Shadows of the Past
Asaina al-Arqis read late into the day, poring over ancient texts for some reference to the gigantic bridge-like structure appearing and disappearing over the river near Holtburg. At dusk, soon after she'd lit her candle, a weariness stole over her that could not be explained by the warm spring air, and she soon bowed her head upon the desk. When she finally awoke much later, the larger moon had just begun to rise, and by its light, she could see the dead candle with barely a dimple around its wick. She began to stretch her arm, then stopped -- the desk was bare where her manuscripts had been.
Something rasped on the floor behind her, and she leapt from her chair. A bone-white figure clad in tatters emerged from the stacks. Its attention as bent over a book in one hand. In its other, it held the missing parchment. Heart pounding, she cast about for escape as it slowly raised its head, to reveal eye sockets like pits floored with angry-hot magma. Instinctively, she averted her eyes. A lich! But who, and why?
"The fools in Frore," said the undead monster, "made a toy of the prism, and now the old magic is loosed; the suspended war resumes. Many hidden things will return, and the heretic will kidnap and toy with your people. Reassemble the weapons and fight him! Rally your feeble people, Asaina al-Arqis. Tonight I let you live."
She understood none of this. "Who is the heretic?" she asked, but received no answer, and realizing too late that she should not look up, she stood transfixed by those burning eyes. The horror of that stare lingered with its afterimage glow as the lich grinned, faded, and was gone.
In the spirit of this season of hearts and flowers, the faithful Sentinels of Dereth will soon be conducting Wedding Ceremonies for all willing lovebirds. As our new society on the edge of chaos matures, so grows the desire to express devotion that goes even deeper than a fellowship or allegiance. Though this ceremony has only the powers and benefits that the betrothed bring to it, a wedding union symbolizes a bond that endures the many trials of life in Dereth.
Microsoft announced that beginning tomorrow, Thursday, January 20, a Dark Thaw will descend over the land of Dereth in the dynamic world of Asheron's Call. As the snow from last month's event retreats to higher elevations, new perils have stalked out to greet adventurers. Mysterious new creatures, floating crystals and shadow monsters, have begun to dot the landscape. Gamers are urged to remain on guard, as no one yet knows what their appearance signifies. "Dark Thaw" is part of the ongoing storyline in Asheron's Call, and is the second in a series of monthly events.
After his long journey gathering spell components, Kobo Taki hurried through his estate, barely pausing in the courtyard to greet his gardeners, who labored among puddles and dwindling humps of snow. Once in his study, he locked the door and, after a quick search, located the book he needed and scanned frantically through its pages for a particular passage: "If the crystal breaks, its scions will appear and shadows will well up over the earth." Did this apply to the floating crystals and shadow creatures he'd seen on his journey? Finding no more information, he pulled a chair up to the window and gazed over the waterlogged fields. It was common knowledge that a band of heroes had dispelled the recent winter. After battling their way to the lair of undead necromancers, they had destroyed the giant crystal that sucked the heat from the land. Perhaps this crystal was the one in the text. If so, the heroes may have unwittingly brought down a terrible curse...
Greetings to everyone!
I am Brian Haines, the Event Team Manager for Asheron's Call. Some of you have no doubt seen me lingering in the game as Jaraq or in the game lobbies as Jaraq@AC. I just wanted to introduce myself to the community and give people the scoop on what I do. As Event Team Manager, I am tasked with helping you the players organize and run your own events in the game. This includes parties, scavenger hunts, weddings, or gatherings to venture out and smite evil monsters! These are just a few examples as Events are limited strictly by one's imagination. However it is important to note that the Event Team can't conjure up monsters or quest items to help, such things would have to be from the game environment naturally. Large scale events such as the Sudden Season's events are done by Turbine and Microsoft.
There is now a Web page available where players can go to and check on upcoming User-Run Events/Gatherings and you can also fill out a form to have your own Event posted/promoted for everyone to see. This will serve as a valuable resource of information for you, the players . One I hope you'll visit often. :)
Please check this out and list your own event by going to: http://www.zone.com/asheron-oldscall/tournament.asp. The Web page will not be the only thing to help you in running Events as I will be forming a group of volunteers to make a team which will help in the game. Exact details are still being ironed out, however these individuals will be called Scribes. Should you be interested in becoming one, an email to me would be the first step. Please have the subject set as ATTN Scribes: so that I can easily identify the content of the email. Scribes will basically be there to help players run their events. They will not be able to create items in the game however.
More details will be posted soon as they become available. I look forward to working with you all to make Asherons Call as enjoyable as possible. Please do not hesitate to email me with questions or comments, my box is always open. ;)