+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Olympia Times issue g1-27 | | December 28, 1994 | | | | turn 27 188 players "Politics with bloodshed" | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
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Oh on my breast in days hereafter Light the earth should lie, Such weight to bear is now the air, So heavy hangs the sky.
-- A.E. Housman
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Player-contributed press
The journey began in the Imperial City, as all journeys begin. Anchor ran away from home, after his mother insisted he join the order of the green velvet. He did not want to become a restaurant owner, like his father, and hear only second hand the tales of conflict and adventure. He wanted to travel to distant lands and make a name for himself. Although his mother had given him a name, it did not mean anything to the common man. He wanted a name that would be recognized in the market place. He wanted a name that would be heard above the roar of the sea. He wanted a name that would be known by all bards in the Olympian kingdom, who would tell his tale from town to town. Anchor wanted a name that would hold the world spellbound, or at least that would command respect in his own city. After convincing the Merchant of Venice to join his cause and stay behind to take care of the affairs in the Imperial City, Anchor boarded the nearest ship and paid 400 gold for passage to Tollus. He sat on that ship for nearly half a year wishing upon wishing that he had learned the art of battle before he had set sail. He was unable to practice anything since he lacked the basic training. He resigned himself to making clay pots, in the hopes of selling them in some distant land. He made clay pot after clay pot. Over 100 clay pots weighed him down by the time his ship reached Northern Tollus. But while he made those clay pots he watched the seas. They passed Cyclops and pirates and a Princess, and even the Kings daughter herself. There are many interesting islands, but the price of getting an army to them with enough force to defeat them would be exorbitant indeed. When Anchor arrived in northern Tollus, he required help in getting off the ship with all his pots, and had to recruit peasants to carry them. He hoped to make friends but the local population was less than hospitable, and Anchor was forced to travel to the south. Before he left that first city, he recruited two more nobles to join his cause. Together they marched the entire distance from the north of Tollus to the south of Tollus, never meeting a single soul until they reached the south. No people wandering about, no wandering animals. They did see one noble held captive by spirits, and a few lions protecting their den. Finally Anchor has found a territory with hospital inhabitants. The area is ruled by another faction, but this faction has permitted him to live in peace with them. Anchor has even been elected mayor in the city he inhabits. He now plans to settle down, and even hopes to meet some of the local women, in the hope of falling in love. Who knows maybe he will start that restaurant. But it will be on his terms, as mayor.
-- Sailboats [an7]
Herodotus [y8i] has destroyed all that my fellows and I have worked for. Now we will find him and his villainous comrades, and we will kill them. We know where you are. We will come.
-- Shadow Warriors [ap4]
With our preparations finished it is time to leave the Imperial City. We will travel by land to seek the knowledge available in the cities of Provinia and then off to unknown lands to see what they may hold.
-- Seekers of Knowledge [tt4]
----------------------- S. CAMARIS Update -----------------------
Once again, we regret having to destroy the units that were wandering around here... If you want to visit, please let us know where/when/why and there will be no trouble.
-- The Count of S. Camaris [b4q]
-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]
All of you chest-thumping, region-claiming, border-making, mercantilists, are really obnoxious! What is MAFOC? Which cities are listed in Clifford's City Database? Where can I sell a few hundred fish?
-- The Damned [vs2]
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]
Well it appears the most infamous bandit faction in Provinia is active again. After seeing Greywind Alexander's account of Trogenius' attack on on his brother Horatio, I went to the Imperial Archives and researched the following that might be of interest or assistance to all.
The bandit faction: Servants of the Art [qy6]
The bandit prince: Bastrestric ther Archymonaged [x9i]
The bandits: Trogenius [j7t] Decessim [w2f] Ergonal [y6s] Viliz [l1n]
By no means are these all the involved "nobles". Only those known to me from my own experience in Year 1 when I was attacked. I feel certain that there are others unknown to me which have joined BtA since that time.
I wish the Alexander family the best of luck. These criminals hide behind the skirts of the Provinian members of the Ancient Order of Olympians. If you find opportunity to exact your revenge on Trogenius, I caution you to beware. You're apt to find yourself fighting several of his allies if you're not cautious about who is present when you attack.
-- Taliesin the Merlin [e5s]
What do you mean, the quarry site has been taken over by nazgul? Do I have to do everything myself?????
-- Dorlas Michtik [p1o]
PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY We wish everyone a Happy New Year! The Pilgrims Aid Society is also pleased to announce the completion of our headquarters, Redstone Abbey, in scenic West Ilion. Visitors are welcome and tours can be arranged for small groups.
I am actively seeking individuals to provide war mounts and/or iron for use at the Abbey. Terms are open and could be for gold or use of the Abbey's training facilities.
-- Akmall Benhalla [p3p]
I'm interested in figuring out which beasts move at riding speed and which walk. So far, it looks like giant spiders and lions ride, and ratspiders walk. Others with information or interest in this matter, please drop me a line.
-- Melmenelmir [x0m]
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]
I am considereing creating a "Wanted" list, which would contain the names of nobles (or factions) that are wanted by some other faction. The list would contain information such as what the noble is accused of, the name of the victem and any possible bounty. Anybody Interested ?
-- Cerulian Crimson [f6y]
Her Highness Pel, Duchess of Atnos, must regrettably state that the borders of Atnos are still closed. Travelers are warned that they may be attacked by our Peace Officers if they do not have the proper authorization.
-- Pel [q1v]
Something is wrong! It's as if I'm doing things blind, based on thoughts I had over a month ago. Why, as far as I know, I could be sailing into and out of the shore, over and over!
Maybe the new year will get me out of the weird time warp.
-- Hans Shadowspawn [r2y]
Does anyone know if Bird Spy will work while sailing?
-- Ulysses [v4w]
F R E E L I L I M A R L E N E !
-- Contract Charlie [v6x]
There has been opposition to every innovation in the history of man, with the possible exception of the sword. -- Benjamin Dana
-- Black Ooot [y1i]
Visitors are welcome to the area controlled by the Cohorts of Colossus [vo4], as long as they obtain travel permits first. Not all requests will be granted. The affected area includes the land provinces bounded by bx25 and bz27.
Write to Pelenth to obtain a travel permit.
-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]
Due to recent demand for travel to the cloudlands trips are now being offered more frequently. We hope to be able to offer a once-per-month service allowing people more fredom in their travel choices. The cloudlands remains a haven of peace and tranquility with no battle ever having been fought here. For more details contact:
-- Ferry master [z1s]
----------------------------------------------------------- I will make your weapons! I will train your soldiers! I will train your pikemen and your crossbowmen! I 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]
Goodbye Safe Haven! Hello World! Now do I go west or east of Atnos? Suggestions welcome. Thanks.
-- Corlin Singer [n0i]
Journal - Snowmelt, Year 4
We have run amuck. Well we have "docked" in a swamp. It appears to be time for some exploring. Captain Farseeker seems to feel that I am not much of a seamen. He makes jokes with the crew at my expense. No hard feelings. When I can touch the true source fully, I can move an ocean as large as this one unaided. I do not fear water.
Ilyena has been eminently available. We have both begun to sense the True Source. Contact is not as it used to be, and the flows seem to need to be woven in a different manner. But it is weaving flows of the True Source just the same.
Now when we explore this area out there, we will have to keep our eyes peeled for Portal Stones....
The Lord of the Morning, The Dragon,
-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
The Tai Lung's captain would like to contact anyone sailing in the Northern unexplored regions to exchange information and avoid duplication of efforts.
-- Hidenka Sencho [az7t]
Walking through the emperor's forest one day, a crowd of nobles nervously changed their course from east to north. An entire fleet of carrier pigeons had carried messages back an forth the last few days, haralding trouble ahead. The nobles were friends, but a rather quiet lot, communicating with each other only once or twice a month, & even then they sent pigeons flying across the camp to one another. But now the silence of their camp carried a nervous tension about the days ahead.
For days the group had been observed by one Sikan D'Fynd, a noble with a substantial & scarry entourage who was alligned, apparently, with the Sherrif of Gentlewind. Suddenly, Sikan & his forces lined up in front of the young nobles, lines drawn for battle.
Young Manzel looked nervously to his father's trusted counselor, the ancient elf Elethil. "Surely," Manzel commented, "this Sikan fellow doesn't mean to attack us! The Sheriff told us not to enter Gentlewind & we're not even headed there!"
The elf pondered the situation. "I hope you're right, lad. But that last carrier pigeon-note had an ominous ring to it. Perhaps we've somehow offended the Sheriff, although I can't imagine that..."
Elethil's thought was cut short by the charge of Sikan's troops. John Wayne, the nobles' leader, rallied the pikemen, but to no avail. Soldiers died on both sides, a noble died, & Elethil was fatally injured. Almost a hundred soldiers lay dead upon the field, & the carrion started to gather. Finally, sensing imminent defeat, the nobles ran towards the woods seeking escape. None found it.
Sitting in the dungeons of the Palace of the Winds, watching his trusted friend succumb to his wounds, Manzel pondered his predicament. "We gave as good as we got, by Crom! But there were just too many of 'em. They outnumbered us 3:1." His allies remained subdued, passing pigeons back & forth every now & again, as was their custom. Some looked as if they might melt into the ground at any moment.
Manzel lamented his situation, he lamented the slow carrier pigeon system with which he & his friends communicated, he even cursed Atnerks.
As he gasped out his dying breath, Elethil whispered to Manzel, "Did the peasant woman not tell us, dear Manzel, that our doom lay outside of the Imperial City? Found it I have. Return to your father Manzel. He will have need of you." And so passed Manzel's old friend.
Manzel's head bowed in grief as he stood over Elethil. Elethil had prepared to die a warrior's death, but had not expected it to come so soon.
"If only he could live again!" Manzel cried.
Suddenly, a carrior pigeon flew into the dungeon & perched upon Manzel's shoulder. The attached note reported that the man who killed Elethil decided he wasn't such a bad chap after all and would resurrect him.
Manzel cried tears of joy, & gazed longingly towards the sky. "Atnerks," he cried, "surely you have blessed our cause! I will never doubt you again!"
The inmates gathered for a spontaneous mass. They used a shield as an alter, & since they had nothing, they sacrificed rats to Atnerks. Many there are in this world who could offer a sacrifice worth more in gold or jewels, but none more sincere.
-- Manzel the Valiant [r7e]
This is monthly notice if you wish to visit the environs of Cycarth and Redwine please be courteous enough to let m9l 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 bt25 bt26 bt27 bu25 bu26 bu27 bv25 bv26 bv27 bw25 bw26 and bw27.
By order of Darkman, caretaker of Dark Castle
-- Dweezil [e5q]
Rumors
We take care in composing our notes. We think it befits our plans to keep a note of majesty in our communications.
I received:
"He suspects nothing; or, rather, he suspects everything. That blinds him to dangers that are most subtle. Paranoia leads him to confide closely in no one. I know that he spreads his concerns, never telling anyone all, but sharing a bit with each of us. He thinks to guard himself against saying too much, but he merely assures that he betrays himself somewhere. Still, I have learned little. I know that he fears us no worse than others, and I have come to suspect he knows more of the graveyard than we do. I think there is reason to return.
I wish that this came easier to me. I mislike this role I play, and I find that, although the things he has done have left me with no sympathy for him, I grieve for my innocence. I wish a nobler part. What it is I do requires no ability, no skill. To feign agreement, to commiserate and idly probe, is weak and dismal work. Each week I place myself closer to a sad and vicious character, and I wish that this would end. In shadow I align myself with one whose spirit is ill. I fear for myself. When do we move, so that I may end this charade?"
To which I replied:
"What you tell me is well-received. I wish that there was another use for you in this, but time has taken us too far to change the pieces in place. Sad, too, is the fact that I could not conceive of a better work than that which you have done. If you can not be proud of what you do, be satisfied. If it is merely work that you have done, take a workman's pride in its drudgery. Do not worry overmuch that it is treachery. No one has ever been betrayed who did not merit it, but one. We shall not last long afterwards if what we do is not right, so do not harry yourself _now_ expecting retribution for what you do. It will be soon enough in coming if we are not found justified. Fear not. We shall have others investigate the matters you mention, and no one shall tie it to you.
Our time is coming, and our design is set and becoming manifest. He shall know this now, and the knowledge of it will help him none. Perhaps it will lead him to prepare, perhaps it will make him drive away some anile fools who would have aided him. It matters not. The steps are hewn and his path ordained."
IMPERIAL CITY (OP) - Dr. Iago South, Professor of Cartography at Imperial University announced that he has been vindicated after careful review of the latest edition of the Imperial Atlas. Dr. South, widely considered a crackpot by his colleagues, pointed to the discovery of new lands, south of Krussos as evidence of new lands in the south. "It vas right vere I said it vould be!" he said, pointing to the map. Others at Imperial University dispute his claims. "It is simply a large island, overlooked by the Great Atnerks when he mapped the lands for us," one professor said, off the record. "And if Atnerks wanted us to go there, he would have put it on the map for us." Other professors said that they were reserving judgment until more data was collected.
Squire Adam,
OK, I did the scry and you were right. Big deal. Now it just means you were foolish for telling everyone!
--- former Doubter
Don't let savages in your inn. When they throw a party in your inn, they end up trashing the place. It is always best to just take their money by force, than to let them use it in your inn. I don't care what you think about the rights of Savages.
Is it true that giant lizards are being bred to peasants by Duke Marat?
Morthain rode the snarling beasts north, flying over the deep black forest to the tall trees he had seen in his dream. Three days later he saw the trees again, tall, sweet woods teeming with people and bearing the mystic aura of the ancient masters. He led the nazgul down to the platforms, and began the Seeking chant the Wanderer had told him. The portal was here!
> The Case of the Missing Gerbils > > Every month, 200 gerbils are delivered to the castle of Duke Marat. > They are never seen again. Does anybody know what happens to them?
YES!
The Case of the Missing Puppies
Earlier this year, in a universe far, far away, a little doggie belonging to the Viceroy of Hong Kong went missing. As Hong Kong is small, with lots of people, and the doggie was wellknown, popular, and photogenic, rumours were cranked out by the media faster than a speeding Olympia Times goldstarved newshound. Unfortunately the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, one Senator Gareth Evans, happened to be in honkers. At an (initially) unrelated press conference he was asked (in jest) his opinion.
He replied in all seriousness that it was probably down at the local Chinese by now. Misconstruing the ensuing hushed silence as disbelief of what he'd said (as distinct from the fact that he'd said it), he followed up with the assertion that he had it on good authority that Chairman Deng has a couple of puppies each morning for breakfast. Thus Australia's chief diplomat showed 'em how it's done...er, that is, demonstrated how simultaneously to offend three governments and a billion people with a single remark about the animal kingdom.
The moral of this tragic story: anyone who has had dealings with the mighty Dag Marat will testify that he is a graduate summa cum laude of the Gareth Evans School of Diplomacy. Now we have circumstantial evidence of his other qualification: graduate summa cum laude of the Deng Xiao-Ping School of Catering.
The 200 gerbils account for the quality and quantity of the mighty dag Marat's diktats aka diplomacy. The precise connection is loosely related to flatulence. In the interests of good taste I don't think it's wise to probe more deeply into the workings of the mighty dag Marat's bowels, especially as they might give you rather a lot of symptoms you would prefer to avoid.
***** NEXT MONTH - THE REVERSED GERBIL EXPLANATION *****
...look out dag marat, it's crotching season again...
> 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]
Cognoscenti [bc5]
The gentleman to whom you allude is Dag Marat [g3y]. He's very sensitive about his parentage, especially the portion of it that he's aware of, so you did well to soothe his inflamed ego by describing his mom as a world conqueror.
...look out dag marat, it's crotching season again...
Clifford's market database is still growing. Now at 50 cities. Send in a city market report not in the database and you can get a report on any given commodity once per week. email to w4t@g1.pbm.com
AOO Dolly, Well AOO Dolly, It's so nice to see you back where you belong.
Oleg the Loudmouth's (Free!) Lore Archive still exists!
The long promised tomes of new knowledge are still available! The tomes are: lore.new, which is all lore found in this world, and lore.diff, which gives the differences between the lore of this world and the lore of the alpha-test world. As usual, no fee is collected, nor will none be paid for any contributions. Do a good deed today and contribute: Lore should be free!
As usual, these tomes may be obtained by contacting me directly, or from your favorite archive.
Let all right-thinking folk join with me in a holy crusade against the monstrous =D2Bootes=D2 - we must all declare ourselves hostile to those with silly names! Elvis, king
Gilligan's Island buys hides, but where is the Skipper?
The Torba Bacor Alliance requests anyone interested in visiting Torba Bacor to first contact us, in order to avoid a misunderstanding. These are troubled times and we need to be careful. William of Normandy (s7s)
Where is one to go to get away? Provinia is unsafe! The Camaris are being fought over. Torba Bacor, Ilion, Atnos, and may other areas have been claimed. A poor lost soul who is finding out that PIRATES roam the seas. Help! One tries to help others and gets blamed for being a spy? What is one to do? Finally when I run out of gold to claim, what do I do? Turn to PIRACY as well?
Citizens of Imperial City-Beware the fog, for it obscures the devious plots of the factions controlling the Talon and the Serpent which are presently anchored in your fair harbor!
!!! WARNING !!! WARNING !!! WARNING !!! WARNING !!! WARNING !!!
For the public record! Creating or moving storms in a garrisoned province and/or city, will be, from this day forward, considered an act of war. You have been warned!
! THIS IS NOT A DRILL ! THIS IS NOT A DRILL ! THIS IS NOT A DRILL !
Why will no-one talk to me? Is it because I am talking to the deaf, or is it that everyone in IC is Undead?
STRESS (n): That confusion created when one's mind overrides the body's desire to beat the living daylights out of your nearest neighbour. Can become worse if your neighbour has a larger army than you do. Worse still if MAFOC is your neighbour.
We are thinking of heading off to Northern Ossicus or to South Camaris to get away from the crowding. Could anyone who is there kindly make it clear what claims they are going to try to enforce so that we don't clash? Thanks.
I have found a city! After my years of wandering, I have found a mighty city! Time to hit the bars and party! Then we shall equip again, and search for the perfect castle sight.
Are grassy fields good for catching and breeding animals? Or should I just get out the four-footed lawnmower?
Merchantmen in and around IC are discussing setting standard price ratings for different items of interest. Such a ploy would indeed harm customers greatly, as long as the organised traders manage to keep free traders and double-dealers away.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: The infamous pirate ship Kraken has just changed its name to Waverider. All ships near the Imperial City should watch for the galley [dz7p], whatever its name.
AOO Membership: Except for newbies, anyone owning structures or harvesting resources within a radius of 5-6 provinces from bx22 is supporting, cooperating with or has made an agreeement with the AOO. They garrison and control all land in this area. If one downloads early issues of the times, or contacts former members of the Iron Nation, the names of the senior AOO will be evident. Thieves and cuthroats, and those they deal with, rarely want their names in print.
For a hundred years they were nutured by their prudent mothers as playful children - each a big baby in his house - but when they grew up and reached adolescence they lived only for a short while, plagued by the pains of foolishness. They could not refrain from reckless violence against one another and did not want to worship the gods and on holy altars perform sacrifices for them, as custom differing from place to place dictates.
After the village had bought and started on a healthy round of "tonic" a couple of the village busybodies approached Dr. Neve Eril. They already had that dazed and ever so content look that the tonic brought. They were concerned, or they though they remembered being concerned, about a recluse that hadn't left his cabin for several months and maybe, just maybe the esteemed Doctor could have a look at him. Not wanting to annoy the locals before he was long out of town he decided that it would be best to humor them. Grabbing his medical bag that he had copied from what he had seen cousin Charles Taen carry around back home, he hurried to the poor afflicteds home.
There he found more a corpse than a person. True the recluse lived but even his untrained eye could tell that the end was very near. Well he had better give the busybodies a good show. Opening his bag, he gave the recluse a dose of tonic and then started to apply leaches and a skunk weed plaster. The tonic quickly brought a smile to the comatose face. At least his end wouldn't be so painful. The leaches and plaster were simply for show, the locals always expected true medicine to involve blood and stench. Dr. Eril had no idea if they did any good. But the busybodies gave knowing looks to each other and left talking about a big meal and goat balls.
Now he had a real problem. He realized he was stuck in the cabin. His wagon was in the town square, in fact in the middle of a festival that involved about half the townsfolk. They were even starting a bon fire. They would be near his wagon for a long time. He couldn't very well walk out with out curing his charge.
Sitting watching the dying man Dr. Eril could see that he had wasted away considerably. It was doubtful if his mother would know him! The light was bad! Every one around his wagon would be muddled by the tonic! It just might work. It had to work.
He put on some of the sick mans cloths that looked worn enough and odd enough that that everyone in town should remember them. Finally he took the biggest hat he could find, one that would keep his face in its shadows most of the time. Thank the gods it was a cool spring night.
Then he walked Boldly, Confidently, Vigorously out of the cabin and toward his wagon. When he was coming near the bonfire he proudly and loudly proclaimed. "Ohhhhh that Dr. Neve Eril is an absolute miracle worker. He not only cured me of that dreaded Muian Pox but I have NEVER felt as good as I do now."
Everyone turned toward him, stared and their mouths dropped. A man off to the left came nearer. "Ghoe ?? Ghoe Knerre ?? is that really you?? We didn't think you would live the night!"
Dr. Neve Eril quickly got between the bon fire and the crowd and poured his heart into the act. " Hmmpph of course its me. But friends I have argued with Dr.Neve Eril to stay here in our village a man of his talents would be an absolute boon to us. No one here would die until they had great great great grand children bouncing in their lap like they do in his village. But he refuses. He says it would be unfair to so bless one village and to curse all the others with nothing. So I have resolved to go with him and learn his secrets and to return when I can save you as he has saved me. But more important he has told me that the Muian Pox I had is contagious and if every one in town does not have some of his cure this will be a ghost village within a year. He had to go into the woods to collect herbs that are only good if picked on a rare night like tonight. But he has told me which potion is the cure and to give it to you at his cost. "
Everyone rushed to the wagon and Dr. Neve Eril slowly followed. They all bought the "cure" for themselves and second and third bottles for family members not there. And to put the finishing touch on the night He informed them that the pox had to come from outside the town and if they were not ready it would return eventually. That produced a panic of buying that ended only when he was sold out of his tonic and everyone had gone home to give the cure to their families.
Then he drove his wagon over to Ghoe Knerres cabin and quickly, while everyone was home, moved Ghoe to a dark conner in the wagon. then he started to packed Ghoes things for a long trip. Before he was done a few of the locals were back and under a double dose of tonic. They had come to helped him pack. They even reminding him of a small cache of silver he had hidden under a floor board.
He was far along the road and singing very loudly by morning.
"Were are we going my brother?"
"Off to conquer other lands, fore someday we will return to conquer this one."