Greetings Players of Britannia,

I, the Governor of Jhelom, would like to announce that the ‘Mike & Ike Wrestling Tournament’ will be held next Thursday, the 17th of October.

Location: Jhelom Fighting Pits
Prize: ??

DESCRIPTION of the event:
The competing players will go in their assigned compartments in the pits when the event begins. (Mikes on the East – Ike’s on the West) I will have a master list of who will be matched up with who, based on the player templates. Once the two enter the match, there is no turning back. The winner will move on and the looser will be asked to join the audience. NEWLY MADE TOONS ONLY – WITH NEW PLAYER GEAR/WEAPONS!!

There will be two (2) temporary guilds that will be made. People who enter must be willing to be guilded on their new toon. Once the winner is proclaimed, I will then deliver the prize to him/her and that will conclude that event.

All entries will have to be private messaged to me on this forum. Entries will be closed on Monday, the 14th of October. I encourage every city to participate in this event, it is a pre set-up for my Big event in November. Here is what needs to be sent to me via PM:

• Main Character Name On Atlantic
• ICQ Number If You Have One
• Town you represent (If any)
• Your Newly Made Toons Name (Mike or Ike)

Requirements and Rules:

• No Cheating – If you are cheating, you will automatically be disqualified from the event.
• Must follow instructions when given. To many people to keep track of and we don’t need and confusion.
• Be willing to be temporarily guilded by one of our two guilds.
• No Harassing other players – Automatic disqualification and a page to the GM
• AND HAVE FUN!!

(All data can change at random. Will post if this happens. If there are any questions, feel free to contact me)

I got together with each of the governors and asked them about their cities and plans. With all the controversies and rumors about I wanted to give each governor a chance to “clear the air as it where” and give everyone a chance to get to know them and what they intend to do for their respective cities. Each city faces it’s own unique set of challenges and I want to give the governors a chance to address these issues in a neutral forum so everyone could come to their own conclusions.

First is the Governor of Jhelom, Alexander and here is what he had to say…

What are your current plans for Jhelom?
My current plans for Jhelom is to unite all warriors alike and build a strong community in the City. The Symbol of Jhelom is the Virtue: Valor. Some plans I have in prepared is to train our warriors to the maximum, provide spar-matches to perfect battle techniques, declare ‘Hunt Days’ so our warriors can experience what it is like on the battle field.

What obstacles does Jhelom face if any?
Currently, Jhelom doesn’t face any obstacles. However, recently we were at war with a diverse clan of Pirates. They had bombed the bank of Jhelom as a threat. Although the reason of the bombing was unknown, I found it crucial to prepare the city for whatever may come our way. Whether it be war, alliances with other cities, preparing an Army etc.

If it weren’t for the City of Yew aiding in this matter, Jhelom would have suffered another blow from the Pirates. The Governor of Yew sent a ‘Supply Crew Ship’ to Jhelom. Our Carpenters worked night and day on our bank but needed the extra help. While unloading the ship, we spotted the sails of the Pirates. Both Yew and Jhelom sent out Combat-ships to confront the Pirates. We tried negotiating but came to the conclusion that the Pirates had no intention to make peace. Giving the order, we fired our cannons at the Pirates until their fleet were no more.

What factors have contributed to Jhelom growth and success?
Jhelom has grown into a City of Honor. The citizens are pleased to have a Governor as myself and I am pleased to have such loyal citizens. Even though there is still much more to do for the city, I believe the city as a whole has became more than what it once was. I am honored to represent the citizens of Jhelom and will absolutely do the best I can when it comes to making my citizens happy.

How has Jhelom changed during your term(s) in office?
As everyone knows, this time of year is very bad when thinking of safety. A plague of souls manifest from the living, thus bringing us Zombie Skeletons. Because of that reason and of course Jhelom’s Warrior training, and with the help of King Blackthorn, we have established many ‘Medical Supply Units’ throughout the city in-case of an emergency.

King Blackthorn has began constructing Offices for the sitting Governors, I am happy to announce that Jhelom will have one of these installed soon. Also, for my second in command: Queen Arya. I have placed an Office for her outside the Jhelom animal pen. I feel that these offices will provide a better communication system between other Governors, Citizens of Jhelom, and Citizens of other Cities.

The City has benefited from the Trade agreement deal. At our meeting, we discussed what the Trade deal for the month of October will be. The citizens that attended couldn’t think of just one trade deal so we will alternated between four choices:
1) Spell Damage Increase
2) Swing Speed Increase
3) Mana Regeneration
4) Hit Chance Increase

What sets Jhelom apart from the others?
The thing about a single person that is different from another is the personalities between them both. Same thing with the Cities. Not one City is the same as another; therefore, all cities are equal because not one is better than the other. Jhelom’s main priority is to establish a firm training center for all Warriors. My main goal is to make the city become the home and default place for all warriors to come to and become what they wish to become: An Assassin, Archer, Sword-Swinger, etc.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Keep watch for the month of November. Jhelom has something big planned, for ALL Cities.

The Department of Ghoulish and Spooky Housing have requested that we scour the land for the Best Atlantic Halloween Houses for this coming All Hallows Night.

Entries must be received by Thursday, October 23rd Midnight EST.

Please submit your Character name, House Coordinates, House Name, Email Address & a Rune to your house in a bag to the mailbox shown below.

All houses must remain up until after the Tour and be open to the Public to qualify.
Entries will be posted to all the major sites after the Tour is complete.

There will be 3 Categories to submit entries to:

Multiple – 2 or More Houses connected together (must be next to each other or very close by & connected by teleporter)

Single – 1 Single House entirely decorated (all floors)

Single Vendor/Establishment – Decorated but Integrity of Establishment preserved.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 2 in each category. First Prize will be a King’s Collection Code.

Contest will be judged by Members of the Atlantic Community previously enlisted who will not be allowed to enter.

Please meet at Goodman’s Rune Library at 10:00 pm EST to be taken to the Ghoulish & Spooky Haunted House.

Winners will be announced Friday October 25th at the Ghoulish & Spooky Haunted House.

The Ghoulish & Spooky Halloween Tour will leave at approximately 10:15 pm and return to Goodman’s Complex.

There will be a prize for Best Costume picked from that evenings attendees upon the Tour’s return.

Want to go hunting but don’t have a big enough group? Are you looking for good guides to dungeons you’ve yet to explore? The community hunts are open to everyone! Come show your support for the Atlantic & Townships and take a walk on the wild side at the same time. Meet some new and old friends and have a bit of a challenge along the way.

The flyer posted around at all the banks seemed to call out to me. I enjoy a good hunt so I figured I’d go check it out. This hunt was sponsored by Governor Andrasta and New Maginica. So I ready myself and met up at the designated place and here is what I found.

A various group of warriors prepared for the worst it seemed. We were informed to proceed to the Humility gate and combat a spawn of dragons that had cropped up there. So we saddled up and headed out…

But alias it wasn’t to be as we found the spawn already defeated…

So we marched off to Valor where we were confronted with a horde of undead. We all fought couragously but it was a tough fight. The undead didn’t want to reliquish their hold on the area, but we fought on…

Finally we were rewarded with their boss Neira the Necromancer appearing. We all battled hard and she wasn’t giving us an inch. It was a very tough fight but she was finally vanquished much to our delight.

It was definatly a very fun night had by all and was very nicely hosted by Yosef. I would personally like to thank him for hosting and Governor Andrasta for sponsoring this wonderful event. Yosef has another event scheduled Thursday October 10th at 8:30 EST. This event is sponsored by Governor Khaleesi and Vesper, and I definitely recommend attending.

October 2013 Atlantic Shard Event Schedule

Taweret Event: Monday October 14th 2013, 1pm EST @ South Trinsic Bank
The Harvest – Aleksandre Biggering returns!

Bennu Event: Wednesday October 23rd 2013, 8pm EST @ Castle Blackthorn Throne Room
The Hate Breeder – A stranger to this world is causing animals to turn rabid and breed at an alarming rate!

Taweret Event: Thursday October 24th 2013, 11pm EST @ Castle Blackthorn Throne Room
The Hunt – King Blackthorns opens his fields for hunting!

Conseil du Roi: Sunday October 27th, 8pm EST @ Castle Blackthorn
“King Blackthorn of Britannia meets with the Governors to discuss issues that plague the realm.”

Bennu/Taweret Halloween Event: Wednesday October 30th, 8pm EST @ Trinsic
Kill Your Face – “EM Bennu and Taweret will attempt to kill your face in celebration of Halloween.”

     There has been a lot of activity in Yew it certainly seems with rumors flying everywhere about the new Governor Norrington and the Former Governor Sunwolf. Since I attended the King Blackthorns Conseil du Roi and got to see first hand some of the tensions and controversy surrounding Yew I thought I should do a bit of investigating. With that I packed up and decided to wonder around Yew for a while and see what I could find out. Boy was I shocked when I saw this…

     Amid all the rumors and such there they were and working together. I just had to find out what was up for myself. There was quite a few folks just outside the Abby so I joined the discussion, voicing my opinions and concerns to the new governor. Wasn’t too long after that till a very strange thing happened. As we were standing there chatting, a harpsichord fell seemly from the sky and was accompanied by an interesting musician…


     I was quite amazed really as I didn’t believe our EM Bennu could sing, but there he was singing away to us…



     After the serenade he stayed around and and chatted with everyone about Yew and the plans for the future. I could almost say he was glad to see the new and old governors getting together for the benefit of Yew despite all the nasty rumors that have been floating around.


     As we all got to talking about various topics EM Bennu actually asked us all to do him a favor for one of the other governors…

     Of course all of us agreed, anything to help out and foster this new relationship. A relationship that also was apparent the following evening at the Yew meeting when all were joking laughing and having a very good time as it were, seeming to be working together for the benefit of Yew and her people.

     As the evening got on there were even jokes made from the Conseil du Roi about a certain trashcan….

     Seems someone is still upset about the trashcans though, however both sides enjoyed a good laugh. There were great ideas presented on both side for plans to move forward in Yew. I look forward to seeing this relationship grow and foster in the coming months, but as for my vote, I am voting friends.

Everyone please join me in welcoming one of our own, Flair, as the newest Atlantic Reporter!  Flair has already been doing a wonderful job in reporting for the Sparrow’s Nest!  And you know…no good deed goes unpunished!

Tahani: Please welcome EM Bennu!

EM Bennu: *is early*

Tahani: Please come up Sir, Welcome.

EM Bennu: *gets comfy*

Tahani: Can you tell us how you feel about all the excitement the citizens are showing regarding the elections?

EM Bennu: As the EM for Atlantic the past 3 years I have grown to see myself as a bit of the daddy…
Some people may scoff at that. Some people might be offended by it, but that is how I feel.

EM Bennu: Taking that stance with the new Royal Council…I have been amazed with how well the players have attached to the concept.
People far above my own pay grade have spent a lot of time watching Atlantic and how we interact with the Royal Council.

EM Bennu: They are all very very proud of us. I am very proud of all of you, the Royal Council is a neat program…But without players to embrace it…It would fail.
I have been humbled and very very proud to call myself your EM.
I am still amazed with how well the council has done.

EM Bennu: *shifty eyes* *says something about being long winded* *laughs*

Tahani: that’s fine *smiles* The people want to hear what you think.
Will there be more tangible support to the Governors this time?

EM Bennu: Things are constantly evolving. This next term I think the Governors and the Towns will be focused on building Governors’ Offices.
There will be costs involved but it should be fun. The program is new and as such things are constantly in flux. Rules change, guidance evolves.

Tahani: Are there any plans to expand the council and include the Player Cities?

EM Bennu: How do you mean?

Queen Arya: Toad Town

Tahani: To name only one.

EM Bennu: Ah I see. I am not sure actually. Mesanna has asked me to adopt a few things from other servers.
Like being able to have player towns earn certain things. A Stable Master was the example she gave me.

EM Bennu: However…And I suppose this is as good of a place as any to say this…It would also involve taking down banners of inactive sites.
And tearing down the Ebon Skull and Sanctus banners would break my heart.
Please don’t make me do that

Tahani: Will you post the criteria of that before doing it?

EM Bennu: Of course.

Tahani: There are citizens still in those towns.

EM Bennu: I need to see one.

Tahani: perhaps they can be reinvigorated.

EM Bennu: *grins* PLEASE.

Tahani: We can do that *grins*

EM Bennu: But yes Mesanna wants to move into a way for player towns to be more active.
However as for them having a seat on the council, I don’t think so.
They will need to work with a host city.

Tahani: Some hope of involvement would cheer many of them.
I know you canot speak for the King…

EM Bennu: *nod* I am not the King.

Tahani: But do you know if he is happy with his Kingdom?

EM Bennu: From what I have seen I think he is very very happy with the way things have unfolded.
He had me commission busts of all the first term governors.
They were set up in his castle this evening.

Tahani: oo now that is exciting.

EM Bennu: *says something about how he likes this format* Helps me get word out about things. Someone poke Faeryl, Kylie and Joanna.

EM Bennu: *scoots over to be closer to the cute interviewer*

Tahani: *blushes* What would you like to see in future governors?

EM Bennu: Activity…And that goes for not just Atlantic.
Some of the servers are hurting for participation. However, I’m not asking anyone to move there…
But what is needed most is activity from the governors.
If you don’t show up the King will replace you. It’s part of his job.

Tahani: Well lastly EM Bennu…Is there anything else you wold like us all to know?
Don’t be shy *grins*

EM Bennu: Just that I am very proud to be your EM, and thank you guys so much for putting up with me.
I do my best, I know not everyone loves my face to pieces. But I do try…And it does mean a lot to me to be here.

Tahani: I think we all appreciate you more than you know.

EM Bennu: If there is anything I can do to help you personally gain more interest and fun from the game.
As long as it is in my power and I can do it legally, I will.
I am honest, and fair, and go out of my way to be both to everyone.

Tahani: *smiles* you do an awesome job, we are very lucky.

EM Bennu: Just remember…My job is Events, Content and Role Playing. I am not a DEV team member.

Tahani: Thank you very much for coming this evening. I wish we had time for more questions but alas we’ll have to do this again soon.

EM Bennu: I’m sure people are tired of looking at my beard.

Tahani: Please give a hand to EM Bennu.

EM Bennu: *Goes to watch more skits* *waves*

Tahani does another interview and once it is over EM Bennu has returned to the interview area and says:

EM Bennu: Can I say one more thing?

Tahani: yes Sir.. most certainly *smiles*

EM Bennu: A lot of people pine for the old days. I hear it a lot.
“things were better when..” “I remember when we all got together and did..”

EM Bennu: I want you all to take a look around. We have about 75 people.
There is no fighting…No griefing…No PvP and no rewards. Just all of us, together.

I wrote an open letter once, when the RP community was having problems.
I probably shouldn’t have written it but I hoped it would help.
I am glad to see the community of UO thriving again.
And I am proud that it is so strong on Atlantic.
Thank you. Ok. I’ll shutup now *winks*

Tahani: *Cheers for EM Bennu & Atlantic*

Often times election evenings come and go with very little hoopla. Constituents and Candidates settle in for a long night of watching the results unfold while they take a pause and try to catch their breath from a long, hard fought campaign season. For the majority of the races that was the case. But it was not the case when it came to the tightly contested race in Yew.

The night started off innocently enough, Candidates were out in force in Bucs Den pressing the flesh for a few last minute votes. A carnival type atmosphere hung in the air while people went from place to place seeing what fun events the Candidates had provided for them. However that jovial nature would soon turn in an instant. Those who were paying close attention could feel the intensity begin to swell. They watched as the easy going nature shifted to desperation, despair and anger. Yes, anger.

What could almost be described as a riot broke out at the voting stone in Yew. Empath Abbey was almost overrun with Dragons and Gargoyle wings being strategically placed in front of the Stone making it inaccessible for people to cast those crucial last minute ballots. Each side pointing fingers at the other and supporters of each side shouting unpleasant and rude things at the other side. Supporters of one side accusing the other side of buying votes, the other side vehemently denying the allegations. The tension was so thick everyone in attendance had to think a Civil War was about to break out for the Governorship of Yew. Things became so volatile the office of Granting Majority Selection, or “GMs” for short, dispatched not one, but two of it’s representatives dressed in red robes to the Stone in order to observe the voting process and protect the integrity of the vote along with the outcome of the election. The mere presence of the GMs observers quelled the majority of the situation, but still a few hardliners persisted and tried to ignite the situation again… until King Blackthorn appeared that is.

King Blackthorn’s unscheduled arrival coupled with his words quieted the crowd rather quickly. He called both of the frontrunners to stand before him and asked them to shake hands and part as equals. Once they obliged he reminded them even though the election was over the work had just begun. Before he made his depature the King left absolutely no doubt he had the utmost faith in both of the frontrunners and also left no doubt as to who is in charge as he said, “I have every confidence in *both participants*. And remember, I am the King, if there is a problem, I have the power to fix it.”

The first Conseil du Roi with the newly elected or reelected Governors will be held on Sunday September 29th at 8pm EST. Judging from some of the parting shots some Governors made towards other Governors, it should be more than interesting. The situation between Jhelom and Britain could potentially be the stuff nightmares are made of….. Long live the King.

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