I am not the oldest player in this game, dammit!
But I am one of them. I do not remember WWII, but I got a lot of "first hand" reports on it from my father, Uncles, and their friends. My father landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He told me that there was one moment in that war that affected him more than any other: when his troop ship came sailing into New York Harbor in 1946, and he was finally "home". Those who fought and survived that war didn't talk about it much, even among themselves
It has been an interesting time for us. Gone from the Cyberverse for very nearly a year, I decided to come back to the game. The major reason was to introduce a few friends to the planet, gently. Being a ruling Monarch can be a bit of a drag on one's social life. Rather than drag myself to the "social", I instead chose to drag the "social" to CN. What does that say about me?
And I have joined a new Alliance begun by some friends, originally protected by other friends (since "graduated"). Toda
Sometimes in life we learn that, in order to help those whom we care most about, we must make terribly difficult decisions. So long as the greater good is maintained, even difficult choices can be somewhat mitigated. We've had to visit that belief of late. It has been difficult. Yet, we know that, in the outcome, the greater good is being served.
Today, Merlinus attained the venerable age of 500 days. For most who would read this writing, that would only be a distant memory. That's fine. For u
Very early morning, atop the castle tower. HRH Merlinus walks slowly, pensively. His Royal Highness, Merlinus, the reigning sovereign to more than 410 million people (May His Light forever shine!) seems lost in thought. It is quiet out here, on the parapet. Crickets softly chirp their messages to one another. A clear and cloudless night, the moon is full. It's rays fall upon His Royal Highness as a spotlight falls upon the player on a stage. Our monarch is clearly troubled. As we know so very we
We are only days into the second year of our reign. The bunting has been removed, the streets cleaned until they sparkle. A happy sigh has been collectively felt by a grateful nation. All the while, our advances in technology have brought tentacles of darkness into our homes, places of work, and yes, even our government offices.
Over the past 48 hours, and especially over the past 24 hours, rumblings of discontent have found their genesis again on digiterra. We have not been remiss in our d
We are pleased to announce the passing of our first year as Monarch, ruling Merlinus with a fair, but firm fist of Royal Monarchy. There have been many lessons learned, and many friends made. Sadly, some have passed on. The Great War took several thousands of our dedicated and loyal troopers, but their sacrifice (may they ever be blessed) has resulted in a larger, stronger and much more prosperous nation
For a year, we have been proud to be a member of the premiere White Sphere alliance, The O
OOC: At midnight last nite, I completed my 90th day as a member of a CN alliance. It is upon that milestone that I now wish to reflect.
Ninety days ago, I first applied the "TOOL Applicant" AA to my nation. I was one day old in CN. I responded, as so many players have, to a recruitment message-from Lord Nick (as it happens). The message stood out from the many for several reasons:
~ It was simple
~ It was genuine, from the standpoint of a member proud of his alliance
~ It was direct
~ It wa
Our beloved people of Merlinus continue to remove themselves from, and re-prove themselves through the recent War of the Reset. The funeral pyres have burned out, and the rubble mostly removed from our streets and country lanes. Essential services have been restored, thanks in no small part to the largesse of our fellow Alliance members who, even in their own struggles, have reached out to our fledgling nation with food, medical supplies, fuel, and (Most importantly) manpower. Dollars and techno
From: The Order Of Light World Headquarters
We have been received with much fanfare to the TOOL Headquarters. An appropriate welcome State Dinner was held, where TOOL Lord Captain Commander GrahamKeatley, along with his alliance staff officially welcomed the kingdom of Merlinus into the TOOL alliance community. It was surely a gala evening, with excellent dinner, music, and festivities that made us realize that, though perhaps a new nation to the alliance, the long history of Merlinus had begun
From the Throneroom
General Discussions with Councillors
We are pleased to see some semblance of normalcy returning to our beloved nation. The heroes have been honored, and those who can are manning the shovels, spades, and using their bare hands to remove the rubble from the streets of Salerno, our Capital. Numerous reports from the countryside indicate that similar scenarios are being played out in our large metropolitan areas, small towns, hamlets and villages throughout Merlinus. Although
Today stands as a singular moment in my CN growth. It is upon the occasion of my acceptance as a full member into The Order of Light that I wish to make a few remarks.
I have seen long-standing members of this Alliance remove themselves from it's ranks over the past few days. Some have done so during hostilities, without the convenience of being PoW's. Some have done so because of their strong allegiance to other confederations. Some have done so because of personal disputes, or philosophical
Carnage abounds. Many have said this is either:
1) The most damage-inflicting war in the history of Planet Bob, or
2) The most expensive war in the history of Planet Bob.
I can review the Wikis, and observe the writings of others who would certainly be more dependable than I. I can ask, and get opinions.
What I do know is that this war has brought Merlinus to its knees, but for the aid and assistance of our Alliance. The missiles are not raining down upon us at the moment. Foreign
The War rages on. We get, from our personal perspective at least, no sense of cessations being imminent. Our people are struggling, yet have seemingly found a resolve that has impressed us deeply. They simply refuse to die, or lay down and become a willing victim to the carnage around them. Even as Aid is waning because of the excessive costs of war to everyone, we hold. We hold not because of military might or awesome defenses. But, our meager defenses have significantly helped our cause. We ca
Private: Communique from HRH Merlinus - For Your Eyes Only
Salerno Palace
February 7th, 2010
Does anyone happen to know what I and Fred Flintstone have in common?
We both can look through our living room window and see nothing but rubble.
We have been attacked twice today.
By four different countries. 8 separate attacks. We still stand, as it were.
Our poor subjects are nearly, but not quite defeated. The People's Government is still in operation, if that is an appropriate term. Our tech
DATELINE: Salerno
February 6th, 2010
HRH Merlinus I has released a short statement this morning:
WAR MEMO 01-001
"Citizens of Merlinus:
When in the course of human events, it befalls our nation to take arms, it must be for only one of three reasons. We must either be attacked in an unprovoked aggression by a power outside our borders; we must be attacked by an enemy of the State, or finally we must be asked to engage a mutual enemy of this nation's Alliance: The Order of Light (TOOL).
Th
We are most pleased to know that there is an alliance-wide communications device called (strangely enough) IRC. We made our inaugural entrance into the communications channel, and found no irksome demeanor whatsoever there. IN fact, two leaders were willing to share privately with us some terribly important news regarding our own nation, and how we might better rule and reign in it. We were most impressed! We are looking forward to future relations with these leaders, and feel once again as if o
We find that our environment is akin to swampland, and nearly unsustainable for life above ground! This latest war has cost so many so much, yet there seems to be no end in sight
We are registered on IRC, but as yet have no auth set sent to us to interact with the other nation's leaders in the TOOL world. This is vexing. The answer to the question is that the war is requiring the time and attention of our fearless leaders. We can accept this, yet it is we feel an affront to our royal selves. I
We do not yet know. It would seem that the confusion is shared amongst others, as well. Patience will win out. Our reign today has been light, and not so terribly difficult. Religion and Government forms were artificially changed for the impressions upon our people. We are continuously concerned about the environment of our nation, with radiation levels becoming nearly unbearable. Thankfully, a war bunker was in place long before our arrival. Yet, necessity requires us to remove to the summer Ca
We have endeavored to succeed in Phase II of the Academy, yet we feel ourself lacking in the understanding of things of the trade variety. This alliance has it's own very strict rules of trade, both for tech and for resources. I need a harbor, an FA, and a bank. I need to establish one more trade circle for my fourth slot. 3 of 4 are active, but that last one eludes us for some reason. Patience. I see where those joining the Alliance after I did are already full in there resource trade slots. Ri
We are progressing well, but not as fast as we might wish, through the TOOL Academy. Phase I went well, and swiftly passed. Now the Phase II studies are definitely ramping up, and taxing our brain as we struggle with our first trade. The first Trade Agreement has been inked, and is with the nation of Deutch Valkyrie by its Monarch harold1022pc. As HRH has ruled only one day, I find myself in the senior position, yet have been taught by one newer to this role than myself.
The first goal is the
Day One of our Reign
We have been graced with many leaders who wish to establish relations and alliances with us. Hardly had our royal furniture been placed in the Palace but we were required to respond to some 44 requests for alliance relations! It seems to be a very nice group of rulers. We did see several offers which, sadly, we had to immediately refuse due to obvious differences in national philosophy and/or ruling differences.
We have, we are pleased to announce, found an alliance t
And, Thus It Begins!
]Upon the recent death of our father, HRH King Aqueous Humour, we have ascended the throne of Merlinus. After some five days' journey, we are finally arrived at our royal abode. If first impressions are of any value, this poor kingdom and her people have been, for quite the lack of another word, neglected. We shall endeavor to right that malodious wrong forthwith. But alas, we have nothing with which to call a "Tool of Monarchy" at this moment.
Until we can receive our
