Marvin's Log

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:15 pm

Assuming the "IM" callsign isn't already taken, I'm claiming it for a very small group of players: me and Denny (and anyone else who wants to maintain minimum cohesiveness when in multiplayer mode).

As the name implies, Independent Merchants (long name: Guild of [Youthful] Independent Merchants) have no leader. We do little (if any) training. But, as a guild, we do share secrets (whatever we've learned about the EL universe) and we do try to participate in on-line activities at least once a week.

More information to come later.

Edit: I've added a banner - slash - insignia to our clan - slash - guild:

There ... that should do until Denny comes up with something better (stand by for improvements).

[Edited on 10-22-2009 by Marvin]

PingBosun · Post by **PingBosun** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:29 pm

How "volatile" are these IM traders I wonder?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:32 pm

Originally posted by PingBosun
How "volatile" are these IM traders I wonder?

That is easy to find out. LOL

:P:P:P:P

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:53 pm

I like the idea. Idependent Merchants willing to share info on rewarding trade runs, etc. Kind of like a "Guild". Good idea Marvin. I can see where this might be the start of something .

Dengar · Post by **Dengar** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:23 pm

Be advised that it may be difficult to be a trader and a fighter at the same time.

And it can get rough out there sometimes. Ask Galex.

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:00 pm

Ask Hober Mallow.

Edit: Background

Well, there really isnâ€™t any! Chalk it up to the misfiring of my positronic pathways. â€˜Cause there was supposed to be a whole lot of background â€¦ courtesy of Dr. Isaac Asimov and his â€œFoundationâ€� stories. But, after reviewing a binder full of notes, I realized Iâ€™d made the mistake of confusing â€œtraderâ€� with â€œmerchantâ€� â€¦ Hober Mallow being probably the most famous of the master traders.

Granted, there might not be a whole lot of difference between a trader and a merchant â€¦ except that traders wander the galaxy, selling merchandise to merchants â€¦ who can usually be found sitting on their duff, inside a nice warm and safe shop, peddling what they buy from traders.

And as for the â€œindependentâ€� part â€¦ well, I like it (despite malfunctioning positronic pathways). Maybe the idea is still somewhere to be found in Asimovâ€™s â€œFoundationâ€� â€¦ Iâ€™ll keep checking my notes.

As for the condition of my postitronic pathways: blame it on the Sirius Cybernetic Corporation.

Update: In the second â€œFoundationâ€� novel, some trader named Lathan Devers belonged to a group called â€œAssociation of Independent Tradersâ€� (again with the traders â€¦ rub it in, doctor, why donâ€™tcha). In fact (as I read more notes), it seems these Independent Traders are pretty good fighters (although theyâ€™re, admittedly, fighting a losing battle). So now Iâ€™m (and Denny) stuck with either remaining in a historically inaccurate merchants guild â€¦ or switching to a far more glamorous traders association.

[Edited on 10-13-2009 by Marvin]

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:06 am

I like to think of us more like an armed transport/trading giuld than simple merchants. I'm still in a civilian frame but Marvin moved to military crafts so it's safe to say that we have some firepower to defend our interests.

Beside of what Marvin already said, I can safely say we're aligned with human factions and enemy of the vonari (as we vent many each time we're online).

We're neutrals with other factions or individuals unless they attack or provoke us. In this section falls Romulan and the other Cyclone guy that attacked us already and are thus known enemy.

A more detailed IIF list will follow if necessary.

[Modificato il 14/10/2009 da DennyMala]

cheops · Post by **cheops** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:25 pm

Anytime you want an alliance with SD its yours guys just say the word and good luck with your clan.

Accountant · Post by **Accountant** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:13 pm

Ah, finally a guild I could actually envision being a part of! Sadly, there is no way I could be on MP each week as I take too many credit-hours to be on during the week and I work evenings during the weekend. Very neat idea, though! I wish you the best with your clan and hope to see the clan in MP eventually.

-Accountant

[Edited on 10-14-2009 by Accountant]

Dengar · Post by **Dengar** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:18 pm

Need some help Pork Chops? Recruiting other clans now are you?

Hey Accountant, you don't have to be on MP lots to be in a clan. Look at old Bossky Boy. Not seen him around for ages.

I am thinking of embarking on a Leadership challenge while he's away.

Accountant · Post by **Accountant** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:21 pm

I suppose, but if I were in a clan I would want to be able to devote some time each week so that the clan has some presence. Seeing as I cannot commit to that, I will make a decision to remain independent and just do what I want the few times I manage to get on.

Good luck with your power play. Whoever is the leader of BA clan, I will look forward to venting him/her/it.

-Accountant

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:40 pm

I've had a few interesting chats with Cheops and never hesitate to join him or members of his group in routing the Vonari. Likewise, Accountant can add his strength to Denny's whenever he finds us on line.

cheops · Post by **cheops** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:05 pm

I was offering help to the other Clan actually Dengpot but you know what they say 'strength in numbers'

But as you brought up the subject, want to join SD Deng and belong to a decent clan:P:P:P:P

[Edited on 14-10-2009 by cheops]

Dengar · Post by **Dengar** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:15 pm

Already in a decent clan thanks.

May not be large in numbers but strong enough to hold our own.

Having said that, why does nobody else want to join BA? Perhaps its a leadership thing - they don't think he's good enough.

Maybe I should start a poll to see if our adversaries think a leadership change would help?

Wasp89 · Post by **Wasp89** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:29 pm

Originally posted by Accountant

Good luck with your power play. Whoever is the leader of BA clan, I will look forward to venting him/her/it.

Haven't you heard? Dengar's Clan's middle name is "Luck." Of course, its first name is "Bad."

...two drums and a cymbal fall off a cliff....

[Edited on 10-14-2009 by Wasp89]

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:58 pm

ROFL ^^^ Hahahahahahahaha, very funny

Dengar · Post by **Dengar** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:03 pm

Originally posted by Wasp89
Originally posted by Accountant

Good luck with your power play. Whoever is the leader of BA clan, I will look forward to venting him/her/it.

Haven't you heard? Dengar's Clan's middle name is "Luck." Of course, its first name is "Bad."

...two drums and a cymbal fall off a cliff....

[Edited on 10-14-2009 by Wasp89]

Along with Willo the Wasp!!

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:07 pm

Gee, thanks. (Right now, I feel like Groucho Marx aboard that ship where his "stateroom" kept attracting all the passersby and curious minions.)

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:50 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse
Best of luck with your clan Marvin.

Ditto Marvin

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:41 am

Thanks again, guys. But today I felt like an orphan who'd been adopted by SD.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:26 am

Originally posted by Marvin
Assuming the "IM" callsign isn't already taken, I'm claiming it for a very small group of players: me and Denny (and anyone else who wants to maintain minimum cohesiveness when in multiplayer mode).

As the name implies, Independent Merchants (long name: Guild of [Youthful] Independent Merchants) have no leader. We do little (if any) training. But, as a guild, we do share secrets (whatever we've learned about the EL universe) and we do try to participate in on-line activities at least once a week.

More information to come later.

Since I do not belong to any clan and I'm not much of a big crowd person and I like my independance I might use [IM] once in a while. After all basically that is what I am. But I also like the freedom of being on my own without a clan tag.

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:29 am

Originally posted by Maarschalk

But I also like the freedom of being on my own without a clan tag.

The good thing about a tag is you can adjust your radar "IFF" for other clans ... and thereafter see tiny green blips telling you the exact location of other friendlies.

The bad thing about a tag is a spy-type foe can set you as a friendly and, thereafter, track you a lot better than he can by pressing the "~" key.

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:02 am

Indeed, but being spied is not much of a hassle in EL as you only see the green dot and don't know what he is doing.

The fact is that without a tag you can only be yellow to other players. Having a tag (whatever it is, it doesnt matter) allows you to be greened or kept red.

As I said, we're friendly with other human clans and [SD] is a human aligned ones. An alliance is something that will have to be discussed but due to the little numbers we have and the little presence we can stand, it is probably unnecessary.

BA clan is not a human clan, but nonetheless we didn't have any attack report that comes from then, so it's safe to say that meanwhile we're neutral in their regards. War is not good for business you know.

I'll have Marvin confirm what I said about other guilds but I think he'll approve.

@ Accountant: I'm online only once a week and not even all of them. I understand and fully concur with your activity concerns, but as for now we don't have any requirement in that field and I think you'll be more than welcome if you decide to join.

[Modificato il 15/10/2009 da DennyMala]

Wasp89 · Post by **Wasp89** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:35 pm

Sorry for hijacking your thread for my own personal jabs at BA. I do hope things go well for you, and echo Accountant's sentiments (yeah, pretty much all of them).

Post by **Marvin** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:39 pm

No problem. I like Groucho Marx.