http://web.mit.edu/madpit/www/empire/part1/Emp.Hall.Fame-1.html This document was originally written on September 12th 1992. Try the Empire Hall of Fame (http://web.mit.edu/madpit/www/empire/) for a more recent update. Here is the post you've all been waiting for. Many months spent sifting through e-mailed nominations, as well as an extreme desire to reach the absolute zenith, the pinnacle, if you will, of sheer frenzied entertainment, has brought a decisive compilation of many of the most colorful people, chararcters, and countries in Modern Empire. From the desk of Guy Smiley, as well as the rest of the Suboceanaen Arts and War Association, it comes. The Proud, the New, the Infamous: EMPIRE HALL OF FAME ****************************************************************************** Before we list the honorees, let us delve back, for the sake of the few who may be reading this newsgroup for the first time, on what makes Empire the exciting, and powerfully addictive game that it is. Empire falls into the broad category of simulation games, and involves military, political, and economic factors. Although no goal is explicitly stated, players rapidly derive their own, ranging from the mundane desire to be the biggest, mightiest country in the game and "conquer" all others to the more refined goals of having the most efficient land use possible or the lowest ratio of military to civilians while still surviving, etc. Empire, though this is somewhat difficult for many to remember, is "just a game". To some, however, it is more than just a game. It is a way of life; an extraordinary pastime, a "thing to do". It is these people that allow Empire to develop its flavors, and make the Empire Hall of Fame possible. ******************************************************************************* Honorees for the Empire Hall of Fame fell into 3 categories: 1) Countries who in past times had received 'Subbies' have the highest priority for entering the HOF, the reason being, their performances played such an effective role in the particular game to warrant immediate recognition. 2) Countries who were nominated by other respected players in the Empire community also are able to receive entrance into the HOF. 3) Countries whose consistent successful performance demands recognition, though late, from the Suboceanaen Arts and War Committee and the Empire community at large. ***************************************************************************** EMPIRE HALL OF FAME: CATEGORY 1 - The 'Subbies' The 'Subby' is a series of awards that are usually given out at the end of an Empire game to countries whose performance, or lack of performance, demanded it. A few countries who received Subbies for their impressive performance are being offered entrance in the Empire Hall of Fame. GREATEST WEENIE OF ALL-TIME The premier 'Subby' has, in the past, been given to the country who demonstrates him/herself to be the ultimate non-Empire player. Their style of play, their method of operation, not only involves selling all the food and/or commodities in their country, not only involves using announce to ask questions like, "What does that L of my coast mean?". It also involves whining taken to the exponetial degree about anything from the lack of BTUs (forgetting that he redesignated his cap, then proceeded to start a war) to outlandish requests of the Deity (Can you please raise my tech to 400? Everyone else's tech is higher), to ridiculous accusations ("The Deity MUST be helping you, you are all his friends"), to just plain dumb things, like telling people your coordinate system, or putting your cap on the coast with no mil. We in the Empire community have a word for such a country -- WEENIE. Many countries are weenies, some because they are beginners, others because they are just born to whine excessively. Few have taken weenieness to such a height as to warrant them the Suboceanaen Weenie Award. Still fewer have gone down in history as the greatest weenies of all time. These countries are being honored at this time. The undisputed, most famous, most recognized weenie of all time goes to the country -= U.S. Madison =- This country made its first (and last) appearance in the Great Washington Empire Game of 1989, with Tom Bunch, a.k.a. Dwip, as Deity. This guy invented the concept of the WEENIE. He whined, moaned, accused, declared war, made stupid alliances, sold of all his aircover, did everything a weenie is supposed to do, and did it well. At his height, he accused the Deity of assisting all the Washington players in the game, as well as many non-Washington players. His logic behind the accusation was flawless. "If all those countries are doing so much better than me, it must be because they are getting help.", he crooned. He ended up dying at the hand of Kaerconan, crying through it all. No one has managed to come close to U.S. Madison's demonstration of weenieness, but a few countries deserve entrance into the Hall of Fame also: -= Gorgon =- Here was a country you just had to see to giggle at. Among his many exploits: declaring war on a country who happened to be shooting conquered civilians, because shooting civillians is morally abhorrent. (Yes, he was serious.) He also refused to attack unoccupied sectors, because he felt that that would be attacking the Deity, and that it would be foolish to "attack God". Fortunately for him, the country whom he declared war on was none other than Fodderland, so he didn't live much longer. He hates Fodderland to this day... an honor that Fodderland revels in. This also occurred in Washington Empire 1989. -= Bob's Domain =- With a name like that, need I say more :-) Others who gained entrance into the Hall: Hell - he was FODDERED out of Winter Harvard, but then proceeded to win the Winter Harvard Weenie Game. Tolvor - he made the most inane request of the Deity in Harvard Fall Empire, among them moving bars, etc. Greenmachine - he was such FODDER, he could in no way escape being recognized :-) Thus ends the honorees for the Greatest Weenies of all time. PERPETUAL FODDERS OF ALL TIME There are quite a few active players in the Empire community. Among them are some of the best players in the game. They are not our present concern. Instead, we now honor those countries who we see over and over again at the very bottom of the power chart. The countries who manage to get killed in every game, not necessarily because they are disliked, but simply because they are PERPETUAL FODDER. Entrance into the Hall of Fame for FODDERship goes to the following: -= Sparta =- A great guy, a good Deity, even a decent Empire player, so long as he doesn't name his country Sparta. For, if he does, it's FODDER. The number of games he spent near or at the bottom of the chart fails to come to mind, but he and his fellow Washington players will agree; if the country is named Sparta, look towards the bottom of the chart to find him. -= Batak =- Almost unexplainable, the reason why he is here. He plays often, and he knows the game; he even starts out his games in relatively good position, with decent strength. Then suddenly, almost instantaneously, he's dead. No explanation, other than his apparent inability to set up proper defenses. -= Macross =- The most famous of perpetual FODDERs, if you see him listed as one of the countries in a game you're in, you are bound to smile and whisper a prayer to the god of country placement to get your country placed within Jet Transport range of his. He is well known as the most fun country to kill in Empire. Countries like Dorsai and Revelstone have had incredibly wonderful experiences killing him -- I believe, the reason being that he goes to great lengths to stay alive, and, despite his efforts, he dies anyway. No matter what he does to stay alive, one mistake causes his death. -= Switzerland =- One of the few countries in Empire to be FODDERED twice in one game. He, like Macross, goes to great lengths to stay alive, but one mistake, namely allowing others to get his map, renders his efforts moot. Nice guy, though. Other countries gaining entrance into the HOF for FODDERship: Numenor UUCP (A lot of people nominated him :-D _) Narnia ("What, is he *still* alive!!!?") The_Shadows (A name synonomous with FODDER) Dismal_Land (Remember him?... Of course, you've probably killed him.) RECENT ADDITIONS: Baldric WickedBoss And so ends the induction of Perpetual FODDER into the Empire Hall of Fame. BIGGEST MOUTHS -- littlest guns IN EMPIRE HISTORY Some of the best players in Empire manage to survive as a result of a great deal of hype. Everyone's heard of XYZ, so you'd better not mess with him, unless you want to be turned into Swiss cheese. Well, every once in a while, we run into a country, and we find that all he consists of is hype, and that once that is cut through, we come to the core of their being: They're FODDER. The following are the greatest of the airbags: -= Sinergy =- This is definitely a country that will not be forgotten for a long time. Sinergy was a product of Fall Harvard 1990. It was supposed to be a collection of 6-8 of the best players in the game, all working together for the good of all. How did the rest of us know that they were supposed to be the best? You guessed it; they told us. In the end, dissension caused a few players to quit, a single country running around playing peek-a-boo nuke made two others give up, and the country that said from Day One that they were gonna win spent its final days as a mere announcement booth for a crazy elf. Such is life, when your gun is small. Others include: Shwitz: Washington '89 Taygeta: Winter Harvard '90 -- of "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already" fame. Lersing: Because he belongs in the Hall of Fame, one way or another. Thus ends the induction of the Biggest Mouth Little Gun Countries of ALL Time. ******************************************************************************* GREATEST ANNOUNCERS OF ALL TIME This is one of the most coveted awards, the reason being that you have to be better than me to get it :-D. But seriously, the following countries are best known for their ability, through all the war, conflict, plague, and mishaps, to keep a smile on their face, and put a smile on yours. I will just list them and their announcements, and let them speak for themselves. -= Mirkwood =- > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) dated Sat Feb 10 16:35:39 1990 In an action of unparalleled insanity, the Elven-King today ordered the continent of Fleer to withdraw from Elven territorial waters immediately. After waiting the customary forty-two seconds and seeing that the continent had defied the High King's decree, naval action was of course ordered. The continent, of very solid construction, withstood multiple torpedoings and bombings. Reportedly, Marines are having better success at boarding. Marine officers expect to scuttle the continent later tonight. -= Gnur =- (As Fleer in this case) > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:37:50 1990 Oh, *come on*, Mirkwood. You can't scuttle an island. Unless you get help from our handy, dandy Deity, that is. Well, folks, I guess I'm going to be nation number something or other to take on water in this game. Anyhow, for your reading pleasure, I'm going to make a list of the stupid parting comments that I'm not going to make for all of your pleasures . . . Fleer may be wimpy, but we are dignified. And we aren't lame whiners like some other nations . . . Y'all have fun, ya hear? > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:40:31 1990 Lame parting comment #1: Oh, I suppose you feel really good about taking out a thirty-sector island, eh, Mirkwood? Boy, I bet it really taxed your 410 sectors. And you didn't even finish the job. Sheesh. What a complete and utter loser. The reason we Fleerites wouldn't make a lame statement like this is that we are playing Empire, not tiddlywinks, here. Nations exist to be taken over. The strong survive, and the small and weak die. That's to be expected. If you don't like it, play rogue. > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:45:05 1990 Lame parting comment #2: I'm warning all of you! Mirkwood is *not* to be trusted. He's a backstabbing scum, so don't let your women or children anywhere near him. He'll take the smallest thing away from you for no reason. If you're allied with him, he's probably overflying your territory as we speak. Stay away from him. Once again, this is Empire. The best alliances are ones designed to take down your opponent. Allying with people close to you is dangerous. It's stupid to trust blindly. > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:50:56 1990 Lame parting comment #3: You scum! If I ever see you in another game, I'm going to waste you instantly, with no regard for anything else. You *sshole! I am going to destroy you! I'll kill you without mercy! It's just a game. Losing out like this teaches you to be more careful, but chasing someone down from game to game is silly. Take each one separately, and you can do a lot better. > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:53:44 1990 Lame parting comment #4: You cheated! The Deity must have helped you out! All the people who are winning are friends of the Deity! Have you noticed that? The Deity must have given you things! This is my favorite of all. Copyright 1989, US of Madison, Washington Empire Game. > Announcement from Fleer, (#49) dated Sat Feb 10 17:57:18 1990 Lame parting comment #(Are we up to 6?): Well, I would have totally whipped your butt, but I didn't have enough time to play this game . . . If I'd spent as much time as you, you'd be dust under my troops' boots. If you don't have time to do it right, accept what you get. Don't whine about it. [Mirkwood, later comments on the previous series...] The Elven-King, royal purple bunny-slippered feet propped up on a dwarf, peruses the morning announcements. A tear trickles down his cheek as Suboceana's storytelling brings back memories of his younger, naive days. The King cringes self-consciously at his memories of tiny Fleer, a small and heroic country, buried under waves of pillaging Elven paratroops. "Never again!" swears the shamed King. "Never again will I let a country hang on long enough to send all those damned announcements..." -= Mithrillien =- > Announcement from Mithrilien, (#28) dated Mon Oct 22 22:41:38 1990 Another minister has died... this time due to Captain_Cluck gas warfare... (he's at the sparcstation next to me) Rumour has it that right before he er...well...er.. let loose... that he said... "It's all in the batter" > Announcement from Mithrilien, (#62) dated Fri Jan 26 19:30:11 1990 "Dada, what's the funny looking cloud on the horizon" "It's a bad weather front...shut up kid... > Announcement from Mithrilien, (#62) dated Fri Jan 26 19:34:10 1990 "Dada, what's the funny looking creature crawling up the beach?" "Hey, that looks like your kid brother that your Mom never...hmm...nevermind..." "Dada, why is it glowing?" "Same reason you glow..." > Announcement from Mithrilien, (#62) dated Fri Jan 26 19:52:02 1990 Ha! Come and try to take me out! O O | \_ _/ U -= Suboceana =- > Announcement from Suboceana, (#86) dated Tue Oct 9 21:29:03 1990 Oh my God, there's no market. > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Tue Feb 27 04:11:06 1990 Another military action, another mission for Sgt. Earl Pickett Jr. A damn escort pilot...a damn good one. Looked down upon by all other SAF pilots, the escort pilot is the butt of all Air Force jokes. Yet they are the most macho men in the SAF, first ones in.... first ones fired upon....With little or no ability to retalliate. But does he blink in the face of danger?.....No. Does he sadden, knowing he is gonna get hit, just so the enemy can't intercept later on, so the big honcho f/b pilots can go in > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Tue Feb 27 04:12:08 1990 and bomb airfields and get all the credit? NO. He is a macho...macho man. Striving to keep ourselves clean cut and suave........... Gen Kilsat Owslafa Suboceana. > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Tue Feb 27 04:16:06 1990 Mr. X, secret Owslafa pilot. He wakes up at midnight, dons his flight gear, and heads out to the airfield....On the runway sits a plane. Not an ordinary plane, this plane has curves and bends in strange places. The result: a plane that is troublesome to pick up on radar. It is the secret X-wing stealth bomber...... Made in the secret country of Redline.....These bombers and fighters are scattered in very few places on the globe. Mr. X's own stands here.... He smiles....it's gonna be a fun night. > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Tue Feb 27 04:20:16 1990 Official document Suuboceana Owsalfa file #45699 Please disregard any references made by any Suboceanaen story-teller about stealth-aircraft, and stealth technology in general. The counrty of Redline never made any, we never bought any, and as far as we are concerned, there is *no* such thing as stealth aircraft in any form.... The previous story was just that....a story, a mere fabrication with absolutely *no* basis in fact. Thank you for your cooperation. Owslafa...... Suboceana. > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Tue Feb 27 16:40:09 1990 His real name is Bill Harris, but they all call him John Wayne. That's because he holds the trigger to one of the biggest guns on Suboceana. He sits at a console board, with the trigger attached to his uniform. It is actually a key. The gun: I...C...B...M This is the most macho gun in the world. It doesn't go bang. It doesn't go boom. It doesn't even go BABOOM!!!!!! It goes: K.....A....B.....O....O....M....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill smiles to himself. Nobody argues with an ICBM. Here are some of the best from my collection. Honorable mentions to the HOF. > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) dated Wed Feb 28 20:05:02 1990 The regal Elven-King, finely attired in his elegant afternoon electric purple tea-robe, looks askance at his strange diplomatic visitor. The Saint taps his foot in an impatient but subtly hip rhythm. "Your allotted time has elapsed," he says. "We must now discuss surrender terms." The Elven-King cocks his head and considers this. He whispers a sharp question to an aide. The aide shakes his head. "I'm afraid," the King says, "that we lack the proper facilities to accomodate your surrender." > Announcement from Suboceana, (#27) dated Wed Feb 28 20:17:48 1990 Things are getting tense in the fair Elven court..... The Saint, looking behind him, spots an orc hopping on his brand new Honda scooter and driving off. No escape.... Goblins of various shapes and sizes, all with some form of gingivitis, trickle into the room, drawn by the smell of live human flesh. But is our hero, The Saint, worried? NO!!!!!!!! The Elven King stretched and yawned, "Have some lembas", he offered. > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) The Elven spyplane streaks across the smoky Redline sky. The Insecurity Service pilot points out features on the ground below to his passenger, the Elven-King. Burning parks. Shattered schools. Hospitals lying in broken rubble. "So these are the results of our weapons of mass destruction?" inquires the curious King. "Yes sir," the pilot nods. "Hmmmm..." his Majesty says, "...let's make more!" > Announcement from Sardaukar, (#85) dated Thu Oct 18 08:29:57 1990 Money for nuthin', and your tech for free! I want my, I want my, I want my tech for free! I want my, I want my, I want my tech for free! Money for nuthin', and your tech for free! 3.4 and rising! > Announcement from Sinergy, (#76) dated Thu Oct 18 23:51:17 1990 (Palace Jacuzzi, Mirkwood) The Elven-King took a brief break from his evening margarita-swilling to address questions from worried media officials tonight. Rumours of Sinergy's demise have been greatly exaggerated, the King asserted. The Elven-King refused to comment on rumours that a major military coup had occurred in the Sinergian ruling cabal, but the more observant press people took note of the rather lethal-looking Uzi hidden in the Elven-King's Bermuda shorts. > Announcement from Mithrilien, (#28) dated Thu Oct 18 23:52:45 1990 Anyone care to speculate as to why there was enough room in his Bermuda shorts to HIDE an Uzi? > Announcement from Suboceana, (#86) dated Fri Nov 16 03:07:44 1990 Fri Nov 16 03:04 Twelve times Suboceana spy captured and shot by Omega. "hey bud....who are you?!?!?" "Who am I? I am a Suboceanaen spy." [He whips out a pen and a pad.] "Could you spare me some trouble, and tell me how many mil, guns, shells, and other commodities you have in the sector?" BANG!! "I don't think so; Homey don't play dat." > Announcement from Suboceana, (#86) dated Fri Nov 16 03:03:16 1990 Microbia - the pest... And Evil has invested in the biggest can of OFF the world ever did see..... Maybe you should switch to BLACK FLAG. :-) Here are two of the best closers: > Announcement from EVIL EMPIRE, (#3) dated Tue Mar 6 20:47:18 1990 (TheEvilAirfield) TheEvilOne in his black flight suit and mirror sunglasses, looking most macho and quite smartly dressed, climbs into his waiting plane... The black stealth fighter #666 with a new feature recently installed.. it is Warp Drive... TheEvilOne climbs in...fires up the powerful jet engines... and lifts off... then seconds later ...engages the Warp Drive...and.... *K A B O O O O O O O M ! ! ! He's gone.... > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) dated Thu Mar 8 23:45:40 1990 Many years in the future... In a place that had once been subtropical Mirkwood... The landscape is bleak. High winds send snow whistling across the frozen arctic tundra. There are no trees, no life at all save for a lone Ice-Gnoll. The young gnoll pauses for rest in knee-deep snow, pulling the fur cloak tightly about him. He thinks about his trek and what it means. This rite of passage into adulthood that every male must pass or perish. But it is even more than life or death -- it proves that you are indeed macho. The gnoll peers through the near-blinding blizzard, hoping against hope to find shelter here in the Forbidden Land. On a nearby hillside he sees what appears to be a cave. The gods are truly smiling. He trudges through the snow up the boulder-strewn mountain and does not stop until he is standing at the mouth of a tunnel. The entrance is nearly blocked by an old rockslide, but he squeezes in. He shakes the snow from his green hair, and digs in his pack. He hastily assembles a torch and lights the oily rag. The fluttering illumination shows smooth walls and a passage leading into the mountain. Fear of the unknown freezes him for but a moment. This is his quest, surely. His true macho-ness will be revealed to him. He strides purposely down the tunnel. It takes him down, down into the very guts of the mountain. He feels he is being eaten. Along the way, he finds many remnants of former inhabitants. Some humanoid, some not. There are no turnoffs, no bends. This worries him. Without warning, he notices a change. There are strange lights up ahead; red, green. He proceeds cautiously. The tunnel opens into an enourmous chamber. A perfect dome. Filling this chamber is an unspeakable array of boxes, glowing with a thousand lights. Some purr. Much like a dragon might purr. But the gnoll is not worried, because of what he sees on the wall. Hanging there is a 20 foot tall portrait of his god! It is the King. The Elven King. The King is resplendant in his satin, mauve breakfast robe and purple bunny-slippers. The gnoll drops to his knees in awe. This is truly the holiest of holy places. He prays. He gives thanks. But how will he prove to the village elders that he has found such a place? They will not dare enter the Forbidden Land again. Then he sees it. On a crushed-velvet pillow lies the Holy Purple Bunny Slippers. With great reverance, he picks up the Slippers. He is careful to wear gloves, so as not to defile them. He chants to the King, as he packs them away. His quest is fulfilled. The gnoll picks his way between the glowing boxes of wonder, as he heads toward the tunnel leading to his village, his home. In a coincidence of perhaps cosmic import, the gnoll trips on some debris. He catches himself on one of the consoles, and continues. He does not notice the screen on the wall behind him light up. He does not notice the angry red light that flashes, that his carelessness set off. Nor does he see the blue lines being drawn over the image on the wall. These lines create a perfect arc. They grow longer and finally converge in one corner in a flash of red. The words drawn next to this flash, in a language long forgotten: FODDERLAND > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) dated Thu Mar 8 12:13:52 1990 (smoking ruins of the Palace of the Elven-King): The Elven-King stares blankly at the swirls of paper in his War Room. Coffee-stained maps. Empty beer bottles. Well-chewed pencils. His goblin-wife's little dog, a chihuahua named Spike, nips at his feet and yips. He kicks at the dog half-heartedly. The dog flees into a corner and piddles on a map of Cannae. The King sighs, and stands up. He dons his black leather jacket. He puts on his aviator shades. He jams a sawed-off shotgun in a pocket. (At an abandoned 7-Eleven near the Palace): The Elven-King slides his Harley to a stop, kicking gravel through the broken windows of the convenience store. Several small mutant creatures, startled, leap off the windowpane and skittle away. He picks up the pay phone. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: DIAL 911, he reads. He does this. He snaps a few terse commands into the phone. He steps gingerly into the store, and picks out a six-pack of warm Mickey's Big Mouths. Back outside, he sits on his Harley and opens a Mickey's. He slugs it down and opens another. He looks off into the distance. There, atop a blasted hill, amidst the swirling fogs of an unnatural early winter, the mighty Palace stands. He can barely make out the repair crews scaling its sides. He thinks he hears a faint yipping. As he watches, a single nuclear warhead streaks out of the sky and impacts in the Palace courtyard. The Palace vanishes in a flash of light and flame. > Announcement from Mirkwood, (#10) dated Thu Mar 8 12:28:15 1990 "Never did like that damned dog," the Elven-King thinks. He revs the Harley, and takes off, heading south on the pocked Mirkwood Transcontinental Freeway. He does not look back. WORST ANNOUNCER OF ALL TIME -= Tahuantinsuyo =- Believe me, this guy is bad. It starts with the name. But the problem is that it doesn't stop there. This guy is so bad that he is now famous. This is his best announcement. [Commenting on Sinergy, who's playing it, etc.] > Announcement from Tahuantinsuyo, (#43) dated Tue Oct 9 21:47:27 1990 Even Donald Duck is playing Sinergy. (Besides, Hussein is too bright to trust Lersing.) ****************************************************************************** ALL TIME 'RUDEDOG' The "Rudedog" is an award given to the country who make the most impressive move on the power chart. It is an honor that has only been bestowed twice. Both these countries are now a part of the Hall of Fame. -= JustUs =- Fall Harvard 1990: JustUs came on the scene when general world tech levels were around 30-40, replacing the FODDERous country of Mandolin. He started in the lowest 10 in the game, and, through intense work, valuable alliances, and good FODDER around, proceeded to move up to number one, stealing the coveted Rudedog from none other than Suboceana (who was having a little trouble with a country named Omega). He quickly dissolved before any nuking was done, but, since no one claimed a decisive win in that game, he is the obvious choice for the award. -= Rudedog =- Played by Brett Reid, alias "Mr. Ed of Resvon", this country did the remarkable job that the name was acquired from. Rudedog broke sanctuary three days late, on a continent surrounded by three countries, then proceeded to, in the course of the game, take over the entire land mass, defeating his three neighbors. He did not climb to #1, as JustUs did, but the fact that he was alive was impressive nonetheless. This was Winter Harvard '90, by the way. ************************************************************************** Greatest Games in Empire History There are quite of few games of Empire every year, some good, others bad. It is the greatest of the games that will be honored here. Fall Harvard '89: Winners were JustUs with help of Evil_Empire, with an apparent nuke-down of the terrifying Afrika Korps, a major tech producer and enemy. This game (one I was not in, sadly) has been known as one of the greatest in Empire history, and was the first of a line of Harvard Empire Games. Washington Empire '89: Winners were Zenith and allies, though the win is still actively contested by the Ultima/Fodderland alliance. Zenith, tech-producer, was apparently leading the world in tech, only to be surpassed in tech by Ultima, who demonstrated his superiority with a nuclear capability that Zenith had not yet acquired. Zenith was nuked into near oblivion by Pucela, who received the nukes from Ultima, built with Moria(DAK) funds. Fodderland, through conquests of his own, then proceeded to climb to #1, but then all 3 suddenly dissolved. It was just around Christmas break, but many players felt that the game wasn't complete yet, so it would go on. Also featured in this game were Atlantis, Dorsai, Gnur, Kaerconan, and U.S. Madison. Winter Harvard '90: Deitied by Zenith, this was the second of the Harvard Empire Games, and a truly memorable one. It was in this game that the Elves of Mirkwood were introduced. The game was won by Fodderland, Suboceana, and Redline, under heavy protest from Cannae, Taygeta, and Mirkwood. Cannae was repeatedly nuked by Fodderland, Taygeta was pulped by nukes from Fodderland, and Mirkwood did the nuclear tango with Redline. On another note, this game involved one of the longest land wars between arch-enemies Evil_Empire and Cannae, played by Tom Tedrick. Also, the Harvard Nuke-off Jamboree was rendered in true game-like fashion by Suboceana. Others that deserve special note: OU Empire: This game features start islands, and, with Deity Eric Hendrickson, the OU Empire game has a flavor of its own. Kent State: The game innovator, Kent has been the location for many of the new patches, including bmap, abms, sail, and other stuff like special orbits for satellites, and fallout. Deitied by Jeff Bailey. Fall Harvard '90: This game was wracked with bugs, but involved Sinergy, one of the most talked-about countries in Empire history. Alderon: One of the most controversial games was played here; it involved the largest world ever played, and a country violation. People were just looking for the exits on that one. And so ends Part 1 of the Suboceanaen Empire Hall of Fame Guy Smiley -Chm. The Suboceanaen Arts and War Academy's EMPIRE HALL OF FAME Part 2. The Countries of the Round Table The following countries have Golden Seats at the Round Table of Fame and Glory for superior play and sportsmanship in the game of Empire. Afrika Korps Atlantis Barbary_Coast Dekkannar Dorsai Dreamlands Evil_Empire Fodderland Himmel JustUs Kaerconan Lersing Mirkwood Mithrillien Pern Redline Resvon Revelstone Suboceana Zenith -= Afrika Korps =- Run by Tom Tedrick, arguably the best leader to ever play the game, and one of the longest running active countries/players. The honor of being the first name that new players come across goes to him, and, when new players enter games in which he plays, he has been known to lend an occasional hand. Tedrick is still playing the game, and still contributing to furthering the playability of the game. -= Atlantis =- Probably one of the most thorough performers in the game, Atlantis has many times held massive leads over opponents, and is known to be one of the power chart performers. A seasoned veteran, Atlantis, led by Zam MohdAassif, can be seen battling the old and the young, with the same zeal and high level of addiction that he had when he started. Grades? What the hell are grades??? -= Dekkannar =- This is the first known country name by the author. The country was run by Jim Griffith, who is probably the only player in the hall of fame to consistently change his country name from game to game. Also known as Taygeta, Elysia, and other names, Jim is no longer active, but was a strong player in addition to assisting with game coding. Jim is now content with occasional comments on Dave Pare's programming concepts. -= Dorsai =- At the height of his career, Matt Deluca's Dorsai was one of the most feared countries in the game. To summarize: Countries next to Dorsai died, and died hard. Not only a fierce war-machine, Dorsai had been known to be a very entertaining country to play with. Teaming with his friend and frequent ally, Revelstone, Dorsai has had the pleasure of overunning some the biggest and best of the FODDER, Macross being one whose three-deep row of forts was of little help. Dorsai is still active, but watch out: Matt's been using different country names, so if you're in a game and wake up and find yourself dead, who knows, it could've been Dorsai. -= Dreamlands =- Run by Keith Graham, Dreamlands is one of the most solidly run countries to play the game. Countries having the misfortune of underestimating Dreamlands capabilities were soundly taught a lesson, for use if they ever played again. Recently, Keith has taken part in rewriting the plane code, in an attempt to increase playability. -= Evil_Empire =- Undeniably among the strongest countries in the Empire community, Evil_Empire is most noted for his extensive and proper use of jet f/b #666. With it, he is known to strike terror on the high seas. It is usually best to kill him before he transforms it into stealth bomber #666. Most have been unsuccessful in that respect. Sporting an *evil-grin*, and a fearless and fun look at the game, Evil_Empire is a country that is good to be allied with, and tough to be enemies with. He is especially known for his survival of one of the most massive attacks in Empire history, Harvard Winter '89. In this game, Cannae, being played by Tom Tedrick, vowed Evil's destruction and proceed to attack. Wave after wave, sortie after sortie, Cannae lost in the area of 600 aircraft during the duration of the game. A ruthless and treacherous attack it was, indeed, but Evil did not die. He starved, ah did he starve, but death was not in the plan for this man. He fought when he could, moved when he had to, and in the end, when the dust cleared (nuclear dust from a Fodderous 3mt that is), he was still standing. On went his slightly scratched mirror sunglasses, up into stealth bomber #666, and off into the sunset. A battle-scarred veteran, Evil, also known as Dave Nye, now is moderator of the empire-list and also has installed tools at bbn.com. -= Fodderland =- Definitely the most caustic player in the game, Brian Stromblad, aka -fodder, aka The Man in the Mansion, the creator of the word FODDER, and mastermind of the patented power lawn mower attack, Fodderland was a country that some people liked, many didn't like, and most feared. One thing is strikingly true, whenever you looked for the country Fodderland, you looked to the top of the power chart. Probably holding the record for most bars in a game, with over 15,000 in one particular game, Fodderland, an intense player from start to finish, has been often heard to say "You're FODDER, you're dead." A staunch member of the now rustic Violators block, Fodderland has disappeared into the land of the Round Table. But the man's effect on the game will live on for years to come. -= JustUs =- Ken Hughes' JustUs is one of the most legendary countries to play the game. It is not very often that we see JustUs in a game, but JustUs was in some of the most classic games in Empire history. A solid tech producer and capable strategist, JustUs has been known to start at the bottom of the power chart, and finish at the top. Will we ever see JustUs again? Maybe not, but those who seek to know Empire lore would know nothing if they were unfamiliar with country JustUs. -= Kaerconan =- Playing at a time when Washington players were many, and days were old, and world maps were big, Kaerconan made himself known in the annals of history as one of the biggest war-mongers. If there was FODDER to be had, Kaerconan had them, for the sake of the fight, and, since the countries he attacked were FODDER, victory was always a matter of time. His best known kill: U.S. of Madison, the greatest weanie of all time, according to Suboceanaean legend. Jeff Wasierski's Kaerconan made its last big appearance in the Empire Tourney, and, though his performance was less than legendary, we still like him anyway. -= Lersing =- Led by Rob Watkins, a.k.a. Creight Lersing, Lersing is a country that has had an significant impact on the way people play Empire today. Best known for his ability to talk his way into or out of anything, as well as for solid tech production, Lersing is an eccentric that is either liked, disliked, or tolerated. With Lersing's presence at the Round Table, things will never be dull. Lersing is now a host of many Empire games, run for the old and for the new. -= Mirkwood =- The originator of the story-like announcement style, Mirkwood is one of the original two-player countries. Played dually by Sean Eddy and Tom Jones, Mirkwood is best known for the impact of the character "The Elven King", one of the best known leaders in Empire history and definitely one of the most interesting. Always searching for ways to relieve periods of boredom, it is usually not worth attempting to predict what the Elven King will do next. One thing is sure though, whatever it is, someone will usually be on the dying end, for often no better reason than a good laugh. -= Mithrillien =- Mithrillien is known as one of the most amusing countries to play the game. Being able to fight is a definite added plus. Inventor of the high-powered slingshot, it is usually cool to hear Mithrillien gloat over his latest victim. His best remembered: a song called "Fodder fodder baby, Batak Batak" by Mithrillien Ice [sung to the words of Ice Ice Baby, of course]. Look for Mithrillien in games to be sporting a coke and a smile, but don't look too hard, you might see him coming. Geoff Cashman is also the author of the Guide to Empire, a document that is keeping the FODDER alive a little longer. A little. -= Pern =- Greg German's Pern has been known as one of the most solid allies in the game. He is honored for his ability to have a positive effect in almost every alliance he has ever been in. Often allying with Afrika Korps and Resvon, Pern has won a few, and continues to play solidly. -= Redline =- "If it says 'Made in Redline' -> it's too late" became a consistent chant in many of the more recent games. Fear of Redline is on the rise, and enemies are falling like leaves in fall. A member of the once vaunted, now rustic Violators power block, Redline has had many a sweet victory. Due to the retiring of many of the Violators, Redline now stands alone as the last of his kind. The aging Ken Bukauski still is a beacon of the glory of the former days. -= Resvon =- Brett Reid, a.k.a Mr. Ed, is one of the few players to have a "Subby" named for him. He was the first recipient of the "Rudedog Award" back in 1990, Harvard. Resvon has been around for a long time. Most enjoyable activity being munching on other peoples countries, despite attempts to defend it. Resvon's most recent excursion was a challenge to Revelstone, loser ending up playing Moria. Resvon is now a retired King Dwarf. -= Revelstone =- Danny McGurl's Revelstone is also one of the most respected countries in the game, always was, and still is. Many people playing the game now, who are doing well, are doing so by mimicking the playing style and tactics of Revelstone. Frequently an ally of Dorsai, Revelstone ranks with most others at the Round Table as one of the winningest countries in the game's history. Danny still plays, but rarely uses Revelstone again, except when some FODDER mistakeningly takes the name, at which time he names himself Revelrock and proceeds to kill that person. -= Suboceana =- Easily known as one of the most humorous countries in the game's history, Suboceana's multi-charactered country has often been in demand from Deities to entertain during the slow times of the game. Featuring the ever-hip Saint, ever-wise Monk, military wizard Gen. Kilsat, and of course the most famous uncompensated worker turned citizen and spokesman, Frank B., Suboceana's probably best known for being the host for the patented Violators "Great Nuke-Off Jamboree", featuring Guy Smiley. Suboceana has been officially retired, and The Saint has contented himself with occasional comments and sometimes cameo appearances in guest countries. But one never knows, does one? RECENT ADDITION -= Barbary Coast =- With a pirate accent, Barbary Coast is the epitome of solid individual play. He is best known to rise to the top of the chart in OU games on his own and withstand multiple attacks from multiple countries for extended periods of time. Recently known as Stalag 13, Owen Reynolds managed to give away many tactics of play over the open Net. We're still trying to forgive him. Thus ends the lore of the EMPIRE HALL OF FAME. Guy Smiley SAWA Suboceana