tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76845927614751051272024-02-06T21:21:32.958-08:00Tiny EmpiresHeartun Breakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007143829963014602noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-1857760258220121212010-04-24T07:56:00.001-07:002010-04-24T07:58:24.298-07:00And that's why you don't sabotage the EmperorSo one month, we see the usual sort of sabotage notice. The interesting part was the victim- Emperor Ultralite Soliel. The second interesting part was that he lost ten acres of land.<br /><br />Everyone waits to see what's going to happen. Will we know, a friend asked me. I thought we would only if the Emperor had allies to help bring the saboteur to justice.<br /><br />Wrong.<br /><br />A couple of months later:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mKDMOWzJNLNDyO0SqtVLKYgKAgTWLWNeLD4-8bjLlgDTVgwnDcf2eL2o4m2tfLdEuVL9WegY7oR8wH3t79vvrIKaQ_zKSKzNByBminnvD-Y0C-3FF8iXJvHiyDS_eP1BUcEVbHNIRpaL/s1600/Emperor-Sabotage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mKDMOWzJNLNDyO0SqtVLKYgKAgTWLWNeLD4-8bjLlgDTVgwnDcf2eL2o4m2tfLdEuVL9WegY7oR8wH3t79vvrIKaQ_zKSKzNByBminnvD-Y0C-3FF8iXJvHiyDS_eP1BUcEVbHNIRpaL/s320/Emperor-Sabotage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463718335566673794" /></a><br /><br />Who's going to try next? Any volunteers?Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-52486826108806830422009-08-27T20:05:00.000-07:002009-08-27T20:19:20.259-07:00Interview with TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn<p align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRa1tKcdYpiwxRCBjzgOyy5LGUnhNFmra7eLm_wAXW0e9oEevft8WMxfei-ddYAFBAKvRoP-H7GMoV_Wr1QrEeTTO_igrecGcNJ8H9h8cNWGhyphenhyphenu96_Ii3Q0M73sJGA9QEZgkxFjZGvm95/s1600-h/Teuff-interview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRa1tKcdYpiwxRCBjzgOyy5LGUnhNFmra7eLm_wAXW0e9oEevft8WMxfei-ddYAFBAKvRoP-H7GMoV_Wr1QrEeTTO_igrecGcNJ8H9h8cNWGhyphenhyphenu96_Ii3Q0M73sJGA9QEZgkxFjZGvm95/s320/Teuff-interview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374846314777890242" /></a><br /><i>Vulpine Eldrich, Soon to be King TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn, and Lady of the Bay Charm March</i></p><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Good evening, everyone. I'm here with Prince TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn, and his SL (and TE) partner, Charm March. They've graciously consented to tell me about the big plans that are set to occur for tomorrow, August 27th. TeuffelHunde, would you tell everyone just what you two are planning to do?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> I will be ascending and we will be starting the Kingdom of Music. This kingdom will be to support Music in Second Life.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how will it do that?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Many of our members are Live Musicians, Singers, DJ's, Venue Owners and Music Lovers. We will do it through promotion of music and different events in Second Life.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> We have many friends in the music community, and we are both passionate about supporting live music in SL. We have yet to work out exactly how we will help, but that is our main goal.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So would I be correct in saying that the music career came first, and then the Tiny Empires career?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> It is more of a passion for the music. Yes we had that before TE. Charm ran a Venue for 2 years called Bay Vista Live Music Scene.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Thus, Charm, your Tiny Empires title, "Lady of the Bay"?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Yes, exactly.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how did you two become involved in Tiny Empires?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> I started TE about 2 years ago, and kind of floundered around in it. Then, through some convincing by friends, I decided to form the Kingdom of Music. Teuff joined me a little before that time, and we have been working on this goal together for several months now.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So Teuff, you found Charm already with this idea?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> I started in TE this past January when Charm and I started hanging out.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> The idea came about after he joined me, and since we both enjoy the music scene so much, it seemed like a perfect idea.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So he joins you, but now that your kingdom is imminent, you're his subject and he'll be King. Is there something I'm missing about this apparent role reversal?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Oh well. Yeah, I guess so. I decided that I preferred for him to be the King. I would rather take a supporting role in the kingdom. I actually think it will give me more time to do the things that I want to without having to take on the duties of Monarch day to day.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you make the Kingdom, and Teuff is the one that will actually administer it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Well, Teuff made the kingdom as much as I did. It really has been a joint effort.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how did the two of you decide on the Kingdom of Home to nurture your growing group?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> BackHome is a long time friend of mine. I asked him if we could come here and grow our line and asked for his support and guidance to help us along.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Was he the one that introduced you to Tiny Empires?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> No he wasn't. It was another friend.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> He has been very supportive and helpful to us as we have grown our line.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And now you're within twenty four hours of Music being born. What sort of coronation party does the Kingdom of Music have?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> We will start it off at 7:00pm SL with a Live Music Show, followed by a DJ for another hour.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> One of our Princes, Onehempcat Oldrich, will be performing.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> We have set up a Music Stage across the sim.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And I assume everyone who is interested is invited...<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Yes :-)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Yes! We hope to have a good crowd :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I'm sure you will! So have you been discussing your new kingdom with other venue owners and music performers? What sort of feedback have you gotten?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> So far the feedback is minimal. There is not as broad an understanding of TE as one might think.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Have there been any common misconceptions or problems that you have in explaining it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Well, some people assume it is a role play. And the game itself is not easy to explain. So it takes someone just getting in there and playing it to understand.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> That’s the challenge sometimes, just getting them to try it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> But the relationships that are built within the kingdom are what have become really important. We will continue to spread the word, with the help of our members and hopefully we will become what we are aiming for.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And what are you aiming for?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Well, in the big picture-- I would like to have a kingdom that is a place where musicians, venue owners etc. can come to find and recruit talent. Provide support and suggestions for new musicians. Become well known as a resource for that sort of thing.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> And have the fellowship and camaraderie of common goals.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Or we may just hang out and enjoy music :) Who knows!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> And a place to come have fun. We are a fun loving bunch.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So I see! Do DJ's and live performers find it easy to play TE while they go about their business?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Well, they usually don't have the hud running while they are playing. But otherwise they do. They are here a lot of time other than performing.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Which is where the "hang out and have fun" part comes in, no doubt. But as you look at tomorrow's plans, does the fact that Music will be joining a list of Kingdoms with over two hundred entries in it make any difference?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> It is challenge of course. We have a lot of contacts in the music biz here. So that helps. We have a stage here, and will have shows. We will promote the Kingdom that way. It will be baby steps.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And I'm sure there will be lots of those. How easy do you think it is to form a Kingdom in Tiny Empires?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> It has not been easy so far :-) Recruiting takes a lot of time. But I think it’s about building relationships, and that takes time<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And will Music stay a major kingdom after your ascension? That is, is it planned to. I know some ascend with the deliberate plans of not being a major kingdom for any length of time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Our plans are to stay a major kingdom. I want to be able to give the Kingdom all the benefits that a Major Kingdom can.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And Charm, will you become the Grand Vicereine?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Yes that is the plan. We also plan to share that role in the future, to help others learn the monarch duties.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> It sounds as if things have all been planned out. Are there any last minute butterflies or worries about anything in particular?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Oh yeah, lol. We will be on our own !!! YIKES<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> :-)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And everyone will be looking at you, Teuff, and saying "you're the monarch, what's <i>your</i> decision on this bit of drama-laden spat"?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Teuff is very patient. He will be a good King. He thinks things through before he speaks. He listens well, too.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> I have come to like the Kingdom of Home's "Drama Free" approach. It works well. I think I will adopt that policy, too.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> What rules are involved in that policy?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Take your drama to IM and solve it with the person. Respect others feelings, we are all adults here. We are here to have fun and support each other, and to encourage communication with myself or Charm to resolve problems, if necessary.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Have you had to resolve many problems in your group so far?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Yes, a couple of times.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And even after that, you're ready to take on more! But speaking of taking on more, there are more than two hundred kingdoms to compete with. There are also ten guilds in Tiny Empires 3000. How does TE3K factor into your plans and enthusiasms? <br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Yes I am ready :-) I enjoy trying to make a difference. As far as TE3K goes, I play but it will be secondary to the Kingdom of Music. I realize that more of my time will be spent with members of the kingdom but that is all good. We are trying to build something worthwhile here.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Do you have a group in Tiny Empires 3000 that corresponds to the Kingdom of Music? Or is TE3K something that your group does with others, if anyone, and you aren't directly involved in it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> I do not. TE3K is something that I started when it came out. I am just part of a guild. I have met some great people in that guild. They have been helpful. But my main desire is to help make the Kingdom of Music a success, a place where people want to be.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Do you ever find it a factor when introducing TE to new people? "Wait, there's this other version of the game..."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Not yet, actually I see quite a few familiar names on the 3K hud from the original game.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Yes, I imagine so. But, laying aside TE3K, what sort of real life experiences do you think have helped qualify you for this project? What sort of things in your past will make you a good King (and Grand Vicereine)?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> I’ve been a supervisor at a boat manufacturer for a number of years. My experience has been with groups of up to twenty five people.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> In RL, I have had experience working with and leading teams. I have also been a counselor. I have spent a good deal of time in problem solving as well as in project development. So I think using that experience will be most helpful. Also, my experience running a music business in SL and working with one of the major music management groups here has taught me a lot.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And made a lot of contacts, no doubt. Quite impressive, I must say! So, what else is there that we need to know about the Kingdom of Music and its people?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> We will be allies with the Kingdom of Home. That bond will always be there.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> We want to thank BackHome Soon and Lodi McMillan for their gracious support.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And I'm sure you'll prove that support well-founded. Well, thanks so much for your time, and may the Kingdom of Music stay in perfect harmony!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Charm March:</Font></B> Yayyy<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn:</Font></B> Thank you Vulpine! We appreciate your interest in our Kingdom.<br /></p><br /><br /><p><i>The party and ascension happened precisely on schedule, with the new kingdom being formed in the middle of the party. For those of you who missed it... it was fun!</i></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-90910254155647797852009-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:002009-04-26T17:28:18.734-07:00Gold Bars and the AlchemistSome time ago (<a href="http://tinyempires.blogspot.com/2008/10/gold-bricking.html">last October,</a> in fact), I asked if anyone knew what was the significance of the gold bars some people were finding when they bought their land. The answer was: nothing. They had apparently been released by the Emperor, but he didn't know- or hadn't finished- what would actually be done with them. Gold Bars became something of a joke-- something that was totally useless. <br /><br />All of that changed a few weeks ago. Gold Bars began popping up everywhere. People found them buying land, selling land, completing steps on the Path to Royalty, in gifts they sent to allies, from the Trader, and as prizes at Festivals. At the same time, the moon started turning red.<br /><br />That is when the alchemist came.<br /><br />She comes in a brightly covered wagon when the moon turns red. She comes only to people who have gold bars, and to them, she offers the choice of three mysterious potions, which can be bought if you have enough gold bars. Their effects are widely varied, and are not fully documented yet.<br /><br />So, are these gold bars worth the bother? How much is a gold bar worth, anyway? It's worth as much good as you get out of the potions. It looks like a good rule of thumb is that one gold bar is worth two acres of land- the exact amount varying according to what you get, of course. For example:<br /><br />Blue Potion (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />When the Trader comes next, he will not charge anything for his prize. Since his usual fee is roughly 2.5 acres of land, that's 2.5 acres' worth of gold that your bar saved you. Note that the Trader also gives out five gold bars as his prize. At 2 acres per bar, this makes the prize worth ten acres, one of the better possibilities.<br /><br />Bubbling Potion (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />The report on this one is that it led to a windfall worth roughly three acres- it says that you feel lucky. <br /><br />Dark Green Potion (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />Five years of tax amnesty. This means roughly 150 percent of what your land produces in a year. How many acres that equals depends on acre cost vs acre production and what your tax rate is. In my case, it would be considerably less than one acre, since I have a lot of acres that don't produce much compared to their cost. Unless you have a fairly low number of acres, this may not be a good option.<br /><br />Draught of Quintain (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />When you go to the jousts, you don't have to practice (twice). Since you 'practice' by giving up an acre of land, this potion saves you two acres.<br /><br />Elixir of Prevention (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />Prevents disasters and gives you the amount of citizens that you would have gotten if you had done the second highest option. Considering how much the second best option costs, multiplied by the four times that someone reports it lasted, puts this prize in the one to two acre range.<br /><br />Essence of Loyalty (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />Increases the amount you get for being loyal. The usual loyalty reward is 1/4 of acre price. With this, the prize is twice acre price. Again, just under two acres in land.<br /><br />Lure of Gold (Cost: 1 gold bar) : <br />Increases the amount potential subjects are offered when you send bribes. One report is that the amount tripled. Assuming that the amount normally offered is roughly one acre of land for the recipient, this means that they would get two more acres of land from it. (Note that it's said the larger bribe offers keep getting made until someone accepts once.)<br /><br />Oil of Metagrobology (Cost: 1 gold bar): <br />Lets you get the prizes for answering correctly to riddles even if you don't answer at all. This one works repeatedly, but it would have to work a lot of times to be worth two acres! One, perhaps. Of course, all it really saves you is the trouble of answering the riddles for yourself... and if you don't pay much attention to the hud, it turns a lost chance riddle into an automatic gold windfall.<br /><br />There are other potions. Many are not well understood at this point. Many that are understood are only good for particular people. For instance, what good is the ability to not pay an acre to joust if you never choose to joust? What good is being rewarded for loyalty if your liege never rewards your loyalty? And so forth.<br /><br />My personal experience with the potions was with the generosity one that let me give away land. For a one time gift of three acres, I could just say the name and they got three acres of my land. It's only a convenience, unless the person you're naming is never available, for whatever reason, for you to give them the acres, and you want them to have them. <br /><br />In the end, it looks like a very mixed bag, some that could be worth a tidy amount, some that are useless, many that are yet unknown. If you have knowledge of more potions and what they do, feel free to add them to <a href="http://malixu.me.uk/tinyempires/index.php?title=Federation_Specific_Information#Alchemist">the wiki.</a> (It lists more potions that I didn't list in this analysis.)<br /><br />Until then, count your bars carefully and keep an eye on the moon. It may or may not be "worth it", but it's fun to find out!Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-9079769682718285292009-04-19T17:47:00.000-07:002009-04-19T17:52:56.721-07:00Breaking News!TERRA AUREA TRIBUNE'S TOP NEWS HEADLINE:<br /><br /> Grand Vicereine Liasha Halcali of Angels of the Empire was detained by the Emperor's Imperial Police Force early Sunday afternoon for the attempted murder of the Mysterious Trader. Investigators in this case have uncovered disturbing mental health records from a recent stay in the Empire's Mental Health Facility, which may tie in with this GV's state of mind at the time of this crime. This photo is a still from the compound's numerous security camera's.<br /><br />[[CENSORED]]<br /><br /> Needless to say, it is a shocking photo. However, there is no known motive behind this heinous crime. The Emperor's agents have remained silent on the case, only commenting to say, "The Trader is fine and again making his rounds. His safety is no longer a threat." Meanwhile, Liasha Halcali has been detained, and will remain locked behind bars without bail. When approached by our news team, she had nothing to say about the charges against her. A formal court hearing is expected in the coming weeks, and as always, we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPnKstd1v4-9bg3HPr6IqjmONU8X9qzcEPd6-VwketsZ05IOg9-2HWZvy4ILSDZMqWwpQuQRyFL529Xlot2L_8iUpmp02ZhmpzRopGU4MTcRZH6YS-F52065pzz57IndCr9cWaw3cz18B/s1600-h/LiashaJailed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPnKstd1v4-9bg3HPr6IqjmONU8X9qzcEPd6-VwketsZ05IOg9-2HWZvy4ILSDZMqWwpQuQRyFL529Xlot2L_8iUpmp02ZhmpzRopGU4MTcRZH6YS-F52065pzz57IndCr9cWaw3cz18B/s320/LiashaJailed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326569936411134194" /></a>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-8246380221544308302009-04-09T17:14:00.000-07:002009-04-09T17:31:26.648-07:00Interview with Zak Zamin<p align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRD_tLyE8V06MshQ0eX8ShPzHQRRjVcdbPPeTC_-d4-LrxC84R6uLiGJGMSixxtif-IjKuAMy5jJhjfcSVNjG1atZ0lCQbQYvqmkQzUOHcAuXm43JWN7XICtwe2avS_rdEST-N2yvbDQo/s1600-h/Vulpine,+Zak+Interview+08.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRD_tLyE8V06MshQ0eX8ShPzHQRRjVcdbPPeTC_-d4-LrxC84R6uLiGJGMSixxtif-IjKuAMy5jJhjfcSVNjG1atZ0lCQbQYvqmkQzUOHcAuXm43JWN7XICtwe2avS_rdEST-N2yvbDQo/s320/Vulpine,+Zak+Interview+08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322850338467933794" /></a><br /><i>Vulpine Eldrich and Zak Zamin</i><br /></p><br /><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Good evening everyone! I'm here with Royal Cassanova Zak Zamin of Avalon, dancing in a charming little club while banana leaf fans create a slight breeze and a purple dragon flies by in the distance. Wow! I'm not dreaming, am I, Zak? This is happening?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Yes. The baby dragon is hatching too. You may pet it if you like.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Ohhh! I think... later! So in the meantime, I understand that you're something more than 'just a Prince' in Avalon. What is your exact rank in the largest Kingdom of the Empire?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Really I am a Prince in Avalon. One of many. I have completed my path to royalty and had the correct number of acres to qualify for Grand Viceroy. So at the moment I am acting in that role. It is temporary as I am from way down in the organization.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So what is going to happen next? And when, I suppose I should also ask.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> When my time is up as GV, I will go back to my liege and resume my status there.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So is there a regular schedule for this role?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> No. Queen Shawna asked if there were people in the Queendom who would like to participate. We had to qualify and we also have to be directly under her. So there is a lot of logistics that have to be considered.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I can imagine. So you were down in the lines, and you volunteered to be an acting Grand Viceroy. Obviously, the application was accepted. Is this the highlight of your career, or is there something in the past or future that is greater?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Ascending to King would be the ultimate. However, being the GV is sort of like practice for the Royalty Rank.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Is there anything you lack in qualifications for being a King?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> No. I completed my Path to Royalty except for the final step where I would be promoted. I asked the Emperor to suspend my Path so I would quit getting the prompt on my hud. One slip and you are there and cannot return without major problems. I don't even know what they are but I did come close to selecting the wrong button.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> That last step... have you ever heard of such a thing happening?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> No. I don't think anyone would want to admit a mistake like that.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> lol, perhaps not! But you won't have to worry for at least as long as you are a Viceroy. As I recall, the Path is automatically suspended then, which is a nice fringe benefit in this case.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I have never looked at the rules that hard for GV. Right now I am enjoying giving free acres and titles to residents of the kingdom.<br /></p><p><I><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich watches another title given by Zak roll across her hud and nods in understanding</FONT></I><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So what else do you do as Viceroy?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Basically, I try to make sure that if someone has a problem, I look for someone who can resolve it if I can't. I give acres to people. I am just support to the Queen.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> What sort of problems do people bring to you? And what sort of problem does it take to be beyond you?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> People need subjects. They don't know how to pass out the trial hud. I sometimes give pointers in how to entice others to become part of TE.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Are there any you'd like to pass on to the rest of us?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> There are a couple. One is for women, I ask: "Have you ever dreamed of being a Princess?"<br /></p><p><I><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich laughs.</FONT></I> "And if they inform you that they're always a Princess, what then? Oh, never mind, do go on. What about the men?"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I laugh with them. You'd be surprised how many say, "Yes!" All their lives. Then I commence to tell them of the game and how they too can be a Princess.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I keep a Rez Day Calendar of people in SL. TE is not required to get on my calendar. I currently have 1750+ names on my list. I talk to many, many people, everyday. I will admit that most of the people on my list have women avies. Women are easier for me to talk to than men. Always have been.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So are more of your downline women than men?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Most of my directs are women. I have 7 directs. One is loaned out. I have 2 men and 5 women. After that, they get their own down line. I just help them and make sure that their people are happy.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Have you ever moved someone to a different liege, using your abilities as a Grand Viceroy?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Ouch. Yes, just this morning.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Ouch? There weren't any problems with it, were there?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> It is a very expensive move. However, the individual in question played before with one avie and gave up his membership in SL. When he came back he was a fellow of his first alt. So I moved the first (defunct) alt to the current one. Now the current person has his acres from his prior TE experience.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I did this for a member of a different line but within Avalon. I would do it for someone in my downline in a heartbeat but would actually think twice about doing it for another.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Which means you could move anyone to anyone else within the kingdom of Avalon.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> They have to qualify. The moving avie has to have been inactive for a period of time. Also the rules of movement have to be followed.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> No Prince under a Duke, etc... still, even with the expense, it could be very useful, as you pointed out! But looking back to the past... how did you get started in Tiny Empires, and in the Kingdom of Avalon?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I started in Avalon. I have some dear friends in this line. Starting with Marissa Goodliffe and moving to Lachland Campbell. They come to the Lily Pad to see Starr Singer when she performs there. The owner of the Lily Pad was contacted by Lachland. Drift Monde then created an alt of Tipsy the Frog. Tipsy sponsored Starr and Starr sponsored me. Starr and I were partners at one time. I will not leave her<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Not even to be King?<br /></p><p><I><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin clears his throat.</Font></i><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I could have moved to King a little less than a year ago. My ties to my immediate upline are too tight. This is a game and moving would be tough for me. Starr and I had a plan that we would ascend and we would retire as Royalty. Once a Royal, always a Royal even if you don't have any subjects. But Starr had some changes in rl and she is not as active in TE as she had originally planned. So she is far from being ready to ascend.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Which leaves you temporarily moving to Queen Shawna to be Grand Viceroy. But speaking of games and being active, what about the new game- Tiny Empires 3000. Have you tried it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> No. I cannot imagine starting this all over again. I know that others are running both.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Have you noticed any particular effect it has had on people being active or not, moving or not, in the traditional game?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I have noticed the absence of people for long periods of time. But that may be caused by other games outside of SL, too. Right now, my renters are looking at another game called Openlifegrid, so they are not around in here that much.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I see what you mean! So do you find Tiny Empires occupying much of your Second Life, or do most of your activities here focus elsewhere?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I have begun to help Drift Monde with her Lily Pad Lounge. She has been in SL since 2003 and is tired. So I offered to help her so she could get away from SL for awhile. So I manage the Lily Pad, Play TE, and attend to my Rez Day Calendar.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Well thank you very much for making time for me in that busy schedule! So is there anything else that people need to know about Tiny Empires and your role in it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I may be a Prince in Avalon, but I am just a pawn in the whole scheme of things. The object is to have fun. If you can't have fun where you are, you should move or quit. Enjoy, always.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> I notice you have a large line in TE yourself. Do our ideas complement one another?<br /></p><p><I><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich laughs</FONT></I><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I helped create the Kingdom of Caledon. It was the sixteenth one formed, over a year ago now. I never will become Queen, but that's because I'm part of what I created now.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Ahhhh. Well, I'm impressed by your lines. You have done well.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I made new friends, and brought my old ones into it... the rest followed. Thank you for your compliments, however, they should be honored by them! And I might also add, thank you for the dance as well as the conversation.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> It has been my pleasure.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Now, what about that baby dragon... shall we go see if it's pettable without losing anything vital?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Zak Zamin:</Font></B> Sure. Come.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Great!</p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsefI1dEWS4WnOo93PEy4tDGpzdmwG5vH6jaBaouKxJMzAvfGVNp5eDFD8wjFaRdfg3UzVcHBMtLZtvcwUb2zV_sb9aV-pgswt76tQ2VTeick79Vk-rX_6BqIoErFpJO3BgXVlH9ZvsGG/s1600-h/Vulpine,+Zak+Interview+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsefI1dEWS4WnOo93PEy4tDGpzdmwG5vH6jaBaouKxJMzAvfGVNp5eDFD8wjFaRdfg3UzVcHBMtLZtvcwUb2zV_sb9aV-pgswt76tQ2VTeick79Vk-rX_6BqIoErFpJO3BgXVlH9ZvsGG/s320/Vulpine,+Zak+Interview+10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322850622748206658" /></a><br /><i>As you can see, he was very pettable, and heart-meltingly cute!</i><br /></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-27848841073558370512009-04-01T04:40:00.000-07:002009-04-01T04:45:14.002-07:00Greetings of the Day!So I get on this morning, and people are laughing in the TE chat. It didn't take long to see why. Here was the hud that greeted me:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4SCNyvjNPNm4i8y9OO311hFKVjNxzGKWjM7vilz7T-ZUOl8YRNZlY1Tae6SLcgDD_YXGd1u3h8pm24phs5uSrTsSYyk-R4bp9Zv14rjLJZ5lpnq3RmFKNkixhKchL2LPvfRaujh-OgMK/s1600-h/Arpil1-Title.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4SCNyvjNPNm4i8y9OO311hFKVjNxzGKWjM7vilz7T-ZUOl8YRNZlY1Tae6SLcgDD_YXGd1u3h8pm24phs5uSrTsSYyk-R4bp9Zv14rjLJZ5lpnq3RmFKNkixhKchL2LPvfRaujh-OgMK/s320/Arpil1-Title.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319686735731243506" /></a><br /><br />So who am I to argue with my hud? Well, the next month I was ready to! "Smeared Makeup Vulpine Eldrich"? Puh-leeezee And then the next month is "Always Forgotten Vulpine Eldrich". Riiigghhttt...<br /><br />So, Greetings of the Day! April Fool's day to be exact. Enjoy your new titles! Check your Liege and your subjects as well. Here are some I've collected, everyone feel free to add more in- and who they applied to, if you dare! :)<br /><br />All Thumbs<br />Underlit<br />Thug Life4Ever<br />Such a Baby<br />Light of my Life<br />Majorette<br />Totally Forgettable<br />Destitute Millionaire<br />Shy & Dullard<br />Royal Janitor<br />Unskilled Ropejumper<br />OMG WOW<br />Power Overwhelming<br />Dances With Sheep<br />Here Kitty<br />Minor Character<br />Cold-Handed<br />Royal Idiot<br />Out Of It<br />Incompetent Spy<br />Smarty Pants<br /><br />...and it goes on...Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-6045094463987877202009-03-29T16:40:00.001-07:002009-03-29T16:50:58.111-07:00TE UpgradeThose worried that the original TE we've all grown to know and love would cease to have development on it must have been happy to see a new version of the hud released the other day. We're told that this one is compiled in mono, which means it should run faster (and that the SL servers should be happier with it.) <br /><br />It also means that if you say /1100 help, you get access to some configuration menus, as follows:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i7pVZJuAg2tjSOC5hcffjUOUfwDV_kKFy56ee31ChFY6Li-SwEO01Fx3_6pswMRxewIkDJ9mt8Ox0VbZ5GXy1CRLaDeFn7TcngEa-M8VNHA3RF7atWH0TuW7NSRcAYkt2z6g98ItWjM1/s1600-h/te-menu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i7pVZJuAg2tjSOC5hcffjUOUfwDV_kKFy56ee31ChFY6Li-SwEO01Fx3_6pswMRxewIkDJ9mt8Ox0VbZ5GXy1CRLaDeFn7TcngEa-M8VNHA3RF7atWH0TuW7NSRcAYkt2z6g98ItWjM1/s320/te-menu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318759159890275682" /></a><br />Sounds sub-menu:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2rbCGrnHhBX6JftX0rZxdeT7D64w4toXNO55vzNU006MH6BMbWgi2DC3Pr2avc-G98HoNNTxLI3SZJkoEnDQr-pReHKzVQpkSqCRb7-Jj1fuGRvu84eLCUiXlga3E7Ng6SQdIZYjDECg/s1600-h/te-menu1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2rbCGrnHhBX6JftX0rZxdeT7D64w4toXNO55vzNU006MH6BMbWgi2DC3Pr2avc-G98HoNNTxLI3SZJkoEnDQr-pReHKzVQpkSqCRb7-Jj1fuGRvu84eLCUiXlga3E7Ng6SQdIZYjDECg/s320/te-menu1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318759079293383938" /></a><br />Text sub-menu:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTlyffB0MaUW9o0PeFuJg0_2v1uTyKOZVQ4LIt-biR8wq7QKr329RXgFdD62bcaGWBolPkI4-sgPn0a4HJzjhSUUkudYCrwacE7OTtYoF4hRCXlFXb34NTxYZIBLun8flTOFmuQvqqDnS/s1600-h/te-menu2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTlyffB0MaUW9o0PeFuJg0_2v1uTyKOZVQ4LIt-biR8wq7QKr329RXgFdD62bcaGWBolPkI4-sgPn0a4HJzjhSUUkudYCrwacE7OTtYoF4hRCXlFXb34NTxYZIBLun8flTOFmuQvqqDnS/s320/te-menu2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318758867116847058" /></a><br /><br />My personal favorite out of those options is the option to have a turn sound <i>only</i> when there's something in that month. (It should prove helpful to those of us with two huds now!)<br /><br />The ability to reset back to a default (visible) position is great as well. I know that I, for one, have accidentally moved it off the screen (and once missed a Trader that way.)<br /><br />Another thing that's changed is that it automatically notifies you when you're going into non-scripted (or scripted) areas. The background of the clock turns red. I'm not sure if it works better now in non-scripted areas (that would be great news if it did) because I haven't had the courage yet to try it!<br /><br />Still, a nice little bonus for us all. (Oh, and for those of you playing the new game, try /3000 help)Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-61301263301237776492009-03-21T19:55:00.000-07:002009-03-22T06:21:31.157-07:00Allies. Who needs them?Players who buy the TE Federation HUD notice that one of the changes in it is that it now has a tab called 'Allies' (it replaces the old 'Fellows' tab on the regular hud) The next question is, what are allies?<br /><br />An ally is another TE player with whom you are "allied". To become allies, the two of you stand next to each other and wait for the offers to come up. An offer says "do you wish to ally with x?", you say yes, they get the offer, and say yes or no. It's the same basic process as changing allegiance. You both have to be Count or higher. (One word of warning: if both players are at the Prince level, the huds may get stuck on offering to let one join the other. In that case, detach and re-attach.)<br /><br />So now that you've made an ally (or know that you can), why should you? What good is one?<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>If you are sabotaged, an online ally will get the chance to pay to help get your acres back. (This is often seen in the announcements as 'an investigation funded by one ally convicted the main suspect...')</li><br /><li>You can transfer citizens between each other. This transfer becomes even more efficient if you build an embassy</li><br /><li>If you build four embassies, you get an extra gold per acre on your land.</li><br /></ul><br /><br />One note about embassies: they are expensive (roughly five times acre cost) and they take an acre of your ally's land (your ally loses an acre of personal land when you build one.) On the other hand, you start getting good offers on your land which is attributed to the embassies. And the cost of an embassy can be reduced if you buy it during a year of cheap land from the trader. That year adjusts your land price down to a third of its normal rates, and a lot of calculations- including loyalty rewards and embassy costs- go down as well.<br /><br />Since you can have up to four allies, and since you get that extra gold per acre after building four embassies, people who get the federation hud are strongly encouraged to get allies as quickly as possible- preferably ones who have plenty of citizens to give them!<br /><br />But when looking for an ally, you must keep in mind the fact that you can <i>not</i> have your liege or a direct subject as your ally. This means that when you want to make allies within your own group (a natural desire), you have to look a bit further afield. It may be your liege's liege (or a subject's subject). Or it may be another subject of your liege. When trying to track who is allied with who, and who is lieged to, the joins can quickly become an interlocked mesh of two separate webs of connections. <br /><br />Since things can be so complicated, and since new Federation HUD players are encouraged to get allies soon, they often find friends outside of their immediate group- may, in fact, have to. And why not? I know that when I find that there are people in my group who have allies elsewhere, I tend to say "great, I'm glad to hear it." It's a nice way for friends who are lieged to different areas- even kingdoms- to still share a friendship within the game. It's a good way to find other people (or have your liege find other people for you!)<br /><br />And, in the end, that may be the best reason to have allies: to recognize existing friendships and create new ones.<br /><br />Who needs allies? Perhaps the question might be better asked, who needs friends?Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-71435099625854328442009-03-15T12:24:00.000-07:002009-03-15T12:39:27.206-07:00Snowy Sidran Interview<p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHc0tY6VdEyFzn7E8CqvqTVdsPb4Xa_N-TVkHPqKcCHZopgcFEpmF6jEB11LjQ8WqmC0CrNyLjF316ZMW5dDZJAWnhpGI8fVsvQfEeJFqjFi00hHzmcRZ_9D55S5SUDmsmT9exnIVGMHj/s1600-h/Misterioso-Int.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHc0tY6VdEyFzn7E8CqvqTVdsPb4Xa_N-TVkHPqKcCHZopgcFEpmF6jEB11LjQ8WqmC0CrNyLjF316ZMW5dDZJAWnhpGI8fVsvQfEeJFqjFi00hHzmcRZ_9D55S5SUDmsmT9exnIVGMHj/s320/Misterioso-Int.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313498213568028754" /></a><i>Queen snowy Sidran and Vulpine Eldrich</i></p><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I'm here this morning in a little grassy dell, under a dark sky lightening with the first hint of dawn. This is the home of Misterioso, and Queen snowy Sidran is here, with several of her companions and subjects. Snowy, the first question I always like to ask is, what does Misterioso mean, and why choose it for your kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "Misterioso is the name of one of my favorite Jazz albums, a life recording of a concert by Thelonious Monk, and has for a long time been the name of my Home... and now the Home of the monarchy. When thinking for a name, we kept coming back to it, and in the end decided to simply go for it since it also makes a very nice reference to the Bohemia Homeland we all came from."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you ascended from Bohemia, then. How long have you been playing Tiny Empires, and in Bohemia?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> Yes I did. I started playing TE in November of 2007. It started out as a "let’s go see what it is" amongst a group of friends that frequented the same club here in SL. We kinda got hooked on it quickly, and suddenly I woke up one morning after about a week finding myself a princess and having no idea about how the game really worked still. That luckily changed over time ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> We started out in Bohemia more by chance, but we liked it there and never left until last Saturday, when I ascended.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> That's quite a long time! Was there anything in particular that made you decide a new kingdom was right for you?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> I think that is a decision that grows in time more. And in the end, there is not one real reason to do so, perhaps. For me personally, it was need for a new challenge, perhaps. Having played for that long, being on cap on both land and gold, and wanting to do more for my own down-line specifically. Yet it was a hard choice, and it took me months to decide on it. Leaving "home" and making one’s own is not as simple as it seems, at least not to me.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> But you felt that it was the next logical step, and so you took it. Well, it's been a week now. What new things have you learned when long-time Princess becomes fledgling Queen?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> chuckles. "Mostly that it takes a lot of group-editing and well, honestly, that I have a great downline that sticks up for each other and knows how to take care of themselves very well. I am mostly busy with rearranging and talking to people once more on what they personally want to achieve playing TE, and trying to make it work. And, grinz, I am having a blast finally being able to give out titles and get the gold we accumulated over time into free acres ;)"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> I think an important task of every monarch is to simply welcome people. I try to talk to every new player myself and get them to feel at Home. And since we grew a lot over the last week, that has been taking some time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So has everyone decided who is going to stay with you and who stays in Bohemia? Or is that a work in progress, yet?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> The group that is here now is the group that, as it looks now, will stay here. There were extended talks before ascending with a lot of them, so we had no real surprises there. The people that wanted to stay in Bohemia already moved before we ascended. Even ascending should be a group venture in my view.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> That almost seems obvious... do you know of others who viewed ascending solely as a personal move, and not a group one?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "I tend to hope not, but I am not sure everyone took 3 months of talks and going through doubts before eventually doing so ;)"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So have any doubts persisted? It sounds like the last week has been pure fun!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "They have been, certainly. I think that once decided after such a long period of thinking, it <i>does</i> give you room to simply enjoy. Although leaving behind a lot of our friends and people we have come to love is hard, too, still."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So, as you look to the future, you've obviously got your hands full right now- titles, free acres, and other benefits. What other plans do you have, or hope to have?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> Mostly to keep this group together and keep enjoying it as much as we are now. To me, the benefit of a smaller group so far has been mostly that it draws out the more silent group members again and shows everyone to its rights. The group seems to be working together a lot, and new contacts are being made here at the Homeland. So I expect this to be a Monarchy of friends, and see it as my job to provide all it needs to keep it that way.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So do you have any ambitions as to kingdom size or rank?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> Honestly, no. I cannot say that seeing the rank go up does not make my heart jump some. But it is not what I find the most important thing at all. I’d rather see people enjoy and be happy in a small Monarchy than have a large one where people get lost and are anonymous.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So if the day comes that you feel it is getting too large, what would you do then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> I am not sure really Vulpine, although I do think I have the right set of people here to even make that work. Now, I love knowing everyone myself, but I think there will be a size that will make that impossible. The fact that I have very enthusiastic "large line lieges" that are in close contact with their downline will hopefully prevent us from becoming too large to be a friends group more than a Monarchy with a distant Queen.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So what sort of real life skills and assets have you found helpful in putting all of this together?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> chuckles. "Loving people and being able to let them be who they are....and some perfectionism and always wanting to be on top of everything myself does help, too, I guess."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And which of those qualities- or would it be another- do you feel is the most important for a monarch?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> The first, definitely. The latter might even backfire in the end. I can imagine there are people I will drive insane with my enthusiasm at some point.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> lol, has that happened, or are you merely speculating?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles and looks around. "Well, no one has run yet, so I guess speculating and knowing your own pitfalls....and when to back off, too."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Well, let's hope no one runs screaming into the wilderness! So the game's options seemed too limited for you and you became a monarch. Are there changes to the game that you think would be nice- more options or rules changes?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> I think the game eventually will die if there are no better options for especially the larger Lieges to do something for their downlines or Monarchy. The Viceroy and Grand Viceroy jobs tend to help some in that, but I am not sure it will do enough to not make more and more people ascend over time, leaving a bundle of small Monarchies behind and no real large ones. I would love to see more use of the Alliances, yet to say I really have a clear idea on how to picture that, I do not.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you're predicting a thousand kingdoms with an average size of 25,000 acres?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> Well, if I look at the past week with having seen eight ascensions, I wonder truly what lies ahead there.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> One thing that lies ahead is the new universe/game of TE3000. Granted, you've been busy in this game, but I'm sure you've not been oblivious to the news. How has it affected you and your kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "I know some people have tried on the new HUD, like I did. Yet I have not heard anyone scream that they would leave Tiny Empires for it. To me, it looks like the same game, just with a different scene, and although I am all for a change of scenery (look where we are now), I doubt it will really change the current game a lot."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So are you actively pursuing two games, or just letting the new one idle while you tend to the Kingdom of Misterioso?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B>:</Font></B> Oh no, I am curious of mind simply, so have tried on the TE3000 trial hud to see what it was about.....and honestly deleted it after reaching the end of the trial period. I have my hands full here, and loving every minute of it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> It sounds like you've definitely got a lot to live and love :) So do you have any words of wisdom for someone seeking to succeed in Tiny Empires?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "Oh, geesh. Tend for people and not acres."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> That sounds like a formal motto! Is there anything else you'd like to add, anything that I missed which you'd like to tell everyone about?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> chuckles. "That everyone should be more awake on a Saturday morning trying to bribe Vulpine. Before you know it, you are finding yourself in an interview!"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> laughs. "No, seriously. I hope that everyone keeps enjoying the game and they will find it successful like I did, in meeting lovely people that you normally might never have."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Touche, lol! And one last question... was that giant caterpillar sitting on the mushroom up there blue before or after he started smoking that hookah?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> chuckles. "I think he turned Blue after our GV Ernest Newman busted him monopolizing the bong again."<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> ROFL that might explain a few things... what, I'm not sure, but obviously something. Well thanks so much for spending part of your Saturday morning with me, and best of fortune in the new Kingdom!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">snowy Sidran</Font></B> smiles. "And thank you for being here, Vulpine, this was a nice surprise."<br /></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-55586599339998914052009-03-11T17:27:00.001-07:002009-03-11T17:33:36.859-07:00New Blog announcedAfter consideration, I felt that the "New Tiny Empires" and "Old Tiny Empires" each deserved their own space.<br /><br />As a result, this blog will continue to feature the same analysis, interviews, and other speculation regarding the old game that we have come to know and love.<br /><br />However, for the fans of the new game, you can space out (pun intended) at the new Tiny Empires 3000 blog. It's up for your reading pleasure at <a href="http://tinyempires3000.blogspot.com/">tinyempires3000.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br />Brand new game, brand new adventure, that's what you find in the new blog.<br /><br />Traditional game, traditional format, same commitment to quality, that's what you should still find here!Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-27045464205774927712009-03-10T18:17:00.000-07:002009-03-12T05:24:48.618-07:00The Dreams Revealed: Tiny Empires 3000<p>Today has been total chaos as another realm opens in the universe of Tiny Empires. Chronological shockwaves have launched players from the medieval to the far future of the year 3000. As Tiny Empires in the year 3000 opens, the instructions look much the same as the past. The basic game mechanics shift as follows:</p><br /><table border = "1" cellpadding = "2"><tr><th>Tiny Empires</th><th>Tiny Empires 3000</th></tr><br /><tr><td>Gold</td><td>Credits</td></tr><br /><tr><td>Land/Acres</td><td>Spaceships</td></tr><br /><tr><td>Liege</td><td>Superior</td></tr><br /><tr><td>Subject</td><td>Subordinate</td></tr><br /><tr><td>Kingdom</td><td>Trade Guild</td></tr><br /><tr><td>Taxes</td><td>Dues</td></tr><br /></table><br /><p>There are still plenty of unanswered questions... for one, what is this thing about "colonies"?</p><br /><p>The other big question that everyone keeps asking is, what are the ranks, and how much do we need to get them? The answers that have been given so far (and this will be subject to correction!) are:</p><br /><table border = "1" cellpadding = "2"><tr><th>Number of Ships</th><th>Rank</th></tr><br /><tr><td>1</td><td>Pilot</td></tr><br /><tr><td>2 - 9</td><td>Runner</td></tr><br /><tr><td>10 - 19</td><td>Courier</td></tr><br /><tr><td>20 - 49</td><td>Merchant</td></tr><br /><tr><td>50 - 99</td><td>Trader</td></tr><br /><tr><td>100 - 499</td><td>Trade baron</td></tr><br /><tr><td>500 - 999</td><td>Broker</td></tr><br /><tr><td>1000 +</td><td>Mogul</td></tr><br /><tr><td>????</td><td>Director</td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />Other Miscellaneous Notes:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>First glance says that it is going to be harder to change loyalties in TE3k than in TE. (more credits to switch, not earning them as quickly, perhaps other requirements?)</li><br /><li>The trial TE3K hud stops at 20 ships (not 10 acres)</li><br /><li>The full hud costs 999L</li><br /><li>Ulralite is a Chancellor now. Will that be the new King rank?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYksSnt-5p_TBGJGIYI4INly-5-rpsDe_gq8EVz3Ap-Muzgy9ThkHwBCucZz3L0T0q513fzSnaZ3VvullAGiCbvVRowOYLmR0OdLiumL_5FIVSzrKnEE9NUd14lEQLCWKl9TZxPu1WXWB/s1600-h/ChancellorUltralite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYksSnt-5p_TBGJGIYI4INly-5-rpsDe_gq8EVz3Ap-Muzgy9ThkHwBCucZz3L0T0q513fzSnaZ3VvullAGiCbvVRowOYLmR0OdLiumL_5FIVSzrKnEE9NUd14lEQLCWKl9TZxPu1WXWB/s320/ChancellorUltralite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311747717412820818" /></a><br /></li><br /></ul><br /><br />Resources:<br /><ul><br /><li>The official group (Tiny Empires 3000) </li><br /><li>A player group <a href="secondlife:///app/group/21011530-5168-86f9-3232-dca4437a4749/about">TE3K, the Rebellion</a> </li><br /><li>Official website: <a href="http://www.tinyempires3000.com/">www.tinyempires3000.com</a></li><br /><li>Puzzle Solver: <a href="http://www.erzsabet.com/TE3000Calc.html">Erzsabet's Tiny Empire Calculator</a></li><br /></ul><br /><br />Full speed ahead, Pilot!<br /><br /><p><i>Reposted on the <a href="http://tinyempires3000.blogspot.com/2009/03/crossposted-from-original-tiny-empires.html">Tiny Empires 3000 blog</a></i></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-85484271391465726462009-03-08T16:02:00.000-07:002009-03-09T16:37:36.941-07:00Strange DreamsTroubled nights have come to the Terra Aurean Empire. Inhabitants from the lowliest wanderer (with a Trial Hud) to the highest monarch have restless sleep, punctuated by strange dreams.<br /><br />It all started on Friday March 6th... in the morning, and again that evening, the following message appeared:<br /><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gSV3ytDhMam8RYAOJcxis-6YVaqTj_Uh0MdksSFqmOGs2HKY85TYPTUBKqIEs8d9jmSZENJUl9K8YA1hRh8GUT8TdWGgsQdoQlMw8HQKBFcsnr3PsVTlCSyll88wxqr6x9_TiU7URJ_Y/s1600-h/TE-Dream01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gSV3ytDhMam8RYAOJcxis-6YVaqTj_Uh0MdksSFqmOGs2HKY85TYPTUBKqIEs8d9jmSZENJUl9K8YA1hRh8GUT8TdWGgsQdoQlMw8HQKBFcsnr3PsVTlCSyll88wxqr6x9_TiU7URJ_Y/s320/TE-Dream01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310957382673602370" /></a></p><br /><br />On Saturday, again once in the morning and then that evening, another message appeared:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbaqCBPT_3tHNDaKKmYL-ZXM-2odkJKL3N79lzbezXmjHrgW96EICo91yeDll38gb75RhY7P91IC_-f8fvVASWWj3HiEH5qbOqItchL2xPYdkMcrpwx1YX6ANmlPg68vO2ZLhCdZt5iVA/s1600-h/TE-Dream02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbaqCBPT_3tHNDaKKmYL-ZXM-2odkJKL3N79lzbezXmjHrgW96EICo91yeDll38gb75RhY7P91IC_-f8fvVASWWj3HiEH5qbOqItchL2xPYdkMcrpwx1YX6ANmlPg68vO2ZLhCdZt5iVA/s320/TE-Dream02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310960111438170338" /></a><br /><br />This morning, Sunday the 8th, the third message appeared. It read:<br /><br />You awaken this morning from yet another unusual dream. You were harnessed in a strange sort of carriage that was moving quickly. Through the windows you saw no sky or land, only darkness. But you weren't afraid.<br /><br /><br />So what does it mean? When I was asked that, I stated the obvious "the Emperor is up to something. Outside of that, I have no idea." But speculation is flowing freely, some carrying signs of 'The End Is Near', others saying 'the sky is falling', others saying 'There will be a great pruning!' (quick, record your standings page before it all disappears....)<br /><br />Ideas? Speculation? I'll try to keep this post updated with new messages as they appear- feel free to add them into the comments!<br /><br />Interesting times, indeed...<br /><br /><p><b>Fourth Dream, March 9th</b></p><br /><p>Another strang dream rousts you from bed this morning, You were flying like an owl, through a desolate, gray valley. The sky was dark. You felt like you were on a quest or mission, but you woke before you could land.</p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-12862779730031396142009-03-08T07:13:00.000-07:002009-03-08T07:24:15.460-07:00Angel Cordoso Interview<p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95M6mqNxrcOYO01hW-aZNYJFZuHVliUg9nOXuLudw5pwB_4YqjbAYUZN3jJhkdFaqMeA7UgJ8Af-z2QKy6yV5a3SC-eiD0A2PhzOfIWnKDMyIKXF7QbxDu5lfDk8xqqKSblxwsdw307gd/s1600-h/Amber-int.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95M6mqNxrcOYO01hW-aZNYJFZuHVliUg9nOXuLudw5pwB_4YqjbAYUZN3jJhkdFaqMeA7UgJ8Af-z2QKy6yV5a3SC-eiD0A2PhzOfIWnKDMyIKXF7QbxDu5lfDk8xqqKSblxwsdw307gd/s320/Amber-int.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310820792340682450" /></a><br /><i>Vulpine Eldrich and King Angel Cordoso</i></p><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Greetings Vulpine, and welcome to Amber castle :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Thank you for having me!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Have a seat :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Oh, thanks again. So, to our readers, I'm in a gray stone castle, sitting in a dark red couch, next to a very handsome and muscular King... the King of Amber. If I might start my questions, why the name of Amber? What does it mean to you and the others in your kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> The name Amber comes from a fantasy series written by Roger Zelazny, which I find is very relevant to Second Life. In the series, Amber is the 'real world', and all other worlds (like our Earth) are 'shadows' of Amber. The Princes and Princesses of Amber 'walk through shadow', manipulating reality as they go, very much like Second Life itself! In addition, it is also just a nice name. I wanted something simple and pretty.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And you definitely chose one. So who from the series is your role model, as King of Amber?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Actually, they are all fairly dreadful individuals :) They are in some sense my counter-role models, as they are solely interested in power at any cost. The main character, Corwin, is slightly better than the rest but not much ... it was more the concept of the place that I liked.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So what sort of positive traits and role models do you follow as King?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> I have ideals for how to act. My first principal is that I believe diplomacy is the key to solving all problems. It doesn't always work, but it is always worth it to try to get people to fix their problems through mutual understanding.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Has that failed for you, and if so, how did you handle it then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> No it doesn't always work. Sometimes people just aren't getting along and there is nothing to be done about it. I don't banish in my Kingdom, so in the past, techniques I've used have included spending my vacation time trying to amicably split a line into two, and when absolutely necessary, pruning people who just can't play nicely in the Kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Always a painful job, I'm sure. And what other principals have you followed? <br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> My second principal is to try to be as honest and straightforward as possible. I have found that many of the so-called 'dramas' in the game happen when people got caught in lies or underhanded deals. <br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So how do you find new people for Amber? What sort of personality, or place, or thing, do you use as a guide?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> At this point, I don't actively recruit as much as manage who is around. That said, a lot of people have heard of Amber, or have been in Amber at some point, and I get more than the occasional IM asking if I'd be interested in having a line in my kingdom. At that point, depending on the size of the line, the requirements, the personalities, etc., I'll work with my directs to find the person a proper home. I used to be more 'they are acres, just take them', but now I am much more interested in getting to know the people a little better first to get an idea of whether they'd be a good fit or not.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Why the change in attitude?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Short term gains in acres at any cost invariably cause big troubles later on. Too many conflicting personalities can only co-exist for so long before you get some sort of breakdown.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> That sounds like the voice of experience to me. Speaking of experience, how did you get started in Tiny Empires?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Ah, the way most people who get highly obsessed do, I think. :) My girlfriend at the time mentioned it to me in passing one day, and I expressed an interest. I instantly got addicted to it and have been playing ever since, even if at perhaps a less fevered pitch. I got my HUD February 18th of last year, so it has been a year and 10 days now.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how long did it take for you to decide you wanted to be a King?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Not for several months. I initially wanted to support my liege and my liege's liege; I had no intention of ascending. Eventually circumstances changed and I thought I'd give it a shot myself. I ascended on the 28th of July of last year.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> What in particular happened to change your mind, and when you did, did you have enough to ascend immediately, or did you have to work at it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> When I changed my mind, I don't remember if I had enough to ascend or not, but in any case I wanted to make sure I ascended with more than the bare minimum. I ascended with 37,000 acres, which was #35 at the time (there were half as many kingdoms then, of course). I think it was a gradual progress, and I had some dissatisfaction with Kingdom at the time, and no one else was ascending, so I figured it would have to be me!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So did you have a group of people- friends- under you who were encouraging you to ascend?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> I did yes, a couple in particular, that were very supportive. Also, when I made my plans public, it turned out that most of the people under me were loyal and wanted to come along. We made a stop on the way to becoming Amber in Devonshire for 3 weeks, and in that time there was very little movement away. It was very rewarding to see that people were really excited about this new Kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I can imagine! So you ascended, became King, and found out by experience what it was all about. Did you have any particular real life or second life talents, skills, or experience that proved useful?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> I think my strongest suits are diplomacy and an even temper. I try to understand all sides of a story when there is a conflict, and to try to resolve it as best I can that way. I also try to show my appreciation as much as possible without being an acre slave driver. These are things I try to bring from how I am in RL into the game. Aside from that, I am not royalty in RL, nor even a politician!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Yes, I did notice your commitment to honesty earlier... but be that as it may. I assume this Palace we're in is Amber's central meeting point in Second Life? What sort of facilities do you have for subjects in Amber?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Anyone is welcome to come here at any time, although this location is still fairly new. There is a Greedy table upstairs, and the Sim is free for exploration. Most of the services I provide are virtual, though - I put together an Amber Business Directory, for advertising SL builders/clubs/shops/etc., and am about to put together a RL directory for people looking for RL jobs in these hard economic times. Also, I've created a Helper that you can wear that provides answers to riddles and a welcome pack, amongst other things.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> An impressive list! How busy does all of this keep you? How many hours a week go into managing Amber, in one form or another?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Many! Most of the time I am online, I am doing something related to Amber, even if I am no longer actively recruiting. Warning to anyone wanting to ascend: being a Monarch is a full-time job (on top of your other full time jobs...) So yes, it is a busy schedule of several hours a day doing something Amber-related, most days of the week.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> A good warning! Have you ever found yourself wishing you could relinquish the responsibilities and go back to being a Prince?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably lying :) Yes, but then I think of all the people I would disappoint if I did (although I'd probably make a lot of other people very happy! But I am not as interested in pleasing them.) Also, there is still a lot of fun to be had, so I should be around for a bit longer I'd say!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Are there any particular plans in your TE and Amber's future, besides keeping things going and active?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Well, getting back in the top 10 would be nice. It means absolutely nothing, but it's a nice goal to have. We are at #11 right now, which is a great place to be because it keeps the excitement level high and gives a great goal to achieve. But other than that, just keep on playing is all that's on the agenda :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And playing usually means having fun, which I suspect is also on the agenda! What about game development in general- any new features or changes that you'd like to see in the rules?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> One thing I'd like to see is a way to have proper treaties between Kingdoms. Many kingdoms have no bribe/no sabo treaties with other Kingdoms, but there's no way to enforce them and they cause drama when some subject breaks the treaty, willingly or by accident. It would be nice if you could have a set number of Kingdoms where their names wouldn’t show up for bribes or sabotage, similar to the way that you can't bribe in-Kingdom any more.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So more ways and options to form inter-kingdom alliances.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Yes, exactly. From there you can imagine interesting concepts of merging Kingdoms and such, but I'd be happy with that to start.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> A good idea, and it could open a new level of play. But before getting to the lofty peak of monarch options, you have to start at the bottom. What would your first piece of advice be to someone just starting Tiny Empires- or maybe just considering whether or not they should?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Well, first thing is to get your friends playing early on. Getting subjects early is a real key to becoming a good player.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> Once you have your base, go out and hit the friends list! You never know who is out there. But very important - let people know exactly what the game is about. Otherwise, you are just going to get a lot of 7 acre subjects that aren't going to play anyway. So yes, tell everyone about it, but be upfront and clear too, about just what you are getting them into :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> A very good idea! Well, I suppose that's most of the questions I wanted to ask. Was there anything else that I missed that you think needs to be added?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> No, you were very thorough I think ... it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope you got a good feel of what Amber is about!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Thank you... one more question, though perhaps it's slightly personal... am I imagining it, or are your eyes truly colored Amber?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> They are indeed, and it is on purpose :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Very good indeed! Well thank you so much for your time, and have a great evening :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Angel Cordoso:</Font></B> You too</p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-78428207355556587032009-03-01T05:26:00.001-08:002009-03-01T05:41:37.276-08:00Lazarus Rang Interview<p><i>On Sunday February 22nd, I had a chance to talk with King Lazarus Rang about his then brand-new kingdom. As you can see, the story was on-going even as we talked, and much has happened since this interview. But this is what was happening then...</i></p><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3KL86WSW4MRkqbfhTa_lBNXIE7TkTk7CtziMKuvcIHj5d8TW3pZOUrOmg7h4_8NlYXvVsFAoJEZ9uM4bwClnXcwB6-NhzfryhZaN43a7LiwK6Ul77TWpJgvlds064tOUtcvUafYrvKKQ/s1600-h/Rang_Int.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3KL86WSW4MRkqbfhTa_lBNXIE7TkTk7CtziMKuvcIHj5d8TW3pZOUrOmg7h4_8NlYXvVsFAoJEZ9uM4bwClnXcwB6-NhzfryhZaN43a7LiwK6Ul77TWpJgvlds064tOUtcvUafYrvKKQ/s320/Rang_Int.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308210316417127250" /></a><br /><i>King Lazarus Rang and Vulpine Eldrich</i></p><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Hello, everyone! I'm here today with Lazarus Rang, King of the Kingdom of White Light. Thank you, Lazarus, for inviting me into your most spacious and impressive log home. I take it this is the center of your kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Aye, here and our Garden.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So tell me about how a Kingdom gets the name of White Light, and what sort of Garden does it take to host such a kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I can show you our Garden if you like. It is adjacent to the "Log Palace"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Come, and I will tell you the tale.<br /></p><p><i>We left the house and walked into the garden...</i><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> This is our Garden we are working on as our Public area. My dear old friend Luna McMillan made this tree & swing system for me.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I see an impressive building of marble. It seems to glow with... white light?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Our bath gazebo (still a work in progress.)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I rezzed March 1, 2007, and worked to learn building my first three weeks in SL. I’ve never stopped since.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> But eventually you began building more than bath houses and began building a kingdom in Tiny Empires. How did that come about?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I met my partner Aurora Llewellyn September 7, 2007 and she really is the pivot in most of my story here, including TE. We were not together as partners for the first five months, but friends. I was married in SL, and it broke up. I needed a distraction while the hurt healed.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> A lady I was dating introduced me to TE, but it lasted <i>much</i> longer than that relationship. Aurora joined me very early on in TE, one my first three subjects. We built our relationship while we played, but TE was never our focus.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you played Tiny Empires as more of a sideline, while you pursued other interests?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I moved VERY quickly in TE. I joined under Egypt, and made Prince in 10 days, but it was a sideline. I owned and ran a club & rental area called Lovers Hideaway.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you were a Prince in TE, almost by accident, but mostly a club owner. But eventually, you became King. What changed?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Time changed. The club was never successful, so after a year I gave up. RL finances determined that I needed to sell the land. This is where the story gets personal but bears heavily on what happened.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Aurora had a RL stroke while we were online last spring. When she recovered, I asked her to partner and marry. We lived our life at an accelerated pace, not knowing if any day would be our last together. We wanted to have SL babes as well.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> In RL, she is my best friend, and I wanted her to have the best experiences possible. I promised I would make her my Queen in every way, but her health declined soon after we married May, 30, 2008, and her laptop broke. I ended up with a <i>lot</i> of time alone, so TE became my focus. I followed my liege, Lodi McMillan thru several kingdoms as we grew.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> You were still a Prince, then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Oh, yes, I never fell below Prince since the day I made it. In Aurora's absence a young woman joined us, as a submissive, but eventually it evolved. Aurora became healthier and returned, so she asked us to be in a poly-marriage. It seemed wonderful, we really grew and were popular in our Kingdom of that time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Which kingdom was this?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Home, under King BackHome Soon. He was best man when Aurora & I married, and is still a good friend.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you were at Home, with Aurora and your other wife. What happened next?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> This young woman was a drama magnet. She was with someone else a week after the marriage, and it turned very ugly in 2 weeks. I posted something she said in group chat out of anger, and to keep order BackHome sent me to TE prison.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I accepted it as a price for my foolishness. Several people IM'ed me in prison LOL. One sent a cake with a file in it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I trust you didn't break a tooth on it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> After I was out, I met the person. It turned out she was a daughter of King Angel Cordoso of Amber. She and her sister befriended me and Aurora.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Then Aurora's health declined again. In real life, she has Lupus, and it is getting worse, life threatening. I have not had a week with my SL wife since the 1st week of November.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> The second sister in Amber was dumped by her partner, and you can see where the story is going... Two lonely, high ranking people in TE. We bonded, and I was at a point I felt I was a liability to Home after my outburst.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I had a princess there move under me, cause a big drama, then when I warned her that BackHome was considering banishing her if she did not stop, she left me while BackHome and his Queen Lodi were trying to set up my ascension.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you had less than twenty thousand in total acres then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I had 25,000 acres, but I felt trapped. 5000 said they would return Home if I left. I had about 200 people under me.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Bunny (the princess from Amber- I use her name only to keep it all straight) offered to liege under Aurora if I moved to Amber. I agreed <i>only</i> if King Angel and King Backhome formed an alliance to protect both kingdoms. So I moved, Bunny lieged, and my other 5000 acres moved home.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Bunny had over 50k acres. We were half of Amber. Things were good until a month ago.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I seem to attract people with serious health issues. Bunny found she has terminal cancer. A week later she was pushing a relationship between me and her SL sister, now our wife, Sekmet. She pulled further and further away, began to act strangely.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> At first she lived with us, then three days later she left. Then she removed most contact, but called me her best friend. A week ago, she entered a two day fishing contest at Wicked World, where she and Sekmet work.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Anyhow, during the last week, Bunny's actions have rocked and nearly destroyed a kingdom and it came down to this. We had a malcontent that was asked to leave Amber named DeathRitual that she was talking to. He is a very nasty, foul-mouthed young man with serious hatred to the world.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Also, just after she found she was sick, she made me <i>promise</i> to protect her downline and friends.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Protect them from what?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I was to care for them and keep them from being broken up or raided. We were going to ascend later, after we hit 100K and made Amber #1. At the time, we had 88,000 acres, 66,000 under Bunny.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Last Sunday night, she had lieged DeathRitual under her, and made a <i>bet</i> on the fishing tourney that if she won he would stay and never ascend. If she lost, she would let him reliege and move under him. She lost. I did not know until after the bet was made.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> When and how did you find out?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I found out Monday morning when Bunny told me she was ahead by 100 points. I was <i>not</i> happy at all. I did not like or trust this person. Neither did the upper levels of Amber, he was infamous for drama.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> I can imagine. So, if I understand this correctly, first you swear to protect the line from being raided or stolen, then she puts them all on the line with a fishing bet, which she then loses.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Yes.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> What did you do then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Tuesday she was crying, needing hugs. Tuesday night and Wednesday, Death was taunting me in open chat and IM. I went to a couple of her major downline and told them that they did not have to leave Amber if she went to him. I refused to take him under me, and Aurora was not on to put him under her. (Bunny was Aurora’s only subject.)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Thursday morning Death was no longer in Amber.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Did he leave voluntarily?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> No, he was ejected from the group by the GV's request, and left.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> In the meantime, one of the downline told Bunny I said they did not have to follow. She became enraged, sent me a very nasty IM, and left Aurora. I started seeing my alts and their lines stripped, and as Viceroy I could not ascend.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I had to leave Amber to restart my HUD as King Angel was in UK time, and I was in US EST. I made an angry outburst in group chat that Bunny had broken her Promise to Aurora, and was ejected from the group Thursday night… from the group, but still in the Kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I lieged to a friend, Queen Angella Chesnokv in Tintagel, long enough to get my path restarted. Bunny was ripping me up all night Thursday. By 10 AM Friday, I still had 21,500 acres and 1.2 billion in gold when the path went live again. I pushed the button while I still could.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I had no Kingdom name, no base, no plan, except to save the work of the people that stayed with me. Sekmet and I worked all night Friday to get our alts back, only to see Bunny strip all she could. We fell back to 18,500 acres, from 88,000 a day earlier. I never felt so betrayed in TE.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I talked to Angel for 45 minutes before RL work Friday, only to hear that "Bunny was family." He did not intervene as a Monarch, so I had no reservation ascending.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So there are about a hundred people and seventy thousand acres... where?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> More like 300 people, and 100 left on me. I’m now down to about 70, but they are people with me since last summer who wanted me to ascend anyhow.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> The story continues to this minute. I am getting a constant feed today of IM from conversations of people from Bunny's line.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And the others are under Bunny, who is under Death, in another kingdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Death went to the kingdom of Darkness ... he is so goth. Bunny left Amber and went under him around 1 AM last night. Amber dropped eight places in rank. People telephoned me to tell me.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And when asked the name of your Kingdom, you told Ultralite... the Kingdom of White Light.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Hello darling<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> Hi hun. Hi Vulpine.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Vulpine, my concubine wife, Sekmet Karu<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Hello there! Lazarus was telling me of the ongoing drama within the kingdoms. I understand you are both having a very adventuresome time right now.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> Yes, it is adventuresome, but very sad too.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> White Light was not our first choice for a name. We submitted, in all seriousness, Ayekwitte. ("I QUIT TE")<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> It was not acceptable.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> It was not allowed, the Emperor said it was a joke. We had a pretty curt first IM. I called him a pompous ass. I am less diplomatic as stress increases.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And stress levels have been quite high lately, I'm sure.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> Trying to save friendships is the hardest.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I met with Sekmet and my other main Princess, Shayri Nightfire, Friday afternoon, trying to find a name. White Light was a compromise. I wanted something to reflect Aurora. In all this, she is the <i>heart</i> of this kingdom, even when absent.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> Yes, I suggested it and voted against the name.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> LOL She did. But it is to reflect elements of hope and goodness. White light in most beliefs and religions is an embodiment of goodness and blessing. It holds all colors, all warmth, and it banishes darkness. Without hope, we would quit. It still hurts… the SL and even RL friendships lost on the way.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Sekmet Karu:</Font></B> On that note hun, I have to go to my meeting.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Love you, hon. I will be here, whatever happens in work.<br /></p><p><i>Sekhmet left us at this point</i><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> We worry for Sekmet's work. Bunny is a manager at Wicked World. Their friendship is badly wounded. TE may not be meant to, but it seems to bring out the aggressive worst in people. I try to keep my people out of it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you're now assembling a kingdom from the ashes, so to speak. A group of people who can come together as friends out of all of the mess?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Yes. Let me read our charter:<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> The Tiny Empires Kingdom of White Light is a kingdom to come to when you are tired of the BS and betrayal and backstabbing of the other kingdoms. We are the inactive's retirement home of TE. You park here, save your acres, and go play SL the way it was supposed to be before you got addicted to TE. No SABO, NO DRAMA, NO ROBBING YOUR FRIENDS. And we are small enough the Trader comes often. Actively seeking Viceroys and Vicereines to help keep people rewarded.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> woo hoo!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> [21:48] Shayri Nightfire: woot laz i just got a duchess! with 466 acres! let the titles flow baby wooooo!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Yes, you're a major kingdom now. The Kingdom of White Light is ranked number 101 on a map showing 101 major kingdoms.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> THAT is my kind of drama!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So, if your kind of drama continues, what will happen to the Kingdom of White Light in the months to come?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> We will be the retirement home of TE players tired of the BS and drama.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Will they still be active? In your vision of them, that is.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> A place people can park the acres they work hard for and go live a Second Life without worry of it being taken away by a bad relationship break up or angry decision in the night ..... or a stupid, un-well-thought-out bet on a game.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> The hundreds of hours people put into TE is not a chip in a casino. I would not be willing to give it up in RL, I will not in SL. Time is the one thing we cannot replace.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Vulpine, I love my SL partner more than my estranged wife. I am so afraid of losing her and wasting the time we have left on TE and petty BS in SL. I am leaving in a week to do a 4000 mile road trip to see her and meet her family.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> People matter, not faux acres or virtual gold or rank or kingdom names. We in TE need to stop losing that perspective. People get hurt in SL.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> December 17, 2007, the night my first SL wife ended our marriage for another woman, I had a minor RL heart attack. There are people behind the screens and keys. Actions here seem less considered and more callous many times, behind avatars.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> Then there are some of the best people you ever meet, too. TE is supposed to be a game to promote friendship and network, but somehow it grows increasingly twisted. Many Monarchs are sharing that with each other. How we stop it, I do not know.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I took my own path. I fully expect to be attacked, sabotaged, and harassed for a while by those upset over the last few weeks. But a wise mantra: This too shall pass.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> That is my story.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Indeed, it shall. Wow. There's not much more to say after that. Thanks for sharing with us.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> I will answer more questions if you think of any, just much more briefly, LOL.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> lol, usually, I ask about experiences as a monarch, and kingdom identity, but you've pretty much answered those. As for history of the kingdom, that's obviously still in the making, and you've outlined your hopes for it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> If I had anything to add, or ask, I suppose it would be, after what you've been through, would you recommend Tiny Empires as a game to someone who never played it, and what would you tell them about it, briefly?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Lazarus Rang:</Font></B> To someone starting out, I would say, try TE, but if it gives you sadness, stress, or effects a friendship, take off the HUD a week and think about what is important before you wear it. A kingdom is not worth one lost friend.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Spoken with the voice of true experience. Thank you for your time, and best of luck to the Kingdom of White Light.</p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-76708314946388957552009-02-24T16:20:00.001-08:002009-02-24T16:39:57.321-08:00Gone Fishing!A couple of days ago, I finally got around to doing something that I'd been putting off for some time. I contacted a friend of mine (and a subject in TE) and asked her if she could get me started in 7 Seas fishing. She could, and gladly did. Before long, I had my rod, and dipped it into her chocolate waters to catch <a href="http://www.sluniverse.com/pics/pic.aspx?id=348504&sort=newest">my first fish </a> (a blue five-eyed mutant fish...)<br /><br />Since then, I've been practicing it almost constantly. Tonight, I caught Moby Dick. And unless you think that's just a fish story, I've got the picture to prove it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusX4rNKBzlZZGjW-wQHlrgrY9nHLqLVhetKZpm0mhyNztSwhwqFMaMs9j7E4epsYGW7DCqc5H6Rv7YgwpEdq2Ikmqj_1LGLYKGfJW8uShR9sJbW38Q7mXQhtqi4H85JIU-kG5q2H6LX9d/s1600-h/Moby_Dick_002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusX4rNKBzlZZGjW-wQHlrgrY9nHLqLVhetKZpm0mhyNztSwhwqFMaMs9j7E4epsYGW7DCqc5H6Rv7YgwpEdq2Ikmqj_1LGLYKGfJW8uShR9sJbW38Q7mXQhtqi4H85JIU-kG5q2H6LX9d/s320/Moby_Dick_002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306523479876867794" /></a><br /><br />That's Moby in the middle. He got an interesting looking Captain's hat from somewhere.... <br /><br />You can wear your fish, and they circle you. Touching them gives you options of what they can do. There's even a game within the game, in which you can catch salvage items and blueprints to make gadgets to help you fish. The picture above shows my Oceanography Database, as it sits and records all of my catches. Then, too, there's the clothing. The gold fishing hat was a gift from a friend, though I've caught plenty of other clothing...including worm and hook earrings. (You might be a redneck if...)<br /><br />So, at this point, you might be wondering what all of this has to do with Tiny Empires. The answer lies in another question: what sort of person makes a good Tiny Empires player? One quick response is that it's the type of person who can get a lot of people to follow them, and keep them. Another response might be that it's the type of person who can run a hundred alts at once. <br /><br />While both of those answers have their own points, I think another large part of the answer lies in the pastimes people enjoy. Perceptive readers will note that, on several occasions, I have asked monarchs if they offer fishing at their Kingdom's gathering centers. Quite often, they do. <br /><br />One of the things that is said about Tiny Empires is that "you can just put the HUD on and play the game while you do other things." But WHAT other things? Granted, it's not likely to take your full attention- with action once every three minutes, that can usually be decided upon in a matter of seconds, it's not something that will demand every mental and physical resource you can bring to bear. But at the same time, you need to be in a scripts-enabled area, and- particularly if you have the Fed hud- you have to be able to devote <i>some</i> attention to it once every three minutes.<br /><br />Shopping can be seriously impeded by this. As long as the shopping area allows scripts and it's not too laggy, you're fine. Otherwise, you either have to give up the shop, or give up TE. (Well, at least for a little bit.)<br /><br />Building runs into two problems. One, a good builder is often going to be so absorbed in what they're doing that they forget the TE Hud... which can lead to disasters (literally). Two, if you are in edit mode, clicking the hud to make your turn decisions just puts the hud in edit mode- not what you want.<br /><br />But there are some other activities that one can engage in, and I can think of three notable ones:<br /><br /><ol><br /><li>Dancing</li><br /><li>Fishing</li><br /><li>Camping</li><br /></ol><br /><br />All three of these activities demand that a person be present at one place for an extended period of time, and that they won't be doing anything else that requires a lot of attention. If one usually engages in couples dancing, this can be even better- you can pass land. If you're fishing, your fishing partner sitting beside you can get (or give) the land. If you're camping, this usually tends to be more of a solo project- but I've had a subject tell me, quite bluntly, that Tiny Empires helps keep her from going insane with boredom while she camps.<br /><br />Which leads to the conclusion that a person who is patient, persistent, considerate, and who is able and willing to spend lots of time for rewards that come later is likely to succeed in Tiny Empires. Being a King or Queen often requires that social personality that gathers a huge crowd, but if you just want to be a Prince or Princess, and you're willing to work at it, then you may likely be the type to enjoy doing just a little something else while the TE Hud ticks away.<br /><br />Oh, I heard the bird call, that means I need to start casting again. Here fishy, fishy, fishy...<br /><br /><br />(p.s. Look for the barrel above by our barn in the southeast corner of Caledon Cay... it has free fish in it for anyone who wants some.)Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-47162404933275559162009-02-18T17:33:00.000-08:002009-02-18T17:43:56.027-08:00Trader!TRADER!<br /><br />If someone yells that and you think they are accusing you of betraying them, you probably haven't been playing enough Tiny Empires. The mysterious trader is the stuff of legends... everyone looks forward to his coming (usually, at least), and everyone talks about him- both good and bad.<br /><br />But for someone who is the tall, dark, mysterious stranger of so many dreams, exact information about what he does isn't always as well known. The trader is here, what do you do? Well, there are various things that you have to do, depending on what he gives you (assuming you managed to pay his rather high price.) How well you like doing it depends on how much time and attention you can devote to it. Call it your "activity level". (I know of some people who have several alts on to catch the trader... ouch. That activity level is definitely above mine!)<br /><br />So, assuming that you have a certain activity level, which alternatives will stress that level more than others? Ranked in order, here are the possibilities. We'll start with the most stressful and work down to the least:<br /><br /><dl><br /><dt>For one year, your land is worth more than usual. </dt><dd><br /> This one will keep you hopping! You can sell land for more than it costs you to buy. This means that for twelve months, you have to page through and click yes on TWO offers- one to buy, and one to sell! The gold you earn by doing those two clicks every month is definitely a profit over what you pay, but you earn it. Some people propose just selliing land, and not buying back at the time. I've yet to analyze the situation closely, but I suspect it comes out about the same either way. What is known is that most people both <b>sell</b> and <b>buy</b> every month- two clicks! <i>Total: 24 clicks (plus paging through)</i></dd><dt><br /><br />For one year,your generosity will be richly rewarded. </dt><dd><br /> You get a chance to give away acres! For eleven months, when you give away land, you are rewarded with gold the next month. (That's why you can only do it for eleven months- if you give the land away in the last month, which it lets you do, you won't be rewarded because the next month is after the 'trader year'.) This may be only one click, but it also involves finding someone to give the acre to! Indeed, this fact alone can arguably make this the <b>hardest</b> and most <b>active</b> and <b>stressful</b> option... but once you find someone, it is only one click (give land to that person) every month- and for only eleven months at that. (Some people recommend finding a different person each time, saying that it gives better rewards. If you do that, I'd say this is inarguably the busiest option!!) <i>Total: 11 clicks</i></dd><dt><br /><br />For one year, you may buy land at a very low price. </dt><dd><br /> For twelve months, you have to click yes to buying land. While it's more clicks than the generosity option (one per month- <b>buy</b> land!) you don't have to find anyone else to give land to. You can sit there and click ONCE each month. (If you don't have enough gold, the clicks can be more, since you both buy AND sell in some months to get gold.) <i>Total: 12 clicks (minimum)</i></dd><dt><br /><br />For one year, purchased land is likely to contain surprises. </dt><dd><br /> Buy land for eleven months! In the next month, when it is purchased, you find a prize on the new acre. This is one click per month- but only eleven months, not twelve. It has the same caveat as the gift of generosity- the reward shows up in the next month, so you get a chance to buy acre number twelve, but you don't get any prize on it (or are only as likely to as you ever are- no guarantees). So,just buy, buy, buy.... <i>Total: 11 clicks</i></dd><dt><br /><br />A book appears as if from thin air. It is locked. He gives it to you. (Fed Hud Only)</dt><dd><br /> This one has no clicks in the "trader year". So, it's low stress, and low activity, in this year... but it's a lot more clicking and work later on, as you complete the quest of how to open and interpret it. It's also a fair amount of money. So, not much activity up front, but more later. <i>Total: 0 clicks up front, plenty later</i></dd><dt><br /><br />He gives you a bag of Golden Seeds, and your land production skyrockets. (Fed Hud Only)</dt><dd><br /> No clicks necessary! You just stay online, and watch your gold pour in. (Check your accounting tab). This one is fun. Nothing to do except one thing: just stay online and active. This one is low stress and fun to watch! <i>Total: 0 clicks over 12 months</i></dd><dt><br /><br />One gold increase in land production for evermore</dt><dd><br /> No clicks necessary! And not only that, there is no further quest to worry about, and you don't even have to stay online after you see it! If you want to, you can read it, say "great", and just log off! All it means is that your land now produces one more gold per acre. This one pays for itself over the long run, and is the lowest of the low in activity level. Nothing to do, no commitment to make, just read it, and enjoy at your leisure. <i>Total: 0 clicks over 0 months.</i></dd></dl><br /><br />So, from high stress to low stress, these are your options. If you'd like some more information on them, and the Trader in general, I highly recommend reading the <a href="http://malixu.me.uk/tinyempires/index.php?title=TraderSightings#Preparing_for_the_Mysterious_Trader">Tiny Empires wiki</a>.Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-31837362483954147782009-02-09T17:01:00.000-08:002009-02-09T17:14:53.932-08:00The new standingsSo, for those of you who haven't looked lately, the Standings Page has been redone! I recommend you look at it, on <a href="http://tinyempires.com/standings">http://tinyempires.com/standings</a> and then read further....<br /><br />Here are the major differences, roughly in the order you will encounter them:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>The standings pages come up in a pop-up window when you click the map, rather than as a new page. That can be remedied by right clicking it and choosing to open the link in a new tab or window.</li><br /><br /><li>There are no separate pages for each 'section' of a tree... a whole kingdom is in one page, no matter if it's got three people, or two thousand. (Try it- go to Avalon's page, open it up...)</li><br /><br /><li>It's not laid out as a "tree" anymore, it's in an outline format. Each section on the outline can be collapsed or expanded.</li><br /><br /><li>Each line has more information. Rank is a jewel, the title is given in gray, and icons after names indicate other things about that player.</li><br /><br /><li>Doing a search from the main page gives you a trail that consists of hyperlinks for every person. Clicking on any of those names will pull up the standings page for that kingdom, go directly to that person, and show you where they are by flashing it in blue.</li><br /><br /><li>As you move your mouse over names, the upline for each person is shown with a darker brown or tan background.</li><br /></ul><br /><br />For reference, the icons that I have seen so far after names, and their meanings:<br /><br /><dl><br /><dt>Mounted Knight:</dt> <dd>has won 10 jousting matches</dd><br /><dt>Book:</dt> <dd>has completed the Trader's locked book quest</dd><br /><dt>Sherrif's badge:</dt> <dd>has finished researching crime</dd><br /><dt>Stalk of wheat:</dt> <dd>has finished researching famine</dd><br /><dt>Red Cross:</dt> <dd>has finished researching disease</dd><br /><dt>Oval with 'GV':</dt> <dd>Grand Viceroy/Vicereine</dd><br /><dt>Oval with 'V':</dt> <dd>Viceroy/Vicereine</dd><br /></dl><br /><br />The ranks are indicated by jewels, as follows:<br /><dl><br /><dt>Prince/Princess:</dt> <dd>Light blue diamond</dd><br /><dt>Duke/Duchess:</dt> <dd>Round purple amethyst</dd><br /><dt>Marquis/Marquise:</dt> <dd>Round blue sapphire</dd><br /><dt>Count/Countess:</dt> <dd>Red heart Ruby</dd><br /><dt>Viscount/Viscountess:</dt> <dd>Oval Green Emerald</dd><br /><dt>Baron/Baronness:</dt> <dd>Square Orange (??)</dd><br /><dt>Knight/Dame:</dt> <dd>Square Yellow (Topaz?)</dd><br /><dt>Squire/Squiress:</dt> <dd>Pink Heart (?)</dd><br /><dt>Peasant</dt> <dd>(unknown)</dd><br /><dt>Wanderer</dt> <dd>(unknown)</dd><br /></dl><br /><br />Reaction has been, to say the least, mixed. Many have been very vocal in their dislike for it. I pointed out in chat that there was more information, and one reply was that it was just more lag (as if SL didn't have enough of that already, etc...) This made me go back and examine the pages more carefully, and consider what the true size of before and after might be. It's hard to do an accurate comparison, since the old pages are gone, but I can get close. I believe the pages are larger. The old large files (pictures) are gone, but <i>each and every name is a picture!</i> There is no text within the page. (So there's no use in using your browser's 'find' feature to jump to a specific person, etc...)<br /><br />I suspect this was a deliberate design decision. It does result in significantly larger downloads, but it also means that automated scanning of the pages for information is basically useless, since there is no text to scan. (It's like those twisted pictures of letters that you have to squint at to prove that you're human... you have a chance of figuring it out, but the computer doesn't.)<br /><br />And speaking of people deciphering information from pictures, this is the main complaint, I believe. "It's harder to see where everyone is at." In other words, it's easier to see who is under, over, or beside someone else when it is laid out in a two-dimensional chart. The outline is more compact, but the old straight vertical lines are now horizontal stairsteps. (and at first, not even the stairsteps were showing!)<br /><br />To my mind, it is a better tool, and while I regret losing the old layout when it comes to quickly seeing who is where by shape- not by name- I'm sure I'll get used to it in time. I do love the new information. Oh, and since each name is a graphic, this means that you can save a kingdom's webpage to your computer, and check the number of pictures it has in it to get a count of how many people are in it. That won't be exact, of course, but it will be close. Just make sure you have a bit of room. Avalon's picture folder is 6.35 megabytes of pictures-- all two thousand, six hundred and seventy nine of them!Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-45352961202143243692009-02-05T04:40:00.000-08:002009-02-05T04:42:30.174-08:00Tiny Empires' Tree RingI remember learning how trees form their rings, and how come they have one ring per year. As the seasons go by, the spring and summer see fast growth. The tree grows quickly, and it forms lighter, softer wood. As fall and cold comes, the tree's growth slows, the wood is thicker, harder, and darker. That dark ring is formed by the winter. And people can often gauge the overall climate by the variation in those dark and light patterns.<br /><br />As in trees, so perhaps in Tiny Empires. I was talking with a friend and subject, and he was discussing about the "what to do" problem that many Tiny Empires players face. Here is the tree ring for Tiny Empires:<br /><br />Wanderer to Prince-- lots to learn and do. Land improvements, housing upgrades, and rank to achieve. Hopefully subjects to get, as well. <br /><br /><br />Monarch- the final rank before Emperor. A number of options in caring for your kingdom, with special titles, tracts of land, even punishment options if you deem those necessary.<br /><br />And recently, Viceroys and Vicereines. <br /><br />Now, what is between those? For the Prince or Princess, with a thousand acres in total holdings, to the Prince or Princess who may have a hundred thousand (certainly less than twenty thousand), they are one among a growing number. They've achieved high rank. There won't be any higher rank unless they ascend... and they may not be able to, or as much or more often, not be interested, for whatever reason. What is there for them to do?<br /><br />As a Princess myself in that area, I find fulfillment here, on the blog, or in discussing the game. More often, I engage in passing land, advice and encouragement to those under me. Even in having land parties to help someone. But for myself, personally, I'd be facing near terminal boredom.<br /><br />Why this huge lack of "anything new" between becoming a Prince and becoming a Viceroy?<br /><br />The history of Tiny Empires may offer a clue. The game started with all of the options from Wanderer to Prince. All of the housing upgrades, land improvements, rank increases, were all there basically from the day things started. The distance from a prince to a King (and the original King was Ultralite, there were no other kingdoms) was not that great. The top ten landholders automatically got a chance to become a direct subject of the King. And as late as November of 2007, that distance wasn't all that great- Ellie Bearcat (later to become Queen of Caledon) was getting offers to be a direct subject of the (then) Emperor when she only had total holdings of five to seven thousand acres. That seemed like a huge amount then, and it was at that time. The first kingdom was formed when Celty Westwick had the huge total of twenty thousand acres.<br /><br />So, we start with the options of Wanderer to Prince. Then we have Monarchs, and the King becomes Emperor. Much later (in game terms) we have Viceroys. But the huge expanse in the middle has opened since then- a lot of Princes and Princesses at a thousand acres to twenty thousand (or more), and there's not a lot for them to do, it seems. The Federation HUD helps the situation, with its festivals, and possible other chances of gaining gold, with allies, citizens... even disasters can stave off boredom. But a lot of players are facing the problem of "what now?" when they become a Princess (or Prince.)<br /><br />It would be interesting to ask what meaningful changes could open up to a Prince or Princess... the possibility of engaging in trade, to temporarily boost land production, or improve sagging land production? There are a number of options, but the ring in the tree, I think, can be accounted for by that single growth pattern. Things were put into place at the bottom on day one. Things were put into place at the top as things developed. But the huge growth in the middle hasn't had a lot put into place for it.<br /><br />Ideas? Anyone?Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-6053789733829094722009-01-31T05:44:00.000-08:002009-01-31T15:53:09.013-08:00The Trader and an Emperor at PlayIt would seem that the fun did not end with the Huds coming back to life... it was only beginning.<br /><br />Shortly after I posted that the huds were dead, they did come back to life. And before long they went down again for another hour or so (more work). <br /><br />When they came back, things were a bit... interesting for a while.<br /><br />For starters, my first month or two back, I was not <br />"La Reina Zorra Vulpine Eldrich<br />of Caledon"<br /><br />anymore. Instead I was<br /><br />"The Eternally Patient Vulpine Eldrich<br />of Caledon"<br /><br />But as if that weren't enough, several months later, I became<br /><br />"MoLove's Minion Vulpine Eldrich<br />of Egypt"<br /><br />This is where you hit the panic button. I checked my companion, and it said I was in my usual line, within Caledon. But the hud said... wait, there must be some sort of database malfunction here. Maybe I've been confused with someone else. So I send Mo an IM, asking him who 'MoLove's Minion' is. His reply? Apparently, everyone! Hmmm....<br /><br />The next month, I was back in Caledon with my proper title, though the smile on Mo's face lasted for hours. Oh, but things weren't finished yet. A couple of months later..<br /><br />"La Reina Zorra Vulpine Eldrich<br />OMG! Where is your land?"<br /><br />Well, the land line read "0 acres (0 personal)" which would have been worrying earlier... but I'd decided by this time that I really couldn't believe what I was reading. So I waited. Sure enough, the next month it was<br /><br />"La Reina Zorra Vulpine Eldrich<br />Ok, back to normal now..."<br /><br />Well, the line about my land was normal, but the date wasn't. It didn't say Feb. 1110, it said Feb. 2009. Who ever heard of a crazy date like that?<br /><br />But the day continued. Queen Ellie got a chance to give away a tract of land- for free. I'm sure all of the other monarchs did as well. Then the trader came-- to the whole Empire! He hadn't done that in <i>ages</i>.<br /><br />The Emperor was testing his new server, and had decided that the best way to load test it was to send a Trader to every kingdom at the same time. He was right. Unfortunately, his server didn't do so well. The Trader came, true, but afterwards a lot of us started missing months. "Your Tiny Empires Hud seems to have missed a turn..." well it wasn't my fault, it was the server not getting back to it in time!<br /><br />The Emperor admitted his server had a few bugs it needed to get worked out. And life resumed its normal pace for a while.<br /><br />But the next evening, more special messages appeared. Apparently, if the Emperor got an IM from at least one person whose name started with every letter of the alphabet- within that month- then the trader would come. He was flooded with IM's, and must have been kept very busy tracking them (between laughs). But at the end of the month, he was still missing three letters. (O, X, and Y, I believe) So no trader. But then he proposed a riddle, in which two kingdoms were referenced. If the riddle was solved, a trader would come. <br /><br />The riddle was solved. (The kingdoms in question were Mysterious Woods and Devonshire.)<br /><br />This was in the evening, so a <i>lot</i> of people were on. And with the games beforehand about "maybe a trader will come", interest was even more piqued than usual. Not surprisingly, a new load test happened! The emperor declared that the server was getting and handling more than thirty five requests per second. Apparently that's good- it's certainly good enough to keep an empire-wide trader going at prime time week night. <br /><br />This time, the Trader year did not have a problem- no reported missed months, and lots of people enjoying his benefits. The Emperor announced himself satisfied with the server's performance. Well, in a way. His exact quote was<br /><br />"This server appears to be kicking several different kinds of ass, in many interesting ways, using several martial arts techniques"<br /><br />So, what new changes are around the corner? Obviously new hardware is in place, with an upgraded performance enabling lots of fun things. And, also obviously, we have an Emperor who is not at all hesitant about playing with his powers to shake things out of their usual routines. One obvious possibility is an empire-wide trader, again, for good. It's happened twice now, and server limitations may not be a problem anymore.<br /><br />Time will tell. And, I suspect, not too much of it will be needed!Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-88494682929146100102009-01-28T05:57:00.000-08:002009-01-28T06:02:00.764-08:00The day the Huds diedYesterday morning, the Emperor stated the following:<br /><br />[8:41] Ultralite Soleil: Good morning/afternoon/evening all. I want to let you know the Tiny Empires game server will be going down for some scheduled maintenance today. If all goes well, it should be back up after a few hours. If it goes poorly, it might be down for a day. For part of the work, I will be at the mercy of the techs at the server hosting company, so there's a bit of an unknown factor with how long it will take.<br /><br /><br />Now, nearly twenty four hours later, things are still down. This morning, there are rumors of some sims that have working huds, so maybe there is hope. But in the meantime, all our huds are getting is "Connecting...."<br /><br />The Tiny Empires site states "It's working!" but we're informed that simply means there is a default Apache webserver running there.<br /><br />I have to say, in my more than a year of playing Tiny Empires, this is the longest down time that I can remember. It's odd, being able to go places without worrying about scripts, or checking on the Hud every few minutes....Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-55093820795502482432009-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:002009-01-25T12:46:08.670-08:00Miss Doe's Interview<p><i>On a day not too long in the past, I donned a black dress, black wig, hooded black cloak, and black deer mask. Thus suitably disguised as 'Miss Doe', I proceeded to an undisclosed location to talk with Prince Q of Kingdom A and Princess R of Kingdom B. These two nobles have engaged in an intriguing but possibly risky practice known as 'trader jumping'.... Here is what happened...</i><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-oIV2f6S980z95La8qRWBODorYOxuOYEo488id8QEpweui3nC9sZCho-1aZvYuoNSEp7DyPVPNqoELcbOVnq_38Gr-myIMvdQ7_rgxkqpSkrIFfRhEnX0NYFAsc7Ha2DyeZDPHFWY38C/s1600-h/R-MD-Q.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-oIV2f6S980z95La8qRWBODorYOxuOYEo488id8QEpweui3nC9sZCho-1aZvYuoNSEp7DyPVPNqoELcbOVnq_38Gr-myIMvdQ7_rgxkqpSkrIFfRhEnX0NYFAsc7Ha2DyeZDPHFWY38C/s320/R-MD-Q.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295333106531599634" /></a><br><br />Princess R, Miss Doe, Prince Q</i></p><br /><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe steps into the darkened area, and peers around uncertainly through the smoked glass eyes of her mask. "Q? R? Hello?"</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Hello Miss Doe.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Oh, Q... where's R, did she make it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue"><i>Prince Q looks back at R</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> R is around, ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe looks around the corner</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Oh there you are... good! Are we safe, here then?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> As safe as one can be on non-restricted land.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Oh, good point. Well maybe we can make it quick. What's this 'trader jumping' thing about, anyway? It sounds wild...<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> It's a method to experience the trader more frequently than every other day.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> sometimes twice in the same day<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Wow.... how do you manage it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> When the trader is first sighted, you have six months before you have to pay. You can change lieges in four months.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> Three months if you get the timing right, like if he shows while we are together.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> And after you pay the trader, you can jump right back to your old liege, and the trader year continues.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So let me get this straight. Since you're in two kingdoms, the trader is visiting each on his own schedule. So with some fine timing- and 6 months warning with 3-4 months to switch is <i>fine</i> timing- you can get him no matter which kingdom he's in?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> If you have a friend of the right rank in the other kingdom waiting to TP you, yes.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> yes, and we have. ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So, Q, you go under R when he visits her kingdom, and R, you go under Q when he visits Q's kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> yes, although Q has things set up a little simpler than myself.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> There are a host of issues to resolve.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> How so?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Well, you're up-line has to be accepting ...<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Starting with one's immediate liege, I'm sure.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> and your current liege needs to be online.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> When I jump, I take 20k acres with me, and that can freak a prince out.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe gulps and imagines a full kingdom disappearing in a heartbeat.</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> It can freak a monarch out, too.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> I can... see why. R, is your jump as dramatic?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> We both have over 20K total acres.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe gives a muffled whistle.</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> But we try to not jump if it means we'll be gone for census.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> Yes, that would be bad. The whole up-line would suffer.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Don't want your up-line to lose all their citizens. It's a bit easier for me, because my liege is an alt of mine. So I can always bring him on to take me back at the right time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> and he's very understanding about it...<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Yes, it took a while to get him 1000 personal acres ... but now he's (chuckle) quite understanding.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> My direct liege isn't always available. However, I do have an understanding and sympathetic higher up, who can take me back.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> But you have to pay to leave your old liege (granted, Q, your alt benefits) and pay again to return. Is it really worth paying twice to get the trader once?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Personally, I don't gain a whole lot. Changing lieges twice takes a lot of gold. But my down-line loves me.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> I can imagine. How many people usually get the extra trader?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> As many as 20 have been on once. And as few as 5.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So personally, you don't gain much land or gold (net), but if you get about 10 people with cheap land or something similar, you could get a hundred more acres in holdings that you wouldn't have gotten any other way.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> That's correct. But even more, I get a down-line that is reluctant to leave for other kingdoms.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Except when they find themselves in the other kingdom... I suppose that's as good a way of yelling 'trader' as any.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Yes, they only get a month or two notice. I use the general Kingdom chat.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> lol, yes, that does work, the down-line doesn't get much warning.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> But the first time it happens, someone in the down-line is always worried in the 4 months we are away because their title starts to fade.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Oh, good point. How long does it take a title to fade away?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> Most of a day, sometimes longer.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> And we're only gone 4-5 months.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Not even close to a day. But if they haven't experienced it before, I can see how it would be alarming. What other problems are there with this?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> By the time the trader year is over, everybody is happy.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> It can cause a major change in the kingdoms’ rank.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> If your liege doesn't have at least one other subject, his citizens will drop to zero -- no waiting for census.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Ouch. Has that happened to your alt?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> It did the first time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe nods in understanding</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So are you afraid the Emperor will find out? I mean, it seems hard to believe that the fame of this hasn't spread at least among your two kingdoms. He's certain to hear of it eventually.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> I believe he already knows. He knows everything doesn't he?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe maintains a discreet silence.</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> hehehe<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So how did this all start?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> It started as a theory, 'What would happen if ...'<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> We started thinking about this almost as soon as the trader started to come to different kingdoms at different times. I used to be R's subject before an ascension pulled us apart. We've remained close. And this needs a bit of trust to go the first time or two.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> I used to be a direct of Q's Monarch before they ascended.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> A bit of trust on the part of everyone, it seems... up-line, down-line, and personally.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Yes, but the rewards are good for everyone too, up-line, down-line and personally.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Well, the down-line gets more traders. And I guess the up-line gets more acreage, just as you do, as long as their hearts hold out.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> I've tried to recruit others in other kingdoms to jump to. But without a personal connection, it doesn't seem to work.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So it's just the two of you doing this?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> There are a couple of others who have helped.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Another in R's kingdom when R isn't online. And I've jumped once to a different kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Did your down-line question why it wasn't the usual 'alternate' kingdom when you did?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> No. By that time, they'd learned to enjoy the ride.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue"><i>Princess R giggles</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> and the trader lol...<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> yes ... so my down-line tries to <i>always</i> keep trader money available.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So how often does this usually happen?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Well, not so much over the holidays, but we're going to start up again.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> A good point. The two of you must be online together a lot, then.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> R is online more than me. My RL is starting to squeeze me. But, we are online together quite a bit.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> Not so much recently, but, with the right offline message, Q can be on quite quickly.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe decides not to ask about the other secret methods of communication</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Oh, this is too good to not share. I have my group notices sent to my gmail account, and if the notice has the word TRADER in it, it gets sent to my cell phone as a txt message. So, I almost never miss a trader -- though it's a bit tougher to get online in time to jump.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> You must be near a computer at all times, then.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Most of the time, I'm within 30 seconds of my keyboard.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> R, do you have that sort of ability, or do you leave it to Q to be available anywhere almost instantaneously?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> I'm lucky in that I still live with my sisters, and one of us is almost always at home, so, 'I' can be online a lot of the time<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Ah, a good point, and a goodly amount of trust.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Yes, trust is important.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So since both of you have enough to be your own kingdom, and since I hear that the Trader comes more frequently to smaller kingdoms... have either of you thought of ascending? Q, if your alt was a King, you could catch the trader in his kingdom, in Kingdom A (assuming someone there would take you) <i>and</i> in Kingdom B. Trader surfeit!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> I'm not online enough to be a good monarch.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> And I don't want the responsibilities, and drama, that goes with being a monarch.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> So this is what we do instead of giving out titles, and assigning vice-reigns.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> I gather that the drama from the trader jumping has more or less died down to an acceptance and even enjoyment, then.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> I haven't heard from anyone who objects, once they know that it's okay with our monarch.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> And your monarch approves in both kingdoms, I take it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Mine certainly does.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue"><i>Princess R giggles</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe giggles as well</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So it's full speed ahead with more traders. Do you have any active plans for recruiting more people from other kingdoms, or do you just do it between the two of you and mention it now and then to see what happens?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> When I get in a good conversation with a prince/ss or monarch, I'll ask, but I'm not looking around for the purpose of finding a new jumping partner.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue"><i>Princess R laughs</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> R? Are you content just to do trader jumps with Q?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> I tend to just go with the flow. If it's convenient, I'll go for it, if not, I don't.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> So if someone else decided they wanted to do this, do you have any advice at all?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Make sure that your liege is online before you jump away.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> check with both your up and down line, and especially with your monarch first.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> The down-line can get restive if they're not back where they belong quickly. Oh, and what R said.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> Make sure that you have enough gold ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> You must spend all your time saving gold, between multiple switches and traders.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> I keep 20x an acre price to make sure I have enough for both jumps and the trader.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> I can believe it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe looks around at the darkened sky</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Maybe we'd better leave before anyone else notices us. Was there anything else I needed to know about this?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> There's always something, but I think you have the most important details.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Great. Good luck jumping and if you get a call from another kingdom, well... you know :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> It was a pleasure to speak with you.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Princess R:</Font></B> What Q said, ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Miss Doe:</Font></B> Take care, Prince Q, Princess R :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Prince Q:</Font></B> Take care.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Miss Doe slips away back into the shadows, giving a last goodbye wave to her new friends</i></Font></B></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-34859504584794192522009-01-18T15:02:00.001-08:002009-01-25T12:16:25.546-08:00Cordova Decosta Interview<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4KoP2izc6zbQASkOMq-R0HZ4ySx27E-iNi-Kcd9Su6LhyCeTSEPP5o1Cji_Y9L2QPSxo0TYww9UxO04gg39HCkKXSAiDC0VIA13elOCG2pBT9DU_N_M4xPO4WWGWCge0K21lqe4iXHa/s1600-h/misfit-interview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4KoP2izc6zbQASkOMq-R0HZ4ySx27E-iNi-Kcd9Su6LhyCeTSEPP5o1Cji_Y9L2QPSxo0TYww9UxO04gg39HCkKXSAiDC0VIA13elOCG2pBT9DU_N_M4xPO4WWGWCge0K21lqe4iXHa/s320/misfit-interview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292773134862427906" /></a><br /><i>Holly Honi, Cordova Decosta, Vulpine Eldrich</i></p><br /><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Hello everyone! I'm here this evening with King Cordova Decosta of the Kingdom of Misfits, and his 'Queen by Association,' Holly Honi. Thank you, both of you, for taking the time to host me here in your home!<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> you're welcome and welcome :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> welcome<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So, I have to ask, what on earth inspired you to be the King of Misfits? Or is this something that comes naturally?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, I think we are all in sl because we are in a sense misfits. So the name fit, and everyone loves it. Everyone else is just in denial. lol<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> lol, and how would you define the term 'misfit'?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, honestly, it would be someone who "isn't normal," so everyone is a misfit in their own way. To be honest, normal is boring.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So with a name and attitude like that, have you had an interesting Tiny Empires career in reaching this elevated rank?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> I never thought of it as a career. It's a game, a fun one, and a great way to meet people, get invited to formal parties, and have fun.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> How many kingdoms have you been in before reaching this one?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Due to up-line ascensions, this will be my 8th and last kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> After that, do you run out of lives? Don't answer that if you don't want to! Seriously, it sounds like you've had quite a lot of experience within different kingdoms. What, in your opinion, is the most essential ingredient(s) in making and keeping a kingdom together and happy?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> To me, the most important part isn’t the upper tiers of a down-line. It’s the mid level and below. They are the ones who keep lines and kingdoms growing, so they are the ones you should pay most attention to. Make everyone feel like a part of the kingdom, and let people know that even if you are a prince, and they are just starting, you are there to help them understand the basics.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you're still there for your people to help learn the basics, monarch and all. How and where do they meet, communicate, and get a chance to beseech you for your wisdom?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, my IM is always available to anyone who needs anything. I’ve made and/or collected and edited a lot of notecards. I give them the links to the wiki and your blog, for example. There is group chat, and we plan to have parties and events to give everyone a sense of community :)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So where will these group parties be held?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Some will be here, and we have a princess who has very graciously allowed us to use her sim, The Point, for larger events.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So will you have a chance to help organize these events, Holly, or is he going to be a solo act?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> We plan most stuff together. I like giving 'social' input<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Such as....?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> She's the wonder woman behind the scenes ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> We talk about whether to have live entertainers and who. If there should be a theme, and if we should open it to people outside of the kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> Of course, it's not always just MY input. He gets opinions on some stuff from other members of the kingdom too, because it's really THEIR (OUR) events.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Right, and speaking of members, how did you manage to put the kingdom together in the first place? Something that size doesn't happen by accident.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> lol Well, ummmm… my old title was the royal schmoozer, and as Holly said, I am pretty good at that ;) But a lot of my down-line are people whom I knew from other kingdoms. They ended up joining me because we remained friends. And then they get their friends, and it just starts to grow.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> Which is how WE met.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So how did you two meet?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> I bribed her.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> and schmoozed<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> And then tried to talk her into moving under me the next day. From there we became friends, and the friendship grew.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> But we were friends for a long time.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how long did it take you to play Tiny Empires before you decided you want to be a King?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> I swore I’d never, ever, EVER in a million years ascend. But as I started taking the steps to be grand viceroy and consulting with members of my down-line , they intimated that I should consider ascension. So I thought about it.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And after you thought about it, what happened?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> It was a very hard decision to make. My former queen was very good to us, but then I IMed her, and spoke with her. She was, and still is, very supportive.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Which Queen was this?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Queen Calypso of Treasure Island.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So you're saying she deserves some of the credit for helping create the Kingdom of Misfits?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, in truth everyone who was ever a part of my up-line and/or down-line deserves some credit.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And if any of them- or anyone else- wanted to come meet you in world, hang out together, and do things together, where would they go and what would they find themselves doing?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> We like to hop all over all sl and see a lot of live singers, and I dj, so they could come hear great music, whether I’m playing it or someone is singing. Or they are always welcome to come to our house.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Vulpine Eldrich looks at her map.</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> “Nueva vida.” What does that mean?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> “New life” – A new beginning.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So in this new life, both here in Second Life and in Tiny Empires, what have you kept from the old life that's helped you get to where you are at?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, obviously memories and loyalty to my friends and subjects, because they helped me get here. The most important thing is that I always remember that behind the avatar— no matter whether its human, robot, tiny, furry etc—there's still another human being who has feelings, and the words I say to them impact them, whether good or bad.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Very good! So you've become a King, you've got a group of loyal people, and a Queen to help you go from here. What other plans do you have for your Tiny Empires future, beyond Kingdom events?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well, my ranking on TE doesn’t really matter, so I don’t really plan to become one of the top ten. It is, after all, still just a game, and it should be fun. So I guess I plan to help others understand that as well. And to have fun—this is sl, it’s supposed to be fun.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And what do you do when you find people in TE, underneath you or (before now, I suppose) above you, who are determined to spoil your and other people's fun here in SL and TE?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> Cord has always been awesome at talking things out.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> I talk to them and try to work things out. But if that doesn’t work, you can't let them get to you. If you do, then they win.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And, would I be right in saying that a parting of the ways often follows in those cases?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Maybe a brief parting, but I’m always open to giving people a second chance.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Very good. So as you look at the game of Tiny Empires, what would you most like to see added to it, or changed about it?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> How long do you have?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Ohhh, well what I want to see won’t be too popular. I want it to be more a game of chance. For example, an evil trader who gives tainted seeds instead of gold seeds, so that you only get half your land value. Instead of sabotage, I think you should get the acres if successful and not investigated.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So, it would be more accurate to call it theft instead of sabotage in that case.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> And then there’s commandeering land like they did in feudal times. But the most important change is for some to lighten up about it. It’s a hud, a great way to meet new people, and make friends. It should be just that—a fun thing, not a competition. There's really no "win" here.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So when you send a bribe, you apparently follow up with more than just a bribe offer on the hud, to judge by the story of you and Holly. What sort of things do you tell a prospective bribe target to get them to join you?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Well that varies on the person. Usually, I tell them I’m sending a bribe, that we have a no drama kingdom, everyone gets along with each other, we have fun joking in group chat, and that to me they wouldn’t be just a number of acres.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> But sometimes they aren't quite 'real people', are they? Or how do you consider alts in the game?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> I have said this many times. I do have an alt (only one alt to get new players into the game), but I think that if you have a lot of alts to help your line advance, you take this silly little hud entirely too seriously.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So how many alts are in the Kingdom of Misfits, or would you have any sort of reasonable guess on that?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Not that many, but I wouldn’t have any real way of knowing for sure, except in a few cases.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Probably not. And if your Kingdom were a movie, what would its rating be?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> PG-13. We are adults and adult chat is allowed, but for the most part we just like to have fun and pick on each other.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> And how often, now, does the term 'misfit' get used to help pick on each other? Have you got any good examples for us?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Hmmm we've never called each other that, unless someone wants the name misfit in their title.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> I use it to bribe sometimes. When someone has an unusual name, I say they sound like they would fit in with us well.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> "Come join us, we're misfits, we have fun, and you will too?"<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> Exactly.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> That works. You just gave me my next bribe speech ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green"><i>Vulpine Eldrich laughs</i></Font></B><br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> Cord always has had a gift for fun and banter, and he can get the chat going well.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> So besides telling people to lighten up, and remember that we're all human (more or less), what would you tell someone as advice when they're just getting started in Tiny Empires? What to do or not do?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> I just have to say if it wasn't for Cord, I would hardly know the first thing about TE. He always takes the time to explain what things mean and NOT just to people in his kingdom.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Save gold as often as possible, and if they aren’t happy in the spot they are in, talk to their liege and go up the ranks. If someone isn’t happy in my kingdom and wants to move, I’ll help them find a kingdom they are more suited to, because I want everyone who plays this game to enjoy it and not get lost in the shuffle.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> Very good! And can either of you think of something I missed in our little discussion here?<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> You forgot to ask if we were a tree what kind would we be and why. Lolol, just kidding. You did well at poking into our heads.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Green">Vulpine Eldrich:</Font></B> All right, what tree are you? A tall sturdy oak, or a tough cherry, or just a nasty prickly thorn tree? lol, seriously, thank you for your time and hospitality, both of you.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> A weeping willow, because it bends down to protect ;)<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="LightBlue">Holly Honi:</Font></B> I will say from the time I met Cord, it was easy to see that he was suited to be in this game of te to help people, which would be a natural leader and King. He has been the 'go to' person for me and many others.<br /></p><p><B><FONT COLOR="Blue">Cordova Decosta:</Font></B> Thank you for coming to our humble abode.</p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-47992627871809503002009-01-11T05:40:00.000-08:002009-01-11T05:50:06.891-08:00Census TimeSo you're happily playing Tiny Empires, and someone mentions the term 'Census'... but you don't know what they mean. Or perhaps you're playing and suddenly a message pops up in the Offers tab, saying that a census was taken and that you got gold from it. Nice! Now, what happened?<br /><br />First off, Censuses occur in January of even-numbered years... so you get gold once every two years of play (assuming you aren't coming on and leaving at just the right or wrong times). But before you can participate in a Census, you need one thing:<br /><br />Subjects.<br /><br />That's right, subjects. You get so many gold for each DIRECT subject you have. So, if you have zero subjects... no census for you. On the other hand, if you have ten direct subjects (you can't have more), then you get a nice lot of gold! The amount of gold you get per direct subject is based on how much you pay per acre. I get 1/60th of an acre price. (So with ten direct subjects, that would mean I get 1/6th of what an acre costs me in each Census.)<br /><br />Now the fun part begins... the Federation Hud.<br /><br />Do you have the Federation Hud? If not, then you won't see this next part.<br /><br />As a Federation HUD user (who has subjects!) you not only get the normal census gold, you get one piece of gold per 9 citizens in your Federation HUD population. (Remember, these are NOT real people- real subjects- just the Population number on your hud.) As you handle disasters (or not), your citizen population goes up or down acccordingly. Handle them well (costs lots of gold) and you get more citizens. Handle them poorly (or not at all) and you lose citizens. But getting citizens means you also get more census gold.<br /><br />So if you get one gold for every nine citizens, just keep handling disasters well. You can pile in as many citizens as you want and keep going, the sky is the limit, right? Well, not quite. You can never have a citizen population amount that is higher than 5,000 percent of your "capacity". Capacity is determined by all of the subjects below you- what rank they are, and how much land each have. More land and more high ranking subjects means more capacity for you... giving you the ability to get more citizens in the census! And since you can have 5,000 percent (or fifty times) your "capacity" amount in citizens, small changes in capacity mean a lot more or less citizens, and more or less census gold. <br /><br />As an example, I can count on gaining 6,000 citizens in capacity when a Duke or Duchess under me becomes a Prince or Princess (yes, it goes the other way, too!) That 6,000 increase in capacity, multiplied by 50, means I can squeeze in 300,000 more citizens into my population number before overcrowded conditions wipe me back down to my 5,000 percent maximum. Now, in the census, I get one gold for every nine citizens, so 300,000 divided by 9 means 33,333 gold in census money every two years.... just because I have the Fed Hud and someone under me became a Princess!<br /><br />Note that the exact formulas for how capacity is determined are probably unknown to anyone but the emperor... I suppose if someone systematically worked at it, they could determine it, but if they have, I don't know of it. (Anyone???) It really doesn't matter, since the basic point remains the same: get as many high ranking subjects in your downline as possible, with acreage, and you get more gold in the census because you can get more citizens in your population.<br /><br />....and that's about it for the census... from your first direct subject to a line filled with Princes and Princesses and a Fed Hud... it's all yours for the working!Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-15100330406527051972009-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:002009-01-04T05:53:05.666-08:002008 Review, 2009 PredictionsAs we start a brand new year, it's only natural to wonder where it is going, and to look back to see where we've been. So, in the spirit of inquiry, I have set out to be a good enquirer and make some predictions about this next year, based on past history, plus a large dose of crystal ball gazing (wait, is that a crack? oh well, too late now...)<br /><br /><b>How many kingdoms will there be?</b><br /><br /> Dracheheim was kingdom number 24, and was created right at New Year's, 2008. Currently there are 128 kingdoms, for an increase of approximately one hundred. Therefore, I predict that 2009 will see one hundred new kingdoms, or approximately two per week. <br /><br /><b>How many empires will there be?</b><br /><br /> In 2007, there was one empire created. In 2008, it was named, but no new empires were created. This averages out to one empire every two years. Therefore, for this trend to continue, there will be one half of an empire created in 2009, and it will receive a name in 2010.<br /><br /><b>How big will the biggest kingdom be?</b><br /><br /> At the beginning of 2008, the largest kingdom was roughly 200,000 acres. At the end of 2008, the largest kingdom was roughly 500,000 acres. This is an increase of two and a half times. Therefore, I predict another two and a half times increase, thus making the largest kingdom two and a half million acres at the end of 2009. (Please note, these figures are very very approximate and are not based on direct inside information.)<br /><br /><b>How many 'alt' accounts will there be?</b><br /><br /> When things first began, new people flooded in by droves, and some started playing alts. As things have 'matured' through 2008, the use of alts has become more extensive. Anecdotal evidence from giving and receiving bribes suggests that there are about as many alts as there are actual players at the current time. Therefore, I predict that by the end of 2009, there will be an average of four to five alts per real player, and that a number of the hundred new kingdoms will have monarchs that are alts of other monarchs.<br /><br /><b>How many huds will there be?</b><br /><br /> In 2007, there were two huds released, and in 2008 there were no new huds released. This averages to one per year, so I predict one new hud in 2009. This new hud, like its predecessor, will change how one gains high rank, and will be used by the half emperor of the new half-empire that will be created.<br /><br /><b>How many new products will there be?</b><br /><br /> At the beginning of 2008, the only thing you could buy was the Tiny Empires HUD, in its two flavors. Now, we have two more products- a titler, for 149L, and a Tiny Empires Companion, which is subscription based. Therefore, I predict two new products in 2009. One will be relatively cheap, once up front payment, and more for fun than anything serious. The other will be a subscription based add-on that lets you find out almost anything about your target TE player, and it will be available for only 500L per month.<br /><br /><b>How easy will it be to transfer citizens?</b><br /><br /> At the beginning of 2008, Federation allies could transfer citizens, and lose approximately one third of them in the process. During 2008, a new option- embassies- was created, which allowed more citizens to be transferred at once and decreased the amount lost to one fourth. It costs roughly as much as five acres of land. Therefore, I predict another option in 2009 which will reduce loss to one-fifth, and which will cost as much as ten acres of land.<br /><br /><b>What is the future of riddles?</b><br /><br /> During the year of 2008, the riddles were changed roughly three times. At the end of that time, they consisted less of mathematical formulae, and more questions based on one's personal statistics. Also, some provided no immediate clue as to what they were asking. Another change is that the amount gotten for answering a riddle correctly was cut by about a factor of five. Therefore, I predict that in 2009, the riddles will change three times. In the last set of riddles, one of them will be 'what is your gender?' and answering correctly will yield you the grand total of one gold piece.<br /><br /><b>What is the future of disasters?</b><br /><br /> Disasters came with the federation HUD in 2007. There were three types of disasters. During 2008, a new research option opened up the possibility of handling one type of disaster automatically. Therefore, in 2009, I predict that another disaster will be taken care of automatically. For those pessimists who say that I've not taken all of the facts into account, I'll also add that there will be three new types of disasters.<br /><br /><b>What about limits?</b><br /><br /> In 2008, limits were put into place on how many personal acres someone can have, and how much gold someone can have. As this habit of setting limits will continue, the end of 2009 should see a limit on how many hours per day a person can play TE, thus helping to ensure the sanity and health of the players...<br /><br /><b>What about special titles?</b><br /><br /> During 2008, the use of special titles rose dramatically, and a rule that let special titles 'fade away' when someone left a kingdom was enacted. Therefore, I predict that by the end of 2009, every player older than a month will either be inactive, have a custom title, or be clinging to their generic rank description because it marks them as different and special.<br /><br /><b>What about monarch responsibilities?</b><br /><br /> At the beginning of 2008, a monarch was forced, by peer pressure, to stay online as much as possible and keep tax rates low. This burden was eased by new rules which let a monarch ONLY provide a tax amnesty once every twenty four hours. At the end of 2008, a new position, that of Viceroy, was created. This let Princes and Princesses under the monarch assume royal duties such as giving out titles and purchasing tracts of land. The emperor has dropped hints that this is not his final word about viceregal powers. I predict that as this freeing of monarch duties continue, monarchs will begin to consider abdication out of boredom, since there will be nothing left to do but go fishing in the royal moat. <br /><br /><b>What is the surest prediction?</b><br /><br />In 2007, there were people playing and enjoying Tiny Empires. During 2008, people played and enjoyed Tiny Empires. Therefore, during 2009, I predict that people will play and enjoy Tiny Empires.Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684592761475105127.post-47726718344555266462008-12-30T18:26:00.000-08:002009-01-01T20:45:29.421-08:00The King is dead...long live the king.<br /><br />Early this morning, the player behind the King Chester Capalini passed from the TE throne of Heaven to his real life reward. Various in-world memorials are being made, anyone wanting more information should contact Queen Spunky Young of Phoenix Rising.<br /><br />The Kingdom of Heaven is currently ranked 15 among the kingdoms in size, apparently having never risen higher than rank 11. For tomorrow, another act of respect is being planned by Queen Alamiga Anatine of Angels of the Empire and King Swankhaven Blitz of Swank. They will temporarily combine forces and send part of their kingdom to nobles in Heaven to boost it to that top ten mark.<br /><br />If anyone would like to join this for a day, contact your own liege and make whatever arrangements are necessary. I'm sure that Queen Alamiga and King Swankhaven would be glad to help you find where to go in this.<br /><br />Queen Alamiga will be sending about half of her kingdom to the Kingdom of Heaven. "[I] think it would be nice for Angels to be in Heaven for a day," she said, adding that she had never heard a bad word said about King Chester.<br /><br />This isn't the first time a monarch has passed away in real life. King Luz Susenko did so as well. A lot of kingdoms had a "no touch" rule concerning the kingdom afterwards, and it has only slowly dropped in rank, becoming a minor kingdom relatively recently.<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><i>Taken the next day...</i><br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEyAe7BLgtufqYhAbOUHJUaSGnOgyyzjCUOWRemOBJzxRBoFWp-0toLswioE01HBdNPEYVO9-c_FaSK-QzA3z3yr4BgYSsdUvyPZwDrJIMlf9gHWjMmklAaPhVW_n0lbx1b_7CAiB3x0W/s1600-h/KIngChester.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEyAe7BLgtufqYhAbOUHJUaSGnOgyyzjCUOWRemOBJzxRBoFWp-0toLswioE01HBdNPEYVO9-c_FaSK-QzA3z3yr4BgYSsdUvyPZwDrJIMlf9gHWjMmklAaPhVW_n0lbx1b_7CAiB3x0W/s320/KIngChester.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286071026457948738" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><i>January 1st, 2009...</i><br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48xXDYUjFZtjkLdlOjjl4sXnpz3GNAqk32MSi_DcyphJpkgZP1jm9acxAvzxj66C14INpiGQTnYEb1FL1Qc9KynI1mNaSr2EAt4U9PXhmxuWOr5WKlzqOwz0Ye-Joi7bKy9yNo615E0sd/s1600-h/KingChesterForever.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48xXDYUjFZtjkLdlOjjl4sXnpz3GNAqk32MSi_DcyphJpkgZP1jm9acxAvzxj66C14INpiGQTnYEb1FL1Qc9KynI1mNaSr2EAt4U9PXhmxuWOr5WKlzqOwz0Ye-Joi7bKy9yNo615E0sd/s320/KingChesterForever.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286552540061392850" /></a></p>Vulpine Eldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08715687967430258252noreply@blogger.com4