The Tiacken Tribune

Regarding Reputation

Pardusians across the galaxy awoke this morning to find that they didn’t really have an opinion on anybody throughout the galaxy. Pilots held in the highest esteem the day before now only brought a shrug. Notorious pirates who would kill, steal, and sell their grandmother also brought that same shrug response. What’s happened? How did it happen? Scholars at top universities have begun to concoct theories looking something like this:

fac1rep = ceil(((rank_opponent+2)/15) * 200)
fac1rank -= 0.03

While the professors of language “garble” go about their job, I think I’ve been able to translate some of what they are trying to say. Summary of reputation changes as follows:

Instead of one reputation, you now have three. The reputation disadvantages are only for the appropriate faction. So for instance, if you have a reputation of:

Empire: 0
Federation: -750

You can do anything you want in Empire planets/starbases, but you won’t have protection or logging out in Federation planets/starbases.

Reputation now seems to erase with time. I guess something you did several years ago shouldn’t affect the way people see you today…

Other changes include the introduction of race relations: Good/Neutrals/Tensions/War.

The results of attacking factions are based on common sense. For example, if you are Fed, and the Federation and Empire are in good relations, then an attack on an Empire pilot will decrease relations with both factions. Common sense. On the flipside, if the factions are at war, then an attack on that same Empire pilot will raise relations with the Fed (war hero) and decrease with the Empire. Other items such as building a drug lab, will decrease relations with the faction where the lab is built. This is interesting, as it will promote building illegal buildings in enemy territory.

The last few theories provided by scholars is that faction alliances are allowed to declare “Private Conflicts” with rival faction alliances to avoid faction hits. And finally when in a state of war, each destruction of a rival faction ship improves rank within the faction.

While I don’t claim to have translated all of the gibberish texts, I believe I have covered the most important parts of the researchers theories. Hope to see some reputable pilots soon.

---

The Believers

New religious sects have started to spring up around several Keldon planets praying to the gods to take pity on their ravaged planets. Food, water, and other natural resources have been diminished to a point where survival is at the brink. Builders in the area have begun to question their loyalty to the area and many are packing up and looking for greener pastures. [Editor: I hear the Tiacken area is a great place to settle down] This may be part of the gods’ greater plan in spreading out the concentrated Keldon core.

Obviously, the gods have enjoyed the whining of these non-believers and in turn have further punished worlds across the galaxy to increase the pain. Water supplies have dwindled on some planets, and Starbases are being forced to use more water for standard operations. This will likely increase the membership of these cults across the galaxy. How will the gods test us next? Only time will tell.

---

Checkmate!

Last week, the Parliament of Rooks was in a power crisis. Hardonshire had gone pirate and handed the reigns to Power Crisis. Last we saw Power Crisis had dug himself a nice little hole. This week, the Parliament of Rooks no longer exists. What happened? Rumors abound, but the most prevalent theory at the moment is that the entire alliance was attacked by Space Weasels. Those rumors have yet to be substantiated. The Tribune will keep you up to date with this breaking story.

---

Tiacken Safety Announcement

The Tiacken Council for Protecting the Sensibly Challenged would like to remind pilots that sitting in open space is hazardous to one’s health. If you decide you do not want to logout, please find a safe place to park your vehicle. Although relatively peaceful, the Tiacken area is still a throughway between the Federation and the Keldon/Empire areas. You never know when that bullseye you painted on the side of your ship will be mistaken for a space maggot.

This has been another message from the Tiacken Council for the Protection of the Sensibly Challenged.

---

Building Codes STRICTLY Enforced

In a surprise move, building inspectors across the galaxy unified in an effort to decrease accidents resulting from structural weaknesses in new buildings. The result is that all buildings require more materials when upgrading production. Current buildings have been grandfathered into the current building codes, but new buildings will need to abide by the new code. What do building owners think?

One Tiackenian responded as such: “I can’t believe the #$%^ ^&*( ^&*( building inspectors think the $@$% building codes will make us any $%^&*( safer!! I’ll tell you what I think of those #$%^ inspectors, they are ##%# !($*%( ^)&)* ^)(%( $*$## *$#% and if they even remotely use that brain of theirs, they’d see that their #$%^ $!@$ ^&(* plan isn’t going to work!!

Needless to say, building owners are not happy. Many think it’s all a conspiracy. Inspectors tell us it’s just a precaution after an accident in Fed space but won’t specify the accident, the building, or the owner. The Tribune is investigating.

---

Potwor and Orsan

A pilot named Orsan has been traversing the galaxy recently relieving buildings he comes across of defenses. He then announces to the world that the building is defenseless and then moves on to the next.

Recently, Potwor has become the object of his affection. After a series of back and forth attacks, Potwor has released the hounds to attack Orsan on an ongoing basis. Orsan has started attacking Potwor targets at every suitable opportunity, raiding Potwor buildings to support his activities. How long this lasts remains to be seen.

---

Lottery update

The Lottery drawing took place last week, and the winning ticket number was 1358. Congratulations to the winner.

[Editor: Wait a second, that’s my ticket number!! Forget the Tribune, I quit!! WHOOHOO!!!!]

---

WANT ADS

Wanted: One editor for the Tiacken Tribune. Must be able to read/write and have a working knowledge of basic math. Knowledge of astrophysics, paranormal activities, and Kung Fu are considered a plus. Starting Salary: Peanuts. If this position interests you, please forward your resume on to the HR Department of the Tiacken Tribune.

---

ADVERTISEMENTS

Esther’s Tanning Salon

Fed up with sun beds? Can’t get that natural Neutrino star tan? Come to Esther’s Tanning Salon for a fast and efficient tanning service. Booking by appointment only.

---

ABOUT HOME

With the changes that have recently taken place, the Tiacken team is refocusing their efforts on the building up of Tiacken I, the previous black sheep of the Tiacken area. We are currently in a position to expand with more medium and high level buildings around Tiacken I. If you are looking for a place to plant your flag, or are in need of a change in scenery, come on by or send a Pardus PM to Brackard for more information.

The Tiacken presses had to stop in order to get this last little tidbit. The Tiacken team would like to welcome Loordmoore and spunkyspew to the Tiacken area. May your buildings be profitable, your travels safe, and the alcohol strong! Welcome.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 7th, 2005 at 1:00 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.