Apolyton Archive  |  Preserved copy of the Apolyton Civilization Site and its forums as they stood in September 2005. Read-only; nothing here can be posted to or replied to.  |  Forum index |  About this archive |  The 1998–2001 UBB forums
Today on Apolyton WARDELL INTERVIEW PROMO A.C.S. HISTORY CHAPTER 4 GET CIV4 /w FREE PLUS! A.C.S. PHOTO GALLERY GET A.O.M. V1.1
Apolyton Civilization Forums
main| civ2| civ3| civ4| smac| ctp2| ron| moo3| galciv| galciv2| alt| about|
ApolytonPLUS | register | search | faq | new posts | pm (-/-) | upload | members
hall of fame new! | civgroups | civgroups news | interviews | the column | radio | chat | directory | news | store | PLUS
Apolyton Civilization Forums : Powered by vBulletin version 2.0.3 Apolyton Civilization Forums > Miscellaneous > Archive > Off-Topic-Archive > Apolyton Christmas story- The Little Stein-Seller
Show a Printable Version | Email This Page to Someone! | Receive updates to this thread | Report this to Apolyton news!

bottom of page
  
Author
Thread   
Pages (2): [ 1   2   ]
< Last Thread     Next Thread > Post New Thread     Post A Reply
Lazarus and the Gimp is offline Lazarus and the Gimp
King
Whale-raping abomination
Aug 2000
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 01:20
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#1 Report this post to a moderator
Apolyton Christmas story- The Little Stein-Seller Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

If this bears any resemblance to its original version by Hans Christian Anderson, it's going to be a fairly short story this year. Then again, Anderson never felt a burning desire to cram in as many references to crudely deviant sexual practices as I do. Enjoy...

**************************************

The Little Stein Seller

It was a bitterly cold Christmas Eve in Apolytonia, but there was a warm and golden light in the air. Three years ago Comrade Chegitz had successfully unionised the chimney-sweeps- they were now beginning their third year on strike and the many blazing roof-fires about the city put a rosy glow on the beggars faces as they lay around festively dying of hypothermia.

Through the deep and powdery snow trudged the little Greek stein-seller, with his tray of monstrous tat bearing the motif "My words are backed with 5 divisions of Hussars!". Little Markos bent into the driving blizzard and wondered how he had ever fallen so low. Only last year he was making an easy living as a match-seller for Runcible Asher, and had made easy pennies selling boxes of matches to passing smokers, arsonists and revolutionaries. Sadly, Master Asher had been caught up in a lengthy feud with Urbediah Ranger who maintained that tinder-boxes were inherently superior and more reliable than matches (which were crippled by a clumsy interface and a tendency to snappage). The argument was to be settled in the traditional manner between gentlemen- attempting to hack each other's lungs out in a duel early one morning- but all such plans were dropped when Urbediah became a magistrate and promptly had Asher deported to the colonies. Now he had to creep around town with his tray of steins.

Little Markos paused for a while in the shelter provided by a large Tailor's shop. It was the premises of Messrs Meier and Reynolds, those famously eccentric purveyors of fine clothing to the discerning whose garments had one peculiar feature- despite being brand-new they still required patches in order to maintain a semblance of decency. The wind whipped in from the dockside and all passers-by were swaddled in furs and scarves, with the exception of the muscular young matelots outside of the "Godunov & Fun Mission for Seamen" who were striking a succession of dramatic poses whilst oiling each other's pectorals. The only other person not properly dressed was the poor little stein-seller, who was so poor that his shoes were mere banana-skins and his ragged clothing was only held together by saliva and bogies. Ah, yes- only the secretions from his poor little head kept his unmentionables out of the unflinching gaze of the cruel wind, and the rude little boys who would point at his willie.

A ragged man lay on the steps leading up to the shop's entrance. At first, Markos thought it might have been his old friend Vincent Van Solver- the kindly old artist best-known for his series of portaits depicting Apolytonia's most prominent faces in a, to be blunt, slightly sycophantic blaze of glory. However, he quickly remembered that it was well over a year since Vincent's last portrait which meant that the workshy old layabout had either spent the last year energetically boffing his models, or had starved to death. On the balance of past form he suspected the latter.

He sidled closer to the semi-conscious heap on the stairs. Clearly the unfortunate man had fallen foul of Bacchus, for he appeared to have a large bunch of Dahlias emanating from his buttocks and bore the distinct and sharp odour of wee. Markos timidly prodded the comatose man.

The musty-smelling heap twitched. " 'k off!" it mumbled. " 'king Ben Affleck!".

Recognition flashed through Markos's mind like a Siberian streaker. "Good Good!" he ejaculated. "Is that really you, Archbishop Zylka?"

******************************

To be continued/concluded.

Imran Siddiqui is offline Imran Siddiqui

Deity
The Potterverse
Jan 1970
time: 00:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 01:42
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#2 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

quote:
Three years ago Comrade Chegitz had successfully unionised the chimney-sweeps- they were now beginning their third year on strike and the many blazing roof-fires about the city put a rosy glow on the beggars faces as they lay around festively dying of hypothermia.


quote:
Godunov & Fun Mission for Seamen




Keep em coming.

(I hope in this story I'm not covered in ****... but of course I probably will be )

Az is offline Az
King
MACEDONIA - It's the name of the sovereign country to the north of Greece
Apr 2000
time: 07:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 01:52
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#3 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Your writing is, as always, very entertaining.

Lazarus and the Gimp is offline Lazarus and the Gimp
King
Whale-raping abomination
Aug 2000
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 02:04
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#4 Report this post to a moderator
Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

I should work some of the newer members in. Unfortunately that noble aim is hindered by the fact that I know little about them, and care less.

loinburger is offline loinburger
Emperor
Sweet Sauce Jones
Jul 1999
time: 00:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 02:16 Visit loinburger's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#5 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

How much do you really need to know about somebody who's going to be used as cannon fodder?

Spiffor is offline Spiffor
Emperor
CPA - Evil Clone brigade
Nov 2001
time: 06:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 02:41
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#6 Report this post to a moderator
Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Looking goos I can't wait to see the next adventures of Archibshop Zylka

Bereta_Eder is offline Bereta_Eder
Prince

Oct 2000
time: 07:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 02:46 Visit Bereta_Eder's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#7 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

The sole remaining poster who will make me open a dictionary. Not now because I'm tired as hell but in general.

mrmitchell is offline mrmitchell
King

Donate to the Red Cross

Sep 2002
time: 23:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 03:22
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#8 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

alva is offline alva
Emperor
Republic of Flanders
Sep 2001
time: 06:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 03:30
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#9 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote:
To be continued/concluded.


This really should be:

To be continued/concluded.

Lazarus and the Gimp is offline Lazarus and the Gimp
King
Whale-raping abomination
Aug 2000
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 03:36
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#10 Report this post to a moderator
Get a bigger avatar today!

quote:
Originally posted by loinburger
How much do you really need to know about somebody who's going to be used as cannon fodder?


It means so much more when the cannonball in question has their name on it.

Q Cubed is offline Q Cubed
Prince
t3h y3ll0w p3ril
Apr 1999
time: 23:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 03:36 Visit Q Cubed's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#11 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Immortal Wombat is offline Immortal Wombat
Prince
in perpetuity
Dec 2000
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 04:46 Visit Immortal Wombat's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#12 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Quality.

Skanky Burns is offline Skanky Burns
Deity
Skanky Bastard Quartermaster
Aug 2001
time: 14:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 06:38
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#13 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Looking forward to more.

Skanky Burns is offline Skanky Burns
Deity
Skanky Bastard Quartermaster
Aug 2001
time: 14:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 08:07
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#14 Report this post to a moderator
Put an end to popups!

And hoping/fearing that I will actually make it into the story.

devilmunchkin is offline devilmunchkin
Warlord
first circle of the inferno
Jul 2001
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 09:51
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#15 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

more!

Ming is offline Ming
Chief Minion

Donate to the Red Cross
Mingapulco - CST
Jan 1970
time: 23:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 15:52 Visit Ming<br><img src=/forums/images/staff-icon.gif>'s homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#16 Report this post to a moderator
Put an end to popups!

quote:

To be continued/concluded.


Either way... at least we get one more installment

rah is offline rah
Apolyton Prince of Moderators, Master of Reason
Lord of the Ferrets
Jan 1970
time: 23:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 18:32
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#17 Report this post to a moderator
Get a bigger avatar today!

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a Gimp Tale.


RAH

Lorizael is offline Lorizael

Prince
The Cult Wins
Sep 2001
time: 00:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 20:53
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#18 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

You're a sick man, Laz. More!

David Floyd is offline David Floyd
King
The bottom of a large bottle of beer
Jan 1970
time: 05:32
  Old Post 23-12-2003 20:57 Visit David Floyd's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#19 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

You can use me as cannon fodder, that should be fun - you THIEF

Lazarus and the Gimp is offline Lazarus and the Gimp
King
Whale-raping abomination
Aug 2000
time: 05:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:05
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#20 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

Archbishop Miroslav Madrigalas Zylka was a legend. For thirty years the people of Apolytonia had swarmed to his services- even while congregations had dwindled everywhere else, and religion was talked of as if it was a museum relic, the good Burghers of the city had been known to trample small children and kittens underfoot in their haste to cram themselves into his church.

Naturally the Church Synod were delighted and only too welcome to treat this as an act of God. Indeed, they were on the brink of having him beatified and set on the path to being hailed as a living saint when a shocking discovery was made. It turned out that it wasn't his rivetting sermons that put bums so enthusiastically onto seats, but the fact that he'd substituted the Communion wine for pure laudanum. Now his parishioners were all helpless junkies who would have sold their own kids to Vivisectionists if it meant securing themselves a position at Communion the next Sunday.

There was a scandal, of course. Zylka was locked out of his own church and left to wander the streets ranting at the stars. He was not defrocked however- in fact, his methods started being quietly adopted all over the country so the Synod kept him as an Archbishop as a mark of respect. Unfortunately Zylka was a bitter man now, and had fallen into a long and loving relationship with the bottle.

As he twitched and grumbled, a dark green bottle rolled out of his grasp and bumped sloshingly into Markos' foot. It was near-full pint of "Old Ottok's Very Finest Absinthe", bearing the traditional warnings about madness, hallucinations, murderously psychotic killing sprees, etc.

The lttle stein seller sat down in the snow, and tried to warm his poor, frozen feet. He looked at the bottle. It was so cold out in the streets. Perhaps if he took a little drink to warm himself up? He pulled one of his cheap and shoddy steins out of the tray and poured a small hot into it. Closing his eyes, he drank it down.....

Bereta_Eder is offline Bereta_Eder
Prince

Oct 2000
time: 07:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:08 Visit Bereta_Eder's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#21 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

it also has a scenario!

Bereta_Eder is offline Bereta_Eder
Prince

Oct 2000
time: 07:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:25 Visit Bereta_Eder's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#22 Report this post to a moderator
Got spare money?

that's an instant cult name BTW
Archbishop Miroslav Madrigalas Zylka

Az is offline Az
King
MACEDONIA - It's the name of the sovereign country to the north of Greece
Apr 2000
time: 07:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:26
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#23 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

I really want to hear how this one will continue.

Ming is offline Ming
Chief Minion

Donate to the Red Cross
Mingapulco - CST
Jan 1970
time: 23:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:32 Visit Ming<br><img src=/forums/images/staff-icon.gif>'s homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#24 Report this post to a moderator
Suffering from ads?

quote:

To be continued/concluded.


Good... you continued it

Hueij is offline Hueij
Emperor
Kokonino Kounty
May 1999
time: 06:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 02:47
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#25 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Oh my god, ottok is in it! This year's Laz' Xmas story is already a classic.

and

alva is offline alva
Emperor
Republic of Flanders
Sep 2001
time: 06:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 03:14
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#26 Report this post to a moderator
Put an end to popups!



quote:
the good Burghers of the city


Burghers is a real english word? If so, that's left-over (old ?) dutch influence.

Ramo is offline Ramo
King
Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 1999
time: 23:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 03:48 Visit Ramo's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#27 Report this post to a moderator
Tired of ads?

Very nice, Laz.

quote:
Burghers is a real english word? If so, that's left-over (old ?) dutch influence.


Nah, it's simply a relic of both languages' Middle High Germanic heritidge.

The reason you don't hear it much in English is because the term has been Frenchified.

Q Cubed is offline Q Cubed
Prince
t3h y3ll0w p3ril
Apr 1999
time: 23:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 05:20 Visit Q Cubed's homepage!
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#28 Report this post to a moderator
Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

the archbishop's name is awesome.

Skanky Burns is offline Skanky Burns
Deity
Skanky Bastard Quartermaster
Aug 2001
time: 14:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 17:01
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#29 Report this post to a moderator
Got spare money?

Excellent.

Theben is offline Theben
Emperor
Dance Dance for the Revolution!
Jan 1970
time: 00:32
  Old Post 24-12-2003 19:00
Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
#30 Report this post to a moderator
Remove this text

quote:
Originally posted by Hueij
Oh my god, ottok is in it! This year's Laz' Xmas story is already a classic.


I wonder what the bottle says

and to Laz

 
Pages (2): [ 1   2   ]
< Last Thread     Next Thread > Post New Thread     Post A Reply
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:32.
Apolyton Time is 00:32.
    top of page
Rate This Thread:
archivepost
Forum Jump:
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is ON
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
 




Contact Us - Apolyton Civilization Site - Support Us!

Building a better Apolyton through better information. Click here and take our poll!
Non-US visitors, click here!

Powered by: vBulletin Version 2.0.3
Copyright ©2000, 2001, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.

Page generated in 0.0563 seconds (92.46% PHP - 7.54% MySQL) with 31 queries
Page Loading Time:

Support Apolyton: Amazon USA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR |
Support Apolyton and get FREE PLUS, Buy from Chips&Bits: Galactic Civilizations | Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition | Call to Power 2 | Civilization: The Boardgame | GURPS/ Alpha Centauri | Alpha Centauri | Civilization IV | Civilization III: Complete |


Front Page | Civilization IV | Civilization III | Civilization II | Call to Power II | Alpha Centauri | Master of Orion III
Rise of Nations | Galactic Civilizations | Galactic Civilizations II | Misc
Alt.Civs | Civ I | C:CtP I | About | News | Directory | Apolyton Store | Forums | Chat | Columns | Interviews | Newsletter
Scenario League | CSC | Clash of Civs | Spanish Site | CtP Maps | Cradle of Civ | WesW's Ctp1/2 Site | Civ3 Haven

apolyton.net | apolyton.com | civilization2.net | civilization3.net | civilization4.net | civilizationiv.info | calltopower.net | galciv.net | galciv2.net | moo3.net