Wardiel's Campaign

In Yanshi, the deaf oracle has broken his lifelong silence, chanting a litany of baleful portent: the world-devouring serpent uncoils from the cosmic abyss. Bael'Zharon passes like a shadow before the sun, conjuring his altars of strife within the very towns of Dereth, and those who patiently count the stars mark a score fewer each night. Pass the next four days in the manner that appears best to you. The world is in the making, and the agents of chaos sanctioned to destroy.

From the "Annals of Wardiel", found on the body of the chronicler Wulfdan,

"Fools," muttered Wardiel as he inspected his battle-axe's edge for the umpteenth time, noting the droplet of blood now oozing from his thumb with grim satisfaction.

"They dare shun me from the lands of Dereth. Well, they'll pay for such impudence with their lives."

In one cat-like move he leapt to his feet, swinging the axe above his head as he let loose a malevolent battle cry - his eyes growing wider and redder as the crackling electricity emanating from the cold-steel blade slowly sheathed his body. His fury momentarily spent, he again sat down, the air now heavy with ozone and the sickly sweet smell of burning hair.

"They'll get no quarter from me. None! These dimwitted sots will find my axe at their necks soon enough, and I'll send their souls to feed Bael'Zharon."

Wardiel's cruel features lightened for a moment on this last thought, as he pondered the population of Dereth under his iron-shod heel.

"Aye, Dereth is more filled with harlequins than heroes these days. It sits as ripe as a melon on harvest day, waiting only for me to bring my blade to its delicate skin and spill its treasures onto my plate."

Wardiel again looked out from his high prospect over the lands of Dereth. "Yes, it is time," he grimaced. "And I am so very hungry."

Additional Sources:

Wardiel's Deception by +Larn Margot
Revenge! (A True Story) by Eldrin
Wardiel by Nayt al-Yad (found in the Dereth Archives on ACStratics)
Wardiel's Campaign by Allen Grey and Gyre (found on Warcry)

Developer's Chat - August 6 , 1999

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Welcome everyone. We will begin the conversation with the designers and program manager of Asheron's Call in 20 minutes!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Welcome everyone and thank you for attending the Asheron's Call status update from Gen Con. We have three very special guest with us today to give an update on the status of Asheron's Call,
+MrQuazarr@Zone> a Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game developed by Turbine Entertainment and produced by Microsoft.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We have Chris Pierson, AC_GenCon, who is a game designer at Turbine, and working on Asheron's Call.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Also joining us is Toby Ragaini, auberon@turbine, who is the design director at Turbine, and the lead designer on Asheron's Call.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> And finally the Program Manager for Asheron's Call, Matthew Ford, stucco@zone.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Each will give a brief update on the status of Asheron's Call and talk about the new and exciting features and updates in the recent Beta 2 release.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Following their presentation, you will be able to ask questions of each. Not all questions may be able to be answered as the game is still in development.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> If you have questions about you potential status in the beta or access to the beta, these three will not be able to help you there unfortunately. You will need to write to ashtest@microsoft.com.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> With that said, let me first introduce Chris Pierson who is live at Gen Con right now.

AC_GenCon> Hi. We're on our second day now, and the booth is pretty much packed with people. They seem pretty impressed with the game.
AC_GenCon> We were mentioned in the local paper, which seems to have made people give us an extra-careful look.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks Chris! Next Toby Ragaini. Toby, what is now on your front of Asheron's Call?

auberon@Turbine> hi everyone
auberon@Turbine> we've been very busy here and beta 2 seems to be shaping up nicely
auberon@Turbine> we've already got allegiances consisting of several hundred players, and many people are playing over 6 hours a day!
auberon@Turbine> overall i'm very excited about the way the game is shaping up, and i hope i can answer your questions tonight

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks Toby! Finally, Matthew Ford, the program manager for Asheron's Call, tell us in your eyes about Asheron's Call.

Stucco@Zone> Thanks... hi everyone!
Stucco@Zone> We are now entering a major new pahse of beta.
Stucco@Zone> We have let all our existing beta players in on the "beta 2" code and content
Stucco@Zone> It's awesome. People are loving it. The game looks and plays better than ever, which is saying a lot.
Stucco@Zone> We now have about 300 online at once, BUT...
Stucco@Zone> I'm pleased to make a big announcement!
Stucco@Zone> We have just sent out email to thousands more of the beta testers who are on the waiting list
Stucco@Zone> They will soon be getting all the info they need to install and play the game.
Stucco@Zone> We will be aggressively letting in more people all the time... if you are on the official beta list (and you know who you are) keep an eye on the inbox for the next couple weeks!
Stucco@Zone> We are looking forward to seeing the game flourish with new blood... so to speak.. heh heh.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thank you all three! Sounds like Asheron's Call is really shaping up to be one of, if not the top, Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> I would like to open the floor up to questions now. Please keep a few things in mind when you are asking questions. Please keep the questions appropriate to Asheron's Call and keep in mind the zone Code of Conduct.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> If you have questions about your potential status in the beta, those question will not be addressed here, instead please write to ashtest@microsoft.com
+MrQuazarr@Zone> To ask a question, go to the CHAT menu and select "Ask Question". You will be moved up to the Waiting Queue. You will be advanced to the Asking Queue when your turn to ask a question comes up.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> When you are done with your question please type "DONE".

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Each person will be allowed one question. Due to the constraints of Gen Con, we will have to stop the questions promptly at 4:30 PDT.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ok, lets get to our question...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Our first question.. go ahead Evaksrathi.

Evaksrathi> Q: What if any sort of new innovations does AC have to offer to gamers over other games of the same genre? And how do you plan to incorperate the advancement of technology, will AC be up-to-speed when 300-600mhz cpus and 16-32meg 3d cards become the...
Evaksrathi> "norm" in the coupleyears to come? It seems that computer technology is getting better, faster, cheaper at quite an astounding pace. (Done)

Stucco@Zone> I'll answer the technological question
Stucco@Zone> AC has an amazing detail on the fly system...
Stucco@Zone> It detects your frame rate...
Stucco@Zone> And as your rate gets better it pours more polys onto the screen
Stucco@Zone> So if you have an older hardware it's very playable...
Stucco@Zone> But if you have a screamer of a machine it scales up nicely

auberon@Turbine> thats true, also
auberon@Turbine> we can update the artwork with newer higher polygon model to effectively keep up with the improvements in tech
auberon@Turbine> i'd also like to address the feature comparison question
auberon@Turbine> AC was designed to support thousands of gamers in some interesting ways
auberon@Turbine> one of these is the emphasis on social systems
auberon@Turbine> some of you might be familiar with the allegiance, which allows character to recruit other players, and gain experience and rank for doing this
auberon@Turbine> in beta, we are seeing some very cool player interaction which is derived from people roleplaying in their allegiances

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Bob, Go Ahead

Bob_Bowrest> Q: I've been playing beta since April, and so far I see three major roles emergin, Archer, Mage, and Swordsman. While it is fun to go around killing things and becoming better at killing things, I was wondering if some other roles would be opening up...
Bob_Bowrest> Such as Craftsman or scouts. In particular, I was hoping that one day I would be able to craft fine weapons or armor one day?

AC_GenCon> Actually, yes, now that you mention it ...
AC_GenCon> We're currently phasing in some craft skills for the beta ...
AC_GenCon> Cooking, Fletching and Alchemy. So you'll be able to create some stuff, and make some items to help other craftspeople do their jobs even better.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Oewyn000, you're next

Oewyn000> Is there going to be houses that players can buy, placed or not??? and, (i'm not in the beta) do spells require components to cast?(don)

AC_GenCon> Second question first -- yes, spells do require components ...
AC_GenCon> We have a fairly complex language of components, each of which can have one or more meanings, and some of which vary from one spellcaster to another ...
AC_GenCon> Also, spells will consume components (as will spell research).

Stucco@Zone> as for houses...
Stucco@Zone> Right now Dereth is a frontier world, everyone has just arrived.
Stucco@Zone> It's a bunch of small towns in a wilderness...
Stucco@Zone> And the lifestyle is nomadic...
Stucco@Zone> We have the capability of letting people buy or quest for houses...
Stucco@Zone> But frankly we are planning for the long term here...
Stucco@Zone> And we want to avoid "gentrification" at the moment...
Stucco@Zone> don't worry, the world will evolve...
Stucco@Zone> And you'll see Dereth grow into cities...
Stucco@Zone> But for now we want to keep people wandering the wilderness, finding their home.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** Do to the time restrictions, we will need to keep the questions to one per person please. You can re-enter the queue and as time allows, we will try to get to you again.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> YAG, go ahead

__YAG> Hello, i have been reading the AC page and i have a question. What types of monsters will there be and how will hit points be decided?

auberon@Turbine> well at the moment there are over 40 different types of monsters
auberon@Turbine> and each of those types can have a lot of variety. You might find a tumerok warrior, or if you're really unlucky, a tumerok high priest
auberon@Turbine> These monsters of course vary widely in their ability, so wise players will assess monsters before attacking them

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Adory, your next!

Adory> As primarily a noncombatant - what assurances would I have that I am welcome in this world. What social structures will encourage trade/craft/socialization - what type of gold and money sinks will regulate the world economics - or will this be called....
Adory> a world - and merely be a very pretty Quake - a la EQ?
Adory> done

auberon@Turbine> first of all, you don't have to be a combatant in the game world...
auberon@Turbine> and as Mr. Pierson mentioned, we will continue to introduce the tradeskills to that we will have a complex array of different items to make
auberon@Turbine> as for the money sink question...
auberon@Turbine> to become a truly powerful player in the game, you need to be a monarch with hundreds of players in your allegiance...
auberon@Turbine> managing this allegiance requires a steady stream of time, money, and equipment if you want to stay on top.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Linus, go ahead.

MDK_Linus_1> What inspirations from other games are influencing Asheron's Call? what are your opinions on the character selling going on between Everquest and Ultima Online, (people can buy characters other people made on the net) are you guys for it or against it...
MDK_Linus_1> and who thought of the game? and will there be a fee after buying it? done

auberon@Turbine> We were inspired by a lot of source actually
auberon@Turbine> Of course pen and paper RPGs are near and dear to the development team
auberon@Turbine> and also the old text based MUDs

+MrQuazarr@Zone> SgtBernard ga... reminder, one question per person please

TSC_SgtBernard> Hail Gen Con, I am currently in the beta and have been since Beta 0, I want to know when they will implement some sort of Banking System?

AC_GenCon> Effectively, that's what trade notes are ...
AC_GenCon> Give a shopkeeper money, and he'll give you a note saying he owes you gold.
AC_GenCon> With that in there, a bank would really be redundant.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> DarkCouncil, next question?

DarkCouncil> Q: Can we expect to see player-focused quests, giving US roles in the game? Quest Items that give the general populace incentive to either praise people, or oppose them? Quests with enough potency that they influence happenings in Dereth?

auberon@Turbine> Yes, part of what AC has in its arsenal is some technology that allows us to create new quests and seemlessly integrate them into the game
auberon@Turbine> what i want to do is create quests that pit allegiances against one and other, and get some really interesting competition going on.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks toby!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> dadown, your next!

dadown> The latest beta introduced cooking, fletching and alchemy skills, all of which I've tried and found interesting, however, with current pricing they don't seem useful as it costs more to make things that they can be sold for...did I miss something?

auberon@Turbine> well, we admit that we wont get everything perfect the first time...
auberon@Turbine> fortunately, thats why we have beta. Ideally, players should be able to profit from their hard work, but not so much that the trade skills be come a 'press to get money' button

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Bob, go ahead

ULTRABob> as linus asked, will there be a fee after buying the game?

Stucco@Zone> We have not officially released the pricing plan...
Stucco@Zone> However, you can get some inkling when you see what the other online RPGs are doing...
Stucco@Zone> And that the other Premium games on the Zone charge a monthly fee...
Stucco@Zone> Rest assured that we will be competitive, and we will give you plenty for your money.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Spatan, go ahead

Spartan1> Will there be any new requirment base for weapons and armor? Its a bit too easy to get good equipment now.

AC_GenCon> Now that we've done a fair bit of testing on magic items ...
AC_GenCon> We're going to be upping restrictions, making them more skill-based. That sword of mondo strength will require a lot of skill to wield.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> MacGyvar, you're up!

TSC_MacGyvar> Hey, Just a comment... Thanks, I think AC is GREAT, Ive been in since beta 0 and I love it. I hope it will be around a long time in the running and ya'll keep up the awesome work =)

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks Mac!

auberon@Turbine> hey, thanks a lot

Stucco@Zone> Thanks!

AC_GenCon> Thanks.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> AzBoy, Go ahead

Xx_AzBoy_xX> I am an avid game enthusiast and professional programmer. With the apparent success of AC, are you hiring/recruiting Game Developers/Programmers or Game Administrators? If so, what is the process to apply?

auberon@Turbine> yes, we are hiring for a lot of different positions....
auberon@Turbine> please visist turbines website for info...www.turbinegames.com if dont see a position that describes what you do, send your resume anyway

kalgen> As the final release of Asheron's Call approaches, what kind of on-going support and maintenance will the game have to keep it entertaining for the next 2+ (?) years? Can you share any information on the design of any sequels or spinoffs?

auberon@Turbine> we will have a full time team at turbine dedicated to supporting the game post release...
auberon@Turbine> while i cant speak about spin-offs, my hope is that AC will be around in some form for many years.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ruzie, go ahead!

RUZie> How are events going to be handled? Are you just going to do things like having big scale wars or are you going to have "major" things like the new race war servers for everquest. Or both?

auberon@Turbine> we want to introduce many categories of events from small player run, to huge events that radically change the shape and story of the game...
auberon@Turbine> and because we can easily, and seemlessly add new content to the game, we plan to deliver

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Mystic, go ahead

LL_Mystic> Q: Has any thought been giving to players who wish to have their own guilds similar and yet different than the allegiance system? IE - will there be guild affiliations or a main town structure that could allow you to teleport to a guild room/house?

Stucco@Zone> One thing coming on the Zone is a system where players can form their own teams and associations...
Stucco@Zone> With their own "dossier" with info such as web page contacts, a leader who can permit/reject applicants, and such...
Stucco@Zone> This system can dovetail into AC nicely...
Stucco@Zone> For now we will let the allegiance system do its magic, but having AC pick up the Zone's system of player groups or clans will not be difficult.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Go ahead Xinua

Xinua> Sorry to bring up this again.. But i'll like to have a strightforward answer, please. Will there be some sort of player owned houses by the time of release? (If not will you have paying custumors paying for the testing when it is introduced?)

Stucco@Zone> I can clarify...
Stucco@Zone> We will not have an automatic system for players to buy houses on the day we release...
Stucco@Zone> As for paying customers to do testing...
Stucco@Zone> This kind of game is always adding features...
Stucco@Zone> We will NOT release to the paying public something that is buggy. When we roll it out, it will be of high quality....
Stucco@Zone> We plan to keep a running background beta of volunteers even after ship, testing more advanced features.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** Just a reminder, Gen Con floor closes in 10 minutes, so it looks like we may not be able to get through all your questions. We will schedule another one of these chats though as we get later into Beta 2.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Grummash
+MrQuazarr@Zone> go ahead

Grummash> How well suited is the game to players who wish to interract with others without becoming bonded to them through recruitment or guilds? I am wondering how well a "Loner" will fair in-game.

auberon@Turbine> while its true that i think ACs emphasis is on the social potential of online gaming, as a solo player myself, i think its perfectly possible to make a great character without be alligned to any person or group. I know this because ive been doing just that
auberon@Turbine> just that, i mean

+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** OK THIS WILL BE OUR LAST QUESTION GANG!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Goku, go ahead

Goku_Vegeta> alrighty, i signed up for the beta like 2 yrs ago, got the confirm message, but arent on beta as a fast tracker, will i get on? And will the game hold true to AD&D standards exp points hps and such?

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Goku, please write to ashtest@microsoft.com
+MrQuazarr@Zone> ok, we will squeeze one more in
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Khaele, go ahead

Khaele> What kind of support can player-run quest organizations expect from the developers and staff? I have plans to run such an organization (Call to Adventure) when AC goes commercial. { free plug 8) }

auberon@Turbine> well, the zone will support player run events using a special calendar utility that lets certain players pencil in their event...
auberon@Turbine> if, say, a certain player event became popular enough, the dev team would be happy to create content appropriate to supporting that event.

+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thank you everyone for coming out and asking so really good questions about Asheron's Call. We look forward to talking to you again in the near future!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> A special thanks to Matthew, Toby and Chris for taking time to be with us tonight! Have a great evening everyone!

auberon@Turbine> thanks everyone!

Stucco@Zone> Thank you!

Contents

Wariel's Campaign
Additional Stories
Dev Chat
Maggie faces the Mighty Wardiel!