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The Stargazer Vol 1, Iss 2
THE News for the Dragon Quadrant
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Your UDA news source, quarterly news journal.
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The 6th Day of Sesdecim, Year 3409. | Sponsored by TriTeq Industries, Inc.
Issued on June 30, 1997 RL time. | "When you want the best, get Teq."
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In this issue:
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TOP NEWS
ANNOUNCING THE NEW EXCHANGE SYSTEM
UDA News
EDO No Longer Under Alert
DranTran Travel Agency Brings the Galaxy to You!
On the Wire
PDA Upgrades
Xenoculture
Underground Group in Khystarn Wars Uncovered
Inside Fashion
Let Fighting Gloves Grab You
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TOP NEWS
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ANNOUNCING THE NEW EXCHANGE SYSTEM
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Infoteq and Tigger called a press conference today announcing a new quest
point exchange system. Infoteq led the conference with a statement and
then took questions and answers. Tigger was mildly distracted, bouncing on
his tail, but he was trying to remain well behaved.
Infoteq had the following opening statement, "There are two things you can
buy with quest points at this stage: Equipment and Spells/Skills. The
difference is that you may not buy any equipment that exists in the
universe. We feel it detracts from the flavor of the universe. The upside
is that when you buy one of the items available you can get it renamed to
whatever you want."
The press corp was anxious to learn about the items that could be
purchaced and that was the first question, so Infoteq read from another
prepared statement and list:
"You may purchase the following equipment for 10qp each:
Finger: a quest ring +2Dam, +30Mana
Hands: a pair of quest gloves +2Dam, +30Mana
Ears: a quest earring +2Dam, +30Mana
Face: a pair of quest shades +2Dam, +30Psyche
Head: a quest hat +2Dam, +30Psyche
Neck: a quest amulet +2Dam, +30Psyche
Arms: a quest bracer +2Dam, +30Hit
Body: a quest jumpsuit +2Dam, +30Hit
Pin: a quest insignia +2Dam, +30Hit
About: a quest duster +2Dam, +30Hit
Waist: a quest belt +2Dam, +30Hit
Legs: a pair of quest jeans +2Dam, +30Move
Feet: a pair of quest sneakers +2Dam, +30Move
Wrist: a quest band +2Dam, +30Move
Shield: a quest shield +2Dam, +30DB
Wield: a quest plunger 5d6, +3Dam, +20OB
Hold: a quest symbol +3Dam, +2Abs
Light: a quest light +2Dam, +2All
"Again, each item comes with a free renaming. You may call the item
whatever you wish, within the limits of decency please. Stats can not be
moved or exchanged on items. These items are offered as-is. While not as
diverse as the equipment available throughout the universe, we felt that
offering equipment right from the universe took away the adventuring
aspect of it all."
Infoteq struggled to get through the list due to all the noise from the
crowd--the excitement in the room was incredible. He again had a prepared
statement for the list of skills/spells that could be purchased. "You may
purchase quest spells with quest points you've earned from quests or
questiums. Here are the %'s you can get for each quest point exchanged:
dragon's fury 5%
focus 10%
giant strength 15%
glyph of health 10%
glyph of invulnerability 10%
implosion 5%
protection from missiles 5%
semi-gaseous form 9%
shield bash 5%
swoop 9%"
With a million other projects to work on, Infoteq then excused himself and
went about his way. Tigger remained behind for a little while doing tricks
for the crowd. Unfortunately I was unable to get a statement from Tigger--
he didn't land for very long in between each of his trick bounces.
-Corwin
The SDO Voice
UDA News
========
EDO No Longer Under Alert
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In a grand opening extravaganza show of lights, sound, and music, Dragons'
Star network administrators announced that Emerald Dragon Outpost was
declared safe and open to the general public. The elegant center for
communion and religion, with its polished marble walkways and lush,
verdant interiors, had been under alert for 5 years GMT due to a secret
attack by a rogue group of Cyborgs in an attempt to destroy the station's
stabilizers. It was later discovered that the same Cyborg renegades reside
at the dangerous Freebase.
The infamous EDO, one part of a triumvirate of stations created by the Gem
Dragons to stabilize the Dragon Quadrant after Khanvar's appearance threw
off system balance, had been a station where UDA citizens, sharing common
beliefs, could meet for fellowship and communion in their shared beliefs.
Yet the attack on the gentle outpost forced the shrine to close its doors
to the general public for a period of 5 years as the stabilizers were
repaired. "No one can explain why such an horrendous attack occured on
such a peaceful place," said Meodore Chaunsua, "but I must admit that the
down time was an interesting time to learn more about the Gem Dragons. You
know they were the ones repairing the station, don't you? No one, not even
the most intelligent Laukhi or Spaetor, understands that technology."
Walking around the new EDO, one notices many improvements and additions,
including the addition of spacedocks and a central transporter connecting
all of the levels together quickly. Shadowcat, in a rare news opportunity,
commented on the new design: "It's really quite impressive what the
Dragons have done with [EDO]. They even installed light dimmers for those
of us who don't like it quite so bright!"
-Lt. Ferthesh Urare
UDA Newswire
DranTran Travel Agency Brings the Galaxy to You!
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If you have ever felt you needed your own ship to see the wonders of the
Galaxy, you are not alone, but thanks to DranTran Travel, traveling space
is no longer for just the rich and elite. That's right! DranTran shuttles
serving most major ports will get you where you want to go. You can
purchase shuttle passes that are good for trips to all destinations at the
DranTran Travel Agency on the SDO Mall level, south court.
The travel agency has plans for the casual and frequent traveler, allowing
you to buy single (starter) passes, all the way up to the Dragon Pass.
Once you have a pass, take the lift to the shuttle level, and wait for the
next shuttle.
Okay, so you have your pass, and you are wandering around the shuttle
level, trying to figure out where to go? Well, you know the Ward shuttle.
Everyone talks about the beautiful Feudal Japan on Ward, but you want
something more exotic. Someplace that is not traveled to as much.
Someplace to really tell the folks back home about....
If you have recently taken a profession, and this is one of your first
real vacations after slaving away in your new career as a Botanist, or
Surgeon, the Arturian system provides beautiful scenary with some danger
for the adventurous, so feel free to bring some friends along to share the
experience!
The first stop, Gamma Artur is a beautiful forested world that features
some wonderful sights. Visit the infamous Seiged Castle but be careful to
the ongoing combat there. Only the bravest of warriors should attempt to
interfere. King deGrance always welcomes new allies in his continuous
fight against invaders.
The second stop is Delta Artur and the home of the High Tower of Sorcery.
There is plenty to see here in this tower of wonders, but be warned, many
of the inhabitants are not so friendly. Visitors are asked to use caution,
and explore at their own risk.
This is just one of the many trips you can take in the ever expansive
galaxy. In the next issue, we will look at some of the destinations of
other shuttles for your vacationing pleasure. So until then, Let DranTran
Travel guide your path.
-Nek D'log
On the Wire
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PDA Upgrades
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Infoteq held a press conferance today detailing a number of upgrades to
the Dragons' Star network's handy PDA systems that have been installed
over the past few months including:
o Custom Color Highlighting
o Color Scheme System
o Customizable Prompt
o New Editor
The Custom Color Highlighting allows you to enhance anything you post on
the network, whether it be to a message board or in your title. To get
more information on how to use the system, check out help Color Codes.
The Color Scheme system works similar to the Color Highlighting, but
instead of highlighting what you send, this will customize input sent to
your PDA.
The Customizable Prompt allows you to decide what information is
continuously updated as you navigate about. You can put in a number of
information highlights depending on your needs.
The new Editor is one of our biggest enhancements. While still a line
editing system, it allows you to make changes to the text without having
to start over. There is a find/replace feature, a line replace, and many
other enhancements.
After giving this brief summary Infoteq went on to say, "We strive
constantly to bring the best new features to our customers. We have a
commitment to listen to and meet the needs of everyone who uses our
products." After referring several people's questions to the PDA's
helpfile system, Infoteq excused himself to work on other pending
projects.
-P.R. Bot 4000
Xenoculture
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Underground Group in Khystarn Wars Uncovered
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D'kharn Lkuzhna, the Laukhi head researcher of the _Encylopedia Galactica_
effort, announced that he has uncovered evidence of an underground
pacifist group of Frenalians and Khrenesch that worked with Laukhi to end
the wars on Khanvar.
"Rumors of this group's existance have abounded since the wars began, but
no one had any proof of it," said Lkuzhna. "Finally, I believe that I've
found the original members of the group. They insisted on anonymity, but
did reveal that they were called 'Hak N`urin,' the original Khanvarian
phrase for 'the brotherhood.'"
"This discovery is very important to the societal views of the Frenalians
and Khrenesch," Lkuzhna explained, "because right now the general view of
the two races during the Khanvar wars is that they were fully against one
another, but this new information is evidence that there were more
sensible members of both sides. This will definitely change the view of
Khanvarian history significantly."
According to Lkuzhna, the founding members of Hak N'urin consisted of five
Khanvarians: two Khrenesch, two Frenalians, and one Laukhi, and their
total membership was several thousand, mostly Frenalians and Khrenesch,
with several Laukhi that acted as liaisons between Hak N'urin and the
Laukhi elders.
_Encyclopedia_Galactica_ Spaetor head researcher Meodore Chaunsua added
that _Encyclopedia_Galactica_ historians are currently working on finding
and making any necessary changes to the current history.
-Mustaine
DDO Newswire
Inside Fashion
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Let Fighting Gloves Grab You
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Okay, fashion fanatics, you've asked for it and here it is: Another
column on fashion today! And what is the hottest item going on in the
Dragon Quadrant today? Is it a pair of those slick black fighting gloves
exclusive to RDO? Or perhaps a red-laquered o-yoroi? Interestingly, none
of those. The hottest fashion item is actually the least expected thing
you would think of: soiled pants! Soiled pants? Your nose probably
crinkled up at the mere thought of it, but wait! These hot lil numbers
are all the rage nowadays.
With the opening of the Qin Tomb sim on RDO, young cadets interested in
exploration and making a fashion statement have been picking up these
pants like mad! And why? "Well, they're really comfortable because they're
pre-worn, and hell, I feel so damn smart when I'm wearing my pair,"
remarked one Khrenesch cadet, who happened to not be wearing his at the
time. "Just look at me! Don't I look smarter?!" shouted one emphatic
Cyborg cadet while I was interviewing RDO students.
"What the students are noticing with the pants are the enhancements they
receive in both intelligence and wisdom. A +1 stat is automatically added
to both when the pants are worn," said trainer K'xar Llaondhun, who added,
"but wearers should be careful of the -10 to their mana energy when
wearing."
"I prefer these pants to any others when I'm about to gain a level," said
a Rheleign cadet. "They're really great!"
-T'heelha B.
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Editorial Staff
Editor: Trillian
Publishers: Infoteq, Trillian, Dranor
Reporters: P.R. Bot 4000, T'heelha B.
Guest Reporters: Corwin, Lt. Ferthesh Urare, Nek D'log, Mustaine
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