Gateway to Union
www.oocities.org/lordmontahon/main.html

The Newsletter of the Nation of Union/Universal Alliance
6/22/01

Click above to visit Union and see the changes made TODAY!
Please visit our sponsors...helping Union is just a click away!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to the unprecidented success of the new Union we humbly ask all leaders who have members in our mailing list above please inform us if you are forwarding this newsletter so we might lessen the number of those on our list. If ye know of any who should be receiving this and is not inform Lord Montahon. Likewise anyone who prefers for any reason not to receive this please contact him for prompt removal.

~FEATURES~
Editorial: Realistic Fantasy
(Website Developments)
Union Awards, Accepts New Associate Ring
Sponsor Spotlight
Mage Malik to Host Union Tavern
Mages and Mysteries FFRPG: REWARD STILL OFFERED
Union Classifieds
Get Involved with YOUR Union!
This Week's Freebies: Art Programs and Banner Makers

Realistc Fantasy...

Greetings! Another week, another universe of amazing new discoveries and possibilities! The topic this week, realisitic fantasy, can best be brought to the fore with two new MMRPG's our dear Mage has discovered!

Before expounding their virtues and explaining their wonders let me first describe what am MMRPG (Massively Multiplayer RPG) is really about:

In an MMRPG your PC is represented as a figurine (often referred to as a 'paper doll') of you as a person or, in the case of a SF sim, possibly your ship. There are several means of interaction with hundreds (often thousands!) of other players from around the world, hundreds of things to do, skills to learn, money to earn, stuff to buy, things to try, monsters to kill, damsels (and yes ladies, 'dudsels'!) to thrill...

It is important to note here while ye may play these any members acting as a Union member is still subject to Union Law. The greatest temptation (and danger!) for someone new to Union is that of the PK (Player Killer). Granted it is an easy way to make money in almost any MMRPG that will NOT be allowed of Union members.

This is not to say you can't go on as a non-Union Member with another character and do whatever you want. However, if I or Council ever catch wind of the Union or Universal Alliance name being used in conjunction with such dishonorable activities those in question will be promptly exiled!

At the other end of the spectrum if you are totally new to MMRPG don't be too trusting! Many a seemingly benign and helpful soul will stand in wait of a 'newbie' to kill them and take their meager starting gold! While there are several means of 'ressurection' (often referred to as 'res' or 'rez') this always comes at a loss to the player even above what was stolen when they were killed.

Some quick pointers for safe and happy MMRPing:

* Try to go with a friend and, if using a Union character, a Union friend.
* You near always start in a safe place. Stay there until you have mastered the arts of moving aroumd, using combat skills (Not on anyone!), etc.
* Also follow all tutorials on interaction in the game. This is the most boring part granted but after you will be thankful you did!
* Be cynical of those who try to lure you 'out of town' or to secluded areas. They may offer the moon and stars but 99 times out of 100 are u to no good!

There ye have it! Do these things and ye shall have a very successful 'life' in most any MMRPG ye chose! Now, without further adieu, our picks as starter MMRPG's for Union!

[Unable to display image]

The Mystic Realms of Alhanzar is a wonderful land (so I am told...I as yet cannot make it work but will have the glitch fixed shortly!) which is already home to a few Union members. Not the most advanced of MMRPG's granted but seeing it is a free download with 90 days free play and is as low as $5/month after it is one fantastic bargain! Go to the link above for your free download and 90 day trial...be sure to tell them Monty of Union sent you!

Terra: Universal Alliance Hedquarters as our premiere Sci-Fi MMRPG. Get this...it is entirely free! I have played personally and, while again it lacks in graphics and features, you can't beat the price! Become a trader or bounty hunter..just remember NEVER a PK with a Union PC!

Both of the above will in time have established Union Guilds and are ripe for any who want to go there and 'homestead' for our Union...no doubt high honors and Union posts await those who do!

The website has really undergone few changes as matters of state have consumed my attentions this week but some notable are:

* The addition of Diaspora to Terra, as mentioned above. Thanzor will be in Union soon!

* Fine additions to our Library this week include:

* Herbology: A Basic Study by our own Sorcerer Knight Sarex! His knowledge of the ars arcana is truly great and having discussed his plans on writng surely he will shortly have his own wing in the Library!

* Another GREAT phenomena is some of your daily visits to sponsors! Some that are being missed are the ones that ask you to take a poll or give some information as ye enter. If you have the time and inclination, give these people what they want and a little more will be added to our coffers. What you normally get in return is 'junk mail' and, while some may be of interest, each sill have a 'click here to be removed from our mailing list button' (and please tell me if they don't!) so ye may ne'er after be bothered by them again! Union Town and NEW WASHINGTON are also now a great, fun places to shop in our fair realms!

So, there's the news for some of Union proper! Read on...there is still much more that has transpired this week!

Safe and Happy Journeys,
Monty

Union Accepts, Awards New Associate Webring

Lord Monty and the Union High Council are pleased to announce the acceptance of our fine new associate RotSim , best described for the unlearned (as I was until yesterday!) as a Webring but actually is a Rotational Simulation...six 'worlds' where you can move freely one to the other in some very diverse and creative FFRP environments!

With so many options all we can do at first is place them on a Universal Alliance 'star' at first...expect to see more creative links in the near future! This simple coplexity has won the the NoU Award of Excellence! Well done Monica, Chyna and all involved! Members, please visit...I am still trying to get a handle on all that is there myself! Sponsor Spotlight

[Unable to display image]

We don't know how they do it and manage to pay us but if ye have any old video games, DVD's or music, pc or movie CD's you no longer want check these folks out! Monty himself has already begun going through his vast (and often ancient) collections!

Mage Malik to Host Union Tavern
by Mage Malik Deathhand

Monday nights are to be filled with the joyful sounds of the patrons of the Union Magickal Tavern rejoicing. I shall be your host, the Mage Malik. Come and see magic, role-playing, and maybe just come to talk. This is a totally recreational night so please bring friends.

Malik Deathhand

(Time is 10PM EST ...come and enjoy!)

Mages and Mysteries FFRPG
((This is a continuation of the ongoing PPRPG of which our IRL Mage has participated.))

Everyone has noticed the strange Mage who refers to himself as Mayhem lurking about Union's gate. Who is this man? Why is he here? Herein lies a mystery for all who wish to search for clues to who this man truly is and what omens his appearance brings Union. Your only clue: The answers are in Union, somewhere! Meet in the Tavern and Keep to discuss your findings. An IRLprize will be awarded the member(s) who might solve this enigma!

Union Classifieds
A public service for all members, please mail Monty any ads that may be of interst to Union members. Ads will be posted free and will remain four weeks or until notification by the writer he wishes it removed.

Help Wanted

Lord/Lady of the Word (LotW): Union Council post in desperate need of filling! This position currently requires less than three hours work per week and entails:

* Checking all Union Library links and texts to assure they are up to date and in working order.
* Weekly reports to Monty on any problems with these links.
* Benefits include Council voting priveledges and possible IRL employment.

Union Knights: Always 'hiring'! please read the handbook at the Library ('runes' above). If ye have the metal and courage to join us, please do! No duties required but rank may be gained swiftly for: Tavern Hosts, FFRPG Proctors, Game Masters and Recruiters,to name a few. Please send an application (runes again above) stating your interest.

IRL Items for Sale

Darthon's Claymore 32 lbs, 62 in, the original sword of Darthon himself, 'battle scars' included! Lord Montahon hates to part with it but shall if a good offer is made!

Mage Mayhem's Robes Truly magical! These appear as normal robes with a hood but become 'faceless' when reversed. Rare and no longer available (for now!), these are in Union royal purple and drop 48 in from the shoulder. Write Monty with an offer!

Personals

Lord seeks Lady Semi-Successful Lord seeks Lady for IC courtship, possible LTR. Enjoys looking over Union, helping its members, slaying the occasional monster and rescuing the oppressed. Write Monty if ye have similar interests and be interested!

Get Involved with YOUR Union!

When at all possible support Union in these ways, which will allow for further developments and more fun!!!

* Visit Sponsors: Just click on the 'Gateway' link above then to Sponsors. Often just a click brings us much needed funds!

* Visit Chats and Add to BB's: If you haven't joined already please visit and sign up at the links above. These are off AOL and allow Monty to control the rooms and messages. There are also instructions at all to show you how to create your own chat's and BB's!

* Take a Union Title: Many are available and some (like the Union Knights) require little work, if any at all, and offer promotions! See the Tavern BB or write Monty for details or just tell him what you'd like to do!

* RECRUIT! If ye do not have the recruitment letter for Union please write Monty for it. Then it is as simple as forwarding it as a 'map' or 'scroll' to anyone ye feel may be intrested in visiting our fair realm. This is also a free and public newsletter ye may share with all!

This Week's Freebies

In addition to the MMRPG's above here are some great free sites for art and banner programs. Some are on-site works, some have downloads but all are at a great price...FREE!

* introducing Pixia Throw out your expensive and hard to operate art programs...Pixia has it all! A lot of punch in a small space, Pixia has too many cutomizeable features to even begin to mention here!

* CoolText.com - Online Graphics Generator - YOU make the Image!! Need we say more?

* Graphics for your Web Site THE one stop shop for any generic website needs...many of these ye see all through Union!

* Dynamic Drive DHTML(dynamic html) code library! For those new to Java and DHTML (present company included!) here are some easy cut and paste codes that allow great animations and other moving images for your webpages! Hours of stuff to look through but only minutes to apply!

Next Week: Really Impressive RPG Proggies!

"This be OUR realm...let's see she be her best!"
(quoted from LS Montahon)

copyright Nation of Union 2001.Any uses of this newsletter other than prescribed above by permission only.