Subject: Eldritch Chronicle - turn 37 From: thomasSPAMGUARD@clark.net (Mark Thomas) Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 00:00:00 +0000 Eldritch is a computer moderated, play-by-email, strategy game of exploration and conquest for a variable number of players. Each player controls a FACTION, a group of champions and units, in a fantasy world where they can build an empire, explore the world, engage in trade, and/or study powerful magic. Each game of Eldritch runs either as an open-ended game, or until one or more factions meets the defined victory conditions. To read more: http://www.pbegames.com Moderator email: moderator@pbegames.com -------------------------------------------------- The Eldritch Chronicle Turn 37 --=== Articles ===-- ==================== Xenocide [F53] writes: Lodrilicon & Galidranicous All business on Xenocide terrirory is a concern only to Xenocide and is none of *your* business. Two dragons eating grizzly bears has upset the local population. Distrubing the peace is crime inside the boarders of Xenocide. The normal punishment is death, however grizzly bears may have caused a distrubance before they could be captured and released in a more suitable environment, therefore your punisment is merely banishment. Leave Xenocide terrirory and never return. You have one month to comply. ==================== Holderon's Regency [F81] writes: Greetings VisCount Ames, What do you have to Report? My Lord Things go beyond expectations, the natural resource problems have improved significantly. Building should proceed very quickly, and transportation of said raw materials has improved also. The Bard has sent his greetings through the Weapon Smiths, of all people. He has done none of the nefarious things that they and their kind are often reputed to do. I will attend this matter closely. I think all will be well. Very Good, Viscount Ames, I see my faith in you has been rewarded. ==================== Slash Y [F50] writes: From: JC, Executive Director of /Y To: Andar Lias Subj: WARNING TO SLASH Y PEOPLE IN CHRONICLE 35 1. Your warning to the Slash Y people of Dexter is unfounded. You reference a skirmish by the forces of Slash Y with bandits and brigands in the hills surrounding the mountain Aviar city of Manhattan and state that the Slash Y people are not treating the Aviar with diginity and respect. 2. This skirmish is an ongoing effort by Slash Y to remove the presence of all bandits from the area so that the two cities of Dexter and Manhattan can grow together and prosper. These rogues destroy the economy, upset trade routes, and generally are a nuisance to all residents of the area and will not be tolerated. 3. I will continue to authorize such removal of these bandits and will continue to provide a lawful presence in the areas surrounding both of these cities. I will not allow brigands to rule the surrounding areas of these two cities. 4. I hope this message will resolve the issue. JC ExDir of /Y ==================== The Republic of Virtue [F106] writes: "Greetings to the dwarves of Stoneburg. We have investigated" the 'shadowy spy' comment and found that indeed it came from one of us. An unfortunate consequence of out democratic political system is that sometimes individuals' statements which are intended only for the domestic audience catch the ears of of people abroad and are misinterpreted. In this case, a member of the pro-armament faction--who have been long ignored in our peaceful community--was trying to drum up support for building an army. For better or worse, the coming of the goblins has provided his clique with better speech material . As for the offending individual, a (very) short session with Madam de la Guillotine seems appropriate. That aside, we look forward to trading with you. We have little to offer you but cash at this point, since our production has focused on the means to build our community rather than specialized products. Nevertheless, we would be interested in buying missile weapons from you if the price is reasonable. We might also be interested in one steel broadsword and a 3 suits of armor. Most of all, we would be grateful for information about these goblins, such as how strong their band tend to be, what kind of leaders they have, etc. ----Robespierre, First Citizen of the Republic." ==================== The Flaming Fist [F19] writes: Regarding the following: Listen and listen well. Those that slay the friends of Dragons suffer. They suffer for a long long time. Be afraid whoever you are. I shall not rest until Egreen's death is avenged. Egreen Hyl was found guilty of the following crimes within my borders: practicing magic without a license, assault on a passing scout, releasing magical creatures into the wild, 28 counts of mantidslaughter from flying serpent attacks, looting, and general unpleasantness. The punishment for these crimes is a fine of 1 coin. When my collection squad attempted to acquire payment, they found Egreen's hex blocked. And the punishment for that crime is, of course, death. I assume the author of this message was Egreen's pet hurricane dragon that somehow managed to conveniently be missing when the battle occured. You may sneak around the countryside and look for a nice settlement to pillage, but be aware that once I know where you are, your days will be numbered. Perhaps you would be better off moving on to greener pastures. ==================== The Iron March [F30] writes: The stealthy shadowman moved through the darkness without notice . . . he was waiting for a payment for his services . . . a payment that would line the coffers of The Iron March with gold. ==================== The Uplifted [F21] writes: The Uplifted wishes to remeber everyone of the Compendium's existence, whose astral location is http://www.frmug.org/~archer/eldritchG100.html which is the most comprehensive document on all elements of our world, including many skills up to 9th level, an extensive list of alchemic ingredients and minor races. Contribute, if you can. --==== Rumors ====-- ==================== Hmmm, all we seem to see are the goody-goody 2shoes from the free city; where are all those evil guys that are supposed to be climbing out of the Beneath and pillaging????? ==================== The King is dead! Long live the King! The new champion of the underworld is soon to rise! ==================== Way to go Filthy Lot! Took out 4 nasty hydras in Southern Eldri/Northwestern Wavelt. Captain Durth was impressed by the prowess of the Filthy Lot army. Free City Press ==================== "First a storm giant, now an ettin!" cried Hano, the only champion left after the massacre a few turns ago. "Why are we suddenly getting all these creatures joining up? Don't tell me battles attract certain creatures with a taste for elf flesh! Well they won't get any I tell you. They'll have to eat berries like the rest of us or they can starve!" ==================== Read all about it! Bloodshed and treachery in the Free City! Shadow Lord artisans slain! Baron Hildicky declares marshall law! Mayor Cowcatcher indicted for illegally hiring an assassin! Lt. Thon stripped of rank for unnecessary warlike actions! Hundreds of Shadow Lord artisans were seen roughing up a bogey in the city's merchant district. The first city policemen on the scene attacked the artisans but were beaten back. Then the Free City army arrived under the command of Lt. Hack Thon. The army came to the rescue of both the bogey (later found to be Fao Dar, the assassin) and the policemen who were still alive. They savagely attacked and killed every person wearing a Shadow Lord emblem throughout the merchant district. Afterward, Baron Hildicky declared marshall law in the city and announced the removal of Mayor Cowcatcher and Lt. Thon for treasonous actions against the City. His spokeman stated that these were the acts of misguided individuals whose actions threatened the sanctity and harmony of the Free City. Under marshall law, Baron Hildicky requests that all factions limit the number of people they have in the Free City to 25 or less. Further, the number of people in each hex controlled by the Free City should also be limited to 25 or less. First with the news, Always with the truth, Free City Press ==================== To the Seekers: Lodrilicon and I are currently resting after a brief meal of grizzly bear. We hope to have our difficulties with travel straightened out shortly, and will meet you at the previously established location. As for what to do, that *is* a good question. Galidranicous ==================== The flying serpent had struck the first blow. Many more will soon die. Beware, for the conflict has now begun. ==================== What a battle it was! The police, the army, and the mages were there. First there was a riot in the merchant's square. A large ruckus had started between a bogey and the ShadowLords. A spell was cast and all of the ShadowLords were coated in muck. Then the catapults and archers from the fortress began firing into the crowd. Another spell was cast and a strange smoke that looked alive started gathering around the remaining men. More arrows, this time flaming brightly, flew into the crowd. One man emerged from the crowd and starting throwing lightning bolts directly into the Free City riot police. Bolt after bolt after bolt until all were killed. That man was cut down by arrows, as were the rest of his comrades. It was a slaughter unlike any ever seen in the Free City since the days of Balron Feirster and his army of serpentmen. Independent Source Free City Press ==================== To: The Faction known as Xenocide The Guild of Bards From: Vreznik Lkoz, Baron of Stelenburg Noble Leaders, Gentle Bards, The ongoing conflict between your organizations has caused much strife and hardship across the Realms of Light. It grieves us as peace loving citizens of this land to see two great powers engage in such actions when they should be allies rather than enemies. There are sufficient threats to the peace that we need not add to them ourselves. With this in mind, the City Fathers have asked me to speak with both parties involved to see if a peaceful end to this strife can be achieved. To this end I ask that each side in the conflict agree to a cease fire, beginning in the month of Alnish, or as the Editor of the Chronicle would say, Turn 38. Once a cease fire is established, representatives of both sides can send representatives to a neutral location, either Stelenburg or the Free City, to discuss terms and conditions for a lasting peace. I hope that both sides of this great conflict will see the wisdom of peace. I look forward to hearing from each of you. Vreznik Lkoz Baron of Stelenburg ==================== to: AMG cc: other interested parties Warning--a pair of aggressive Hurricane Dragons have been spotted in the extreme NW. Unfortunately the individual who spotted them is no longer able to tell us much of anything about them. ==================== Baron Oferth has finally killed the cyclops that have been terrorizing the populace of Nestal for over a year. About time they got off their butts. The Concerned Citizens of Nestal. ==================== The Bards may be more than just Bards. Some say they are assassins. Some say they are wizards with arcane powers. Some say they have great armies. Who can be sure in times like these? The answer is in the songs. Listen carefully. ==================== Someone asked of the Chronicle Sage: Some of the territories near my city are populated by species other than my own; normally I would not consider this a problem but the tax rates are falling, there is little work to be had, and there does not appear to be much room for growth. Would it be to my advantage to pillage the territory until I drive them out so that I can populate it with my own kind? Is there a better way to encourage them to leave? and how do I encourage my own kind emigrate to the neighboring territories? These 'others' would not be much of a problem except that I only have 3 usable hexes around my home province and 2 of them are populated by species other than my own. The Chronicle Sage responds: There is something to be said for a native population that matches your own, particularly when said population lies within the influence of your city. Instead of pillaging these poor souls into oblivion, one could use these territories as spell testing facilities. It should be noted that eventually your city's native population will drive out these poor souls. When that happens your population will likely expand into the empty territory. It may take a month or two for the natives to realize there is new land to be had, but they'll get there eventually. Once they do, a strong leader and a few beneficial spells will speed the population on its way. ==================== And so they entered the beneath. Their mission was to find the source of the stench that filled the air of the quiet kingdom. Armed with only a few torches and a couple days rations they would have to live off of giant mushrooms and cave slugs. Any gems found in the process would be an added bonus. ==================== The recent spat between the Free City army and the artisans will have no effect on classes at the College of Mages. Sign up for your degree now and receive a 10% discount. This months courses include artifice, fire, magma, air, water, electricity and steam. Come to the Free City, get a life. Jawatt, Master of Light, Head Mage of the College of Mages, The Free City ==================== Long range scouts of the Stelenburg Militia have discovered large raiding parties of trolls and ettins forming near several local Beneath entrances. All law abiding factions are warned to watch their borders. ==================== You can't keep a good wight down... ==================== Leaders of Stoneburg, we have extensive maps of the underworld, but we are unable to locate your city. Can you give directions relative to a nearby exit to the surface world? Signed, Lost ==================== The Great Barons of the Ancient Order have united. ==================== Current faction funds: $1664 Power: 67899 Resources: 204422. Major victories: 0 Explored hexes: 105 Discoveries: 4 Towns founded: 0. Words of power: none Is this good? ==================== Lonto shook his head in disbelief. Less than a month had passed since the crew's landfall, and now this! Who would have expected an earthquake would completely destroy a ship. Now what? Become a farmer? ==================== Hmmm, sure hope I come up with some better dice rolls this turn; 3 units carousing in a tavern with entertainment all go from shaken to broken. ==================== The Free City is now under marshall law. All matters of government are being handled by the military. Baron-General Hildicky ==================== A note from the Chronicle Sage: Sadly my time is limited, I can answer but one question per month, picking the wittiest and most interesting from those asked. Free advice: take up poetry. ==================== Eh? What was that? ==================== Notice: The town of Ssmin in 63,32 is dangerous. There are reports that all outsiders are being killed. Free City Press ==================== Chronicle End Mark ----- Mark Thomas thomasSPAMGUARD@clark.net http://www.clark.net/pub/thomas You can't manage creativity. All you can do is give it a place to work. Remove SPAMGUARD from address when replying. Up