Cold Tracks

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December 2006 - Announcements Page

Game Changes

New Seasonal Quests and Events introduced for the festive season. These include a quest to receive a Xmas gift from Frost Haven, a visit from Santa Sclavus and also some new pets - the Pet Penguin and Pet Snowman.
Other changes:
- Rare arrowheads now work on bundles of the appropriate shafts.
- Rare gems (tier 1) now stack up to 100.

New Quests

New Events

Santa Sclavus pays the children and adults of Dereth a visit and hands out presents including lumps of coal to those who've been naughty.

Updated Quests

Dagger of Tikola Quest - Updated as part of the Asheron's Departure Lower quest.

New NPCs

Updated NPCs

Felscuda

New Locations

Updated Locations

Folthid Cellar
Halls of Metos - Quest NPC and item added.
Imuth Maer Doquin - A Gateway to the Halls of Metos is now found within the ruins.
Mountain Sewer

New Items

Housing Items

Abominable Pack Snowman Doll House Holiday Feast Holiday Hearth Holiday Lights (Strand) Mr. P. Holiday Pack Doll Pack Scold Snowmaker

Objects

Tanada Shrine of Earth Tanada Shrine of Metal Tanada Shrine of Stone Penguin Nest

Pet Items

Magic Hat Pet Penguin Igloo

Quest Items

Imbued Pyreal Mote (Eastern Vault) Imbued Pyreal Mote (Northern Vault) Imbued Pyreal Mote (Western Vault) Ancient Necklace Ancient Ring Ancient Goblet Ancient Shard of Metal Inscribed Purple Gem Metos Pyreal Mote Golem Warden of Metos Marked Candy Wrapper Small Sack of Penguin Treats Partially-eaten Cookie Portable Igloo Penguin Egg Medallion of Earth Medallion of Metal Medallion of Stone Medallion of the Sword Sealed Missive (Tanada House of Earth) Folded Missive Hot Coal Frozen Present Present

Text Items

Letter to Bretself the Translator A Formal Request Eastern Vault Notes Northern Vault Notes Western Vault Notes A Note on Ancient Necklaces A Note on Ancient Rings A Note on Ancient Goblets Ruminations on Portal Creation Ruminations and Warnings on Portal Creation Asheron's Departure Journal

Weapons

Orb of Eternal Frost Tachi of Grace

New Creatures

Eater

Especially Famished EaterEspecially Famished Eater/

Falatacot

Human

New Dialog

Town Crier

Viamontian Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "There are reports that another Bloodless assassin group, called the Te-nada, or something like that, is growing on the mainland. Heh. The Bloodless can't even keep control of their own..."

Town Crier tells you, "There are rumors that a Bloodless sage in Cragstone seeks adventurers to follow the trail of the vanished and impotent mage, Asheron."

Town Crier tells you, "I just saw someone run by with a pet Penguin. Why someone would take the time to train a Penguin to follow you around is beyond me. Why not something useful, like a pet Eater, or somesuch?"

Town Crier tells you, "My advice? If you find something that you don't recognize, find an expert to identify it for you."

Town Crier tells you, "Haha, I hear that there's a crazy snowman smashing up other snowmen in the Southern Osteth mountains! I'd pay to see that."

Town Crier tells you, "The latest reports are that there was an earthquake in the Bloodless town of Yanshi. Unfortunately, they suffered no lasting consequences."

Town Crier tells you, "I hope you appreciate that I stand out here in the cold for you people."

Town Crier tells you, "On behalf of His Majesty King Varicci II, I have been authorized to wish you a prosperous holiday season."

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard reports of adventurers dealing with a strange, candy-eating tropical Penguin on the Vesayan Isles. He seems very popular for some reason."

Town Crier tells you, "We have been informed that a lot more interesting information seems to be flowing through the hands of Bretself, the translator who lives in the Bloodless city of Cragstone."

Town Crier tells you, "There are reports of a Bloodless sage, called Sayuji Jina, investigating the reappearance of this clan of Sho Assassins, and her continued efforts to learn about them. Such information could also be useful to His Majesty, and should be investigated."

Town Crier tells you, "Much as I may like to joke about it, perhaps there is something worth investigating in those disturbances among the snow creatures of Snow Haven."

Town Crier tells you, "Though he would never say anything openly, I do believe the King desires that strong Viamontian adventurers visit Cragstone to speak with the Bloodless known as Shan Zhen, to see whether Strathelar's protector is well and truly gone from Dereth."

Town Crier tells you, "Have you heard of an Empyrean named Metos? I do not know what is significant about him, but adventurers have reported strange discoveries in the Halls that bear his name."

Town Crier tells you, "Ah, this bit of coin reminds me... King Varicci wishes you and your dependents a very prosperous Holiday Season. He also notes that he will be sending the tax collector around soon. So get your accounts in order."

Town Crier tells you, "Who knows what evil magics the Bloodless Lady Folthid is conducting on her lands... rumor has it she caused the earthquake in Yanshi."

Mainland Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "Happy Holidays! Only a few days left to donate to your friendly Town Crier. Anything you can spare is appreciated. It all goes to a good cause, feeding my family."

Town Crier tells you, "I saw my cousin recently, and he had a pet Penguin!"

Town Crier tells you, "There was a mild earthquake around the Yanshi region. No injuries or major property damage have been reported."

Town Crier tells you, "Ayep, it's gettin cold again. A storm's comin'. I can feel it in my joints for sure."

Town Crier tells you, "My advice, friend? If you find something that you don't recognize, find an expert to identify it for you."

Town Crier tells you, "I tend to pay a visit to Frost Haven this time every year. It's such a scenic little Snowman village when it's not being stomped on by that magma golem."

Town Crier tells you, "Ayep, it's gettin cold again. A storm's comin'. I can feel it in my joints for sure."

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors of another Tanada Clan training ground. Where are they all coming from?"

Town Crier tells you, "I have heard that some associates of Ben Ten are out searching for Asheron... Where could he have gone?"

Town Crier tells you, "I hear the Abominable Snowman has been particularly unpredictable lately. People will animate anything these days. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a Cheese Golem."

Town Crier tells you, "If you want to investigate the mystery of Asheron's absence from the world, I suggest you talk to Shan Zhen of Cragstone, who is looking for able adventurers to volunteer for just such a purpose."

Town Crier tells you, "My cousin was telling me he saw a Penguin in the Vesayan Isles, relaxing under a tree, eating candy... That's just odd."

Town Crier tells you, "I heard that Bretself, the Translator in Cragstone, is getting a lot more business these days..."

Town Crier tells you, "I think I'll dust off the old fruitcake and give it to a friend for the holidays. Those things last forever. I think the one I have now was my grandfather's."

Town Crier tells you, "Did you know Metos was actually a person? Apparently he was an Empyrean expert in the construction of Golems, and a friend of Asheron. You learn something new every day..."

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard rumors that Sayuji Jina has more work for those who've helped her investigate the sudden surge of the Tanada Clan in Dereth."

Town Crier tells you, "Some scholars think that the recent earthquake was centered around Lady Folthid's estate, northeast of Yanshi. Might be worth to investigate any underground structures in that area - assuming that they're safe, of course."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant

Free Rumors

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Ah yes, winter is here. You know what that means? It's about time for my vacation to the Vesayen Isles. No, okay, I'm not actually going there. I haven't been there in years. Bad blood between me and that rogue MacNiall. He tried to steal my lunch money back when he was a young boy at school. And I was his teacher"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Have you seen my mug of stout anywhere? I think a Penguin stole it... Clever little beasties, those Penguins. More clever than they are commonly given credit for. And oh yes, they do have fine taste in beverages."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "So there's now a Tanada House of Earth out there somewhere, turning out ninjas who are obsessed with metaphors about dirt. There's a House of Fire somewhere too, and the masters of all three schools formed this musical group... Oh, never mind."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You know I've been thinking about what you can give me as a present for the Holidays. I think a nice stout would be perfect. None of that mistletoe stuff, I'm allergic."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "The snowmen are back. If you see an angry snowman with yellow stripes tell him I'm sorry. I totally didn't see him there!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I hate cold weather. After about a month of standing out here in my winter-weight robe, well, let's just say things start to get a little gamey. I think that's how the Mosswarts took such a liking to me, in fact..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh, the earthquake at Lady Folthid's estate? That was me. My bad, my bad. I hope I didn't break anything that was important to that lady. But if I did, what is she going to do? Kill me?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh Asheron? No need to worry about him. He's just... temporarily misplaced. As soon as you stop looking for him, he'll just sort of turn up in some place you didn't think to look in. Always works out that way."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Happy holidays! I would have gotten you a present, but I got drunk and forgot to go shopping."

Stout Rumors

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh, don't tell me. Another training house opened by the Tanada clan on Dereth? Ninjas are harder to stamp out than cockroaches. A lot harder. Trust me, I've tried. Those little tiny roach-sized houses with the poisoned food inside them just don't work on ninjas."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "No, don't even try to pass me one of those fruitcakes, friend. I patched up a hole in my chimney with the last one I got, so I'm all set, thanks."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You know Shan Zhen works for Ben Ten, right? Ben Ten's an interesting case. I shouldn't tell you this, but she's not actually Sho. She's a Virindi. Like that fiendish Claude. Except with a much better disguise. Don't believe me? Grab her face and pull hard, next time you see her. Then you'll see."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Yes, I strongly recommend you head out to Cragstone to speak with Shan Zhen. Maybe get to the bottom of Asheron's disappearance. No, not Asheron's bottom. What would Shan Zhen know about that? Don't be silly."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Why would I want a pet Penguin? Rude little fellows. They swear like Viamontian pirates, but with less grating accents."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Metos? He was a hack. Many of his Golems are still functioning to this day. What kind of design is that? A smart engineer would design the Golems to break down after a few years. That way people have to go to you to fix or replace them. Perfect job security. What's the use of making ones that just keep working forever? See, and everyone keeps talking about how smart Empyreans are."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Stout! What a thoughtful present! Sad, I didn't get you anything... How about an empty stout mug? Just been emptied."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You know what the worst part about a blizzard is? The way all that blowing snow gets into your mug and waters down your stout. That, and freezing to death."