Realms Times Turn 5 From: Mike Barlow <Rondor@Talweb.com> Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 Realms of the Arcane Times for Turn June, Year 1 ======================================================= Signed Articles ======================================================= Administrator (0) writes: Realms of the Arcane - http://www.talweb.com/rondor Atlantis v4.0.4 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Admin: Everyone please see the web site for updated news about added commands. Thats right we have added a few new commands to help you all out. So visit http://www.talweb.com/rondor/index.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ Uncle John's Band (6) writes: ************************************************** * * * H e a r Y e ! H e a r Y e ! * * * * * * An Announcement That ALL Should Note! * * ------------------------------------- * * * * At this time, The Brethren of the Mere, and * * their most esteemed colleagues The Lagos * * Lords, have taken the City of Cremona in * * the region of Brodick as their exclusive * * and most private abode. * * * * Indeed, our cooperative actions have gone * * so well that The Lagos Lords have decided * * to fully join The Brethren of the Mere * * under The Brethren's banner. We are more * * than happy at this act of comraderie and * * and solidarity. * * * * We salute the brave guards who fell trying * * to fulfil what they saw as their duty; and * * we grieve that they would not be persuaded * * to yield when shown our irresistible might. * * * * This, our current capitol, is closed to all * * non-allied factions. Any interlopers found * * within the city walls at the end of the * * coming month will be set upon. * * * * * * The Brethren of the Mere * * * ************************************************** The action was over, almost as soon as it had begun. As anticipated, there had been no casualties on our side. Now was time to build. And not just military forces. There were plans for a new coliseum for the amusement of the masses. There was industry to build. Yes, there would be taxes gleaned from the populace. But they would benefit greatly from their payments. Then there was the matter of the outsiders. Reports had come in of sightings of non-allied units in the city. It was to be hoped that they heeded the warnings to vacate. ------------------------------------------------ Virtuous Romans (14) writes: Personal Journal Entry, Last Day of May 01 AE The winter is biting hard, my scouts spent their time hundled in their tents our of the bitter winds. Or so they all informed me. Yet I have received a bill for damages from an inn where one of my scouts supposedly carousing in the company of several vikings spent a rowdy evening drinking the place dry before getting into a fist fight with the locals and helping to smash every table and chair in the bar. I suspect these claims are a little over stated. I doubt anyone could remain vertical let alone win a bar room brawl after having consumed the barrels of ale I am also being billed for ! I am sending my chancellor to investigate, if the tale is true then I will have to compensate the locals their goodwill is important to me. My time with the smiths has almost payed off a few of the more promising ones should be skilled enough by the end of this month to turn out a few basic trade goods. Its about time my silver is running low, all the time I have spent training this small town boys into productive men has proved expensive. Time to start interviewing for potential ship builders and sailors, I badly need that ocean vacation. Once the weather is better of course. Marcus Aurellius Virtuous Romans. ------------------------------------------------ Stormbringer (29) writes: I was once asked by some government official "How should I tax the pepople?". My answer was "Fair and simple". Surprise in his face showed he was not used to both of these concepts (now you see why it was imperative to take over city of Cremona). So I tried to explain these basic truths to him: -- First, you must hire and train first taxers. Their job is the hardest, since population is not used to taxes. They must be paid and fed well, even before they bring in you money! This is simple. Hire and train and feed -- and you have loyal taxer ready. From a smile on his face, I understood he knows that much... -- Second, as they start returning money, you must spend it on other taxers, 'cause this is fair. What's more, you only need to hire and train your taxers, cause they'll be fed by their fellow taxers bringing in next month's taxes. Confusion again crept over his face... I saw it's useless to try to explain anything further to this dumb bureaucrat. Phe, complete waste of time.... ------------------------------------------------ Lords of the Deep (33) writes: You dimwitted scoundrels! Only through our own diligence were we able to crack the last cipher. If an "a" becomes a "b" then a "c" becomes a "d." But perhaps you can still prove your usefulness yet. There is a passage in the ancient manuscript we are still unable to decipher. "Zfmtnmfi npsg mjbt mmbit qjit b zobn." We suspect this cipher combines elements of two ciphers we have already seen. If you are able to decipher this cryptic passage, please let us know. We can be contacted at LordsOfTheDeep@aol.com. ------------------------------------------------ Aries Wave (45) writes: Greetings from Aries Wave, 45 As Speaker of The Confederation of Sines (T.C.S.) i am glad to inform you that T.C.S. is still open to new factions who wish to cooperate and develop the land. If you are interested, please visit the T.C.S. Homepage at: http://santo.azit.com/sines/ There you will find plenty of information about T.C.S. members, objectives, spirit, etc. It also has a forum where anyone, member or non member, can say some words. The homepage is being constantly updated, so go there from time to time. Our librarian is full of work during last days, and has not yet add new T.C.S. members who have arrived last month into Sines. About Sines: The city is getting more crowded as time goes on. The main reason may be because of the success of recruitment of new factions into T.C.S.. During this month we expect four new future members to arrive to Sines from the Nexus. History: Sines history is hardly known. It is well clear that a long time ago it was one of the most important cities of Rondor before the arrival of the dark ages who brought barbary and chaos to Rondor. The biggest evidence of its importance is the existance of the nexus portal. Only a very important city would have such a rare and exotic structure. The city is full of huge and magnificiant palaces, temples, large squares full of archways and glorious statues of unknow heroes despite of all those structures are now in ruins due to the heavy foot of time. And also the wind. The wind blows all across the city, shaping palace corners and statues faces refusing the old days heroes their most desired goal. To be remembered for eternity. Still historians do know something about Sines history. That his once tremendous wealth came from sea trading, and secondly that one of his greatest heroes was an adventurer of name Vasco da Gama, sea explorer of the world according by some rotten, decayed city books and wall stones. His adventures are unknow, as his final resting place. Legend says that it was him who opened the city to sea trade, and that he discovered some powerfull mystic magic in far distant places. So many mysteries, the ones a eager adventurer would like to solve. Victor Sousa Aries Wave, 45 Speaker of T.C.S. ------------------------------------------------ The Timorians (60) writes: "Muds! I hate this snow!" Aranin, the young sea elf kid, had been feeling irritated and uneasy since the last sight of the ocean disappeared below one of the rolling hills of Catrianchi. He hated not only snow but also the limitation in line of sight that dry land brought and could not believe anyone would wish to stay at an= y one place where vision is cut down to a couple of hundred metres. The serenity of the sea, the placidity of a cove, or the awe before the powerfu= l waves. How could people do without it? The elven boy could not, at least, s= o he had kept moving all day, hoping to reach a new shore soon. After all, he was a scout on an important mission. Supported by powerful interests. Was h= e not? The youngster had slightly bad conscience, having disobeyed his orders slightly. Not on purpose, mind you. He had received them all right along with a small chest of "resources" - in pure silver. That was a few days ago= , still back at Limavady, where it was warm and the sea visible. Since then life had completely turned upside down. Aranin had begun with counting his coin; 99 pieces altogether, and putting some of it in a purse, for easy disposal. He could count well enough, and would brag to anyone about it. Spending some in one of the various inns in Limavady seemed reasonable, and he was enthralled by the warm and inviting atmosphere of the local inns. However, his "mission" - hired, his services being asked for, and silver coins in return! - as well as the full bosom of the gorgeous nomad barmaid had gotten to his head, which soon started spinning as well, as goblets of summer=B4s last wine were emptied. He hated admitting to himself he had los= t his self control. He slightly remembered dancing on a table, but after that all was black as an underwater cave at midnight. When he awoke, it was already midday and he was supposed to have left at first light! Moreover - his parchment with the orders as well as the purse of coin were gone! Now he was really stuck in the net! What would that horseman have said, he who had hired Aranin? Luckily that fellow was long gone, and no one else would know, if Aranin could just set off. That was what he did, not remembering what it was he wa= s supposed to have bought with the considerably heavy silver coin in his big purse. Now he would have to starve - those coins would have lasted him a week! And he sure hated going hungry! Perhaps if he just took a little out of the chest, no one would notice... His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a fearsome howl. It clove the silence and he gave a start. Even the inexperienced Aranin recognised that sound; wolves, and by the pitch of the howl they were on the hunt. He had never heard of wolves straying this far north, they must be desperate, forced to seek out new hunting treks - and perhaps game, he thought, making himself shudder. He pushed on in the deep snow, following what seemed like = a brook, crossing a small clearing and starting a slow rise up some hill. Aooooouuuuuuuuuuiiiiii!!! There is was again, seemingly much closer! What i= f they had caught his scent, or seen his tracks or something! Mother squid, h= e had to find shelter! Wildly looking about, Aranin caught sight of a treetop rising high above it= s peers. Not stopping to reason, he immediately made for it, breaking a snowy path through a shrubbery, getting snow just about everywhere and brushing his hand on some frozen low branches. He was an deft climber, and shoving the coin chest behind some rocks, he started up the tree. The tree seemed dead; the trunk, where visible, was blackened as by fire. Nevertheless it did not creak or sway too much and he continued higher. And there!, neatly visible on a frozen lake not far from him were seven, no, eight dark shapes running in a line. Phew! Now, there was a marvellous view from up here and he felt fresh, ocean winds in his face, coming in from the north. He was ho= t and done-in from the run and the climb though. And he hated being sweaty! ------------------------------------------------ WaveRiders (66) writes: Waveriders faction informs, that if You check the adress http://www.murds.lv/pbem/atlantis/ You would find an Atlantis game translated to latvian language. Curently there is only beta-test game going on, but into week or two the GM promises to set up a few games, with the speed 1, 2, and 5 turns week, if there be demand. ------------------------------------------------ Unicorn Elves (96) writes: ....and the skys they did open up and down poured the water from a thousand thousand rivers and the land became so wet that all travel was reduced to a half. On well - so much for exploration of the forests and jungles. Lets just hope the dryer weather is around the corner. So what can I do in a forest for an indefinite amount of time....? ------------------------------------------------ Guardians of Ghent (121) writes: RHUDHRIC'S ARRIVAL *** Stepping out into the real world, nausea and vertigo momentarily held Rhudhric Maradh. One step through some kind of wondrous gate had moved him clear across the world, it seemed. And turned him around, too, for he had been headed south out of the Nexus. Now, all of a sudden, he was staring at his shadow, headed west. And yet he had felt no sensation of turning. This very lack of feeling made him quite dizzy. Other things had changed as well when he moved out of his safe haven, into the unknown. Here, in fabled city of Erisort, the day was younger. And decidedly colder. Rhudhric shuddered in his cloak, drawing it tighter. Against his will and better judgment he stared at his surroundings. So many people! The Nexus had been a quiet place, a place for serene thoughts and calm preparations. This place was a riot of activity. Merchandise was being bartered over by hundreds of men and women. People of all social statures sauntered about, whether in finest silk shoes with wooden flats, or in dirty, home-mended hose. Even bare-footed. Beggars could be seen, here and there. In the distance Rhudhric could make out the frantic scurryings about the city port. And a lot of armed men. It seemed more people had taken the opportunity to seek wealth and fame in Erisort. *** "Well, unto the task I me set, and rightly." thought Rhudhric, as he started his search for a city house. The first thing to do, always, was to secure a base of operations. "A mans home is his castle, be it ever so humble. Then, methinks I must ensure myself of some servants. Being then attired and provided for like a lord and gentleman, I shall set out to find men to do my every bidding, comrades in arms, and future knights and vassals." At first Rhudhric had thought to solicit help from men in need of employment, found in the taverns of this city. But Rhudhric reviled drunkenness and distrusted the quality of men who might be found there. But there were the docks, too. Aye, the docks! Hopefully crowded with men, used to hard labour and, perchance, skilled in diverse crafts. Then, to send out scouts into the surrounding lands. But that was for the future. Right now, the young Maradh set himself to the task of settling in Erisort. *** ======================================================= Rumors ======================================================= T H E A S S A S S I N ' S G U I L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This is the first official announcement from the Assassin's Guild. We are now recruiting new membership in Sinan. If you are currently in the Nexus, or are already in Sinan, perhaps you'll decide to join our organization. You become eligible for membership in the Assassin's Guild once you have trained a leader to Combat 3 and Stealth 3. We are monitoring Sinan for new arrivals. Don't attempt to contact us. We'll contact you. Rank in the Assassin's Guild is awarded, of course, through successful assassinations. The more assassinations you have under your belt, the higher your rank. Also, you'll receive extra credit for scoring particularly difficult or important kills. May entropy and chaos dash the plans of would be empire builders! ------------------------------------------------ "Never light a match in the outhouse." -- old Kablammi saying Up