|
A Reign of Stone |
||||||||||||
| Aluvians |
Event Teaser
- From the
Zone Roll Out Article - From the Zone April 17, 2001
On April 17th, the latest event for Asheron's Call was launched: “A Reign of Stone.” While the Lugians are met in their own stronghold, the campaign against the Virindi continues unabated. Last month, the floating enigmas seized the town of Ayan Baqur, replacing its residents under the watchful eye of an elder Observer. Further conquests must be planned, for rumors circulate of a Virindi consulate reaching a hand out to the Lugian giants. Others tell of an underground lab infested with the twisted remains of Virindi experimentation. What role might the Director known as “Father” play . . . or the sinister Legates and Envoys? In these times of terror, the immigrant peoples of Dereth seek new ways to lighten their mood. Such need must explain the recently opened houses of games (or “dens of iniquity” to some), where adventurers returning from a successful hunt can gamble away their hard-earned gains. Some have entered clutching their last trade note, and left with prizes such as Pyreal Nuggets and Platinum Scarabs. Others, more confident, less fortunate, bet all they had, only to walk away with but a single, rotting cabbage.Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi. Yet outside these gambling dens, other items of incredible wealth simply wait to be gained. Intrepid souls have returned to town with their packs boasting Lugian armor and gems, Virindi magic, and a deadly trio of weapons: Bloodletter, Fleshstripper, and Soulrender. Perhaps these riches of Dereth have inspired the newfound cooperation seen among hunting parties. Now those who fall in battle may elect chosen companions to help recover the losses of their slain bodies. A much needed agreement -- for the rites of spring have become more dangerous, and rewarding, than ever! Following is a list of the most interesting additions made to the game this update. However, please note that not all changes have been included -- that would spoil the fun of finding out everything that's been added or changed! As usual, though, the town criers, barkeeps, and scribes may know the latest news. Also, the trades of crafting and selling are always in flux, so changes to prices and abilities of items are not always listed here in their entirety. Highlights include:
April 17, 2001 Detailed Notes for Builds 2512 -- 2516:
The Asheron's Call
Newsletter - April 2001
In this issue: 1 -- OUR SAGA THUS FAR
ANNALS OF DERETH
The Asheron's Call
Newsletter
Play it on the Zone!
Welcome to the Annals of Dereth, the
newsletter for the Asheron's Call online role-playing game! We bring
you this bulletin every month to give you a wide view on Dereth's evolving
community, events, and features.
1 --
OUR SAGA THUS FAR... Never have my humbled eyes feasted on such grandiose
might as that of Linvak Tukal. For many months now, I have made pilgrimage
to the snowy outskirts of the Lugians' stone citadel, to bask in the marvel
of its strength and that of its makers. Never before have I been so struck
with awe at what may yet be built, rather than what the Empyrean had simply
left behind. I made this pilgrimage once more, a lone warrior come
to pay homage to the greatest warrior race ever known in life or legend.
Ah,
my friend, you could not imagine my profound astonishment to find the gates
of Linvak Tukal opened to our kind. With no small trepidation, I entered. Timidly picking my way down the ponderous halls, my
sight was drawn, over and again, to the vastness of the ceilings.
Several
times, I confess, I nearly toppled over for my gawking. Within the vaults of Tukal, I was forced to acknowledge the place as nothing less than the seat
of Lugian power in this world. And such power they command! The citadel
seemed less built by mortal hands than carven from the mountaintop. A
massive forge channeled the elemental fires of the very heart of Auberean. I
cringed, I nearly fell once more, when the master Lugian smith, Ulkas,
deigned to acknowledge my simple presence. "Greetings, soft one…" his voice
boomed. Not until days after I left the place
did it occur to me to wonder at Ulkas's gifts, my ears still hissing faintly
from the roar of Tukal's forge and the ringing of the master's great hammer.
How strange it is that the Lugians should craft works of arms and armor fit
for our feeble human form! Do these giants look to us as potential allies?
Or pawns, in some metagame played out between their noble ranks and those
floating deaths known as Virindi? Ah, my friend, if only I
knew the answer to such imponderables, I should become a sage among the
fellows of Zaikhal.
2 --
MAJOR EVENTS
A REIGN OF STONE However, as first diplomatic contact is made at Linvak
Tukal, the campaign continues against the Virindi – an enemy who may
themselves be interested in recruiting the giants' strength. Already,
diplomatic missives have been intercepted, and their Gredaline Consulate
raided. All evidence indicates further Virindi aggression against the world
is imminent. Of course, in addition to this captured intelligence, more
tangible gains have been taken from the consulate: lore and spellcraft,
dutifully noted on the Crossroads of Dereth compendium and event pages. While the brave dare the halls of Linvak Tukal, and the
noble further our cause against the Virindi, those of a more epicurean
nature have taken full advantage of the gambling halls. Chips may be
purchased, fortunes wagered, and opportunities to open the rich golden
chests won. Prizes reportedly range from crusty ends of bread, to sparkling
diamond scarabs, to the latest pack toy: the coveted Golden Gromnie! For a detailed list of
what has been added and changed this month, be sure to consult the
Developer's Notes as well as the official event article, "A
Reign of Stone." Continue your part in this incredible ongoing story,
and we'll see you in Dereth! ADDED GAME FUNCTIONS 3 -- COMMUNITY HERALD THE ALLEGIANCE HALL For those on Solclaim, one monarch is said to rule with more compassion than all others in living memory. AC Stratics recently announced its Monarch of the Month for April: Ja'afar al-Saladin, leader of the Paladins of Asheron. Our highest congratulations to this beloved ruler. Ja'afar al-Saladin may also be remembered for his winning entry in last year's writing contest: "The Emperor's Blade." PLAYER CHRONICLES -- "Arrivals," and "Rebel Yell." Before towns were secured, the first place a hero arrived was often the pits of the Olthoi. The tale of those who fought their way to freedom. Those familiar with the outstanding player fiction website, Role Play Fantasy, take note: the site has assumed the new guise of Fanstory.com. This month, Fanstory.com published its interview with Amina of A'mun, two-time winner of its story of the month competition. And, the chosen story for April has been announced; for the third straight time, Alisdair takes the laurels, this month for Chapter 5 of the ongoing sage, "Silveran." The winning chapter, "Close to the Heart," begins in circumstances less than ideal: "It was actually a fairly pleasant room as far as holding cells go. White plaster walls, planked floor and beamed ceiling of dark wood, and one small window, shutters now open to let in the sea breeze and bright morning sunlight. Barred, of course."
PORTAL SPACED -- Abandoned Mines: "The most densely populated and frequently visited location on Dereth," to: -- Virindi Executor: "Godlike being virtually immune to weapons and nearly immune to spells, able to kill characters with a single spell, thus a major tourist attraction." 4 -- GAME TIPS Hacking through hordes of mewling Drudges, ducking the hurled boulders of Lugian giants – all work with which to build an appetite. As such, the Culinary Institute of Dereth, led by master chefs Caspian and Caleigh, sought to release its authoritative video on the subject of cooking. Highlighting its chefs' many amazing talents, most notably those concerning pizzas and Holtburgers, the CID's new movie can be found hosted on NOW.com/Gamer's The Runeguard Saga.Of course, for further information, not only on cooking but fletching and alchemy as well, it will also prove useful to go straight to the source: the Institute's own site, Cooking with Caspian and Caleigh! SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND, AND LET THEM KNOW TO: PLAY IT ON THE ZONE!If you have any problems with Asheron's Call or the Zone, check out our Troubleshooters and Frequently Asked Questions and find the answer to your problems there. Troubleshooters: http://support.microsoft.com/support/games/zone/asheron/tshoot/default.asp http://support.microsoft.com/support/games/zone/tshoot/default.asp Frequently Asked Questions: http://support.microsoft.com/support/games/zone/faq/asheron/default.asp http://support.microsoft.com/support/games/zone/faq/default.asp Play it on the Zone! http://www.zone.com/asheronscall You registered to receive this newsletter on the MSN Gaming Zone. To unsubscribe, do the following: 1. Go to MSN Newsletters:http://g.msn.com/0NL33946/117 2. Log in with your Zone ID (not your AC character name) and password. 3. Uncheck the box that's labeled "Send me the Asheron's Call newsletter every month to: (your e-mail address)." THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to change in market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication. INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1. All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included 2. All copies must contain Microsoft's copyright notice and any other notices provided therein 3. This document may not be distributed for profit. c2000 Microsoft, Inc. |
|
||||||||||
Brann Mitenset stood in the doorway of the Exploration Society Outpost of Qalaba'r, watching as the dusk slowly snuffed out the light in the room. After Sir Alayne had been murdered, Brann knew the Society would be facing some rough times. But he hadn't known just how tough it would be. 
Seemingly carved from the mountain upon
which it resides, many have long wondered about this ponderous fortress.
Boasting walls of impossibly thick stone, none but the Lugians could have
built such a place. Linvak Tukal! their bass voices cry -- the ultimate
seat of their power. Until now, only the gray-skinned giants thundered
through its cavernous halls. 
Here
are just some of the additions made in the April 17 game update, “A
Reign of Stone.” The following list is comprised of detailed notes
straight from the developers themselves. For a summary of things of most
interest, be sure to consult the official event article,
