Into the Mind of an Immortal

Tuesday, 24 October 2006 23:33

Phronesis's Orfice in der Clouds                        -      -      -
(-------------------------------------------------)     - #
WARNING: You are in a CHAOTIC PLAYER KILLING room.     -      S      -

  High above the pains of mortal life, a small office has been constructed
in the clouds miles above Alyria.  A small desk lamp protrudes from a desk
crammed high with papers and overflowing with mail.  Sitting in front of the
desk, a tall ice cream chair leans against the sides of the oak wood, and a
friendly wisp of cloud rests at the foot of the desk, waiting patiently for
his master to return home.
     A well used dartboard hangs on the wall awaiting its next volley.
     A cork board leans against one of the walls, adorned with small pieces of parchment.
[AWAY] *Phronesis Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. is here.
**Barely visible to the naked eye, Arcus, the wisp of cloud, floats about playfully here.
A portly gentleman stands here, coordinating tours.

Phronesis coughs loudly scaring a nearby flock of birds into the air!

Barlic says: So, I'm here today in your Orfice in der Clouds, because I bought 15 minutes of your time off of Rathas for 10k gold.

Barlic says: To interview you, ask questions, do whatever.

Barlic says: I did a few shouts, compiled a lot of questions etc.

Phronesis says, 'To be of note, this is a rare opportunity, and shouldn't be expected from other Immortals all the time. '

Barlic says: Of course.

Phronesis says, 'I'll do my best to answer them.'

Barlic says: I suppose I'll spit them out as I get to them.

Phronesis waggles his eyebrows.

Barlic says: Keep in mind Phronisis, these come directly from the players

Phronesis says, 'Sure.'

Barlic says: Ok then, to get started.

Barlic says: Slow computer...

Barlic says: Ok.

Phronesis smirks. Hmmm...  don't you wonder what he is thinking?

Barlic says: So Phronesis, let me start off by asking purely "WTH?"
Phronesis says, 'Agreed.'

Barlic says: Ok

Barlic says: What do you think about the difference in quests per location? For example 5-7pp in Templeton vs 2-3pp in Rune?

'I think it's a fair difference.' Phronesis says. 'Rune is one of the smallest cities, although a major hub of access for a vast array of different areas.  There's also less danger there - no gangs in the streets.  Lord Agrippa petitioned the mayor many years ago to increase the City Guard force there, and it's a much safer city.'

'Templeton on the other hand is a gigantic port city; gangs run amuck on the streets, prostitutes, and I've heard there's a rat problem there as well - so disease could be expected.' Phronesis says.

You snicker.

Barlic says: Ok.

'To do a quest for Lady Templeton is much more of a challenge than in the safe, protected bounds of Rune.' Phronesis says.

You nod at Phronesis.

Barlic says: Fair enough.

'So I think having higher rewards is fine for Templeton.' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: Are you male or female in real life?

Phronesis says, 'I'm pretty sure it's male.'

Barlic says: Are you available for romantic endeavors?

Phronesis asks, 'In the bounds of Earth, or Alyria?'

Barlic says: Either.

'Neither currently, especially in Alyria.' Phronesis says. 'Copulation with an Immortal as a mortal has been known to cause spontaneous combustion on the role of the mortal... a mess even for an Immortal.'

You chuckle politely.

You nod to all in the room.

Barlic says: What kind of music do you listen to when you code / give out cookies in MM?

Phronesis says, 'I listen to alternative and college rock, a dash of ska, some top 50.'

Barlic says: What are the plans for expanding alliances and your thoughts on them?

'I can't get into too much detail about future, unannounced features to the game, but I can say that there will be some enhancements to alliances that will make it more worthwhile to the participants - and more exciting.' Phronesis says. 'Although it's kind of just an extended clan talk currently, I think the future additions to clan alliance will be worthwhile and enjoyable for the playerbase.'

You nod at Phronesis.

Barlic says: Rezyn wants to know why he can't track mobs outside? Too much coding involved?

Phronesis thinks, 'Hmmmm.'

'Oh' Phronesis says.

'I know this.' Phronesis says.

'It involves how the wilds are currently set up, which I can't get into too much detail, but I don't think it will be something that you should hold your breath for.' Phronesis says.

You nod at Phronesis.

Barlic says: You are famous for you Immortal's Own Baked Cookies, but why do they decay? They're made by Immortals!

Phronesis says, 'The favor of the Immortals is only temporal '

You chuckle politely.

'I've had that asked before.' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: Do you ever plan on retailing them in your own brand/store in the planes of Alyria?

Phronesis says, 'It would be a very restrictive store in terms of people allowed to buy them, and I don't really need the money, so it would just be a waste of my baking time.'

You roll on the floor laughing like a madman.

Barlic says: What's better, Pepsi or Coke?

'Pepsi.' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: Is there a map for Ogre Village?

'I don't know, you should contact a cartographer and ask them to write one.' Phronesis says. 'Clan Northstar comes to mind.'

You nod at Phronesis.

Barlic says: If you could change three things about the game, what would they be and how?

'Yikes' Phronesis says.

You grin evilly.

'Uh' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: Whatever comes to mind

Phronesis says, '1) The mentality of the minority of the players that feel that they should do whatever they can to ruin the experience for the rest of the players.'

Phronesis says, '2) More Muumuu shops.'

'3) More player run organizations.' Phronesis says. 'A few years ago, Ressa ran a private boat service that was popular. There were also some players who tried their hand at other in game services in exchange for gold.  I think that added an interesting aspect of the game, and wish that we had more things like that.'

Barlic says: K

Barlic says: What's the difference between animate dead and reanimate?

You snicker.

Barlic says: More fun and hard questions!

Phronesis says, 'Reanimate does up to eight corpses, and animate dead is only one.'

You nod to all in the room.

'Mass animate dead will do a lot more than eight under good circumstances.' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: I have to ask Phrony, what was your favorite toy when you were a kid?

'Lego's ' Phronesis says.

You nod to all in the room.

Barlic says: Do you think the current way the trunk repops is fine? A player mentioned that she thinks that the trunk is very hard to get as is, and would love to know.

You chuckle politely.

'Hmm' Phronesis says.

You chuckle politely.

'I'm okay with it, but I think there are better ways to handle it.' Phronesis says. 'Requiring a quest to buy a trunk was a welcome change in my book, but the randomness isn't something I quite like.  Ideally for me, it would be a unique quest pool and at the completion of that, the player could get a trunk.'

You nod at Phronesis.

Barlic says: The hunchback asks: What elements do you think best attracts new as well as keeps older players?

'The community.' Phronesis says. 'Period.'

You nod to all in the room.

Barlic says: Another long one

Barlic says: Nyra was wondering... Is there any hope that in the future there will be level restrictions placed on PK? Because she thinks it is seriously unfair to lower levels when those three times or higher their level PK them while they're trying to quest and learn the game...

'There are level restrictions in PK already, so I'm not sure what to say about that.' Phronesis says. 'I suppose the request is for a higher minimum level for PK, but PK itself can in almost any task in the game be avoided, although sometimes traveling through PK rooms is not.'

You nod to all in the room.

Phronesis says, 'If the question is about level differences in pk...'

Barlic says: I think so

Phronesis says, 'hmm'

'This is a weird question :/' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: I believe she was mad at level 241 players insta-pk'ing level 60's

Barlic says: Repeat question from the Message boards

'It's PK.' Phronesis says. 'We have minimum levels already in place to protect players that need time to learn and adjust to the game - but after that point, you need to do what you can to protect yourself.  The Powers and Immortals try their best to not intervene in the affairs of the mortals... and asking a level 241 to not kill a level 60 is just as unfair to the level 241 as a level 60 feels it's unfair for them to be killed by a 241.'

You nod to all in the room.

'I'm done with that question!@#' Phronesis exclaims.

You chuckle politely.

Barlic says: K

Phronesis pulls out a shotgun and shoots it.

Barlic says: Vierna wanted to know why the immortals never talk to us lonely and bored mortals throughout the lands of Alyria?

Barlic says: Two more after this and that's it, promise!

'In my opinion, the main reason I now drift invisible is because we are spammed when in public.' Phronesis says. 'Additionally, it is an Immortal Policy to try to avoid interactions in the extreme with mortals, as we are supposed to be more of a watchful eye than a physical force.'

You nod to all in the room.

Barlic says: Second to last...

Barlic says: Why doesn't anyone make a 'players nearby' for Canada on the MM profiles?

Barlic says: I quote "We Canadians feel lonely up here in the freezing north eh!"

'I believe it is because there is no reliable algorithm for determining relative distance based on the zip codes (or the system they use there, I'm not completely familiar with it) in Canada.' Phronesis says. 'I'm sure if someone pointed out a good source to admin@materiamagica.com, it would be checked into and maybe added.'

Barlic says: Do you wish that you could be doing something better right now than listening to me interview you?

'I have some homework I could be working on, and two areas to finish, but I enjoy answering the questions and giving someone somewhere to point to so I don't have to repeatedly answer the same things...' Phronesis says. 'So in the end, no.  I'm okay with this '

You nod to all in the room.

Barlic says: Alright then, I suppose this concludes this 'Into the mind of an Immortal!' on Wednesday, April the 24th, year 1440!

Barlic says: Thank you for your time out of your busy schedule Phronesis!

Phronesis snaps to attention and salutes you.

You bow before him.

Barlic says: Hrmm

'Lovely talking to you.' Phronesis says.

Barlic says: Too bad I don't have a change sex scroll handy.

>recall
Nearby interference prevents you from leaving!

Phronesis smirks. Hmmm...  don't you wonder what he is thinking?

Phronesis takes a wand of unusualality from a portable hole.

You laugh diabolically.  MOoOAHhaHAhahHA!@!

Phronesis stops using a manual of surprise.
Phronesis holds a wand of unusualality in his left hand.

Barlic says: No!

Barlic runs!

Phronesis levels a wand of unusualality at Barlic and speaks a sharp word of command.
You feel different.

Phronesis has transferred you.

Runic Temple                                           -      -      -
(-------------------------------------------------)     W E
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  This is the Runic Temple, a large and impressive white marble building.
Beautiful murals are painted on the walls, depicting various Powers.  There
is a marble archway on the west that leads to the other areas of the temple,
such as the Tourist Center, Donation Room and Health Center.  The archway to
the east leads to the beautiful Garden of Life.  
     A magical spring flows gently from the ground.
*A white-robed cleric is standing here, smiling to all who pass.

You tell Phronesis 'Thanks again '
He is away and may not see your tell.
Message: Busy.

Phronesis tells you 'For a 15 minute interview, 36 minutes was a stretch '

You tell Phronesis 'But it was worth it though, and who's counting?'
He is away and may not see your tell.
Message: Busy.

Phronesis tells you ''

Spending 36 minutes with our beloved Immortal Phronesis, looking back, I think about what I got out of all of this? The true answer behind Immortal's Own Cookies!

Slot Machine Tips

Tuesday, 24 October 2006 17:21

Been to the New Rigel Casino recently? If so, you may have noticed four different flavors of slot machine there - gold, silver, bronze, and white. Their different looks isn't just for aesthetic reasons: each type of slot machine represents a different payout schedule. White slot machines pay out more frequently but less gold pieces. To win at a gold slot machine is a rare feat, but will result in a higher payout. Additionally, you can win a jackpot only at gold slot machines, which at the time of publishing was over one million gp and increases the more the slot machine is used.

Eyes of the Cartographer

Tuesday, 24 October 2006 17:10

Ever since I was a young sidhe in the Seelie castle, I've been fascinated in how things work -specifically, how rooms can come together to create something as impressive as a building. After traveling to the mortal plane, the silly little thing that it is, I've found that the mortals also know how to build things!

While their creations lack the timeless beauty of King Sandoval's castle, or the elegance of Eanoss Azelmar, their structures are nonetheless interesting and unique.

I started out learning my way as a paladin and did rather well, but my heart was not in it. Not until I learned the ways of the Bard did I begin to find happiness in this world away from home. The bards speak of far-off lands and grandiose adventures, but what interested me most were the places. Mountains and plains, fields and forests... arches, columns, and adventurers being consumed by the room itself!

Having seen maps in several shops, I took an interest in making them, but I was unable to produce their effect well. Not until conversing with an adventurer by the name of Toast and seeing his maps of the cities of the land did I have a solid foundation from which to build my own technique in cartography.

Ahh, how time has passed since that time. Nearly twenty five years later, I've now completed and published maps of over thirty-five individual locations made up of countless parchments and compiled together an atlas of the major continents of the world. From my home, the Faerie Plane, to the Great Alyrian Underground, I've found nothing more enjoyable than recreating on parchment the terrain and buildings of Alyria. While others battle the forces of evil or battle one another, I'm typically content to walk by, armed with only a phoenix quill pen and a stack of highly flammable parchments.

The two most fulfilling maps I've completed thus far most simply have to be Hellbent Mountain and the great Alyrian underground. I spent well over a week nestled in Hellbent's embrace... another several months at its feet in the underworld. Though I've shattered my mortal coil time and time again, each time, it only serves to remind me of the beauty of the Faerie Plane and the joys I had there before I began my trek through Alyria.

While I wish I could claim all these accomplishments as my own, the true credit goes to Northstar, the clan in which I have found my home. I no longer weep for the days I can see the gates of the Seelie castle again, or the nights I could spend in the village of Rahdiyr. I can finally say that Alyria is my home, and Northstar is my family.

Alliances, Shipwrecks, Lighthouses, and Mysteries! Oh my!

Tuesday, 24 October 2006 17:05

Alliances
While many clans have had peace pacts or alliances through Alyria's history, consistency within these agreements have been honor bound. Recently the lords and ladies of the land have taken interest in the interactions between the clans and are promoting a system of alliances to help protect their cities. What the lords and ladies have planned for the alliances is unclear, but to date eight alliances have formed:

The Eclipse founded by Cabal [4]
Members: Cabal [4], Guardians [108]

Order of Chaos founded by Knights of Chaos [81]
Members: Knights of Chaos [81], Far Dareis Mai [79], Odyssey [99]

Inverted Magenta founded by Sanguine [18]
Members: Sanguine [18], Aurora [105]

The Iron Crown founded by The Cwn Annwn [92]
Members: The Cwn Annwn [92], Paradigm [119], Timeworn [110], SpiritWalk [13], Legacy [109]

The Forsaken founded by The Fallen [89]
Members: The Fallen [89], Transcend [67], Mirage [58]

Navigators of Dawn founded by Northstar [47]
Members: Northstar [47], Kindred [96], Arbiters of Fate [124], Prophecy [5]

The Ivory Tower founded by Vigil [12]
Members: Vigil [12], Tuath Fiana [1], Pandemonium [131], Knighthood [11]

Swords of Alyria founded by Mercenaries of War [120]
Members: Mercenaries of War [120], Power of Entropy [36], Midwinter Equinox [14], Supremacy [75]

The Feisty Wench Found!
The lost mercantile vessel the Feisty Wench, owned by a former military officer Captain Hardwigg, has been located. The ship ran ashore on an island during its voyage from Sigil to Tellerium. The circumstances of the misfortune are unknown, as is the cargo manifest for the vessel. Lord Vendredi and Lord Telleri have expressed their remorse for the lost sailors and their families and are leading humanitarian efforts in their respective city to help the effected families. No further investigation into the wreck is anticipated at this time.

Historic Lighthouse reopened
The abandoned lighthouse at the edge of Rune's cove has recently reopened. Fearing vandals or miscreants would damage the historic landmark the doors were sealed by decree of Lord Agrippa, but have recently been opened by an unknown means. There have been reports of ghostly activity in the light house but so far these have yet to be substantiated by any reputable source.

A Hidden Forest?
Reports have started coming in of a hidden forest somewhere on Sepharia. The details have been sketchy and conflicting. Some adventurers have claimed it is inhabited by spirits, while other say elves and still others claim drow. Lady Undya, Lord Agrippa and Lord Vendredi have sent out a teams of explorers to investigate the claims and ensure there are no threats hidden in the forests around their cities.

Sophia's Deal

Tuesday, 10 October 2006 17:44

Seems like there is one in every city in Alyria that I had visited so far. Little shops of various sizes buying and selling things common and rare. The prices didn't seem fair but seems like I usually got more than when I tried to auction the item unless it was in demand. I had seen this magic shop several times as I had passed by. There was always something funny or weird or strange hanging near the entrance; blue orb, a funny looking wand, an evil looking staff, sometimes a feather or a brightly colored scroll.

I had never thought of entering the tent. It was kind of tucked out of the way in the Market area. It seemed kind of odd because the only things nearby were Weapons Galore and Saint Ruth's Cathedral. Sophia, that is what folks called the shop keeper, was a nice but somewhat strange elderly gnome. Gnomes are somewhat short tempered and I never wanted to get too close for fear that she might use a teal rawhide scroll on me or some such.

One day me and John were spending the day chasing ducks on Lake Martoon when Pete happened by saying he was going to unload a bunch of old scrolls in the clan hall. We followed him the short distance to the clan hall and watched as he pulled scroll after scroll from a dream cloud. He had a ton of scrolls too. All different colors some of which I knew and some that neither I nor John knew.

"P, what are all the scrolls for?" John asked.

"Whatever you want to do with them." Pete answered.

"I have most of the spells I need scribed already." I said.

"Me too." said John.

"Give 'em away or sell 'em, whatever you want to do with them." Pete said, "I have to go." Suddenly Pete vanished.

Great, I thought, we can make a good bit of gold if we sell them. I started gathering up scrolls and so did John. I ended up with a kente scroll, a rose-colored cotton scroll, platinum-colored scroll, a cobalt blue scroll, a stiff crinoline scroll, a glossy yellow-green scroll, a mottled vomit-yellow scroll, and an opalescent blue scroll. John got a rose-colored cotton scroll, a platinum-colored scroll, a glossy yellow-green scroll, two smudged sticky scrolls, and a brittle feuillemort scroll.

I had visited Shadow Castle earlier in the week and had gotten a personality manual and a wisdom manual along with a few large black pearls from the Sorceress. I got a wand of magic darts from the apprentice sorceress as well. I had tried to sell that wand everywhere. I auctioned it and no one wanted it. I took it to Potions & Lore and to Best Pawn in New Rigel and to the Antique Shop and Grimaldi's Magic Shop in Rune and to Jeldar's Pawn Shop in Tellerium and no one would buy it. It seemed a waste to destroy it so I held onto it.

"Where are you gonna sell your stuff at?" I asked John.

"I'm going to try Pirate's Cove and Maldra's Keep." said John.

"Why so far away?" I asked.

"I'm going there anyway," John said , "I kind of like going to Maldra's Keep now."

"I'm going to stay closer to home," I said, "maybe Sophia will buy my stuff."

"You be careful of that old one," John said with a scowl, "that old gnome isn't to be trusted. You know how everyone in the city is leery of her."

I nodded.

"I will be careful." I said with a touch of fear in my voice.

I waved to John just before he vanished to his home. I put all my scrolls in my second gnomish miner's bag not wanting to mix those with the items I already had in my first bag.

I made my way to Templeton and as I was crossing the Flaran plains a centaur ranger attacked me. I was unprepared too not having memorized my spells before I left the clan hall. Fortunately I had grown enough and had recently purchased decent armor so that the ranger's attack barely phased me. I bashed him in the head with my footman's mace and went on my way to Templeton.

A sailor's haven Templeton is. I love the smell of the salt in the air along with the various dock smells. The city's janitors were a little relaxed with their work. Piles of trash were everywhere and I don't know which was more popular between the sewer rats, the fat cats, or the Persian cats. I had heard a rumor that a village had been created north of Templeton to alleviate the trash concerns but as yet it hasn't seemed to help.

I made my way up Seabreeze Lane and then past the checkpoint with the gate guards on Stenas Road. I was glad for the guards and the many town guards too. The gang situation is horrendous in Templeton. Seems like several times a day I have to run for my life when I'm here running errands for Lady Templeton or Lord Tellerium. I heard singing as I passed the Cathedral of Saint Ruth and rounded the corner to see once again Sophia Clearsight's Magical Aura shop. A dingy tent tucked into a corner of the market square.

I pushed the flap open and a spooky sounding bell signaled my entrance. The shop wasn't well lit. I stood there letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. Smoke wafting across the shop made it that much harder to see. Shapes and images began to become clearer. I could make out baskets and shelves and drums full of this and that, a fern plant, some sparkling stones, some powder that had a yellowish tinge, along with some rainbowish looking gems, and in the bookcase various colors and types of scrolls.

"May I help you?" Sophia asked startling me.

"Ye, yes." I stammered as I took out the wand and the pearls.

I laid them on the desk and Sophia picked up first one and then the other to look at them. She gingerly picked up the wand and gazed intently at it. Finally she gave a little nod as if she had come to a decision.

"I'll give you 50,000 gold for the wand and the three pearls." she said.

"Okay." I chirped with astonishment.

"Is that all you have?" she asked.

"N, no." I managed to stammer.

I opened the bag I had put the scrolls in. I turned the bag over to get out all the scrolls and they dropped onto a small desk and some fell onto the floor.

"Tsk, tsk," Sophia snapped sharply, "that is no way to handle magic. You want me to buy stuff you'd let fall into the dirt and grime?"

"I'm sorry." I offered meekly.

"Well, take better care young one," Sophia said, "let's just see what you have here."

"Yes, yes these will do nicely." Sophia said with a glint in her eye.

"Are they worth anything?" I asked hopefully.

"I will give you 7,500 gold for them, do you think that is fair?" Sophia asked.

I looked at the scrolls trying to fathom what they were and what they might be worth. I didn't have a clue about some of them. What was it that people had said about Sophia? Was she fair? Was she to be trusted?

Deciding to take a chance I said, "I don't know what they are worth honestly. I came here hoping to get some money. Will you help me?"

Shaking her head Sophia turned and went to the back of the tent where there was an old cast iron stove. With a sigh she beckoned me back and motioned toward a stool next to the stove.

"You will have to be more cautious in Alyria if you hope to have any money in the future." said Sophia.

With her cane she deftly hooked the opalescent blue colored scroll.

"This one is worth millions I'm told," Sophia said, "and I could have easily given you a pittance for it and you would have been none the wiser."

She poked the pile and found the nasty yellow one.

"This one is worth a good bit as well. I've heard people have paid a million or two for it." Sophia said, "I don't have nearly that much to offer you. I will however do this. I will buy the rest of the scrolls and I will offer my services to train you to recognize the value of items in exchange for this ugly yellow scroll. You may keep the opalescent blue colored one to sell for a better price. Does this seem a fair trade to you?"

"Why me?" I asked.

Sophia looked into the fire sadly it seemed and said, "I have lived in this city for years. I've bought and sold from both the travelers and the city folk. I've earned a good name and yet the people here still don't trust me. I'm old and don't have any younglings and will be leaving for my home soon. I want to pass my knowledge on to someone who will use it wisely. You came in and you trusted me and that is reason enough for me."

"Can I give you an answer later?" I asked.

"Yes," Sophia said peering intently at me, "you have until the end of the week."

Sophia got up and took a safe that had been hidden out from behind the desk. She deftly counted out $7500 and gave it to me along with the ugly yellow scroll and the rainbow colored one. I stuck both scrolls in my bag and the gold into an old piggy bank I carry with me and I made for the door.

"I hope to see you soon." Sophia called out just before the flap closed.

I made my way back to the clan hall and waited for John.

The more I thought about it the more convinced I became that a merchant's skill would be very useful in the days to come.