Olympia Times v4n6 From: skrenta@blekko.rt.com (Rich Skrenta) Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1992 23:23:29 +0000 +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times times@olympia.rt.com | | June 28, 1992 v4n6 | | | | Turn 29 122 Players "The most PBMing for your dollar" | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ Turn 30 orders due: Friday, July 3, 1992 Orders are due 6:00pm EDT, 22:00 GMT. Questions, comments, bug reports, to play: olympia@rt.com Lots of work needs to be done on Olympia before the next turn. Because of this, and the Fourth of July holiday, processing for the next turn may be delayed. Don't be alarmed if your turns come a few days late next week. Big Changes Soon ---------------- Here are my plans for the next few turns. I don't promise to stick to them 100%, but this is what I have in mind. Be advised that the skill and production systems will be volatile, starting next turn. Expect bugs. This turn: All regions with a market *and* a tower are now city regions. All regions with a market *or* a tower are now town regions. A changed region will no longer have its old type. For example, Drassa changed from a forest region to a city region. This is a compromise to the interior-city plan which we may move towards later. I don't want to muck with the map right now, but I want city and town regions. Units will automatically learn new subskills which they're eligible for. The lore sheets will lag behind introduction of the new subskills. Don't be surprised if there are skills which you know but don't have lore sheets for. Next turn (turn 30): The new skill system will go into effect. The old skill uses will no longer work. Some of the long awaited skills such as weaponsmithing and forestry (farming use "havest lumber") will be working. There are two types of production: production from inventory, such as building small boats from lumber, and production from region resources, such as mining gold. Both facets of production will be based on nifty new code. This means that the results of WORK, RECRUIT, mining, entertainment, etc. may not be what you expect. Guilds will no longer have their own stacking rules; the top character in a guild stack will determine who can stack with the tower. Attitudes may be set towards guilds, resulting in a default attitude towards all guild members. What's up with guilds? ---------------------- Guilds currently violate some aspects of Olympian physics, and have functions which overlap with other game systems. I will be gradually eliminating these overlaps, while hopefully expanding the unique functions of guilds. Don't expect all of these changes right away; this is my long-term plan. The guild teaching bonus will eventaully go away. If a guild wants to hire or train a teacher, the teaching skill is available. Entrance and monthly dues will be set by the guildmaster. Founding a guild will be possible, and within the means of individuals. Guilds might be better described as "secret societies". Having an impressive looking tower for your guild will be optional. A couple of guildmasters currently receive special benefits from their positions. These benefits may be moved into artifacts. New skill system ---------------- The new skill system will have subskills introduced at level 1. Experience is not currently a factor. While the new system does have a couple of deficiencies, I think that these will be cleared up over time, and in the long run the new skill system will be much more enjoyable than the old ioctl approach. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= REWARD 3,000 GOLD WANTED SPINEY NORMAN [878] Also know as Ethelred the Unready DEAD OR ALIVE (I'M NOT FUSSY) FOR THE MURDER OF WULF [884] REWARD 3,000 GOLD Signed: Son of Wulf [910] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Rocko: No offense big guy, but your protectorate sounds more like a marshall law - Soviet Style. I think we all know how well that turned out. Is there no benign justice in Olympia? Sarogin Bellewood =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Tim awoke in the dank cell that he had spent the last month in. What the *^&#@! was the use of a guild, if its own members kidnapped you, and the master didn't take any notice. But today, today, maybe things would be different. Tim's mage sence didn't let him down, today was to be different. At that very moment, in a chamber high above him his fate was being decided. On one side sat a youngish man, his face prematurely aged, and his hair already growing thin. He wore a plain grey robe that marked him as one of the most powerful men of Olympia. On the other side of the table sat Brillan Damar, Tims captor. "It is agreed then. As Tim had no direct part in this affair his life is to be spared.", "Yes" replied Brillan, "but he must be free of the evil influce of his current master also". "Very well, much as I loth to enact such an enchantment, so be it" said the mage. Tim opened his eyes, and squinted at the bright light. "ohmygodantreskohmygodantreskohmygodantresk" was all that came from his mouth. His aura blazing brightly the mage in Grey started incanting the ritual of binding. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * * * The Dragaeran Trading Company Blathers On And On About * * * The Olympia turn checker! It slices! It dices! It Juliens! This marvel of the mideval age reads in turn commands, checks syntax, and prints out an english version of the commands for easy checking. No longer will you buy 5 of 6 instead of 6 of 5. It also does reasonability checks (ie. you can't buy Osswid, and you can't terrorize a rug). Binaries for Next, Vax, Sparc, Decstation and Sun3 machines running UNIX are available from shrimp.cs.washington.edu in pub/olympia. Source code is NOT available, so don't ask. Comments/questions/bug reports to hauck@cs.washington.edu. Note: For bug reports, please include the line that triggered the bug, and the output the checker gave. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Camaris Police Report ===================== No action worth mentioning occured in Camaris last turn. Rondo of the slight hads [1367] has been performing entertainment in Camaris for the last couple of turns without a licence. The town council has repeatedly tried to conntact the master of this unit, but has had no response. Unless the council hears from this faction before the end of next month, an order for arrest will be issued for Rondo. This report is a reqular feature in the Times, and always ends with the most up to date wanted list. WANTED ====== Mohammed ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi [819], for assault and kidnapping. Band of Mamelukes [1464], for assault and kidnapping. one-eyed Kalendars [1977], for assault and kidnapping. The Town Council of Camaris [355] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dave Smith passed away in Habyn on the second day of the month of "Thunder and rain". He left 2 wives and one child, and is much missed by his brother John. Investigation shows that he was murdered by Amber[912] and his/her??? men. The attack was entierly unprovoked and unanounced. He was stabbed in the back while finishing of a boat that he was making. It seems that the motive of the attack was profit only, although Abmer was heard saying that Dave Smith did not belong to the right faith. This is the second time Dave has been killed by members of the Dark Prophet's following, but he has nine lives and will be back. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The black and white banner -- Per pale Argent and Sable an Owl displayed counterchanged. It fought fiercely against its bindings in the strong gusts coming off the Gulf of Caburh. The Warriors Tower was visible as a shadow in the distance behind a veil of misty rain. Varian sat in his tent upon his bedroll, reading a note. A worker dressed in black and white work clothing stood over him, waiting patiently and holding several additional folded pieces of paper. Varian looked up at the worker. A frown appeared across his face. "The others are pretty much the same," the worker said. "So, they are comparing me to Pain? Putting me in his league?" Varian said angrily. He crumpled the paper in his hands, stood up, and walked over towards the entrance to his tent. "You have some supporters," the worker offered. Varian threw the paper ball outside into the wind and rain. "Sure," he said quietly. He looked outside. "I'm sick of the wind. And now rain. I suppose it could be fog. It probably will be next..." "Sir?" the worker said. "Nevermind. Return to work." The worker left and Varian returned to sitting on his bedroll. "What to do?" he asked himself. He rubbed his eyes and listened to the minstrel play in the distance. He could hardly hear them over the wind. "Perhaps it is time to move on and let others plan... worry... care," he said aloud. "And perhaps you should sleep on it," the familiar voice of Touchstone offered from outside the tent. "I didn't ask you," Varian said loudly, "but I'll take the advice anyway." A smile spread across his face -- the first in days -- and with that he settled down to sleep. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Roving Reporter's Column ======================== Exploration continues ===================== I have heard reports from a couple of sailors that other Islands have been discovered, far from the mainland of known Olympia. I have other reports from other sailors of sailing in search of such lands and ending up becalmed in strange and exotic seas, far from anywhere and no way to move until the errant winds return. Is this a really a whim of the weather ? Or a sign from the Great God Atnerks that such exploration is frowned upon ? And will the person concerned ever be able to retrace his steps once more to the lands of his birth ? Or will he starve, far from land and upkeep ? Indeed the search for new lands is a perilous task, fraught with danger and trials of all sorts. The new road may lead to a rich market, or, by a twist of the Gods whim, drop you right into a province of fear such as Bayarth and Pesbrand this turn as the horrid Dr Pain comes visiting. So far the number of monsters encountered in the lands has been relatively small. Some savages, trolls, faeries and other players characters or independant units. Most of these have been viciously set upon as soon as they were found. However, so far, there have been no real threats (other than human !). I ask, where are the dragons ? In what hidden valley do the Tyrannosaurus Rex breed ? In what high peaks do the Condors soar, and through what dark swamp do the killer crocs slither ? Where are the challenges to really cramp the style of the hunter, the tracker and those with a high equestrian skill ? Can we not catch and train our own hippogriffs ? Can we not track the Sphynx to his lair and capture him for our entertainment unit ? The answers to these, and other, questions, may, (but probably won't) appear in next months Olympia Times ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Oleg the Loudmouth's Free Lore & Map haven't changed much this turn, but that doesn't mean that they're useless. If you're not sure where you're going or why you should study underwater basket weaving, drop me a message and I'll send you a free copy. Offer not valid where prohibited or taxed. -- Oleg the Loudmouth [810] <gl8f@virginia.edu> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Oleg the Loudmouth's Interesting Player List ============================================ This is a list if people you might want to watch out for, because they've done, erm, "interesting" things in the past. Note that obituaries are no longer promptly reported, if at all -- so you'll have to watch & contribute to this list to see what's going on. New stuff this turn: Dr. Pain and Seldon the Avatar sightings, plus a sighting of player 819, and a note from player 883 regarding the attack on 880. Dr. Pain [814] -- Killed at least 20 players. Known throughout the world as an efficient and wealthy but evil dude. Units owned: 1034 1301 1321 1368 1376 1475 1575 1580 1585 1976 1993 2002 2040 2055. Bastrestric ther Archymonaged [801] -- Killed 1 unit on turn 23 in Chardia, which Milinkthos claims was independent. Listed as a buddy by Dr. Pain. Has an outstanding offer to buy flowers for my funeral, should I be killed. Seldon the Avatar [809] -- killed 1863 in Pesbrand on turn 20. Killed 1 player and 3 units in Ilion on turn 23. Units owned: 1400. 5,000 gold bounty offered by Tony Wayland [572] for "Seldon the Avatar and all his units." Mohammed ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi [819] -- Attacked newbie player in Ilion on turn 21, but was unable to beat one man. Attacked 2 units in Camaris on turn 23. Wanted by John Smith. Units owned: 1977 1464 1486 1678 1681 1683. John Smith [823] -- killed unit that killed player 830 and others in Chardia (i.e., apparently 830 was pro-Pain and the attacker was anti-Pain, then John Smith killed the attacker.); killed 4 other units in Camaris since, which he says were independent. Says he is the protector of Camaris. Units owned: 1317 1494 1935 1972?. Maidez de la Montt [868] -- Attempted to kill 6 players turns 21-23, but all failed. Attacked 3 players in Pesbrand on turn 25 for booty. Units owned: 1991 1995 1998 2007 2012. Spiney Norman [878] -- Apparently the owner of Fengal's Hoodlums [2037], which killed a newbie on turn 23 in Kircarth. Fengal's Hoodlums was captured turn 24, and the combat reports lists 878 as the faction of Fengal's Hoodlums. Spiney claims that he was framed, and the owner gave him the unit at the start of turn 24. Truth or fiction? You be the judge. Stryder [898] -- Attacked a player on turn 25, who successfully fled. Phillipe [905] -- Attacked the same player. These guys claim that they thought this player was independent and were out to guard his gold for him. Uhuh. The victim wasn't independent, he just doesn't answer his email as promptly as some. A mass of newbies, including 879, 877, 881, 882, 876, and 883, attacked player 880 in Kircarth. They say that this player was inactive, so they captured him and took his gold. 883 would like it to be known that he was out of the country at the time, and that he does not approve of this action and has offered to repay player 880 the gold that he received after the attack. Sightings last turn: ==================== Dr. Pain ended the turn in Bayarth with 270 armed men. Note 1461 is dead. He is only one turn away from Pesbrand and has issued an ultimatum to the players there. Seldon the Avatar ended the turn in Pesbrand. [819] was attacked while traversing Summerbridge but successfully caused the attacker to flee. He is now north of Summerbridge with 14 men. If you believe any information on this list is incorrect, please write me. If you would like to contribute information, especially combat reports and/or sighting reports, please write. Information is like a breath of fresh air: it makes everyone's day happier. -- Oleg the Loudmouth =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Log of Brillan Damar ------------------------ "Of the six months I have lived on this continent, none have been as fulfilling as this month, the month of reckoning for Spiney Norman and his hoods. Merlinium himself has declared Tim the Magician guilty of his crimes and will be making him serve as guild teacher in Kircarth for life. Spiney, though, is still free. We've had contact with those near him, though, and feel that he is soon to be captured." Brillan closed his log for the day. He sat staring at the opposite wall for several minutes, deep in thought. "We need to provide an incentive for those to capture Spiney for us," he thought..... "Alaric," Alaric Lightshine entered the office. He was profusely sweating from being in the sun the entire day. "Yes, sir?" "How goes the recruitment effort?" Alaric hesitated for a second. "We're slightly behind our estimates, but we should be quite a deterrent from Dr. Pain if and when he makes his move." Brillan smiled. The battle, probably this time next year, would be a glorious one. While he was repulsed at Dr. Pain's actions towards his fellow bretheren, he did have to admire the efficiency of the Doctor's efforts. "Good. Inform the troops that I will personally lead our contingent when the time comes. Current status on the garrison for the Guild Tower?" "Two to three months. Merilinium has already been informed." "Good, Alaric. Now there is one last thing I'd like you to do for me today..." Brillan scribbled some words on a piece of parchment, and handed this to Alaric. "Take this to the local signmaker and post it in town." "As you wish." As the fog lifted the following morning, a new landmark was seen; a sign, of normal height, inscribed on it the following words: *************** W A N T E D *************** by the Alliance, the Treacherous ***************************** S P I N E Y N O R M A N ***************************** (aka Ethelred the Unready, aka Hugh Jass) for the crimes of: Premeditated murder of Wulf [884] Attempted murder of Antonius [885] Wilfull deceit of the citizens of Kircarth Slander against the Alliance *************************************** R E W A R D 2 5 , 0 0 0 G O L D *************************************** For his body returned to Kircarth alive. Earliest payment will commmence at the beginning of turn 32 -- Up