From: skrenta@blekko.rt.com (Rich Skrenta)
Newsgroups: rec.games.pbm
Subject: Olympia Times v3n3
Date: 8 Apr 92 12:14:36 GMT


   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
   | The Olympia Times                               times@olympia.rt.com |
   | April 7, 1992                                                   v3n3 |
   |                                                                      |
   | Turn 18  Circulation 99                              "Booga, booga!" |
   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

		Turn 19 orders due:  Friday, April 10, 1992
		Turn 20 orders due:  Friday, April 17, 1992
		Turn 21 orders due:  Friday, April 24, 1992

	  Orders are due 6:00pm, EDT.  I believe this is 22:00 GMT.

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


		So no one knew what I.K.B. stood for in
		        last week's _Times_??


It seems that almost every new player, and many of the old ones,
have written me wondering where the lore sheets are for the skills
which they learned last turn.  Patience!  Lore sheets for skills
you know will appear in your turn reports as soon as I write them.


       _________________________________________________
      /                                                 \
      |	 Whew!  Although many players would like turns  |
      |	faster than once per week, it's a bit fast even |
      |	 for myself.  Some players have also said that  |
      |	  a few days isn't enough time to study their   |
      |	  turn reports and contact other players for    |
      |	            diplomacy and intrigue.             |
      \_________________________________________________/



	I have fixed a number of bugs related to stacking,
	attitudes, and guild membership.

	     -	Characters with loyalties opposed to the
		stack leader can no longer "sneak into"
		a stack by stacking with a friend which
		belongs to or joins the stack.

	     -	Units at the top of a stand beneath a
		guild tower may no longer force other
		members out of the stack with DECLARE.

	Because of these changes, some units were forced
	out of their stacks at the beginning of the turn.
	Sorry if this caused you any inconvenience.


>>>   There were some inconsistencies in the new part of
      the map.  If have corrected these.  You may have
      noticed some links shifting about.  Don't be alarmed.   <<<


Last turn I made some changes to the movement system.  Previously, while
a unit was moving it remaining the location it was leaving until the time
necessary for travel had past, then it was moved to the new location.

Some have pointed out that interaction shouldn't be allowed with units
which have left the province 19 days ago on a 20 day journey.  Also,
these movement commands could be halted with CANCEL 1, thus bringing
the unit immediately back to its starting location.

I have made two changes to correct these problems:

	-  Units which issue a MOVE order immediately leave the
	   province.  They may not be interacted with in the province
	   they have left, and will not see what happens in either
	   province when they are in transit.

	-  CANCEL 1 will not interrupt movement orders.  Units must
	   reach their destination before executing new orders.

Here is a timeline of how movement works:

	 1:  > MOVE
	 1:  Journey will take 20 days.
	19:  Arrival at destination.
	20:  > ...next command to be executed...


Note the the TRANSFER and GIVE commands now require that the
receiving unit be declared friendly or cooperative toward the
unit which issues the command.


The formulas behind PERSUADE and TERRORIZE have been changed
this turn.  TERRORIZE may also now be used against members of
other factions than your own.


New commands:
-------------

	ASSIST  <who>  [days]

	Assist a unit in a work or construction task.  Unit will assist
	for the specified number of days.  If days is zero, the unit
	will assist until the project which <who> is working at is
	complete.

	The assisting unit and <who> must be in the same stack.

	For example, Osswid [501] may wish to build a ship.  He would
	employ the use of his shipbuilding skill to begin construction.
	Fighters of Pelenth [1058] could stack beneath Osswid and issue:

		assist 501 0

	to work on the ship until it was completed.


	PROMOTE  <who>

	Promote the position of the specified unit within the stack.
	The unit will be raised so that it is stacked immediately
	beneath the character issuing PROMOTE.

	Characters may only promote units which are stacked beneath them.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


			Cc: olympia@rt.com

    Some players have been copying me on interesting private
    game-related messages (diplomatic messages, collusions, etc).
    I appreciate this since I'm not really playing the game myself,
    and I like to hear about what the players are up to.  If you
    copy me on your game-related mail, I promise not to divulge
    any of your plans!

	[ What kind of fool am I, asking for even *more* email... ]


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


		Guild elections!   Guild elections!


	Guild elections will be postponed for one more turn to
	allow last minute campaigning and to give the new players
	a chance to participate.  Remember:

		SET 0 PROXY <who>

	to vote!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


To:    Those Rabid Sheriff-haters
From:  Pelenth, Sheriff of Drassa, Protector of Pactra and Hothras
Re:    Slavering Rabble-rousers

My good Drassans,

Many of you have been running about, screaming that I am a tyrant and
a fascist.  I am intrigued to know what you would have me do; I have
been elected, by the people, to protect Drassa.  Yes, I did take it
upon myself to protect Pactra and Hothras also.  I publicized the laws
which held in these lands, and made it quite clear that the only
option I had on arrest was to ATTACK a unit, and noted that this would
most likely result in a death penalty for anyone who broke the law.

Where were the cries of "Fascist!" and "Tyrant!" when I avenged
Murphy's attacks upon Evor and his other victims?  Where were the
angry mobs when I defeated the orcs or the wolves that threatened
these fair lands, and chased Zyzak and his Roughnecks into the
wilderness?

Some of you claim that I have no evidence for my arrest of Gorbachev,
and that I did not warn him.  Piffle.  How many of you have trained
observers to watch the goings-on in the Protectorate?  I do, and I can
tell you that one of the things such observers can report is the
faction loyalty of a unit.  That aside, what proof would you accept
from me?  I could easily construct a false report of the loyalty
switch, and display it for you.  It would prove nothing.  Those people
who say I did not warn Gorbachev are flatly wrong.  I warned him
repeatedly through private communication to mind his manners; he
obviously thought I was bluffing.  I was not.

In short, I have done nothing beyond uphold the law, as I was elected
to do by the citizens of Drassa.  If you feel that I have done a bad
job, on balance, then call another election and oust me!  But, while
I can understand your anger over the Gorabchev incident, why not
direct it at the lawbreaker?  He was *not* an innocent bystander; he
knew the laws, had been warned, and proceeded to break them.  
Would you have there be a class of citizens that is above the law?  I
do not run a corrupt administration; if you desire to have a sheriff
who lets the rich do as they will, then by all means, find another man
for the job.  If you wish to have a sheriff who will hold all people
within under his protection to the same high standard of behavior,
then I have shown myself to be the man for the job.

In the meantime, I will remind you that there is a huge world out
there, just waiting for exploration.  Beyond the bounds of Pactra and
Hothras, you are free to do as you will; within those bounds, I am
charged by the citizens of the region to uphold the law and keep the
peace.  If you can't live within the laws, don't live within my
Protectorate.

				-- Pelenth, SoD, PoPaH


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Here ye, here ye, here ye!

The ship "Wrath of Zeus [2206]" has been spotted docked in the port of
Habyn, along with the Ghost of Captain McCook [503]. Good gentles
knowing of this mysterious ship and personage are encouraged to
contact me, Oleg the Loudmouth [810], so that we may trade information
and perhaps consider plans of mutual benefit.

-- Oleg


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


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

			Murder abounds in Olympia
			=========================

As a believer in peace, understanding and man's humanity to man, I always 
read the Obituraries, just in case I find mention of a trusted friend or 
loved one.
The deaths reported in last weeks Times were not (fortunately) 
acquaintances of mine in any way. However, I couldn't help but notice the 
name of the person who killed them. Zyzak [513] killed both goups in Nallos.
This is the SAME Zyzak [513] who was recently offering his services as a 
freelance assassin for the termination of contracts.

Were these deaths some of his contracts or merely a couple of people or 
groups who annoyed him ?
Is he really the cold-blooded murderer these acts show him to be ?
And were the deaths politically inspired ?

There is much happening in Olympia that you, the people of Olympia, should
know about. But one thing I do know, Zyzak is obviously a person to keep 
well clear of, and the sooner such scavengers on the heels of society are 
put down like the mad-dogs they are, the better for all of us !!

Is this where the Sherrif has gone ? Is he even now closing with this 
murderous villian, determined to bring him to justice and hang his head on 
the Portcullis of Drassa as a symbol to all wrongdoers ?

(Probably not, but it was a nice thought !)
Beware Zyzak !! The honest citizens of Olympia have your measure !! And 
justice is in the air !!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


	Gahh, the riddler had finally pulled one over on Him, it
	must have been those four units of ethenol :->

	For now He resolved to spend the time studing, but what was
	this, a near empty purse?  Oh well, perhaps he would just have to
	brush up on some spells.

	Whats more at last He had the means of penetrating the secret of
	the amulet, and with that power, none would stand before Him.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


	Let it be known that Guges the soon-to-be-famous wandering
minstrel will soon be beginning his tour of the outlying provinces of
Olympia. Reserve your tickets at Olympia Ticketron now.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


SHIPS !!!
contact Zafol [1154] or gaja@clipper.ens.fr to receive our complete brochure...

    Zafol, the man you need.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


 Bohor, merchant of Drassa, is proud to announce that the
magnificent ship L'incroyable, build by his proud workers, has been
christened and is ready to explore the seas. Bohor himself has helped
to build the plans of this very modern ship.  The adventure begins !!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Darn. Just when I thought we were in for a regular supply of good puzzles
we get something as easy as this.  It's obvious that all they have to do
is ride the other persons horse.  I mean even the sheriff could figure
that one out!!!!!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Ah, a trick riddle, of course I can help the poor sherrif.  I poison
he and his stupid brother, take their horses and gold, and leave town.
Of course, if I were kind, I would but suggest they ride each other's
horses.  Fortunately, I'm not.

O'baiscne


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


			TO ALL TRADERS' GUILD MEMBERS

	I, Laughing Jack ([1132]), humbly submit myself for your consideration
as a candidate for the leadership of our guild.  As such I promise to make
decisions for the guild in as fair and equitable a manner as I possibly can.
Further, I would endeavor to place the interests of the guild ahead of my own
when such came into conflict.  I feel that my experience for lo these many
months as a horse trader aptly qualify me for the post.  As guildmaster I
will do my utmost to run the guild as efficiently, and profitably, as within
my power.
	Therefore, it is my hope that you will cast your vote for me, Laughing
Jack, in the election by issuing the "SET 0 PROXY 1132" command at the ballot
box.  Even if you do not feel that I am not qualified for this exalted position,
I urge you to cast your ballot for one of our worthy brethren, for the right
to vote in the guild is both a priviledge and a duty.

				Your guild brother,
				Laughing Jack ([1132])

	To those of you not members of the Traders' Guild, I would also express
my sincere hope that you participate in the elections for your respective
guilds for as I stated above voting in your guild's election is your priviledge
and responsibility.  Take part in deciding who will run your guild for the
upcoming year.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


		The Chronicles of Pain
			Part I

In the far reaches of the Empire a prophet arose.

He came out of the wilderness, preaching a dark message of pain and
despair.  Those who saw him and escaped said his eyes burned with evil
fires and that his voice was like a serpent's.

Where he went, villages were consumed by his evil.  Brother rose
against brother; mothers killed their children; houses and fields lit
the night sky as they burned.  Where he passed, greasy smoke filled
the air and the stench of the dying and dead hung over the countryside
like a funeral pall.

But with each village consumed a few men joined his cause.  He took
the men already broken by life, with twisted souls and little
understanding, and turned them to his own purposes.  He bound them to
his soul with fell magics and armed them from the ruins of the
villages he destroyed.  These men became a menacing army, worshipping
Death and striking without fear and quarter.

They marched under a black standard with no other markings, and the
sounds of their drums awoke fear wherever they went.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Seldon the Avatar looked up from his books and said, "The answer to
the ridder is simple.  Just have the two men exchanged horses and
race their heart out."


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


       ___________________________________________________________________
      /\							  	  \
     /  \							   	   \
    /  __\							    	    \
    \  \/___________________________________________________________________/
     |									|
     |	Honorable Adventurers Near and Far,				|
     |									|
     |	I, Jack of the Keen Eye, have had the pleasure to acquaint 	|
     |	myself with the fair regions of Chardia, Habyn, West Habyn,	|
     |	and Ociera.                                                 	|
     |									|
     |	I am particularly eager to learn of the following regions:	|
     |  Aethelarn, Bayarth and Camaris, and any other regions in        |
     |	their immediate vicinities.  For each location description of   |
     |	the above regions mailed to quoc@cco.caltech.edu, I will mail   |
     |	in return *two* location descriptions among those that I am 	|
     |	acquainted with of the sender's choice.				|
     |									|
     |	For other location descriptions, I will send in return *one*	|
     |	location description among those that I am acquainted with	|
     |	of the sender's choice.						|
     |									|
     |	Again, the location description	should contain all information	|
     |	known, excepting perhaps the current aligned (i.e. factional)	|
     |	population, and the month and year which the information was    |
     |	obtained.							|
     |									|
     |	Again, please forward all contributions to quoc@cco.caltech.edu	|
     |	or send a message to my friend Tersus [826] at the Magician's	|
     |	Tower in the lovely port of Chardia.				|
     |									|
     |					Regards and Thanks,		|
     |									|
     |					Keen Eye Jack			|
     |									|
     |	 _______________________________________________________________|__
    /	/\							      	   \   
    \  /_/							   	   /
     \  /					   	          	  /
      \/_________________________________________________________________/



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Awakening on another fine and sunny day, I wrap my new found body in a
bathrobe and head down to get my morning cup of tea, and read the latest
edition of the Olympia Times.  Opening to the riddle section, my 
favorite part, I read the riddle.  After reading it and having a chuckle 
over it's ease, I continued with my morning ritual.  This answer was, to
put it bluntly, swap horses.  Have the Sherrif ride Faldred's horse
and visa versa.  Therefor if the Sherrif wins the race, Faldred, on the 
Sherrif's horse will come in second.  Thus will the Sherrif's horse
cross the finish line second, thus will he win.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


The Quick Olympia Crossword
===========================

The editors would like to apologise for the lack of a crossword this week.
Pressures of life in another world ensured that time was unavailable.
However, as I have had NO entries for the last 2 crosswords, hence no-one 
attempting to claim the prize for the most answers or complete crossword,
I am unsure whether anyone has actually even been looking at it at all..

If people wish the crossword retained, please mail me (rob@ccc.govt.nz).
No responses will mean I will no longer collate it. Thanks.


Quick Olympian Crossword Answers  (3)
=====================================
Across
======
  1) & 3) West Habyn  8) Ash  9) Aerondar  11) Omit  13) Started  16) So
 17) Nor  18) Pentara  20) Mail  22) Do  23) Illness  25) Tollus  27) Sea
 28) Hue  29) So  31) Antresk

Down
====
  1) Weaponsmith  2) Sardis  4) Asart  5) Nap  6) Chardia  7) And  10) Trot
 12) Toil  13) Sip  14) Annalist  15) Trades  19) Rose  21) Isle  23) Is
 24) Sack  26) Our  30) Or


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


"The pathetic whiners!" snarled the angry man, pounding his fist
against the cave wall.  "Bitch and moan, that's all they do.  'The
Sheriff is a tyrant.'  Bugger them!  For months I've tried to protect
them, and keep their lands safe.  Did I receive any pay?  No!  Did I
receive any benefit at all?  No!  I had to chase one friend out of the
Protectorate, and attack another after warning him not to break the
laws.  Hell, if they think I enjoy this job, they can stuff it up
their collective arses!  I quit!"

He snorted, and turned to talk to his guard.  "I don't believe these
jokers.  Since I first became Sheriff, I've referred to the lands of
Hothras, Pactra, and Drassa as my Protectorate.  I never claimed an
empire, and have no plans to.  I almost hope someone takes the time to
go in and squash all the little wailing twerps."

Smiling, he turned to the mouth of the cave, to face the new day.
"Rocko rides again," he smiled.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


 Darkness walks the Land, but the sea holds the key to enlightenment.
 Build your ships well, and take men a'plenty. For the People of the
 other continent seem quite barbaric, Not at all like the civilized
 citizenry of Drassa.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


 Very soon my friends, the temple grounds are being cleared and
 sanctified. The works gather and the architect has been found.
 Plans are being drawn and stone is being quarried. All praise
 the Twilight goddess.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


A new Service is available. Would you rather capture those
lothsome beasts to bolster your troops, than sacrifice your
troops in killing them? Well it is possible to capture rather
than kill. But only to those with the knowledge and the Skills.
Join the BeastMaster Guild to find the knowledge, or seek out
MoonShadow if you would rather Hire a Beast-Master.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Let's see if the riddle masters can solve this one:

	Within a fountain crystal clear,
	A golden apple doth appear,
	No doors there are to this stronghold,
	Yet theives break in and steal the gold.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


	The mage closed the book he had been studying.  Finally, I am able to
cast it.  He looked over his shoulder at the stack of books yet to be read
and integrated into his arcane knowledge.
	He looks evaluates his current abilities.  The question before him,
"Do I hone my current skills even further, or expand my researches down other
avenues?"  The mage scratched his bearded chin.  Bearded!  When did that
happen?  I must have been in here studying longer than I thought.
	"Erik! My man! Where are you dang blast it!"
	"Here, milord." As the servant rushes up to his masters chambers at
the Drunken Unicorn Inn in Pactra.
	"How long have I been up here?"
	"I know not milord.  I have but recently returned to this fair city."
	"Well, my boy, I'd say it's high time I got out and about again.  I
haven't worked out at the training grounds in many a moon.  How about sparring
a few round?"
	"I must respectfully decline, milord Erekosse.  You are quite beyond
my limit skills.  I would hardly be a worthy opponent."
	"Well, if such is the case.  Mayhap you should attend in the hopes of
learning more.  Oh no, that's what I forgot."  As the mage turned back to his
books and began rummaging through the collection.
	Erik closed the door quietly as he left his masters chambers knowing
full well that a trip to the training grounds had completely slipped his
master's mind.  He went down the steps pausing with a matronly server saying,
"I believe milord Erekosse will be taking his meal in his room again this
evening..."


--
1869 commands for 238 units.