User:Artinum

Biography

Artinum is a perpetually confused but well-meaning avatar scratching together a decent living in the world of Ancient Egypt. He is supported in this lifestyle by the vast amount of time he spends in the role of a middle aged software packager several thousand years in the future. It's a tedious game, but it pays the bills and keeps him in onions.

When he's not tending sheep, making bricks or wondering whether cicadas are mythical, Artinum also writes novels and obeys the whims of the cat.

Based in UK, so normally on GMT (except during daylight savings). I also work a full time job, so I'm mostly evenings and weekends.

Not actively playing at the moment. I'm now waiting for Tale 10.

Completed Goals

Making some notes here for next tale.

Passed:

• Balance of Goods - building the vault is a bit of a challenge but, once you've managed that, it's a fun test. You can add about 200 different items to the vault each week (not just ten as per the task list). I found items most people didn't think of included "wet" things; extrusion plates did well perhaps because they take a while to make. Clay domes likewise. Best scorers were rarer herbs and bugs, though they varied a lot. Might be worth experimenting with a range of straps/sheeting/etc next time.
• Singing Cicada - start early. Cages are buggers to find, especially when not so many people are playing. I eventually passed this because I found four crickets and that was enough for my own cage. Nobody ever found it, as far as I know.
• Archaeologist - digging up arch sites will fail most of the time without a VERY good shovel and the help of some stat-boosting food. Dig up any and every item you can find. Trades were pretty easy; most people end up with a ton of useless relics, so they just dump them in "help yourself" boxes. Swap with any that might work. High scores are tricky to get, but even a low scoring set will pass eventually.
• Megapolis - best done as part of a guild effort. Keep an ear open for any projects underway. Donate what you can.
• Oyster Catcher - start early; the swimming skill alone is worth it. Even one correct pearl will grant a TP, so this is a good source of early stat boosts. Pearl colours vary by region; scour the river for them in those regions in particular if you're short. Don't fit too many pearls at a time; it's best to test one new pearl in any size category at a time.
• Life - as with Megapolis, best done as a guild effort. Listen out, join any queue, get help building. Once it's built, this is a good way to offline some of the less useful veg (cucumbers, garlic, etc) and score points for it. Push for 1000 harvests to beat that part of the test, and then wait. You'll pass eventually whatever your score.
• Bedouin - insane early tale. Focus on marking fourteen different altars, but to pass you'll need to visit a LOT of them all over the map. Park this one until later.
• Raeli Mosaic - needs a lot of different Raeli tiles; wait until ovens are commonplace. Guild ones are very useful. I found it easier to buy tiles from other users. After that, just make a pretty scene and await judges. Building one somewhere with a lot of traffic is recommended.
• Octet's Ghost - start early and collect all your crystals. You will not have enough for trade for the full set, so you may need to buy others for other materials. Do so whenever possible. Running a second character could net another set of crystals, which can help. Again, forming/joining a crystal exchange group would help.
• Pathmaker - difficult to make early on, but once done it just needs votes. As with the mosaic, stick it somewhere with plenty of traffic or where other players congregate.
• Dancing Waters - resources are tricky to source alone but I had great fun making this when I got them. Once built, just needs votes.
• Flight - some tricky resources, but then just needs votes.
• Tomb of the Immortal - one of the less complicated builds. It just took a while for me to get enough votes.
• Funerary Temple - a pain to build, and an even bigger pain to fit. Adding lots of a particular colour tile isn't helpful; you need lots of colours, and that usually means trading for them. Be patient - eventually it will pass, whatever the score.
• Plantation - start looking for fellow planters as soon as practical. The best way to pass this is by collective effort - you tend their trees, they tend yours. Build a warehouse by the plantation for seed donations, but add the cocoa you harvest to the plantation!
• Library - insanely resource intensive. Later components require particularly rare metals. Writing books requires ludicrous amounts of paper and ink, and a quill (so visit every ibis sighting you can, even after you have all four for the safari test). By the time I was able to build mine, one high value book in each section was enough to pass.
• Obelisk - join queues as soon as you're able to build them. The resource costs will only get worse if you wait. For later obelisks, sourcing some of the more exotic items will be difficult and may require trade.
• Hand of Ra - not too difficult to build the initial structure, and it can be expanded to 7 cubits (?) for the test easily enough without needing sigils. If it breaks before then, it's easier to build a new pyramid. Sigils are buggers to make, especially when they start asking for rare metals. When I passed this one, I ended up only using one, but it's better to have a few on hand.

Others:

• Empty Hand - very resource heavy to build. The requirements for each block are different, and those gearboxes can be insane. Do not do what I did (build three of the same gearbox) as any duplicates are unlikely to be used. After that, just needs votes - I never passed because I get enough.
• Venery - quite fun to build, but the lockboxes require a lot of cut gems and I hate making those. Water mines need prioritising earlier! Finally built one but only for the fun of it in the end.
• Formal Garden - the gazebo is a bit of a faff to make. Fencing can work well to make it look more impressive and simple fences only need boards. Plants and bulbs will need gathering and/or buying, but the exact types don't really matter - only votes do.
• Acro - I have never passed this test. Most people do by attending acro events, which normally happen when I'm not online. Note that you can learn a new skill every month at the university, so start early and take advantage of that.
• Marriage - I think most people marry their alts. I've never had one to do that with. Passing is based on score, so will eventually whatever happens.
• Vigil - I don't know whether you can "pass" this one as such. I certainly completed it by attending a few and sooring points for sacrifices. Had to build my own bonfire platform to complete the task list.
• Throne of Pharaoh - another group project. Getting the skill to build a plinth construction site is ruinously expensive.
• Alchemists Rune - not too hard to do (assuming you can source the rarer components). Just needs votes, which mine didn't get as I built it quite late.
• Isis' Bounty - rather difficult. Building a sailboat is fun, but the things are slow and the interface goes to pants. All you can do while sailing is fish. Treasure caches are difficult to spot and collecting all the ship parts is largely down to luck. Worth starting for a few TPs but finishing is meh.
• Towers - never managed to do this one as I'm in conflict with other players. Night Towers are beyond my ability to make anyway.
• Khefre's Children - tricky to start (beetles aren't THAT common) but I can get as far as exhibiting one. Winning a garden, however, is unlikely. I never got the hang of breeding them.
• Safari - some parts of this are beyond me. I never understood fennec traps, I can't do otters and falcons are a nightmare. Ibis are okay, and gazelles are fun, but you need to be alert to announcements about them. Frogs are just annoying.
• Ritual Tattoo - finally made progress on this when I joined a guild for it. Tracking who needs what herbs makes the whole thing much simpler; I reported ones I saw, they reported ones I needed. Of course, you need to be online, which is why it took me so much longer.

Ones I never got into:

• Festivals - never really understood this one or had much interest. Seems to involve large gatherings, so timing might be an issue.
• Covered Cartouche - never really understood this one either.
• Darkest Night - I have never done well on this one. Can't really figure out the mushroom spawning thing and usually end up with some dreadful ones on my first list.
• Astrological Alignment - never really got into this. Worth trying when doing another group thing (like a dig) but not really me.

Current Goals

Still need more judges for my Empty Hand puzzle: Bernike 3066, -933

Formal Garden created at Upper Egypt 727, -1800.

Tattoo Requirements

Five tattoos done! Will I get any more done by the end of the tale? I don't know...

 Present at least 4 complete Mortars to Great University of the Human Body at Elephantine 515 -3604:
   Fresh Anansi, 1 Monterey Pine Sapling Resin, Powdered Opal
       Between 500 and 600 feet above sea level, On Dirt
   Fresh Bluebottle Clover, 5 Safsaf Willow Resin, Powdered Emerald
       Between 100 and 200 feet above sea level, Near a Common Altar
   Fresh Daggerleaf, 6 Monterey Pine Sapling Resin, Powdered Sapphire
       Near a School, No more than 100 feet above sea level
   Fresh Dwarf Hogweed, 4 Parrotia Resin, Powdered Sapphire
       On Clay, Near a School
   Fresh Ipomoea, 7 Tapacae Miralis Resin, Powdered Opal
       On Sand, Near a Travel Facility
   Fresh Khokali, 1 Japanese cherry Resin, Powdered Emerald
       Near a Statue, At least 600 feet above sea level
   Fresh Shrubby Basil, 6 Folded Birch Resin, Powdered Diamond
       Between 200 and 300 feet above sea level, Far from any Flora

Trades

I've set up a shop near Koptos CS selling various sundries - Artinum's Grocery Store. New stock always being considered.

Paints

For a list of paints I can make, see Artinum Paints.

Alignment and Acro

I've made minimal progress on both of these, largely because the big events usually take place when I'm not online. I am happy to try either if I'm not busy with something else.

Guilds

I am a member of Amigos, Hunting in the Darkest Night and Tattoos 4 U.

Research Goals

None of my own, but I'm always happy to pitch in where I can.

Bug discovered in task list - User:Artinum/BugReport

Pearl Tracker Template

• If a pearl is identified as being a particular colour, put a Y in that box and mark the other colours with X.
• If a pearl of a particular colour is completely wrong, put an X in that colour for all your pearls of that size.
• If a pearl of a particular colour is right but in the wrong place, put an X against that colour/pearl and a ? in all potential pearl slots.
• Note that the huge pearl can be any colour.
• Use the Notes column for any additional thoughts.
• Don't throw away pearls that don't fit - they may come in handy later.

Skill	Aqua	Beige	Black	Coral	Pink	Smoke	White	Notes
Small 1
Small 2
Small 3
Small 4
Small 5
Small 6
Small 7
Medium 1
Medium 2
Medium 3
Medium 4
Large 1
Large 2
Huge

Skill List Template

Skill	School	Cost	Done
Bone Knapping	ARCH	7 Animal Bones [Knapping LV5]
Flint Knapping	ARCH	7 Flint [Knapping LV2]
Rocks of the Ages	ARCH	10 Slate [Perception 1+]
Salvage Techniques	ARCH	200 Firebricks
Structure Maintenance	ARCH	20 Oil
Structure Repair	ARCH	14 Pulley
Desiccation	ART	5 Salt, 1 Huge Topaz [Chemistry LV1]
Salvage Techniques	ART	100 Candle
Structure Maintenance	ART	4 Thermometer, 100 Sheet Glass
Structure Repair	ART	60 Linen
The Art of the Pipe	ART	7 Fine Glass Rods [Glassblowing LV2]
Beer Brewing Automation Lvl 0	BODY	100 Candle, 5 Rope [Beer Bewing Science]
Beer Brewing Automation Lvl 1	BODY	250 Candle, 15 Rope
Beer Brewing Automation Lvl 2	BODY	500 Candle, 40 Rope
Beer Brewing Automation Lvl 3	BODY	1000 Candle, 70 Rope
Beer Brewing Automation Lvl 4	BODY	25 Glass Rods
Carving	BODY	100 Wood
Cooperage	BODY	200 Bricks, 5 Canvas
Ecology Lvl 0	BODY	10 Tadpoles, 5 Flax, 1 Fertile Papyrus
Ecology Lvl 1	BODY	20 Cabbage Juice
Ecology Lvl 2	BODY	20 Dried Flax
Ecology Lvl 3	BODY	50 Buttermilk
Ecology Lvl 4	BODY	10 Papyrus Paper, 20 Cactus Sap
Ecology Lvl 5	BODY	20 Charcoal, 10 Sulphurous Water
Ecology Lvl 6	BODY	5 Copper Wire, 20 Salt Water
Fly Fishing	BODY	1 Sharpened Stick, 100 Thread
Fungiculture	BODY	100 Compost [Crossbreeding]
Indonesian Bee Care	BODY	500 Honey
Salvage Techniques	BODY	1000 Charcoal
Structure Maintenance	BODY	300 Linen, 300 Canvas
Structure Repair	BODY	200 Cut Stone, 200 Beeswax, 200 Charcoal
Swimming	BODY	10 Linen
Conflict Shrine Const.	NATPHIL	1 Oyster Shell Marble
Exploration Travel 0	NATPHIL	2 Leather
Exploration Travel 1	NATPHIL	7 Large Opal, 7 Silk Cloth, 100 Leather
Local Leadership 0	NATPHIL	300 Bricks, 150 Boards
Local Leadership 1 (Associate)	NATPHIL	100 Full Water Container, 10 Leather
Local Leadership 2 (Member)	NATPHIL	50 Papyrus Paper
Local Leadership 3 (Kinsman)	NATPHIL	50 Gold
Local Leadership 4 (Fellow)	NATPHIL	10 Steel
Local Leadership 5 (Patriarch)	NATPHIL	100 Concrete
Local Leadership 6 (Elder)	NATPHIL	10 Island Blue Marble
Navigation 0	NATPHIL	50 Full Water Jugs
Navigation 1	NATPHIL	20 Glass Rods
Navigation 2	NATPHIL	25 Copper
Navigation 3	NATPHIL	50 Papyrus Paper
Navigation 4	NATPHIL	6 Silk Cloth
Navigation 5	NATPHIL	1 Large Sapphire
Navigation 6	NATPHIL	7 Huge Topaz
Salvage Techniques	NATPHIL	200 Cut Stone, 100 Clay, 2 Oyster Shell Marble, 4 Canary Granite
Structure Maintenance	NATPHIL	2 Iron Large Gear, 80 Leather
Structure Repair	NATPHIL	300 Flint, 300 Papyrus Paper
Desiccation	THOUGHT	20 Sulphurous Water, 1 Huge Quartz [Chemistry LV1]
Kiln Construction 0-1	THOUGHT	20 Bricks
Kiln Construction 2	THOUGHT	340 Firebricks, 17 Serpentine Marble, 340 Cut Stone
Mechanics 1	THOUGHT	10 Bolt, 10 Washer, 2 Electrum Small Gear, 1 Aluminum Medium Gear
Mechanics 2	THOUGHT	49 Sulfuric Acid
Mechanics 3	THOUGHT	600 Malt (Raw), 600 Malt (Burnt)
Mechanics 4	THOUGHT	400 Rope, 400 Slate
Mechanics 5	THOUGHT	2000 Gold Wire
Mechanics 6	THOUGHT	20 Cuttable Amethyst, 20 Cuttable Garnet, 20 Cuttable Lapis, 20 Cuttable Turquoise
Mechanics 7	THOUGHT	4 Small Steam Engine, 4 Medium Steam Engine, 4 Large Steam Engine, 4 High Pressure Steam Engine
Pottery	THOUGHT	10 Clay
Project Mgmt. Lvl 0	THOUGHT	2 Canvas, 6 Rope
Project Mgmt. Lvl 1	THOUGHT	4 Canvas, 12 Rope
Project Mgmt. Lvl 2	THOUGHT	200 Canvas, 300 Glass Rods, 100 Rope, 300 Papyrus Paper
Salvage Techniques	THOUGHT	20 Cuttable Garnet, 20 Cuttable Turquoise
Scrying	THOUGHT	1 Full Eye Garnet, 1 Full Eye Turquoise, 1 Full Eye Amethyst, 1 Full Eye Lapis [Alchemy]
Structure Maintenance	THOUGHT	300 Bricks, 50 Oil, 50 Beeswax
Structure Repair	THOUGHT	2 Oyster Shell Marble, 20 Cuttable Jade, 200 Bricks
Arthropodology	WORSHIP	50 Dirt, 50 Tadpoles, 50 Beeswax, 50 Cactus Sap, 50 Dung, 50 Thorns
Cheese Making	WORSHIP	10 Salt, 10 Cow Milk
Cooking Lvl 0	WORSHIP	100 Carrots, 100 Onions, 100 Leeks, 100 Garlic
Cooking Lvl 1	WORSHIP	20 Common Rosemary, 20 Common Sage, 20 Thyme
Cooking Lvl 2	WORSHIP	50 Cabbage, 49 Salt
Cooking Lvl 3	WORSHIP	7 Camel's Mane, 7 Cobra Hood, 7 Dead Tongue, 7 Iron Knot, 7 Peasant's Foot, 7 Schizophyllum, 7 Toad Skin
Cooking Lvl 4	WORSHIP	7 Dwarf Wild Lettuce, 7 Chukkah, 7 Crimson Lettuce, 7 Crumpled Leaf Basil, 7 Jaivanti, 7 Royal Rosemary, 7 Wild Garlic
Cooking Lvl 5	WORSHIP	100 Peppers, 100 Cucumbers, 100 Eggplant, 100 Coconut Meat
Cooking Lvl 6	WORSHIP	100 Barley (Burnt), 100 Malt (Burnt), 100 Wheat (Burnt)
Desiccation	WORSHIP	50 Salt Water, 1 Huge Ruby [Chemistry LV1]
Fileting Lvl 0	WORSHIP	7 Slate Blade, 7 Phagrus Meat, 20 Common Basil
Fileting Lvl 1	WORSHIP	3 Fish Roe, 70 Carp Meat, 25 Salt, 77 Glass Jars
Fileting Lvl 2	WORSHIP	7 Fish Roe, 105 Perch Meat, 21 Salt Water Fungus, 17 Thermometer
Fileting Lvl 3	WORSHIP	14 Fish Roe, 140 Catfish Meat, 35 Ginseng Root, 119 Gold Wire
Fileting Lvl 4	WORSHIP	21 Fish Roe, 175 Tilapia Meat, 42 Heaven's Torrent, 250 Powdered Diamond
Fileting Lvl 5	WORSHIP	42 Fish Roe, 210 Chromis Meat, 50 Myrrh, 100 Powdered Sunstone
Fileting Lvl 6	WORSHIP	105 Fish Roe, 245 Abdju Meat, 7 Cyan Cressida, 70 Oyster Shell Marble Dust
Fly Tying Lvl 0	WORSHIP	100 Thread, 25 Thorns
Fly Tying Lvl 1	WORSHIP	7 Bloodworm, 7 Clay Slug, 7 Leaf Snapper, 7 Ruby Hornborrer, 7 Woolly Aphid, 7 Feather Midge, 7 Bat Mite
Fly Tying Lvl 2	WORSHIP	14 Nippleworm, 14 Blister Beetle, 14 Rose Swallowtail, 14 Fruit Maggot, 14 Horned Hookworm, 14 Sand Mite, 14 Toad Sawfly
Fly Tying Lvl 3	WORSHIP	21 Camel Weevel, 21 Corkscrew Asp, 21 Footworm, 21 Fruit Maggot, 21 Horned Hookworm, 21 Rose Mite, 21 Spittlebug
Fly Tying Lvl 4	WORSHIP	28 Oyster Mite, 28 Blister Beetle, 28 Corn Maggot, 28 Orchid Hopper, 28 Ringed Wasp, 28 Sand Mite, 28 Bat Mite
Fly Tying Lvl 5	WORSHIP	35 Glass Worm, 35 Grass Slug, 35 Leafhopper, 35 Nightwing, 35 Queen Maggot, 35 Skinlicker, 35 Woolly Aphid
Fly Tying Lvl 6	WORSHIP	42 Ash Centipede, 42 Bloodworm, 42 Clay Slug, 42 Feather Midge, 42 Leaf Snapper, 42 Ruby Hornborrer, 42 Toad Sawfly
Pilgrim Shrine Const.	WORSHIP	1 Oyster Shell Marble, 1 Yellow Alabaster, 1 Mud Granite
Ploughing	WORSHIP	100 Cabbage, 100 Carrots, 100 Cucumbers, 100 Leeks, 100 Onions, 100 Peppers, 100 Watermelons [Ranching]
Preservation	WORSHIP	50 Papyrus Paper
Ritual Item Construction 0	WORSHIP	10 Linen, 200 Firebricks, 100 Oil
Ritual Item Construction 1	WORSHIP	14 Candle, 50 Silver
Salvage Techniques	WORSHIP	300 Leather, 300 Glass Rods, 300 Papyrus Paper
Structure Maintenance	WORSHIP	4 Mud Granite, 4 Rose Alabaster
Structure Repair	WORSHIP	1 Huge Emerald, 1 Large Topaz, 1 Medium Ruby, 1 Small Sapphire