Home  |  Olympia  |  Arena  |  PBM FAQ  |  Links

PREV UP NEXT

   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
   | The Olympia Times                                        issue g1-29 |
   | January 11, 1995                                                     |
   |                                                                      |
   | turn 29  188 players   "The brain-spattering, windpipe-slitting art" |
   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com

Olympia PBEM

* * *

I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said -- "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert.... Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of old command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away."

-- Shelley

* * *

I hope you've enjoyed my "war" series in the masthead. This last entry is a quote from Byron. Here is the whole list:

The trade of kings. -- Dryden An epidemic insanity. --- Emerson The business of barbarians. -- Napoleon A conflict which does not determine who is right but who is left. -- anon The continuation of politics by other means. -- von Clausewitz A by-product of the arts of peace. -- Ambrose Bierce The feast of vultures and the waste of life. -- Byron Politics with bloodshed. -- Mao Tse Tung An emblem, a hieroglyphic, of all misery. -- Donne The brain-spattering, windpipe-slitting art. -- Byron

New RAZE argument -----------------

I've added an argument to RAZE, so you can check to make sure you're in the right building before smashing down the walls...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAZE [building] time: varies priority: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tear down a building the character is inside. The command completes when the structure has been completely destroyed. The noble will safely leave buildings before they collapse.

If building is given, RAZE will fail if the specified building.

Gold report -----------

We haven't had one of these in a while...

Common magic: 6,600 11% Pots and baskets: 2,274 4% Opium: 0 0% Trade to cities: 19,684 35% Inn income: 2,377 4% Taxes: 17,779 32% Times press: 1,600 2% Combat with indeps: 2,273 4% Petty thievery: 663 1% Temple income: 1,900 3% Pillaging: 380 0% Ferry boarding: 0 0% ---- Total: 55,530

Player combat: 29,207


Player-contributed press


Because of fear of unrest and a large influx of immigrants to a continent with low resources, visitors to Eastern Drucartan are asked to procure a visa before entering the area. ( We define Eastern Drucartan as the area of Drucartan that is east of the Uldim Pass).

If you want a visa, please send a message to John Sen[m6f], describing the nobles in the party, the size of the party, and the reason for visiting Eastern Drucartan. There is no fee, and requests will only be refused in rare ( i.e. I am bringing 2000 men to kill all nobles ) circumstances.

-- The Sen Clan [di4]


Zounds! Just like in real life the power is in the hands of the few. Look at the number of characters:

Characters: 19 13th

So there are 13 people with 19 or more characters of 1,376 thus about 25% of the nobles are controlled by 7% of the players. Black Billy - MAFOC Census Chief

-- Blue Wizards [gz7]


We the nobles of the Circle of Hope would like to recommend publicly the Wanderer's cloudlands shuttle to all interested parties. The Wanderer has proved a most fair and courteous merchant to our magi, providing in-flight meals, good advice, references, and some protection in the cloudlands. Both weathermagic & artifact construction are available in the Cloudlands as are gullible peasants ready to pay their life's savings to have their palms read. Without a doubt, the trip is the most expensive 3 days for which you will ever pay, however, the journey lays the foundation for a most cool magi.

So shell out those newbie-bucks, jump on a winged horse, gaze down upon the many towers of fair & crowded Chateau Olympique, soar into the heavens, and dwell for a time amongst the happy folk of Nimbus: all this only 22 days from the pits of the Imperial City.

The Circle of Hope faction

-- Circle of Hope [lp3]


M'lord,

The ship is ready, and the men should follow within a week. Barring an unforseen delay, we should have no problem in reaching your realm by next month. I will make a personal report of our voyage before the last of the maize is harvested.

-- The Hand of Chaos [rw2]


Our stay in Aethelarn was uneventful and we have now moved on. So far the provinces are all garrisoned and we expect this will probably be true for some distance from the Imperial City. There are few nobles traveling even though we are still near the cities. We will travel onward looking for new places to visit and since there is apparently little in Provinia that is unexplored we will need to make plans to leave for distant lands.

-- Seekers of Knowledge [tt4]


Wisdom from The Vikings The Newcomer needs fire, his knees are numb. A man who has made his way over mountains needs food and fresh linen.

-- The AEsir [tv8]


Some information for newbies who might be worried by all the news of battles. I've been in Olympia since Sunsear of year 3 (turn 19). I joined at the same time as a friend, so I had a secure ally for the first few turns. We stayed in the IC to build a ship, then sailed away to avoid a war which was going on nearby. Although I am not affiliated with any groups, I have had no problems with bandits, pirates, the AOO or any other faction. From what I read in the Times, it seems that most characters attacked by player-controlled groups bring it on themselves. (The recent mess in Aethelarn is one of the exceptions.) If you don't tweak the nose of someone bigger than you are, you should do OK.

-- The Smaller Horde [vg7]


----------------------- S. CAMARIS Update -----------------------

Another peaceful turn for the entire land mass. Now to ferret out those last few pesky hidden locations.

-- Compte du S. Camaris [b4q]

-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]


Seafarers Beware! A pack of murderous Sea-Monsters are terrorizing ships off the coast at ca46. The monsters pluck sailors right off the deck and out of the rigging to drag them down to their watery lairs. Nothing seems to stop them until their sailor-stuffed bellies beckon them home for a nap. Okay, so it's a stretch. Actually, there is a reef here that you may want to avoid.

-- The Damned [vs2]


The Count of Chardia ====================

Chapter V - Kodva at Papa Joe's ===============================

Caderousse paused until Edmond had disappeared from view, then taking leave of the old man, he went downstairs to rejoin Danglars, who awaited him at the corner.

"Well," said Danglars, "did you see him?"

"I have just left him," answered Caderousse.

"And did he allude to his hopes of being captain?"

"He spoke as if it were already decided. Why, it seems Mr. Morrel has promised him the title. The insolent pup has offered me his patronage, as if he were a lord, and proffered me a loan as if he were a banker! I refused, of course; though I may easily have accepted, for it was I who put into his hands the first silver he ever earned; but now it seems young Edmond has no futher need of assistance."

"Fah!" exclaimed Danglars, "He is not a captain yet."

"-- and it would be as well he never becomes one," added the potmaker. "For if he should be, there will really be no speaking to him."

"If *we* choose," replied Danglars, "he will remain what he is, and perhaps, become even less than he is."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing -- I was speaking to myself. And is he still in love with that girl?"

"Head over heels, he is off to see her even now. But I see a storm brewing in that quarter..."

"Explain yourself."

"I know of nothing for certain; just that I have seen things which induce me to believe that the future captain will encounter some annoyance in the environs of pretty Mercedes. Every time I see her enter the city she has been accompanied by a tall young noble with a fierce air, whom she calls cousin."

"Really," mused Danglars. "And you think this cousin pays her attentions?"

"I only suppose so. What else can a strapping chap of twenty- one see in a fine young wench of seventeen?"

"And you say Edmond has gone to meet her? Let us go the same way... We will stop at Papa Joe's for a glass of kodva while we await the news."

"Come along," agreed Caderousse. "Drinks are on you, then?"

"Certainly," replied Danglars; and going quickly to the inn, they called for a bottle and two glasses. The innkeeper assured them that Edmond had passed by not ten minutes before. They sat down under the budding foliage of a sycamore. In the branches birds were joyfully singing a celebration of the beautiful spring day.

To be continued...

-- The Indomitable Gauls [wk7]


The Imperial City Logging Corporation is open for business. Contact mmwang@mv.us.adobe.com if you wish to place an order for wood or yew.

-- The Enlightened Ones [xf0]


An ally and I are sailing east of Tollus. I welcome the opportunity to exchange detailed mapping data with anyone else sailing in that direction. Contact c1s.

-- Captain Tarkus [c1s]


It's good to be off the ship again, but I can't say I will miss Stybor when we leave. There is little of interest to anyone here in the north.

We have made contact with a few of the alliances in the area; mainly the Atalan League. They have been friendly and helpful; the situation is much different here than in Provinia. There are plenty of resources to go around, with hardly another noble to be seen.

We finally separated Lews and Farseeker. A worse pair to travel with, I can't imagine.

-- Hans Shadowspawn [r2y]


The Olympia Atlas is accepting contributions, and is available for download! Be the first to contribute information for unexplored lands (Faery).

In the tradition of Oleg's Map (tm), the Atlas is a compilation of geographical information useful for explorers, traders, and adventurers. Best of all, it's absolutely free!

To contribute to the Atlas, simply send turn excerpts (cut out all the incriminating parts) that contain the following information:

o) Mapping data (region & route info) o) City market reports o) City skills lists o) Inner locations

and send it to sx6@g1.pbm.com. We'll include it into the next version of the Atlas.

The Atlas is available by ftp from your nearest PBM ftp site (ftp.erg.sri.com in the USA, check the PBM FAQ for other sites), in the directory /pub/pbm/olympia, as atlas.X, where X is the turn of the last update.

The Atlas is also available on the PBMGames forum on CompuServe, in the fantasy games section, as atlas.oly.

Brought to you by the Skulking Vermin (sx6)

-- Sludge [x0o]


PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY

The Land Claim Log V.3 is currently available on the following ftp site: ftp.erg.sri.com in the directory /pub/pbm/olympia, as PAS.claimlog.X, where X is the turn of the last update. Version 3 dates back before Christmas. A new version has not been published due to the lack of new claim information. The Log is also available on CompuServe in the PBMGAMES forum.

-- Akmall Benhalla [p3p]


Announcement: our alliance hereby claims suzerainty over the island of Allassus (south of West Ilion). The southren third (approximately rows Dc-Dh) is currently the scene of an intensive building program, and visitors are unwelcome unless authorized ahead of time. (There's nothing there anyway, it's mostly swamp!) Visitors and settlers are welcome on the rest of the island, as long as they are friendly. All intruders who do not respond to messages will be arrested and executed. Please send enquiries to this address.

-- Tiglath The Inscrutable [m2n]


Whereas the Ancient Order of Olympians (AOO), lead by the once-killed Baconlet tuce Andtomatoe, have been behaving like bandits since the start of the game, and

Whereas these self-same AOO members have practiced the "Big Lie" to conceal their nefarious banditry ("Yes, officer, I just had to mug that grandmother, she looked askance at me!"), and

Whereas these self-same AOO members are attacking and taking other faction's castles, and threaten to take over the entire world (In fact, that's their goal),

I, Oleg the Loudmouth [b2q], do hereby declare Holy War against the AOO.

Many factions have been attacked already by the AOO, are already working together to defeat them. If you wish to help, send me a message and I will give you advice. Confidentiality is assured. Act now before it's too late: the fate of the world rests in our hands.

-- Oleg the Loudmouth [b2q]


I should like it recorded in the annals of Olympia that I consider the actions of one Peter "wrist wrench" of Gentlewind to be that of a Tyrant. He is under the delusion that the free people of Olympia will accept his rule. I for one don't. I think it disgraceful that he interogates innocent travellers, that he abuses them with threats, then attacks and captures them. I am told by local sources that he does this so that he has a ready supply of noble pubic hair with which he continually flosses! Peter you W****r your days are numbered! Is there anyone out there who feels the same - sick that such a disgusting little person should be allowed to get away with this bullying? Regards max l9a

-- Robert Bruce [p6b]


All change on Atnos!

The Duchess Pel is about to retire from her post as ruler of Atnos, in favour of a group of new starters who've sworn allegiance to the charismatic leader: Erik the Well Read. Pel's crimes include:

o Her regime claimed a large area which a single faction could not possibly exploit, leaving 50 squares of resources wasted each turn while hundreds of poor nobles are squeezed into cities just over the Atnos Channel.

o Her policy was to warn off all settlers, friendly or not, and arrest anyone who collected the spare resources. (I have some prisoners and dead bodies taken from Pel's nobles: does anyone claim BoRyan Eberhard [s0p], Fitzwilly [q7k], [c7n] or [u0q]?)

o She didn't guard her castle properly, and had no strength in depth from a loyal population of vassal players.

o She didn't reply to mail from people who wanted peaceful coexistance, but were willing to invade.

The new duke will not make any of these mistakes.

There is plenty of land for more players to come and exploit, and more importantly, places in a complex and sophisticated society. Economically, you'll be charged a 10% tithe on the income from resources allocated to you, and will have the protection of a powerful state with its army and navy as well as elaborate legal and financial systems. Politically, you'll get my loyalty and support in return for yours.

If you're bankrupt in someone else's country, alone, or in a toy alliance going nowhere, join me now and be part of Olympia's first civilisation.

-- Erik the Well Read [l4o]


Visitors are welcome to the area controlled by the Cohorts of Colossus [vo4], as long as they obtain travel permits first. Not all requests will be granted. The affected area includes the land provinces bounded by bx25 and bz27.

Do not enter this area without a permit.

-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]


Due to the recent extreme unpleasantness, all unauthorized visitors to Atnos will be shot on sight until further notice.

-- Pel [q1v]


Journal - Sunsear, Year 4

We are now in a swamp. Jearom believes that there may be treasure in that bog. Ilyena will try to find a swamp man or two to marvel with these trifling common tasks.

I desire to study alone in the forest north of here for a time....

The Lord of the Morning, The Dragon,

-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]


To the Count of Chardia - Well, I stopped by, but no-one was home. What, do I have to stop by after nightfall just to find the Count?

-- Duffy Brew [f8d]


This is monthly notice if you wish to visit the environs of Cycarth and Redwine please be courteous enough to let m9l know (you can reach him at heyman@camis.stanford.edu. I do not currently plan to restrict access, but would like to know who is wandering around in my front yard. I would especially like to know if you plan on using any of the natural rsources (peasants, wood, and the like) in the provinces bt25 bt26 bt27 bu25 bu26 bu27 bv25 bv26 bv27 bw25 bw26 and bw27.

By order of Darkman, caretaker of Dark Castle

-- Dweezil [e5q]


Yupa sighed, and gazed out over the gentle countryside of the domain that remained, for the moment, his. Despite the AOO's apparent willingness to carry out diplomacy, and his longstanding border agreements with all his neighbors, it seemed his demesne, too, was slated to be ground under the heels of the jackbooted hordes in their conquest of Provinia. Returning to his aerie in Shuwa, he dictated a proclamation for his scribes: "Contrary to previous announcements, Trion and environs can no longer be considered a safe zone, and any offers of escort and safeconduct I have made must needs be rescinded. AOO members with large forces are now lurking about the outer edges of my domain killing travellers and sacking garrisons; attempts to stop them on my part would likely do little more than hasten the already seemingly-inevitable fall of the Free Fortress of Shuwa to the minions of Marat. The largest of these raiders, Viliz [l1n], was last seen laying waste to [bv19], in the southeast of the Royal Hunting Forest, with more than 200 followers. In this trying time, with the Crypts yet sealed, we can only hope for succor, and pray our friends and allies elsewhere are stronger and more successful than are we. I remain, for the nonce, Yupa, Marquis Trion [r1v]"

-- Yupa [r1v]


Sailing west of Atnos offers little but coastal reefs. Oh well, would east of Atnos been any better?

-- Corlin Singer [n0i]


One of the most senior sorcerors in Olympia looking for an apprentice.

Must be willing to relocate, would preferably already know Magic but need not be very advanced in the Art, must be willing to take advantage of the opportunity to be inducted in some of the other schools available at the place of work.

Duties included guided research and study, scroll penning and potion brewing. No danger is involved and physical and arcane security is ensured.

Will be provided with transport, full upkeep, cost for studies, opportunity for independent research and most importantly a chance to learn the darkest secrets of the Art known only the innermost circle of practioners. Guaranteed to advance far more than would be possible with independent work.

Initial contract for one year.

Inquire with the undersigned.

-- Bastrestric ther Archymonaged [x9i]


The Tai Lung's captain would like to contact anyone sailing in the northern unexplored regions to exchange data and avoid duplication of effort.

-- Hidenka Sencho [az7t]


Rumors


Western Drucartan, vacation home of the bereft and destitute, remains staunchly closed to further development. As stated, the Lords of Revelstone's natural resources renewal team remains hard at work in Western Drucartan, attempting to bring some life to the shattered expanse of scree and charcoal that was left following the incantation of the Ritual of Desecration. Further human presence will only retard this valuable work. As of this date, a second of the great forests has been restored to a measure of its former glory, bringing the total number of forests in Western Drucartan to two. Celebrations for the whole continent are planned upon the eventual reopening of the area following restoration to its former pristine state. In the meantime, visitors are still strongly discouraged from making any plans whatever to remain in the area. Visitation for purposes of boosting your "provinces visited" rank is understood and accepted, but armed parties, prospectors, and builders tend to upset the local fauna and are barred. Open contempt for this notice shall be considered a hostile act.

Remember: Friends don't let friends press orc sweat glands and process the milky residue over a low flame for two hours, adding powdered avina bark in solution as it gels.

Sincerely-

Saltheart Foamfollower, for the Lords of Revelstone.


"Love Thy Neighbor", from Oneness, Great Principles Shared By All Religions

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." - Judaism

"A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another; even as I have loved you... By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - Christianity

"A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on his neighbor as himself." - Hinduism

"Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy." - Buddhism

"See to be in harmony with all your neighbors; live in amity with your brethren." - Confucianism

"Regard Heaven as your father, Earth as your mother, and all things as your bothers and sisters." - Shintoism


What happened to Sheriff Pelenth, formerly of Gentlewind? I went there to learn mining (where else is it taught?), and nobody was occupying the castle!


The borders of Atnos must regretably inform Her Highness Pel, former Duchess of Atnos, that they are now closed. Travelers may be welcome in the nearish future but any Peace Officers found in the area will suddenly discover a whole new vista in the realm of severe pain, even if they have proper authorization.


Dear Squire Adam,

You seem to have dropped off the face of the earth. Perhaps literally? (hee hee hee)

--- former Doubter


There once was a noble named Marat Who's pointed head looked like a carot An Anciant Olympian he was But for a brain he had fuzz For his actions, in Hell he will rot

-A Poet


Rumors? How d'you expect us to hear any rumors when we've been at sea for 4 bleedin' months? The magic user's been carvin' downright obscene lookin' glyphs in all the masts, and the Colonel keeps mutterin' to 'imself and titterin'. It's positively spookin' the lads in the crew. May be a good thing we haven't seen any land recently, I think they'd all bugger off given half a chance.


Has the AOO attack on Tollus caused them to lose their grip on Atnos? Details at 10 O'clock.


Yes, the AOO is at it again. Viliz is apparently slaughtering newbies in NW Provinia. It's always nice to see established factions bolster their weak egos by pouncing on the unprotected. It takes a special kind of gamer to play that way. For Atnerk's sake people, don't sit around in your twenty-turn old faction waiting to snack on newbies. What kind of a challenge is that?

Rereading past issues of the Times reminds me also of the winney tone the AOO took when people accused them of banditry in the past: 'We need to be bandits in order to be powerful' (& therefor we shouldn't kill/hate you?). or even better 'We don't kill people, only our allies kill people. Oh yea, and we'll die to protect our allies' (& this somehow absolves the AOO of responsibility for banditry?).

Anyone who doesn't believe that Viliz (who's name shows up again & again on my Times word-search--always associated with some banditry complaint) is a member of the AOO, should see who was in Chateau Olympique during the AOO/IN war. If lending aid in battle doesn't make you an ally, I don't know what does.

reprinted for posterity:

29: Chateau Olympique [s85], castle, defense 40, owner: 29: Marat [g3y], duke, with 11 soldiers, ten pikemen, 102 crossbowmen, 29: one riding horse, five swordsmen, 15 workers 29: Angry peasant [es1b], angry peasants, number: 14 29: Athelfrar [m6g], behind 1, with 28 elite archers, one soldier, 29: 39 peasants 29: Charmen [q5z], with three crossbowmen, three workers 29: Benelux [z0z], with eight peasants, five crossbowmen, one soldier 29: Bellabane [o3z], with five peasants, two workers, one pikeman 29: The Jester [o3t], ally, with three peasants 29: Shay Tollin [n3h], priest, ally, with six peasants, 17 soldiers, 29: six pikemen, one riding horse 29: Hermes [c9q], ally, with 25 peasants, one ox 29: Holy Man [w6n], priest, behind 2, ally 29: Rabble Rouser [c1q], behind 2, ally 29: Angry peasant [gy3s], angry peasants, number: 12, ally 29: Angry peasant [bg5u], angry peasants, number: 14, ally 29: Angry peasant [in3q], angry peasants, number: 27, ally 29: Gardener [q5o], behind 2, ally, with two riding horses 29: Bumbling Hordes [hr0v], undead, number: 47, ally, with 22 workers, 29: nine soldiers 29: Warmaster [m9l], behind 2, ally, with six archers, 21 crossbowmen 29: Boadicea [iy5g], barbarians, number: 5, ally 29: Hotspur [h9t], ally, with 35 workers 29: Genji [x8x], ally 29: Viliz [l1n], ally, with 23 peasants, 45 soldiers

I am looking forward/dreading the lame-brained excuses the AOO comes up with this time.

Since all this is well-documented information, & since the AOO will apparently sail 1/2 way around the world to kill you if you bad mouth them, I will obviously not sign my real name.

-Luke Skywalker


Has anyone else found tracer gold? Will swap data Respond to bb1a


Morthain moved north, stopping every now and then to confirm the gate's location. Finally, deep within the black woods, he came upon the vine-covered obelisk. The nazguls' claws quickly shredded the vine and lichen away from the obsidian face, covered with silvery glyphs.

Morthain uttered the Words the Wanderer had taught him, and the second obelisk shimmered into view, the portal between them. Morthain looked upon a land not far from the woods he was in.

"Dissapointing. I'll have to track the one to the southeast. No sign of Carellin here."

Morthain turned and was embraced by leathery wings that bore him and his men up, up and away from the now glittering obelisk.


Has the AOO no pride? They want to rule Olympia, that much is clear. But they fear to attack without an alibi behind which to hide, however thin & bogus. Launch a full-scale sneak attack because someone bad-mouthed you? As Conan said to the evil sorceror Tsotha: "Can you not even steal and pillage frankly and honestly, but you must have an excuse, however thin?" Methinks the AOO either has a lame press agent, no imagination, or a bad conscience. Either way, perhaps the rest of us should consider banding together, eh? Or the next Oleg could be you! -a concerned & openly scared citizen.


Anyone know an easy cure for unintentional marooning? Ooops.


The following leaves no doubt that the authour is an ignoramous:

>It would seem that Oleg's recent Christmas present confirms >one of my old beliefs: > > If you call someone a bully for long enough, > it's likely you'll be proven right.

If you seek the wisdom of "old beliefs", bend your limited intellect to the task of comprehending:

"There is no honour among thieves."

Posted in the market square of Imperial City on day 6 of this past Sunsear:

Decessim [w2f] was caught trying to steal from the city merchants, and given a beating.

Stealing from the merchants is stealing from the tax base, and we all know whose garrison controls the province... as well as who Decessim is loyal too. -- Spymaster


This appeared in the last Times: "MAFOC: (acronym) Mitey Armed Forces Of Chaos; term used by CHAOS MegaFaction members to refer to their combined military forces. Also commonly used by nonmembers to refer to the alliance proper."

I would like to recommend to MAFOC that if they regularly use a good flea and tick shampoo they wouldn't be so "mitey".

The Hygiene Guy


Join Clifford's Market Database. Currently at 55 cities and growing all the time. Send in a city market report for a city not yet in the database and you can get commodity reports each week. Cities all across the world. Contact w4t@g1.pbm.com for details.


Oh give me a home, Where the AOO don't roam, and the open-ended gamers play


Now that Oleg's castle has fallen, where will the AOO strike next? Rumors are that the fleet is sailing south...


Who controls the Provinian crown? Who keeps the Forces of Chaos down? We do, we do. Who leaves Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Demon Lords under wraps? We do, we do. Who holds back the Flying Rug? Who makes Marat look like a Bug? We do, we do. Who robs Cave Orcs of their sight? Who rigs every Wednesday night? We do, we do!

(Official Drinking Song of the Council of the Eumenides)


"The 'Time' has come", the Walrus said, "To talk of many things." "Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax; of cabbages and KINGS." WATCH YOUR ASS, MARAT. LIKE THAT FAMOUS FRENCHMAN OF OLD, YOU TOO MAY FIND YOUR EARSTWHILE ALLIES TURN AGAINST YOU AT THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT!


Has anyone else noticed in Atlas 25 that Provinia looks sort of like Ms. Pacman and Atnos like a power pill? Suggestive...


Yes, Ulysses, Bird Spy does work while sailing, although someone other than the Ship's captain has to do it since the captain is busy sailing the ship. This other noble cannot be stacked under the Captain.


I am running out of things to do while I am waiting to sail from IC. Perhaps I should join a faction and ambush people as they leave (well, everyone else seems to be going it!).


Fellow players: A friendly reminder-

Monthly mainetnence payments for your men can be tricky. If one of your nobles is treasurer and in charge of the bulk of your funds, be certain that you a STACKED with him at the end of a month if you expect payment to be made to your men. It does you no good, for example, if your faction members are in the same location (even an inner location), if you are not stacked together, your funds cannot be automatically distributed among you nobles to pay for their retainers. -One who knows firsthand...


Growing numbers of defenestrated ratspiders are appearing near Imperial City. This cruel treatment of one of the most loving and cuddly denizens of our fair world must stop. Nobles caught abusing ratspiders will be appropriately violated themselves. ospcr


That guy doing the warning posters is pretty funny, but how about a service to provide those really mysterious, spooky messages, such as: We're [EXPLETIVE DELETED] and we're coming to get you. - or - We're [EXPLETIVE DELETED] and we're here. Fear us. - or - [EXPLETIVE DELETED] will soon be powerful enough to rule the world. Aren't you scared? - or - [EXPLETIVE DELETED] are everywhere. We're watching you. And while we're on the subject how about a handy-dandy acronym database. I mean, what does [EXPLETIVE DELETED] *really* stand for?


Found, a large supply of old books [111]. Anyone wanting to purchase, please put an ad in the times.


__ __ / /\______________________________________________________________/ /\ \_\/ \_\/ | GateMastery, the final frontier? | |<--------------------------------------------------------------->| | | | The Gatemasters are here to help *You*. | | | | Here is how it works. We have already located many gateways | | and are rapidly pinning down many more. We want to help | | you help us. Send us in your gate readings and we will send | | you back other information we have that will help you to | | pin point the gateway. If you can pinpoint a gateway that | | we have not, then you get to become a full Gatemaster will | | access to all the gate information we have. | | | | Why do we do it this way? Well there is a large effort that | | must be made in locating gates, and we don't think it's fair | | that people free-load. So long as you are actively trying | | to locate new gateways, you will continue to get help. | | essentially people get out what they put it. We work this | | way to encourage people to contribute. | | | | Interested? Send mail to r4o. | _| _| / /\______________________________________________________________/ /\ \_\/ \_\/


Ho, Fasfhrd tall! Hist, Mouser small! Why leave you the city Of marvelous parts? It were a great pity To wear out your hearts And wear out the soles of your feet, Treading all earth, Foregoing all mirth, Before you once more Lankhmar greet. Now return, now return, now! by Fritz Leiber in Swords Against Death For many of us a sailor no poem ringer truer.


Why is there no info on Eastern Provinia in the Atlas? Isnt anyone there? Arent there any adventurous souls mapping out this area? Please help! Do your part!!


Found in a bottle on the shores of provinia:

What an embarrassing predicament! I was confident of attacking those nasty spiders, but alas, the long voyage has made me forget some basic rules. The most importat being that you need to leave your boat to recruit peasants. I forgot and have been captured. I hope someone


Market Survey: I am interested in the potential profits of bounty hunting. Has anyone made a serious reward offer with satisfactory payment procedures. Please address "serious reward and payment plan" responses via the times, and include your character I.D. I will contact you directly if I am willing to pursue your target.

Low Profile Bounty Hunters Use 9530 #Train warmount


Bevare the dangerous sea monsters. Many unwary sea travellers have regretted not bringing seasoned pirates with them.


random blobs of power expressed as that which we all disregard, ordered states of nature on a scale that no one thinks about, don't speak to me of anarchy or peace or calm revolt we're in a play of slow decay orchestrated by boltzmann, it's entropy...


The AOO against Oleg? Surely all righteous nobles everywhere should be out raged!

If you ever attack the AOO, let your banner be "Remember Oleg the Loudmouth!"


Anyone have advice on a safe place to learn Beastmastery?


Finally, I have found a spot on Provinia which does not have a garrison on it. There's even some native fauna watching me with their beady little eyes....


Why don't more people report their battles in the Olympia Times? Are you too embarrassed by your defeats to help the rest of us spot the villians?


Hey Pel! Maybe I can't spell "firendly", but that's not the real question. The real question is can you spell W_E_L_C_O_M_E?


Lyran Alexander [n6c] writes: > From the ashes of defeat rise the Burnt Umbrians anew! Who could > know how prophetic their faction name would be. This new group > of hardy adventurers, although sharing the name of their doomed > comrades, will not share their fate.

Then, my dearest friend, maybe in this incarnation you should give a little greater consideration to whom exactly you declare hostile.

BtA


Taira: Man the topsail! Prepare to come about!

First mate: Er, sir, we're in a castle now...

Taira: Never mind that, Mr. Christian. We're about to be boarded!


Perhaps it's the decades of inbreeding that have resulted in the sorry spectacle on the streets of the Imperial City: drooling scions of once wealthy and influential families turning themselves to the art of basket-weaving.

This sight is made all the more pitiable by the recent collapse of the market for woven baskets.


The peasantry has called, The time is nigh MAFOC is coming, The peasantry sigh.

The clash will be great, The sound will abound, The AOO will be shattered, Scattered across the ground.


"WE'RE GOING ON A BO-OAT! WE'RE GOING ON A BO-OAT! WE'RE GOING ON A BO-OAT! WE'RE GOING ON A BO-OAT! WE'RE GOING ON A BO-OAT!..." - Traditional Newbie Sailing Song (Heard continuously on the IC wharf, without cessation.)


Whee! Round and round we go in the fog, never quite meeting. If I don't find these guys soon, I think I will leave them for AOO-meat. I mean, I have better things to do than play tag with my allies.


When Constantine the Great transferred the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to his new city of Constantinople in 330, he not only moved the centre of power further east, but also paved the way for the continuation of the Roman Empire after the fall of Rome in 476. Could something like this happen in Provinia?


And so it was that they reached their intended destination, the fair forested shores of Ossicus.

They left the boat drawn up on the beach and took their first steps upon that land. No one was to be seen; only the birds in the trees were making any noise. They themselves were quiet, cautious yet of the natives.

Then, in a small clearing just visible from the sea, they found the ruin. Perhaps it had been an inn once, a year or more ago. Now, it was little more than an empty shell, with half a roof. One wall was blackened by fire. Clean-picked skeletons on the ground were the only sign of inhabitants, who had not gone gently. Cloven and crushed, evidence of sword, mace and axe lay about.

Close by the inn, the fat man knelt on the ground, and picked up a half-burnt board. He brushed dirt off it, revealing carved into it the letters "...us Arms". He commented, "The Ossicus Arms. Typical Imperial lack of imagination. They were probably from Imperial City." He was grinning. The tall, gaunt man stared at him, and his smile slowly disappeared. Except for the fat one they were all from Imperial City.

The gaunt one asked, "Who did this? What became of them? Where did they go?"

No-one answered.


PREV UP NEXT