+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times issue g1-75 | | November 29, 1995 | | | | turn 75 155 players http://www.pbm.com/oly/times/ | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
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Player-contributed press
Oops. I thought a galley carried 10000 lbs instead of 5000 lbs. My mistake. Scratch my last times entry.
-- The day of Rest [ju3]
---------------------- S. CAMARIS Update ----------------------
Monthly notice: any new visitors to our fair isle should notify us in advance.
-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]
A rumor excerpted from the last Times:
My noble was captured some turns ago by Swishbuckler. He escaped last turn, and it turned out he was being held prisoner by a noble who was last seen stacked under [v0z] the "First Bank of Provinia". I guess a pirate in the channel is good business for the bank, huh? ********
Gosh, I'll bet that noble's id was r5o, wasn't it?
Now, let me repost a bit of my own rumor, posted in Times 67:
8: Swishbuckler [w0p] attacks Kizarvexious [r5o]! 8: 8: Swishbuckler [w0p], wearing enchanted helm [dk5w], with 8: three workers, six soldiers, 14 sailors, 21 dragons, 8: two peasants 8: 8: Kizarvexious [r5o], behind 9, with 15 peasants, four wild 8: horses, two riding horses, one ox 8: 8: Swishbuckler [w0p] is victorious! 8: 8: Kizarvexious lost 15 peasants. 8: Kizarvexious [r5o] was taken prisoner.
I'm sorry to waste this space on old news, but the baseless accusations are getting a bit thick here. I don't pretend to be neutral, I consider the Bank to be a friend and an ally, but really, do you think he attacked his own noble?
You know, as I think about it, Swish has pretty well been out to sea for most of the recent turns, from the little I can gather, so where was your noble when he was taken prisoner? For that matter, where was he when he escaped? This would have been useful information, harmful to Swishbuckler and his allies. Or are you Swishbuckler, making a phony posting to try to take a little heat off by slandering one of the hunters?
-Representing Desdinova and Company
-- Desdinova [g7t]
We read in the Times:
"The Liberty Confederation, What a bunch of pirates, come to the new continent, they say, we hate bandits, they say, blaaa blaaa blaaa what do they do. sit me on a boat and when we land, wipe me out and steal all my kit. So watch out you newbies, they are not what they appear..."
Care to sign this statement my courageous friend? Newbies are invited to ask LC members if this is true. I can provide recommendations from several members who have taken LC voyages & arrived at their destinations safe & sound with little to assault them save the sublime beauty of Ossicus & now the malicious lies propogated in this usually fine newspaper.
To the spreader of disinformation & propaganda about the LC: PPPPPPPPPT! Maybe if you ran your own alliance in a manner more democratic than tyrannical you wouldn't need to stoop to such unsophisticated trickery to gain new members.
-- General Norc [z1a]
Greetings Provinians! To suggest that the honorable institution we know as the First Bank of Provinia is in league with Swishbuckler is ridiculous. I know for a fact, a fact I say, that one of the bank's agents was slain by that perfumed pirate just a few months ago.
My own holy order has done business with the Bank of Provinia on numerous occassions. So heed not the insinuations of devils. So take it from me, The Right Reverend Bob, treat rumors from villains too cowardly to reveal their names like the filth who spew them.
-- The Right Reverend Bob [v1c]
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]
THE AOO DECLARATION OF VICTORY ==============================
Today the Ancient and Honorable Order of Olympians stands unchallenged all across the cities, lands and sea of Olympia and beyond that in the mystic realms of Hades, Faery and the Cloudlands. All organized military and arcane resistance ceased years ago and even the occasional unorganized flareup of hostilities has only ended in a bloodbath for our enemies time and again. As far as the future is concerned, this is unlikely to change as the opposition seems to be lacking both in spirit and in the means to challenge even a single one of us, much less the combined force of our alliance.
Hence now we declare victory on behalf of the AOO since we have effectively accomplished all possible goals we could set for ourselves. From the point of view of armed conquest G1 is effectively over. Many of us have or will now pass on. Others will remain. These will inherit the estates of those who passed on, so there will be no net reduction in the military or arcane might of the AOO.
Those outside the AOO who feel that this declaration is premature are of course within their rights to challenge it. Note however that anonymous sniping in these pages is more likely to confirm than deny the content of this declaration. After all, what better proof of the power of the AOO than that nobody anywhere would dare speak up against it openly for fear of reprisal ? But if another power feels that it can stand against the combined force of the AOO, let it openly declare itself here. The following months will surely test the validity of its claim.
The Cycle of Fate The Grey Lands The Skaithian Consortium Red Mysterions The Aolian Circle The Disciples of the Wanderer Garden People Clann Dhabaid Masters of Sado Island The Darklord's Minions The Enlightened Ones Amber Iconia The Cohorts of Colossus Ferengi RavenSong House of Cards The Sen Clan Ryth Beamers
-- Darkman [m9l]
The Bank has refrained from posting it's policy to the Times, due to it's large size. However, the comments made in the Times makes the need for the Bank's position to be made clear.
___ ___ ___ / / ) / ) /___ /___/ /___/ / . _ _ /_ / )_ __ / / _ _ . __ . _ / / / _> / /___/(_>/ //< of / / (_)|// / // (_>
The FBoP is a financial service offered to all Nobles and Factions. At present we have static branches in the following cities:
Imperial City Aethelarn
And mobile agents covering all of central Provinia.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Accounts. Our primary financial service is a bank account where interest is earned on money invested. Any amount of money can be invested and interest is paid monthly.
We have four kinds of Interest Accounts. Instant Access where you can immediately withdraw your savings. The Trading Account offers a higher rate of interest, but is limited to a withdrawal notice of three months. The Olympia Account is a long-term, high interest, investment account that offers our best returns. And for those of you who wish the interest of a long-term account but the access of an instant account, try our Premier account.
All accounts are only applicable at the branch at which they are opened. Should you require to withdraw your investment at a different branch, please see the money transfer section below.
When opening an account, please state which Nobles are intitled to deposit and withdraw money.
Deposit and withdrawal of money incurs no charges.
Accounts of less than 50 gold will be refused.
Account | Interest upto | Maximum | Withdrawal | 200G 1000G 1001G+ | amount | notification --------+-------------------+----------+------------- Instant | 2% 3% -- | 750 | None Trading | 3% 4% 6% | 1,500 | 3 months Premier | 3% 4% 7% | 1,500 | None (*) Olympia | 3% 5% 10% | 2,000 | 8 months
(*) Maximum withdrawal from Premier Account is 500 gold/month.
In certain circumstances accounts may be opened with items, equipment or men to an equivalent monetary value. Please check with your local branch for details.
Special Offers for new Players. Players of less than 5 turns can open a Trading or Olympia account with 250 gold or more and will instantly recieve an extra 50 gold. This offer is only available once per faction.
Money Transfers. Money may be paid into any of our branches and picked up at any other branch at the cost of 10% for first day of next month delivery or 5% last week of next month delivery. Transfer of goods comes under courier services below.
Freight/Courier Services. 1G per 100 weight per province. For example to carry 50 units of wood (weighing 30 each) 5 provinces would cost (50*30)/100*5 = 75G. Standard delivery moves at 3 provinces a month(*). Express delivery costs 50% more and moves at 5 provinces a month(*). Magical and Sea delivery is available, enquire for special rates.
In certain circumstances, the destination branch may already have the goods in stock and pickup of the goods can be negotiated at a substantially cheaper rate.
(*) Land rates only. Not including mountain provinces.
Loans. Loans are subject to status based upon length of time that you have had a bank account with us and are backed by a team of Bounty Hunters to retrieve funds from defaulters. Any amount may be borrowed up to 2000G (more will require special negotiation). Refer to the table below for repayment amounts. If you do not see the amount you need, use the lower denominations to calculate the loan repayment amount. For example, you wish to borrow 1,500 gold. Add the values for 500 and 1,000 together ie. over 20 months a 1,500 loan will cost 150 per month. The Repayment amount MUST be paid each month. However a loan may be paid off before hand by paying an amount equal to 25 gold times the remaining months. Payments can be made into any branch.
Amount | Repayment period (months) | 4 8 12 16 20 24 -------+----------------------------- 50 | 15 9 -- -- -- -- 100 | 30 18 13 -- -- -- 200 | 60 35 27 23 -- -- 500 | 150 88 67 56 50 -- 1,000 | --- 175 133 113 100 92 2,000 | --- --- 267 225 200 183
In certain circumstances payment will be accepted in items, equipment or men. Please check with your local branch for details.
Insurance Policies. Insurance is available on any Noble, ship or building against damage, capture or death. Rates vary significantly based upon faction, value, and risk. Please specify what you want insured, for how long, and a suitable package can be worked out.
PawnBroker. Stuck for cash? We can offer excellant rates on almost any(*) commodity, either on a Buy-Back basis or Sale-of-Goods. The cost of buying any item that has been left as collateral is 20% more than the loan price. After 4 months any item not reclaimed will be put up for sale by the bank.
* Items requiring monthly maintenance costs (ie. Peasants, Workers, Soldiers, etc.) and Common Items (Clay Pots and Woven Baskets) are not covered in the Pawn-Broker policy.
Any other form of financial service can be negotiated.
All services are supplied at the Bank's discretion. We reserve the right to ammend, add or withdraw services without notice to non-account holders.
-- First Bank of Provinia [y6v]
___ ___ ___ / / ) / ) /___ /___/ /___/ / . _ _ /_ / )_ __ / / _ _ . __ . _ / / / _> / /___/(_>/ //< 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]
In the last Times there was the following....
> My noble was captured some turns ago by Swishbuckler. He escaped last > turn, and it turned out he was being held prisoner by a noble who was > last seen stacked under [v0z] the "First Bank of Provinia". I > guess a pirate in the channel is good business for the bank, huh?
This does not surprise me. Why? Because that b*****d Swishbuckler attacked and captured one of the Bank's Agents bank in turn 66 (See the report in The Times #67 for full details). He was killed, buried, and then resurrected. So I no longer lay claim to Noble r5o.
And somebody else asked...
> First Bank of Provinia [v0z]
> Would you care to publish your faction ID? If you really insist. It's not as if I have anything to hide. fg4.
> Could you describe the relationships you have with the AOO > and other major alliances? The Bank is strictly neutral to ALL Alliances, Factions, Nobles, and Players. We act purely as a financial and brokerage system, mainly for new players. Although that does not stop older, more established players from using the Bank's services such as courier services.
> Thanks, You're welcome!
> An Enquiring Mind
Just to add... yet somebody else said in the last Times, that if you cannot find a niche in the game other than hunting "newbies" the you are not worth your salt. I saw a niche. The trading capabilities of Olympia, despite being a bit limited, are non-the-less very profitable. But only if managed properly. I decided to base my main arena of operations in Central Provinia as I can help New Players. Investing in the Bank allows the agents to buy and sell goods at bulk rates. This in turn generates the profits for the Bank which is passed on to the investors in interest on their accounts.
The whole point about the rumours section is just that... they are RUMOURS! 99% of the stuff there is absolute crap (Except for the Answer Guy!)
-- First Bank of Provinia [v0z]
Rumors
I have spells that BtA doesn't, and I'm a relative newbie (23 turns).
Regarding BtA's inventory last turn :- Can someone inform us knowlessmen what an Indigo SC+6 [fn7y] and the like is.
Puzzled
"One wonders how to say Kaaa Ching in other languages ??"
Well, "Kuhh Tching" comes to mind...in that little-known dialect they speak up at Chateau Oly (Pig Welsh, I think it's called).
Two rooms at the top of the stairs. --Eagle
L avenir appartient a ceux qui se levent tot.
Is the Gay Blade ready to move on to the Happy Hunting Grounds?
Some people consider giving a friend your NPs, when you drop, cheating.
Running out of claim gold is no fun.
"Anyone want to share the lore sheet for Farcast?"
Uhhh - no.
Here my good man, have a cigar! Have a nice new pair of clothes too! What a smart fellow you are! How did you ever end up oathed to that ridiculous faction, independent player? You should come work for us. More wine? Of course, help yourself...
Someone asked: > Does anybody know if using Swordplay, 9580, is worthwhile?
Well, you need it to make knights, elite guards, swordsmen, or pirates. Of course, this begs the question of whether any of them are useful.
Using it to raise your attack rating is of marginal use.
A 'normal' noble has attack of 80. If he spends a month using 9580, he'll be up to 84. Here are his chances vs a few typical foes, both before and after that month (250,000 fights simulated):
Foe Before After Change --- ------ ----- ------ savage: 98.76% 98.76% 0.00% centaur: 72.74% 72.98% 0.24% nazgul: 49.99% 50.60% 0.61% giant bird: 32.79% 33.45% 0.66% dragon: 13.79% 14.33% 0.54%
On the other hand, he could spend 10 days recruiting peasants, and here are his chances against the same foes, with the help of the peasants:
Foe Alone w/help Change --- ----- ------ ------ savage: 98.76% 100.00% 1.24% centaur: 72.74% 99.97% 27.23% nazgul: 49.99% 99.45% 49.46% giant bird: 32.79% 97.50% 64.71% dragon: 13.79% 78.47% 64.68%
As you can see, your time is much better spent recruiting troops than it is using swordplay.
Someone Else asked: > what's the matter, can't little BtA take it any more?
The Answer Guy has no answer for this, but notes that no one is posting this sort of thing with their name attached. (Of course, The Answer Guy also chooses to remain anonymous, so who's he to talk?)
And Someone Else asked: > Has anybody seen the Russian Fur Hunter ????
Not I.
Still Someone Else asked: > How come nobody helped me?
You'll have to be more specific. Did you ask for help? When? What did you ask for? Did you say "please"?
And some Brilliant Soul says: >The Answer Guy is one of the most useful parts of the Times. Thank you.
You're very welcome.
Then he asks: > So, what good do these rings in the Cloudlands do?
Rings? Cloudlands? Er... They're just the AOO blowing smoke? Sorry, can't help with that one.
-- The Answer Guy
These are the Olympic Times that try men's souls.
The answer guy maybee know much, but he don't know anything about Dane's signed Gorm the Dane
Storm clouds forming in the east
Hasn't there been talk of g2 for more almost a year?
If you're serious about capturing Swishbuckler, here's a hint: there's a reason the Clan with No Name doesn't have a name, if you get my drift. But don't tell him it was me that told you -- he thinks I'm his ally.
This money will be used for the Squish the Swish Fund. Please donate!
Some Two-Faced Double-Dealer Cajoles: "We're looking for a few good nobles...
The Liberty Confederacy is accepting applications for new members! [snip] Newbies especially welcome.
At Which Point Some Nattering Newbie Cries: " The Liberty Confederation, What a bunch of pirates, come to the new continent, they say, we hate bandits, they say, blaaa blaaa blaa what do they do. sit me on a boat and when we land, wipe me out and steal all my kit. So watch out you newbies, they are not what they appear..."
To Which I Reply: Well, if things are not what they appear, is the rumor of LC perfidy above a valid warning to be heeded, or just another attempt to divide & conquer any foes the AOO doesn't feel like combatting directly? Hmmm.... "Newbies especially welcome.", indeed.... Time will tell.
Some Wheezing Whiner Remarks Again: "Boy, nothing interesting appears here anymore!"
My Considered Opinion on the Matter Remains: That is due in large part to the preponderance of inane comments such as "Boy, nothing interesting appears here anymore!" At least provide us some lyrics from a favorite song!
Some Sniveling Sycophant Stammers: "Anyone want to share the lore sheet for Farcast?"
With a Jaded Yawn I Respond: What good would it do you if someone _did_ want share it? I _could_ tell you where to find it for yourself, but you didn't ask that....
-- The Not So Silent Observer
"where have the all the monsters gone? "
HEY BTA!
Before you leave, you really have to explain a few things:
1. Just exactly what DOES it mean to be "Archymonaged?" 2. Is the "ther" in "Bastrestric ther Archymonaged" some kind of archaic preposition or article? Or did you just mistype "the" and then were too proud to change it?
Thanks!
> Anyone want to share the lore sheet for Farcast?
Sure, I'll take a share of that.
Is Swishbuckler a member of the AOO?
And so the quest for the errorless turn continues...
We could not but note the poor quality of the homemade Insults that commonly appear in the times. Since we think nobles deserve to give and receive only the finest quality insults we are starting a new service
Insults Unlimited - Professional Insulters
Would you prefer a homemade insult like
> Chicken! CHICKEN!! Boook-BOKBOKBOKBOK-BOKKAAA-BOKAAAA!! > CHIIIIIIIIIIIIII-CKEEEEEEEEEEEEENNN!!! Hee hee!
or a professional insult like
| | My good Sir You are a coward. | | I would say cowardice runs in you family but it is well known that | everything in your family runs away. | | Your conception was a mystery since your parents were so scared of the | other sex that they never saw each other. But it was finally realized | that both your parents were releaving their passions on the same small | furry pet. And said pet must of acted like a bee to the flowers. | | You had to be cut from your mothers belly in her 11th month of pregnancy | because you were to afraid to be born. | | You almost starved as an infant because of your fear of breasts. | | You are eternally constipated because of your fear of sh.t. | | Your father was scared of his own reflection and died of fright when | he accidentally entered a house of mirrors at a carnival. | | Your brother died when the sun unexpectedly came out from behind the | clouds and he accidentally say his shadow. | | I would accuse you of cowering under your bed or hiding in your closet | but you are so scared of the dark you have never seen either place. | | You slither around on your belly like a snake because your fear of | heights prevents you from raising up on your hands and knees. | | You soil your undergarments from fear so often a servant has to | follow after you with a pooper scouper. | | When butterflys want to think themselves brave they go scare you. | | In short you are the most cowardly thing that has ever or will ever | exist or be imagined in this or any other reality. |
Remember - when you care to give the very best - use Insults Unlimited
Insults by Insults Unlimited are not copy-righted but duplication in part or whole shall be punished to the fullest of our ability.
There will be a New Order of Olympians coming, The Phoenix will not rise from the ashes.
I. too, have researched many, many weeks without learning anything new. Am I also just stupid?
Boy, nothing interesting appears here anymore!
BtA doesn't even know all of the magic spells?
It looks to me like inner locations (hidden & cities & all that) are numbered in sequence as you go West to East. Is this true? I'm amazed.
Trying times are ahead, but whoever plants enough potatoes will do very well.
What, me worry?
If the tide of resentment against the AOO was ever going to overwhelm them, you'd think 70+ turns would be long enough. The carping started in issue of the Times!!!