Sanya's attempt was cute so I left it in the patch notes. Yes. It was a horrible pun. I know. Please don't email me. ;) ==================================== Dark Age of Camelot Version 1.45 Test Release Notes January 29, 2002 ==================================== Dark Age of Camelot Version 1.45 introduces three new "Epic" zones into the game. With the zones come new monster models, skins, sound effects, new high-level loot, and lots more. We plan on doing several Pendragon patches this week, each of which will include more monster skins and models, as well as bug fixes. NEW MONSTER GRAPHICS AND SOUNDS - Three Dragons (Wolf-headed, Stone, and Glimmer), with sounds. - Demon model, with sounds - Imp model, with sounds. - Afanc model, with sounds. - Baby afanc model, with sounds. - three Rock Ogres (one new model, three new skins). - new flying pixie model, with sounds. - new werewolf-model skins. SPELL SYSTEM NOTES We've made a change in the way that specialization affects Self Armor Factor buffs for robed casters. Now, robed casters are no longer affected by specialization (casters who specced outside their shield line's skill were taking a significant defense hit). However, Armor Factor Buffs for concentration casters remain affected by specialization. WORLD NOTES 3 New Zones added: Three new "Epic" zones make their debut in this patch: one in each realm's home region. These zones are full of high level content intended for large groups of players 35 - 50th level. The encounters in these zones are fully itemized with appropriate treasure. The zones are laid out differently from most of our other outdoor areas, they are designed to more tightly constrict player movement, funneling groups (to some extent) through more targeted encounters that have to be bypassed or defeated before they can move on. Each of the zones has as its ultimate encounter a fearsome creature of monstrous power, let those who wander these zones take plenty of friends! Please note that many of the monster models that appear in the new zones are placeholders and will be replaced with new ones over the course of this week. Albion Zone: Dartmoor In the times of Uther Pendragon, Articus, son of a Roman dignitary left his homeland to get away from the politics of Rome. He and his family settled in an area in the Cornwall region known as Dartmoor, a beautiful moorland with wooded valleys and windswept Tors. They had built a castle and established a respectable holding in the rugged area. About ten years had passed and still little was known about Lord Articus and his family, since they often preferred to keep to themselves. Duke Marcus of Cornwall dispatched a messenger to his quiet neighbor with invitations for them to attend an upcoming celebration. When the messenger never returned, a second messenger was sent. The second one, like the first, was never seen again. Whether out of concern or suspicion, Duke Marcus sent his son along with a contingent of knights to both investigate the disappearance of the messengers and the welfare of Lord Articus. Two weeks later, Duke Marcus' son returned alone. He was badly injured and his armor singed. He never told his father or anyone else what he saw. Some say it was fear. Others claim that it was his pride. The only thing he did convey was that Lord Articus, his family, and his servants were all dead. Until recently, people of Briton were warned away from Dartmoor. However, the people have grown restless and hunger for adventure. Their memories fade, and most have forgotten the warnings. Last month, Sir Arward and 30 of his best fighters ventured deep in to the depths of Dartmoor. Two days ago, Sir Arward’s scribe’s journal, slightly singed and stained with blood fell out of the sky and landed in front of the guards at Prydwen Keep. A summary of the journal explains a bit of what the party discovered. At first, all they found were wild ponies, small but tough little beasts. The group, thinking that they’ve been afraid to venture to the area because of a bunch of wild ponies, relaxed their guard considerably. Sir Arward ordered one of his scouts to climb a nearby granite tor so that he might see further in to the distance. However, as soon as the scout approached the giant granite mass, it turned and faced them. It was a giant, made entirely from granite, carrying a giant shepherd’s staff. The poor scout never had a chance. The armored fighters engaged the massive creature and managed to defeat it. Their need for caution had been restored. As they moved deeper into Dartmoor, it became immediately obvious that the giant they fought was neither unique nor alone. What had previously been mistaken for giant rocks seemed to come alive with movement. Trying to avoid the behemoths (though some fights were unavoidable), the group found themselves in a giant granite quarry surrounded by a group of ogre-like creatures. Surprisingly, they didn’t attack the party. In a limited, barbaric grasp of the Briton language, the ogres claimed to be the Stonecrush Clan. They mined and ate granite, which angered the granite giants to no end. It was obvious that there had been some hostilities between the giants and the ogres, and the Stonecrush Clan considered Sir Arward’s group as friends since they had fought and killed giants. The journal contained little more information. The next page seemed to have been partially burned. Only one large word near the bottom could be read: Golestandt. Midgard Zone: Malmohus Hunters have reported that the Svartalfar have been extremely active in the Skona Ravine area. It seems they have been sending masses of their best scouts and infiltrators in to the woodland south of Skona Ridge, a little-known and less-explored region known as Malmohus. The werewolves of Skona, however, seem to be afraid of the area - they avoid it almost as if they believed Malmohus to be cursed. A large group of hunters was sent to follow the Svartalfar into Malmohus, for it was obvious they were up to something. The hunters temporarily lost the Svartalfar trail when they stumbled across some odd looking creatures. They looked like wolves, but had scales and a lizard’s tail. The hunters called them scaled vargs, and found out happily that their beast charms worked on the creatures. They renewed their tracking of the Svartalfar and were fortunate enough to find a single Svartalf scout, who they restrained and interrogated. The svartalf was young and was almost happy to give the hunters the information they desired, so long as his life would be spared. The svartalf explained that these lands were the home of Gjalpinulva, a daughter of great beast Fenris Wolf, and some huge unknown creature. The scout said that Gjalpinulva, herself a gigantic abomination, in her loneliness, created creatures that would be loyal to her and serve her: intelligent scaled wolves that walk on two legs. The Svartalfar, the scount claimed, came to Malmohus to investigate the Gjalpinulva and her brood and possibly destroy them. The Svartalvear needed to gather more information about the huge creatures before contemplating any action against Malmohus. The hunters let the young svartalf go, anxious to return to Jordheim and report their findings. The great beast Gjalpinulva and her minions have not yet been sighted. Their appearance and power remain a mystery, although it is assumed that she is gigantic and immensely powerful. Hibernian Zone: Sheeroe Hills In a routine scouting pass through the outskirts of the Bog of Cullen, a small group of seasoned rangers found that the landscaped had changed along the bog’s northern edge. A pass, which had not been there previously, appeared from under a thick layer of mists. The rangers, dubious of the nature of the pass, scouted it cautiously. Before they ventured too far, small spirits that seemed to "glimmer" with an unusual light confronted them with aggressive intentions. Suspecting it to be a siabra trick, the rangers quickly dispatched the odd creatures. Not too long after their first encounter larger spirit-type creatures, sharing the same type of “glimmer” as the previous spirits, also attacked the group. These were obviously more powerful than the small spirits that were encountered previously, almost too powerful. The behavior of these spiritual beings was very unlike the siabra, and this new experience was more than the rangers wanted to handle without more information about what they were facing. The rangers returned with their findings and decided to consult others. They found themselves reciting their story to many, but no one seemed to have any more information on these glimmers, as they came to be known. That was, until they found themselves in the company of the ancient elven sage, Tyldifyl. "Like the kingdoms of man," he began, "the Otherworld is also divided into regions, each often having its own ruler and laws. Some of those "kingdoms" are more known than others, since some wish to remain unseen. One such place is called the Sheeroe Hills, ruled by Cuuldurach the Glimmer King. Cuuldurach is an ancient and powerful being. He rules with absolute power in his realm, in the realm of what you call the Glimmers..." The rangers gathered more information and found that the worshippers of the Great Azure, ancient relatives of the Firbolg who find their faith in the unclouded sky, have sent strong expeditions into the Sheeroe Hills. In their zealot-like reverence for their god, they believe that the glimmers are evil, tainted creatures of death, and because of that, they believe it is their duty to cleanse the land of their presence. They have established strongholds in the Sheeroe Hills and guard them closely, distrusting anyone but one of their own to venture near. Other Monster Encounter Changes: Albion: - The telamon of Lyonesse seem to be a tad less vigilant than before. - Extremely nasty and intimidating creatures have been seen around Llyn Barfog. Some even claim that the Legendary Afanc, a demonic water creature of King Arthur's time, has returned to tend to her young. Use extreme caution when exploring this area. Midgard: - The isalf forayer population has increased slightly throughout the Midgard frontier. Graphics Update: - Several new monster models have been provided by our wonderful art team. Here is a list of some of the creatures that are sporting a new look. ALBION manes demon grumoz demon Fielath wind mephit impling gwr-drwgiaid fiery fiend Ash afanc hatchling faerie mischief-maker faerie wolf-crier faerie bellwether Lady Leanna Ellyll windchaser mist sprite pixie pixie scout pixie imp Pixie Queen MIDGARD flaming raukomaz Lord Fire wind sprite Swift mora rider mora dancer HIBERNIA cruiach demon Idol of Crom Cruiach cruach imp Spifnar deamhan aeir Aoife mountain mephit tunnel imp Scratch bocaidhe bocaide Yrial orchard nipper NPC Fixes Runthal Devyn, the imposter fletching master that would not let you join the trade order has been removed from Camelot City by the city guard. Acey Dalston is the only fletching master authorized to admit new members. Hibernian Quests: Quest - Criofan's Fish: Casters that finished Criofan's Fish can turn in the leather boots to Criofan, in Connla, for a set of cloth boots. Nightshades and Rangers can now do the quest. Midgard Quests: Quest – The Red Daggers: Players now have a reminder in their quest journal to turn in the scroll of seithkona to the Gythja of Bragi. Players that do not turn it in will now automatically have it deleted from their inventory when they complete that section of the guild track quest. Players that have it stored in their bank may DELETE IT! Quest – Widower’s Hunt: Healers have been added to the list of classes able to do this quest. Ick and Piercer now have quests associated with them. Speak to the Barkeeps for details. The Mischief Maker’s Axe now procs correctly. Albion Quests: Quest: Amulet of the Planes More detail regarding Borwyr's spawn time has been added to the journal. Quest: Legione perso Players on this quest should now be able to continue normally when fighting Lunaris primus pilus. Pets will no longer cause players difficulty when attempting to complete this quest. Quest: The Captured Courier Dunsten can now be re-spawned killing Elithralia Nodith. Dunsten should also remain in place longer so that players can turn their items into him. OBJECT NOTES Four new zones have been totally itemized: - Lyonesse (Albion), item levels 30-50 (existing zone) - Dartmoor (Albion), item levels 35-50 (new epic zone) - Malmohus (Midgard), item levels 35-50 (new epic zone) - Sherroe Hills (Hibernia), item levels 35-50 (new epic zone) We also went back through a couple of zones that were rare item drops, and made changes where appropriate. You'll now find that these zones have much more to offer: - Muspelheim (Midgard), item levels 20-32 - Valley of Bri Leith (Hibernia), item levels 15-40 Other Object notes - The Shadowed Vest should now be dyeable with leather dye (was previously only using enamel) - Gloves of the Spined Backpiercer should now be dyeable. - Yellow Silken Robes can now be dyed.