Welcome to Gaia! ::

Writer & Artist Information

I hope to update this Newsletter roughly once per month with articles about the plot, goings on within our organization, interviews with various people, and creative works of art or writing. But do to that, I need Your help! I'll post the estimated publication date for each issue in this section. Suggested topics for that months issue will also be posted. If you wish to contribute, just send along a PM with which section you'd like to do. Please only volunteer if you can complete your assignment by the publication date and please spellcheck your work. I reserve the right to select which articles are included. All writers and artists will get a byline with their name, Agent Name, and a website link (link subject to approval).


Estimated Publication Date of Next Issue: Issue 2; 2/10/2007

Suggested Topics:
- Feature or Opinion on the Peace Process
- Feature on the New Warp Gate
- Any opinion piece
- Any Interviews
- Any Art

Available Writing Assignments:
Please let me know prior to writing an article that you are going to do so, so we don't end up with more than one Feature Article or too many for the month.
- Feature Article: The feature article should address the most recent Gaia or plot event. If there is no major event that month, a plot or guild-related update can be a feature. The feature article should be the longest in the Newsletter, about 1-2 MS Word pages.
- Interview: An interview can be with anyone you think GiB Agents would be interested in hearing from. The article should be not more than 1 page, but can be a paragraph with a link to the appropriate thread.
- Opinion Piece: An opinion piece is on an open topic column. Possible topics are event items, alien psychology, the LAWLs cover organization, etc. Articles should be 1 MS Word page long.
- Announcement: I will include 2-3 announcements for special events, charities, or other items that don't need a full article. Please keep to a paragraph in length with a small link button if necessary.
- Creative Writing: I will include only one of these at the most. If the item is to be included directly in the Newsletter, it should be short. If it is to be linked, it can be longer, but you should PM me a paragraph description and the link.

Available Art Assignment:
- GiB or LAWLS Art/Comic: Please feel free to just submit art. If I get enough, a special art edition will be published as often as necessary. I'm planning on 1-2 items per month.
- Artist Gallary Feature: I'll feature one gallery per month. If you're interested in being featured, send me a PM with your gallery. I'll include the link and a paragraph about the art you do.

1) Xmas 2006 Event Report
by locusta

Note: Since I was mostly MIA during the inter-holiday period, I will not address the extensive activity that took place during that time. I encourage another Agent to send me an article addressing that period. Please let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed something major.

This year, Gaia experienced its first intergalactic holiday season with the addition of our Zurgian visitors. Prior to the Xmas event, Gambino announced that he had ended his business relationship with Mother due to his concern over the intentions of the Zurg. Shortly there after, Cindy reported the attempted kidnapping of Santa. The attempt was bungled resulting in Santa’s mind being transferred to the body of an unsuspecting cow. The manga-footage related to Cindy’s report suggests that this was not an intentional act by the Zurg.

With Santa now in a cow’s body, 02 decided to step forward and fill Santa’s large boots. However Santa wasn’t going to let being a cow stop him from delivering presents, and predictably, the Resistance backed him in opposition to the Zurg-Santa. During this time, the GiB chose not to back a single Santa in the interest of maintaining peace and a balance.

When the Xmas event got underway, however, both Santa’s clearly had the meaning of the holiday on their minds. Instead of probing and zapping, Gaians were encouraged to give gifts to others in exchange for prizes from either Santa. Cow-Santa (backed by the Resistance) gave out the Cowhide Santa Hat and Long Bull Horns as rewards for working for them. 02-Santa gave out stuffed Water Meats and Lucky Stars for supporting the Zurgian side. Despite Cow-Santa’s early lead, he was firmly trounced by 02 in the final gift count. Questions still remain regarding the current condition of Santa.



When the holiday drew to a close, many organizations and individual on Gaia banded loosely together to continue the feelings of friendship and sharing. Loose, public federations such as Gaia Unlimited and the Peace Petition indicate that as a whole Gaia is finally moving away from extreme factions and towards a common and peaceful ground.



2) Xmas Gifts Reviewed
by locusta
This Holiday season saw two Santa’s emerge with gifts for all good Gaians and Zurgians. Both the Resistance (backing the Cow Santa) and 02 rewarded Gaians with a small token for helping them distribute presents to their follows. But after the snow settled from the flurry of gift giving, it became clear to all that some gifts were better than others. Here’s my review of the four Event gifts.

Water Meat Plushie – This adorable gift from 02 was, hands-down, the number one gift this holiday season and most Gaians were not content with just one. Made from a soft white fabric with cute button eyes, the water meat plushie stole nearly everyone’s heart. While not good for the more serious avatar style, these whimsical toys bring a touch of fun and child-like delight to your designs.



Cowhide Santa Hat – Don’t worry, no Santas or cows were harmed in the creation of these hats. Adding to the proof that Gaia is run by hat-lovers (who like to torture us by restricting hats to one at a time), this fake cowhide hat sports neutral colors that can complement many avatar designs for the winter season. Also, it’s fluffy pompom lets you dress down your otherwise formal GiB attire while keeping the black and white motif. Not as exciting as the Spirited 2k6 hat or as cute at the water meat, only time will tell if this can become staple wear for winter avatars.



Lucky Star – Clearly 02 wasn’t exactly sure what Gaian anatomy looked like when he created this gift. Is it neck wear? A halo? It’s hard to tell with this shiny addition to Gaian attire. While the stars make a cute backdrop, the addition of the strange and tentacled neckpiece causes this item to interfere with otherwise nice outfits and the size will likely make this piece too cluttered for many Gaians. Still its usefulness is probably broader than the Long Bull Horns.



Long Bull Horns – These horns might explain what happened to all of Gaia’s bulls, but they’re probably fabricated as well. Large and realistic looking, these horns will be an asset to some costumes, but useless for many more. Animal enthusiasts, Vikings, and people who need random items for role-plays will probably use this item. For the rest of us, there are better horn options already available on Gaia.

3) The G.I.B. undercover?
by xeineia
Due to a vote in the formally known G.I.B. guild, popular demand persuaded the higher-ups to change the name of the G.I.B. to the outside world. We, the G.I.B. are now undercover as Lawls Inc. Lawls is a soda company that stamps out the competition with their overwhelming doses of caffeine and sugar! With the convenient slogan of forget Bino, deport Zurg, grab a LAWLS!

See this thread for more details from our leader, Agent Tim. (Please keep in mind you should not post in it.)

You may post comments if you desire.

Ehh, I finally had time to read this ^^

Your redaction's very good and fun- I specially liked the reviews of the gifts both Santas gave to us.

Good luck with the next issues heart I'll help if I find something to talk about x3

Looks good!

Nice Job Thar. wink