+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times issue g1-69 | | October 18, 1995 | | | | turn 69 160 players http://www.pbm.com/oly/times/ | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
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Player-contributed press
Welcome to Gildeath - The Gateway to the North West.
The City of Gildeath and it's surrounding lands on the Isle of Antresk, are the lawful demesne of the Draconian Elite and their allies. Travellers are welcome, but please inform me when you wish to traverse my lands.
-- Draconian Elite [fg4]
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Now for sale from the Illustrated Man!
lana bark: 100 gold longswords: 25 gold
Maps are available! Get yours today from the Illustrated Man [s5e] in the Imperial City! If you're a new player, only 75 gold plus your surface mail address for all the info known about Provinia and the world! For experienced players, ask about a blow-up of your area!
-- The Midnight Carnival [nx2]
---------------------- S. CAMARIS Update ----------------------
Monthly notice: any new visitors to our fair isle should notify us in advance.
-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]
My moronic barbarian asked: "They say the AOO is going to purchase our duchy. Is that true?"
"If you please, don't make yourself out to be more of an idiot then you already have," I pleaded.
"Ah, oh wise one," the drudge continued, "then I am to understand that these rumors mean an army's gonna' come & beat on us, eh? It's a ruse, no?"
I sighed. It appears that the lame barbarian, when he had marshalled his entire wit, could not fathom this rather easy riddle. "Oh stupid one, let me show you the light. Have you ever known an army to advertise a surprise attack?"
"No, I've never heard of that my master."
"Listen simpleton: If an AOO army was to come to Ossicus with a surprise attack would they advertise it in such a manner?"
"They might?"
"No, they woudln't. Only an idiot, like yourself, would advertise a sneak attack. Did the AOO advertise the attack on Tollus? On Dogmatix? On the MAFOC? Or on the ANM? Do you think Marat rose to first place status by behaving idiotically?"
"It does no seem possible oh great one."
"Now listen my puerile servant. If it is not possible for them to rise while behaving idiotically, & if someone has advertised an AOO sneak attack on Ossicus, could that someone actually have been the AOO?"
"um..."
"No, they couldn't, as only an idiot would advertise such an attack & the likes of you don't control the AOO."
"Yes, oh I am lucky to have such a smart master."
"You certainly are. The message no doubt was a ruse of a third party, who seeks to pit his enemies against one another. Ponder what kind of a man is so lame & dim that he would waste his time on such common politicing. Ponder the ethics of this kind of man. Such a man holds no convictions, uses his friends as tools, & is a useless ally. In a fight he is braveless: in defeat, craven. He seeks only to serve himself & as such does not inspire admiration, trust, or loyalty. If he is intelligent he is dangerous. If he is not, well, then he's no more of a threat to me then you, my poor fool."
"No, I'm no threat. I serve master! I serve only you! How lucky I am to have such a smart master."
"Yes, that's undoubtedly true. Okay you pumkin head, let's go overrun our neighbor's castle."
-- General Norc [z1a]
Salut Flo! Ca va? Mon nouvelle addresse a Londres est gabb@icrf.icnet.uk A bientot.
-- Ou est Flo? [h3f]
Amra's friends have seen Swishbuckler paling around the the infamous Rory of back. We've also seen an inn near Gentlewind called, at one time, "Rory's retreat", to which, surprise surprise, the nasty bandit retired when his bad karma started catching up to him a while back.
-- Amra [g1p]
Customer Testamonial on behalf of the First Bank of Provinia
Greetings, Provinians! My name's Bob the Jolly Fat Guy. Why am I so jolly? Well I'll tell you. One year ago I deposited 1000 gold into the First Bank of Provinia. And boy am I glad I did. This month the account closed with a total balance of 2239 gold! How's that for capital gains, eh?
So take it from me, Bob of l'Ordre de St. Christophe, First Bank of Provinia delivers.
-- Bob the Jolly Fat Guy [v1c]
MONTHLY NOTICE
The Brotherhood of Ormos claims the city of Avalon [ao0k] and all lands and resources inside the boundary of [bp05]-[bp08]-[br06] -[br09] inclusive, as its sole and lawful demense. Those wishing to visit Ormos are required to request a visa and await clearance before attempting to make landfall. All unauthorized visitors are unwelcome and looked upon with extreme prejudice. Captains needing to make landfall at Avalon for emergency repairs will not be molested, but are still required to contact me for a visa.
-- Pelinore Dragonslayer [p4s]
I would like to make a statement in response to recent accusations in the Times concerning Swishbuckler and the Cohorts of Colossus.
Swishbuckler is not a member of the Cohorts, and I am not party to any piracy going on in the Atnos channel. I captured Swishbuckler to end his first reign of terror, but he died under my tender ministrations (he also escaped several times, so that I had to keep recapturing him). Multiple times, in fact.
I repeat: Swishbuckler is not my unit, and I am not party to his actions. I will add the sum of 2000 gold to the bounty on his head, and will dedicate a ship and men to hunting him down.
Those wishing confirmation of this information should contact the Clan with no Name [py4]. They can verify the participation of my faction in the hunting of this miscreant.
-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]
Gentlewind Visitation Policy
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 bx25-bx27, by24-by27, and bz27.
I only rarely refuse reasonable requests, and then only because I've already granted my quota. To avoid possible misunderstandings, do not enter this area without a permit, nor collect resources without express permission. Violators of this policy may be subject to arrest.
-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]
___ ___ ___ / / ) / ) /___ /___/ /___/ / . _ _ /_ / )_ __ / / _ _ . __ . _ / / / _> / /___/(_>/ //< of / / (_)|// / // (_>
The First Bank of Provinia has offices in some of the major cities on the continent of Provinia. The FBoP offers the following facilities.
o Special offers for New Olympia Players. o Excellent Interest Rates on Bank Accounts. o A Fast and Efficient Courier Service. o Money Transfers. o Short and Long Term Loans. o Insurance Policies. o Pawn Broking Service.
Call in at your local branch for further details.
-- First Bank of Provinia [v0z]
Rumors
When is Olympia game 2 going to start?
Some say that a dead head is often worth more than a live one.
*** Some OLY Ditz wrote: ***
"There is no room for Bad rumors. What we would like to know is: If we all joined the AOO, would the game be over? Or do we just continue on? And what if we called our alliance the AOO too? Now wouldn't that be fun!"
Ummmm - no, yes, what for?, and no. Now go back to making pots and juggling apples.
To meet the winds, stay longer.
I think it's about time for the non-AOO to throw in the towel.
The AOO has decided to give much of their assets to the LC as they quit.
I was killed last week, but I feel much better now.
Today my spell power grows stronger, now at 20!
All this gold and I still go for the free 25 for a cheap rumor. I guess this is how the rich stay rich.
READ THIS AND SEND ANOTHER 25 GOLD TO THE AOO!!
This is a rumor. It is only a rumor. It means nothing, it harms no one.
Their heads are blue, and their hands are green, And they went to sea in a sieve.
Someone said: >Sbty f6tu bk. Jjhyt ftyr bhyf5ide juggn jhm,btdfrtv,nyvyt.
Orngf zr, vg'f abg ebg-guvegrra. Nalbar tbg n pyhr?
Someone else asks: > Are we playing by reasonable rules?
Hell no. What do you want, reality?
And Someone else asked: > Can someone explain Aura Blast to me?
If you'd just put this question in the Player-contributed press section, instead of the Rumors section, I'm sure BtA would be quite pleased to demonstrate for you. :)
Someone else asks: > Is it safe to go to Hades to learn a school of magic?
Sure. Go to Hell. Say Hi to the AOO for me. Say it quick, before they kill you, though.
Someone ELSE asks: > Is it true the AOO is quiting the game?
Yes, they are. And I've got a nice, mountaintop chateau in central Provinia to sell you, too.
- The Real Answer Guy ^^^^
You can t cast spells with mashed potatoes in your mouth.
"Now children, stop your playing and come to dinner! Don't argue at the dinner table, either. Okay, tonight we are serving large portions of AOO. Who wants a heaping portion of this nasty beastie?"
"So, the Sheriff has a naval force! Now, what was that line the bard sang about shooting the sheriff, but not the deputy?"
"The only hug I want to give the swishbuckler is the kind that squeezes the last breath out of his 'thilly' body! Rumors of a 'Gentlewind" connection, hmmm. Me thinks the wind may not always be so gentle!"
Money makes the world go round!
YoHo YoHo a Pirate's life for me. We Plunder We pillage we burn and we wench Yo Ho Me Matties Yo Ho
> Is it true the AOO is quiting the game?
Sure is, I hear Chateau Olympique is deserted - a few nobles and 25 peasants could just walk in and take over the whole world.
WANTED: Information concerning Ossicus and/or the Liberty Confederation.
Why can't you perform common tasks on a ship? Aren't there all kinds of peasants and sailors and such on board?
" PLease I'd Like to buy OSSICUS, could you post the cost here? "
"Let us not talk falsely now, The hour is getting late."
"Well done!" the noble lord turned from the stone wall of the outer battlements which he had been examining towards the foreman. "Your men have done good work here."
"Thank you, milord," the foreman nodded happily. "They're a good crew, an' all hard workers, too."
"How is the eastern wall coming along?"
"Better 'n I expected, milord. We 'ave cut a ditch that drained the damp area, an' I expect the main stones will be set by the end of the morrow, if we don' hit any delays."
The noble studied the skies to the west. "Well, it looks like the weather might have something to say about that." He pointed to a dark cloud that had appeared over the horizon and was moving in their direction.
They watched the cloud for a few minuted before the noble again spoke. "That's odd. That storm seems very small, and it's moving directly towards us..."
"Mayhap it's one o' them wizard-storms..." the foreman suggested.
"Perhaps, but they normally look natural. This doesn't, not at all."
Minutes more passed as they watched the cloud. "Look, it's a flock o' birds!" the foreman leaned over the battlements and squinted at the cloud, now much closer but still high above.
"So it is," the noble agreed, "but I've never seen birds move like that. I don't understand..."
"You will." a third voice spoke from one side. Startled, both spun to face the newcomer. Almost hidden in the shadow of a partially completed tower, not 10 yards from them, a man in leather armor with a well-worn sword strapped to his side stood watching them. He wore a grey cloak that blended into the stonework behind him and the lower half of his face was masked. "All will become clear. When it is far too late to do anything about it." He laughed, a harsh, joyless sound, and stepped back into the shadows. And vanished.
The noble stood and stared. They were on an open walkway along the top of the wall, which ended in a blank stone surface against the tower side. There was nowhere to go, yet the man in the shadows was unquestionably gone. And then the impact of the intruders words hit.
"Guards!" he shouted, turning towards the courtyard below. "To arms! We are under attack!" He drew his sword.
And then the leading edge of the shadow cast by the cloud swept over the castle. One of the 'birds' detached itself from the flock and dove, swooping low over the courtyard and scattering workmen in terror. The beast was as large as a man, with coarse, leathery skin and wings sweeping three times a man's height. Glowing red eyes scanned the fleeing men, seeking prey, and from its beak-like mouth came a nerve-shattering, hissing cry.
The noble watched in horror as the creature dipped to within reach of the ground, and a second beast dropped free from where it had been clinging to its underside. The second beast was slightly taller than a man, although thinner, and it stood on two legs as it surveyed the men around it, but there any resemblance to humanity ended. Iron black scales covered its body like armor and the head was featureless save for eyes which gleamed madness and a overlarge maw of jagged teeth. It moved in short, jerky motions, blindingly fast, like some huge bird, and it flexed fingers tipped with wicked claws. "Dragon!" someone in the courtyard shouted, and the screams began.
A soldier charged the dragon, raising his sword high, but the beast moved like lightning, and the sword and soldier both flew aside to land at the base of the wall, broken and lifeless. Andother soldier rushed in behind and struck at the back of the beast's head, but his sword snapped on the scales, and the dragon spun, its claws flashed, and he died.
Around, dozens more of the winged beasts dropped from the sky to deposit their burdens of death, followed by scores of winged horses, and dragons hit the walls and courtyard like a rain of destruction.
So what happens when everybody who threatens the AOO is obliterated?
It seems that not many people want to buy mithril. Better shut the mine down now.
Really helpful telling people that to breed nazgul they should try two nazgul. Maybe they want to know if you can cross breed to obtain a nazgul.
Swishbuckler was seen in the calm waters of the Atnos channel, 1 month of sailing Southeast of IC
How many Gate Crystals am I offered from an old book that that allows a noble to learn Necromancy?
When will game 2 start? Olympia is a great game, but new players seem to easily fall victim to the 'Great Powers'.
************** Warning, Death approaching *******************
Any structure in AOO held territory is unsafe. If you are in any of these structures you will be considered a friend of the AOO. We will kill you indiscriminately. -Guerillas of the Mist
Anyone besides me think G2 is a bad thing for G1?
We here at the Provinia Ministry of Truth would like to assure everyone that everything we tell you is a lie. Fnord.
Overheard in the councils of the AOO:
"So we make up this group, call ourselves the Gaurdians of Truth, or something like that, and then we tell the newbies to attack us, and then we can claim we were just defending ourselves when we beat up on newbies."
Someone wisely chosing to remain anonymous pointed out: > Are the rules the same for all of us? > > Sadly not. Just ask BtA about *his* auraculum, and why it's better > than the ones anyone can make now. Rule change? Fine... but if so, > it should 20 apply to _everyone_.
It is true that as part of the big magic changes of month 50, the nature of all auracula created afterwards was changed. It is also true that there is only one of the old auracula still is existance and that I hold it. Yet most fair-minded observers would agree that the overall effect of magic reform was to diminish the power of archmages.
And before you answer this, consider whether you'd really want new auracula to be like the old ones. You will never forge an auraculum and live to reap its benefits either way. If you do not believe me, study the history of those who went before you.
No, the only beneficiaries would be those whom I allow to forge auracula i.e. my allies. And if you imagine that one like me is a disaster for Olympia, what would you say about half a dozen with powers nearly as great ?
> When a magic user makes an auraculum, all other magic users who have > already constructed an auraculum are informed of that nobles ID (but > the new owner of an auraculum does not get the ID of all existing > nobles with one).
This may or may not be true. In any case it is mostly irrelevant. Some five years ago I launched "Project Herod". It keeps a tab on all promising young arcanes. Mostly it has allowed me to nip potential problems in the bud, so to speak.
Bastrestric ther Archymonaged
Shortly before sun set, battle is engaged. A great nation is uncertain. Overcome, the sea port makes no answer, the bridge and the grave both in foreign places.
The Sun and the Eagle will appear to the victor. An empty answer assured to the defeated. Neither bugle nor shouts will stop the soldiers. Liberty and peace, if achieved in time through death.
At night the last one will be strangled in his bed because he became too involved with the blond heir elect. The Empire is enslaved and three men substituted. He is put to death with neither letter nor packet read.
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe-- Sailed on a river of crystal light, Into a sea of dew. Then Swishbuckler killed 'em.