A Change in Tactics

Previous Patch - All Patches - Next Patch

February 2006 - Announcements Page

Game Changes[]

The four Essences -- Artifice, Enchantment, Strife and Verdancy—have returned to the world.
Prismatic Shadow Amuli can be made using crystals taken from the Essences.
A Character Title Panel has been added to the game.
The Real Time Rare system has been added into the game. See the February Letter to the Players for details.

New Quests[]

New NPCs[]

Updated NPCs[]

Olthoi Hunter - Now also a quest NPC that gives Kill Tasks.

New Locations[]

Updated Locations[]

Bloodstone Company Fortress - Old Tumerok fort taken over by a company of Viamontian Knights.

New Items[]

Armor

Prismatic Amuli Coat Prismatic Amuli Leggings Rossu Morta Boots Whispering Blade Boots Shield of Strathelar

Exchange Items

Nymph Maniac Token Perforated Knight Token Pest Control Token Dryreach Militia Title Token Rat Reaper Token

Gems

Black Page of Salt and Ash

Housing Items

Nymph Maniac Plaque Perforated Knight Plaque Pest Control Plaque Strathelar Pennant

Jewelry

Bracelet of Passage Rat Tail Bracelet

Keys

Chapterhouse Chamberlain's Key Inner Chamber Key

Objects

Black Book of Salt and Ash Shade Iron Ore Deposit

Quest Items

Damaged Stone Infuser Dormant Shadowfire Stone Charged Stone Infuser Repaired Stone Infuser Shade Iron Ore Hammer Shade Iron Ore Sample Rat King's Tail Decanter of Essence of Verdancy Decanter of Essence of Artifice Decanter of Essence of Enchantment Decanter of Essence of Strife Crystallized Essence of Artifice Crystallized Essence of Enchantment Crystallized Essence of Strife Crystallized Essence of Verdancy Viamontian Pennant (Bloodstone Company) Viamontian Pennant (Pietrus Castle)

Text Items

Instructions for Essence Recovery Lo Raen's List of Tasks Tumerok Record Book Castle Pietrus Log Book Ciandra's Stone Infuser Instructions Atlan's Coded Notebook Empyrean Notebook Whispering Blade Introduction Letter to Commander Jin Zo

Upgrade Items

Shadowfire Stone

Weapons

Shadowfire Isparian Atlatl Shadowfire Isparian Axe Shadowfire Isparian Bow Shadowfire Isparian Claw Shadowfire Isparian Crossbow Shadowfire Isparian Dagger Shadowfire Isparian Mace Shadowfire Isparian Spear Shadowfire Isparian Staff Shadowfire Isparian Sword Shadowfire Isparian Wand

New Titles[]

New Creatures[]

Golem

Human

Unknown

Elemental

Acid Elemental

Hand of VerdancyHand of Verdancy/

Lightning Elemental

Hand of ArtificeHand of Artifice/

Frost Elemental

Hand of EnchantmentHand of Enchantment/

Fire Elemental

Hand of StrifeHand of Strife/

Rat

Rat KingRat King/

Viamontian Knight

New Dialog[]

Town Crier

Viamontian Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "You Bloodless have no idea how bad things are going to get for your Bloodless Queen very soon. Don't think allying yourselves with the cringing cowards of Silyun will help."

Town Crier tells you, "King Varicci is verty interested in these Essences of magic that have appeared recently. They could be a source of great power."

Town Crier tells you, "I heard tell that the citizens of Shoushi are afraid of Rats!"

Town Crier tells you, "I can't believe we haven't conquered that town yet."

Town Crier tells you, "Let it be known that the Viamontian army has made yet another bold advance onto Dereth. Where? That's a secret, I'm afraid."

Town Crier tells you, "It appears that another Sclavus has appeared, bearing bloody gifts from an ancient, murderous culture. If they weren't reptiles, I could come to admire these Sclavus."

Town Crier tells you, "I am not just a Herald, you know. I am also an Adept of Vivimancy and an accredited Pugilist."

Town Crier tells you, "Someone by the name of Ciandra seems to have found more information on the ancient magics used to forge weapons in this world. Something to do with a thing called a Shadow Stone."

Town Crier tells you, "A member of the Bloodless Queen's Royal Guard has been sighted in Dryreach. This may be worth investigation."

Town Crier tells you, "I've been informed that a renowned researcher and alchemist, by the name of Ciandra, has found a way to fully empower something referred to as a Repaired Shadow Stone. She is asking those with these repaired stones to bring them to her. This should be investigated first-hand, as the information may be of great interest and use to His Majesty."

Town Crier tells you, "Royal heralds now will keep track of all the titles you earn. Just another example of the great changes our noble King has enacted in this benighted land."

Town Crier tells you, "So I have heard that yet another Sclavus has emerged from the muck of Blackmire Swamp, offering secrets of warfare. Bold adventurers should investigate."

Town Crier tells you, "We've heard of a possible contender to the Bloodless Queen's throne. Seems a Rat King has risen to power near Shoushi. Maybe they're relatives."

Town Crier tells you, "The bold advance the army made was to the northern land bridge between Northern Osteth and the Direlands. They've founded a new castle -- Castle Pietrus."

Town Crier tells you, "There is a Bloodless lieutenant in the town of Dryreach, asking for aid in the nearly eternal siege of that town. If all the Bloodless Queen can do to protect her kingdom is beg assistance from others, then this war will be a short one."

Town Crier tells you, "A brigade of Viamontian Knights was lost attempting to capture the Essence of Strife for His Majesty. We are very impressed with it strength."

Mainland Town Criers

Town Crier tells you, "A friend of mine at the Arcanum says the Essences have returned."

Town Crier tells you, "People in Xarabydun have noted that Ciandra seems to have been doing a lot of research lately. I wonder what she is up to?"

Town Crier tells you, "I hear there is a new Royal Guard in Dryreach. Is the Queen finally taking measures to protect the towns still under siege?"

Town Crier tells you, "Have you heard? Now that I can hold multiple titles, I am going to go and get myself certified as a Bunny Master."

Town Crier tells you, "I hear the rats in Shoushi have been giving the Rat Catcher there a difficult time."

Town Crier tells you, "Hey! I found a rare item! It's called the Grand Crier's Great Helm of Crying. It's so powerful, I can make announcements from the comfort of my own home. I don't dare wear it in public, though. Someone could kill me and take it!"

Town Crier tells you, "Word is that someone in Ayan Baqur is looking for help on a highly secret mission..."

Town Crier tells you, "Hear ye, hear ye! Her Majesty seeks volunteers to aid with a most important mission. Please see Lord Tyrell Marsan at Plateau Village for more information."

Town Crier tells you, "Word in Shoushi is that their Rat Catcher is afraid of some smart rat who has been organizing all the rats in town."

Town Crier tells you, "News! Heralds of the realm are now able to keep track of multiple titles for each person."

Town Crier tells you, "Ciandra the Arcanum Alchemist has asked for help in getting samples from the new Essences. She has a workshop on the surface side of Xarabydun."

Town Crier tells you, "I've heard that the Viamontians have a new laboratory in Bluespire. Rumor has it that Lord Marsan's mission is related to it somehow."

Town Crier tells you, "Lieutenant Rothe, of the Queen's Royal Guard, is seeking brave souls to assist in the protection of Dryreach. If you go to Dryreach to aid him, remember to get a key first."

Town Crier tells you, "Ciandra has asked that all who have a Repaired Shadow Stone, and wish to make a stone usable in an Isparian Weapon, bring the repaired stone to her in Xarabydun."

Town Crier tells you, "Finally -- Queen Elysa is going on the offensive. She's dispatched soldiers to Plateau Village. Who know where they could be going, although rumor has it they're destined for Fort Tethana."

Town Crier tells you, "If I were you, I would be very careful of Hassha, that new Sclavus in Blackmire Swamp. I don't trust it, and I don't like what I've heard of the things it offers!"

Town Crier tells you, "If you are discreet, and have proved that you are a stalwart ally of the people of Silyun, there may be a sensitive and dangerous mission you could help out on... Seek out the ore merchant in Ayan Baqur to learn more..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant

Free Rumors

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "The Mad Bull creates and uses a weapon that severs your tie to a Lifestone, and Elysa suddenly starts taking an interesting in protecting Dryreach?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Better late than never, I guess."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I wish the Rat King would visit my basement and organize the stupid mice down there. If he could get them to brew me beer I would bring them as much cheese as they could eat."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh, don't bother with Hassha out in the swamp. That old snake just wants someone to read it some bedtime stories."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Gaerlan really kicked the white rabbit when he started messing with this world's essence. He may yet get his wish to rid the world of us."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I found a rare item! It's the Planar Mug of Everlasting Stout. You see, it is actually a rift in the fabric of the universe, in the bottom of a beer mug and directly connected to the Plane of Stout."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Oh, wait. I just dreamed that."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "So Elysa has established formal diplomatic relations with Silyun. That's probably a good idea. Maybe she can take up with that Duke, if he ever drags himself out of wherever he's been hiding. Varicci already wants to kill him, so he'd probably be a safe person for Elysa to date."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Who do you think would win in a fight? The dirty, inbred, feebleminded and war mongering Varicci or the caring, noble, heroic, brilliant and beautiful Queen Elysa? Just make an impartial decision."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I thought so."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Want to see my one-eyed Pack Banderling?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Have you heard Tyrell Marsan's war stories?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "They're all hogwash. Everyone knows that the best weapon against Tumeroks is stout!"

Stout Rumors

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Well, okay, I'll accept this mug of Stout, but don't think it will get me to intercede on your behalf with the Virindi. Nope, I'm just a concerned citizen."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I went to school with Varicci, did you know that? He wasn't very popular. I could rattle off a list of the titles that were bestowed upon him in those awkward years, but then I know the next black blade would be coming for me."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You're on mine..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I'm gonna need more cowbell!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "So, we think it's a good thing to have weapons that access the same dark powers that almost destroyed the world during the Shadow Invasions? Well, I'm not going to use them. In fact, I'm going to design a whole new suite of weapons that draw their powers from the rich and delicious power of Stout!"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Remember how my backpack is infested with malicious Zefirs? Well, I guess they felt bad for all the tricks they've been playing on me, because they left me a present in my backpack. I got a rare Zumamaphone. Boy is it great. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. Those Pack Zefirs are all right by me."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I've got multiple titles too. Ulgrim the Archmage, Master of Time and Space, Leader of the Virindi Resistance, Master Tinkerer, Seer of Truths, Lord of the Jewelry, Supreme Peppermint Cook, Celebrations Advisor to the Queen, Chess Grandmaster, the Shadow Tested, Virindi Regulator, Beer Lord, and Keeper of the Hatch."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Well, okay, I'll accept this mug of Stout, but don't think it will get me to intercede on your behalf with the Virindi. Nope, I'm just a concerned citizen."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Someone's off severing Lifestone ties and still no word from Asheron, eh? I knew I shouldn't have showed him that resort brochure. He's probably sipping fruity drinks from coconuts with little umbrellas in them while we're left here to freeze."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I decided to show Ciandra how to properly fix those stones she was helping with last month. I needed an improved ingredient for my Extra Dark Stout."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Dryreach, it's been under Tumerok attack for years..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "Now she does something direct to protect it?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I wonder if this means the tavern there will start serving a wider selection of Stout..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I could use more Stout..."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "I went to visit the fortune shrine today. Want to hear my fortune?"

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "You will fall into a very deep hole and your broken body will slowly be devoured by the foul things that reside in the lightless places."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "That didn't sound so good."

Ulgrim the Unpleasant tells you, "My lucky numbers are 6,6,6."