Olympia Times 020

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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times issue g1-20 | | November 9, 1994 | | | | turn 20 180 players "The trade of kings." | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

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

Olympia PBEM

* * *

Stars, I have seen them fall, But when they drop and die No star is lost at all From all the star-sown sky. The toil of all that be Helps not the primal fault; It rains into the sea, And still the sea is salt.

-- A.E. Housman

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New commands ------------

There are four new commands:

command arguments time priority ------- --------- ---- -------- PRESS <# of lines of text> [character] ... 0 days 1 RUMOR <# of lines of text> [character] ... 0 days 1 SURRENDER ........................ 0 days 1 TELL ................... 0 days 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- SURRENDER time: 0 days priority: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surrender to the specified character. The effect is exactly as if the new prisoner lost in combat, except there is no combat. Any items possessed by the prisoner will be transfered to the given character.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- TELL time: 0 days priority: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inform another faction about the whereabouts of a hidden location.

As knowledge of hidden locations is stored per-faction, not per-noble, may be a faction ID, or any unit in the other player's faction. Similarly, TELL may be ordered by the player entity or any noble.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS <# of lines of text> [character] time: 0 days priority: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submit a signed message to the Olympia Times.

The PRESS order may be given by a character or by the player entity. The identity of the submitting entity will appear in the Times beneath the entry.

Each player may receive 25 gold per turn as payment for a Times submission. Multiple PRESS and RUMOR entries may be submitted each turn, but only the first will receive payment. Specify a character to receive the 25 gold as the optional second argument to PRESS.

The number of lines in the entry should be given as an argument to PRESS, followed by the text of the entry. For example, here is a press item submitted by Osswid [501]. Osswid specifies himself in the PRESS order to claim the 25 gold for his entry:

PRESS 3 501 All ye beware! Osswid hereby claims the entire continent of Provinia as his rightful domain. Those who trespass here without his permission will come to a GRAVE end!

Take care to carefully count the lines of text in the post. If the wrong number of lines is given, your character may end up posting his orders on a sign instead of executing them.

Alternatively, one may specify 0 for the lines of text argument, and terminate the message with the END keyword:

PRESS 0 501 All ye beware! Osswid hereby claims the entire continent of Provinia as his rightful domain. Those who trespass here without his permission will come to a GRAVE end! END

Take great care when using the 0 lines/END keyword feature. If you forget the END, or mistype it, none of the orders following the PRESS command will execute. Instead, they will be published in the Olympia Times. This is obviously very bad, so if you intend to use the END keyword to avoid having to count lines, please be careful.

Each line of posted text must be less than 78 characters long, or the post will be rejected.

Osswid could have specified another character to receive the 25 gold; payment doesn't have to go to the character who posts the entry. (However, a player entity may not be specified for payment -- it must be a character.) Since only one posting to the Times is credited each turn, the second argument may be omitted from all but one PRESS or RUMOR entry.

Editorial guidelines for submissions to the Olympia Times:

1. No profanity.

2. No personal insults to other humans (in-character roleplaying insults are fine).

3. No "junk" submissions just to get the 25 gold. Your character is being paid to write something useful or interesting to the other players. It needn't be long or literatry; just something half-way reasonable (i.e. don't send in "Blah blah, give me my gold.")

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- RUMOR <# of lines of text> [character] time: 0 days priority: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submit an unsigned message to the Olympia Times.

The RUMOR order may be given by a character or by the player entity. The identity of the submitting entity will not appear with the message; RUMOR posts are anonymous.

The number of lines in the entry should be given as an argument to RUMOR, followed by the text of the entry. For example: here is a rumor someone submitted. Payment of the 25 gold is credited to Osswid [501] in the RUMOR order:

RUMOR 3 501 As whispered from ear to ear in the great hall of the Chateau Olympique: Q: Why do so many people take an instant dislike to Oleg the Loudmouth? A: Saves time in the long run.

Take care to carefully count the lines of text in the post. If the wrong number of lines is given, your character may end up posting his orders on a sign instead of executing them.

Alternatively, one may specify 0 for the lines of text argument, and terminate the message with the END keyword:

RUMOR 0 501 As whispered from ear to ear in the great hall of the Chateau Olympique: Q: Why do so many people take an instant dislike to Oleg the Loudmouth? A: Saves time in the long run. END

Take great care when using the 0 lines/END keyword feature. If you forget the END, or mistype it, none of the orders following the RUMOR command will execute. Instead, they will be published in the Olympia Times. This is obviously very bad, so if you intend to use the END keyword to avoid having to count lines, please be careful.

Each line of posted text must be less than 78 characters long, or the post will be rejected.

Editorial guidelines for submissions to the Olympia Times:

1. No profanity.

2. No personal insults to other humans (in-character roleplaying insults are fine).

Player-contributed press

Calliope [p1j] pushed her long golden hair back out of her eyes, got up off the stool, and s t r e t c h e d her well-formed body to its maximum extent. A nearby librarian dropped a book on his toe and started hopping about. Whether the true muse of lyric poetry, or just a cheap sideshow look-alike, she was certainly an eyeful. Curly blonde hair falling to her waist, a sturdy leather jacket (no chainmail bikinis for this swordswoman, thankyouverymuch), and a no-nonsense sword at her side that matched the no-nonsense look in her steely eyes were among her most prominent features, though perhaps they were not the first features that had caught the librarian's eye. She had spent the first day since her arrival here in the Imperial Library reading back issues of the Olympia Times, and looked a bit woozy as she headed out of the stacks. 19 straight issues in a sitting will do that to a girl. What to think about all these people? Ancient Order of Olympians, bucolic agrarian castle-builders or maniacal killers? Dogmatix, rabid terrorist or fuzzy hero? Best not to get involved -- avoid entangling alliances, her mother Mnemosyne always used to say. The only other literary reference that seemed relevant was the famous exchange between the greek tailor and his customer, to wit: Tailor: "Euripides pants?" Customer: "Yes, Eumenides?" On her way out the door she picked up a poetry anthology. "Next mission," she thought, "find some alternatives to A.E. Houseman. Literary critic is right -- in small doses he's good, but if you read the entire _Shropshire Lad_ at once you might as well just put rocks in your pockets and jump in the Atnos Channel." On the way back to her lodgings she passed the market, slapped her forehead, and dug two grimy notes out of her sidepouch. Friends had asked her to post them, she remembered. She hung them up in the square.

^ _ ^ / \U/ \ O===\ /| ||

WINGED HORSE WANTED!!!

Newcomer to Olympia seeks Winged Horse; will pay substantial newbie bucks. Contact w0c.

FeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFeFe

I am interested in becoming Blacksmith to the Imperial City, since apparently there is none at present. If anyone with a mine in Provincia or Atnos wishes to sell a substantial quantity of iron at reasonable rates, I will arrange pickup and transportation. Contact my friend Calliope at p1j.

There. That should do it. Calliope walked down the street, whistling her favorite song, the Funeral March by Chopin. Her whistling sounded like dozens of mechanical instruments all playing at once.

-- Calliope [p1j]

Rumors

Hmmm. It takes three men to carry one unit of wood. Ok. And you can use that wood to create -- one pike.

Now if only we could figure out a way to use all that sawdust!

The tale of Cuchulain and the slain pine marten was once very popular in Eire. In later years, like many tales of its kind, it became shrouded in obscurity and soon forgotten. The tale made mention of Ferrest, the Great Irish Albino Birthday Ferret, Famed in Song and Story. His origins are shrouded in equal mystery, although, in some areas of the Gaeltacht, the story can still be heard - if one is fluent in Gaelic. One item of wisdom concerning the unusual ferret has been handed down through the ages - innkeepers who ply the little ferret with drinks will have good luck for the next year. This might explain Ferrest's genial nature.

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

The turn 19 version of the atlas is currently available at both sites.

Brought to you by the Skulking Vermin (sx6)

Journal - Blossom Bloom, Year 3

Travel and study, travel and study. I have hardly had any time to spend with my beautiful golden-haired Ilyena. Alas, it seems that this pace will continue into the summer. I look forward to meeting our ship captain. At least at sea, Ilyena and I will have time to spend together.

Jearome Gaidin has started training a small force. He has even assigned Ilyena and I each personal guards. If I could touch the True Source, these would be totally unnessary, but until we have mastered the powers of this world, I will have to put up with them

Now were did I leave my scrolls....

The Lord of the Morning, The Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon [m3m] aka Erik Ker

A flock of sea birds in the South Seas saw a strange sight this week. A noble with mud-caked boots was kneeling on the deck of his ship. Very carefully he was inscribing a message on each plank, starting at the bow. The message read: "I shall order SAIL, not MOVE." As darkness fell, he was about halfway down the hull.

Hear this accusing groan that rises now From every Asian land laid bare of men: Who led them forth, but Xerxes? Who sealed their death, but Xerxes? Whose error sent our all to sail in ships, And lost it all, but Xerxes'? - Son of Darius, the invincible Leader of Persian bowmen, Belov'd by all his people!

Aeschylus

Player tip

Nobles will listen to you. They will do what you tell them. Hell you can bully them and they will stay. You can pay them and they will work for you. Shit, they will even swear an oath to you that they would rather die then tell your enemies anything. Should you ever turn your back on them for just a second they will take a break. Can you believe that, man. Last month I caught over half my faction just sitting around watching the time pass on day 29 and 30.

FOR SALE: Genuine souvenir stone from the IN-AOO Mt. Olympus battle. Complete with a certificate of authenticity.

Act now; quantity limited. Guaranteed to be worth it's weight in granite.

Contact: Cotton Mather (i4b)

It would seem that now that the IN has been beaten by the AOO the MAFOC are now going to go the same route. Is this because this alliance is no composed of the remnants of the IN, or is that the IN and MAFOC did not have the sense to join forces against the AOO the first time around? And will this mean that single players in the world will have to join an alliance because everyone else is? Finally, as I, and no doubt many others would like to know, where does the influence of IN, AOO, MAFOC and all those other alliances end, and the free world begin, because that is where I want to be?!

Iron!!! I need some Iron. Who has some to spare, willing to pay a fair price.

Sparhawk q9m

Question: since you need a castle to train Elite Archers, does it have to be your castle? If not, is there anyone out there who has a castle that would allow me to train there. We can discuss reasonable rents and/or me doing training for you as well.

Sparhawk q9m

I sell my services for 5 gold per day. I can make crossbows I can make pikes I can train crossbowman For 5 gold and a piece of your wood I will make a pike or a crossbow. For another 5 gold and one of your peasants I will train a crossbowman. To make orders for my services please tell me when you will provide the raw materials and when you want the weapons and crossbowmen, so I can plan the rest of my turn.

The Merchant of Venice(x9j)

Attention Olympians:

Has anyone found a use for "spiny root" ?

What is typically found in an Oasis ?

Has anyone freed a Royal prisoner and found powerful and friendly relatives or any relatives ?

Willing to provide minor trade considerations or to search for information or items in exchange for valid responses.

Negentropy [pz8]

(Paraphrasing some graffiti seen on a wall in British Singapore, just before the successful Japanese attack in WW Two:)

"England for the English, Australia for the Australians, but Provinia for any S.O.B. who wants it!"

Who knows, this _could_ be a whole new policy!!!

The Normandy Faction has made its home in Torba Bacor and is gathering information on its features. Other residents or interested parties should contact Bill Keyes, Compuserve 72500,3145.

We packed up early this morning. Planning to move out of the city as soon as possible. There are too many people here for their own good. As we started looking about in the brisk morning. My inexperenced group looks warilly towards the south. I stood firm, resolute. I knew there is where my future lies. In what form it will take, I know not.

Reminder to all those intrepid explorers out there, the longest distance between two points is a short cut.

Bumblebee Explorations, INC.

The Excogitate Soliloquy hereby announces that any ship found off the coast of Torba Bacor will be consider a legitimate target of war and therefore a victim to pluck. If you do not want to die, then stay away!

Festus sat at the bar, nursing his drink, and watched the catapults trundling out of imperial city towards the north. He turned to the grizzled old man sitting beside him and said "Dillon, have you heard the serf joke that's been making the rounds?"

"Ayahhh?" grunted Dillon, signalling the barman to bring another bowl of peanuts.

"Well," said Festus grinning , "It seems that when Chateau Olympique was besieged, the besiegers stopped heaving large wooden badgers over the walls, and have been heaving corpses of dead serfs over the walls of the castle, where they would soil the armor of the unfortunate defenders in the castle courtyard. After Marat had the bad fortune of standing where one of these corpses came to rest, watchtowers were constructed and manned with guards. The guards were to shout a particular phrase when they saw these putrid missiles soaring toward their final resting spot inside the castle walls:"

Panic started to show in Dillons bloodshot eyes as Festus leaned toward him, grinning in anticipation.

"SERF'S UP! HAHAHAHA!!" shouted Festus, overjoyed to have found another victim for the truly Bad Joke.

Dillon responded by upending his beer over Festus's head and chasing him out of the bar with volleys of beer nuts. Festus turned to shout a parting jeer at Dillon, tripped over the doormat, and was promptly run over by a catapult.

Thank you for all the enquiries regarding Lana Bark. Collecting is underway and distibution will probably start via the IC in about 4-5 turns.

Huonbrook [t1s]

Nah, that last "rumor" about prisoners was just a rumor!

--Adam

MAFOC has not heard from either of our enemies. Soon ye shall hear from US!!!!!!!

Imperial Shipwrights Open for Business

The Imperial Shipwrights are open for business in the Imperial City. We will build galleys or roundships to your order. Our prices are as follows:

galley: 1250 gold (750 for wood, 500 for labor) roundship: 2500 gold (1500 for wood, 1000 for labor)

We charge on the basis of 15 gold/unit of wood and 2 gold/day of labor. We will reduce the price by 15 gold for each unit of wood you supply.

To order, contact Bligh [s0u].

MAFOC hear bye declairs war on any won who lawst a battle in the last three terns, plus any alliances who's names wee can't spell. This includes the Iron Nataion, the AyOO, the Codicil of the Euminidees, the EIEIO, and Prince Boner the Barbarian. We're farely shure we can beet Boner, anyweigh. Watch owt, becawse wier coming too get ewe.

MARTIAL LAW IMPOSED IN GENTLEWIND AND SURROUNDING PROVINCES

In the aftermath of the AOO/IN battle at Mount Olympus, the Cohorts of Colossus [vo4] have assumed stewardship of the lands in the Newleaf and Gentlewind area. Sheriff Pelenth of Drassa [f3i] is in charge of peacekeeping in the area, and has imposed martial law until tensions have subsided and order is restored.

This proclamation applies to the following provinces, as well as all sublocations in these provinces: bx25, bx26, bx27, by25, by26, by27, and bz27. This includes the cities of Newleaf and Gentlewind. Persons wishing to travel in this area should apply to Sheriff Pelenth to receive a travel permit.

Until tensions in the region have subsided, unauthorized travel through these lands will be regarded as a hostile act, and may be dealt with harshly. We have already had problems with squatters attempting to use resources in the area, and they are being dealt with accordingly.

Travellers notifying Pelenth and obtaining travel permission will not be molested, and will be protected by the Sheriff and his forces. It is our sincere wish that peace is restored to the area soon, and that the martial law will be lifted shortly.

Sheriff Pelenth of Drassa [f3i]

Don't break the chain. This letter has been through 1301 worlds. If you copy it and send it to a paper in all the worlds you exist in. You will receive great luck and 25 currency within a month. If you don't bad luck will plague you in any of the worlds you have or ever will exist in. Look at the experience of Cy Kottic

I ignored this letter, and within 2 months had died in 3 worlds become broke in 5 worlds, and been conquered in 2 worlds. I then copied this letter and was resurrected, found uncountable riches, mounted successful revolutions, been born in four new worlds, was made a god in a world I didn't even know existed, and I received 25 currency. It changed my lives ! Cy Kottic

Attention freedom loving wanderer who has traveled the Stoney Plains and Dragonrock Mountains. Wishing contact? Likeminded group would like to speak to you. Contact the Torba Bacor Alliance at: zo0

It might be useful for the Sen Clan to tell us what the map location is for Thornclay and the adjacent provinces. That way large parties would be able to avoid causing alarm by blundering into that area.

Beacause 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.

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.

John Sen [m6f]

Ships built to order in Imperial City - contact [kc7].

Harald's Saga (continued)

I woke, and we were sailing on as in a gentle weather; 'Twas night, calm night, the moon was high - the dead men stood together.

All stood together on the deck, for a marat dungeon fitter. All fixed on me their stony eyes that in the moon did glitter.

The look with which they looked on me had never passed away. I could not draw my eyes from theirs, Nor turn them up to pray.

- apologies to stc's rime of the ancient mariner

Land Claim: I'm fully exploiting by23, including magic, wood, peasants, hidden location and (soon) an inn. No restrictions on people passing through, but please make contact if you look dangerous.

[py4, The Clan With No Name]

The sun's rays bathed the ship in the warmth of the early summer. Two nobles leaned against the railing, watching the thick forest on the nearby shore. The ship floated quietly at anchor. In the distance, the cry of a jungle bird briefly disturbed the stillness.

The beastmaster watched a pair of wolves pace by on shore, and he touched their minds, seeking signs of danger, but finding none. His companion turned towards him and started to speak. "Don't even start," the beastmaster interrupted him, and they continued to wait.

After a temporary shortage of noble days we are pleased to announce that soon we hope to return to offering trips to the clouds.

Starting in turn 23 you can once more book passage to the cloudlands. Cost of a return ticked is 400 gold. We hope to provide a bimonthly shuttle service for those who would learn the wonders of Weather Summoning and Artifact Construction in our fair cloudlands.

Those wishing transport should write to h7e@g1.pbm.com

We nibbles on they noses, then we bites they little toeses. If they don't converts from painses, then we chews up all they brainses.

Uthden

\ This is the international symbol standing for \ "noble overboard" \ Typically, this appears on certain pirate ships as a sort of \|/ "insigna" for how many idiot pot makers they've disposed of ==---== to Davy Jones' locker. This is a public service message. Unforuntunately, by the time you see this, it's probably too late.

SIGNOFF Glen E Cox write@free.org

Freeing prisoners is one of the joys of my life. You save someone from the depredations of some nasty monster, and get a possible ally at the same time. What could be better than that?

Where oh Where is MAFOC when we need them? Come; liberate us from our oppressors and make war upon the AOO. We could all use the laugh.

Greetings fellow nobles! I have travelled this world for about a year now, learning the skills necessary to survive. I have decided that it is time to try to find other nobles interested in a cooperation, and alliance. If you are at all interested please feel free to send me a message. Crystal [m2g]

Now if the estimates made in the temple before hostilities indicate victory it is because calculations show one's strength to be superior to that of his enemy; if they indicate defeat, it is to because calculations show that one is inferior. With many calculations, one can win; with few one cannot. How much less chance of victory has one who makes none at all! By this means I examine the situation and the outcome will be clearly apparent. -Sun Tzu

PUZZLED PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY

Version 2 of the Land Claim Log is out. Yes, I know it was supposed to be out LAST week, but due to unexpected production problems, the new version of the Log was not uploaded until 11/4. Version 2 of the Log includes some claims to lands not currently in the Atlas. To encourage these nobles to own up, Miyuki has suggested, "Bring more troo..." I mean, "Offer large amounts of gold." So...

The Pilgrims Aid Society hearby offers "large amounts of gold" to nobles who include the province location when submitting land claims. This gold will equal 10%, heck, let's make it 20%, of the revenue generated by the sale of the Land Logs in which these claims appear.

Pick up your free Land Claim log at a ftp sight or CompuServe Library near you.

Akmall Benhalla [p3p]

Well the lads seem to be gettin' on better now that we be back at sea an' outa dem damned swamps. I be harder work now dat der's less of a crew but it keeps tha lads outa trouble. Dey seem ta be a heck of alot happier eversince a cellularpigeon rang and da bank said that I had suddenly aquired 25 gold. I guess that someone musta published me bottled message o' last week. Good thing to since it is a heck of a lot slower going with a skeleton crew.

'cordin' to me calculations we should be putting to port in the next couple o' weeks and then we be able to check out some of the local fauna. Maybe even try and catch us a few nice pups and all. Dem der wolves make good watch dogs I hear.

If I'm lucky some poor sot may be looking fer some pots...

Groweling Beerswooler [k7u], Admerial, MAFOC SS Slotted Spoon.

Offical Press Release from MAFOC Central

Dateline, Rimmon. MAFOC is not in the habit of declaring war on people. That smacks of "organization". The message of last month was from an imposter. We are not at war with anyone, even if we attack them and loot and destroy their castles. The AOO and the IN are currenly wreaking enough chaos on the mainland, that we see no reason to interfere with their plans.

-Black Billy Press Secretary, MAFOC

Serobyn, in Imperial City, wishes to thank all who responded to my advertisement seeking quotes on various commodities which appeared in the last edition of the _Times_. I still seek information concerning winged horses. If you have a supply you are looking to sell or know of persons I might contact to obtain such mounts, I would appreciate hearing from you. -Serobyn [h8e]

>I fail to see why AOO is attracting so much attention. Certainly they have >a strong position and may well control much of Provinia in short order, but >hell there are plenty of others doing the same on other landmasses. > I understand there are some who seek vengeance for past wrongs. To them >I would only suggest that revenge is a dish best served cold. Prepare >yourself, build your strength. Your chance will come.....

Well... more Provinian AOO misinformation? Or perhaps unlike Augusta faction; an anonymous supporter? I'm sure the good Duck Marat would embrace you to his bosom should you identify yourself to him. Just as he did the self-styled "Bandit Prince" Bonerhead the Barbarian. Recently deceased by the way. *grin*

The Provinian AOO attract so much attention due to the tactics of violence, banditry and terrorism that *some* of them employ in attempting to establish their hegemony over Provinia. Did you miss Lord Amber's previous statements about the history of the AOO? Can a zebra change the color of it's stripes? :) I'm not aware of any other alliances/factions that have gone about their empire building activities in other than a peaceful manner.

Of course if the above quote about revenge should have been attributed to Machiavelli as I'm thinking, I wouldn't expect you to discern anything wrong with their tactics.

Taleisin the Merlin, Companions of Caerleon [oz0]

*>>> TRAVELLER'S ADVISORY <<<*

Due to recent problems caused by undisciplined nobles, the area in and around the city of Peash[bd15] is hereby declared a restricted area. Those seeking to travel to this area of West Camaris are advised to contact Clan Shado[eg6] well before making landfall, or risk being assumed hostile. *>>> TRAVELLER'S ADVISORY <<<*

OK, so now I have finally figured out how to get into Hades. Does anyone know how to get back out? Maybe I should have thought about that before I made the trip.

A desparate soul [g6y]

I've had enough of this continent. That's it! I'm out of here! Damn crowds... A Peeved Sailor

Dear diary,

West Camaris at last! The Grey mountains were beautiful, but far too craggy to land on. Dry land is nice. It will be good to stretch our legs for awhile.

The sailors went absolutely crazy when they spotted the port. The captain kept shouting "Weigh anchor, you fools!" But they wouldn't pay attention, 'round and 'round we went inside the harbor -- like some foolish victory dance.

The local residents seem kind and friendly, but I think we'll be moving eastward soon. We still need to find a permanent home.

Johnny Appleseed [j9j]

The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.

Joseph Conrad, "The Heart of Darkness"

MAFOC declare war? Why that is a sacrilegious, unholy blasphemy upon our very deepest held beliefs. We, the true followers of Chaos would, nay could not declare war upon anyone. This implies two evil principles that we could never follow; one, that we would systematically organize an army, two, that we would actually let somone know in advance of our intentions, and third, an almost fanatical devotion to the pope. Ok, the three evil principles we hardly ever follow .. But I digress. All we ever seek is liberation for all who are oppressed, and freedom for all of any class, be they learned noble-born, or the most scurrilous of serfs.

In Chaos Hoc

Kiri High Priestess for the Day MAFOC

It is hereby announced that the Burnt Umbrians lay claim to all of Provinia! However, we have a few things to take care of far away, so we will return in a few years to lay stake to our claim.

The Oracle speaks:

The battle is done, the iron buried. Is peace to endure? This, truely, is not our fate. Perhaps the nonce, only minor battles shall we see. Sooner though, rather than later, even greater confliict shall come. Ossicus shall see mighty battles before control of Provincia is again challenged. Dragons shall triumph.

The following characters will be taking a break for the next several weeks, and any messages to them will not be returned. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The Merchant of Venice Christopher Columbus Gilligan Ulysses Anchor Captain Ahab Jonah Mr. Katanga

Please disregard adds promising any work from the merchant of venice.

On the rumor control front... I've been birdspying for several months now and have acheived the rank of adept, but still no hidden locations were revealed on any of my bird spy activities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND time: 7 days priority: 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Add the specified amount to the faction's account balance. If the player issuing FUND does not have the specified amount in his checking account, the command will fail, possibly in a big way. :)

Checkwriting [001] is required to use the FUND order. The player must also have a pen and a checkbook in his inventory.

All hail the coming of the next King of Provinia!

Shay Tollin left the dining hall, returning to his men with a look of firm resolve on his face. "Come, acolytes, to the courtyard! You must all learn the dread art of war, if we are to survive the coming days!"

Over the next few days, the acolytes of the Wanderer trained with the Duke's men, becoming servicable, if inexperienced soldiers. Shay Tollin spent most of the time in prayer, waiting for the divine visions to return. He was roused from his reverie by one of his acolytes.

"Sir! It's horrible! A massive army besieges the Chateau! I saw hundreds of men, and things more fell, beating their shields and forming their lines!"

Shay Tollin looked upwards as a sigh escaped his lips. "And so it begins..."

************************************************** **** NEWS FLASH! **************** NEWS FLASH! **** ************** PEACE IN PROVINIA??? **************

Imperial City, AP. Has peace finally come to the Imperial City and Provinia? Or will violence once again come to our peaceful land?

Has Duke Marat finally brought peace to us all? Duke Marat for Emperor! Or at least King?

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.

After our first week at the Groundhog Tavern, we experienced very good profits. Then in the second week, there was a looter, who came by and trashed the place. This cut our monthly profits down to 43 gold. We suspect that the looter was a regular visitor of the Drunken Duck, who came because all of their patrons left to come to us. He attempted to make it appear that he was just looting the city, but we know better. Just to let everyone know, the Groundhog is back to top shape, and we still have the cheapest beer prices on Tollus.

Thales (e8q)

As he built up his forces he looked out across the Stony Plain. "Where are they?" he wondered. "They must be exaggerating!" There was no way that so many groups could be wandering around Torba Bacor for all these months without him ever stumbling upon them. They must be stretching the truth. He didn't worry too much about it, though. His forces would soon be ready to send out. While liberating the land of foul beasts, perhaps he would find them. Hopefully, when the finally met and if they are truly out there, they could work together in peace. But he would have to wait to find out.