April 2, 1997:

Idea: for a skill that all people can use: taunt: taunts your opponet,
either caausing one: its hits to deal more damage due to rage, or 2: have
it miss more often due to rage-
Mandwe

Tim Hodson
 
 Here are a couple of things i think avians need..
 
 The skill blast Takes forever to fire off again is this for a purpose?,
 if not could you maybe make the wait time to put another command in
 shorter??.. you cant even flee till the wait time is up.. thats why the
 long wait time kinda stinks..
 
 Dont get me wrong blast is nice.. specialy the part when they get
 knocked to ground.. verry usefull:)
 
 New suggested Skill for Avaians..
 
 Enhanced Toughness
 Helps Decrese the Ammount of Damage taken, its a skill,
 Just adds a little Armor Class every level.. Not verry much though ,
But makes it safer for avians to fight at higher levels.. wont help much
at first..  This skill is used Automaticaly.
 
 New Suggested Skill for Avians..

 Wing Shield.
 
 The skill is used once before attacing anything., then once the avian
 gets hit the skill wears off and they have to use it again, verry
 limited but will help low level Avians.. specially level 11.. i noticed
 Avians DIE "alot" aroound that level..  the one thing bad aboout this
 skill is they cant fly when they are shielding themselves.. but they an
 type unshield and then hover.. or something like that..
 
 New suggested Skill for Avians..
 
 Phoenix fury  (yes after the IMM Phoenix thats how i got the idea)
 
 Suggested Level=35
 The Adult Avian Calls upon The Gog's to Release the Fury of the hoenix,
 shortly after you burst into Flames, and when attacking do Flame
 damage, the Flame does not hurt you but does verry nice damage to your
 Foe's.
 This is a pretty nice skill:) But it uses Mana like Track does.
 
 And this is all i have for now...
 ill Give you more ideas etc.. later.. dont wanna drown you with ideas:)
 
 Thanks again, .

Listra:
I have some ideas that might improve BR.  If you like them great, If not,
well thats ok too.

1) Thief Skills - Thief skills are under used in this game.  How about
allowing mobs to carry items like chests which would require kender to
pick the locks, or a mage to unlock with a spell.  (Important, these types
of skill use should earn experience for the user.)  The chests could
additionally be trapped, with a spell of anywhere from the
most mundain explosion to a magical death spell.

2. Death - Death is much too easy on characters here, they are, well, just back alive
again.  Druids should have a resurrection spell which can only be used a certain number
of times per level, possibly based on whether the character has earned a resurrection by
offering up an acceptable sacrifice to a God.  No resurrection earned, character is gone
and player must start over.

3. Magic Items - While I realize that everyone likes to earn magic items, it seems like
every mob in the realm is carrying magical equipment.  Magical items should be few and
far between, else they lose their overall value.  Magical Armor and equipment should be
difficult, if not near impossible in some cases, to obtain.

4. Aggressive Mobs - More mobs should be aggressive.  This accomplishes a number of
things.  It keeps players aware of their surroundings.  It forces characters not to just
roam the realms alone promoting player interaction. Its more realistic (When was the
last time a helpless level 8 elf could walk into a room of level 15 hobgoblins, smile at
them and leave, even if they were women and children).

5. Great Houses - This is a way to organize certain groups for the benefit of the
Realms.  There could be a house devoted to thieves, druids, dwarves, etc. as well as
other specialties.  Membership in the house could be restricted and a guardian could
block the entrance for all non-members.  Membership could require the player to obtain a
number of items or do a number of quests.  It should be more than just show up.

There are other pieces to this, but these should do for a start.  I realize many of
these items would require vast recoding, but if you feel the advcantage is not worth the
work, then just ignore the idea.  Just looking to improve the game any way I can.


Listra
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-------------------article----------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
The newest addition to the MUD is the brand new area
of Horror Hills, meant for levels 10 to 20.  Unlike
the other areas, this one was not added at the 
expensive of another, like Boddy Manor was.  This
area was added without removing an existing one, so
there is no need to replace any of your items as a
result, though the eq is pretty good and you may find
yourself wanting to anyway.  The mobs are hard enough
to challenge you and you are rewarded with good xp
for the risk.  The eq is good, the area is fair sized,
and there were not any bugs, only a couple of typoes
that i could find.  All in all,. this area is a nice
addition to the MUD (at least those of us who have
found it agree).  But ya gotta find it first.

				Vercertorix
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------response------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

ALL RESPONSES FROM ZULX/REALITY:
Some of my comments :
> 
> Idris: you should be able to have local time in the prompt.
> 
Local, like in Local BR time or local RL time?


> Erekose: How about a 'repspell' command, which allows you to echo your
> 'affects' list to everyone on the screen.
> 
Why?  I think we are already informing as much we can. It would make the
other team members do harder work to see what you need.  Just tell them
what you need.


> Lordcow: You could make a command for use only in battle: use "enemy" to
> refer to the person you're fighting against, for ex. cast 'acid blast'
> enemy.  This may reduce the time used to cast spells in battle.
> 
Yes, It will also make you hit the next 'enemy' in the room as soon as
you
finished of the first one


> CuRiO: How about one of the disadvantages of being drunk is that you
> occasionally fall asleep?
> 
Why is everyone always knocking the drunk guys?  Has any sober person
ever stumbled into the Star in the Zoo? Or what about everyone going
west
and you going east, all alone into an aggro?


> CuRiO: fill a partially full barrel of beer to lighten the alcohol (make
> it more like a jello shot).
> 
Buy a bottle of beer



> CuRiO: Deflective rooms... only certain races can go there...
> 
And put a mob there only a group can take


> CuRiO: Flaming rooms... anyone who enters loses a buch of HPs
> 
Aggro rooms?  How do you win?



> Mouser: when you cast spellson yourself that are already affecting you,
> make the spell duration go back to full
> 
With only half or partial spellpoints lost or more than usual?


> Elrond:
> This has come up before ( i think ). I think it would be really, really
> good if we used a weapon long enough, we would be more adjusted to it, and
> do more damage with it. On the other hand, if you use a different weapon,
> you don't do as much damage, because your still used to the old weapon.
> 
Would it also mean that it becomes nodrop, because you get so attached
to it? :)



> Random spell hits: For different spells, maybe the spell could be more
> powerful than it could be if you cast it a second ago, causing extreme
> damage or killing the mob instantly. Of course, this should be completely
> random, and doesn't usually happen. Kinda like with backstab.
> 
> Ex: Your fireball burns through the guard's stomach, killing him instantly!
> 
Does that mean I can't discombobulate anymore with my spells?



> Here's another one: Floods or fires in BR. A fire could break out in a
> room, and spread. The flames could leap to players and mobs, and people
> would have to dump their water containers on the fire to put it out. Or
> there could be a flood which would have the drowning affect on
> non-flying(?) players. May want to restrict these to higher lev. areas. I
> think it would be cool to see Calathar on fire...Maybe after lightning hits
> a player they begins to burn and the blaze burns the room to the ground };)
> <evin grin>
> 
And if we don't have enough water, does Calathar burn to the ground?



> M_nethe
> This might be something for Illithids, seeing as how they have that "mind ov
> er matter" thing going on.  A spell (call it Gills) that would allow the
> caster only to to BELIEVE they have gills, hence having the ability to travel
> under and even just below the surface of water. For Illithids at least,
> there would be no more use for a boat, or snorkles, scuba tanks, etc...
>
I don't know, actually having gills is very different to believing you
have some. 
Think of all the nutties that thought they could fly.

> > Berry: curse affect you like pless when you evil and bless affect
> > you like curse when you're evil :)
> 
> Xyg: But that would be not fair. Evil players would be helped by evil mobs
> casting curse while good players are not, and there are no mobs casting
> bless when attacked. Would be strange anyway, to be helped by a mob..
> What could be better is that players can only be blessed by players with
> the same allignment
> 
Strange, would that also include that good and evil players aren't able
to group anymore?

Greetings ZulX
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------bios----------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

hi, i'm dagmar and i'm a mud addict! my name is actually melanie but i like
to claim it's abercrombie! i'm originally from a tiny town in nj, right by
giants stadium! i'm 22 years old and i'm one of the rare seniors
at alfred university who is going to graduate in only four years! i'd like to
go to grad school at syracuse, so if you go there, tell me all about it! i
started mudding because jello showed me how, as an imm, he could create penguins
out of nothing! i decided then that i needed to start a character, hero, and 
eventually become an imm so i could create penguins too! i love penguins and 
would eventually like to have a whole battalion of mud penguins to go with my rl
penguin collection which currently numbers around 70!

Hello Everyone,
   This is Comatose, some of you may know me as Havor.   I am not the
greatest writer so read this with a sence of humor.   My rl name is Gordon,
and I live in ID.  I am hapily married with one kid.  I enjoy many sports
and love computers.  I am right now going to college and majoring Computer
Science.  I really like Barren Realms, I have been on lots of muds but none
compare to BR.  Well that is about it.  I have a great but uneventful life:)

        Comatose:)

           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------Silly---------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
     The Top 15 Potential Problems With Cloning Humans  
  
  
15> Harder than ever to land a role in those new Wrigley's 
    commercials featuring the Doublemint Octuplets.  
  
14> Two words: Gilbert Gottfried(s)  
  
13> Any scientific advancement that stems from the result of 
    Scottish people doing strange things to sheep is bound to 
    have dire consequences.  
  
12> In mere weeks, Bill Gates (v1.0, v1.2, v2.0, v3.0, v3.1 & v5.0)
    has all the money on the entire planet.  
  
11> Hillary's husband discovers true multiple orgasms.  
  
10> If you think there are too many idiots shouting "Show me the 
    money!" on every occasion now, just wait.  
  
 9> Rush Limbaugh takes his self-affection to a whole new level, 
    and suddenly is IN FAVOR of same-sex marriages.  
  
 8> "Penn & Penn & Teller & Teller & Teller & Penn & Penn & Teller 
    & Penn" much harder to fit on comedy club marquee.  
  
 7> And you think it's hard to find your size now!  
  
 6> 18-month waiting list for George Clooney and Cindy Crawford 
    clones.  
  
 5> "Alternative" radio filled with even more Nirvana clones.  
  
 4> And the final score: the New York Gretzkys - 408, the 
    Pittsburgh Lemieuxs - 399.  
  
 3> Can no longer count on the Grim Reaper to get Jesse Helms out 
    of office.  
  
 2> Those apocalyptic words: "Ladies & Gentlemen: The John Tesh 
    Philharmonic Orchestra!"  
  
  
    and the Number 1 Potential Problem With Cloning Humans...  
  
  
 1> Seventeen Mark Fuhrmans, and suddenly OJ's defense doesn't 
    seem quite as far-fetched.  




Subject: Newsletter 4/8/97
 

This is a day early due to me having a paper to do tomorrow. If you are a
hero and see this message, please reply saying "I got it". Its to update
my files.


TiKwanDO: Suggested Human skill (used auto) like Parry but the human
(since they are martial artists) use they're arms to block hits

Gorzak: Mad Fleeing - in guild for humans... 100% chance of flee success,
but then they involuntarily move in a random directio 2 - 3 times

TiKwanDO: maybe you can add a JumpKick skill for Humans... would be cool.

Zine: ranks in groups.. like mid rank people would take less dmg front
rank would be full dmg, backrank would be 75% chance of being hit

Brand: have someone go around and put abbreviations on items that are
used a lot ..2 or 3 letter abbrevs. i mean

Zine: Skill idea for Avians.. Sonic Blast.. (basically really powerfull
directed sonic attack) not like shriek.. only effects one thing

DaBomb: the bak should have interest

Zine: charm notifier option. have another little thing like affect
command but make it "pets", and would show where all your pets were.. and
if any charmies remained.

Zine: Busy option.. not afk.. but it tells people dont bother me unless
its an emergency or something:) and have those messages like AFK im afk go
away.. etc.. make it Bust sorry, im busy go away . sorta neat idea.

Kiri: for control flames, have it so the light source you use affects the
power of the spell

Quiver: how about making identify show an estimate on how much a
container can hold

Cord: I still think it would be better to have freedom of nutrition to
*NOT* let you get full - that way you can still eat special food items
and corpses and stuff >:)

Forent: how about a heal total spell at clericus or other healers, may
cost a mint but totaly heals all hp, mana, and moves

Corn: Portal for druids...  allows them to portal to nearby cities around
the realms...

Corn: How bout a taxi service?  Pay a certain amount to get to a certain
destination... Maybe only limited to low levels...

Zine: Addition to the Barren Realms Homepage.. make it so Hero's can put
a picture up.. and a description..

CyteLyte: New ELF spells.: Enflame armor (make it a pretty high level
spell maybe level 25) would'nt help much

Poppin: I have this idea for a new elf skill: basically it's a skill that
lets them draw off the mana of the other group members.  If you're
interested at all, lemme know and I'll explain in more detail in a note.
Thanx. :)

Forent: have spells listed alphabetically and practiced spells
available by percentage  ie prac 50  lists all your spells over 50%

Poppin: I just got this idea for a 2 new character skills: One is a dwarf
skill that lets them try to speak right when they're drunk (very dwarf,
no?), the other a whomever one that lets you try to unravel their speech.  :)
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >----------------article--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
This is an excerpt from a paper that Jett turned in to one of his classes.
It describes the camraderie and job of a hero better than I can,
certainly. I hope this gives you a little insight into what its like to be
a hero (EDITED FOR SPACE BUT STILL PRETTY LONG..;)):

	In my life I am a part of many different groups but the one that I
find the most interesting is being one of the Heroes on Barren Realms. My
character, Jett Eboneye, is a Hero of the realm.
	To become a Hero in Barren Realms the player must simply make it
to level 51.  This can take anywhere from a month to a year depending on
the amount of time you play.  It took me 8 months.  When you Hero you have
basically beaten the game and it is a personal choice to remain on as a
Hero or to start a new character and do it all over again.  From a tribal
stand point the Heroes would be the Adults of the tribe.  There are
many changes that happen to the goal of continued play when you go from being a
Mortal to being a Hero.  There are many new rules and responsibilities for a
Hero.  The Hero can no longer just run around the realms and kill things
the way a Mortal can.  Being a Hero changes means giving up this form of
play for a new one.  The Hero stops using the MUD as a game for enjoyment
and starts using it as a place to help others find the same enjoyment and
through this gain satisfaction. First though, the Hero must
acclimate himself/herself to the new class.
	There are many rules for Heroes.  These rules are there to make
the MUD a better place for all.  All of these rules deal with the amount
of direct help that is allowed to be given by the Heroes to the mortals.
If the Heroes were allowed to run around showing everyone where things
were the game would become too easy.  The challenge would be gone.  The
rules allow for us to help directly in extreme conditions only.  For
example, if a mortal is killed by an enemy of overpowering strength then the
heroes can step in and help.  Also they cannot give out items or weapons
to mortals at anytime.  The Mortals have to find these things for
themselves.  
	Also, Heroes are expected to make sure a level of decency is
maintained on the game. No swearing or threatening of other players is
allowed.  The immortals want the MUD to be a friendly place where everyone
can enjoy the game.  Failure to live by these rules does have consequences
for Heroes.  First there is a warning, but only one is given. 
These are the basic rules Heroes work and play by but there is a lot more
to being a Hero than just following the rules.  There are things that are
expected of us because of who we are.
	Overall a Hero is the link between the immortals and the mortals.  The
Heroes act as both ambassador, police force, and teacher.  It is the
Heroes job to see to the day to day operations of the MUD.  These
expectations are performed in different ways by different Heroes.  They
try to perform them all but that would be near impossible.  Some
Heroes are simply better at certain things than others.  This difference is
one of many among the group.  Not only does each hero act differently but
different heroes are treated differently depending on where they fit
within the groups structure.  There is no definite structure within the
Hero group, but there is an intrinsic structure that all Heroes now
about.
	Heroes welcome new players to the MUD and
help to get them started on Barren.  This is the primary duty of Heroes.
The more new players the MUD has the better place it is for all.
Therefore we are expected to help every new player and make sure that he
understands the game and how to play.  Usually a Hero will walk a new
player through the first 2 to 3 levels, answering questions and teaching.
This requires a great deal of time.  Especially if the new player has
never tried a MUD before.  It is not unusual for this kind of help to take
an hour or more.  This is the Hero as a teacher.	
	Another expectation of the Hero is to be a policeman.  The Hero
is expected to watch what happens on the realms and make sure that none of
the players out there break any of the basic rules of the game.  
	Finally, the Hero should try to make the immortal's job easier.
If a Hero can help a mortal in need than he should do it so the immortals
can take care of the operation of the whole MUD and not be distracted with
little matters.  The Hero should answer questions and solve problems if
they can.  The Hero is working as an ambassador for the immortals.  He/She
will let the mortals know how the immortals want things and what
they want done.  
	There is still more than just this to being a Hero.  Our actions and what
we say is very important.  A Hero should conduct themselves as Adults in
public areas and public channels.  The Heroes are respected by the mortals
and wouldn't look good for a Hero to be whining at another player or Imm
on a public channel.  If a Hero wants to act in this way it should be done
through private channels.  Also, other Heroes expect the Hero to treat
them with respect at all times.  It is considered bad form to act in a
childish or pompous manner.  
	The Heroes are a very close knit group.  We stick together and it
upsets us when one among us is lost or causes problems.  When a Hero
makes an uproar and causes problems on the MUD it looks bad for our all
Heroes and hurts the group as a whole.  On a general level all of us are
close friends and partners in what we do.  On a deeper level though we are
one entity.  What one Hero does effects the whole.  Therefore we make
every attempt to stop a problem before it becomes public.  It is not a
strange occurrence to find a group of Heroes having a long talk with a
single Hero.  We take pride in doing our jobs well and don't
want a single person making us look bad.  
	My position of Hero on Barren Realms means a lot to me.  It has
become a very important part of my life.  I enjoy being there and helping
people.  The variety of people in the group makes things interesting.  Age
means nothing in the group.  It is how you carry yourself that is
important.  The group is based on a mind to mind meeting.  There is
no race, creed, or lifestyle discrimination.  I am simply Jett, an elven
Hero.  Anything that anyone thinks of me is determined directly by my
actions and words.  My character Jett is an example of how I would
actually like to be seen in this world.  It is who I want to be and how I
want to be.
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------responses---------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

**ALL RESPONSES BY SGETSUO**
>Mouser: Make it so you can change your "is here" message. So instead of
>"is here" it could be "is dancing the macarena here" or whatever.

This sounds good in principle, but it could easily get out of hand...I mean,
with titles as well we could have:
     
 	"Sgetsuo the dancing rabbit from the far edges of the galaxy here on a
mission to destroy all humanity is jumping around and zapping everyone in sight
like a real weirdo dodgy geezer here"

...and I could see that this may get annoying, especially in a room with
several people....spam city!


>Idris: you should be able to have local time in the prompt.

Why...when all you need to type is "time"? (or just run windows clock in
digital mode in the corner of the screen maybe?).


>Erekose: How about a 'repspell' command, which allows you to echo your
>'affects' list to everyone on the screen.

Yeah, this'd be nice. It would stop helpful druids and suchlike trying to cast
spells on people which they already have. Maybe even have it so that if the
person reporting the spells is below the level in which they can see the stats
on the spell, then if a level 30 (for example) person is in the room they get
to see the stats. Or even give a druid/illithid skill of "know magic" on a
character to find out a character's spell statistics (purely a helping spell
this, I must say).


Lordcow: You could make a command for use only in battle: use "enemy" to
refer to the person you're fighting against, for ex. cast 'acid blast'
enemy.  This may reduce the time used to cast spells in battle.

If you have an alias for the spell, this shouldn't really be a problem anyway.
However, it sounds a good kind of idea and would save time when fighting people
like Shudde-m'ell I guess (which I found out far too late can be abbreviated to
"worm").


CuRiO: How about one of the disadvantages of being drunk is that you
occasionally fall asleep?

What...like :Ciquala ***IMPALES*** you.
	     You fall asleep.
	     Ciquala says "Oh go on...at least TRY to defend yourself :P
	     You are dead.

Seems a bit unfair, if you ask me? As a druid I know I have to stay drunk
nearly all the time, and if I keep falling asleep it would be just a touch
annoying. I mean, how about if you suddenly get cramp from holding that weapon
for so long that you occasionally drop it, or your armor chafes so much that
every now and then you occasionally get an irrisistable urge to throw it all in
the air and run naked into the nearest fountain? Perhaps we could pass on this
one ;)


CuRiO: fill a partially full barrel of beer to lighten the alcohol (make
it more like a jello shot).

Good one! An alternative may be a "swig" command, so you just take a ...
well...swig...from the bottle/barrel/funnel/bath/lake of beer you happen to be
using.


CuRiO: Deflective rooms... only certain races can go there...

Urgh...I mean, doesn't this sound a bit, like, racist or something? What would
you put in such a room, a dwarf-only mob...special elf-food for extra
ear-pointedness?
Maybe each race could have a meeting room if it's thought to be really
necessary?


CuRiO: Flaming rooms... anyone who enters loses a buch of HPs

Why? Is it really not enough to have a mob who can kill you easy enough without
having rooms which do this as well. Maybe make it like underwater rooms...you
can only enter a flaming room if you are wearing a special cloak or are covered
in foam (I mean, who doesn't want to be covered in foam, I know I do!).


Mouser: when you cast spellson yourself that are already affecting you,
make the spell duration go back to full

Yeah...I think this is a really good idea! I mean, it makes perfect sense to
have the spells regenerate if you cast them again!
Also, whilst on the subject, I think something needs to be done about the
"summon" command...if you type in an invalid mob name or the mob doesn't exist
it still uses the full whack of mana points, which is a bit excessive and very
painful to mana-conscious people such as myself.


Elrond:
This has come up before ( i think ). I think it would be really, really
good if we used a weapon long enough, we would be more adjusted to it, and
do more damage with it. On the other hand, if you use a different weapon,
you don't do as much damage, because your still used to the old weapon.

Well...a fairly good idea, but as weapons are very level-specific on BR it
seems a bit unfair. I mean, you'd have to use the weapon for ages to make it
good, and then when you want a better one the new one may not be any good
because of the not-used-to-it factor. Maybe this would just add to the game
though...needs some consideration this one :)


Random spell hits: For different spells, maybe the spell could be more
powerful than it could be if you cast it a second ago, causing extreme
damage or killing the mob instantly. Of course, this should be completely
random, and doesn't usually happen. Kinda like with backstab.

Ex: Your fireball burns through the guard's stomach, killing him instantly!

Spell hits are random anyway, but a killer blow would possibly make the druid
and illithid races a bit unfair (druid esp.). I guess Kender were given instant
kill possibility on backstab to make them equal with the rest, and if druids
had this ability too (and I use about 20 odd spells a fight) it would be a
massacre - I guess I shouldn't really complain being someone who'd benefit from
this, but in the interests of fairness I think maybe this should be kept on the
back burner....yeah, that one RIGHT back there ;)


Here's another one: Floods or fires in BR. A fire could break out in a
room, and spread. The flames could leap to players and mobs, and people
would have to dump their water containers on the fire to put it out. Or
there could be a flood which would have the drowning affect on
non-flying(?) players. May want to restrict these to higher lev. areas. I
think it would be cool to see Calathar on fire...Maybe after lightning hits
a player they begins to burn and the blaze burns the room to the ground };)
<evin grin>

No way! High level mobs are hard enough to kill on their own, without the
possibility of being burned to death half way through a fight as well!
I refer you to the "falling asleep when drunk" example above. I thank you *bow*
;P


M_nethe

This might be something for Illithids, seeing as how they have that "mind ov
er matter" thing going on.  A spell (call it Gills) that would allow the
caster only to to BELIEVE they have gills, hence having the ability to travel
under and even just below the surface of water. For Illithids at least,
there would be no more use for a boat, or snorkles, scuba tanks, etc...

This one makes me laugh :) In a good way, of course. Maybe illithids could have
a breathe underwater effect due to their psionic ability to convert water to
it's component elements and then mixing those elements into breatheable air. I
think we may be overdoing it in the "I believe I have gills therefore I do"
thing. I mean, when they come back out of the water do they suddenly discover
that their lungs are full of water and die of shock or what? Innit good trying
to mix fantasy and logic? ;)

           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------Bios---------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
Hi Realmers;
	You may all know me as the crazy hero named Forent, but everyone in real
life knows me as Kurt. I was born July of 1963 and raised in the area
surrounding Stevens Point, Wisconsin. I majored in trouble and delinquency
in high school and was expelled for breaking into lockers and
reprogramming the attendance computer. I managed to get my diploma with
some effort and then entered the US Army. I learned all about computers in
the service but ended up in trouble there too. After being honorably
discharged in 1984, I started partying my life away. This continued for
many years I was told for my personal recollections of this time period
are scarce and unreliable. In 1989 I got into a accident that turned my
life around. It only took several broken ribs, a smashed nose, a broken
leg, 4 drunk driving tickets, and an act of god to make me realize that
there is more to life then Led Zeppelin, Leonard Skynard, and what ever
will make me "feel better". An amazing thing happened at that time, I saw
that cleaning up my life directly related to my ability to cope with
life's problems. Since that time, I have reestablished a relationship with
my 12 year old daughter, got married to a very beautiful and understanding
woman, bought our own business, and learned how to love myself and other
people around me. (not necessarily in order of importance). Life is not
all "peachy" but it is worth living. The most important thing I like about
my way of life is that I can have fun and remember it latter (smile). I
have always been interested in computers and especially computer games
ever since I downloaded my first game off of the cassette onto the TRS-80.
I am fortunate to live in the same city as the server that hosts this
wonderful mud and was introduced to it through Coredcs. I hope I will
continue to have time to spend with my new family on Barren Realms:) 

        This is Jonathan Bushong, Flynn to y'all on BR. I'm 17 and am a
resident of Upland California, which is right on the border of LA and SB
counties. My parents are divorced and I live with my dad, but I see my mom
often because she lives in the next town over. I have one sister who's 21,
she's moved out and parties a lot. 
        I have no life right now because... well... I don't do anything. I
had this thing about not doing my homework, so I wasn't doing well in
school. I droped out and passed my California Proficiency Exam, which is
basicly the state high school equivalency test. I'm currently looking for a
job and I start community college in the fall. Don't think I'm stupid or
anything, I'm just lazy. I was on our schools academic decathalon team. We
took 10th out of about 40 in county.
        Well that's just about it, if anyone wants to talk to me, chain mail
me, or whatever, my E-mail is bushong@primenet.com

                                Flynn
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------Silly--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

Reason #173 to fear technology...

     o      o     o    o     o    <o     <o>    o>    o
    .|.    \|.   \|/   //    X     \      |    <|    <|>
     /\     >\   /<    >\   /<     >\    /<     >\    /<

Mr. Asciihead learns the Macarena.

Bureau of the Stupid:
====================
     
Police in Wichita, Kansas, arrested a 22-year-old man at an  airport 
hotel after he tried to pass two (counterfeit) $16  bills.
     
*********************************************************
     
A man in Johannesberg, South Africa, shot his 49-year-old friend in 
the face, seriously wounding him, while the two practiced shooting 
beer cans off each other's head.
     
*********************************************************
     
A company trying to continue its five-year perfect safety record 
showed its workers a film aimed at encouraging the  use of safety 
goggles on the job.  According to Industrial Machinery News, the 
film's depiction of gory industrial accidents was so graphic that 
twenty-five workers suffered minor injuries in their rush to leave 
the screening room.  Thirteen others fainted, and one man required 
seven stitches after he cut his head falling off a chair while 
watching the film.
     
*********************************************************
     
The Chico, CA, City Council enacted a ban on nuclear weapons, setting 
a $500 fine for anyone detonating one within city limits.
     
*********************************************************
     
A bus carrying five passengers was hit by a car in St. Louis, MO, but 
by the time police arrived on the scene, fourteen pedestrians had 
boarded the bus and had begun to complain of whiplash injuries
and back pain.
     
*********************************************************
     
Swedish business consultant Ulf af Trolle labored 13 years on a book 
about Swedish economic solutions. He took the 250-page manuscript to 
be copied, only to have it reduced to 50,000 strips of paper in 
seconds when a worker confused the  copier with the shredder.
     
*********************************************************
     
A convict broke out of jail in Washington, DC, then a few days later 
accompanied his girlfriend to her trial for robbery.  At lunch, he 
went out for a sandwich.  She needed to see him, and thus had him 
paged.  Police officers recognized his name and arrested him as he 
returned to the courthouse in a car he had stolen over the lunch 
hour.
     
*********************************************************
     
Police in Radnor, PA, interrogated a suspect by placing a metal 
colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy 
machine. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and 
police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect 
wasn't telling the truth.  Believing the "lie detector" was working, 
the suspect confessed.
     
*********************************************************
     
When two service station attendants in Ionia, MI, refused to hand 
over the cash to an intoxicated robber, the man threatened to call 
the police.  They still refused, so the robber called the police and 
was arrested.
     
*********************************************************
     
A Los Angeles, CA man who later said he was "tired of walking," stole 
a steamroller and led police on a 5 mph chase until an officer 
stepped aboard and brought the vehicle to a stop.


Subject: newsletter 4/15/97
 

Bodo: whenever yu get a tell you shouldbe beeped also..amkes it
easier for you to be able to catch tells when fighteng

Vedder: Enchant armor for dwarves

Corn: There should be a way to check what your afk is set at...

ilvermage: How about having the town drunks carry bottles of ale
or firebreather

Blackwulf: I thought maby after you kill a enemy you can slice off
any of his body parts and eat them

Kiri: put levels you get illithid spells in the help files

Mahanme: have the page pause thing work when listing socials, like
it does when listing commands

Blackwulf: Have a food donateion room

Guillermo: An item that allows you to know your bank balance from
anywhere. This would let you know if you had enough money to spend at an
auction or something.

Guillermo: Have the bash skill work with the shield spell
Kiri- this would defeat the purposes of having shields...

Quiver: New illithid spell:  airbubble, something like this was
mentioned in the newsletter, but basically the illithid uses his mental
abilities to draw together the molecules in air around his head for a short
time, allowing him to walk underwater.

Lycor: A prompt variable to indicate the drunken state (might help
heavy drinker know when to take another dose)

Guillermo: affect should show if you're full

Lycor: New spell... cure drunkness (druids ?) for emergency
sobering (quest or important conversations)...

Quiver: how about making the spell of recall to allow people to
recall in no-recall areas?

Totmacher: a section of the arena  just  for mortals below lvl 20

Mahanme: Illithids should get some kind of psychic transportation skill.
"doorway" would be a cool name for it

Alodar: i think maybe you should have a little note on the
advantages/disadvantages you get when you reach those pivital levels...
ie when you don't get clericus' free help, or when you reach level 20 and
you see what your spells do... etc.

Phread: if illithids have a tail, why cant they sweep with it
          /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-------------------article------------------ >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
	This is the story of the how the avian heroes and immortals
came to be.  I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing
it for you.  Our story begins in the farthest reaches of the realms...

	It started after the latest in a long line of the racial wars
that had plagued the realms since the dawn of time.  During this war, 
the vampyres, a most hated and feared race were annihilated, removed 
from the realms entirely.  The avians, once again shunned by the other
races, had moved away to their city in the farthest corner of the
southern mountain ranges.  The city is called Mar-Tochail which is an
elven loan word meaning "Among the clouds", though when translated as
closely as possible into the language of the humans means "Oxygen mask
required".  Then again, elven language of Sperenthiel and human English 
were never massively compatible, and this is another example of how vastly
dissimilar they are.  The city of the bird people was jointly ruled
by two avians, both already hero to the avian people for their actions
in the last war of the races.  The leader of the warrior and general
people is known as Cutlass for his legendary swordmanship, and he is the 
leader of the rare magically endowed avians, known as the eagle shamans.  
He was a kind ruler and much beloved by the people.  Rumors began to 
trickle into the city through the scouts of the avian armies that the 
other races were gathering for the destruction of yet another newly 
discovered race. Cutlass was hardly surprised at this, until he heard the
news that a rumor was circulating that after the other races were done
with the vampyres, the avians would be next to meet their ultimate doom
while the other races were still in the mood to talk to each other.

	Cutlass figured that perhaps by helping in the annihilation of the
vampyres, the avians could come back into favor with the other races of
the realm.  The vampyres were hated, even by the unbigotted and fair avians,
for the vampyres are evil, fearsome creatures of the night and undead to boot.
Cutlass immediately assembled a crack team of his best warriors, amongst them
the second-in-command of the armies, Berry, and the dwarf avian Shriek.  Soon,
they would have another member added to their force, the avian exile Vercertorix,
hunting for the legendary matched blade's of Evenings Shadow and Dawns Light.  As
per the usual, bad news travels at the speed of light and Vercertorix, returning
from the crypts in Bloc Carloma arrived with the twin mystic blades and immediately
offered his services to the group, which were accepted immediately.  With the
whoosh of beating wings, the avian war party was off to find its place in the
world ruled by other hateful races.  It was a long, hard flight for the group,
with many problems and a couple of deaths amongst the loyal soldiers unknown and
now forgotten in the fogs of time.  But they are unimportant, as we are focusing
on the details, not the unnecessary rubbish.  When the avians arrived at the
final battleground, they found not only were the vampyres fighting the other
races, the other races were squabbling amongst themselves over who had the
right to dispatch the final group of vampyres!!  The vampyres, it seems, had
taken to their last refuge, a giant keep built into a mountain known only as
Tri-locthal, name which does not translate into any tongue.  The fortress was
impenetrable from the ground, leaving the other races confused as to how
they were going to go about destroying an enemy they could not reach except 
by crossbow and catapult (the desire was for up close and personal fighting,
with the winner destroying the loser face to face).  Seeing an opportunity
to redeem themselves, the avians dived into the keep and slew the enemy lying
within.  The fighting was fierce, and many a braze avian lost his life in the
keep of the vampyres.  As it usually happens, very few of the attackers
survived the siege, leaving only Cutlass, Berry, Shriek, and Vercertorix 
standing in the wrecked main hall where the vampyre king had taken his
last stand.  For their honorable fighting, and their critical role in the
battle of Bloc Carloma, the avians were once again welcomed by the other
races of the realm.  After a large party in honor of the avian warriors
and the new found peace in the realm, the avians returned home to the
other avians on the mountain.  Cutlass, already a hero to the avian people.
found himself being given the role of a demi-god for his valiant slaying
of the vampyre king.  Vercertorix became a accepted member of the avians,
no longer an exile, and heroed by the king for his valiant attack on the 
walls of the vampyre keep, without which the avians would all have been slew.
Shriek and Berry, already decorated warriors in the army, found their parts in
the battle, specifically guarding the back of the avian formation from the
other vampyres in the castle, and the angered races outside the keep, had
earned them the title of Sky Knight and elevated to hero of the realm for
their parts.  With this in mind, the avians came down from the mountain and
found they were once again welcome in places they had not been able to go for
years (racial wars being as common as counterfeit United States currency), and
were accepted into all facets of life in the realms, except for the heroes of
the battle, who were recognized in their efforts by the Emperor and Empress of
the realm, and given special status amongst the people of all lands. 

	This concludes our story, and I hope you all enjoyed reading it, for it
is quite long and potentially not to interesting for the other races, I would
like to thank everyone who read it and enjoyed it, and the newsletter for
allowing this long piece into it in the first place.  Special thanks to all
the people who allowed themselves to be placed in this article, and helped
with the editing and proof reading of the afore mentioned article.  Remember:
Have fun MUDing, and don't annoy the avians, because we are just as deserving
our rank as anyone else :) .

			Vercertorix
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-------------------response------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
> Idris: you should be able to have local time in the prompt.

Xyg: I think it's just as easy to let your computer show the time somewhere
in a corner of the screan, like mine does. I could be wrong though for I
know nothing about computers :)

> Erekose: How about a 'repspell' command, which allows you to echo your
> 'affects' list to everyone on the screen.

Xyg: That could make it easier for groups to use all spells available in the
group optimally. Good idea

> Lordcow: You could make a command for use only in battle: use "enemy" to
> refer to the person you're fighting against, for ex. cast 'acid blast'
> enemy.  This may reduce the time used to cast spells in battle.

Xyg: Everyone who has ever tried to cast spells at Shudd'mhel (or whatever)
will see this is a useful idea

> CuRiO: How about one of the disadvantages of being drunk is that you
> occasionally fall asleep?
Xyg: *laugh* then your memory should be affected too in soem way. You wake
up and you've forgotten everything you did when drunk, like that it shows
the exp you needed to level before being drunk and that aff doesn't work
for spells anymore untill you cast the spells again after they're timed out


> CuRiO: Flaming rooms... anyone who enters loses a buch of HPs

Xyg: same effect as a see invis aggro

> Mouser: when you cast spellson yourself that are already affecting you,
> make the spell duration go back to full

Xyg: i fear imms will say that would make it all too easy. I'd like it
though because when i meet a druid it'd be great to change my +5 hit bless
for his +8! (just an example) and i hate it when spells stop working during
a fight

> Elrond:
> This has come up before ( i think ). I think it would be really, really
> good if we used a weapon long enough, we would be more adjusted to it, and
> do more damage with it. On the other hand, if you use a different weapon,
> you don't do as much damage, because your still used to the old weapon.

Xyg: Could make a skill for wielding all sorts of weapons (inguild). So that
everyone starts with swords on like 50% so you're able to fight with swords
(or slashing weapons)(kenders would start with dagger) and later on you have to prac whip
to wield prof jones thing etc..


> This might be something for Illithids, seeing as how they have that "mind
> ov er matter" thing going on.  A spell (call it Gills) that would allow
> the  caster only to to BELIEVE they have gills, hence having the ability
> to travel  under and even just below the surface of water. For Illithids
> at least,  there would be no more use for a boat, or snorkles, scuba
> tanks, etc...

Xyg: dono if it should be like that. But a scubaspell would be great, or
does it exist already?
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------Bios------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
>From kiri@r56h15.res.gatech.edu Wed Mar 26 07:09:49 1997
This is a story about me, Phil, and my alter-ego Sgetsuo. Are you sitting
comfortably? Then I'll begin...
My name is Philip Bailey, and I'm <ack> 21 years old. I get a bit annoyed at
this point because 21 seems to me a bit old, I mean, I get to be 22 in a few
months time! They say life begins at 40 (or is it 50) ... then what the hell is
this bit all about? If it's just a dream, then I dream myself more money, a
flashy car and a big house in the Hollywood Hills. <---(He says wistfully).

I'm at present a computer technician for Nene College, Northampton, England.
For any of you not knowing where this is...you don't want to. It's like a
University except it's not got the status (which in the UK means absolutely
everything....what's in a name? More than you'd think!). My job is neither
glamorous or particularly exciting, but I do get to do MUD to an extremely
sack-able extent and my workmates are a good laugh, so I just don't care :)

I come from a town called Fareham, on the south coast of England. Some nice
pubs there, very middle-class suburban area, two-cars-and-a-cat kind of
neighbourhood. Nice place to grow up, really.
I moved to Cardiff University to study Physics when I hit 18, but quit after
two years...mainly because the amount of pubbing, clubbing, toking and mudding
I was doing was just a wee bit more than the amount of Physics I was
doing...like, I just couldn't be bothered with it anymore. So I moved in with
my girlfriend in Northampton, and here I am. To tell you the truth, Northampton
is a dump, the worst place I've lived, but I guess when you move out of home
and don't happen to have any rich relatives on the brink of death, you get what
you can find! Plus my girlfriend's here...always a plus point I'd say ;)

I like doing stuff, and listening to music (no surprise there). I like heavy
metal as a rule (but not that cock rock ****, puhleeeese). I also like all that
standard blues stuff - Cream, Hendrix etc - and a fair bit of British Indie. An
esp. favourite here is THE WILDHEARTS - who, I hear you ask, only the best damn
band in the universe...decent songs about LIFE not just that emotional crap you
get in most songs...heheh!
I also play guitar a bit, with one live performance to my name when I did
Anarchy in the UK with some mates in a pub in Cardiff...which has to be the
coolest feeling in the world...oh yes!
I play badminton sometimes, smoke too much, drink too much (whenever I get the
chance) and can be seen this summer lying sprawled on the grass at Glastonbury
(assuming it's on) if anyone wants to come by and say hi :)

So I guess that's me really...except...oh yeah...Why Sgetsuo? Here's the whole
sordid tale ;)
The name Sgetsuo was originated at a party held at my friend Dave's house. We
all got incredibly drunk and started having fights with raw spaghetti. Andy
(another fool) was the best at this particular sport, and decided to take his
name as a cross between raw spaghetti (or sget at it's also known) and Tetsuo
out of Akira. Sgetsuo was born! Then about a year later I discovered Barren
Realms, and took over the name (which is still my favourite character name
ever...probably why I've kept him going for so long). It took me one and a half
years to reach HERO, around 500 hours of gameplay so I've been told. On the way
I've met some good friends, most notably our Empress Kiri (who was a lowly
level 53 when I met her) who is a truly wonderful person (but don't
tell her I said that or she might get ideas) ;)

Take it easy everyone...thanks for listening :)
Sget.

Hi there.   I'm Reality.  For those of you not familiar with my
escapades on BR, here is the rest of me. I have also been known to play
Ahkran, ZulX, Vulcron, Zababa, and a few others.  All the mentioned ones
are also Illithids, but I also have a druid, an elf, an avian and a kender
in there somewhere.

How did I get this crazy name?  Well, one day all of us were chatting
away and someone mentioned that MUD players only play MUD to escape
reality.  I thought it would be a nice joke to create such a character and
have a bit of fun. Well, the name sort of stuck onto me and I kept it. At
first it was a human,  but then I decided to delete and make it an
Illithid as well.

The following is just a shroter version of what was also in ZulX's bio,but 
since that was a while back, I'll try to recap.
My RL name is Thys van der Merwe. I'm from South Africa where I work as a 
computer systems analyst.  I code a bit but only in SQL and VB and a few 
other mainframe 4GL languages.  I'm 30 years old and live 1100km away 
from my girlfriend (temporary because of my work).  I see her twice a 
month on alternate weekends. :(

I had a hero called ZulX which I deleted.  I plan to take a bigger roll 
in the promotion of BR and in helping to develop BR to stay the best MUD 
around.  I also plan to run many quests and have already established one 
I want to run immediately.  I have also written the area called Wild Africa, 
but if you die there it isn't my fault :). I'm working on more areas and 
also decided to write a MERC area editor to help me code more efficient 
and faster.  (Someone else is also doing this, but at present I'm doing 
this for myself)  If I find that I like it enough to present it to the 
powers that be I will do so, but only if I'm completely satisfied.
Anyway, I don't want this bio to take over the newsletter again :)
Oh yes, I forgot. I've also got a BR homepage at 
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/8048/barren.html

Reality
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >------------------Silly-------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
>>>>   LIFE
>>>>  
>>>>  Life isn't about keeping score.
>>>>  It's not about how many friends you have
>>>>  Or how accepted you are.
>>>>  Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
>>>>  It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how
>>>> many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
>>>>  It isn't about who you have kissed,  It's not about sex.
>>>>  It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have
>>>>  Or what kind of car you drive.
>>>>  Or where you are sent to school.
>>>>  It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.
>>>>  Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what
>>>> kind of music you listen to.
>>>>  It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown
>>>> > Or if your skin is too light or too dark.
>>>>  Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how
>>>> smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart 
>>>> standardized tests say you are. It's not about what 
>>>> clubs you're in or how good you are at "your"
>>>> sport.
>>>>  It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of
>>>> paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."
>>>>  
>>>>  LIFE JUST ISN'T.
>>>>  
>>>>  But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
>>>>  It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.
>>>>  It's about keeping or betraying trust.
>>>>  It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
>>>>  It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe
>>>> heartening.
>>>>  About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
>>>>  It's about what judgments you pass and why.  And who your
>>>> judgments are spread to.
>>>>  It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
>>>>  It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
>>>>  It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and
>>>> spreading it.
>>>>  But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison
>>>> other people's hearts in such a way that could have never 
>>>> occurred alone.
>>>>  Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and
>>>> those choices are what life's all about.
>>>>   









Subject: newsletter april 22, 1997
 

Grasshopper: Perhaps humans should get enhanced damage because they
are marshal artists and know like where to hit people to do more damage and
such

Brand: indestructible containers

Berry: get xp for quests. just a little to compensate for you time
and to increase quest participation which is declineing as the number of
players decreases

Derrydale: How about the 'Tan' skill also make other items, like
water skins or small bags and stuff :)

Quiver: if people can chat and hear chats in their sleep, shouldn't
they be able to hear themselves chat in their sleep?

Firethorn: I am a sick and tired of no mana and having to wait, I
think there should be a spell (I call energy infused) in which the casted
becomes violently charged with energy losing hp but getting mana back
twice as fast, I wou;dn't care if the spell is out

Brand: make it possible to fall when flying..like if you're in the
air and you fall, the mob in the room wbelow would break your fall (if no
mob, splat) or if you're over some water fall into the water

           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------article--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY ARION:


=09The other day, I=92m on the MUD, and I noticed some annoying habits=20
that some players have developed while using the ever popular =91chat=92=20
channel.  I decided to write this article discussing the do=92s and=20
don=92t=92s of using =91chat=92.
=09The best thing about the channels on the MUD is it allows you to=20
talk to other people who share similar interests.  Obviously, since we=20
are all on the MUD, most of us probably like computers and enjoy=20
fantasy oriented adventures.  There are times, however, when the channels
can be abused.
=09=91Chat=92 is mainly used for discussing various issues with the=20
other players on the MUD.  It can range anywhere from a recent movie to=20
a book or even current political issues.  I tend to stay away from=20
politics since it can be a hotbed of tension that the MUD doesn=92t need.
=09Some players use =91chat=92 to communicate with their groups.  This=20
is unnecessary.  There is a =91gtell=92 channel which allows you to=20
communicate solely with the members of your group.  Other players do=20
not need to know about=20
what you are doing, and it can become annoying.
=09It is really annoying when players air their dirty laundry on=20
chat.  I don=92t mean to sound insensitive, but when I=92m fighting a mob,=
=20
and I=92m trying to watch my screen for signs of damage, I don=92t really=
=20
care what goes on in your personal life.  The extra lines (and they tend
to be long  ones) merely clutter up the screen and hinder a player=92s
ability to react to the combat.  When you need to discuss some personal
matters,  use the =91tell=92 c hannel to talk directly to someone who is
willing to listen and not  involved in defending themselves.
=09Under no circumstances should you spam any channel, especially=20
=91chat=92.  Also, do not use foul language, use all capital letters, or=20
complain about lag.  These things tend to annoy players and often, the=20
imms will take steps to make sure you realize it is unnecessary to do
these things.
=09Chat is also not a forum to complain or make suggestions for the=20
game.  =91Idea=92 channel is great for giving the imms ideas and it puts=20
them all in one convenient place.  If you need to complain, take it up=20
directly with an imm through a note, e-mail, or use =91tell=92.  Using chat
for complaints  turns the discussion into a show and can be quite
annoying.
=09When having a two-way conversation, use the =91tell=92 channel.  This=20
way, everybody else does not have to be involved in your conversation. =20
This especially includes arguments with other players.
=09Some other suggestions:  Use the =91gratz=92 channel to congratulate=20
players on leveling or some other good deed.  Use the =91hero=92 channel to=
=20
ask the heroes a question.  Use the =91question=92 and =91answer=92 channel=
s to=20
ask and answer questions about the MUD.
=09Some people may ask, =93If you don=92t like what=92s being said on a=20
certain channel, why don=92t you turn it off?=94  This is a good question,=
=20
and, if you are using a mortal, I recommend you turn off any unwanted=20
channels.  Unfortunately, heroes and imms have to keep an eye on the
channels to answer questions, watch for misuse, etc. and don=92t turn off
any channels to  keep from missing things.  If you still have any
questions regarding  the =91chat=92 channel, type =91help etiquette1=92 the=
 next
time you are in the Realms.
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >----------------Response--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
ALL RESPONSES BY PHOENIXHAWK:
> Curio: (To make the game more challenging)  If you are using an attack
> skill/spell without an argument (such as <mobname>) and you kill the mob,
> and do the attack again, it should attack a random mob in the room (if an=
y)

Often times you're already fighting the other mobs in the room and what=20
if this causes people to attack shop owners etc.=20
=20
> Lordcow: Force every area maker to put a sign at the beginning of each
> level to tell what level the place is.

Many people already have sings though they're rarely noticed you can=20
always check help area.

> CuRiO: druids should have invis as a spell <g>

Yeah and avians should be able to hold 7 weapons cause they um have wings=
=20
yeah that's it.  Druids do just fine without invis, next thing you know=20
you'll be asking for a spell to make you drunk so you don't have to buy=20
jello shots.

> Cutlass: a way to show hp/mana/mv in your prompt in a percent
=20
This sounds neat but all together useless ;)

> Sylvester: There's a spell for detecting invis, as well as detecting
> hidden... How about one for sneaking?  Or for that effect to be added to
> detect hidden?

Avians can see sneakers with vision.

> Nar: maybe there should be a kind of curse from a high level mob that
> _really_ randomizes spells... like accidently get earthquake from heal...

This would be interesting :)

> Reality: I think we should have an aura or something to say (DRUNK) next
> to the players name and title. You know like (INVIS) and such
> :)

Nah then people could wear drunkenness about like a badge and be proud=20
(drunks generally arent proud ;)

> Mandwe: make it illegal to sleep in some parts of the city, sortt of
> llike loitering

Does it really matter? Maybe we should have tickets for those you leave=20
there vehicles lieing about though.  Or automaticlly remove peoples pets=20
when they leave the game and deduct a charge from their finances. Little=20
off track but that's what popped into my brain.,

> CuRiO: a spell: repair armor (maybe a skill) to fix armor w/o going to
> beich...

Maybe a skill like for dwarves, dependent on str and they have to=20
have a hammer or certain type of weapon.

> Cutlass: disable 'emote' for drunks ... would balance drunkeness better

Heh, should fix chath so you don't see drunk clearly, might as well=20
alienenate drunks as much as possible.

>  Sylvester: With report, instead of showing Total Experience points, whic=
h
> > tells nothing, how about making it show Experience To next level?
>=20
> Xyg: I don't really see the use of showing the total amount of xp in repo=
rt
> either, so it might as well be changed. Actually Xp-amounts are not very
> usefull information except for yourself i think.

I think it would be nice if when you reported it showed everyone the=20
information in your prompt that way you can custimize it and you'll show=20
everyone whatever information you think is important.

> > Zorak: A spell that raises dex temporarily, like haste. Would be nice f=
or
> > elves, and maybe Kenders and Humans out of guild-might even want to kee=
p
> > the aging affect, like there is in the D&D spell :)
>=20
> Xyg: It might come in the place of an armour spell like shield. then that=
 spell
> would do a little more than only raising your ac. And since there is gian=
t
> strength to make you able to carry more weight it's not strange to have
> "haste" to make you able to carry more items, although this is not the on=
ly
> use of higher dex :)

Ithellids already have this spell it's called adreniline control and also=
=20
affects con by 2.  Perhaps extending it to other races like they suggest=20
would be nice though.

> > Prozak: if the leader of your group recalls, whole group should recall
> Xyg: Better: spell like "mass word of recall"
Why not change word of recall to do this? It's useless otherwise :)


A few ideas for kenders and ills since you asked for them.

I suggested this one before but I really like the idea:
Coax: An Ill spell.  If it works the mob gives the ill an item (syntax: c=
=20
coax <mobname> <item>).  If it doesn't the mob attacks the ill.  Should=20
also be able to target a mobs gold with this.

I'm not sure if ill's have a dispel magic type spell but they should.

Shrink/Grow: couldn't come up with a name for the spell for ills but it=20
should make you shrink or grow, your choice (syntax: c sizechangespell=20
<grow/shrink>).  The effect is you either get lower ac and less hit/dam=20
for shrinking or higher ac and mor hit/dam for growing.

Phase:  A ill combat spell for getting out of combat, randomly teleports=20
you to somewhere in the same area. sorta like a self bamf.

Trance:  An ill could have an out of body experience.  They can move=20
around like a player affected by pass door but not pick anything up or=20
attack anything.  If a mob attack them (aggro mobs) they experience shock=
=20
and take damage and are immediatly returned to their bodies.  This could=20
be used for exploration beyond locked doors and ills affected by this=20
spell might regen at the same rate as sleepers.

Now for some Kender stuff:

Lullaby: Kender's have nimble fingers and I'm sure they can play musical=20
instruments so this would work just like sleep for them but be in guild.

When stealing you should be able to steal gold (can you?) from mobs.

Kender have keen eyesight and should have a birdseye type skill.

Kender should have a skill called insult where they insult mobs so the=20
mob fights less effectively since it's enraged.

Kender should kick mobs in the shins instead of trip or bite them in the=20
shins (they're so short).

Kender should be able to ride piggyback on people since they're small. =20
This would work like a reverse carry might check the kenders dex to see=20
if it can scramble onto someones back.

Kender should be able to try to impress mobs (get them to stop attacking=20
them) by doing tricks with their weapons or something.  If they fail they=
=20
lose their hands or even their head ;) like avians skin.
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------Bios--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

Most of you know me as Brindella, but I am Denise and was born in a small
town called Spartanburg, South Carolina, a place with many lovely and yet
lush woodlands, much like I picture various areas of our wonderful Barren
Realms.  My mother died at the age of eight, leaving me without the
guidance that all of us so desperately need in our lives.  This lack of
guidance developed into a self-abusing search for the ultimate high,
resulting in many years of disappointment and self-destruction through the =
abus
e of alcohol and drugs.  I have recently found that the ultimate high
lies within oneself and friendship.  I have seen this same friendship
shared amongst the heroes in the Barren Realms.

I was first introduced to the realms by Kytar and being a player of
dungeons and dragons for 18+ years it certainly captured my attention
although at the time I had no idea that I would ever reach the level of
heroine of the realms.  I have found a group=20
of friends in the realms with which I feel I share a common bond, taking
many hours to finally realize that this was occuring within myself and
sharing with others.

When I first arrived on the Barren Realms, I was greeted cheerfully by a
group of people whom I had never met before, and had no idea what reason
they might have for taking an interest in me, this created an immediate
warmth and sense of belonging.  I was
 later to find out that these were the heroes of the realms, for whom I
have since gained an immense respect for.  Several heroes of the realms
have set examples in their behaviour that I have since tried to adapt to
my own life, I mean by this, their caring behaviour, trying to go out of
their way to assist when necessary, and just as quickly leaving me to my
own resources when I really should accomplish something on my own.  This
has caused me to set goals and accomplish them in my day to day life.

As for me, my interests are computers, and I'm in the process of
finishing the first of a series of fantasy novels.  Perhaps even one day
will write a fantasy style area to be played by future players of BR.  I
am a hairdresser by trade and in the common=20
bonding of playing on barren realms, I've actually learned to be more
caring and concerned to the feelings and outlook of my clients in my job.
As a hero if there is anything I can do to aid or help you in your
adventures in the realms, don't be afraid to ask, that is after all, my
job now. :)  I'm happy to finally join the ranks of the heroes of the realm=
=2E

Brindella, New heroine of the realms.

=09Greetings, folks, this is Silhouette. I'm a recent addition to the
growing hero list and am quickly beginning to enjoy the my new station,
including its responsibilities and priviledges. In true life, I am known
as Roberto J. Flores. As reflected in my name, I am Hispanic, specifically
Puerto Rican. However, I was born in Boston, Mass. on March 3, 1978--not
in PR. As my father is an officer in Military Intelligence for the US
Army, I am quite the traveler, having gone from Boston, to Louisiana,
Germany (for 9 years), Virginia and now New Jersey, where I attend college
at Princeton. I have been to almost every country in Europe as well as
every state on the east coast and finally Mexico and Canada. In total, I
never stay still, and porbably will continue to move throughout my life as
roosting in a single locale for too long makes me itch. Due to these
numerous relocations, I had a quick, strained childhood in that I was
forced to think as an adult early on. My travels led me to learn many
promising traits as well as many detrimental ones. In terms of promising
qualities, my admittance to Princeton is a manifestation of my studious
nature and the import I pour into one's personal education. I have a great
scope of perception in all situations I encounter in that rather than
looking at something as merely a "something" I incorporate all the
cultures I've experienced and all the people I have associated with and
look at that something as a creation of mixed lives, hearts, and minds.
Situations are always solved for me by the knowledge I was fortunate to
garner from around the world. In other words, different cultures and
peoples look at thing in different manners, and I know some of them. Bad
traits however are things I learned while part of semi-gangs I had little
choice of joining. I know nough Judo to kill a man in seconds, yet I am in
certified CPR and so can give life to a man in seconds as well. I was a
cruel leader of these gangs and often tormented people part of other
groups, yet I am a kind, generous leader in school and at other functions,
so I can lead a group towards eveil intentions or toward good ones. One
can say I am a walking paradox--my skills have extreme ends. Never fear,
though, for I am a promoter of "good" and will reflect that on Barren
Realms as I have done in my life.=20
=09My nickname here at Princeton is perhaps the best way to sum my
character in real life. I am known as "Shade." I was given the name
because I can blend into my surroundings in paintball games like no other,
becoming one with the forest around me. I can sneak up on someone with
relative ease and am often silent in many things I do. Not that I am a
reclusive person--I party like a maniac--but that I am composed,
controlled and have a countenance that says, "I am taking my time for I
have little to hasten me." I am an observer, having watched all around me
for all my life, believing that doing so is the best way to learn. Thus,
you now know why I am "the Great Ghost" on Barren Realms.

Sincerely,

Silhouette

           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------silly--------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
>
>You know you are no longer a kid when...
>     Sigh...
>
>
>     Just one peanut butter and jelly sandwich doesn't do it any
>     more.
>
>     Driving a car doesn't always sound like fun.
>
>     The average ten-year-old doesn't have a clue who Bo and Luke Duke
>     are.
>
>     Being bad is no longer cool.
>
>     You have friends who have kids.
>
>     Saturday mornings are for sleeping.
>
>     You are taller than the slide at the McDonald's playland.
>
>     Your parents' jokes are now funny.
>
>     You have once said, "Whatch-you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
>
>     Christmas starts to piss you off.
>
>     You would rather wear your dirty clothes again, 'cause mom is not
>     there to do your laundry anymore.
>
>     Two words: parachute pants.
>
>     Naps are good.
>
>     You no longer do the "pee pee" dance.
>
>     You once have deemed Space Invaders as "The best game ever".
>
>     When things go wrong, you can't just yell, "Do-over!"
>
>     Playboy's Playmate of the month is younger than you.
>
>     The only thing in your cereal box is...cereal.
>
>     You actually buy scarves, gloves, and sunscreen.
>
>     Your idea of fun parties now include Chips 'n' Salsa and
>     Snapple.
>
>     You leave concerts and ballgames early to beat the crowd.
>
>     You WANT clothes for Christmas.
>
>     You don't want a Camaro because of the insurance premiums.
>
>     You remember when Saturday Night Live was funny.
>
>     You've bought an album on vinyl.
>
>     You remember seeing Star Wars when it first came out.


Subject: Newsletter 4/29/97
 

This week I'm going to skip the short ideas for these two longer letters
from Thinker and Poppin. :) Next week we will commence with the short
ideas again! Thanks - Kiri

ALSO!! I am looking for more ascii separators (like the swords) and will
also put your scanned photos on the webpage if you like :) Send me the
addresses of your personal webpages (no they dont have to have br on
them!) and I'll connect it to my BR webpage at
http://r56h15.res.gatech.edu/~kiri


           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-------------------------------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

Thinker: We'll we all know that druids are at one with nature.  How about
a spell allowing druids to create or rather fashion a living golem of some
kind from the earth.  This golem would be givin a name, much as people
name their pets.  The purplose of these golems would be used in
conjunction with astral, allowing druids to plant these golems and astral
to them wherever in the realms they happen to be.  Its a nice alternative,
druids would be able to jump from one area to another, without having to
walk.  I know that this can still be done (i think) using a pet, but this
just sounds so much more fun!


Poppin:
Ok...I have a few ideas. :)

Whether these are appropriate in the balance of power or not I leave up to
your choosing, but I'm just gonna offer these up for your consideration.

I was just thinking a lot about Avians (since I am one, might be I'd think
about the others, if I was one of them) and I've come to the conclusion
that there are still umm...three or four problems that I think should be
looked into about 'em. :)

Actually, I think you can kinda solve them all collectively if ya go at it
right, but here's my thinking. :)  One problem is that avians just don't
get enough skills.  OK, we probably get as many USEFUL skills as anyone
else (I mean, you DO only get to do one thing a round, now matter how many
skills you have) but it would probably be better if we also had a bunch of
silly & useless skills, too. :)  Along this line, I thought up a skill I'm
calling "inspect" which just tells an avian the stats on an item that she
just tanned into existance.  Thereby, when I'd tan something, it's stats
would automatically be displayed at that time. :)

My next idea for now skills for Avians is for a mounted, grouping skill.
(you've heard of dragon riders of course, well...this is similar :)  Now I
see two ways to do this: the first is simply to have an avian skill, not
unlike carry (at least in practical, ie non-social aspects), except that
rather than the avian carrying someone in their claws, they'll carry
someone on their back.  Two conditions seem to be natural to making that
work:  One's that the avian is big enough (high enough strength) and the
other is that the rider is agile enough (rider has enough dex).  Anyway, I
see this as being different from the existing skill in that then the two
would intentionally act to protect eachother and some kind of modifier
could be cooked up to account for that.  The other way I thought up to do
the same trick would be to make a new skill for everyone, "mount"  (which
might also be useful for riding horses or something) but would work with
this new avian skill and require that both have the skills.  However, as
I see it, if you require both to have the new skills then it's going to
have to be an excellent trick to make it worth the while. ;)

Still another idea, is to solve the problem that Avians never get any kind
of healing magic.  OK, I understand that's a choice and adding stylistic
choices is actually a rather cool thing, but I think it leaves all avians
with a real problem when it comes to having enough hits to fight.  (or to
put it anotehr way, an avian spends all her time sleeping to regain hits,
I think more than any other, especially with the plucking and all)
Anyway, I think a good new skill would be the "fast healing" skill I've
seen on some MUDS whereby a warrior rolls against their FH-skill every
tick and heals much more quickly if they make it.  2 options here
(depending on whether you want this to be a major power or a minor one):
To make it a major power, just make it work along with being drunk (ie if
you're drunk & have this skill, then you get BOTH additions)
TO make it a minor one, then have them be exclusive (like iron-monk &
sanctuary are. :)

Finally, my last idea along this line is to give Avians of high level some
degree of magic resistance, in return for their not using it themselves.
(hmm...anybody remember the barbarians in AD&D?)  Anyway, I don't know
enough about the mechanics of this game to say how it would work, but it
might be something to look into. :)

Anyway, thanks for listening to my feeble ramblings.  I think it would be
neat if a simple bird like myself could somehow be of help to the gods,
and I know awesome powers like these could come only from you. :)

If you have any questions or anything just ask. ;)

Poppin, birdbrained skyknight mount in training, at your service. :)

           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >-----------------article---------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
	This one is by Vercertorix :)
	A short while back, a new area was added to the Realms to replace
the area Sesame Street  which was being removed as part of the move to a
medieval theme by removing some of the stranger  and technological areas.
The addition of the new area went off with only the minor problem of 
some of the Sesame Street equipment disappeared, leaving some mudders
frustrated, but if you go  through the new area there is some definetly
cool new eq to replace it, so the loss is not that 
major.  The area replacing Sesame Street is called the White Tower and is
based on the Wheel of  Time books by Robert Jordan (Can never remeber
authors names).  This is quite a large area as 
they go, though not quite as large as some, and is meant for levels 35 to
50.  All the mobs in  the area are featured in the books, so any one with
more than a passing aquaintance with the novels should recognize many of
the characters portrayed as mobs.  There are a good blend of 
diffucult, higher level mobs and things even the weakest level 35 should
be able to beat.   Many of the higher level mobs in this area are
autoassist, so great care must be taken, even 
though few of the mobs are aggressive.  The towers floor layout is quite
complex, with many  hidden rooms and long winding corridors.  It does not
require a lot of effort to get quite lost further into the tower, so a
good map of the place will come in handy later on.  The area is 
quite cool, and I think it is a good addition to the realms.  Offering a
good blend of  challenging mobs and good eq, this area is a winner.  Don't
mourn the loss of Sesame Street,  as the White Tower is an area that is at
least as good, if not better, and is a welcome addition to Barren Realms.
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >----------------response---------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)
All from Sgetsuo :)

______
>Arion: mind control for illithids.  Takes control of the bodies of
>a mob

What would happen to your character whilst you were running around inside this
mob...it would have to be left open to attacks. Perhaps made specially
vulnerable as a price for using the mob to attack other characters?

>Jett: put a break in the social list to help see them all...instead
>of having to scrollo back

You can type "socials a-f" to see only the socials from a to f, etc. already.

>ZombyWoof: <response> I really like the 'whogroup' idea!!!

Me too :) Would save trying to join an already large group, or asking two people in
the same group to group with you.

>Tom: a meter to show how much experience you got during you play time

Sort of a nice "extra" this, but a bit pointless really. Good to have, just for
the look of the thing.

>Tom: Being drunk should distort your view of things

I think the REALLY annoying stumbling into walls and aggro mobs is enough
penalty for being drunk already. If all the druids started getting blurred
vision as well I think they'd all give up and go live in a monastery.....
...or something.

>Tom: Should not kick people for doing a Fighting attack and repeating it

I guess you mean booting you off. The spam-stopper is there for a reason, it
can't really be too hard to put in a say or something every 14 attacks?

>Arion: a who that lists players by their gender

Why? Why not?? Who knows....one of the mysteries of life. Like brussel sprouts.

>Reality: As martial artists, humans should get disarm

I agree. Bruce Lee could disarm you in the blink of an eye! HYAAA!

>Emperor: a way to insert a line break at the end of your prompt

Is this not in? I've never looked, but if it's not in it should be if people
want to tidy up their view. Good idea!

>Tom: A meter to show what you killed while you played ..and a Brakedown
>ok what you killed

***BREAKDANCE***  ... ahh, oops, *blush*.

Again, like the amount of experience you got whilst you were on, I think this
would be nice as an "extra". I'd imagine it would take up a bit of disk space
if you'd been of for 12 hours or something though ;)

>Tom: when you use the Ventrilquest spell alot it should be yellow...make
>it more humorous

Ventriloquate, maybe? Why is yellow more humerous? I've had yellow text and it
looked sick ;) Maybe that's the joke, make you fell ill so you have to run for
the toilet in the middle of a fight!

>Tom: Make a spell for elves to stop certain people from teleporting to you

This sounds good. Have it so you could stop everyone under about 5 levels below
you teleporting to you, as a kind of annoyance-stopper.

>Quixote: how about if one drinks too much alcohol they get sick like
>poison, and lose hp =) *like in rl*

Well, I'm pretty much against making being drunk worse than it already is, I
have to say. Plus, I've found that being drunk makes you oblivious to pain (rl
experience here *wink*) ... you only 'lose hp' in the morning *ouchy*.

>Tom: weather should affect being Invisable

Makes sense...but then why should anything make sense in BR? Maybe have a 10%
chance of being detected if it's raining, or 20% if it's snowing?

>Tom: Should be able to see your balance no matter where we are in Barren
>Realms

I'm sure I've seen this one before, and I definitely agree. Maybe have a bank
account bit in your status monitor :)

Berry: ill's being psychics should be able to sense aggrsive minds
(aggros) in the surronding area

This is a really good idea :)
"You sense a mind bent on destruction to the north...better watch your step"
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >----------------Bios----------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

Hi on BR I'm known as Snarlee, in real life people prefer to refer to me =
as Koen. My passport says Koen Hulsbosch on this topic. I was born 21 =
years ago in a town called Eindhoven in a small distant country called =
the Netherlands. I'm dividing my time into playing around with computers =
and playing around with musical instruments. The first thing came around =
when my parents decided to give me an apple to get rid of me. The idea =
worked and I never bothered my parents again (yeah right they wished). =
Lots of years later I noticed I was pretty good at those computer things =
and I decided to make my job out of it. I'm now at my last year computer =
science at the Eindhoven University of Technology. As I'm specialized in =
compiler-technology I'm donating some of my time to the realms to build =
an area-editor, so all you builders never have to use wordpad to make =
areas again.
My other love is music. I could spend pages and pages just talking about =
it, but I'll cut it short this time. It all started when my friends =
decided to have a band. I never touched an instrument before, but they =
needed a bass-player and I wasn't going to sit around, so I bought =
myself a bass and an amp and tried my hand at mastering that thing. In a =
matter of weeks I was hooked. I played since then in lots of bands, =
played all around the country and saw the strangest things and people. =
I'm momentarily doing producing and playing for and in a couple of =
projects, mostly industrial music.
I came to the Realms due to an unfortunate incident: I hurt my back. Now =
I'm sitting home waiting for an operation to heal my hernia. The good =
side of this is that I have a lot of time to do things, including being =
at this mud and writing the editor. I probably have been there to long, =
because I now can add another addiction to my list: BR.
If you're not yet satisfied with this or if you want to ask me =
something, you can mail me at K.Hulsbosch@stud.tue.nl

Hello.  This is Ender or, as my parents call me, Herb.  Well im not sure how
you would want my bio, so ill sorta rattle off a bit and you can use what you
like.  I was born Lee Herbert Hart IV in Richmond, VA at 11:45 p.m on
September 4, 1977.  I lived the first 4 years of my life in an old pre-civil
war farm house about 30 min east of richmond, and i have lived in my current
house since then, which is located about 10 miles closer to Richmond in a
sleepy little town called, Mechanicsville.  My younger years where not
impressive. I was the standard little kid, i played soccer and swam on a swim
team, and my parents always fussed about my grades.  I hit a growth spurt
around 8th grade and had tp give up soccer for a new sport, football.  You
see i didnt get tall, i got big, real big.  After running into a kid at
soccer practice and hurting him, someone told me I ought to tryo out for
football, so i did.  I am now very glad i switched, football became my life
thoughtout my high-school years.  This love for football that i had would
lead me to be a first team All-State pick my senior year.  I still love
football, and played football for a bit in college, but i have left college
and in turn have also left football.  Other accomplishments in high school
include being selected for Beta and National Honors Society ( i dont know
why.....I sure as hell cant spell), elected senior class presedent, and i was
runner up in the most talkative, most studious, and most likely to succeed
(no joke! i have no clue how i got the last two mentioned).  After all that i
did absolutly nothin in college.  There where some strange circumstances to
my college experince and I had to leav Randolph-Macon college before I really
got a foot in the door.  But, as the old Irish proverb says, what is done is
done, and it cant be undone.  I will be enrolling into a Computer trade
school at the end of May, where i hope to get a future again.  Ill now end
this narrative because i have prob said too much anyway.
           /(*)
          |  /
          |  |\--------------------------------------------\
(@)((((((((  | >--------------Silly-------------------------- >
          |  |/--------------------------------------------/
          |  \
           \(*)

Actual Phone Answering Machine Messages...

       My wife and I can't come to the phone right now, but if you'll
       leave your name and number, we'll get back to you as soon as
       we're finished.

       Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya.  We can't pick up the phone
       right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy.  Sonya
       likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right...
       real slowly.  So leave a message, and when we're done brushing
       our teeth we'll get back to you.

       A is for academics,
       B is for beer.
       One of those reasons is why we're not here.
       So leave a message.

       Hi.  This is John.  If you are the phone company, I already sent
       the money.  If you are my parents, please send money.  If you
       are my financial aid institution, you didn't lend me enough
       money.  If you are my friends, you owe me money.  If you are a
       female, don't worry, I have plenty of money.

       (Narrator's voice:)  There Dale sits, reading a magazine.
       Suddenly the telephone rings!  The bathroom explodes into a
       veritable maelstrom of toilet paper, with Dale in the middle of
       it, his arms windmilling at incredible speeds!  Will he make it
       in time?  Alas no, his valiant effort is in vain.  The bell hath
       sounded.  Thou must leave a message.

       Please leave a message.  However, you have the right to remain
       silent.  Everything you say will be recorded and will be used by 
us.

       Hi.  I'm probably home, I'm just avoiding someone I don't like.
       Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you.