Investigative auditing is the Prevention, detection and quantification of fraud , money laundering and terror financing.
Investigative Auditing deals with innocent errors and abnormal or invalid financial incidents/events having fraudulent potential or capable of bringing undesired financial implications to the investigated subject.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?dbpubmed&cmdSearch&Term=investigative%20auditing&itool=QuerySuggestion
Forensic Accounting
Unlike forensic accounting, which is usually triggered by claims for damages that follow actual forensic events, Investigative Auditing focuses on the preliminary prevention of undesired incidents before they materialize. Usually, the focus of Investigative Audit's review is on examination of internal controls, with the goal of determining whether or not internal controls are compromised.
The constant growth of frauds, money laundering and corruption events have sharpened the need to proactively address corporate operational risks. Educational programs for examiners in charge teach the necessary techniques and methodologies to affectively build enterprise fraud prevention programs within the organization as well as conduct and manage the actual investigation process. Further more, investigative audits are conducted upon demand in order to validate or contradict occasional allegations and claims. Forensic Accounting is applied only after legal proceedings are initiated, which require financial findings to be presented to court. Investigative Auditing offers constructive organizational actions to mitigate the risks that might lead to a legal dispute.
Investigating Auditors autonomy
As represented in the California Government Code , the state Auditor is empowered to conduct Investigative audits in order to investigate allegations regarding improper governmental activity. Such audit may reveal organizational flaws that should be altered in order to prevent similar incidents to occur in the future. The preventive perspective of the audit, which is supported by the assistance and cooperation of any relevant state department, is strictly confidential thus promising investigations' reliability and impact. Investigative Audits are an integrated routine that provide proactive preventive means that improve the subject's capability to deal with casual invalid incidents.
A Branch of Accounting applying Special Auditing doctrines
While a financial audit samples the financial system and verifies that the sampled transactions add up according to basic accounting principles, an investigative audit goes deeper into the financial infrastructure investigating the bookkeeping, the transactions, the payments and the entities behind them, questioning their correctness validity and legality and exposing the truth behind the plain numbers.
The use of traditional audit approaches, such as those employed by the accounting profession, frequently fails to uncover losses or the causes of such losses. The following article relates to how investigative auditing was used to uncover a serious theft problem in a hospital
Investigative Auditing proactive approach towards financial understanding (see book titles on the issue[http://books.google.com/books?q=investigative+audit&cttitle&lr&saN&start10]) is an obligatory course which is a part of the academic accounting studies program in many accounting academies. It is also one of the chapters in some charts of certified accountants' qualification exams that needs to be undertaken before accounting practice.
Investigative Auditing is practically applied in business organizations, local authorities, National institutes, Municipal Agencies, Public Services [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:NVIy62X55ZQJ:app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicReports.nsf/86256EA9004C005986256F4A00536DD3/%24FILE/03800520.PDF+investigative+audit+OR+auditing&hlen&ctclnk&cd=28], NGOs,International institutes and various other entities.
The globalization of business has encouraged most of which to adopt investigative auditing doctorines to fight bribary and corruption, to perform preventive Integrity checks and conduct Fraud vulnerability studies
Investigative Audits practices in schools and universities
A good example for a routine investigative audits which are embedded within the institution as an integral part of its own control mechanisms is the adoption of Investigative Audits in academic institutes [http://www.indiana.edu/~iuaudit/services.html#Services].
Internal Investigative Audits seek to determine that the Universities control their operations and functions, promote efficient and effective processes and on the other hand provide reasonable assurance that undesired errors or irregularities are detected during the normal course of operations.
In case of suspected financial irregularities, misuse of systems, possible fraud, misappropriation of university funds or other complex situations, Internal Audit conducts a specialized investigative audit, tailored to the circumstances. Investigative audits differ from other audits because they are normally conducted without first notifying the personnel who may be affected by the findings. The findings report of the comptroller of the state of Tenessee reveals how potential flaws in the schooling system were exploited by insiders, and how investigative auditing helped revealing those incidents. Similar findings may be found in the Memphis City Report [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:XJJVnC0BsG0J:www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/repository/MA/memphiscityschoolfacility.pdf+investigative+audit+OR+auditing&hlen&ctclnk&cd=11]
The Investigative Team
A typical investigation team conducting an investigative audit includes financial experts and accountants with practical experience in law enforcement, Information Technology (IT) experts that can trace the origins and the lifecycle of any transaction as documented in the IT systems underlying the inspected entity as well as lawyers and jurists that coordinate the investigation process and its artifacts, according to the legal framework and requirements.
Investigative Auditing Branches:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?dbpubmed&cmdSearch&Term=investigative%20auditing&itool=QuerySuggestion
Loss and fraud investigations, are conducted to determine existing control weaknesses and produce fraud vulnerability studies, assist Risk Management in determining the amount of the loss, and most important - assist the investigated entity by recommending corrective measures to prevent subsequent recurrences. Same principles are applied in formulating anti corruption methodologies and integrity checks that improve financial security of any object.
Investigative auditing include the following activities: Discover fraudulent transactions, Computer fraud audits, Review of financial and operational procedures to assist management in the deterrence of fraud, Investigative Auditing in liquidation and receivership situations, Supplement due diligence procedures prior to business acquisitions and mergers, Advice to lawyers, accountants, internal auditors, security officers and public supervisory concerning Investigative Auditing, Tracing of misappropriated assets and assistance in their recovery, Confidential independent appraisal of third party financial statements and documents, Financial supervision of infrastructure and other Projects.
Fraud Prevention:
Examination of the financial and operational process flows in the organization.
Conducting vulnerability surveys, designed to expose week links that can be manipulated or exploited for fraudulent purposes.
Implementing control and enforcement check points, methodologies and mechanisms.
Fraud Detection and Computer Fraud examinations:
Exposing and verifying suspicious activities;
Analyzing Fraud methodologies;
Filing expert witness reports which are based on the findings of the Investigative Audit;
Detecting frauds committed with the use of computers;
Quantification of Frauds:
Quantifying the damages from frauds based on the findings of the Investigative Audit as part of legal procedure.
The quantification is used for Insurance support in assessing the damages in Insurance claims and by Defining the factual and financial basis for evaluating the damages.
Investigative Consulting and assistance to lawyers applies in legal proceedings as well as various litigation areas. This includes preparation of expert witness reports to courts and testifying as court's expert witness.
This branch of Investigative Auditing is equivalent to forensic accounting.
Many Business conflicts (Insolvencies, Liquidations) come to an end after an Investigative audit provides evidence for the financial issues under dispute. Investigative Audits are applied for tracing assets and assisting in returning them to their rightful owners.
Investigative Auditing oriented Due Diligence checks conducted before completion of M&A, provide objective reliability evaluations of financial reports and documents and other factual integrity checks.
Enforcement agencies are using Investigative Audit techniques and tools in white collar crime investigations and using Investigative Auditors that are sometimes seconded to the investigation team.
Investigative Auditing deals with innocent errors and abnormal or invalid financial incidents/events having fraudulent potential or capable of bringing undesired financial implications to the investigated subject.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?dbpubmed&cmdSearch&Term=investigative%20auditing&itool=QuerySuggestion
Forensic Accounting
Unlike forensic accounting, which is usually triggered by claims for damages that follow actual forensic events, Investigative Auditing focuses on the preliminary prevention of undesired incidents before they materialize. Usually, the focus of Investigative Audit's review is on examination of internal controls, with the goal of determining whether or not internal controls are compromised.
The constant growth of frauds, money laundering and corruption events have sharpened the need to proactively address corporate operational risks. Educational programs for examiners in charge teach the necessary techniques and methodologies to affectively build enterprise fraud prevention programs within the organization as well as conduct and manage the actual investigation process. Further more, investigative audits are conducted upon demand in order to validate or contradict occasional allegations and claims. Forensic Accounting is applied only after legal proceedings are initiated, which require financial findings to be presented to court. Investigative Auditing offers constructive organizational actions to mitigate the risks that might lead to a legal dispute.
Investigating Auditors autonomy
As represented in the California Government Code , the state Auditor is empowered to conduct Investigative audits in order to investigate allegations regarding improper governmental activity. Such audit may reveal organizational flaws that should be altered in order to prevent similar incidents to occur in the future. The preventive perspective of the audit, which is supported by the assistance and cooperation of any relevant state department, is strictly confidential thus promising investigations' reliability and impact. Investigative Audits are an integrated routine that provide proactive preventive means that improve the subject's capability to deal with casual invalid incidents.
A Branch of Accounting applying Special Auditing doctrines
While a financial audit samples the financial system and verifies that the sampled transactions add up according to basic accounting principles, an investigative audit goes deeper into the financial infrastructure investigating the bookkeeping, the transactions, the payments and the entities behind them, questioning their correctness validity and legality and exposing the truth behind the plain numbers.
The use of traditional audit approaches, such as those employed by the accounting profession, frequently fails to uncover losses or the causes of such losses. The following article relates to how investigative auditing was used to uncover a serious theft problem in a hospital
Investigative Auditing proactive approach towards financial understanding (see book titles on the issue[http://books.google.com/books?q=investigative+audit&cttitle&lr&saN&start10]) is an obligatory course which is a part of the academic accounting studies program in many accounting academies. It is also one of the chapters in some charts of certified accountants' qualification exams that needs to be undertaken before accounting practice.
Investigative Auditing is practically applied in business organizations, local authorities, National institutes, Municipal Agencies, Public Services [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:NVIy62X55ZQJ:app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicReports.nsf/86256EA9004C005986256F4A00536DD3/%24FILE/03800520.PDF+investigative+audit+OR+auditing&hlen&ctclnk&cd=28], NGOs,International institutes and various other entities.
The globalization of business has encouraged most of which to adopt investigative auditing doctorines to fight bribary and corruption, to perform preventive Integrity checks and conduct Fraud vulnerability studies
Investigative Audits practices in schools and universities
A good example for a routine investigative audits which are embedded within the institution as an integral part of its own control mechanisms is the adoption of Investigative Audits in academic institutes [http://www.indiana.edu/~iuaudit/services.html#Services].
Internal Investigative Audits seek to determine that the Universities control their operations and functions, promote efficient and effective processes and on the other hand provide reasonable assurance that undesired errors or irregularities are detected during the normal course of operations.
In case of suspected financial irregularities, misuse of systems, possible fraud, misappropriation of university funds or other complex situations, Internal Audit conducts a specialized investigative audit, tailored to the circumstances. Investigative audits differ from other audits because they are normally conducted without first notifying the personnel who may be affected by the findings. The findings report of the comptroller of the state of Tenessee reveals how potential flaws in the schooling system were exploited by insiders, and how investigative auditing helped revealing those incidents. Similar findings may be found in the Memphis City Report [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:XJJVnC0BsG0J:www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/repository/MA/memphiscityschoolfacility.pdf+investigative+audit+OR+auditing&hlen&ctclnk&cd=11]
The Investigative Team
A typical investigation team conducting an investigative audit includes financial experts and accountants with practical experience in law enforcement, Information Technology (IT) experts that can trace the origins and the lifecycle of any transaction as documented in the IT systems underlying the inspected entity as well as lawyers and jurists that coordinate the investigation process and its artifacts, according to the legal framework and requirements.
Investigative Auditing Branches:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?dbpubmed&cmdSearch&Term=investigative%20auditing&itool=QuerySuggestion
Loss and fraud investigations, are conducted to determine existing control weaknesses and produce fraud vulnerability studies, assist Risk Management in determining the amount of the loss, and most important - assist the investigated entity by recommending corrective measures to prevent subsequent recurrences. Same principles are applied in formulating anti corruption methodologies and integrity checks that improve financial security of any object.
Investigative auditing include the following activities: Discover fraudulent transactions, Computer fraud audits, Review of financial and operational procedures to assist management in the deterrence of fraud, Investigative Auditing in liquidation and receivership situations, Supplement due diligence procedures prior to business acquisitions and mergers, Advice to lawyers, accountants, internal auditors, security officers and public supervisory concerning Investigative Auditing, Tracing of misappropriated assets and assistance in their recovery, Confidential independent appraisal of third party financial statements and documents, Financial supervision of infrastructure and other Projects.
Fraud Prevention:
Examination of the financial and operational process flows in the organization.
Conducting vulnerability surveys, designed to expose week links that can be manipulated or exploited for fraudulent purposes.
Implementing control and enforcement check points, methodologies and mechanisms.
Fraud Detection and Computer Fraud examinations:
Exposing and verifying suspicious activities;
Analyzing Fraud methodologies;
Filing expert witness reports which are based on the findings of the Investigative Audit;
Detecting frauds committed with the use of computers;
Quantification of Frauds:
Quantifying the damages from frauds based on the findings of the Investigative Audit as part of legal procedure.
The quantification is used for Insurance support in assessing the damages in Insurance claims and by Defining the factual and financial basis for evaluating the damages.
Investigative Consulting and assistance to lawyers applies in legal proceedings as well as various litigation areas. This includes preparation of expert witness reports to courts and testifying as court's expert witness.
This branch of Investigative Auditing is equivalent to forensic accounting.
Many Business conflicts (Insolvencies, Liquidations) come to an end after an Investigative audit provides evidence for the financial issues under dispute. Investigative Audits are applied for tracing assets and assisting in returning them to their rightful owners.
Investigative Auditing oriented Due Diligence checks conducted before completion of M&A, provide objective reliability evaluations of financial reports and documents and other factual integrity checks.
Enforcement agencies are using Investigative Audit techniques and tools in white collar crime investigations and using Investigative Auditors that are sometimes seconded to the investigation team.
Introduction
Underwater communication means the transfer of data from one point to another. There are many ways for performing such communication which involves pressure channels and velocity channels. But in this article velocity channels are discussed.
Underwater communication system
This type of communication system consists of Transmitter, Receiver and Channel. Here Velocity channels are considered and the Receiver to sense it is Vector Sensor.
The traditional way uses pressure channels and hydrophones.
Why Vector sensors?
Historically, ocean acoustic signals have been measured using underwater microphones. Microphones measure the pressure field is typically unidirectional. Recent development in piezoelectric materials has led to the use of vector sensor. Vector sensors measure both pressure and practical velocity both. Also they are smaller in size than hydrophones. And hence the Vector sensor is a better choice than microphones.
Software tools
The simulation of such chnnels can be carried out using the softwares as follows:
1. MATLAB (ACT TOOL BOX) (source )
2. SIMULINK
Underwater communication means the transfer of data from one point to another. There are many ways for performing such communication which involves pressure channels and velocity channels. But in this article velocity channels are discussed.
Underwater communication system
This type of communication system consists of Transmitter, Receiver and Channel. Here Velocity channels are considered and the Receiver to sense it is Vector Sensor.
The traditional way uses pressure channels and hydrophones.
Why Vector sensors?
Historically, ocean acoustic signals have been measured using underwater microphones. Microphones measure the pressure field is typically unidirectional. Recent development in piezoelectric materials has led to the use of vector sensor. Vector sensors measure both pressure and practical velocity both. Also they are smaller in size than hydrophones. And hence the Vector sensor is a better choice than microphones.
Software tools
The simulation of such chnnels can be carried out using the softwares as follows:
1. MATLAB (ACT TOOL BOX) (source )
2. SIMULINK
Germanic IAL, or Germanic International Auxiliary Language, is a constructed language (or "conlang"), which has been based primarily on the Germanic languages. This is unlike languages such as Interlingua, Occidental, and Esperanto which are derived largely from the Romance languages. Another term for IAL is "auxlang" (from "Auxiliary Language") and "Planned Language."
Few IALs are based on the Germanic languages. This is mainly because the influence of Latin-based languages, historically and contemporaneously, is deemed to be far higher than that of the Germanic languages. However, due to the relatively large influence of English, which incidentally incorporates a large deal of Romance vocabularly, most IALs tend to feature some English influence (particularly in the area of grammar).
Notable Germanic IALs
The most prominent IAL based mostly on the Germanic languages is Folkspraak. It is an unfinished project. Another contemporary Germanic IAL is Aaron Chapman's Nordien, however the community of this IAL is unknown. Tutonish, made in 1902 by Elias Molee, is a famous historical example of a Germanic IAL.
Few IALs are based on the Germanic languages. This is mainly because the influence of Latin-based languages, historically and contemporaneously, is deemed to be far higher than that of the Germanic languages. However, due to the relatively large influence of English, which incidentally incorporates a large deal of Romance vocabularly, most IALs tend to feature some English influence (particularly in the area of grammar).
Notable Germanic IALs
The most prominent IAL based mostly on the Germanic languages is Folkspraak. It is an unfinished project. Another contemporary Germanic IAL is Aaron Chapman's Nordien, however the community of this IAL is unknown. Tutonish, made in 1902 by Elias Molee, is a famous historical example of a Germanic IAL.
Shadows of Isildur is a RPI (Roleplay Intensive) MUD based on the series of books by J. R. R. Tolkien and opened in the public early 2003. SoI, as it's commonly referred, differs from many other MUD's in that death is permanent and characters are approved by application only, requiring all actions in the game to be in-character with a minimal use of out-of-character communication.
Gameplay features the conflict between Gondor and Mordor, opening in the year 2460. Time has since lapsed to 2477, leaving a ruined Osgiliath after Boromir (the steward) and his army pushed Mordor back after its fall, which was a featured HRPT (Highly Recommended Playing Time) July of 2006. Now, Lord Eradan's Battalion are charged, along with several other Lords, to reclaim the territories of the Ithilien, a highly contested area spanning between Osgiliath and Minas Morgul. Non-combative characters can enjoy several other activities, most notably Shadow of Isildur's branch-based and Fellowships, allowing for multiple professions to take raw goods and produce finished pieces either as a member of a Fellowship or on their own, with each playing their own role in creating conflict within the game. Currently the game features over 2,000 crafts in 51 categories, with new ones added constantly.
The code is written in C and multiple MySQL databases, though progress has been underway to convert the codebase to ; its original code is from Harshlands, a derivative of DikuMUD, and has been in constant development since then. In late 2004, the games' engine was released back to the community, boasting both 6 years of development by Harshlands and 3 years of additional development. In March of 2007, it was announced that a new release would be distributed as well.
Playable Game Locations
Shadows of Isildur features several playable areas.
Gondor
While all of Gondor technically exists in the game, in order to keep the conflicts close and playerbase together, the playable areas of Gondor are the city of Minas Tirith, Osgiliath, Anórien, Pelennor, and North and South Ithilien. Characters have been known and it is not uncommon to travel to and from a large number of other places as part of their background or 'breaks' in their gameplay.
Anórien and Pelennor
Situated between Minas Tirith and Osgiliath, these areas constitute the majority of farmlands and open areas for most of the playerbase. Pelennor is situated south of the Anórien, which is guarded by the natural barriers of the sea. It is a feudal territory owned and operated by Lord Astirian and patrolled by his Wardens and Squires; an enforcer clan open to players. Since Osgiliath fell it has been more actively developed, and continues to do so as places such as Wardog's Tavern, Cherry Blossom Farm, Greenleaf Winery, Hawk and Dove, White Stag Hunting Company, and more continue to grow with active player support.
Minas Tirith
The White City, Minas Tirith, acts as the hub for the majority of the playerbase. True to its inspiration, it is built in a series of 'circles' on a mountainside, each a little more classy the higher you go. Featured here are many player owned or run shops and taverns, most notably the Battered Shield in the first circle, The Alehouse in the second circle, and the Wizard Inn in the third circle, offering a good chance for players to meet up. This capitol city of Gondor is also the center of the Fellowship system, complete with a council and Fellowship Halls. Notable clans here are the Minas Tirith Guard and Cityworkers, the latter being specially suited to take in new players and show them the ropes.
Osgiliath
Once a booming city, over the past years Osgiliath has slowly declined until it was finally ransacked by Mordor's armies, only to be recovered shortly after by the efforts of Boromir's army. Now it is a base of operations for Lord Eradan's Battalion, a group of soldiers tasked to reclaim Ithilien territories by force. Supported by a fort system, Both these Battalions and Mordor battle for control over minor outposts without staff involvement by use of special crafts and room programs, requiring regular visits of food and supplies for its upkeep.
Mordor
General info about mordor.
Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul was once known as Minas Ithil - a city originally founded by Elendil (alleged creator of Arnor and Gondor), and his sons Isildur and Anárion. Minas Ithil, or "The Tower of the Rising Moon", was built by Elendil and his fellow Gondorians during the Second Age in the year 3320, near the borders of Mordor, to keep watch over the dark lands. By the year 3429 of the Second Age, however, the dreaded Sauron had begun to take control of the city. Finally, in the year 2002 of the Third Age, the Nazgûl and their lord, the Witch-king of Angmar, had gained control of the city in a swift and vicious assault. It was renamed "Minas Morgul", meaning "Tower of Black Sorcery", and soon became home to orcs, goblins, Uruk-hai, and the dark races of Men - an important waypoint in the raging struggle between the forces of light and darkness.
Tur Edendor
Society and Classes
Unlike Minas Morgul, where one's ranking depended on a complex relationship of races, power, military service, and overall status, Tur Edendor's classes are simple. The lowest two classes are freemen (Naruir, in Adunaic), and bondsmen (Nadroth-za), the distinction being a bondsman is a freeman with a recognised owner, and a freeman a bondsman without a recognised owner. Neither a freeman or a bondsman are technically people under the law of Krayd in Tur Edendor, but instead considered to be property of other people, or property of no-one. Freemen and bondsmen are not allowed to own land outright, wear metal armours, wear anything made or decorated with gold or silver, or raise a hand to someone of higher rank. Most everyone who comes to Tur Edendor starts life in the city as a freeman.
Kadar-Lai (towns folk, or citizens) are members of Tur Edendor who have been recognised for their contribution to the city, and are thus afforded many rights, and considered actual people before the law. They are allowed to dress and arm themselves however they like, save for wearing gold, own land, own up to a dozen bondsmen, own one license of business, and have legal protections as well as taxation obligations.
Khors (lords) are the prominent members of Tur Edendor society entrusted by Duke Krayd to fulfill a specific task, usually supply the city with materials and resources, or raise a warband to protect Krayd's lands and harass those of his enemies. Khors have all the rights of a citizen, and can also wear gold, own any amount of bondsmen, own land in the Ithilien, and can have their bondsmen wear armours made of metal.
For a freeman to become a bondsman, they must make the choice to submit themselves to a Kadar-Lai or a Khor, on terms worked out between the two parties. One cannot be forced to become a bondsman. A bondsman is expected to wear insignia of their master at all times, and cannot leave their masters' service without their permission. To become Kadar-Lai, a freeman must have resided within Tur Edendor for no less than a year, have committed no major crime, be of appropriate mind and morality, and be prepared to donate a not insignificant amount of coin to Krayd and swear loyalty to him and his land above all other nations. Bondsmen face the same task, but must also obtain permission from their adar-Lai or Khor master to be released from their service first. To become a Khor, a Kadar-Lai must have held his or her rank for no less than two years within the city, have made continual contributions to the strength of the city, have no other obligations or undue allegiance with another Khor in the city, and show talent, loyalty and diligence to accept the responsibility of organising a warband or mercantile body for the city -- all in addition to paying a hefty tribute to Duke Krayd.
The Black Watch exist outside this status, and, if anything, would be ranked superior to even Khors. Every race has the opportunity to exist in any social ranking, save Black Númenóreans; all of that race are at least Kadar-Lai. However, seeing as nearly all of the Black Númenóreans in Tur Edendor are part of the Black Watch, or have very close ties to it, in effect the Black Númenóreans remain at the top of the social totem pole.
Fellowships
There are fifteen Fellowships in Minas Tirith. These are akin to medieval guilds and the Efreahir of the Northmen, but are far less restrictive and formal. Effectively they serve two purposes: to gather together workers producing similar sorts of goods so that the economies of having a communal workplace are achieved, and also to provide a fellowship, a sort of club that workers in that industry can join in order to gain political and social benefits. The social benefits include looking after widows and orphans of workers and, on a much lighter note, revelries and get-togethers of like-minded fellows (and ladies) after a hard day's work.
The Fellowships are as follows:
* Apothecaries
* Armorsmiths
* Bakers and Confectioners
* Clothwrights
* Engineers
* Healers
* Horticulturists
* Hostelers
* Jewellers
* Leatherwrights
* Masons
* Metalsmiths
* Sages
* Weaponsmiths
* Woodwrights
Gameplay features the conflict between Gondor and Mordor, opening in the year 2460. Time has since lapsed to 2477, leaving a ruined Osgiliath after Boromir (the steward) and his army pushed Mordor back after its fall, which was a featured HRPT (Highly Recommended Playing Time) July of 2006. Now, Lord Eradan's Battalion are charged, along with several other Lords, to reclaim the territories of the Ithilien, a highly contested area spanning between Osgiliath and Minas Morgul. Non-combative characters can enjoy several other activities, most notably Shadow of Isildur's branch-based and Fellowships, allowing for multiple professions to take raw goods and produce finished pieces either as a member of a Fellowship or on their own, with each playing their own role in creating conflict within the game. Currently the game features over 2,000 crafts in 51 categories, with new ones added constantly.
The code is written in C and multiple MySQL databases, though progress has been underway to convert the codebase to ; its original code is from Harshlands, a derivative of DikuMUD, and has been in constant development since then. In late 2004, the games' engine was released back to the community, boasting both 6 years of development by Harshlands and 3 years of additional development. In March of 2007, it was announced that a new release would be distributed as well.
Playable Game Locations
Shadows of Isildur features several playable areas.
Gondor
While all of Gondor technically exists in the game, in order to keep the conflicts close and playerbase together, the playable areas of Gondor are the city of Minas Tirith, Osgiliath, Anórien, Pelennor, and North and South Ithilien. Characters have been known and it is not uncommon to travel to and from a large number of other places as part of their background or 'breaks' in their gameplay.
Anórien and Pelennor
Situated between Minas Tirith and Osgiliath, these areas constitute the majority of farmlands and open areas for most of the playerbase. Pelennor is situated south of the Anórien, which is guarded by the natural barriers of the sea. It is a feudal territory owned and operated by Lord Astirian and patrolled by his Wardens and Squires; an enforcer clan open to players. Since Osgiliath fell it has been more actively developed, and continues to do so as places such as Wardog's Tavern, Cherry Blossom Farm, Greenleaf Winery, Hawk and Dove, White Stag Hunting Company, and more continue to grow with active player support.
Minas Tirith
The White City, Minas Tirith, acts as the hub for the majority of the playerbase. True to its inspiration, it is built in a series of 'circles' on a mountainside, each a little more classy the higher you go. Featured here are many player owned or run shops and taverns, most notably the Battered Shield in the first circle, The Alehouse in the second circle, and the Wizard Inn in the third circle, offering a good chance for players to meet up. This capitol city of Gondor is also the center of the Fellowship system, complete with a council and Fellowship Halls. Notable clans here are the Minas Tirith Guard and Cityworkers, the latter being specially suited to take in new players and show them the ropes.
Osgiliath
Once a booming city, over the past years Osgiliath has slowly declined until it was finally ransacked by Mordor's armies, only to be recovered shortly after by the efforts of Boromir's army. Now it is a base of operations for Lord Eradan's Battalion, a group of soldiers tasked to reclaim Ithilien territories by force. Supported by a fort system, Both these Battalions and Mordor battle for control over minor outposts without staff involvement by use of special crafts and room programs, requiring regular visits of food and supplies for its upkeep.
Mordor
General info about mordor.
Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul was once known as Minas Ithil - a city originally founded by Elendil (alleged creator of Arnor and Gondor), and his sons Isildur and Anárion. Minas Ithil, or "The Tower of the Rising Moon", was built by Elendil and his fellow Gondorians during the Second Age in the year 3320, near the borders of Mordor, to keep watch over the dark lands. By the year 3429 of the Second Age, however, the dreaded Sauron had begun to take control of the city. Finally, in the year 2002 of the Third Age, the Nazgûl and their lord, the Witch-king of Angmar, had gained control of the city in a swift and vicious assault. It was renamed "Minas Morgul", meaning "Tower of Black Sorcery", and soon became home to orcs, goblins, Uruk-hai, and the dark races of Men - an important waypoint in the raging struggle between the forces of light and darkness.
Tur Edendor
Society and Classes
Unlike Minas Morgul, where one's ranking depended on a complex relationship of races, power, military service, and overall status, Tur Edendor's classes are simple. The lowest two classes are freemen (Naruir, in Adunaic), and bondsmen (Nadroth-za), the distinction being a bondsman is a freeman with a recognised owner, and a freeman a bondsman without a recognised owner. Neither a freeman or a bondsman are technically people under the law of Krayd in Tur Edendor, but instead considered to be property of other people, or property of no-one. Freemen and bondsmen are not allowed to own land outright, wear metal armours, wear anything made or decorated with gold or silver, or raise a hand to someone of higher rank. Most everyone who comes to Tur Edendor starts life in the city as a freeman.
Kadar-Lai (towns folk, or citizens) are members of Tur Edendor who have been recognised for their contribution to the city, and are thus afforded many rights, and considered actual people before the law. They are allowed to dress and arm themselves however they like, save for wearing gold, own land, own up to a dozen bondsmen, own one license of business, and have legal protections as well as taxation obligations.
Khors (lords) are the prominent members of Tur Edendor society entrusted by Duke Krayd to fulfill a specific task, usually supply the city with materials and resources, or raise a warband to protect Krayd's lands and harass those of his enemies. Khors have all the rights of a citizen, and can also wear gold, own any amount of bondsmen, own land in the Ithilien, and can have their bondsmen wear armours made of metal.
For a freeman to become a bondsman, they must make the choice to submit themselves to a Kadar-Lai or a Khor, on terms worked out between the two parties. One cannot be forced to become a bondsman. A bondsman is expected to wear insignia of their master at all times, and cannot leave their masters' service without their permission. To become Kadar-Lai, a freeman must have resided within Tur Edendor for no less than a year, have committed no major crime, be of appropriate mind and morality, and be prepared to donate a not insignificant amount of coin to Krayd and swear loyalty to him and his land above all other nations. Bondsmen face the same task, but must also obtain permission from their adar-Lai or Khor master to be released from their service first. To become a Khor, a Kadar-Lai must have held his or her rank for no less than two years within the city, have made continual contributions to the strength of the city, have no other obligations or undue allegiance with another Khor in the city, and show talent, loyalty and diligence to accept the responsibility of organising a warband or mercantile body for the city -- all in addition to paying a hefty tribute to Duke Krayd.
The Black Watch exist outside this status, and, if anything, would be ranked superior to even Khors. Every race has the opportunity to exist in any social ranking, save Black Númenóreans; all of that race are at least Kadar-Lai. However, seeing as nearly all of the Black Númenóreans in Tur Edendor are part of the Black Watch, or have very close ties to it, in effect the Black Númenóreans remain at the top of the social totem pole.
Fellowships
There are fifteen Fellowships in Minas Tirith. These are akin to medieval guilds and the Efreahir of the Northmen, but are far less restrictive and formal. Effectively they serve two purposes: to gather together workers producing similar sorts of goods so that the economies of having a communal workplace are achieved, and also to provide a fellowship, a sort of club that workers in that industry can join in order to gain political and social benefits. The social benefits include looking after widows and orphans of workers and, on a much lighter note, revelries and get-togethers of like-minded fellows (and ladies) after a hard day's work.
The Fellowships are as follows:
* Apothecaries
* Armorsmiths
* Bakers and Confectioners
* Clothwrights
* Engineers
* Healers
* Horticulturists
* Hostelers
* Jewellers
* Leatherwrights
* Masons
* Metalsmiths
* Sages
* Weaponsmiths
* Woodwrights