___The Official AVATAR____________________________________
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____________________________________February 21, 1999______
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`~-._|
` ~ )Telnet to Avatar at: avatar.walrus.com 3000
- // Visit the Avatar web page at:
,,.--(_ ("""'^. http://www.walrus.com/~avatar
;;( ,___, ,/~`;
;' )/>/ '--,
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Table of Contents
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Articles
1. Editorial by Darii
2. Milestones
3. Avatar's Mailing List................by Cuendillar
4. A Mailing List Primer from the Avatar Online Helps!
5. Birth of a Warrior.....................by Ladyluck
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1. Editorial by Darii
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The Gazette needs YOU! We need your short stories, your informative
articles, your tips for playing, and your poetry. (All suitable for
a family-oriented publication, of course!)
The rewards are many: the joy of seeing your work in print, the
acclaim of fellow players, and ONE LEVEL for each article you manage
to get published!
Mail submissions to darii@walrus.com and make the subject gazette !
As detailed below, your ideas for AVATAR can also find an audience
(but will NOT earn you a level ;p) on the mailing lists.
Read the informative article by Cuendillar about these opportunities.
The Avatar Mailing Lists were created and are maintained by Wiccat.
He manages the entire complex system, and contributes an enormous
amount of time and energy making things run smoothly.
Finally, our Official AVATAR Web Page is always there, 24 hours a day,
waiting for you at http://www.walrus.com/~avatar. It was created, and
is continuously revised and updated, by Szi. Check in, if you haven't
lately. It's a treat.
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2. Milestones......A new feature for the Gazette
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ANGEL PROMOTIONS: Sparkles and Galaheart
IMMORTAL PROMOTIONS:
to Supreme (890): Branwen and Domovoi
to Creator (900): Copycat and Ukiah
to Elder (920): Devastant, Hyperion, and Tanisha
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3. Avatar's Mailing Lists by Cuendillar
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Avatar currently has 3 public mailing lists for discussions,
one list for the distribution of the Avatar Gazette, and various
other lists for use of the Quest Team, the Tech Help folks and
other purposes.
Anyone from level 2 through level 50 can subscribe to the Gazette
distribution list, and the Forum mailing list. If you're reading
this, you're obviously on the Gazette list :)
The Forum list was designed for general purpose discussion
about the MUD, and as a place to generate ideas about what players
would like to see on Avatar, such as new skills and spells.
At level 51, mortals are permitted to subscribe to the Hero mailing
list, and discuss features of the game as they pertain to heroes,
and like the Forum list, suggest and discuss new ideas and skills
for the game.
At level 125, mortals can subscribe to the Lord mailing list. This
functions just like the Hero and Forum mailing lists, but with
emphasis on Lord related issues.
Other lists:
Avatar also runs a Quest mailing list, to which all the members
of the Quest Team are subscribed. This is an open list in that
anyone may post an idea for a Quest to it, but only the Quest Team
can read the mail. One of the Quest Team members will then get back
to the submitter.
We also have a Help list, to which Immortals with technical knowledge
in relation to connecting to the Internet etc are subscribed. Again,
anyone can post a message to this list (with a question about
connecting to Avatar), and someone on the list will get back to them
with an answer.
Avatar also has a "complaint resolution" mailing list. If you
have problems with how something has been handled within the MUD,
you can mail the Exec's and ask for their judgement on the matter.
Be warned, do not abuse this privilege.
For information on how to subscribe to any of the lists which
you are high enough to be on, see HELP SUBSCRIBE and HELP LISTS_RULES
in the game.
Please subscribe to the Forum list if you can. It's a good way to
become aware of other parts of Avatar, and a good place to hear ongoing
discussion and contribute to it.
P.S.: Sign your posts to the lists with your MUD name.
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4. A Mailing List Primer from the Avatar Online Helps!
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OPEN POSTING LISTS:
appeals@avatar.walrus.com This is the avenue for mortals to appeal
a decision/ruling made by any NON-EXEC
Immortal. Give full details. Avoid flaming.
exec@avatar.walrus.com Complaints about other players or Immortals
go here. ANYONE can post to this address,
but use it VERY sparingly.
help@avatar.walrus.com General-purpose address for ANYONE to send
mud/ tech-support questions.
quest@avatar.walrus.com Mortals may send quest suggestions, to this
list, but only the Quest team may subscribe.
MORTAL SUBSCRIBABLE LISTS:
forum@avatar.walrus.com Discussion of the MUD, and a place to send
new ideas. Unrestricted.
gazette@avatar.walrus.com Distributes a bi-monthly newsletter of the
goings-on of Avatar. READ-ONLY.
Subscribe - 2+
hero@avatar.walrus.com Discussion of game features, future, etc.
Subscribe - Hero/51+.
lord@avatar.walrus.com Discussion of game features, future, etc. as
relates to the Lord class. Subscribe - Lord+
This next information is from the online help ( help lists_rules )
1) Mud names are REQUIRED. If the email address doesn't match the
mud name pfile address, without a suitable explanation, it will be
removed.
2) Web-based email (Hotmail/Yahoo/Geocities) subscriptions are allowed
only on the Gazette list.
3) Subscription requests MUST come from the address being subscribed,
or email wiccat@avatar.walrus.com as to why you can't.
4) Real names are optional for gazette@, forum@, hero@, and lord@.
5) Real names are REQUIRED for ALL OTHER LISTS.
6) Only try to sub to lists that are your level and below. Gazette is
2nd level, forum is 1st, hero is 51st, immortal is Demigod, and
senior is Senior. Attempting access to a list above your level will
result in pain.
7) Immortals MUST subscribe or mail Exec as to why they can't.
8) Advertising is ONLY APPROPRIATE ON FORUM. Abuse of this will result
in pain, lots of it.
9) Gazette is READ-ONLY for mortals, trying to post to this list is BAD.
* FLAMING (i.e. personal attacks) on ANY list is grounds for immediate
* removal from all lists. Reinstatement is obtained by petitioning to
* exec@avatar.walrus.com.
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5. Birth of a Warrior by Ladyluck, a Level 197 Hero Warrior
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/ -O-
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/**** /
/ /** Here there be dragons
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/ / / / / / / / / / / /
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__/__/_______/___/_________________________________________________
Lightning flashes in the distance, thunder rolls in the night, and the
moon is shrouded in darkness. A tree of momentous proportions stands
in the distance, towering over everything in sight. Far to the south,
mournful screams echo through the area and I shiver in uneasiness. A
shooting star speeds across the sky. I wonder if it means something.
As I approach the giant tree, I see a fireplace at the base. Several
shadowy figures surround the area. Two or three of them wear robes,
another wears studded leather gear, and yet another wears the tell-tale
robes of a monk.
The old man in the center beckons for me to come closer. "Hello,
warrior," the old man greets. "Welcome to the Tree of Knowledge. I'm
Nom, the healer. If you need any healing, I will do it for a minor
fee, but if you want to learn about this world, you must first go to
Mudschool."
He points to a portal behind him. I nod in understanding and move
towards the portal. Abruptly, a strong, muscled hand grabs my arm.
"Warrior, I would give you some advice," the man in leather said.
"Wear everything you receive in Mudschool, kill everything, and do not
let anyone get in your way. It is the only way you will advance in
power."
"I see," I said, wondering what the man was talking about. He let go
of my arm and I advance towards the portal.
The entering of the portal is the most unusual thing I have ever
experienced. I feel a loss of power as I enter and disorientated at
being someplace else in so short a time. The first thing I see is a sign
that reads, "Welcome to Mudschool!" I read the sign completely,
absorbing all the information I can. I have a feeling I am going to
need it.
Advancing from room to room, I read the signs, each telling me
something different. I set my wimpy, I learn how to attack, how to move
from place to place, and how to pick up items. As I turn around a bend,
I see a lizard holding a shiny orb of glass. He as a pink aura
surrounding him, making him a very visible target. I slip my short
sword out of the scabbard and put myself in an offensive stance. I
slowly approach the lizard. /
_ )( ______________________
(_)///////(**)______________________>
)(
/
With blinding speed, I swing my sword across the breadth of his
shoulders. His head plops to the ground, blood gushing everywhere. I
smile as I realize that I am now more experienced.
"...Wear everything..."
I quickly pick up the orb the lizard had been holding and I slip it
into my pouch. Suddenly, I know more about the world. Looking deep
within the crystal orb, I learn how to chat with other people, how to
sleep, how to recall, and even how to pray for assistance, should I
need it. Smiling intensely, I move to the next room.
Hours go by as I advance through Mudschool, taking in all the
information on the signs, killing all the evil mobs, and wearing all the
items I come across.
Finally, I encounter a sign that reads, "Beware the Troll ahead!"
Shrugging it off as an easy fight, like the others had been, I eagerly
run into the next room.
A swing nearly dismembers my head! Ducking, I roll across the floor,
bringing my sword up to attack. The Troll dodges my swing and punches
me. I fall down on the floor, weakened. Quickly, I jump to my feet and
plunge the sword into the Troll's chest. He must be tired, for he fails
to dodge. He slumps to the ground at my feet.
Wiping my blade clean of the blood (blood rusts the blade), I run to
the north. An old man calmly sits in a chair. "Greetings, my son," he
says, in an old, raspy voice. "In order to advance in power, you must
first train your statistics, such as Strength, Wisdom, Intelligence, and
Constitution."
"Oh really?" I say, a little bit unbelieving.
"Yes, my son. However, you only have 18 practices at the moment. As
you increase in level, you will get more and more practices."
"Oh. So if I only have 18 practices, which one should I train first?"
"Wisdom is best, my son. Knowledge is power. Not only will you be one
of the most powerful, but you shall gain more practices per level."
"Alright!" I exclaim. "Train me in Wisdom!"
* * * *
Hours later, I lie down and sleep in exhaustion. Not physical
exhaustion, but mental. That old man taught me how to control my
temper, how to know what I should do and when, and which mobs were the
best to kill. My mind feels sharper than ever. However, I must have
my rest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Upon waking, I find that the old man is gone. There is no trace of
him! A new sign appears to the east. It reads:
"Mother Nature's Store: Cheap Newbie Items!"
I quickly run to the east, hoping to cash in on this hot deal. An old
lady stands behind a counter, a broad smile covering her face.
"How may I help you, Warrior?" she asks.
"I need a satchel to keep my things in, " I say, after a moments
thought.
"Oh, and I'll need a lantern, I guess, so I can see. Will I need a
waterskin?" The old lady laughed quietly and shook her head.
"The great Immortal Snikt has decided that nobody should need to eat or
drink in our world." She smiles gently, as a mother would smile at her
son.
"Oh really? That's great!" I fork out 20 coins to pay for my lantern
and satchel. Tipping my new felt hat to the lady, I run to the south.
Suddenly, a stream appears. "Hmm," I say to myself. "This would be a
great place to rest." Tossing my gear to the side, I lie down and fall
asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It is midnight when I awake. I drink a sip of the water in the stream
and reach over to grab my gear. It's gone! I hop up and look around
for signs of an intruder. Sure enough, there are tracks leading to the
south. In fact, I can hear the laughter of someone. Maybe they took my
gear.
I sneak along the bushes to the side, hoping the thief doesn't see me.
He was asleep, hugging my gear tight, and laughing gently in his sleep.
I quietly tip-toe towards him, hoping to catch him unawares. SNAP! I
step on a twig! The thief suddenly wakes up and stares at me.
"No! This is MY gear! Not yours! You can't have it!" He sounds a bit
insane.
"Give me my gear back, scoundrel. Or else." I threaten.
"No! You can't have my gear!" I punch him in the nose. The thief
falls back with a thud, with his nose bleeding. I quickly grab my gear
and begin to walk off. I remember the tiny necklace around his neck.
"Hrmm, he won't miss it." I think to myself.
The new necklace feels great. It's like my brain got bigger or
something. I can suddenly understand things I never thought about
before. Who knew that spell lag was so realistic? Who wondered how
monks learned to attack so many times in one round? Who cares?
_ .----. I finally reach a little turtle that snaps at me.
(_/ _, Laughing softly, I step on him, squishing him into pulp.
'uu----uu~' A little purple potion stands off to the side.
"Certainly this turtle won't need it any longer," I reason.
After another hour of walking, I reach a sign that reads:
"You have finished Mudschool! You can now wander around the wide world
of AVATAR. Enjoy your stay, and happy leveling!"
>Smiling, I use my knowledge to recall to the Tree. Nom smiles at me
and motions for me to sit down next to him. I have a feeling my new
life at AVATAR will be a happy, successful one.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Avatar Gazette is what you've just been reading, and it is the
official newsletter of Avatar. It is published weekly by Avatar,
edited by Darii, and produced in conjunction with the entire Avatar
staff.(Original concept by Asamaro, and revived by Dizzy.)
The Gazette is written in plain vanilla ASCII text to ensure that
everyone can enjoy it regardless of computer type.
To subscribe to the Gazette, send internet e-mail to
gazette-request@avatar.walrus.com. In the body of your
email put:
subscribe username@hostname (MudName - RealName)
eg subscribe snikt@walrus.com (Snikt - Kevin Jagh)
Your real name is optional for the Gazette list.
eg subscribe snikt@walrus.com (Snikt)
You can FTP back issues of the gazette from ftp.walrus.com in
/pub/avatar/gazette.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms,
compliments, or (best of all) articles that you've written for the
gazette, please send them to Darii via my e-mail address:
darii@walrus.com. Please use 'Gazette' as your subject.
You can also view the latest issue of the Gazette while playing
Avatar by typing 'help newgaz' anywhere in the game, or by surfing
our web site!
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________________________________________________________________________
Distributed on the Avatar Gazette list ,
via Walrus, Internet without Limits. Comments and suggestions are
welcome, use: gazette-owner@avatar.walrus.com. For help send a message
to: help@avatar.walrus.com
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