January 22, 2002 -  Re-Entry Into Dereth

Dear Maggie,
I just wanted to thank you for the information on your website. I was an avid AC player for about a year and then six months ago I decided to give another online game a try (WWII online). Boy, what a mistake that was! I decided that I would come back to AC and just renewed my subscription yesterday evening [letter was sent in December].

After about a 5 hour download that took all of last night, I was ready to pick up where I had left off (or so I thought). I logged into Morningthaw with my main character (Aragorn of Arathorn) who surprisingly, along with my other three, were right where I left them. The only problem was that I had been absent from the game for so long I didn't know where it was that my "guys" were standing... lol. I was absolutely lost. Here I was, a level 36 sword fighter, completely helpless like a brand new beginner (I suppose in a way I am). My mules were in the middle of wooded areas, I had no idea which town they were outside of, or even which direction the town was.

I saw a passerby (Teri) and stopped her. She was nice enough to tell me that I was outside of Eastham and while chatting I hit a key that made me sit and I didn't even know how to get him to stand back up...lol. Anyway, she told me about your site and after checking it out I wanted to just say thanks. Your information has helped make my re-entry into the world of Dereth a lot easier.... I am at your service if ever you need assistance.

Sincerely,
Aragorn of Arathorn


Hi Aragorn of Arathorn -
Welcome back! I'm glad you found the site helpful for your re-entry. It's amazing how game reflexes can atrophy. I had a sort of similar experience over the holidays. I loaded up AC on my laptop to take while I was out of town. Except the laptop, of course, didn't really have a keypad or my little Delete-End-PageDown set of keys. When I logged in to the game, I couldn't figure out how to target, or attack, or change my views or anything! So I died. Repeatedly! Ha. I never even thought to, uh, use the mouse (or touchpad) to target and attack, because I was so used to my keyboard commands. I did adjust, but it reminded me of being a newbie all over again, learning how to do the most simple in-game functions.

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Item Befoulment

Hi Maggie,
I noticed that Dan'g of Leafcull mentioned that he noticed his Item Magic dropped to zero with the collars on. I think this is because of a spell that was cast on him by the Tumerok who controls those reedsharks: Item Befoulment. It was almost a killer for me. Buffs ran out and I was debuffed and with no melee defense, those reedsharks can be a killer! Thank Asheron for @house recall, eh? But as to the collars doing that, I think he may be incorrect. I wear one of the collars all the time, with no penalty to my item enchantment skill.

Jesse M.
 

Hi Maggie,
I was wandering on the northern shore of ML when I ran into Hea Tuperea and his brood of reedsharks. Didn't think too much of his chances until he hit me with a new spell ---- Item Befoulment ----. Darn thing set my item skill to ZERO. So, guess what, no LS or Portal recall! Lucky my feet didn't fail me on this one. Just wanted you to know about this one spell. Boy, what I'd give to have that spell on my mage and then go PK!!!! w00t!

Oh, by the way, I love your site! Keep up the great work.

Uryell of FF

Hi Jesse and Uryell -
Thanks very much for the clarification about the collars and the info on the spell. I'll have to remind people to bring their White Bunny Slippers, just in case, when they're mixing it up with Hea Tuperea!

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 -  Play Styles

First off, you have a great site. No doubt about it. It's jam-packed with helpful information and it's a lot of fun to read as well.

I was surprised to read that, as a level 50 player, your vassal had surpassed you. I too have had vassals who re-rolled when they swore to me and then zipped right by me. I suppose it's hard for some people to understand how much AC can provide enjoyment, not only in the leveling, but in the meeting people and helping others. Be they new or old, I find myself spending more and more time running around talking to allegiance members and helping vassals than I do hunting.

It's refreshing to see that in others :) ty

rv
 

Hi rv -
I must admit that I'm not much of a socializer in-game. I tend to do a lot of exploring, and I like to research for the site and to hunt solo. Finding a little pack of Ferals and having them all to myself is my latest favorite obsession. (My friend Danier calls me a "wb", otherwise known as "waddle-butt", meaning that I am always overburdened because I am afflicted with the loot bug. I cannot kill a creature *ever* without checking its corpse for fun surprises! I LOVE to loot my kills. Drives Ned Cleversun crazy! ;-).

But then again, I also love going on well-run quests with a group of friends or having my vassal douse me with VIIs and take me out for some phat xp. That's the beauty of AC. There's something to suit any number of play styles. Ned Cleversun likes hanging out in BSD Ayan, boosting his grief skill. ;-)

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Keep Having Fun

Dear Maggie,

I'd like to say that I know of a few people who are real jerks in game, one of them is my friend (he just always acts like that) but I should say, don't let rude people discourage you from having fun. Some people don't have a sense of humor nor etiquette, and these tactless people can't take a hint. But that doesn't mean that we should all stop playing because of a few people who are insensitive. Take it from me and the rest of my Clan on Leafcull, we have been called many things, and been told many things too. But we always keep our focus on our goal, that is keeping honor, and fun at max level. We wish you only the best. Keep up the great work on your page.

Sincerly,
Chinmoku Kidimaru
Swordsmaster and Enforcer of the Kidimaru Clan

Hi Chinmoku Kidimaru -
I know this letter is a little dated and refers to an old complaint I made about someone being rude to me in-game (a *very* rare occurrence). But, I tell you, the part about your friend just made me laugh and laugh!! That aside, I heartily agree with the sentiments. Maximum fun should always be a goal. :)

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Mosswart Mire Witches

January 22, 2002 - Things To Do While Camping Cottages

Maggie,
For the past 5 days I've been camping a house...umm a cottage. So I got to thinking, and wondering and doing stuff. I've found out quite a few things to do when you're bored.

Use one of the new commands, like *play dead* or *sit back*.
Use the c key plus the left or right arrow when in position.
Do a full jump while still holding the keys.
Wait till you retain the position to let go of the keys, You'll start spinning without help from your keyboard!

Here's another thing to do...

Get an essence flicker.
Stare.
Twich.
Quiver.

I must also let you know that camping houses is a bunch of crap, but once I get one, it'll be my pride and joy! =)

Also, I've established some great relationships with those camping the houses with me....well except for the squelched part.

Another fun thing to do is to draw a Lugian or some other creature to the house you're camping with a bunch of other people.
Open the door and trap him inside.
Buff outside and go kill him and watch the masses come!
One time we did this with a Lithos Lugian and about 933,349,349,381 other Lugians came to the house. I was afraid they were gonna squish it!

Jump, jump, jump....

Or just plain have fun with white bunny slippers! (If you can get some on WE that is, heh.)

Do the emote *whoa* and act like you're Link from Zelda with the power gloves picking up one of those giant rocks.

Coffeeeee...

Spam the emote *spit* several times on the covenant stone.

Pretend you own the house.

Put Gharu Festivall lights all over the ground.

Red touches yellow, kill the fellow.

Practice your door opening technique.

Pretend you don't know there's snow on the ground..."Wow, look! SNOW!"

Fill your focusing stone to full and then drain it all the way by equipping it and unequipping it.

Pretend you aren't reading this.

Find the 'off' switch.

Depress the button.

Don't let go of it till your finger falls off.

Turn it back on.

Get back on the internet.

Log back on AC.

Cry in pain because your house is taken.

Mwuahahaha! =)

David E.

Hi David -
So... what exactly are you trying to say? Camping houses is boring? ;-)

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Adding Victual Oils to Olthoi Egg Foods

Dear Maggie -
glad you finally got the Olthoi eggs online.. ;-)

they are yummy...

Just a note: If you add Victual oil to the finished product, you will get Hearty 'fill in name here'.

These change the effect from +50 for 17 mins, to +35 for 3 hours. (I have yet to test the theory that the +35 variety is stackable with buffs--I know the +50's aren't stackable).

Take care--love your site!

Javerito
Thistledown
(Not Justa Mule - My Cook extraordinaire!)

Hi Javerito (and Not Justa Mule) -
Thanks for the cool info! I can't wait to get to level 70 so I can get me some of them yummies for my own greedy tummy.

Oh, wait. That's right. Maggie will NEVER GET TO LEVEL 70!!! Not unless she becomes a power-leveling fool, or joins an xp chain or something or re-rolls a MAGE. With LIFE MAGIC. Waaaahhhhhhhhhh.

*ahem*

*pulls self together*

*reminds self to stay OFF the boards*

Er... thanks again. ;-)

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Why I Can't Stand Pizza

i just turned level 50 i thought i was bad to the bone i buffed with all level 6 criter and buffed my wepon with all level 6 item spells put my 280 al curiass on and my 225 al platemail legings and my 300 al helm i was wering my percing 6 shirt and my armor 6 pants i felt like a was a night in shining armor i was a tank i had no fear there was lots of people around me so i thought i would go deeper then there were more people so i went deeper and deeper .iwiped the sweat off of my face as i grow tired i was on the last floor past the chest the boom a huge spawn in my copass there was so many orange dots i couldint see my self i tried to heal but i coudint even see my self. at this second i new it was my destiny to die as the solders picked at me non stop only hiting me for 1 point a hit but i was geting hit so fast my health went from 240 to 50 then 20 then 10 then 5 i closed my eys and i remberd i bought some heling pizzas off a guy i ate one heled me for 100 health i had 100 pizzas on me i just kept eating crying out not here not now pleas help then a guy showed up he was a mage 130 level was there helping a vesel he jumped in but it was to much on him he retreted i was down to 20 pizzas then like 30guys ran in it was like a big bar fight non stop bashing finaly it was over 6 guys had layed there life down to save me i dint no wat to say so i swore to the mage which is my parton now untill this day i rember the 6 guys that layed there life down for me and untill this day i cant stand a nother pece of pizza

james b.


Hi james -
I hardly know what to say, except, maybe, "Whoo-whee! What a story!"

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Just Another Thank You Letter

I don't even remember how I first came to visit your Fabulous AC Guide - all I can recall is that I'd been playing about three months, was having rotten experiences meeting the "wrong" sort of people (for me, at least) in-game, and had become a reclusive loner of a player as a result. The trouble was, I really did enjoy the game, but wasn't getting "the scoop" on any of the game's finer (actually, essential) points such as Atlans, Composite Bows, Shadow Armor and the like. And at the time, it was getting so frustrating not knowing how to progress in-game that I was getting ready to quit AC entirely.

Then I found your site, and the floodgates of minutae were opened. This was around the time that Gold Letters and Explorer items were introduced to the game, and I've gotta say, your guide to the town stamps, agents, and rewards saved me countless hours - hell, days - of hunting around in ignorance, thinking I'd found the key to something good, only to wind up with an item that was completely useless to me.

Since then, for more than a year now, I've found myself frequenting your site on an almost daily basis. And thanks to your help - and the many, many people who've contributed details to you - I'm finally at that mid-range level where I can actually be a help to a few other lost souls out there. I didn't even realize I'd "gotten there" until housing was introduced, and in my travels, I'd found things that didn't appear on your page until weeks later. That's when it sort of dawned on me that maybe I should be contributing a few things too, and in some way add back to the pot from which I'd taken so much information myself. Not that I'm any great player, nor even a "bright" one - but the next time I come across something (such as housing locales) that I haven't yet seen on your wonderfully expansive page, I'll be sending you what I've found. Not that I'll be the only one to send pix and coords of some remote detail, but there's always the slimmest of chances that I just might, one day, send you something a day earlier than someone else.

I wish I were high-enough level (and a competent-enough player) to send you info on high-end material like the Elari Bow or where to take dust from Diamond Golems, but I'm not...not yet. And in all of this rambling, the one thing I really wanted to say was a heartfelt thank-you to you for doing what you do with your web-page. I truly owe you the last year of my game-play, because there's no way I'd have continued on this long struggling for info the way I was back then. Don't you pay any attention to those detractors you sometimes hear from, saying you "lied" blah blah blah - your site has helped more than enough lost souls find what they'd sought but could not find alone. And just as it took me a year or more to get off my tush and write a thanks to you, you can be assured there are hundreds more out there who give a silent thanks to you each and every time they open your page.

And in the holiday season, may whichever Gods you bow to grant you bounty such as you have shared with your fellow man. If there's one thing the Christians got right in the last two millennia, it's that little saying (which I'm about to butcher in paraphrase...sorry!), "Whatsoever you do unto these, God's littlest creatures, you do unto God." (there - can I go to heaven now?? LoL!). In the end, I just wish you yourself come to benefit as much from the kindness of others as many have benefited from yours.

Be well, within as without,
Teri (of Morningthaw)


Hi Teri -
Your letter is certainly one of the most eloquent thank yous I've received. Is it weird to say thank you for a thank you? :)  I receive, on almost a daily basis, thank you notes from players in the game (and, also, thank yous in the form of cash tips). I wish I had more time to personally answer all of them, but I just don't. I try to take what opportunities I can, like this one, to publicly mention my gratitude for all the well wishes, contributions, and kind thoughts and words from people. I love the letters I get. It's one of the reasons I've continued to do the site so consistently. (After all, if you've got something in your life that enables you to receive a steady stream of compliments and suck-ups, who wouldn't continue?! ;-)

As I've mentioned before, I get hundreds and hundreds of letters each month. When I'm browsing back through them, picking out ones to publish, I rarely pay much attention to who actually wrote it until I'm editing that particular letter on the page. As I re-read your letter, and came to the end, I was struck by something remarkable. Your letter was signed, "Teri (of Morningthaw)." And where had I just heard that name, but from Aragorn of Arathorn, who was dazed and confused in Eastham one day and chanced upon a stranger, who treated him kindly. A stranger named Teri.

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Thank You From Overseas

I just wanted to send you a sincere thanks to you for something you might not be aware of.

I'm currently deployed overseas in support of multiple operations for the military. Access to the internet is somewhat limited, and there is no hope that I'll be able to play Asheron's Call during my time away. What's the next best thing? Reading your updates and all of the quests that you have posted on your site. I can get my pseudo-ac fix by planning what quests I will do when I return, and read about the updates that I will miss for the next several months.

I'm not sure if you ever would have thought that you'd be doing your part to support those individuals that are in the US military, but through your site, you are. I offer you my sincerest thanks, and look forward to your next update!!

FWH Kaos
Fight With Honor


Hi FWH Kaos -
Thanks very much. I'm glad to be doing my part. Anything to support the troops! ;-) Thank you to all of you who have sent letters from overseas. We'll see you in Dereth when you return! Safe travels.

- Maggie the Jackcat

January 22, 2002 - Real Estate Agent of Dereth

please help dire the dim and veranda find a loveshack cottage?

Hi dire the dim and veranda -
I can't even begin to tell you how many letters and tells I've received from people asking for help to find a house. I appreciate all the suggestions from folks who would like me to please indicate which houses on my list are still for sale, when they will be coming on the market, and which ones are already sold. It's a fabulous suggestion. And I'd *love* to implement it, but... well... it's impossible! Sorry to say, but I do not have any magic way of finding out the information any better than you do. I get mine the old fashioned way -- using my feet. Even if I stumbled across an unsold home on TD, I'd have no way of knowing the status on any of the other servers. The best I can do is continue to update the list with new coordinates as I receive them or discover them.

However, there is hope! I can point you to three other sources to keep an eye on. Check Crossroads of Dereth's housing information, and more importantly, recently added locations in the Atlas. These are most likely to be the newer additions. AC Vault's housing registry is another good resource. Last, check for recent additions in AC Spedia.

Good luck in your home search. It's certainly nice to have a place to call home.