+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
   | The Olympia Times                               times@olympia.rt.com |
   | April 17, 1992                                                  v3n5 |
   |                                                                      |
   | Turn 20  95 Players                "The finest in PBM entertainment" |
   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

		Turn 21 orders due:  Friday, April 24, 1992
		Turn 22 orders due:  Friday, May 1, 1992
		Turn 23 orders due:  Friday, May 8, 1992

		   Orders are due 6:00pm EDT, 22:00 GMT.

         Questions, comments, bug reports, to play:  olympia@rt.com


Boy, did I screw up.  A coding mistake trashed all of the passwords.
Sorry, the game picked new ones for everybody, unless you happened
to set your password this turn.  Please set them again if you have
a preference.


The TEACH command is gone.  It has been replaced by a skill,
Teaching [126].  Use of skill [126] is equivalent to the old
teach order.  The rate at which units learn is proportional to
the teacher's skill in [126].


The name of skill [114] has been changed from "gold mining" to "mining".
This skill should be more or less operational.




    Osswid the Constructor surveyed the realm through his
    crystal orb.  He noted the avarice among the people, and
    the violence towards each other that idleness had spawned.

    His hands slowly circled the sphere, causing it to shimmer
    with an eerie blue light.

         "Anul ne-thrak, oos vas be thud, dochiel tien-ve'"

    In the neglected and unexplored regions of the land, trolls
    crawled from the mud and began searching for roads to bar.
    Faeries sprung from the summer blossoms of the forests.  Savages
    with hate for the works of man emerged from their rank caves.
    And the ancient ships of the Sea Kings landed on a distant shore...




	The carnage in Chardia continues.  This month, four more were
slain, this time by the Cohort Mirhys, obviously another pack of
Pain's rabid dogs.  If left unchecked, he will bring his message of
anarchy and destruction to the whole continent.  Woe betide those who
ignore the call to arms!





	Trying to build up some troop strength in a hurry but don't
want to or can't afford to wait around for your units to inch up the
combat skill level ladder? Then call us, the Brothers Hecatoncheires,
and we'll gladly whip your raw recruits into shape.  It's far too
expensive for ALL the members of a unit or faction to join the
Warriors' Guild for the beneits of faster learning, but for a low,
low fee, we'll TEACH your men combat and increase their learning rate
by 25%.  Archery is also available as an option.  Contact
moakler@remus.rutgers.edu for details.

				-The Brothers Hecatoncheires





	First the black compnay, now some sort of other Cohort.  Those
	southlanders are most barbaric.

	Still He had had a profitable month, climbing ever higher into
	the realms of power.  Sonn all would acknowledge him as Arch-Mage
	of Olympia, soon.

	Opening His study door He crossed the hall and noticed His name
	at the top of the list for guild master.  But what was this?
	Some obscure guild regulation stating that ties were won by
	the reining guild master?  Hah, He guessed who instigated *that*
	rule.  What of skill?

	Oh well, it left all the more time open for studing of the fine
	arts of spell craft.

>< M ><




    They say six of one and half-dozen of the other but I say six for
two and two for nothing and six for free.  For all.  For free for all.




	We are the Merry Pranksters
	We sing a merry song
	We're coming to your town soon
	In not too very long.

	We juggle in the markets
	We prance upon the stage
	No target shall escape our wit
	Neither warrior nor mage.





Amoungst the carnage is one named Pain
He stands around the ones he has slain.
And while he rejoices in his new found fame,
He will soon experence his own name.





FOR HIRE:
    Labor Force [1462]

   Do you need that extra wing on your castle, but haven't had
the time to do it?  How about the peeling paint on your ceilings?
Do you need extra help to get that pesky boat finished and
delivered to your customer?

     HIRE USE : WE ARE UNSKILLED

   We will work for cheap!  Just tell us where to go and we will
show up ready for work.  Order us around.  Do what you like.
NOTE:  We charge a LOT of money for killing or maiming us, so just
hire us to do work and we will get along fine.





"Hmmmm," wonders Gertan as he searches the riddle section again.
"I wonder if they will enjoy sharing that pear they somehow all
grabbed at once".





		When rulers die...

		When the frail shall writhe in pain...

		That time is nigh...

		When Chaos shall rise again...





Answer to the last riddle:  "Eachman" was the man's name.


The Riddlecorner!
=================

One of the very few mathematical ones, this time:

A dwarven king has a mine in wich work 100 slaves. They melt goldbars for the
dwarven king, but there is one bad guy amongst them (right!, our (ex?)-sherrif).
This bad guy also melts goldbars, but from every bar he makes, he keeps 1/100
of the weight for himself. Such a small difference can not be noticed from the
outside, but lickily, the king has a pair of elven scales. They weigh precise
to 1/100 of the weight of a gold bar (coincidence?).
THE CATCH:(ofcourse) you can only weigh once with this magical device!
Hint: You can weigh any ridiculous amount of goldbars you desire to weigh!

How must the king find the traitor, so that he can decapitate him?

The answer in the next edition of the glorious, free ditributed OLYMPIA TIMES!

=>The riddler





		Pesbrand
		in the cold morn              
		you stand
		by the sea                        
		overcasting clouds 
		clinging to the sky      
		the sun has no sight 
		upon the swirling waves
		the wind stings your eye       
		silvered with mist     
		whipping sails
		the ship rocks 
		against its bonds
		silver lightning strikes 
		within its wooden work         

		it smells the smoke on the wind


				(as was sung by the bard Sahn Dree)





	Fellow Mages gather round, for our Librarim grows heavy with
	knowledge.  Many of you have been most forthcomming with
	your hard won secrets, but many of you are silent.  Though
	you may not be members of the guild, still am I willing to
	deal with you, and you in turn could learn much from me.

	I have knowledge of all the spells of olympia, but I seek
	to know more of the workings behind them, particually with
	respect to the learning of them.  

	One aspect people have been less than forthcomming about
	is the casting times for spells.  How many people have got
	spells to level 1 or higher?  How many of you have tried
	to cast them?  People have also been less than entheusastic
	about telling me how long they took studing to get to certain
	levels of magic research.  Come on folks, out with it!

	Become part of this great sharing of knowledge, tell me
	what you know, and I will tell you more in return, and
	we are both the richer for it.  As some of you seem to
	be tempted by cash, I offer yet more of that substance.  
	For information, I will pay as follows:

	Casting time for a spell at a level		30 gold

	Time to learn a spell (at research level x)	10 gold	

	Time to reach x ability with a spell 		15 gold
		(at research level y)			

	If I alredy have the information, then I will still trade
	you new information for it, but I won't pay gold.


>< M ><





Roving Reporter's Column
========================

                   Sherriff's abdication leaves Drassa Lost !
                   ==========================================

Now that Sherriff Pelenth of Drassa has fled the land and handed power to 
his deputy, I belive that the time has come for a full election of all 
those in Drassa to appoint the Sherriff they wish to lead and protect them 
in the coming turmoil.

As we have all seen, the murder and chaos of other lands is still 
continuing. Zyzak [513] continues his murderous rampage, slaughtering 
innocent travellers for fun or money. The carnage in Chardia continues with 
Cohort Mirhys [1319] and Dr Pain [814] massacring travellers, citizens and 
bystanders indiscriminately.

If this death and murder were to spread beyond these more distant realms, 
the citizens of Drassa and it's surrounding protectorate would be seriously 
at risk unless they have a Sherriff that ALL have faith in, and are willing 
to support. i.e. a Sherriff elected by the popular vote !!
All current citizens of Drassa MUST be allowed to vote fairly for their 
candidates. And let the democratic process have it's way !
Just because some wally known a 'Rocko' hands power to a random person does 
not reflect any form of democracy and is no basis for government !!

Nominate your candidates NOW !
(And maybe this will also silence the Drassian Liberation Organisation who 
 seem to be so vocal in the area.)




 Your ship in 2 months... yes ! it IS possible !
 Contact Zafol NOW !




                THE BLACK CASTLE NEWS
      "All the news we're permitted to publish."

DARK PROPHET ATTENDS OPENING OF GUILDS

(Chardia) -- The Dark Prophet himself attended opening ceremonies this
month at the Magicians' and Engineers' Guilds in Chardia.  The Guilds,
which had been temporarily shut down following the unfortunate slaughter
of their entire staffs, have been re-opened this month with new local
Deans. 

Bastrestric the Archymonaged [801] is the new local Dean of the
Magicians' Guild.  Bastrestric is a well-known master of the Dark Arts,
and proved his suitability for the Guildmaster post by returning from
the dead to claim the position.  Bastrestric's first action after being
installed as Dean by the Dark Prophet was to announce the forming of a
protective guard unit that will reside in the Magicians' Tower.  The
lack of such a guard unit has resulted in a number of deaths, the most
recent occuring when the barbarian Cohort Mirhys [1319] rode through,
slaughtering four.

In the same ceremony, Dave Smith [1494] was promoted to Dean of the
Shipwrights' Academy.  Although new to the area, Dave Smith was deemed
most qualified amongst all the candidates interviewed by the Academy's
Board of Regents.  Echoing Bastrestric's remarks, Dave Smith has also
vowed to form a guard unit to protect the Shipwrights' Academy. 
Standing on the still-bloodstained steps of the Academy, Dave Smith also
vowed to advance the art of shipbuilding ``beyond what they know in
hamlets like Drassa''.  

Local admission fees to both Guilds were set at 500 gold, to be paid to
the Dean of each school.  Fees will be used to fund guard units,
research, and will pay for a safe-conduct from the Dark Prophet's
forces.  ``Yes, the fees are high,'' commented Bastrestric at a press
conference following the opening ceremony.  ``But you get quite a lot
for your money.  Protection from random violence, and safe-conduct to
live and shop in Chardia, one of the nicest of the New Land seaports. 
And of course, special rates are available to vassals of the Dark
Prophet.'' Asked about the possibility of students refusing to pay the
local tuition, Dave Smith said ``Our policies on these matters are quite
strict.  I'd rather not dwell on them beyond saying that they involve
retribution against the student and three generations of his kin.''

Direct inquiries to srt@aerospace.aero.org, cedman@golem.ps.uci.edu.





COHORT MIRHYS [1319] SLAUGHTERS FOUR

(Chardia) -- A barbarian group named Cohort Mirhys [1319] and numbering
seven people arrived in Chardia and stopped briefly at the market before
advancing on the Magicians' Tower and slaughtering four students who had
arrived early for the Fall term.  Spirited defense by the students
resulted in the death of one of Cohort Mirhys's number, leading war
experts to speculate that Cohort Mirhys was relatively untrained.

Cohort Mirhys left town on the 30th, apparently headed towards Camaris.
The Black Castle made no official announcement concerning the killings,
but as one of the four students killed (Mandrake [830]) was known to be
under the protection of the Dark Prophet, it is assumed that the usual 
policies of retribution will be in effect.





	Laughing Jack put the quill down as he set down the last needed
copy of the guild report.  He walked down the steps to take a leisurely
breakfast in the common room before proceeding to the messengers' guild
to dispatch the reports to the members of the guild.  Just one of burdens
of guildmastership as he sighed contentedly over his large breakfast.
	After consuming a healthy portion of the fare, he strode to the
messengers' guild.  The clerk looked quite annoyed at the prospect of
having to deliver so many items to so many diverse locations; however, his
disposition improved immediately as Laughing Jack shook his coin pouch.
After completing the transaction, he began to leave, but rethought this
action turning to the clerk.
	"My good man, let it be known throughout your land that submission
of classified advertisements are being accepted for the monthly traders'
guild journal.  No fee is being charged for such inclusion; however, such
submission should be about fifty words maximum describing the relevant
items or services provided and the rate for such.  Advertisement proved to
be false or misleading will be viewed in the most harsh light."
	With this task complete, he gathered his belongings at the Royal
Lion Inn and set off down the road to Rimmon.





	Dang blast the man, can't he remember anything.  It was great seeing
him again and all, but I'm beginning to remember why I had such problems
with coping with him.  I often wonder how Laughing Jack, for a man so devoted
to detail, can be so forgetful of the little things.  Look there at the
desk in his room at the inn, he's gone off without bothering to collect his
quill and ink.
	Oh well, so much for seeing Pactra in the near future; I'll just have
to pick these up and follow along behind him to Rimmon.  Well, he won't be
able to say Erik the Explorer has never done him a good turn.  I certainly
hope that pedantic patron of mine doesn't change his directions to me yet
again.
	I guess tracking after LJ is a good move in that light.  It might
give Erekosse pause in finding me to send me off and yet another long voyage.
I hear he's been muttering about sending me off to Kircarth-ooh my feet just
ache thinking about it.





			NOTICE TO STREET ENTERTAINERS

	I, Erekosse, will be recruiting a band of entertainers to travel and
perform.  I do not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, or sex.  All
are welcome to apply.  The only necessary requirements are a keen mind, a
quick body, and a good sense for gauging audience reaction.  Applicant
should be free of dependents since a good deal of travel will be involved
as part of the job.
	Interested party should contact Erekosse during the second week of the
month at the recruiting tent to the Company of the Amber Griffin.  During
the third week interviews will be held by my delegated officer.

				Erekosse





Gee, I'm honored that I seem to be so popular that people put fake
articles in the Times allegedly from me. For those of you who care,
not that it's really important, that article last month from the
critter "Someone claiming to be Oleg the Loudmouth" was not written by
me. I do have a big mouth, but it is my own and I charge a high price
to rent it out. If you ever have a question about something I've
allegedly said, you know how to contact me directly.

                 -- Someone who actually is Oleg the Loudmouth [810]





                  The Chronicles of Pain
                        Part III

As the summer passed, the conquered city of Chardia came back to life.
The merchants washed the blood from the cobbles of the marketplace,
those who had hidden in basements and attics came fearfully back into
the sunlight, and the doors of the Guilds, scarred by the fires that had
raged about them during the Spring Madness, opened again.

The One Who Waits had brought a new ruler to this conquered city.  He
was a slight, bent man with one eye larger than the other, and the bland
face and voice of a child.  He was called Despair, and he ruled from the
Castle on the hill, sitting in the gloomy half-dark of the throne room
and rarely speaking to any but the commanders of his personal guard, who
were called the Red Company. 

Malcontents who defied the power of the Dark Prophet were quickly
crushed by the Red Company, but merchants and students were not
harassed, and Despair and his men were rarely seen on the streets.  In
the City, the dark mood of the Spring slowly lifted. 

In the taverns they said that it amused the One Who Waits for Despair to
rule a city where Hope was born again, and they wondered where the Dark
Prophet had gone, and when he would return.





Attention all in Caburh!

	As many already know, I have set up a defensive league in Caburh in
response to Dr. Pain and his minions.  Everyone is welcome to join me
[stack 1380].  I do not promise anything except that I will not attack or
move without giving everone a chance to leave.  Remember, there is strength
in numbers!

Greenbeard the Dwarf [1380]

ps I am also actively recruiting men interested in attacking Pain directly.
Feel free to get in touch with me if you are willing or planning to attack.





  Er,...well, so it seems my ardent plea has gone so far unheard of. O.k...
Let's change it a little bit...:

    CITIZENS OF DRASSA !!!!!!!

    When the wolves' herd plagued our rich countryside , I warned you : the
True Lord, He-whose-mere-name-should-send-shivers-down-your-unbeliever's-
spine-were-you-not-so-blind-to-the-the-plight-you-deserved-due-to-your-lavish-
selfish-definitely-unfaithful-way-of-life (well from now on let's call him
The Lord, O.k ? ), well the Lord should not be denied... My call has been
ignored. My words fell like helpless raindrops in the endless Wells of your
self-induced Oblivion.

    Now I have returned . And I will preach tonight in our proud city so that
we may praise together He-who-...er , The Lord. First my brave Altar Boys (tm)
will perform for you, chanting the Glory of Our Lord will all the grace and
self-abandon of those marvellous gospel songs we all cherish.

    Then I will preach...(and maybe enact some miracle if my schedule is
not too tight). Then I will collect your various gifts and offerings ( scarce
as they may be ; nothing will be refused...).

    Then I will depart...But I shall came again soon to rejoice with you
in the various prayers and blessings (not to mention offerings...) we
owe Him...


                            Derek Holyblast [530] the Wise





     Chardia, poor Chardia!  Once a fair city, now a befouled ruin.  The
castle guard corrupted, turning a blind eye to every form of corruption.
Now everyone with a sword assaults the citizenry and rapes the guilds.
Where is the vaunted master of the Magicians' guild?  Is he unwilling or
unable to defend his own?  We, the people of the new land, demand justice
from the Magicians guild.  Protect your own, or get someone in power who
can!  Retaliation or revote!  Restitution or recall!  The new world cannot
sustain more bloodshed.





	As the sun rose this morning I knew this would be a special day;
my first day in my new lands.  New people to meet, regions to explore, roads
to travel...

	Imagine my dismay at reading a copy of the Times and seeing the reports
of "The Black Company" going throughout the land and KILLING newcomers!  Gladly,
I noted that they were more than two months away from me, but that distance was
not enough to quell all of my fears.  I realized that for all my wonderment at
the land and it's inhabitants, that violence would always be present, and pro-
tection would require more that a good shield.  Sometimes the best defense is
an arrow at the ready, or a stiletto in the dark...  





Aaron Middleson wishes to great the Heros and Heroines of the land of
Olympia.  I hope to meet you all later on a more personal scale, but
for now "Greetings!"

On a more specific note, I am interested in finding a tutor and mentor.
I am an aspiring bard/merchant.  As such, I am hoping to find someone
willing to teach me either skill (or others perhaps) for a price.I am
presently in Pesbrand, and would perhaps need directions to wherever 
you might be.  Respond to my thought channel (bonar@math.rutgers.edu),
I'll be listening.  :-)




A new life, a fresh start
To hope, to learn, to explore
To talk to and meet new people
and old friends in new garb.
Most of all to dream (and scheme).


--
2159 commands for 333 units