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The Newsletter of the Union Alliance/Galactic Federation
Click above to visit Union and see the changes made TODAY!
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 of whom
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: A giant leap for Monty...
...seems like such a small step for many with great computer systems and what my upgrades amount to would be considered by thousands a giant leap...backwards!
I have, as such, had a little IRL and IMM (in my mind) RP going on this week since my upgrades. We'll just call the collective greater net and comp intelligence 'Guru'...some conversations were real, some imagined as I made the discoveries myself...
Monty: "WOW! You get much more clarity and definition with more memory!"
Guru: "Yes, my child. That's called increased resolution."
Monty: "Ahhh...WOW! The moving thingies seem 3D now too!"
Guru: "Yes, acolyte. This is known as DHTML."
Monty: "Ohhh...WOW! I can move between sites without having to close the ones I'm on!"
Guru: "Yes, grasshopper. A result of increased resident memory."
And so these 'lessons' continued as I explored the newfound capabilities of my machine and the net as a whole...truly an amazing experience! Still, it seemed for everything I discovered there was even more I am yet unable to do!
So yet another month shall pass without a secretary...not only do I want to wait till we are better established before hiring but I really, really want (opps! last ish! sorry!) a faster CPU and a 3D accelerator!
This conclusion came as I gleefully wasted away every extra cent of my federal 'pennies from heaven' on everything I've wanted so long but was just unable to get around to! One of these was 'EverQuest' which I sadly discovered I needed a 3DX card for! Oh well!
At least I learned a bit about the game with the provided 'mini-manual'...and it seems a great oration (or huge bribe! just kidding!) will be required of any of their members of Chaos and Disorder to join us...from the little information provided it seems apparent those are the folks we hunt down!
Anyway, Union shall not forget the folks with seriously antiquated comps! Until something better comes along I'll be a great fan of Alhanzar, not only because of its minimal system requirements, great price and free download but because its an unbeatable MMRPG training ground seeing PKing is an impossibility!
With Alhanzar as our 'staging area' I added some very important IRL military texts to the Library this week. From the classic 'Art of War' by Sun Tzu to 'Tolkien and Military Strategy', each of these sites offer the 'Cliff Notes' to either the original texts or some very informative fresh approaches to the arts of the military strategist. Some are even required readings at West Point. 'Victori', a student written discourse on the tactical formations of Roman Centurions alone could make ten players as good as a hundred in games such as Ultima!
The truth of the matter is anyone who plays strategy games on or off line can benefit from the study of warfare. Whether its against a computer or other players a simple, fundamental knowledge of how, when, why and where to attack or defend makes all the difference in your very approach to large scale RPing. And, as I've said a million times before, there is NOTHING like coming upon a band of half literate PK's twice your party's size, stomping the living halfwits out of them and watching their little ghosties scamper away as they wonder just what happened while you recover their ill-gotten loot!!!
As most of you have noticed, the Tavern has been 'remodelled' as Union's Magickal Tavern and The Nation has an Inner Sanctum now in Yahoo! Groups...more in an article below!
Other realm development highlights this week include our membership to battle.net, where you can play several incarnations of Diablo, Starcraft and Warcraft free and the LARPA (Live Action Role-Playing Association). Again, too much info for the editorial so read about them in the Freebies section!
In keeping with the 'low comp expectations', I proudly present to thee:
An 'old school' MMRPG from the now defunct SSI (the original publishers of D&D, now part of Wizards of the Coast), this is a truly free on the net game! Total cost for forever free play: $4.99 S&H from 999Central! (see Sponsor Spotlight below.) Like WarCraft and Die by the Sword, here is a game you just get with your friends who want to participate on the net, decide on a password and hook up!
The play is very much like WarCraft and Age of Empires but the major difference is the diversity of native races involved. Of the four I've played the peaceful but powerfully psychic Shama'Li and the high-tech, machine gun toting Obblinox. All have very distinct abilities but the balance is fantastic...what a Shama lacks in armor he easily makes up for in dexterity!
This game is an excellent proving ground for the strategy ye may now learn in Union...get the game, practice your tactics and meet me on the battlefield! And do hurry...all titles at 999Central are close-outs, once sold out ye may never see them again!
Another fantastic week...and still so much more to tell!
Guru: "WOW!!! Its amazing how you can have Union's Gateway and the Federation's Headquarters existing at the same time and place but light-years and centuries apart, yet not, and combine so many realities into a cohesive whole!"
Monty: "Yes, oh wise...one. Its called being a storyteller."
Wrappin' Realities 'Round His Ring Finger,
Bigger and Better: New Union Groups
With the links above you can now access the massive 'rebuild' of the Tavern and request admittance to our Keep's Inner Sanctum where the real action will occur in our 'novel' approach to the second generation of Union! These Groups are soon to replace Clubs and with good reasons: they are better designed, have more 'space' (six times the storage space for pictures, for instance) and more options too many to mention here!
Consider this an upgrade to the existing Tavern over a 'move' as far as the game goes. Also, in our 'mythology' the Inner Sanctum has now been closed but the Keep itself is still open to all and will remain our open FF/BBRPG forum for newcomers or those still new to the ever developing system we are creating.
Tavern Meetings at the Club will end as of Sir Tiggs' hosting tonight but the weekly common's meeting will remain at the NoU Club until such time it must be recreated as a group. Each move will be time consuming so the remainder will be taken one at a time until such time Yahoo! gives the word all must be transferred.
Union Events
Fridays 10 PM EST Sir Tigger Hosts Union's Magickal Tavern
Wednesdays 9 PM EST Lord Montahon Hosts FFRPG at The Nation of Union
Join the Nation if you have yet to...be a part of Union history!
Sundays 2 PM EST Lord Monty's Outings to Alhanzar (click only if ye have not already downloaded it.)
Also watch here for upcoming scheduled events in The Zone and other arenas!
Sponsors Spotlight
In addition to War Winds, I have personally bought three other titles from these fine folks and will soon head back for more! All are top-notch, factory original, delivered to your door within a week and, yes, total cost for each is a measly $4.99! So far I've just cracked the surface of Fractal Paint, an utterly astoundiing chaos tech design tool for creating 3D images (yes, consider the website implications!)
The other two I have are The Unexplained, an in-depth six hour exploration of everything paranormal from Aliens to the Zodiac and AstroScopes, a massive astrology tool that lets you visually see star charts while learning how to interpret them though there is no need if ye'd like the program to do it itself!
The simple fact is if you want it, they have a few of them! Great games like Panzer General, Ravenloft II and Redneck Rampage (both even!) and utilities, educational and general software galore! Also keep an eye on their ever growing DVD collection...still all oldies but still that that measly $4.99 shipping and handling!
Visit them and any of our other Sponsors & Shops of interest to ye today!
Mages and Mysteries FFRPG
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 hint: The answers are in Union,
somewhere! Meet in the Tavern (OOC) and Keep (IC) to discuss your findings. An IRL
prize will be awarded the member(s) who might solve this enigma!
New Tavern # 1 !!!
From the "Right Place, Right Time Department": I have long realized my mistake of placing the Tavern in the 'General RPG' category of Yahoo! Clubs but was essentially unable to do anything about it. Yahoo!'s response was basically 'yes, we move them if we see a need but the Tav is fine where she be.'
With that correction among others in mind I went directly to the Taverns listings and low and behold...the then #1 Tavern had a mere 30 members!!! Without further adieu I then set about relocating all our members of Union, Tavern or otherwise, to this new location with the speed of the Enterprise winding down into warp nine!
This discrepency may be rectified when Yahoo! itself begins the relocation but we already have three new members who have found us on their own in just three days of our 'renovation'! Who knows, but it certainly isn't lonely at the top when its the Tav!
As soon as you are able please use the link in the editorial to get to there and fix up your 'personal space'. At least set mail to 'Special Deliveries' to because, beginning next week, that will be how I mail the Gate! B'bye massive mailing list!
Union Classifieds
Help Wanted
Assistant to LtL Tatanka: Assorted functions may include visiting realm sites, acting as ambassador to affiliates and light clerical duties. Knights will recieve 10pts/hr for satisfactory performance. Please write Lady of the Land Tatanka for further details.
Lord/Lady of Law (LL): Union Council post in desperate need of filling!
This position currently requires less than three hours work per week and
entails:
High Priest/Priestess: This Post requires assisting Monty in the rebuilding
of the Palace Temple and overseeing the recruitment and training of incoming
priests. Some ceremonial duties may include conducting marriages and
christenings. Applicant should be of sound moral character and tolerant of
the beliefs of others.
Union Knights: Always 'hiring'! please read the handbook at the Library and
now in the Knights' Keep ('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 or letter stating your interest.
Gateway News Staff: Any who would be interested in assisting Monty in
writing articles, beginning or taking over an existing regular column or
would like to help in any way please contact him!
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
URGENT MESSAGE FROM ImPoTeNt KiLLa NyTe to LW Terak: i no i is mo impotent den u b
Get Involved with YOUR Union!
When at all possible support Union in these ways, which will allow for
further developments and more fun!!!
* Visit Our Sponsors & Shops: Great freebies and just about anyting you could hope to find at great prices are there! 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: Battle.net and LARPA
Battle.net is the FREE on-line gaming forum for (I believe) EVERY Diablo, WarCraft and StarCraft to date except WarCraft III which is coming soon! Add to that free membership, bulletin boards, chat rooms, downloads and a dizzying amount of info and any fan of these three gaming echelons may never leave their computers again!
The LARPA is another FREE membership for those (like me!) who like it live! Just sign up and you'll have access for everything you need to create your own Live Action events from a 'mystery dinner for four' to a city-wide post holocaust search! Associated with the IFGS, this is an important stepping stone for Union's development into a certified LARP organization! Just tell them ye came via the Alliance of Union!
The simple fact is we are members of about a dozen fine RPG organizations. I will as soon as possible create a room in the Keep with links to all but one of the many wonderful things about all these groups is they never complain, always glad ye came...another is most are free to individual members!
" This be OUR realm...let's see she be her best!"
original material and newsletter design copyright © Nation of Union 2001. Any
uses other than distribution without modification by permission only.
8/31/01
Please visit our sponsors...helping Union is just a click away!
Editorial: A giant leap for Monty...
*Realm Developments
*Game Review
Bigger and Better: New Union Groups
Union Events
New Tavern # 1 !!!
Sponsor Spotlight
Mages and Mysteries FFRPG: REWARD STILL OFFERED
Union Classifieds
Get Involved with YOUR Union!
This Week's Freebies: Battle.net and LARPA
Monty
Calendar of Union Happenings
Mondays 10 PM EST Monty Hosts the NEW Union's Magickal Tavern (Group)
((This is a continuation of the ongoing PPRPG of which our IRL Mage has
participated.))
A public service for all members, please mail Monty any ads that may be of
interest to Union members. Ads will be posted free and will remain four weeks
or until notification by the writer he wishes it renewed or removed.
* A working knowledge of Union Law and a willingness to see it enforced
throughout our realms.
* Assisting Monty in the preparation of Law texts and documents. (Web design
skill desired, not required.)
* Benefits include Council voting priveledges and possible IRL employment.
(quoted from LS Montahon)