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In which Galandril ponders State of the MUD, Vache advises newbies

 ________________________
/ Issue 125 - April 2008 \____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

   Farewell Alysira                  - CoD              Help CRY2
   State of the Mud                  - Galandril        Help CRY3 to CRY7
   Unholy Rantings                   - Beleth           Help CRY8 to CRY10
   Marianna's Thoughts               - Falennt          Help CRY11 to CRY13
   Advice from a dark elf            - Vache            Help CRY14
   Kadgeon's Corner                  - Kadgeon          Help CRY15

   Guild News
     Guild of Clerics                                   Help CRY16
     Guild of Mages                                     Help CRY17
     Guild of Rangers                                   Help CRY18
     Guild of Vampires                                  Help CRY19
     Guild of Fathomers                                 Help CRY20

   Nation News
     Human                                              Help CRY21
     Quendi                                             Help CRY22
     Khazad                                             Help CRY23
     Hobbit                                             Help CRY24
     Pixie                                              Help CRY25
     Uruk'hai                                           Help CRY26
     Rukhas'dul                                         Help CRY27
     Olog'hai                                           Help CRY28
     Gralthai                                           Help CRY29
     Ilythiiri                                          Help CRY30  
     Aerandir                                           Help CRY31   

   Council News
     IOQC                                               Help CRY32

   Fun and Games
     March Quest Results                                Help CRY33
     April Quest                                        Help CRY34
     Funny but Violent Titles                           Help CRY35
     Room of the Month                                  Help CRY36

   Funny Logs 
     Mr. Morana                                         Help CRY37
     Immortal vs. Bot                                   Help CRY38
     Recite Quantum Spike                               Help CRY39
     Some Pretty Immortal                               Help CRY40
     Even Imms Can Spam Out                             Help CRY41
     Waiting So Long That Dementia Sets In              Help CRY42
     Not So Sublime Advertising                         Help CRY43                           

   Announcements and Advertisements
     Order of Arcanes                                   Help CRY44
     Cry of Despair                                     Help CRY45
     Ask COE                                            Help CRY46
     Wanted - DEAD                                      Help CRY47
     10th Annual Awards                                 Help CRY48
     Awards Categories                                  Help CRY49 to CRY57

   Desk of the Hobbit                                   Help CRY58
   A Note from Linda                                    Help CRY59
   From Falennt's Inkwell                               Help CRY60
                                                                      Page: 001
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 _______________________
/ Farewell Alysira - CoD\_____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
                           This month we say goodbye
                           to Alysira, and so we would
                     like to say good luck in all she does
                         and thanks for sponsoring the
                          CRY for as long as she has!
                                 ,-""-.  .-""-.
                                /   -. \/   -. \
                               (                )
                                \              /
                                 \            /
                                  `.        ,'
                                    `.    ,'
                                      `.,'
                                   ,-"-,-"-.
                                  (         )
                                    .     .
                                     "._."
                                      _  _
                                     ( `' )
                                      `.,'
                                     ,-.-.
                                     `. ,'
                                       ` 

(End)                                                                 Page: 002
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 _____________________________
/ State of the Mud - Galandril\_______________________________________________
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Population levels
-------------------
RoD's population seems fairly static at between 200-350 users (off/on peak)
at the moment, and it has felt like that for the last couple years.
I've noticed quite a large influx of newbies to this game recently, which
is a very good thing, and I think all guilds should be trying their best
to consolidate these people into a more enjoyable environment with room for
growth and activity... The immortals are doing quite well to keep the
older players of us stuck into the game with all these new and enjoyable
areas, for which I'm sure we're all glad as well. But more discussion on the 
new areas later!
 
The Symposium
------------------
I know The Symposium historically has not held a great reputation with
the mortals, but at the moment they are doing very well. A lot of great
implements to improve rangers, mages, druids, vampires, clerics, etc are
all under serious discussion at the moment, and with any luck, we'll be
able to improve the game for everyone soon enough! Remember, if you have
an idea that you think could benefit the game, there's no reason why you
should not submit it to TS, there's no harm done in doing so, as such.

I can't think of a recent TS change that has not benefitted the game
across the board, except for the slightly increased lag on staves now which
I guess is a marginal bummer, but it's greatly compensated for by the decreased
lag (even on my pathetic 12 int 8 wis thief) on scroll reciting!
I, however, have only been on TS a short while, so hopefully one of my more
established colleagues can write an article for you on that :)

Continued...                                                          Page: 003
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 _____________________________
/ State of the Mud - Galandril\_______________________________________________
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New Areas and New EQ
--------------------------
The equipment being brought out currently really impresses me - out of the
things that pop up on traffic regularly, I really like these new Duer'ain
gauntlets, the Lily sword (not the pug), Edo amulets, the Diamond Shaped
Helm of Defense, etc. I also like cool new wear progs that are replacing
some of the more stock eq... For example the black belt crested with blood
-crying skulls (4 dr 35 hp 2 str svbr-3 evil vamp/fighter only), versus
the Blackmote belt (very similiar stats but -int as well!)...

If things go well there will be a few new and very nice pieces coming up
on traffic in the new few months as well, that will greatly impress the
players I think.

EQ aside, the areas themselves are really enjoyable. I really like this
trend of going for 3-4 man runs over a run you can just throw a dozen
players at and sooner or later it will drop. It creates a much more
enjoyable run, but some of these progs are getting hard to solve!

Naturally, there are far more things to run, or even generally do, now
than previously. I'm particularly enjoying some of these newer mobs that
have some ip allowances, it means you can solo things that are actually worth
the time, at a bit more of a challenge!

The one thing I am a little bit disappointed about is that there are an
extensive amount of puzzles in this game (just look at Edel!), but some are
so hard to get started on, and more so with older areas than now, some are
just down right broken (e.g. KC, Dpass). Whilst I understand the immortal
policy of not wanting to give out clues and all that, at the same time,
a lot of areas have puzzles no one knows about, and a lot of areas have
puzzles people know about but can't even find a starting point for!

Continued...                                                          Page: 004
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 _____________________________
/ State of the Mud - Galandril\_______________________________________________
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I would like to see just a little more help in this department - just to
propagate enjoyment of the game more than anything. It's quite irritating
pouring over an area for months, and not even being able to find out if its
been solved out completely or if there is more of the puzzle to it.

One of my more recent frustrations was finding a door in an area long
considered solved out completely, and it was suggested it was an immortal
office/house, yet all attempts to find out yielded absolutely nothing!

The significance of said door still eludes me, but I'm reasonably confident
that if there is something behind it, it at least relates to the seth/orcus
storyline quite a bit.

From a builder perspective, I can understand making puzzles for mortals to
solve, but at the same time, I think I would find it quite frustrating if
no one managed to solve it out completely. Perhaps this scenario differs
from builder to builder, but I do think there needs to be more immortal
support for explorers, after all this is a game, not a job. Exploration
is a very fine line between enjoyable and becoming a chore.
 
Golders
--------------------
Golders I do not have a problem with - I think it's a stage that everyone has
gone through during their mud development. With runs being a massive sink
of gold (repairs, heals, etc), especially when the majority of runs do not
pay themselves off in gold loot from the mob, it is only necessary to have
golders to help fuel the runners. What I do dislike are golders who deprive
levelers of leveling mobs - levelers should get priorities on these, without
a doubt.

I'm quite a big fan of helping out the gold circulation, by paying newbies
to do things for me (e.g. leveling, obtaining stock eq), and I think the
more the older players do things like this, rather than self-farming, 
the more we can help keep our younger players interested and "on their way up".

Continued...                                                          Page: 005
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 _____________________________
/ State of the Mud - Galandril\_______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
High end trade
-----------------
Unfortunately, high end trade is essentially dead. Occasionally nice items
do come up for grabs, but the moment that desireable items became out of
game or unobtainable (thus setting a limited number that exist), over time
that limited number is being spread over an ever increasing playerbase, or
being deleted. 

That said, quite a few nice new items are being brought in that are quite 
hard to obtain, and to some degree, are bringing back "high end" trade. 
However, I think the days of being able to run seth for a bunch of sets and
then trading those up for a taint or a ret, etc, are long gone.

It's a bit of a shame, because there is no real solution here - introduce eq
that is better than the oog eq and you are destroying the value of a lot of
items, and the biggest knock on effect there is that glory could potentially
become useless (e.g. if you have a +4 dr kilt and they started introducing a
10 dr stock legwear, not that it will ever happen). 

Alternatively, if you bring back in all the oog eq, then it's again, grossly 
overpowered, as when it was removed in the first place. The "best" solution 
I've been able to think up for it so far is some kind of trade in mechanism,
where you can trade sets in for oog at a higher-than-market value (e.g. let's 
say 15-16 sets for a ret light), in a Ravenhill-esque manner (the increased 
value means only the truly desperate would go for it).

Continued...                                                          Page: 006
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 _____________________________
/ State of the Mud - Galandril\_______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                  
Future of the Game?
----------------------------
RoD is going good places at the moment - a VERY active code council and some
great new areas coming in are really helping out the post-shattering 
"depression" we had, not to mention substantial numbers of older players
returning. The only thing we do really need at the moment is better involvement
for our newest players, in the forms of more active guilds, and a generally
more enjoyable environment for them. Aside from promoting guild recruiting, and
asking older players to play a more active role in guilds, I don't really know
how else we could look at improving it.
 
And on closing, I'd like to leave with a poem from one of my new favorite
pieces of equipment :)
 
                       In the fell clutch of circumstance
                       I have not winced nor cried aloud.
                        Under the bludgeonings of chance
                        My head is bloody, but unbowed.
 
 
                      It matters not how strait the gate,
                    How charged with punishments the scroll,
                          I am the master of my fate:
                          I am the captain of my soul.
 
 
                                                 - William Ernest Henley

(End)                                                                 Page: 007
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 __________________________
/ Unholy Rantings - Beleth \__________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
Greetings,
 
I suppose I best introduce myself as this is the first of my columns...
 
I am Beleth, one of the leaders of the Baali, the darkest group of individuals
to frequent this land. I am a ninth level demon of the Ars Goetia and a
disciple of chaos. Perhaps that is why they have given me the task of bringing
to you a set of 'Unholy Rantings'.
 
I have chosen to rant this month about something that is close to my heart, as
a ranger, (if indeed a heart were still to beat in my chest). The item to 
which I elude is the most fearsome of projectile weapons, the longbow and 
its arrows! If these weapons were as good as they should be, they would be 
close to your heart too, *grins evilly*, if not through it...
 
Why are there so few of them? Why can't evil rangers use more of the ones that
do exist? Why are these weapons akin in damage to something like a bone blade?
Why can't you hit the majority of stationary targets?
 
History has shown these weapons to be a prevalent force in many battles.
 
The bow its self is none too spectacular, consisting of a straight piece of
Yew, Ash, or Elm and sometimes Wych (Witch) Elm, curved under tension from a,
traditionally hemp, bow string.

Continued...                                                          Page: 008
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 __________________________
/ Unholy Rantings - Beleth \__________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                    
The bow, designed specifically for each archer, can range in length up to 7
feet, depending on the height of the archer. Obviously it hitting the ground
whilst drawing is not desirable, but it is technically called a 'long' bow
when it is above 5 feet in length.
 
I have described them before as a fearsome weapon, and that is no over
statement on my part...
 
The projectile is a three feet long, iron tipped (flint here, cave men and
women apparently?), hardwood spine with fletching (flights). It fires from the
nock at a rate so as to have an affective strike distance of around 200 yards,
with an ability to pierce plate armour at that range with a variety of tip
shapes designed to cause huge damage on entry. That is not a feat to be sniffed
at.
 
I note with humour, not that long ago in 1188, the story of one William De
Braose. A knight of English descent, who, on his initial ride out in the Welsh
Campaigns, is said to have been surprised that an archer, whom he could barely
make out on the horizon, was able to fire an arrow such that it pierced his
iron leg plates. Not only that, but it passed through his thigh, again through
the inner side of his leg plate, and saddle, and into his horse with enough
vigour so as to kill the animal and leave him pinned under it...

Continued...                                                          Page: 009
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 __________________________
/ Unholy Rantings - Beleth \__________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                    
I know not of the truth of this tale, a reliable account I am sure, but the
point I bring is this, there must be a craftsman in the land, or a force of
nature, or magic, that is able to bring me a bow of this calibre.
One that a soul as dark as I might wield in battle.
Surely when a ranger gives so much time in to the understanding of archery, to
the detriment of other skills that would no doubt serve equally, there must be
a payoff for the time spent.
 
I see many who try to persevere with what they can find, and I applaud their
actions, and to them I say...

Ready your bows! Nock! Mark! Loose!
 
Beleth.

(End)                                                                 Page: 010
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 _______________________________
/ Marianna's Thoughts - Falennt \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
            ,
        .--'|}
       /    /}}
     .=\.--'`\}
    //` '---./`
    ||  /|
     \\| |Marianna's Thoughts
   |\_\\/by Marianna of the Western Hall
   \__/\\ "based on a true game incident"
        \\
  jgs    \|
 
The Western Hall along Horizon Road in the bustling city of Darkhaven 
is the place where I work. In fact, I do not remember when I've began 
working there but it seems like forever. My name is Marianna, and people 
and adventurers know me by Marianna and just that. Sometimes, I do get 
polite customers who call me Miss Marianna but sadly, most of the people 
I'd meet would just order their drinks and cherry pies and gropes, and 
be on their own business.
 
It is not that I am not good looking. In all actuality, I am very good 
looking and I am blonde, as far as I can remember, I have been blonde and 
I had never dyed my hair another color. 

Continued...                                                          Page: 011
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 _______________________________
/ Marianna's Thoughts - Falennt \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                  
And I have a great rack, which the truth being, a better rack than what 
the old lady near Crystalmir Lake uses to hang her clothing.
 
The focus of my thoughts today is not about being blonde, or racks or pies.
Last evening before I got into bed, I discovered, much to my dismay, I never
took a vacation since forever. Rain or shine, night or day, I have always
been punctual to work, serving pies, cakes and lemonades. I suffer the
attention of the Darkhaven guards (who are not much to look at), and the 
sleazy advances of the dirty peddler who attempts to sell me trash he'd 
picked off the streets.
 
In addition, every now and then, dust shakes from the ceiling as the 
congregation upstairs trundles and vent their concerns in the torrent of 
glittering golden conversations overhead.
 
    .:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:.
 
Perhaps, I am sure someone would not mind if I took a break to salvage 
my sanity. I'm sure people can live without pies and cakes and lemonades 
even for an hour!

Continued...                                                          Page: 012
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 _______________________________
/ Marianna's Thoughts - Falennt \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
And on that fateful day, I quickly untied my apron strings and left the 
garment folded neatly on one of the counters. It was a quiet morning, 
with not many adventurers. Gathering up my courage, I took a meager step 
out of the Western Hall I have called home since the beginning of time...
 
Suddenly, like a roll of dreaded thunder, a request rumbled out from
overhead, scattering a curtain of shimmering golden conversation bits 
onto my head.
 
"Would someone put Marianna back to the Western Hall? She's in the lounge."
 
    .:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:._.:*-*:.
 
Tears welled up in my eyes as a mystical force emerged and swiftly transported
me back to the Western Hall, where to my surprise, a long line of people were
waiting to buy my pies and lemonade
 
They miss me!
 
I did not expect such appreciation before even though I am a very good looking
blonde waitress. I suppose I could put in another decade into serving the
Western Hall without thinking of a vacation again.

(End)                                                                 Page: 013
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 __________________________________________________
/ Advice from a dark elf for newer players - Vache \__________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
Greetings realmsfolk,

I have traveled these realms for a very long time and have come to several
conclusions concerning how to make oneself useful, and hopefully RICH.

First and Foremost:
1) Find something you are good at, personally i'm a good trader, others are
good at questing, some are good at leveling, and some running. Those who
excel at RP may have fun, but tend to be poorer in text wealth.

Secondly:
2) Search around, even if it takes time, there's always another quest, or more
people to level for, or someone needing something for some such reason, and
waiting a week or so longer can significantly reduce prices or for that
matter raise the price of what you are offering.

Thirdly:
3) Don't foolishly gamble away your gold at cyril's casino, even though the
odds are significantly better then RL. They are still skewed severely in
his favor. The set for life jackpot may be enticing, but a few of us ran some
numbers and found that it probably won't pay out till it's at 55 billion or so.

Lastly:
4) Never piss off the major players of the realms, even though one makes their
own way on this mud, certain players tend to influence or hold reputations
and if you get on their wrong side, you and they both lose out on each
others perspectives on trades/quests/runs/whatever.

Forever hated, Vache :)

(End)                                                                 Page: 014
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 ____________________________
/ Kadgeon's Corner - Kadgeon \________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\
                   
[]  [X] []  [-] []  [11]
[+] [O] [+] [O] [/]
[]  [+] []  [X] []  [31] 
[X] [O] [+] [X]
[]  [+] []  [X] []  [8]
[46]    [14]    [6]

Try to fill in the missing numbers. 
- Use the numbers 1 through 9 to complete the equations. 
- Each number is only used once.
- Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation.
- Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and
subtraction.

Key-
X, Multiply    -, Subtract       +, Add      O, blacked out square
/, Divide      [], Empty sqaure...one of the ones you need to fill in

Poll Time: 

When you type help  do you go..."Wow! What a
great helpfile! Do you type help  randomly just
to admire it? If so and you think it's the best one send me a mudmail telling
me which Immortal and why!

(End)                                                                 Page: 015
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 _______________________________      
/ Guild News - Guild of Clerics \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

 
                               Greetings Realms!
We hope you had a great start into the new spring season, please join us in
giving you a peek into our guild with a few announcements!
 
                           Happy, happy, joy, joy!
We would like to extend our warmest well wishes to our own Mirabeau!
She has been a vital and wonderful part of our guild and has now moved up the
ranks to join the Immortals! Although we shall miss her dearly, we know she'll
do a fabulous job in whatever she might venture in. Way to go Mirabeau!!!
 
                                Come join us!
Our door for new Acolytes is always open! If you are interested in joining us
on our lovely porch and become a member of the GoC family, do let us know!

Requirements: Level 15+
Directions:   NW, 2W, 2N, E from the []
Website:      perdaea.com/dirtycarrot.html
 
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Warmest Regards, Haviland (Guildmaster) and Indira (Guild First)

(End)                                                                 Page: 016
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 _____________________________
/ Guild News - Guild of Mages \_______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

It's been a busy month at the Guild of Mages. With Egon stepping down, Pollo
has become the new Guildmaster and Laili was voted in as the new Second.
We welcome our newest member Brais, and hope to see more applicants in the
future.

(From Pollo)

(End)                                                                 Page: 017
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 _______________________________
/ Guild News - Guild of Rangers \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Guild of Rangers news for April 2008:
 
This month was an excellent month for the Guild.
Hokuten pulled off a win in the Guild's Chess tournament hosted by Threndil and
Gwydion owned everyone at knowing random useless facts in the Guild Trivia
night hosted by Junhi.
 
We were also privileged to add Lilmiguel and Karinna to our ranks as full
members and Canyak, Jared and Corbyn as pledges.
 
This coming month looks promising as the Guild's vote on a new induct/outcast
message is completed and many mobs (and maybe some players) meet their fate
again.
 
With arrows nocked and silent steps, we blaze the trail where none dare tread.

http://rangers.silverwolf-den.com/index.html
 
Cheers, GoR Leaders

(End)                                                                 Page: 018
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 ________________________________
/ Guild News - Guild of Vampires \____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

This was a slow but good month for GoV! With everyone's RL schedules
conflicting with our playing time not many runs were done but we've got a good
start on this month! We'd like to say farewell to Lyn who is leaving us for a
good bit of time, but he assures us that he will return! We'll keep him in our
hearts and prayers. We would like to extend a guildwide welcome to Larieta and
Kriru who are now fullfledged members of the GoV! 

That's all the news I have for you guys at the moment, but keep an ear out
...who knows what we're up to!
 
'May the shadows of the night protect us and give us strength'

(From Taye)

(End)                                                                 Page: 019
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 ________________________________
/ Guild News - Guild of Fathomer \____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

7 o'clock, day of Freedom, Month of the Old Forces
_______________________________________________________
Drunken crewmates were tasked to rid the hold of rats. drunk with joy. Many
thanks to Stoneheft! Weigh Anchor! Captain Ujikisi appears to have recovered 
from his illness. Still no sign of the dwarven carpenter. Rumors abound.
Spirits appear lifted.

10am, day of Freedom, Month of the Old Forces
__________________________________________________
Korvette, riddled with scurvy and driven by the excesses of rum, ship biscuits,
and loose women, has been lost at sea. Mainwarric has been promoted to the rank
of Ship's 1st. The Albatross' Maindeck has been swabbed. Elections have 
commenced for ship 2nd.

7am, day of the Great Gods, Month of The Spring
___________________________________________________
Upon the break of dawn we were awoken by the deep bellow of a mysterious band of
dwarves. Their mallets tapped furiously against our hull. Crew morale has 
surged! Grunthos assures us we will be sea worthy soon.

8am, day of The Sun, Month of the The Spring
__________________________________________________
Our ship is fully operational. The entire crew is positively drunk with joy. 
Our first port of call will be the Town of Eurion.

(From Mainwarric)

(End)                                                                 Page: 020
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 _____________________
/ Nation News - Human \_______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

The Human Nation is in the process of forming a new government. Many 
positions are open and humans interested in being in on the ground 
floor of the government and councils are urged to post their intents 
to the Human Nation board. For more information on the councils, 
possible positions, or general roleplay within the nation 
see HELP 'NATION COUNCIL'. For more information on the Human nation 
in general read their nation board and read HELP HUMAN.
 
For general questions contact Tonitrus, acting leader.

(End)                                                                 Page: 021
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 ______________________
/ Nation News - Quendi \______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Tari Annale Firestorm would like to thank all those who have wished her well
in her recent ascension.  She extends an invitation to those of other Nations
to come rejoice in the coming of new life upon the Island.
 
Plans for the Sheelala festival are well underway.  Rumour has it that Tari
Annale has been speaking with the shopkeepers about offering several new wines
although the shopkeepers are being very tight-lipped about it.
 
Once again, anyone wishing to help out or partake in the upcoming Sheelala
Festival is encouraged to post within Arborlon or to speak with the Tari
herself.  The festival will be a little late this year, unfortunately.  But
that does mean that there is still plenty of time to organize events!
 
And on behalf of the Elves of Arborlon, we would like to wish everyone a
Joyous Spring.  May it bring you new life and happiness.

(From Annale)

(End)                                                                 Page: 022
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 ______________________
/ Nation News - Khazad \______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

The Reach is quiet. With the ongoing demand for miners in foreign kingdoms our
population remains thin. The pay is good in Juargan's mines where the demand
for miners is so great. The demand is great because the neverending wars with
the duergar keep the miners turning over. Turning over like so much soil on so
many young dwarven graves. Yet the young Khazad are drawn to it, we all were,
we all remember.

The bulk of our people have adjusted to the idea of the "New Way".  Dwarves
mingling with up-tops, the "Surface Life". Individually, the new generation's 
Khazad are everything that the 'deep downers' were in the old mines below
the reach. As a whole, however, the open sky seems to drain something from
the Khazad. As a whole. The Khazad as a "Whole".
I must speak with Juargan about allied service between the kingdoms.
 
*This note was never signed, but it is generally agreed that it was written
by Stoneheft Gemstone.*

(End)                                                                 Page: 023
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 ______________________
/ Nation News - Hobbit \______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

From the Desk of the Thain,

                   Not much has happened for our Nation as of yet, but
preparations for Spring will start within the next few days! There will be
much merriment and joy for us this year. I extend an invitation to all Nations
to come and join in our festivities. I only ask that everyone try to let me
know ahead of time so I can make accommodations for those much larger than
ourselves. For those wandering hobbits who are far from home I am calling for
the formation of my Olympics Council! So please get in touch with me as soon
as you are able if you are interested. 
     
      On another note, Morgaina has been unable to get in contact with several
of the other Nations and so has not been to visit them and learn more about
them yet. As soon as we receive responses she will be on her way and keep us
all up to date.
 
    For now that is all I have for you, until next month! 
                  Forever in the service of her people,
                     Thain Kadgeon Silverblood
                                       *
                                     * | *
                                    * \|/ *

                               * * * \|O|/ * * *
                                \o\o\o|O|o/o/o/
                                (<><><>O<><><>)
                                 '==========='

(End)                                                                 Page: 024
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 _____________________
/ Nation News - Pixie \_______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

This is PNN: Your source for Pixie News
 
It is spring time in the Realms. Time for the Annual Spring time sugar festival.
 
The festival's turnout was low this year due to bad weather. Also this year's
sugar harvest was low, due to the long winter. Tree Tappers hope that the 
weather will warm up enough to get more suger.
 
In Sports, Vileala Swiftwing, from Kontaur won this years single sky skating
competion, easily impressing the judges and beating out favourite Paglita 
Twigalita

(End)                                                                 Page: 025
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ________________________
/ Nation News - Uruk'hai \____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

From the Opallinoc News Bureau -

Dateline Darkhaven: Olympics committee forming
The Nation's Olympics Committee is in need of volunteers. Opening and closing
ceremonies, events and other ideas are taking shape. But, help is needed to
make it happen. Want to contribute? Do some brainstorming? Find our more?
The Olympics are what you need, what you crave and what you make it to be.
Contact Romani or Klaatu.
 
Dateline Tar'pa Cithm: Barbarians hold a meeting
The thunder of hoof beat and a thousand warsongs filled the air across the
Northern Plains as a horde of barbarians rushed to  the Village of Tar'pa
Cithm. The Tribal Lord Kinux presided over the throng, telling of new things
that barbarians can do. And new things barbarians can obtain. 

Dateline Trade Routes: New Settlements along Trade Routes
Duke Luther's plan for adding to Darkhaven's land claims has resulted in
a number of adventurous making forest areas arable and starting settelments.
Explore the Trade Routes and check out how the rural way of life. 
 
Dateline Opallinoc: Equinox Fest
The recent Equinox fest in Opallinoc was, again, a brawl. Just what the cabin
fever stricken Uruk'ahi needed after the long winter. Those still looking for
missing items, such as teeth or ears, see Hakupa, the shaman. Revenue from the
sale of Meeka's swill, will mean no taxation of Uruk'hai this year. 

(From Klaatu)

(End)                                                                 Page: 026
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/




 __________________________
/ Nation News - Rukhas'dul \__________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

-Mount Krozloy has several facilities which are not actually built into
the physical area on the game. These facilities are to be referred to as "IC"
facilities for the time being.
The facilities included in this group are listed below:

-Mount Krozloy's Barracks: Where new recruits to the Il'Khan military are
trained to fight. Contrary to popular belief, the half-orc army is not
entirely savage or barbaric. In fact, many of their elite troops are
highly organized. These buildings are located just to the south of Krozloy,
near the southern wall and gate.
 
-The Lumber Mills: Located near the woods on the map, the Lumber Mills are
where the Il'Khan store whatever wood they have deforested that is not
presently in use.

-The Mines of Krozloy: There are several mines running underground in the
surrounding are of and beneath Mount Krozloy. These mines were once rich
with gold, but that mineral has almost completely been harvested. Now all
that remains is some essential metals for blacksmithing.

-The Shipyard: Located in the northern stretch of the river which runs
through Krozloy's surrounding area is a Shipyard. Currently there are no
shipwrights working on new seaworthy craft, but there are some of the rickety
old transports from ages past.

(From Kragash)

(End)                                                                 Page: 027
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ________________________
/ Nation News - Olog'hai \____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Salkare - Greetings!  (plural)
Salva -  Greetings!  (singular)
Olog'hai - Half-troll nation 
Olog'hian - A half-troll who belongs to the nation
Grumband Har Marook - How are you?
Grumbandel Har Marook Tarl - How are you? (plural)
Martook Garkra Shan  -  I am well!
Dwark - dwarf
Parxy - Pixie
Heruk - Elf
Harl-Heruk - Half-elf
Mann - human
Harl-Ogran - Half ogre
Harl-Urk - Half orc
Chuf - Food
Ik Chuf - Turning something (usually living) into food

(From Leala)

(End)                                                                 Page: 028
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ________________________
/ Nation News - Gralthai \____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

The Gith are a race descended from Humans. Once long ago, they were a peaceful
civilization of Humans that were captured by Mind Flayers and tormented for
centuries. Eventually, a Gith savior led them to freedom, yet their bodies had
been flayed by the mental powers of the Illithids. The Gith found themselves
stronger, quicker, luckier and smarter than average Humans, yet they had lost
much of their wisdom, stamina and charisma.                            

Gith are yellow-skinned and very long of limb. Sunken eyes peer from yellowed
sockets, now strangely capable of naturally detecting the invisible. The Gith
race has split into three distinct groups: the good (Githzerai), the selfish
neutral (Pirates of Gith), and the evil (the Githyanki).
 
For more information on the Gith nation, or if you are interested in a
position in their government please post your questions/interest on the Gith
board in your hometown.

(From gith helpfile)

(End)                                                                 Page: 029
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 _________________________
/ Nation News - Ilythiiri \___________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

A Cry in the (Under)Dark

The quiet of the Underdark had grown perpetual and the Valsharess had grown
accustomed to pacing the halls of the Veldrin'velve at all hours. Had her
people grown so inactive, or had they merely slipped so deeply into the
shadows that even her sources could not keep her informed? Something had to
be done... she had to get a better tab on her subjects. Storming into her
study, Alzeria scrawled out quick note and sent for a messenger. The order
was given for the note to be hand-copied and sent to the head of each house
regardless of station, tacked onto each door:
 
"In an effort to come to know my subjects with greater intimacy, I, Alzeria,
Valsharess and Matron of Veldrin'velve invite any who wish to speak with me
of requests or concerns of any nature to send private missive to me. State
in that missive your name, the nature of the discussion, and when you would
like to meet.                 -Your Valsharess in service to Lloth, Alzeria"

 
OOC: Due to bad logging times and limited time that I can truly focus, I
decided this might be a good way to boost involvement and learn when others
would be on. Please send mudmails primarily as IC, but note times as ooc.
I am in CST, for that matter. Also, to ensure I respond as quicky as I can,
put both Alzeria and Gliowien in the 'to' line of the note. Thank you!

(End)                                                                 Page: 030
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ________________________
/ Nation News - Aerandir \____________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Rituals and Customs -- A page from Sea-Elf History by Faya Evithrawiel
  
The Aerandir was birthed from a variety of sea-elves coming from the Five
Kingdoms and various little territories from beyond the Seven Seas. This
kaleidoscope of cultures soon re-created a rainbow of rituals and customs
worthy of representing the Aerandir of today in the Realms. 
Coming of Age and Eldership. 

Some of the more formal customs of the Kingdoms were demolished, and new ones
took it place. But the rigorous testing that was required of young sea-elves
who came of age was kept, for it inculcated in the next generation, the
importance of preseverance, and determination. Two rituals are included here -
the Lien'eiaur elchuui (Coming of Age Quest) and the Alata ien'Einiurea 
(Pathway to Eldership)

Prayer of the Dead
To remember those who had passed on since the building of the Faen Minaas and
the drowning of former Mathlaan Lagoon, as well as to honor all kin and cousin
who died in battle, sickness or old age, the Prayer of the Dead can be invoked
in the graveyard (Reflections of a Requiem room) by reciting the prayers found
on the marker stones there.

-- If you are interested in joining the Sea-Elf nation post your intentions on
the Sea-Elf board in your hometown. Many positions are available in leadership
and beyond.

(End)                                                                 Page: 031
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 _____________________
/ Council News - IOQC \_______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

There hasn't been any IOQs over the past few months but this is about to change.
IOQs will once again run monthly with the up coming IOQ being hosted by Baali. 

Gonnil has been extremely busy and therefore Destre and Siporta will now 
co-head the council. On behalf of the IOQC I would like to thank Gonnil for
all the time and effort which he has dedicated to hosting, implementing and
co-ordinating IOQs and thank Destre and Siporta for volunteering more of their
time for our enjoyment. 

Inconnu will be the next Order to host the IOQ after Baali. All Orders are
reminded to submit their quest ideas and concepts to Destre and Siporta in good
time (Usually 2 weeks before the quest is held). Each Order should also mudmail
me to confirm your current IOQC representative or if your representative is
inactive or out dated, your new IOQC representive. Meetings are very rare but
representatives will act as your main liason when it is your Order's turn to
host an IOQ. 

Each Order is encouraged to make their quest as challenging, novel and fun as
possible. Quests should have a theme or concept and be comprehensive. Please
consult the IOQC_Rules helpfile for more information.

Finally, mudmail Destre, Siporta or myself if you have any further queries 
or questions.

+ Fiebin +

(End)                                                                 Page: 032
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/



 ____________________
/ March Quest Results\________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

The March CoD Quest was to go on a dragon hunt and list as many named dragons of 
Realms as possible. A valiant effort by all, especially Ciska, Vukodlak, Redbeard
and Pollo. The winner with a list of 30 is...REDBEARD and second place goes to
Pollo with a list of 27. Congratulations to both of you. Please contact Falennt
or Linda for your glory prizes! Below is the winning list from Redbeard.

Ammit  Bahamut  Black Rose  Calacirlande  Carcacelnaur  Curdardh  Dalkiel
Delasu  Dracolithos  Eylops  Faina  Gayalossen  Gealcath  Hirema
Ingeloakastimizilian  Keryesti  Kizarvexius  Kujrajgi  Lokelaurea
Ondomir-Celeb  Phenn  Puff  Shade  Shadow Stalker  Shimmergloom  Tiamat
Wynd  Yamata-no-orochi  Zaosobbrada  Zylandialtiara

Ciska had 2 dragons not listed by anyone else- Mistress Cosira and S'goral.

Vukodlak listed Qauxiggis (Merlin's pet dragon?)

The hobbit ventured out to find another 3 dragons not listed by anyone-
Lishakean'ash, Sindraod and Yankirashim
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 033
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 _____________
/ April Quest \_______________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Since the turn out to the March dragon hunt was pretty good, the April quest
is a demon hunt. Simply send in a list of as many named demons of Realms as
you know of on a single note and mudmail it to Fiebin, Linda and Falennt by
the 25th of April. Glory prizes to the top two participants.
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 034
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ____________________________________
/ Funny but Violent Titles - Falennt \________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Crosius kicks you in the gut for Alihan's Pizza Service. 
Jabin and Stabin away!!!
Syn, rigger of ropes and torturer.
Tausha Friend of Pixies - see a Pixie...squish.
Ruccarrin d'Mortem slashes the heart of your vile existence.

 
(End)                                                                 Page: 035
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ___________________
/ Room of the Month \_________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

A Space in Time
As if awakening from an unsettlingly surreal dream, you find yourself in
unfamiliar surroundings far from whence you came.  As the torpor wears
off and your eyes begin to refocus, you realize you have been brought
here by the Gods to receive a message of relative import.  Checking
through your inventory, you look for some sign of indication to validate
your purpose and assure you that the deconstruction of your mind has not
yet been put into play.
Exits: none
A small orb tops a slender pedestal of glowing crystal.
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 036
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 _________________________
/ Funny Logs - Mr. Morana \___________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Stoneheft chats 'I'm Morona'
 
'Mr. Morona.'
He is a male level 59 Dwarf Cleric, 3803 years of age.
He is a peaceful player.
He holds a seat on:  Newbie Council
Mr. Morona has accumulated 52 glory in his lifetime.
He has found succor in the deity Adendra.
His homepage can be found at the center of Lyra's loving heart.
His email is: unread
His IM is irritating
Mr. Morona's personal bio:

Mr. Morona> Oh man!

(Sent in by Romani)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 037
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/



 _______________________________
/ Funny Logs - Immortal vs. Bot \_____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Loril freezes Hurey with a glance and shatters the frozen body into tiny shards.
Hurey splatters blood on your armor.
Hurey appears from the Ringbearers headquarters.
Hurey says 'I hope you're happy now.'
Hurey looks particularly glum today.  *sniff*
Loril seems to agree.
Glimji laughs.
Zabanire snickers softly.
Loril waves happily.
Loril and her Cloud named Nine simply .. poof

(Sent in by Vukodlak)

 
(End)                                                                 Page: 038
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ___________________________________
/ Funny Logs - Recite Quantum Spike \_________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

This is what happens if you are in a fight and type "rec quant" instead of 
"rec quant "   (Fight spam removed for this note)
rec quant
Your quantum spike cuts you.
rec quant
Your quantum spike cuts you.
rec quant
Your quantum spike cuts you.
rec quant
Your quantum spike MAULS you.
rec quant
That really did HURT!
..Everything begins to fade to black.
 
You feel yourself leaving your body... rising up into the air, you feel
more free than you have ever felt before...
 
However, before your deity comes to collect your soul, you feel a strange
pulling sensation as strange and colorful mists swirl around you...
 
guild F**K  (except it was spelled out...use your imagination)
guild oops
guild *slaps her own hand*
   This was as seen from our glorious leader, Linda.

(Sent in by Siporta and Linda)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 039
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ___________________________________
/ Funny Logs - Some Pretty Immortal \_________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Some pretty immortal eats a few wooden blocks.
You ACK her.
Some pretty immortal giggles.
You say 'You are a woodchuck in disguise, I knew it'
Some pretty immortal nibbles your wooden leg.
ARRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!
Some pretty immortal laughs diabolically.  MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You wave your sabre at some pretty immortal and say "I be sendin' ya to the
murky deep!"
Some pretty immortal grins evilly.
Some pretty immortal makes like a pirate and says "Yarr!"
You exclaim 'evil wood eating leg biting piratey woodchuck!'

(Sent in by Falennt)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 040
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 _____________________________________
/ Funny Logs - Even Imms Can Spam Out \_______________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Falennt is working hard cleaning up the Cry of Despair board...

Falennt says 'Going to be spammy for a bit.'
Falennt evaporates into thin air.
Falennt steps out of your imagination.
Falennt glances over the notes.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt takes a note.
Falennt has left the game.
Falennt has entered the game.
Falennt says 'Spammed myself out.'
Falennt gobbles down a can of spam. Oink!
Falennt glances over the notes.

(Sent in by Fiebin)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 041
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ____________________________________________________
/ Funny Logs - Waiting So Long That Dementia Sets In \________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

RB is waiting for a certain dragon...for a very long time...

Miguelol ordertalks 'i'm like setting his place on fire'
Miguelol ordertalks 'and he's just like chilling'
Miguelol ordertalks 'I've even barbequed like tons of rabbits'
Miguelol ordertalks 'and it still doesn't want to come out'
Keanne ordertalks 'he fears u!'
Drox ordertalks 'c'mon, rabbits? He's a DRAGON.'
Miguelol ordertalks 'well'
Miguelol ordertalks 'my original intention was to snare the dragon :('
Drox ordertalks 'lol'

look nw
A patch of darkness plays backdrop to the swirling snow...
You attempt to scry...
The howl of the storm outside whistles through the cave entrance and blows
snow in to blanket the ground. The cave is burrowed deeply inside the rock
of a mountain and the walls are, surprisingly, free of ice. It apparently
never gets quite warm enough here to melt the snow to allow ice to gather
on the cave walls. The snow blown in from the entrance extends a few feet
into the darkness, growing sparser as it goes. The cave is a welcome
distraction from the brutal storm that rages out on the plateau.
Exits: north northeast southeast 
A sprung rabbit snare lies on the ground nearby. (42)
A cloud of vaporous flame blazes here, defying the elements. (14)
A mystical spring flows majestically from a glowing circle of blue.
A burnt rabbit carcass. (10)
A roasted rabbit carcass. (2)
The freshly killed carcass of a rabbit lies on the ground. (12)
An overcooked rabbit carcass.
Lorana dreams of angels but lives with demons. is hovering here.
Miguelol.                                [Pandamonium] is hovering here.

(Sent in by Fiebin)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 042
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ____________________________________________
/ Funny Logs - Not so sublime advertising... \________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

 
Taradan winks suggestively.
Taradan the trapper says 'Just nod to me if you wish to make a deal.'
You nod in agreement to him.
Taradan the trapper says 'Ah, good, I knew we could make a deal.'
Taradan the trapper says 'For a small fee I will skin a corpse.'
Taradan the trapper says 'For squirrels, I charge 1000 gold.'
 
...
 
A small grey squirrel floats in from the north.
 
Maomule says '...'
 
(Sent in by Maomule)
 
(End)                                                                 Page: 043
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 ________________________________
/ Order of Arcanes Advertisement \____________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

                                        
                         ,
                       _/ \_
            _,--.     <  ,  >The Order of Arcanes is recruiting!
         .-'.'         /(/.\
       .' .'   .""".   `/  `
      /  /    /     \  /)Contact your nearest Arcane Scout
     ;  ;  ,_.;._  _;-'}/or speak to an Arcane Leader for more
     |  |  '.    )(    /'information.
     |  |   /'-._/\_.-' 
     ;  ;   \_.'     \      ,
      \  \   /        |  _.'/
       '. `'-\       /.-/.;,\
         '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`|Visit the Arcanes Website at
       jgs   `"("\/")` |#    |http://www.orderofarcanes.org
                \(_/   `-...-'

(End)                                                                 Page: 044
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ______________________________
/ Cry of Despair Advertisement \______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

              /---------------------------------------------------\
              | /-----------------------------------------------\ |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Are you looking for a new challenge?          | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Want to meet interesting, and even not-so-    | |
              | | interesting people?                           | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Want to discover new aspects of the game?     | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Want your voice to be heard by the whole MUD? | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | And... Want to get paid for it all?           | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Then look at a career in journalism! Send a   | |
              | | short application and sample article via      | |
              | | MUDmail to Falennt, Linda and Fiebin if       | |
              | | you're keen to join the Cry of Despair staff. | |
              | |                                               | |
              | | Hope to hear from you soon!                   | |
              | |                                               | |
              | \-----------------------------------------------/ |
              \---------------------------------------------------/

(End)                                                                 Page: 045
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/


 _____________________
/ Ask COE Announcement\_______________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

THE CRY OF DESPAIR IS PROUD TO BRING BACK
 
           ###     ######  ##    ##     ######   #######  ########
          ## ##   ##    ## ##   ##     ##    ## ##     ## ##
         ##   ##  ##       ##  ##      ##       ##     ## ##
        ##     ##  ######  #####       ##       ##     ## ######
        #########       ## ##  ##      ##       ##     ## ##
        ##     ## ##    ## ##   ##     ##    ## ##     ## ##
        ##     ##  ######  ##    ##     ######   #######  ########
 
  If you had a chance to ask the Council of Elders something about
  gameplay, what would you ask?
 
  Do you want to know when we are going to have pasta somewhere?
 
  Do you want to know why thief mobs only keep a percentage of what
  they steal?
 
  Or do you want to know something else?!  If so, mudmail Fiebin with
  your questions today!

(From Falennt)

(End)                                                                 Page: 046
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 _______________
/ WANTED - Dead \_____________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

   _________________________________________
0=(_________________________________________)=0
   |                     ___  __  _        /
   |    |   |  /\  |\  |  |  |   | \      |     
   |    | x | :__: | \ |  |  |-  |  ;     |     The CoD Staff
   |    |/ \| |  | |  \|  |  |__ |_/      |     invites any deadly
   |                                      |     to post a bounty on
   |    /""""""""""""""""""""""""""\      |       another deadly. 
   |    |     :   ,''"((") |       |      |     
   |    |     |  /         |       |      |   You set the bounty 
   |    |     ,-: .*"    "*;       |      |   and the number of  
   |    |     ;    (o)  (o)|       |      |   bounties you are 
   |    |     `-.      ,   |       |      |   prepared to pay and 
   |    |       :     ___  '       |      |   Linda, Falennt and    
   |    |       |`.    -  /        |      |   Fiebin can collect the   
   |    |     _.:  `-.__.'         |      |   skived skin of your  
   |    | ,-"'"  `-.__.-''*-._     |      |   target from bounty  
   |    .-------Dead---------.      |       hunters. You may also 
   |    _   __              _   _         |     share your reasons 
   |   | \ |   |   |   /\  | \ | \        |     for wanting the target 
   |   |_/ |-  | x |  :__: |_/ |  ;       |     dead.
   |   | \ |__ |/ \|  |  | | \ |_/        |     The cost of this
   |______________________________________|         service is 1 million 
0=(________________________________________)=0  gold coins. The Cry of 
                                                      Despair may also award
                                                      successful bounty hunters
                                                      with additional gold!
(Thank you Romani for the Ascii art)

(End)                                                                 Page: 047
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ______________________________
/ 10th Annual Awards - Falennt \______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

It is time for the Annual Realms of Despair Awards again and in just a
blink of an eye, the Annual Awards are in our 10th year of giving away 
the most coveted, the most wanted or even the most unwanted Award to 
players Realms-wide. We have tons of categories, and some new ones for 
you to vote for your friends or even some people who you think deserves 
the Awards.
 
The votes will be collected by myself and Kadgeon via MUDmail, by the 
26th of April. To vote, please set out your MUDmails in the following 
fashion:
 
    To: Falennt Kadgeon
    Subject: RoD Awards Votes
 
    Category 1: (Player1), (Player2), (Player3)
    Category 2: (Object1), (Object2), (Object3)
 
And so forth. Only three nominations per category will be accepted, and the
order in which you vote will be considered the preference of choices.
If there are any questions, please direct them to me (Falennt) via tells or
MUDmail.

  Rules to Voting:
 
  * You may only have one voting sheet per real-life player. If it 
    is known that you have used more than one character to vote, 
    all of that players votes are nulled. 
  * You do not have to vote in every category, you can vote in
    whichever categories you wish.
  * Entries handed in after the 26th of April are not valid. 
  * Keep your nominations within reason.
 
The categories will be listed on the following pages. Remember, you do not
have to vote in all categories, but please remember to write on your voting 
note which categories you are voting in.

Continued...                                                          Page: 048
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ___________________
/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

Categories:
 
1. Best Male Immortal 
Which male Immortal works the hardest for the MUD?
 
2. Best Female Immortal
Which female immortal have you felt have done their best?
 
3. Best Male Roleplayer
Who's the most natural male roleplayer?
 
4. Best Female Roleplayer
Who's the most eloquent and dramatic lady we have?
 
5. Best RoD Couple
Which couple in RoD is the most loving and envied?
 
6. Best Male Player
Which male player has inspired you?
 
7. Best Female Player
Which female player leaves you with a good impression about herself?

Continued...                                                          Page: 049
_______________________________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________/

 ___________________
/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

8. Best Guild
Which Guild has been the greatest in all aspects of the game?
 
9. Best Clan
Which Clan has the most feared reputation?
 
10. Best Band (New Category!)
Which Tribe rules the great wilderness?
 
11. Best Order
Which Order has proven itself worthy?
 
12. Best Nation
Many nations are springing to life. Which is the liveliest?
 
13. Best Area
Which area always has you on the edge of your seat?
 
14. Best Food Item
Which food can you almost taste in your mouth?
 
15. Best Drink Item
Which drink quenches your thirst the best?

Continued...                                                          Page: 050
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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16. Best "Treasure" Item
Which is the most prized treasure of the Realms?
 
17. Best Clothing Item (New Category!)
Which garment brings out the personality in everyone?
 
18. Best Dressed
Which player just leaves you in awe when they enter the room?
 
19. Best Rename
Which player has the greatest rename, in your opinion?
(When voting for this category, please be sure to list the rename beside the
nominee's name).
 
20. Best Social
Which social do you find a use for in EVERY situation?

Continued...                                                          Page: 051
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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21. Best "New Change" to the Realms
Over the past few months, what's the best change that has happened?
 
22. Worst "New Change" to the Realms
And which recent change has made you cringe?
 
23. Player(s) everyone dream of pkilling.
It happens, we know it does. Who do you think would deserve this award more
than anything?
 
24. Player(s) most likely to pkill the above.
People and their short tempers. Who would be the one to snap and attack?
 
25. Most Charismatic Deadly
Which deadly stands out above all others with their outstanding personality?
Be it good or bad?
 
26. Most Charismatic Peaceful
Which peaceful comes to mind when you think of most magnetic and charming?
 
27. Craziest Player
Who is the most outspoken, weirdest, and just generally insane player?

Continued...                                                          Page: 052
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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28. Most Dedicated Leader
Which leader shows the most exceptional skills when dealing with their 
organisation? (They may be a Guild, Order, Clan, or Council Leader
 
29. Best Runner
Who comes to mind when you have an itch to go on a run?
 
30. Best Explorer
Who is the first one to have directions and EQ to the new areas?
Someone that you trust to guide you to safety.
 
31. Best Questor
Which questor out there is the fastest and most furious?
 
32. Most Eligible Bachelor
What gentleman invades your dreams at night, ladies... and some men as well? 
 
33. Most Eligible Bachelorette
Which graceful lady invades your daydreams, men... and some women as well?
 
Continued...                                                          Page: 053
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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34. Funniest Player
Who makes your sides hurt and your lips sore from laughing so much?
 
35. Sickening Goodness (the biggest Goodie Two-Shoes)
Someone in the Realms tries very hard to be the best, the most 
pure, the most innocent, never to do anything wrong. Who is it
 
36. Most Likely to be Balzhured 
The one award you DON'T want the pleasure of winning.
 
37. Most Unique Rename
Not neccesarily the best. Who owns the rename that stands out the most?
(When voting for this category, please be sure to list the rename beside the
nominee's name).
 
38. Best House Description
Who's interior decoration is the most original and best?
(When voting for this category, please be sure to submit the room description 
below the nominee's name)
 
39. Ugliest Player Name
Whose name just reeks of unoriginality and ugliness?

Continued...                                                          Page: 054
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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40. Nicest Player Name
Who has the most original, best looking name?
 
41. Most Interesting Help File
Out of the hundreds of help files, which one still makes you laugh, cry or 
scream when you think of it?
 
42. Most Interesting Room
Some rooms come to mind when you want to hang out or just idle. Which one do 
you prefer? 
 
43. Most Likely To End Up With QWERTY On Their Forehead
Who idle so much that you swear they fall asleep at the desk?
 
44. Most Frightening Immortal
Who strikes fear into your heart whenever they log?
 
45. Most Frightening Player
Which player intimidates you everytime you see them?

Continued...                                                          Page: 055
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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46. Most Likely to Get Lost outside DarkHaven (New Category!)
Who is most likely to end up going west instead of east outside of DH?
 
47. Most Likely to Get Lost Inside DarkHaven (New Category!)
Who is most likely to end up lost in DH even with help map?
 
48. Most Likely to DT
Which player always gets themselves into sticky situations?
 
49. Most Likely Next to Imm
Who would you think would be the next to head to heaven, or hell?
 
50. Most Annoying Bot (New Category!)
Which bot leaves you frustrated, angry and ready to tear some hair off?
 
51. Best Service Bot (New Category!)
Which bot provides the best public service to the Realms community?
 
52. Player's who would most likely be in jail for a computer crime 
(New Category!)
Who do you think is most likely a hacker in disguise?

Continued...                                                          Page: 056
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/ Awards Categories \_________________________________________________________
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53. Most Underrated Player (New Category!)
Who do you think is the dark horse and the underdog of the year?
 
54. Most Bombastic Player (New Category!)
You have to check a dictionary to understand what this player is saying!
 
55. Player most likely to own a KIA (Know it All) (New Category!)
Which player knows everything in the game, and everything everywhere?
 
56. Most frequent to X-chan
Who always lets the most awkward sentences slip onto the wrong channels?
 
57. Most Quotable Quote made by a Player (New Category!)
Who's line gave you a deep impression and you would remember it ever.
(When voting for this category, please be sure to submit the quote 
below the nominee's name)
 
Remember to vote wisely and have fun! The winners of each category will be 
published in next month's Cry of Despair.

(End)                                                                 Page: 057
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 _____________________________
/ Desk of the Hobbit - Fiebin \_______________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

A GIANT issue, a mad April Fool's prank by Kinux and his posse, new Immortal
sponsors for the Cry of Despair and the IOQC...and all those awesome additions
to the Realm. I would call it a great month.

On Kinux's April Fool's prank- Haha cruel. You got me. I just wish we had a
chance to get you back...We will though..some how? Well at least I took the 
prank well and won't have bad luck..not too sure about the other half of the
Realm populous.

On this month's giant issue- Thank you Galandril, Beleth and Vache for 
submitting your first Cry of Despair article. $$ for you, lets make it a
regular thing. Thank you Falennt and Linda for all your input too, and of
course, Kadgeon and Romani for your reliable and much needed help. 

On the new additions to the Realm- Awesome. Thank you Coders and everyone
else involved with making it happen.

On my prolific use of the word thank you- eat my hellfirez

+ Fiebin R'aw +

(End)                                                                 Page: 058
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 ___________________________
/ A Note from Linda - Linda \_________________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

I would really like to thank everyone for giving me the chance to help make
the Cry of Despair really great.  I do have several requests though.

We need articles players want to read.  I would like to see more stories,
poems, ballads, haikus, whatever, about runs you go on.  

"Our group entered Shimmergloom's lair hoping to....." 

"Even though we delt many death blows, Horus kept getting back up..."

Or if you would prefer, just a little missive about things. Subject of course
to certain guidelines.

Also I would really love to see any ideas of things you would like to see in
the Cry. This is for you, the players of Realms.  So please help us make it
the best it can be.

Thanks in advance.
Linda

(End)                                                                 Page: 059
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 __________________________________
/ From Falennt's Inkwell - Falennt \__________________________________________
|_____________________________________________________________________________\

This issue, I'm glad to introduce our two new immortal sponsors of the Cry of
Despair, namely Linda and myself.
 
We bid a fond farewell to Alysira but not before thanking her for her devotion,
guidance and effort put towards this great magazine.
 
I would also like to thank all the past and current staff of the Cry for their 
contributions in keeping this special in-game magazine alive since its 
inauguration in 1999. In addition, a special shout-out to all the immortals 
past and present who had contributed greatly to the punch and oomph of this 
magazine.
 
With new staff and new sponsors, we hope to make the Cry of Despair one of the
greatest reads ever in the Realms!
 
Cheers
Falennt
(End)                                                                 Page: 060
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