Yes, it really is that time once more. Please remember your own names and if you don't like holiday names, please log off and come back January 1, 2006.
Ho ho ho.
Alexxxis - Holiday Ham
Arkain - Fruitcake
Armanon - Drummerboy
Athyar - Manger
Burk - Partridge
Carbuccle - Virgin Mary
Crimson - Ho Ho Ho
Doomdrake - Jolly
Dorgoth - Stocking
Drizzt - Wreath
Echos - Holly
Elissa - Tinsel
Fury - Cacat de Ren
Grizzly - Yule Fool
Irina - Turtledove
Janemba - Ribbons
Jorizon - Mistletoe
Kaiko - Baby Jesus
Kallin - Cacat de Santa
Lenn - Sugar Cookie
Merryck - Tiny Tim
Morthoseth - Gumdrop
Padaxas - Figgy Pudding
Pergle - Shitty Gift
Razor - North Pole
Rauln - Mitten
Rauve - Rudolph
Rennomoc - Garland
Sebek - Silver Bells
Sfen - French Hens (3)
Silas - Rum Punch
Silence - Carol
Silthe - Father Time
Sparky - Eggnog
Squiggy - Snowball
Thanatos - Kwanzaa
Tharak - Dreidel
Tialynn - Lump of Coal
Tirigan - Popcorn Ball
Torment - Cheeselog
Torque - Mincemeat
Traian - Merry Merry
Tzoli - Menorah
Urkon - Sleighbells
Vaelin - Jack Frost
Vidar - Jingle
Zylkor - Kris Kringle
Below is a nice-sized list of material types.
Please take a minute to look this list over and if you come up with any we are missing, please leave a comment with whatever it is (they are).
Materials are soon to become important parts of the game so what things are made of will start to matter. They are being incorporated into a re-vamp of the Immune/Resist/Vuln system to add some realism.
Thank you for your time.
Materials
unknown
acid
adamant
air
alabaster
aluminum
antimatter
bamboo
berry
birch
bone
brass
burlap
ceramic
cherrywood
clay
cloth
cold_iron
coral
copper
cotton
crystal
diamond
electrum
emerald
energy
etherealness
feather
feces
fire
flannel
flowers
gem
glass
gold
granite
hair
hemp
hemoglobin
hide
ice
iron
lead
leather
mahogony
marble
marijuana
metal
mithral
nether
oak
obsidian
onyx
opal
paper
parchment
pearl
pine
plasma
plastic
platinum
quartz
rubber
ruby
salt
sand
seawater
shell
silk
silver
skin
steel
stone
straw
tanned hide
tin
titanium
tooth
topaz
tusk
uranium
urine
water
whiskers
wood
(this is a re-post from the News on the MUD)
Ok.
Fall is my favourite time of year so in the spirit of the pre-holiday season, between now and Thanksgiving you will be able to make some changes to your clan halls.
Things you may change:
Location of clan stone. 10k per Stone
Clan Maze Entry Point: 20k
Additional Maze Guard: 20k
Clan Repair Mob: 20k
Additional Maze Rooms (max of 3 for now): 15k per room
Now.
Some of you have complained about the elements of your clan spell. We are open to WELL THOUGHT OUT AND NOT OVERPOWERED suggestions for ONE (that's 1) element of your clan spell.
This is not a definite, it has to be approved before it would be changed and this is not something you can buy down the road.
The easiest way to get things done for your clan is to pick one person to handle the noting. Plan out ALL elements of what you want changed before noting us. I want notes with all the information included, not bits and pieces.
As for clan spell changes, you must include a valid reason and keeping in line with the clan ethos/RP is even better. Noting that you want such and such because
So your halls and your spells are in your hands. Think carefully.
*****************************************************
Sample:
Clan Stone A moved to
Repeat for B, C, D.
Clan Maze point moved to
One repair Mob
One Maze Guard
2 maze rooms
Total Cost: 130k to be paid
We would like the element of 'attack undead double' changed to attack CoPP double because we're evil bastards and want to kill only the good.
*****************************************************
Written that way, the clan would get attention.
Think it over.
...when she told you to wear your galoshes!
Time of Darkness is pleased to announce the following changes in code:
**Months of the year have been changed and now reflect our Immortals. Along with adding a sense of realism, this will be an important factor for werewolves (THEREWOLVES) down the road.
**The weather can hurt you! Meathe has created a wonderful weather system that can do damage to players standing in weather-impacted rooms (which should be all of outdoors but that will take some time). Weather damage is HP based so while it may be painful, no one is going to die from a bolt of lightning alone.
The new weather system will also work with the Control Weather spell, which until now has been pretty useless. We'll be fine tuning this for players, right now it's a very low change in weather but those of you who have gained Control Weather and later wondered why, we give you weather.
**Equipment Corrosion - I love this one! Once again Meathe has done an amazing job and now your equipment can corrode and unless repaired, corrode away to nothing. WOO! WOO WOO!
Not all equipment will corrode, we're not heartless.
Corrosion can come from either time, certain damage types and weather so be careful and keep an eye on your eq.
All corroding items will have enough time before they rot for you to get to a repair mob and fix the damage. Repair will not be expensive, this is not an attempt on our part to watch you lose eq. There will be a repair mob in Kjeldoran and clans may purchase one for their halls.
You will know if your item is corroding, you will see messages letting you know.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooood juju!
We have been pushed too far by the abusers of safedeath so there have been some changes to it.
You might not like the changes but had we not been forced to act as babysitters because people just could not stop abusing safedeath it would not have had to be done.
Levelers are not impacted by this, we've left the levelers alone.
Safedeath will now render you silent for one tick and blind and useless for two ticks.
This means it now matters where you log out, please be careful. This will help with dumbasses who log out to avoid PK.
People will no longer be able to log an alt and loot a corpse with safedeath.
The severity of safedeath is open to be changed in time, for the moment the entire staff is tired of abusers so it stays like this for a bit.
Anyone still alive out here?
Life is good, show me proof of life.
Here we go again.
The mud is down because the plug was pulled. No bugs, no problems, plug pulled. I've had it with the majority of what's been going on lately and the events of yesterday were the end.
I think a lot of you need to sit back and re-evaluate the way you treat people. No one has to be sugary nice all the time but the level of self centered nastiness and deceit I'm seeing makes me sick to my stomach and I'll be damned if I'm going to operate a game for people like that.
My week started with a player going on a tirade because his drama note was deleted. Too goddamn bad. Plain and simple. I stated a LONG time ago that ALL personal drama is to be left at the MOTD and that's that. NO PLAYER has the right to leave nasty notes to all. This person was also shown to be a hypocrite as he runs to Waterdeep to play but doesn't say anything about Nisstyre removing public notes. No, just bash Kali because you can get away with it.
Nisstyre has always been someone I respect and I went to him with the note situation and was told basically to stop it. No one has any RIGHTS to leave dramatic notes that serve NO purpose other than to cause more negativity. Thank you for that reinforcement, Niss.
Onward. I have always been good at letting people come back to ToD, I could think of a long list of names of people who have been wiped and asked to come back and were allowed, some of whom even got their pfiles restored. But I have also been clear that there are a few people who so violated the core of ToD that they are never going to come back. Small list, I think it had 4 people on it.
To find out that one of the people on the list has been back for TWO weeks and NO ONE said anything to me makes me want to vomit. The fact that a member of my own staff knew who it was and said nothing is an even bigger offense. I'm usually right on character, this person is a manipulator, a liar and a mudslut and on top of it all, has the NERVE to tell other players that my staff keeps secrets from me. To protect them. The ego hasn't changed any.
Yes, things may be kept from me but they never last, sooner or later the truth comes out as we see now. Unfortunately it comes with consequence.
The mistake has been mine in being there for people. I have spent my free time listening to mudders with problems, I have given numerous chances to mudders with problems, I've been a friend and Immortal. And all it's gotten me is called a bunch of names the first time someone hears something they don't like and lied to by people I'm supposed to be able to trust.
So if this is how it is, you all need to go find another mud.
Seems in being people's friends some of you have forgotten a few things. This is not YOUR world. Ultimately it is the staff and I who call the shots on ToD and while I do try to be a friend, I am first and foremost a mud owner.
I'm sorry some of you have chosen to take advantage of the friendship I have shown you and apply it to the mud. To think because I've given my personal time to you allows you to act like a self centered freak when the mood hits. To lie and deceive and cover the ass of someone else. To think it's fine to pull the wool over Kali's eyes in her own world. To bring personal attacks into the game in your flames because you don't like something Kali did, run to Hlyn with your sorrows but tear into Kali because she chastised you.
Well, it's not fine. None of this is fine.
There is no emotional reason to the mud closing. This isn't about emotions although I am deeply hurt at the deceit and genuinely sickened at the events of the week. The mud was shut down because I'm tired of having ToD taken for granted. It is NOT a democracy, it is NOT an anarchy and get the fuck over yourselves, there are NOT that many rules.
A few reminders people seem to have forgotten:
**This is space on a server that is NOT yours. You do NOT have the freedom to make your own rules.
**This is NOT a substitute for therapy. Your issues, your moods, your personal crap has no right being there.
**I call the final shot. I am under no obligation to explain to ANY of you why I do what I do, although I usually do out of courtesy. When you hit enter to go into the game, it's like walking into a club. Someone else's club. You are free within limits but there are boundaries.
**An Immortal's first loyalty is ALWAYS to the game. NOT any one person or clan.
**You don't have to like the rules but you damn well have to follow them. You don't get to make your own rules because you're 'oldschool' or because you sent a donation (the fact that someone this week used the money they sent in a statement that started "the money I sent should at least get me..." is disgusting. I'll send the money back and you can take your entitlements and shove them) or because you fancy yourself God's gift to mudding.
I've never really been one to care if there are one or two people on the Who list. I don't care if a large group of you leave, the way things are lately I'd welcome a few of you leaving and never looking back, take your alts with you. I do appreciate the long term players, I always have. But the inmates have taken over the asylum and kindness is being taken for granted and crapped upon and it stops here.
Look, I'm inviting you all to go find another mud and please, bring your crap with you. Go to WD and cry about not being able to run free as you want, go to Shadow Siege and sit on your ass socialising and not RPing, go to ANY other game and find a more caring staff, I double dog dare you. ToD staffers have been there above and beyond for players from listening to personal stuff to helping with money when needed, to any number of things I can think of.
The self centered have to go. Immortals are people, we are not your playtoys or slaves and we are not here to cover for you against each other, that will NEVER happen again. You think nothing of asking for attention when you need to talk to someone, when life's walls are closing in yet you think you have some god given right to turn on a dime into nasty, lying rumour mongers.
There is a word in the English language, I'm sure they have a version of it in Romanian. The word is 'appreciate.' It's a powerful word the ToD player base has collectively forgotten. Appreciation and the ability to look beyond your own selfish self. If YOU'RE calling for an Imm because you need someone to talk to, chances are someone else is too. Appreciation for time given to you freely and willingly. Appreciation for time put into areas and clan halls. Appreciation of time and skill put in by the coding staff. Appreciation at having a 24 hour place where you can go when you're not feeling great and even if it's just imms on, chances are you'll be made to laugh and feel a bit better. Appreciation for every smile ToD has put on your face when you needed it. Appreciation for having ToD.
Nastiness, moodiness, IRL issues, mud sluts, bloated egos, disloyalty, betrayal, cutting words, net cafe cheaters, constant irl fighting. I'm sick of it. And I pulled the plug. No other staff members were involved in the plug pulling, I did this. And it may come back with only 3 people in the player base but I've never been one to act based on numbers. People will always come back, people will always discover the mud, there are NONE of you so sacred a cow that the mud will suffer permanent damage without you.
It was your world too, I and the staff gave all of you a lot of leeway to run with and you ran, only in the wrong direction.
A long time ago Viwrathe said something about ToD that to this day sticks with me. Those of you who don't know Viwrathe, he is an old and wise mudder, Immortal and PKer and someone whose mind I have always respected. He said ToD was an AOL chatroom disguised as a mud. Never in my 6 years as owner has it been more true than right now with the level of personal crap I've seen this week. Insulting people's unborn children? Tossing gay around like being gay is bad? Comparing Imms to lunatics responsible for the slaughter of millions of Jews? Spending personal time on a ragging tirade on AIM about an imm?
No, it's definitely time to put ToD and its ranters on a forced time out.
So that's that. Yah, I pulled the plug but you all provoked the action. Appreciation.
Please, go take your IRL issues, your hostilities, your deceit, your mud slutting, your egos and your hate and go brighten someone else's world. Appreciation.
I will be reading email and a few of you can come hang in Chuck, get in touch with me if you wish but I make no promises. And I'd suggest some of you go out right now and get a therapist because never again will you have one in me. I am not a punching bag, none of us are.
This didn't have to happen.
Appreciation.
News to All
news subject Clan Wipes & Heavy Juju
Greetings,
Wish I had something happy to post but as usual it's not. Here comes Kali with more bad news.
The following clans are due to be wiped clean of members:
Dominion, Tradewind, Stygian Temple, Ninth Circle, Copp and it's right on the border for OTS lately.
When your leaders were made leaders one of the conditions for leading was maintaining an active blog. Doesn't have to be every day but for clans with large memberships, there should be an entry a week. Each and every clan leader agreed to this condition and one by one you have all gone back on your commitment. If you guys can't take the effort, neither can we. And blogs aside, if we can't count on even a sub-standard level of activity from clan leaders, we're in trouble.
I know it's been quiet and uneventful here lately but it's on your shoulders as much as it is ours. People bringing their personal issues into the game, people who log on, see one or two people and leave right away, people who are given the rank of clan leader and just do not care.
I'm glad you're all enjoying WoW or whatever it is that's keeping your time, I really am. But I'm not about to sit and let people take this mud for granted that it will always be here like an old friend. I'd rather put it to rest with the dignity and grace it has earned than let it continue to sit as it is with people who do not do it justice.
I am deeply personally let down by the clan leaders, I was the one you all promised there would be updated blogs. I am saddened by the overall lack of caring for the game in general from the majority of you, the level of apathy I'm sensing. You don't blog, you don't read blogs, you don't go to the forums. you don't do anything but come on and sit idle to quest.
Is it time to close the doors on ToD? Perhaps. It's as much in your hands as a playerbase as it is mine. Six years is a long time, I can be proud of what we had here and the duration it lasted. Do I want to close? Not really, Chuck sill looms in my mind and there are some of you I genuinely care for. But I can't come on to my own mud and get that disappointed sad feeling anymore, it makes it depressing to be here.
I don't want to discuss this on IRL either. You guys have a right to know what's going on in my head so I've shared my thoughts. How you react to it is up to you, if you want to talk with me further then use email or notes. This isn't drama, I'm not asking anyone to pretend they care. This is posted for people to read or not read and do with it what they will.
So that's what's in my head and part of why I haven't really been around as much lately. No decisions have been made as of yet and if people want, they can read The Kali blog for more on my thoughts.
As for clan wiping, I'll post more on it a day or so before so you're not all confused and screwed. IOoDS is not a part of this as they have managed to maintain a fairly current blog and RP and actually seem to care.
Over and out,
Kali
The She-cat lives!
My apologies to anyone who's been wondering where the Hecate I've been. I got a double whammy with a nasty-ass cold and then ovaries. Woo woo. Spent a few days in bed and way too much time battling MT code but I think I'm alive now. In pain but alive.
New addition to the blog here - Staff Journals. If you've ever wondered about what goes on in the Immortal mind, you'll find it here. Some of you already read them as Immortal roleplay blogs, what we're adding is the out of character section of the blog that is the staff journal. Hope you enjoy.
We have received a total of nine (9) application for the three Immortal spots. This is actually more than I was expecting. Seven (7) of the applicants will be given one week each as an "Immortal Audition." I know I had originally said 10 days but with that many applicants it would take way too long. The first applicant will begin after my birthday on Sunday, March 20th. The audition will run until Sunday, March 27th. I am as of yet undecided who will go first.
Clan leaders - One of the conditions of your leading was the posting in and maintaining of the official clan blog. I am not seeing this from OTS, Dominion, Tradewind, Stygian and CoPP. Get those blogs in order or your leader status will be revoked.
That's it for now, more on builders later.
(This is a re-print from the ToD Forums, which some of you are too lazy to go and read. The link is right here to your right, use it. Only replies sent via the Forums will be considered)
I think it's time to bring some life back to this board. All the boards.
That aside, I'm feeling a need to breathe some new and fresh air into ToD. This is partially to save me from the burnout I'm feeling and to give some new air to the mud in general.
I'm not looking for many but I think a few new Immortals would be good juju.
YOU:
You must be willing to work. This isn't about hanging out in Jamaica sitting wizi and playing your morts.
You must be willing to build in Chuck, often alone, and actually finish what you start. If you don't know how to build we will help you but you must be on and working.
If you are on the main port, you must be vis to all and willing to do things. No need to entertain all the time, you're not Bette Midler, but you should do title quests, load a mob here and there, things like that.
You must be able to separate your mortals from your Immortal. We don't care what clan your mortal is in, if you can't rise to a different level as an Immortal, go home.
You must have a fairly clean record on the mud, known cheaters need not apply.
You may take over patronage of one of the clans as long as the clan members are ok with it. The ability to RP is also necessary as the focus shifts back to Chuck.
You are never to discuss Chuck with any of your friends and trust me, I'll know.
You must be willing to blog, either in RP form as as a sort of 'staff diary' about what you are doing. This is something I plan to incorporate into all Immortals so it's not just picking in the newb.
You must show that you can form a sentence. People from other countries are not excluded, I'm not looking for the proficiency in English. I'm looking for people who don't say 'u' and 'omg' and 'pwnt' and other crap like that.
You must exhibit leadership abilities. Are you a forum poster? Become one. Blog reader? Do it.
The positions will open at 105 and there are no limits on how high you may raise.
As usual, I have nothing to offer as payment, this is a labour of love. Web space, email accounts, stuff like that we have but ToD imms are not compensated in any way on their morts.
If you think you might be interested, please reply to me in a U2U private message here and I'll get back to you either way.
Thank you for your time.
Well, I actually have some real news this time. Go, me! Please pay attention to this and spread the word amongst those too lazy to read.
Many of you donated to the ToD telethon. The process has begun. The full process is going to take some time, I expect it to be done sometime in March. But this is step one.
The mud is moving. Moving to a new server, moving to a new IP, moving to a new address. It's still my server, just the first one (canceling the second is step one to the move). The server itself has more RAM than the other one but there should be no difference
you can see.
The New IP is 207.44.195.67.
The New address is todmud.com, Port 7700
Now, this is how the change will occur.
1. Sunday at 5:00 PM NY time, ALL pfiles will be copied to the new port. This is the cut off point for pfiles.
2. All players on theantechamber.com port will be made PK once the pfiles are copied in. From that point on theantechamber.com pfiles will cease to matter.
3. AFTER the pfiles have been moved, those on theantechamber.com port will have one last free for all. Once you die, you're gone from the port. Last person standing will receive a prize on the new port.
4. The Superbowl Pool winner will receive his/her prizes on the new port.
5. Monday, Jan. 31st, theantechamber.com port will vanish.
To recap for the feeble:
Your pfile that you care about and have worked for will be loaded to the new port Sunday at 5 PM NY time. You can die all you want on theantechamber.com and
it doesn't matter. There will be frolic and mayhem during the move and there will be a battle royale for a prize. Once you die you don't come back, go right to the new address. Sometime late Sunday night/Monday morning, the address change will be completed.
The New IP is 207.44.195.67.
The New address is todmud.com, Port 7700
We enjoy the holidays at Time of Darkness and put a lot of work and effort into making the time a joyeous one for our players and citizens of the realms. Following is a recap of the various prizes and awards offered.
Santa Belt
Santa's belt was stolen by the greased pig, and recovered by Kacus:
Object 'Santa's belt' is type armor, extra flags glow hum magic nodrop bless noremove no_locate melt_drop sell_extract burn_proof.
PK/NPK use is Both, Weight is 0, value is 0, level is 101.
Armor class is 50 pierce, 50 bash, 50 slash, and 50 vs. magic.
Affects mana by 300.
Affects hp by 300.
Affects moves by 300.
Affects hit roll by 35.
Affects damage roll by 35.
Affects saves by -50.
Christmas Sword
Dew slew Baby New Year and gained the fabulous Christmas Sword:
Object 'christmas sword' is type weapon, extra flags glow hum magic bless noremove nopurge no_sac no_locate.
PK/NPK use is PK, Weight is 10, value is 0, level is 101.
Weapon type is Sword.
Damage is 36d15 (average 288).
Weapons flags: flaming vampiric sharp vorpal shocking poison
Affects moves by 500.
Affects hit roll by 50.
Affects damage roll by 50.
Affects save vs spell by -50.
Affects hp by 1000.
Affects mana by 1000.
Baby New Year Babysitting Squad
Drizzt, Janemba, Sparky and Bella received for their attempts to mollify and keep Baby New Year, [....G..] a badge that reads "Baby Killer", a special prize.
Object 'baby killer badge' is type treasure, extra flags glow magic bless noremove melt_drop no_uncurse.
PK/NPK use is Both, Weight is 0, value is 100000, level is 50.
Affects hp by 100.
Affects mana by 100.
Affects hit roll by 20.
Affects damage roll by 20.
Affects saves by -25.
Christmas Ornaments
And the Immortals have decided, the winners for this year's Christmas Ornaments are as follows:
Kaiko with first place, wins a 'special' prize:
the bandolier of illimitable vacuity
Object 'bandolier vacuity illimitable' is type container, extra flags nodrop noremove non_metal no_locate burn_proof no_uncurse.
PK/NPK use is PK, Weight is 4, value is 10000, level is 101.
Capacity: 5000# Maximum weight: 1000# flags: closable closed
Affects armor class by -20.
Affects damage roll by 35.
Affects hit roll by 35.
Affects mana by 250.
Affects hp by 250.
Affects saves by -30.
Carbuccle wins second place and receives the Signet of Noel:
Object 'signet noel' is type jewelry, extra flags magic non_metal burn_proof.
PK/NPK use is NPK, Weight is 4, value is 10000, level is 101.
Affects hp by 350.
Affects mana by 350.
Affects saves by -20.
Affects damage roll by 25.
Affects hit roll by 25.
Affects armor class by -20.
Snowflake Collection
Don't Ya just love it...
Yes, my merry mudtards, it is once again that time of year we all love so well... the Christmas renames!!
This year, all names will be posted here and please refer new and confused people to read this so they understand.
As with last year, complaining about your name will not get it changed back - merely changed again to something even more annoying to you. Get with the spirit and be merry or go hide in a cave until 12/26.
Ho ho ho.
Let it begin.
BabyJesus: Lestat
CacatDeRen: Fury
FiggyPudding: Sparky
Cheeselog: Squiggy
Sugarplum: Skippy
HolidayHam: Raistlyn
CandiedYams: Tirus
Beeflog: Ackmon
Razzleberry: Kali
Turtledove: Navarre
Prancer: Ranec
JoyeuxNoel: Naythyn
CandyCane: Rauve
LumpyGravy: Torment
HolidayGoose: Darkblade
NorthStar: Loky
BadSanta: Smokey
Mistletoe: Ophion
Jingle: Dancian
TinyTim: Thazul
LumpOfCoal: Vigoth
SilverBells: Silver
Fruitcake: Kumorino
JingleBells: Charon
HotToddy: Lament
JacobMarley: Demerol
VirginMary: Memnoch
Ebeneezer: Lothario
MrsClaus: Aelfric
JingleBalls: Talbot
SantasSleigh: Chevy
PearTree: Datrin
Menorrah: Kevin
Tinsel: Kieren
TomTheTurkey: Sam
Frankincense: Typhon
Myrrh: Seishou
RumPunch: Carbuccle
TheGrinch: Azrael
CindyLouWho: Vaelin
Kwanzaa: Choco
ElfGirl: Kaiko
Donner: Darkstorm
Manger: Hanibal
Wreath: Zayne
HoHoHo: Janemba
Stocking: Sesshoumaru
Dancer: Drizzt
RibbonCandy: Gandolf
MisfitToy: Duragon
JollyStNick: Yuuichi
LeapingLords: Wolfzie
FrenchHens: Shenorah
BlinkyLights: Laguna
Poinsettia: Bella
Nutmeg: Crankwanker
GeeseALaying: Mandrake
ReindeerPoo: Xorine
SantasBalls: Vandag
Scrooge: Darkstar
Wenceslas: Starwind
Cinnamon: Anneke
Jackfrost: Dew
Drummerboy: Beregost
Silentnight: Pergle
Nativity: Sahtalus
Xmaspast: Ahriman
Oakmastree: Oaklore
Deckthehalls: Reintoad
Sleighride: Melkor
Holly: Renommoc
Cranberry: Zaoli
Sausageball: Gilneas
Many will notice that some clans are getting their new clan halls. (Ninth Circle, Keepers of the Prism, Tabernacle of Forgotten Lore, Crusaders of the Redeeming Inquisition, Stygian Temple)
In order to make the job much easier/faster for your clan builders, please take the time to post to your clan blog with any of the following information:
1.) One potion shop... give at least 20 potions/pills you would like to see in your shop, with their possible new name, color strings.
2.) One eq shop... give at least 20 pieces of equipment you would like to see in your shop, with their new name, color strings.
3.) Possible mobile names, characters, etc.
4.) Rooms you would like to see made.
This is your chance to participate in the long-standing creation of a hall, something that pretty much stands the test of time on the game. Take the time to consider what you would like to see in your halls, and post it to your clan blog for reference by the immortals.
Greetings..
This is something I have never in my five years of running ToD even considered doing. I don't like asking people for things, those who know me know I have problems admitting a need for help. But I find myself in a dead-end right now and the light at the end of the tunnel is a little far for me to reach alone.
Most of you know I rent the server the mud is on. Most of you know I also have a webserver I rent (where blogsofroleplay.com lives). Yes, it is a lot of money every month but it allows for us to do more with the mud and the other mud on the server and for those of you who blog, it allows for free email and image hosting and all that other stuff.
The server cost has never been an issue, I am currently paying $340 a month between the two servers. Pricey but worth it.
Recently a situation came up with the company I contract the servers from. I've waited patiently for three days hoping for a resolution only to have my trouble ticket closed three times while the problem remained open and currently they have no intention of furthering the issue. Blame is being shifted instead of the problem being resolved and it became evident tonight it won't be resolved.
Moving servers is a huge thing. It requires new IPs, it requires first getting the machine going and then a smooth transfer. It is not something I want to do, it is not something I look forward to doing.
However. This new machine is literally twice the machine we are currently on, either mud or web. It gives us more than we had before and the opportunity to do even more. It is something worth doing.
Setting up a server costs money. While I've never needed to reach out to cover the costs of running the beasts, the setup fee on top of a month up front is simply more than I can handle by myself, as much as this pains me to admit.
And so I come to you. Those of you who have enjoyed what we've been able to give you and who have the means, I appeal to you to reach into your wallets and help the cause. As little or as much as you can, it doesn't matter the amount. Every bit received is one step closer to the goal and deeply appreciated.
I can offer nothing in return for your kindness but my gratitude and if you want, an email address at any of the domains I handle. And I ask that you not feel any sense of obligation to donate, I understand fully that money is hard to come by and even harder to part with.
Not one cent received will go towards any cost or expense other than the transfer and setup of the new server. This is not a "Send Kali to Jamaica" telethon, this is a "Please help the server" telethon.
I have added a PayPal button to this blog, it will take you right to PayPal, to Strega@blogsofroleplay.com where my PayPal is set up. If you cannot use PayPal and would like to donate, please get in touch with me and I'll give you a mailing address.
I thank you for your time and for allowing me this one-time descent into humility and an appeal for charity.
Kali
We've been talking about this but we've yet to really do anything with it so let me lay it out here for you.
RP Points will be awarded as seen fit by the Immortals and will never be more than 10 RP Points in one block. RP Points will be based on the continuity of the blog, a post every 4 months won't get many points. Spelling and grammar will not count in awarding RP Points so anyone is open to receive them. This isn't English class, we're looking for people who put effort into their characters and take the time to come here and enhance their stories a bit more.
RP Points will be awarded to both individual and Clan blogs. Please be advised that Clan blogs are intended to be a group effort, one active member doing all the posting will not get any RP Points for the clan.
I will be putting a list together of RP Points currently awarded and it will be kept in a post here and updated as new RP Points are given. However, it is also your responsibility to keep track of your own RP Points as well.
Once you have a certain number of RP Points, you can redeem them with the Immortals for any of the prizes listed below. RP Prizes are NEVER to be sold or given away or moved to an alt.
The prizes are sweet and the cost is high but since you're all there anyway and so many of you are already blogging, consider it something to strive towards.
ToD RP Point Prizes
100 RP Points (Individual)
Custom RP weapon made for your char
150 RP Points (Individual)
Changing of any one item type
250 RP Points (Individual)
250 HP or
250 Mana
500 RP Points (Individual)
1000 quest points
150 RP Points (Clan)
Custom RP clan hero item
250 RP Points (Clan)
Clan Mount shop w/ 3 mounts OR
Clan Pet shop w/ 3 pets
350 RP Points (Clan)
100 hp for full clan OR
100 mana for full clan OR
100 quest for full clan
500 RP Points (Clan)
100 hp for full clan AND
100 mana for full clan AND
100 quest for full clan
Now get blogging! Your Immortals and your prostate will thank you for it!
Someone asked today how players can get colours in their names. My answer: Pay us a lot of money!
Huzzah!
If you want colour added to your name, here are the prices:
50,000 platinum to have your name coloured and left as is.
100,000 platinum to have your name coloured and restring like Kaiko/Dumbass.
Please remember that restringing the name will not show up on channels or whois, just on who. This is not a way to buy a name change.
If this interests you, please POST HERE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. I will NOT
honour any requests left on the MUD for colour in names.
Please include the colour code in the comment. For example:
Loky leaves a comment.
Character name: Loky
Colour String: {YL{wo{Rk{Gy{x if it was just colour to current or:
Colour Restring: {GL{Ro{Yk{My{Wp{8oo{x if it is colour and a restring.
Amount Owed: 50,000 or 100,000.
Thank you, Loky.
Loky posts comment.
We'll hit up your bank account and take care of the details as long as they are left here.
Now go spend some money!
Kali
Mudtards!
I just wanted to say a public thank you to the Immortals and Ackmon for the surprise last night and for managing to keep it from me. *grins* It was just what I needed and it was deeply appreciated. Thank you.
And thanks as well to those of you who gave up some of your Friday night to spend it on a text game celebrating someone's birthday you've never laid eyes on. I chose a quiet birthday at home this year and while I wasn't looking for pomp and circumstance, I didn't want to spend it sitting alone staring at Darkstar all night. *shudders* Thank you for giving up your night at the bar or the movies or looking for booty or whatever it is you people do and for spending it on ToD.
So thank you once more to the Imms and the morts who were around. It won't be forgotten.
Greetings, Mudtards!
In an attempt to get you buggers to RP more and argue about stupid shit like EQ less, we are now offering the following bribe!
Those of you who take the time and effort to create and maintain an active blog will have the opportunity to receive RP points for your efforts.
When you have accumulated 100 RP points, you will be given a special RP prize that will be one of a kind and will fit with the RP you have created.
Now this does not mean that posting every day for a month and then slacking off will get you RP points, it will not. We are looking for those who are genuinely interested in RP now and RP once the changes come in. Those of you seeking merely one of a kind EQ will never see a piece of RP eq with your name on it.
RP points will be awarded via comments on your individual blogs and logged on the ToD forums for record keeping.
You do not have to be a master of the English language to write good blog. It's all about heart and taking a few moments to plan out what your character is and where you would like to see your character going.
RP points and blogs are completely optional but instead of sitting around griping when there are only a few people on, why not grab the moment and start something on gossip.
Blogging - good for overall prostate health.
Kali
Greetings, Mudtards!
In an attempt to get you buggers to RP more and argue about stupid shit like EQ less, we are now offering the following bribe!
Those of you who take the time and effort to create and maintain an active blog will have the opportunity to receive RP points for your efforts.
When you have accumulated 100 RP points, you will be given a special RP prize that will be one of a kind and will fit with the RP you have created.
Now this does not mean that posting every day for a month and then slacking off will get you RP points, it will not. We are looking for those who are genuinely interested in RP now and RP once the changes come in. Those of you seeking merely one of a kind EQ will never see a piece of RP eq with your name on it.
RP points will be awarded via comments on your individual blogs and logged on the ToD forums for record keeping.
You do not have to be a master of the English language to write good blog. It's all about heart and taking a few moments to plan out what your character is and where you would like to see your character going.
RP points and blogs are completely optional but instead of sitting around griping when there are only a few people on, why not grab the moment and start something on gossip.
Blogging - good for overall prostate health.
Kali
Greetings!
Once again it's that time of year; the annoying Holiday renames! Woo!
In order to make life easier, I'm going to list all the renames here so people know who is who and we won't get spammed with prays from gotards who can't remember their own names!
Let the Christmas 2003 festivities begin!
Balthazar: Zeratul
Cheeselog: Sparky
CindyLouWho: Blonk
Drunksanta: kumorino
Eggnog: Aluqah
Elfboy: Ryden
Francincense: Rosso
Hallelujia: Darknia
HolidayHam: Farg
Holly: nimue
Jingle: adiran
LumpOfCoal: Tori
Myrrh: montresor
Pookiebells: Kurgan
Reindeerpoo. Ezekiel
Ribbons: crimson
Snowball: raistlyn
Startopper: Deemer
Wiseman: Alwind
The results are in:
Halloween Gourd winners:
- 1st - Zifnab - 788 points
- 2nd- Taim - 505 points
Costume Contest Winners:
- 1st - Kaiko - swimmer costume
- 2nd - Loky - romanian vampire
Writing Contest - cancelled due to little participation.
I am holding your prizes, please contact me when you see me.
Greetings-
I've been thinking lately and talking with the rest of the staff and we've made a few decisions as far as the open Imm spots go.
Effective as of the posting of this, all three spots are no longer open.
With the return of Oaklore the quest spot is happily filled by the person who should have it.
The 105 will indeed come from the list of those of you who applied either in the forums boards here or in Sav's post or via U2U to me. I ask that you please do not assume that just because you haven't heard anything you're out of the running. No new staff member comes on unless ALL the current Imms are ok with it so there's always a few sessions of BSing back and forth between staff. Due to the time of year, we are also not overflowing with players and there seems to be more imms than morts at times. Within the next month you'll know who you are, possibly sooner.
As for the coder, I can't advertise for a coder. I didn't feel good about it when I did it and I still don't. The coder is that most sacred of spots, it's honestly the most difficult thing for me to do to place that much trust and belief in anyone. We had the best coder of ToD history and I doubt I'll find another of equal talent so I'm pulling the opening. Maybe someday the right coder will pop up out of the atmosphere, maybe it's the beginning of the end for ToD, who knows what the future holds. I know we have Chuck which is collecting cobwebs and starting to look more and more like a pipe dream than soon to come.
Coders are like Kismet, it takes some mojo for the right coder to appear and being a firm believer in Karmic waves, if Chuck is supposed to come to fruition, a coder will appear.
It's been 6 months since we lost our coder, outside of a few random oddities like the memory buffer things and the heucs with sanc (which was my fault), we've managed to eek by and even make a few changes in ranks and quest crap. It's not what I or any of the staff would like to give you but it's the best we can under the circumstance.
People who have expressed interest in building, we thank you and we ask that you also do not get discouraged if you don't hear back right away. The place you would be building is in Chuck and with everything I've just explained, I haven't honestly had the heart to spend much time in Chuck. Neither have I had the heart to open the Lyceum, these are still tender areas for me and until you've walked a mile in my shoes and know what it's like to spend damn near every day with people for 2 years planning, talking, arguing, anguishing, celebrating and sharing and then have it suddenly vanish, you can't know exactly how much it does mess up a person's head.
The idea of starting over with somebody new is honestly something I'm not sure I can handle. Maybe I'm just being over-reflective but I don't know if I have the mental strength to start over with someone new. Even if they were capable of handling the depth of the code, they're still coming in cold to two years worth of group collaboration.
What we have on the positive side is Navarre, Oaklore and Savitri. Thank them for the new areas popping up all over the place and the Coliseum working the way it was meant to work and the Halloween events and decorations in town and the re-vamping of existing eq and areas and the title quests and find the Sav. They've really gone above and beyond in trying to make the main port back into something which for two years went untouched. And Darkstar's new Name That Tune (Helpfile to come) which seems to have taken off well.
We are deeply appreciative to those of you who have stuck and continue to stick with ToD, even when there are 3 players on and nothing going on. We may not always show it or say it but your presence is noted and appreciated (even you, Sperm).
So that's the State of the Union address for mid-September 2003. And for the love of God or Goddess, why don't you people COMMENT here? This isn't only an announcement blog. Comments are welcome, site links are welcome. ToD is your mud as much as it is ours, get involved in it a bit beyond the questing and PKing and whatever else people do.
For now, I leave you with a rousing chorus of "Piss off," "suck my what?" and
"sugi pula" to all you happy Romanians.
Kali
Well, here we all are.
This is going to be the only place I post any updates from now on. It's too cool not to use to its fullest and those are care will come look.
If any of you would like your site linked here, just post it in a comment and it shall be done.
In the meantime, why not look around the blogs and cheer those creative souls who are taking their characters to a new level and getting goooooooooood blog at BlogsOfRoleplay.com
Meow.
..at long last. I thought it would never come to be.
The purpose of this blog is for the players of Time of Darkness to take their RP a little deeper than it has been, to gain more widespread RP as Immortals will be participating in this blog and to keep you informed of RP streams going on and soon to come.
This will be my last IRL post here, from this point on all posts will be written as Kali.
I would strongly recommend to you and your friends that you check in and become a part of this blog. Questions might be answered here and issues dealt with a tad quicker.
In any case, let's make it good.
