RealDB's blog

After The Games

RealDB — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 05:21:23 +0000

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Greetings Commanders!

The Dangerous Games have finished. EG pilots showed strong throughout the campaign from the Wildcard Games all the way through the Dangerous Games. Our congratulations go out to them for a well played event.

While we did not succeed, we rallied together to make a good showing. We stood strong and helped put Victoria and the Alliance more into the forefront. Our work in our home space and elsewhere will help continue to make the Alliance stand out. Not only that, but we will continue to have opportunities to put Victoria into the news through our actions.

As we look forward to new goals and achievements, our thanks go out to any and all who helped support our bid for Victoria Wolf to become the next Power. Who knows, the Alliance may be the first Superpower to be represented on ships through our decal!

As always, fly safe, for the Alliance!

On The Rise

RealDB — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 05:08:56 +0000

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Exciting times Commanders! I am thrilled to give you this missive from the office of Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantess of Wolf 406 Transport & Co!

"My friends, today I am pleased and ecstatic to share with you this news. Reports show that a new contender for galactic favor is about to enter the stage. We don't know who it will be yet, but several possibilities exist. The esteemed Dukes of Mikunn, the leader of the Social Eleu Progressive Party and others have already been named. What is most exciting is that I have also been added to this list!

To anyone who might suggest this will be used to usurp control of any part of Alliance space, please be at ease. My intention is to bring freedom in all forms, especially economic and political to more systems. I have had discussions with Prime Minister Edmund Mahon. He will always have my unequivocal support. Where he has tread, we need not to. Our intention will be to, if victorious, use this new platform to help systems further out of reach. The last thing we need is squabbles over which shade of green we are!

Nothing has been decided for certain as to who will add his or her name to the galactic standings. The coming weeks and months will be a time that I ask that we continue our strong efforts to spread economic success throughout space. This will help strengthen our beloved Transport & Co and provide the economic backbone to stand taller than ever before. Soon, the powers that are behind the galactic standings will announce the criteria for which leader will be added. On June 30, 3302, I ask that anyone willing and able to help support tune their preferred information feed to a trusted channel to get the best start we can. Rest assured, our diplomats are watching things closely. Strategies and contingencies are already being devised, discussed, and if necessary, disected. When the time comes we shall be prepared.

To those of us who believe this "contest" to be more distraction, I ask that you still support Wolf 406 Transport & Co then as you always have. Continue to carefully (and forcefully too when necessary) negotiate our entrance into more systems. It is this that has shown the galactic community our strength. It remains a focus and your efforts are still needed, and for those efforts, I thank you.

Until then, thank you again for all your support in making Wolf 406 Transport & Co the beacon of Alliance values and prosperity it continues to be. For the Alliance!"

- Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantess of Wolf 406 Transport & Co

Introducing Commodore Helena Stone

RealDB — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 04:54:42 +0000

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Greetings again Commanders!

I am proud to introduce to you Commodore Helena Stone! The daughter of an electrical maintenance technician and payroll supervisor in Alioth, Commodore Stone joined the Alioth navy as early as she could. During her tenure she rose through the ranks, but never lost her sense of humor. In fact she conducts herself with an unusual lack of decorum. Sometimes referred to as "Commodore Sweatpants" (before being quickly corrected that "Cargopants" is more appropriate), she is frequently amused by the romantic advances of fresh officers. Usually, such shades of red are reserved for Federation installations.

Despite her lack of formality, she is an accomplished strategist and loves "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. She doesn't believe that the Alliance should seclude itself from the rest of the galaxy however. To her, the Thargoids present an unknown and unpredictable opponent and the Alliance should be prepared by forming diplomatic relations within and without the Alliance. Due to her penchant for diplomatic relations (even aggressive relations when necessary), she was drawn to the Alliance Elite Diplomatic Corps where she currently enjoys a seat on the Board of Directors alongside others like Victoria Wolf VI.

In 3301, the First Merchantess and Commodore coordinated Operation Augeas. This strove to rid the system of BD-22 3573 of criminal elements lead by a character who named himself "King Justice II" who had started placing bounties on AEDC members. The operation was a resounding success even though the criminals at first were quite good at hiding, AEDC pilots efficiently flushed out and eliminated the threats.

Since then, Commodore Helena Stone has worked with AEDC members to continue expanding Alliance influence throughout civlized space.

Introducing Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantess of Wolf 406 Transport & Co

RealDB — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 04:19:39 +0000

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At long last, though her name has been mentioned curtly in snippets of unofficial communications, our Lady of the Alliance has been at work helping to bring prosperity and freedom to as many systems as possible. I am proud to finally present, Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantess of Wolf 406 Transport & Co.

There has always been a Victoria at the helm of Wolf Transport & Co. Polite and supporting to her family and employees. The family traces it's fortune back to the days of Victoria Wolf I., when Wolf 406 was a small refinery system in the middle of nowhere. Over generations the consequent accumulation and investment of their wealth has made Wolf 406 Transport & Co the leading corporation in the sector. The switch from refining to High Tech products has paid off in the last two generations, and Wolf 406 Transport & Co is now ready to expand beyond the borders of it's home system. Listed on the Alioth stock exchange and member of the Alioth 1000 Index, the company has been a solid investment for generations.

The Victorias have aged for six generations, taken the company to ever increasing wealth, and died. For 5 generations, a successor appeared out of nowhere and claimed the title of First Merchantess, as stated in the testament of the late First Merchantess, and vindicated by a DNA test, desired as a foolproof way of identification.

"There has always been a Victoria", say the Wolfs, "and with Victoria we continue to prosper."

Increasing Rarities

RealDB — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 04:34:30 +0000

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To continue with silly ideas for rare goods, here are the next two!

The Equality Shake

The Alliance is proud to offer membership to all forms of government. Here people truly are free to determine for themselves what works best. We are able to boast the largest variety of government types within our space than any other major superpower. In recognition of our diversity, we devised the Equality Shake. A delicious blend of every kind of consumable alcohol available, all in equal quantities of course!

Next time you find yourself in an Alliance hole-in-the-bulkhead dive bar, be sure to ask for the Equality Shake. You won't remember what you thought of it!

The Bongacle

Much has been said, written, and blown up about and around the so-called "barnacles" found in Merope and the Pleiades Nebula. Commanders from all parts of civilized space have traveled there to shoot and loot. The center barnacles though has seemed to be impervious to all kinds of laser fire. So, science demands that the Retribution Laser must be attempted.

When exposed to the enhanced heat of the Retribution Laser, the inherent water contained within the structure of course was slowly heated. During the experiment, the barcnacle seemed to emit more smoke than usual. Not content with just shooting harmful light, some pilots brought samples of the smoke on board. Whether on purpose or on accident, some pilots were exposed to the smoke. While no lastingly harmful effects have so far been measured, one exposed crew member is recorded as stating "Man, that stuff gets you witched!"

A Bit of Bubbly

RealDB — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 05:47:25 +0000

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Yesterday we held a commemorative race to mark the one-year anniversary of one of our first major operations as a group, Operation: Bubble Bath. Since actual champagne was in short supply, we did the next best thing, a race! Participants were required to first complete a one-way circuit around a settlement in a nearby system.

Those that survived and crossed the finish line were granted advantageous pole position. Those that did not survive were placed at the back. Only two racers blew themselves up in the preliminary race and they were placed at seventh and eighth positions. One racer managed to, possibly aided by onboard biowaste, become an early fireworks display quickly in the race by coming down a simple ramp a little too fast.

Next came the 3-lap endurance race (if you will) where a closed circuit of the settlement had to be navigated 3 times.

Remarkably, no one actually finished the endurance race. Though deft use of thrusters allowed some impressive gap jumping, all participants ended up exploding bits and pieces of SRVs all over the settlement grounds. The low and hollow sound of rapidly expanding combustibles surely did raise the giddiness factor. Now, one cannot have a race without victors. Thus, those that exploded last were named the winners. Our thanks go out to all the participants for making it a good show. Congratulations again to our winners! (If you want to really know who won, come join us and find out!)

One more special shout out to DavelKence for the nice images of our racers!

Be sure to come back soon for the harrowing tale of how yours truly managed to lose 16 million credits inadvertantly during this event.

As always, fly safe. For the Alliance!

Goods So Rare...

RealDB — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 06:45:06 +0000

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Our forums can be quite the hive of activity, especially regarding time-sensitive operations. However, sometimes they bring forth very interesting new concepts. Today we have a couple of new rare goods and a bit of the story behind them!

Freedom Bread

After being pledged to Prime Minister Mahon, pilots were somewhat eager to buy and test to see what his exclusive beam laser, the Retribution, could be capable of. Quickly our hopes were dashed against the rocky worlds of deep space as it was found that the weapon has no effect on shields, and only marginally increased the heat of a ship that had no shields. Wailing was had on the galactic discussion forums. Cries of neglect were heard throughout civilized space. Nevertheless, tireless scientists engaged in rigorous testing. After many months, their efforts paid off:

After applying the laster to a canister of grain for 3.1415 seconds, bread was made. Though this bread was slightly different. Those that tasted it had a new sense of vigor and desire to strike out and pursue their dreams. So strong was the effect they coined the term "Freedom Bread" for this wonderous concoction.

Purer Water(tm)

During the Diamondback construction CG, Hamilton Gateway was a strong exporter of water purifiers.

Some pilots began to wonder what made these specific ones so desirable outside of Wolf 406. It was not long before an article in the Wolf 406 Herald help shed some light on the subject.

To Further Frontiers

RealDB — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 03:30:59 +0000

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"Universal Cartographics seem to be idling firmly on the pedestal of their monopoly, providing no true incentive for commanders to engage in the discovery of what this galaxy has to offer and waiting for them to stumble upon something interesting by chance.

Our maps, as a result, have barely increased in quality over the centuries. To remedy this practice, I request all commanders of any affiliation to assist in the complete survey of the Dumbbell Sector. It has been more than one and a half millennium ever since the Dumbbell Nebula was the first to be seen by human eyes, thanks to Charles Messier; yet it still remains uncharted territory despite being at a hand's reach thanks to the marvels of modern technology."

- Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantress of Wolf 406 Transport & Co

Since April of 3301, we have had an on-going exploration operation that hasn't received a lot of outside promotion. An ambitious endeavor to be sure, this operation aims to fully scan and "tag" each astronomical body residing within the systems of the Dumbbell Sector.

Should you choose to help map out this sector, we ask you to assume some responsibilities. Whenever you scan the objects in a system, note it in the following spreadsheet. The bonus is this spreadsheet contains all of the systems within the Sector so you can use the un-colored systems as your guide. When you complete a system, please note the following color scheme and what they mean when updating the above spreadsheet:

Orange - System fully scanned but data has not been sold yet, please avoid these to prevent sniping other Commanders.

Green - System fully scanned and data sold.

Yellow - System partially scanned for valuable objects and data has been sold. One example is shown below.

Finally, if you are still in a data entry mood, please note any valuable finds in this document as well. This helps Commanders plot out systems to gain quick credits scanning valuable terraformables, water worlds, earth-likes, and other stellar phenomena. Do keep in mind though that even if it looks like a less-than-desirable ice world, they still hold some value (like delectable screenshots!):

If this sounds appealing to you please take a quick trip out to Dumbbell and help us in this unique operation!

Also, special thanks to Apos and Elementical for the story and a couple of the screenshots!

Beginnings of PowerPlay

RealDB — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 06:45:05 +0000

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Today I want to recollect on our drive and impact on the early days of PowerPlay. Being staunchly Alliance, our choice of Power to support was extremely easy. Those of us who were interested pledged to Mahon. From that point, we began to systematically target the highest profit systems. In fact our first target was Leesti. To us, this was the most logical choice as it had a large profit of Command Capital and the lore around the Old Worlds and the Alliance strongly supported further ties. Once Leesti entered the fold, each week following, our scouts gathered a list of the most profitable systems within reach and we strove to prepare and expand to them.

For the first few weeks we found systems worth 100 in Command Capital profit. This helped create the strong Command Capital economy that Mahon enjoys today. Once the initial extremely good systems were under Mahon's influence, we switched to again playing the background simulation to flip systems to government types that were weak against Mahon's strong economic will. Doing so helped reduce the workload of fortifications for the other Mahon players a great deal.

Through this entire process we formed a strong relationship with the players organized under the Mahon subreddit page. The players there have consistently shown the drive and discernment to analyze and test all aspects of PowerPlay. Thanks to their efforts, not only does Mahon thrive, but other Power players have taken note and begun adopting the practices employed by us Alliance players.

To this day our players continue to throw support into helping the galaxy know that Mahon is a strong power and his pilots are a resilient and resourceful lot.

Remember, always fly safe, for the Alliance!

The Ballad of BD-22 3573

RealDB — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 06:29:55 +0000

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Next in our series on recollections of the recent past, we have a bittersweet entry regarding a community goal that was not announced on GalNet, at least initially. It was made as a "local" community goal where the intent was to involve specific player groups more in the overall lore universe of Elite. This was ours. Vice President _Flin_ worked with Frontier to get the community goal going, and with Rockstep to provide the backstory.

At first, many of us were very excited to be able to have this kind of impact on the story of our little area of space. However, it became quickly apparent that unlike other larger scale bounty hunting goals, only bounties paid by the Justice Party of BD-22 3573 counted. This was disheartening, nevertheless we perservered. Unexpectedly, our beloved leading ladies Victoria Wolf VI, First Merchantress of Wolf 406 Transport & Co and Commodore Helena Stone of the Alliance Defense Force were mentioned in GalNet!

Now the bittersweet part. We hoped that completing this goal meant that Helena Stone, through one of the Alliance Mandate factions of another system would have forcibly expanded here. This was supposed to be one of the steps on the way to becoming a Power in PowerPlay. However that never happened. The whole community goal was a difficult ordeal, but still through both hard work in collecting the bounties and diplomatic work with Frontier, we completed it!

Such is how we work. Even when circumstances conspire against us we work together to investigate, test, and eventually overcome.

Until next time, fly safe. For the Alliance!