Kuah steps down; Your thoughts!
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#50 . July 2001
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mortal staff:
alendil, aylssa, begaria, cattrina, conran, dein, goomra, ilsensine,
indalecio, jaryl, khaimran, lorel, maray, naithalia, noplex, oknelim,
saraphin, sarig, shingo
immortal staff:
elisabet(sponsor) tical(finance)
editor:
kuah
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The Cry of Despair . Table of Contents
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Desk of the Editor
issue 50... my last as editor
FEATURE! Your Voice
Topics include: The Port and pwipes
Olympics
The Olympics are Coming!
Quest and Contest
Wizlist quest inside...
Roleplay
A submission by Juliana on emotes
TS News
Latest news from the Symposium
Funny Bones
Titles and butt talk
Public Submissions
a drinkers poem
Thanks
Where to send submissions, ideas, faults and thanks
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The Cry of Despair . Desk of the Editor
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What is the good word? Well another big step for this little paper.
Fifty issues ago the Cry of Despair started out in a one room office
no real idea of what direction to take and even debates over its final
name. Many of the faces have changed and I am all that is left of that
first original meeting and issue number one, but the goal has always
been the same: To have fun as a staff and group, and to bring that
fun to you in a way that shares our enjoyment of this home away
from home, Realms of Despair.
But I am stepping down as its editor.
I will always have a strong bond with this paper, its staff and the
friends and people I have met because of it. I have not lost the
desire, and will stay on the staff and help out with anything, but
I have done all I can. Format can grow stale without change, and that
is not what I want to see happen to the CoD. I and am excited to see
what steps and areas the new editor will take this little thing we
call the Cry of Despair. It has been awesome. Enjoy number fifty.
Thanks. =)
Kuah
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The Cry of Despair .YOUR VOICE!
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written by: Jaryl
Recently I conducted a public opnion survey to find out what you think
on some of the major topics in the Realms. Here are the results!
What prospect excites you most about the upcoming port?
That it may revive some of the flagging fortunes in the realms by
introducing a much needed change.
Pelmen, Guild of Rangers
Oh, most likely the prospect that we'll get some new areas with it,
or shortly after it.
Covellia, Leader, Order of Ascendere
The fact that it's actually getting done...heheheh. That and the new
hometowns.
Ozbert, Gith Nation Leader
What prospect excites you most about the upcoming port?
I'm looking forward to a change in mobs. Either the upping, changing
of equip, new mobs to run, etc.
Zargon, Guild of Rangers
The player reaction. I hope that it's as positve and they are as
excited about it as I am.
Iliana, Level 56 Immortal
I guess new areas that I can go explore with my friends is what I'm
looking forward to most.
Ardyce, Guild of Rangers
Any additions to pkill would be nice.
Xunedrenu, First, Anarchy
What prospect excites you most about the upcoming port?
I think there will be some new areas and two new classes. This should
be interesting.
Axius, Second, Order of Dragonslayers
The fact that there may be something there for Druids other than more
"kick" type abilities.
Shingo, First, Guild of Druids
I would say the biggest thing that excites me is the chance to roam
around the realms like a fresh newbie, to learn what we once knew,
andto act as any good ranger would, spending hour upon hour
"Treading where dare tread"
Racin, Leader, Guild of Rangers
The prospect of change is what excites me the most. I hope it will
make us all a stronger family.
Tiki, Level 54 Immortal
If there was a pwipe would you still call realms home?
It would make things interesting.
Drakk, Guild of Rangers
Sure. A pwipe can only make things better in this rich/richer
poor/poorer world.
Shingo, First, Guild of Druids
I put in my time, I'm not starting over.
Nitsuj, First, Order of Ascendere
What would I think? I think there would be an uproar. People will
"loose it"...errr...would loose it.
Hoerkin, Level 56 Immortal
I celebrate a pwipe. You bet.
Dekkath, Lizardman Nation Leader
If there was a pwipe would you still call realms home?
It would be a great reason for me to quit. It would solve the
problem of having too many players for how many areas real fast.
Merf, Guild of Rangers
Yeah. I'm kinda hoping for a pwipe too.
Pete, Second, Anarchy
Likely not. I verge on not being on a lot. If I got pwiped I wouldn't
try to start again. Well, at least not right away.
Ozbert, Gith Nation Leader
What's a pwipe? :p
Zargon, Resident of LaLa Land
Probably. All of my friends are here. Of course if all my friends
reacted the pwipe by leaving, it might be different.
Covellia, Leader, Order of Ascendere
A pwipe? I'm against it personally. It's not so much for the equip, or
the character itself, but it's sentimental. I've been playing this
character for five years. I still have gifts that friends who no
longer play have given me, and, text though it may be, it's still
worth a lot in value of the heart. I'd hate to loose my reminders.
Aeriel, Level 53 Immortal
Realms is my home, but it's mostly the people I play together with that
that constitute it. I would probably stay, but if all of my friends
left,then there wouldn't be anything to stay for.
Axius, Second, Order of Dragonslayers
Probably. Pkill would be more balanced. Of course, I would loose stuff.
Xunedrenu, First, Anarchy
No. I've worked for six years for what I have now. They pwipe totally,
and I won't be back. Avving a character in here since the changes is
the most severe pain I've encountered online.
Pelmen, Guild of Rangers
Realms is the only Mud I've ever called home. With all the people
I've met here and at the Reunions... wait you are telling me there
are other Muds out there????? I Don't Believe It!!!!!
Racin, Leader, Guild of Rangers
NOTICE This was just to collect opinions and voices from a pool of
RoD players. Thanks to all of you who took time to answer.
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The Cry of Despair . Olympics
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written by: Maray
YupYup. It's that time of year again folks. Time for the National
Olympics. (Cue the dramatic music please.)
Thank you.
The Olympics always bring promises of great fun and spiffy prizes.
To find out, you will of course have to participate. Besides being
great fun, the Olympics also bring fab prizes to it's winners.
Glory, Renamed items, and your name carved into the trophy at National
Visions, making you an insta-celeberty (Well... not quite) can all be
had by competing in the Olympics. And of course, bring glory and
honour to your Nation!
I spoke with Khaimran, a member of the Olympics Planning Comitee about
the event, and in the following pages, read what he had to say!
Alright. So, what do you mavericks have planned? Any sneak peeks
for lil ol me?
Well, I can talk to you about the last olympics if you want
Obviously I can't say what's gonna happen this time round exactly.
Alrightie, let's hear it.
Well, last time we had quite a few events. These included a cooking
events, where teams had to go out to get bodyparts, so another team
member could cook them. Another was the RP Skits, where a team of
three would enact a little scene within set guidelines. One of the
most fun was the snowman quest, where various snowmen were scattered
around the realms. The teams had to save them from being melted.
Khaimran winks suggestively.
And incentive?
Well, for a start there are the cool items that we have for prizes...
They're tailored to each event, and where you came in it. They have
proper wearlocs, so you can show them off. Secondly, you get your name
on the Olympics Trophy at National Visions. There is a bit of glory
available to Elisabet, so she hands that out to the winners. And
lastly, and most importantly, its GREAT fun.
How'd the Olympics start?
They were born out of a need for some greater integration between the
RP Nations. The Olympics helped bring all the nations and races
together.
Don't be shy. C'mon down to the Olympics on July 14, from 3pm to
11pm EST, for a little controlled wackiness and some nation-inspired
fun.
***FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OLYMPICS, TYPE HELP OLYMPICS, OR
SPEAK TO ANY MEMBER OF THE OPC.***
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The Cry of Despair . Quest and Contest
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written by: Thorpe
Dear Questors and Questorettes,
It appears that our Wizlist is lacking a bit of "color", therefor, it
is up to YOU!, the Mortals of the Realms to fix it. The Task is simple
(sorta) Using the current Wizlist as a basis (meaning you cannot put
Thorpe as the Highest ranking Imm, the Imms must all remains at their
respective levels) you are to create a "new" Wizlist, giving each of
us new Ranks.
Example:
Thoric - God of Life
Blodkai - God of Evil
Kali - God of Death and Destruction Nivek - God of Anger and Torment
I think you get the idea....Please try to make it look as much like
the current Wizlist, but with the new ranks in place.
The winners will be judged upon level of originality, and the ability
to submit a list that most appears like our current Wizlist (but with
the new rankings)
Happy Writing!
As always, there are a few rules....
Only one "wizlist" may be submitted per person (alts included).
Bash Immortals at your own risk, management will not be libel for
characters lost due to Balzhuring, Destroy, or Banning.
Entries must me mailed to Thorpe and ONLY THORPE, Via Mudmail no
Later than July 15th, 2001.
Duplicate entries will void all entries by the entrant and render him/her
uneligable.
Have fun and good writing:)
The story of Korell's elimination quest 06/08/2001:
10 little mortals thought they would be just fine,
1 got bit by a shadowshark and there were only 9
9 little mortals were all running straight,
1 got stunned by harpies and there were only 8
8 little mortals were looking up to heaven,
1 got disarmed and there were only 7
7 little mortals beat Nazir with sticks,
1 didn't know the password and there were only 6
6 little mortals just tried to stay alive,
1 got gassed by Raga and there were only 5
5 little mortals entered rockdoor,
1 had no idea and there were only 4
4 little mortals went on a digging spree,
1 forgot his shovel and there were only 3
3 little mortals were ready to end the fight,
but Korell got killed by his wife, so they called it a night
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The Cry of Despair . RolePlay
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written by: publicly submitted by Juliana
The Emote - In defense of more being more.
Think of all the great books you've read? Certainly, many books have
used a simple "John snarls" "Mary smiles grimly" or even a *gasp*
"Peter said."
I challenge everyone to name a great book though, whose paragraphs ALL
begin with a character name. Books have one beautiful advantage a mud
with a plain emote command lacks - the narrative paragraph.
A paragraph that describes what is happening, describes a particular
scene, describes a transition from one scene to another, describes
the story. As a result, when a character acts or speaks, they are free
to use any length of sentence whose style suits the mood and
personality established.
In a mud, the only narrative roleplayers have is the scene and the
story that is set in the emote. If less is more, then players will
get lazy and not bother with any narrative description, claiming that
imagination is all-powerful and we should not tell people what they
see. Encouraging roleplayers in this mud to go for succint phrasing
in emotes will eventually lead to scenes that lack any color
whatsoever.
Fran frowns.
Fran snarls.
Fran says 'Don't touch me!'
Mary smiles faintly.
Mary says 'Let me help you, I can heal you.'
Lively enough. The scene capable of being visualized? Just barely.
Were you imagining the scene below or the following scene after?
Can't tell from super-short emotes, can you?
Fran frowns. She craddles her wounded arm with her intact one,
heedless of the blood soaking into her sleeve. Snarling, she backs
away like a cornered rat until she hits the slimy wall of the sewer.
Even her teeth are bared in a wordless threat. 'Don't touch me!'
Mary smiles faintly. Whatever possessed her guildmaster to send her
after a wererat? Still, orders were orders. Protect Fran. She
stretches out an arm, palm out like a peace offering.
Mary says 'Let me help you, I can heal you.'
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Fran frowns at Mary's approach. That mage was getting too close for
comfort. Unfortunately, there wasn't time enough to draw her sword
and demonstrate how serious she was. She settles for aiming a glare
at Mary, and snarls through the pain of her twisted ankle,
'Don't touch me!'
Mary smiles faintly, just the ghost of a smile. She brushes some
imaginary lint off the sleeve of her black robe. Then she draws a
wand from her belt with casual grace. 'Let me help you, I can heal you.'
Mary smiles faintly, just the ghost of a smile. She brushes some
imaginary lint off the sleeve of her black robe. Then she draws a
wand from her belt with casual grace. 'Let me help you, I can heal
you.'
When you are limited by the emote command and forced to start every
sentence with a character name, you ought to squeeze in narrative
where and when you can. "Less is more" results in only part of a
book. Plain and simple character dialogue. No narrative. No story.
No fun.
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The Cry of Despair . TS News
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written by: Shingo
The Symposium's news is back by popular demand! Each month, we'll post
what has been covered by The Symposium. The way The Symposium works is
this: Ideas which have been left on the Tome of Conception
(e, s, u, s, w from Darkhaven Sqaure) or which have been brought up
to council by Representatives (every Guild and Order should have a
Representative, save for one) are then discussed by our council and
either passed or denied based on the amount of work that has gone
into the idea, and the necessity for it. Ideas that are passed are
taken to the Visionary Consortium (VC) while ideas that have been
denied are either dropped or re-worked to be brought up at a later
time.
We're currently not taking any applications for "At Large" members,
but if you brought up an idea, that the council has yet to discuss,
are you welcome to ask to be seated at the meeting to personally
introduce it and answer any questions we have about it. If you need
further information about The Symposium, ask any one who shows up on
"who ts" or say 'Show me more' to Minkai, the Symposium Chamberlain.
Ideas discussed on June 4th, 2001
Layerable Underwear - Held back for further discussion.
Config no-org - Passed
Slist amendment - Passed
Augurer's Climb - Passed
Counter Attack - Denied
Ideas discussed on June 11, 2001
"Down" the Gnoll Shaman in Gauntlet - Denied
Guilds go_ - Passed. (The _ is replaced with a, c, d, m, n, p, r, t, w, or v)
The Return of Lizardmen - Denied
Orb of Recall - Denied
Ideas discussed on June 18, 2001
Quest Point System - Denied
Bringing back TS News to CoD - Passed
Track Victim Warning Messages - Denied
Numerical damage/Attack Messages - Denied
Ideas discussed on June 25, 2001
Necromancer - Denied
Hometown Recalls - Passed
Further increasing the "realism" in being drunk - To be discussed
later.
If you have any questions regarding the decisions made by the council,
ask your Representative or any member of The Symposium.
shingo
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The Cry of Despair . Funny Bones
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written by: CoD Staff, public submissions by: Terri
Bottom Talk submitted by: Terri
You counciltalk 'pelmen!'
Pelmen counciltalks 'eep?'
You counciltalk 'do you think nimby's butt is cute? :p'
Nimby counciltalks 'EEP!'
Pelmen counciltalks 'whoa.. ahh.. I dunno? I haven't been
mooned by nimby recently *l*'
Nimby counciltalks 'well....I have to say it...I am more
than just a Butt....the rest of me isn't terribly shoddy'
You counciltalk 'don't we know it :p swoon nimby'
Nimby counciltalks '*blush*'
You counciltalk 'pelman isn't nimby cute? :))'
You counciltalk 'ok i am a little bored ain't i :('
You counciltalk 'i'll shut up now :p'
Nimby counciltalks ''
You counciltalk 'remember when you bent over to pick up
those coins over the counter last time...'
You counciltalk '*inn*'
You say 'i think i should go and lvl before stoneheft logs
and i get in trouble :('
Nimby giggles.
Nimby blushes.
Nimby says 'well, for the record, feel free to sexually
harass me any time'
Wrap it up...
A mysterious force appears before you, carrying a large roll of filmy wrap.
Your next awareness is of being spun around and around, becoming solidly
encased in the wrap.
Someone winks at you.
Ceirana has restored you.
who 51
56 Druid Ceirana: Maker of ceiran wrap.
Foamfoller: ah kewl, a body mask, tnx Ceirana.... my skin feels silky smooth
Theo: its not a body mask! its a body condom!
Ceirana: Theo understood the echo perfectly.
titles...
Equus falls off while mounting himself.
Moonbeam; People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the
boot that kicks them.
Klinon. AKA "The stinky old guy."
Taranda is a man again!
Alak says 'Life's tough. It's tougher if you're stupid'
Norelle wears a kitty suit and pounces on Greyraven.
Brennar, guild grammar checker.
Daci has a pixie-sized bowling ball.
Luneranik: Retaliation sounds like this: "!".
Caraid- Stupidity should be painful.
Jarelanin Vancour wields Duct Tape, you've been warned.
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The Cry of Despair . Public Submissions
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written by: public submissions
Drowning Thoughts by fennpoxah
Thoughts of love, What is it?
Thoughts of hate, Is there enough?
Of Happiness, Just a bluff?
Thoughts of thoughts, Why think?
Why not have another drink?
Thoughts of life, What's the purpose?
Thoughts of death, When will it come?
Of pain, Can't I be numb?
Thoughts of thoughts, Why be troubled?
Bartender, Make the next one a double
Thoughts of crying, Will the tear drops stop?
Thoughts of laughter, Are they laughing at me?
Of God, Where the hell is he?
Thoughts of thoughts, Why even bother?
Bartender, bring me another
Thoughts of why? Who knows?
Thoughts of when, Who cares?
Of what? Where?
Thoughts of Anger, Will they fill me up inside?
Thoughts of thoughts, Why even think?
It's getting harder now...Another drink.
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The Cry of Despair . Thanks
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Thank you for reading!!!, from the staff of the CoD.
feedback? comments? fan/hate mail? submissions? all welcome at
the CoD public boards, located: e,s,2u,s,w,s from darkhaven
square or south of quills and parchments on market street.
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