Announcements - 2001/03 - Spring's Sorrows

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March 2001 - Patch Page

Event Teaser

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

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

Spring's Sorrows

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March 14, 2001

Balle was rich. Unbelievably rich. While in Samsur he had acquired Dranal's carving tool to crack open the Mnemosynes, but the tool apparently had far more uses than its maker knew.

He found the key discarded on the ground near a known Virindi war camp by the Obsidian Plains. A spoil of battle either unseen or unwanted, and Balle happily slipped it into his pocket. It was only later that night that he took out the strange artifact, the twisted rings dimly glowing purple, and thought he saw in its alien outline the makings of a key. He took out his carving knife.

And then the following morning, while traveling along the eastern shore to the north of Wai Jhou, he came across the floating Trove.

Balle now made his way to Tufa, after trading and selling the contents of the Trove in Ayan Baqur. All those rumors of travelers being slaughtered on the outskirts of town actually helped his profits. When people were scared, they became foolish.

His mind still spinning at the value of what he'd found in the Trove, Balle didn't notice the glowing shapes floating softly toward him. Even had he looked up, he would not have known what a Doll was. Later, the echoes of his screams still carried far over the deserted sands.

Unlike any other gaming experience, the world of Asheron's Call continues to evolve. Last month, winter kept its icy grip about the land; yet along with the snow and cold came new Item Magic spells, pack toys, and the loot of vanguard leaders. One can only wonder what additions -- and what dangers -- will be added when we open our March event, “Spring's Sorrows.”

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

Rollout Article

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

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

Spring's Sorrows

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March 21, 2001

The first month of springtime has come at last, marking the launch of our “Spring's Sorrows” event! The Hopeslayer has fallen and, as with the former winter snows, the Undead wane in strength and power. Even the Shadows, once dire invaders of the land, no longer bother to curse those adventurers who slay them. Yet despite all sense of victory, a suspicious pallor still haunts the season.

For into this scene moves a new enemy.

Virindi have been encountered, in forces never before met in such aggression. This month marks the arrival of the Virindi Executor, as well as two entirely new creatures added to Dereth's already full and deadly bestiary: Dolls and Marionettes, both corrupt results of Virindi experiments gone fantastically awry.

However, far more has entered the world this month than mere Virindi-induced calamity. For those skilled in the lockpicking arts, strange puzzles present themselves. The solutions? Whether in the Virindis' carried keys or the Mnemosyne pyramids remains to be seen. For those of a more scholarly bent, archaeologists are said to be searching out inspiring Undead lore. And, for collectors and hunters, new springtime trophies can be gained, able to be crafted into unique and useful items. At least, such has been rumored by certain poachers, themselves bedecked in cured trophies of the land.

Truly, Dereth has awoken from its winter hibernation. And whatever forces have been set in motion this spring, surely the Virindi control the strings. The ultimate goal of these floating puppet masters? A force of mystery, as of yet unknown.

Following is a list of the most interesting additions made to the game this update. However, please note that not all changes have been included -- that would spoil the fun of finding out everything that's been 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 abilities of items are not always listed here in their entirety. Highlights include:

• Further adventures and quests have been introduced, to challenge even the bravest of souls.
• As if the land wasn't already filled with danger, hideous new invaders stalk Dereth.
• Springtime fashion has arrived, with craftsmen able to turn certain hides into prized trophies.
• The winter snows have receded, heralding the arrival of spring. And yet, a mysterious purplish glow still haunts the nighttime skies.
• Aerfalle's Keep has been updated with some exciting changes. Be careful in there (and make sure you stay by your keyboard at all times).
• A few old monsters now play nicer. . . . Some Wasps and Zefirs have been told to act more like their level. They have promised to obey.

In order to learn the full scope of March's event, “Spring's Sorrows,” be sure to read the Developer's Notes, March. Continue your part in this incredible ongoing story, 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/marchbuild.asp

Developer's Notes

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March 21, 2001

Here are just some of the additions made in the March 21 game update, “Spring's Sorrows.” The following list is comprised of detailed notes straight from the developers themselves. For a summary of things of most interest, be sure to consult the official event article, Spring's Sorrows.

Detailed Notes for Builds 2500 -- 2507:

• Fixed the problem of cycling through items on the ground using the keyboard. Before, if two or more items were the same distance from a player, only one would be selected and the rest would be ignored. Now all items are cycled through.
• Shadow Children no longer cast portals to Savao upon death. This should have been changed when the rest of the Shard of the Herald quest was removed, but was overlooked.
• Increased the drop rates of Vial Organic Acid for Bane, Harrower, and Virulent Grievvers.
• Blunt daggers are no longer able to be enchanted.
• Replaced a door with static artwork to eliminate a shortcut in the Hieromancer Halls.
• Aerlinthe Smithing Golem no longer broadcasts global messages that the volcanoes are active. This was cueing the Behemoth of Tenkarrdun quest spawn jumpers.
• Changed the level of Relic Bones Portal (“the Watchman”) to match the other Relic Bones. Now he is an individual, like all his other friends.
• Updated Aerfalle's Keep with the new anti-macro design. All creatures in the dungeon, except for the Hellfires and Lag Beasts, are now on event generators. The death of the Watchman will activate the spawn. The death of Aerfalle *OR* the passage of ninety minutes will turn off all generators and empty the dungeon again. You can't macro drain what isn't there.
• There are now powerful Mana Drain hotspots in Aerfalle's Keep exit portal room. Do not enter this area unless you intend to leave.
• The cells in lower Aerfalle's Keep have been changed. Increased the spawn rate of the Umbris from ten to twelve minutes. The big, peaceful Panumbris next door has been removed. Its room is now filled with Mana Drain hotspots.
• Removed many Mana Blight and Dispel traps in the final hallway of Aerfalle's Keep.
• Aerfalle's Key is now a no-drop item.
• Lady Aerfalle cracked open some of her dusty old grimoires and learned new spells. Expect painful but brief (one to five minute) debuffs.
• Changed the damage values of Singularity weapons.
• Guardian and Nephol Golems at the Thaumaturgic Plate Lyceum were made, despite lore and intentions to the contrary, drainable. Bad. Fixed.
• Lowered the max mana of all Thaumaturgic and Exarch Plate pieces to 2000, and reduced the burn rates to one point per eight seconds. This gives the pieces the same 4.4 hour endurance as before, but at 1/4 the mana charge cost.
• Lowered the value of all Thaumaturgic and Exarch Plate pieces by 20% (coat: 8000, leggings: 4800, girth: 2400).
• Lowered encumbrance on both Thaumaturgic and Exarch Plate pieces to make a full set nearly as lightweight as a robe (coat: 100, leggings: 75, girth: 50).
• On the Exarch Plate Girth, replaced Fauna Perlustration with Mana Renewal 6.
• The Thaumaturgic and Exarch Plate Coats have been extended to cover the hands. That's one less armor piece (gloves/gauntlets) to buff.