The Appearance of Gaerlan

The Appearance of Gaerlan
Elysa Strathelar says, "Our celebration has been rife with distraction and
disruption. But nothing can dissuade us from our ceremonies."
Elysa Strathelar says, "We shall see this final stone lit to show our
resolve!"

Martine says, "And so the fly comes again to the spider's web. You were
speaking, Elysa?"
Asheron says, "Martine, have you come to talk about my offer?"
Martine pauses and thinks a moment.
Martine's breath sounds labored through his mask.
Martine says, "Yes."
Martine says, "You said you can take it out. Remove it, give me back what I had."
Martine says, "I don't want it."
Martine says, "It itches, it burns, and it is so hard to fight."
Martine says, "I'm tired of fighting, tired of wondering who I am who you
are...who is Melanay or Elysa?"
Martine says, "What have I done?"
Asheron says, "Then come with me, Martine. We shall go to my island and I shall do my best to help you."
Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, be careful."
Elysa Strathelar says, "You should not trust him."
Asheron looks back to Elysa.
Asheron says, "I shall be fine, Elly. "
Asheron says, "Martine. I shall help you and then we shall begin bringing
order back to the ley lines."
The flesh on Martine's head ripples.
Martine says, "Ley lines? I have done nothing to the ley lines, you
doddering old fool."
Martine says, "It was the witch that did that!"
Martine says, "Did I tell you, about the itch, the pain, the horror...?"
Martine says, "Did I tell you how sometimes, when it begins within my skull, squirming below the surface, a tickle in my brain that I cannot reach?"
Martine says, "Did I tell you, Old Fool? That I like it?"
Asheron looks back to Elysa.
Asheron says, "I shall be fine, Elly. "
Asheron says, "Martine. I shall help you and then we shall begin bringing
order back to the ley lines."
Asheron looks back to Elysa.
Asheron says, "I shall be fine, Elly. "
Asheron says, "Martine. I shall help you and then we shall begin bringing
order back to the ley lines."
The air turns cool, and a scent of brimstone rises. Swamps bubble violently
sending noxious fumes streaming into the air. Lightning flashes across the
horizon, filling the sky with a bright light for one brief moment, and then
all is silent.
Elysa pulls her bow from her back an nocks an arrow, letting it fly into
Martine.
The arrows finds its mark and Martine looks taken aback. Elysa takes
position near Asheron's side.
Asheron says, "Asheron!"
Asheron crumples toward the ground.

The air splits, and the four elements swirl about coalescing into the form
of a man.
Martine turns to look at the man.
Gaerlan says, "You have done well, Martine. But I need you no longer. You will not rob me of my revenge against Asheron."
Martine says, "Why have you come here? You were to be watching the hall while I was out. Your insolence has earned you a punishment, my overzealous apprentice."
Gaerlan says, "A bit of entertainment then, to clear the crowd to make my
last moment with Asheron all the better."

Gaerlan says, "You, Martine, have outlived your usefulness. You have
overstepped your bounds and as such you must be punished."
Elysa pulls her hand away from Asheron, her hand soaked in blood.
Asheron crumples further to the ground.
Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, get up."
Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron! Asheron!"
The force of Crystal Lord Sovereign's assault flattens Chester!
Gaerlan makes his way toward Asheron.
Gaerlan says, "And so it is. Asheron, that I come to claim a life, for a
life. To collect on the death of my brother. And claim the role of judge,
jury and executioner."
Gaerlan says, "For your crimes against the Cerulean throne, and the murder of my brother, I condemn you to death."

click pic for larger view

Conflagration smites Xanthea mightily!
Avalanche's attack stops Fractal cold!"
Elysa nocks an arrow and lets it fly. Gaerlan catches the arrow and examines the craftsmanship.
Elysa slips an orb from her pouch and utters some words over Asheron.
Elysa Strathelar says, "This is our home now. "
Elysa Strathelar says, "You'll not take it, whoever, whatever you are."
Gaerlan says, "A poor tool, but then you are certainly a much younger race then we. The crudeness of your implements was expected."
Gaerlan says, "Remarkable how much she learned. A pity she'll never remember anything."
Gaerlan says, "But you are more feeble then even Martine or the
other...Nuhmudira. Yes, that was her name, Nuhmudira. Screaming as each of her bones snapped one by one. "
Gaerlan says, "I applaud your efforts, you truly know how to punish those
that affront you."
Elysa struggles to lift Asheron to his feet. A pool of blood has gathered
beneath the old mage.
Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, I need to get you out of here. Please stand up."
Elysa Strathelar says, "Run, my people run! There will be other days to
fight!"
Legio Matar says, "back up and give space!!!!"
Asheron stands, slowly holding the wound that has been opened in his chest.
Blood flows from the wound freely.
Purple halos surround Asheron and Elysa as they begin to fold into portal
space.
Asheron forces himself to stand. Blood pours from his wound.
Asheron says, "Gaerlan! Gaerlan!"
Thunder cracks in the sky and the sound is replaced by a voice, "Asheron
Realaidain, you cannot hide. Wherever you will go, I will find you! I shall
visit revenge upon you for the Olthoi's arrival and the death of my brother
Delacim!"
Southeast of Aerlinthe, at the citadel, the ground trembles as if the very
land itself has been moved. Flames erupt from the water billowing clouds of
soot and ash into the sky. Lighting shoots down from the clouds and an
acidic rain falls into the sea, turning it into a bubbling mass. A gale force wind sweeps the clouds away but a fire now burns in the sea.
Gaerlan raises his head toward the sky and bellows.
Gaerlan says, "Running away! Running away as always."
Gaerlan says, "You, are a pathetic race of creatures. Insignificant and
worthless. But his heart is devoted to you, I have seen that much. "
Gaerlan says, "Home. At last..."
Gaerlan says, "Well, then, I shall destroy his heart and then consume his
soul."
Gaerlan knocks Leonon into next Morningthaw!
Gaerlan obliterates Iceheart's Bow!
Gull's last strength dissolves before Gaerlan!
Buyu II's last strength dissolves before Gaerlan!
Gaerlan's acid reduces Legio Matar to a sizzling, oozing mass!
Gaerlan's lightning coruscates over Warlords's mortal remains!
Shain Thornfeld suffers a frozen fate at the hands of Gaerlan!
Gaerlan's attack reduces Pretty-Hate-Machine to cinders!
Gaerlan sends Rowan Lightwind to death so violently that even the lifestone
flinches!
Gaerlan's lightning coruscates over Koyu's mortal remains!
Gaerlan's assault sends Creasha to an icy death!
Yu Ominae's last strength dissolves before Gaerlan!
Faux Merlin suffers a frozen fate at the hands of Gaerlan!
Bayushii Kachiko's last strength dissolves before Gaerlan!
Buyu II's body is shattered by Gaerlan's attack!
The deadly force of Gaerlan's attack is so strong that Lou Xan's ancestors
feel it!
Jared Al-Ayn suffers a frozen fate at the hands of Gaerlan!
Gaerlan says, "You have proven me right. There is nothing but weakness here. I will cleanse this world and take it back for its true masters."

Special Report from the pre-ACPL
I was invited, along with several other fan site folks, to the Turbine offices to watch tonight's live-op event! What a blast. Some things did not quite go as planned, but overall, the secret to a successful in-game event was made clear: Players like getting killed by the Big Bad, and Devs really like killing players! When it was Darktide's turn up to bat, Ken Karl *leaped* out of his chair, "Let me kill them!!" he cried ;-)

We observers got our input as well. When we asked for more carnage, they ramped up Gaerlan with some additional kick-ass ring spells. When players tried to rise above the fray by jumping on top of the festival stone, we asked the devs to pick them off. Gearlan, an elemental Empyrean Mage with frosty breath, acid-dripping hands, lightning at his throat, and fiery feet, would fire off one of his awesome spells; the players immediately died, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground from high above (sorry David the Archer, but it was extra fun to watch!).

And some say the devs don't listen! ;-)

Morningthaw has reason to be proud. They were almost able to take Gaerlan down! Allan Maki had sworn to Ken Karl that Gaerlan was invincible. Maybe it was lag, or maybe it was a momentary glitch with his magic defense stat, but for a short bit, things weren't going *exactly* as planned. Gaerlan's health stat got down to a few hundred! Go Morningthaw!

The Golem had a slow start on a few worlds as well, but once someone took control of his health until his combat instincts kicked in, things started looking up. Well, for us, that is. For you guys, well, you were getting SLAUGHTERED! On our end, it was like watching a big Fourth of July celebration, with fireworks and all. We'd Ohhhh, and Ahhhh, and then burst out with spontaneous hand-clapping after particularly effective kills.

Really, it was a fabulous way to kick-start the weekend. And it was fun watching people we know in-game enjoying the fun. Thanks to Turbine and MS for letting us take a peek at the man behind the curtain, and thanks to all of you, for sacrificing your lives for our entertainment.

--Special thanks to kashani the butcher of HG, Jack the Hieromancer of MT, Mfalcon of SC, ygraine of SC, Shem and Isgrimner, Magnus Set of WE, Magehart of TD Ucluelet of WE, Rowland for pics, letters, etc. If I have time this weekend, I'll try to post a little about the event from *your* point of view!

Return to the Castling event page.