R&R IN ROMA
by Justina Cassius Rome
Rome has three new groups. If you are a Group Leader or Board Editor, The Tower of Babel is a group founded by LuciusFlaccus Valerius and Justina Cassius so that leaders and editorial staff can gather and discuss issues such as HMTL design, group momentum and group page design. There's a 101 Group Leader Course that aims to help members run their groups. This group is open only to group leaders and board editors.
New group Vesuvius 79 AD is almost a month old and already has 25 members. It is a history, role-play and social gathering place. The scene is set as Pompeii, August 79 AD. You can visit Marine's Road: the Villa's quarter, where most of Pompeians have their villas. Or if you are interested in commerce there is Taberna: the business quarter where all sorts of trades can take place. Religion was an important part of a Pompeian’s life, there is Venus Marina: Sacred Places where the Gods can be honoured. At the The Last Days of Pompeii thread, Blanche Yngling and the group editorial team have worked very hard to make the experience of being in Pompeii as realistic as possible and contains a resources library covering anything concerning Pompeiian and Roman times.
Do you remember the group Aqua Fennica – Crapula Ultima? Well it is back! It is the newest group on the block. This group has been founded by Paullus Fabius. The group's mission and sole purpose appears to be to bring Aqua Fennica to Rome via a viaduct. There is a bar (of course!) called Pataässä Pub, where only beer, Aqua and Turkish pizzas are served! The group is currently expanding its boards and threads.
SEDITORES ROMANI
THE REBELS OF ROME
LuciusFlaccus Valerius Rome
I am quite happy to announce the founding of Rome's newest Academic Center - SEDITORES ROMANI: The Rebels of Rome.
The group is dedicated to the research and discussion of the many rebels, rebellions, and revolts of the Roman Republic and Empire. While the group is still under construction, we very much welcome any new members, and I would gladly appreciate any input as to discussion topics, layout - anything! If the group sounds interesting, follow the link above, and be sure to drop the leader of the group, LuciusFlaccus Valerius, a note!
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
69 BCE KICKS OFF WITH A BANG!
LuciusFlaccus Valerius Rome
The Roman Republic has successfully started its second game year, 69 BCE. The opening developments: A rebellion in Spain!
That's right, a rebellion, led by the forgotten son of Q. Sertorius, has erupted in both Spanish provinces. Our esteemed Junior Consul, Paullus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus, has been dispatched to fight the rebels. However, he was not long in command when the Senate in Rome started talking about replacing the Consul with a more experienced general...one AeneasIulius Romulus.
While the debate over who should command against the Spanish rages on, more civil matters have taken the courts by storm. Charges were finally pressed against Appius Claudius Pulcher Maior (Consul Paullus Fabius' proxy in Rome), on behalf of the Senior Consul, Catulus Aemilius Albinus; Censor LuciusFlaccus Valerius; and many others.
In matters martial, Propraetor Favonius Cornelius Pola has begun to put the Pontic invaders of Bithynia to flight. In an engagement near the Timoni mountains, the Propraetor managed to rout the main force of the Pontics, and begin a siege. King Mithridates VI managed to escape, but not before being wounded. And just recently, the Propraetor induced a quarter of the invading forces to defect, dealing a severe blow to the hopes of Mithridates VI.
As you can see, The Roman Republic is bustling with activity. However, that is not to say that there are not positions open! Indeed, we have many spots open, from Quaestor to Praetor, Augur to Pontiff, and back again. We are also in need of some good RP writers - The Roman Republic isn't just wargaming and political scheming! We have plenty of room for RP writers of all nationalities!
So, if you are interested in joining The Roman Republic, please do so! And be sure to drop a note to the Censor, LuciusFlaccus Valerius, so he can add you to the rolls of AW's most exciting Roman Roleplay...The Roman Republic!
ARACHNIDS HOST FIRST AW-WIDE HOMESITE CONTEST!
READ BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTEST ENTRY
Laurels Curius Rome
The details of the first ever Arachne's Web Homesite Contest (since its AW incarnation) have finally been worked out, and commences with the release of this ACTA issue, December 15th.
Please submit your homesite entries here.
Enter your own home, or put in a friends!* Contest results will be announced on 15 January in our group entrance and within the ACTA issue. Read more about this contest and entry criteria here.
Much work and interest was poured into this contest by all of Arachne's members, and it was decided on to be available to all of Ancient World's members, not just Arachnids. The award images themselves are still being worked on, but will be completed soon and on display in the Contest thread. The winners of all three levels (one First Place and two equal standing Honorable Mentions) will not only have a fine award to display in their homes, but be added automatically as members of the Arachne's Web Best Homes Ring. * All Contest Entries added need to be notified/permission given to do so, as they have to be willing to display the awards and other necessities.
Aside from the award, there are many new features, additions, new members and more great projects underway:
Help catch up with Arachne's many additions and projects in one of our Current Affairs Posts - previous ones listed in same thread. There are still many areas needing work and aid, cups of coffee (and Tea on request!) being tossed around in our Coffeehouse Proper and new members to Welcome in.
So when you are done adding in yours and your friends' homes to our Contest Registration field, stop in and relax or add your help and opinions to Arachne's Web!
NEWS FROM THE WESTERN FRONT
MUNDUS ROMAE: 1500AUC
Arminius Terentius Rome
Fellow Romans, news from the parallel universe is generally good! Mundus Romae: 1500AUC, a sub-group of Respublica Romana, is holding birthday celebrations for Imperator Titus V, pater patriae, pontifex maximus and divine Caesar. The artificers have presented him with a steam carruca - the first private one built, and the Azanian ambassador has presented him with yet another tiger! The Sericans have gifted him with a fascinating mechanical nightingale which moves and sings!
There is also some behind-the-scenes intriguing between Demosthenes the ikonographer and Salvia Vorra, the junior consul who is the emperor's un-official mistress. Details to follow as they become available.
In the new colony of Nova Italia, a native has been captured and is being interrogated - language problems are being solved even as we speak. Will the barbarian learn Latin, or must the romans learn his native speech?
The Sericans are up to something - no one knows exactly what - but they are sending a new ambassador to the king of the Aztecae, Nacoxoc. In recent years, they have given him yearly gifts of horses and technology - it is even rumoured that black powder was one of these!
Could Rome be in for a surprise when her people finally encounter the Aztecae? No one knows when that will happen but bets had been good that superior technical skills would make Rome master of this New Land. Should the Sericans interfere, who knows what the outcome may be!
Tune in to Mundus Romae: 1500AUC or better yet JOIN to find out! Become part of the story, not just a bystander!
THE SHIELD OF ALCIBIADES
GRAND OPENING
Skyros Lycias Athens
It is with great pride that we announce the grand opening of the Shield of Alcibiades taverna (formerly the Agora taverna) in Athens on December 20th.
I and my amanuensis, the Winestained One, my faithful companion and weinerdog, will be taking up permanent residence in Athens and calling the "Shield" home. We rather like the name because the shield of Alcibiades had a winged Eros on the front and was termed "the glory and the shame of Athens" much like our little taverna.
We are also happy to announce the acquisition of the cloak of Alcibiades that will be hung on the wall. The WSS has assured me it is genuine and was picked up by his, er..."street companions" after Alcibiades was forced to flit Athens by night.
As you will notice we have enlarged the hearth area so travelers can warm their feet before retiring upstairs in the several rooms that have been whitewashed, cleaned and fitted with new Egyptian linens - nothing but the best for our guests.
We have also added an outside dining area and the WSS is sifting through dining menus and wine lists. At the moment we have goat cheese and olives, stuffed and sesamed dormice (for our Roman guests) but a specialtie' a la maison still eludes us. The wine is domestic with, again, some Roman vintages for our Roman guests, as well as mead for out Northern guests.
Please look for our advertisements on line for the opening. Ah, I hear the clicking of tiny claws, do you have something to add, WSS?
Yes Skyros, we will be opening up around Saturnalia and as much as you love being the Lord of Misrule, you will have to skip it this year as "Mine Host" can't eat and drink the profits.
We are looking forward to seeing all of our friends, old and new, in this delightful season and we promise to relieve you of your ennui as well as your pocket change. In the off season I will be the bouncer. Do not let these tiny paws fool you, as I am the master of several oriental martial arts as well as a wielder of the much touted and feared Hittite Sling (tm). As I will be busy serving and schmoozing this Saturnalia and Rural Dionysia, I have employed Hercules, the Mollosian Hound once owned by Alcibiades (or at least he says so) as the guest bouncer...so mind your alphas and omegas.
See you Saturday afternoon December 20th.
THE SCRIBE'S PALETTE
ON HULA HOOPS, DRUNK CATS AND HEFFALUMPS
Lotus Horemheb Egypt
What does a drunk cat, a plaid heffalump and a hula-hoop all have in common? Nothing!
However, at AW's newest writer's group, The Scribe's Palette, all three have managed to be linked in a deranged game of hit-and-run one-liners. The game, The Really, Really, Really Bad Story, has proven a cornerstone for a group of writers blowing off steam and honing their imaginative writing skills.
What's so special about the The Scribe's Palette is that its not just a place for writers to come talk about writing. While there is some of that going on, there are also less formal settings for talking about nothing in particular at the coffeehouse Kaffe Khufu where our loyal bartender offers a variety of coffees and teas to rival Starbucks. Stop on by, have the House Special - a Hot Ma'at Mocha, a favorite of the Goddess and enjoy the mood of our beatnik Kaffe Khufu.
Our newest creation is Caption Mania -- a weekly picture that is screaming for your wildest, strangest or just downright odd caption. Our last picture:
This garnered some very interesting captions. What will the next picture be? Come on by and see! We invite everyone - writers and readers alike to come and see what we all about, here at The Scribe's Palette is truly a place for everyone!
WEST OF EDEN
THE NEAR EAST COMES TO LIFE
Voluptua Amytas Babylon
We are a group dedicated to the exploration, through historical discussions and role-play posts, of the Near East. Our purpose is to retell the lives, times, legends and histories of the places there.
West of Eden includes stories from replaced scriptural origins and ancient writings, interpretive storytelling, and historical stories reflecting recorded events, whether mythological or real. These may be based on archaeological or recorded data of the geographical area, for example, Petra, Palmyra, Judea, Palestine. We hope that West of Eden, by embracing some stories that are already well-known to our writers, will provide a smooth and enjoyable entry into both storytelling and Babylon.
Some of our current stories include:
The Song of Ruth, a role play and discussion group, reenacting the biblical story of Ruth; The Wall, an ancient love story that endures through the ages…; and Wadi-Rum, as described in Lawrence of Arabia’s "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom".
And of course, for our members' enjoyment, there is Show and Tel where people can go for a nice, cool drink in the Oasis, introduce themselves to the other members, or collect a spiffy member plaque for their home.
We recognize that there are many groups to choose from here at Ancient Worlds, and we hope that you will choose to grace ours!
If you have any questions about West of Eden you can contact the Publishers, Voluptua Amytas and Neima Nebet by gram or personal message.
A NEW GROUP AT CELTIA - THE FAERY RING
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Amleth Yngling Celtia
Imaginative writers, storytellers, Fairy enthusiasts and students of Western literature may use The Faery Ring as a place to share ideas and research, compose stories and verse, and roleplay as one of the Good People in King Conaglin's Rade.
I'm very excited to get this group off the ground, a place that I hope will become a cocktail lounge for creative writers, fairy tale fanatics and enthusiasts of anything Faery-related. There are a great many academic centers for writers and researchers at AW, but I felt that the Cities - Celtia in particular - needed an outlet for more whimsical fantasy writers, anxious to flex their creative muscles with an original work based on myth or Ossianic legend, a Classical-style fairy tale, or a fantasy-inspired modern piece. All are welcome within The Faery Ring!
DE VLIEGENDE HOLLANDER
A NEW GROUP IN GERMANIA
Hadewigis Folcwalding Germania
First I would like to thank Yng for her help and support to set up the
group. I would not have been able to do it without the help of many members.
She asked me if I could write a little article for the Germania chapter of
the Acta. And all because of Germania's new group De Vliegende Hollander
(The Flying Dutchman).
The aim of De Vliegende Hollander is to put the history of the Lowlands back
into the spotlight. Many Dutchies here in AW considered that the delta of
Western Europe’s main rivers was a little forgotten in overall history and
therefore this group was set up. We also like to touch other aspects of the
Dutch culture, for example its art (van Gogh, Rembrandt), its Delft Royal
Blue and all those particularities so very known like bikes, tulips and its
special policy with cannabis.
Our lingua franca is English to make the group accessible to all those
interested in the Lowlands, even though many members of the group like to
post a little summary in Dutch or vice-versa to give the group its special
identity. Nonetheless we like to encourage other non-Dutch speakers to learn
and understand the language thanks to the Crash Course Dutch for beginners.
All that is left for me to say is "Welkom allen en tot ziens!"
