[2013/12] The Holiday Rush

[Ziv]

It is a strange time in the world of Dereth again. The disappearance of a sclavus named Santa a strain. Thus, I task you with making sure these presents spread through these lands. With hopes they may believe in goodwill, I leave this in your hands.

As for myself, I have matters of my own to attend. There are gifts that must be hidden for a friend. As for why this must be, I do not know. ‘Tis simply a tradition done for him, whom I owe. May it bring a sense of excitement once more; to remind us again of those days of yore.

Once you’ve delivered every last treasure; I’ve arranged one more task before you take leisure. I’ve readied still more stacks of great gifts. Yet there aren’t enough workers to cover the shifts. Do not wait too long. And move right along. Eyes upon me as I bundled and wrapped; tragic if theft while little heads napped. I’d hate to see smiles turned into cries; as they learned their presents did not survive. It rests on your shoulders so don’t let me down. Shouts of “Happy Holidays” need arise from the town.


He put down the note and groaned at the matter, “This has caused my good mood to shatter. Why is it me who always must work? Can’t you find someone else, you rhyming jerk? I know what I’ll do. I’ll sit here and let them boohoo. For I never got so much as a token. And hardly a word was ever spoken. So let someone else run errands to and fro. All I wish to do is play in this snow.”

The gifts, they sat piled; while Raymond searched not for a child. He watched as the snow fell, delighted. Meanwhile, Dereth was being slighted. For if he would not rise to answer the call; who would deliver Santa’s great haul?

[Ziv]

December 2013 Release Notes

• Kill Tasks of the Month updated.
  
• Quests of the Month updated.
  
  • The Jester
    
  • Jester Focuses
    
  • Jester's Lost Marbles
• Winter has wrapped Dereth.
  
• Alchemy Changes:
  
  • Burden of phial components reduced to zero.
    
  • Crafting interaction for Alchemy Phials now yields 5 times more than before.
    
  • New alchemy component called Alembic Incanta which is used to hasten the process of making oils by essentially removing the Alembic interaction of creating infusions. This new item can be purchased from the Arwic Archmage vendor.
• Fletching changes:
  
  • Burden of components reduced to zero.
    
  • Increased stack size of non-alternate currency Greater Deadly ammo by 500.
    
  • Non-wrapped bundles of ammo that previously yielded 10 will now yield 100.
    
  • Wrapped bundles that previously yielded 500 will now yield 1000.
    
  • Whittling interactions of wrapped fletching components adjusted accordingly.
• Housing guest list expanded to 128 guests.
  
• Removed Magic Mastery from Life-attuned Rynthid Tentacle Wand.
  
• Idol of the Recluse can now target other players properly.
  
• Legendary keys now have a level 150 usage requirement.

So these are just some of the things we have in store for Asheron's Call in December! Please remember that along with everything listed here, there are new quests and exciting things going into the game for the December Event.

[Ziv]

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into letting you pick another mission after that last one…” grumbled the old soldier.

“How was I supposed to know that damnable turkey would be so tough,” replied the young adventurer, getting defensive.

“I seem to recall warning you that such things could be far more dangerous than assumed,” replied the old soldier, trying to sound sagely but coming across more like a taunt.

“I seem to recall you coming with me even after your ‘warning’. You could’ve stayed somewhere safe, if you were so worried about it.”

“Eh,” the old soldier replied with a shrug, “It’s not like you only live once in this strange world. Worst it was going to do was hurt for a moment.”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“It was a lot of time and loss to get pecked to death by a hyperactive, electrified turkey.”

“Well, not to worry, this can’t be near as bad as you seem to think that was. All we’re doing is lending some tour guide a helping hand with some mosswarts.”

Just then, a Town Crier ran up to them, looking frightened. “You have to help. A box full of gifts was just delivered to the town for the holidays, but a small army of gurogs is trying to destroy it!” The old soldier sighed as the young adventurer sprinted into the town without saying a word.

“I guess we’ll take your mission, good sir,” the old soldier told the Town Crier, as he unlimbered his shield and started to trot after the young adventurer.

As he got into the town square, he found the young adventurer standing at the edge of the clearing, gawking at the gurogs advancing on a massive gift box. Already, a couple of other adventurers had engaged the creatures, and a heated battle was starting to form.

“What are you waiting for?” asked the old soldier, trotting past the young adventurer.This seemed to snap the young adventurer out of his reverie. He sprinted to catch up to the old soldier and said,

“But, they’re so small and...”

“And what?” asked the old soldier, slowing as they neared the battle so he could pick his target.

“And, well, cute...” said the young adventurer.

“Cute!?!? Gurogs are not cute. These ones are just runty. Why do you think they’re cute? Have you gone soft in the head?!” The old soldier was set upon by a pair of the short gurogs before he could continue his tirade. He switched from foe to foe, trying to hold both off. “Are you joining this fight, or are they too cute to defend yourself against?”

The young adventurer grumbled as he stepped in beside the old soldier, “Oh, I’ll fight them, since they’re trying to wreck the presents, but I still think they’re cute.”

[Ziv]