>1) Was there tinkering done to phylacteries before my lich
>(Ithzaruul), and after some previous lich(s)? The reason I ask
>is that I ran into problems where two seemingly identical
>phylacs would do completely separate things, and there was
>really no way for me to know. I sent an email about it at the
>time, but I never heard back.

Yep. I gather that at some point during my AWOL period, a list of phylacteries circulated, and it was desired to swap them around somewhat. This was done imperfectly.

I think it's fixed now, but who knows.

>2) I may be a bit off here, so correct me where I stray, but
>is it or isn't it true that the senior staff came down really
>hard on Beroxxus after he whooped a few rager's asses for
>treating his IC persona with disrespect? I think I saw a log
>of the event on Dio's when it happened, and I remember
>cheering for B the whole time. To find out later that he got
>reamed badly for it was a bit shocking.

During my AWOL period; I have no idea about this, so hopefully someone else was around and can comment.

>3) With the removal of visible ranks from imp, imm, and
>ava-level characters, do you guys think the presence of the
>"IMP" abbreviation kinda detracts from RP? I know, I know, we
>rarely see them visible, but I can just imagine a new player's
>confusion at the immortal ranks:
>
>"So, you can be an Immortal's avatar while you're a
>mortal...but you're an Avatar when you're made into an
>immortal? Okaaaaay. And wait, aren't liches technically
>"immortal"? What's so special about the title? And what's with
>these IMPs everywhere? If that Lyristeon guy ever makes level
>60 it's going to look pretty funny."
>
>How about changing the immortal ranks to this: Avatar -
>Demigod, Immortal - God, Implementor - Elder God?

I generally agree with this. I'd rather there were no distinction at all for implementor, but I can see how a player might want to know this for rules concerns or what have you.

>4) With the game as huge as it is, area-wise, what will be
>asked of new Demigods ;-) when they sign on? More areas?

Probably to some degree, yes... although the bigness of the game, while very cool in some ways, has its consequences in others.

Personally, I'd like to see us spend more time making existing areas cooler; some of these projects are happening right now. Strange Island, for example, has always felt very empty to me. It's more or less a road area with a gimmick and not a lot else to recommend it. A lot could be done with all that open space.

>5) Has BoltThrower had it out for Dru ever since he was
>cleaved in half by his anti-paladin? Do any logs of that
>exist?

I'm sure there are still logs out there somewhere.

I recall that BT had a dislike for Dru, but it was about some CF clone MUD or stolen copies of the CF source that he thought Dru was involved in in some way or what have you. I don't know even 10% of the story.

>6) When was the last official Shadow guild member around?
>Names too if ya got em. I'd love to know. Also, did this guild
>exist long after it was thought to be gone? I honestly don't
>think they could exist in the current cabal climate, so it
>feels worthy of asking about now.

It's been a while... 1999-2000 sounds about right.

>I'm sure I'll think of more later.