MARNIE Archives June 2015

This page holds archived editions of the MARNIE newspaper which is published every Monday. The Archive contains at least four-week-old issues, and links are clickable despite what the Editor's Notes of the paper editions say. In order to keep the reading content manageable, each month will have its own page.

Midgard's Alpha Realm News
International Edition
June 2015

Editor's Note:
This first newspaper edition will summarize major events since the founding of the Commons of Valensiya. Following editions will contain monthly updates and be available for 1 Leather in Midgards's Marketplace store.

In Worldwide News:
Adschman Al-Ilol's Great Guardian Farm, page 17

In Regional News:
The Grand Metro Project, page 28

In Local News:
Midgard To Leave Commons?, page 42

Worldwide News

Threefold Trading Agreement
(ai/wl/vy) In order to populate Adschman Al-Ilol, Lolibernd decided to invite settlers to his nation. Since the Kingdom of Winterlyn has a rich population, Niller1703 considered allowing three of them to leave his nation and settle on Lolibernd's property.
The cost for this exception, moving and transport expenses and compensation for their loss to the Kingdom of Winterlyn summed up to 90 emeralds, a price which Lolibernd could not afford at that time.
At this point, Valensiya Administrator Tsaryu proposed to step in and pay the sum in exchange for the right to use the farms in Adschman Al-Ilol.
Lolibernd agreed to the offer, and the three settlers have successfully been relocated.

Moderation Vanishing Act
(ar) Following the Ender-Commonwealth War and the temporary banishment of members of the winning side, heavy disagreement with P_P_A's moderation has been declared by the banished Enderians. Faced with harsh criticism and outright rudeness, P_P_A announced his decision to resign from moderation duty and presently followed through, although he stated that this is not a knee-jerk reaction but has been on his mind for some time.
Equally disillusioned with their moderation position as well as MineCraft reality in general, and due a busy life in the real reality, moderator July has stated that he too wishes to resign from the position. His current status is not yet clear. Other listed moderators have barely been seen online for a month at least, and the fate of the moderation positions themselves remains to be seen.

New Spawn: Admin Shop
(ns) Responding to several independent requests for a supply of non-available or strictly limited materials on this map, AlphaBernd graciously provided an admin shop housed in his office building at the New Spawn of Alpha Realm.
Red Sand can be bought here for Sand at a fair rate of 1:16, and Packed Ice can be acquired for Ice at the much steeper rate of 1:32. The shop found great approval among the inhabitants of Alpha Realm, and already more unwarranted and indolent demands are being made.

'Top Secret' Activity In Nether Location
(ne) Due to careless chatting, it has become widely known that Valensiya Administrator Tsaryu and Niller1703 of the Kingdom of Winterlyn have embarked upon a joint project in an undisclosed Nether location.
Apparently, much netherrack and glass has been used in construction. The actual purpose and status of the project have not been made public, but rumor mills run rampant with speculations about it being considered a failure and abandoned.

Marketplace: Lower Level Opened
(ns) Since the available lots inside the Marketplace at Alpha Realm's New Spawn have rapidly found owners and mostly conduct industrious business already, it became obvious that a new level needed to be added.
It was quickly decided to build down rather than up, and construction started at once. Thanks to the material donations of Tomoko and the industrious pace of Lolibernd, the lower level was completed within days and opened for business on May 28th.

Adschman Al-Ilol's Great Guardian Farm
(ai) Around the ocean monument of Alpha Realm's Northeastern Sea at appr. 5700/-300, Lolibernd of Adschman Al-Ilol has started to create a huge Guardian Farm. To date, an area of 58×58 blocks has been dried out to a height of 45 blocks; this correlates to one fourth of the entire monument. On ceiling level, the guardian spawning chambers have been set up so that spawning guardians will die from the fall. On parallel tracks at ground level, continuously running minecarts with hoppers collect the dropped loot which is then stored in chests.
This part of the Guardian Farm has been completed within two days by Lolibernd, and been operational since the eve of May 30th. For now, Adschman Al-Ilol has exclusive rights to access the farm, though a license can be bought to use it from Lolibernd. He considers opening the farm to the public in time, though not before the rest of the monument has been dried out, or after three to four weeks of exclusive use.

Regional News

Valensiya

Valensiya Starts Store
(vy) Valensiya acquired a lot in the Marketplace at New Spawn and established a small store in the southwestern corner of the upper floor. In charming and cozy design, Valensiyan merchants sell new rocks for emeralds and trade wood for other goods. As a welfare project, free food is available for those in need.
Tickets for the Valensiya Metro are also available at this quaint shop.

Valensiya

Mercenary Exploit
(vy) Tsaryu's decision to take part in the Commonwealth-Ender War as mercenary led to tension with Midgard Administration. Unresolved reconcilement could be achieved after some lengthy discussions.

Valensiya

New Valensiyan Tree Farm (vy) Due to security issues at the previous location, an entirely safe underground tree farm has recently been built on Valensiya. The cavern measures 36 by 20 blocks at 8 high and was completely paneled with stones bricks. It has capacity for 54 birch or oak trees for wood trade. It can be accessed from the station by descending to Y33, and visitors should not miss out on the mascot sapling that does not wish to grow, in the southwestern corner.

Valensiya

Establishing Relations (vy) During the past month, the Valensiya administration has undertaken several emissary visits to neighboring and far away nations and settlements in order to establish friendly and beneficial relations. In turn, some ambassadors and nation leaders from those places visited both Valensiya and Midgard. Valensiya deems the visits successful and considers the continued relations very valuable.

Valensiya

The Grand Metro Project
(vy) The Valensiya Metro started small: as a practical connection between the islands Valensiya and Midgard in the Northeastern Sea of Alpha Realm. Soon, Project Overseer Tsaryu decided on extension to Firnstein, Lauranya, Darkmicha and Zapp.
As visitors started to appreciate both practicality and design of the Valensiya Metro's Pegasus Line, separate lines to their territories were offered, as well as an extension to New Spawn. To date, the Pegasus Line reaches from Valensiya via Tipriya to Firnstein. Starting there, construction of the future Andromeda Line toward Fishermen Peninsula has been ongoing for the past week and currently reaches two thirds of the way, at great costs.
A considerate donation was granted by Austrobernd, who gifted Tsaryu with an Efficiency III & Unbreaking IV Diamond Pickax in order to lessen both time consumption and tool wear. This generosity is greatly appreciated by the Commons of Valensiya.

Lauranya

Overnight High Rise
(ln) On the eve of May 23rd, construction of the first building commenced on Lauranya. In a mammoth act by Tsaryu, during that night a complete high rise was erected, the outer walls built with birch and oak wood and lots of big windows for a maximum of light within the rooms, and the interior furnished with stable oak planks. The building has been named the Zivilization Tower.
Above the stylish foyer, two floors provide office spaces. The third to sixth floor provide seven spacious two-room apartments for rent. An additional VIP apartment with access to a private garden is provided on the third floor as well.
Probably the most charming feature is the roof garden, designed for privacy.
Lauranya is currently only reachable by boat, but will eventually be connected to the Valensiya Metro. Interested parties for the rooms are asked to address their rent wish to Tsaryu, and are encouraged do so even before the metro is connected.

Sikiliya

New Haven Sikiliya
(sk) Acting on inspiration upon seeing the planned railway routes of the Valensiya Metro Planungsbüro, P_P_A rapidly erected a vacation villa on the island designated 'Neuhafen' on the metro map.
It has since been renamed Sikiliya. The buildings are made primarily from prismarine rock and the garden is adorned by sunflowers. According to the owner P_P_A, a small village is planned to be added at some far away future point.

Midgard News

Tower of Magic
(md) Midgard's Tower of Magic, built in a desperate attempt to get the new rocks Andesite and Diorite removed from their temporary storage area, has been completed as of May 19th and is already in business.
In a repetitive but calming design that allows utmost concentration for spellcasting, Floors 1-4 sport enchantment tables for various levels. On the fifth floor an anvil is provided, and on the sixth floor magical potions are brewed.
Visitors are encouraged to take the stairs all the way to the roof in order to enjoy the architecture and view; however, for quick access a ladder has been included right next to the entrance. Public access has yet to be assisted by building roads.

Underground Tree Farm
(md) The tree farm on Level Y40, formerly declared complete, is being expanded yet again. The new extension reaches all the way down to Level Y20 in order to accommodate room for giant Jungle and Spruce trees to flourish, and indeed already the first giants have grown. The farm is to be advocated as a tourist attraction in the future, so a walkway has been added on its circumference approximately at the height of Y50. The current capacity of the farm reaches 40 Oak, Birch, Acacia and Jungle Trees, 20 Spruce Trees and 13 Dark Oak Trees. additional room has been provided for two Spruce Giants and Three Jungle Giants, and more is planned for a later project, as well as a tourism track along the walkway.

Midgard To Leave Commons?
(md) Differing opinions regarding one article caused Valensiyan Administration to demand a change of our newspaper's title so that it will not be associated with Valensiya at all, and forbid its distribution in their shop at Marketplace or on any of its three claimed islands, as well as in the regions Zapp, Sikiliya, Firnstein and Darkmicha without even first asking the opinions or consent of their owners.
Feeling effectively shunned from its neighbors, Midgard Administration concluded that an earlier expressed desire for complete independence was being enacted by Valensiya.
While Valensiyan Administration has since retracted their stipulations, Midgard is starting to consider taking the intent seriously.
Administrator Jinxauthor_Mel explained that despite their definition as 'Commons' which they hold so dear, he feels that Valensiya does not embrace its ideals. While Administrator Tsaryu has stated a wish to be useful and depended upon, Jinxauthor_Mel has come to believe that neither is his approach particularly steady nor his support reliable.
As requested by Valensiyan Administartion, first steps for separation have been taken by renaming our newspaper to an entirely Midgard edition.
Currently, relations are being continued but shaky, with a tacit understanding to evade all meaningful topics. It is unclear what our island's future will bring, so Midgard Administration prepares for self-reliance just in case.

Marketplace Store
(md) To anyone having purchased this newspaper, reading that Midgard has opened a store will come as no new information. It should still be included for historical purposes.
On May 31st, Midgard Administrator Jinxauthor_Mel chose a quaint lot with view in the newly finished underwater level of the Marketplace, to open the First Midgard General Store. Its primary purpose is the distribution of the Midgard newspaper MARNIE.
It will likely also offer miscellaneous stock prone to occasional change depending on the current projects going on in Midgard.
Midgard Administration hopes that you enjoyed both this newspaper and our new little store, and that maybe one reader or another may come to visit our Northeastern island.

Midgard's Alpha Realm News
International Edition
June 8th, 2015

Editor's Note:
Since life on Alpha Realm runs fast-paced for most inhabitants, a monthly issue of a newspaper obviously won't do. We will therefore publish weekly instead. Links can NOT be clicked, but all photos are in the same album.

In Worldwide News:
CIS Headquarter Compound, page 9

In Regional News:
Overworld Spawn Connection, page 33

In Local News:
Terraforming Progress, page 43

Worldwide News

Retraction
(ar) The editor of our newspaper MARNIE, Jinxauthor_Mel, wishes to apologize to our readers for incorrect information hastily put to print in our last issue. In the article 'Moderation Vanishing Act', it was wrongly stated that Moderator P_P_A had resigned from modship and Moderator July wished to do the same.
July, actually Moderator June, agreed to a statement and explained that what he had said had been misunderstood, and while he is a little busy presently, he never meant to remain absent for any long period of time, and does not wish to quit modship at all.
Moderator P_P_A could not be questioned yet until the time of this article. However, we wish to thank Tomoko Kuroki for noting that in the last week of May, P_P_A had admitted that he had not yet quit modship.
The Staff List on our server's wiki (viewable at https://dev-urandom.eu/admin:start) has been last updated on June 6th. There, it states that P_P_A is “rumored to be demodded”. Aside from such hearsay, his current status remains unclear.
The new list include AlphaBernd, Bikki, Enton and v1adimirr as moderators, who at least are known names. Inhabitants are looking forward to their support and judiciary.

CIS Headquarter Compound
(ns) On June 7th, Midgard journalists were invited to a tour of the recently finished Headquarters building for the newly formed Confederation of Independent States. [pic: https://imgur.com/a/NKMgW#0]
The Headquarters compound, including space for its member states' embassies, is located on neutral ground northwest of New Spawn. The tour was led by single architect and constructor Lord Commissioner Austrobernd.
To the right and left of the Headquarters' entrance, meeting rooms have been designated to house the Security Council and the Economy Council, respectively. Four more rooms have been prepared for future functions and will remain unfurnished until then.
The Headquarters' main feature at the end of the walkway from the entrance, the voting hall, currently provides seats for twelve representatives and could be equipped to accommodate even twenty-four seats, should the need ever arise.
To date, five seats are occupied by the Kingdom of Winterlyn, the Mandatory of New New-Badfacia, Umm Al Asufli, Adschman Al-Ilol and the Apostolic Kingdom of Breshik. City-State Siverny has applied for a seat as well. Guests are allowed to observe.
The proclaimed goal of the Confederation is “to strengthen international ties and wealth” and to “unite citizens in spite of any differences”. Its Constitution can be viewed at https://dev-urandom.eu/treaties:confederatedstates, and an informal wish for membership may be directed at any of the noted representatives.
The surrounding embassies of Winterlyn, Adschman Al-Ilol, Breshik as well as one by Tomoko Kuroki, are without exception projects in progress and will be revisited once finished.

New Top Autist Emerged
(ai) On June 2nd, Shah Lolibernd of the state Adschman Al-Ilol climbed to the top our server's autism list, which can be viewed at http://autism.dev-urandom.eu/. Due to his resolved work discipline at the huge Guardian Farm [pic: https://imgur.com/a/NKMgW#1] in Alpha Realm's Northeastern Sea, he did so rapidly and proficiently. Demonstrating authentic enthusiasm in its intended meaning, not only has he defended the top position successfully since then, he has done so with great margin.
Currently, Shah Lolibernd is well on his way toward the half-million milestone. At over 480,000 changed blocks, he is far ahead of runner-up Tomoko Kuroki.

Increase In Illegal PvP
(ar) Recently, some veteran inhabitants of Alpha Realm seem to be getting restless. Concurring PvP fights among members of the same nation or individuals with long-standing grudges occur nearly daily, and unannounced attacks without stated intentions are on the rise.
Occasionally, new inhabitants get drawn into such fights. Veterans and newcomers alike have been banished increasingly for 'Illegal PvP' during the last week.
The only one of the aggressors who stated a reason was Lord Commissioner Austrobernd of New New-Badfacia, who claimed the intention to “bring some action to the server” on June 7th. Whether other instigators share a similar attitude could not be verified.

First Test Flight
(ai) In the first June week, Shah Lolibernd took a break from construction work to experiment with flying machines. One of his proudly presented pictures of success can be viewed at https://imgur.com/a/NKMgW#2.

Sub-Desert Facility Instituted
(gc) In Alpha Realm's most southwestern desert, a new facility has recently emerged on the map. On June 7th, a Midgard reporter received a tour and was graciously allowed to write about the compound.
The facility is being excavated underground by Tomoko Kuroki, who stated its purpose was to become his new main city. The surrounding desert is now called the Sea of Ares, and the compound has been designated Ganymede Command Center. It is modeled after Stargate Command with great love for detail. [pics: https://imgur.com/a/NKMgW#3 and next]
To date, its Gate (a.k.a. nether portal), the surrounding Gate room and the Control room are in service, and lower levels are being cleared.
Plans for the surface level have not yet been stated, so the progress will not be easily viewable on the map. However, visitors seem to be welcome, so if you would like to enjoy the tour yourself, please direct your request at Tomoko Kuroki.

Mall Management
(ns) On June 7th, Tomoko Kuroki suddenly appointed Shah Lolibernd of Adschman Al-Ilol as “the new mall manager”. He later explained that he actually meant a deputy position, so that customers at the Marketplace on New Spawn would have assistance whenever Tomoko himself is not in Alpha Realm.
Shah Lolibernd, who built the lower floor of the mall and provided the first safely working elevator, is deemed a good choice as stand-in by the vendors and customers.

Alpha Realm Advertisement
(ns) Readers have requested an advertisement section in the newspaper. Due to space limitations, Midgard will offer a paper called ARA for such and similar intentions. Its first edition will explain the system.

Regional News

Eyjan Hvíta's New Leadership
(eh) On May 26th, President Harcourtien abdicated from the office as President and Prime Minister of the city-state Eyjan Hvíta due to personal reasons. It is stated on the state's homepage at https://dev-urandom.eu/nations:citystates:eyjan_hvita that Harcourtien will be absent for some months.
Citizen tablecat, who received administrative training during the last month, has been elected for office and been incumbent as President and Prime Minister of City-State Eyjan Hvíta as of May 27th.
How the new president will govern the city-state, deal with foreigners and manage ongoing and planned projects, remains to be seen.

Overworld Spawn Connection
(vy) Thanks to the efforts of Chief Tsaryu of the Commons of Valensiya, the Northeastern Corner of Alpha Realm has been connected to New Spawn via an overworld railway system. On June 1st, the Andromeda Line of the Valensiya Metro was connected to the preexisting Blue Line of the Slavia Rail on Fishermen Peninsula. From the same station, in Valensiyan called 'Fischerinsel', to its temporary northern end on Firnstein, the line covers 1,541 blocks east and 1,322 blocks north. Without delaying at stations, it takes 6:02 minutes to travel the distance.
Between Fischerinsel and the next station Südwestkreuz, a small stretch of underwater travel can be enjoyed.

New Commons Member Island
(sk) As of June 1st, the island Sikiliya has officially been noted as a part of the Commons of Valensiya. It remains under the jurisdiction of P_P_A, who stated a wish to join due to the active neighborhood.

Next Step Toward “Financial Heart”
(ln) Next to the Zivilization Tower on Lauranya, a second building was created by Chief Tsaryu to house the Valensiyan Bank, including counsel offices, a stock market and an auction area. With the very expensive construction of the Commons Bank of Valensiya and its high-tech vault, due to building materials such as Quartz, Acacia Wood and Sea Lanterns, the island steps closer toward its goal of becoming the Commons' financial heart.

New Town Growing
(pk) A little to the north of Lauranya, a new town is rapidly evolving. Its builders show a flair for accessibility and safety. The place has not yet been named and is most widely known as 'Warpig's' after its founder. We in Midgard, liking wordplay, have taken to call it Pigkyxkub as a combination from all three names of the area's new active citizens Warpig, xFreakyx and bennskub. The official name will be announced once it has been stated by the town's citizens.

Midgard News

Admin Residence Heavily Populated
(md) The personal residence of Midgard Administrator Jinxauthor_Mel is currently heavily populated by merchants specializing in all kinds of craftsmanship. Despite safe construction, their mere number occasionally causes accidents, partly even fatal ones, wherein the inhabitants suffocate in walls. In order to reduce this risk, further buildings to house them are already at the planning stage.

Terraforming Progress
(md) The terraforming of the archipelago has recently been continued. Toward the southwest, vast strips of marshland have been reclaimed from the sea, increasing the overall size of Midgard and providing more space to develop the settlement. Additionally, mob spawning has increased on the now available flatlands. At https://imgur.com/a/NKMgW?#5, a comparison to last month can be viewed. The mined earth and sand will be used for farms and buildings.

First Mall Shop Opened
(md) Two adventurous merchants have taken upon themselves the setup of the first shop in the unfinished Station Mall. Theirs is to be called The Farmers' Market and is located on the ground floor right behind the staircase. For now, they are buying grain and produce in order to fill up their stock, so sellers are encouraged to trade with them while the two still have emeralds to spend.

Colored Sheep Farm Completed
(md) Midgard's colored sheep farm has been extended to its full potential on Level Y5. All sixteen colors of wool can be regularly obtained from around thirty animals each. It has been decided by the administration that these sheep are not to be bred or harmed; rather an additional slaughter farm shall be added as a far-future project. This will only be possible after the nearby lava lake has been dried up.


Newer issues are not yet archived but can still be bought at the Midgard Store.