Announcements - 2001/10 - The Widening Gyre

Event Teaser
''Material retrieved from original Zone caches available at http://web.archive.org.

''Original Link (now dead) - http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/news/octoberteaser.asp



 The Widening Gyre

September 31, 2001 Martine smiled with satisfaction as the electric flows meshed from the three prongs of the transport base, and the portal flared into being. This was the final one. Twelve in all, his personal invitations to the Isparians to come visit Marae Lassel. And the Virindi thought themselves safe there? The fun would soon begin.

And that was only one front of his crusade against the alien beings. How easy it was to magnify Ecorto's desire for order into something more radical. And now the Director stood there in Zaikhal, sending hordes of Isparians nipping at the heels of his former tormentors. They would know pain and fear. They would come to know it well.

But Martine wondered whether he was winning the battle at the expense of the war. He trembled with anger as he thought of that meddling witch, Nuhmudira. Housing, of all things! She and her Agents of the Arcanum would need to be dealt with. But Dereth had taught Martine to be flexible, to be patient. Good things were coming. Let the humans play with their new toys, their masks and their elixirs. Let them acquire their "Writs" and think themselves safe and secure in their new homes.

The mouse is never easier to catch than when stuffed with cheese.

The thing once known as Candeth Martine raised his hands and teleported himself back to his stronghold on Marae. After all, he had visitors to prepare for.

Unlike any other gaming experience, the world of Asheron's Call continues to evolve. As autumn fully settles over the land, what further tricks can be expected from Dereth's mortal enemies? Join us, as the The Widening Gyre event opens soon.

Be sure to continue your part in this incredible ongoing story, and we'll see you in Dereth!

Roll Out Article
''Material retrieved from original Zone caches available at http://web.archive.org.

''Original Link (now dead) - http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/news/octoberrollout.asp



 The Widening Gyre

October 9, 2001 As the nights deepen and grow ever more sinister, the autumn moons rise over a troubled landscape. The fall season has arrived in full, many would attest, with the same baleful chill as the Virindi who haunt the isle.

These twilight days have seen the Virindi make their next, and most terrifying, play to gain ultimate control of Dereth. Rumors speak of hidden installations, carefully stockpiled resources, and efforts to construct a New Singularity. If not more dangerous, than far more random, the Virindi's countryside raids also continue. The next waves, however, have been composed of Simulacra, cleverly disguised as the very heroes they hunt. As the Virindi strengthen their foothold in the world, the hum of a New Singularity grows ever louder, ever clearer. ..

Against these invading forces the true citizens of Dereth cannot be swayed from grand autumnal celebrations--and discoveries. Ever the experimenters, alchemists have hit upon the means to create valued elixirs, replenishing both physical and mystic vigor. Along with a host of sweet dishes added to the already encyclopedic knowledge of cooking, these will serve well to bolster Dereth's heroic forces. And continuing a popular, if gruesome, tradition, the severed remains of certain creatures can again be crafted into masks terrifying to behold--proving the Virindi are not the only ones to don such wear. . . or perhaps their efforts to corrupt humanity have truly begun to succeed.

Yet even as the Virindi attempt to conquer all, humanity looks to better house its own occupation of Dereth. Archmages of the Zaikhal Arcanum have completed research on ancient geomancy texts, allowing for the lawful division of housing, and already vendors with bright entrepreneurial spirits have appeared, offering the finest in home furnishings. Of course, safe habitation on this troubled isle must come at some tremendous price. ..

Following is a list of the most interesting additions made to the game this update. However, please note that not everything has been included--that would spoil the fun of finding out all manner of things added or changed! As usual, though, the town criers, barkeeps, and scribes may know the latest news. Also, the trades of crafting and selling are always in flux, so changes to prices and features are not always listed here in their entirety.

Highlights include:


 * The Virindi redefine ruthlessness as they complete the last stages necessary to build their New Singularity.
 * Writs of Refuge can be found, offering the chance for household ownership.
 * Furniture vendors have also appeared, hawking everything from tables and chairs to art and candelabras.
 * Alchemists can now develop Health and Mana elixirs.
 * New cooking ingredients lead to new and tasty recipes. Autumn treats for everyone.
 * Holiday masks return! The doomed creatures of Dereth have already begun to hide their hunted heads in terror.

With the deepening of fall and celebration of the autumn season, the Virindi have renewed their campaign to wipe Dereth clean of all humanity. Be sure to check the Developer's Notes for October, the Event Highlights, as well as the State of the Network, to learn more details of “The Widening Gyre”event. Join us as we continue the ongoing saga of Asheron's Call, and we'll see you in Dereth!

Build Notes
''Material retrieved from original Zone caches available at http://web.archive.org.

''Original Link (now dead) - http://classic.zone.msn.com/asheronscall/news/octoberbuild.asp



 Developer's Notes

October 9, 2001

Here are just some of the additions made in the October 9 game update, “The Widening Gyre.” The following list is comprised of detailed notes straight from the developers themselves. For a summary of things of interest, be sure to consult the official event article, The Widening Gyre.

We appreciate your feedback and bug reports in helping to ensure that the world of Dereth is a stable and fun place to be. Please submit any such bug reports to http://bugs.zone.com.

'''Miscellaneous Improvements


 * All Mana stones now destroy themselves at a flat 10% rate, regardless of their efficiency.
 * Advanced alchemists can now craft their own versions of Health and Mana elixirs.
 * The pyreal gets an icon makeover.
 * The Olthoi have a new look. ..
 * A bug causing a situation known as “Green Link Lag,” where players' clients were receiving data but unable to output data back to the server, has been identified and fixed.
 * A bug with the @fillcomps command has been fixed so that when a player switches between characters on the same account, the correct values for that character are displayed instead of those of the previous character.
 * A bug introduced last month where the camera angle was skewed slightly has been fixed. The camera angle should be back to where it was before September's event.
 * The bug where trying to stretch the enlarged chat UI box caused a crash of the client has been fixed.
 * There was a bug where the Dread Ursuin was not dropping its trophy item at all. It is now dropping at the correct percentage.
 * Apprentice Mage Robes have had the “Inept spells” removed, their Mana burn rate reduced, and their Mana tank total boosted to 250.
 * Xarabydun gem's “Impulse spell” has had its duration boosted from twenty minutes to three hours.
 * There is now an exit portal in the Swamp Gardens.
 * Upon leveling, characters immediately replenish HP, Mana, and Stamina totals.
 * New characters now start with 500 pyreals instead of 100.
 * New characters that have the Bow or Crossbow skill now start with 250 arrows or quarrels instead of 100.
 * New characters that begin with magic skills now start with five of each starting component instead of one.
 * The Soldier template now trains Crossbow instead of Bow, and specializes in Arcane Lore instead of training in it.
 * The Bow Hunter template has new starting attribute values: 40/30/100/100/50/10, and a new set of skills, specializing in Bow, Melee Defense, and Arcane Lore, and training in Item.
 * Each template now has a set of “recommended skills” which are listed in the description for each template in character generation.

'''Minor Details


 * The locked gate in the subway dungeon has been removed.
 * The North Exit portal in the North Black Claw dungeon now actually leads to the North Exit instead of the South Exit.
 * The destination for the random landscape portal: “Mid Direlands Portal” is now, surprisingly enough, in the Mid Direlands instead of somewhere in Northern Osteth.
 * There was a bug where a quest flag was not working for the Laboratory Key to the Sylsfear Chest. This has been fixed. The quest flag for this key is now two weeks.
 * Players can no longer recall through portals created by the various portal gems (to the nine newbie towns and three archmages).
 * Stats have been slightly tweaked on the weaker bows in the game to make them more similar with respect to one another: Longbow, Shortbow, Yag, Nayin, and Shouyumi.
 * @help fillcomps now refers to the different types of component categories.
 * The description of the Simulacra Helm now correctly refers to itself as a "helm" instead of a "shield."
 * Fixed a bug where Gromnies were not always able to successfully attack players if the players were on uneven terrain. This has been fixed.
 * Fixed a minor typo in creating Diluted Health Infusions where text referred to “fire” instead of “health.”
 * Robe of the Tundra now covers the head.
 * The icons for the starting Soldier template during character generation now display axes instead of swords.