Apollyon's Tear
By Ara Shirinian
ara@housenet.org
http://www.shirinian.net

Version: 1 (May 11 2003, 9:26 pm)
Game Type: Deathmatch
Recommended # of players: 2-7


Installation Instructions:

AraPack.u			Place this in C:\UT2003\System
DM-ApollyonsTear.ut2		Place this in C:\UT2003\Maps

The level will not run properly if AraPack.u is not in your UT2003 System folder.



Background Story:

Nafs-Amara is a tiny planet located about 400 light years from our solar
system. Although its size is comparable to that of our moon, the entire
sphere is littered with active volcanoes. Two years ago, anomalous 
activity was detected on the surface.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the planet's lava exhibits
properties such as exceedingly low viscosity and heat retention that is
apparently immeasurable. Regardless of its environment, the lava seems to
continuously retain its ultra-high temperature and therefore exists
permanently in liquid form. Initial studies suggest that this material's
behavior actually violates the First Law of Thermodynamics. The
implications as a potential energy source are obvious.

Mount Apollyon is the largest active volcano on the planet, and research
facility NAA-1 has been built to study the magmatic activity.
The erupted lava, oozing gently from the mouth of the volcano, is 
colloquially referred to among the research staff as "Apollyon's Tear."

As the facility is located inside Mount Apollyon, it has been specially
designed to sustain frequent exposures to the magma. During eruptions,
the entire structure becomes flooded. Over time, the lava
gradually drains back into the porous ground.

Strangely enough, these volcanic eruptions are highly predictable.
Consequently the research staff is able to complete experiments and
vacate the premises safely between eruptions.

In the time interval immediately after floodings and before the
scientists come back from their vacations, research facility NAA-1 rents
out their space for tournaments!



Legal information:
Apollyon's Tear map and all accompanying materials are Copyright 2003 Ara Shirinian.

This map (Apollyon's Tear) and all related original content may not be distributed in any way, or may not be used as a basis for any derivative work, without explicit written permission from me (Ara Shirinian).

The sky and planet graphics in this map are my own derivative works based on public domain material supplied by NASA and NSSDC. No endorsement has been made or implied by NASA.

Planet:
Image Processing by Jody Swann/Tammy Becker/Alfred McEwen, using the
PICS (Planetary Image Cartography System) image processing system
developed at the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona.
NASA ID MF07S078
See http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-mars.html

Sky:
NASA/John Trauger (Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, Calif.) and James Westphal (California Institute of
Technology, Pasadena, Calif.)
NASA ID STScI-PRC99-33a
See http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-astro-nebula.html