------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .. .. .||. ||.. ... || || || ||.|| `|.. || || `|.. ..|'''.| '|| || '|| '|' ' .... . .... ..||.. ... ..., || .... || '' .|| || || || || .| ' || .|...|| '|. | .|' || || || || || || || || ''|...'| '|..'|' ||. ||. '|..' .||. '|..| ||. '|...' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 1 Coin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vandalism Delays Canticle Publishing Considerably A baffling case of vandalism threw the Canticle Offices into a state of chaos only a few weeks before the paper was planned to come out. Someone broke into the hut, got their hands on all the copies of the articles for the next paper and cut them into very small pieces. ScarecraZy and Llandra, the Canticle Editors, were dumbstruck, along with the rest of the staff. "Who would do such a thing? We've had problems before, but this was the first time someone's actually sabotaged the Canticle." ... continued on page 2 *-----------------------------------------------------------------------------* <*> CANTICLE INDEX <*> ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------- Sabotage in the Canticle offices.....1 The complete guide to Questing......13 Drin appoints Council Herald.........4 News in Brief.......................18 Newbie Revolt........................7 Rogues' Alley.......................19 An interview with the Arch of World..8 Population explosion................21 Word Search.........................22 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 1 The Law enforcement was contacted with as little ado as possible. There were a few immediate suspects: "From a competition point of view, the Dalair Free Press would probably benefit the most from something like this, but they soon turned out not to have anything to do with the case." An unusual lead led the investigators to the culprit: not only had the vandal broken a window to get in, but he had actually shattered all the windows while at it! Constable Picckard thus recognized the likely culprit: "I've only heard of one person who enjoys breaking windows like that," he commented to Canticle, "and that's Billgates." There has been a long tradition of glass blowing in Billgates' family, and on the side they have managed to make a nice profit from window- installing services. Perhaps also due to some childhood trauma, Billgates has a compulsive urge to destroy windows (Bsodius Inflictius). But why would this somewhat disturbed citizen sabotage the Canticle like that? ... continued on page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 2 "Time to change format! Better stay up-to-date! Chaos!" commented the culprit, giggling madly. After he admitted being guilty of the vandalism, his family has made a strong plea for the Law to take into account his mental disorder when passing judgement. They have also pointed out that Billgates was under whiteleaf influence that night. During the writing of this article, the Law has not yet decided on Billgates' punishment, but it seems likely that he will be at least forbidden to work in the window-servicing branch. In the meanwhile, the Canticle staff have managed to recompile their articles from the small pieces. ________________________________________________________ |\'-._( / | | \ .'-._\ Unhappy about your looks ? , ,| |-.\' .-; All those scars detracting from '\`-' | | \ .' ( your attractiveness ? _.' \ | |.--.\' _) ;-; \._| | ` _\(_)/_ Visit The Body Shop ! \ `'-,_,-'\ | |______ /(O)\ _______________________________/____)_`-._\| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- King appoints Council Herald This is Reginald Pott, on the spot, reporting to you from the streets of Tantallon, where the Council Herald has granted me an interview. Pott: Hello, Mr. Herald, how are you today? Herald: The Town Council sent me to announce important information about the Mortal Council! P: What is it like having to roam the streets of Tantallon? H: The Mortal Council explores new areas before the general population, making sure they are safe for adventurers. The Mortal Council also helps convey their classes' needs and desires to the powers above. P: I ... see. You seem very dedicated. H: The current cleric Mortal Council members are: Dragonblood, Cheer and Decon. P: That's good to know, I guess. H: Nominate yourself for Mortal Council and represent your fellow class members! Those below level 15 need not apply. ... continued on page 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... contined from page 4 P: Well, I hardly think I'm qualified. I'm only a reporter! H: The nominations will end 2 days 21 hours 16 minutes 6 seconds from now. P: That is what I hear. What do you think of the nominees so far this year? H: Your class has no nominees! P: Well, of course not, we're not much of the adventuring type. Now about my question... H: The nominations will end 2 days 21 hours 14 minutes 54 seconds from now. P: You already told me that. P: Now, what should players consider before nominating themselves for Mortal Council? H: The herald says: The Mortal Council is a popularly elected committee of experienced mortals, up to three from each class. P: Alright... how important do you think it is that everyone vote? H: The Council represents the people, so the people must vote! During the voting period, you may vote in the room west of the Senate board if you are level 10 or above. You may vote three times, but only for members of your class. ... continued on page 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 5 P: To conclude, any thoughts on who's going to win this term? H: Your class has no Mortal Council members. P: So you've mentioned. Well, thank you taking time out of your work to conduct this interview! H: Nominations have commenced! The nomination period will end 2 days 21 hours 11 minutes 57 seconds from now. Hanza's Map Shop - The Best since Drake! __________________ \ooo . |^ ^ ^\ Tired of getting lost in the world? Well we \ooo . \ ^ ^ \ have the answer for you! Buy one of our fine \ooo_ . _ |_^ ^\ line of maps of the realm. They range in size /ooo . /^ ^ / from our smallest, the pocket map, to our /ooo . / ^ ^/ largest, the sorcerer's map. We guarantee you /.._..x _ /^_ ^^ / will find one to suit your need and budget. \ _ . | ^ ^\ Hanza's can be found south in Trader Lane, in \ |\ . \ ^ ^ \ the western end of the Market place. If you're \ N . | ^ ^\ low on funds you can use our demonstration map \__________|______\ in the shop to plan your expedition. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newbie Revolt A newly formed group calling themselves 'Cheesed Off Newbies' issued this statement about their group's intentions: "We are tired of rangers letting their killer wolves go free, where they then roam the town slaughtering the innocent. We are sick and tired of it and we shall not take it anymore!" "Alone we are weak, but together, we are mighty! "With our collective might, we shall exact our revenge on you all! Soon the streets of Tantallon shall flow freely with blood and for once it won't be ours!" The Editor warns all rangers out there to watch out for swarms of irate newbies that may be headed your way soon. It also might be a good idea to release your wolves in the forest from now on so you don't further incite their wrath. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interview with Argeld, Arch of World and Map The Canticle, in its ongoing drive to bring the Senate to the People, had the good luck of cornering and interviewing Argeld, the Arch of World and Map. Canticle: How long have you been playing AA? Argeld: Since December 15th, 1995. C: What guild and class did you join at first? A: I was a human fighter, and I managed to find my way to Nepeth and join the Knights of Drin. It was a few days before I could ever find my way -back- there to read the board, use the racks, etc., but I stayed in that guild for a very long time. C: How long were you mortal before you wizzed? A: Hmm. About a year and a half. Perhaps not long enough, in retrospect. Being a wizard, in many ways, can be a little disruptive to one's immersion in the game - you know how things work behind the scenes, and knowing the exact mechanics, stats, etc. takes away a little of the fun. ... continued on page 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 8 C: What is your observations about AA then, vs AA now? A: It does seem to me that the playerbase has gotten younger as the internet has become more and more accessible outside of universities. There has been a bit of debate about whether this is good or bad. :) One thing I have noticed is that Law, in general, is much more even-handed and fair than it had been in the past - far fewer snap judgements on punishments are made, and things are actually investigated before final decisions are made. C: What has kept you coming back to AA, since the very first time that you played? A: At first, it was the interest in exploring the game, leveling up, etc. It was a good way to pass time at 3 am in my college room. :) After a year or so of that, it was the friendships that I made here that kept me coming back, and those are what still do keep me coming back. Some of the most important people in my life are people I met on AA. C: Has AA changed for the better, in your opinion, and what are the main reasons that you consider AA to be better (or worse) now? ... continued on page 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 9 A: I do think it has changed for the better, purely on the strength of the new areas that have come into the game since I started playing. Modern QC and World standards have ensured that the quality of new areas are much higher than in some of the earlier ones. C: When you started playing, did you expect to be on AA for this long? A: Well, this was about the third mud that I tried (working my way through the list alphabetically...) and it was clear five minutes into my logon that it was a cut above the others I had seen. It does not surprise me at all to see that AA has endured in an 'industry' where games die off every week. C: What do you think has made AA the success it is today? A: Well, I've already talked about that earlier. I do want to point out one particular name in the credits who isn't, perhaps, particularly well- known to many of our current players, but who in my opinion made a huge contribution to AA's current approval system. Without Sully's hard work and vision, there would likely be no World team like there is now, and AA's internal history and theme would be much more inconsistent. We'd be ... continued on page 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 10 wading through a lot more cookie-cutter mage towers and moonbases, instead of creative and different areas like those that are added to AA every month. C: Do you think that AA will still be here in five years time? A: Certainly. C: If yes, in what form do you expect to see AA? Do you think that this trend towards graphical muds will catch on and that AA will be graphical then? What is your opinion about graphical muds? A: AA will almost certainly remain a text-based mud. The necessary programming skills and artistic skills that it would take to convert AA to a graphical game are beyond what one could expect from a volunteer organization. We are better served trying to provide the best gameplay experience we can rather than wasting our limited resources on making the game a little prettier. If I was going to get involved in a graphical game project, I would want to start from scratch, rather than trying to incorporate the thousands and thousands of lines of AA's code base into something 'new'. ... continued on page 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 11 C: Name a few of your favourites on AA... Favourite people, monsters, quest, area, pastime... (Fishing? Exploring new areas? Coding? Do you still play a mortal?) A: I do still play my mortals (I have at least one of every class, and rather too many fighters). My favorite quest, in spite of it's failure to adhere to World standards :P, was Greenhaven. (I've done all of them, though.) My favorite area, in terms of sheer wonder at the work involved in coding it, is probably Drakhiya. As for favorite people, anyone who knows me can probably take a pretty good guess as to who that is. :) C: What is your personal vision for the next five years on AA? Planning to code new areas/classes/guilds? A: I do have some thoughts in mind for all three of those code categories, if I get any free time between real life concerns and my work as Arch. The Canticle would like to thank Argeld for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Complete Guide to Questing For a long time, web sites and emails have been detailing how to do quests here on Ancient Anguish. One of them stands out above all the others, in its accuracy and attention to detail. Because we at the Canticle are above the Law (or at least have placed bribes in high places), we have reproduced part of that wonderful reference book here. Excerpts from The Guide to Quests on Ancient Anguish (The Mountain Quest): "It's been a while since I've done this one, but it seems that you go past the dwarven village a bit, west. It might be a bit north or south of there, though. I never was much for counting. The only count I ever learned is 31 north of xroads, as half the directions in the world start with that. The other half goes west. None of the directions ever go south from the xroads. (It's also interesting to note that just as it is taboo to have directions leading south, it is also taboo to spell out xroads.)" ... continued on page 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 13 "Anyway, you'll know you're near the quest area, when you start seeing hills right next to mountains. From there, it's a matter of going north, west, west, south, west, south. "From here you climb. I forget whether it's a ladder, up, slope, mountain- side, trellis, vine, or whatever. But you'll see it when you get there. Next you go talk to the guy who tells you he's missing his lucky something or other. He's the important looking one in the far north of the castle thing. Maybe it's a mud building. Hmmm, or a shack? It wasn't raining in there when I was there, so it must be inside of something. Though it did have light. "Now, you go chase all the npcs around, talking in one word sentences. They all wander and tend to wander out as you are trying to glean necessary information from them. Be careful who you kill, because some of them tend to chase you when you wimpy. It might be all of them that do that. Or maybe none of them do, and I'm confusing this quest with another one. Anyway, it's easy enough to find out and not very relevant. ... continued on page 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 14 "Most of the npcs will say nothing useful at all. Killing them was kinda satisfying, except then you have to wait for the one in the chainmail to reset, because he's got the scroll you need. You take the scroll to Samie the Barber. (For those of you who don't know already, Samie being a barber is only a coverup for his real business, kind of like that bakery in Tantallon.) Lou is on the take too, because of what is in those CX packages, though I haven't been able to prove it. Then, Samie rushes you into a back room. What happens in that back room, I suppose I shall leave unmentioned for suspense. After all, if you know everything about a quest, there's no point in doing it. "What's important is that you take what you get from there back to the guy that gave you the scroll. He then gives you a password. I haven't figured out what it's used for yet, but it must be important, because it's a password, so you better memorize it. ... continued on page 16 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 16 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 15 "You now need to go around and search things. Don't bother listening to them or smelling them, because I don't recall anything really interesting using those. Maybe there were a couple funny ones, and maybe one was the exploration point, but exploration points are covered in my other reference guide. Eventually you will end up with the 5 items you need for the quest, unless someone has discovered that the helmet you get there is the best in the world and has taken it to use. If the helmet isn't there, complain to at least three wizards, and mail Law about how someone is ruining the game by taking a necessary part of the quest (if enough people do this, maybe they'll fix it). (A comment: Make sure you are positive the helmet is gone, because it's a bit embarassing to stir up all those wizard types, only to find the helmet two searches later. I know this.) "Oh yeah, somewhere there was a lever you have to push, pull, press, lower, raise, or something that leads to a secret room. Maybe it was a torch? Or a button. You'll know it when you see it. One of the items is in there. ... continued on page 17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 16 "Anyway, you go give the 5 things (and no, I don't remember what they were, but they were the only 5 things that seemed a bit odd to the area and stand out like a sore thumb) to the guy who was looking for his lucky whatever-it-is. That completes the quest. And like most quests, the ungrateful guy gives you no money, no special equipment, and just says thanks and runs off, and you get that cheery 'You feel as if you have done something good.' message. We adventurers should at least get paid for our time. All those heals we use to wipe out the area's indigenous population should be reimbursed at the very least." Well, there you have it, adventurers. Good luck with your next quest! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -=[ News in Brief ]=- A strange colony of creatures that are| Residents of the peaceful hamlet of part spider and part elf have been | Arcadia are in an uproar over the in the far south. Rumours of invasions| large numbers of beer-lovers who have by the followers of Losoth have been | been trampling their fields in search abounding ever since. Daring adventu- | of the Brewmaster. The Canticle warns rers are needed to discover the truth.| all beer-lovers to walk carefully. --------------------------------------|-------------------------------------- News of a city beleagured by orcs have| City Health officials have expressed filtered through from the north. In an| grave concerns over the food in the official statement from the King's | Oblivos restaurant. An irate customer court, a party of Knights have been | has claimed that 'the crocodile tastes dispatched to succour the besieged | like chicken!' A full investigation city. | has been launched into the matter. --------------------------------------|-------------------------------------- A take-over of the Eldar by an ex-GM | Rumours of a new and absolutely psy- the Knights was thwarted by quick | chotic toy in the newbie park have action on Dubanka's part. Thanks for | been flying in newbie circles. Are the bug-fix, Dubanka! | our newbies safe? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rogues' Alley There are many topics surrounding today's rogue. Many that hamper and well as help the general population of rogues. And although some of the rogues' opinions seem extremely biased, they do bring up some very valid points. One of which is the use of the pocket worm. Asking around to a few known rogues, I've found that they believe the strength of the pocket worm all but nullifies their class abilities. "They almost always catch a rogue, and they alert the person who can then bounty. Being caught with a worm should make you stop from stealing, but not be bountiable," says Aralik. She further suggested, such as other rogues have, that pocket worms be taken down a notch. Keep it so it stops the intended theft, but not bountiable. "Well there is no crime if nothing is taken," agrees Kilborn, a common victim of this vicious annelid. The current topic of speedwalking has the whole land of Anguish in an uproar. Telnet client users versus raw telnet ... continued on page 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... continued from page 19 users. Should one be forced to push 'n' and then 'enter' or should others be left in the dust because they "refuse" to upgrade? This is a topic that has everyone talking, not simply rogues, but almost everyone recognizes its obvious tidal wave of relief it brings to those rogues that have giving up on stalking. Kilborn said, "I don't think anyone was meant to be able to travel around Oerthe in a split second," and many people agree, including myself. But there is also a strong opposition to this view point claiming, "Speedwalking doesnt hurt anybody's playing experience. People complain that they don't have enough to kill, but look at this place. It's -huge-. There are always things to kill." Bcuz, a rogue that wished to go by its pseudonym, states, "Wish law would make up its mind... orginally it was illegal then it was okay... now it's back to illegal." This has and will be a long standing battle, but in this reporter's opinion, its for the best, simply for the reason that it gives us rogues back one of our abilities. -- Boon the Betrayer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Population Boost Tracked Down To Shantih Rivermouth It would seem that the sudden flow of immigrants into our realm has something to do with the recent increase in the amount of furry, sentient creatures running around. Many of the countless newly-arrived people have been heard asking after directions to the Shapeshifter's camp. Older residents show great interest as well. Is this "returning to nature" with the help of totems a counter reaction to population concentrating into towns, or does the secret perhaps simply lie in effective advertising? One can only boggle at the enormous success that the totem worshipping has been ever since the old knowledge was recently opened to public. The Canticle would also know how they could do the same to the amount of readers... The clan leaders of the Shapeshifter's Enclave were too busy to comment. The new residents and visitors are probably happy to hear that getting answers to their questions has become easier as a newbie helping service has been created - find out more at Ironman's smithy, which is by the way a good place for a newcomer to get some equipment to get started with, too. -- Fir, reporter at large -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5.0 2 Virrsmonth, 554 Page 22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORD SEARCH H S I U R E K C E D G N A Find the below words from the letter square. T N T M A L I K U N E I A Once all these have been marked, the remaining O A C N S A L E V A R P N letters form a message to inspire your H M F O U L N B O K I U T exploration. R N U S I D O D N C N F A F O A C A N T I C L E F N Lou Alton Antana Duendar L R L R G S L K I L P Y A Boki Dibbs Decker Ironman A C E N E V A H N E E R G Brog Ewani Hobbit Lizette I P Z D D R A Q O H T R A Draq Fredd Ishtaq Packrat H T Y R D Y S T N E H H K Drin Gaius Linnhe Sydryth W O L F S R T N T I S I I Rhot Malik Marika Canticle V S B A B L I Z E T T E R Wolf Puffy Nepeth Picckard G O R B B L I N A W E E A Ravel Greenhaven S R E V I S H T A Q O L M E V A R D T A R K C A P T Hint: ______ ________, _____ ___ ________ _______ __ _______ _______. [Archiver's note: The word search has a slight bug. 'Ironman' cannot be found. The word to find so that the message stays intact is 'Ronman'. Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thanks to Yuengling for finding it.]