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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The Olympia Times issue g1-22 |
| November 23, 1994 |
| |
| turn 22 183 players "The business of barbarians" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
* * *
Crossing alone the nighted ferry
With the one coin for fee,
Whom, on the wharf of Lethe waiting,
Count you to find? Not me.
The brisk fond lackey to fetch and carry,
The true, sick-hearted slave,
Expect him not in the just city
And free land of the grave.
-- A.E. Housman
* * *
Happy Thanksgiving!
Player-contributed press
The Aethelarn Massacre
It is a time of mourning in Aethelarn.
Last month, bandits robbed blind several groups of nobles. They picked
their victims very carefully - those who were unfortunate enough to be
chosen died during the attack, were badly wounded, or taken as
prisoners. All of them harmless travellers; most were just on their
way to leave Provinia, and search their fortune in the nine seas.
But how astonished were the citizens of Aethelarn, when the bandits'
ship did not leave the harbour at the end of the month. Instead, the
ship's captain discussed the course to be taken loudly with the
helmsman, and neither seemed to understand the language of the other.
Meanwhile, the nobles who had witnessed the bloodshed got together in
council, and decided that they would put an end to this menace.
They started when the bandit captain shouted in their general
direction: 'You will not dare to attack me! My big brother will hit
all of you! Oh - and I will kill the prisoners if one of you sets his
foot on the Talon! Naturally I will set all the prisoners free, if you
let us sail!' He tried to put an honest expression on his face, but
failed miserably.
The wise nobles did not believe a word of this talk, as some of them
had heard of these pirates before; they were the lowliest scum on the
face of Olympia, and if one thing was sure, it was that none of their
prisoners would ever see his family again.
So the righteous folk stood together and held their weapons tight, and
the merchants started thinking about how the spoils should be
distributed. After all, if the pirates' big brother really came, they
would earn a lot of money. No doubt the army that had been formed
could hold the city against even much greater odds. They hoped that
the news would not spread too fast to the Imperial City - otherwise
too many newcomers could travel to Aethelarn in hope of getting their
hands on some of the pirates' treasures.
It is a time of singing and dancing in Aethelarn.
-- The Helping Hand of Eylon [da9]
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]
Calliope continues with HER favorite Housman:
"But oh, good Lord, the verse you make,
It gives a chap the belly-ache.
The cow, the old cow, she is dead;
It sleeps well, the horned head:
We poor lads, 'tis our turn now
To hear such tunes as killed the cow.
Pretty friendship 'tis to rhyme
Your friends to death before their time
Moping melancholy mad:
Come, pipe a tune to dance to, lad."
-- The Midnight Carnival [nx2]
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Using Campaign Cartographer, the most powerful fantasy cartography
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If you want to locate the nearest graveyard, don't go flipping through
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city types indicate size of markets. Currently unclaimed treasures,
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Now, how much would pay for a beautiful, full-color,
ready-for-hanging-next-to-your-computer map like this? Before you
answer, there's more! We'll also throw in a map of known Olympia,
based on lore provided by the Crimson Sage! It's sketchy yet, but you
can plot the major sea lanes and measure the distances between continents
quickly and easily with this beauty. Contains all the data in the
Provinia map as well (just very, very small). You'll also get a
full-page map key, and a letter from the Midnight Carnival on future
deals. All for the low, low price of 50 gold!
That's right, just PAY 50 to our representative in the Imperial City, the
Illustrated Man (s5e) and e-mail us your carrier snail address, and two
lovely 7-color maps will go winging their way to you pronto! And once
you've subscribed, all future revisions of the maps will be available for
half price! Act now, prices may rise with demand.
EXTRA DEALS!!!>>> All your nobles left the IC? Not to worry! Send us
the terrain descriptions of any 10 squares of land or coastal waters not in
the Atlas, and we'll send you a map for free! Must be willing to have
this information published.
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This offer brought to you by...
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||||| /\
=====----`====
oo oo /\ /\
-- The Midnight Carnival [nx2]
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]
__ __
/ /\______________________________________________________________/ /\
\_\/ \_\/
| GateMastery, the final frontier? |
|<--------------------------------------------------------------->|
| |
| The Gatemasters are here to help *You*. |
| |
| Here is how it works. We have already located eight 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 q4y. |
_| _|
/ /\______________________________________________________________/ /\
\_\/ \_\/
-- Stygian architect [q4y]
I would be interested in contacting any other factions currently
based in Illion in order to prevent unfortunate accidents!
-- Penkevil [h8o]
The Torba Bacor Alliance announces its claim to Torba Bacor and
recognizes the rights of its northern neighbor, the Atalan League.
Anyone else wishing to travel in Torba Bacor is advised to first inform a
TBA faction of their intent. TBA factions consist of di2 Normandy (Bill
Keyes, 72500.3145@CompuServe.COM), dl7 Five White Petals (Gordon Monson,
monsons@hooked.net), zo0 Golden Lotus Society (Bill Voorhees, 72357.736@
CompuServe.COM), and xz0 Dragons of the Realm (Tony Hughes, Altimont@
aol.com). We welcome trade, but we will resist any aggression.
-- Robert of Mortain [l8i]
Her Highness Pel, Duchess of Atnos, must regrettably state
that the borders of Atnos are still closed. Travelers with
specific needs should contact the court before attempting entry.
-- Pel [q1v]
Dearest Miyuki,
The happiness of knowing that we will soon be together has kept me
going these past few weeks. I am so glad that our waiting will soon
be over.
We have been building up our new home here and everyone is quite
happy with the progress. You will be surprised at what we will have
built by the time you arrive. Everyone is constantly busy!
Please hurry along but be careful. I thank those who have been
of assistance but I will not stop worrying until you are at my side.
-- Kovaq'nu [v4n]
If you're just starting out in Olympia and want to get away from the
crowds around Imperial City, pull out your maps. With approximately
720 provinces, Ossicus is the largest region in Olympia. Provinia's
nearest neighbor to both the east and west, Ossicus, has for some
reason remained virtually unoccupied. Sail East *or* West, Young
Factions!
-- Horace Greeley [m5p]
A Report from Gentlewind.
I am passing through Gentlewind on my way to learn
mining, and would like to advise other travellers to
about my observations. The area is heavily patrolled by
its owner, the Sheriff of Pelenth and appears quit safe.
If you are travelling to learn mining, you should be safe
from bandit attack. It is however a good idea to inform
the good Sheriff of your approach and heed his instructions
concerning resource useage as he has been known to stomp
those disobeying his intructions.
-- Cerulian Crimson [f6y]
I am interested in renting or buying the following items.
Please write to me if you have them and are interested in
reaching an agreement.
golden ring [bf5e]
enchanted armor [ix8s]
-- Kosar the Indefectible [n9o]
I'm going to Aethelarn with a stack big enough to survive there.
Contact me if you want to be in it.
-- Erik the Well Read [l4o]
Fear and Loathing
in Olympia
Urgent Speed Letter
Raoul Duke
c/o Giant Lizards
Sand pit
Barren Desert West Ilion
Contact me at once repeat at once we have a new assignment beginning tomorrow
also West Ilion don't leave Stop the national conference of district
attorneys invites you to their four day seminar on potions and dangerous
items at Dunes Inn Stop Olympia Times called they want 50 thousand words
massive payment total expenses including all samples Stop We have
reservations at Flamingo Inn and high speed galley Stop Everything is
arranged contact immediately for details Urgent Repeat Urgent Stop
Doctor Gonzo
-- Raoul Duke [fq6f]
Megalomania knows no bounds. It seems that Seline Fireflower [w0l]
(Times #21) has claimed responsibility for the destruction of three
factions.
Funny that, that duck marat said he had something to do with it...
must have been wrong. Who else? Let me see, 171 players...marat and
seline have already done so, the three named factions probably won't...
leaves 166 remaining psychopaths available to claim responsibility.
Make that 165. It was I that massacred these factions! and I'll
sign my name to prove it! I mean it when I say that unauthorized
actions in and around the Imperial City WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
-- Lili Marlene [e7m]
We passed by the bazaar one last time. The Imperial City wood salesman
was asleep at his booth; with the local lumber company undercutting his
prices by nearly a factor of 10, he hadn't seen a customer in weeks. As
usual, a group of forlorn nobles was waiting in line at the pot stand, which
as usual had closed on the first day of the month.
My brother proclaimed, "Truly it is said that 'the streets of Imperial
City are paved with pot shards'."
I snickered. "Roscoe, when are you going to learn to talk like a normal
person?" He just raised an eyebrow, "As you should know, I fail to see
'normality' as a virtue."
Our old, comfortable argument was interrupted when we heard familiar
voices shouting from the door of our inn. "Ah, the sounds of brotherly
love..." I left Roscoe behind as I rushed in, and Penelope stormed up to me.
Horton hung back, managing to look both worried and offended at the same time.
"What's wrong, hon?", I asked.
"My idiot brother has another get-rich-quick scheme. I am NOT going to
deal in clay pots for the rest of my life!" Penny is beautiful when she's
angry, though it's not wise to say so to her face; of all of us, she was the
best at the combat lessons.
"But Farley, pots are so cheap here! We can make a big profit if we buy
them at 2, load them on the boat, wait 'till we get someplace where people
have better things to do than make pots, and sell them at 7!"
My brother-in-law is a bright lad in many ways, but he has the business
sense of an ox. "Horton, how many pots does the city buy every month?"
"Nine." "How many does the Atlas say other cities buy every month?" "Uh -
nine." "So, you want us to load down our ship with pots to make a profit of
35 gold per city we visit? I can do nearly as well writing for the Times."
He turned bright red, and it wasn't helping that Penny and Roscoe were
both grinning at us. I gave them both a glare and Horton a friendly clout on
the shoulder. "Stick with the magic lessons, Tony. That's the way to make
real money."
-- Farley [n0e]
Dispatch to the interior:
Mountains and more mountains. We spotted another city, which we will
explore this month. No sign of the noble we saw riding from the east
last month, we should soon reach the realm from which he rode, so
long as there are no ambushes ahead.
-- Habid [k1k]
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.
Brought to you by the Skulking Vermin (sx6)
-- Sludge [x0o]
PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY
Greetings to all nobles in Olympia. The Pilgrims Aid Society is
pleased to offer aid and assistance. If you have a question or
concern, drop a note to Akmall and he'll be glad to give you a
thoughtful (if not necessarily useful) answer.
Additionally, for all the nobles still in the Imperial City:
MOVE!
Move out of the Emperor's basement and come into the real world.
It is a LOT more fun out here.
-- Akmall Benhalla [p3p]
Fate is not sealed in concrete
If it were, noone would swim
-- Captain Ahab [z7b]
Journal - Thunder and rain, Year 3
We stand here on the shore, watching the roundship that was
to have admitted us sitting on the coast. Apparently, we have
too many goods to be allowed on board.
The Captain keeps talking about dropping off passengers at
god-forsaken locations, then heading for lands that have never
seen the sun. I guess that he will take usto unclaimed / unexplored
lands. Well, time to board that ship again.
The Lord of the Morning,
The Dragon,
Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
aka Erik Ker
-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
Travellers in Torba Bacor. Contact me.
-- Dorlas Michtik [p1o]
MARTIAL LAW IMPOSED IN GENTLEWIND AND SURROUNDING PROVINCES
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.
Several nobles have doubted the efficacy of this, and have flaunted
the law by charging into the area. Those same nobles are now crowding
the prisons in the Fortress of the Wind. Several other nobles have
complied with the law and can testify that they have been unmolested
or even assisted during their stay.
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. No unapproved resource utilization is to
take place in these areas. This includes recruitment, pillaging,
performing common tasks for gold, etc. If in doubt, ask.
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. Martial
law will be lifted after the influx of renegades has subsided.
-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]
An ally and I are sailing east of Provinia. I welcome the
opportunity to exchange detailed mapping data with anyone
else sailing in that direction. Contact faction mk8.
-- Captain Tarkus [c1s]
New group of adventurers heading out from the Imperial City
to seek fame and fortune where others have not yet gone.
If you are interested in joining us, are adventure-seeking,
yet peace-loving, and are non-smokers and like cats, please
contact us!
-- Greywind Alexander [o4m]
I would like to ask a moment of silence, so that we may honor those
groups that have fallen to the perils of Olympia. Their spirit and
accomplishements will be remembered long after their names have
faded into obscurity.
Each of us should remember, that but for the grace of Atnerks, it
could be us lying under the cold, hard ground.
This public service brought to you by the Crimson Sage.
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\
| *** ROLL CALL OF THE DISBANDED *** |
| ===================================================================== |
| rb9 Knights of the Circle of Gold xk4 The Mallards |
| be3 Swampy Knights Of The Round Table jr4 Stokalene |
| xv9 The Scarlet Brotherhood sr8 Clan Na Gael |
| um9 Alliterating Illiterates op1 The Levellers |
| xj0 Black Talon Rangers sp2 Asgard |
| ax5 Green Bone es8 Brutum Fulmen |
| er0 The Forge cw8 Grand Motholam |
| hn3 Myth Inc. yl5 Brass Monkies |
| np1 Pillage Patrol zs7 Jade Lotus Society |
| np7 The Istari gt1 The Golden Lions |
| qk7 Asagudarna vd9 The Crimson Robe |
| tu0 Seekers of the Path xk8 Schola Enigma |
| lf8 Near & Far |
| |
| *** ROLL CALL OF THE RESTARTED *** |
| ===================================================================== |
| ms2 Jambalaya (RESTARTED Turn 7) |
| rj3 The Shadow League (RESTARTED Turn 18) |
| tg3 Mistic Harbor Company (RESTARTED Turn 18) |
| sb0 Varangian Freeholders (RESTARTED Turn 18) |
| wv9 Cymry (RESTARTED turn 18) |
| hn5 Inspiration (RESTARTED Turn 19) |
| or8 ACME Constrution Company (RESTARTED Turn 19) |
| ns2 Karla's Harlots (RESTARTED Turn 19) |
| vy1 Sons of Loc (RESTARTED Turn 20) |
| tg4 The Third Hand (RESTARTED Turn 20) |
| is5 Minster's Mages (RESTARTED Turn 21) |
| pa4 Retief's Rogues (RESTARTED Turn 21) |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
-- Seline Fireflower [w0l]
Hello, I am looking for any information about where I can sell
Cinnabar[252]. I have recently aquired a rather large amount of
the stuff and wish to get rid of it. Any information would be
Appreciated.
Lady Lisa [et8f]
-- Lady Lisa [et8f]
For several weeks rumors have circulated in
the Imperial City about the sudden disappearance
of certain well-placed personages. It was a
mystery until just yesterday when the Minister of
Weather announced that the record-breaking heatwave
was expected to continue for another fortnight. It
is now all too clear why people are melting into the
ground and disappearing.
-- Melenkurion [p8l]
Rumors
To those newcomers who feel trapped in IC I have but one advice:
Walk. Study whatever you wish to learn in IC, then walk out. You
should worry of course, the roads ARE not really safe, but they are
safer than you believe. I have walked alone through warzones and
wilderness, without a singel peasant or soldier. You can do it. Once
you get out of IC, recruit some peasants. They are easy to come by
out of IC. Cut some wood, build a ship and get of Provinia and you
are well of to success. But remember: trust no one- stay alert and
keep your laser??? ready.
Due to bandit attacks spreading throughout Provinia,
a "travellers' advisory" is now in effect for ALL of
central Provinia, from Aethelarn to Gentlewind.
The new startups in the past 2 turns
have formed an impromtu alliance,
named Medievil Explorers And Tyrants.
A MAFOC spokesman commented: It's about
time we had some new MEAT around here!
YES now Brother, I know you have been SINNING in your heart of hearts.
You've been hanging around with your MAFOC fellows, doing *UNSPEAKABLE*
things in the eyes of all the gods. But now it's time for you to
CAST OFF your yoke of sin and oppression, and get yourself DOWN to a
temple of the Wanderer TODAY!
The Wanderer! He's good for what ails ya!
And remember Brother! Hades is closer than you think!
Has anyone seen any evidence that cleared-out lairs, yew groves etc can
restock themselves with monsters if left empty?
The pilgrims, fresh off the roundship Mayflower [pr4w], knelt and gave
thanks that they survived the voyage from Provinia, now free from the
tyranny of the Ancient Order of Olympians. As they concluded their
prayer, they looked up to find Tollosian natives, bedecked in their
finest native finery, approaching them with what appeared to be a
great feast. And what a feast! Grilled ratspiders, fried chimera,
roasted giant birds stuffed with spiney root dressing, avinia fruit
salad, and mallorn lime pie. And that my fellow nobles, is the story
of the first Olympian Thanksgiving.
Want to know where to sell six tons of chocolate? Ask Clifford.
Send Clifford the market report for a town he doesn't have yet and
buy yourself a lifetime subscription to the market database. Clifford
will tell you where you can buy or sell a given commodity -- one commodity
per turn, please -- for as long as he lives (Dear friends, let us hope
that this is for a long time.) Clifford already has 27 cities in the
database and the more cities there are, the more data there will be.
Special offer. Ask Clifford for the data on one commodity before 30
November for free! (Note: after 30 November, one must be a lifetime
subscriber, i.e. donate a new market report, to receive Clifford's
commodity information.) So contact Clifford [w4t@g1.pbm.com] today!
Two waves have crashed against the stone of Chateau Olympig.
Perhaps a Tsunami is in its future. Can the AOO ever stand down?
The land bridge to the South Polar region
has finally been located. It has VERY odd
properites, such as travel times of 30 days!
It's amazing what people will write in the Times...Any new travellers
leaving the Imperial City had BETTER have good protection! Several large
bandit gangs are operating under the guise of the AOO to the west. To the
east, robber bands operated by MAFOC are running amuck. Lawlessness is
rampant, and even though the factions may claim otherwise, helpless new
nobles are being ambushed and defeated left and right. Make sure when
leaving the Imperial City that you have a LARGE group of nobles and
soldiers, otherwise you'll be new fertilizer for the crops.
It's great to be away from Provenia! All the peasants you want, timbering
and quarrying without interference, and pot sales at full price. You guys
at Imp City ought to try it.
How interesting the Serobyn [h8e] is calling for <> partners in
the vicinity of that known pirate haven, Mysa. Did he really expect
for anyone to be deceived by such an obvious ploy?
Now no one is safe! I have an orb, and I am going to find you
all. You can no longer hide from me. You can no longer run from
me. I will hunt all of you down, until I am the last on Provinia.
Then, on to the next continent. Hahahahaha...
Research in Magic does work! Spells found so far include Fireball,
Teleport Army, and Modern Magic Script. So get them Wizzies into
their towers and churn out your Ph.D.s in 160!!
I have been hanging aroud this city for weeks, and have yet
to find my true calling. Isn`t it about time someone built
a temple in Imperial City?
An AOO orator was standing on a soapbox in the Emperors
park in Imperial City:
"Friends, Provinians, countrymen, lend me your ear!"
A bystander asks: "What have you got in your bag?"
Orator: "Ears!"
Coming soon to the IC....... Hodji Higgins' Heroic Hair Grower
Are you experienceing early hair loss as a result of wearing that
unfashionable helm day in and day out? Has studying taken its
toll on your once golden locks?
If it has contact Hodji Higgins for your bottle of Heroic Hair Grower
today and your troubles will come to an end. Just listen to what the
populus is saying about this wonderous tonic:
I found a bottle of the stuff while captured in WI and it made my hair
grow long and true allowing me to pick the locks on my shackles.
----Sly Sam
It filled in my bald spot in a matter of days! ----Bald Betty
You too can have your hair back for just pennies a day, don't wait
any longer and put up with the head rubbing any more. Order your
bottle today!
To order your bottle of Hodji Higgins' Heroic Hair Grower send a
self addressed stamped cargo pot along with 15 gold to:
Postal Pigeon Hole 342
Imperial Post Office
Imperial City
Provinia
In last months Olympian Times:
> "As far as I can tell," the sorceror commented, "it's linked to another
> plane - the home of this world's equivalents to the Llanowar and Scryb,
> among others. It's sort of a charm of goodwill, at least in part."
There are no sorcerors. There is only one wizard. That is not Him.
Bastrestric ther Archymonaged
The formerly peaceful city of Aethelarn was recently laid waste
by a marauding band of thugs. These miscreants, Philoktetes [r4q]
and Herodotus [y8i] were lead by the villainous Menelaus [p6j].
They, with their evil minions, marched into a sleepy town and without
warning or provocation began a campaign of terror. In their wake, 79
men lay dead, 15 nobles were captured and the roundship Talon was
seized.
What lies behind all of this unconscionable violence? In a word,
*greed*. Following this series of offensive actions, Menelaus and
his cohorts felt compelled to offer an explanation for their actions.
Excerpts from that explanation follow:
"My intent here is not to bully. I have no interest in Aethelarn.
I just needed cash, and so I attacked some nobles who didn't seem
very active or very well connected.". Well, we all need money, but
there are legal, moral and ethical ways to go about obtaining it.
Provinina would be bloodier than a royal wedding if everyone who
needed a few gold went on a murder spree.
While a gruesome spectacle, at least the battle at Mount Olympus
was not bereft of honor. Both the AOO and IN acknowledged that a
state of hostility existed between them. Not so in Aethelarn, where
a civilian center was subjected to a brutal sneak attack.
Upon learning of the banditry, Hobbes, the Baron of the region
who is charged with the defense of the local citizenry, bravely swung
into action by advising the people to band together in mutual
defense, while making no effort to stop the brigands' reign of
terror. This is tantamount to suggesting that we confuse the bandits
by running away some more! I will go on record as saying that I did
not vote for Hobbes.
Despite Hobbes and his soiled armor which needs changing,
ordinary people such as Dennis will take up arms to put a stop to
this evil, for if not we, then whom? If not now then when?
Threats will not deter us from our righteous course. Though
Menelaus promises: "I have allies in Aethelarn, and they've told me
that some of you are calling for a 'general defense' of the city...I
have a much larger ground force close to Aethelarn. If my ship is
attacked and my nobles killed or captured, I will bring my other
force into the city to free them. I'll declare all of you hostile
and my allies will do the same. It will be a nasty business.". I
have news for you *This is already a nasty business* and you have
brought it upon yourself.
In the words of William Edward Burghardt Du Bois: "The cost of
liberty is less than the cost of repression." . May the bravery of
the Aethelarn populace never be forgot!
Somebody is trying to buy rose perfume. I wonder if that
individual realizes how valuable it is in the swamp cities
of the north. A lucrative trade route...
In the Olympia playtest, was a faction with more than
100 garrisoned provinces and 3 castles, like AOO / King Marat,
ever defeated ? If so how ? Marat's defeat would seem to
require the combined efforts of more than 20 factions.
Did such large faction alliances exist in the playtest
game ? How were they established ? Please respond via
rumor entries to the times.
MAFOC resents any implication that they are to blame for the
bandits roaming the countryside. Bandit gangs imply
organisation, which MAFOC is against. But if the AOO is
spreading these scurrelous rumors, they will pay in blood and
flesh for their attempts at slander! Prepare for terror, chaos
and slaughter at your doorstep, you AOO dogs!
Weariness and the dull ache of pain had long since combined to
rob her of any perception of time. Though she had struggled helplessly at
first, now she hung quietly within the webs that held her tightly to the
cliff-face. Around her, just as still, were the withered bodies that had
been her friends and servants. She knew that soon it would be her turn.
They had only been a few weeks out on a journey of exploration
from her home city when they found the valley. Surrounded by steep walls
on all sides but one, it looked like a part of the plains around had simply
dropped down a dozen yards. It was late in the day and a clear stream ran
through the center of the vale, so they had not bothered to explore much
before making camp. Although the sheer walls of the valley cast deep
shadows across most of the area.
That night they had gathered around the campfire while the servants
were tending the horses and cooking the meal. Stories were told and
laughter rang out. Alyran had brought out his lute and began to play.
The journey had been going well so far, with no sign of danger or threat.
Until the darkness around them began to move.
Huge spiders, half the size of a horse had swarmed from out of the
night. The horses had screamed and broken their teather lines, and fled
out of the valley. The servants had scrambled for their spears and
crossbows, but it was too late. The great arachnids sprang to attack,
bearing their target down with their weight and sinking fangs dripping
paralytic venom deep into their prey. She had tried to run, but the beasts
were everywhere. Soon it was over, and they were all dragged away, aware
but helpless, to hang in the great webs that lined the valley walls.
She refused to let her thoughts dwell on the events of the next
(few? many? she couldn't recall) days, and the shocks that she endured
blurred it all into an unending line of horror. She scarcely noticed as
the last of her companions died. She only vaugely roused her attention
when another travelling party entered the vale. But as they approached the
huge webs, a small handful of men and a horde of varied beasts, a distant
hope arose in her. She watched as the spiders rushed out of the depths of
the web to defend their home. She saw a glowing spear fly out again and
again to cut through the webbing and throw spiders free to fall and lie
stunned. She saw a wolf leap forward to meet an onrushing spider, then
fall back and thrash out it's life on the valley floor, while a net settled
on the spider and men with forked poles pinned it to the ground. She saw
the last spider turn to flee and be torn apart by a lion. And over it all,
she saw a man in a grey cloak, with a powerful presence about him,
commanding.
Later, she lay in a small tent, finally free of the webs that had
robbed her of her life. Healing power flowed from the grey-clab noble as
he completed a magical chant. "How are you feeling, Lady - ?" he asked.
She thought for a moment, remembering her friends. "My name is
Sorrow," she replied, answering both his questions.
This is a test of the RUMOR command
\Just\checking\to\see if there are a\ny
%special l%imi%tations $o$r $reserve%d
""characters or $r$e$s$e$r$v$e%d wor%d%s"" t'h'a't'
I' 's'h'o'u'l'd ^K^N^O^W about, and to see
what it does to my funky formatting.
Helps to know these things in advance. :)
Attention Seline Fireflower and other greedy despots!
Claims such as "unauthorized actions in and around
the city of Peash WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!"
might even have some meaning (besides the obvious:
as an expression of infantilism) if you condescended
to inform those who might consider respecting said
decrees as to the location of the affected provinces.
In order to avoid the notoriously boorish manners of the
local lords if for no other reason, I would like to avoid the
provinces around "Peash" except that I haven't a clue
as to where in the world "Peash" is. Truly there is some
shock on the part of all thinking people to the idea that
a lord would be offended that others have made use of the
resources of the lord's provinces when that noble has failed
to inform anyone as to the location of said provinces.
One might do well to consider the fate of King Numedides.
After a reign filled with ridiculous decrees (like Fireflower's),
a great warrior, Conan, arose, gathered together an
army of wronged nobles and soldiers, made war upon
the mad King, and Conan himself slew the monster
on his very throne. Or consider the fate of valiant
Boromir, who's greed led to his demise. If fiction tells
us anything, it tells us that bad rulers have short reigns.
Irresponsible lords have a care! The guillotine awaites!
-Samuel Adams.
I here tell bandits lay to the east of the imperial city
ready to gobble up unsuspecting newbies!
Arrr! what do you think that big blank spot
on the last map in the Times means, eh?
What's a newbie to do?
Rumor has it that Duke Marat is unable to govern his
own lands! Bandits swarm about the place, the
east is a terror, and
the duke hides in his castle! It's all well and good
to fancy yourself a duke, but it's another thing
altogether to be one, in a true lordly fashion!
Methinks we have a wanna-Duke, and not
a true one!