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Dark Legion

Welcome to the Halls of Dark Legion

Herein you will learn about us, find tales of our battles, and our supreme strategies.

News

30 Nov 2002: Marder

Look what I found decomposing in the corner. I haven't played MK in ~4 years, but I still enjoyed reading through this site. I hope you do too.
Despite considerable embarrassment about my language and lack of style, I'm releasing this site in it's original form.

Things which may still be useful:

05 Jan 2000: Phred
The Dark Legion Pages announce a new Webmaster!

I am NOT a programmer by trade; I am a network analyst/engineer. I also have a 7-week-old baby and a 5-year-old daughter. What this means to you is that updates to the site will be sporadic as I learn the site and get the time. Since I've got the flu I might get some work done on it this week. Keep the records and articles and HoH entries coming, and please be patient as I try to maintain Rimfire's excellent work. I would rather go slowly than trash what I consider to be one of the best MK sites on the net. Those of you who have my personal EMAIL, please don't use it for site update requests, keep them coming to mkdarklegion@hotmail.com. Anything sent to my personal email account will most likely get lost before it hits the page.

27 Dec 99: Rimfire
Update on several fronts...

Iconic Tileset: I think I made a great start, but as with most projects, the last 10% takes 90% of the time. I'd like to see it done, so I'm giving it away. The terrain is completely finished, and a couple of the units too. It's going to take some polishing on the smallest resolution tho, so you should be proficient with your graphics programs if you expect to make a finished set out of this. I have lots of advice how to go about finishing it, as well as making one from scratch, I've typed some into the README.txt file inside the zip. I put a lot of effort into this, so if you make a set using any of my work, I would appreciate some credit. Here it is! : Iconic Development Zip

AI Completely given up. I only had the very basics anyway, nothing anyone could make any use of I'm afraid.

Site I know exactly how to make this page fully automated, but I simply don't have the time. I'm working at an internet startup (I'll post a URL someday, once we have a product out there...) 80-100 hrs/wk and that keeps me completely busy. Not much hope here, it's all in Phred's corner now!

Map Reading C Library I actually finished this! It's a C library which allows reading/writing maps to/from .MAP format. Useful for my AI program hopes, but also for a new Map editor. I will release the source soon - it's too short and insignificant to GPL, but still expect credit in any applications it's used in. (Dec. 28 NOte: I just wrote a Java class to do this also, which I'll release at the same time.)

PsiMetal I haven't given up on this yet. I finished the Perl/Tk prototype, but can't release that since anyone with an editor could use it to abuse the server. So I'm in the middle of a Java version. I have a ton of cool features to add, but first release is going to be just like KnightSpy. I will attempt to post a (bi)weekly update on my progress, which is slow but steady. I looked at StarKnights to see if maybe I could make a KnightSpy for that game, but it has a different format, which would take some puzzling out. For PsiMetal, I'll release the source of as much as I can. Unfortunately, that will exclude everything that talks to the server...

Strategy it's woefully incomplete, but I'll dust that off and post it as soon as I get the time to HTMLize it.

Dark Legion I see the alliance still plays games. Cool. You can still send submissions for this page to mkdarklegion@hotmail.com, and someone will take over for me.

Me I'm trying to strike it rich in the startup game, and having a lot of fun at it. I suggest anyone with programming talent look into it, the industry is crazy these days. And anyone in the Boston area, or who wants to be, and is a strong software engineer, email me and maybe I can set you up with an interview, we're hiring! ;)

12 Aug 99: Marder
I've just learned that the mk server *and* Wef's BBS are down. Quite a nightmare for addicts everywhere! I'm looking into it (as much as I can), check back here for more news. In the meantime, there are 2 new entries to the Hall of Heroes, and battle stories are coming up in the next few days. MK.com, Wef's, and SuperClan may be down, but we're still running! ;) The #4 site, at your disposal. Maybe you can use this downtime to finally write up that amazing game you just finished, or write me an email on what you think of the current state of MK...

NEW: To tide you over, check out the new user polls, and add your thoughts and stories to the site! 07 Aug 99: Rimfire
Check out the updated Server Stats page... I'll compile any statistics I can from a server 'snapshot'. 25 Jul 99: Rimfire
I've revised text here and there, cleaning up things I never liked. My makefile generation is working great, and I have a server coming in the mail, all I need now is my #{)($*)#(%&($%$# cable modem! I'm working on the CGI for page updates, and on the Records search as well. Expect news soon. Oh, the picture links on the Battle Reports page work if you go to 'members.xoom.com/_XOOM/mkdarklegion' first, to break out of the frames. A link is provided on the Battle Reports page. 18 Jul 99: Rimfire
Finally back in business! Added everything anyone has submitted to me in the months since the last update. Updates to the humor and HoH. The allied wars pool is current, with Assassin SE as the winner, even before the final round. Anyone else who's running a tournament, just let me know, and I'll run a pool for yours too. I already did all the work, so it'll be painless. The next update will be the automated Records search, so stay tuned! Now is the time to email me your pictures, stories, etc. I've spent a lot of time making the site easily updatable - there won't be a long turn around time any more. Send your ideas in! 25 May - 02 Jun 99: Rimfire
The changes are finally coming together. All the technical details will be listed on the About page, I'll describe just the major points here. A major restructuring is underway, because I recognized the volume limitations of the old layout. In other words, the 'cram it all on one' style was starting to fail.
  • I now have scripts to check all the links throughout the site. I fixed several errors, and removed a few dead clan links.
  • A byproduct of this link check is a site map.
  • The 'last updated' date at the bottom of each page is now independent of the others.
  • This site is completely Micro$oft free. Bill Gates is the arch-enemy of quality.
  • Each MK Record now has it's own link, displaying all past record holders. The current record holders are displayed on the main Records page.
  • Restructured the articles page to ensure scalability.
  • Added "Uncle Phred's Corner", a section of the articles page written by our very own Phred.

11 May 99: Rimfire
I've had a revelation. I won't finish any of the cooler things on my list unless I quit playing games. Every hour I spend on a game is one I could have spent reading any of the 20 books on my Must Read List, improving my life. So, the MK stops here. The stupid X games and solitaire stop here. The RSA inducing shooters stop here. I'm only using a fraction of my potential, and it's starting to piss me off. So here are the only things (MK-wise) that I'll finish:
  1. Maybe: the graphics set. Only half the units remain, but it's the part I'm the least good at. I've considered just using the OldFashioned version of the units I don't make myself.
  2. Tutorial on how to create an MK Tileset. Tips, techniques, and caveats.
  3. The automatic MK Record checker. I already have 90% of it done, you can see the results of scanning every player on the Stats page. I only need to decide how the data structure is going to look, for optimal sorting, and to include the possibility of future weird records.
  4. Setting up the FAQ page. I'm going to hand off this job to any clanmate that wants it. Phred? ;)
  5. Getting my Map Analyzer ready for release. I already use this for the meager beginnings of my AI (base placement only). It's written, but I always like to really class up code before anyone sees it. I'd be completely willing to give this to any interested parties, who may adapt it to their own AI or some such.
  6. Release my Tournament Pool programs. This will allow anyone who wants to run a Tourney pool to do so with minimal effort.
  7. Moving the site to my own webserver: Linux running Apache. This will enable a truly automatic (and immediate) Hall of Heroes; a local guestbook; and forms so that clanmates can keep up and administrate the site without needing ftp. I'll also have a form much like the Hall of Heroes, where players can submit their own Battle Reports and Humor.
  8. Graphic overhaul. I have ideas about how to add some eye-candy around here. Spartan, of course, never intruding upon content; just a little jazz here and there.
  9. Ah yes, the strategy guide :) I've given myself a deadline. Whatever state it's in then, is going to be its final state, done or not.

I'm heading toward total automation. The MK records will be searched for once a day, the clan stats will be updated daily, and the online forms will keep them pages current to the second. All this, because, in a Wef-ish manner, I plan on leaving the game and having the most superficial supervisory role possible for the site.

MK has been a great game, but it's time to accomplish something with my business ideas, game ideas, crazy inventions, and get-rich-quick schemes. See you around!

04 May 99: Rimfire
Dark Legion has signed a new member: Phred! Welcome aboard, we're proud to have you.
It's been a long time since a news bullet, but I've still been doing a lot around here. I finally found that formatting problem, so things should be looking better (The HoH on Netscape still needs a little work tho, but at least I know how to fix it...). Dark Legion has played it's first game in a while, winning out over the Highlander clan in round one of the Allied Wars Tournament. We'll post a story soon, with some good screenshots. The Allied Wars Pool has been updated, with the first round results. There were no upsets, but the pack of picks is fairly varied already. Check it out. I've also added another page to the site. The Stats page. Not too pretty, but it's a first draft, showing the percentage of aliases (active or not) playing a certain number of games. Also a good way to pick out "Surrender-to-my-friend" cheaters, when the game count clibms too high. It takes me about 30 minutes to scan the whole Player Search on all 3 servers... so I can finally start regularly scanning the HOF for the new Records. I think 1 check a day ought to be fine. I'm going to pick up the graphic set again, I really could use it in my games!
ps We are still looking for new members... 19 Apr 99: Rimfire
The Allied Wars Pool is now closed, as the games are all well underway. There are 21 entries, and all very different... if you want to see the way the picks went, look at the Contests page. Keep coming back to see how your favorite player's picks are doing! 13 Apr 99: Rimfire
I got sick of doing my taxes, so I whipped up a quick tournament pick chart for Allied Wars I. Go see it on the Contests page. It should look just like the NCAA et. al tournament pools you're used to. Except no money for the winner(s) I'm afraid. I may do a point system for each rounds picks, so I can make a running total released after each round. Hurry up and enter, I'll have to close entries before the first round is over... 12 Apr 99: Rimfire
The Hall of Heroes is up to 54 entries! I'm almost done with my graphic set, Simple.Set. All the terrain is finished, and I've got 4 or 5 units done. I didn't intend it, but I think this Set will be very useful for map makers, as transition errors become painfully obvious. [Errors like the mountain pass on PikesPeak become evident too...] The tough part is to make the graphics just as good on maximum zoom. That's where I'm spending most of my time - it's tough to make an 8x8 icon for every unit, and have them distinguishable! I'm not sure it can be done, but I'm giving it a shot. Anyone who uses OldFashioned.Set give me an email with Simple.Set in the subject line and I'll let you try it out when it's done. I could use some feedback. 4 Apr 99: Rimfire
Minor updates all around. The Battle Reports section is open for all to submit stories now... see the page for instructions. My next task is to fix the )#$*)#$% style-sheet/Netscape problem I have. It's been around forever, but finally drove me nuts. More Hall of Heroes entries are coming every day, so check back from time to time! I've also been tooling around with making a graphic set. It's fun, but I don't think anyone but me will like it :) I'll have it for download anyway, along with instructions on how to make your own.

31 Mar 99: Rimfire

  • Very much enlarged the tasks in Coming attractions. Whew! For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to work on the strategy guide.
  • Added the AI page, tracking my progress with my player AI, which has about no chance of ever being finished.
  • Minor corrections, and my hits no longer count toward the total :)

30 Mar 99: Rimfire

  • Another update in this frenzied week. I amended the Power Posting article, due to good feedback.
  • I have some trivia questions cooked up, for the second MK contest. Mail in your solutions. Also taking submissions from MKers at large for other contest ideas. Anything reasonable accepted, with credit given the author, as usual. Mail me!
  • Just wrote a little blurb randomizer for the Members page. Every time I rebuild the pages, the text changes. Stop by every once in a while to see something new :)
  • I got my first dissenter... read the reply to "No Teams". I know how annoying it must be for me to get the last word everytime. To remedy this, I'm thinking of making a moderated BBS, with much less traffic than Wef's (one post/day/user ?), with only intelligent discourse on major subjects of importance to MK. Before I do this, I have to write an IP blocking routine, and make some groundrules. You break a rule (like NO N/T messages allowed! ;) ), you can never post again. Anyone like the idea? If there's enough traffic and support, I can make someone I trust the moderator.

29 Mar 99: Rimfire
I've added another article to Rimfire's Rants, entitled "A Guide to Power Posting". It's inspired by the information sewer on Wef's BBSes. I really think everyone who frequents the BBSes, (or any online messaging system) ought to read and think about what I've said. Alliances, maybe you can send your newbies over here to read this? Also, the first reply to a rant is under the No Teams Anymore article. I didn't put it up because it agrees with me, I put it up because it was the first one, and it's well written :)

28 Mar 99: Rimfire
Check out the new Stats page. I scrape the data off the servers once a day, so no more outdated statistics pages! I'm thinking about an app so that all alliances can have this on their webpages. But that's down the road a piece. Keep sending those Hall of Heroes entries in! Cross 2 more items off the Coming Attractions page ;)

26 Mar 99: Rimfire
OK! I think I'm done with the Hall of Heroes for a while. I have scripts to do everything but download from Hotmail the attachments y'all send, and download and resize your pictures. I have now added in everyone that send me a bio, and followed directions. (Several people can't seem to follow simple instructions! I won't take any info unless it's submitted in the 2 ways I provide.) If you sent me something, and it's not up, that means I didn't get it, or erased it by accident. Resend please! The crazy sized pictures are going to remain that way for a while. I just have em at 200x200 for now, soon to be fixed...

25 Mar 99: Rimfire
I removed more javascript, through the 'building' process I use. All the pages are now W3C HTML 4.0 Validated, except for the damn center tag which they don't allow. I could remove it, but it would take too much work. W3C be damned. The Hall of Heroes is a mess, but I'm totally redoing the structure of it. I have 12 submissions just waiting to go up, too. Once this process is streamlined by this rebuild, they will go up almost effortlessly. :)

23 Mar 99: Rimfire
Whew! I finally made the nav bar visible to all, not just the modern browser people. Page construction details can be found on About. The Hall of Heroes gets the next overhaul, stay tuned. Shouldn't be hard, using the scripts I've already written.

15 Mar 99: Rimfire
I received the first volunteered submission to Hall of Heroes. Going to geek out here : Right now, I get email from the form, download it from Hotmail, process it with perl scripts, then cut and paste it into the page. Horribly inefficient. If I want to insert it alphabetically (and I do), I'll need to have some intelligent comments in the page. I'll get around to it next time. So if you submit through the form, it'll take a few days before your entry appears. Also, I've been so dumb! Why use javascript when I can use the C preprocessor to #include .html files! That and the makefile are next on the list, when I get 10 free freaking minutes that is. Anyone who signs the guestbook is hereby required to take the 10 minutes to type in their story to the Hall of Heroes page. I have spoken ;)

12 Mar 99: Rimfire
Email is back up. Now get to it! :) Also, I'm using JavaScript to #include.html at the header and footer. Makes updates easier. Unfortunately, non-javascript browsers won't be able to navigate at all. I'll amend soon. But seeing as how only 5% of hits are non-JS, it may be awhile.

10 Mar 99: Rimfire

  • First stab at an interactive Hall of Heroes is up! There are 2 submission methods. Both are by email right now, since Xoom doesn't allow any server-side scripting. That situation will be remedied soon :) In the meantime, send me your info, and I'll put it up posthaste...
  • I made the Battle Reports page a little cooler. Clicking on a picture link pops up the pic in a different window, which gets resized to fit the image. The new window may get lost behind others, but it's there (doesn't show up in taskbar using Netscape). Working on always giving it focus (easy on Netscape, requires server-side scripting with IE).
  • Cleaned up transparency on the GIFs for which I still had a .psd .
  • Changed some of the member blurbs. Go read Brandus', he's very proud, and so are we.
  • As usual, go read the updates for the current tournaments on the Links page. They are running well, and look to be finished!
  • Finally, a reminder. I take all submissions from MKers at large. A few have emailed new records, or ideas, and that is much appreciated. I answer just about all emails (except for that dork on the Humor page :). So write your State of MK address, rate the BBSes, draft a ballad, write a battle report, send me cool screenshots or a link to your MK page... I think you get the idea.

2 Mar 99: Rimfire
I'm sure you've noticed the change in look. I got sick of the pretentious black background - now we're talking. Good ol' black on white. And all I had to do was change a few parms in a style sheet! The first 2 entries of Hall of Heroes are up! If you want yours up as well, cut and paste the html I used, fill in your own data, and mail it to me. If it's not exactly the html I used, it's not going up. I'll have a CGI form later, as soon as I move the site off Xoom. Oh ya, the contest. [03/30/99 ed: see Contests page.]

15 Feb 99: Rimfire
I made some random fixes and additions here and there. But the big news is a little contest I'm having. I put up an old barely legible screenshot, and you have to figure out who all the players are by their blurry names. First one to mail in the answer gets a little prize! Go to the Miscellaneous Screenshots section of the Stories page.

11 Feb 99: Rimfire

  • I finally got around to some articles. Check out the Rimfire's Rants section of the articles page. I have *many* more where that came from, so check back from time to time to hear my take on the current state of MK. :)
  • Not sure where to put this permanently - but for now, check out the top kill artists.

09 Feb 99: Rimfire

04 Feb 99: Rimfire

31 Jan 99: Rimfire

28 Jan 99: Rimfire

25 Jan 99: Rimfire
The suspense is over - the interview is up. :) Expect more from Skyven as his work continues!

23 Jan 99: Rimfire
I make the site public today! There are many new things, some small, some larger, so look around.

20 Jan 99: Rimfire
Once again the site gets a facelift. I'm taking up the cause of web purity - so no more frames, large unnecessary pictures, backgrounds, crazy fonts, picture maps, embedded crap, nothing. (I am using style sheets though, but that's in line with the 'purity' issue :) Check out the look of the page with Style sheets disabled, and you'll see what I mean) Just good ol' content that's easy to navigate through. Enjoy.
13 Jan 99: Rimfire
I've been extremely busy of late - I started some classes and accepted a new job. My weekends will finally be my own very soon, so I will have more time to keep up with MK and this website. I still plan on making this the best MK site around, so feel free to make any suggestions to mkdarklegion@hotmail.com. Let me reassure you, and myself ;), Dark Legion is not dead. I may be taking a less active role, but I'd like the clan to pick up. To any hotshot new players, mail me at mkdarklegion@hotmail.com, and we'll see what you can do. You don't have to be the best - we're mainly looking for smart, quick learning beginners... Send that mail today! :D
8 Dec 98: Rimfire
I'm finally putting together some of those apps I thought up a while ago. The current project is an Alliance Stat Viewer applet, where a user selects the appropriate alliance, and the HOF data for all of its members are displayed. I haven't decided whether to give it out to any alliance that wants it, or make them all come here to look up stats :) Hopefully an end to all old-stat alliance stat pages! I'm also slowly completing the strategy guide. I won't put it up until it's all done, since I'll be less likely to finish it then. So don't delete that bookmark just yet!
28 Nov 98: Rimfire
Brandus has joined Dark Legion! All rejoice. We are still looking for more members, don't be shy now. More deaths added to Boneyard. New developments coming soon, partly due to the great looking 3LS site, which has me inspired. Stay tuned ;) Oh ya, somebody reminded me about the strategy section *cough*. That will also be making it's appearance, in part, in a week.
22 Nov 98: Rimfire
Sherlokh has left Dark Legion. We are now recruiting, join us in a game to show your stuff. All you have to do is impress a member, and you're practically in! Some say that's not so easy tho ;) If you can't find a game, write email to "mkdarklegion@hotmail.com" for more info. Added more victims to the boneyard.
9 Nov 98: Rimfire
I've added another game to the Marder section of Tales. 7 kills on turn4 to win the game. Maybe it's not a record, but it's got to be close!
7 Nov 98: Rimfire
The new site goes up today! You must have JavaScript enabled to use the style sheets I have set up... I have to fix the guestbook (scrolls link) still, and there are many sections that need finishing, but the navigation and graphics are all done. The Game Description section is now known as Tales, and I have polished up the old stories, and fleshed them out with screenshots. Many of them are new. The Boneyard now contains the allied game of our newest members, Bard and Sherlokh.
2 Nov 98: Rimfire
I've completely revamped the site, take a look around! Make sure to sign the guestbook. Genghis has returned, and our team is looking sharper than ever. Maybe one of these days I'll actually play...

Last updated on Thu Aug 12 10:18:04 EDT 1999
Webmaster: mkdarklegion@hotmail.com
© 1998,1999 by Rimfire