Volume Nine Issue Fifty

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 .../________________/      running on         mud.legendmud.org 9999

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 VOLUME NINE, NUMBER FIFTY                               December 21, 2002
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                           TABLE OF CONTENTS
                           The Editor's Note

                         NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
                           Calendar of Events
                             Recent Updates
                            Recent Q&A Topics

                              LEGENDITES
                        Yuletide Scavenger Hunt

                              Clan News
                     The Panuccis Restaurant Guide
                             The PK Front

                              Untitled
                          A Strange Feeling
               Re-awakening: Or Why Magic is so Despicable
                        A Misdelivered Missive
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/__|                      The Editor's Note                          |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'

This issue wraps up this year's volume of our newsletter. I hope that
we've managed to bring you some interesting news, and at least a few
chuckles. I know I've laughed many times as I read through the various RP
and PK write ups as I format the issues. I've definitely had fun editing
the LT this year and I hope that you all have enjoyed it as well.

A few people have asked about getting regular column space, go for it! It
can be hard to sustain, especially if you don't have a strong sense of
what you want to cover each week and if you don't try to stay at least a
week ahead of yourself. Also, they don't have to be weekly, but recurring
columns are great and welcome too! A couple of different ones on a
rotating basis would reduce the pressure to produce something weekly too!

And please, if you have any ideas for other features, columns, types of
news you'd like to see added to the newsletter, let me know and we can see
if it can be done! Remember, the more voices that go into each issue, the
better it becomes.

Don't forget the Capture the Flag game tonight at 7pm System time! Details
are on the news board!

Happy Holidays to all our LegendMUD family!

-Kaige
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\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                   LegendMUD Calendar of Events                  |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'
          [All times are system time unless otherwise specified]

           DECEMBER                                JANUARY
     Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa                    Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
      1  2  3  4  5  6  7                              1  2  3  4
      8  9 10 11 12 13 14                     5  6  7  8  9 10 11
     15 16 17 18 19 20 21                    12 13 14 15 16 17 18
     22 23 24 25 26 27 28                    19 20 21 22 23 24 25
     29 30 31                                26 27 28 29 30 31

Saturday,  December  21st    7:00 pm          Capture the Flag
Wednesday, December  25th                     Christmas Day
Thursday,  December  26th    No Q&A Session
Tuesday,   December  31st                     New Year's Eve

                {-} {-} {-}  January  {-} {-} {-}

Thursday,  January    2nd    7:00 pm          Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday,  January    9th    7:00 pm          Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday,  January   16th    7:00 pm          Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday,  January   23rd    7:00 pm          Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday,  January   30th    7:00 pm          Q & A in the OOC Auditorium

Coming in January....
- make your nominations for the Expies!
- LegendMUD Comedy Club
- Level to 5 Contest
....and much much more! 

___                                                                   ___
\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                          Recent Updates                         |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'

    /\                         CODE UPDATES
   /  \     
  /    \    BUG FIXES
 /_    _\     o barkskin now checks sink
   |  |       o skin and tan should be working properly again
   |  |       o Crashing bug with deposit and currency fixed. Deposit
   |  |         can't be used with * to repeat multiple times.
   |__|     
    /\      TYPO FIXES
   /  \       o " 'And lastly, ' spacing issue fixed
  /    \    
 /_    _\   
   |  |                      HELP FILE UPDATES
   |  |     
   |  |     General Topics:
   |__|     
    /\           AREAINFO, BANKING
   /  \     
  /    \    Thanks to all the immorts and players who made this possible.
 /_    _\   
   |  |       
   |  |                         AREA UPDATES
   |  |     
   |__|     If you want to suggest specific improvements or new additions
    /\      to existing areas please don't hesitate to submit them with     
   /  \     the idea/bug/typo commands or drop mudmail to the builder
  /    \    currently responsible for the area (use AREAINFO to find out!)
 /_    _\   
   |  |     1802 ALASKA
   |  |          Some animals that produced hides can now be skinned.
   |  |     
   |__|     1930'S PITTSBURGH
    /\           Ups the drinks on the sodas.
   /  \     
  /    \    AFRICAN SAVANNA
 /_    _\        Some animals that produced hides can now be skinned.
   |  |     
   |  |     ANCIENT NAZCA
   |  |          Cowled robe changed. Various bugs and typos fixed.
   |__|     
    /\      ARABIAN NIGHTS
   /  \          Assassin's xp increased, but his tactics also slightly
  /    \         improved some too. Various bugs and typos fixed.
 /_    _\   
   |  |     BEOWULF
   |  |          Bug fixed with the scop, he may appear to have new
   |  |          tactics.
   |__|     
    /\      BOSTON, MASS.
   /  \          Fixes Johnny's hunt problem, be careful!
  /    \    
 /_    _\   CELTIC IRELAND
   |  |          Bug fixed with Bane -- she may appear to have new
   |  |          tactics, be careful. Also Diancecht, the archdruid, is a
   |  |          bit smarter with his tactics now. Various typo fixes.
   |__|     
    /\      TORTUGA
   /  \          Boucaniers changed slightly.
  /    \    
 /_    _\   PARIS OPERA HOUSE, ROMAN BRITAIN, and SHERWOOD
   |  |          Various bugs and typos fixed.
   |  |     
   |  |     
   |__|                    In Progress Area Updates
    /\      
   /  \     This section is intended to share what builders are working
  /    \    on behind the scenes. It is not a perfect record of progress
 /_    _\   as all builders do not commit updates every week. Badgering
   |  |     builders about their progress will get you flogged. 
   |  |     
   |  |             Cheyla        Zanzibar Expansion
   |__|     
            
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  _______   ____    _______
 /  ___  \ / __ \  /  ___  \  Logs of Q&A sessions are available on the
 | /   \ | \ \/ /  | /   \ |  web pages for those who are unable to attend
 | |   | |  \  /   | \___/ |  or had to leave early. The most recent ones
 | |   | |  /  \/\ |  ___  |  are listed on the sitemap page or you can
 | | /\| | / /\  / | /   \ |  get a complete list on the Q&A index page
 | \_\ \ | \ \/  \ | \   / |  at the url below.
  \___\/_/  \__/\/ \_/   \_|

     http://www.legendmud.org/Community/lectures/QandA/QA_index.html
 
                               RECENT TOPICS
 
 o When Does Expies Stuff Start?     o Personal Harassment Questions
 o General Harassment Questions      o Allspells & Unimped Spells?
 o What is LegendDB?                 o Writing LT Articles?
 o Skilltrees -- Why try for them?   o Awesome Custom Starting EQ!
 o Native Language in Areas?         o Mood Bugs
 o Games and Events

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/__|      LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World   |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'

                      Yuletide Scavenger Hunt

The first day of winter treated 18 people to a last-minute sleigh ride.
They collected warm clothes and other items to keep themselves warm while
on the ride, brought along food and drink for the outing, and provided
gifts and Yule tree decorations for the hostess.

The ride was fun, taking the group all over the world and their gifts and
decorations produced a beautiful finish. Frosty the Snowman accompanied
the group on their travels, providing commentary on the various locations,
though he had to fend off a few who tried to use pieces of him for their
snowballs.

The tree was a beautiful tall fir, decorated not only with a thin layer of
snow but beautiful glass ornaments, abalone shells, candles striped in red
and green or smelling of bayberry, and topped with a beautiful diamond.
Beneath the tree were red pointsettias, bunches of daffodils, irises, and
violets, and a carved wooden chest full of other gifts - a stuffed
elephant, plush vampire toy, teddy bear, ivory figurine of a cat, and a
beaded necklace.

Thanks to Basara, Raewyn, Farhai, UggaBagugga, Nuallan, Iris, Fairfax,
Joach, Ramirez, Imp, Pentaz, Susano, Menion, The_Munk, Percy, Azeem,
Spanish-Flea, and Ugh for helping to celebrate the holiday!

     ___                                                          ___
     \  |--------------------------------------------------------|  /
     /__|                      Clan News                         |__\
        '--------------------------------------------------------'

                    The Panuccis Restaurant Guide
                    
Hello.

I am Richard Ramirez manager of Panuccis Pizza. I've lived here for a long
time. I've wandered the areas, stumpled on stones, fought and died in a lot
of places.

But never have I been so frustrated as I am now. I was VERY unpleased when
I recently discovered that the mutton Tika is selling isn't real mutton
and it's genetically manipulated. And she doesn't always sell mutton,
what's up with that? I've never been so outraged with a place where I
couldn't even get what I'm used to.

That's not customer service at all! I encourage everybody to come and have
a pizza at Panuccis Pizza!

We're stable, reliable and our pizzas taste good and it's 100% natural.
They are also hot and still taste good when we deliver them. Don't be
satisfied with this food place called Silver Branch Inn. Just the name is
disgusting!

Also, I've had some really bad meat at The Royal Stag. How can you have an
eating place called something with royal where you get food poisoning?

Come on? I hope you will all take my advice and watch out for what you are
eating! Not every place here is as decent as we are!
   
   Yours sincerely,
	    Richard, "The Night Stalker" Ramirez, manager of Panuccis Pizza

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

There are currently 14 RP clans and 10 PK clans. This leaves open slots
for eight (8) more clans to form. For more information, read HELP CLAN and
see the clan information list via the CLANS command while logged into the
game. For a basic handbook and reference guide for players interested in
starting and running a clan, we recommend that before you even type FORM,
you visit: http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/gm.html.

     ___                                                          ___
     \  |--------------------------------------------------------|  /
     /__|                    The PK Front                        |__\
        '--------------------------------------------------------'

Every pkill clan had at least one member active on the PK Front this week!

The Panuccis had the most active members. One has to wonder how much cash
they keep in the register and allow their delivery boys to carry to make
them such attractive targets, or rather if they're so underpaid that they
have to go looking for a little extra cash along their delivery routes.

The Grendels had the next highest number of members in the field. Guess
they're done with their shopping for the holidays and looking to prey on
the other shoppers in their boredom. The Infernals seem to be just a
little bit less infernal these days, could the holiday spirit be affecting
even them?

Attendance at the final exams for the School of Hard Knocks looks a little
low. Hopefully those who made it, passed with flying colors. The IRA had a
few members out causing mischief, and a pair of Knights of Legend were
seen trying to help promote more of that peace on Earth and good will
toward men. And the Secretives, Hermetics, Coven and Syndicate each had
one member out representing their causes on the PK front this week.

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

This past week there were 86 pkill-related deaths involving 46 different
characters. Of those 46 characters, 15 of them were accept all at the
time. So come on, let's get YOUR name up in lights! We can't report on it
if you don't tell us about it!

If you have you witnessed or committed any glorious or nefarious deeds,
send a short report to us at the LT. If you are looking for a fight,
recruiting, or anything else related to PK (not necessarily PK Clan
related), send it in! It's free AND you'll get a prize token! Be a
celebrity, the envy of all your friends! Tick off your enemies or just
tell your side of the story! The possibilities are endless -- act today!!
 
              _______________________
             /                       \
        o O | Wonder what folks are   |
  `\|||/    | doing over at LegendMUD?|
   (o o)     \_______________________/
ooO_(_)_Ooo________________________________________________________________
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                                Untitled

Soaked within the breeze, and fragrance of a day that would never end in
memory. The air filled with the fragrance, and the simple sight of beauty
that fell upon ones eyes as one glared upon the smallish purple flowered
clasped so well together as if one with life itself. Upon that morning as
the sun shone to embrace the eyes, and the skin there lost to time, as it
had done a thousand times in a warm spring way. As the blooms opened to be
embraced by the cool yet warm rains that followed the deep rumbling of the
storms, and yet now they lay frozen. The frosted buds of a since blooming
sprig of lilac in its upmost glory cut short by a biting frost that came a
little to early, a little to cruel. However, in those rustic movements of
ice that formed upon the gentle smoothness, creating the rigid lines of a
broken essence, there still lay stunning beauty. Ripped to their seams and
lacking even the lightest gentle give to their frozen, ice covered petals.
Kept alive simply by the sentiment that nature had for them, frozen in
time for a moment as they moved toward wilting, alas the times eyes had
laid their perception upon such magnificence, felt the gentle touch of the
petals touch their face to wipe away the tears of their own lost loves,
own broken hearts, and wondered why spring seemed a good bit colder this
year. Winter had jilted the warmth that so soon had departed, so soon had
quit this world, this place, this time for another yet would return. That
time as the ice froze over, and reflected the light through their own ice
like caverns, flickering and twisting the distorted image, the distorted
soul, the distorted essence of the lilac, as it struggled, chilled to its
core to hold on to what little of life appealed. As it lay coated in an
immortal coat of frozen grandeur, only obtainable by nature it wondered
how life could be so cruel. As the water flowed off as it wilted slowly,
how could life itself freeze upon its gentle nature that beckoned to bring
it forth just a short time ago? What sense is made in bringing such beauty
forth, and then in a savage act of beauty destroying it? Where lied the
beauty here, it wondered as the water fell, much like the tears of a
woman, one who's beauty was greater to all who dare lay eyes upon her than
near any other, yet would not dare pursue to touch that beauty, as if they
had the true distinction to pass by! Yet as it wilted, as its insides died
it fell into budding once more tearing itself away from the innocence of
the world, struggling to retain the heat, to bring forth again what it
once was to an ungrateful world, half afraid, half longing, and yet
another hidden half, beyond the precepts of percentages, dying to break
free. Yet hence we travel to a day since passed, for as we now stand we
can glare once more in perfect spring upon the gentle face of the lilac.
It blooms again today, as one can see in perfect beauty, it has learned
that in life there is suffering, but in suffering there is endurance, in
endurance the ability to finally overcome. In its innocence lost was
wisdom thrice gained. In its beauty betray, a seventy time seventy return
upon it. So take your time weary wanderer and rest beneath the Lilacs this
day, for of course in time they will fall as we all do, but breathe in
deeply of the fragrance upon the breeze this day. Hold fast again to the
dreams she instills into your heart, of love, of longing and of lessons.
Hold fast to this if you must hold fast to any moment...

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

                         A Strange Feeling

The dimly lit halls of the Taran dun was the perfect place to think. He
had no idea why he had told her the truth. Of course he had been cornered
by her many questions, but he had tried that before. He was a master of
finding a way out of a troublesome situation without telling a direct lie.
And this time had been no different. Or had it? It must have been, or why
else had he chosen the fools way. Never enrage a woman.

She had been hurt -- of course -- that was no surprise. Nothing new. His
own reaction had surprised him though. Her pain had stabbed him harder
than any sword could ever do. He had felt her despair as had it been his
own. And the desperation and emptiness when she had been determined to
kill herself. The thought of a life without her....

He pushed the thought away, there were other women. There always were. But
this one -- he had to admit she was something special. Maybe he should
stop thinking of other women. Yes! That was the right thing to do. Never
again other women!

His thoughts trailed off as he studied the figure of a passing
chambermaid. What a nice bosom...

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

               Re-awakening: Or Why Magic is so Despicable

She had no idea how long she'd lain immobile on this cold, hard stone
altar. She had a crick in her neck and the small of her back felt like it
was on fire, and a family of pesky mice had made a nest in her hair which
had once been compared to the finest of corn silk. Stupid mages, anyway.

Didn't they know how much she didn't like their dirty, filthy, completely
unpredictable and thoroughly unreliable parlor tricks? Oh, he'd SAID he
was only trying to help get her home quickly. She'd tried to protest and
said she'd find her own way eventually, but he was quick with his wand and
here she lay, unable to scratch that persistent itch, right on the tip of
her nose. Arrrgh, would this indecency never end?

Here, she -- Silk, the daughter of Doctor Ruiz, lay on this horribly,
uncomfy stone altar, seemingly forgotten by her friends and loved ones.
Surely, if they cared, they would have searched her out and found her in
this embarrassing predicament. She was surprised that Sir Tempus, at the
very least, hadn't managed to find her. But then he'd probably been
distracted by the next skirt that passed by. Knights... they were nearly
as reliable as magic it seemed.

As these thoughts ran through her mind for the umpteenth time that day, an
elegant prince happened to pass by and noted the richly draped, stone
altar. Carelessly, he cleaned his blade on the hem of the altar cloth. If
he had bothered to look closer, he might have noticed it was trimmed with
a bit of lace, much like a lady's underskirt and he might also have
noticed the eerie blue shimmer that emanated from the spot where the blood
touched the cloth and raced across the entire surface illuminating the
intricate embroidery that fleetingly traced a girl's outline on the cloth.

Instead, the prince only casually glanced at the altar and his gaze paused
only briefly on the girl's image, whom he assumed to be a long-revered
local saint. With his blade cleaned, he swept off again, quite unaware of
the spell he'd broken and the chain of events he'd set in motion.

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

                         A Misdelivered Missive

A misguided carrier pigeon dives in through a nearby window and plops down
by the editor. It wobbles about examining the articles for submission
while the editor-in-chief tries to remove what it is carrying. According
to the scroll attached to its foot, it seeks King Rowane de'Dannan.

     To my dearest love, Rowane-

       On this day of days, the anniversary of the day we were once wed, I
       have but simple words for you.

       I sat today pondering, in our courting spot amidst the glades, and
       watched the Sidhe romp. I was remembering how life was before I
       thanked you with a small bouquet of wild flowers during a secondary
       chance meeting. We were but teenagers then, do you remember?

       You add so much to my life that these years later I truly can not
       imagine what life without you would be. Only that such would seem
       so empty and devoid as compared to now. What I feel for you goes so
       beyond what I see of other couples. And knowing full well your ways
       with me, so beyond what I see of other husbands, I could ask for
       nothing more ever so long as I have you. I love you more each day
       that passes, such a mystery to me when the day before I felt I
       could not love you more than I already did. The wonders of the
       heart amaze me.

       I am surely the most blessed of the Gods creatures. The day your
       Hermes sought to conspire with those who guide me should surely be
       a day of celebration. And gladly, it is, at least for us *smile* To
       be given such a wonderful husband, and father to our children, such
       a wonderful best friend and lifemate... You will truly never know,
       just how much I love and adore you.

       I await you at our home for a belated celebration. Please know that
       whilst I understand that you have business to take care of, I miss
       you greatly. And never do you leave my thoughts for very long, you
       dwell constantly in my heart. Know always that you are the greatest
       gift I will ever have received.

     My love endlessly,
                            MoiraGwyn de'Dannan, your lifemate

Haphazardly, the scroll is rolled back up and quickly replaced on the bird.
It is pointed due west and thrust back out the window. The editor watches
nervously as it chooses instead to inspect the chimney before heading off.
In the wrong direction...

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The Legendary Times is published by the immortals of LegendMUD. Please send
replies, additions, or corrections to our address at [email protected] for
inclusion in the next edition. All subscription options are now handled
at this url: http://www.legendmud.org/lists/listinfo/legendarytimes 
For RP submissions, copyright ownership remains with the author. We do
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