Volume Five Issue Thirty-One

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VOLUME FIVE, ISSUE THIRTY-ONE                           November 14th, 1998
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                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

            -                The Editor's Note                  -
            -           Upcoming Calendar of Events             -

                                  ARTICLES
            -                  Did You Know?                    -
            -               The Immortal Report                 - 
            -          LegendMUD Housing FAQ (repost)           -
            -              Immortal Applications                -
            -             Q & A Summary from 11/12              -

                                 LEGENDITES
            -                  Announcements                    -
            -                Warcries of Legend                 -
            -                 The Dark Zealot                   -
            -                  On Knighthood                    - 
            -                    Warning!!                      -

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/__|                         EDITOR'S NOTE                            |__\
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Hello All,

I've noticed something lately -- some healers complaining that they
feel mistreated, and fighters observing that they're not sure how to
treat healers. So I thought I'd share some tips from my own experience
both as the leader of a group requiring healing, and as a healer. This
week I'll give my 'commandments' for the tank, next week I'll give my
'commandments' about being a healer.

                      The Tank's 4 Commandments

1. Thou shalt not allow thy healer to die. 

Many healers have given up some or all of their fighting ability in
order to be more effective healers. A death can be harder for healers
to recover from, and shows lack of concern for their welfare. Make it a
matter of honor for yourself to prevent death, and to replace xp if it
is lost.

2. Thou shalt be clear as to your intentions and needs.

Healers can't do what you want unless you tell them. Let them know your
strategy and report frequently.

3. Thou shalt not order healers around nor demand services without
recompense.

No one likes to be treated like a machine or a mob. Healers vary in
experience, from long-time to first-time players, but are universal in
their desire for respect. You make your living killing mobs, and if you
always did it for free, i.e. for no xp, you wouldn't get very far.

4. Thou shalt pay attention to your healer's suggestions and needs.

Listen to them. Experienced healers have seen a lot of fighters live --
and die -- to various mobs, and often have a wealth of knowledge about
tactics. In addition, all healers rely on mana, druids need herbs and
bandages. Help keep your healer well-fed, watered, and stocked with
supplies.

                                       Love to all,
                                       LadyAce

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/__|                    UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS                   |__\
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         [All times are system time unless otherwise specified]

        <^><^><^><^><^><^><^> November <^><^><^><^><^><^><^>

Saturday, November 14, 5:00 pm  - Pkill Tourney
Sunday,   November 15, 3:00 pm  - Championship Trivia: Round 7 of 12   
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm  - Q & A Session, OOC Auditorium
Thursday, November 26                 Happy Thanksgiving!


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/__|                          NEWS AND REPORTS                        |__\
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   _____
  /  _  \  DID YOU KNOW: Tips and tricks and little-used features
 /__/ \  \
      /  / Did you know that you can run a game, like trivia, with 
     /  /  prizes supplied by the immortals, AND get a prize yourself? 
    /__/   
    __     All you have to do is prepare the game ahead of time and 
   /  \    work with LadyAce to get it scheduled. 
   \__/  


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                           The Immortal Report                

This past week, the immortal staff worked on a variety of adjustments
to areas and the code. Nearly every area has been updated with typo
fixes from the 'typo' file (where all messages reported via the typo
command are recorded), and a number of annoying bugs have been fixed.
In addition, some changes have been made which should help snipers. For
more information on these changes, please check the welcome board.

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                          LegendMUD Housing FAQ
                        Last update: Oct. 10, 1998

*) Is there a level restriction on owning a house?

No. Anyone who can afford a house can buy one.

*) What will the price of a house be?

Pricing has not yet been determined for housing. We will announce the
general pricing structure at the same time we announce the installation
date of housing.

The cost of the house will be effected by the ornateness, location, and
features of the rooms in the house. In general, expect the price to be
such that players will need to put some effort into maintaing a house.

*) Does owning a house take up any of the rent space used for my
equiptment? (1k/level + prestige)

No.

*) Do I pay for my house up front or is it a continuing cost?

There will be a relatively large upfront cost for the house. There will
also be an additional continuing cost for the house which will be much
less. The cost of houses will be withdrawn automatically from the
owner's bank account (whether the owner is a player or a clan).

*) What happens to items I leave in my house?

If you drop an item in your house that isn't owned by another player,
the item will become owned by you. This means that it'll save over
reboots. There will be an additional coin cost for the items left in
your house. Expect the cost of the item to be related to the rent value
of the item, though not necessarily equal to it. There will be no rent
cost for items left in houses, only the coin cost.

*) What happens if I can't pay for my house?

It gets repossessed along with any items in the house. 

*) Can I remove a house if it costs too much?

Yes. Players will be able to demolish their house at any time they
wish.

*) Can two people share the cost of a house?

No. Players can create an RP clan if they have 5 people in which case
they can own a house. Of course, there's nothing saying that one player
can't give money to the other for the upkeep of the house.

*) Can I decide on the description for my house?

No. You'll have the ability to choose from a list of descriptions
defined by the builder who wrote the area in which you're building your
house. There's a good reason for this: we want to make sure that your
house fits in with the area which it was built in. If you were walking
through Ancient India, would you expect to find a air conditioned
duplex? One of the goals is to make houses look as much like they're
part of the areas built for LegendMUD as possible. 

The immortal staff has discussed the possibility of creating "house
coupons" wherein players could trade in a coupon for the ability to
create a custom room name. Custom room names would need to be approved
by the builder of the area that the house is in and would vanish if the
house was repossesed. 

*) Where will I be able to build houses?

Builders will define where houses will be able to be built in their
areas. This will allow them to ensure that shops are only built in
commercial districts, houses in industrial districts. Again, this
helps builders ensure that houses won't look out of place in their
areas. 

Houses will appear as normal exits in the game. Builders will only be
able to set aside unused exits for player houses.

*) Can I name my house?

Some rooms will be designed to have a player's name in the title of the
room. Other rooms will not. This will be the decision of the builder
who defined the room to begin with.

*) How will access control be implemented for my house?

The details of this have not yet been decided. Imagine that houses are
like a combination of clan halls and ownership. Pkillers will not be
able to hide away in a house that their foes can not get into.
Friendship will play a big part in determining who is allowed into
houses. 

Some new features have been added to the code recently in order to
allow for better house security: locks with difficulty levels, locks
that can only be attempted to be picked at a certain frequency, clan
friendship, etc.

*) Can I rent in my house? Have a pool? A no update room? Safe room?

Some rooms will be set as rentable rooms. Some rooms may have furniture
that come with them. Some rooms may have a variety of different options
associated with them. Don't expect to be able to have rooms which would
provide a haven for pkillers.

*) Can I furnish my own house?

We are working on methods whereby people can purchase furniture for
their house. Furniture will be like other items and will have a regular
cost associated with them.

*) What happens if I archive?

Your house will go away. We'd like to archive houses when players
archive. However, we're not sure what to do if one player builds a
house, archives, another player builds a house in the same location as
the first house. What happens when the first player unarchives and
there's a conflict for the location?

Possibilities include finding a solution to this problem, refunding
money for houses that people archive, and perhaps the ability to sell
the house to another player. (You could not sell the house to another
one of your characters as that would be multiplaying).

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                      Immortal Application Information                 

LegendMUD is now accepting applications and proposals for new immortals.
Applications and proposals will be accepted from level 45+ characters only.
A general application must accompany a proposal for a specific department.

Things to note about the application process:
   1) It's not a popularity contest. Mortals have no votes.
   2) Special consideration is not given for where you live or projects
      like MortMUD. People who participated in MortMUD are likely to have a
      better idea of what is expected of them in the long run.
   3) The general application and proposal are only 2/3 of what counts.
      Past history, attitude, and ability to work with others is also
      considered.

   4) It's a good idea to discuss PR plans with LadyAce
   ([email protected]) and Building plans with Rufus
   ([email protected]), before spending extraordinary amounts of time
   on proposals for those departments.

You can find copies of the application and departmental guidelines at
either:

     http://mud.sig.net/proposals/

with links to the individual department guidelines or by anonymous ftp to
mud.sig.net and cd pub/Docs/proposals for the following files:

     General_Application
     Admin_Proposal_Guide
     Builder_Proposal_Guide
     Coder_Proposal_Guide
     PR_Proposal_Guide

      We will be accepting applications and proposals until January 1st.

       Announcements will be made approximately 2-3 weeks from then.

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

1. Mundane Coupons

Ixeldreth: 'These mundane coupons, when you use a mundane item does it
retain the mundane properties, such as a boat, or light source?'

Ladyace: 'It's a restring. So it takes the description of a non-stat
item and puts it on a stat item.'

It: 'Does AC count as a stat?' 

LadyAce: 'No, AC isn't counted as a stat.'

Ixeldreth: 'But properties dont go with it.'

LadyAce: 'The properties of the nonstat item are lost.'

LadyAce has created a lavish gown of white and gold!

LadyAce 'But take this gown for example. You could string it on to a
tunic of flame. You'd never wear the gown, it doesn't have +stat, but
as a restring it's useful.'

Guelah: 'It's a limited string.'

It: 'Seems useful enough in pkill, but how useful in non?'

'The intention wasn't to make disguises for pkillers, but to make people use
non-stat with nice descs,' Stile says.

2. Stun

Asmodean: 'Is this stun staying permanatly? Personally, i really like
stun, and in non pkill settings, i can't see much use for it. It costs
too much for what it does, in other words.'

Ea!: 'I'll bring it up at the next coder meeting, maybe before. It's
certainly something to talk about. We're trying to encourage the use of
damage spells.'

3. Martial Arts

Cordel: 'I know this is kind of on the back burner, but what's the
latest regarding the Martial Arts coding?' 

Ea!: 'Haven't really plotted it out. We're debating between doing
martial arts justice and getting them in with trees.'

Kaige: 'Still well in the "design" phase last I saw a couple years ago.'

Kaige votes for justice. Especially after watching a couple Jackie Chan movies.

4. Trees

Cordel: 'Is there an ETA on trees ... I know it was going to happen "in
the next few months" when I was here about 2 years ago ...'

Ea!: 'We've stopped giving ETAs on trees since we've lost credibility.'

LadyAce: 'We're working on it. We've got part of it out, part of it
mostly done, part of it done and waiting on the rest, part of it undone
altogether.'

Asmodean: 'Will trees be in by december like rufus promised?'

Rufus: 'Nope, we've had to spend too much time balancing pkill issues.'

5. EQ

'EQ doesn't seem very balanced among the character types.' 

LadyAce: 'Very true. EQ has been much slower to adjust to the new fight
system. After all we can't really make huge changes in existing eq, we
have to add in new eq...and adding in new eq is hard to do without a
new area, don't want to flood the mud. We're trying to fix it, it's
just slow.'

6. Holding things 

The guardian of the realms: 'As you can see i have a trident and a
carbuncle.. now i can hold any other item but a lamp.. why is that?'

LadyAce: 'Size. There's a certain size, determined by the builder,
associated with each item. And there's a maximum hold capacity in your
hands, partially determined by dex.'

7. New Hometowns

The guardian of the realms: 'Why not put in new hometowns before
housing?'

LadyAce: 'New hometowns are part of the update for trees. They are intended to
contain all the new skills for trees. If they were done, though, we'd put them
in.'

8. Building Ideas List

Kaige: 'What would players think of a mail address they could send
ideas for specific areas? The reason I ask is I'm in the middle of
updating fi war and aztecs and could use some input on what's not there
or should be there and stuff.'

Kaige: 'If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for either aztecs or
FIwar you can either mail to me at [email protected] or
[email protected] or [email protected].'

9. Sniper Flag

Tybalt: 'I read ya changed the sniper flag. Can you tell us to how many
ticks it was set?'

Ea!: 'Well, I can't give away in-game information, but it was reduced,
not raised.'

10. Discussion List

Oxalis: 'Has there been any more consideration given to restarting the
dicussion list?' 

LadyAce: 'To do the list right, we'd need the energy to respond
effectively to posts. Right now, we don't really have that. At least on
my end of things, I don't want to see us put up a discussion list that
I then get flamed to hell about because we don't respond to it.'

Oxalis: 'Oh, I thought it would be as much for players to dicuss things
as to get an immortal response...'

LadyAce: 'Oh, sure, that's what the discussion board is for too,
though, and we still get flamed to hell.'

11. XP Scale

Beam: 'It should reward more for killing over level. But being able to
finish a dying mob and level with just a couple is wrong also.'

LadyAce: 'I agree, the cut off is too sharp. I find that the risk can
go up a whole lot for an exptra k of xp.'

Rufus: 'I've done some analysis on the new xp/level split thing, and
I'm going to be making some upward xp adjustments thereabouts pretty
soon, so that might help.'

12. Consider

The guardian of the realms: 'The consider seems not very accurate. When
i con something as death and kill it in 4 rounds but con a are you
crazy and get beat on is messed up.'

Ea!: 'We're thinking about revising the way consider works so that it's useful
without making judge useless.'

Rufus: 'Consider will be getting a change soon.'

Ea!: 'But we haven't figure out just how. If you've got ideas, I'd love
to hear them.'

13. Level 1

Jacko: 'Low level mobs are horrid exp.'

Asmodean: 'You lose like 10 hp for 50 xp at level 1.'

Jacko: 'Takes forever to kill them.'

LadyAce: 'Maybe you should consider using better tactics to kill them.
Like a better weapon, and some armor. A little bit goes a long ways at
level 1.'

Rufus will take a look at specs for lvl 1 mobs.

Chimera: 'Grouping at level 1 helps immeasurably.'


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        o O | Wonder what folks are   |
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/__|    LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World     |__\
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                               Announcements!

--Weddings:

*On Saturday the 14th of November, at 9 pm system time, Sciath and
Mariachi will be wed in the Canadian wilderness. All are welcome to
attend. Festivities will follow the ceremony. We hope to see a great
turnout for this most joyous of celebrations.  So come one, come all.
Hope to see you there.

*Talon and Chante' would like ALL of you to share our special day.
Talon and Chante' will be married November 14th at 1:00 (system time)
at the French Beach in Industrial.  The ceremony will be performed by
Oandlig.  A party of celebration will follow ceremony. ALL ARE WELCOME
TO COME!!!

--Escaped:

Riverview Mental Institute
Ward #3

Patient file #1262

Patient Name: Valthalas, R.

Diagnosis: Pyschotic tendencies, Delusions of Grandeur, Schizophrenia, 
Manic Depression. 

One of our more confusing cases, he was brought to us for confinement in 
the criminal insanity ward. Under close observation, we noticed he had 
almost no signs of life! His heartbeat and breathing were next to 
nothing, although when aware he was being monitored, they appeared 
normal. The subject has often claimed to be some great noble on some 
times, and just a simple man confused with someone else on others. His 
personas are almost completely unaware of each other, but he does seem 
to be aware of what he has done. In some times, he appears as sane as 
you or I, but can quickly degenerate into a raving lunatic. His 
behaviour goes the full spectrum of emotions, from normal and sedate to 
a boiling rage. I would reccomend lifetime confinement, but this is why 
I have sent you this file. It appears this subject has been under our 
care for over 75 years, and yet appears no older or worse for wear than 
mid-twenties. All feedback on your part is greatly appreciated.

Prof. Gerald Hathburn

P.S-Our patient has escaped as of late, my apologies. I can only hope 
some citizen would be able to report him to us.

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                            Warcries of Legend        

I, Sidd, have undertaken to record the details of our heroes, their
deeds and their words, for posterity.

Taksyn: The silver of my Dark Sword shall be one with your flesh!

Talon: roAr!

Ruby: And into the eyes of the Jackal I saw KABOOM!

Amethyst: Beware! My Purple People Eater is hungry and thinks *You Are
Dinner*!!!!!!

Chante: You want a piece of me??? I am a lover not a Fighter Damn
it!!!

Jen-Jen: For the honor of the Awooga!

Tybalt: Shut the ____ up!

It: B'ZOTCH!

Hassan: SILLY IMM's, TRIX ARE FOR KIDS.

Varnel: 4,3,2,1, STARE!

These are the Warcries of the Warriors of Legend, they shall forever be
heard.

-Sidd

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                              The Dark Zealot

Maybe it is too much.  Maybe I will overstep my bounds.  I cannot stand
by idly any longer, however.  And the Dark Lord has not sought to step
in and stop my actions.  Freyja is gone.  The bounty hunter is no
longer with us.  It has come down actively pursuing the will of the
Dark One.

I didn't want it to be this way.  I thought that those forces of light
could be persuaded to our side.  I was wrong.  The Knights can be dealt
with, the Einherjar have their own warlike Gods, which pose no threat
to the Dark one.  But those who kill for money have overstepped their
bounds.  The Messiah has approved my actions, but not my methods.
Trinity, the closest thing I have to a companion on this sojourn,
supports not my decision, but the will of the Dark Lord.  I will not go
the way of my fallen companions.  I do not renounce the Dark
Enforcers.  But until the names of my fallen comrades have been
avenged, I will bear the brand of Zealot.

They have sought out the abyss.  They will face their destiny.  He who
looks into the abyss should beware... the abyss looks back.

Zakgandle Shadowmancer
Dark Zealot

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>


A note, penned in an elegant hand on fine paper was delivered by liveried
messenger.

On Knighthood.
Or- Sergei Dovzhenko cruises for Maidens.

        As the newest Knight of Legend, I felt I'd explain a bit why I
chose to undertake the arduous, difficult, and oftimes thankless task of
becoming a Knight.
        Let me begin by saying-everything I am, everything I will ever be,
is due to my sense of honor. Cliched? Perhaps. But true nonetheless. To me,
honor is not a loose set of guidelines, to be bent and broken when
convenient. It is my life. And as such, I must constantly interpret how
that relates to the situation at hand and act based upon that
interpretation. Does this mean that I have to accept every duel, slay every
dragon, or rescue endless hordes of Maidens Fayre? No, of course not.
Anyone foolish enough to attempt such would quickly be quite, quite dead.

Although rescuing Maidens Fayre does have its share of rewards.

        In any case, becoming a Knight was a unique opportunity for me.
Imagine, a group of like-minded men and women, as fiercely dedicated to
honor as I. Naturally, not every one of us has the exact same conception of
honor.

I'd most likely put the Maiden Rescuing near the top of my list.

        Anyway. To me, being a Knight means many things. It means never
having to be ashamed of who I am or what I do. It means having a group of
comrades and friends I know I can depend on. It means helping those in
need. It means living, and yes, sometimes dying, valiantly.

And of course, it means Maidens galore.

        It's taken a while, but I've found my place. I hope to honor the
Knights with my service, as they have honored me by accepting me. To my
friends, my enemies, and everyone else-little has changed. I'm the same man
you've known. True, I have newfound duties, and responsibilities, but also
newfound rewards.

Not the least of which is the fact that the Lady of the Lake is a Fayre
Maiden indeed.

I remain,
Sergei Dovzhenko.

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                                Warning!!

A warning on fine paper posted to all reads...

Not long ago, my husband and I left our infant daughter, Cenja, with
our sister, Chante', and a good friend of the family, Stradiavari.  We
had a little shopping to do, the two of them agreed to baby-sit. When
out and about, I heard my sister announcing that I needed to come back
because my daughter, had "poo-poo'ed" in her diaper.  After coaching
them on what to do, I heard Chante' again, saying that she is going to
dip Cenja in the well to "give her a little bath."

I rushed back to Tara, just in time to keep Chante' from dipping her in
the well, and to see Stradiavari reading "Babies for Dummies."  I also
saw several diapers that they had tried to put on Cenja, but had
failed. I grabbed my bottomless baby and vowed to never let the two of
them baby-sit again!!

Now, I love my sister dearly and Stradiavari is almost family, but the
two of them are not good with children.  If you ever find yourself in a
position for needing a sitter, and they are all that is available  just
take the kids with you, it'll be better in the long run!

Gwendolyn, Deqitosv, and Cenja Awooga



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Legendary Times is published by the immortals of LegendMUD. Please send all
replies, additions, or corrections to our address at [email protected] for
inclusion in the next edition. We, however, reserve the right to moderate
this discussion, and may object to some submissions.
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