CONTESTS ENGINE ALMOST DONE
FROM JOT'S DEVELOPMENT DIARY
Jot Ariston Ancient Worlds
Although I have made great progress on NaviChat, I have taken a break to do the coding for am taking a break to do some coding to prepare the main component which was needed to the site for the S.P.Q.R.Lives Festival, the "Contest Engine," which is now done.
I also finished the ability for Demis, Scribes and Group Leaders to create a contest and add the awards with site currency prizes. The hard part of this was to handle the transaction whereby a contest creator could choose what the source of the prize money would be. For example, a Group Leader who is also a scribe can create a contest using funds from either the "Scribes's Privy" or from the "Group Coffer."
I am also adding the ability for people to sign-up for the contest and for the contest creator to award the prizes on the contests "Awards Date." The contest creator may do this by simply clicking on links they will see next to the names of the contestants. Once an award is made, the prize money is automatically issued to the winner and the prize icon will automatically appear at the winners Homesite.
R&R IN DOWNTOWN ROME
by Maia Nestor Rome
The historical R&R groups are flourishing nicely. Arachne is talking about having a Best Homesite contest, which should prove to be a great way to highlight all the hard work and creativity that has gone into the creation of some of the domuses, oikoi, pers, etc. At a group tally of 106, it boasts one of the largest membership of our AW citizens. And, per usual, if you need to know something about java, netiquette, html, chances are that you'll find it at Arachne.
Forget Oprah - her book club doesn't have a patch on AW's own Ex Libris. With a steadily growing group membership (now 66!) Ex has added a number of new features, including a poetry corner for submission to ACTA's brand-new poetry column to highlight original works by members. Also up and running, at the request of members, is a writer's board designed to ask questions, share war stories, or just ponder and speculate on the myriad mysteries of creating, editing, getting published, etc. it's called For Writers, and already is proving popular. There is also a new thread on Germanic authors. Ex Libris is also considering looking through the monthly posts for good, meaty book reviews for inclusion in ACTA.
Ancient Mysteries has a new board called the Mystical Realm, wherein are discussed such topics as psychometry, crystals, psychics, astral projection, auras, dreamwork, and my personal fave - 'things that go bump in the night'. Again, members asked for it, and Diantha Livius came through. For those that find these subjects a bit too fringe, or hard to swallow, there's a board called "Debunking Pseudo-Archaeology and Ersatz Science." Ancient Mysteries is an equal opportunity board, clearly, and with this lively mix of historical discussion and mystery-speculation, the membership (at 80 of this writing) keeps on growing.
The Tenth Muse, founded by gaius Ulpius, is one of the oldest groups at AW. Indeed, it was founded, again by gaius, several years ago at Ancient Sites! The Muse also boasts a dropping off point for submissions of original work to ACTA. The beauty of the Muse is that it embraces not only original work, but works from other poets, with links, discussions, etc. The Tenth Muse, in her original incarnation, was responsible for unearthing some amazing poets, and already it looks like this tradition will continue.
Arturus Rex, with 65 members, has a great link exchange with other groups, like Valinor, Bardic College, Cilipied Celtica-Gaul, The Rath of Celtia and Londinium. Although this group has a lively roleplay thread, it is considered to be historical and general, so it falls under the aegis of historical r and r. Their introduction says it all: "This is an open discussion about the realities, falacies, and blatent lies about the good King Arthur. Was he as good as we thought he was? Was he a Celt, Roman, or Saxon, if he did in fact really exist? These questions are open to the Once and Future King, or in some peoples' opinions, The Once and Future Queen. Come on in and explore your knowledge or lack thereof of the legend and phililogical remnants of the supposed "True" King Arthur. If you're at all interested in any aspect of things Arthurian, or you're impossibly curious, even impossibly bored, go check them out.
Although the Subrostrani currently has but 20 members, the discussions don't disappoint. Want to learn about Roman cookery, or take part in discussions of Rome, billed here as 'the greatest city in the world'? Or you can come hang out at the SPQR Caupona, where all sorts of things are discussed while members nurse overused elbows. I see that the "Rostrafarian Histories" thread needs some new contributions, but since the thread itself was created in the early part of '96, I don't think we need to declare it moribund yet! Some of the original members of AncientSites people this group - give it a lookover!
Rostra, with its 35 members, has been quiet of late, with Don Strabo being immersed in world travel, Petraites employing his talents elsewhere, and the vacuum left by Papa Gnaeus and Big Frank, although we've had a slight resurgence with the creation of the Nasty Scribes thread (aka Our Lives as Romans) - where all the scribes (and any member of the Rostra) can nasty down. It's all in fun...sort of. And a personal note to the four aforementioned citizens...where ARE you guys?????
Noir VI, the Pearls of Pergamum, billed as "An incredibly lengthy adventure tale spanning time, space, and an assortment of old Romans on Adventures in the Ancient World to Save Civilization", is in sad need of an injection of posts. As all Noirians know, in the past this group was FABU. Where are the tall strapping manly fellows? The steely-eyed goddesses? Bring back the Dormouse! Heraklia, get cracking! Eirene, stop the radiance for a moment and think about all of us deprived of our Violet Crumbles! Let's put on a show and save the Noir! Let's cast those Pearls before swine...okay, I'm exhausted now.
Lastly, there's The Tullianum, where I, maia Nestor, proudly hold the title of Swamp of Despond, suggested by the beloved and annoyingly AWOL Gnaeus Cassius. The Tully hasn't had a post in a while, and I for one am heartbroken. Well, maybe not heartbroken, but at least heart-challenged. Come see the former *sob* hilarity of AW's infamous resting place of AWesome minds.
A CAT'S EYE VIEW OF EGYPT
MIW MERITAMEN, TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ORIGINAL MIEWINGS BY ONIONS HATSHEPSUT
On the main City boards, they haven't run out of Egyptian
trivia questions yet! So, head on over and see if you can stump the
membership! Alexandria After Dark continues to serve the finest in
alcholic beverages and sushi. (Yes, sushi is not Egyptian, but this cat thinks
it's grand -- Onions brings me the leftovers after closing hours...) And of
course there's that famed hot tub.
The groups of Egypt are, by and large, active. Come pad around on four paws,
or two feet; get your toes wet!
Eternal
Gods; Eternal Lives, the Netjer (Egyptian gods)-based roleplay, continues to
draw interest as pertinent historical information gets posted, and character
roles get established. The technical glitches are under control now. This board
is under the capable leadership of Oset
Ramesses, and the actual roleplay will begin shortly.
KMT is active, too -- in the Golden
Horus, Seti I has just been assassinated, leaving Egypt in potential
turmoil. In Ta-meri: Heredet ne Hap, a soothsayer bears an omen of danger
to someone, and could this tie into the fate of the missing lady, NahehAakhu? In
The Chasm:
Mystic Realm of KMT, several of the members are now exploring a mysterious
cave.
After everyone's posted their favorite links, and have cleared out and posted
their personal libraries to the Alexandria
Library, the latter is now moving at a more sedate and reflective pace, but
new links and books and journals appear on a regular basis. These days, people
like Avram Sithathor seem to get into unpredictable but fertile posting moods.
Ancient
Expressions, devoted to the written language of the Egyptians, and headed up
by Hapshetsut Nebet, is pushing fervently forward to combine learning with
teaching. Sankhkare Thutmose, Ancient Expressions' new Sb3 (teacher) is busily designing lesson material and looks set to commence classes in Middle Egyptian any day now while Hatheputdatfut Hatshepsut's Tongue Trivia is set to tease the grey matter of those who come to test their language skills. Let the Fut lead you places no man or woman has been before!
At Women
of the Two Lands, the historical focus is in a temporary lull, but the Kaffa Mythology
Cafe is going as strong as its legendary coffee.
Architectural Methods is getting on its feet; as a member of
that group I long to learn about ancient scratching posts. They must have had
these, no?
Ah, the Gold Festival! The Golden Phoenix sails again this October, and we
need some fine, able-bodied crew members to help out. A few navigators quick on
their feet when the Nile starts rushing over those cataracts wouldn't be amiss
either! So far, our volunteers include Toman Thutmose, Nilaja Amenhotep,
Senenmut Hatshepsut, Timon Siamen, and more. If you are interested, or have
questions, or suggestions, please join the discussion at the The Golden
Phoenix Re-launch - Planning board, or contact AzureEyes Ramesses. Plans are underway for yet another
splendid cruise of the Nile, going where no barge has gone before. We'll stop at
ports not earlier glimpsed by other Festival jaunts, and may well take side
trips off the beaten trail. And yes, we will have some surprises for you, so
please chisel us onto your calendar stelae.
(Here, Miw breaks off her narrative, as Onions has just brought out a large
roast tilapia, and food is always more important than just about anything else.)
INSIDE BABYLON
A SECRET REPORT FROM "THE EAR"
Voluptua Amytas Babylon
NB: This reporter has received a confidential clay tablet from Babylon's most feared and accomplished super sleuth -- The Ear. Mindful of every citizen's civic responsibility, we have presented this report of the scandalous doings in Babylon here in its sordid entirety. Warning! NOT for the faint of heart.
Ear is so amazed. One of Babylon's most elevated citizens won a prize in the SPQR On the Mark contest. In spite of being weighed down by his huge necklace (dears, do I need to tell you about men and their jewelry?), this demi-god managed to stumble over the finish line in good enough time to take 4th place. But Ear has learned that the only reason he managed such a rapid transit of the city was his haste to reach the caupona for his next Sapphire Gin martini with anchovy stuffed olives! For shame, Mr. Demi-God!
Babylon has seen the influx of a great many new citizens, but Ear has done careful background checks on all of them. My dears, these people are not ones that decent folk would care to associate with! Immediately on arriving in the city, this unwholesome lot repaired immediately to the Kash Bowl, where Ear is sorry to say they indulged deeply in scandalous behavior. Ear personally observed rising skirts, wiggling posteriors, leg stroking, and, I blush to say it, certain less-than genteel interactions between some of the ladies (Ear uses the term ladies with great trepidation -- if only the Editor would let Ear tell the unvarnished truth!)
Ear has learned that three of Ancient World's most unsavory citizens (and Ear means that quite literally) have taken up residence in our fair city. This unlikely trio has Celtic origins, which Ear believes accounts for their unusual hygiene and outlook on life. Hildebeest Iceni, who Ear has reliably confirmed actually slept with King Zig, and her twin sons Everyman and Everywoman, are now in residence. Ear will bring you in-depth interviews with each of these appalling creatures, if only to show evidence of Ear's remarkable impartiality and unbiased observations.
Speaking of King Zig, Ear has relentlessly tried to track down the most royal resident of Babylon. Sadly, Ear was unable to speak with the great man himself, 
but rumors have come back from the furthest stretches of the kingdom suggesting that a harem-stocking expedition has been undertaken by our glorious leader. Ear also hears rumors of product sampling, but shudders to think of royalty indulging in such undignified behavior. Ear also hears that King Zig has put a 24-hour guard on his mattress. Ear wants to know why!
Ear understands that Harp and Cymbal and The Confederacy of Dunces continue to be the most popular groups in Babylon. In fact, membership in these organisations is considered to be tres chic -- that chickies means that unless you belong, you simply aren't au fait with the Babylonian in-crowd. There's another group looming on the horizon. Ear isn't sure what it's all about, but a title like Ars Amatoria gives a wee hint. Not to mention that Ear has learned that the (dare we say!) proprietress of said institution is none other than our ShagShag Gilgamesh. Ear thinks that should give a good idea of what's in store for the gentle folk of Babylon!
For upcoming events, Ear has gotten wind of a fabulous regalia planned in October. The whole city is bustling with activity and preparations for Mehregan, the festival of harvest, nature, and love. Let's face it, my dears, there is NO other city so suited to celebrating love than Babylon. Ear suspects that King Zig's expedition is merely a training session for all the love that will be spread on this day. Ear also hears that there are hordes of Persians arriving for the festival. Ear hopes they leave their ghastly hairball kitties at home. Achoooo! .......
Note from this reporter: the tablet ends at this point with a garbled message about a Carpenter's Cup being missing and a faint drawing. We reproduce it above in order to be faithful to the integrity of the tablet.
CELTIA EXPOSED
CathBran Niall Celtia
Celtia has begun the planning of our most important of holidays, Samhain. Anyone with ideas or a willingness to help need but post.
There seems to be interest in starting a Celtic languages group but we have yet been unable to find a group leader with the background & knowledge to run it. If anyone feels up to the task then please contact one of the Celtia Scribes.
Celtia's newest group is AW's Anonymous and it has been really hopping. If you have not seen it, you are really missing something good. It has members from all but one city. It would seem that MP has a serious denial problem.
Last but certainly not least, one of our valued Patrons, Asliann Niall, offers a wordsmith's course at her home. I do not know how many students she can take on but for those with an interest in poetry it is more than worth the effort to contact her or drop by and look over the syllabus. The assignments are posted in her classroom. I do believe the dates are adjustable.
A GLIMPSE ON GERMANIA
Yngvildr Scylding Germania
At the moment, Germania is busy with preparations for the Haustblót, our contritbution to the sitewite Goldfest (see the separate article for more information). New Germanics continue to arrive in amazing amounts and, as shown by a recent statistic investigation, our city is in the lead as to the numbers of posts-per-member. Given that Germania is the youngest city in the Ancient Worlds, this is something we can be very proud of!
What else is going on? After some romantic interludes the Red Boar has recently seen the arrival of two amazing Goth ladies – if you want to learn more about Germanic women, you should definitely not miss the contributions of Andabairtha Gunthigg and Gherwina Gunthigg!
Theodokuntho, the group featured in our last Germania update, continues to grow nicely. Thiudareiks Gunthigg posted a series of interesting posts on Arminius and a number of new threads for the discussion of Germanic religion have been established. The latest group in Germania is Kunjarazdôz – The Language Lounge, created to have a place where the Germanic languages (old and new) can be explored and discussed. More info can be found on the group page.
