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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The Olympia Times issue g1-35 |
| Februrary 22, 1995 |
| |
| turn 35 186 players "E Pluribus Unix" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Questions, comments, to play: info@pbm.com
Olympia PBEM
* * *
As a reliable compass for orientating yourself in life
nothing is more useful than to accustom yourself to regarding
this world as a place of atonement, a sort of penal colony.
When you have done this you will order your expectations of
life according to the nature of things and no longer regard
the calamities, sufferings, torments and miseries of life as
something irregular and not to be expected but will find them
entirely in order, well knowing that each of us is here being
punished for his existence and each in his own particular
way... Regard every man first and foremost as a being who
exists only as a consequence of his culpability and whose
life is an expiation of the crime of being born.
-- Schopenhauer
* * *
Player-contributed press
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]
There was a ship all the other Pirates feared.
Even Black, Blue, Red and Yellow Beard.
Now the Captain was as rotten as they come,
and never once thought to write to his mum!
On..
the..
Marie Celeste.
What's it got?
It's got the meanest, cruelest Pirates ever pressed.
Bad Boys!
Until the Bosun cried from the Crow's Nest...
"There's a ship, to the west!
Shiver me timbers, Walk the plank, SOS!
Swim for shore, pieces of eight, ABANDON SHIP!"
It wasn't magic, or ghostly tricks.
What was it?
It was down to a bowl of Wheet-a-bix!
Wheet-a-bix?
Thats why they found no pirates,
aboard the...
Marie Celeste!
-- Draconian Elite [fg4]
advertisement*advertisement*advertisement*advertisement*advertisement
"I don't know how I ever gamed without it!" -- The Circle of Hope
"Very pleasing to the eye!" -- Ashcraft
"Got them, they're great! No more having to switch windows to peer at an
ASCII map!" -- Faction Amber
"These aren't just maps, they're works of art!" -- B. Altmiller, new player.
"The maps are cool!" -- R. Skrenta
"The maps far exceeded my expectations; any new player will likely find
the information contained exceedingly valuable.... I am especially
impressed by the clarity." -- Crimson Sage
MAPS MAPS MAPS
I am now currently assembling data for the second major revision of the
maps, which will include more information on Western Provinia, Krussos,
the Ossicus/Tollus strait, West Camaris, and more! Revisions will be
available to my current customers for half price; for everyone else, the
price will go up. This will happen within the next few months, so if you
want your map at the cheeper price, get yours today!
Likewise, I am especially interested in gathering information from the
far flung corners of the world for the second edition. If you've been
thinking about sending me mapping data in exchange for a map, now's the
time -- otherwise you may have to wait months to see your area in print.
Remember, newbies flock to blank spaces on the map like flies to honey!
But if they see that your area is mapped, they'll know someone is there
already, and they'll be more likely to explore elsewhere! Mapping is the
best way of keeping your privacy!
What are these maps? They are drawn in 7 colors, with graphical symbols
representing all kinds of terrain and internal locations. They are
available by surface mail only, when you pay the Illustrated Man (s5e) 50
gold in the Imperial City, or send me the terrain of ten provinces. I
will send you a map of Provinia, and a map of the entire known world as well.
EXTRA DEALS!!!>>> We will make custom maps! Let us know the size, scale
and quantity of any maps you want made, and we'll quote you a price!
Want a blowup of your kingdom five pages wide by five pages high? Write
the Illustrated Man (s5e) and we'll talk!
This offer brought to you by...
The Midnight Carnival ___
||||| /\
=====----`====
oo oo /\ /\
-- The Midnight Carnival [nx2]
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.
-- The Spanish Inquisition [qe7]
As we near the swamps we have seen some more
impressive monsters, but no nobles. It appears
that even in Provinia the world is not completely
over-populated.
-- Seekers of Knowledge [tt4]
-----------------------
S. CAMARIS Update
-----------------------
Now to ferret out all those hidden locations.
And "dig in" of course.
-- Compte du S. Camaris [b4q]
-- The Crazy Quilters [vn7]
NOTICE is hereby given that the cities of Omournil and
Notlbrob, along with nearby environs on the Island of Allasus,
are the domain of The Perrovians. Specifically, this includes the
provinces of cu07, cv07, cv08, cw06-cw09, cx06-cx09, cy06-cy09,
and cz09. The designated overseer of these lands is Ethan Rhogam
[x8k].
Having legally been granted this fiefdom by the noble
King-Claimant Tiglath, we are one of the factions collectively
referred to as The Lords of Allasus. With prior notification,
peaceful visitors are welcome in our lands. Arrival without prior
notification is most unwise.
-- Serobyn [h8e]
My thanks to the PILGRIMS AID SOCIETY for telling me that
Deserts too produce stone (and in the process reminding me to read
the rules more carefully). Thanks Again!
-- Corlin Singer [n0i]
Pilgrims Aid Society
Have you seen a castle or garrison which hasn't been included
in the Land Claim Log? Send it in to be added to the next
version. Free publications like the Atlas and the Log depend
upon you contributions to remain accurate.
-- Akmall Benhalla [p3p]
MONTHLY NOTICE
The Brotherhood of Ormos claims the city of Avalon [ao0k] and all
lands and resources inside the boundary of [bp05]-[bp08]-[br06]
-[br09] inclusive, as its sole and lawful demense. Those wishing to
visit Ormos are required to request a visa and await clearance
before attempting to make landfall. All unauthorized visitors are
unwelcome and looked upon with extreme prejudice. Captains needing
to make landfall at Avalon for emergency repairs will not be
molested, but are still required to contact me for a visa.
-- Pelinore Dragonslayer [p4s]
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.
To avoid possible misunderstandings, do not enter this area
without a permit.
-- Sheriff Pelenth of Gentlewind [f3i]
Okay people, prices in the IC are as low as they're
gonna' get. NOW BUY MY STUFF!
Also, I'm in desperate need of Lana bark, & I will
have such need in the IC or environs until I get some.
If anybody has some, find a way to ship it to the IC &
we can work out a deal.
-- Dixtheus [e3i]
Seen in the Imperial City last month:
7: A dark shadow briefly obscures the sun, then is gone.
This can't be good.
-- Dixtheus [e3i]
+------------------------------------------------------------+
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+------------------------------------------------------------+
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1" to ruin your whole month! If this has ever happened to
you, you need - DISPATCHomatic!
DISPATCHomatic is a Perl script which replaces English words
with Olympia codes. DISPATCHomatic provides some syntax
checking, and can also mail the orders automatically*!
What does all of this cost you? 500 gold? Less. 200 gold?
No. DISPATCHomatic is ABSOLUTELY FREE.
Send email to Mandrake with five province
reports not in the Atlas, and I'll send you the program. If
you send a city report, or 10 province reports not in the
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program.
*DISPATCHomatic has only been tested on Un*x workstations.
The Perl utility is required.
+------------------------------------------------------------+
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+------------------------------------------------------------+
-- Sherlock [r0k]
Attention all Ossicians! We are coming & we are many.
We only want peace with our neighbors and our own little
corner of the continent. All Ossicians are encouraged to
contact me so that we may devise ways to be friendly
neighbors with one another. Also, we don't want to land in
your front yard: we want our own front yard. Let's get the
settling of this continent off on the right foot!
-- Norc of Trivendale [z1a]
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]
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]
Journal - Snowmelt, Year 5
Deserted it seems. We wonder around looking for our
companions. Rand and his band do remain true.
It seems to be time to settle down.
The Lord of the Morning,
The Dragon,
-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
I, Thales, Lord of Amnon-Re, was long an adherant of the
Flat World Society, and kept company with one Oleg the
Loudmouth, whose name is so well practiced by the writers
of this journal. For more than four years I have listened
to his proclamations of virtue, and his descriptions of the
atrocities of the Ancient Order of Olympia, upon whose name
I dutifully spat. That was until last month, when I heard
described for the first time how the most righteous Oleg plotted
against Chateau Olympique, aided an attempt at its capture,
generally maligned all the members of the AOO, regardless of
whether their behavior had been honorable or not. I also
heard how some members of the AOO did not take kindly to being
tarred with such a broad brush, and I have seen the expression
of their anger, a most impressive display.
I therefore renounce my affiliation with The Flat Earth Society,
and particularly with those who would cloak their hostile intent
in righteousness.
Thales, Duke of Amnon-Re
-- Thales [e8q]
Chateau Olympique is home to a sniveling mama's
boy who behaves traitorously and violently and
who cries like a baby when his early demise is
called for in retaliation for his senseless attacks.
1000 gold to the first noble to kill him!
-- Captain Tarkus [c1s]
********************************************
Anyone want to buy a ship?
I am currently making ships in the imperial city.
roundships galleys or galleys with rams all made to order.
Here is a list of prices:
galley: 400 gold and 50 wood. or just 1000 gold
ram 50 gold, one iron and three wood.
or 85 gold and one iron
or 90 gold nad three wood
or just 125 gold
roundship 600 gold and 100 wood.
or 1200 gold and 50 wood
or just 1800 gold.
I will also consider barter, see me for details.
-carioca@io.com
-- Jorge da Selva [v5p]
Rumors
Phase two of developmental civilization is when people stop
discovering valuable things lying unowned in the wilderness
and start noticing valuable owned things held under husbandry
by their neighbors. It is at this point that the character
of the civilization begins to emerge. Does a society based
upon mutualism and barter emerge, or does a predatory ethos
rule? A subtle indication of the possible path of Olympian
future can be gleaned from observing the traffic at the major
battle simulators. In short, keep the ammo dry, Dolores,
there are going to be guests for dinner soon.
Q: How many members of the Liberty Confederacy
does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: All of them, but it'll never get changed
because the committee can't decide what
wattage the new one should be.
So we arrive in the Imperial City, ready to make our fortunes. What does
this strange land have in store for us? Only time will tell...
"Peace is noble, peace is good,
Peace is Marat's neck on a block of wood;
Truth is wonderful, good will is great,
Justice is Marat's head on a silver plate!"
Dear Adam,
I inquire of the squire,
are you a verifier
or just a tad higher
than any flyer?
--- Doubter
AOO: The sights, the smells, the thrill of danger, the heady
combination of hormones and excessive drinking, the knowledge that
half the planet wants your head on a pike and the other half loathes
your very being. Ah, that's the life for me!
So, just wondering, like, who's the richest? I don't think
anyone could be a millionaire yet, 500k could just be
possible. I'd bet on 250k max.
PS - Please post whether you're single, and whether you
live in a community property kingdom.
PPS - Miyuki says I'm a bimbo, but I think she's just a slut!
ciao,
A. Blond
Overheard on Tollus: Oops.
Nasty Truths Dept.: Oleg and Marat are the same person, in two bodies.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Oleg the Loudmouth has accomplished a great victory! The troops occupying
his castle on Tollus will run out of money in only 300 turns or so!
With such strategic brilliance at the helm, the dread AOO is sure to fall!
MARAT IS A DRITTSEKK!!!
Clifford knows where ROSE PERFUME can be sold. So try Clifford's City
Market Database: 89 city market reports, including where YOU can sell
rose perfume. Send in a city market report not yet in the database and
you will receive a report each week on the commodity of your choice,
with the rose perfume commodity report thrown in for free. For further
info, write to w4t@g1.pbm.com.
Is MAFOC a creation of the AOO elite? Is the AOO
really a figment of Oleg's imagination (too many
oogla nuts, perhaps)? From whose closet have all
these Skeletons come, and what is their connection
with the marital problems of the Emperor? Find
out next time on Geraldo.
Finally it seemed to certain of them that the time had come.
It appeared to them that civilization was not far away, and where there
was civilization there were people.
And people could be asked that same question that had dogged them
for so many months. Perhaps now an answer would be forthcoming.
The gaunt man was less than optimistic. "They'll lie. Would you
tell the truth if you'd done it? Come now, tell the truth."
For a while there was nothing but silence, amongst the tall trees
in that unnamed forest somewhere in Ossicus.
Wide open plains with clear blue skies overhead,
but AOO is drawing near.
The plains spread before him in endless waves of grass rippling
in the wind. The orc searched the area ahead for signs of life,
but only emptiness greeted his gaze. Satisfied, he rose to his feet and
started to run, the smooth, mile-eating lope that could only be matched
by the four-legged beasts of this land. As he ran, the orc fingered the
emblem fastened to his belt, a disk of embossed and dyed leather showing
a black hound on a red field. He grinned, revealing a disconcerting number
of tusk-like teeth, recalling his new master. Then his attention returned
to his hunt. None would set foot on these lands without him knowing!
Many days travel to the south and west, the squeal of ropes and
creak of strained wood heralded the rise of a large, triangular stone
into the air. "Pull!" the crew foreman called, and the workers again
strained at the ropes leading into the pulley, and the stone rose higher.
Moments later, a second crew swung the stone to one side and held it as
the first crew lowered it into place, bridging the gap in an arch of
stonework. Support timbers were knocked away, leaving the massive portal
standing on its own.
An older noble stepped under the arch and carefully he examined
the set of the stones, as the workmen gathered quietly, watching from a
respectful distance. He then turned to look inside the high walls that
the gateway breached. Before him stood the inner keep, its thick walls
and narrow windows were clearly built for defense. Above the entrance to
the keep the symbol of the turning wheel had been carved. A single tower
soared high above the rest of the structure.
The noble turned back to face the assembled workmen. "Done." he
pronounced.
The Gods be praised! The resurrection worked and my friend is restored
to life. Now we can once again explore this land together!
advertisementadvertisementadvertisementadvertisementadvertisement
COME VISIT PROVENIA'S FIRST (and only)
MEN'S ONLY BAR
CHARLEY'S
DRAG-SHOW-THURSDAYS!
(Our Queens are hotter than Miyuki!)
DANCE-YOUR-CHAIN-MAIL-OFF-SATURDAYS!
(Get sweaty with Provenias finest!)
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE AT CHARLEY'S!
IT'S THE OLYMPIAN ALTERNATIVE!
Heard from an old witch:
MAFOC is coming! Run for the hills. The aoo will soon taste
defeat. Only the scared and timid will be left in Olympia.
For sale in Imperial City next turn: yew, longbows and archers, contact
jeremy@insignia.co.uk for prices and timing details
We interupt our locally schedualled program for this special news
update...
A school of baracudas has just swarmed a recreational beach turning
a recreational swim into a blood bath. Angry peasants blame
lax-a-daisy lifeguarding habits of the Royal Life Guard. Local
vampires guild spokesman says that this is the sign that they
were waiting for and predictis that nocturnal activities will be
on the rise. The complete story at 19:00.
Hmmm, I am beginning to think that these are not my friends. They look
like my friends, but they are acting kind of funny. They have this
strange look in their eyes. I have tried asking them about this, but
they just look at me and say nothing. I will try to find out more when
we dock next month.
Is there going to be an OlympiaII?
verse 1: Who holds Coinspinner knows good odds
Whichever move he make
But the Sword of Chance, to please the gods,
Slips from him like a snake.
by Fred Saberhagen
A notice for newcomers to Provinia. The resources in
bx23 are being used at the direction of Duke Marat.
Bellabane [o3z] Forester of the Wheel
Provinian trade route info available. Consist of 3 trade routes
running through Provinia that can be run seperately or as one.
Total cost: none... it's worthless to me since I'm persona non grata.
Post message of interest to _The Enquirer_ with *FACTION I.D.*
if interested.
Anyone else think that there is price gouging in the Imperial City?
Hello, hello. What`s going on here then?
Wanted: 10 year supply of Prozac. Must be the good stuff please.
Will pay ANY amount. (I'm desperate.)
-A.E. Housman
*
Market Survey: I am interested in the further profits
of bounty hunting. Serious reward offers considered.
Satisfactory payment procedures required. Please submit
"serious offers". Killing off the AOO Castle Boss "Marat"
for only 1000 gold is not serious. An OLD Book that teaches
Necromancy, 10 Mithril, and 2000 gold is getting warm. This
would cost me hundreds of beasts and men and the enmity of some
nasty folks. I will contact you directly if I am willing to
pursue your target. I am currently completing a contract and
will be available in 1 or 2 turns.
*
Low Profile Bounty Hunters
He had though himself so lucky when he found the fairy band
and they had been friendly to him. If he couldnt turn a healthy
profit out of their goodwill. Well, then he didnt deserve to be
called a trader. But there was that game, that contest, that
they always wanted to play. How many fairys can ride a human ?
He no longer kept track of the record, but it must be in the
thousands. At first it wasnt bad in fact he may have enjoyed it
but they had soon discovered that a lot more of them could ride
if they got inside his clothes. Not in his pockets but in his
clothes right against his skin. And by all the names of all the
gods, the flutter of their little wings tickled. No, Not just a
little, but a lot, Everywhere at once. And to make it worse he
had started to think that the object of the contest had changed
from how many of them could ride a human to how long they could
torture the stupid human.
Wheels within wheels; The dark power grows
Dragons fly; Magic walks the land
Stealth is the only hope
Olympian Order of Miyuki Fans (OOMF) update:
--------------------------------------------
From all accounts, last months 1st Annual MIYUKI-O-RAMA-THON! was a
literally smashing success, with major property damage, a few hundred
arrests, heavy casualties and several confirmed deaths being reported.
Obviously a good time was had by all the survivors! We'll have a full
account of events for the Times just as soon as our OOMF members are
released from the prison infirmary.
Book Beat:
The OOMF wishes to heartily endorse one of the excellent new Arthur
Haket novels mentioned in the Times article "Plagiarism Made Easy":
Gone Like A Breeze - The story of a beautiful young
noblewoman coming of age
during the AOO-IN war.
The second printing of this literary masterwork will carry the subtitle
"The Miyuki Saga" since it's clear that Miyuki O'Brien is the beautiful
young noblewoman being referred to.
Join the Campaign for a Moral Olympia!
--Kill undead on sight!--
Remember, Necromancers are supposed to be
hated by all civilized men. Let's demonstrate
some of that hatred and rid the face of
Olympia of the legions of Undead.
Apollo The Bard's Balladry Box
The Lady of Shalott
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
continues
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd lad,
Or long-haired page in crimson clad,
Goes by to towered Camelot;
And sometimes thro' the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights,
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
`I am half sick of shadows,' said
The Lady of Shalott.
continued
** ANNOUNCEMENT **
GRAVEDIGGERS UNION MEETING scheduled for
Season 'Blossom Bloom'
Bring all grievences to Jimmy 'the Nose' Graves
Remember the Pledge!
"NO MAN planted without a UNION LABEL!"
The Holy Order of Landscape Engineers
All the graveyards in the world are paths leading to the
City of the Dead and Death is the key that will unlock
the secrets of that City. It is written that there will come
a sorcerer of such might and knowledge, a sorcerer who will pass
through the Portals of Death; that sorcerer will rule the City,
and all the Legions of Undead therein contained.
Woe to Olympia then!
Anyone with claims to NW Ossicus please publish them.
Now, grasshopper, what you don't realize is that the AOO is not an
alliance confined to any particular area. While they have strong points,
there are AOO lords -- some open, some not -- and armies on almost every
continent and most seas. If you annoy an AOO lord, he will not send all
his armies and sorcerors after you, unless of course it was a mortal
insult.
Instead you will become persona non grata. So will all the other nobles
from your faction. And all the nobles from allied factions. All of them
will be attacked on sight by all the major AOO armies. Then the AOO will
wait. For they are very patient and they don't ever forget or forgive. The
next month or years later, no matter where you are, or where you go, you
will run into one of their armies. And then you die as many other hapless
nobles and whole factions have done before you.
And don't think you can escape their notice by stealth or subterfuge.
For the AOO has many armies, but more spies. All their reports are sent
to the basement of the Chateau Olympique where a vast number of trained
gerbils collects, sorts, analyzes and correlates them. This should
explain both the famous "gerbil mystery" and why the AOO seems to know
everything and everybody.
So, young noble, avoid the AOO if you want to, but don't ever cross them.
The latest maps show that explorers are drawing to within 6 squares of
the southren edge of the world! Have any fallen off the edge, yet??
Rumor has it that the Forces of Chaos are at present bidding
their time... Once a force of sufficient strength has been
assembled, then the AOO will get the reward they so richly
deserve... heh heh heh!
There is a lot of bad press on the AOO at the moment.
It seems to be a lot of fighting going on between AOO and the
rest of Olympia. Would anybody from AOO care to tell us their
side of the story- or should us far away from Provinia assume
you ARE bad guys?
How much longer shall the inhabitants of this realm
suffer under the oppressive thumb of the AOO?
Surely if we band together we can take them!
It is rumored that Ferretlord has many fine beasts for
sale at reasonable prices. It is not known whether ferrets
are among his wares.