We set up our gag by announcing a reboot with minor changes 30
minutes before the switch. With 5 minutes to go, we posted a fake
news claiming that MUME's hard disks failed during the reboot, and
that an emergency backup was running on port 4141. We locked the
real game with 1 minute to go before reboot.
Once players started logging onto port 4141, hobbits and trolls were
automatically promoted to level 21, and everyone else was forced into
retirement with no way to leave the retirement halls. Soon there
were 18 hobbits vs. 18 trolls battling in the infamous tunnel
connecting the Old East Road Meets Greenway and the Dark Tower.
Hobbits were given 10 gold and some legend equipment in their
newbie kits. Trolls were told by Grinder "It rubs the lotion on
its skin or else it turns to stone again," which hinted at the sun
lotion found in the Warrens and other locations on Arda.
Legend equipment and artifacts were given out like candy. Soon both
Hobbits and Trolls were treated to the dreaded lightsabre, which
leveled the playing field by allowing either side to kill the other
with just a few hits. Eventually lightsabres were given out randomly.
Later reboots were given to raise the starting level to 26, disable
shadow of death, and move time backwards 3 months to midwinter.
At the very end of the prank everyone was given a lightsabre and
transferred to a "last man standing" deathmatch arena.
Credits: Timodeus, Mint, Gruenthar and Antti.
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