Volume Ten Issue Fifteen
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............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES
............/ / http://www.legendmud.org/
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......./ /...../ __/../ /____../ __/../ /.../ /./ /./ /
....../ /_____/__/__../ \_\ /./ /__../ /.../ /./ /_/ /
...../ / /./ /./ /./ /.../ /./ /
..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD
.../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999
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VOLUME TEN, NUMBER FIFTEEN May 10, 2003
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Editor's Note
NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
Calendar of Events
OOC Lecture Series Presents: Daoism with Mysteries
Recent Updates
Top 3 Warning Types Given So Far This Year
LegendMUD April 2003 Connection Analysis
LEGENDITES
News from Dominic
NEWSFLASH! Extra Extra read all about it!
Clan News
The Seekers Clan formed on May 05, 2003
Infernal's Recruitment
20 Questions to Your Friendly Neighborhood Knight Templar, Part 1
The PK Front
PKE to run alongside PKOK -- Starting May 16th
Howls From a Predator
From Prelude Into Symphony, PART I
The Eyes of Destiny
TWO YEARS OF BLESSINGS
Zane is not here: for he is Risen, as he said.
Faithful Words
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\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The Editor's Note |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
We've got a rather full issue for you since I was sick last week and
didn't get one out. Lots of code changes happening with new skills and
lots of fixes. We should have a couple changes next week to address the
shopkeeper bug and also help reduce the lag generated by large runs!
Cheers to Rufus!
Next month kicks off our 2003 Summer Odyssey, where we will take a month
to visit each era and explore the history, cultures and the areas
themselves. Expect some games, articles and several rounds of area updates
that will showcase each era over the next three months. So pack your bags!
Enjoy the issue and have a great week! Ptah and I are off to celebrate our
11th wedding anniversary!
-Kaige
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/__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
[All times are system time unless otherwise specified]
MAY
S M Tu W Th F S
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 31
Saturday, May 10th 10:00 pm OOC Lecture: Daoism
See more info on news board!
Thursday, May 15th 7:30 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Friday, May 16th PKE + PKOK turned on, see welcome for details
Sunday, May 18th 10:00 pm Trivia! with LadyAce
Thursday, May 22nd 7:30 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Sunday, May 25th 5:00 pm May Tinyplot
Tuesday, May 27th 8:00 pm PK Open Practice
Thursday, May 29th 7:30 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Coming in June: Legend's Summer Odyssey, starting with the Ancient Era!
___ ___
\ |------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| OOC Lecture Series Presents: Daoism with Mysteries |__\
'------------------------------------------------------------'
This Saturday evening, please come for a stimulating lecture on the topic
of ancient Chinese philosophical and religious system --- Daoism. It is
second only to Confucianism in the influence it exerts on Chinese culture.
Daoism was founded by Laozi in the sixth century BC. His teachings were
passed down orally before they were compiled in the third century BC in a
book called the 'Classic of the Way and Its Power.'
Dao means 'way.' It is understood that the Dao is the underlying pattern
of the universe, which can neither be described in words nor conceived in
thought. The goal of Daoism is to bring all elements of existence --
heaven, earth, and man -- into harmony. To be in accordance with the Dao,
the individual must empty himself of doctrines and knowledge, act with
simplicity and humility, and above all seek Nature. The idea of turning to
Nature for peace and harmony had a great effect on East Asian especially
in the arts, where idealized and imaginary landscapes and natural art
forms are profoundly linked to the tenets of Daoism.
If you like what you are reading, show up to the lecture for more
information!
Here's a link with the text of the Tao Te Ching/Dao De Jing:
http://www.human.toyogakuen-u.ac.jp/~acmuller/contao/laotzu.htm
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\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Recent Updates |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
/\ CODE UPDATES
/ \
/ \ Misc Changes:
/_ _\ o Now you can "douse object" and it will automatically look
| | for a water source.
| | o New Skills: COURAGE, VALOR, IRONWILL - new fighter skills
| | that activate based off of spirit that do certain things
|__| based off the main physical stats. Cannot be learned if
/\ you have chant or augment.
/ \ o Tweaks to RETREAT: increases base chance and adds position
/ \ checks with bonuses depending on how out of it your
/_ _\ opponent is.
| | o Slight tweak to SUCKERPUNCH's critical success chance.
| | o FIELD SURGERY now has a min dex requirement.
| | o Low spirit penalty: chars with < 5 spirit get a 20% drop
|__| to both hitroll AND damroll.
/\ o Changes the wording on a few mood action tags.
/ \ o Some clean up on VIEW MOOD
/ \
/_ _\ Bug Fixes:
| | o Mobs that have been claiming that they're jumping in to
| | assist other mobs but haven't, now will.
| | o Some spells were not initiating combat if you were already
|__| fighting something else do now.
/\ o No longer see split messages if you're not awake.
/ \ o Can now ignite SINGLEAMMO (arrows) as well as quivers.
/ \ o REPLY, GTELL and CLAN no longer break aim/hide.
/_ _\ o Small bug with @! for boards -- it was adding 2 chars of
| | random info to the argument
| | o Small memory leak fixed in friends and enemies code.
| | o Various typo fixes and a couple memory bugs were also
|__| squished recently.
/\
/ \ UPCOMING (no install date set yet)
/ \ o Affects saving over rent -- it no longer crashes the mud
/_ _\ when turned on but there are still some issues to resolve,
| | like sustained breath. We still need places pointed out,
| | especially hometowns where it is impossible, or just hard
| | to find cures for common bad affects. Drop any ideas or
|__| comments on the feedback channels. Thanks!
/\
/ \
/ \ HELP FILE UPDATES
/_ _\
| | General Topics:
| | ACCEPT, COLOR, DAZED, REJECT, RETIRED
| |
|__|
/\ 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!)
| |
|__| Paul in the Wild Boar Tavern (OOC) will be offering skill
/\ reimb packages from now until June 13th, 2003. There are
/ \ three options to choose from: INSPIRE, BOWMAN and CHANT which
/ \ take all the appropriate skills if known. All 1st circle
/_ _\ spellwords are reimbed at 1 practice per word and all 2nd
| | circle words wil be reimbed 2 practices. ASK PAUL UNLEARN for
| | character specific info.
| |
|__| The Prize Machine is updated.
/\
/ \ At least one teacher for each of the new skills was added.
/ \
/_ _\ Be very careful: many mobs around the mud that use hunt
| | shouldn't be stopping for no apparent reason any more.
| |
| | ARABIAN NIGHTS
|__| Several more fixes for the performer quest, info's
/\ temporarily off. Various minor bugs and typos fixed.
/ \
/ \ ANCIENT GREECE
/_ _\ Kalypso returns things she's not looking for. The
| | Cockatrice has acts to stand up. And clarified what
| | Autolycus is willing to teach. Various minor bugs and
| | typos fixed.
|__|
/\ SAN FRANCISCO
/ \ Sailors should no longer try to hand over boats every
/ \ fight round. Mrs O'leary sells a local copy of the recipe
/_ _\ board, looks like a cookbook. Saloons now come with
| | pianos and bars. Various minor bugs and typos fixed.
| |
| | SHERWOOD
|__| Sutton Hoo trans should be working for multiple
/\ characters correctly again. Various minor bugs and typos
/ \ fixed.
/ \
/_ _\ VIKING SKANDINAVIA
| | Skiffs no longer fit in bags. Vikings will only loot
| | their own kills now. They also have reactions to raised
| | corpses of their warlord. Recalling the viking warlord
|__| sends him to the mast of his dragon ship. Viking horde
/\ should be working together as a team a bit more.
/ \
/ \
/_ _\ 1802 ALASKA
| | The 10-legged bear has a new tactic, some bug fixes,
| | change to the etui, additional atmosphere in the marsh.
| | Various minor bugs and typos fixed.
|__|
/\ AFRICAN SAVANNA AND ZANZIBAR
/ \ A few new items and various bugs fixed.
/ \
/_ _\ CELTIC IRELAND
| | Grooms won't spam that they keep leaping to assist if
| | they're already fighting and will actually begin
| | fighting. Various minor bugs and typos fixed.
|__|
/\ THE CRUSADES
/ \ Adds a way for people to change their reputation as
/ \ slayers of dragons. Various minor bugs and typos fixed.
/_ _\
| | HOSPITALLER MALTA
| | Knights of Malta, monks and chaplains get annoyed with
| | people who take the treasure. Ganni should no longer be
|__| so scared of his mama. Some changes to several local
/\ potions and the gauntleted hand.
/ \
/ \ LAND OF SHADOWS
/_ _\ New event added, see previous welcome post for more info.
| | Various bugs and typos fixed.
| |
| | ABORIGINAL DREAMTIME; THE ALHAMBRA; ANASAZI AMERICA; ANCIENT
|__| EGYPT; ANCIENT INDIA; ANCIENT NAZCA; AZTECS; BEOWULF; BOSTON,
/\ MASS.; CASABLANCA; FRENCH INDIAN WAR; GYPSY CARNIVAL; LEGENDS
/ \ OF THE PAST; MEDIEVAL SEAS; PARIS EXPANSION; PITTSBURGH; ROMAN
/ \ BRITAIN; SEONI JUNGLE; SHERWOOD; SOUTH SEAS; VICEROYAL PERU;
/_ _\ WWI SOMME, FRANCE;
| | 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.
| |
| | Kae Larderello (Dante's Hell)
| | LadyAce Kleinstadt (Update)
|__| Piccolo Ming Dynasty China
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\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Top 3 Warning Types Given So Far This Year |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
I was curious about what kinds of warnings have been given out this year
so I ran some numbers and found that there were only really 3 types of
warnings given with any regularity.
So far this year, there have been about 100 warnings total.
46% language warnings
25% in-game information warnings
21% multiplay warnings
There were a few other warnings given out, but not enough to get a feeling
that those violations are a major problem for LegendMUD.
My point in writing this article is to try and prevent these warnings in
the future. The examples listed in this article are not all-inclusive.
Language warnings will be given out for, and not limited to, the following:
- profanity on any public channel (including clan channels)
- derogatory references to race, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
(i.e. - "That is so gay" used in an insulting way)
- replacing letters with other characters in an attempt to get around the
profanity/language rules
- sexually explicit language
In-game information was covered very well in a previous LT article.
Please read the article:
"In-Game Information Warnings: How to Avoid Them"
http://www.legendmud.org/Community/lt_indices/Vol9/LTv9n14.html
Multiplay warnings will be given out for, and not limited to, the following:
- having multiple characters on at once from one or more computers
- dropping link with one character and connecting to another
- using one character to benefit another of your characters
Please make sure that you are familiar with LegendMUD's rules. If you find
that any rule is unclear, please contact an immortal in-game or email me
at [email protected]. Keep in mind that the rules are intentionally
vague to be able to cover as many circumstances as possible and still be
specific enough to follow and enforce.
Chocorua
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LegendMUD Connection Analysis
April 2003
Peak Mortal Players 53
Average Peak was 36
Peak PKOK Enabled Players 23
Pkokenabled Characters represent approximately
42% of active players.
Peak Accept All Characters 9
Accept All Characters represent approximately
8% of all active characters and 19% of active pkok enabled characters.
The first two tables below show the Average Mortal Players, Average PKOK
Enabled Players, and the number that were "Accept All" connected to Legend
by hour of the day as polled approximately on the hour system time during
the period noted above.
hour 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
------------------------------------------
avg 26 24 22 20 18 15 15 16 18 21 22 24
pke 11 10 9 8 7 5 5 6 6 7 8 9
aas 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
hour 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
------------------------------------------
avg 26 27 29 30 30 29 30 30 32 33 32 28
pke 10 12 13 14 14 13 13 13 13 13 13 12
aas 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
day MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
------------------------------------------
avg 25 26 25 27 24 24 24
pke 10 10 11 11 9 10 10
aas 2 2 2 2 1 2 1
This table shows the breakdown by each hour for each day of the week.
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA|AVG PK AA
------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------
0: 22 10 2| 26 11 2| 27 13 2| 26 11 3| 27 9 2| 30 12 3| 26 11 2
1: 23 11 2| 25 10 2| 25 12 3| 24 9 3| 25 8 2| 25 11 3| 22 9 1
2: 19 8 1| 25 10 2| 24 13 3| 23 9 2| 22 8 1| 22 11 2| 18 7 2
3: 18 7 2| 20 8 1| 23 10 2| 23 9 2| 21 8 1| 17 8 2| 19 7 2
4: 17 7 1| 18 7 0| 20 9 2| 20 8 1| 20 7 1| 16 6 2| 17 6 1
5: 15 4 0| 15 4 0| 16 5 1| 16 6 1| 15 5 0| 13 5 1| 17 7 1
6: 14 4 0| 15 6 0| 16 6 0| 18 6 1| 15 5 0| 11 5 1| 13 5 1
7: 14 4 0| 19 7 0| 18 7 0| 19 6 1| 16 6 0| 13 5 0| 14 5 0
8: 18 6 0| 20 8 1| 19 6 0| 20 7 0| 19 7 0| 16 6 0| 16 6 0
9: 21 6 0| 24 9 1| 19 6 0| 25 9 1| 20 6 0| 20 8 0| 16 6 0
10: 24 8 1| 25 10 1| 19 7 1| 25 10 1| 23 8 1| 19 8 0| 19 6 0
11: 28 11 3| 26 9 2| 20 8 2| 30 11 2| 25 9 2| 23 10 0| 19 7 1
12: 28 12 4| 26 9 2| 24 9 2| 27 11 1| 26 9 2| 28 10 1| 23 10 1
13: 30 13 4| 29 11 2| 31 12 2| 28 13 4| 21 8 1| 25 12 2| 27 12 1
14: 31 13 2| 32 14 3| 24 11 2| 37 16 3| 24 11 2| 26 14 3| 32 14 1
15: 32 15 3| 31 13 3| 28 15 3| 33 15 2| 27 13 3| 30 14 3| 30 13 2
16: 31 15 2| 33 13 3| 31 16 3| 32 16 3| 25 12 3| 30 14 3| 28 12 3
17: 28 14 3| 32 13 1| 27 13 3| 33 16 2| 27 12 2| 30 15 3| 29 12 2
18: 30 13 3| 32 13 2| 28 12 2| 30 14 1| 29 11 0| 28 13 2| 34 16 2
19: 29 14 3| 29 12 2| 30 13 2| 32 14 2| 27 10 1| 33 15 2| 31 12 1
20: 30 13 3| 33 12 3| 33 13 2| 32 14 2| 30 12 1| 33 15 3| 33 13 1
21: 32 12 3| 34 15 3| 36 15 3| 36 15 2| 27 9 1| 33 15 3| 36 14 2
22: 31 12 3| 34 15 3| 32 13 3| 34 13 2| 28 11 1| 33 14 2| 31 12 2
23: 28 13 2| 28 13 3| 27 13 4| 33 12 2| 28 11 1| 28 12 1| 26 13 2
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\ |------------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\
'------------------------------------------------------------------'
Hello, Legendmud!
Well, world events turn quickly. I have already returned back to the
United States, and am currently spending not quite a week here at Ft.
Stewart, GA. I'll be shipping out to another assignment by the middle of
next week. Looks like my best hope of returning home will be September
1st or so, unless things change yet again!
Boy, how things are different not being around computers! This is the
first time in about 6 weeks that I've even seen one, let alone one that
is connected to the Internet.
Must keep things short, there is a long line of soldiers waiting to use
this machine.
For any inclined to write (and letters are prescious here on duty!), here
is my temporary mailing address. Any mail sent will chase me around,
until I can send you folks my new address:
Sgt. Charles Simons
801st Combat Support Hospital
c/o DOIM Post Locator
815 Hase Rd Ste 102
Ft. Stewart, GA 31314
Your friend electronically,
Dominic
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Sigrid has reached 300 million experience!
Wren has reached 100 million experience!
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NEWSFLASH! Extra Extra read all about it!
It seems to have been a rather harried week for Carian Trag co-ruler Queen
MoiraGwyn. She was overheard fighting with Lady Emrysia, the resounding
slap of the former Chancellor's hand echoing through Tudor. I wonder if
the topic was Emrysia's dear, devoted, loyal husband Sir Robar of the
Knights of Legend? One may never know for certain. But witness's did
include Mok-Mok, MoiraGwyn and Rowane's potentially adopted stray
13year-old, as well as what Mok-Mok brought home- an orphan by the name of
Kaelam. The rumor mill does not yet say if the happy couple will keep this
child as well or perhaps start a family of their own- Rowane's wife was
seen speaking with Firefly about baby orders so keep an eye on that one!
But surely one thing a mother of 2 boys (3? 4??) should not be doing is
being seen battling the likes of Masha atop a castle turret, but alas she
was! The Queen was heard to have even lost her temper and charge at Masha,
pushing her off the roof to her demise after a small seige upon the castle
that caused the death of several guards. However the loss of temper was
also due to Masha's verbal attack on both Robar and young Rillifane,
Masha's natural child with Lawrence. However, since when are Robar and
MoiraGwyn so buddy-buddy? And who was that strange man seen spending an
awful lot of time near the castle, it doesn't look like Rowane but it does
seem to be someone's husband. Busy, busy MoiraGwyn has been working
overtime along side Korgan, the castle's smith, the two were seen taking
long trips together while hauling armful's of armor to sell. Could the
kingdom be in dire straits?
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Clan News |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
The Seekers Clan formed on May 05, 2003
I, Trousers, am the first follower of the way of the primary edict. I
created this clan to bring others to do the same. The edict is
represented by a drop of blood, and means one thing and everything,
cut. Everything else is secondary. Cut. It is our duty, our purpose,
our hunger. It is the balance with life: death. It is the dance with
death. It is the only rule by which we follow. A Seeker follows this
rule, or dies.
So, I give you the Seekers. --Trousers--
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Infernal's Recruitment
This piece of parchment was recovered from the innards of a recently
discovered corpse at the Royal Stag, police are investigating every avenue
and have published it here for anyone with further information to make
comment on:
The corpse you see before you was that of our enemy, the light blind, the
wretched doers of good, the filthy preachers of their perverted sense of
right. As you may notice the innards have been removed for the purpose of
strangulation and the multiple lacerations are all a cosmetic effect to
nail our point home.. If you have looked upon this statement of our
purpose without bile crawling to the back of your throat, then perhaps you
have what it takes to join the ranks of the Infernals. But I warn you in
advance we do not take the idle followers that many cults do, we require
dedication to our service, a passion for our sport so to speak. What might
you receive in return? Why the brotherhood of somewhere to belong, the
support of like minded people, and of course use of our temple facilities.
If this sounds appealing please contact Maloth, High Practitioner of
Eradication.
Holzt Xylander, recruiting officer and intestinal strangulation expert.
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20 Questions to Your Friendly Neighborhood Knight Templar, Part 1
A quick interview with founder and former Grand Master of the Temple,
Tancred de Gisborne, and current Grand Master, Trinity d'Arpajon.
01. What are the origins of the Knights Templar?
Trinity: Given the amount of experience and knowledge he has in regards
to this matter, it would p'raps be to the benefit of everyone
were I to defer to frere Tancred in this matter.
Tancred: The Knights Templar were formed in the 11th century by Hugh de
Payens and his small band of crusading Knights in Palestine, to
protect the pilgrims to the Holy Land. An, eh, less rigid
chapter was formed by myself six years ago. The schism between
the Templars lead by Grand Master de Sable, currently residing
near Acre, and this newer faction remains to this day, alas.
02. How much of a role does religion play in the daily life of the Knight
Templar?
Tancred: 'Tis everything. We commemorate Christ in every kind deed and
word we do. To be a Christian does not merely mean to say one's
prayers and not eat meat on Friday. 'Tis to strive towards
kindness and generosity in all matters and towards all kinds of
people.
Trinity: As well, the Knights Templar are, ultimately, servants of the
Roman Catholic Church - and while our friends, novices, knights,
and clergy may come from a variety of Christian backgrounds, the
wishes of the Church are always first to mind.
03. Do you have to be a devout Christian or member of the clergy to be a
Knight Templar?
Tancred: Oui, you must be a Christian, a believer in Our Lord. 'Tis quite
possible to serve the Temple without taking clerical vows,
however.
Trinity: Does not everyone want to be a member of the clergy? Alas. To
answer: in order for one to become a chevalier of the Order,
that is to say that in order for one to become a true Knight,
one must possess a certain amount of faith, oui. Also, Templars
may be looked at as clergy, in a way. The vows they take are
solemn and unbreakable, just as any nun, friar, or priest.
However, it should be noted that not everyone who joins our
ranks does so under the title of "chevalier." And as such, our
membership is open to even those who may find such vows too
stringent.
04. Can you call God by another name?
Tancred: To do so is highly frowned on by the Mother Church, yet there
have been occasions where we have chosen to look through
fingers, so to speak. If a man's heart is pure and his path lies
in Christ, 'tis not the name he applies to his faith that is the
decisive point.
Trinity: Our Lord has many names. T'is the spirit of the faith, not its
letters, that interest us when choosing those we wish to
apprentice.
05. So what's the deal with devil worship and secret Black Madonna rites?
Tancred: Slander. There be those who desire the wealth they presume to be
stashed away in secret Templar coffers as well as the land
donated to the Knighthood by the faithful. To see us undone by
such slanderous accusations would be their greatest desire, for
'twould give them ample chance to grab at the presumed loot like
vultures to a corpse.
Trinity: The Knights of the Temple have no knowledge of such things, and
we categorically deny all such rumors. Regardless of what
Salem's *strange French garble* sheriff says.
06. Do the Knights Templar have a home base or church, and if so, where?
Tancred: The brethren owns churches and commanderies in every town and
city on the European continent worth reckoning with. I should
recommend in particular the church in Nottingham, England.
Trinity: Oui. Our Lady of Nottingham is located just to the west of the
intersection resided over by Will o' the Green, and then south.
The church is still under construction, mais all are welcome to
seek what refuge they may find there. Our doors are never
closed.
However, Templars are wanderers. We are protectors of pilgrims
and the faithful. As such, we must find ourselves home in many
places.
07. What's the difference between a Chevalier and a Confrere anyway?
Tancred: A Chevalier is a Knight Templar who has taken the three vows of
Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience. A confrere, on the other hand,
is a man or woman who hath joined the Order to be of support and
aid to the brethren, but who hath not taken these serious vows.
08. What does Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience REALLY mean?
Trinity: Exactly what it says. A chevalier must detach from the physical
world so as to better serve Our Lord. Knights must shun physical
attentions and worldly possessions (with the exception of the
essential).
At its core, the Templars are a religious -military-
organisation. This being the case, we must remain obedient to
our superiors and trust in their judgement, lest the order fall
into chaos.
09. So magic is just completely out of the question, huh?
Tancred: Oui. Tempting as may be, sorcery is the tool of the Devil, a
shortcut he doth offer to lure good men and women to accept a
lesser evil first, and then, later, other evils will seem more
palatable as well. E'en as sorcerers may intend no harm, the
tarnish on the soul is irredeemable.
10. I'm married; does this disqualify me from consideration?
Trinity: Non. Marriage is a holy union, and the Temple has been blessed
enough to count among its ranks many a married confrere.
However, Chevaliers must take vows of chastity so as to devote
themselves fully to His word...therefore, as a married person,
one may not attain full knighthood.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There are currently 18 RP clans and 8 PK clans. This leaves open slots
for six (6) 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 |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
PKE to run alongside PKOK -- Starting May 16th
PKE will be turned on to run alongside PKOK next week on May 16th.
1. All currently PKEnabled characters will be unenabled. We'll be
updating the pfile versions to fix this. People will have to get
re-enabled to participate in PKE.
2. All PK clans will be changed to RP clans. They can then change back
to PKE if they choose with the rp_to_pk command when they are ready.
3. There will be a command for PK clans that the GM will be able to use.
This command is not yet named, but it will set a timer for each clan
member, including the GM, from 7 days to 60 days. Default will be 20
days. If the member does not pk within the specified time, they are
automatically outcast from the clan.
4. PKE rules go back into affect. 1 PKE character per person. The level
35 limit on enabling will be waived for the first 2 months to allow
people to re-enable.
5. This is a 6 month trial. If it does not work out, it will be pulled.
Period. Success and failure depend on the following:
Number of PKE characters actively participating in pkill should be
greater than 15 on average. This is the current average of PKOK
participation.
Increase in admin/pr intervention due to complaints of crossplay or
harrassment.
PK clans, on average, should be at least as active as the most active
RP clan that also pkills.
Enough people need to adopt to PKE to make it worthwhile than the
argument we've given in the past - Get into 2 pk clans and accept each
other.
PKE will be pulled immediately if the admin/pr aspect gets out of hand,
or if there are insufficient people participating.
When enabling people, we will suggest people try PKOK first. If they
state that they are not new to pkill and wish to go right into PKE, then
it needs to be explained in the clearest terms that the ONLY ways out of
PKE are PERMADEATH and REDEMPTION. ** THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE **
Punishments for problems under PKE will be severe. We will not waste
admin time on petty squabbles. Deal with it in game, or get out of PKE
through redeem or perma. This will also be told to the newly enabled
players.
-Kaige
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Things have been quiet recently, peraps a mix of real life obligations and
anticipation of PKE + PKOK. But the Grendels remained the clan with the
most active members, with just under half their members participating in
at least one skirmish this past week. The Infernals were close behind the
and are actively seeking new members. The Syndicate, IRA, and the Knights
of Legend each had one member out in the field this week. But the Grand
Coven, Hermetic Order and Panucci's Pizza were not heard from this week.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In the past week there were 36 pkill-related deaths involving 24
different characters. Of those 24 characters, 14 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) \_______________________/
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Howls From a Predator
A silver cloudy moon rose over Sherwood Forest as the outlaws and deer
both settled down for a long nights rest. The Royal Stag bustled with
travelers from various places and Richard the Innkeeper was in a
particularly pleasant mood. Along one table sat a rather oddly large man
dressed in leathers and chain. Strapped across his back a giant battle axe
glinting silver and across his chest fell a bandolier of silver edged
bolts for easy access. He ate his meal with precise bites chewing slowly
and surely as his gaze wondered over the gathering. On the table next to
his plate sat a large X-bow loaded and ready for use, something Richard
eyed from time to time but only shook his head in bewilderment. The light
filtering down the clouds shone the way for others still on the road late
hoping to find shelter soon. It was the kind of night that spoke of ill
things on the wind that mothers used to scare their children to bed.
People within the inn continued to look over at the large pig faced man
and whisper about his nature, for surely he was some exotic warrior here
to cause trouble for the good citizens of Sherwood. They continued to
whisper well into the night about his purpose, his demeanor and what
possible reasons this stranger could have for keeping a loaded heavy X-bow
on the table next to him. As the whispers fueled by mead grew louder the
stranger suddenly stood up and handled his bow. A hush fell over the crowd
as the people in the inn stopped speaking and stared open mouthed as this
hugely muscled man emitted a low growl and marched toward the door. Not a
sound is muttered as the man threw open the door and continued outside
growling the entire time.
Later that morning, found on the outskirts of the village was a large wolf
with a single silver edged bolt sticking from out of its skull. No sign of
the large pig faced man could be found near the area. Although others
swear they see him on the outskirts of the wood now and again. Perhaps one
day he will return to the Inn to tell the story of the large wolf.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From Prelude Into Symphony, PART I
He reached his hand out, carefully moving tendrils of hair from her
shoulder with his fingers as he tapped lightly upon her shoulder. So soft,
her hair..
'Hmm?' Queen MoiraGwyn turned to smile inquiringly at the stranger. He
looked a little familiar.
He reached out a hand, his palm full of clover-like leaves.
'You dropped these back there,' He pointed to a spot on the street
southwards, returning her smile.
'Oh! Thank you very much,' She removed the leaves from his palm and peered
suspiciously at her old D.E.R.T. bag. It didn't take long to notice a
fresh rip in the otherwise bulging bag, especially with barberries hanging
out of the tear.
She giggled as she playfully tried to poke a berry back into the bag. The
stranger laughed.
'I've had it for so long,' She explained. 'Since I was with D.E.R.T. And
with as much as I often stuff into these poor bags it is no wonder they
eventually give out. It was only a matter of time really, I was lucky they
lasted this long. Such a trooper, this old bag.' She sighed dramatically
at it.
The Queen turned and haggled momentarily with a nearby merchant before
coming away with a new embroidered herb bag in her arms. In her attempt to
juggle new bag, old ripped bag, and a fistful of fenugreek, she soon found
herself watching the contents of her old bag land in the dirt at her feet.
Before she could finish a sigh, the polite newcomer was already on his
knees gathering herbs and berries in his hands.
'Oh, you are really kind! You don't have to do that.' She bent to start
picking up what fell.
'You certainly don't act like other royals I have met,' He smiled as the
two continued to hunt for escaped berries.
'Well it is true I haven't gone to my lessons in a bit... I should be
acting more 'queenly' I'd imagine. But really it's more that it seems
silly to stand there expectantly while other people do things I can at
least help with. You know?' She gathered her skirts and edged herself
beneath a merchants cart to fetch two lost vials.
He tilted his head and peered after her, watching her dive between wooden
wheels.
'Remarkable...'
'Pardon?' She exited from beneath the cart, stone vials in hand. 'These?
Rowane got them for me when we were courting. They are amongst my most
prized possessions.'
'They are very nice, but I wasn't referring to the vials,' He turned away,
busying himself with some nightshade.
'Could you hand me that chamomile please?' She pointed to some flowers
that were dangerously close to a sniffing horse.
'These help heal?' He reached for them and emptied them into her bag.
She shook her head. 'They make for a really good tea.'
He beamed at her, obviously enjoying the time spent.
'That isn't yours, is it?' He was pointing to a dirt-covered mass of green
slime.
'Sadly, it is..' She laughed. 'Yes, it is sea-weed. But it does have some
useful properties.' She took it from him and started to clean it off.
'Are these from your husband?' He handed her some single roses.
'These? They are hellebore, they too have a use. And no, they are not from
my husband.' She giggled.
She stopped to ponder, turning to face the man.
'It must seem so very odd to you, the use of these different herbs and
flowers and berries...'
'...and Sea-weed?' He added, smiling at her.
She laughed, 'Especially the seaweed! Those and the burs stuck to your
pants.. Could you hand those to me please? Yes, those are mine as well.'
Boggled, he handed over the barbed horehound seeds. His fascination with
them was easy to see.
'If I was to tell you their secret...,' She leaned closer, glancing around
furitively. He leaned forward as well, eager to know. Her eyes narrowed a
bit. 'I would then have to kill you.' She winked playfully at him.
He laughed, intrigued by her playful manner. This was something he had not
expected. Icing on the cake, really.
He watched her stand before following suit. She ran her hands over her
clothes, brushing them off.
'If you don't mind my asking, your highness, are there any openings
amongst your staff?' Despite his uncertainty at his own boldness he
managed to meet her gaze. He ran his fingers through his shoulder-length
brown hair nervously.
'Actually we have many right now. Were there any in particular you had in
mind?' Her eyes wandered over him in an attempt to discern his occupation.
His cheeks flushed from the attention and he shifted his weight to his
other foot. She was looking at him, he was nervous as to what she might
think.
She had no idea who he really was....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Eyes of Destiny
The fields shone almost silver in the moonlight as he looked from the
terrace. His mind refused to allow him sleep, the thoughts racing through
it like a wild horse from capture. The young man sighed. 'Why did it have
to happen this way?' he thought. 'She is beautiful, and her eyes...' he
said to no one, 'Her eyes are like emeralds, newly taken from the mine...
deep, pure, and the facets that are shown within them are fathomless.' He
paced on the terrace, stopping once to straighten the pile of furs set in
a corner before returning to his spot overlooking the fields once again.
He saw movement, and started suddenly, then, feeling foolish, watched as
the fox exited the field, chasing a mouse. She came into his life quite
suddenly, for in truth, he literally ran into her, as he was watching a
young boy groom a horse, a job that he had done a time or two. He helped
her to her feet again, and saw the eyes. Those eyes held his heart fast,
and he wished them to never let it go. He walked on air for days after the
fact, and then more so when she agreed to have dinner with him. Then, he
came crashing down hard, as she told him a bit of her history... running
from a man and a church, unable to see herself as free. His soul cried
out, but his heart refused to give up hope. 'I shall speak with someone
that might be able to help, tomorrow!' He nodded, yawned, and slowly
walked down the stairs to his cottage, as sleep was now swiftly finding
him.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TWO YEARS OF BLESSINGS,
thank you Hermes and Cernunnos
The lanky mottled pigeon swept elegantly through the air as it coasted
towards the local Inn. Eyeing the 4th window from the right it lowered its
head and proceeded to dive through the window. Aiming for the writing
desk, it found itself skidding helplessly over piles of unexpected papers.
A rather frazzled Ukrainian dignitary looked up from his work at the same
time his guards dashed into the room. They stared dumbfounded at the
culprit, who was hobbling about with a scrollcase attached to him, looking
for something. Viktor Sergey tentatively reached a hand towards the pigeon
and removed the scroll from its back. With a happy nip it started
searching the desk for a treat as a guard carefully removed the scroll
from its holder. He peered into it suspiciously as he opened it, the
others ready to react if needed. They all looked anxious. A threat? Was it
laced with poison that would absorb into the fingertips? What was the
trouble to be...
Brow furrowed in confusion, the guard handed Viktor the scroll. With a
brief glance, the tension was broken by the resounding laughter of the
dignitary. A bark of orders in native tongue sent the guards scampering to
clear the way and open the door to the room. Rising from his seat, he
offered the pigeon a finger to climb onto and carefully picked up both
scroll and case.
His guardsmen falling into place protectively about him, Sergey casually
walked from his room at the inn, into the hallway. He glanced around,
stopping to ponder something before deciding the door to his left was the
most likely one. His knuckles rapped lightly at the wood frame. A moment
later the door was opened by a lanky olive-skinned man in formal robes.
His golden eyes and polite smile caught easily the light of the hallway as
he greeted the entourage at the door questioningly.
'I b'leevz d'eez ar fir you,' Broken English met with a glimmer of sparkle
in the man's eyes as he handed the scroll to the stranger. A fluttering of
wings and the pigeon went to its master. The robed man quietly opened the
scroll, his face breaking into a beaming smile as he read it.
'Vat be do'z,' The dignitary motioned towards the pale petals wafting from
the scroll.
'Yellow rose petals,' King Rowane de'Dannan chuckled at Viktor Sergey. 'My
wife and I...' His words trailed off as he realized he had no way to
really explain.
Viktor waved a hand and nodded in understanding.
'My wiv', zhe pre'fr viol'it pet'l,' The two men chuckled in agreement.
'Wuz frum courd'zheep. Woman iz zum-tim' same in her'.' He patted a hand
to his heart. They understood each other perfectly.
The Ukrainian clapped a large hand on Rowane's shoulder and wished him
well, turning to go back to his room. The two would see each other
tomorrow during talks amongst the leaders.
As he glanced down at the scroll, a very young dragon toddled over to poke
its head around Rowane's ankle, eager to see what it was missing.
Yellow rose petals wafting, he read it again:
========================================================
My Dearest Love (as if there were any besides you??),
TWO years. (no, that is not how long it has been since
you have been home, but it can certainly seem that way
sometimes!) It has been two years since we met,
grouped together in the Land of Shadows, and again in
the pirates den. Two years since we chose to start
courting. Almost two years since we fell in love. Such
thoughts still bring a smile to my face... How I adore
you. Even more now than those two years ago. Who would
have thought that the gangly boy who claimed to be a
mage and thought so highly of himself (for a spoiled
brat!) would have grown to be the man before me.
Thank you for the best two years of my entire life. My
heart goes with you always, no matter life brings to us.
Here is to being able to laugh and play just as much
as love and protect, even two years later.
I love you, Rowane.
You are my best friend, my lover, and my world.
Yours Eternally,
MoiraGwyn
========================================================
He fell asleep on his back in the inn's bed after reading it a few more
times, scroll and petals upon his chest and a baby dragon snuggled up in
his robes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Zane is not here: for he is Risen, as he said.
(Excerpt from Zane's private journal...)
I'm always waking up face down in an alley, or on the docks somewhere. I
can never manage to pass out in bars like decent folks. That said, I was
awfully surprised when I woke up in a bed after my most recent NDE.
NDE, that's a near death experience. It's supposed to be a pretty rare
occurrence, but I seem to have them all the time. This one, however, was
particularly bad. I'm amazed I wasn't buried this time. That's happened
before as well.
I'd like to say I was just blacked out for the past two years. No such
luck. I don't know what other people see when they're temporarily dead,
but for me it was a long, strange trip on the Other Side. I'm sure some of
those London kids will require extensive therapy. I am a very naughty
ghost.
I can't express in words how very good it feels to have my body back.
Incorporeal existence has its perks, but it does tend to get old after the
first year or so. That, and it is extraordinarily difficult to get drunk
as a ghost. For me, that's a powerful incentive to live as long as I can.
Well, when I say 'live', I'm indulging in a bit of poetic license. The
mind is living, but the body is... cold. As I said, this last NDE was the
worst one yet. My body hasn't been able to fully recover. My skin is cold,
my heart is still, my eyes are cloudy. I can hardly see. I used to be
quite the marksman too... It's a real shame.
I refuse to believe that I'm anything but human, however. I may be
technically dead, but I'm no vampire, and I've thankfully been spared from
the process of decay.
Whoever killed me this time is in for a real treat. I've learned some
things during my time on the Other Side, and I'm dying... or, rather, I've
died... to show my murderer a thing or two...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Faithful Words
The fields looked almost sinister in the dark, foggy night. No stars
filled the sky, no lights could be seen from the city, just a dark, dismal
night. He looked out over the field and watched an animal move about.
Well, he assumed it was an animal, though all he could see was a vague
silhouette of something moving in the field below. The fog reminded him of
an evil, slowly creeping, and devouring all that lay in its path. Only the
brightest of lights could permeate its depths. He smirked as he walked
back down the stairs, thinking about it. Evil could come on so slowly and
quietly that you did not even know it was there until it was on top of
you, and perhaps almost too late. His smirk changed to a frown as he
thought that. The world was content to let evil run its course as long as
it did not upset their lives too much. He would do what he could, but many
saw evil as being too relative, and merely a perception. Maybe he was
wrong, maybe there was not anything that was inherently evil. Maybe his
faith was all a lie....
He looked at the book that sat on his bed and thought of all he had been
taught from that book. He picked it up and opened it, roughly in the
middle, and some of the words jumped out at him. 'If you faint in the day
of adversity, your strength is small.' He chuckled and shook his head in
disbelief that he had even entertained the thoughts that went through his
head. 'Surely you can do better than that, serpent,' he said aloud,
peering about the room. He set the book back down on the bed and knelt and
said a quick prayer of thanks, and went to sleep.
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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
reserve the right to moderate the forum and edit or reject any submission.
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