Greetings traveler,

Welcome to the forty-third edition of the alcarin.com newsletter.
There is an archive of the previous newsletters in the Townhall and the columns are added to the Town Square, so you can always read it again.
Although there were less updates than last month, quite a lot has been done this month. With the MUD test version online, a lot of time went into that project again. Together with that, the legends for five Elfstone cities were published. The Landlord RPG has a big new chapter and a big new table as well.
In this month's mailinglist, our columnist Wouter van de Zandschulp continues the Jonathan Saga.
Enjoy reading.

This letter's content:
1. What's New
2. Coming Up Soon
3. Column: Men with a Mission

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WHAT'S NEW:

18/05/2004 - added Landlord RPG Table 5a: "Building cost"

17/05/2004 - new link in The Gate

15/05/2004 - new character in the School: Brennt

11/05/2004 - added legend for the City of Nenacar and updated legends for the cities of Thass'Rhin, Khalimson, and Rachnor (Elfstone Campaign Setting)

01/05/2004 - added Landlord RPG Chapter 3: "Contacts & Diplomacy"

Visit http://www.alcarin.com/townhall/updates.htm for the latest updates.

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COMING UP:

The expected updates for the coming month are rather uncertain. Its going to be a busy time for me, with the year nearly finished, but still lots of things to do. My MSc thesis will need to be finished, I've got another two week project coming up, and my job as an editor for a university magazine is going to keep me busy as well. But we'll see what can be done.
Since I actually managed to finish the work on the Landlord RPG that I hoped to do, the next step for that project is a summarizing table of the skills and a chapter on the available units. I may get the table done this month, but the chapter will have to wait a while. The Elfstone MUD will probably the project to receive the most attention. It has been making steady progress since the test version came back online and I expect this to continue during the coming month.
I've still got several new spells and monsters, and a custom rule as well, planned for the Archives. I don't know if I will finish these the coming month, but we'll see.

For up to date news on these major projects and other major developments on alcarin.com, see the Announcements forum at http://www.alcarin.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

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COLUMN: MEN WITH A MISSION
A column by Wouter vd Zandschulp; wouter@alcarin.com

"Success"

Jonathan and the old man were very busy ever since. They created a Big Plan to help Jonathan upwards. They called it: 'The Big Plan to help Jonathan upwards'.
"Well, it mostly should be done naturally. Your fame should just rise because you perform well" the old man said. "I've got a surprise for you. We will go some place we were a long time ago."
They went towards the castle.
"Erm... old man... there's a real angry king and his married daughter... and I..."
"That's not where we are going" the old man replied.
They walked at a safe distance around the castle.
"This is towards my old home" Jonathan thought.
"That's right..." the old man pondered. "Maybe I should get to that place too... now we are travelling anyway..."

One night Jonathan pondered by the fire. Was he really going to become anything? The old man seemed to have some sort of plan with him. But he was nothing... always had been... or a goat. All his fame fled so fast. The old man himself had been a dreamer.
Once, long ago, he got him of the roof. What was his plan. Putting him back up there because he had given up? Jonathan wouldn't blame him.
Sure, he had made some progress, but always ended with nothing. He probable had to face real fame wasn't for him. Real fame by his own creativity. It was a dream the two had shared. Jonathan meant to become a big bard. It had been a nice dream. He loved the old man and always would be thankful for him to share this with him this far.
But maybe he should just work in some factory or so... if they are really desperate and even hire an artistic clumsy fool...
With still some sort of satisfied grin Jonathan went to bed. His adventurous life had not been all that bad. At least he got to have had one. Now he probably will be grown-up and get married and settle down. He would miss his adventures so very much...

Next day they first walked by Jonathans house. Then to the inn named 'The Inn That Really Should Have Had A Name But Sadly Did Not Because Of The Lack Of A Good Idea', but it seemed to have changed his name into: 'Bert'.
The barman shrugged when he saw their surprised faces.
"Sure beats the old name..." he said.
They couldn't not agree more.
Jonathan saw an arrogant looking old bard he recognised, with a real scary sort of little copy of himself next to him. With a better look he recognised a young bard he once competed against in this very bar. But this one scarily had changed into a clone of his master.
"How are you two doing?" this man asked with an mocking look.
"Oh.. we got separated more then once... Jonathan has been in jail, hit by an Orc and he has been a marketing goat who demolished the scene of his goats big show.. and he pronounced love to a princess on her wedding party where he had his first entertainment gig."
The bard looked baffled for all these unexpected revolutions.
"And now you've given up?" he asked.
"Nope. My bard has proven to think on his own. He has been doing much and now he will kick ass. Not literarily, I may hope, but then again, I never know."
The other bard was at a loss for words.
Jonathan then was forced on stage. As it seemed the old man had arranged a re-match. Jonathans parents came in, he invited them too.
Jonathan had nothing prepared. He used the audience to get a few laughs and tried some songs he had pondered about at nighttimes. And the public loved it.
Late at night, a party was going on because of the great entertainer Jonathan. And he knew to be having the thing actually called: success.

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Well, that's it for this month's newsletter. I hope you enjoyed it.
Lord Gildor
"May the stars guide you on your journeys"
http://www.alcarin.com

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