+------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times issue g1-24 | | December 7, 1994 | | | | turn 24 188 players "The continuation of politics by other means" | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
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"Let a prince therefore act to conquer and to maintain the state; his methods will always be judged honourable and will be praised by all; for ordinary people are always deceived by appearances and by the outcome of a thing; and in the world there is nothing but ordinary people; and there is no room for the few, while the many have a place to lean on."
-- Machiavelli
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Player-contributed press
WANTED :- Information regarding the names and locations of the most important factions and alliances in Olympia. After all, we'd hate to accuse someone of being a misbegotten son of a Mesopotamian camel herder only to find that the camel herder in question controls half the known world.
-- Cognoscenti [bc5]
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]
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Using Campaign Cartographer, the most powerful fantasy cartography program available, I have designed maps of Provinia which I am distributing via surface mail. These 7-color maps show all terrain features and internal locations listed in Skulking Vermin's Atlas. Each kind of terrain and internal location has its own graphical symbol: over 30 different symbols in use, and more available as new locations are found!
If you want to locate the nearest graveyard, don't go flipping through the whole Atlas -- just look for the closest skull! Measure exactly how far apart your neighbors' castles are. Four different city types indicate size of markets. Currently unclaimed treasures, prisoners, and artifacts are also shown. Large (1/4 inch) squares and inlaid grid make finding where your troops are a breeze. End Ascii height/width distortion!
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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-- The Midnight Carnival [nx2]
----------------------- S. CAMARIS Update -----------------------
The MACE alliance has now established diplomatic ties to a few individuals who will be stopping by South Camaris. As previously announced, please coordinate your visits with us. Not only can we provide mapping information which you will likely need, coordinating your visit with us will forestall your being misidentified as hostile.
-- The Count of S. Camaris [b4q]
-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]
The Count of Chardia ====================
Chapter I - Arrival in Aethelarn ================================
On the 24th of Snowmelt, Year Four, the city cryer signalled the arrival of the roundship Farallon, from Rimmon, Ossicus and Tollus. As was the custom, the city docks were covered with spectators; it was always an event in Aethelarn for a ship to come into port, and especially so when the the ship, like the Farallon, had been built in the city shipyards and belonged to an owner of the city.
The idlers at the docks, though the Farallon showed no visible signs of damage, knew instinctively that some mishap had beset the ship and her crew when they beheld the grim visage of the young noble at the helm. He was tall and slim, with black eyes and raven hair; and his whole appearance bespoke an indomitable calmness peculiar to men accustomed from the cradle to contend with danger. The vague disquietude overcame one of the crowd to the extent that he shouldered his way through to confront the helmsman.
"Ah, is it you, Edmund?" cried the man. "What is the matter? And why have you such an air of sadness aboard?"
"A grave tragedy, Mr. Morrel! Off Saltstone we lost our brave Captain Leclere to the brain-fever," came the reply.
"And the cargo?" inquired the owner eagerly.
"All is safe, but Captain Leclere ---"
"Edmund," replied the owner, relaxing visibly, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young; and as you have assured me that the cargo ---"
"Is safe and sound, Mr. Morrel. Now if you will come on board here is your agent Mr. Danglers who will furnish you with every particular. I must look after the anchoring and dress the ship in mourning."
The young man turned to his tasks, leaving the owner on the deck with a young noble of a decidedly obsequious mein. "Mr. Morrel, you have heard of our misfortunes then?"
"Poor Leclere... Yet he left my property in competant hands..."
Danglers cast an envious glance toward Edmund. "Yes, he took command and wasted two weeks putting in at Ilion instead of making for Aethelarn directly."
"As first mate it was his duty to take command, as to losing a fortnight off Ilion, that was wrong, unless the ship needed some repairs. Edmund!" shouted the shipowner, "Come this way!"
"A moment," answered Edmund, "and I am with you!" then signalled the crew to drop anchor. The chain rattled through the port-hole.
"See you," muttered Danglers, "he fancies himself captain already!"
"And why should he not be?" replied Morrel as a black cloud passed over Danglar's face. "Now then," Morrel queried once Edmund had approached, "can you tell me why you stopped at the Isle of Ilion?"
"I do not know sir; it was to fulfill a last instruction of Captain Leclere, who, as he lay dying, gave me a packet for the Emperor's marshal Bertrand."
Morrel's eyes widened, "The Emperor!?! Garion?!?"
To be continued...
-- The Indomitable Gauls [wk7]
The Imperial City Logging Corporation is open for business. Contact mmwang@mv.us.adobe.com if you wish to place an order for wood or yew.
-- The Enlightened Ones [xf0]
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]
The following is a public service announcement: Seafarers beware! The roundship Talon [hs9y] should be regarded by all parties as hostile. She had been seized by the bandits in Aethelarn before they met their maker at the hands of a united populace. However, parties allied with these scoundrels managed to sneak the ship out of port on the ninth of last month. She was last seen sailing south.
-- Dega Spar [g4b]
We have been most generously gifted a sample of the fine maps made by The Illustrated Man [s5e] and The Midnight Carnival [nx2]. We commend their fine cartography to all interested parties.
-- Marat [g3y]
We arrived in Saltstone on the 28th of Waning Days. The Ghost of Darius, which we had left behind us in the Imperial City, was in port. There were only two nobles in the city, one peacefully studying in her tower, another marketing wares. A temple was being constructed in the outskirts of town, and the area was so peaceful that Duke Marat's garrison was composed of peasants: what a change from the chaos of the IC and in Aethelarn! Farley stayed on board to watch over the ship while the rest of us went ashore to enjoy the quiet and replenish our funds. I again tried to teach some of the peasants the simple task of making clay pots, but here as before it was beyond them. Strange; they can be trained to become seasoned warriors (though still below the level of the most frail noble) and expert sailors. Atnerks, in his infinite wisdom, must have reserved even the simplest acts of creation to Himself and his chosen nobility. Alas, the peace of Saltstone did not last out the month. On the last day the Raging Queen arrived. It seemed that an altercation had broken out on board, and one of the passengers had been taken prisoner. Perhaps it is time to move on.
-- Roscoe [f2c]
Captain's Log of the HMS Reluctant
The rains have finally stopped. We struck a hidden reef in the bad weather. Fortunately, the damage is minimal.
Our arrival at Saltstone was uneventful. The province seems peaceful and the AOO has only a garrison of peasants here. This may be a good destination for other small parties - pick up Beastmastery and sell any fish you catch on the way.
The only other item of note is that there was great commotion on the decks of The Raging Queen [jq2o]. I am unsure if was an attempted mutiny or fighting among the passengers. However, Lili Marlene [e7m] was later seen on deck bound in chains.
-- Hercule [v6o]
Journal - Waning days, Year 3
Jerome thought it would be a good idea to train the peasents into Marines. He joined with a noble of another faction traveling with us. The peasents were going at it with a will, but a sudden storm washed all but eight of them overboard. There is little enthusiam for this kind of training now.
The Lord of the Morning, The Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
Does anyone know if the body of a noble killed in a mine goes to the graveyard or if it is lost forever?
-- Elethil [x7g]
Enough of your belly-aching, Lews! This here be Captain Farseeker's ship, and I'll admit those who I want, and none other. And if you don't like where we're going, a quick UNLOAD, and you can go anywhere you like... presuming you can swim. Arrrrr!
-- Farseeker [q7b]
Does anyone have information concerning the relative population of the various continents ? It would be interesting to see which continents have severe population problems.
-- Cerulian Crimson [f6y]
PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY Welcome to all new nobles! The Pilgrims Aid Society offers free assistance to the nobles of Olympia. Remember, there is safety in numbers. Whenever possible, travel in groups of three or more nobles. You nobles provide 90% of the outgoing damage in any combat. Soldier, unfortunately, are primarily used to keep your valuable nobles from being wounded. In this roll, peasants and workers are nearly as effective. Each noble, except the stack leader, will need to be carrying some soldiers/peasants/workers to protect him or her.
If possible, download the FREE combat simulator and run a few test combats against your stack of nobles. The 'training' could save you.
-- Akmall Benhalla [p3p]
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 c1s.
-- Captain Tarkus [c1s]
----------------------------------------------------------- I will make your weapons! I will train your soldiers! I will train your pikemen and your crossbowmen! *I will match the Merchent's offer in the Olympia Times.* I also will sell my services for 5 Gold per day of work. Orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis. ** I do be but a simple trader. ** -----------------------------------------------------------
-- Bayle Domon [g4y]
The Olympia Atlas is accepting contributions, and is available for download! Be the first to contribute information for unexplored lands (Faery).
In the tradition of Oleg's Map (tm), the Atlas is a compilation of geographical information useful for explorers, traders, and adventurers. Best of all, it's absolutely free!
To contribute to the Atlas, simply send turn excerpts (cut out all the incriminating parts) that contain the following information:
o) Mapping data (region & route info) o) City market reports o) City skills lists o) Inner locations
and send it to sx6@g1.pbm.com. We'll include it into the next version of the Atlas.
The Atlas is available by ftp from your nearest PBM ftp site (ftp.erg.sri.com in the USA, check the PBM FAQ for other sites), in the directory /pub/pbm/olympia, as atlas.X, where X is the turn of the last update.
The Atlas is also available on the PBMGames forum on CompuServe, in the fantasy games section, as atlas.oly.
Brought to you by the Skulking Vermin (sx6)
-- Sludge [x0o]
An itinerant band of travellers is looking for new places to explore. Would like to hook up with one other small group of adventurers. We are now heading out to the NW of the Imperial City. If you would like to share in new knowledge, loot and fun, please contact Lyran Alexander.
-- Lyran Alexander [p8f]
Attention! Will pay 5 gold a piece for stone in the Imperial City for 50 pieces of stone! Easy money!
-- Trocero [l3c]
To all Newbes. I am interested in forming a group, so we can get our bods outa IC. Anybody interested you can reach me through the game or at WilliamS@iglou.com.
-- Kull Di' Nakk [g6k]
The Tai Lung recently explored islands at bn47 and bl50. Cyclops and pirates on these islands were eliminated. The cyclops were the first we have found that did not require a special item to defeat.
-- Hidenka Sencho [az7t]
"Some would sooner die than think. In fact, they often do." -- Bertrand Russell
-- Black Ooot [y1i]
This is second notice that the castle that used to be known as Blazonhold has been renovated and is under new management. The castle will now be known as Dark Castle. If you wish to visit the environs of Cycarth and Redwine please be courteous enough to let dj4d know (you can reach him at heyman@camis.stanford.edu. I do not currently plan to restrict access, but would like to know who is wandering around in my front yard. I would especially like to know if you plan on using any of the natural rsources (peasants, wood, and the like) in the provinces bu25 bu26 bu27 bv25 bv26 bv27 bw25 bw26 and bw27.
By order of Darklord, caretaker of Dark Castle
-- Gardener [q5o]
To all persons who greeted me when I started and to them who REALLY wanted to, but didn't have the time, SALUTATIONS and GREETINGS. Now watch my dust as I run screaming into the wilderness.
-- Silverthorne [u9i]
This day marks the setting of the cornerstone of castle Golden Lotus. Good fortune to us!
-- Dorlas Michtik [p1o]
Rumors
With AOO having conquerored Provinia, the IN running for the edges of the map, and MAFOC never seen and only rarely heard, who are we took look to for our salvation?
Will Oleg the Loudmouth appear from nowhere and rescue us? Will Nazgul breed with Elite Archers, and make Winged Elves?
We can only hope...
What is all this noise near IC about? If you don't like the heat, move out of the area! This is a game of conquest, after all, folks. And what's all this about the UNDERSIDE, anyway?!
--- Squire Adam
.....Imperial City! Damn! I'm still only in I.C.! Everytime I think I'm gonna wake-up back in the jungle. I'm here a few turns now, waiting for a mission, getting softer. Every minute I spend here in this city I get weaker, and every minute another faction hunkers down in the wilderness it gets stronger........ Each time I looked around, the walls moved in a little tighter. -- Captain Willard--
Warning to Newbies:
Do not accept rides from strangers.
Do not help strange ferry captains look for their lost puppies.
Do not assume latent sociopaths and psychopaths are not smart enough to log on to a computer.
Fans and admirers of Jeffrey Dahlmer have been known to accept ferry passengers only to take them to a nice, secluded spot and quietly dismember them, then give them to their necromancers to extract the Noble Points.
My apologies to those who are distraught to see their scheme exposed.
Saiiiiliiing! (to the tune of "sailing", of course). We're really motoring now, gonna try to make a fast run charting a course from the atlas. Hope there's no uncharted rocks :)
Maybe someday people will learn that stealing ships just gets you dead. You can run, but you can not hide!
Shay Tollin turned from the Chateau window to the hissing Silver Mist. She was raving again.
"They are coming for you and all the wanderers! Soon my dread lord will feast on your eyes, your heart! Your flesh will rot away until it is tasty enough for him! HE WILL TAKE YOU ALL! MY LORD MAFOC IS COMING!"
With a gesture, Shay willed her back to a fitful slumber.
"Aethelfrar, I fear the demons within her may be to strong for me to banish. There is one more ritual I can try, but it will be very demanding of both her and I. She could easily die in the attempt."
Aethelfrar nodded curtly, then left the room. Shay sighed, wiping his brow and preparing for the final ritual.
Sooner or later MAFOC had to come out of hiding. But *really* folks...MANICLE????? How can you expect us to take you seriously?
Having offended the gods, the entire continent of Torba Bacor was smited and sunk into the ocean. Several ships sailing along the coast were sucked into the murky depths of the Davey Jone's locker by a whirlpool whose breadth could not be imagined. The phenomenon is still there, but traveler's are forewarned that their craft can and will be sucked into the raging torrent. All travelers should therefore avoid sailing near the former location of Torba Bacor.
Clifford's Market Database. We're at 35 cities and growing. Send in the market report of a city not yet in the database and become a lifetime subscriber to the database. Find out where to sell those 500 oranges you took from the skeletons. Contact Clifford at w4t@g1.pbm.com.
Rumor has it that certain groups, who wish to not be named, have been inviting newbies to "join" their group. Apparently the group offers strength, stability,an established base and the newbie offers cheap wealth and a supply of noble points. Quite a balanced trade, don't you think?
Ok, Ok, You've forced me to prove all you other scum wrong. IT WAS REALLY I THAT MASSACRED ALL THESE FACTIONS!! And so did my wife! And I'll even sign my name to prove it! I MEAN it when I say that unauthorized actions in and around Aethelarn WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!! -- Brian [m0nT]
Special Offer! Come to Mount Olympus! Sit on a Winged Horse! Pay 400 Gold Pieces! Fall Off! Get Killed! Next Please!
Finally he had seen them, these newcommers from the south. They had passed across the Stony Plain towards Delorn, searching the land he had called home for more than a year. They looked harmless enough, travelling with but six pikemen. These new arrivals seemed less agressive than the Times articles had suggested. Perhaps they would share Torba Bacor in peace. There was certainly room enough for all. His young companion readied himself to go scouting. He wanted to know more about these newcommers who called themselves the Torba Bacor Alliance. To do that, he would need someone to go take a look.
Finally, a contact from these "big boy" factions. Wait, it is not signed, oh my paranoia, could we be next for the friendly introduction to the new swimming skill?
From the pen of Prof. Dr. Harumph von Persiflagh: Traveller's reports indicate that the incidence of swamps seems to increase towards the far-southren regions. Unless we live in a world where the south pole is tilted towards the sun, it seems that swamps are not a typically tropical feature. Perhaps this term is meant to include features such as tundra as well. On the other hand, there is no notable decrease in the amount of desert found in the far south, so perhaps those regions are indeed unexpectedly warm.
Heard a juicy rumor that the lands of West Ilion are virtually deserted. New players take note!!
Is there any place in Provinia which is not covered by garrisons? The next thing you know spitting on the ground will be prohibited and indoor toilets will be required. Harrumph!
Has anyone tried attacking the AOO support structure ? Factions like the Cohorts of Colossus and the Ocean Watch castle groups provide critical support to the AOO and make direct attacks difficult. These support factions must perish, or be convinced to leave the area before the downfall of the AOO can happen. Anti-AOO factions should concentrate attacks on these support targets and force the AOO to divert their bandit forces from robbing travelers to protecting their lackeys.
Wind Running Free stepped out of his tent and stretched in the late morning sun. The events of the night before seemed almost like a dream in the light of the day, but he knew that what he had seen then was real. He turned to look across the sacred field, where in the light of the midnight moon had stood a wonderous hill. Now, the normal rolling plains of the Daylight World stretched before his eyes. But in memory the hill rose tall and shone with its own light, and the tall, impossibly thin figures of the Spirits Beyond spoke to him.
"He will come, wizard and warrior in gray. At his right hand is the Skull. At his left, the Prisoners. At his feet, the beasts kneel. From Enemy, he will bring friend. From Slavery, he will bring freedom."
Of course, it meant little to him now, but that was the nature of prophecy. It would become clear when the time was right. Now, it was time to return to his tribe and claim victory in his quest.
He was gathering his tent into a compact bundle when motion at the edge of his vision caught his attention. Grabbing up his spear, he turned as a huge spider, almost as large as himself, stepped from out of the sacred field and scuttled toward him. Wind Running Free braced himself and shifted his grip on the spear. There was only one chance to take one of the giant spiders, and that was to catch it on his spear as it leapt and impale it, while avoiding the venomous mandibles. Then a second spider followed the first, and the holy flowers stirred as several other beasts moved unseen through the field towards him.
Knowing he had no chance to hold off more than one spider, and realizing that it was too late to run, he backed away as the spiders approached, determining to do what damage he could. He never even noticed the ropes until they settled over him from behind, and, struggle as he would, he was pulled to the ground. Both spiders moved in quickly, and in moments he lay, bound helpless in rope and spidersilk.
Resigned to his fate, he watched the spiders, until they scurried away and two men walked into sight. The leader wore a long cloak of gray and a pair of wolves followed him closely. But it wasn't until Wind Running Free saw the second man, and the skull tattoo on his cheek, that he began to understand.
It is a well know fact that sailors know how to walk on water...
...They get up and walk out on you as soon as the payrole runs low. It makes you wish that pot shards were actually worth something....
Now where did the first mate get off to.....
Q. What do you get when you cross a giant bird with a nazgul? A. Research for Breed Beasts and find out!
As Caldon, a stalwart adventurer at heart, continues to wander the plains and deserts of the vast land, the loneliness and the monotonous boredem begins to take its toll.
Yet our intrepid hero, always trying to keep a cheerful attitude, begins to develope a melody, with rhyme, to ward off any signs of fatigue. The words that come to mind are:
"The road becomes my bride, I am stripped of all but pride, So in her I do confide, And she keeps me satisfide, She Gives me all I need!
And with dust in throat I crave, Only knowledge will I save, To the game I stay a slave, Rover! Wanderer! Nomad! Vagabond! Call me what you will."
Although Caldon strokes his own ego, fancying himself a minstrel, he still wonders if he will ever see civilization again.
Some idle questions....... 1. So, How many provinces DOES Duke Marat control? 2. How come we haven't heard from Oleg in a while? 3. What happened to Myuki? She was my favorite place to spend that couple of extra gold.... 4. Since when do new players get 5,000 gold and 50 wood? Back in my day we had it tough....
They stired for a mire second, then laid back down to sleep.
The Duke awoke SCREAMING.
"What is it my master" said the servant as he entered his masters room.
"Nothing just a dream" replied the Duke.
The servant left with a look of worry upon his face, and the Duke rubbed his chest were the creature in the dream had struck.
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As we muck about in the forests and islands of this unknown island, we wonder why we can't find a city. We start glaring at the mage - can't he do something besides create love potions for the ignorant peasants here? Doesn't he know a FIND CITY spell? And as for the peasants - oh yes, they nod and smile - but if you ask them where the nearest city is they display a profound ignorance. Makes us want to cut off a few heads as an example.