He calmly began the sacrificial chant. Slowly. Quietly at first. Then swelling. Little by little. Until the spitter began to lose the fire in her eyes. As the chanting reaching a feverish pitch. Crohyze suddenly buried the sleen blade deep into the spitters throat. And immediately ran it down the belly of the fire spitter. To be continued. ######################################################################## The Rock Crushers Paused from their Strike long enough to see a large group of men ride over the hill with more than 50 horses. Sully the self proclaimes leader of the striking quarriers reluctantly stepped forward to greet the strangers. "Greetings travelers" ,said Sully, hoping this was no more than a chance meeting. A well dressed man rode out to meet him. He gestured to the men in charge of the horses and said, "These men here have come to take possession of your stone." The men all smiled revealing neatly filed teeth. Sully, not wanting to look bad in front of his men said, "These here stones be ours and ain't nobody gonna take em till that Cad feller gives u a raise." Encourages by the cheers of his comerades Sully then spat in the stangers face. The horsemen suddenly stopped smiling. The well dressed man casually reached into his pocket and pulled out a silk cloth and wiped his face off. Then he withdrew an sealed envalope from the man and hastilly read it. Sully, I am deeply troubled by your decision to call a strike however, I am afraid that the strike must stop. My stone which you now possess is needed in Turia and I cannot tollerate your continued refusal to turn over the stone. I am a fair man so I will offer you one last chance. Either you turn over the stone to these men, who by the way are followers of the dreaded Dr. VOX, or I will have your heads chopped off and hang you upside down so that I can collect your life's blood to offer to VOX as an appology for not delivering the stone when promised. The choice my friend is yours. Have a nice day, Cadderly Crenshaw Sully's face turned white as he noticed that not only were the horsemen smiling again but several of then were holding really sharp knives. The well dressed man stood in front of him dangling a rope. Sully looked to his men for support. His men would have given then their full support had it not been for the fact that they were too busy preparing the stone for transport to Turia. Sully fainted. ######################################################################## The strong, brisk eastern breeze chilled Hampton to the bone. It had been two months since he arrived at the east coast. All alone he set up his observation equipment and began to take measurements. This desolate land was mostly unpopulated and Hampton could understand why. The climate stank, literally. Not only was it cold and windy, but there were great fish just off the coast that were emitting a foul stench. Hampton's scientific duty was more important than personal comfort; the measurements must be made. If Atlantis was going to sink beneath the ocean, the coast was the proper place to make the measurements. After two months, the cold and hunger began to drive him crazy. In a moment of desperation, he robbed a peasant that had managed to build a successful farm despite the weather. Hampton got fifty pieces of silver for his efforts. This would allow him to buy provisions for the next five months if he was not recognized at the village which was just far enough inland to avoid the worst of the weather. His hunger slaked, Hampton tried one more time to get a fire started in the cold wind. ######################################################################## Hans Shadowspawn paced back and forth nervously, his brow creased with the effort of thought. At last, a courier burst into the dark room, sweating from the effort of running. When the courier came in, Hans ceased his nervous pacing, and composed himself carefully; it was important for morale to remain calm. At least on the exterior. "Speak, Fim. What news from the north." "Not good, Master Hans. The SkinFlayers have utterly crushed their enemies, driving the few survivors north. It is rumored that the House Reynolds and Padishah Empire survive, through a few refugees who escaped into the unknown, via some hastily built longboats." "I see." Hans's brow began to furrow again. "Were the aggressors weakened in their assault on the armies of the north?" "I'm afraid not, master. It was a complete rout; the Skinflayers, PATO, and the Octagonal Pit, seem to have taken virtually no losses in taking the north." "I see." By now, his brow was gripping his forehead as tightly as a Sea Monster grips a helpless peasant. "Call in the other chief Pranksters. We have some planning to do." ######################################################################## Thought For The Day "Sea Monsters, like lightning, never strike in the same place twice." ######################################################################## Map of Atlantis --- -- -------- February, 3 Edition Emperor Shaddam IV of the Padishah Empire ---> Send donations to unit #3! <--- Send new information and corrections to email address <ckim@skidmore.edu>. The most recent edition will be will be published in the Atlantis Times and will be mailed to the Atlantis mailing list. Please note that if no new information is received, new maps will not be published for that month. 111111111122222222223333 0123456789012345678901234567890123 0 -----O-------O-O------------------ 0 1 ----OSO------O-O------------------ 1 2 ---OSPSPP---O--OO----------------- 2 3 ----MPPO----O----O---------PM----- 3 4 ----PPP---------P----------OFP---- 4 5 -----S---O-----------------OFPO--- 5 6 -----P-----O---O-----------PPPPO-- 6 7 ------------O-O------------POPP--- 7 8 -------------O-------------POPPP-- 8 9 ----------------------------OOFO-- 9 10 ----------------------------OPSSO- 10 11 -----P----------------------OPPFMO 11 12 -----------------------------OOPO- 12 13 -----M---------------------------- 13 14 -----F---P------------------------ 14 15 -----P-M-------------------------- 15 16 -------P-------------------------- 16 17 --------SO------------------------ 17 18 ---------------------------------- 18 19 ---------------------------------- 19 20 ---------------------------------- 20 21 ---------------------------------- 21 22 ---------------------------------- 22 23 ---------------------------------- 23 24 ------------P--------------------- 24 25 ---------------------------------- 25 26 ---------------------------------- 26 27 ---------------------------------- 27 28 ---------------------------------- 28 29 ---------------------------------- 29 30 ---------------------------------- 30 31 ---------------------------------- 31 32 ---------------------------------- 32 33 ---------------------------------- 33 34 --------------O------------------- 34 111111111122222222223333 0123456789012345678901234567890123 Legend: F=Forest, M=Mountain, O=Ocean, P=Plain, S=Swamp Please note that row 34 is directly accessible from row 0 (Going north from (10,0) will get you to (10,34). This map has been printed on paper made of bamboo cloth. No animals were harmed in its production. All people who donate map information will remain anonymous. Your messages are deleted immediately after your data has been added to the map. The change in format was necessary because our printing presses only are wide enough for 72 characters. We apologize. ######################################################################## He exploded through the surface of the water, taking a huge gasp of air before being forced back under. Still struggling frantically, he felt himself begin to weaken, and realised that his life was ending. With a last furious thought against whatever gods had interfered with his plans, Major Zachari reached into his belt and carefully slipped his daggers into the palms of his hands. He dived suddenly, breaking free long enough to reach the surface again, and in a last gesture of defiance screamed "COME AND GET ME!!!!" The great serpent's head exploded through the surface of the water and the huge jaws came bearing down on him with frightening speed. The Major remained still, calmly awaiting the moment, and as the jaws closed around his body, he thrust his twin daggers up into the serpent's brain. The huge creature began to thrash violently, and with it's final convulsion, it's jaws snapped shut, leaving the Major with a final second of intense agony, as true enlightenment finally reached him, the pain forcing him to realise the cruelty of all he had done....... Still.... there is always reincarnation, isn't there?? ######################################################################## "Great news, Seneschal - the Belladonna has arrived!" Cai glanced up from the reams of parchment which lay before him, and gazed blankly at the Keswickian aide. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement at the message she bore. "Yes?" "Pardon, my Lord. But the Belladonna is down at the beach. She's beautiful!" "You probably know what you're talking about", said Cai with a hint of impatience, "So perhaps you can tell me more. Who is this Belladonna? And where does she come from? A countrywoman of yours?" The aide looked flustered for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Oh no, my Lord, she doesn't hail from my homeland. She was built at Fort Roche! She is the first vessel of your fleet." It was Cai's turn to look surprised, then happy. "Well, this is indeed great news! At the beach, you said? Of course, we shall have to get the stonemasons to work at once to build a proper docks. Come, let us go and see this beauty." ######################################################################## War of Ballandine Aggression, Report from the front #6 Dateline Lorthalm January Year 3 Last turn's "battle" in Lorthalm was indecisive. Sir Aubec choose to die and allow his army to run away. The Paladins of Ballandine and Sir Aubec's factions set all their units to avoid, except Aubec, 2 wizards and a fodder unit. When we attacked, only these 4 units (plus an avoiding messenger we attacked) fought. Aubec's tactics=5, gave them a free shot and his wizards fired 2 lightning bolts. I slaughtered them in the first battle round, but because I had taken a casualty, my men stopped attacking to "celebrate their victory". In game terms, this means that only my first attack order was executed, so the rest of their avoiding army escaped by moving to the south. Note that their territory lies North and west of Lorthalm, so they moved deeper into my territory with this "retreat". The third faction in the Ballandine alliance, Lame Duck, figured out how to block my taxation. Lame Duck had been talking about peace all week and I promised him that he would not be attacked in Lorthalm and requested that in return he set all his men to avoid and withdraw north or west. He however, did nothing of the kind. Lame Duck "de-allied" with Paladins and Aubec, renamed one of his units "Nobody" (identical to one of my allies wizards), and left it on guard. Since I didn't attack him, it didn't fight with Aubec, and blocked my taxation! He also withdrew his army south. Next turn it will be interesting to see which way the now leaderless army of the Ballandines heads. I (or my allies) have forces south and east of them large enough (or well lead enough) to ensure that they will take a casualty in battle (and be unable to move the turn of battle). The force they fled from in Lorthalm (when they still had a living level 5 tactician) is only a turn behind them. I don't know if the Ballandine's expect help from the sea in their offensive against me, but just in case anybody is thinking of intervening, be prepared for a battle on the beaches. Below is a map of our fair island. B=Territory currently occupied by the Ballandines. S=Shared or disputed territory. P=Plain areas (some occupied by the "Nolle Alliance" - nuetral in current war) *= territory belonging to me or my allies. 1 01234567890 9 10 OO 11 ?BBO 12 ?BO O 13 OBBO*O 14 OOOS****O 15 OPPPPS***O 16 OPPSS*O*O 17 OPOOS**O 18 O O*O 19 O Unannounced sea borne intruders will not be welcome. Visitors who have worked out mutually beneficial trades in advance will be more than welcome. To answer last week's question: You pay maintenance on every peasant above 1667 in a forest province, as the surplus you tax is reduced by $ 10 for every excess peasant. Next week: The pursuit of the leaderless Ballandine Army. The above report generated by the scribes of faction 59, "Larson's Adventurers", formed in Gurkacre (9,14) on Jan 01 reachable at "Bill_Larson@ncsu.edu" ######################################################################## On the Shape and Structure of the World of Atlantis by the Lady Rowena Maps published in this paper have numerous times stated that from the very eastern most regions of our world, it was possible to reach the western most regions with a single month's journey to the east. The opposite was also claimed to be true. In addition, it was reported that a single months journey would take one from the northernmost to the southernmost region, and vice versa. I have no knowledge of this phenomena myself. I have traveled far and observed many regions, but never have I come so close to any of our world's extremes. However, if true, it is a fascinating observation and presents, for the scholar, a question that demands to be answered. If such travel is indeed possible, what must be the shape of the world? Let us begin by assuming that the phenomena is only true for east - west travel. That is, the eastern and western edge of the world are connected. Imagined a flat map of the world, whether made of paper of hide it matters not. Now imagine this map rolled up, so that the east and west edges touch. It is now shaped as a cylinder, which surely would be the world's shape under this assumption. But such a world is not sufficient to explain how traveling north far enough eventually brings one to the south. For if one traveled too far north on the cylinder world, they would merely come to the world's edge, or perhaps discover that the world had a top, like the lid to a can. To begin to understand the true shape of the world, we must imagine that the cylinder is then bent to that the top and bottom touch. You may find this awkward to do with your map, if it is square. If your sheet is longer than it is wide, it will be easier to make the demonstration. You will see that what you have resembles nothing so much as one of the doughnuts that are a favored breakfast food. The world of Atlantis, it seems, is shaped like a doughnut! If the maps published in this esteemed paper are correct, however, the world is not longer than it is wide, but rather wider than it is long, stretching as it does some 1,550 miles east to west and only 1,250 miles north to south. We can assume, then, that our original view of the doughnut, while close, was not quite accurate. Presumably the correct way to model the world would be to first bend the map into a horizontal cylinder, such that the north and south edges touched, and then to create the doughnut shape by bringing the eastern and western edges together. This must be the true form of the world. ________________ A rough drawing of the world as it might / \ \ appear if the north and the south were the | | | only extremities connected. \___/____________/ _______ / \ A rough drawing of the world as it actually / _ \ is. Note that not all dimensions can be re- | |_| | flected in this sketch. \ / \_______/ This knowledge raises many new questions. For instance, if one could fly, would it be possible to fly across the hole in the middle of the world, traveling form one extreme to the center quicker than would otherwise be possible? Perhaps this could be attempted with powerful magic, although it would surely be a frightening experiment, as for much of the time the flyer would be flying not above land, but above the hole itself. And there could well be some distortion or other effect as down shifted from one direction to another. Which begs another question. If the world is shaped as we have seen it must be, then obviously the majority of the worlds surface is either sideways or upside down. How is it that the people in the regions do not fall off the earth into the unknown void? And how is it that down always seems to be towards the earth, instead of being an absolute direction? These are questions that cannot yet be answered. If any scholar has information to cast a light of them, I hope they will publish it in this paper. I would like to thank the Padishah Empire for the maps they have published in this paper, as well as my apprentices Merikus and Pablar, and my husband the Lord Falken for his support, and General William for his friendship and protection. It is difficult to conduct scholarly research in a warzone, but I believe it is critical that nothing be allowed to stand in the way of the search for truth. Very truly yours, Lady Rowena ---'--,--<@ High Mage The Brotherhood of Northern Warriors ######################################################################## =-=-= END TIMES 302 =-=-= ######################################################################## Up