It’s a good year to be a Spartan
Posted by Areth Gall on April 22, 2007
It’s a good year to be a Spartan. After all, with movies such as ‘300’ being produced, isn’t being a Spartan hot? But Bruno Ziskey makes it even hotter. With such ships as the SNS Hydra, a corvette class cruiser, and the SNS Orion, a frigate, what isn’t there to consider cool?
Bruno Ziskey, leader of the Second Life Militia ‘Sparta’, invited me to one of his training and construction facilities. There, I met with one of his fleet personel, Apone Moller. I also met Jenny Witherspoon, a Plebe still training to graduate from the Spartan Agoge. Plebe is the Spartan’s rank of recruit or cadet, and it was their delight to run me through one of their training drills on entering hostile buildings. For a trainee and someone trained for fleet combat, the duo cleared out the building with decent speed and minimal communication problems. They still need work on checking around the sides of walls, but it was fairly impressive alone to see that members were trained in how to enter a building. Add in the trained coordination, and you can see that Sparta could very well be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
After their display, I got to speak with the two on how they felt about Sparta. Their replies were of joyous excitement, and it quickly became apparent why. While Sparta only has roughly twenty members, their group is well knit and features a lot of pride. And while words could be said on how much they enjoyed their group, their actions speak much more clear and loud. Only a few hours after the interview would Jenny Witherspoon donate her parcel of rented land to Sparta for a larger military base, now called Lakonia, in Chrysanthemum Island. Apone also showed off his Corvette, the Hydra. The flight was very smooth for a non-physical vessel.
After our discussion, Bruno showed me exactly what the Spartans have to be proud of – a year’s worth of research and construction of small fleet vessels. I define a small fleet vessel to be one that may be large enough to be linked in one piece, but must use non-physical method for movement. Sparta has quite a few of these vessels, and they are only making more. In addition, Sparta has several mechanized units, APCs and Tanks, and has plans to make mechanical walkers as well. Add in a destructive arsenal of weaponry, and you have a sure bid for power.
Sparta has not always been this strong or smooth, however. In their beginning, they claimed that they and their fleet would crush the Alliance Navy, and that the crushing was imminent. This sparked many vocal contests between the two groups. Now a day, they enjoy more diplomatic negotiations with the AN, and have written a handbook. They take pride in carrying out a greek-like state and tradition, even if it is modernized. If you are interested in learning more about or joining Sparta, feel free to come to Lakonia, or send Bruno Ziskey a message. I could swear, he’s on almost as much as I am.
Bruno Ziskey, wearing the Shield of Sparta
Sparta ‘Medusa’ for the Spartan Air Force
Sparta Navy Ship
Sparta HoverTank




April 22, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Very well done indeed Areth, and you were right about a blue aura around me around me, although I still don’t see one on anyone else, maybe your computer graphics have hiccuped?
Sparta welcomes all interested people, no matter whether they are male, female, human, furry, robot, or anything else. Just as long as you follow the laws and commands, you have a home in Sparta.
We are also on very good terms with the Alliance Navy and we support them fully in their actions and ideals.
Spartans pride themselves both on their training and equipment, and on their difference from other military groups, as we take greek culture and language into our daily lives. We also pride ourselves on not resorting to griefer weapons like nukes, push weapons, orbitters, and AV shields, among other petty weapons. Please don’t hesitiate to ask me about Sparta, I am happy to answer any and all questions. Once again Areth, thank you for writing a wonderful article on Sparta, I can’t wait to read the next ones.
April 22, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Finally, a military group that actually knows what its doing.
April 22, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Like the article Areth, keep on typeing.
April 23, 2007 at 4:12 am
Good work, Areth. And it’s good to see that the Spartans are finally getting some of the publicity they deserve.
April 23, 2007 at 4:16 am
“Hail Sparta!”
Nice article Areth
Sparta is a force to be reckoned with and has a great leader,
Im certain you guys will go far ^^
April 23, 2007 at 6:15 am
“And it’s good to see that the Spartans are finally getting some of the publicity they deserve.”
“Sparta is a force to be reckoned with and has a great leader,
Im certain you guys will go far ^^”
Awww shucks, thanks guys.
April 23, 2007 at 10:28 am
All my best Bruno — you’re famous now.
I can say “I knew him back when …”
Nice job Areth.
Cheers,
Judge Hocho, Lt. Col. AN AD Wing Commander
April 23, 2007 at 10:55 am
finaly some upfront unbiased reporting *salutes* a fine publication on what could be the next big player in SL combat.
AD Gunnery Sgt. Syxx Craig
April 23, 2007 at 3:59 pm
[...] Q and A Note: Please ensure that you see the article on the SL Militia, Sparta: Its-a-good-year-to-be-a-spartan [...]
April 23, 2007 at 8:27 pm
[...] Reporter Impersonations Don’t forget to check out our latest featured report: It’s a good year to be a Spartan [...]
April 25, 2007 at 12:18 pm
The only thing that would have made this article better would have been a sound clip at the beginning of “This… is… SPARTA!” Well written article. I enjoyed it greatly.
April 25, 2007 at 2:19 pm
[...] Militia Introduction: It’s a Good Year to be a Spartan April 22, [...]
June 12, 2007 at 9:47 am
[...] the prohibition on “extreme or graphic violence” on its face prohibits every military simulation in Second Life. ‘Robin Linden’ subsequently clarified that “extreme violence [...]
December 15, 2007 at 9:52 pm
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
January 5, 2008 at 8:31 am
Hey Bruno, You might remember me, how long roughly does training take?
March 7, 2008 at 11:55 am
what is this game called
March 23, 2008 at 5:01 pm
“what is this game called”
Second Life.
May 8, 2008 at 1:08 pm
So this is a game and its called second life. KOOL!!