| April 24, 2000 - What a
Girl Needs to Kill to Get Some Nice Clothes First of all, grats on a great site. Second of all, I have killed just
about everything in the game and it appears to me that the best loot is dropped by Umbris
Shadows. Followed by Olthoi Nobles, and then other miscellaneous crap. i.e.
Raveners, Tusker Guards, Virindi (for wands), Olthoi Soldiers .......you get the
idea.
Oh, if you go after Umbris Shadows, bring a friend. They have 625 hps and insane
armor level and magic resist. Hope this helps.
Aazhian
Level 39 Archer-Mage
Morningthaw
Hi Aazhian -
Thanks! You know, I was all set to go out killing Umbris Shadows to get me some of
that ph4t L3wt, but... there weren't any there!! Seems as if the secret got out and
they've gone the way of Gertarh and the Hoary Mattekar -- done in by the back story!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 21, 2000 - Where can I buy a Mattekar Robe?
Fabulous Site! I look at it every day.
I was wondering where I can purchase a Mattekar Robe.
Cleo
Level 37 Sword & Item
Harvestgain
Hi Cleo -
Thanks for the compliment!
Where can you buy a Mattekar Robe? Why, eBay,
of course!
You can no longer get a new Mattekar Robe in-game. The Great Hoary Mattekar was hunted to
extinction during the Sudden Season!! There's a finite supply and they are very rare. The
Robes do actually sell on on Ebay for big real life bucks! You can still get a coat
in-game by hunting Great Mattekars.
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 21, 2000 - Shadow Armor Protections
Great site. I've recently gathered enough fragments to
get the first part of my shadow armor made. I play on dt so elemental resist are of
extreme importance. Any chance you could try to post these for the different armors?
Thanks, again, great work
Preditor
Lvl 31 Life/Item/soon to be creature Archer
Darktide
Hi Preditor -
The Shadow Armor has the same elemental
resistance as its base armor type. In other words, the Shadow Amuli will have the same
elemental protections as regular Amuli. I have a chart on my web site here:
http://www.thejackcat.com/AC/Apparel/Protect.htm
Glad you like the site! And when you redeem
your gems, if it's one of the pieces I don't have the stats on yet, please pass them
along!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 21, 2000 - Does the Frore Axe Exist?
Ok, I've been drooling over this axe, ever since I read about
it on your site over a month ago. Yes, the axe skill is 394, I still want this axe
though...
Now I'm very confused about the status of this axe. At first from reading your page, it
stated that only the Tremblant's Ivory Staff was no longer in the game. I would then read
about adventurers who had recently visited the lost city and would tell tales about the
items they found there... always mentioning how the staff was no longer there and how they
got each of the other items... never once mentioning the axe though. This left me
wondering what is going on? I then came across a letter on your site, about someone
mentioned how they were going to go after the axe... but that is about as much information
there was.
After asking the question myself on an AC forum about whether or the axe was still
available, I received responses saying it was no longer in the game. Others say that the
first person to have completed the quest was the only one to receive it. And now your site
not only states that the axe is no longer available, but possibly never existed?!? Ahh!!!
:) This is very un-nerving; which is it? Where did you get the stats and icon if the axe
never existed? Thank you for taking time to read my ramblings
Jabberwocky
Thorsten's Legacy
Darktide
Hi Jabberwocky (nice name, btw)!
Well, I got the stats and icon from a
screenshot someone sent me. I have never seen the axe myself. As you know, screenshots can
be faked and players do occasionally play hoaxes. One of the staff at CoD told me
that the axe never existed, which is why I changed my site to read "if it ever
existed it all." I've since seen shots of this axe on two other fan sites. The bottom
line is that I have no idea if it's real or not. Sorry for the confusion. In any case, it
is definitely no longer there. That has been verified by Draax.
And hast thou slain the Gelidite
Lords?
Come to my arms my beamish boy!
Frabjously yours,
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 13, 2000 - Cecideram Et Non Possum Stare
I'd like to quibble with your published pronunciation of
Vitae. You had it vee-tay, rhyming with repay, but my elementary Latin textbook gives it
as Vee tai, like thai food or necktie. Vitae of course is the genitive case of
vita, of life.
I understand that all common Latin words have been thus anglicized, so we have alumni
(alumn-aye) not the correct (alumn-ee), and that I'm on the loosing side of a long battle,
but I just thought you'd like to know.
Regards,
Nitpicker
Harvestgain
Hi there Nitpicker!
If you *really* want to get picky, in
classical Latin "v" is pronounced as a "w", so it should really be wee
tai. But since Derethians don't really speak Latin and it's just some gamers with faulty
memories of their high school Latin classes making stuff up, we can pronounce it any way
we want! I'm just passing on what I hear is Turbine's pronunciation. But I appreciate the
note! It's important to pay attention to the details.
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 13, 2000 - My Vassal: The Mana Junkie
Maggie –- Here is an insane criticism for you. Makes me
wonder what’s wrong with me. Why do I have time or energy to focus on something like
this and actually write MAIL about it. I think I need a vacation. Maybe I just need to
concentrate more on playing AC!
In the “Send Mail to Maggie” form, there are two checkboxes that say “You
may publish my mail.” And “Please do not publish my mail.” Now, here is my
criticism: shouldn’t they be radio buttons, instead of check boxes? I seem to be able
to check them BOTH.
Here is *another* criticism: your mail instructions say you will use the first part of an
email address if no in-game name and server is provided. You use the example of URDEAD@playerkiller.com, saying that it becomes
truncated to URDEAD.
But your FORM does not ALLOW a person to not provide a game name. How about that, huh?
That is a contradiction, right? Of course it is. Ok. I think I need to go play for a
while.
I am chronically short of mana stones. I have not purchased a friggin' trade note in many
days. I have no money, it all goes to mana stones to support my magic armor and jewelry. I
need a matty coat!!!!
Ned Cleversun
Thistledown
Level 33 Archer/Mage (Life, Item soon)
Hi Ned!
I'll get right on it!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 9, 2000 - Does This Girth Make My Butt Look
Big?
Dear Maggie,
First and foremost; *LARGE* kudos on your excellent web site! It’s a
wonderfully refreshing blend of humor and insight and I hope it’s as much fun for you
to publish as it is for the rest of us to use!
Now, as to the purpose of my letter: As someone who’s obviously gotten
’Stylish in Dereth’ down to a science, I’ve got two questions for ya, girl.
First: For the last few weeks I’ve been obsessing over collecting enough
Crystal Shards and Dark Specks to get myself some of that new Shadow Armor. I’m
almost there . . . two specks short . . . and I figured it was time to do a little
shopping. After all, a girl needs to make clothing decisions with due
deliberation. (“Does this girth make my butt look big? Be honest.”)
It was a case of perfect timing when I found your *highly informative* section on
the very topic that currently interested me; Shadow Armor.
I already knew there were three different types of armor, one for each of the heritage
groups. I’d *thought* the decision as to which type I was going to get was kind
of a no-brainer. A Sho-girl like me needs to be true to her roots. So I
smiled and nodded at the listings for Celedon and Amuli. Nice stats. Fairly
attractive. Big deal. Then I turned to the Koujia (am I spelling that right?)
entry.
I stuck my eyeballs back into my head and looked again.
AL:85??!!
That’s a misprint . . . right? Right???
Are you telling me I busted my hump, risked my life and generally wasted two weeks of my
free time to scrimp and save for something *decidedly inferior* to something I could just
head down to Cateril Carsmid’s and buy?! (I’m talking plate armor here.)
Where does one go to complain? Who do I whine to, to get this changed?
Okay . . . enough bitching. Second question.
I lied in the first point. The Shadow Armor is actually going to go to my
sword-swinging-maniac of a brother. Let’s face it, ol’ ‘Kill It Till
It’s Dead, Then Kill It Some More’ needs good armor far more than I do.
(Not that I’m saying that Koujia Krap is ‘good armor’ mind you. Okay
. . . enough bitching.) Anyway, that still leaves me looking for armor to hide
behind. Obunaga (my brother) has promised me his Matty coat as soon as he
finds something better. (I’ve been bugging him either to get me one of those of
my own or to engage in a little hand-me-down with his loving, devoted sister.
*big, waif-ish eyes* Hey! An *armored* real-fur coat? What girl
doesn’t want one of those?) But even when I do get my fur coat,
that’s still going to leave me with these crummy reed shark hide pants.
Let’s face it; tight leather pants make a statement. And it’s not one
I’m sure I want to be making.
Besides . . . they chafe!
Which brings me to my second question; I’ve seen some really stylin’ armor
on some of the folks lately. I’m talking the custom-color Celedon and the like,
not the bargain-bin gold chain that every shop seems to have by the truckload.
I’m assuming that those yummy togs are found as treasure, but to date I’ve never
found any. Where does one go to hunt for such items?
Or, to put it another way; who does a girl have to kill in order to get some nice clothes?
Again, thanks for your *wonderful* site. I’ll be looking forward to future
updates.
Nandesu Ka
Leafcull
Hi Nandesu Ka!
The Letters Section is fast becoming one of my favorite parts of the site. Not only
because I get to hear people saying all kinds of nice things about me (although that's
something I really like a whole lot!), but also because of letters like yours. What
thoroughly entertaining mail! I get some of the best letters! Now, to address your
questions:
1) Shadow Armor comes in three different
strengths, depending on how soon you redeem your gem. If you wait, and combine more specks
and shards, you can make a higher quality gem. The *Greater* Koujia Shadow Armor, made
from a Scintillating Gem, has an AL of 195 -- not too shabby. I think you were looking at
the first table, the lower quality armor, made from the Glimmering Gem. Scroll
down the page for the different varieties.
2) To recap (because I liked this line so
much): "Who does a girl have to kill in order to get some nice clothes?"
Maggie the Jackcat is still a pretty weenie fighter, so I only have this through
word of mouth: Kill the Olthoi, of course! More specifically, I've heard Olthoi Nobles,
occasional chests and floor spawns in high level dungeons, Gigas Lugians, high level
Tuskers, Liches and Tumeroks. Happy hunting!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 9, 2000 - Scumbag of the Year
I just wanted to take the time to write so nobody else will
have happen to them what happened to me. After two months of collecting pyreal
motes, I get ready to have them changed by an alchemist, only he steals both pyreal bars
and exits the game. I dont know how I could have stopped this, or even if there is a
way. I almost tore the game up and threw it away. The designers need to come
up with a way that theft can be punished. If I could have hired a Player Killer to
hunt him down and kill him, he would be dead, and he would know there is a penalty for
theft. However, as the game stands now, honesty is in no way enforceable. For
a quest requirement where you have to have an alchemist, you're screwed. I believe
that there should be a NPC alchemist, whether he be in a dungeon or not. It is time to do
something about theft. This has just spoiled the game for me and I am not really
interested in continuing to play because of it.
Rhuarc
Level 29 / Unarmed Sho
Frostfell
Dear Rhuarc -
Wow. That really sucks. Really, really sucks. I've heard lamers like this say it's fine to
take stuff because the game allows it -- in other words, there's no such thing as theft in
AC. You handed it to him and he's just role-playing a thief; I say they're role-playing an
a**hole. I can see these folks' position in cases of muling. If people are stupid enough
to drop items on the ground in a crowded area, they deserve to lose them. (Not that I
agree with this position, but it's a fair argument.) In general, I like the idea of having
to trust other players, just like in "real life." But in this case, where you
pretty much have to hand off your hard-earned loot to finish the quest -- after all, how
many melee fighters have a high alchemy skill? -- it's just completely, totally rotten and
mean.
I dub this Shadow Bait "Scumbag of the
Year." I wish I had a pile of motes to give to you, along with a list of
trustworthy alchemists on Frostfell. I absolutely understand wanting to quit over
something like this. When you invest so much time into something, it's frustrating when
some loser can just take it away. It's one of the reasons I stopped playing another online
game a while ago. I would just get too angry, and the game stopped being fun. I hope you
decide not to quit. Overall, Turbine has done a remarkable job keeping the a**hole factor
out and the fun factor in.
Deepest sympathies,
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 7, 2000 - Allegiance Break
Penalty
Hiya yet again! You're so good at answering, I thought
I'd torment you again! However; I am not tormenting you out of sheer laziness.
I've looked for this info on AC Vault, AC Stratics, Crossroads, Asheron's Lore and a
plethora of misc sites and have yet to find the answer.
Dilemna: My hubby, as a newbie, pledged allegiance to someone who made a poor patron for
his class. He broke off the alliance about 3 levels ago. We conned (hehe) my
patron into taking him in. Unfortunately, when he tried to pledge to him, he got a
message stating that he didn't have enough experience to pledge (or something to that
effect). He swears he had 1K experience to go immediately after breaking with the
first patron and now it says he needs 4K more to go. Humm...
I posted it to a board in similar wording and got some responses that attempted to
explain, but I'm still really lost. So...do you know anything about experience penalties
and how they work? Is he doomed or merely bugged?
Your tormenting but devoted fan,
Jaide of the Quasi-Matching Hunter Green
Hi Jaide!
I will see if I can answer this for you. Yes, when a vassal breaks from a patron, there is
a penalty for him to pledge to a new patron. He has to suffer somehow for breaking his
oath of loyalty! Your husband's penalty started as 1K experience points. But the longer he
goes without reswearing, the more the penalty will increase. Your husband was unable to
swear to a new patron because he does not have enough unused experience
points to pay the penalty.
When you fight stuff, kill things, you gain
exp points. Some are applied directly to the skills you are using (i.e. sword skill), but
there is a certain percentage that remains unused and you may choose to place them where
you will -- to your skills or attributes. For instance, you may choose to raise you
endurance, or coordination by spending some of these unused experience points on them.
Your husband needs to get out there and kill, but not apply the experience to anything
until he has enough built up to pay his penalty and to reswear to someone. Then, if the
patron agrees, have him ask the Patron to RELEASE him. If the Patron releases him, he is
not penalized. He will be a free agent again, without a penalty. The penalty only applies
when a vassal breaks from the Patron. Hope that answered you!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 7, 2000 - Coordinates
Call me foolish or daring, but I ran all the way from Holtberg to Stonehold.
Yes, I walked all the way there and was only level 15 (crazy aren't I :P)
Anyways, while dodging nasties, along the way I stumbled on a couple things that I didn't
notice on your coordinates pages that might prove useful.
Lifestone 51.1N x 21.3E; Middle of nowhere by two small cottages.
Portal labeled "HILLTOP": 64.6N x 08.2W;
Portal labeled "ARWIC": 64.2N x10.8W;
Portal labeled "EASTHAM": 64.0N x 11.2W;
I didnt go through any portals so I don't know where they lead.
Hope someone finds it useful.
Shinjo Yokatsu
Level 17, Frostfell
Thanks, Shinjo Yokatsu!
I'll add them to the list next time I update that section. I call you... nice!
- Maggie the Jackcat
April 7, 2000 - To Learn a New Word,
Use It In a Sentence!
[From the newsgroup]
Here is a definite newbie question for the FAQ's. What is a "Buff"?
At first I thought it was something akin to a cow but soon realized I was
wrong. I suspect that this may be too broad a question for a quick answer. Could
someone point me to a source of info on this subject.
Thx
OneNite of MorningThaw
I have a list of abbreviations,
pronunciations and terminology under my Odds
& Ends Section. You might want to take a look.
- Maggie the Jackcat
Thistledown
www.thejackcat.com/AC
Thx Maggie. BTW, cool site, although I think your chest is
"buffed".
Just kidding!
April 3, 2000 - Maggie Gets Hate Mail!
Maggie,
Whats up calling pcpunks lame? They had their quests
posted months ago, like last year. plus they have tons more than you, so wonder
where you are going to get 'More Coming Soon!' Better not use any they have,
or YOU suck. why dont you quit copying them for a change. and figure out your
page already. a whole section on making chicken noodle soup? your
readers wont last! HAHAHAHAHA
ps, the only reason I am here, is that you finally made it
somehow onto the top 100. what a joke. cooking noodle soup.
Joke and a half. where do you get YOUR information
anyway?
xxxx@yousuck.com
[I have removed part of the email address, just in case it's
a real name!]
Well, I think this mail really speaks for itself! But so people don't get the wrong
impression about the PCPunks crew, I feel I should mention that one of the editors of
PCPunks contacted me today and said that they would check into the content theft and would
be happy to take the two copied quests down. The explanation was quite satisfactory --
they get hundreds of emails a day and it's quite difficult to verify all sources. After
all, as he stated himself, stolen content is bad for business! When they get around to
removing them, I will retract all negative comments I have made about PCPunks!
However, I reserve the right to mock the above letter writer!
April 3, 2000 - Frore Correction
Regrettably, the Axe of Frore no longer exists... only the
Hammer, Heaume, and Gelidite Robe.
The highest level creature was the Gelidite Lords. Very similar to Lich Lords in
capabilities and health.
Draax
Level 28 War/Creature/Life
Leafcull
Thanks, Draax, for the correction! Sorry,
Brian Boru', for the bad information. Got it from PCPunks. (Kidding!! I'm just kidding!!!)
April 3, 2000 - Fashion Plate
Hiya!
I am an absurdly fashion conscious modern Derethian woman and I wanna know where the
dressing rooms are!!! I spend 3K on something, try it on and I look like a Sho-Mart
bargain bin reject! Is there any way you can tell at least what color something will
be? Why were my gold bracers copper colored?
*grin*
You seem like the type of person to ask this as well. I've seen some gorgeous green
breastplates, not the green mire (EEEK! 70's green! Saw enough of that back then!)
but an emerald green color. Any idea what it may have been? No matter how
polite I am in asking, I often get no response or absurd responses. I know 1 was a
kouri (sp?) and since I've only been playing a month, I don't expect to see that soon, but
are some copper breastplates green? Someone told me a gold yoroi was green when worn. Any
ideas?
Thanks! If you have any suggestions, could you please reply to xxxxx@earthlink.net as I am currently wasting
time at work and .... Well, hate getting caught... LOL!
Jaide
Hi Jaide --
As far as I can gather, there is no way to know what color something will be when worn
just from IDing it, unless someone has been kind enough to inscribe the info. But
sometimes, the color will actually match! I bought a chain breastplate that was only AL50,
simply because it was the same rich deep purple of the girth I liked so much. If you're
looking for a particular color, best thing to do is trade with someone actually wearing
it. This would be great information to gather, though! What colors are yielded by what
armor types? I'll put it on my To-Do List!
I'm attaching a pic of a Pyreal Platemail Cuirass and a Pyreal Heaume. Is that the color
you're looking for? It's very rare, from what I gather. Sad to say, but I have quite a
collection of pics like this! Ha. Might be hard to believe, but in real life, I hate to
shop!
- Maggie the Jackcat
But then I ran across:
Hi Jaide --
http://www.ucolick.org/~agp/fashresults.html
Ran across this link I just know you'll love. That's got to be the green you
were looking for!
- Maggie
Pardon my French anagram (the what do ya call 'ems with the
first letter) but ROFLMAO!!! I love that link! And yes, Guran and Frost Gunner are
wearing what I'm hoping to eventually find. Any idea what it is? *Still
giggling* - the link is exquisite and flows like a gentle stream, as the author would put
it, running in rivulets as does rain down a window pane! Oddly enough, I vastly prefer
virtual shopping myself.
Thanks for the response. Oh, and if you do know what Gunner
and Guran are wearing, will ya let me in on it? *grin*
Thanks!
Jaide
So Guran & Frost Gunner, if you're
out there, whatcha wearing?! And any Fashion Contest folks, I, and probably others, would
love to have the complete stats of the winning combos!
April 3, 2000 - Duri Gallant Slaps His Head!
Your site is an excellent source of info. I wasn't able to
play for a over a month and with all the new types of weapons, armor and quests I was left
totally in the dark. With a small monarchy I'm expected to know everything. :)
I have a small compendium myself of info I've been gathering since the first beta which is
quite extensive (over 50 pages - easily). Though, it's hard to keep up with the changing
times ;)
I've never seen a more detailed quest section *slap head* complete with pictures. Keep up
the good work.
~Duri Gallant of Morningthaw
Level 36 Archer
Thanks, Duri Gallant! I'm glad you like the
site. Most of the stuff site comes from information I've been compiling since Beta 0 also!
Except for all the stuff I stole from PCPunks, of course! (KIDDING!! Ok, ok. I will stop
now.)
April 2, 2000 - Ouch!!
Heya Maggie!
I just wanted to thank you for a great site..........I love your sense of humor =)
Pigroast II
Thistledown
Hi Pigroast II!
Thank you very much! I love your sense of humor too!
(* wonders what happened to Pigroast I *)
See you in the game!
- Maggie the Jackcat
> (* wonders what happened to Pigroast I *)
I accidently deleted him in a rush to get to work one day. lvl 21 + had 3 motes on
him.
whoops! =)
Pigroast II
Thistledown |