All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewelled shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burned like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, trailing light,
Moves over still Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glowed;
On burnished hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flowed
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flashed into the crystal mirror,
`Tirra lirra,' by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom
She made three paces thro' the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She looked down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror cracked from side to side;
`The curse is come upon me,' cried
The Lady of Shalott.
***********************
* continued next week *
***********************
-- Apollo [t2t]
Journal - Sunsear, Year 5
At last, we join another section of our scattered group!
The Lord of the Morning,
The Dragon,
-- Lews Therin Telamon [m3m]
It may be slow building castles from deserts,
but far far better late than never! And I'm just
beginning to realize how late it's going to be!
-- Corlin Singer [n0i]
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]
Anyone wishing to discuss Impassable Mountains, please contact me.
-- Tim Finnegan [r9b]
And so the bold followers of the Red Lion move from the safety of the
Imperial City out into the tamed wilds of Olympia. Now stronger
in spirit as well as body and ready to meet any challenge. The fact
that they are members of a large alliance also gives that little extra
reassurance. Now to go where no friend has gone before....
-- Billy No-Mates [t9z]
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]
********************************************
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: 300 gold and 50 wood. or just 700 gold
ram 50 gold, one iron and three wood.
or 75 gold and one iron
or 90 gold and three wood
or just 115 gold
roundship 400 gold and 100 wood.
or 800 gold and 50 wood
or just 1200 gold.
I will also consider barter, see me for details.
-carioca@io.com
*****************************
Need a healing spell cast?
I'm in the forest just outside of the Imperial city
contact me for details
Carlota de Andarai` [r0h]
-- Carlota de Andarai' [r0h]
Rumors
If they really are planning on attacking, I can only hope that
they will have the common courtesy to announce their plans in
the Olympia Times, as required by the Skrenta Convention. Or
even just drop dark hints too late for me to react.
... Or at least brag about it afterwards.
IN NEED OF A GOOD HOME :- Once slightly battered ram. Previous
owners
badly neglected this poor creature by continuously hurling it
against
thick wooden doors. Enquiries to the AOO.
Dear Doubter,
Home is where the heart is.
And home is exactly where I intend to
take YOUR heart, as soon as I can spare
the few minutes it will take me to do so.
Now it's time for YOU to go home.
--- Squire Adam
When in darkness or in doubt,
run in circles, scream, and shout.
Three cheers for the spirit of dogmatrix! The bloodsuckers have
been sucked! Yahoo! Take that you big nasty brutish, icky, one-eyed
one-eared, flying, purple, bad thing!
-a most jubilant vigilante
-------------------------------received from pigeon----------
Summary: Ergonal in leg irons
It took over four years, but the noble who went on an attacking
spree barely a month into Olympia has been captured. Now all we
need is some rope and a nice big tree...
Darkwood [cd08], forest, in Provinia, wilderness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26: Impedimenta [e2v], with ten soldiers, 50 pikemen, arrived from the
26: north, accompanied by:
26: Angry peasant [cg7r], angry peasants, number: 25
26: Angry peasant [eo1x], angry peasants, number: 17
26: Raven the Silent [v3j], wielding golden dart [ep5e], with
26: 200 crossbowmen
27: Impedimenta [e2v] attacks Ergonal [y6s]!
27:
27: Impedimenta [e2v], with ten soldiers, 50 pikemen, accompanied by:
27: Angry peasant [cg7r], angry peasants, number: 25
27: Angry peasant [eo1x], angry peasants, number: 17
27: Raven the Silent [v3j], wielding golden dart [ep5e], behind 9,
27: with 200 crossbowmen
27:
27: Ergonal [y6s], with 15 peasants, one crossbowman, accompanied by:
27: Typhoon [s8p], behind 1, with 17 peasants, 69 crossbowmen
27:
27: Impedimenta [e2v] is victorious!
27:
27: Impedimenta lost five soldiers, three pikemen, six angry peasants.
27:
27: Ergonal lost 32 peasants, 70 crossbowmen.
27: Ergonal [y6s] was taken prisoner.
27: Typhoon [s8p] was taken prisoner.
27:
Province controlled by Chateau Olympique [s85], castle, in Mt.
Olympus [bx22]
Ruled by Marat [g3y], duke
Routes leaving Darkwood:
North, forest, to Darkwood [cc08], 8 days
East, forest, to Darkwood [cd09], 8 days
South, forest, to Darkwood [ce08], 8 days
West, forest, to Darkwood [cd07], 8 days
Seen here:
Garrison [be0m], garrison, on guard, with 61 soldiers, 43 pikemen,
seven swordsmen
* Impedimenta [e2v], with five soldiers, 47 pikemen, accompanied by:
Angry peasant [cg7r], angry peasants, number: 21
Angry peasant [eo1x], angry peasants, number: 15
Raven the Silent [v3j], wielding golden dart [ep5e], with
200 crossbowmen
Ergonal [y6s], prisoner
Typhoon [s8p], prisoner
Attention all coming to Ossicus! You are coming and you are many.
We are hungry and we are many. You should keep sailing, unless you
wish to explore the inside of our bellies! Remember, a friendly
neighbor is one on another continent.
Ha Ha to all tyrants! That new skill means
an inevitable rise in opium production! Prepare
to have all your tax revenue stolen you greedy
pigs!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!
In a related note, the IC will soon become the world's international
clearinghouse for opium. If you want to be rich, collect some opium, & then
send it to the IC. Before too long someone will be ready to buy up all you
can sell.
--a concerned drug dealer
A mucking huge force was seen in Western Provinia (by16) recently,
indiscriminately attacking any nobles it came across. Literally hundreds
of savages. Seven catapults -- is it after somebody's castle? Or is
this more AOO sponsored banditry? One thing's for certain - it's a
dangerous time to travel without an escort!
drittsekk, n. a person whose skull contains excrement.
As used by Norwegian diplomats to describe British Cabinet ministers.
[20th c.: orig. unkn.]
Does anyone know when the next fund-raising
drive for the Young Man's Reformed-Cultists-
of-the-Ichor-God-Bel-Shanharoth Association
is going to be?
Clifford knows where ROSE PERFUME can be sold. So try Clifford's City
Market Database: 92 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.
The hidden alleys of the Imperial City are an ugly place, quite a
different look than the polished storefronts and swept streets of
Imperial Blvd. Far from the sight of the rulers, only the dregs of
humanity are found dwelling among the filth and the sewer rats.
Its inhabitants, peastants too sickly to find usefull work, human
flotsam, the odd noble asleep amongst smashed rum bottles. It is
this ugly breeding ground from which new powers will emerge, and
the fleeing nobles of liquidated factions will sink.
The wide-open northern spaces are looking more and more
attractive. Provinians! You have nothing to lose but the
constant fear of being killed! Emigrate now!
Notorious Nattering Newbie Negator Nabbed
=========================================
The long and bloody career of one of Olympia's most notorious
outlaws came to an end a few days ago. Ergonal of the Servants
of the Art is in leg irons and awaiting execution by lana bark
injection early this month along with his accomplice Typhoon.
Ergonal will be subsequently hanged, shot and burned just to
make sure. Olympia Times faithful will recall the many accounts
of Ergonal's unprovoked attacks on new factions (see Times #6,
#11, #19, #27, etc...) and many calls for his death have been
raised all over Provinia. Finally, justice will be served.
The two bandits were spotted several months ago skulking around
the Northern Shadowglades swamps and were closely monitored during
their long slog northwest into the Darkwood forests. While
there was never any risk to western landholders, a group of
concerned citizens decided to move quickly to eliminate the
threat to peaceful travellers in the western lands. The early
morning raid on the bandit camp proved to be even more successful
than anyone had hoped due to the entire bandit front-line refusing
to fight. Apparently this refusal was at the insistence of Duke
Marat, well-known as a bandit sympathizer of the first cloth.
70 AOO crossbowmen were killed along with 32 fresh recruits. Both
leaders were taken alive although half-dead from combat injuries.
Over 1400 gold and 50 crossbows were seized as evidence of Ergonal's
intentions to continue the buildup of his bandit army. The seized
goods will replace tenfold the token losses suffered by the posse.
The remaining 111 AOO troops, who have formed up into a garrison
and continue to pledge allegience to Marat, will be put to death
immediately prior to the double execution of their leaders.
When reached for comment in his Mt. Olympus stronghold, Bastrestric
ther Archymonaged pleaded "It was all Typhoon's idea, let poor Ergonal
go!" However, when questioned by western authorities, Typhoon claimed
he was just travelling with the group for safety. Texas Ranger Gus
McCrae opined that "nobles who stack with outlaws hang with outlaws"
and that "we hate to kill a nice young feller, but it's the code of
the west." Capt. McCrae was politely reminded that the alpha test
is over and please to mind his own damned business.
The Council of the Eumenides
verse 3:
Dragonslicer, Dragonslicer, how d'you slay?
Reaching for the heart in behind the scales.
Dragonslicer, Draggonslicer, where do you stay?
In the belly of the giant that my blade impales.
Fred Saberhagen
The Complete Book of Swords
My fears were justified, but my assumptions were wrong. They were
indeed my companions. An evil force had taken over their minds.
I was able to free them with an amulet that I had found on my island
prison. We are now off to build our mighty keep and live in peace
with our neighbors.
Imperial City (OP) - Having cleared Imperial City of every small
furry animal in sight, a gang of strange men have taken to using
hallucinogenic drugs to quell their lust. Recently, they have been
causing riots in Imperial City.
The most recent fad is a drug called "Miyukia", known to cause
hallucinations of a red haired asian women with little or no clothing.
The drug is named after Miyuki, who is neither red-haired nor in
Imperial City any longer but is apparently the only asian woman the
men have ever heard of. A recent gathering of these men resulted in a
near riot at what they called the "Miyuki-o-Rama-Thon". Imperial City
guards are investigating the incident after receiving numerous
complaints.
This drug replaces earlier experimental hallucinogenic/aphrodesiac
combinations called "Oleg 7" and "Maratasy" which caused uncontrolled
fantasies of the famous peasant and tyrant. The men soon found these
hallucinations to be less than what they had hoped for and moved on to
other substances.
It was once thought that these men were driven by a shortage
of gullible women in Imperial City but other theories have surfaced.
One Imperial University researcher has suggested that the illicit
drug market may be driven by pot makers who are using the drugs
as an incentive to move their products. Another suggests that
perhaps the shortage of opium in the Imperial City region is
causing widescale withdrawal attacks. Whatever the cause, the
Emperor is looking into tighter drug controls in the near future.
There be trouble a' brewin'; best to hoist anchor
and head for Zercia.
At last I have an elfstone! Now I can go to faery and meet those charming
and lovely elven maidens. Of course I need to watch out for their brothers!
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! United we are strong, divided
we are weak. Every turn we work to make them more powerful, when
shall we work for ourselves and reap the benefits?
whoa! back from the dead! Almost a year gone, my
body feels like sh*t, worms are still crawling
out of my skin, & the memory of the torments
of hell will stay with me forever. & those
torments have given me but one purpose
now: KILL! SLAUGHTER! DRINK BLOOD! Only
one thing is now good in life: TO CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES,
SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, & HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS
OF THE WOMEN! THAT IS GOOD!
okay, at least I hope I can make it to the ship without
being eaten by rats.
Captain Trocero, I'm awfully sorry that I haven't paid you yet, but
every time I try I'm told that you're not a character. Please don't
sew my eyes shut like you did to the last guy to stiff you. And you
might consider dropping me email to tell me what I'm doing wrong.
And if you don't know who this is from, then I was a fool to try and
pay you in the first place.
Seen in the Atnos Channel:
The Bounty [ba3j], roundship, 13% loaded, 8% damaged, arrived from
Ocean [bf13], owner:
Mutiny [l6x], with 30 pirates
Everyone is talking of the wave of mass nausea that is sweeping
the land. Many people - nobles, soldiers and fair maidens alike
have been spotted gagging as they read verse after verse of
the putrid poetry pouring forth from the pages of the Times. Sales
of Gravol have gone the roof; new trade routes may open soon.
The Liberty Confederation wonders what contraption a light-bulb is.
Light from the heavens surrounds them and illuminates their
Glorious deeds. No cheap sorcery or tulips needed.
Q: How many AOO members does it take to change a light bulb?
A: This means war, where's your castle?
About skill proficiency-My magic user takes only six days to complete
Perform Common Tasks For Gold. He is a Master of the skill.
A swirling mass of colour grows above the Imperial City, slowly
expanding, swirling faster and faster. A black void appears in
the centre as the mailstorm continues to grow. The sun is
eclipsed by this shimmering mass of colour, and from within the
depths of the central black void a deep and resounding voice
is heard: "BEWARE THE TIME OF CHAOS IS NIGH!" All at once the
shimmering mailstorm disappears leaving all confused as the light
of the sun returns temporarily blinding all.
Fellow magicians:
I'm looking for a way to learn weathermagic. I'd appreciate any
information on how to do this WITHOUT having to go to the Cloudlands.
Contact Dulcimer [t3c] for information about possible remuneration.
Eyes peer skyward, outward.
Roiling darkness gathers fringes of the landscape;
Breaths caught in expectation.
Finally, a chilling screetch of rusted metal as time grinds on...
Oops, missed a turn, wonder what happened. More of the same AOO
slagging everyone off, and receiving the same in kind. Boring!
Announcing the opening of
H E R O B U R G E R S
If you are what you you eat. Then a lean mean fighting hero needs
to eat a lean mean fighting food. Thats why Hero Burgers are made
from cattle that run 10 leagues, and are taught swordplay for an
hour every day. Our cattle are in such a fighting trim that our
butchers get hazardous duty pay.
So eat at Hero Burgers on Copper Monkey Road in the Imperial City
Hey Pel! Ya keeping your guard up, huh? You'd better!
Maybe this turn we try again, or maybe next turn, or the
turn after that ... See Ya Soon!
Q. How many AOO does it take to start a war?
A. Three. One to make nice with the target, one to lead the
assault, and one to deny accountability.
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
*
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.
Easier targets will command a smaller fee. I will contact
you directly if I am willing to pursue your target. I am
currently available.
*
Low Profile Bounty Hunters
Does raising a peasant mob/rallying it count as "using resources" in
a province?
Yes, gaining proficiency in a skill improves speed. I have for example
witnessed that being a journeyman in common magic means that it takes 6
days instead of seven.
Wide open plains with cloudy skies overhead.
The AOO is drawing near.
Sounds like the AOO's having trouble keeping their empire together.
he he he.
The travells of Sir Bold head the Brave.
Today we landed on the new world of Ossicus. A fever of excitment ran
through the camp, my travelling companions marshelled their troops and
together we set off.
Many days we travelled, and many strange things we saw. It seems there
are many new creatures in this world, some cannot be destroyed by force
of arms alone. A good job we've a powerfull mage to aid our cause.
Soon we shall controll many provinces in this land, and banish these
foul creatures to another plane of existance. For we are many and powefull,
mone will stand in our way.
***** GRAVEDIGGERS ANNOUNCEMENT *****
ORC HEAD STADIUM construction bids are open. Stadium to
seat 5000. Minotaurs needed. Suppliers contact Jimmy 'the Nose'
Graves for details.
TUT: Hi, Thales, whatcha doin'?
THALES: I'm looking for those miscreants and enemies of the
state, Hypatia and Anaximander.
Hey, aren't you supposed to be guarding the castle?
TUT: No, only until you came back. You came back so I left to go
recruit some more peasants to our glorious cause.
THALES: I didn't come back.
TUT: Yes, you did.
THALES: Didn't
TUT: DID!
THALES: DIDN'T!
THALES: Er, who's that in the castle?
HYPATIA (from ramparts): Hi, boys! Don't stop your fight
on my account. I was really beginning to enjoy it.
ANAXIMANDER: Me too.
Olympian Order of Miyuki Fans - Update (OOMF-U)
An observant muse has suggested that Alfred Lord Tennyson's ongoing
epic, The Lady of Shalott, presented monthly by Apollo The Bard, is
really an Ode to Miyuki! Remember it was "Big Al" Tennyson who penned
a steamy love sonnet to Miyuki when she first arrived in Imperial City
a few years ago. Is Big Al once again pining away for the fjords of
the "fair and fetching" Miyuki? Well, we don't know but we can't
blame him, knowing our irresistible Miyuki as we do. But where does
that leave the ever-faithful-but-not-too-bright Kovaq'nu?
We urge Big Al to pursue with all due diligence the affections, and
whatever other body parts he can grab, of the marvelous Miyuki.
Bravo Big Al!
In Other Miyuki News -
After tracing last month's feather vs. chicken quote to the tome
"Miyuki Speaks", Volume 2 "Fun With Small Animals", the planning
committee is reminded to round up an extra supply of hens for next
years miyuki-o-rama-thon.
Rumors -
Speculation persists that a major toy company is planning to release
an anatomically correct "Malibu Miyuki" doll this summer. At 1/4 scale
it's said to have soft, scented, supple skin and "all the right parts
in all the right places". Trade representatives for various
diminutive races on Olympia are frantically searching for suppliers.
That's all for now fans, look for more Miyuki madness next month!
Ahoy Mateys,
Here's some free advice to all those embarking on their first
lengthy ocean voyage. Even if you've already decided on the mix of
skills you want for your faction, have each noble learn an extra
"main" skill like Combat, Gatecraft or Beastmastery.
Don't waste time studying the sub-skills in town before you leave
because once you know a main skill, you can study, and more
importantly for the skills mentioned above, you can USE some of the
sub-skills while on board ship.
For example if you learn Combat in town, you can learn Swordplay
aboard ship and then issue the USE 9580 order over and over
throughout the whole voyage to practice and increase your Swordplay
Skill.
For Gatecraft learn Detect Gates & for Beastmastery learn Bird Spy.
This may not sound very exciting but at least you'll have something
useful to do besides fish and stare off into space for months on
end!
--- Barnacle Butt the Sailor
