Volume Ten Issue Thirteen
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= .............._______ ............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES ............/ / http://www.legendmud.org/ .........../ /.....______.._____.....______.._____.......____ ........../ /...../ /./ \.../ /./ \...../ \ ........./ /...../ ___/./ ____/../ ___/./ __ \.../ /\ \ ......../ /...../ /_.../ /....../ /_.../ /..\ >./ /./ / ......./ /...../ __/../ /____../ __/../ /.../ /./ /./ / ....../ /_____/__/__../ \_\ /./ /__../ /.../ /./ /_/ / ...../ / /./ /./ /./ /.../ /./ / ..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD .../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= VOLUME TEN, NUMBER THIRTEEN April 13, 2003 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TABLE OF CONTENTS The Editor's Note NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES Calendar of Events Recent Updates Recent Q&A Topics LEGENDITES Clan News The Seven Circles of the Inferno Celebrate 3rd Anniversary IRA Celebrates 3rd Anniversary Acquisitioner's Guild Disbands The PK Front Playerkilling Tips and Tricks A Letter from Micetto's School A Staid Vagabond Estrayed, Part Two The Ballad of the Vampire Knight ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| The Editor's Note |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' This is probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to write. Just knowing the pain and anger that it's going to cause many members of our community has kept me wishing that it couldn't be true, or that one of our own could ever do something so heart-wrenchingly painful to their peers. I'm not even sure if the length of time passed will dull or sharpen the pain for many of you. Let me just say that I don't for one second believe that this news invalidates anyone's personal feelings (then or now) nor should it prevent anyone from allowing themselves to touch and be touched by the other lives of those around us in the community that we've built here at LegendMUD over the past nine years. Now that I have everyone good and scared... which really wasn't my intention. Sometime in the next week, an article is going to be published in Salon (www.salon.com) revealing that the death of Karyn of the Norse Traders was a hoax. The article is written by Tracy Spaight, a documentary filmmaker who has been working on a documentary called "Real People, Virtual Worlds" for about a year and a half now. He heard about Karyn's death while he was interviewing Ptah for his film and hearing about "A Story about a Tree". After sharing her story with Richard Bartle, for whom it set off warning signals, he decided to investigate and found the following: * the woman in the Miss Norway photo is named Trine Solberg Lepperod, and she's alive and well and had never heard of LegendMUD when contacted * there's no record of a University of Oslo law student (as Karyn claimed to be) dying in a car wreck in that year * there was indeed a car crash in Norway on the given date, but there was only one victim, she was a lot older than 24, the car wasn't a Porsche, and her name was not Karyn * GeoCities states categorically that they would not have allowed a third party to update Karyn's webpage under any circumstances The article speculates that Karyn was actually a male engaging in cross-gender roleplay. Many of the classic signs are there: refuses to give out or makes up real life info, presents self as really gorgeous, makes self into a community leader, gives the same real world name as their alter ego, etc. The death hoax is a way of disentangling from the situation. No, I don't know what date the article will be published, only soon. Yes, I've read the whole article, but I can't share it with you all before it is published. We are likely to get more newcomer traffic because of it, we may even get obnoxious people claiming to be "her"... please try to not let this upset you. Tracy Spaight has done his best "to be fair to all parties and point out that the point isn't to make fun of a community for being hoodwinked by a hurtful deception. Rather, the point is to reflect on what is really real in a virtual world -- especially given the growing popularity of virtual environments." We regret the pain and anger and hurt this will cause those of you who felt close to Karyn. Ptah's original point behind "A Story About a Tree" still stands -- that the emotions caused by online interactions are real. If anything, this episode, which is sure to cause renewed grief and anger, merely proves that all over again. We've seen many friendships and even some marriages emerge from the LegendMUD community, and we can't let this revelation make us approach the world cynically. After all, either way, the person we knew as Karyn is gone, and it's OK to grieve over that. -Kaige ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' [All times are system time unless otherwise specified] APRIL Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thursday, April 17th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium Sunday, April 20th Happy Easter! Thursday, April 24th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium Coming in May.... - Trivia! - Cinco De Mayo Casino! - a May Tinyplot, and a May PK event! - and much more! ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Recent Updates |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' /\ CODE UPDATES / \ / \ MISC CHANGES /_ _\ o New skills: BLINDSIDE, RETREAT, SUCKERPUNCH, TOPPLE, and | | WRESTLING. | | o Makes INSPIRE learnable only by Limans. | | o DIP command goes away. Replaced by TAINT command, part of |__| poisoning skill that is learnable only by Limans currently. /\ o Updates Irish potions, pungent ones and and filmies in / \ pfiles so that they can be used for tainting. Player / \ brewed vials existing in pfiles cannot easily be updated, /_ _\ newly made ones will work properly. | | o Changes the prereqs on POISONING to make it more in line | | with BREW. | | o Etheric archer only charmy now allowed to use bows. |__| o You can now RELOAD from CONTAINERs like quivers. /\ o Druids with < 80 spirit: augmented poultices do 3/4 the / \ original amount mana cost for augment is five higher / \ o Poultices and Balms can no longer be given away. /_ _\ o New command: FEED <object> <victim>. Basically gives some | | messages. | | o You may find that some mobs will be able to climb through | | exits now. |__| /\ BUG FIXES / \ o You can no longer MEDITATE (do your breathing excercises) / \ while affected with SUSTAIN BREATH skill or spell (no /_ _\ longer breathing). | | o You can no longer restart or back up over the header | | information when you APPEND on to a board post. | | o @show and @> look nicer when used in APPEND also. |__| o Fix for characters moving not always showing up. Wasn't /\ always flee. / \ o You can no longer harness a mount to a cart while its / \ being ridden /_ _\ o When a mount gets killed it should now be unharnessed. | | | | NEW SOCIALS | | o phew -- sigh of relief type thing |__| o wave and hello alternates added: farewell, goodbye, /\ welcome wave is more generic with goodbye taking current / \ messages over / \ /_ _\ | | HELP FILE UPDATES | | | | General Topics: |__| FEED, HITROLL /\ / \ Skill Topics: / \ AUGMENT, BLINDSIDE, CHANT, SUCKERPUNCH, TOPPLE, RETREAT, /_ _\ WRESTLING | | | | | | 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!) | | | | Various other TWOHANDED weapons saw changes this week. At | | least one teacher for each and some users of the new skills |__| added. Chant and augment teachers check for new skills before /\ teaching. Adjusted food prices, typically on the downward / \ scale. Tainting mob added. / \ /_ _\ Paul in the Wild Boar Tavern (OOC) will be offering reimb | | packages from now until June 13th, 2003. The process is | | pretty much as previously described. Only difference is there | | are three packages to choose from: INSPIRE, BOWMAN and CHANT |__| which take the appropriate skills if known. All 1st circle /\ spellwords are reimbed at 1 prac per word and all 2nd circle / \ words wil be reimbed 2 pracs. / \ /_ _\ ANCIENT NAZCA | | Shaman deals a bit better with charmed mobs. | | ARABIAN NIGHTS | | New Quest -- temporary flag based post-title with |__| various levels of whois strings. Thieves have more /\ distinct descriptions based on their rank/level. Dates / \ are dates, not bananas. / \ HOSPITALLER MALTA /_ _\ Spam reduced on Giacomo when you sell things to him. | | LEGENDS OF THE PAST | | Fixes AC on Sylia's shield. Eva no longer stuns when she | | shouldn't be able to and gives a message with it. |__| PIRATE'S DEN /\ Cosmetic fix when someone else's way is blocked. / \ SHERWOOD / \ Fixes groups going into Sutton Hoo. /_ _\ | | Areas that also saw updates this week: | | 1802 ALASKA, 1930S PITTSBURGH, ABORIGINAL DREAMTIME, | | AFRICAN SAVANNA, THE ALHAMBRA, ANCIENT EGYPT, ANCIENT |__| GREECE, ANCIENT INDIA, AZTECS, BENGAL, BEOWULF, BOSTON, /\ MASS., BRITAIN, THE CRUSADES, FRENCH INDIAN WAR, GYPSY / \ CARNIVAL, HOSPITALLER MALTA, MEDIEVAL SEAS, PICTISH / \ COUNTRY, SAN FRANCISCO, SEONI JUNGLE, ST. DENIS ABBEY, /_ _\ TORTUGA, VICEROYAL PERU, VIKING SKANDINAVIA, WWI SOMME, | | and ZANZIBAR | | | | |__| 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. | | | | Kae Larderello (Dante's Hell) |__| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _______ ____ _______ / ___ \ / __ \ / ___ \ 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 Reasoning Behind Wimpy Change? o Sneaky Exit/Entrance Bug Fix o Can we Hear Nearby Gunfire? o Self-healing at Inns? o Kudos to Cheyla on Savanna! o Repair/Mend vs Tform? o Ending Sustained Breath Skill? o Why Do Doppelgangers Bleed? o Reimbs for Augment too? o Why Can't I Engrave My Weapon? o Reasoning for Inspire Change? o PKE RECAP: Under discussion o New Spirit Based Skills o Create Mages: Greater Summons Timer o Affects Saving over Renting? o AC off on Runecovered Shield? o Stealing from Fighting Victims? o General Suggestions/Questions ___ ___ \ |------------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\ '------------------------------------------------------------------' MadMax has reached 100 million experience! ___ ___ \ |--------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Clan News |__\ '--------------------------------------------------------' Seven Circles Celebrate 3rd Anniversary Congratulations to The Seven Circles of the Inferno as they are celebrating the 3rd year of their founding on April 15th under the free-forming clans system. When asked for some information or history about the clan, the GM Lord Marcel Alexander had the following to say: April 15. Three years for the Seven Circles as a community in the mortal realms. How time flies, does it not? It seems just a few weeks ago I turned my temporary (but lasting a year) leadership of the Grand Coven over and moved on from the entire Goddess-worshiping thing (which never worked out for me anyway) to join with a few select others to form what can best be called a social club for people somehow connected to the infernal realms. We really have been a rather motley crew over time; vampires (with and without that disgusting open grave breath), women who don't want to be bossed around by their various patriarchal home society, devil worshipers, the devils they worship, imps, mortal servants, you name it. And of course, all the children. Children seem attracted to us like moths to flame. Could it be that in a rather amusing fashion we are far more honest, and that children, often lied to and considered too small to know or understand, appreciate that? I think so. Lives and destinies have been played out during these short three years. I think I can fairly safely claim that no one who has been part of our little community has been left unchanged by it. Whether for the good or the worse -- well, that's always in the eye of the beholders. The only thing that seems to be completely constant and unchangeable in the Seven Circles is Sir Percy Blakeney's impeccable fashion sense. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IRA Celebrates 3rd Anniversary Congratulations to The Seven Circles of the Inferno as they are celebrating the 3rd year of their founding on April 16th under the free-forming clans system. The IRA changed from an RP clan to a PK clan approximately a year later. According to their clan information, the Irish Republican Army is a known terrorist organization here on Legend, plotting to blow up a store or pub near you!!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Acquisitioner's Guild Disbands The Acquisitioners Guild Clan disbanded on April 7th, 2003 for low membership. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There are currently 16 RP clans and 8 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 |__\ '--------------------------------------------------------' Playerkilling Tips and Tricks Hey there, I'm Perigriene, my friends and others who hunt me frequently call me Peri. I'm making a submission to the Legendary Times in hopes that I can generate some kind of interest in playerkilling, and also to get the playerkilling side of legend back into representation in the legendary times. My point here is to field questions relating to playerkill matters, questions, comments, or even slanting rants. I request players with questions about tips or tricks to staying alive while living thy life as a playerkiller to e-mail me personally at [email protected]. Each week, I will post a few of the best questions here in the Legendary Times. So, hey, all the playerkillers out there, this is a message to you, quit hunting that Peri guy and write up a few questions I can answer here in this forum. :) Perigriene (IRA) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Infernals and the Grendels and the Seven Circles (yes, an RP clan) all tied for having the most active members in pkill this past week. The Knights of Legend were the next active with a pair of members out in the field. The Grand Coven and The Panuccis, each had one member accounted for this week. The Syndicate, the IRA and the Hermetic Order remained unheard from. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= In the past week there were 43 pkill-related deaths involving 36 different characters. Of those 36 characters, 18 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________________________________________________________________ _____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___ __|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| A Letter from Micetto's School The following correspondence was found on the doorstep of the Legendary Times Office: Lady Alexander, I write to inform you that your son Micetto Alexander suffered a mild accident at school today. He apparently poked himself with a sharp wheeled object that he claims his sister gave him. May I remind you, Lady Alexander, that such devices go against our Cooperative Code of Conducive Conducts? When we attempted to compensate the device from him, he claimed that he had "lost it." He was bleeding quite freely all over the other students, so was taken to the infirmary. Actually, he was dragged to it, as he refused to go on his own volition because he was "having too much fun you idiots." Prior to treatment, our resident physician Dr. Hemlock did blood work, as per our Standard Anti-Liability Procedures. Upon testing the blood, he found that it had more than one blood type. Now Lady Alexander, you may not be familiar with the concepts of Modern Biology, but I can assure you that it is quite impossible for a child to have more than one blood type. Dr. Hemlock confirmed his finding with another blood sample and then examined the sample under a microscope. Meanwhile, the nurses attempted to sedate Micetto, who was by now disturbing the other patients and bleeding all over the carpet (we enclose a dry cleaning bill). Dr. Hemlock claims that he observed a very strange thing, namely that Micetto's blood cells were fighting with each other and then that they were trying to get off the petri dish to attack him. Dr. Hemlock is now recovering from a subsequent nervous breakdown. Although we cannot credit Dr. Hemlock's findings, as per our Anti-Liability Policies, we thought you should be aware of them. We recommend that your son be examined by the proper medical authorities as we are not liable for any peculiarities that Micetto may have suffered prior to his enrollment in our school. We attempted to keep Micetto under observation at the infirmary, but were unable to convince him of the importance thereof. We enclose a bill for the structural damages to the building. Most formally, Miss Slarp Headmistress, Blackmere School for Rapscallions London =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A Staid Vagabond Estrayed, Part Two There was a hustle from the north. I turned, and saw a pair of figures running briskly down Haupstrausse. 'Dietrich! Hold!' came a booming voice easily recognizable. 'Sheathe your swords, men! Or I'll have your heads!' With obvious embarrassment, Dietrich slid his gleaming Saebel into its scabbard. He stepped back, at attention, as Roland stepped towards me, the Ritter Yves right behind him. I was bewildered, and several townspeople had stepped outside to eavesdrop, their faces stern. I could not bring myself to look at the esteemed Roland. 'Forgive me, mein Ritter,' I said, shaking my head, 'Forgive me.' 'It's unfortunate,' Roland said gruffly, 'I would have liked to see you join the ranks of my Ritters.' Ritter Yves stepped forward, a large backpack in his hands. I could see it was made from wolf pelts. 'Your father let slip your mother's origin,' he said quietly, 'You understand what must happen now, Tojek?' The hideous Vikings were mortal enemies of the people of Kleinstadt. I was sure that the revelation of my father's intermarriage had angered those around him greatly. 'Where's my father?' I asked Yves quietly. 'He will live his life in disfavor,' he informed me, 'Roland has forbidden anyone harm him, but he will never again teach, and all respect and authority given him has been stripped.' I could only nod. This meant that I, the half-Viking (Freak! Murderer! Monster!) did not belong within the walls of Kleinstadt. I looked around at the sizable crowd that had gathered. Some of my friends and neighbors looked at me with pity, others with a hatred so deep and fierce it made me cringe. I looked back at Yves, who handed me the heavy pack. 'Go in peace, mein Schildknappe,' Yves whispered as he helped me put it on, 'May God smile on your future journeys.' I kept my emotions in check as Roland looked me up and down. To the crowd that had gathered, he spoke: Let it be known, people of Kleinstadt, that Tojek, son of Wolfgang, was born of a Viking mother. The people in the crowd roared in outrage. Roland allowed the cries to continue for a moment. Every roar, every curse, every note tore at my being. No longer was I a man destined for Rittertum ... I was a monster! As punishment, Tojek, I forbid you to ever look upon the walls of Kleinstadt, for you are now our enemy. Sie werden von Kleinstadt verbannt. Again, the people of my hometown sung my curses and misfortune. I turned my back to them. The Ritter Yves leaned to my ear. 'Forgive the good Roland. He hates to see you go, mein Schildknappe. May our paths never cross again.' Go! Go out into the wilderness, son of the Vikings! Go back to where you belong! And any man who follows, may he be slain as a traitor! With a mighty heave, several guards flung open the Stadttor, and people began singing their curses. Several dead rats were flung at me, as were clumps of rotting sauerkraut, stale bread, and anything else they could fling. With as much pride as I could muster, I strode out of Kleinstadt. After I had cleared the gates, I heard the creaks and groans as the gates were shut. Several guards heckled me as I walked, and I let the tears flow. I sniffled and wiped my eyes for some time as I walked. I was alone. When the sounds of men had quieted, I settled against a tree and slung the pack onto the fresh snow. I opened it carefully, and found about a few days of rations, a waterskin, and ... a Saebel and scabbard. I cocked my head and examined the scabbard more closely. Never had I ever seen anything like it! It was finely made, and bore strange markings around the base. With haste I fastened it to my belt. I took up the Saebel, and discovered a small piece of paper tied to the hilt. I unfastened the note, and quickly recognized my father's handwriting. In a sudden rage, I tore the letter, sobbing, and cast the remnants away. With unnecessary haste, I slipped the Saebel into its scabbard, closed the pack, and headed to the west. And so began my adventures... as a staid vagabond. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Ballad of the Vampire Knight By Moira Connaught, with a little help from her friends. Sung to to a vaguely reminiscent country western tune by a guy that sounds like the one that did "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Accompanied by steel string acoustic guitar. ------- Now where he came from I can't say But we found him in some sort of park, Fleeing from men dressed in white, Hiding his ears in the dark. (chorus) He was skinny and pale Scrawny and frail Strange as a Sunday is long. He had eyeteeth that gleamed But his smile always beamed And he tried to right many a wrong. ----- His heart, it was plumb full of dreams Battles to win, and justice to wage So he applied to the GM of Knights To squire despite his young age. (chorus) But this GM, he had a dark wife A mistress of night, self styled Though she was actually more of a floor lamp Without the sense given a child. (chorus) She and her friends had a party Round the squire they all danced with glee Until all he could do in due honor Was to turn on his heels and flee. (chorus) Long did he lie in grave darkness From the loving bites they had just given And when he had finally awoken From his mortal life he was new riven. (harmonica solo to the tune of the chorus) (chorus) Many say that he kills but for blood And eats no food come what may And some say it's mighty a shame That the Knights did allow him to stay. (chorus) (following verse played with schmaltzy violin accompaniment courtesy of Ransom) But his true love she stands firm behind him Despite what the rumors may say She'll weather the storms of opinion Though the blackmailers try as they may. (to the tune of the chorus, but more slowly) For the Knight he does try To do what is right, And how many can claim the same? For though he may be A pale monstrous thing He's the most gallant one of them all! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 reserve the right to moderate the forum and edit or reject any submission. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=