May 2006 News
May 31, 2006 -
I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend!
Today I have a couple semi-important bits of news. First off, it's been quite a long time since we had our last overtink session (it was in January!), so I think we're more than due for another one. We definitely have a Weapon and Armor Tinkering rare, so those two sessions are definitely a go. Kickem's skills will be just over 900 with the rare, so expect to be able to get in an extra 3-4 tinks. We should have a Magic Item tink gem too, but Sarah's MI skill isn't really good enough to warrant using that gem. I believe Death Count and Eric Dippel have capable MI tinkerers, so we'll see about that. I will post specific percentages soon, but in the meantime, I'm still looking to see who's interested. Leave a post HERE if you're interested - it'll probably be on a Saturday afternoon. If you have a rare gem (either a tinkering rare or a strength, endurance, or focus rare), please let me know - having the extra attribute rare would be exceptionally nice and would add an extra tink or two to Kickem's capabilities.
The other tidbit of news is quest-related. My timers for the Harbinger will be up by the 10th of June, so I'll be planning two Harbinger trips that weekend. Since the last time we did this quest, there have been some pretty major changes to the quest - in fact, there are three separate Harbingers now, but each is on the same timer. Each quest gives you your point of skill, but the harder ones offer new titles and a very large percentage-based XP reward. I haven't decided which Harbinger quests to try, but rest assured that we'll be doing some version of Harbinger that weekend. As always, I have a very limited selection of Harby items in stock, but if you do want to get your skill point, you should start hunting now. As I mentioned in the last update, I would still like to do a Caul Recall trip for Kharasan and Blackmires for Elyria, but those will likely be somewhat impromptu. I also understand that a couple people need Aphus Recall too, so impromptu Bobo quests should be happening soon as well.
The Quest Section is has a couple new quests. I'm down to about 25 quest guides to write!
May 25th, 2006 -
The Quest Section now reflects May's new quests. There are a few new quests this month that affect your loyalty to the Rossu Morta and the Whispering Blade, so if you are a member of either of those factions, you may want to complete them. The Harbinger Quest and Essence Invasion quests have both been updated yet again - the Harbinger is now significantly more complicated, but the Essences are now easier. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to do the Harbinger updates yet as my timer isn't up. The quest guides for both quests are somewhat inaccurate for the time being, but I will update them when I know enough to make a meaningful contribution.
The PoA Housing Guide has been updated as well and now has over a dozen entries. Chances are you are already listed, but if you aren't, please post on the appropriate thread on the forums.
Kalimar's PoA Account is now up and running. He, Elyria, Eric Dippel, and I have access to it should you want to browse. Kalimar will be posting a complete listing of what's available for distribution soon. Presently, there are a large number of rending weapons (mostly Xbows, Axes, and Swords) in the mid-level wield ranges. There are also a few Princely Runed Weapons, although mostly the unpopular types. There are still several majors available in the mansion chests for general use should you need them.
I will be gone Memorial Day weekend, so no quests unfortunately. Given that Elyria just hit 100 and Kharasan is about to hit 90, I would like to do Caul Recall and some of the more entertaining Blackmires soon, but they will have to be done during the week.
May 17th, 2006 -
It's Patch Day once again! Have a look at this thread on the forums to read the event news and have a look at the teaser images. The Quest Section is updated too - April's quests are now in the regular sections. May's quests will be up as soon as they are discovered. New this month are expanded monarchy officer positions! There are a maximum of 12 Officer positions available in three separate tiers. These positions will be ceremonial only - I don't really plan on implementing an officer system as I don't think we need it at this point. The people receiving promotions are:
Rank 3 - Mouth of Gyes: June the Intrepid
Rank 2 - Advocate: Elyria, Himura the Mage
Rank 1 - Sentinel: Ci'ahra Rae, Darellon, Death Count, Kharasan, Ne Nefer Ka Ptah, Silver Death, Zebda
Congrats to all of you! If I left anyone out, I'm sorry!
Kalimar has generously offered to maintain a PoA Storage account for general use. If you have donations of old but good armor, weapons, or other gear, get in touch with him. Several of you will be given the account info so you can add or remove gear at your convenience. Thanks Kalimar!
Eric Dippel has been thoughtful enough to compile a listing of PoA housing on the forums. That thread is located HERE. I've also added a listing on the site itself, which is HERE. If your info isn't listed, please leave a post on the forum thread.
May 10, 2006 -
I let the site get away from me again... sorry! Between traveling and coming down with a bad cold, I've been pretty much incapacitated over the last week or so. The good news is that I'm pretty much over my cold and that I'll have the time to lead some quests this weekend. I've chosen Hard Aerlinthe and Dark Monolith this time. I recommend 80+ on both, so pretty much all of you should be able to go if you have the time. Check the quest section of the forums for details!
Patch Day is slated for May 17th - check out the thread on the forums for details. Teaser images are up, but the usual pre-patch articles are not. Frelorn did give a detailed statement about changes to the monarchy system coming this month, which you can find in the patch thread listed above. For the first time in AC, we'll finally be able to name our monarchies and carry around the PoA name, not just mine. There will also be improvements to the officer system, so expect some of you to be getting promotions!