Kingdom of Mayhapsibly Christmas Ball

The Kingdom of Mayhapsibly held their Royal Christmas Ball tonight (the night of Winter solstice) at the family castle - Castle Coral on Coral Beach. The family function was prepared and hosted by Duke Shwartzie Gumbo, hand decorated by Illyana Laville, and help from Dyrfinna Rennahan, Symone DeCuir and Karma Fride.

Everyone that could attend - did, leaving the region full for the majority of the festivities. Everyone was dressed in their finest gowns & suits, a beautiful sight as they all twirled & danced on the main ballroom floor. Queen JellyBean bestowed favour on Duke Shwartzie Gumbo to honor him for the selfless acts of kindness he has shown the family. He now wears the title of "Keeper of the Castle".

It was a lovely event that will be talked about for ages. The kingdom has plans to hold more Balls & formal affairs in the future.

Somerset Joins The Empire!

Eva Tiramisu has been crowned Queen, founding the new Kingdom of Somerset. According to the Queen, Somerset is noted for:

Agriculture continues to be a major business in the Kingdom. Apple orchards were once plentiful, and to this day Somerset is linked to the production of strong cider. Population is higher than average. Unemployment is lower than average.

Thus the 6th Kingdom in Tiny Empires has joined us, and may all congratulate her accomplishment and wish Queen Eva and her subjects a long and glorious history. You might have noted Eva (derivation Eve) and the apple connection :)

The Kingdom of Avalon is Here!

Queen Shawna Montgomery has been crowned, founding the Kingdom of Avalon, and becoming the fifth Kingdom in Tiny Empires. Congratulations to the Queen all subjects of Avalon!

According to Geoffrey and much subsequent literature, Avalon is the place where King Arthur was taken after fighting Mordred at the Battle of Camlann. Welsh and Breton tradition claimed that Arthur had never really died, but would return to lead his people against their enemies, but some later writers were less credulous, and said that Arthur had in fact died there. Geoffrey dealt with Avalon again in his Vita Merlini, in which he describes the character Morgan le Fay as the chief of nine sisters who live on Avalon. Morgan remained associated with the island in later literature, as does Arthur's mentor, the Lady of the Lake.

By the 12th century Avalon became associated with Glastonbury Tor, when monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have discovered the bones of Arthur and his queen. Though no longer an island at the time, the high round bulk of Glastonbury Tor had been surrounded by marsh before the surrounding fenland in the Somerset Levels was drained. According to later chroniclers, notably Giraldus Cambrensis, during King Henry II's reign the abbot of Glastonbury, Henry of Blois, commissioned a search of the Tor. At a depth of 5 m (16 feet) the monks discovered a massive oak coffin and an iron cross bearing the description: Hic jacet sepultus inclitus rex Arthurus in insula Avalonia. ("Here lies King Arthur in the island of Avalon"). In 1278 remains were reburied with great ceremony, attended by King Edward I and his queen, before the High Altar at Glastonbury Abbey, where they were the focus of pilgrimages until the Reformation. However, historians generally dismiss the authenticity of the find, attributing it to a publicity stunt performed to raise funds to repair the Abbey, which was mostly burned down in 1184.

Celestial Queendom Springs from Wessex!

Hurrah!! Queen Celesta Messmer founded the first Kingdom to come from within an existing Kingdom, with her coronation, and achieved another distinction by becoming the first monarch to be crowned under the new Federation HUD!

Queen Celesta's new Kingdom becomes just the fourth to be established in Tiny Empires, a big achievement. Those that know her are aware that her accomplishment was reached in a fashion that speaks to her honor, loyalty, and friendship.

This calls for a major party! (details to follow :)) In the meantime, blow the trumpets, beat the drums, All Hail Queen Celesta Messmer of the Celestial Queendom!

Tax Update

The changes with the Federation HUD have thrown some wrinkles into the ability to have consistent taxes, however, Wessex is trying to keep it level as much as possible. The new challenges have made things interesting, and we are keeping Wessex taxes overall lower than previously, with a 10% tax rate most of the time. Hope this helps those on the learning curve and adjustments being made by the Emperor with Federation, as well as to all in the Kingdom with base HUD :)

A New Add-On - Tiny Empires - Federation

A new optional Hud just went on sale for Tiny Empires! It works together with the base HUD seamlessly, so it is not required to play TE. It adds new game features, primarily for those seeking the quest to become a King or Queen. It is the only route to reach that level now, so if that is your goal grab this HUD from the store. It will make that journey more fun i think, and enhances the quest. All future development will take place in Federation in terms of added game features.

The "basic HUD" will continue to be supported as far as bug fixes. The cost for Federations is $399 Lindens to help offset all the coding time that Ultralite Soleil (AKA the Emperor) had to put in on creating this. Only owners of the basic HUD full version can buy Federation from the vendor.

One other note: ONCE YOU USE FEDERATION. YOU CANNOT GO BACK TO THE BASIC HUD

So what's new - try being able to form alliances, manage populations, and other surprises, some soon to be added.

Here's some official information:

----==== Welcome to Tiny Empires: Federation ====----

This game guide assumes you already know how to play Tiny Empires. For the original Tiny Empires game guide, click this: 􀀀

Tiny Empires: Federation is an add-on to Tiny Empires. The TE: Federation hud replaces your old Tiny Empires hud, but you will still play in the same empire as everyone else. You can still interact with players who do not have the add-on, but they will not have any of the new features available to them.

What features, you ask?

To begin with, all nobles of rank Count/Countess or higher are responsible for a population of citizens. The size of this population is based on the actual number and rank of players in your downline. Proper care and feeding of your population will improve your reputation and possibly your income as well. Apathy or cruelty will lead to the opposite effect. Details of what this means will be left to your investigations...

Secondly, you will be able to form alliances with other players. This ability also comes with the rank Count/Countess or above. To form an alliance, just stand near your desired ally. You both must be Count or higher, and you both must own Tiny Empires: Federation. And of course, you cannot form an alliance with your current liege or any of your subjects. Allies will be able to help you by sending citizens your way if your population gets too low. Also you may send small ambassadorial gifts. More diplomatic options will be added as time goes by.

Most importantly, the path to monarchy for princes and princesses has been completely overhauled. If you ever had the ambition to become king or queen of your own land, Tiny Empires: Federation provides the only method to do so.

The 3rd Kingdom - Lothlorien

Queen Bootski Broome founded Lothlorien as the newest kingdom in Tiny Empires, join us all in congratulating her and the citizens of the 3rd Kingdom. As all Tolkien fans know, Lothlorien is an Elven name:

Like those of Northern Mirkwood, the people of Lothlórien were mostly Silvan Elves of Nandorin descent, who were originally of all the Eldar those who most closely resembled the lost Avari of the east. As such, their earlier settlements lay scattered throughout the wide forests on both sides of the upper Anduin, having originally lingered there upon refusing the crossing of the Hithaeglir in very ancient times. The Elvish name for Lothlórien was Laurelindórenan but it was made shorter perhaps because the forest was fading and not growing. Meanwhile, the origin of the name 'Lórien' is derived from 'Lothlórien', which makes it a further derivation of 'Laurelindórenan'.

May the new Kingdom be as distinguished and fabled as that of it's namesake.



"… but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning."
– The Lord of the Rings, Lothlórien

Monarch's Cut Taxes - Players Win

If you have not been keeping track, there are currently two kingdoms in Tiny Empires, Wessex and Camelot (A third may be coming soon). Wessex when founded set it's tax rate to 25% of that paid by those not under a King or Queen, while Camelot set it's taxes at 30%.

Wessex then decided it could reduce taxes even more to allow it's subjects better growth, cutting down to 20%. Camelot announced a one time tax free weekend to counter, at least for 2 days, their higher taxes the rest of the time. If you don't understand how all this works here is a short explanation:

The Emperor demands 25% of the profits in a kingdom for the year from a King or Queen. The monarch can choose to take more gold than that from it's subject's, such the 30% rate where 25% of that pays the emperor, and the extra 5% goes into the monarch's pockets. If the monarch charges all subjects 25%, that is basically a break even point, gold is collected and passed on to the Emperor. At 20%, there is a 5% shortfall in collections, so the monarch must pay that amount out of their own pocket. This is subsidizing the subjects so that they keep more gold to buy land, make offers to get subjects, buy improvements on land, and pay the mysterious trader more easily.

Whats all this mean? That citizen's win of course, as they reap the benefits. They get to go under the best tax environments as they see it, and grow faster toward the day they establish their own kingdom. Others will choose to stay within a tax reduced kingdom rather than create a new kingdom, because it suits their Tiny Empires priorities. Some will choose to stay in a full tax rate lineage out of other motivations, so as it should be, the choices in your Tiny Empires adventure are many. As always, play the game as you would have it, and keep your sights on having fun, whichever way you choose.

En garde!

Count Rifkin Habsburg in the Tiramisu-line released a strategic fencing game today in the Malrif-sim. Many Tiny Empire’s-players entered the opening tournament. In the very close and exciting final our very own Knight Case Cagney was defeated by Lobo Rodiquez.

Many of the players had dressed up accordingly to the medieval time period.


We had lots of fun. If you would like to try its free to play in the Malrif sim , dress up and have fun!

Wondering what I am talking about? Look no further

Erzsabet's Tiny Empire Calculator

Here's a nice web page devoted to those hard to answer questions.

www.erzsabet.com/TECalc.html

Camelot Comes Forth

All Hail Queen FoxyKim Keegan! A second Kingdom has been established in Tiny Empires, by the most deserving FoxyKim. Her subjects were heard celebrating her coronation, and others throughout Tiny Empires congratulated her. The bells in the Kingdom of Wessex were rung by decree in her honor.

The name of Camelot lives again! The Queen and her consort Sabrewolf were captured for posterity at the coronation.

The Kingdom of Wessex is Here

Last night Celty Westwick's coronation as King happened. The new and first Kingdom was christened Wessex, and this is now reflected in the titles of all the kingdom's citizens, such as "Princess Heartun Breaker of Wessex". It took a great amount of effort and loyalty by all the citizen's to reach this goal.

There are well over a thousand citizens, and each deserves a heartfelt thanks. The policy of the new kingdom shall be to help all citizens prosper, and grow toward their own desires. Wessex will strive to be the birthplace of new Kingdoms, as eminent nobles are able to increase their lineages with the advantages they will enjoy.

The first decree in Wessex was to announce a tax break for all citizens of the kingdom, and joy was heard throughout the realm as the first December tax bills arrived substantially reduced! Look for other additional good things to occur in Wessex in the future.

Celesta's TE Wide Party Rocked!

The party celebrating Celesta's making 1,000 acres of personal land, which had two times to help all who wished attend, was both fun and helped raise over 30,000 Lindens for the new TE server. The turnout was great, and many people got the chance to meet each other in pixel for the first time. There was dancing, DJ'd by the lovely and talented Tristan Micheline.

The Dunk Tank proved to be a big success, requiring the late party to go much later to give all who wanted a shot at dunking a noble, as well as winning some great prizes. Said dunking in the early time slot also included a turn on the tank by our illustrious Emperor, Ultralite Soleil. There was a Temple of Truth or Dare for the mature fun and venturesome folk. The scavenger hunt was located at the vast castle of Celesta and Goedeke Messmer. A total of 45 Linden and prize objects were hidden and in the end all were found.

The Princess Bootskie Broome arrived in the most original fashion thanks to SL's many little surprises, upside down and spinning in front of the Dunk Tank - where Prince SoCalDave BirdBrain was taking a brisk bath courtesy of a chortling ball thrower.

It was great to see folks come together to play and support Tiny Empires, so who's gonna have the next big bash?

Come to the Party!

Yes a big bash is happening this Saturday for everyone in Tiny Empires! Here's the skivvy from Celesta Messmer, for the original invite with landmarks please go to the Tiny Empires Group, and retrieve it (Tiny Empires Party Invite) from under the Notices tab by clicking the open attachment button. You won't want to miss it:

Come one, come all to a Tiny Empires Party and Fund-raising event.

In celebration of my reaching 1000 personal land (self-sufficient Princess), we’re throwing a charity event for the Emperor’s servers. Come join us on Saturday, the 15th of September from 11 AM to 1 PM (SL time) or 10 PM to 12 AM (SL time) (or both if you love parties) at the TE Party Land for the main party graciously donated for the cause by RedDawn Bade, or at Castle Skygaard to go directly to the scavenger hunt and boardgames.

We’ll have various contests with prizes to keep things fun. Bring yourself, your Tiny Empires HUD, your medieval garb, and your generous donations for Ultralite (to improve server stability).

In order to accommodate the largest number of us with a minimum of lag, we kindly request that you wear no scripted items other than your Tiny Empire HUD, and wear low prim clothing.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer time, items, or otherwise, please IM me.



Sincerely, Celesta Messmer

Well good morning people

At last I can blog on the blog, just thought I'd leave one for the hell of it, oh yeah I also made Prince yay me, and dont forget the TE play area in dongjak is avaliable to all! come check it out :-0

Tiny Empires Gets a Meeting and Play Place

We had an appreciation party, which packed the sim all afternoon Saturday. People liked the surroundings and toys we put there for them, so we have decided to make it available ongoing to all Tiny Empires players. You will find a new Cup and Spittle, a full featured archery range, an AV catapult game, a maze, and a dance floor among other things. We will continue to enhance it over time.

Check it out and enjoy. One rule only, no drama, this is for fun and enjoyment, plan your Tiny Empires moves, discuss strategies, to your heart's content, but keep it fun and not personal. Oh yes, thanks to SweetTasting Lollipop, free Tiny Empires T-shirts are there!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dongjak/206/97/54

or search Tiny Empires in-world

Update: SweetTasting sent me these from the party and thought she did such a fantastic job, that they needed to be posted :)

All Hail the Emperor!

Yes, Emperor Soleil now rules the empire. and Kings and Queens will be crowned when they achieve sufficient status to be worthy. So far, no one has reached that new level, so the requirements are as yet unknown.

As to the benefits, we have it on the best authority, that new abilities will come with the coronation. Should make for interesting times and new mysteries to come.

Are Those Drums of War I Hear in the Distance?

According to the King, yes indeed, the battle lines will be drawn, the bugles will blare, the Empire will shake with the impact of the trebuchets! Well, at least for those that choose, as Soleil is saying the optional choice of going to war will be given to the citizens of the Empire. Details are not known at this time precisely what form this will take, but for those interested in such doings, gird your loins, sharpen those spears, and ride into glory!

Does It Pay To Serve The King?

As far as I am able to determine, there is no advantage to serving the king directly. Obviously, I'd like some people who do serve the king to chime in on this one.

Congratulations. You have come to the kings attention as one of the top land owners in the realm. He has requested that you become his direct subject. Will you join the king?

By my recollection I started getting this flattering offer some time around Marquisa. It sounds like it should be a great deal, you know -- cutting your money grubbing leige out of the loop -- but before taking it I asked around.

Unless I'm being misinformed, people who serve the king still pay taxes every month at the same rate (prince=1%, duke=2% etc.) as they did when under their former leige. It just all goes to the king. And he still gouges you every December, just like normal.

Someone told me that you get more slots to stick some subjects in, but that's not really important to me as I haven't filled all 10 and don't plan on it.

TE Commons at Dundalk Mall

A common area has been created for Tiny Empires players to congregate, mingle and play! Head over to TE Commons, bring your friends and enjoy!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Clay/146/95/150

Also, Contact Wilson McLuhan inworld if you have ideas on how to improve the area.

The Cup and Spittle

Are you looking to recruit a serf or two? Or perhaps you are trying to find a kinder liege? Maybe you just want a place to hang out with other tiny feudal landowners and discuss the latest ruinous taxation scheme?

In any case, come visit the first in-game hangout for players of Tiny Empires: The Cup And Spittle at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fucosa/111/236/136/

Poll Questions and Answers

Q: A squire goes to London the day before the day before yesterday and returns the eve of the day before tomorrow. Was he away for over 2 days and 2 nights?
A: Yes

Q: Is the distance measured by 5,808 yards greater than that measured by 2,640 fathoms?
A: No

Q: It has a bunch of numbers in some kind of crazy sequence I cant remember.
A: I thought it was 56, but then noticed that there are a lot of number questions and they can't all have the same answer. If anyone knows how to answer all the number qustion please put someting in the comments here.

Royal Housing

Many of us are living in a tent, and that is well beneath our station. Although it does not say that buying the cottage will raise your productivity rate, it does.

And the second house (I forget what it is called, maybe a manor) is damaged by construction workers who give you two free acres to make up for their mess.

The keep costs 100k in gold to buy, but if you do half of that is returned because someone buys the remains of your destroyed house.

Moderators Wanted

If you play Tiny Empires and want to add your 2 cents contact Heartun Breaker with an email address so she can send you an invitation to participate in this blog.

Hut Update

Ok, so first comes the offer to get the hut for the surfs you bought to work your land, and they work harder. Then comes the offer to tear down their hut (for a fee, of course) because they're lazy twats. And that too improves their productivity.

Crazy, huh?
After buying a hut to raise peasant productivity I got this. (a good bit of time later)

"Now that your peasants live inside a hut, they like to sleep a lot. Your land will produce 15 gold per acre if you remove the hut. Remove the hut for 2,900 gold?"

(added 8/7)
After tearing down the hut for the workers, they get sick and you get to hire a docter, this will get productivity up by 0.5.

And some time later the docter tells you that you need a housing for him and the workers. this also gives a extra 0.5 productivity.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Appreciation Gathering!

Duke Celty Westwick proclaims a gathering shall be held for his Subjects, on his lands, the exact time and location to be arranged in a conference IM. The Duke wishes to gather available Subjects in appreciation for their hard work, loyalty, and for being the most fun people in all the King's realm.

Therefore let all who have sworn allegiance come to enjoy meeting each other, share knowledge of the Kingdom, general silliness, and of course receive a suitable boon to express the Duke's gratitude.

"Mysterious Trader"

"A mysterious trader has been spotted on the outskirts of our kingdom. There are reports of citizens visiting him with large sacks of gold" and leaving with smiles on their faces and small pieces of paper (or some such).



"The mysterious trader has parked his wagon in a dark alley, and will soon be open for business. You have learned that he will ask you for (many thousands) gold for his wares. You still don't know what he is offering."

Not sure what is up with this guy yet.

I didnt have the money so I got this...

"The mysterious trader has packed up his wagon, now heavy with gold. He has slowly moved on to the west, and nobody seems to know when he will return."

Ok, the rumor on this one is that buying his goods allows you to buy land cheap, and get inflated offers to buy your land at higher value than normal, for ONE YEAR.

Titles and Progression

This list will change until we get it right. Please let me know what is wrong or missiong so we can flesh it out.

• Wanderer
  
• Peasant
  
• Squire/Squirrel (5 acres)
  
• Knight/Dame (10 acres)
  
• Baron/Baroness (25 acres)
  
• Viscount/Viscountess (50 acres)
  
• Count/Countess (100 acres)
  
• Marquis/Marquise (200 acres)
  
• Duke/Dutchess (400 acres)
  
• Prince/Princess (1000 acres)