Index: releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/book/methods.src =================================================================== --- releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/book/methods.src (revision 1090) +++ releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/book/methods.src (working copy) @@ -246,9 +246,14 @@ //If we got this far.. then lets fall back on the itemdesc.cfg //Note its read in as :*: which reads in every itemdesc.cfg + //See 0x7021 itemdesc entry for example var cfg := ReadConfigFile(":*:itemdesc"); cfg := cfg[book.objtype]; - prop_value := GetConfigString(cfg, prop_name); + if ( prop_name == "Contents" ) + prop_value := GetConfigStringArray(cfg, prop_name); + else + prop_value := GetConfigString(cfg, prop_name); + endif if ( prop_value ) return prop_value; endif Index: releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/commands/gm/readonly.src =================================================================== --- releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/commands/gm/readonly.src (revision 0) +++ releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/commands/gm/readonly.src (revision 0) @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +use uo; +use os; + +program textcmd_readonly(character) + SendSysMessage(character, "Target a book to switch between read-only and read/write"); + var book := Target(character); + if ( !book or book.errortext ) + SendSysMessage(character, "Cancelled."); + return 0; + endif + + // check to see if it's an itemdesc based book. If so, exit + var cfg := ReadConfigFile(":*:itemdesc"); + cfg := cfg[book.objtype]; + var author := GetConfigString(cfg, "Author"); + if ( author and !author.errortext ) + SendSysMessage(character, "This is a shared book and cannot be changed."); + return 0; + endif + + if ( book.IsWritable() ) + book.ReadOnly(1); + SendSysMessage(character, "This book is now read-only."); + else + book.ReadOnly(0); + SendSysMessage(character, "This book is now read-write."); + endif +endprogram Index: releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/bookstorage.cfg =================================================================== --- releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/bookstorage.cfg (revision 1090) +++ releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/bookstorage.cfg (working copy) @@ -1,203 +0,0 @@ - -book 1 -{ - author Lord Blackthorne - title A politic call to anarchy - contents { Let it never be said , that I have aught as , quarrel with my liege , Lord British, for , indeed we be of the , best of friends, , sharing amicable , games of chess 'pon , winter's night, and , talking at length into , the wee hours of the , issues that affect the , realm of Britannia., , Yet true friendship , doth not prevent true , philosophical , disagreement either. , While I view with , approval my lord's , affection for his , carefully crafted , philosophy of the , Eight Virtues, , wherein moral , behavior is encouraged , in the populace, I view , with less approval the , expenditure of public , funds upon the , construction of , "shrines" to said , ideals., , The issue is not one , of funds, however, , but a disagreement , most intellectual over , the proper way of , humankind in an , ethical sense. Surely , freedom of decision , must be regarded as , paramount in any , such moral decision? , Though none fail to , censure the , murderer, a subtler , question arises when , we ask if his behavior , would be ethical if he , were forced to it., , I say to thee, the , reader, quite flatly, , that no ethical system , shall have sway over , me unless it , convinceth me, for , that freely made , choice is to me the , sigh that the system , has validity., , Whereas the , system of "Virtues" , that my liege espouses , is indeed a compilation , of commonly approved , virtues, I approve of , it. Where it seeks to , control the populace , and restrict their , diversity and their , range of behaviors, I , quarrel with it. And , thus do I issue this , politic call to anarchy, , whilst humbly , begging forgivness of , Lord British for my , impertinence:, , Celebrate thy , differences. Take thy , actions according to , they own lights. , Question from what , source a law, a rule, a , judge, and a virtue , may arise. 'Twere , possible (though I , suggest it not , seriously) that a , daemon planted the , seed of these "Virtues" , in my Lord British's , mind; 'twere possible , that the Shrines were , but a plan to destroy , this world. Thou canst , not know unless thou , questioneth, doubteth, , and in the end, unless , thou relyest upon , THYSELF and they , judgement. I offer , these words as mere , philosophical musings , for those who seek , enlightenment, for 'tis , the issue that hath , occupied mine interest , and that of Lord , British for some time , now., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 2 -{ - author Lord British - title Virtues - contents { Within this world live , people with many , different ideals, and , this is good. Yet what , is it within the people , of our land that sorts , out the good from the , evil, the cherished , from the disdained? , Virtue, I say it is, and , virtue is the logical , outcome of a people , who wish to live , together in a bonded , society., , For without Virtues , as a code of conduct , which people maintain , in their relations with , each other, the fabric , of that society will , become weakened. For , a society to grow and , prosper for all, each , must grant the others , a common base of , consideration., , I call this base the , Virtues. For though , one person might gain , personal advantage by , breaching such a code, , the society as a whole , would suffer., , There are three , Principle Virtues that , should guide people to , enlightenment. These , are: Truth, Love, and , Courage. From all the , infinite reasons one , may have to found an , action, such as greed , or charity, envy or , pity, the three , Principle Virtues , stand out., , In fact all other , virtues and vices can , be shown to be built , from these principles , and their opposite , corruption's of , Falsehood, Hatred and , Cowardice. These , three Principles can , be combined in eight , ways, which I will , call the eight virtues. , The eight virtues , which we should , build our society upon , follow., , Truth alone becomes , Honesty, for without , honesty between our , people, how can we , build the trust which , is needed to maximize , our successes., , Love alone becomes , compassion, for at , some time or another , all of us will need the , compassion of others, , and most likely , compassion will be , shown to those who , have shown it., , Courage alone , becomes Valor, , without valor our , people will never , reach into the , unknown or to the , risky and will never , achieve., , Truth tempered by , Love gives us Justice, , for only in loving , search for the truth , can one dispense fair , Justice, rather than , create a cold and , callous people., , Love and Courage , gives us Sacrifice, for , a people who love each , other will be willing to , make personal , sacrifices to help , others in need, which , one day, may be , needed in return., , Courage and Truth , give us Honor, great , knights know this , well, that chivalric , honor can be found by , adhering to this code , of conduct., , Combining Truth, , Love and Courage , suggest the virtue of , Spirituality the virtue , that causes one to be , introspective, to , wonder about ones , place in this world and , whether one's deeds , will be recorded as a , gift to the world or a , plague., , The final Virtue is , more complicated. For , the eighth combination , is that devoid of , Truth, Love or Courage , which can only exist , in a state of great , Pride, which of , course is not a virtue , at all. Perhaps this , trick of fate is a test , to see if one can , realize that the true , virtue is that of , Humility. I feel that , the people of Magincia , fail to see this to such , a degree that I would , not be surprised if , some ill fate awaited , their future., , Thus from the , infinite possibilities , which spawned the , Three Principles of , Truth, Love and , Courage, come the , Eight Virtues of , Honesty, Compassion, , Valor, Justice, , Sacrifice, Honor, , Spirituality, and , Humility., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 3 -{ - author Lord Blackthorne - title On the diversity of our land - contents { While I deplore the , depredations of the , misguided and , belligerent races , with which we , share our fair , Britannia, and , alongside the populace , do mourn the needless , deaths that their raids , cause, I cannot , countenance the policy , of wholesale , slaughter of these , races that seems to be , the habity of our , soldierly element. Can , we not regard the , ratmen, lizard men, , and orcs are fellow , intelligent beings with , whom we share a , planet? Why must we , slay them on sight, , rather than attempt to , engage them in , dialogue? There is no , policy of shooting at , wisps when they , grace us with their , presence (not that an , arrow could do much , to pierce them!)., , To view these , creatures as vermin , denies their obvious , intelligence, and we , cannot underestimate , the repercussions that , their slaughter may , have. If we regard the , slaying of fellow , humans as a crime, so , must we regard the , killing of an orc., , At the same time, , should a lizardman , slay a human, whould , we not forgive their , ignorance and , foolishness? Let us , not surrender the , high moral ground by , descending to , bestiality., , Now, I say not that , we should fail to , defend ourselves in , case of attack, for , even amongst humans , we see war, we see , famine, and we see , assault (though we , owe a debt of gratitude , to our Lord British for , preserving us from , the worst of these!). , However, incursions , such as the recent , tragedy which cost us , the life of Japheth, , Guildmaster of , Trinsic's Paladins, , are folly., , I had met Japheth, , and like all paladins, , he burned with an , inner fire. Yet though , I had the utmost , respect for him, none , could deny the hatred , that flashed in his , eyes the mere mention , of orcs. And thus he , carried his battle to , the orc camps, and , died there, unable to , rise above his own , childhood experiences , depicted in his book, , "The Burning of , Trinsic." 'Tis a shame , that even our , mightiest men fall , prey to this ignorance!, , Are there not , legends of orcs , adopting human , children to raise as , their own? Tales of , complex societies built , underground by races , we regard as bestial?, , Let us not repeat the , mistake of Japheth of , the Paladins, and let , us cease to persecute , the nonhuman races, , before we discover , that we are harming , ourselves in the , process., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 4 -{ - author Beltran - title Beltran's guide to guilds - contents { This reference , work is intended , merely to serve as a , resource for those , curious as to the full , range of trades and , societies extant in , Britannia and nearby , nations. For each , trade or guild, their , blazon is given., , Armourer's Guild. , Gold bar above black , bar., Association of , Warriors. Blue cross , on a red field., Barters' Guild. Green , and white stripes, , diagonal., Blacksmith's Guild. , Gold alongside black., Federation of Rogue , and Beggars. Red above , black., Fighters and , Footmen. Blue , horizontal bar on red , field., Guild of Archers. A , gold swath parting red , and blue., Guild of Armaments. , Swath of gold on black , field, gold accents., Guild of Assassins. , Black and red , quartered., Guild of Barbars. Red , and white stripes., Guild of Cavalry and , Horse. Vertical blue on , a red field., Guild of Fishermen. , Blue and white, , quartered., Guild of Mages. , Purple and blue, in a , crossed pennant , pattern., Guild of Provisioners. , White bar above green , bar., Guild of Sorcery. A , field divided , diagonally in blue and , purple., Healer's Guild. Gold , swath dividing green , from purple, gold , accents., Lord British's Healers , of Virtue. Golden ankh , on dark green., Masters of Illusion. , Blue and purple , checkers., Merchant's Guild. , Gold coins on green , field., Mining Cooperative. A , gold cross, quartering , blue and black., Order of Engineers. , Purple, gold, and blue , vertical., Sailors' Maritime , Association. A white , bar centered on a blue , field., Seamen's Chapter. , Blue and white in a , crossed pennant , pattern., Society of Cooks and , Chefs. White and red , diagonal fields , checker on green , field., Society of , Shipwrights. White , diagonal above blue., Society of Thieves. , Black and red diagonal , stripes., Society of , Weaponsmakers. Gold , diagonal above black., Tailor's Hall. Purple , above gold above red., The Bardic Collegium. , Purple and red , checkers on gold field., Trader's Guild. White , bar centered down , green field., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 5 -{ - author Clarke's Printery - title Classic tales of Vesper: Volume 1 - contents { 'Tis an Honor to , present to Thee these , Tales collected from , Ages Past. In this , Inaugural Volume, we , present this Verse oft , Recited as a Lullabye , for sleepy Children., , Preface by Guilhem , the Scholar, , The meaning of this , verse has oft been , discussed in halls of , scholarly sorts, for , its mysterious , singsongy melody is , oddly disturbing to , adult ears, though , children seem to find , it restful as they , sleep. Perhaps it is , but the remnant of a , longer ballad once , extant, for there are , internal indications , that it once told a , longer story about , ill-fated lovers, and a , magical experiment , gone awry. However, , poetic license and the , folk process has , distorted the words , until now the locale , of? the tale is no more , than "in the wind," , which while it serves , a pleasingly , metaphorical purpose, , fails to inform the , listener as to any real , locale!, , Another possibility , is that this is some , form of creation myth , explaining the genesis , of the various , humanoid creatures , that roam the lands , of? Britannia. It does , not take a stretch of , the imagination to , name the middle , verse's "girl becomes a , tree" as a possible , explanation for the , reaper, for in the area , surrounding Minoc, , reapers are oft , referred to among the , lumber jacking , community as , "widowmakers." That , these creatures are of , arcane origin is , assumed, but the , verse seems to imply a , long ago creator, and , uses the antique , magickal terminology , of "plaiting strands of , ether" that is so often , found in ancient , texts. In addition, the , reference to , "snakehills" may , profitably be regarded , as a reference to an , actual location, such as , perhaps a local term , for the Serpent's , Spine., , A commoner , interpretation is that , like many nursery , rhymes, it is a simple , explanation for death, , wherein the wind , snatches up boys and , girls and when they , sleep in order to keep , the balance of the , world. Notable tales , have been written for , children of , adventures in "the , Snakehills," which , are presumed to be an , Afterworld whence , the spirit lives on. A , grim lullabye, to be , sure, but no worse , than "lest I die before I , wake" surely., , In either case, 'tis , an old favorite herein , printed for the first , time for thy , enjoyment and , perusal!, , In the Wind where the , Balance Is Whispered , in Hallways, In the Wind where the , Magic Flows All , through the Night, There live Mages and , Mages, With Robes make of , Whole Days, Reading Books full of , Doings, Printed on Light, , In the Wind where the , Lovers Are Crossed , under Shadows, Where they Meet and , are Parted, By the Orders of Fate, The Girl becomes , Tree,, And thus becomes , Widow, The Boy becomes , Earth, And Wanders Till Late, , In the Wind are the , Monster, First Born First , Created, When Chanting and , Ether, Mix Meddling and , Nigh, Fear going to Wind,, Fear Finding its , Plaitings,, Go Not to the , Snakehills, Lest you Care to Die, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 6 -{ - author Dryus Doost - title Dimensional travel: A Monograph - contents { 'Tis beyond the , scope of this small , monograph to discuss , the details of , moongates, and the , manners in which , they distort the fabric , of reality in such a , manner as to permit , the passage of living , flesh from place to , place, world to world, , or indeed from , dimension to , dimension., , Instead, allow me to , bring thy attention, , Gentle Reader, to the , curious , characteristics that , are shared by certain , individuals within our , realm., , Long has it been , known that the blue , moongate permits , travel from place to , place, and none have , trouble in taking this , path. Yet 'tis also , known, albeit only to a , few, that certain , individuals are unable , to traverse the black , moongates that permit , travel from one , dimension to another., , The noted mage and , peer of our realm, , Lord Blackthorn, once , told me in conversation , that his arcane , research had indicated , that the issue was one , of conservation of , ether. To wit, given , the postulate that , matter within a given , dimension may be but , a cros-section of , ethereal matter that , exists in multiple , dimensions, it , becomes obvious that , said ethereal , structure cannot enter , dimensions in which , it is already present., , Imagine an , individual (and the , Lord Blackthorn , hinted that he was one , such) who exist , already in some form , in multiple , dimensions: said , individual would not , be able to cross into , another dimension , because HE IS , ALREADY THERE., , The implications of , this are staggering, , and merit further , study. 'Tis well , known by theorists in , the field that , divisions in the , ethereal structure of , an individual are , already implicit at the , temporal level, as , causality forces , divisions upon the , ether. This is the , basic operating , mechanism by which , white moongates , function, permitting , time travel., , As time travel is not , barred by the , presence of an earlier , self (though , encountering said , earlier self can prove , arcanely perilous), , there must be some , rigidity to the ethereal , structure that bars , multiple instantiations , of structures from , manifesting within , the same context., , If one regards time , and causal bifurcation , as a web, perhaps the , appropriate analogy , for dimensional , matrices is that of a , crystalline structure , with rigid linkages., , The only way in , which an individual , such as Lord , Blackthorn, who , exists in multiple , dimensional matrices, , can cross worlds via a , black moongate, would , be for the entire , crystalline structure , of the dimension to , perfectly match the , ethereal resonance of , the destination , dimension., , The problem of , why certain , individuals are , already replicated in , multiple crystalline , matrices is one that I , fail to provide any , schema for in these , poor theories. It is my , fondest hope that , someday someone , shall conquer that , thorny problem and , enlighten the world., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 7 -{ - author Felicia Heirophant - title Treatise on alchemy - contents { The alchemical arts , are notable for their , deceptive simplicity. , 'Tis true that to our , best knowledge , currently, there are , but eight valid potions , that can be made , (though I emphasize , that new discoveries , may always await). , However, the delicate , balance of confecting , the potions is difficult , indeed, and requires , great skill., , To give thee an , example of the , simpler potions that , can be created by , those well-versed in , the subtleties of , alchemy., , Black pearl, that , rare substance that is , oft found lying , unannounced upon the , surface of the ground, , when properly , crushed with mortar , and pestle, can yield a , fine powder. Said , powder in the proper , proportions when , mixed via the , alchemical arts can , yield a wonderfully , refreshing drink., , The revolting blood , moss so gingerly , scraped off , windowsills by , fastidious housewives , is but a tiny cousin to , the wilder version, , which when properly , prepared yields a , magical liquid that for , a time can make the , imbiber a more agile , and dextrous , individual., , However, beware of , the deadly nightshade, , for it yields a , deceptively , sweet-tasting poison , that can prove highly , fatal to the drinker, , and in fact is also , used by assassins to , coat their blades. , Fortunately, this , latter art of poisoning , is little known!, , There is much to , reward the student of , alchemy, indeed. The , rumors of longtime , alchemists losing , their hair and , acquiring an , unhealthy pallor, not , to mention unsightly , blotches upon their , once-fair skin, are , unhappily, true. Yet , the joys of the mind , make up for the , complete loss of , interest that others , may have in thee as an , object of courtship, , and I have never , regretted that choice. , Honestly, truly. Not , once., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 8 -{ - author Guilhem - title Classic children tales: Volume one - contents { Clarke's Printery is , Honored to Present , Tales from Ages Past!, Guilhem the Scholar , Shall End Each , Volume with Staid , Commentary., , THE RHYME, Dance in the Star , Chamber, And Dance in the Pit, And Eat of your , Entrees, In the Glass House , you Sit., , COMMENTARY, , , A common rhyme , for little babies, 'tis , thought that this little , ditty is part of the , corpus of legendary , tales regarding the , world before Sosaria , (see the wonderful , fables of Fabio the , Poor for fictionalized , versions of these , stories, also available , from this same , publisher). According , to these old tales, , which survive mostly , in the hills and remote , villages where Lord , British is as yet a , distant and mythical , ruler, the gods of old , (a fanciful notion!) , met to discuss the , progress of creating , the world in mystical , rooms. A simple , analysis reveals these , rooms to be mere , mythological , generalizations., , "The Star Chamber" , is clearly a reference , to the sky. "The Pit" , is certainly an , Underworld analogous , to the Snake hills of , other tales, and "the , Glass House" is no , doubt the vantage point , from which the gods , observed their , creation. All is simple , when seen from this , perspective, leaving , only the mysterious , reference to dinners. , Oddly enough the , rhyme is universally , used only for , midnight feedings, , never during the day., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 9 -{ - author Guilhem - title Classic children tales Volume two - contents { Clarke's Printery is , Honored to Present , Tales from Ages Past!, Guilhem the Scholar , Shall End Each , Volume with Staid , Commentary., , THE RHYME, Dance in the Star , Chamber, And Dance in the Pit, And Eat of your , Entrees, In the Glass House , you Sit., , COMMENTARY, , , A common rhyme , for little babies, 'tis , thought that this little , ditty is part of the , corpus of legendary , tales regarding the , world before Sosaria , (see the wonderful , fables of Fabio the , Poor for fictionalized , versions of these , stories, also available , from this same , publisher). According , to these old tales, , which survive mostly , in the hills and remote , villages where Lord , British is as yet a , distant and mythical , ruler, the gods of old , (a fanciful notion!) , met to discuss the , progress of creating , the world in mystical , rooms. A simple , analysis reveals these , rooms to be mere , mythological , generalizations., , "The Star Chamber" , is clearly a reference , to the sky. "The Pit" , is certainly an , Underworld analogous , to the Snake hills of , other tales, and "the , Glass House" is no , doubt the vantage point , from which the gods , observed their , creation. All is simple , when seen from this , perspective, leaving , only the mysterious , reference to dinners. , Oddly enough the , rhyme is universally , used only for , midnight feedings, , never during the day., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 10 -{ - author Heigel of Moonglow - title Talking to wisps - contents { This volume was , sponsored by , donations from Lord , Blackthorn, ever a , supporter of , understanding the , other sentient races of , Britannia., , Wisps are the most , intelligent of the , nonhuman races , inhabiting Britannia. , 'Tis claimed by the , great sages that , someday we shall be , able to converse with , them openly in our , native tongue -- , indeed, we must hope , that wisps learn our , language, for it is not , possible for humans , to pronounce wispish!, , The wispish , language seems to only , contain one vowel, the , letter Y. However, the , letters W, C, M, and L , seem to be treated , grammatically as , vowels, and in addition , every letter is , followed by what , sounds to the human , ear like a glottal stop. , It is possible that the , glottal stop is , considered a vowel as , well., , Wisps do make use , of what sounds to us , like pitch and , emphasis shifts , similar to , exclamations and , questions., , The average word in , wispish seems to , consist of three , phonemes and three , glottal stops, plus , possibly a pitch shift. , It often sounds , burning or crackling. , Some have speculated , that what we are , analyzing is in fact , nothing more than the , very air crackling , near the wisp's glow, , and not language, but , this is of course , unlikely., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 11 -{ - author Herbert the Lost - title Britannian flora: A casual guide - contents { Oft 'pon rambling , through the woods , avoiding bears have I , spotted some plant , whose like I have , never seen before, and , concluding that I was a , blithering idiot for , failing to notice it in , the past. Equally as , oft have I concluded , that I was a worse , idiot for not running , faster from the bear., , While not all my , readers may share , my proclivites for , tree-climbing, it , occurred to me that , mayhap mine , information might , serve some humble , purpose., , The two most , unique flower plants , in the Britannian , countryside are the , orfleur and the , whiteflower, also , called white horns., , The orfleur is , notable for its massive , orange-red blossoms, , which dwarf , marigolds like the sun , dwarfs you (sic) , common fireball spell. , The odor of said , blooms is best , described as , peppermint-apple, , with a dash of garlic. , 'Tis a popular potted , plant despite, or , perhaps because of, , its exotic nature., , Whiteflowers , exude a subtle , fragrance not unlike , that of freshly , shaven wood mixed , with cool lemon ice. , Their tall stands , always droop with the , heavy weight of their , massive blooms, oft as , large as a child's head., , The flowers are so , large that one may , scoop out the pollen in , handfuls, and during , the spring season , many a prank hath , been played by idle , boys 'pon their sisters , by dumping said , pollen into their , clothing drawers, , causing sneezes for , days., , The most , interesting native tree , to Britannia is the , spider tree. The , reason for its naming , is obscure, but may , have to do with the , twisted gray stalks , from which the , spherical canopy , sprouts. 'Tis , something of a , misnomer to term , these "trunks" as they , are spindly and , flexible. Spider trees , provide a fresh, piney , smell to a room and are , therefore often potted., , In jungle climes, , one finds the blade , plant, whose sharp , leaves oft collect water , for the thirsty , traveler, yet can draw , blood easily., , The deadliest plant, , if you can call a , fungus a plant, is the , Exploding Red Spotted , Toadstool. No pattern , can be discerned to its , habitats save malice, , for merely , approaching results in , the cap exploding with , powder, noxious gas, , and tiny painful , pellets flying in all , directions., , Unfortunately, 'tis , impossible to tell it , apart from the , Ordinary Red Spotted , Toadstool save through , experimentation., , Truly odd among the , varied flora of , Britannia, however, , are those which bear , names clearly alien to , our tongue. Among , these I name the , Tuscany pine (for I , have never seen a , region of this world , named Tuscany), the , o'hii tree, whose very , name sounds like some , tropical isle, and the , welsh poppy, which , while different from , an ordinary poppy in , color and appearance, , is prefaced with the , odd word "welsh," , which as far as I , know means to forgo , paying a debt., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 12 -{ - author Lord Higginbotham - title The ranking of trades - contents { Whilst 'tis true that , within each trade, one , finds differing titles , and accolades granted , to the members of a , given guild, , nonetheless for the , betterment of trade , and understanding, we , must have a , commonality of titling., , For those who may , find themselves , ignorant of the finer , distinctions between a , three-knot member , of? the Sailors' , Maritime Association , and a second , thaumaturge, this , book shall serve as a , simple introduction to , the common cant used , when members of , differing guilds and , trade organizations , must trade with each , other and must , establish relative , credentials., , Neophyte, Has shown interest , in learning the craft , and some meager , talent., , Novice, Is practicing basic , skills but has not been , admitted to full , standing., , Apprentice, A student of the , discipline., , Journeyman, Warrented to , practice the discipline , under the eyes of a , tutor., , Expert, A full member of , the guild., , Adept, A member of the , guild qualified to teach , others., , Master, Acknowledged as , qualified to lead a hall , or business., , Grandmaster, Rarely a permanent , title, granted in , common parlance to , those who have shown , extreme mastery of , their craft recently., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 13 -{ - author Horace - title The wild girl of the forest - contents { Her name was , Leyla, she said, and , her hair was braided , wild with creepers , and thorns. I marveled , that they did not hurt , her, but when I asked, , she but shrugged and , let her eyes roam once , more across the , woods. Though I had , my hands securely , fastened by her , ropes, I itched to reach , out and comb that , unruly golden mane, , dirtied and , leaf-ridden., , Her provenance, , she told me over , nights illuminated by , campfires, was once , the city of Trinsic. , She claimed to have , been kidnapped and , raised by orcs, which , I judged an unlikely , tale, for all know orcs , delight in eating the , meat of honest folk. , When I told her this, , she laughed a fey , laugh, and gaily , admitted that honest , she was not, for oft , had she stolen folk , away from caravans , to loot their , possessions from an , unconscious body!, , At this, I began to , fear for my life, and , her smile seemed full , of teeth sharper than , a human ought to have, , for the tale of orcish , raising had struck , fear into the marrow , of my bones. "Wil thou , eat me?" I asked, , a-tremble, fearing , the answer., , And she cocked her , head at me, like a wild , animal facing a word , that it dost not , understand, and the , fixity in her eyes , was a glimpse into the , deeper reaches of the , Abyss. But she , finally grunted, and , said "Nay," in a voice , that recalled to me a , child. "Nay," she said, , "for thou dost remind , me of a boy I knew , once, when I was a , girl who played in a , city of great sandstone , walls, before I was , taken. He had sandy , hair like thee, and I , dreamt as a child of , holding his hand and , sharing flavored ice. , His name was , Japheth., , The next morning , she let me go, stripped , of my pouch and , clothes, and bade me , run through the , woods, and to fear , recapture, for surely , her heart would not , soften again. 'Twas a , fearful run, and I , came to the road to , Yew with welts and , scratches run , rampant crost my , skin, but I did not see , her again., , Oft have I wondered , of the boy named , Japheth, and whether , he remembers a girl , who lived in sandstone , walls. The only , Japheth I know is the , Guildmaster of , Paladins who died last , year warring amidst , the orcs, and though , he had indeed sandy , hair, I cannot picture , him side by side with , a feral girl whose , tongue has tasted of , human flesh. Yet the , paths of fate are , strange indeed, and I , suppose 'tis possible , that this paladin died , defending his , remembered lady's , honor, unknowingly , struck down by the , orc that she called , father., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 14 -{ - author Janet - title The tale of three tribes - contents { The dungeon known , as Despise is in fact , not a dungeon as such, , but rather a large , natural cave. , Inhospitable and , unfriendly to visitors, , it is filled with damp , spots where the , deadly Exploding Red , Spotted Toadstool , grows in abundance., , According to the , oldest of historical , texts, in days gone by , the cave was once the , home of three , separate tribes who , had come to an , accommodation with , each other. Oddly , enough, the three , tribes were of , dragons, lizard men, , and rat men. While , today few except , extremists associated , with Lord Blackthorn , regard these latter two , as being intelligent , beings, apparently , they have indeed , fallen from a more , evolved state over the , years., , 'Tis said that these , three races did dwell , in relative harmony , within the vast cave, , building when they , required it, and , trading amongst , themselves if needed., , But over time, , something happened, , and they were forced , to withdraw from , their society, until , today thou mayst find , individuals of each , species within the , dungeon, but never , again as a civilization., , 'Tis also said that , someday the three , tribes may return to , Despise, to once again , inhabit it together., , Until then, nothing , remains as a token of , this save an oddly , intelligent skeleton, , magically enchanted, , that doth speak when , questions are asked, , and from whom I , obtained these tales , one day, when I was , pursued by evil , monsters and fled into , his skeletal arms., , Fortunately, I , escaped and lived to , write it all down!, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 15 -{ - author Paladin Japheth - title The burning of Trinsic - contents { 'Twas a sight to see, , the sunlight falling , lightly on the , sandstone walls of , Trinsic 'pon a morning , in spring., , Children ran along , the parapets and , walkways, their , laughter and running , providing music to the , daybreak, despite , their oft-ragged , clothing., , The guards who , maintained a vigilant , outlook from atop the , towers would smile , indulgently as , children slammed into , their armored legs and , brushed past them., , And I was one of , those young ones, , letting my joy rise up , to the skies., , Little did we all , know of the darker , days that would lie , ahead, for we were too , young., , Had we but gained , access to the quiet , coucils held in the , Paladin tower as it , faced the sea, councils , lit by candlelight and , worry, we would have , learned more of the , fears of imminent , attack from the , forest, where foul , creatures born of , dank caves and , darkness were , marauding ever more , often into the lands , around Trinsic's moat., , But we were , children! The parapets , and the moat were , places to play, not , stout defenses, and , we gave no thought to , the necessities that , must have required , their construction., , We used to reach , the sheltered , orchards on the lee , side of the parapet , walls, where the , southern river cut , through the city, by , swimming across the , water., , The rich folk who , lived in the great , manses there would , shout from their , windows and shake , their fists, for we , would run through , their gardens and tear , up the delicate , foxgloves and , orfleurs with our , unshod dirty feet., , Then we would dive , into the water and , splash merrily to the , fruit trees., , The southern river , lazily slid under an , ungated arch in the , mighty wall, and we , would lay on the , grassy bank and , watch it gurgle by the , lily pads., , That spring that , pleasant spot became , the doorway through , which our city of , Trinsic let in the , monstrous deformed , humanoids that , savaged us., , I lay upon that , grassy bank and , watched them wade , in, their coarse hair , wet and matted, algae , and muck festooning , their wild brows. , They caught sight of a , quicksilver girl with , bright blond hair and , lively eyes. Her name , was Leyla and that , spring I had held fond , dreams of holding her , hand and sharing , flavored ice while , dangling our feet off , the small bridge by , Smugglers Gate., , And I said nothing , when they caught , her, and did not cry , out when they dragged , her off through that , breach in our wall, , and did not warn the , city when I saw the , helmeted orc captains , call the charge upon , the mansions., , Blame me not, for I , was but a child, and , one who hid in the , branches of the peach , trees, all a-tremble , whilst I watched the , smoke rise from Sean , the tailor's, and fire , lash out at the roof of , witchy Eleanor's , tavern., , To this day I have , had no word of Leyla, , and to this day the , smell of burning wood , can conjure terrible , dreams. Yet with the , eyes of adulthood, 'tis , possible to examine , the flaws in the , defense of Trinsic on , that fateful day, and , the reasons why our , walls are now , double-thick, and , why our buildings are , now built as , fortresses within a , somber fortified city., , While I can look out , from the top of the , new Paladin tower, , and spy the mighty , white sails across the , barrier island, and , can descry the small , hollow south of the , city where gypsies , are wont to camp, I can , also envision the city , as it might be burning, , and I bless the bargain , we made: space for , safety, grace for , sturdiness and wood , for stone., , Whilst I live, I shall , not see Trinsic burn, , and no more cries of , little girls will haunt , the sleep of our fair , citizens., , This is mine oath, , as I live and breath., , -Japheth, Paladin Guildmaster , of the City of Trinsic, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 16 -{ - author M. De La Garza - title The Fight - contents { A cold autumn , morning with misty , fog secures a dozen , brave knights, , supplying hidden , shelter from prying , eyes deep in the , foothills of the , vibrant valley. , Dragons soar like , fierce warriors, , circling around and , around, then roaring , like thunder, rallying , all that listen. The , dragons land swiftly , beside the proud , warriors, bending , necks and extending , wings, lifting black , claws and allowing , valiant fighters to ride , forth and win an , arisen battle. The , increasing winds , silence the sounds of , combat, and they , fight, standing their , ground like mothers , protecting their , children, bright , armor flashing as , each one falls., , A cold autumn's , evening with misty , fog cradles a dozen , battered corpses of , knights, creasing , them in currents of , winds that run deep in , the foothills of the , desolate valley. , Dragons glide like , silent angels, circling , around and around, , then calling like , banshees; keening , cries of mourning. , The dragons land , heavily beside the , peaceful bodies, , bending their necks , and extending wings, , lifting black claws , and pinching the , sacred ground and , new eternal home. , The dying winds , whistle among the , dead in somber , procession, and they , lie, grasping weapons , to protect themselves , like knights still in , battle, shattered , armor shining like , newly born stars., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 17 -{ - author Martin - title A primer on arms - contents { ABOUT THE , AUTHOR:, Martin was, for most , of his life, the , Weaponsmaster of , Serpent's Hold, until , his death at 92, of an , overgrown bunion., , These are the basic , element to consider in , assessing a weapon of , which all warrior , who regard , themselves as more , than mere , mercenaries should be , aware. First and most , obvious is the amount , of damage that the , weapon may do against , unprotected flesh. , While 'tis this that , first attracts the , attention of the novice, , 'tis a deadly mistake to , regard it as the sole , value of a weapon. , While it may prove , devastating indeed as a , means of causing , damage, a weapon , must also serve as , stout shield when , engaged in combat., , Hence the second , issue to which to pay , attention is the amount , of protection that a , weapon may offer. , Pay close attention to , the guard on it, if it be , a blade, or the , stoutness of it's wood , if it is a polearm. Oft , related to this is the , wait of a weapon, for , a heavy weapon is , more difficult to , maneuver to block , with, though it may do , more damage to they , opponent. If a weapon , is too heavy for the , wielder to move it , freely, they should , choose another and not , attempt to prove their , prowess by the size , of their sword., , The reach of the , weapon both increase , its defensive ability, , and renders it more , useful in open spaces , as it allows attack , against the opponent , without the need to , close. But be aware of , the limitations of thy , weapon! For a weapon , with great reach may , be useless in close , quarter, for lack of , space to maneuver it. , Should that , dagger-wielding , enemy close on thee , and they halberd, 'tis , best to flee., , Lastly, a factor that , must always be , considered is the , condition of the , weapon. It might be a , wondrous magical , blade of surpassing , sharpness and it may , leap to block blows , with a mind of its , own. It also might be , of such flimsy , construction, or , damaged to such an , extent, that the first , time it clangs against , steel, 'twill shatter , into useless shards. , Seek ye a good , blacksmith should , they weapon become , damaged, but be aware , that their , ministrations may , simply make the , matter worse., , While mages of , some ability oft create , magical weapons , which enhance skill, , are preternaturally , sharp, or incinerate , the enemy as they , fall, to mind the , greatest gift that they , can grant a stout , sword is to make it , resistant to damage, , for they own skill can , make up the , difference. Except , for the fireball, but if , the corpse is charred, , then so will be the , possessions, which , maketh looting , difficult!, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 18 -{ - author Mercenary Justin - title Deceit: A dungeon of horrors - contents { My employers have , oft taken me into this , den of hideous , creatures, and I , thought that it , behooved me to write , down what I know of , it, now that I am , retired from the life , of an adventurer for , hire., , Deceit was once a , temple to forgotten , powers of old. It was , taken over by mages , who eventually were , driven out by the , depredations of their , own evil lackeys. , However, many of the , magical traps and , devices that they , placed for their , defenses remain, , particularly those the , wizards used to , protect their , treasures., , The dungeon is , mystically linked by , crystal balls placed in , different locations. , These magical orbs do , transmit speech, and , even have memory of , things that have been , said near them. No , doubt they once served , as a warning system., , Be wary of a , brazier that giveth , warning when , approached: thou canst , use it to summon , deadly creatures., , There be a , tantalizing chest, , undoubtedly full of , treasure, that cannot , be reached save past a , complex series of , pressure plates that , trigger deadly spikes. , As I never had , sufficient folk with , me to unlock the , puzzle, I never , obtained the riches , that awaited there., , Do not investigate , the iron maidens too , closely, for they make , suck you within them!, , There is one place , where a deadly trap , can only be disarmed , by making use of a , statue that cleverly , conceals a lever., , Oft one encounters , the deadly exploding , toadstool; the ones in , Deceit are deadlier , than most, as they , explode continually. , Likewise, the very , pools of water and , slime on the floor may , poisen thee., , The most magical , device in the dungeon , is a mystical bridge , that can only be , triggered by a lever , embedded in the floor. , Be wary, however, , for the bridge thus , created doth burst into , flame when one , passeth across it!, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 19 -{ - author Old Fabio the Poor - title The bold stranger - contents { In a time before , time, the Gods that Be , assembled a group of , artisans, craftsmen , and lore masters (for, , yes, even in those , days, art existed) to , create the world of , Sosaria. To this group, , the gods gave a tiny , world, Rytabul, in , which to test their , works, to see if they , were of the quality , desired for the true , world in which they , would be placed. And , though the gods were , tight fisted with their , gold, this small crew , worked hard and long, , and were happy in , their tasks., , A small corner of , Rytabul had been , claimed by the artisan , Selrahc the Slow. , Though he was not the , fastest of the , assembled workers, , the gods smiled upon , his work, even , presenting him with a , mystic talisman , proclaiming his work , the best among the , newer artisans. And , so Selrahc went about , his business, creating , hundreds of designs , which would one day , add color and variety to , Sosaria., , One day a stranger , appeared to Selrahc. , His chest was bare , and he wore the , trousers of the , brightest green, and , wherever he went, , plants grew in his , footsteps. This caused , Selrahc no end of , trouble, the stranger , always looking over , his shoulder, and the , plants sprouting in , places Selrahc , required to ply his , art. And so Selrahc , approached the , stranger and bade him , speak. But this man in , green remained silent. , Selrahc pleaded with , the stranger to give , his name, and would , he please leave , Selrahc to his work. , But this mysterious , stranger remained , mute., , This angered , Selrahc mightily. Who , was this silent man, , interfering with , tasks the gods , themselves had , entrusted to Selrahc? , In an attempt to , embarass this , interloper, Selrahc , stole his green , trousers, leaving him , naked and open to , comments about his , very manhood, and , still the stranger , would not speak, , would not leave this , tiny corner of , Rytabul., , Vexed to his very , limits, Selrahc took , his war axe and smote , the silent one , mightily, again and , again, until the silent , stranger ran away, , having never said a , word, and never , showed himself in , Rytabul again., , Thus endeth the , tale of the bold , stranger., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 20 -{ - author Pieter of Vesper - title The major trade associations - contents { There are ten major , trade associations that , operate legitimately in , the lands of Britannia , and among its trading , partners. Many of , these guilds are , divided into local or , specialty subguilds, , who use the same , colors but vary the , heraldic pattern. , There are many , lesser trade , associations that have , closed membership, , and one can join only , by invitation. , "Beltran's Guide to the , Guilds" is the , definitive text on the , fulll range of guilds , and other associations , in Britannia, and I , heartily recommend , it., , In what follows I , have attempted to , bring together the , known information , regarding these , guilds. I offer thee , the name, typical , membership, heraldic , colors, known , specialty , organizaitons within , the larger guild, and , any known , affiliations to other , guilds, which often , occur because of trade , reasons., , League of Rangers, Members: rangers, , bowyers, animal , trainers, Colors: Red, gold, and , blue, , The Guild of Arcane , Arts, Members: alchemists , and wizards, Colors: blue and purple, Subguilds: , Illusionists, Mages, , Wizards, Affiliations: Healer's , Guild, , The Warrior's Guild, Members: , mercenaries, , soldiery, guardsmen, , weapons masters, , paladins, Colors: Blue and red, Subguilds: Cavalry, , Fighters, Warriors, Affiliations: League , of Rangers, , Merchant's , Association, Members: , innkeepers, , taverners, jewelers, , provisioners, Colors: gold coins on a , green field for , Merchants, White & , green for others, Subguilds: Barters, , Provisioners, , Traders, Merchants, , Guild of Healers, Members: Healers, Colors: Green, gold, and , purple, Affiliations: Guild of , Arcane Arts, , Mining Cooperative, Members: miners, Colors: blue and black , checkers, with a gold , cross, Affiliations: Order of , Engineers, , Order of Engineers:, Members: tinkers and , engineers, Colors: Blue, gold, and , purple vertical bars, Affiliations: Mining , Cooperative, , Society of Clothiers, Members: tailors and , weavers, Colors: purple, gold, , and red horizontal , bars, , Maritime Guild, Members: fishermen, , sailors, mapmakers, , shipwrights, Colors: blue and white, Subguilds: , Fishermen, Sailors, , Shipwrights, , Bardic Collegium:, Members: bards, , musicians, , storytellers, Colors: Purple, red, , and gold checkerboard, , , In addition to these , aboveboard guilds, , there is one other , covert organization , well known to exist, , whose membership is , likewise open to those , who seek to apply. In , some places where , illegal activities are , condoned more openly, , they dare post their , sigils publicly., , No law-abiding , citizen would ever , join a guild such as , this, of course! Yet , their existence must , be acknowledged of , the sake of , completeness., , Society of Thieves, Members: beggers, , cutpurses, assassins, , and brigands, Colors: Red and black, Subguilds: Rogues , (beggars), Assassins, , Thieves, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 21 -{ - author Richard Garriott - title Ethical hedonism: an introduction - contents { Societies oft have , common codes of , conduct which it , expects all its people to , abide by. Now, while , 'tis true that this can , offer some , advantages, most of , the codes I see today , around Britannia have , fatal flaws. Let us , examine them., , First, there is , Blackthorn's code of , Chaos or basically , Anarchy. Whereas , this affords the , individual maximum , opportunity for , individuality and even , pursuit of personal , happiness, it does not , offer even basic , interpersonal conduct , codes to prevent people , from killing each , other., , Without such basic , tenets, all the people , will need to spend a , significant portion of , their time and effort , towards personal , protection and thus , less time towards , other more beneficial , pursuits., , Then there are the , moral codes that are so , popular today. These , codes are built largely , on historical tradition , rather than current , logic and thus are also , antiquated. For , example many moral , codes we see today , include statements , about not eating certain , foods that once were , often poisonous, but , today can be prepared , safely., , Many forbid , contact between young , people of the opposite , gender, which can in , fact be hazardous; but , the codes often have , lost the context as to , why this is done, , instead merely calling , it amoral. In this day , and age to call that a , necessary moral , would need a new , reasoning. I put forth , that tradition is not , enough., , Then there are Lord , British's Virtues. It , strikes me that while , a system of virtues is , wonderful as a , touchstone to guide a , society to good , behavior, these are , but shades of the , underlying truth as to , why one may wish to , live a life according to , certain rules of , conduct., , On the other hand, , clearly the Virtues , that I have heard Lord , British speak of are , clearly positive codes , of conduct, far better , than the world of , anarchy that Lord , Blackthorn suggests. , Yet, are not these , Virtues still derived , from a set of , principles which , though they sound , good, are difficult to , pin down as actual, , undeniable, rational , truths?, , Worse yet though , imagine a society , who's code of conduct , was based on pure , survival of the , strongest. While this , society may function , and even accomplish , much, it can be fairly , argued that personal , happiness would , suffer greatly except , for those at the top. To , rule that out, , however, we must , first believe that , people have a right to , pursue happiness., , I hope is a safe , assumption that all , beings wish to be , happy; I will broadly , describe this as , Hedonism. Yet, if all , people did is live a life , of hedonism, their , hedonism might be in , conflict with those , near them, so I will , use the term Ethics to , describe limits one , might put on one's , hedonistic tendencies , to allow others to , pursue their , happiness as well., , Allow me to give , this example: If one , were to live alone on a , desert isle, one could , live a life of pure , hedonism, for no , action one might take , could interfere with , another's right to , pursue their , happiness. Poison the , lake if you like, there , is no one to blame but , yourself!, , Now suppose two of , you live on that island. , Thou dost not want , thy neighbor to feel , free to poison the lake. , Would it not be better , to consider it unethical , to poison the lake , without first thinking , of those whose , pursuit of happiness , might be affected by , this action?, , I put forth that it is , the fact that we as a , people choose to live in , groups known as a , society that causes us , to compromise our , pure hedonism with , logical ethics. , Likewise we accept not , being able to kill , others without reason, , because our own , pursuit of happiness , would be greatly , interfered with if we , feared others would , do the same to us. , From this basis of , logic can be formed , the Tenets of Ethical , Hedonism., , For more on this , subject, see the , Tenants of Ethical , Hedonism, by Richard , Garriott and Herman , Miller., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 22 -{ - author Sandra - title A song of Samlethe - contents { The first bear did , swim by day,, And it did sleep by , night,, It kept itself within , its cave, and ate by starry , light., , The second bear it did , cavort, 'Neath canopies of , trees,, And danced its odd , bearish sort, Of joy for all to see., , The first bear, well, , 'twas hunted,, And today adorns a , floor., Its ruggish face has , been dented, By footfalls and the , door., , The second bear did , step once, Into a mushroom ring,, And now does dance , the dunce, For wisps and unseen , things., , So do not dance, and do , not sleep,, Or else be led astray, For bears all end up , six feet deep, At the end of , Samlethe's day., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 23 -{ - author Sarah of Yew - title The life of the traveling ministrel - contents { While 'tis true that , the musician who , seeketh only to make , sweet music for , herself and for , others needs little , more than some talent, , and stern practice at , the chosen instrument , those of us who seek , the open road shall , find indeed that a , greater skill is , required. Herein , discover those secrets , which I have learned , over the years as an , itinerant performer.., , Once I was in , Jhelom, and accidently , angered the bravo of , some local repute, , whose blade flickered , all too eagerly near my , slender neck (for I , was young then). , After various threats , to "ruin my pretty , face" this bravo , grabbed my arm in a , most unseemly , fashion and tossed me , into a barbaric , enclosure locally , entitled a dueling pit. , My plaintive cries for , help went unheeded , by the guards, for the , inhabitants of Jhelom , are eager indeed to , measure fighting , prowess at any time!, , What saved me was , the ability to , improvise a melody , and tune that satirized , the proceedings, and , sufficiently angered , an onlooker to prod , him to coming to my , defense. Once that , fight was underway I , was able to make good , my escape. Hence, I , regard the ability to , incite fights as , indispensable to the , prudent bard., , Upon another , occasion, 'twas the , obverse side of that , coin which saved me , for I was being held , prisoner by a , particularly nasty , band of ruffians who , had seized me , unawares from the , road to Vesper., , They had worked , themselves into a , frenzy and were , ready to attack and I , fear, tear me limb , from limb, when I , began to sing , frantically, tapping , my fallen drum wit , my tied up feet. The , melody developed into , a soothing one, and the , brigands slowly , calmed down to the , extent of apologizing, , and they let me go!, , A final example I , would pray you grant , your attention: once I , was lost upon a large , isle far to the east of , the mainland, well , beyond Serpent's Hold, , where lava made its , sluggish way across , the surface landscape. , And this accursed , land was filled with , vile beats and cunning , dragons., , I was being pursued , by one of said fell , dragons when I found , myself trapped. I , quickly skirted a , bubbling pool of molten , rock and attempted to , hide. The dragon , scented me and was , preparing to skirt the , pool, when I began to , play a lusty tune upon , my lute that attracted , its attention. , Mesmerized and , enticed by the melody, , it stepped directly , towards me, and into , the lava-where its , foot was so burned , that it quickly hopped , away, undignified and , annoyed., , 'Tis my fond hope , that other travelling , minstrels shall learn , from my experience , and apply themselves , to practicing these , skills in order to , preserve life and , limb., , -Sarah of Yew, Songmistress, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 24 -{ - author Sherry the mouse - title My book - contents { 'Twas on a chill , night, when the moon , shone pasty-faced , above the horizon, , balanced on the towers , of Lord British's , castle, that the events , I am about to relate took , place, some years ago , now. I witnessed them , all from my tiny , mousehole., , Milords British and , Blackthron are , accustomed to a game , of chess 'pon an , evening, over which , they argue the issues , that affect the course , of the realm. Lord , Blackthorn was on his , way to Lord British's , chambers, and Lord , British stood by a , window casement, , just having finished , setting the pieces upon , the board., , Suddenly the , shutters blew open, , and Lord British fell , to the ground, one , hand shileding his , eyes. A chill wind , entered the room, and , it seemd a gash was , torn in the very air. , Through the gas I , could see stars and , swirling clouds of , stellar dust, and a , coldness sucked all , the warmth from the , air. A terrible wind , tossed books and , blankets across the , room, and furniture , toppled., , From within this , gash issued a great , voice, unlike any I , have ever heard. And , these are the words it , spoke (for I , memorized them most , carefully):, , "Greetings, Lord , British. I am the Time , Lord, a being from , beyond your , dimension, as thou art , from a world other , than Sosaria. I am , here to bring thee , warning. Dost thou , recall how long ago , mysterious Stranger , came to Sosaria and , saved the world from , the evil wizard , Mondain? He , shattered the Gem of , Immortality, within , which dwelled a , perfect likeness of , this world.", , Lord British slowly , stood and faced the , hole in the air. "I , remember," he said. , "Oft have I wished , that stranger would , return.", , "He hath returned," , spoke the voice. "But , not to here. When the , Gem was shattered, a , thousand shards were , scattered across the , dimensions, and in , each shard there is a , perfect likeness of , this world. And thou , dost live upon one such , shard, for thou art not , of the true , world-thou art , merely a reflection.", , Lord British looked , shaken by this, and I , did not know what to , think! Was I merely a , shadow of the real , me, which lives still , somewhere else , across uncounted , universes?, , "My task is to heal , this shattered world, , Lord British," said the , voice. "And I seek to , enlist thee in my , cause. Be warned that , in this case, healing , carries with it a , terrible price.", , Concern warred , with curiosity on my , liege's face, but ever , one to shoulder a , burden, he , straightened and faced , the gash in the air , bravely. "Name thy , price.", , "A shard of a , universe is a , powerful thing, and , universe shattered is , always in danger , from the powers of , darkness. Already , three shards were , turned to evil, and sent , to plague the original , universe in the form , of Shadowlords. , Many times have I , brought the Stranger , back to Britannia, to , preserve it from its , own folly or from , outside dangers. Yet , as long as the world , remaineth in pieces, it , remaineth vulnerable. , We must bring the , shards into harmony, , so that they resonate , in such a manner that , matches the original , universe. Then the , two universes shall , merge, and be again as , one., , "But if we are only , shadows..." Lord , British said , wonderingly., , The light from the , stars within the hole , seemed to dim. , "Indeed, the , reflections shall , become one with the , orginal. Thou wouldst , cease to be as thou art, , and become part of the , larger you. Thou shalt , not die; however, , uncounted generations , have passed and borne , children since that , day, and they have no , counterparts. They , would perish utterly." , Lord British sagged in , shock, realizing the , terrible price that , would be paid to heal , the universe. "All of , my people," he , breathed., , "Tis for the , greateer good.", , Lord British bowed , his head., , 'Twas then I saw , the movement by the , door, half-hid by the , heavy red curtains. , Lord Blackthorne stood , there, concealed from , the rest of the room, , his face white. How , long had he been , listening? I cannot , say, yet I suspect that , he had heard all that , the mysterious voice , had to say., , "How then, shall I , aid thee?" Lord , British said, , weariness in his , voice., , "Aid the nobility , that resideth in , human heart. Protect , the Virtues that so , recently came to thee , in thought late at , night. They are the , Virtues of life, as , your counterpart , understands them to , be. For when thy , populace doth live and , breathe these Virtues , shall it match the true , Britannia, and thy , shard shall rejoin , with it.", , The gash in the air , began to close, and , with it warmth stole , back into the room., , "I was going to , discuss my idea with , Blackthorn tonight," , Lord British breathed. , "Have I no thoughts , that are my own? Is , my life but a , reflection of another , me ........., } -} - -book 25 -{ - author Simon Sanmartine - title Regarding llamas - contents { Llamas are curious , beasts, shaggy and , sought after for their , wool, yet of a , curiously arrogant , disposition reflected , in their eyes. They , live in mountainous , areas, though who , may have first tamed , them is lost in the , mists of history., , 'Tis a well-known , fact that llamas can , indeed be tamed, and , used as grazing , animals, for their , meat, and of course , for their wool. Yet 'tis , lesser known that , their ornery , disposition and , tendency to spit at , those they dislike , makes them appealing , guard creatures as , well, though they , have little sound with , which to sound an , alarum., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 26 -{ - author Yorick of Yew - title Phonemes of the orcish tongue - contents { ab, ad, ag, akt, alm, , at, augh, auh, azh, ba, , ba, bag, bar, baz, bid, , bilge, bo, bog, bog, , brui, bu, buad, bug, , bug, buil, buim, bum, , buo, buor, buu, ca, , car, clog, cro, cuk, , cur, da, dagh, dagh, , dak, dar, deak, der, , dil, dit, dor, dre, dri, , dru, du, dud, duf, , dug, dug, duh, dun, , eag, eg, egg, eichel, ek, , ep, ewk, faugh, fid, , flu, fog, foo, foz, , fruk, fu, fub, fud, , fun, fup, fur, gaa, , gag, gagh, gan, gar, gh, , gha, ghat, ghed, ghig, , gho, ghu, gig, gil, gka, , glu, glu, glug, gna, gno, , gnu, gol, gom, goth, , grunt, grut, gu, gub, , gub, gug, gugh, guk, , guk (with an umlaut), , gulg, gur, gurt, ha, , hagh, hat, hig, hig, , hok, hrak, hrol, hug, , i, ig, igg, igh, ign, ihg, , ikk, it, jak, jek, jja, , ju, juk, ka, ka, ke, , kgh, kh, ki, klap, klu, , knod, knu, kod, krug, , kt, kug, lat, log, log, , lub, lug, lug, luh, ma, , nag, nar, natz, neg, , neh, nog, nug, nug, , nuk, o, oag, ob, og, ogh, , oh, olm, om, oo, oog, , oth, pa, pig, qo, qua, , quil, rekk, rim, ro, , rod, ru, rug, rukk, , rur, sag, sah, sg, , snarf, stu, thu, thu, , thu, thug, tk, tug, u, , ud, ug, ugh, ukk, ulg, , urd, urg, urgle, ut, , zug., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 27 -{ - author Thoma th' Heather - title Birds of Britannia - contents { The WREN is a tiny , insect-eating bird , with a loud voice. The , cheerful trills of , Wrens are , extraordinarily varied , and melodious., , The SWALLOW is , easily recognized by , its forked tail. , Swallows catch , insects in flight, and , have squeaky, , twittering songs., , The WARBLER is an , exceptional singer, , whose extensive , songs combine the best , qualities of Wrens and , Swallows., , The NUTHATCH , climbs down trees , headfirst, searching , for insects in the , bark. It sings a , repetitive series of , notes with a nasal tone , quality., , The agile CHICKADEE , has a buzzy , "chick-a-dee-dee" , call, from which its , name is derived. Its , song is a series of , whistled notes., , The THRUSH is a , brown bird with a , spotted breast, which , eats worms and , snails, and has a , beautiful singing , voice. Thrushes use a , stone as an anvil to , smash the shells of , snails., , The little , NIGHTINGALE is , also known for its , beautiful song, which , it sings even at night., , The STARLING is a , small dark bird with a , yellow bill and a , squeaky, , high-pitched song. , Starlings can mimic , the sounds of other , birds., , The SKYLARK sings , a series of , high-pitched , melodius trills in , flight., , The FINCH is a small , seed-eating bird with , a conical beak and a , musical, warbling , song., , The CROSSBILL is a , kind of Finch with a , strange crossed bill, , which it uses to , extract seeds from , pine cones., , The CANARY is a , kind of Finch that I , often kept as a pet. , Miners would often , take Canaries , underground with , them, to warn them of , the presence of , hazardous vapors in , the air., , The SPARROW , weaves a nest of , grass, and has an , unmusical chirp for , voice., , The TOWHEE is a , kind of Sparrow that , continually reminds , listeners to drink , their tea., , The SHRIKE is a gray , bird with a hooked , bill. Shrikes have the , habit of impaling their , prey on thorns., , The WOODPECKER , has a pointed beak that , is suitable for pecking , at wood to get at the , insects inside., , The KINGFISHER , dives for fish, which , it catches with its , long, pointed beak., , The TERN migrates , over great distances, , from one end of , Britannia to the other , each year. Terns dive , from the air to catch , fish., , The PLOVER is a bird , that distracts , predators by , pretending to have a , broken wing., , The LAPWING is a , kind of Plover that , has a long black crest., , The HAWK is a , predator that feeds on , small birds, mice, , squirrels, and other , small animals. Small , hawks are known as , Kites., , The DOVE is a , seed-eating bird with , a peaceful reputation. , Doves have a , low-pitched cooing , song., , The PARROT is a , brightly colored bird , with a hooked bill, , favored as a , companion by pirates. , Parrots can be taught , to imitate the human , voice., , The CUCKOO is a , devious bird that lays , eggs in the nests of , Warblers and other , small birds. Cuckoos , have the uncanny , ability to keep track of , time, singing once at , the beginning of each , hour., , The ROADRUNNER , is an unusual bird , with a long tail, which , runs swiftly along , the ground hunting , for lizards and , snakes., , The SWIFT is a very , agile bird that spends , nearly its entire life , in the air. With their , mouths wide open, , Swifts capture insects , in mid-flight., , The HUMMINGBIRD , is a cross between a , Swift and a Fairy. , These tiny, brightly , colored birds hover , magically near , flowers, and live on , the nectar they , provide., , The OWL is a , reputedly wise bird , that is active at night, , unlike most birds. , Owls have excellent , night vision and , low-pitched hooting , calls. Their wings are , silent in flight., , The GOATSUCKER is , a strange owl-like , bird that is thought to , live on the milk of , goats. These , mysterious birds , make jarring sounds , at night, for which , reason they are also , called Nightjars., , The DUCK is a bird , that swims more than , it flies, and has a , nasal voice that is , described best as a , "quack"., , The SWAN is a kind , of long-necked Duck , that is all white. , Swans are usually , voiceless, but they are , said to have an , extraordinarily , beautiful song., , THE END, , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 28 -{ - author Wyrd Beastmaster - title Taming Dragons - contents { I have not much to , tell about dragons. The , sole time I approached , one with an eye , towards taming it, my , initial attempts at , calming it met with , failure. It fixed a , massive beady eye , upon me, and began its , slithering approach, , intending no doubt to , insert me into its maw , and bear down with , its teeth., , However, as I was , engaged in what , remains to this day , the most terrifying , combat of my life, the , dragon suddenly , whirled as if in a , panic, ran a short , distance, took off into , the air, then , transformed into a , whirlwind. Lastly, it , exploded, showering , gouts of black blood , and heaving, stinking , flesh upon miles of , countryside. The , fireball was massive , enough to light a city I , should surmise., , I never did discover , the exact cause of this , strange behavior , except to assume that , it was not typical for , this reptilian species. , My best guesses , revolve around a , magical fracture in , the nature of reality, , which is far too , esoteric a territory , for one of my limited , scholarship., , Hence my basic , advice to those who , seek to tame a , dragon-be sure that , thou hast mastered , the twin skills of , taming animals, and , running away very , fast., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} - -book 29 -{ - author Yorick of Yew - title A grammar of orcish - contents { This volume, and , others in the series, , are sponsored by , donations from Lord , Blackthorn, ever a , supporter of , understanding the , other sentient races of , Britannia. -, , , The Orcish tongue , may fall unpleasingly , 'pon the ear, yet it has , within it a complex , grammar oft , misunderstood by , those who merely , hear the few broken , words of English our , orcish brothers , manage without , education., , These are the basic , rules of orcish:, , Orcish has five , tenses: present, past, , future imperfect, , present interjectional, , and prehensile., Examples: gugroflu, , gugrofloog, gugrobo, , gugrolu!, gugrogug., , All transitive verbs in , the prehensile tense , end it "ug.", Examples: urgleighug, , biggugdaghgug, , curdakalmug., , All present , interjectional , conjugations start , with the letter G , unless they contain , the third declensive , accent of the letter U., Examples: , ghothudunglug, but n , azhbuugub., , The past tense can , only refer to events , since the last meal, , but the prehensile , tense can refer to any , event within reach., , The present tense is , conjugated like the , future imperfect , tense, when the , interrogative mode is , used by pitching the , sound a quarter-tone , higher., , Orcish hath no concept , of person, as in first , person, third person, , I, we, etc., , Orcish grammar , relies upon the three , cardinal rules of , accretion, prefixing, , and agglutination, in , addition to pitch. In the , former, phonemes , combine into larger , words which may , contain full phrasal , significance. In the , second, prefixing , specific phonetic , sounds changes the , subject of the , sentence into object, , interrogative, , addressed individual, , or dinner., , Agglutination occurs , whenever four of the , same letter are , present in a word, in , which case, any two , of them may be , removed or slurred., , Pitch changes the , phoneme value of , individual syllables, , thus completely , altering what a word , may mean. The , classic example if , "Aktgluthugrot , bigglogubuu , dargilgaglug , lublublub" which can , mean "You are such a , pretty girl," "My , mother ate your , primroses," or , "Jellyfish nose paints , alms potato," depending , on pitch., , Orcish poetry often , relies upon repeating , the same phrase in , multiple pitches, even , changing pitch , midword. None of , this great are is , translatable., , The orcish language , uses the following , vowels: ab, ad, ag, akt, , at, augh, auh, azh, e, , i, o, oo, u, uu. The , vowel sound a is not , recognized as a vowel , and does not exist in , their alphabet. The , orcish alphabet is best , learned using the , classic rhyme , repeated at 23 , different pitchs:, , Lugnog ghu blat , suggaroglug. Gaghbuu , dakdar ab highugbo, , Gothnogbuim ad , gilgubbugbuilug , Bilgeaugh thurggulg , stuiggro!, , A translation of the , first pitch:, Eat food, the first , letter is ab,, Kill people, the next , letter is ad,, I forget the rest But , augh is in there , somewhere!, , , What follows is a , complete phonetic , library of the orcish , language: ab, ad, ag, , akt, alm, at, augh, , auh, azh, ba, ba, bag, , bar, baz, bid, bilge, bo, , bog, bog, brui, bu, , buad, bug, bug, buil, , buim, bum, buo, buor, , buu, ca, car, clog, cro, , cuk, cur, da, dagh, , dagh, dak, dar, deak, , der, dil, dit, dor, dre, , dri, dru, du, dud, duf, , dug, dug, duh, dun, , eag, eg, egg, eichel, ek, , ep, ewk, faugh, fid, , flu, fog, foo, foz, , fruk, fu, fub, fud, , fun, fup, fur, gaa, , gag, gagh, gan, gar, gh, , gha, ghat, ghed, ghid, , gho, ghu, gig, gil, gka, , glu, glu, glug, gna, gno, , gnu, gol, gom, goth, , grunt, grut, gu, gub, , gub, gug, gug, gugh, , guk, guk,, , (Transcriber's , Note: The remainder , of the orcish language , is not present in this , tome. To find the , remainder, please , read "Phonemes of the , Orcish Tongue," also , by Yorick o' Yew.), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } -} Index: releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/itemdesc.cfg =================================================================== --- releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/itemdesc.cfg (revision 1090) +++ releases/097/Distro/pkg/items/sysbook/config/itemdesc.cfg (working copy) @@ -90,3 +90,35 @@ NumPages 20 IsBook 1 } + +// Example of a shard common book +// Each instance of this book reads the values in here when used. + +//Item 0x7025 +//{ +// ObjtypeName newbiebook +// Desc Player guide +// Weight 1/2 +// RequiresAttention 1 +// newbie 1 +// Graphic 0xff2 +// +// CreateScript book/onCreate +// DestroyScript book/onDestroy +// Script book/use +// MethodScript book/methods +// +// ReadOnly 1 +// IsBook 1 +// NumPages 1 +// +// Author Staff +// Title Guide to My Shard +// Contents Welcome to my shard. +// Contents This book will try to +// Contents explain some of the +// Contents most basic things +// Contents and what to do in an +// Contents emergency. +// Contents +//}