Test of Three Kingdoms

Test of Three Kingdoms

Abstract

In the Test of Three Kingdoms, small groups of players must cooperate to build cenotaphs (a monument of respect to the dead) representing the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms of Egypt. Your work will be inspected by the finest instructors of architecture in Egypt. If you can gain enough favor with the instructors, your cenotaph will be constructed. Complete three cenotaphs, representing the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, and you will pass the test! But, how will you complete this task? Will you strictly cooperate with you peers and hope for the best, or will you take the credit all for yourself?

Mechanics of Group Selection

Every once in a while (anywhere from 7 to 14 rl days), a sorting event for the test occurs (shown on the calendar) and players signed up for the test are sorted into groups. You are eligible for group placement as long as you have signed up and have also logged into your account within the past three Teppy days. There are three types of cenotaphs with different group sizes:

• Old Kingdom - 3 players
• Middle Kingdom - 6 players
• New Kingdom - 12 players

All players are eligible for Old Kingdom, but Middle Kingdom players must have already built an Old Kingdom cenotaph, and likewise New Kingdom players must have already built a Middle Kingdom cenotaph. Additionally, higher level cenotaphs beyond Old Kingdom must first be demonstrated by a player at a University of Architecture before any groups of those types can be formed.

Each cenotaph you complete grants you one chance to build the next highest type (If you finish 3 Old Kingdom cenotaphs, you can attempt to build a Middle Kingdom type 3 times. There is no requirement to build an Old Kingdom cenotaph.)

The game will attempt to place players in the highest group possible, but if there are not enough players to fill a complete group the game will place them in a lower group. Players who cannot be placed into any of the three group types must wait until the next sorting. If you are signed up for the test but no longer wish to participate for some reason, you can visit a University of Architecture and temporarily suspend yourself from being sorted into a group. You can later begin participating again if you wish.

One player in the group, chosen randomly, is given a Cenotaph Construction Kit. This allows that player to place a Cenotaph Construction Site in Egypt much like placing a regular construction site. Your group is given a chat window, and you should place the Construction Site in an easily reachable location for everyone.

Building your Cenotaph

Each of the three cenotaphs has 4 subtypes. Your subtype is randomly chosen when your group is formed. This means not every group is building the exact same type of structure. Subtype details are at the bottom of the page.

Your group has 9 Egyptian days (about 72 rl hours) from the initial sorting to build your cenotaph. After nine days, the instructors from the University of Architecture will inspect your progress, and if any players in your group have not made their contribution at this time, failure occurs, your group is dissolved, and any progress on the cenotaph is lost (it crumbles). Note that if you are building a Middle or New Kingdom cenotaph, this counts as one attempt, so you may be required to build another lower level cenotaph to try again.

Each player in the group must make a small contribution to the Cenotaph Construction Site for a building round to be successful. The exact contribution cost is detailed at the bottom of the page. After all players in the group do this you must wait for the inspectors to review your work. The instructors of architecture will inspect your cenotaph and render one of three judgements:

• Approve! (Your group gains 7 favor)
• Disapprove. (Your group loses 4 favor. You cannot have less than 0 favor.)
• Mixed feelings... (No favor gained or lost.)

The judgement you receive is mostly decided at random (so there is a 1/3 chance of gaining favor) but it is rumored that you may be able to somewhat influence the opinion of the instructors in some unknown manner. For your cenotaph to be given the 'go ahead' for construction, your group must have a certain amount of favor with the instructors. These are:

• Old Kingdom Cenotaph - 14 favor
• Middle Kingdom Cenotaph - 21 favor
• New Kingdom Cenotaph - 28 favor

If you meet the minimum amount, your cenotaph is finished and all group members receive credit for it! You are eligible for higher level cenotaphs, your group is disbanded, and you are immediately available to be sorted into new groups when the next sorting occurs. If your group doesn't have enough favor, a building round occurs again (each player in the group must re-contribute to the Site again within 9 Egyptian days.) Building rounds continue until you reach the required amount of favor, or until a member of your group fails to contribute, or....

Secret Blueprints

Rumor has it that the Stranger has obtained cenotaph blueprints through illicit means and plans to distribute them to select players. During each building round, one member of the group is randomly chosen to receive these secret blueprints to finish the cenotaph by themselves. This notification is given in the calendar, much like a mentor shrine notification or event prize notification. The cost to do this is considerable: the normal single player contribution cost multiplied by the number of players in your group. If you decide to do this, the contribution is made like a regular one at the Cenotaph Construction Site. When all other members in your group finish their contributions and the next inspection occurs, the cenotaph will automatically get the 'go ahead' regardless of favor and you alone will receive credit for its construction! You immediately become eligible for higher level cenotaphs, but unfortunately the other members of your group must try again.

Passing the Test

Finish an Old, Middle, and a New Kingdom cenotaph to pass the test. After passing, you are no longer eligible to placed into the first three types of groups, but you do become eligible for a new type of Cenotaph group:

• Future Kingdom Cenotaph - 18 players, needs 35 favor to build

The Future Age Cenotaph has no secret blueprints associated with it, so you must cooperate with everyone to build it. Only passed players can be placed into this group, and you may try as many times as you like. Only 1 Future Age Cenotaph can be built in Egypt - one this is done, passed players can no longer participate in any part of the Test of Three Kingdoms. Upon completion, the Future Kingdom Cenotaph must be consecrated with rare marble so that it will remain permanently in Egypt. The consecration costs are:

• 10 Monkey Marble
• 10 Puzzle Granite
• 10 Blue Moon
• 1000 Black Paint

The Cenotaph must be consecrated for its effect to become active. What does the Future Kingdom Cenotaph do? Who knows.... it could be anything! (this will be left up to the developer)

Finished Cenotaphs

When your cenotaph is completed, it will remain in Egypt until the next sorting event occurs. It will crumble at that point (to reduce the clutter of built cenotaphs over time). The cenotaphs are delicate and beautiful, but susceptible to the elements; indeed, this is perhaps why they must be continually rebuilt. Only the "Future Cenotaph" will remain permanently in Egypt after its construction.

Principles of the Test

• Be placed into an Old Kingdom Cenotaph group
• Contribute to your cenotaph
• Successfully complete an Old Kingdom Cenotaph

Contribution Costs

Old Kingdom Cenotaph

Cenotaph Subtype	Contribution Cost
Desert Cenotaph	50 Bricks, 5 Boards, 5 Slate, 5 Flint, 1 Linen
Fibrous Cenotaph	25 Flax, 10 Dried Flax, 100 Thorns, 10 Barley (Raw), 1 Linen
Vegetable Cenotaph	5 Grilled Garlic, 5 Grilled Carrots, 5 Grilled Cabbage, 5 Grilled Onions, 1 Linen
Jeweled Cenotaph	4 Small Opals, 3 Medium Opals, 1 Large Opal, 20 Beeswax, 1 Linen

Middle Kingdom Cenotaph

Cenotaph Subtype	Contribution Cost
Marble Cenotaph	1 Oyster Shell Marble, 1 Yellow Alabaster, 1 Mud Granite, 1 White Travertine, 1 Linen
Animal Cenotaph	75 Leather, 50 Royal Jelly, 3 Rabbit Pelts, 3 Crushed Egg Shells, 1 Linen
Metal Cenotaph	25 Lithium, 25 Platinum, 25 Strontium, 25 Titanium, 1 Linen
Glass Cenotaph	5 Glass Blades, 12 Wine Bottles, 5 Sheet Glass, 2 Quicksilver, 1 Linen

New Kingdom Cenotaph

Cenotaph Subtype	Contribution Cost
Scientific Cenotaph	1 Nut's Essence, 25 Ink, 20 Papyrus Paper, 1 Serpent Cocktail, 1 Linen
Bounty of the Sea Cenotaph	25 Fish Oil, 5 Fish Roe, 3 Oyster Meat, 150 Rotten Fish, 1 Linen
Artistic Cenotaph	180 Liquid Sun Fertilizer, 3 Mandibular Glue, 4 Silver Sheeting, 20 Wood Paper, 1 Linen
Industrial Cenotaph	100 Petroleum, 100 Coal, 1 Volatile Explosive, 20 Gravel, 1 Linen

Future Kingdom Cenotaph

Cenotaph Subtype	Contribution Cost
Visionary Cenotaph	5 Arsenic, 1 Eye of Osiris Mushroom, 3 Palm Fronds, 1 Huge Opal, 1 Linen

Demonstrating the Test

To open the Test of Three Kingdoms, present yourself at a University of Architecture with the following items:

• 1 Huge Opal
• 200 Leeks
• 200 Rotten Flax
• 200 Clay

This opens the test and allows for construction of the Old Kingdom Cenotaph. Further demonstrations are required to unlock additional Cenotaphs.

Cenotaph Type	Demonstration Cost
Middle Kingdom Cenotaph	10 Canary Granite, 10 Roosters, 20 Pewter, 10 Fine Glass Rods
New Kingdom Cenotaph	20 Serpent Cocktails, 100 Fish Roe, 100 Wood Paper, 5 High Explosives
Future Kingdom Cenotaph	200 Eye of Osiris Mushrooms, 20 Huge Opals, 1 Low Explosive