The Messenger: Volume I

UnOrthOdOx · March 17, 2004, 20:33

Keeping Lurkers informed and Regulars entertained since 3700 BC------------March 17, 3700 BC.
People form Government!
Leaders promise many changes.

OctavianX, conmcb25, and Togas were chosen earlier this week to lead the mighty people of Apolyton into a new era. Claiming that they had been visited by the gods and instructed to impart many changes to the lives of the people, including a halt to such long founded traditions as our nomadic lifestyle.

First among the many changes they had planned was appointing Beta as "Foreign Affairs Minister".

"All I know is that I get to sit around here and sleep most the day while the rest of you guys go out and gather the food now. I mean, conmcb25 was muttering something about me being in charge of keeping tabs on 'other' nations and negotiations, but I am pretty sure they just ate some bad berries that day or something. Hell, as long as they don't notice I don't have anything to do, though, I'm fine with it."

Kloreep's appointment to "Vice Consul" was the next change in store.

"Me? Well, so far my job has been making sure the consul's are happy. They want a few berries? I make sure they get em. I'm told that should one of them become unavailable, though, I'll be in charge." Upon saying this, Kloreep stumbled, dropping 2 baskets of berries, muttering under his breath "Damn...which ones were the poisonous ones again?"

Paddy the Scot was next in line to be 'promoted' to the government as the Minister of the Interior.

"What is it? Well, I will be overseeing the developement of all our cities. What do you mean, what's a city? It's where the gods told these guys to make us live, of course, how should I know?"

Finally, Uber Krux was appointed as Minister of Defense.

"My job? My job is to defend our peoples against the many threats to our daily lives! Danger that lurks behind every tree, around every bend! I'm telling you, SEE, there! The enemy!" Uber bounds off into the brush after what appears to be a rabbit...

With such leadership, Apolyton is sure to thrive in the ensuing changes.

- UnOrthOdOx

Apolyton Founded
Our first 'City'

As promised, the leaders announced an end to the days of our nomadic past with the formation of the new "city" known as Apolyton:

The Messenger Founded!
UnO's gone mad....

I'm noticing I'm a little bit rusty here guys. However, The Messenger will be bringing you the latest news every other week from here on out. Actually, the next edition will likely be out on the 28th of March. In between, I am considering placing up special editions or perhaps only emailing links to those who sign up for our distribution list (link to come after posting).

This is a work in progress, and I will get back into the swing of writting news in the comming months. For anyone wanting to help out, please contact me via PM or Email (SirUlias@AOL.com) or watch my office thread for requests to the public.

- UnOrthOdOx

Welcome to the Grapevine, each edition we will be presenting the most recent letters and rumors here in this section. But, remember, you heard it through THE GRAPEVINE.

Aidun sniffing fumes? Bad Drink? Work of the Gods?
YOU decide

The Oracle of Apolyton has been constructed within the city and many proceed to get their daily dose of wisdom from Aidun who claims to be speaking on behalf of Apollo himself. Grapevine reporter MrWhereItsAt was sent to seek out the truth behind this supposed communion. Unfortunately, WIA is now being tended to by the local healers. Before slipping into unconscious, he reported a strange smell permeating The Oracle as he slipped by the guards to see for himself what was inside. This smell was nearly immediately followed by dizziness and what WIA claimed to be 'fuzzy vision'.

Aidun claims that this is further proof that only HE is allowed to commune with Apollo, as it is clear that WIA has been struck down by the gods for his desicration of the temple. Meanwhile, many witnessed the generous amounts of that newly discovered drink known as wine that WIA had been 'sampling' on the night before, and many have reported similar symptoms after consuming large quantities.

- UnOrthOdOx

They call it "pottery"
Eating off of dirt?

The Grapevine paid a visit to our local scientist to see what new wonders they would be unleashing soon.
The Grapevine paid a visit to our local scientist to see what new wonders they would be unleashing soon.

Reporter: Hello, The Grapevine here, can you tell us what you guys are working on?
E_T:Grapevine? Never heard of it. Sounds like one of UnO's ideas...

Reporter: Why, yes, it is. It's going to be a new section of The Messenger.
E_T: Well then, come right in. This is what we are going to be calling pottery!

E_T leads us into a large cave where there are several workers digging into the floor.

Reporter: Uh...you mean the dirt there?
E_T: That's not dirt, it's clay! With a little water added in, you can shape it into extraordinary items such as pots or glasses, or even dishes.

Reporter: So....it's mud then?
E_T: No, I told you, it's clay. We dig it up, wet it, shape it, then throw it in a fire. The fire dries it.

Reporter: So, it becomes dirt again when it dries?
E_T: No, it becomes whatever we shape it into, see?

E_T: Well, obviously we need a little practice, but you could drink right out of that there, watch!

E_T reaches for the...whatever...and it crumbles in his hands.

E_T: Hmm, must need a bigger fire....
Reporter: See, told you it became dirt again.

- UnOrthOdOx

Disclaimer:
The Messenger is not responsible for any attempt to run this or any future newspaper through a spellchecker. Damage to both the spellcheck and the Computer are considered likely.

Aidun · March 17, 2004, 22:11

UnO. I don't even have to say it, you already know what I'm going to say and what everybody will say again, but for anyone who is not accustomed to this phenomenon: It's magnificent

But err, I guess you have been at the wrong Oracle, the one of my cousin Aidun. The real Oracle is but the Oracle of Apolloton.

The article is great though

Aidun

Octavian X · March 17, 2004, 23:35

Good job.

Drop the screenie of our map, and consider posting this at the UN.

UnOrthOdOx · March 17, 2004, 23:39

Go ahead, I don't think I've registered there. (where is it?)

Fixed the Oracle.

Beta · March 17, 2004, 23:44

Great stuff. Thanks Uno!

Rhothaerill · March 18, 2004, 00:13

Quote:

Originally posted by UnOrthOdOx
Go ahead, I don't think I've registered there. (where is it?)

Fixed the Oracle.

CDG (Creative Design Group)

Also, as long as the map is gone and the part about pottery (since it would be obvious what we are researching) maybe we could make this a news item for Mark and or a Civgroup News item.

Good work UnO.

UnOrthOdOx · March 18, 2004, 00:23

Nope, not registered, no plan to.

ALSO!

IF THIS GOES ANYWHERE OTHER THAN CIVGROUP ONLY NEWS, REMOVE ALL CONTACT INFO FOR ME.

I don't want to be getting folks not on the team registering for email.

Hot_Enamel · March 18, 2004, 01:43

Uno,

You could always put in GF's map of the GoW starting position.

BigFree · March 18, 2004, 18:47

I'm working on editing this and posting it at the UN. This is great!

BigFree · March 18, 2004, 19:07

Here's the "edited" version; let me know if we should run with it. Although we basically, though not outright because we could be attempting to use propaganda, tell people we are researching Pottery, I don't think that's really a big deal. The larger text appears larger in Apolyton's forum than it does at CDG's. I've edited it so that it appears as close to the original as possible.

Quote:

Post subject: The Messenger & The Grapevine: Apolyton literary works

Keeping Lurkers informed and Regulars entertained since 3700 BC------------March 17, 3700 BC.

People form Government!
Leaders promise many changes.

OctavianX, conmcb25, and Togas were chosen earlier this week to lead the mighty people of Apolyton into a new era. Claiming that they had been visited by the gods and instructed to impart many changes to the lives of the people, including a halt to such long founded traditions as our nomadic lifestyle.

First among the many changes they had planned was appointing Beta as "Foreign Affairs Minister".

"All I know is that I get to sit around here and sleep most the day while the rest of you guys go out and gather the food now. I mean, conmcb25 was muttering something about me being in charge of keeping tabs on 'other' nations and negotiations, but I am pretty sure they just ate some bad berries that day or something. Hell, as long as they don't notice I don't have anything to do, though, I'm fine with it."

Kloreep's appointment to "Vice Consul" was the next change in store.

"Me? Well, so far my job has been making sure the consul's are happy. They want a few berries? I make sure they get em. I'm told that should one of them become unavailable, though, I'll be in charge." Upon saying this, Kloreep stumbled, dropping 2 baskets of berries, muttering under his breath "Damn...which ones were the poisonous ones again?"

Paddy the Scot was next in line to be 'promoted' to the government as the Minister of the Interior.

"What is it? Well, I will be overseeing the developement of all our cities. What do you mean, what's a city? It's where the gods told these guys to make us live, of course, how should I know?"

Finally, Uber Krux was appointed as Minister of Defense.

"My job? My job is to defend our peoples against the many threats to our daily lives! Danger that lurks behind every tree, around every bend! I'm telling you, SEE, there! The enemy!" Uber bounds off into the brush after what appears to be a rabbit...

With such leadership, Apolyton is sure to thrive in the ensuing changes.

- UnOrthOdOx

Welcome to the Grapevine, each edition we will be presenting the most recent letters and rumors here in this section. But, remember, you heard it through THE GRAPEVINE.

Aidun sniffing fumes? Bad Drink? Work of the Gods?
YOU decide

The Oracle of Apolloton has been constructed within the city and many proceed to get their daily dose of wisdom from Aidun who claims to be speaking on behalf of Apollo himself. Grapevine reporter MrWhereItsAt was sent to seek out the truth behind this supposed communion. Unfortunately, WIA is now being tended to by the local healers. Before slipping into unconsciousness, he reported a strange smell permeating The Oracle as he slipped by the guards to see for himself what was inside. This smell was nearly immediately followed by dizziness and what WIA claimed to be 'fuzzy vision'.

Aidun claims that this is further proof that only HE is allowed to commune with Apollo, as it is clear that WIA has been struck down by the gods for his desicration of the temple. Meanwhile, many witnessed the generous amounts of that newly discovered drink known as wine that WIA had been 'sampling' on the night before, and many have reported similar symptoms after consuming large quantities.

- UnOrthOdOx

They call it "pottery"
Eating off of dirt?

The Grapevine paid a visit to our local scientist to see what new wonders they would be unleashing soon.

Reporter: Hello, The Grapevine here, can you tell us what you guys are working on?
E_T:Grapevine? Never heard of it. Sounds like one of UnO's ideas...

Reporter: Why, yes, it is. It's going to be a new section of The Messenger.
E_T: Well then, come right in. This is what we are going to be calling pottery!

E_T leads us into a large cave where there are several workers digging into the floor.

Reporter: Uh...you mean the dirt there?
E_T: That's not dirt, it's clay! With a little water added in, you can shape it into extraordinary items such as pots or glasses, or even dishes.

Reporter: So....it's mud then?
E_T: No, I told you, it's clay. We dig it up, wet it, shape it, then throw it in a fire. The fire dries it.

Reporter: So, it becomes dirt again when it dries?
E_T: No, it becomes whatever we shape it into, see?

E_T: Well, obviously we need a little practice, but you could drink right out of that there, watch!

E_T reaches for the...whatever...and it crumbles in his hands.

E_T: Hmm, must need a bigger fire....
Reporter: See, told you it became dirt again.

- UnOrthOdOx

Disclaimer:
The Messenger is not responsible for any attempt to run this or any future newspaper through a spellchecker. Damage to both the spellcheck and the Computer are considered likely.

GodKing · March 18, 2004, 20:10

Looks good.
Nice job.

Donegeal · March 18, 2004, 22:08

Um.. that entire "pottery" story should be removed.

BigFree · March 18, 2004, 22:17

I still think it's fine to inlcude the Pottery story.

I think I will put this picture in as well:

GodKing · March 18, 2004, 22:28

Hmmmm. aren't we at city size 2.... can you update the picture?

BigFree · March 18, 2004, 22:40

The pic represent our "start"; not current affairs.

Togas · March 18, 2004, 22:58

There are some obvious consequences to revealing that we're researching Pottery. Teams may seize the chance to rush to Philosophy (they could anyhow) and teams may avoid researching the tech themselves, which would give us some benefit and trade value.

I don't think it represents much of a danger to us, though. We already have Hoplites, and Pottery is so cheap that we'll have it and another tech before we meet anyone.

Besides, the interview is rather entertaining.

--Togas

rush · March 18, 2004, 23:59

there are lots of "wine" in the newsletter. It's reasonable for other teams to perceive we have Grapes nearby.

Pottery, however, IMHO is ok. It's an article by itself. It could easily be perceived as truth or propaganda.

Arnelos · March 19, 2004, 00:08

Remove the pottery reference.

Our future subjects are not Citizens of the Apolytonian Empire and are thus not priveledged to any details of the Seld--- err... Great Apolytonian Plan.

As such, any reference to the the plan or to elements of its implementation is just simply not for public consumption but a priveledge of being a proud citizen of the Empire.

BigFree · March 19, 2004, 00:50

Two of the 3 Consuls have given their approval. This is now posted.

Rhothaerill · March 19, 2004, 01:19

What about Civgroup News.

BigFree · March 19, 2004, 01:40

Going to go find that now.

rendelnep · March 19, 2004, 07:04

nice call on the city site hehehe.....

civman2000 · March 19, 2004, 09:15

Why are we giving up this much information?? I can tolerate the pottery thing, if only because many teams may guess that it's just misinformation, but the grapes references are pointless and make it very obvious we have grapes.

Aidun · March 19, 2004, 09:37

What a pity they must feel for us: us being on a tiny isle with notthing esle than desert and floodplains...

Aidun

BigFree · March 19, 2004, 15:30

Why couldn't the wine be misinformation as well?

Besides, why is knowing we have wine a big deal anyways? I could see giving away a source of Ivory as a big deal, but not wine.

ZargonX · March 19, 2004, 16:22

Quote:

Besides, why is knowing we have wine a big deal anyways? I could see giving away a source of Ivory as a big deal, but not wine.

Hmm... maybe there should be a wonder based on having Wine... The Bacchinal...

I'll have to propose it to the AU committee....

Donegeal · March 20, 2004, 02:27

Kloreep · March 21, 2004, 20:19

GhengisFarb™ · March 23, 2004, 07:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Hot_Enamel
Uno,

You could always put in GF's map of the GoW starting position.

That wasn't my map, I thought you made it. Maybe it was MZ?

Good work, UnO.

UnOrthOdOx · March 23, 2004, 09:59

MZ wasn't around at the time. I think it was Panzer...