Vol I / Issue ix ~
CONTENTS:
- Letter from the Editor
- New Babbage Canal District Filling Fast!
- Air Kraken Attacks On Rise In New Babbage!
- Annie Londonderry Exhibit At U.R.S
- Panthers Of The
- Historical Avatars
- Prominent Men & Women Of The Day
- Literary Corner
- Comic - Married To The Sea
- New Babbage Register
- Events & Announcements
- Classified Advertisements
- New Babbage and Steampunk FAQ
- Contact, Circulation, and other Essential Information for the Reader
______________________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
We're a full week behind, but not gone forever! In the interest of preventing readers from checking and rechecking the paper boxes for new issues, we've decided to make use of the much-to-be-dreaded, lag-inducing hover text to display the issue date above each paper box. This way, readers will know whether a new issue is ready to be read. Please also consider joining The New Babbage Cog group, where the most recent issues will be delivered to you automatically!
In your service,
Mrs. Junie Ginsburg
NEW BABBAGE CANAL DISTRICT FILLING FAST!
If you are considering a place for yourself or your business in New Babbage, this is the perfect time to shop for a plot in the upcoming canal district sim. Only eight plots are remaining, and four row
houses. Please inquire with Mayor Shaunathan Sprocket if you're interested in a parcel in the new sim! Permanent waterfront properties are available, as well as some along the canal passage between void sea sims.
AIR KRAKEN ATTACKS ON THE RISE IN NEW BABBAGE!
Since my last report about the singular Air Kraken attack that happened to me at Mr. Tripsa’s Steampunk Art and Fashion Shoppe, “The Steamed Palette”, for the past two weeks, I too have unfortunately found an Air Kraken harboring on top of my Tea Shoppe! I thought this Kraken might have been the same one that has been loitering around Mr.Tripsa’s shoppe, but alas, there are two. Frightened that these Krakens could be “mates” and possibly breed, I hired some exterminators to get rid the creature, but alas, nothing that the exterminators used seemed to have banished the beast.
Since the termination failed, the Air Krakens have just casually resorted back to their loafer lifestyle, just growling and swapping their tentacles at a couple of passer bys. If anything, they have just been pesky nuisances. Or so I thought! Last evening whilst leisurely chatting to Ms. Kaylee Frye and Mr. Pizzini Mayo, out of nowhere, Air Krakens, big and small…came from out of the sky and started to attack us!
My assumption all along has been correct. These two krakens that have been frittering on top of Mr.Trispa’s and my shoppes, have indeed been breeding! Ms. Frye, Mr. Mayo and I ran away from them, trying to find a safe place from the attacks. Ms. Frye and I found refuge inside Mr. Wombat’s toy shoppe, but poor Mr.Mayo was unfortunately attacked!
A medium sized Kraken, which I believe to be an adolescent, engulfed Mr.Mayo’s head, and disabled him from fleeing. All the while, smaller krakens floated nearby. After about 30 minutes or so, the medium sized kraken disengaged it’s self from Mr.Mayo’s head, it and the pack of surrounding Kraken’s, quickly departed the area.Ms. Frye and I quickly attended to Mr.Mayo to see if he was all right. He was physically unharmed, but appeared to be mentally scared from the assailment. Mr. Mayo jibber-jabbered incoherently for a couple of minutes, finally found his tongue, and scantily mentioned something about mind control? Is it viable that the Kraken’s have a different ulterior motive, as opposed to them possibly only wanting to just digest New Babbage residents? For now, Mr.Mayo is resting, as he is experiencing post-traumatic shock from the attack. We hope to readily ask him more questions when he is able, to find out what indeed happened to him! New Babbagers and visitors, please do be careful, for the Kraken’s populace has grown. Until we find another way to rid the beasts, I suggest to all Babbagers to wear a protective lead-plated helmet.
Eggberta Echegaray
***
ANNIE
Annie Londonderry
Much to the benefit of New Babbage, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has erected a free exhibit to honor the achievement of Mrs. Annie "Londonderry" Kopchovsky, the first woman to ride a bicycle around the world. A wager against a woman riding around the world, to the tune of ten times the average annual income or more, was enough to spur Mrs. Kopchovsky into motion. The mother of three young children, she set off to accomplish what had, in 1895, previously been accomplished only by a man. Part adventurer, part myth-maker,
The exhibit runs through April 28th, 2007.
Please visit the Undershaw Restoration Society at Babbage Square 228, 118, 31
* * *
Tired of checking the newspaper box for a new issue of the Cog?
Join the New Babbage Cog group and receive new issues as soon as they come out!
* * *
PANTHERS OF THE
In the cold north of Gor lies a harsh and unfriendly world that yields to nobody, even its inhabitants- the Panthers. This barbaric tribe lives according to the ways of nature and suffers no-one to interfere with its primal ways. Matriarchal structure and brutal upbringing allows only the fittest and strongest to survive. Little is known of their habits- they seem to be ruled by autocratic Dominas, who are counseled by Shamans and Warriors of both genders. We cannot firmly state whether a Council of Elders is also present. Their leaders are often accompanied by a group of slaves of merely animal like status- they can be beaten, starved and even killed. They have no voice and can not speak to their masters.
This harsh code is brought upon them for their own good- cold, sweat and blood empower the mind and body. After they become true Warriors the skills they have learned through constant training will come most valuable. Upon my first visit to the Northern Forests I did not know anything about their inhabitants. A weak and thirsty traveler trying to make his way through the wood, I found myself in a deep ridge richly decorated with bones (both human and animal). After a few hours of walking I encountered a small plateau with a hide tent and a campfire burning. Later on I was informed this is where any trade between the Panthers and outside world takes place.
I sat upon a fallen tree and rested for a while. An eerie feeling of being followed that haunted me all the way through the ridgeturned into a sting like pain at my spine. I decided to move along and with the use of my machete I found a path to the small wooden bridge across the river furiously roaring on the nearby waterfall. I marveled for a second at this view and that was my mistake. The Panthers were watching me closely and upon crossing the bridge I was captured in a sphere like net made of some strong material I wasn’t able to identify. Being turned around like a rag doll in this cage, I dropped my trusty Pearse Rifle and was left to their mercy.
What amazed me is that in a matter of seconds I was surrounded by ten Panthers that came out of nowhere. They were silent and only their eyes seemed to move. One of them approached me and transported to the other bank advising to withdraw in a hasty manner. I was forced to leave the machete and rifle behind.
Scared but furious I vowed revenge. My next arrival was carefully planned . I had constructed a zeppelin and armed myself to the teeth with all sorts of efficient contraptions- steel plates, heavy industrial glass, enhanced sail cloth as well as a saw off and a on board web gun. "I could not be outmatched with spears and arrows this time", I thought. And thus I entered the skies of the wretched forest. What immediately caught my attention was a sphere like spying pod hovering above the trees. "Not so crude, are we?" I whispered and examined the machine. Unfortunately I was not able to break it for good. I left the spy bearing a proud mark "Babbage Was Here" and flew on.
I crossed the bloody bridge that was an ultimate border on my last visit- "It is a triumph of the Mind" I thought. The village seemed deserted therefore I could concentrate on studying its architecture. My hypothesis on the general view were correct- wooden huts covered with reed and moss constructed on thick beams- floodings might be quite often here. A pallisade that encircled the village was smeared with blood and "encrusted" with skulls - a universal sign in savages’ esperanto -- "Stay off our land!"
I marveled for a little while at the striking and uncivilized beauty of this place- somehow it brought a bit of peace to my soul. And suddenly I saw a Warrior standing and gazing at me I felt shivers. Even being 60 meters above, in a steel cage with unbreakable glass I could feel his silent anger. I realized the explorer’s passion is nothing when compared to his ancient way of life. I bowed my head and withdrew from the Panthers’ territory. This time with understanding and admiration
Sigal Rau
HISTORICAL AVATARS
Thinking about a second avatar in Second Life? Perhaps you should consider the name of a person who actually lived in the Victorian Era. Of course last names are limited by Linden Labs, but some interesting combination are possible from the current
How about:
Lord Charles Beresford was the second son of the 4th Marquess of Waterford, a rear admiral in the British Navy and a member or Parliament.
Clara Wieck Schumann was the Premier Female Musician of the 19th Century
Henry Slade was a famous American medium
Carl Friedrich Georg Spitteler was a Swiss poet of visionary imagination and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1919.
Frederick Whitfield was a Vicar and author of many hymns
Richard Woodget was the captain of Cutty Sark, the famous Clipper ship
Linden Labs also restricts common first names so a little creativity is in order. Our own Babbage resident Thomas Swindlehurst (Silver Medalist in the 1908 Olympics and Liverpool Police Officer) had to add his middle Initial "M" to his first name - ThomasM Swindlehurst. Of course, if you do take the name of a historical character you will want to portray the person with dignity and respect. For further information on historical avatars or on the Re-Creationist League of New Babbage, contact Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
***
NEW BABBAGE REGISTER
The landscape is ever-changing here in New Babbage. Since our last register, the following plots have changed hands. Please welcome our newest residents!
Parcel No. New Owner/Business:
#8 - Miss Kamilah Hauptman -
#14 - Mr. Aleister Russell - Historical Weapon Designs Factory and Laboratories
# 25 - Miss Lapin Paris - The Transformed Woman
In addition to the above, if any owners of plots wish to find a private buyer for their property, please contact Mr. Nikmi Hax.
PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DAY
Arthur Sullivan
Everybody has heard of Arthur Sullivan, whose music is as popular in this country as in
Sir ArthurConan Doyle
***
LITERARY CORNER
In this issue, The New Babbage Cog presents Chapter 8 of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Sign of The Four."
THE SIGN OF FOUR
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Chapter 8
THE
"WHAT now?"I asked. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility." "He acted according to his lights," said Holmes, lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard. "If you consider how much creosote is carted about
There has, I fear, been preconcerted management here." He was approaching the door of the house, when it opened, and a little curly-headed lad of six came running out, followed by a stoutish, red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. "You come back and be washed, Jack," she shouted. "Come back, you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that he'll let us hear of it." "Dear little chap!" said Holmes strategically. "What a rosy-cheeked young rascal! Now, Jack, is there anything you would like?" The youth pondered for a moment. "I'd like a shillin'," said he. "Nothing you would like better?" "I'd like two shillin' better," the prodigy answered after some thought. "Here you are, then! Catch!--A fine child, Mrs. Smith!" "Lor' bless you, sir, he is that, and forward. He gets a'most too much for me to manage, 'specially when my man is away days at a time." "Away, is he?" said Holmes in a disappointed voice. "I am sorry for that, for I wanted to speak to Mr. Smith." "He's been away since yesterday mornin', sir, and, truth to tell, I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him. But if it was about a boat, sir, maybe I could serve as well." "I wanted to hire his steam launch." "Why, bless you, sir, it is in the steam launch that he has gone. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. If he's been away in the barge I'd ha' thought nothin'; for many a time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend, and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. But what good is a steam launch without coals?" "He might have bought some at a wharf down the river."
"He might, sir, but it weren't his way. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don't like that wooden-legged man, wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. What did he want always knockin' about here for?" "A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes with bland surprise. "Yes, sir, a brown, monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. It was him that roused him up yesternight, and, what's more, my man knew he was comin', for he had steam up in the launch. I tell you straight, sir, I don't feel easy in my mind about it." "But, my dear Mrs. Smith," said Holmes, shrugging his shoulders, "you are frightening yourself about nothing. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sure." "His voice, sir. I knew his voice, which is kind o' thick and foggy. He tapped at the winder--about three it would be. 'Show a leg, matey,' says he: 'time to turn out guard.' My old man woke up Jim--that's my eldest--and away they went without so much as a word to me. I could hear the wooden leg clackin' on the stones." "And was this wooden-legged man alone?" "Couldn't say, I am sure, sir. I didn't hear no one else." "I am sorry, Mrs. Smith, for I wanted a steam launch, and I have heard good reports of the-- -- Let me see, what is her name?" "The Aurora, sir." "Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line, very broad in the beam?" "No, indeed. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. She's been fresh painted, black with two red streaks." "Thanks. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. Smith. I am going down the river, and if I should see anything of the
"The main thing with people of that sort," said Holmes as we sat in the sheets of the wherry, "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. If you do they will instantly shut up like an oyster. If you listen to them under protest, as it were, you are very likely to get what you want." "Our course now seems pretty clear," said I. "What would you do, then?" "I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the
"This is just the case where they might be invaluable. If they fail I have other resources, but I shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant, Wiggins, and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast." It was between eight and
The discovery was first made by Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who had called at the house with Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, brother of the deceased. By a singular piece of good fortune, Mr. Athelney Jones, the well-known member of the detective police force, happened to be at the
"What do you think of it?" "I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime." "So do I. I wouldn't answer for our safety now if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy." At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell, and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. "By heavens, Holmes," I said, half rising, "I believe that they are really after us." "No, it's not quite so bad as that. It is the unofficial force--the
"If the launch is above water they will find her," said Holmes as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. "They can go everywhere, see everything, overhear everyone. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. In the meanwhile, we can do nothing but await results. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. Mordecai Smith." "Toby could eat these scraps, I dare say. Are you going to bed, Holmes?" "No: I am not tired. I have a curious constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely. I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. If ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to be. Wooden-legged men are not so common, but the other man must, I should think, be absolutely unique." "That other man again!" "I have no wish to make a mystery of him to you, anyway. But you must have formed your own opinion. Now, do consider the data. Diminutive footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet, stone-headed wooden mace, great agility, small poisoned darts. What do you make of all this?" "A savage!" I exclaimed. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small." "Hardly that," said he. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so, but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views. Some of the inhabitants of the
I hazarded. He stretched his hand up and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. What have we here? "
"Ah, that is more than I can tell. Since, however, we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans, it is not so very wonderful that this islander should be with him. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. Look here, Watson; you look regularly done. Lie down there on the sofa and see if I can put you to sleep." He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air--his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound until I found myself in dreamland, with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me.
COMIC - MARRIED TO THE SEA
***
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE that all persons using the stockyard / sandbox area in the North-Western corner of
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
WANTED - Sculptor to create a statue of Charles Babbage for
* * *
KEROSENE LAMPS now available at I.J. Ginsburg Dept. Store. Lovely gas lamps available in tin and brass finishes, both with frosted glass chimneys into which a subtle design has been etched. Scripted on/off by touch, these lamps cast a warm, comfortable glow at
* * *
NEW BABBAGE AND STEAMPUNK FAQ
Q. What is New Babbage?
A. New Babbage is a planned group of themed sims designed to promote a steampunk aesthetic.
------------------------Q. What is
A. The first, and to date the only, of the planned New Babbage sims is
Q. What is "steampunk?"
A. Steampunk is a genre of speculative fiction, usually science fiction, that explores the question of how past eras, particularly the Victorian period, would have looked if more modern technology had existed usingonly the tools at theirdisposal. Thus the steampunk aesthetic often makes use of wood, brass, iron, and steam-powered engines to construct fantastic machines that never were.
Please see the steampunk Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk
------------------------
Q. Is New Babbage for role-players?
A. New Babbage is for anyone interested in steampunk ideas. Although many residents dress and role-play the part, all are welcome to participate in the activities here (period attire not required), and are encouraged to explore the technology made available to us in SL New Babbagers are builders, scripters, and texture artists, curious and experimental by nature, come together to invent, create, and commune.
CONTACT, CIRCULATION, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION FOR THE READER
***
Ethics Statement:
THIS IS A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER, NOT A VEHICLE FOR EXPOSE. All reporters for The New Babbage Cog are obligated to inform potential interviewees when they are gathering data for a report on our behalf, or clearly identify themselves as a TNBC journalist. This is a community paper, not a vehicle for expose; all investigative reporting must be above-the-board. Deception is against the intended spirit of community embraced by this paper and will not be tolerated. If a citizen encounters an aggressive reporter claiming to work on behalf of The New Babbage Cog, they are urged to report same to the Editor.
Contact:
Visit us:
The New Babbage Cog office is located at
-- Drop a notecard:
Notecard communications can be dropped in the postbox outside the Cog office at the address above.
-- IM:
You may contact Mrs. Junie Ginsburg or Miss Eggberta Echegaray by IM with any newspaper business.
-- Aethernet mail:
Messages sent to
Circulation:
The New Babbage Cog is circulated in three ways:
1. new issues are sent automatically to subscribers of the New
Babbage Cog group.
2. Issues are available from a paperboxes at the following locations:
-- Babbage Square telehub
-- Willow Tea Room
-- Undershaw Restoration Society
--
3. A reading copy of the current issue is always available at the newspaper office at
Back Issues:
All back issues of The New Babbage Cog will be available free of charge. They can be found in the archive on the first floor of the newspaper office.
Submissions:
Volunteer freelance and column writers are welcome to propose stories. The New Babbage Cog also welcomes news tips, reports, and story ideas from interested parties. Please see our contact information above.
Advertising:
Advertising should be germane to subjects of greatest import to residents of New Babbage. Although our sensibilities are quite modern and liberal, The New Babbage Cog reserves the right to determine an ad's fitness for inclusion based on its pertinence to steampunk, Victoriana, retrotech, industry, anachronism, and other related concepts.
Advertising is L$50 to New Babbage citizens and L$100 for out-of-towners, per listing, per issue. For both residents and non-residents, space is limited to 500 characters per listing. Each ad may include one embedded texture and one landmark. File attachments must be delivered at the time of ad reservation. Please see our contact information above to inquire.
Errata:
[There are no errors known to be in need of correction at this time. The New Babbage Cog is obliged to anyone who sends notification of a mistake, so that rectifications might be swiftly published.]
Copyright Disclaimer:
Copyright 2007 of the Common Era
The New Babbage Cog